Friday, June 27, 2008

IGOROTA

This is a current popular folkhouse song in Baguio city. If you visit Ayuyang kano, it is where Jun Utleg, its artist, usually sings it. Makapasyar to man mamingsan! hehehe... The lyrics was composed by Danny Tawanna but the following isnot the perfect structure as how it was composed like the use of gerunds and prepositions in some lines. The following was captured by how the artist sang it.

On a smooth gray ground by the river bend
She was seated there to meet the morning sun
She was playing a flute when the songbirds went down.

As they listened to her wonderful melody
And the air was filled with every note she played
Slowly I sat by her side.

Refrain:
Igorota, girl of my dreams
You're the most precious gift that I ever had
Igorota, queen of my heart
I'll go on loving you throughout my life. (2x)

You are my day my morning sun
You'll forever be my only one
She puts down the flute then sweetly she smiled.

And she asked me, "Why are you staring at me?"
I held her close and a songbird sang
I whispered to her, "I love you."

Repeat refrain once

Ang Bata

Posting here the lyrics of the song sung by Jun Utleg in his album, Sa Kanyang Panahon....

Ang bata, may dala'ng isang laruang lata
Hila-hila sa kalsada
Makipot at sira pa
Butas ang damit, marumi ang ayos niya
Siya ang bagong Pilipino.

Ang bata, may muta, tinunaw ng kanyang luha
Panis na laway, naghihintay sa kapirasong pan de sal
Ngunit mataas na ang araw sa Silangan
Wala pa rin si Ama.

Ang bata, nakayakap, dinadama ang init ni Ina
Malakas na ulan, malakas na kulog, tinatakot siya
Pintuan ng bahay, bubungan sira-sira
Ang tanging karamay niya.

Ang bata, nakatingala, nakatingkayad sa bintana
Siya'y nakasilip at nakikinig ng bulong sa labas
Bakit ang buhay kay ingay, kay gulo
Natutulig na ako.

Ang bata, ang bata, kawawang mga bata
Saan sila patutungo, saan papunta
Dito ba sa Lupa'ng puno ng kaguluhan
Puno ng kasawian.

(Repeat stanza I)

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Morning In The Woods

It was a pleasant walk one early June morning into the pine woods that smelled sweet of fresh humus. The sun's blazes rising from the east looked so beautiful against the blue horizon that was mapped with floating cottony white clouds.

As I walked through the narrow path of fresh hooves engraved on wet earth by wild horses that frequented the area, the cool and jaunty breeze played on the bare skin of my face and arms. The path led to the east as evidenced by the prism of early morning sun rays sending quasars lurking deep through the tall and slender legs of pine trees. Cheerful birds sang their varieties of songs. It was their way of greeting the day and giving praises to the Almighty Creator who gives them the daily fresh morning to enjoy and feast upon. I imitated some tunes and watched them hop and fly from one tree branch to another, their colorful wings adding to the festive fashion of the newborn day.

Finally, I reached a clearing, the sun then gaining momentum to heat the earth proved by steam that slowly rose from the ground. Crystal dews interlaced among the leaves dropped as a sluggish wind brushed its way through. From a distance, I spotted more than a dozen of wild horses, some gaily playing while some lazily feeding on the short lush of greens.

To the North, where tree ferns with large fronds stood, was a herd of cows, some lying down while enjoying their cuds. Black mounds of what I call, "grass cakes" were scattered around the vicinity indicating that the group took an overnight rest in the clearing. ( I was tempted to think of going back to the place to collect the "grass cakes" --- a perfect part for a soil media).

As I continued to commune with the physical universe, I moved to a shade under an evergreen with leaves similar to that of a eucalyptus tree. I sat down on a boulder of lime rock under it and just watched the seemingly tired cows and horses. The lazy leaves of all sorts danced in mockery along the passing by of the gentle June breeze. An eagle soared high to the blue sky. Some May and June beetles crawled their way underground to hide from the preying eyes of birds that just finished their songs of praise and were by then scheduled to hunt for breakfast. Breathed the purest air. Listened to the hush of swishing pine trees from the other faces of the mountain. Gazed at the different wild and colorful flowers often visited by different arthropods.

