MERRY CHRISTMAS
(A Shakespearean sonnet in Acrostic)
Melodious carols playing in the air.
Exciting lights that make the world so bright
Rekindling hope for those in need of care
Rejoice! It’s Christmas! Show your heart’s delight.
Yes, yuletide’s here, let’s raise our voices high.
Christ’s birth proclaimed, ye, people of goodwill.
Hear ye, oh people, sadness you’d get by.
Rejoice! It’s Christmas! New hope to unveil!
In times like this some need a little aid.
Show them some love, portray the love of God.
The joy you’d feel so dear you won’t dare trade.
Must do this deed in truth, not just façade!
Ah, Christmas is the time to share and cheer
So share it now and all throughout the year.
NOSTALGIA: Dreaming of a WILD and SMOKEY Christmas
Edmund Melig Industan
Well, the concert of the Fil-Am Symphony Orchestra (FASO), under the baton of Maestro Robert Shroder is over. My mouth was opened almost through out the program as I listened while they stringed and drummed the heavenly Handel's Messiah, and joyously accompanied a Filipino chorus and children's choir as they sang Pinoy and other universally known Christmas carols in a concert at Pasadena Convention Center on December 6th. It was called HANDOG NG FASO SA PASKO, so it brought tears as we immersed into the lyrics of Filipino well-loved Christmas carols. Coming home from the concert, many might have experienced mixed emotions: appreciative that a concert have brought Philippines yuletide just a few miles away from our doorsteps, but oh boy, we became, all the more, nostalgic.
Searching how to fill emptiness and to make themselves busy so as to forget nostalgia, many probably have also considered attending the three O'clock (Dec. 13th-that's tomorrow)Christmas concert of Lake Avenue Sanctuary Choir (also in Pasadena), of which I and four other Filipinos have been members. Then, some may even have thought of joining Lake Avenue Church Sanctuary Choir and the symphony orchestra on Dec. 20th (5p.m.) for a Sing-Along performance on Handel's Messiah, where copies of musical score would be waiting at the door for all those who wanted to join in the singing. Many might have thought to come with the hope that it would make their Christmas season complete. But everyone knows that it won't! Spending Christmas back home is definitely different.
FASOs concert was absolutely superb, professionally sang and performed. Certainly, everyone was entertained, but it did not completely fill in the gap of what we feel missing. Ah, everyone is probably missing the spontaneity of celebrating Christmas in the Philippines.
Oh, if we could just have a couple of weeks off work; if there could just have an available seat in any Philippine Airlines flight, we surely would have been packing lightly to savor the real Philippine yuletide. Longings of coming home during Christmas always sets in. The deafening, booming and swooshing sound of firecrackers and bamboo luthang (cannon), the wee-hour Simbang Gabi , and the constant caroling by off-keyed children, who sometimes come to our door a couple of times in one evening to sing carols for a quick buck. Yes, despite peak season for travel; despite being ogled and treated like a white bearded and red-suited chubby Santa, even though we are slim and skinny, smooth, and almost half-naked (due to heat and high humidity), we still want to be home for Christmas. Almost everyone would not mind if Christmas trip to the Philippines would be so expensive. If our work would just allow us and flight seats would be available, all of us would surely fly home. Unfortunately, not all of us could go.
We let our tears roll down like the Pagsanjan or Sawaga Falls while listening to Christmas music. We intentionally honk our cars, while driving either to the mall or work place, to simulate busy traffic in Quiapo or Colon district in Cebu. Our bosses and colleagues often see us staring at the horizon and doubling their effort to call our attention, because we find ourselves dreaming of colorful parols, the acidic smell of bibingka, and the infusing smoke of puto bumbong. We daydream ignoring the effluvium from uncollected garbage, muddy streets and alleys in Baclaran and Divisoria, huge holes in pockets and purses, and the hustle-bustle from honking jeepneys, buses, taxis and mendicants. We just feel that nothing can compare spending Christmas in the Philippines.
Growing up in a small barrio before Malaybalay (Bukidnon) became a city, then, gotten older while living in a real estate subdivision close to Camarin, Caloocan City before coming to the U.S., I always miss the young carolers in the Philippines. I miss those rattling homemade tambourines made from flattened tops of bottled soda, soy sauce or Tanduay. I miss the banging of plastic pails and spoons to accompany the singing of "Ang Pasko ay Sumpait" by enterprising kids and teenagers. I miss listening to a cantata by a small church in Constitutional Hills, QC, who comes to our house every Christmas for cheers and fund raising. I miss hearing those off-keyed tunes of "Thank you...thank you...ang babait ninyo"; even those from ungrateful kids who sing "Thank you...thank you...ang babarat ninyo!" Oh, if we could just have such carolers here in US, we probably would feel complete at Christmas time.
Hey, we could probably bring over here some good cultural practices on Christmas. I am aware that some Catholic groups are already having Simbang Gabi. What about bringing in some smoked banana leaves and dough and request a few church goers to let the fire going just outside the church to bring the smokey-side of Simbang Gabi. Fil-Am churches or non-profit organizations could probably organize Christmas carolers to sing in Filipino homes and raise funds for a cause. I am pretty sure, many Filipino household would welcome it. Who knows some non-Filipino households would also welcome Filipino carolers to their homes. Organizers would just have to send letters to the households to be sure that carolers would not be infringing their privacy. Who knows, caroling, the Filipino way, and Simbang Gabi would etch their way as accepted cultural practices here in US. How about giving them a try next year?
Maligayang Pasko ho sa lahat.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
MY THANKSGIVING DAY: THEN and NOW
As far as I can remember, Thanksgiving Day celebration in the Philippines is conflicting and confusing. It is therefore obvious that many Filipinos do not celebrate it as festive as barrio or town fiestas.
