Ako Ay May Lobo
Philippines Tagalog Nursery Rhyme
Original Lyrics
Lumipad sa langit
'Di ko na nakita
Pumutok na pala
Sayang ang pera ko
Pinambili ng lobo
Kung pagkain sana
Nabusog pa ako
English Translation
It flew to the sky
I never saw it again
Turns out it popped
My money went to waste
Buying that balloon
If I had bought food instead
I would be full
Translation Notes
Grammar Notes
"Ay" is a grammatical particle in Tagalog that inverts the normal word order for emphasis. "Ako ay may lobo" emphasizes "I" had a balloon (as opposed to someone else).
"Sana" expresses wishful thinking or regret about something that didn't happen.
Line-by-Line Translation
Ako ay may lobo — "I had a balloon" - Ako = I - ay = (linking verb, no direct English equivalent) - may = have/possess - lobo = balloon
Lumipad sa langit — "It flew to the sky" - Lumipad = flew (past tense of "lipad") - sa langit = to the sky
'Di ko na nakita — "I never saw it again" - 'Di = not (contraction of "hindi") - ko = I/my - na = anymore/already - nakita = saw (past tense of "kita")
Pumutok na pala — "Turns out it popped" - Pumutok = popped/burst (past tense) - na pala = turns out/apparently
Sayang ang pera ko — "My money went to waste" - Sayang = what a waste/pity - ang pera ko = my money
Pinambili ng lobo — "Buying that balloon" - Pinambili = used to buy - ng lobo = of balloon
Kung pagkain sana — "If I had bought food instead" - Kung = if - pagkain = food - sana = hopefully/wish (expressing regret)
Nabusog pa ako — "I would be full" - Nabusog = became full/satisfied - pa = still/even - ako = I
Line-by-Line Translation
Ako ay may lobo — "I had a balloon" - Ako = I - ay = (linking verb, no direct English equivalent) - may = have/possess - lobo = balloon
Lumipad sa langit — "It flew to the sky" - Lumipad = flew (past tense of "lipad") - sa langit = to the sky
'Di ko na nakita — "I never saw it again" - 'Di = not (contraction of "hindi") - ko = I/my - na = anymore/already - nakita = saw (past tense of "kita")
Pumutok na pala — "Turns out it popped" - Pumutok = popped/burst (past tense) - na pala = turns out/apparently
Sayang ang pera ko — "My money went to waste" - Sayang = what a waste/pity - ang pera ko = my money
Pinambili ng lobo — "Buying that balloon" - Pinambili = used to buy - ng lobo = of balloon
Kung pagkain sana — "If I had bought food instead" - Kung = if - pagkain = food - sana = hopefully/wish (expressing regret)
Nabusog pa ako — "I would be full" - Nabusog = became full/satisfied - pa = still/even - ako = I
History and Meaning
"Ako Ay May Lobo" is a popular traditional Tagalog children's song from the Philippines. The word "lobo" in the song refers to a balloon, and the song tells a simple but meaningful story that Filipino children have been singing for generations.
The Story
The lyrics tell the story of a child who bought a balloon with their money. The balloon flew up into the sky and the child never saw it again - it had popped. The child then expresses regret, realizing that the money spent on the balloon was wasted. If they had bought food instead, they would have been satisfied and full.
This simple narrative captures a universal childhood experience - the disappointment of losing something precious, combined with a reflection on the value of money and the wisdom of spending choices.
Educational Value and Life Lessons
Beyond being a catchy children's song, "Ako Ay May Lobo" serves as an educational tool that teaches important life lessons in a gentle, relatable way. The song subtly introduces concepts of financial literacy to young children, helping them understand:
- The value of money: Money is limited and should be spent wisely
- Needs vs. wants: The difference between necessities (food) and temporary pleasures (balloon)
- Delayed gratification: Sometimes it's better to spend on lasting value rather than momentary
enjoyment - Learning from mistakes: The child's regret becomes a learning experience
Cultural Context
In Filipino culture, where family resources are often carefully managed and children are taught to be mindful of expenses from a young age, this song reinforces values of practical thinking and wise decision-making. The comparison between a balloon (which brings brief joy but quickly disappears) and food (which provides nourishment and satisfaction) resonates with traditional Filipino values of practicality and prioritizing basic needs.
Oral Tradition
Like many Filipino folk songs, "Ako Ay May Lobo" has been passed down through oral tradition, sung by parents and grandparents to children across and generations. Its simple melody and relatable story have ensured its survival and continued popularity in Filipino households, schools, and communities both in the Philippines and among Filipino diaspora communities worldwide.
The song exemplifies how traditional children's songs can serve multiple purposes - entertaining children while simultaneously teaching them important values and life lessons in a format they can easily understand and remember.
Themes and Lessons
This song teaches children about the value of money and making wise spending choices. The child regrets buying a balloon (a temporary pleasure) when the money could have been spent on food (a necessity). It's a gentle lesson about priorities and delayed gratification, presented in a way children can understand through a relatable experience of losing a balloon.