Hala Bira, Balete

The frenzy is on the streets of Kalibo again. And Balete is invited to join the revelry. The organizers have decided that for this year's Higante Parade, the theme delves on the fantastic and the mythical. Now, such theme is definitive of my town.

We have long wanted to portray it as the Enchanting Balete and not as some dreadful, creepy town people feared about. Patrick (SB Patrick Lachica) has constructed a gargantuan elfin lady to symbolize the reinvention. She's not a white lady (the one often associated with Balete Drive and some other place where bad spirits reside). She's a Taglugar, an elemental who serves as guardian of our forest (much like Maria Makiling). Thus, the loggers and those who chose to exploit our environment for selfish motives are forewarned:"Pagpanabi-tabi, basi hipamaskan ka." Our standard would be, "Enchanting Balete" for henceforth even as we continue to rally our town, "Hala Bira, Balete!"

And may I offer this poem to her who has enchanted this restless heart:

Ro Gugma hay Kau-i

Guinakatahapan,
Guinakakuebaan,
Nagapakahangawa sa tawong umaeagi;
Misteryuso,
Palhi,
Naga panabi-tabi ro tawong umaeagi;

Ikaw hay Engkantadang haeandon

Ro imong gugma hay Kau-i
Sieilungan ku matalinhagang kamatuoran,
Guinapamantaw sa maeayo,
Haeandumon nga maadtunan,
Panamgo ku tawong umaeagi;
Guina-respeto,
Guina-haeungan,
Balaan para sa tawong umaeagi,
Ro Kau-i nga gugma,
Ro Gugma nga kau-i.

On Thursday, January 13, 2011, we will flood the streets of Kalibo with magical water from the Jal-o and those lasses covered with soot, we will enchant with our merriment, "Hala Bira, Balete!"

Vamos, sadsad 'ta!!!

(You can have your apple green tees printed with the "Hala Bira, Balete" logo at the Basura Garden)