Couple days ago, I asked a dozen Filipino elders if they ever think of September 21st as they celebrate Thanksgiving Day. More than half looked at me perplexed. Four of them told me that it was the day that Martial Law was proclaimed by the deposed president and, by Presidential Decree 577 signed on September 1974, also declared as the National Thanksgiving Day probably to conceal the repressive character of the New Society. One of the twelve even told me that he never celebrated Sept. 21st as a Thanksgiving Day. In fact, when it was proclaimed, he imagined that the deposed president would like all Filipinos to treat him like Mao-tze-tung: the entire country go out to the street with his picture paraded and hailed, along with red buntings and confetti. "Thank God, that didn't happen", he further said. National Thanksgiving Day in the Philippines was obviously political in nature.
Actually, July 4th was the original Thanksgiving Day in the Philippines. It was the day in 1946 when the US government, under the Tydings-McDuffie Law officially recognized the 1935 First Philippine Constitution. It was a thanksgiving for freedom received from foreign rule. When thanksgiving date was moved to Sept. 21st, 4th of July was renamed as the Philippine-American Friendship Day. Unfortunately, the day never became a national thanksgiving celebration. We do celebrate it with street parades, but never as a family festivity.
Anyway, at the church where I grew up, Thanksgiving is a "church family" festival. Church members go out to the community to invite non-church goers. Food committee busied themselves cooking at the back of our church. Decoration committee decorated the church interior with red and green coffee berries naturally lined on their twigs, corn cobs firmly intact on their stalks, hands of ripe bananas, riped guavas, sour sop, star apples, legumes, green and yellow squash and red and white sweet potatoes with vines neatly hanging down the table and sprawling onto the cement floor. More corn cobs and stalks, and banana trees with ripe yellow and red fruits hanging in cluster, standing tall on both corners outside the church. We brushed aside, even church politics, to joyously celebrate (in thanksgiving) all the blessings and fruits of our labor for the year. After church service, many spread colorful mats and blankets on the church yard and we feasted on lechon and fried chicken, pansit and meatballs, Dakan (taro leaves cooked in coconut cream with anchovies), and pechay and adobong string beans. Those who brought food shared what they have. So, we also have dried fish and sardine balls, biko and cassava suman, puto and cassava linusak (cooked cassava mashed with freshly grated coconut and sugar). Most of the church members were farmers; however, no one raised turkey in our barrio, so that probably made us "un-american". But Thanksgiving Day was always the time when the church got more tithes and offerings.
I remember that we always celebrate Thanksgiving in November. Call it American mentality, but I don't care. Our church was a product of zealous effort by early Baptist missionaries from America. But I also remember that when Martial Law moved Thanksgiving to September, the festive celebration waned. Many church members would like to move it back to November, because they felt that there was nothing to celebrate in September, except maimed tongues and bruised psyche. I still remember my father, the pastor, preached on Psalm 136: 3 for everyone not to forget to thank the Lord for His love never fails. He told us, during one lean year, that even though harvest was scarce, there was still so much to be thankful of.
Coming over and celebrating Thanksgiving Day in November always takes me back to those very good old days. Although thoughts are often times marred with secularism, Thanksgiving sale, and enjoyed the televised Macy's Parade rather than a feast on church yard; but at least, we always have a family reunion and a feast on turkey and ham, on rice (sorry, only my grandchildren like mashed potato) and cranberry, and of biko, suman, and leche flan. It wouldn't be a church festivity anymore, but I am glad my family still celebrate it in November along with the rest of America.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
Here's a ghazal for you to enjoy. This was published in Pasadena Star News last year and in LA Pinoy Magazine this month.
THANKSGIVING
(An Acrostic in Ghazal)
Table full of food on Thanksgiving Day…
Happy ties renewed on Thanksgiving Day.
All enjoying turkey, ham and cranberry…
Never a bad mood on Thanksgiving Day!
Keeping togetherness as one family…
Shrugging off a feud on Thanksgiving Day!
Grateful for life and love and prosperity…
Instill what is good on Thanksgiving Day.
Value for love, you share for those who’ve not…
Indeed joy is pursued on Thanksgiving Day.
Numerous good deeds to do for others, I say,
Give thanks! Be happy this Thanksgiving Day.
(c) 2007 edmund melig industan
NOTE: Should you want to give a thanksgiving or Christmas present for your friends and loved ones, I would encourage you to give them copies of my book, PRAISING ALL SEASONS LONG: Haiku Verses. Only $9.99 in the US. Available on Amazon.com, comfortpublishing.com/store,vroman's.com, borders.com, barnes&noble.com. Also available online in UK, Italy, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India, and So. Africa.
Couple days ago, I asked a dozen Filipino elders if they ever think of September 21st as they celebrate Thanksgiving Day. More than half looked at me perplexed. Four of them told me that it was the day that Martial Law was proclaimed by the deposed president and, by Presidential Decree 577 signed on September 1974, also declared as the National Thanksgiving Day probably to conceal the repressive character of the New Society. One of the twelve even told me that he never celebrated Sept. 21st as a Thanksgiving Day. In fact, when it was proclaimed, he imagined that the deposed president would like all Filipinos to treat him like Mao-tze-tung: the entire country go out to the street with his picture paraded and hailed, along with red buntings and confetti. "Thank God, that didn't happen", he further said. National Thanksgiving Day in the Philippines was obviously political in nature.
Actually, July 4th was the original Thanksgiving Day in the Philippines. It was the day in 1946 when the US government, under the Tydings-McDuffie Law officially recognized the 1935 First Philippine Constitution. It was a thanksgiving for freedom received from foreign rule. When thanksgiving date was moved to Sept. 21st, 4th of July was renamed as the Philippine-American Friendship Day. Unfortunately, the day never became a national thanksgiving celebration. We do celebrate it with street parades, but never as a family festivity.
