FIGURES & PICTURES

(Translation in Bikol-Tabaco of THE SONG OF THE TRAVELER, based on Arthur Ferguson’s translation of CANTO DEL VIAJERO, A poem by Dr. Jose P. Rizal)

.

Siring sa dahon na natakdag dangan naalang,

Sa hurasa kang salimagyo tinurotalbo lamang;

Arog kang paralakbay nagpakataltal daing tuyo,

Daing banwa, daing kalag, ni pusong mahoyo.

.

Masigkat humanap ki marhay na palad;

Kudi su palad masugot, nagdudulag-dulag,

Marasa pang an paglaom, hinamak sana, binasang;

Kaya sa saiya an dagat baga - kasimbagan.

.

Siya daw nadagka sa dai man ngani mangaranan,

Binutong pasubangan abot sundong sulnopan;

Danay no-marumdoman mga manungod na kaugay,

Nangaturogan kang kaanak sa pandok kang kasakay.

.

Ngapit kun magadan sa daing alongaong,

Kuta harong ito sa irok na matuninong;

Kun saaga malingawan na kang mga ginikanan,

Mapara, makarawan, ililigtas kang Kagurangnan!

.

An paralakbay daa mapulot sa alinawnawan,

Maka-uri-uring linalang arog kang mga gamgam;

Minsan nagdadangadang igwang pighihidawan

Ta daing kairiba sa dagang natugdonan.

.

Mauli man an paralakbay makalihis na dumayo,

Pungaw sa kaanak, daghan kuta nangalayo;

Daing naabutan kudi harong bagang naulag,

Mga abo, mga pantson an saiyang natingkalag.

.

Buhi giraray! No-bumalik, bahala na,

Sa dagang minundagan pigsisisay na sana;

Magrokyaw man an ibang hare saimo mangagda,

Makano kun giraray an kinaban libuton pa.

.

Buhi giraray! No-bumalik, bahala na,

An luha mo kasubago ngonyan nagmara na;

Buhi paralakbay an sakit lingawan,

Pag ika namundo ma-ugsad ka sa kinaban.

Babayi,
mawot kong matanan giraray
an liwoy mong dai ni sarong tapsi.
Ta dai ko na kaipuhan ki panira.
Papasayon ko sana
pasisiring sa irarom kang saimong lawas.
No sain,
duman nagpopoon an
kinikilat buda dinalugdog
kang saimong pagkababayi.

Babayi,
ngonyan mo mananamitan.
An haloy mo nang pigduduwa-duwahan.
Pabayan mong bulongon ko,
an hinangos mong dai mo masabutan.
Sa inot man sana ini nakakasaluksok.
Pagtood ka na,
garo man sana ini hapros
dawa idusog kong makusog.

Babayi,
halion mo ngona an bado
kang langit buda impyerno,
sa saimong isip.
Ta ako ngonyan saimo an mabunyag.
Ngonyan mo sana ini  hihibian,
pag nabalo mo na,
pirmi mo na ining pag-uugop-ugopan.

Malaog na ako.
Malaog na ako dawa makulog sa saimo.
Malaog na ako,
dawa dai mo pa ipinakiblit
sa kiisay man
an sarong kabtang kang saimong hawak.
No sain ikikurahaw mo
an awit na saimo sana madadangog…
makulog man ini sako.
Kudi iaatang ko
dawa sakuyang ikagadan.
Arog kang lalaking sugod,
na ikikupsit an gabos na pagkamoot.

Babayi,
magdamlag na kita sa higdaan.
Dyan-dyan.
Duman naman ngaya kita
sa tukawan.
Ta an init kang mga daghan ta,
duman,
mag-aarabrasahan.
Nagraraba-raba bagang siram!

