Tigsik

Tigsik is an old type of short poems or rawitdawit in Bikol. It shows how spontaneous and talented Bikolanos are in versing. This is actually done verbally, while having a shot during a drinking session with colleagues. It is composed of two to four lines with eight or more syllables in mono-rhyme scheme. Tigsik is for praising or making humilation out of something or someone. It can be positive or negative, serious or most of the time, humorous.

I have created three written tigsik with my pastel arts that were submitted for my literature subject.

An pili na yan, tigsik ko

matagas buksan ga-gapô

kaipuhan nin martilyo

nganing mani makakan ko

An Arte sa Pagkakan Pili (2012) Pastel on paper 8x5.5’

In eating pili nut, you must have strength in opening it. One of the many ways in opening pili nut is hammering it until you get the nuts.

Tigsik ko si manay para babalaw

Pasiring daa siya duman sa Baao

Naglunad dyip, gabos nagmuraw-muraw

Mahamuton! Nagkurulob dungo, aw!

Parababalaw, Para! (2012) Pastel on paper 8x5.5’

Balaw is a paste from small shrimps that are fermented for several days. It has a strong salty and fishy smell. This is the main ingredient in making Bicol Express.

Tigsik ko an naggigibong koron

Dai nagtataram sa may pugon

Dawa mirindalan duwang toron

mga gibo gabos magagayon

Koron mî Toron (2012) Pastel on paper 8x5.5’

Coron or clay-pot is the local product of Tiwi, Albay. Toron is a banana wrapped in Lumpia wrapper then deep-fried that is perfect for afternoon snacks. There are many kinds of version of toron in Bikol. Some use sugar and some use sangkaka or sugarcane candy for sweetening.