Anyway, at the church where I grew up, Thanksgiving is a "church family" festival. Church members go out to the community to invite non-church goers. Food committee busied themselves cooking at the back of our church. Decoration committee decorated the church interior with red and green coffee berries naturally lined on their twigs, corn cobs firmly intact on their stalks, hands of ripe bananas, riped guavas, sour sop, star apples, legumes, green and yellow squash and red and white sweet potatoes with vines neatly hanging down the table and sprawling onto the cement floor. More corn cobs and stalks, and banana trees with ripe yellow and red fruits hanging in cluster, standing tall on both corners outside the church. We brushed aside, even church politics, to joyously celebrate (in thanksgiving) all the blessings and fruits of our labor for the year. After church service, many spread colorful mats and blankets on the church yard and we feasted on lechon and fried chicken, pansit and meatballs, Dakan (taro leaves cooked in coconut cream with anchovies), and pechay and adobong string beans. Those who brought food shared what they have. So, we also have dried fish and sardine balls, biko and cassava suman, puto and cassava linusak (cooked cassava mashed with freshly grated coconut and sugar). Most of the church members were farmers; however, no one raised turkey in our barrio, so that probably made us "un-american". But Thanksgiving Day was always the time when the church got more tithes and offerings.
I remember that we always celebrate Thanksgiving in November. Call it American mentality, but I don't care. Our church was a product of zealous effort by early Baptist missionaries from America. But I also remember that when Martial Law moved Thanksgiving to September, the festive celebration waned. Many church members would like to move it back to November, because they felt that there was nothing to celebrate in September, except maimed tongues and bruised psyche. I still remember my father, the pastor, preached on Psalm 136: 3 for everyone not to forget to thank the Lord for His love never fails. He told us, during one lean year, that even though harvest was scarce, there was still so much to be thankful of.
Coming over and celebrating Thanksgiving Day in November always takes me back to those very good old days. Although thoughts are often times marred with secularism, Thanksgiving sale, and enjoyed the televised Macy's Parade rather than a feast on church yard; but at least, we always have a family reunion and a feast on turkey and ham, on rice (sorry, only my grandchildren like mashed potato) and cranberry, and of biko, suman, and leche flan. It wouldn't be a church festivity anymore, but I am glad my family still celebrate it in November along with the rest of America.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all.
Here's a ghazal for you to enjoy. This was published in Pasadena Star News last year and in LA Pinoy Magazine this month.
THANKSGIVING
(An Acrostic in Ghazal)
Table full of food on Thanksgiving Day…
Happy ties renewed on Thanksgiving Day.
All enjoying turkey, ham and cranberry…
Never a bad mood on Thanksgiving Day!
Keeping togetherness as one family…
Shrugging off a feud on Thanksgiving Day!
Grateful for life and love and prosperity…
Instill what is good on Thanksgiving Day.
Value for love, you share for those who’ve not…
Indeed joy is pursued on Thanksgiving Day.
Numerous good deeds to do for others, I say,
Give thanks! Be happy this Thanksgiving Day.
(c) 2007 edmund melig industan
NOTE: Should you want to give a thanksgiving or Christmas present for your friends and loved ones, I would encourage you to give them copies of my book, PRAISING ALL SEASONS LONG: Haiku Verses. Only $9.99 in the US. Available on Amazon.com, comfortpublishing.com/store,vroman's.com, borders.com, barnes&noble.com. Also available online in UK, Italy, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India, and So. Africa.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
JUST A LITERARY POTPOURRI
Don't get me wrong! I'm not an egoist! Nevertheless, I regularly do online surfing for my name.
Why? I tell you why. I wanted to check where my books are available. Every now and then, I see new online book outlets in other countries that are selling them. Recently, I realized that more book outlets in Australia and New Zealand are carrying KOILAWAN and PRAISING ALL SEASONS LONG: Haiku Verses. I thank you for getting your copies. Oh, yeah, please consider getting 1 or more copies of PRAISING... It is an excellent and inexpensive (but lasting) gift book for all season. Price is just $9.99 (US);17 and a change in Australian dollars.
Couple of days ago, I saw my name on a Share Rank site. Curious, I opened it and found that one of its subscribers has ranked my poem, PEACE, WHY ARE YOU SO ELUSIVE, as one of the best quatern verses posted online. Currently, Peace... has been ranked #2. Actually, the first four got equal votes (yes, readers could vote and comment), but I am happy to be #2 out of 10.
Recently, I joined Christianpoetry.com to post some of my verses with Christian themes. I have posted some verses from my gift book, PRAISING ALL SEASONS..., a Shakespearean sonnet, and a blank verse. I would love you to check them out. You also could leave your comments after reading them.
And my novel writing? Yes, some of you asked me how come I discontinued my chapter blogging. I apologize; however, it is just temporary. I will resume it next week.
Reason is; my fourth grandchild, who will turn 3 next month, has started Head Start. To celebrate it, I temporarily shelved my novel project to write a 24-page phonic story. Angel is my grandchild's nick name, short for Angelina. Hence, I decided to write "L" for LULU LAND AND ANGEL. Besides Applied Anthropology, I taught Literacy: Materials Preparation to graduate students at Philippine Normal University before; hence, it was fun for me to recall some principles in writing phonic materials for Pre-K to 3.
Here's a sample of the proposed phonic book.
Page 1
Lights off!
Angel is leaving for Lulu Land.
A place close to Dream Land!
A place next to none!
Page 2
Lulu Land
A land for fun!
A land full of fun!
It is a land for Angel to have fun.
Page 3
Lulu Land
A place to laugh!
A place to smile!
It is a place for Angel to laugh and smile.
......
Page 13
Let us leave early.
Let us leave when clouds are lumpy.
Let us load our sack lunch.
Let us eat lunch in Lulu Land.
Page 14
Look! The sign says Lulu Land.
Look! Lots of children are now in line.
Look! All children have sack lunch.
Like us, they will eat lunch in Lulu Land.
......