(translation in Bicol of TRICKS OF TIME originally written in English by SANDRA SOLIS)
mas pa sa mga dalan, kadagatan o
    kaparusan,
an pagbiyahe kang buhay naglalakawlakaw 
    sana sa mga istasyon kadungan an
    pagsalida kang aldaw … bulan…
    buda taon.

pag no-an saro nakunsumo na an sarong
    oras, o minuto, dawa pa segundo,
    makantidadon, dulo na makunsumo
    minsan hidali ining mga kalag na
    nasa kasiributan.

kada linalang, hinirasan ki magkakanigong
    pagpakinabang, piggagamit sa tama
    poon sa pagkamundag, sagkod sa mga
    mahuhugpaan  kan siring na buhay,
    pailawod sa kalongdan na pondohan
    kang mga naghingagadan na.

an mga dalan nagbaralagbagan kaya
    nagturuparan sa mga kamugtakan na
    dai mahona-hona…
    an pagbusol, pagdusog buda panghimurusogan
    kaining mga gakot kang taknaan, ano baya ta…
    pasisiring baga sa kagadanan kang
    lambang saro.

nata ta an saro mas mapagadan pa sa
    dawa pa sala buda tugdas na kadunongan,
    pigtutubdan na mapangimbabawan an taknaan
    buda mag-ugma sa kadikit na panahon kang
    kabantugan.

husto na daa sa saro na mahinaan an
    sadiri  maubayan pa kan kadikit na
    panahon kang kaanggotan
    sa kahiwasan kang mabitoon na kabanggihon
    na saro-sarong sinabritan kaining bulan
    kang kinaban.

kun mundo ka
an luha
patagdoon mo,
dai ko man mahapros
an saimong pandok,
iluwas mo sana
padalihigon mo.

dai mo sana pagdugangan
ki saro pang kalag,
akong nakalubong nang
magmamansay
sa saimong kagayunan.

sagkod man,
kun ika madagit,
no dai nanggad na mapugolan,
ikurahaw mo…
ibatas mo an kaanggotan
sa tubig
sa dagat
sa kaparusan,
ta no-ako kaan an
makinabang,
gigibuhon ko an ladawan
na magbabalaog ki hadok,
magdadanay man giraray
an marhay mong dangog,
sagkod sa mga suksok
na dai pa naaabot.

no-ika man tumurog na,
magpahingalo
mabalos.

liwat yaon an
mahayahay na hinangos.

sa otro no-lumuha ka
no-humaya gibuhon mo,
iyo sana an maka-uraw sa gabos
an magpamati kang dai ka
na mahihiling otro.

giraray maglugo-lugo ka
na no-mag-alintuto dai ka
sana mapinaw
sa paghiling ko.

(Translation in Bicol of THE TRIP, originally written in English by Fr. Ramonclaro Mendez)

an hayahay na alimyo  kan kadlagan
laog-luwas sa sakuyang hangusan.
poon sa gilid kan tinampo sagkod sa
paturukad na dagang nagugubingan
kan pagkahidyaw.

an malindong na mga sirong,
alituktukon bagang
nagbuburulos ki mga gapo buda mga sangang
nagralampawan.
nagpakalugsot, nagpakalakop sa
amurang kan kabulodan.

brilyanteng tubig… masulog,
nagngingirit sa maroka.
kudi kan kami nasa pamitsan na,
kadungan na kan mga basud no-sain salog
sindang nagin kali-kali na sana.

tag-init na naman buda panahon na kan
karampingan.
an mga bus nakikigsusuan sa mga
awtong naghahanap buda pighaharanap man
kan mga bakasyonista.

babaklayon ki dagos-dagos sagkod
na maabot an panganuron.
poon sa koronang itaason kaining
dramatikong alituktokon.
diyan kami nanitunong
kadungan an relong nagkariliptan na.
tinuyo mi an pagsakat  tibaad na kun
kami mangaturogan, dai na kami
liwat magimata.

ORIGINAL:  THE TRIP

the ripened smell of fresh green air
knocks before my nostrils
from the changing wayside grasses
to a dress of brown decay.

the shades of summer mountains
towering above
and faltering down
stripped rocks
and leafless trees
parade around
the hold of a bare earthen crust.

precious water flows
forming faces on boulders
as we go
along the waterscraped beds
adorned with sand
where dying rivers
left in a furrow.

it’s summer again
and mounts are ready for camps
busy busses cramping
streets for the tramp.

hike the heels to reach the clouds
from crowning peaks
of lovely mountain tops
there we stop
freezing the clock
that we may bridge the gap
of down and up.

