Pen Pen de Sarapen
"Pen Pen de Sarapen" is basically a nonsense rhyme for choosing who's "It" (the "taya") - like Eeny, Meenie, Miney, Moe.
Pen Pen de Sarapen
Pen Pen from Sarapen
Counting-out Rhyme
Counting-out Rhyme
(Tagalog)
(English)
Pen pen de sarapen,
de kutsilyo de almasen
Haw, haw de karabaw
Batutin.
Sipit namimilipit, ginto't pilak
Namumulaklak sa tabi ng dagat.
Pen, pen from Sarapen,
Knife from department store
How, how the carabao*
Stinks!
Pinching tongs, gold and silver
Blooming near the sea.
Notes
*A carabao is type of water buffalo found in the Philippines.
Game Instructions
According to the site Everything2, in addition to being used to choose who's "It" the traditional way (by pointing to each kid in a circle while reciting the rhyme and whoever is pointed to last is "It"): "The rhyme is also a game in itself played between a pair of children or an adult and a child. One holds out his or her palm and sings the rhyme while the other repeatedly touches and removes the tip of his or her forefinger to and from the palm for each syllable. The singer leaves his or her palm open until he or she reaches the end of the song where it is time to close his hand and catch the other's finger. The person whose finger is caught can be deemed "It," which designates him or her as the one to hold out the palm for the next round."
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks!