I already finished writing 24 pages. Publisher, I believe, requires 24-page story for Pre-K to 3 materials. My plan is to make arrangement with some schools here in Pasadena and test the book amongst Pre-k to K-1 classes. First stop will be the public school where my other two grandchildren are attending. Meantime, I am checking out some pictures or art work for each page. The preparation would probably take a month before I am ready to do some school rounds. If everything would turn out well, I would be pitching this phonic story to a children's book publisher.
Happy weekend everyone!
Why? I tell you why. I wanted to check where my books are available. Every now and then, I see new online book outlets in other countries that are selling them. Recently, I realized that more book outlets in Australia and New Zealand are carrying KOILAWAN and PRAISING ALL SEASONS LONG: Haiku Verses. I thank you for getting your copies. Oh, yeah, please consider getting 1 or more copies of PRAISING... It is an excellent and inexpensive (but lasting) gift book for all season. Price is just $9.99 (US);17 and a change in Australian dollars.
Couple of days ago, I saw my name on a Share Rank site. Curious, I opened it and found that one of its subscribers has ranked my poem, PEACE, WHY ARE YOU SO ELUSIVE, as one of the best quatern verses posted online. Currently, Peace... has been ranked #2. Actually, the first four got equal votes (yes, readers could vote and comment), but I am happy to be #2 out of 10.
Recently, I joined Christianpoetry.com to post some of my verses with Christian themes. I have posted some verses from my gift book, PRAISING ALL SEASONS..., a Shakespearean sonnet, and a blank verse. I would love you to check them out. You also could leave your comments after reading them.
And my novel writing? Yes, some of you asked me how come I discontinued my chapter blogging. I apologize; however, it is just temporary. I will resume it next week.
Reason is; my fourth grandchild, who will turn 3 next month, has started Head Start. To celebrate it, I temporarily shelved my novel project to write a 24-page phonic story. Angel is my grandchild's nick name, short for Angelina. Hence, I decided to write "L" for LULU LAND AND ANGEL. Besides Applied Anthropology, I taught Literacy: Materials Preparation to graduate students at Philippine Normal University before; hence, it was fun for me to recall some principles in writing phonic materials for Pre-K to 3.
Here's a sample of the proposed phonic book.
Page 1
Lights off!
Angel is leaving for Lulu Land.
A place close to Dream Land!
A place next to none!
Page 2
Lulu Land
A land for fun!
A land full of fun!
It is a land for Angel to have fun.
Page 3
Lulu Land
A place to laugh!
A place to smile!
It is a place for Angel to laugh and smile.
......
Page 13
Let us leave early.
Let us leave when clouds are lumpy.
Let us load our sack lunch.
Let us eat lunch in Lulu Land.
Page 14
Look! The sign says Lulu Land.
Look! Lots of children are now in line.
Look! All children have sack lunch.
Like us, they will eat lunch in Lulu Land.
......
I already finished writing 24 pages. Publisher, I believe, requires 24-page story for Pre-K to 3 materials. My plan is to make arrangement with some schools here in Pasadena and test the book amongst Pre-k to K-1 classes. First stop will be the public school where my other two grandchildren are attending. Meantime, I am checking out some pictures or art work for each page. The preparation would probably take a month before I am ready to do some school rounds. If everything would turn out well, I would be pitching this phonic story to a children's book publisher.
Happy weekend everyone!
Monday, September 14, 2009
A LOVE TO SURRENDER
1) So tired traversing the complex life web,
I tried every nook; tasted every food.
Comfort, it gave me; fullness, it served me.
Lo and behold! All were temporary.
2) I shifted! I moved! Diff'rent crevices
I've visited to find my comfort zone.
Enjoyed the laughs; I ogled in the dark!
So sad when alone; needs unsatisfied.
3) I searched for answers~shelves of well-read tomes.
Roosevelt's Freedom from Wants~ to Maslow's Needs~
I also checked on Durkheim's suicide book,
Before I turned to the old Book of books!
4) "You come; you weary trav'ler. Come to me.
I got the stillness you need. Come and rest!
I got the water you need. Quench your thirst!
I got the life eternal. Come have peace!"
5) I wrestled! All excuses I have giv'n.
My spirit wants, but, oh, my flesh doesn't.
The world I love so difficult to yield.
I can't! Not now! Convict my soul next time.
6) "I have selected you amongst many.
I wanted you to come into my fold.
I died for you; I shed my blood for you.
Conform to my will. I have chosen you."
7) The world so beautiful; 'though it's a mess.
A maze so vast; seems there's no way out.
The dead-end's plenty; the hedges so thick~
Is there no way for world to give me peace?
8) "I made the world and all that is therein;
It's beauty marred by self-enriching men.
The talents I give them~used without me.
Joys they offer lead people go astray."
9) So tough to go against the stream of life;
So difficult to turn one's back away!
Can I not do your will and do the world's?
Is there no easy path to be with you?"
10) "My cross is the shortest! No other way.
My door is still open. Please don't delay.
I have been waiting for you to come in.
Join my family and dine with me."
11) You weigh me now, I surely will fall short.
My ways are different from those in your fold.
"Son, my blood is red, as crimson as yours
My saving grace is giv'n. It's free. It's yours."
12) You know I'm stubborn, spoiled good old brat.
More blunders I will make; more shame I'll give
You. ~Can't be good testimony for you.
Imperfect; if I would give in today.
13) "Not done with you yet," God reminded me.
"Go on! You study~and learn more of me.
Let me mold you, a potter to miry clay,
And perfect you'll be for eternity.
14) Be reconciled and grow in me," said he.
"Forget the world; focus your thoughts in me.
Join my family. I'll adopt you wholly.
My ways aren't easy; your guide, I'll be.
15) The fam'ly's my idea to gain strength,
But free will, still I give, to all my kids.
Unlikely people, they're in my fam'ly
Like you; they are still weak~needing support.
16) So don't be discouraged; please do not fret.
I'm sovereign, controlling everything.
