I was once asked--no, was forced actually, to sing one of our songs in an international gathering (in the sense that with the group were a couple of Hispanic nationals, a Tanzanian and several Filipinos from all over the country-Bisaya, Bicolanos, Karay-as, Warays, Ilocanos, Tagalogs). The agreement was that each "race" was to sing a song that best describes his culture. Alas, I was the only Aklanon in the group and was compelled to raise the banner of Aklan high among those "kings and nobles". So when my slot came about, I stood up grabbed the microphone and touched their hearts (even if it irritated their ears) with the Ballad of the Mamumugon:
Mamugon ako, mamugon
Sa baeay it manggaranon
Alas Dos ako pakan-on ay, ay
Orasyon ako pauli-on.
Pag-abot ko man sa baeay
Dayon pangayu it humay
Ginturo ako ni Tatay ay, ay
Sa eusong una rong paeay.
Alinon mo rong paeay
Eawas ko karon ginabudlay
Kon buhi kunta si Nanay ay, ay
Makaon ako mapahuway.
Done with my recital, an Ibanag friend approached me with a question, "Was that a dirge of an orphan?
Comments
Post a Comment