Thursday, October 26, 2006

The Women Aklanon Poets

Vol 1 No. 9 October 2006


The Women Aklanon Poets
Compiled by
Melchor F. Cichon
October 25, 2006


This is a much delayed issue of Bueabod. The last one was in July this year.

It has been noted that the poem production of Aklanon poets in my.akeanon.com has gone down. So this editor thought of putting up an anthology of Aklanon women poets since no such anthology has been done yet. So this is another historical collection.

In the special issue of Ani Aklanon, out of 27 Aklanon poets only five women poets were featured namely, Arwena Tamayo, Nita Maypa, Rosela S. Ignacio, Sumra I. de la Cruz, and Mona Lisa T. Tabernilla

In the book, Luwa, Haiku and Other Poems by Aklanons which this editor was the senior editor only six women poets were included: Edna Faral, Losally Navarro, Luchelyn Andres Beltran, Renelyn Beglinger-Vallejo, Ma. Terry Marte, and Ellamae Fernandez.

This shows that a great majority of the Aklanon published poets are men.

To honor our women poets, this editor compiled their works with their short profiles to give a better picture of Aklanon women poets. It should be noted that all of them have not won any national literary award.

This anthology includes haiku, luwa and other poems in English and in Aklanon.

Unfortunately, the works of Prof. Joi Barrios, an Aklanon award-winning poet, are not included in this anthology. As far as this editor has known, she has not written a poem in Aklanon.

In this anthology, one can see the works of Rowena Tamayo, Edna Romulo Laurente Faral, Losally Navarro Endluri, Sumra de la Cruz, Belle Nabor, Luchelyn Andres Beltran, Vanessa Cichon, Monalisa T. Tabernilla, Janice M. Viloria, Renelyn Beglinger-Vallejo, Nita Payba, Ellamae Fernandez, Rosela S. Ignacio, Liezel Macam, and Ma. Terry Marte.

What do Aklanon women poets write?

Like their counterpart, Aklanon women poets also write on the socio-cultural and technological ecologies that beset their countries.



***NYNN ROWENA TAMAYO
Known as the “Big Sister” of the Akeanon writers, Rowena works at the Department of Agrarian Reform in Kalibo, Aklan. She is also one of the best Aklanon contemporary writers.

Haead Kay Arwena

Gindaehan ta ikaw it mga bueak
Nga may kasiga ku adlaw
Ag kainit ku mga hiyom-hiyom
Agud taw-an it kasadya
Ro imong mga mata
Nga nagakasubo.
Mga violeta nga nagakiay-kiay
Sa huyop ku hangin
Pageaom ku mga daeanon
Nga owa maagyi!...
Ag mga rosas, singpuea ku dugo
Apang madali maeaay.
Ah, sayud ako kon paalin
Do mapisang it sanglibong parte
Ag do magbatyag it hapdi
Ku mga napirdi…

Ro Mangingisda sa Punta Villa

Sa kadaeumon ku kagab-ihon
Nga haeos tunlon ka eon
Ku matugnaw nga tubi
It madeag nga suba,
Ginasaeum mo ro idadadaeman
Agud mag-usoy it isda
Nga nagakasipot eon.

Mauli ka baea makarong gabii
Nga owa gid it dakup
Sa nagahueat mo nga asawa
Ag ginagutom nga mga onga?
Makit-an ko ro kasubo ag kapait
Sa imong mga mata, sa kasilaw
Ku mga iwag
Ku mabongga nga swimming pool
It Punta Villa.

Kaabu ro pagkaon namon riya
Samtang ginabinag-binag
Ro imong kaimueon ag
Naduea eon nga pag-eaum
Sa de-aircon nga mga hueot
AG “state of the art” nga mga biswal.
Sa among hilway, aminit ag maeum-ok
Nga mga eugban, samtang ginaduyan
It isaeang ka kanta nga
Pang Paskwa.

***
Itay

Maalaala ko pa nang huli kong
Ibinigay sa’yo ang aking mga tula.
Ninais kong namnamin mo
Ang kanilang tamis, pait
At tarukin kung gaano kalalim,
Abutin ang aking mga pighati at saya
At muli mo akong tuklasin.
Mula sa batang musmos na hinimok mong
Humabi ng mga tulang yari
Sa mga bulaklak at ulan, awit ng ibon
At sinag ng buwan.

Tahimik kitang pinagmasdan
Habang unti-unting lumilinaw
Sa bawat naghuhumiyaw
Na linya at salita, ng aking
Malungkot na tula
Ang aking buhay…
At ikaw ay namangha,
Napangiti, napaluha.


***EDNA ROMULO LAURENTE FARAL

She is from Batan. Edna is not only a fine haiku writer, but she is a dancer par excellence. She now lives in the U.S.A. with her husband, Conrad, and son, Concon.

The Rose

the rose
whispers I love you
I smile

***

Reaching For A Friend

twilight –
sunflower reaches heaven
where tulip sleeps

***

Bukas

bukas
ro eangit
sa gustong magsueod

***

Hugom

hugom
it agahon
sa bag-ong eangit

***

1st of May

just before sunrise –
1st of May's cooling breeze
kisses my wan face

***

Together
lovers
embrace together
in bended knees

***
Biernes Santo

Biernes Santo—
ginabisita pitong simbahan
kada Biernes Santo

***
The Rose

the rose
whispers I love you
I smile

***

Dahon

dahon –
madahang nahueog
pagtugpa sa sanga it pispis

***

Trabaho Ni Tatay

Pagbugtaw si nanay
owa sa a euyo si tatay
idto gali sa may takas
ginahimas si Texas.

***
Si Nanay Ag Si Tatay

hambae ni nanay
mayad pa ro manok
kada agahon
ginahimas ni tatay.

***

Reaching For A Friend

twilight –
sunflower reaches heaven
where tulip sleeps

***
Yelo sa Florida

yelo
sa punta
it mahabang daean

***

Rosas Nga Buskad

rosas nga buskad
daea mo –
sakit ko naduea

***

Makusog Nga Hilamon

hilamon sa kurae
indi pagdutlan
maski talibong

***

First Blush

under a candle light –
lips snatch a kiss
the rose blushes

***

Hutik It Tagipusuon

sa tunga it gabii
ginabayo it kahidlaw
ro tagipusuon

***
Euha

gabii
euha gatueo
halin sa dughan

***

Ikaw Ag Ako

huo—
ikaw ag ako
sa tulay nga butong gaeatay

***

Sueat

sueat
halin kimo
nakatago sa dughan

***

Haru

ginpaagi sa rosas
ro matam-is nga haru
kang bibig

***

Ginpahipos

ginpahipos
it rosas
rang bibig

***
Anwang ni Tata_Goloy

pagtunod it adlaw –
ro anwang ni Tata_Goloy
nagpahuway sa eunang

***

Nagatangis

nagatangis
dughan ko
sa pamisaea mo

***

Aching Heart

as the sun sets –
a tear falls
from my heart

***

Christmas

Christmas –
children gather
in God's presence

***

Pain In My Heart

agony howling behind hospital nooks
piercing thousands needles
in my heart
(during Concon's freak accident)


Singhana Ako

ihutik?
isinggit ko?
sige, singhana ako

***

Inanod

inanod it
mabaskog nga humbak
ro handumanan naton

***

May Sueat Pa?

may sueat pa baea
nga maabot
sa gahapay nga mailbox?

***

Hin-uno pa?

ginahuyap ko
ro adlaw
sa paghueat kimo

***

Euha
gabii –
euha gatueo
halin sa dughan

***

Handom

handom
ginhorma pagkaunga
inapok it hangin

***

Christmas

Christmas –
unga masadya
kaibahan si Jesus


***LOSALLY NAVARRO-ENDLURI
Born in Banga but grew up in Malinao, Aklan, Losally is one of the finest Aklanon haiku writers. She now lives in Canada. She is married to an Indian.

fear nothing
even if our taj mahal
is made of bamboo

***

Flames’ fans mourn—
the red mile
is dead!
(CALGARY FLAMES lost 3-0 to ANAHIEM DUCKS)

***

semana santa---
ro tuba sa kawit
nahimong eanggaw

***

Ako, Ikaw

ako, ikaw---
masadya sa pag-abot ko,
masubo kat pagpanaw.

***

Ikaw

ikaw, iwag---
gatao it hayag
sa akong kabuhi.

***

maeapad nga eawod
gapatunga
sa atong paghigugma
(para sa mga akeanon sa panawan ag sa andang pamilyang inaywanan sa Akean)

***

ginahandum ko—
binakoe nga manok
sa Noche Buena

***

Shelahanie

siyam nga buean
naghueat ing nanay
sa pag-abot mo


***

kasikaeom-
pagtunod it adlaw
nag bye bye si tatay sa anwang

***
adlaw-gabi-i
gahaboe
it pamisaea si nanay.
(for mom sally, my grade 2 ma'am)

***
eomamig ro kape
samtang ginahaboe kita
sa akong painu-ino

***
ham-an it maila
ikaw kakon
ag bukon kay Basho?

***

ro squirrel
gustong magpabukot
sa akong haboe

***
hakatueog ro beaver
sa paghinueat
it summer

***
icicle---
pareho sa damang
gakapyot sa bubong

***

bituon---
nagaidlap-idlap
sa puno it eangka.

***

gakatueog pa ro adlaw
pagbugtaw ko
para mag-usoy it dolyar

***

ikaw~

ikaw
ro kueang nga nota
para mahuman rang composo

***

India

India—
a kaleidoscope
of spices!

***

Adlaw it Paskwa

Adlaw it Paskwa---
mabaskog pa sa bagting
ro tunog ku anang tyan

***

Kangga ni Tata Goloy

ro kangga
ni Tata Goloy
suki it mga Akeanon.

***

Malieon

Malieon, masakay
sa kangga
matukad kita sa Manduyog

***

Pilipinas

Pilipinas---
bueawang
ginaeugmok sa eonang

***

Katapusan It Buean

katapusan it buean—
suea nana
bukon eon it ibis

***

Gustong Higtan

gusto kitang
dakpon ag higtan
ugaling utod ro eobid

***

Maputing Eaki

kada Byernes
ginaduaw imaw
it eaking maputi

***

Geisha

Geisha---
kaparis it cherry blossom
ginasuy-aw it alibangbang

***

Mailbox

gin-eumot
sa paghinueat it sueat
ro mailbox

***

Maeapad Nga Eawod

maeapad nga eawod
gapatunga
sa atong paghigugma

***

Maestra

adlaw-gabi-i
gahabi it pamisea
si nanay
(for mom sally,my grade 2 ma'am)

***


Aninipot

bituon---
nagaidlap-idlap
sa puno it eangka

***

fear nothing
even if our taj mahal
is made of bamboo
(you'll always be my sathruvu)

***

innocent children swallowed by the great tsunami.
(the whole world is mourning for all of you, little angels of God)

***
a giant tsunami
from indian ocean
no more sandcastles. (earthquake 2005)

***
eanas ro opisina
ni tatay
kaibahan nana ro anwang.
(para kay Tatay Lolly)


***

ginbaril sa Luneta
it mga Espanyol
sa anang kaaeam.

***
si Winnie ag si Yoyong
nagbisita sa Pilipinas
nagkagulo ro tawo.

***
si Maria Clara
nag-agto sa Amerika
pag-uli naka-minis-skirt eot-a

***
si nanay, sa Saudi
pag-uli ginsuoed
sa karton nga kahoy.


***

nalipong ro galunggong
sa tubing maitum
it Manila Bay.


***
children singing carols---
the baby wakes up
from its crib.

***
christmas songs
playing in the radio---
my tears falling.

***
a baby squirrel
feasting on nuts
a christmas buffet.

***
snowflakes falling
down the evergreen tree
a white christmas eve.

***

christmas eve---
sipping Dom Perignon
by the fire, A-L-O-N-E!

***
haiku
a painting
the writer, a painter.

***

the red tulips
deep in slumber
after a long summer.

***
a lonely coconut
standing proudly
after the storm.

***
a huge mango tree
the witness
of our childhood's follies.

***

the monkey is playing
hide and seek
with a hunter.

***
the black stallion
galloping in the sunset
leaving the prairies behind.

***

lemon grass scent-
I smell lola's tinolang manok
in the thai's soup.

***

fire dancing
in the fireplace
warming my shivering body.

***

your love
like fireworks
on New Year's Eve!

***

oil and gas
flowing freely
from Calgary's soil.

***

the chinook wind
blowing from the rockies
my snowman melt!

