It’s actually Independence Day

I nearly forgot today is actually Independence Day. I’m sure it’s because of the changing of holidays (or whatever they call those crappy proclamations). Damn this administration! I would have enjoyed doing at least simple acts of freedom TODAY by freely walking around or hitting the beach had this day been retained a non-working day.

Anyway, to celebrate Independence Day, let me share with you one of my favorite Filipino poems about genuine peace, nationalism, and freedom. It was written by no one else but my favorite Filipino hero, Andres Bonifacio. It was actually made into a song, and way back in High School, we used to sing it in our cultural group while a pair of dancers does a very moving interpretative dance. This song never fails to bring me to tears, even just singing it acapella. I want a copy of the song, but I am having a hard time finding it online. If you have it, please send me a copy.

PAG-IBIG SA TINUBUANG LUPA

Aling pagibig ba ang hihigit kaya
Sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila
Gaya ng pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa
Aling pag-ibig ba
Wala na nga wala

Walang mahalagang hindi inihandog
Ng may pusong wagas sa bayang nagkupkop
Dugo, yaman, dunong
katiisa’t pagod
Buhay ma’y abuting magkalagot-lagot

Ang nakaraang panahon ng aliw
Ang inaasahang araw na darating
Ng pagkatimawa ng mga alipin
Liban pa sa bayan saan tatanghalin
Sa abang abang nawalay sa bayan
gunita man ay laging sakbibi ng lumbay
Walang alaala’t inaasam-asam
Kundi ang makita’y lupang tinubuan

Kayong nalagasan ng bunga’t bulaklak
Kahoy niyaring buhay na nilanta’t sukat
Ng bala-balakid makapal na hirap
Muling manariwa’t sa baya’y lumiyag
Ipagkahandog-handog ang buong pagibig
Hanggang sa may dugo ubusin itigis
Kung sa pagtatanggol buhay ang kapalit
Ito’y kapalaran at tunay na langit

Aling pagibig ba ang hihigit kaya
Sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila
Gaya ng pagibig sa tinubuang lupa
Aling pagibig ba
Wala na nga wala.

(Photo from bakbakan.com)

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Tags: Andres Bonifacio, freedom, independence day, poems, songs

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