Marso

March is popularly known in the community as the Fire Prevention Month. Unknown to many, it is also Culture and Arts Awareness Month (NCCA sets in between February and March). SB Patrick and the MTDC have several school-based activities to observe the NCCA mandate. Earlier, I posted a "photo poem" in my FB Account, hoping to heighten local appreciation to the arts and culture preservation. Personally, it was a tacit greeting to a friend who is celebrating her birthday today. I was happy to note later on that some of those who affirmed or "like" the post came up with their Akeanon poems posted in their profile. Yes, it takes only a spark to get the fire going, as a song goes.

"Amat-amat ro maberde nga kakahoyan
Naeakayan it nanari-sari nga katalinghaga-an
Puti nga Kamantigue, puea nga Katueanga
Sa nagapamunga nga Bili, ro Pilago naga sinadya.
Matin-aw nga sapa
Espeso ku ma-silaw nga kapawa
Ro gugma ro buot it kabuhi
Huo, birthday mo abi
Ngani ginaselebrar ko ikaw
It Maka-ako bugay nga pinasahi!"

One sent me a PM asking why I omitted the "Katsubong" (another wild flower with dark almost blackish color). I told him that it is reserved for my next poem, "Abril". Others reminded me of the richness of the Jal-o with these phrases:

"Sinaga nga aliso, mangagat ag baeanak

Sinaeay nga batod, matin-ag nga gusaw

Sa bakag, sa eamay." 

Those were the days when Jal-o was crystal clear, sweet, rich and deep. Those were the Jal-o of bygone years.