***

children playing hockey
in a frozen lake---
postcard from CANADA.

***

gone are the Canadian geese
leaving me behind
in the harsh winter.

***

you unveil to me
the beauty
of haiku.
(sir cichon, thank you for rekindling my passion in writing)

***

strong as a bamboo
dancing gracefully
to the wind's lullaby.
(for momskie, nang edz)

***

you are the potter
that molded me
into a perfect jar.
(to my alma mater, aklan college;
to mam rose yunzal, my high school teacher,
to mam anita tuayon, my college mentor)

***

above the hills
I see Calgary's lights
blinking, like stars.
(a homage to my adopted city)

***

thunder and lightning
creating a joyous symphony---
announcing your arrival.
(november 10, 2004,
in memory of yasser arafat)

***

build me an igloo
from the alaskan glaciers
a birthday present.
(happy bday to me, january 3)



***SUMRA DE LA CRUZSumra is not only a poet, but a painter as well. She was born in Kalibo from a family of writers.

Pag-abot

Nagabanaag ro siga it adlaw
Sa katunggan ag nagadali-dali it hathat
ku anang madueom nga belo ro kaeangitan.

Mahipos masyado ag akon eamang
Hidadakop it pamati ro mga kapispisang nagaeueupad eon pauli
Matsa owa't katapusang kamingaw.

Ro hangin nga maeamig
Nagapuepamasyar eon sa mga manipis nga tudlo it paeay
Hasta nagapaeayo ro nagakaduea nga kahayag.

Mahipos eon ag malinong do palibot sa pag-abot ku gabii
Sa akong pag-uli sa baeay.


***Belle Nabor. She first studied at Kalalake Elementary School in Olongapo City, then transferred to Bulwang Elementary School in Numancia, Aklan. She finished her secondary and tertiary education in Aklan College, Kalibo, Aklan. Now she works as a University Research Associate at the University of the Philippines in Diliman (UPD). At the same time, she is working for her master’s degree in education majoring in guidance and counseling at UPD where she is also studying French language. Her haiku have been published the Mainichi Daily News, a world famous newspaper that prints haiku. . Her other haiku were included in Sakura Anthology of Haiku published in Sweden along with other world famous haijin like Robert D. Wilson, Michael Rehling, an’ya, and 27 other poets, The Makata, Short Stuff, and in Poetry Country Mouse. Her popular blog, http://Short.Poems.blogspot.com, that features her short poems: haiku, tanka, and cinquain, has been instrumental in her introduction to world haiku.

Here are some of her works:

Haiku Selections

inside a train
the city
moves faster too

canoe-shaped moon
tonight, your beauty
floats

tired of seeing
the world, the snail—
a recluse again

drooping eyelids
the moon
looks smaller now

Tanka Selections

Burying

the box from the attic
was full of letters, faded ink
those soulless papers — haunting
it wasn't that easy
putting him to rest.


Poet in Love

for you, I'll begin to write
this poem, a new set
of words with my heart
full of yearning
I could not speak.


Forgetting Time

we sit side by side
under the graceful stars
our hands entwined
dawn has arrived
too soon.

***VANESSA D. CICHON
A BA Literature graduate of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Van wrote these haiku in their class in literature. She now works in Makati, Metro Manila.

Hammock-Shaped Moon

The hammock-shaped moon
Does little to ease my pain.
Can’t wait ‘til full moon.
***
El Nino—
cows and carabaos
eat brown grass

***
early evening
a kitten in a garbage site
mews

Source: ILA Lang Na Tanan (aton man ina gihapon), 2002.


***MONALISA T. TABERNILLA
A graduate of BA comparative Literature from UP in the Visayas, Lisa studied law at Silliman University.

We, wew, we, wew, we, wew
Dali, bakasa!
Matan-aw ta sa karsada.
Ay, ano baea rato
Ambulansya?

Owa, a, basi gaagi eang
Si gobernadora.
Huo man, no.
Basi maton abu andang
Bisita it probinsya.
Ag basi mapa-Boracay
eon man sanda.

We, wew, we, wew, we, wew
Hay, hambae ko gid king,
May natabu gid makon.
Pam-an kuno ay,
Ano’t-a rato?

May inkawntir kuno
Idto dapit sa may Aquino.
Hay, ano, pila ro patay?
Tao ngani, owa man sanda’t sugid.
Hay ro may mina, pila?
Tao.
Hapa, pila ro sueod kato?
Hu, ano man abi pagkasayud mo
Puro man kurtina rato
Sigung-sigo.

Bay-i eon lang, a.
Hinduna eang pamatii sa radyo.
A, huo gid, mayad kunta kon
Sigurado ka gid
Nga husto andang sugid.

***
Sa Tungang Gabii

Hamuok do gabii
Nga pinugtakpugtakan
It maeaka nga pamaeo,
Nanarisaring huni
Sa taeon.

Ro gabii kadeum
Apang gawarang
Do mga hangaon ag paon,
Mangagaw ag daekpon.

Amat-amat,
Gakamang do oras
Padueong sa kaaganhon.

Maangan-angan,
Magunngo ro adlaw
Apang sa gabii
Gapanghueawid
Ro mga kamingaw
Ku mga nailo
It mga nagkaeapueak
Sa tungang gabii
Nga owa eo’t pagbugtaw.

Ani Aklanon, 1993.

***LUCHELYN ANDRES BELTRAN is a faculty member of Aklan Catholic College, Kalibo, Aklan. These poems were lifted from http://www.my.akeanon.com/ website where she is an active contributor. This 22-year old lady graduate of West Visayas State University comes from Poblacion, Banga, Aklan.
Gabii
owa ako naayawi’t tan-aw
sa bituon sa eangit—
mainit ring paead sa paead ko

Sa Palangga Nga Tunay
mahae...
isakripisyo tanan
sa palangga nga tunay

Humbak
Humbak...
nakakalipay sa pamatyag
ro humbak sa siki...

Daeaura
daeaura.. .
dati hay puti
abuhon eon makaron

Euha
sa Pastrana Park—
sa guya gaduylon
ro kabug-at kang dughan

***

Si CHELY gwapa...
bisan siin mag-adto
abong gabalikid kana.


Si lolo madasig pa
da bakolo ginabalewala na
kung gapinaugtas ka
hinugay ay basi hitapdusan ka nana.


***JANICE M. VILORIA
Janice is a 4th year AB Literature student of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Miag-ao, Iloilo. She is a beauty from Mandong, Batan, Aklan.

Ang Pagtatagpo

Sa maliit na silid ako'y hindi nag-iisa
Nararamdaman ko sa bawat sulok ng aking mata
Ikaw ay nakakubli sa madilim na bahagi
Marahan kong pinatay ang ilaw
Kasabay ng pagkalat ng dilim
Ang marahan mong paglapit
Naramdaman ko ang iyong pagdampi sa aking pisngi
Sa bawat minutong ako'y malingat
Isang pagkakataong para sa iyo'y
Masipsip ang aking balat
Hindi kita masaway at sa halip
Sa aking tenga ikaw ay bumubulong
Ng mga bagay na kailanma'y di ko maunawaan
Hindi ako gumalaw at ikaw ay hinayaan
At nang maramdaman kong abot-kamay na kita
Isa, dalawa, tatlo—
Pak!
Sa wakas patay kang lamok ka.

(First published in HomeLife Magazine, December 2005)

***

Katapusa't Enero

katapusa't Enero—
igto sa bintana
nagtunod ro adlaw ni Lolo

***

Bisperas It Bag-ong Dag-on

bisperas it Bag-ong Dag-on
ro unga sa kariton
mahamuok ra katueogon


***RENELYN BEGLINGER-VALLEJO
Renelyn stays with her husband and children in Switzerland. Known as Swiss in cyber space, Renelyn was born in Ochando, New Washington, Aklan. She took her elementary and secondary education in Ochando, and took her college education at Aklan National College of Fisheries, now part of Aklan State University.


Trabaho Iya

trabaho iya,
trabaho igto
owa man gihapo’t kwarta


***MA. TERRY MARTE
Terry is a college student at the West Visayas State University, Iloilo City. Born in Poblacion, Lezo, Aklan, Terry loves cooking, stitching, and playing chess, badminton and reading books.


Adlaw It Minatay

pag-uli naton
sobrang kasadya
ku mga patay


***NITA B. PAYBA
Nita is a public school teacher in Altavas High School, Altavas, Aklan. She is one of the editors of Altavas Balita.

Lunes hasta Biyernes
Si Nonoy
Sa suba
Nagapamunit.
Bolahan kon may hidawi
Bisan gurami.
Aba! Kon utroadlaw ag orasyon
May sang-saga nga ginauli.

Samtang, Kunes hasta Sabado
O Dominggo pa gid
Si Toto sa suba
Nagapanikop.
Ahay, kon utroadlaw ag orasyon
Maswerte kon may sangsampi
Para sa kaugalinngon.

Busay, June 1992.


***ELLAMAE FERNANDEZ
A native of Lezo, Aklan, Ellamae or Cincerella now studies at the University Alaska Anchorage, Kodiak College taking up Certified Nursing Assistant/Health Care Assistant and majoring in AAS in Nursing.

Dominggo’t hapon—
Nasa binggohan
Nagasi-einggitan
***
gabut-eak ro adlaw—
galingkod sa saeog
bukas ro paead


***ROSELA S. IGNACIO
Born in Balete, Aklan, Rosela was a former literary/feature editor of the Aklan Collegian of the Aklan Catholic College.

BAEOD

Anay! Hueat baea ay may ginapangutana pa ngani ako kimo.
Ano gid a ro imong ginasakuan?
Ham-at gadali ka gid ing?
Piniinuha anay baea ro imong ubrahon.
Indi it dali,
Indi it silinangag.
Owa ka baea nahadlok nga basi maduea ka,
Kapares it imong kaibahan
Nga owa kasayod kon siin sanda maagto?
Owa it pahuway nga gabinalik-balik kakon.
Kunsabagay, ano pa ro akong mahimo.
Owa ka man gapamati.
Mangan-angan, hakuton eo’t-ang it trak,
Igahalo nanda ako sa semento.
Kunta, makaron ka man,
Kasayod ku pagaagtunan.
Ano pa ro akon nga maubra?
Makaron ka gid man.

Ani Aklanon, 1993.


***LIEZEL MACAM
Liezel is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Education , cum laude, from Northern Visayan Colleges,

Sa akong pagtikang
Si Nene akong hakit-an
Mahaba ra buhok, sadya ra aritos
Paglingot na, may ana nga bungot!

Nagtan-aw ako sa akon nga kilid
Si Toto akong hakit-an, miniron ra bueog,
Levis ra saewae, Adidas ra sapatos.
Pag-atubang na, may eyeliner ra mata
AG ra dughan gabukoe pa!

Ani Aklanon, 1993.


***MILAGROS IBANEZ
A native of Lezo, Aklan, Miles as she is known is a nurse in the USA.


toddler...
he learns to walk
to win a marathon

***

Tag-aeani

tag-aeani
napuno
ro taeagbasan nga madaeom

***

The Lone Traveler

dusk-
the lone traveler
hurries home

***

Pain

a thin line
that divides comfort
to kiss me goodnight

Labels:

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Vol. 1 , no. 8 July 2006

The Best 25 Poems Written by Aklanons
Selected by Melchor F. Cichon
July 2006

Aklanon poets have been writing poems for many years now.
So far no selections of the best poems written by Aklanons have been done.
So this is the first of its kind.
How were the poems in this selection selected?
I just selected them based on my personal taste.
So if you think that the poems or the poets you have thought of are not in this list, please do not blame this writer.
Someday, another round of selection will be done.
This collection includes poems in English and in Aklanon.


DOMINADOR ILIO
He is one of the best poets of the Philippines. He hails from Malinao.


Diplomat Listening To Speech of Another Diplomat

They cannot go to the summer sea this year.
Where on the boardwalk, in no more than shorts
And bare feet, he can toss platitudes
Without much mind to the next fellow, perhaps.
Or to his nervous wife all ears beside him.
And watch the silly antics of children.
Long unloved, with anonymous paunch and goggles.
Foolishly try to execute a handstand
In wrist deep water, and make it,
Though with much awkward kicking in air
It will be fun there in the summer sea.

But with this, he cannot hint a word
To the little woman. His hands are firmly chained
To bulky paper-weight on his polished desk.
And his nights will be crammed with not merely silence.
It shall need greater diplomacy though,
To tell the children why they cannot go
Than answer back this shrill-voiced speaker. O.
These talks shall drag on many long seasons yet.