If you'd need guidance; I'd be in your heart.
Share me your fears as a child to a dad."
17) But, Lord, I fall short, got my own limits~
Measuring up to your will is hard to attain.
"Don't worry, son, I do understand.
I made you that way so just trust in me."
18) Walls tumbling down; my tears rolling down.
Man's love melted; Agape love transcended.
I felt the power, Holy Spirit filled me.
I'm now~ a member of God's family.
19) Unsearchable riches awaiting me.
Looked everywhere e'en in nooks dimly lit.
Failed to heed God's call; blinded by the world.
Yes, I'm in this world, but not with the world.
20) Mysterious fellowship, the fam'ly of God
I'm part of it! Praise God for saving grace.
In Him there is strength and it will never end.
Now, I have the joy that is full and complete.
(c)edmund melig industan, Sept. 2008
Note: I wrote this Blank Form poetry to recapitulate the month-long sermon series of our pastor at Lake Avenue Church, Pasadena, California. May this poetry gives you a light in the tunnel.
I tried every nook; tasted every food.
Comfort, it gave me; fullness, it served me.
Lo and behold! All were temporary.
2) I shifted! I moved! Diff'rent crevices
I've visited to find my comfort zone.
Enjoyed the laughs; I ogled in the dark!
So sad when alone; needs unsatisfied.
3) I searched for answers~shelves of well-read tomes.
Roosevelt's Freedom from Wants~ to Maslow's Needs~
I also checked on Durkheim's suicide book,
Before I turned to the old Book of books!
4) "You come; you weary trav'ler. Come to me.
I got the stillness you need. Come and rest!
I got the water you need. Quench your thirst!
I got the life eternal. Come have peace!"
5) I wrestled! All excuses I have giv'n.
My spirit wants, but, oh, my flesh doesn't.
The world I love so difficult to yield.
I can't! Not now! Convict my soul next time.
6) "I have selected you amongst many.
I wanted you to come into my fold.
I died for you; I shed my blood for you.
Conform to my will. I have chosen you."
7) The world so beautiful; 'though it's a mess.
A maze so vast; seems there's no way out.
The dead-end's plenty; the hedges so thick~
Is there no way for world to give me peace?
8) "I made the world and all that is therein;
It's beauty marred by self-enriching men.
The talents I give them~used without me.
Joys they offer lead people go astray."
9) So tough to go against the stream of life;
So difficult to turn one's back away!
Can I not do your will and do the world's?
Is there no easy path to be with you?"
10) "My cross is the shortest! No other way.
My door is still open. Please don't delay.
I have been waiting for you to come in.
Join my family and dine with me."
11) You weigh me now, I surely will fall short.
My ways are different from those in your fold.
"Son, my blood is red, as crimson as yours
My saving grace is giv'n. It's free. It's yours."
12) You know I'm stubborn, spoiled good old brat.
More blunders I will make; more shame I'll give
You. ~Can't be good testimony for you.
Imperfect; if I would give in today.
13) "Not done with you yet," God reminded me.
"Go on! You study~and learn more of me.
Let me mold you, a potter to miry clay,
And perfect you'll be for eternity.
14) Be reconciled and grow in me," said he.
"Forget the world; focus your thoughts in me.
Join my family. I'll adopt you wholly.
My ways aren't easy; your guide, I'll be.
15) The fam'ly's my idea to gain strength,
But free will, still I give, to all my kids.
Unlikely people, they're in my fam'ly
Like you; they are still weak~needing support.
16) So don't be discouraged; please do not fret.
I'm sovereign, controlling everything.
If you'd need guidance; I'd be in your heart.
Share me your fears as a child to a dad."
17) But, Lord, I fall short, got my own limits~
Measuring up to your will is hard to attain.
"Don't worry, son, I do understand.
I made you that way so just trust in me."
18) Walls tumbling down; my tears rolling down.
Man's love melted; Agape love transcended.
I felt the power, Holy Spirit filled me.
I'm now~ a member of God's family.
19) Unsearchable riches awaiting me.
Looked everywhere e'en in nooks dimly lit.
Failed to heed God's call; blinded by the world.
Yes, I'm in this world, but not with the world.
20) Mysterious fellowship, the fam'ly of God
I'm part of it! Praise God for saving grace.
In Him there is strength and it will never end.
Now, I have the joy that is full and complete.
(c)edmund melig industan, Sept. 2008
Note: I wrote this Blank Form poetry to recapitulate the month-long sermon series of our pastor at Lake Avenue Church, Pasadena, California. May this poetry gives you a light in the tunnel.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Chapter Blogging: Instilling Discipline & Patience to a Novel Writer
Before I started writing chapters of my first novel, THE PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER'S WIFE, I already have the complete story in my mind. Matter of fact, I completed laying its foundation by writing titles and story lines of chapter 1 through chapter 32.
Like a house builder, I know what bricks to use every time I'm in front of my computer. However, I am realizing now that completing the novel is not simple as eating an apple pie.
Writing a novel is not the same as writing my masters thesis and doctoral dissertation. Non-fiction like thesis or dissertation, only needs collecting data, analysis, writing, and presenting findings and recommendations. Fiction like novel, creativeness is needed. That means that one has to let the imagination go wild on how to present details, and twists and turns of the story.
In non-fiction writing, every chapter is complete. A chapter in the presentation of data is complete once all pertinent data is included. A chapter in the analysis of data is simply an analysis using statistical tools with paragraphs that simply explain the analysis. No more; no less. Every chapter has no twist and turns, just pure details. The goal is to prove an assumption of a particular phenomenon.