(Translation in Bicol of LITTLE LAMPLIGHT, originally written in English by Fr. Ramonclaro Mendez)

nangangaturgan na kuta magin makasuriaw

na liwanag ining makuring kadikloman

na an pagbutwa tulos-tulos na an kabanggihon

magpipinaw.

makagulo-gulong pagkarawan an dawa sarong

masakit nang mangyari.

ugoton an pagsapar sa pagkakinaban kan

kinaban an dara-darang kamawotan.

deboto kan salamangka.

naggigios-gios sa banal na ining nalalauman

nganing mawara an pagpugol kan mga tintasyon

nin diklom.

urawang ining lampara naghahalat na an

gaas mahubas.

an sarong lumbod na buhay may kamawotan na.

malaog na sana sa pwertahan kan sarong pangaturogan.

sagkod kan an paghikol-hikol kan kapungawan

luminataw na man nanggad sa kasaysayan na

garo sarong alimat.

gabos ini para sa sarong umboy na luminuwas

sa bahaybata kan saiyang ina na an

hinangos gikan sa mga usipon na inawit…

sagkod kan an mga bitoon nagkawarara na

ta an bagong lugar na nadumanan iyo an bagong

buhay na magtatao nin bagong liwanag.

ORIGINAL:

LITTLE LAMPLIGHT

dreamt of turning

the night into daylight

without passing the dawn

so daring

to play the impossible

risking reality

in a gamble of madness

and sanity

believer of magic

wondering in the godly dens

to vanish the witches

of darkness

while the lamp awaits

the gas to drain

the young mind

missing the gentle games

all that’s left

is but the margin of a dream

dancing the frontiers

of history and legends

in a child exiled

to his mother’s lap

who by her stories lullabied

till the wishing stars

disappear to wake him up.

That place, well, I really wanted to see. Sometimes it’s so challenging to look for a place or thing which is only attractive to look at especially at first impression but you’re not even sure if there is something reall like it. But still, you’re willing to go whatever it takes, whatever would happen. It’s like first love. 

How hard is it to be a professional? What should one do if he finds himself… unable to concentrate on the specialization he chose? How should he leave the things that are mostly given time but in fact should not be his focus for a while?

Not because one person is busy means he is in good condition, is safe, whether the task is mental-in-nature or physical-in-nature.  Especially in pursuing a degree. Actually, it is very hard to criticize a person but the instructions are almost the same since grade school. From home to school, from socialization to recreational activities, from workshop to competitions, from popularity to fame, and other phases and stages for self-development. So in case you’re really an average learner, may be the next step, saying you don’t have problems at home, and you’re not suffering financially, could be - to focus.

It would be better to be simple in life. Many of today’s youth are also workaholic but outfocused on the course he took up. Even if a person knows the nature of earning but then his studies has been neglected, he is still in trouble. Some of this life’s components could come affect unnoticed he’s mistakes in life. Concentrating on sidelines is not the right way to have a better life. That may be if you’ve graduated already, but if not, if you’re in school, it’s dismal. It will slowly throw you to a lost path. As when schooling have never had a chance to end. What if a new curriculum is in effectivity again? Are you willing repeat the whole course? Even if you can, it’s not normal. Yes, people have to study but with focused specialization.  You can study as many things as would like to but be simple. Simplicity is also an element in education, or even in a career.

Ask again yourself but not who am I? But who am I going to be? 

           It was 1987 when I entered in Tabaco Pei Ching School. I was grade 6 then. Students enrolling are given privilege if they will try to study Chinese language. When I was interviewed, I denied to took it first but my mother was the one who is more interested believing I can make use of it in the future. But she was only attracted to the words of the Chinese attendants administrating the enrollment.
            But the fire in A. A. Berces Supermarket broke out. And my mother, in deep frustration, where we have our little business there selling segunda mano, decided to transfer us, me and Eric, to Novaliches, to study there. Where mother tried to put up a new store at the N-Mart supermarket at Novaliches proper.
            Around Metropolitan Manila, we tried to look for Chinese schools, actually, we reached Yorklin, Phil. Cultural School, Chiang Kai Shek, but non of the schools have vacancy where perhaps, we’re little late to seek registration. And lastly, all of the schools are very far from home.
             But I never forgot what I’ve learned and because it’s only few of them. I’ll never forget the times when I was praised  by some Chinese teachers reaching  the third  place or second  in most of the tests. I cannot speak Chinese,  but  I’m happy  practicing calligraphy which is my hobby until this day. Most young Chinese who grew up in the country today don’t want to carry on their backs an old culture due to interest in management of inherited business companies which takes also a long period of exercise, which could be an enterprise or a business corporation as well.
              The illustration at the top is my work actually, I laugh at myself; I didn’t get it right. But anyway, I’ll keep practicing. Perhaps the subject FA 114 of Lettering 1 is entrusted to me by our very very handsome Dean, Arch. Rino Domingo Fernandez. And of course, I have to prove to him I’m reliable for the subject. Only, the subject has not been yielded to me for almost 5 years. So now that I handling it again, I’ll work it out all for perfection.
               And to those who would like to post comments, you are most welcome…. I mean the calligraphy, oh my God!