Iowa City
October 1951


JOHN BARRIOS
He was born in Lezo, but he stays in Kalibo with his wife. He teaches literature at the U.P. High School in the University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Iloilo City His book of Aklanon short stories is the first of its kind.

BETAMAX SA SIMBAHAN

do misa hay istorya.

ginbayaw it pari
ro anang tuong alima
para pagatapuson
do misa

gin-alsa man it eaki
ro anang tuong alima nga may baril
para pagatapuson
do anang kontra.

ginpanaog it pari
ro anang tuong alima
ginpanaog man it eaki
ro anang tuong alima.

tapos eon do misa.
patay eon man do ana't eaki nga kontra.


JOEFFREY L. RICAFUENTE
He was the founding president of Akeanon Literary Circle. He used to teach at Aklan College before he went to Canada.

Agi Man Lang

Si Juan gabasa
It mga dahon nga puea,
“Juan, basi maglimad ring mata.”
“Owa ron ‘nay, agi man lang ra.”

Nagtikang do adlaw
Pero ay Juan nga mata
Nagdukot gihapon
Sa mga dahon nga puea
Nag-abo pa…
“Ay Juan, basi maglimad ring mata.”
“Owa ron ’nay, agi man lang ra.”

Nag-eupad do oras
Si Juan, nagpuea ra mata,
May bitbit nga saesaeeon
Nga may busoe nga daea.
“Ay Juan, basi maglimad ring mata.”
“Owa ron ;nay, agi man lang ra.”

Naduea si Juan
Ag owa eon it balita kana…
Pagkatapos it tatlong dag-on,
Hakita si Juan
Sa idaeom it tulay
Gintamnan it busoe
Ku mga nakaberdeng umaeagi
“Ay Juan, agi pa baea ra?”

Si Bitoy,
Manghud ni Juan
Nagsamit-samit sa pagbasa
Ku mga dahon nga puea.

“Ay Bitoy, aywani ron
Ay magapuea karon ring mata.”
“Owa ron ‘nay, agi man lang ra”


ALEX DE JUAN
He is from Kalibo but he now works in Metro Manila as an editor of a medical journal. While as a student in the University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Miag-ao, Iloilo, he made a name by being awarded as one of the best poets of the campus.

RO MGA KITIKITI SA BENDITADO NGA TUBI

Padayon do pagsautsaot
It mga kitikiti sa benditado nga tubi
Sa sueod it simbahan,
Nga nagtunga
Sa pagsawsaw it mga tawo
Ku andang mga tudlo
Nga mahigko.

Padayon do pagsawsaw
It mga tawo ku andang mga tudlo
Nga mahigko
Sa benditado nga tubi,
Nga nanging mahigko
Hasta ro benditado nga tubi
Hay naastan.

Naduea ro benditado nga tubi,
Naduea man do mga kiti-kiti.

PETT REGNO CANDIDO
He was a founding adviser of Akeanon Literary Circle. His book of poem is entitled Far Beyond Eternity. He died two or three years ago.

RONG DUGO AG EANA

Malisod magpahueas sa kahariang bantog sa eana--
Nagadugo ro akong ilong sa paggiltak it eugta
Ag ginakunyag ako sa pagtunaw it yelo
Pero ginatiis ko eon lang ro pagpasunog it panit
Ag paggae-om it akong mata sa pagbagyo it baeas
Agud indi pag-Somalyahon do mga mata it akong pamilya.

Pero matapna baea it akong petro-dolyares ro sakit it akong kahidlaw?
Makit-an ko baea ro pagbahoe it akong unga sa pagtinan-aw sa mga karnero ag kamel?
Mahambae baea it PLDT ro baeatyagon it akong pamilya?
Mapukaw baea ako it mga kumpyuter, nga akon pirme ginabae-bae it mga tudio, kon ako hay ginabangungot?

Ro eana hay sueo pa gid namon makaron
Maskin mabug-at pa gid do dugo
Nagaeautaw pa gid do eana
Ag dahil sa kahin-agahan
Ginaeudhan ko pa rayang sueo gihapon.


ROWENA TAMAYO
One of the best Aklanon poets, Rowena works in Kalibo.


HAEAD KAY ARWENA

Gindaehan ta ikaw it mga bueak
Nga may kasiga ku adlaw
Ag kainit ku mga hiyom-hiyom
Agud taw-an it kasadya
Ro imong mga mata
Nga nagakasubo.
Mga violeta nga nagakiay-kiay
Sa huyop ku hangin
Pageaom ku mga daeanon
Nga owa maagyi!...
Ag mga rosas, singpuea ku dugo
Apang madali maeaay.
Ah, sayud ako kon paalin
Do mapisang it sanglibong parte
Ag do magbatyag it hapdi
Ku mga napirdi…


ROMAN A. DE LA CRUZ
Tatay Roman is a multi-talented person. He is a poet, a novelist, a short story writer, an editor-publisher, and a historian. He is from Kalibo.

ANO GID MAN

Itay, nagburoka si Nanay
Nga hubas eon ro atong taeagbasan.
Ring gin-uli sa pagpamanday
Basi buhinan mo pa para sa simbahan.
Kueang pa katon ro imong kinita.
Nahawag gid ako, Itay, basi hitaman ka.
Kanugon kon owa't kamatuoran
Ro imong ginatuohan.

Pabay-i eang, Toto.
Ro tubi nga nagailig paeawod
Mabalik man gihapon paagi sa uean.
Owa't pagwasi, owa't pag-uyang.
Kon buko't matuod rang ginatuohan,
Ano gid man,
Basta matuman ko ro hutik kang dughan.

JOI BARRIOS
An Aklanon, but she writes in Filipino and in English. She teaches literature at the University of the Philippines in Diliman.

KASALO

Ang babae ay hindi kaning inihahain
sa mesa ng matrimonya
iniluluwa kapag mainit at takot kang mapaso,
sinasabawan ng kape sa umaga
kapag ikaw ay nagkulang
at itinatapong tutong
sa kanyang pagtanda.
Ang babae ay hindi karneng
dinuduro at kinikilo,
ginigisa ang laman sa iyong mga pangako,
nilalaga ang buto sa iyong pagsuyo,
at ginagawang chicharon ang balat
upang maging pulutan.
Ang babae ay hindi halalyang
panghimagas sa iyong kabusugan,
inuming pampatulak sa iyong katandaan
o putaheng nilalaspag tuwing may handaan.
may tiyan rin siyang kumakalam,
may sikmurang kailangang mapunan
at pusong dapat mahimasmasan,
kasama mo siyang nagtatanim ng
maisasaing,
katuwang na naghahanda
ng almusal, tanghalian at hapunan,
kaharap at kasalo sa kinabukasan.

From: Ang Pagiging Babae ay Pamumuhay sa Panahon ng Digma ni: Joi Barrios

EDNA ROMULO LAURENTE FARAL
She is from Batan. Edna is not only a fine haiku writer, but she is a dancer par excellence. She now lives in the U.S.A. with her husband, Conrad, and son, Concon.


The Rose

the rose
whispers I love you
I smile

Reaching For A Friend

twilight –
sunflower reaches heaven
where tulip sleeps


LOSALLY NAVARRO-ENDURI
She is one of the finest Aklanon haiku writers. She now lives in Canada. She is married to an Indian.

fear nothing
even if our taj mahal
is made of bamboo


SUMRA DE LA CRUZ
Sumra is not only a poet, but a painter as well. She was born in Kalibo.

Pag-abot

Nagabanaag ro siga it adlaw
Sa katunggan ag nagadali-dali it hathat
ku anang madueom nga belo ro kaeangitan.

Mahipos masyado ag akon eamang
Hidadakop it pamati ro mga kapispisang nagaeueupad eon pauli
Matsa owa't katapusang kamingaw.

Ro hangin nga maeamig
Nagapuepamasyar eon sa mga manipis nga tudlo it paeay
Hasta nagapaeayo ro nagakaduea nga kahayag.

Mahipos eon ag malinong do palibot sa pag-abot ku gabii
Sa akong pag-uli sa baeay.


VELLYZARIUS I. DE LA CRUZ
Billy translated the New Testament into Aklanon, the first ever. He had published some books of poems.

Before God I Saw Philosophy

Before God I saw philosophy--on bended knees--
and the pillars of wisdom and knowledge;
and round about the virtuous kow-towing,
round about and low--before the majestic
and glorious throne.

And I saw the lust of the flesh like a
bundled rag--tacked in a corner praising
the Lord' and the eyes
downcast--weeping and blind, praising the Lord;
and the pride of life humbled in
the dust, and praising the Lord;
and all the things in and of the world that
passes away; kow-towing low, and praising
the eternal glory.

And I saw defeat swallowed up in victory
by the Blood of the Lamb; and the
Final things united all in the love of Christ
and his Holy Cross.

(From: his book, Poems in Praise of God. Kalibo: Macar Enterprises, 1997)


CIRILO CASTILLON, JR.
Known as Tata Goloy, he was born in Numancia, but he now lives in America.

my shadow
my friend
forever


JOSE JAY FELICIANO
He is from Kalibo, but he now works in Alaska, USA.

Uean
Mabaskog ro
Tunog sa eugta


ANGELO ANCHETA
He is half-Aklanon, half-Ilocano. He writes features and poems. He is an engineer.


full moon
a fisherman falls
asleep


SR A CRIS T. OCAMPO
Cris is now stationed in South Korea as a military serviceman.


Puyo

puyo
ginsibot
sa manabaw nga sapa


Matig-ang Bagoe

matig-ang bagoe
gapanago sa amamakoe
hin-aga mano-eo


NADY MEREN
Before he became a priest, Nady wrote a lot of Aklanon poems. He is from Kalibo.

Bahag Ag Tangga

gusto ko nga magbahag eang
pareho kay Lapu-Lapu
pero nahuya ako
hay amo ro pagtan-aw
ku mga taga-nakatungdan
sa mga nakabahag

pero akong nangawahan
ham-at kung magsusok
si Inday it

saya
ag
kimuna

nagahaeakhak man sanda
tao baea kon hasayran nanda
nga ro mga nakasaya ag nakakimuna
hay owa it panti ag bra
ukon dahil naila eang sanda
nga magtan-aw kay Inday nga
magtangga

ah
makaron
hasayran ko eon

do gusto man lang gali nanda
nga si Inday hay mag-

uba.


UPLO IRADA, 22 years old, a poet and gamefowl breeder from Lezo, Aklan. Presently, he is outside of the Philippines. Here is his link: www.friendster.com/uploirada

black butterfly,
fly away from the blue sky,
before I die.


ROCKY I. ABELLO
He is from Bulwang, Numancia, Aklan. Aside from being a faculty of Aklan Catholic College (ACC), in Kalibo, Aklan, he directs/choreographs the IKONOS, the threater group of ACC. In October 2005, his piece Isugid Ko Kimo, Mapati Ka? won first prize in the Binaeaybay contest during the Aklan Private Schools Association Meet in Kalibo, Aklan.


Isugid Ko Kimo, Mapati Ka?

ssssshhhhhH....Isugid ko kimo, mapati ka?

Rong matambok nga tanum,
hay nagaeambihid
sa kadapahuyop ku maitum nga hangin.
Ag ro matam-is nga damgo ni nanay,
Hay pinalid.
Kadungan ku pagkaeumos
ku mga bueawan nga binhi,
nga gintanum pa ni tatay.
Nagkaubos eon ro sueod it taeagbasan
sa mabahoe nga handum
nga napuno ro imong eahungan.

Hubbbbh....Sa rayang istorya, mapati ka?

Nagbieingkong nga mga tudlo
sa pagbuk-ead ku mga kaban it kaaeam.
Para eang masudlan
ro imong owa it sueod nga eahungan.

Nag-maeaea ro mga tueonlan,
sa pagsab-eag it bueawan nga sueondanan,
maabot eang ing dueonggan,
ag mabugtaw ing nagakatueog nga daeanon.
Hasta nga si Manang
hay gin-asawa na ro anang propesyon.
Matadlong eang
ro nagtiko mo nga daeanon.

Hay alin, mapati ka?

Kun indi ka
padayuna,
Basi magtaeang ka.
ro daean nga imong paga-agyan,
Hay owa it paga-agtunan.
Kundi kadueom ag kasakitan,
sa mga naga-bueabod nga daean.