Fiction, specifically novel writing, has several things to consider. Certainly, each chapter has to abide with the novel's plot. However, a novelist also has to consider some factors: How could I make my characters believable? How could I dispose my characters' personality? How could I embellish the chapter so that readers could see, feel, touch, smell, taste, and hear the chapter's events; and yet keeping some of the details secret so that readers would continue looking for them in the next chapter or chapters? Etcetera! Quite frankly, I haven't experienced such challenges when I was writing my first book, KOILAWAN:Letters and Poems of a Jungle Dad-Mom (Xulon Press, 2007), and my upcoming book, BEDTIME-PASTIME (Kalanganan dun hu Ikam): Collection of Short Stories, Folktales, and Essays (New Day Publishers). I definitely did not have similar challenge when I wrote my second book, PRAISING ALL SEASONS LONG: Haiku Verses (Comfort Publishing,2009) and my other collections of haiku and senryu verses, THE HEALING GARDEN OF VERSES,which I am currently pitching to a poetry publisher.
There was a moment when I was about to hit the wall. After writing several paragraphs or dialogue, I sometimes have to pause and ask, "Am I true to the plot? Is this the proper way to string this new chapter to the previous ones? Am I divulging everything in this chapter that the readers would put the book down without even getting halfway through it? Etc.
I know teachers in creative writing would tell me, "Keep your thoughts flowing. Don't stop writing."
To keep me going, I need to discipline myself, including my thoughts. I need to be patient and enjoy the sight, the feelings, the touch, the smell, the taste, and the voices at the setting and of the characters. One way of instilling discipline and patience is to blog some glimpses of the chapters that I am working on. Blogging some glimpses tells me that I have to keep on writing, because those who read my blog already know it. Blog pushes me inside the characters' minds; henceforth, allowing me to put the details to complete a chapter without hitting the wall.
Here's the story line of Chapter 6.
MICHAEL'S SECRET
Being all alone in the village and having problem with communication, (All of the villagers, but Laga, only speak the tribe's language), that Michael clings onto Laga like his crutch. As a result, he secretly falls for Laga. However, he is conflicted with so many thing: Laga’s love with another man, the cultural taboo, his professional goals, his family in the US, etc.
Like a house builder, I know what bricks to use every time I'm in front of my computer. However, I am realizing now that completing the novel is not simple as eating an apple pie.
Writing a novel is not the same as writing my masters thesis and doctoral dissertation. Non-fiction like thesis or dissertation, only needs collecting data, analysis, writing, and presenting findings and recommendations. Fiction like novel, creativeness is needed. That means that one has to let the imagination go wild on how to present details, and twists and turns of the story.
In non-fiction writing, every chapter is complete. A chapter in the presentation of data is complete once all pertinent data is included. A chapter in the analysis of data is simply an analysis using statistical tools with paragraphs that simply explain the analysis. No more; no less. Every chapter has no twist and turns, just pure details. The goal is to prove an assumption of a particular phenomenon.
Fiction, specifically novel writing, has several things to consider. Certainly, each chapter has to abide with the novel's plot. However, a novelist also has to consider some factors: How could I make my characters believable? How could I dispose my characters' personality? How could I embellish the chapter so that readers could see, feel, touch, smell, taste, and hear the chapter's events; and yet keeping some of the details secret so that readers would continue looking for them in the next chapter or chapters? Etcetera! Quite frankly, I haven't experienced such challenges when I was writing my first book, KOILAWAN:Letters and Poems of a Jungle Dad-Mom (Xulon Press, 2007), and my upcoming book, BEDTIME-PASTIME (Kalanganan dun hu Ikam): Collection of Short Stories, Folktales, and Essays (New Day Publishers). I definitely did not have similar challenge when I wrote my second book, PRAISING ALL SEASONS LONG: Haiku Verses (Comfort Publishing,2009) and my other collections of haiku and senryu verses, THE HEALING GARDEN OF VERSES,which I am currently pitching to a poetry publisher.
There was a moment when I was about to hit the wall. After writing several paragraphs or dialogue, I sometimes have to pause and ask, "Am I true to the plot? Is this the proper way to string this new chapter to the previous ones? Am I divulging everything in this chapter that the readers would put the book down without even getting halfway through it? Etc.
I know teachers in creative writing would tell me, "Keep your thoughts flowing. Don't stop writing."
To keep me going, I need to discipline myself, including my thoughts. I need to be patient and enjoy the sight, the feelings, the touch, the smell, the taste, and the voices at the setting and of the characters. One way of instilling discipline and patience is to blog some glimpses of the chapters that I am working on. Blogging some glimpses tells me that I have to keep on writing, because those who read my blog already know it. Blog pushes me inside the characters' minds; henceforth, allowing me to put the details to complete a chapter without hitting the wall.
Here's the story line of Chapter 6.
MICHAEL'S SECRET
Being all alone in the village and having problem with communication, (All of the villagers, but Laga, only speak the tribe's language), that Michael clings onto Laga like his crutch. As a result, he secretly falls for Laga. However, he is conflicted with so many thing: Laga’s love with another man, the cultural taboo, his professional goals, his family in the US, etc.
Friday, August 21, 2009
The Peace Corps Volunteer's Wife: Chapter 3 Blog
Certainly, culture isn't a closed system. As long as people have senses and unsatiable needs, culture will always be dynamic.
Laga grew up in a small Bukidnon village, so far away from the city. A chieftain, who also was the shaman, tried to keep new ideas away from infusing to the village culture. He even invoke the power of the deities just to control the lives and minds of every villager.
However, it is better to control a herd of cattle than a person, the saying goes. People have been given the mind to think and the free will on how to live.
For Laga, she wasn't contented, even when she still was young, to live and die in the village. Nonetheless, she loved the village. She intent to come back. Her love for language and learning was just so strong to ignore. She wanted to explore the world of other cultural group. So, after she finished 6th grade, she convinced her parents to allow her to continue her schooling in Malaybalay. The village chieftain/shaman wasn't happy with the decision. He even told Laga's parent's that the forefathers revealed in a dream Laga's disfigurement if she'd kept on pushing her desire to go to the city. Laga didn't listen.