(translation in Bicol of NOW I SING AGAIN originally written in English by Fr. Ramonclaro Mendez)

sa matawong lugar na ini nagkirimat-kimat
baga sa sakuyang paghiling an saindang
mga pamandukon,
na sa lalaw na ining karnabal
na garo baga makusog na hukol kang
kadagatan…  nabubutongon akong mag-iba
sa pagkalamos,
makadarahon sa emosyon an
pinasiring digdi buda duman kang
pagkaturu-taltal,
nagpaka-labad-labad sa binurubugawas kang
dagit na paros,
an aniningal kang mga may libong sa buhay
dangogon ko… buda an pag-ako ninda kang kung
anu-anong tintasyon,
pag may mga kautikanan na itinuga sa
sako nadadara man ako kudi su saindang
kaluyahan an mas namamati ko dulo kun may
mga taramon na daing data buda mga pahayag
na daing hawon,
garo kantang daing tono
garo man makasalan na buhay na daing planong magbago
tunay na pagtios.

namumuyahon man logod akong mag-awit
kudi pano ko man  daw makua  an
angay na liriko?

bata digdi pa ako naghahanap  ki berso
sa sarong kantang saro man na dai man
ngani palan ki tono
dai nganî palan ni ano
ano man nanggad daw na an awiton ko?
dai lamang pati ki nakakarumdom
dai lamang ki magtatabang magparumdom kang
mga nawawarang linya buda taramon
kawasâ ako… nagsusulo-sulo sa madiklom na
ining irok kahampang an mga pasuru-salidang
pandok na dai ko mamustrang maray dangan
dai lamang akong pagka-isi kun sain man hali.

sagkod kang kuminanta ka na,
nadara baga akong makigsabayan sa saimong
awit nin pagkamoot
kung kaya buminalik an nawarâ kong boses
marahay-rahay na an tinanog-tanog
buda nakaluwas pati an mga tonong dai ko pa
nadangog sa sakô,
makarinyohon…magayunon,
nalindukan an kalag ko kang mga buhay
na taramon buda mga matalinghagang bersong
may doon na maromansa
madaling sabuton… maogmang pagmation,
hali sa init kang sarong sinserong puso
na masasarigan buda totoo,
magayon baga an kinaling-kaging
kang pagdurunganan kang awit buda an
tingog mo,
kaya ika na musang kahampang ko
dai ka ngona maghali…buda maghimati ka…
himation mo…
ta ako na man an mag-aawit para sa saimo.

original:
NOW I SING AGAIN

these changing faces
a procession of the restless
in lonesome carnival
like ranging waves
from the sea disguised
luring me to drown
desperately drifting
currents of emotions
cycling whirlwind
echoes of the confused
and cries of the seduced
when lies befriended my heart
dizzy was the rhythm of the real
with words unsensed
and meaningless rhymes
like a song without tune
is life without notes
for undone indeed
is the incomplete.

i wanted to sing
but what words be mine
when chance returns?

looking for the verses
i lost in my song
with empty notes and blank spaces
how could i sing the tune?
no one remembers
no one would dare
recall the lines and phrases
’cause i’m alone and lost
in the shadow of fragmented faces
and places uncharted.

then you came
chanting,
touching my muted lips
to synch a love song
filling my empty voice
humming mellow sounds
or irresistible tunes
so charming so fine
rhyming my soul with living lines
and vibrant verses defined
of living notes
softly, sweetly,
sincerely springing from a heart
that’s genuine and true.
oh how melody rings
and harmony sings with you
so there my muse be still
and to my refrain listen
for now i sing again.