Kalipati ing ginikanan,
Nga namaehan it hueas
ag nagka-eaeunod sa euha,
sa pagpaninguha
nga ikaw hay maeuwas sa kaeainan it kalibutan

Ayaw pagtiku-a ro matadlong eon nga daeanon
Kundi patambuka ro mga pananum sa imong ugsaran
Paagi sa pagbunyag it mga matam-is nga tubi,
halin sa imong eahungan.

Pamati, may isugid pa ako!

Pinatumba ni Rizal ro mga espanol ku ana nga bolpen.
Ag napukaw ro mga nagakatueog nga baeatagon.
Nabuhi ro ispiritu it kahilwayan!
Ag nahugpong ro nagtiap-eang nga banwa.
Maabo eon nga butang
rong nahimo it kaaeam
Kaparehas kung pagbutlak it adlaw
nga indi gid mapunggan.

Rong kaaeam
Hay handumanan halin sa atong ginikanan.
Manggad nga indi gid matakaw
hasta sa atong eubnganan.
Rong kaaeam
hormahan it matarong nga tagipusuon.
Kainit it nagahandum nga baeatyagon.
Ag kahayag it tawo
sa anang daeanon.
Sa akong ginsugid, mapati ka eon?

Alin, mapati ka?
Kun indi ka magpati,
Sige, ikaw lang istorya...


GEORGE T. CALAOR
George is from Kalibo. He won once in a regional poetry contest held in Iloilo City.

Owa’t Sueod Nga Pinggan

Pinabay-an na nga mahuslog
Do anang eambong pagkakita
It gapaeamukus nga kahita.
Kinimbot ro anang buli
Sa anang atubangan.

Sa dueom,
do mga tinaga nagsiklab
owa’t pakundangan nandang ginhutik,
ginbale wala
ro laragway ni Kristo
sa puti nga dingdong.

Kinahangean nanan ro anang
hueas
para sa andang galitik
nga pinggan


BELLE NABOR
Her haiku have been published outside of the Philippines. She works at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

tired of seeing
the world, the snail—
a recluse again


drooping eyelids
the moon
looks smaller now


MELCHOR F. CICHON

A LETTER

John,

I will definitely go home
To our house
Where we can see the clouds
Through the roof.

I'm fed up
With the twinkling neon lights,
But I have not yet paid
For the earrings that I got
From Mama San.
I need them so my tinkling
Will be louder and my hips
Will be heavier.

Don't worry, John,
This Christmas
You and I will create a moon
And through the roof
We two alone
Will grasp its light.

Ana


PUSHING THE NIGHT

You see him around
In tattered clothes, barefooted
Pushing his crooked cart
For an honest living
In a blind city.

He lights his kerosene lamp to push the night
In his see-through home.
But the wind keeps on blowing it out.
Like his cart
He keeps on pushing the night
To know the dawn.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Vol. 1, No. 7 June 2006



News

Two important literary events related to Aklanon Literature happened in May 2006.

Angelo B. Ancheta, a half-Aklanon, half-Ilocano, broke into the Simply Haiku with his haibun. He is a software analyst/engineer who is passionate about poetry (including haiku, senryu, tanka, haibun) and writing. He took his Bachelor's Degree in Geodetic Engineering at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, in Quezon City. His poems have been published in Poor Mojo's Almanac, Dalityapi Makata, Bueabod Literary, and Philippine Graphic Magazine. His essays and feature articles have appeared in Ducts, Philippine, PANORAMA, Homelife Magazine and Philippine STAR newspaper.
Angelo believes that writing is life recreated and relived

A haibun is a combination of a prose and a haiku. Simply Haiku is one of the world’s most popular ehaiku journals that publishes haibun.

With his permission, I am reprinting here his haibun.

HAIBUN

full moon
a fisherman falls
asleep

With a few more paragraphs to complete an essay for a deadline next week, a few more cups of coffee will do. I wish Alice wouldn't be so mad at me for postponing our movie date. Her "all right" didn't sound like it really was, but I'm sure she understands. She does. I stand away from my laptop, pace towards the window and peep through. It's not quite right to see only a few people out on Friday night. Perhaps they're already at home, or in their favorite hang-out places.

I walk back to my desk with hurried steps. The office lights blink a few times. My monitor becomes a diminishing circle of light

***
The other event was when JOHN IREMIL E. TEODORO, Coordinator Fray Luis de Leon Creative Writing Institute University of San Agustin Tel. No. (033) 337-7716 announced that Alain Russ Dimzon and Melchor F. Cichon are the recipients of the 2006 Fray Luis de Leon Creative Writing Grants given by the Fray Luis de Leon Creative Writing Insitute (FLDCWI), Coordinating Center for Research and Publications of the University of San Agustin.

Dimzon won a grant for his book manuscript Ang Manunulat kag ang Pendulum/The Writer and the Pendulum, a collection of poems in Hiligaynon with English translations.

Cichon won for his manuscript Siniad-Siad nga Kaeangitan/Strips of Heaven, a collection of Aklanon haiku with English translations.

Dimzon hails from Dumangas, Iloilo. He was given the Gawad Emmanuel Lacaba (Best New Writer in Hiligaynon) by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 2000. He is teaching at the Special Program for the Arts of the Iloilo National High School.

Cichon is from Lezo, Aklan. He is the college librarian of the College of Fisheries of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. He is a recipient of the Gawad Francisco Balagtas, a lifetime achievement award given by the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL). His first book is titled Ham-at Madueom Ro Gabii? His second is Haiku, Luwa and Other Poems by Aklanons.

The grantees received PhP10,000 each but they have to complete their book manuscript to be ready for publication by the University of San Agustin Publishing House in January 2007. The awarding ceremonies was held on May 19, 2006, 2:00 PM at the President’s Conference Room during the closing ceremonies of the 4th San Agustin Writers Workshop and the launching of the books by Maria Milagros Geremia-Lachica and Genevieve L. Asenjo, the grantees last year.

The main objective of the Fray Luis de Leon Creative Writing Grants is to support the flowering of writings in Aklanon, Kinaray-a, Hiligaynon, and Filipino. –

****

The haiku below was written by Uplo Irada, 22 years old, a poet and gamefowl breeder from JM Reyes St., Lezo, Aklan. Presently, he is not in the Philippines. This is the first time that he appeared in Bueabod. Here is his link: www.friendster.com/uploirada

black butterfly,
fly away from the blue sky,
before I die.


@@@

Cirilo Castillon, Jr.

The Scent Of Green

Pine trees
Tamed by the wind
Beneath the great blue sky
Home for the birds and the squirrels
Smell green.

***

a heron
balancing in one leg
on the back of a carabao

***
sorry my friend
you died prematurely
in my heart


@@@

Edna Romulo Laurente Faral

bukas
ro eangit
sa gustong magsueod

***
hugom
it agahon
sa bag-ong eangit

***
1st of May

just before sunrise –
1st of May's cooling breeze
kisses my wan face

@@@

Jose Jay Feliciano

uean
mabaskog ro
tunog sa eugta

***
eamig
mahapdi ro eamig
sa imong panit

***
spring
tulip nag-buskad
sa init ku adlaw


@@@

Melchor F. Cichon


California

California--
Sunflower shines brighter
after sunset

***

Sa Punta It Ikog

sa punta it ikog
ikog
it ikog

***
Si Pinoy sa Mt. Everest

May 17, 2006—
gintanum ni Leo Oracion
ro bandera't Pilipinas sa bubungan it Mt. Everest

(In Honor of Leo Oracion, the acknowledged First Filipino to climb the summit of Mt. Everest, 5:30 p.m., Philippine time, May 17, 2006.

***

Pag-eubog Kang Adlaw

Sampaguita,
pag-eubog kang adlaw
iuli mo ako ha sa ugat ko

***

Losing A Friend

losing a friend--
the way the sun
refuses to set

@@@

Losally Navarro -Enduri

Flames’ fans mourn--
the red mile
is dead!
(CALGARY FLAMES lost 3-0 to ANAHIEM DUCKS)

Friday, April 28, 2006

Vol. 1, No. 6 May 2006

The First Provincial Conference on Aklanon History, Culture and Society was held at the 2nd Floor, Capt. Gil M. Mijares Bldg., 19 Martyrs St., Kalibo, Aklan, on April 20-21, 2006 with its theme: “In Search of the Akeanon Identity: Digging the Past, Understanding the Present and Mapping the Future. “

This conference is part of the 50th celebration of independence of Aklan from Capiz.

About 70 participants attended this historic conference. The participants were mostly public school teachers from the municipalities of Aklan.

Those who read their papers were:

Prof. John E. Barrios. Aclan Begins: Pagkonstrak it (H)istorya it Umpisa it Banwa it Kalibo;

Marcela Reyes Tinagan. Kalibo Santo Nino Ati-Atiha Festival;

Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino. Politics and Journalism: The Aklan Experience;

Rev. Fr. Arnaldo U. Crisostomo. Roman Catholism and the Aklanon Society;

C. R. Hilario, L. A. Rico, E. T. Biray and E. L. Gonzales. The Pangayaw it Boracay: A Migration Study;

Melchor F. Cichon. The Renaissance of Aklanon Literature;

Rikki M. Mijares. Towards a Distinct Aklanon Theater;

Sumra de la Cruz-Rojo. Aklanon Visual Arts: Its Styles and Subjects & Social Context;

Nynn Arwena G. Tamayo. Akeanon Women Writers and Their Works: A Socio-Economic and Political Perspective.

Ms. Cherry Mae Teodosio on campus journalism

Mr. Alphonsus D. Tesoro on the role of Local Government Units on folk theaters.

The conference was enriched with the comments shared by Msgr. Adolfo P. Depra and Mrs. Lorna M. Quimpo.

Aside from giving the Opening Remarks, Mrs. Anna India delaCruz-Legaspi also read her paper on pineapple fiber industry in Aklan.

Meanwhile, the Editor found the following Aklanon literary pieces. These can give light to the tradition of Aklanon literature:

Manyas, Peping Tansinko. Tagiposuon Nga Hueowaran. Daeang Rizal, Kalibo, Capiz. 1926. 26p. (Photo-copy). In this novellete, one can see the oldest Aklanon translation of the Philippine National Anthem. It was written by Mr. Manyas.

Reyes, Gabriel M. Toning. Mandurriao, Iloilo, 1925. 35p. (Photo-copy)

Tente Undoy. Mga Bilisad-on ni Tente Undoy. San Juan, Rizal, Kalantiaw Publications, Inc. 37p. (Photo-copy)

***********
While I was attending the above mentioned conference in Kalibo, I met two young Aklanon poets: Antoniño F. Tolentino and Rocky Abello. Both are award winning poets.

Antoniño F. Tolentino is a teacher at Kalibo Sun Yat Sen School. He has been writing poems since college. His works have been published in the Aklan Collegian, the school paper of his college. He was once the first prize winnner in written category of the UP in the Visayas' Bigkas Binalaybay. He edits the Hala Birada, a weekly newspaper circulating in the province of Aklan and Antique and writes for The Aklan Reporter, Aklan's leading newspaper.