Poverty did not discouraged Laga to keep on learning. When there was rat infestation in her village, she decided to find a family, who could take her as a domestic helper and allow her to attend a night high. The governor's wife heard about it, so she took her as a house help.
And Laga stayed with the governor's family. She cleaned the house, cooked, did the dishes and laundry, literally an all-around domestic helper. She felt that she's reaping positive result from all her sacrifices. She wanted to show it to the villagers that she asked to have a summer break before her senior year. The shaman strengthened a rein on her... And the story of The Peace Corps Volunteer's Wife continued.
Laga grew up in a small Bukidnon village, so far away from the city. A chieftain, who also was the shaman, tried to keep new ideas away from infusing to the village culture. He even invoke the power of the deities just to control the lives and minds of every villager.
However, it is better to control a herd of cattle than a person, the saying goes. People have been given the mind to think and the free will on how to live.
For Laga, she wasn't contented, even when she still was young, to live and die in the village. Nonetheless, she loved the village. She intent to come back. Her love for language and learning was just so strong to ignore. She wanted to explore the world of other cultural group. So, after she finished 6th grade, she convinced her parents to allow her to continue her schooling in Malaybalay. The village chieftain/shaman wasn't happy with the decision. He even told Laga's parent's that the forefathers revealed in a dream Laga's disfigurement if she'd kept on pushing her desire to go to the city. Laga didn't listen.
Poverty did not discouraged Laga to keep on learning. When there was rat infestation in her village, she decided to find a family, who could take her as a domestic helper and allow her to attend a night high. The governor's wife heard about it, so she took her as a house help.
And Laga stayed with the governor's family. She cleaned the house, cooked, did the dishes and laundry, literally an all-around domestic helper. She felt that she's reaping positive result from all her sacrifices. She wanted to show it to the villagers that she asked to have a summer break before her senior year. The shaman strengthened a rein on her... And the story of The Peace Corps Volunteer's Wife continued.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Novel: A Glimpse on Ch. 1
A bugyung (nautilus shell) ensemble suddenly reverberated in the pine-scented air of Malaybalay. Those bugyung blowers must have done their breathing exercise, because it was still 7 in the morning, yet they were able to hold this one-syllabic undulating bass sound for 55 seconds...
"Mom, the Kaamulan Festival parade is about to begin," Laga said as she squeezed the hands of her mother-in-law...
"Thank, goodness! As much as I enjoy sitting on this grass-roofed platform, while entertained with all the excited faces and screams up and down the streets, I worry of all the stares by everybody. Well, I know they're not going to harm me, but goodness, gracious, why do many hit or push each other after waving at us?" ...
The parade assembled in Sumpong, right on top of the hill by Bethel Baptist Hospital. The huge make-shift platform where dignitaries and special guests have been seated is diagonally constructed, where the old Rubio's store was before, slightly facing the hill...
The red-clad men with feathered head gears started coming down the hill with their bugyung held closed to their chest. Probably, after 100 paces, they stopped. Like an army bugle corps, they extended their arms out together in a cadence, before they brought their bugyung onto their lips. Another prolonged blow engulfed the crowd. As the bugyung sounds faded, the blowers strutted around like fighting cocks, synchronous to the music of tagungtung (bamboo slit drum) ensemble. The strut ended with a sudden burst of "hey!" as they hoisted their bugyung over their head just as the one-beat sound of agung from an agung (gong) ensemble was heard...
So unfortunate that the mother-in-law's anxiety escalated to panic after the first group of street dancers passed by... A masked men got on the stage, whisked Laga and Michael and forced them to ride on a black SUV... The governor's wife, who was sitting beside her calmly said, "Don't worry, Mrs. Webb, you will see them safe and sound in a little while."
"Yes, tell me that! Killings and kidnappings in Mindanao have been off and on in California's televisions and newspapers."
"Don't worry, Mrs. Webb," Mercy, the governor's daughter, said, "you will see Laga and Michael in half an hour."
"I only will stop worrying if you'd stop calling me Mrs. Webb!"
John and Mercy embraced Mrs. Webb as tight as before.
And the parade in chapter 1 goes on and so is the story of THE PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER'S WIFE: The Novel.
(Synopsis: The Peace Corps Volunteer's Wife is a story about the hurt caused by a polygamous relationship and the joy in interracial marriage. From a Philippine tribal village to the city of Pasadena, CA, Laga etched her way to overcome the harshest chapter of her life. Along the way, she not only helped others gain self-confidence, self-worth, and self-respect; she also supplied the missing pieces of the puzzle in Michael’s life.)
"Mom, the Kaamulan Festival parade is about to begin," Laga said as she squeezed the hands of her mother-in-law...
"Thank, goodness! As much as I enjoy sitting on this grass-roofed platform, while entertained with all the excited faces and screams up and down the streets, I worry of all the stares by everybody. Well, I know they're not going to harm me, but goodness, gracious, why do many hit or push each other after waving at us?" ...
The parade assembled in Sumpong, right on top of the hill by Bethel Baptist Hospital. The huge make-shift platform where dignitaries and special guests have been seated is diagonally constructed, where the old Rubio's store was before, slightly facing the hill...
The red-clad men with feathered head gears started coming down the hill with their bugyung held closed to their chest. Probably, after 100 paces, they stopped. Like an army bugle corps, they extended their arms out together in a cadence, before they brought their bugyung onto their lips. Another prolonged blow engulfed the crowd. As the bugyung sounds faded, the blowers strutted around like fighting cocks, synchronous to the music of tagungtung (bamboo slit drum) ensemble. The strut ended with a sudden burst of "hey!" as they hoisted their bugyung over their head just as the one-beat sound of agung from an agung (gong) ensemble was heard...
So unfortunate that the mother-in-law's anxiety escalated to panic after the first group of street dancers passed by... A masked men got on the stage, whisked Laga and Michael and forced them to ride on a black SUV... The governor's wife, who was sitting beside her calmly said, "Don't worry, Mrs. Webb, you will see them safe and sound in a little while."