Near where I sat was a wild rhododendron with beautiful pink flowers. I watched as a bee came for a sip then flew away, came another insect of the wasp family, flew away again until a small and frail white butterfly came along, perched for a moment then as it lifted its wings to say goodbye to the flower, a darting red-tailed purple dragonfly caught and flew away with it. Poor little guy! That's symbiosis anyway!

I glanced at my wristwatch, it was time for me to go back since the sun was starting to push the mercury up the scale as it began it's journey to mid-sky.

Thanks to that real June morning in the woods 16 years ago back in my dearest hometown. How I wish then that if I go home and trek the place would be the same. But I know it would just remain a wish, because that particular morning would never be the same. It would just stay as one of the clippings in my memory.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

PINK

Pink is my favorite color. Pink is so attractive. Pink represents beauty. Pink is love... etc! On the other hand though, pink is vulnerable. Pink is sissy - and a lot more of pink denigration - and still - pink is haiiissssssssshhhhhhhhh!!!! I don't know why!

For my visitors, just a CHANGE in the environment....geeee...!!! And - just like that! I still love pink!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

A Mother's Commitment

7:00 a.m.

‘T was a bright Sunday morning, just woke up, thanked the Lord for the day and said a simple prayer. My mind then flashed back to the chapters of the novel I’ve read just before I drifted to dreamland last night. I jumped out of bed then had to do simple chores in our room like swept the floor, fixed the books I had spread while searching for facts to justify the claims I am currently discussing in the writing of my thesis, washed the spoon and mug I used late last night and scribbled some notes I found important.

8:00 a.m.

While preparing for church, my mobile phone was busy signaling me since an hour before of messages it was receiving re: mother’s day greetings and quotations – my inbox was then full so I had to choose the best messages and kept them and erased the other ones. I wasn’t able to send back thank you’s anymore because I got empty load after a few sent messages…. lol.

11 a.m.

I was back in my quarters, nourished with the message in church, digested and reflected upon it.

I agree with the message delivered by the pastor that: “A mother’s love is a reflection of God’s love to us.” A mother’s love to his child is unconditional just like the unconditional love of God to us, His children. If a child gets wayward, the mother is so patient to guide him/her to be good and remain on the right road. This picture therefore demonstrates the faithfulness and love of Jesus Christ, our Lord to us His children keeping us on the right path.

There are many quotes describing who a mother is especially of her being a superwoman amidst the non-appreciations and all. And like many others, the heroine in my life is my mother. I’m the eldest of eleven children in the family and I witnessed how our mother sacrificed just to keep our home safe and comfortable. There were many super-duper prickly stages the family faced though yet she emotionally, physically and spiritually defied these circumstances with strength and bravery.

Today, when my younger siblings and I gather during occasions, we always talk about our mother especially about her emotional strength. We sometimes wonder where she gets all her strength in keeping her whole. I would always say that if I were in her shoes, I would have been broken down into pieces long time ago before other siblings came into the family. Nevertheless, I’m very thankful that I have a mother like her – a committed and a super mother.

4:00 p.m.

I glanced at the little clock on my table that told me that in just an hour more the day would wrap up its events to add to its files of history and I hadn’t called home yet to greet or say hi to my mother. I wondered though if my younger siblings have done it however I received greetings from some of them earlier this day.