Here are some of his latest works:

Pagpueaw Para sa Tula

Sa tungang gabii ako gapalitik
Para sa mga mahigugmaong tinaga
Rong keyboard hay galinagatik
Para eang ipahisayod ang pagpalangga
Rong mga guyom hay nagakarang
Sa tasa it katam-is
Kong kapeng maeamig nga taga-pukaw it isip
Apang sa kada hueag it mouse
Ro ang nagalimad nga mga mata
Nahidlaw magpiyong ay gaoy eot-a
Pero rong monitor hay may
Aparisyon it imong itsura
Para sa rayang gabii
Tapuson anay ro tula ngara
Ay nagahueat rong hin-aga
Gapangako nga kaibahan ka

Toto

Toto, hambae ku imong maestra
Ro imong bolpen mapuea ra tinta
Toto, pangabay kun gasueat ka
Timpla-timplaha man do letra
Kasayod ka baea?
Imong mga kaklaseng aktibista
Gintamnan it busoe nga tinga
Sa tunga it daywang ka mata
Toto, bata ka pa
Sa pilang adlaw marealisar mo
Ro pagiging maisog nga peryodista
Indi kabuhi it pamilya
Dahil atong sosyodad
Ginadominahan it kwarta
Apang Toto, kun pilion mo
Ro daean it pag bag-o
Kabay pa nga indi ka mag nu-oe
Kun sanda kimo magbu-oe
Ag tamnan ka it busoe nga tingga
Sa tunga it daywang ka mata
Indi eang pagkalipat nga iya ako
Kapareho mo man nga nagahandom
It malisod abuton nga damgo
Maisog rong megaphone hay nagahugom
Eon it nagmaeang eaway
Apang ro ang limog hay may gahum
Nga indi mapahipos it kaaway
Rong tapo-tapo it kalye
Sa akong ilong nagbara
Apang rong kainit it kalye
Indi makapahina sang ginhawa
Rong pueang pintura hay naeunot
Kaibahan rong placard nga kartolina
Apang rong pulis nga may kilay nga eukot
Ra eandong wa kang kapaeuya
Apang…
Ro kaisog
Kimo man lang
Naga-euhod ag nagakurog


Adlaw ag Sorbetes

Rong haring adlaw sa eangit
Nagapaeanay sa sorbetes
Nga nagapawi sa init
It gapamasyar sa plaza nga burgis
Rong haring adlaw sa eangit
Nagapaeanay man sa hueas
It trabahador nga maitom it panit
Apang rong daba-daba it eangit
Indi katunaw sa kahugod
It pobreng may maitom nga panit
Para hin-aga sa tam-is it
Nagaeanay-eanay nga sorbetes
Bisan paalin hay makasamit

Kikiam

Sa plaza hay malipayon rong tindera
Dahil baligyang kikiam hay mabakae
Sa kada tuslok it stik hay kuwarta
Ay rong plaza eonsukan it gapaliwa-liwa
Apang sa kada tuslok na sa kikiam
Matsa nagadueot man sa akong tagipusuon
Dahil iya sa plaza ako ga agam-agam
Nga naga-isaeahanon
Samtang naga-agi rong mga manugsimba
Ag mga nagaholding hands nga may gugma
Ako, katuead it kikiam ginaprito sa kakueba
Ikaw sa maeayo ginakamusta
Pinili mo ro ibang nasyon
Dahil imong puturo pagausuyon
Sa lugar nga gapakunyag do yelo
Gintahak mo bisan buko’t sigurado
Samtang ako iya isaea sa plaza
Sa akong dughang nagakahidlaw
Kikiam gid lang ro nagapakalma

@@@

Rocky I. Abello is from Bulwang, Numancia, Aklan. Aside from being a faculty of Aklan Catholic College (ACC), in Kalibo, Aklan, he directs/choreographs the IKONOS, the threater group of ACC. In October 2005, his piece Isugid Ko Kimo, Mapati Ka? won first prize in the Binaeaybay contest during the Aklan Private Schools Association Meet. It was held at the Augusto De Legaspi Sports Complex, Kalibo, Aklan. Here is the copy of that winning piece:

Isugid Ko Kimo, Mapati Ka?

ssssshhhhhH....Isugid ko kimo, mapati ka?

Rong matambok nga tanum,
hay nagaeambihid
sa kadapahuyop ku maitum nga hangin.
Ag ro matam-is nga damgo ni nanay,
Hay pinalid.
Kadungan ku pagkaeumos
ku mga bueawan nga binhi,
nga gintanum pa ni tatay.
Nagkaubos eon ro sueod it taeagbasan
sa mabahoe nga handum
nga napuno ro imong eahungan.

Hubbbbh....Sa rayang istorya, mapati ka?

Nagbieingkong nga mga tudlo
sa pagbuk-ead ku mga kaban it kaaeam.
Para eang masudlan
ro imong owa it sueod nga eahungan.

Nag-maeaea ro mga tueonlan,
sa pagsab-eag it bueawan nga sueondanan,
maabot eang ing dueonggan,
ag mabugtaw ing nagakatueog nga daeanon.
Hasta nga si Manang
hay gin-asawa na ro anang propesyon.
Matadlong eang
ro nagtiko mo nga daeanon.

Hay alin, mapati ka?

Kun indi ka
padayuna,
Basi magtaeang ka.
ro daean nga imong paga-agyan,
Hay owa it paga-agtunan.
Kundi kadueom ag kasakitan,
sa mga naga-bueabod nga daean.

Kalipati ing ginikanan,
Nga namaehan it hueas
ag nagka-eaeunod sa euha,
sa pagpaninguha
nga ikaw hay maeuwas sa kaeainan it kalibutan

Ayaw pagtiku-a ro matadlong eon nga daeanon
Kundi patambuka ro mga pananum sa imong ugsaran
Paagi sa pagbunyag it mga matam-is nga tubi,
halin sa imong eahungan.

Pamati, may isugid pa ako!

Pinatumba ni Rizal ro mga espanol ku ana nga bolpen.
Ag napukaw ro mga nagakatueog nga baeatagon.

Nabuhi ro ispiritu it kahilwayan!
Ag nahugpong ro nagtiap-eang nga banwa.

Maabo eon nga butang
rong nahimo it kaaeam
Kaparehas kung pagbutlak it adlaw
nga indi gid mapunggan.

Rong kaaeam
Hay handumanan halin sa atong ginikanan.
Manggad nga indi gid matakaw
hasta sa atong eubnganan.

Rong kaaeam
hormahan it matarong nga tagipusuon.
Kainit it nagahandum nga baeatyagon.
Ag kahayag it tawo
sa anang daeanon.

Sa akong ginsugid, mapati ka eon?

Alin, mapati ka?
Kun indi ka magpati,

Sige, ikaw lang istorya...

@@@

Melchor F. Cichon

Labor Day--
Mayor plays in the cockpit
Father gathers plastics for our supper

***

sunset—
the house lizard
kisses the earth

***
Sunflower—
it does not close its eyes
when the moon kisses her

***
Hwebes Santo

Hwebes Santo—
kaina pang agahon
ro pagtinung-it it mga nanay

***
Keanna, once
she was an escort girl
of senators

***
katu, si Keanna
kilabot
it senado

** *
ro kahumot
it rosas
ro nagpatueog kakon

***
ra kupkup kakon
bag-o ako pumanaw
ro nagpainit kang banig

@@@

Losally Navarro-Enduri

semana santa---
ro tuba sa kawit
nahimong eanggaw

@@@

Jose Jay Feliciano

Keanna who?
never
heard of her

***
si Keanna
gwapa
indi ko kilaea


@@@

Cirilo Castillon, Jr.

MOONLIGHT
CASTS ME A PLAYMATE—
MY SHADOW

Tulips

Ham-an kon ikaw
magsubat
tig sang dag-on?

***

Sapa
akong gina-eonipan
ag ginapanikpan

@@@


Edna Romulo Laurente Faral

Together

lovers
embrace together
in bended knees

Biernes Santo

Biernes Santo--
ginabisita pitong simbahan
kada Biernes Santo

@@@

Cris Ocampo

Tangkong

nagakamoy sa tubi
sa kilid it sementeryo
ru tangkong nga matambok

@@@

Luchelyn Andres Beltran is a faculty member of Aklan Catholic College, Kalibo, Aklan. These poems were lifted from http://www.my.akeanon.com website where she is an active contributor. This 22-year old lady graduate of West Visayas State University comes from Poblacion, Banga, Aklan.

Gabii

owa ako naayawi’t tan-aw
sa bituon sa eangit--
mainit ring paead sa paead ko

Sa Palangga Nga Tunay

mahae...
isakripisyo tanan
sa palangga nga tunay

Humbak

Humbak...
nakakalipay sa pamatyag
ro humbak sa siki...

Daeaura

daeaura.. .
dati hay puti
abuhon eon makaron

Euha...

sa Pastrana Park--
sa guya gaduylon
ro kabug-at kang dughan

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Vol. 1, No. 5 April 2006

April is a very important month for me because this is my birthmonth.

But this month, I will honor one of the most productive contemporary Aklanon haiku poets: Sr A Cris T. Ocampo popularly known in cyberspace as Toryo.

Cris was born in Kalibo, Aklan. At present, he is assigned in South Korea.

Cris is not new in poetry.

According to him, his interest in poetry started when he was still in high school.

Let me quote him:

“It all started when I was in high school because one of my English subjects talked about poetry and haiku and we had to do one. So I had to read some books about poetry. And since I was a member of a band and a composer I was able to relate poetry writing with song writing. I wrote a lot of poems which I turned them into songs. Unfortunately hindi ko na makita yung libro ko un tsaka ala na rin masyadong time kc patapos na rin ako ng high school nun kaya tumigil na ako.”

Cris graduated at Kalibo Pilot Elementary School in Kalibo in 1993.

Since his elementary grades, he was not only active in boy scout activities but also in athletics especially in sepak takraw. He went as far as West Visayan Meet .

After his stint in Kalibo Pilot Elementary School, he was admitted at Science Development National High School , (now Regional Science High School) in Kalibo, although he wanted to study at RMCAT “dahil mahilig rin ako magbutingting ng mga kung anu-ano eh tsaka gus2 ko ung hands-on nila ng electrical stuff eh pero hindi ako pinayagan kc dun ung mga pinsan ko nag-aaral eh baka daw magbulakbol ako dun.”

After high school, Cris took entrance exams in the schools he wanted to enroll at and finish a bachelor’s degree.

Let me quote him again:

“ kumuha ako ng entrance exam sa mga skul na gus2 ko pasukan pasado nman lahat kaso sa me quota ung engineering sa UP at UST pero balak ko maging seaman at abogado nun..dahil sa pinilit akong kumuha ng engineering sa UE ako napunta. I took ECE sa UE ok nman ung grades ko nung 1st 3 yrs then nasama na sa mga rally rally nagkaproblema na sa skul kaya kelangan ko pang kumuha ng summer classes para maging regular..nung graduating na ako dumating ung paperworks para magmigrate ng states kaya 5th yr na akong umalis ng pinas nung 2002..pagdating ko dun nagwork muna ako bilang waiter for 2 months habang nag=aaral ako sa Community College para sa eng’g degree ko pero natanggap ako sa inaplayan kong trabahao kaya tumigil ako sa pag=aaral nang hindi pa nakakakuha ng bachelors degree sa eng’g. nung tumagal na ako sa work naisipan kong mag-aral ulit at dun ko nakuha ung associates degree ko kc medyo busy din kc tsaka palipat lipat..pero gus2 ko makuha ung bachelors ko kaya ngaun kahit sa Korea na ako tinatry ko pa ring makuha un kc halos karamihan ng kbatch ko meron ng bachelors eh..sa totoo lang hindi ko na rin kelangan un eh kc kuntento na rin ako sa work ko kc eng’g field din ung nakuha kong work sa gobyerno kaya ok lang din. Me balak pa rin akong ituloy ung magkuha ko ng bachelors pero one at a time lang muna kc medyo busy eh lalo na ngaun asa korea ako nakaassign kaya medyo mahirap ng kunti..”

When I asked Cris on his concept about poetry, he wrote: “my concept about poetry is it makes your emotions come out lalo na pag mag-isa ka lang..dito mo nabubuhos ung mga nararamdaman mo its either na masaya, malungkot, anger, magmamahal, halos lahat na cguro ng emosyon pwede mong ilipat sa poetry..at nakakapag-isip ka ng mga matatalinhagang salita na ikaw lang or kunti lang ung makakagets at tapos pagnabasa ng iba, iba-ibang opinion ung maririnig mo na hindi lang pala ikaw ang nakakaalam nun at meron pa plang nakatagong meaning sa sinulat mo.. “

Some of his haiku were published in Haiku, Luwa and Other Poems by Aklanon (2005).

Let me comment on one of his latest works:

Matig-ang Bagoe

matig-ang bagoe
gapanago sa amamakoe
hin-aga mano-eo

This poem can be read in different angles.

Let me read it in its political dimension.

There are political leaders who are hard headed, people who believe in there conviction despite the fact that most of her/his constituents do not believe in her/him as their effective leader. The truth however is that this leader is just hiding or depending on his/her trusted followers who are like him/her are also weak, if not just taking advantage of their leader's weakness. So when time will come when their help are already needed, they withdraw their support.

This situation is also true in offices where subordinates just withdraw their support when they believe that their leader is no longer that effective.

There is a saying that says that when the house is about to fall, the rats start to run away from that house.


