Analysis of Tatlong Bibe

Tatlong Bibe is an old Tagalog children’s song that was loosely based on an English nursery rhyme entitled Three Little Ducks. It was recently popularized by the Japanese-Brazilian actor Daniel Matsunaga when he sang it in one of the episodes of the telenovela Be My Lady. I am going to examine the kiddie song and assess if the values from this song are positive for our youngsters.

May tatlong bibe akong nakita.
Mataba, mapayat mga bibe.

Translation: I saw three little ducks. Fat little duck, thin little ducks.

The song depicts an irreducible representation of a society: one person undyingly believing in one side, another person enduringly standing on the other side, and a pragmatic third person who has no loyalty and can be swayed to either side depending on issues. The second line shows that diversity exists in any society and it is important for kids to recognize that early on because they will later decide to choose one side or to remain without allegiance to any side.

Ngunit ang may pakpak sa likod ay iisa.
Siya ang lider na nagsabi ng “kwak, kwak!”
“Kwak, kwak, kwak! Kwak, kwak, kwak!”
Siya ang lider na nagsabi ng “kwak, kwak!”

Translation: But only one little duck has mature wings. He/She is the leader who said “quack, quack!”

These verses indicate that an ideal society has a leader who is the most mature among the group. In a three-member group wherein two persons are on the opposite sides of an argument, the opinion of the rational leader always delivers the two-thirds majority vote for the winning side. In the song, the leader counted that there were two votes (“kwak, kwak!”) to his side. After the voting, the three little ducks counted the total number of votes and they confirmed that there were indeed three votes (“Kwak, kwak, kwak!”). They even made a recount (“Kwak, kwak, kwak!”) to make sure that no little duck was disenfranchised in the process. As a conclusion, the leader declared that the winning side had two votes (“kwak, kwak!”). The verses above describe a voting process and the kids should learn to get involved in and to respect the result of an honest voting.

“Tayo na sa ilog,” ang sabi.
Kumendeng, kumendeng ang mga bibe.
Ngunit ang may pakpak sa likod ay iisa.
Siya ang lider na nagsabi ng “kwak, kwak!”
“Kwak, kwak, kwak! Kwak, kwak, kwak!”
Siya ang lider na nagsabi ng “kwak, kwak!”

Translation: “Let us go to the river,” one said. The little ducks were swinging their tails.

One little duck proposed that they go to the river. The other little duck had another suggestion. They tried to convince one another to their side. The leader gave the second vote to the proposal of the first little duck and said “kwak, kwak!” After the decision, the leader bridged the two factions and they all went to the river, which is the means where the little ducks can go to other places. The river represents an opportunity to transfer to a greener pasture. The possibility of moving to a higher social status should be taught to kids to give them hope for a brighter future.

This song promotes the early understanding of diversity in the society, of the basics of a democratic process, and of social mobility to Filipino children whose parents and teachers are intolerant of other people with different religion/sect/denomination or race/ethnicity/culture, are disrespectful of the sanctity of our elections by selling their votes, and are stuck in the mud and pulling down those who aspire to move ahead and advance their lives. May this nursery rhyme mold a new generation of Filipinos who are not like the earlier generations who were raised in a damaged culture.

YouTube Videos:

1.       Tatlong Bibe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7fTtLFQ2NE

2.       Three Little Ducks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2enz2jkB5Q

The Author: Andy Salatan is a Chemist who understands that the duck’s uropygial gland produces oil (a non-polar substance) that the duck applies to its feathers to make them waterproof to enhance its buoyancy in water (a polar substance).