My First Grade School Teacher

It was my mother, though an elementary graduate, who became my first teacher. She was the one who first taught me how to read and write my ABC’s and 123’s before I enrolled in Grade 1. I never attended a kindergarten school where most children learn first their alphabets and 123’s. My mother was so patient to monitor my progress in school. When I wasn’t able to cope with my lessons, she would find time every night before we were sent to bed to teach me on my home works and guide me to read more, write more and count more even if she was so tired of the demands of the day. She was also my first storyteller. She told me many children’s stories and when more siblings came into the family I helped her repeat those stories to my younger bothers and sisters.
Years after I graduated from college, was already in my mid-twenties and was always away from home, many times, albeit funny, there were moments when I would just reminisce my childhood years and remember the doting of my mother, I would long and cry for her in bed before I sleep, much more when I got sick.

Mother Stories

Right now, I’m currently reading a story along with the writing of my MS thesis, tempted, and I can’t forego because I just borrowed the pocketbook (hehehe), about a single mother who got to be brave and face the challenges of being one even if her current situation was from her stupidity. When she learned that she was pregnant, she had to tell the man who fathered it. Three times, the man convinced her for an abortion but she never liked the idea. She then gave birth to a boy who was diagnosed after two years of a speech defect. She courageously faced all the tests in life to raise her son in the most normal possible way.

Relative to this story, when I was surfing the Youtube for music yesterday, I came across a Christian singer’s testimony about he being an adoptee. He described that there are three kinds of a mother. First, a mother in the normal sense. Second, a mother who takes care of her pregnancy and gives up the baby for adoption, even if how painful, because she knows she cannot fully give what her child needs. Third, a mother who opts for an abortion. This singer was in tears while telling his story that he was still very thankful to his birthmom whoever and wherever she is because she opted to give up her son for adoption providing him the chance to live.

Celebration

Many to honor every mother celebrated this day’s event. The West and many countries it influenced including us in the Orient and every church regardless of denomination had a share of it. Many gifts I know were given and opened and many enjoyed this notable day.

Commitment

Becoming a mother is a lifetime commitment that pulls all the instincts of motherhood out to reality. And it is this commitment that fuels her to have the energy that words sometimes cannot even express of how she becomes a superwoman for all seasons. Nothing can describe her compassion, her sacrificial love, her strength, her beauty and all that keeps her a hero in every home.

Quotes

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. Washington Irving.

"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12

"As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children." 1 Thessalonians 2:7

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

COUNTRYSIDE ROMANCE

Yolanda B. Botigan/ 021095

Into I draw air fresh and clean

Where grasses, trees grow tall and green

The stars that shine look I nightly

With clouds that paint the blue beauty.


At times I sit beneath the pine

At leaves gaze I like crystal shine

The touch of earth so deep and brown

Smells Queen of May’s like perfumed crown.


The soothing pitch of Mother Earth I hear

The streams that flow, the winds that roar

The morning dew I touch and smell

And smile at Rhodoras pink, shaped as bell.


Wild roots and vines to trees they cling

Look down they search cold, silent spring

The sweet, sweet songs of birds that fly

Gifts all they give to God up high.


With You I am in loved so deep

‘Tis where I dream to live, no droll

So down I kneel, pray, sing and leap

To thank my Lord who made them all!

Sunday, April 27, 2008

THE LITTLE LOST SEEDS

by: Yolanda B. Botigan/ March 1992

In the midst of a twilight

I sat down alone, forgotten

Eyes wide, mind set

Tracing towards an unknown plight.

Quiet place – I took strength to stand

At a glance

A teary child, alone, I spied

Like me, another lost seed, I sighed.

Deep a feeling froze inside

Trembling, I slowly took a little stride

Alone, dirty, hungry, tired and helpless

Why? Where? Hopeless?

Who are you? Nobody.

From where are you? Nowhere.

Then lost like me, you are

Yes, just existed and no more.

Growing little seeds --- lost

Beauty of life, dispossessed

Unnamed tomorrow, scattered

Even just a single light

In darkness, little lost seeds …

Grow but groping

Eat but begging

In clothes but unclothed.

Yes, lost, they are

Lost, lost, lost

Will they ever be LOST?