Here are some of his other latest works:

Gaoy

pirot eon ang mata
12 oras nga trinabaho
owa man it nag bag-o

Sanga

nagdapo ro maya
nabali ro sanga
pugad nahueog sa eugta

Masunod nga adlaw

nagpamaeo ro manok
naghipos ro ayam
manog-guwa eon ro adlaw

Paka

ro nag-eumpat nga paka
nagsaeom
sa kilid it sapa

Gaoy nga Maya

ginahapo ro maya
mintras nagatan-aw
sa maeayo nga lugar

Gabok nga Tulay

pagkatapos it bagyo
nagkaeabali
ro gabok nga tulay

****

Losally Navarro-Enduri

Ako, Ikaw

ako, ikaw---
masadya sa pag-abot ko,
masubo kat pagpanaw.

ikaw

ikaw, iwag---
gatao it hayag
sa akong kabuhi.

****
Edna Romulo Laurente Faral

The Rose

the rose
whispers I love you
I smile

Dahon

dahon –
madahang nahueog
pagtugpa sa sanga it pispis


****

Cirilo Castillon

Sangka Barangay Nga Tawo

Sangka baranggay nga tawo
gin-ubong
it mapagpabayang gobyerno

Mingko Relo

ro atong gobyerno
mingko relo
nagatiniyog-tiyog.

Kunta

kunta ro atong gobyerno
makakita man it daean nga diritso
paagto sa ibabaw.

Siging Binaylo

owa gid kita’t mahimo
kon siging binaylo
it gadumaea sa gobyerno.

Ano Ma-People Power Eon Man?

ano ma People Power eon man kita?
mingko owa eot-ana kita
ginagaoya.


****

Jose Jay Feliciano

Madaeom

madaeom
ra pangisip
sa kagaoy


****

Melchor F. Cichon

Marina Restaurant

Marina Restaurant—
nagbalik ro Iloilo
sa panumduman ni Johnrex


Pag-eubog Kang Adlaw

Sampaguita,
pag-eubog kang adlaw
iuli mo ako ha sa ugat ko

Hasta Matunod Ro Buean

dali,
mag-inuman kita't tuba
hasta matunod ro buean

Inay

Inay,
sindihan ko't uman
ro kingke

Ginkindatan Nana Ako

ginkindatan nana ako,
ginkindatan ko man imaw—
gabut-eak ro ugsad nga buean

Landslide sa St. Bernard, Southern Leyte

landslide—
bilog nga barangay
gintueon it eugta

Hilong nga Antiyamis

gapilit nga silak—
nahueog sa karsada
ro sangka hilong nga antiyamis

Viernes Santo

Viernes Santo--
nagtueok ro antiyamis
sa handong it bukaw

Kunta

kon iya kunta si Bing
mahakup kunta namon
ro kahayag ku ugsad nga buean

Sangka Kutsarang Silak

ginaeagas
it maitum nga gaeum
ro sangka kutsarang silak

Owa't Bituon

owa't bituon—
gutom nga eake
sa ibabaw it higanteng billboard

Landslide Sa Leyte

landslide sa Leyte—
sa gihapon
sige ro pagbuteak it adlaw

Brown-out

brown-out—
nagsueod ro aninipot
sa among baeay

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Bueabod it Akeanon Literary Circle, Vol 1, No. 4 March 2006

This issue is dedicated to the late Prof. Dominador Ilio, poet and engineer.

I am reprinting here an excerpt of Dr. Ken Ilio's short biography of his father.

Prof. Dominador I. Ilio was born in 1913*, to a farmer couple, in Malinao, Capiz (now Aklan). He was until his retirement in 1978, a professor of hydraulics at the University of the Philippines College of Engineering and head of its Engineering Science Department and College Secretary for many years. He was the Secretary of the UP Alumni Engineers since 1954 and was selected the Most Distinguished Engineering Alumnus in 1977.

With writing as an avocation, Prof. Ilio has been published as early as 1934 while still a student at the University of the Philippines where he was the literary editor of the Philippine Collegian (1938-39). He finished with civil and geodetic engineering degrees from UP. While working for his MS in Hydraulics at the Univeristy of Iowa, he attended the renowned poetry workshop of Paul Engle.

He was in the first wave of Martial Law detainees back in 1972/73. (This period of our lives is so foggy I don't even remember what year it was he was imprisoned by the Marcos regime.)
His recent works include The Collected Poems of Dominador Ilio, Guerilla Memoirs (a novel), Madia-as (tales and legends in verse), The Katipunan of Aklan, and Vagaries of a Wild River. He is also included in Gemino Abad and Edna Manlapaz's Man of Earth (Ateneo, 1989) and its sequel, A Native Clearing (UP Press, 1993) and in Nick Carbo's anthology Returning a Borrowed Tongue, a collection of Filipino poetry in English, published by Coffee House Press, 1995.

He died on February 7, 2006 at age 93.

***
NEWS

Prof. John Barrios launched his first book, Engkant(aw)o ag Iba pa nga Matag-od nga Istory, at UPV Art Gallery, Iloilo City on March 2, 2006.

Let me quote what was written by Dr. Leoncio P. Deriada in his Introduction: “ This is a first collection and the first ever collection of Aklanon short stories published in book form. Having been there when the young Aklanon writers started writing in their language—the way I had been there when young Kinaray-a writers started their own literature—I am proud and happy to introduce this little book to the Philippine literary world. May more books in Datu Bangkaya’s exotic language be published soon.”

Meanwhile, Melchor F. Cichon’s haiku was published in the March 2006 issue of Heron’s Nest.

This is his second haiku to have been published in this competitive haiku journal.

Here is that haiku:

cool morning—
the smell of garlic bread
reaches the street boy

***
This issue features the luwa, and senyru written by our resident poets in http://www.my.akeanon.com/.

LUWA

Cris Ocampo

Pahangin
nagapahangin sa Tambak
nagsuga it inamak
nagatan-aw it mabaskog nga humbak
mintras sa seawall nagahampak.

***
Jay Jose Feliciano

Abaw si lola nakabitbit
It cellpong maisot ro numiro
Kon dumayal abutan it dominggohan
Kon sumabat "hello me i help you"

***
Melchor F. Cichon

Si Lola ag si Lolo May Cellphone

Si Lola ag si Lolo
Kada isaea kanda may camera nga cellphone.
Ro anda nga load, daywang adlaw eang ubos eon
Ay ginapasaload gali ka apong mahugod.

***

Ro Mga Daeaga ag Mga Meron Sa Caliraya Lake

Sa Caliraya Lake, Laguna
Ro mga daeaga ag mga meron
Owa't gusto nga mag-uli eon
Ay owa kanda't nagatika-tika maski ano ro andang obrahon.

***
Ay, Saeamat

Ay, saeamat,
abung hilong ro nagasadsad
sa Ati-Atihan.

***
Rang Sueog nga Manok

Kon agahon
Rang sueog nga manok gatukturook
Ugaling kon makakita it dumaeaga
Ra baeahibo nagatindog.

***
Agahon Pa

Kada agahon
Alas tres si Nanay kon magbangon
Agod temprano pa kuno si Tatay
Magtug-on.

***
Pagtaas Ku Presyo

Pagtaas ku presyo't mga eambong
Nagtaeaas man ro mga hemlines
Pero nagpaeanaog ro mga necklines.

***
Sa Daan nga Testamiento

Sa daan nga testamiento
Gingabot si Eva sa gusok ni Adan
Pagkatapos, si Adan nahimong handong ni Eva.

***
Palimos!

palimos, bangketa ro among kama
kang ap-at nga unga
ag kang daywang asawa.

***

Saeabtan

Itsong

Hin-uno mo ako pasakaun
Sa baeay ninyo nga ginapalibutan it saesaeon?

Bing

Mabuhay eon kita nga ginapasaylo
May pangabay eang galing ako.
Kun mabuoe mo ro barangaw
Ikaw gid dayon rang hakson.

Itsong

Sige akon nga bueon ro barangaw ngaron
Indi eang ibutang sa tunga naton
Kundi aton pa nga eubid-eubiron
Agod ibugkos sa buhok naton.

Bing

Indi eon lang gali pagbueon ro barangaw.
Kuhiton mo eon lang gali ro buean sa ibabaw
Kon imo eon ngani nga mabuoe
Aton ron nga paligid-ligiron sa paead naton.

Itsong

Mayad man ngani ron kon buean eon lang rang bueon
Ay mabuhay kon aton ron nga tueokon
Buko't paris sa baeangaw
Nga kon may asaw-asaw eang kon magbanhaw.

Bing

Peru kon indi mo ngani ro buean mabuoe
Indi ka eon magpakita kakon
Sigurado gid nga sa impiyerno ka pueoton
Agod igto pati ring kaeag paitumon

Itsong

Maski siin mo pa ako ihaboy
Kon maruyon ring handum
Peru indi ako magpati nga sa impiyerno ako daehon
Ay ro Dios naton mapasinsiyahon.[/size]

Bing

Mapasinsiyahon ngani ro Dios naton
Peru indi sa mga tawo nga pusong.

Itsong

Sin-o ro pusong?
Ako nga nagahigugma kimo
O ro tawo nga maski may gusto
Ginapaantos anay bag-o imaw but-on?

Bing

Paano abi kita but-on
Ay maski ro bituon
Ag ro puti nga buean
Ginaprenda mo kakon?


Cirilo Castillon, Jr.

Ati-atihan sa Kalibo
Abo gid nga tawo
masaot kunta ako
ugaling sumakit rang ueo.

***
Sa eambon namon sa Danapa
sa euyo, may kahoy nga suwa
abo nga paea nga nagaparada
ginahakot ro among kaeamay nga puea.

***
si Neneng tiwaran
nanongya sa dagasanan
sambatong diligiti
ro anang hadakpan.

***
Si Pertong bungkoe,
naghueog it bintoe;
alimangong buta
ro anang habuoe.

***
Si Joseng kaliwete,
namunit sa may piyapi;
ro ana nga dawi,
sambatong diligiti.

***
Igto sa tabok ,
may daeagang guapa;
pero ra tiyan
habok.

***
Bukon ako't purilon.
bisan bag-ong kaon,
kon ako pasayluhon
maka-on man gihapun.

***
Bukon ako't tamad.
pero kon indi
sugu-on
owa't obrahon.

***
Bukon ako't guapo
pero rang
nobya,
pitu.

***
Ako gwapo
pero rang
nobya
sambato.

***
Ro among mangit
sa dapog
naga
kuyambit.

***
May parada't bungoe
igto sa among barrio
kon imo sandang kutan-on
sabat puro hu-o.

***
nagsakay kami sa baroto
bugsay dikara, bugsay dikato
owa pa gali kami kasayod
kon siin kami maagto.

***
Si Marci ag si Betty
nag-agto sa Antique
nagbakae't tiki-tiki
para sa andang baby. –Anonymous, contributed by Tata goloy

***

Edna Romulo Laurente Faral

Trabaho Ni Tatay

Pagbugtaw si nanay
owa sa a euyo si tatay
idto gali sa may takas
ginahimas si Texas.

***
Si Nanay Ag Si Tatay

hambae ni nanay
mayad pa ro manok
kada agahon
ginahimas ni tatay.


Luchelyn A. Beltran

Si CHELY gwapa...
bisan siin mag-adto
abong gabalikid kana.

***
Si lolo madasig pa
da bakolo ginabalewala na
kung gapinaugtas ka
hinugay ay basi hitapdusan ka nana.

***
SENRYU

Melchor F. Cichon

Pagsueat ko't haiku
nabali rang dila;
nag-untay pagsueat ko't senryu

***
honeymoon—
ginhukas ni Agnes ra false teeth
ginhukas man ni Albert ra toupee,

***
Samtang gatan-aw sa ugsad nga buean
Nagtueo ra euha
Sa engagement ring nga anang ginabuytan

***
Cirilo Castillon, Jr.

Si Mariang kiwit
nagbuead it tamban
pagtalikod kinaon it ayam.

***
Si Nenang tiwaran
hadanlog sa eonang
kita ra pasang-pasang.

***
Pulis sa amon
sambato manlang
manakaw pa.

***
Ga-agi ka manlang sa pilapil
masuksok ka pa it
high-heel.

***
naghabok ro sip-on sang ilong
ku akong
pagbaha-on.

***
Mauno gid baea kita kasadya
kon atong makita
ro atong unga nga naduea?

***
mga kaingero
indi makita
it bulag nga gobyerno

Friday, January 20, 2006

Vol. 1, No. 3, February 2006

Introduction *

February is the month for the hearts. 

This month we feature the works of Cirilo Castillon, Edna L. Faral, Janice Viloria, Angelo B. Anceta, Cris Ocampo, and Melchor F. Cichon. 

 Incidentally, this month is also the birth month of Edna Romulo Laurente Faral, one of our active contributors, and Angelo B. Ancheta, our guest poet. 

Edna’s favorite flower is Sunflower, hence her cyber name: SunflowR. 

 I was wondering what is there in sunflower. From the internet I learned that Sunflower is a symbol of Peace. 

 Edna or SunflowR was born in Batan, and since her younger days, she has been active in folk dancing. But Edna is not only a dancer par excellence, she is also an Aklanon poet to watch. Before going to the other haiku of Edna, let me reprint here with some additions my short analysis of one of her haiku: Reaching For A Friend by Edna Romulo Laurente Faral twilight – sunflower reaches heaven where tulip sleeps I like this particular poem simply because it speaks of friendship, of peace, and of loyalty. Sunflower is a symbol of Peace. This is Edna, the peace maker. And a person with a big heart. Looking at the poem, we can see that despite the closing of the day, the persona is still looking for her friend, regardless of whether this person is within her class or not. It is a known fact that Edna has been doing a volunteer work to the least fortunate individuals in the state where she resides. On the literary part, we can see that Edna uses simple, concrete, and very forceful words. In short, this is what we call the economy of words. Also, look at how she uses the letter s. There is music in the poem. This poem is like crystal water that runs in a sandy lake. But it is not as clear as we think it is. There is something that is hidden between the lines of this poem. What that something hidden, try to discover it. This is a kind of haiku that has a tier of meanings. I wish Edna good luck and I hope our friends will also write more poetry of this kind. Now, let us look at some of her recent haiku: EDNA L. FARAL Yelo sa Florida yelo sa punta it mahabang daean Rosas Nga Buskad rosas nga buskad daea mo – sakit ko naduea Makusog Nga Hilamon hilamon sa kurae indi pagdutlan maski talibong First Blush under a candle light – lips snatch a kiss the rose blushes This month we also feature ourselves: MELCHOR F. CICHON Bag-ong Dag-on Bag-ng Dag-on— ginaagubayan it bana ra hilong nga asawa Pagguwa't Mga Bituon pagguwa't mga bituon— gainisak ro mga isiw't manok sa idaeo't baeay Between Two Blue Mountains between two blue mountains a lone fisherman in the sea Tabtabon Naton Ro Mga Hilamon dali, tabtabon naton ro mga hilamon sa kurae it Akean Bintoe bintoe, pabay-i ro alimango mag-eangoy-eangoy sa Akean Sa Kisiw maambon nga agahon— gabitaybitay ro amo sa kisiw Tawaya gatunod ro buean— may habatian akong hibayag halin sa Tawaya CIRILO CASTILLON, Jr Bangon eon Bangon eon Pila gid ro tueog It tawong may buot? *** New Year's Resolution My New Year's resolution: Never to make Any New Year's Resolution *** ro isdang madada hidawi gid sa ba-ba. *** Kun owa it suea Manaog sa suba Ag manongya *** Ihueog ro bintoe Pag hueag it bunot Alimangong mabahoe *** Sag-on Ro makasueod Inde makaguwa *** Pagpuka it isda Sakeoban Agod madali hidakpan *** I hate lies— Red, white, Or blue. *** Kapurilan Abo ro Bangdanan. *** No clue— Lost In space *** Friendship: Once lost Get a new one *** Life is so short It ends When you’re having fun! *** I am free to fly In the cage Of bondage *** I am free to live In the cage Of poverty *** I am free to behave In the cage Of ethics *** My life is like a lighted candle bright, but full of tears. *** Truth Plain Simple Clear Easy to tell Easy to remember Easy to understand . . . no need to justify. *** My Mind, All Minds My mind, all minds, what have you done to my body and soul? You rule me with your supremacy and power--without pity, without mercy, You make me like a slave--bound to follow your desire, You ruthless mind--you give me no choice. Why did you make me hate the things I have, And focus my desires on the things that I don't have? You create in me a covetous heart— Envious and jealous of the things that others have. Why did you force me to acquire more wealth, Power and prestige that I really don't need; To do forced labor and go against my will, And set up a standard that I cannot fill? My mind, all minds, why are you keeping me awake? I do need some rest, I do need some sleep; Why did you trouble me to conquer love, attention and praises; And once conquered, they are just useless? My mind, all minds, I only have a short life to live, All the things you're dying for can't be taken to my grave; All I need is a small space and some air for me to breath; Will you make me happy? Will you make me free? *** My Own Freewill Oh, how I long to do my own freewill. To love, to give, and to show my inner feeling, Not forced, not expected, neither because it is wanted. Nor it is my duty, nor my responsibility; But only because it is my own freewill. Oh, how I long to do my own freewill, To cry, to laugh, to shout, to smile, To run, to jump, to sing, to wink my eye; not because it's appropriate; not because it's on the script; But only because it is my own freewill. I am not a robot; I am not an actor; I am not a cuckoo clock that sounds at a given set of time; I am me, different than he, different than they, With flesh and blood who longs to do my own freewill. Oh, God, My God; You are the only One Who understands; With all Your power, with all Your might, You don't forsake me, You don't twist my arms; You have patiently waited on my doorstep; Until I let You in, to dine with me, in my own freewill. One's Courage One man with courage makes a majority. --unknown Fairness and justice Are all what people desire Have courage to stand in defiance To treatment not like one Though alone be firm In defense for humankind. My People Filipinos are worth dying for. –Benigno Aquino, Jr. Rich but poor Advantaged but taken advantage of Used and abused Helpless yet hopeful and worth dying for. Swallow Me The best of us must sometimes Eat our words. –J. K. Rowling Proud like a peacock Spreading its wings To be admired Look at me! Better than him Better than they Forgetting Not knowing Somebody out there Still better than me . . . the best of us must sometimes swallow our pride. *** The Secret of Green Pine trees Tamed by the wind Beneath the great blue sky Home for the birds and the squirrels Smell green. **** Your Smile Your smile like a rare gem I cannot understand when given to others, I am crying. *** Take A Hike Your eyes wander a lot I want to kick your butt on the place where it really hurts. Goodbye. *** Freedom Freedom Is being Uncivilized Freedom Is abundant In uncivilized world There is no freedom Under The law The freedom we know Is to follow or no Skill Center Scoop, June 1997 The Argument The test of a man or woman’s breeding is how they behave in an argument. In the battle of words, Called argument, What comes first, The egg or the chicken? This bottle of wine, Half-full or half-empty? Where did we come from, Created or evolved from the monkey? In whatever argument, On what side you stand, Carry it out with poise and intellect, Get hold of your hands. So your opponent will not say, You are an egghead, Half-empty With the breeding of a monkey. Cupcake America is an enormous frosted cupcake in the middle of millions of starving people. Starvation among people, among nations Ruled by dictatorships and corruptions Governments keep money for themselves And leave their people all alone. Their people run by millions, Trying to escape the bullets and deaths Wrap up their properties, to carry on their heads, And run away from uncertainties. No food to feed them, no water to drink No medicine to heal their wounds Their skin touches their bones, They die along the way from starvation. Be thankful therefore, America: For you are not only an enormous frosted cupcake, But also a sizzling juicy choice cut steak Amidst millions of starving people. You may not die of starvation for sure, But you may die of being overfed. Dali Kita, Dali Dali, tabtabon naton ro mga hilamon sa kurae it Akean. --Maeara Mga Akeanon Maghinugay kita't duhong Kun inde kita mag hueag Mamatay kita sa gutom. Mapi-ot, magamo Ro atong palibot Masakit man sa mata Kun atong pamantawon. Sadyaan do mahawan Maalwan sa pamantawan Mag tanum kita't daehog Mabusog pa ro tiyan. Dali kita, dali Tabtabon ro hilamon Ag islan it daehog Agod may maka-on. *** Empty Page: Just Another Day It was just another day. Hours passed In searched for words to weave To pour the sentiments of the heart. Tears fell. . . . . .Tired . . .Sleepy Leaving the page Wet . . . Empty. CYRUS JAY CASTILLON I am tired and handsome. -- *** CRIS OCAMPO Gaoy pirot eon ang mata 12 oras nga trinabaho owa man it nag bag-o Bag-ong Dag-on bag-ong dag-on bag-ong pangabuhi bag-ong kasubo. Puyo puyo ginsibot sa manabaw nga sapa. *** ANGELO B. ANCHETA Our guest poet in this issue is a half-Iloko and half-Aklanon. Born in Pasay City on February 19, 1971 from an Ilocos Region father and an Aklanon mother, his poems and essays have been published in journals like Mojo’s Almanac and Ducts: Journal of Personal Stories, both US-Based. Locally, his article and poems have appeared in the Philippine Graphic, Philippine Star, Panorama, Homelife magazine and Real Pinoy Magazine. Online, his poems have appeared in MAKATA Journal of Contemporary Poetry (edited by Sonny Villafania), TBloc: Poetry (edited by Jose Jason Chancoco) and INQ7.Net. Tanaga Ilapat mo sa awit, damdaming bitbit-bitbit. Tulad ng mandaragit, gumala ka sa langit. *** Ilang beses si Hesus ipinapako sa krus? Dugo nyang umaaagos upang tayo'y matubos. *** Tanka going to Chinatown i join friends watching the dragon dance driving bad luck away from me *** JANICE M. VILORIA Janice is a 4th year AB Literature student of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Miag-ao, Iloilo. She is a beauty from Mandong, Batan, Aklan. Ang Pagtatagpo Sa maliit na silid ako'y hindi nag-iisa Nararamdaman ko sa bawat sulok ng aking mata Ikaw ay nakakubli sa madilim na bahagi Marahan kong pinatay ang ilaw Kasabay ng pagkalat ng dilim Ang marahan mong paglapit Naramdaman ko ang iyong pagdampi sa aking pisngi Sa bawat minutong ako'y malingat Isang pagkakataong para sa iyo'y Masipsip ang aking balat Hindi kita masaway at sa halip Sa aking tenga ikaw ay bumubulong Ng mga bagay na kailanma'y di ko maunawaan Hindi ako gumalaw at ikaw ay hinayaan At nang maramdaman kong abot-kamay na kita Isa, dalawa, tatlo-- Pak! Sa wakas patay kang lamok ka. (First published in HomeLife Magazine, December 2005)

 

*For editing

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Vol. 1, No. 2, January 2006

Happy New Year to all.

This year, we are lucky to have more fresh haiku.

The following poems were culled from the December 2005 postings in Haiku in Akeanon thread in this website: http://www.my.akeanon.com

We are also lucky to have discovered an Aklanon who has won a Palanca. His name is Perry Mangilaya.

Let us hear from Perry himself:

hara ro akon nga literary background:
editorial staff ng liwayway magasin since 1997 hasta makaron ag katulong nga editor ng liwayway magasin.
napasama ang kuwentong 'Aswang' sa 'Mga Piling Kuwento', isang anthology ng short story.
nanalo ng 3rd prize sa palanca awards nitong 2005 sa short story for children. (filipino)
ang mga kuwento ko ay nalathala sa liwayway magasin.
nakapagdalo na rin ng workshop for short story writing.
orient sa tagalog at gusto kong matutuhan ang lengguwahe ng akeanon. iba kasi ro oral sa written, di ba.
taga bagacay, ibajay gali ako ag 30 years old.

Also we are so lucky to have discovered one of the oldest Akeanon poems (see below)

Prof. John Barrios, our co-editor, has just published a book of Aklanon short stories. This is the first anthology of Aklanon short stories. The title of his book is: Engkan(aw)o ag iba nga tag-ud nga istorya published by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 2005.

The last but not the least, we are so lucky to have a guest poet in this issue. His works have been published in Simply Haiku and in Heron's Nest, both international known websites. He is the editor of Makata. His name: Santiago Villafania.


***

The following poem is one of the oldest Akeanon poems. Written by an unknown Aklanon poet, its original is in Akeanon ancient writing system and was said to have been written on hardwood (amaga). Its modern Akeanon version was done by Apolinar Orbista, Sr.

Let me quote the explanation of Fiorella I. Nabor on this poem in her article: “An Inquiry into the Ancient Inakeanon Writing System,” Silliman Journal, Ist Quarter, 1968, pp. 54-86.

The “song of Balinganga”

Other than the syllabary itself, the most antiquated sample of Old Inakeanon writing that we have so far is the 1911 reproduction made by Capitan Juan Orbista of the 1725 Moysing reproduction of the 1568 Kabanyag reproduction of the original “Song of Balinganga.” According to tradition, the original and the rest of its copies were written on hardwood (amaga) tablets. The Juan Orbista reproduction was submitted by Apolinar Orbista, Sr., eldest son of the former, to the chairman of the Aklaniana Research Society in appropriate ceremonies held at the Aklan College Auditorium in 1962.

In his manuscript, Orbista (the elder) explains that his reproduction is but a hokwa or a copy of a writing which goes back to Balinganga, The Orbista Ms. contains a number of other songs and poems in Inakeanon writing, It also contains Orbista’s transcription of the famous Code of Kalantiaw from the original syllabic writing system into contemporary Inakeanon graphics.”

The following modern Inakeanon version was done by Juan Orbista

Hambae Inakeanon

I

Hambae Inakeanon
Manat saeaysayon
Hanongod sa dato,
Nga si Bangkaay,
Ag anang asawa,
Imaw si Katorong,
Kat sanda nga daywa
Mga bataon pa.
888

II

Sanda hay nagkita
Sa sangka daeanon,
Daeagang malangya
Miron nga dongganon:
Ag sanglit gaoy eon
Rato nga daeaga,
Pomaeapit dayon
Datong miron kana.

III

Singpit nat dayon
Nga kana omaba,
Agod di gaoyon,
Makapahoway pa.
Dayon na nga abhon
Ay mana eat opa,
Kono, kabog-at na
Kato nga daeaga.

IV

Naghinadya dayon
Miron ag daeaga:
Nagpanaw sa nayon
Kon tawgon Tawaya
Nag-abot panag-on
Sanda nag-asawa,
Nagin malipayon
Pangabohi nanda.

***
Cirilo Castillon, Jr.

Paskwa ni Toryo

Matsa perming may kueang...
basi matapus man da
pero, hin-uno?

Sinana Ku Nurse

Sinana ku Nurse,
“It needs more patience
to deal with patient.”

A Dew

a dew
on a whisky colored rose
honey to the lips

Scent of A Rose

scent of a rose
brings memories
of my youth


Cris Ocampo

Eusaw nga Yelo ag Euha

mintras ginatan-aw ko
ro mga nagakaeosaw nga yelo
rang euha nagatueo

Masubo nga Paskwa

naga uean it yelo
masubo eoman ako
dahil sa kahidlaw kimo

Nagtaliwan Nga Paskwa

Hay saeamat
ay nagtaliwan eon
ro isaeang masubo nga paskwa

Kada Paskwa

kada Paskwa
nagatueo ang euha
kon hidumduman ka

Daeugdug

kilat nga mataeom
nagadagundong nga daeugdug
inigo ro niyog

Isda

nageukso ro isda
sa tangke nga manaba
nagtamsak ro tubi

Humbak

isdang nagapisik
tubing nagatamsik
sa kabaskog it humbak

Panamgo

ro engkantada kahulid ko
sa mabahoe nga palasyo—
namueaw-mueawan malang gali ako!

Kaeayo

gintu-om
ro bueawan
sa mainit nga kaeayo

Kahidlaw ag Pagnu-oe

nagabarlak nga euha
gatueo sang mata
kon hidumduman ka

Haagyan nga Daean

mahumok nga eapok
eutay nga madanlog
rang haagyan pailawod

Tun-og

managob nga gabii
nagapanago nga buean
manug-guwa ru tun-og

Madaeom nga Suba

madaeom nga suba
ginsaeom ni kaka
matambok nga tilapia

Kumunoy

madanlog nga daean
mapilit nga eapok
madaeom nga gabot

Alibangbang

nag-eumpat
nag-eopad inapok
nagdapo sa gumamila

Magae-om nga Tyempo

magae-um ro eangit
maeamig nga hangin
nagahuyop sang uyahon


Jose Jay Feliciano

Anwang Ni Tata Goloy

anwang ni Tata-Goloy
naga-igod kon pumanaw
sa mabug-at nga kangga

Sakay Kamo

musyon
sakay kamo
sa kangga ni Tata-Goloy

Maisog Nga Baye

kada-dominggo't agahon
ginamesahan imaw
ku maisog nga baye

Kalbo

agahon
ginashampohan it sanggol
ra ueong kalbo

Losally Gwapa

Losally Gwapa
taga-Akean
gwapa sumueat it haiku

Baye

baye—
pagbugtaw sa agahon
mawaswas it kapangeagas nga sermon

Carton

carton--
eugbanan ni lolo
sa anang kwartong marmol

Litrato Ni Tatay

litrato ni tatay
binitay
sa dingding nga bato

Military

sang siki
sa hospital
sang siki sa sementeryo

Tag-init

Tag-init man
o tag uean
utok ay natunaw

Pulitika

pulitika
owat katapusang
kurakot

Sa Gihapon

kayod
adlaw,gabii
sa gihapon, butas ro buesa

Gabaga

tagipusuon ko
gabaga
init sa imong gugma

Tata Goloy

Tata Goloy--
gapaiskulya
maski bugo’t anang kapamilya

Maria

Maria--
agahon pa
gadeliber eo’t kalipay

Bueawan

singsing bueawan
ginasuksok it tudlong
tuktukon

Sa Alaska

sa Alaska
ro adlaw nagyelo
sa maeamig nga hangin

Alaska

Alaska --
ro buean nagdueom
sa yelong mahayag

Yelo

pinala
ko gid
ro yelong madamoe

Iya, Idto

pala iya
pala idto
yelong bukid

Tiis

tiis
sa eamig Alaska
kumita eang it dolyares


Edna Laurente Faral

Yelo sa Florida

yelo
sa punta
it mahabang daean

Haru

ginpaagi sa rosas
ro matam-is nga haru
kang bibig

Ginpahipos

ginpahipos
it rosas
rang bibig
12.19.05

Anwang ni Tata_Goloy

pagtunod it adlaw –
ro anwang ni Tata_Goloy
nagpahuway sa eunang

Nagatangis

nagatangis
dughan ko
sa pamisaea mo

Aching Heart

as the sun sets –
a tear falls
from my heart

Christmas

Christmas –
children gather
in God's presence

Pain In My Heart

agony howling behind hospital nooks
piercing thousands needles
in my heart
(during Concon's freak accident)

Singhana Ako

ihutik?
isinggit ko?
sige, singhana ako

Inanod

inanod it
mabaskog nga humbak
ro handumanan naton

May Sueat Pa?

may sueat pa baea
nga maabot
sa gahapay nga mailbox?

Hin-uno pa?

ginahuyap ko
ro adlaw
sa paghueat kimo

Euha

gabii –
euha gatueo
halin sa dughan

Handom

handom
ginhorma pagkaunga
inapok it hangin

Christmas

Christmas –
unga masadya
kaibahan si Jesus


Losally Navarro

ikaw~

ikaw
ro kueang nga nota
para mahuman rang composo

India

India--
a kaleidoscope
of spices!

Adlaw it Paskwa

adlaw it Paskwa---
mabaskog pa sa bagting
ro tunog ku anang tyan


Kangga ni Tata Goloy

ro kangga
ni Tata Goloy
suki it mga Akeanon.

Malieon

Malieon, masakay
sa kangga
matukad kita sa Manduyog


Pilipinas

Pilipinas---
bueawang
ginaeugmok sa eonang.

Katapusan It Buean

katapusan it buean--
suea nana
bukon eon it ibis.

Gustong Higtan

gusto kitang
dakpon ag higtan
ugaling utod ro eobid

Maputing Eaki

kada Byernes
ginaduaw imaw
it eaking maputi

Geisha

Geisha---
kaparis it cherry blossom
ginasuy-aw it alibangbang

Mailbox

gin-eumot
sa paghinueat it sueat
ro mailbox

Maeapad Nga Eawod

maeapad nga eawod
gapatunga
sa atong paghigugma

Kasikaeom-

pagtunod it adlaw
nag bye bye
si tatay sa anwang

Maestra

adlaw-gabi-i
gahabi it pamisea
si nanay
(for mom sally,my grade 2 ma'am)

Shelahanie

siyam nga buean
naghueat ing nanay
sa pag-abot mo

Aninipot

bituon---
nagaidlap-idlap
sa puno it eangka

Melchor F. Cichon


Bisperas It Bag-ong Dag-on

Bisperas It Bag-ong Dag-on—
makabueongoe nga tunog
it sterio ku kaingod

First World Pyro Olympics, Manila, 2005

the world's eyes
focus on the Philippine skies—
First World Pyro Olympics, 2005

Noche Viena 2005

isaeanhong
ginapamatian ko ro tunog
ku tueo't tubi sa baso

Ro Pihak Ku Paskwa

puno't hamon, mansanas, ibos
Fundador ro lamesa –
pero sa pihak ka't kalibutan

Paskwa

Paskwa—
Inay, piniinuhon mo eon lang
nga iya si Tatay sa euyo mo

Pakwa 2005

Paskwa 2005—
Gaeutaw-eutaw ro Sampaguita
sa lagon it Taj Mahal

Kon Paskwa
(Para kay beeSPUNKY)

may init
ro Paskwa
kon kaiping si Taj Mahal

After Christmas Day

morning after Christmas—
the streets rest
from footprints

The Meeting
(For Losally Navarro)

December 2005—
watch when Mayon Volcano
meets with Taj Mahal

Sampaguita's Petals

Spread
the petals of Sampaguita
at the lagoon of Taj Mahal

Ro Kahumot

ro kahumot
it rosas
ro nagpatueog kakon

After Five Years

after five years
I embrace
the giant acacia of Diliman

Ro Botong

pagbawod it botong
ro adlaw
naghayag

Sa Maeara

sa Maeara
ro tagon ni Tatay
ro ginagamit ko sa pagpamunit

Sa Ibabaw It Sanggutan

ginpatik it oman
ni Tay Jose ro saeod
kon abu ra sueod

Nagkamang Ro Suksok

pagsaea ka tuba
nagkamang ro suksok
paguwa it saeod

Sanggutan

sa saeod—
sa kada tueo it tuba
may rebolusyon

Sa Sanggutan

kanugon—
indi eon mabatian ni Tatay
ro huni ku kawit

Eati

eati
nahidlaw ako
sa konserto it mga agagangis

Kunta

kunta
ikaw ro uean
nga nagaharu sang bibig

Si Lolo Ag Ra Apo

Si Lolo
samtang gakungkong ka apo
gatueok sa gasaka nga adlaw

Gahapay Nga Mailbox

gintukuran ni Nonoy
ku anang tagipusuon
ro gahapay nga mailbox

At Caliraya Lake, Laguna

rainy afternoon—
the motorized boats for hire
wait at the islet banks of Caliraya Lake

Ugsad

ugsad—
ra gaidlap nga bibig
kakon nagpainit

Tagasaw

naghalin
ro tagasaw
sa handong it manok

Ginabatak

ginabatak
Niya ako
sa mahumbak nga eawod

Mahugop Ako

mahugop ako
eain eang
ring ginadakop

Matabok Sa Highway

salikaeum—
ro bayeng magueang
gatabok it isaeanhon sa highway

***
The next poems were written by a well-published poet from Pangasinan. His works have been published in international haiku ezines like Heron’s Nest and Simply Haiku. He is the publisher-editor of Makata, an international poetry journal.

Here are some of his works:

soft rain
a frog leaps from
one leaf to another

creeping fog
a little moonlight
crosses the river
(First published in The Heron's Nest)

sunset---
white herons return
to the mangroves

after the rain
a child's hand full
of paper boats

evening drizzle
soft cooing
on the rooftops

autumn birds
arrows soaring
upstream

sundown
on the hillock –
reclining Buddha

(First appeared in the Summer 2005 issue of Simply Haiku)


Manila Bay—
exchanging glances
with a prostitute


floating in the mist
the rice paddies of
Pay-yo*
*the native name of the Rice Terraces

rising smoke
the smell of bonfire
from a distance


summer camp
a line of smoke
climbing the old trail

at the fish pond
pointing to a milkfish
for breakfast

coot or moorhen?
this forest dweller
with a rasping call

note: inspired by the discovery of the Calayan rail, a species of bird new to science found on a remote island in the northern Philippines, by a team of Filipino and UK researchers.

tsunami—
the crescent moon
a wreck in the clouds


senryu 1

the heart is a face
whose eyes are brighter than God's
first bright scallywag

the heart is a who
whose inmost is the cause of
man's immortal woes

senryu 2


Tears

the fallen petals
betrayed by the kiss
of summer

Laughters

the happy flowers
touched by the breath
of spring
[first appeared in Haiku Hut's Short Stuff]

---
Santiago Villafania http://www.dalityapi.com/