"Yes, tell me that! Killings and kidnappings in Mindanao have been off and on in California's televisions and newspapers."
"Don't worry, Mrs. Webb," Mercy, the governor's daughter, said, "you will see Laga and Michael in half an hour."
"I only will stop worrying if you'd stop calling me Mrs. Webb!"
John and Mercy embraced Mrs. Webb as tight as before.
And the parade in chapter 1 goes on and so is the story of THE PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER'S WIFE: The Novel.
(Synopsis: The Peace Corps Volunteer's Wife is a story about the hurt caused by a polygamous relationship and the joy in interracial marriage. From a Philippine tribal village to the city of Pasadena, CA, Laga etched her way to overcome the harshest chapter of her life. Along the way, she not only helped others gain self-confidence, self-worth, and self-respect; she also supplied the missing pieces of the puzzle in Michael’s life.)
Saturday, August 1, 2009
IT'S THE SUIT!
"It's the suit!" the phrase we constantly heard at the 2009 World Swimming Championship in Rome. Thirty-eight world records were crushed! Less known Olympic swimmers, who were wearing the new polyurethane suits, were taking the glory away from Beijing Olympic medalists. Certainly, those polyurethane-suited world champions were ecstatic; however, the phrase, "It's the suit!", is surely giving them a bitter taste.
As I listened to the American commentators, I learned that this new swim suit gives the swimmer more buoyancy. It helps them move faster in the water just like a sea glider.
The suit was an issue again just before the most awaited 100-meter butterfly took place this Saturday. The California-trained Milorad Cavic of Serbia, who earned the silver medal in Beijing and very vocal that he should have been the gold medalist for he out-touched Michael Phelps at the finish, wore the new suit. Michael Phelps decided to wear similar suit, the LZR Racer suit, he wore in Beijing. Did this self-proclaimed 100-meter Serbian swimmer finally convinced the world that he really was the winner in Beijing? He had an advantage. Unfortunately, he did not. He still ended up behind Michael. Finally, Cavic accepted his fate by saying, "He(Michael) is the man!"
Certainly, advance technology helps people get ahead of others; however, the way how one nurtures a God-given talent to the fullest must never be looked down.
As I listened to the American commentators, I learned that this new swim suit gives the swimmer more buoyancy. It helps them move faster in the water just like a sea glider.
The suit was an issue again just before the most awaited 100-meter butterfly took place this Saturday. The California-trained Milorad Cavic of Serbia, who earned the silver medal in Beijing and very vocal that he should have been the gold medalist for he out-touched Michael Phelps at the finish, wore the new suit. Michael Phelps decided to wear similar suit, the LZR Racer suit, he wore in Beijing. Did this self-proclaimed 100-meter Serbian swimmer finally convinced the world that he really was the winner in Beijing? He had an advantage. Unfortunately, he did not. He still ended up behind Michael. Finally, Cavic accepted his fate by saying, "He(Michael) is the man!"
Certainly, advance technology helps people get ahead of others; however, the way how one nurtures a God-given talent to the fullest must never be looked down.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Summer Trip: Wish there's Pusu` in US
Oh, hot summer days...
Time for frolic and for trips.
Let's go to the beach!
(c) ed industan
(from Praising All Seasons Long, Comfort Publishing)
Summer is here again. Many families and individuals are traveling to enjoy their annual summer trips. Well, what can I say; it is part of the American culture. Most will try to save a little every month for a short break, either from office work or house chores.
This year, summer trips may be shorter. The economic sting is too serious to ignore. As much as possible, many would like to make the trip cheaper.
The idea of cheap travel has led my thoughts back to the past. I cannot help myself remember Pinusu` or pusu`, which people in Visayas and Mindanao (Philippines) love to eat while traveling. Pinusu is rice wrapped with a coconut palm leaf blade plaited and shaped like a diamond.
This is how we fix Pinusu`. We first remove the midrib of the coconut leaf; then, with the other hand, we shaped the leaf blade like a diamond. After it's done, we filled it with a quarter of a cup of uncooked rice; then, we drop these diamond-shaped plaited palm leaves into a pot of boiling water. In the process of cooking, the sap of the coconut leaves adds flavor to the cooking rice and also make the cooked rice longer from spoiling. The steaming usually takes, at least 30 minutes. When the cooking is done, the pusu` is firmly packed with cooked rice. To eat the rice, we always enjoy the subtle drama of unweaving the plaited leaf blade. However, If we are really starving to death, we usually cut the pusu` with a knife cross-wise. We usually eat pinusu` with either a grilled chicken or fish on a stick, which are oftentimes sold by food vendors at bus stations or sea ports.
How I wish there are coconut palms here in southern California; how I wish some Filipino or Mexican food markets sell coconut leaves as they sell banana leaves. Unfortunately, nothing is available here. Therefore, if we wanted our summer trip cheaper, we would take our rice cooker to fix the Filipino staple food, i.e. rice, in a motel where we would end up spending the night over. But I assure you, the aroma of a pusu` is beyond compare.
Happy Summer vacation everyone.
Time for frolic and for trips.
Let's go to the beach!
(c) ed industan
(from Praising All Seasons Long, Comfort Publishing)
Summer is here again. Many families and individuals are traveling to enjoy their annual summer trips. Well, what can I say; it is part of the American culture. Most will try to save a little every month for a short break, either from office work or house chores.
This year, summer trips may be shorter. The economic sting is too serious to ignore. As much as possible, many would like to make the trip cheaper.
The idea of cheap travel has led my thoughts back to the past. I cannot help myself remember Pinusu` or pusu`, which people in Visayas and Mindanao (Philippines) love to eat while traveling. Pinusu is rice wrapped with a coconut palm leaf blade plaited and shaped like a diamond.
This is how we fix Pinusu`. We first remove the midrib of the coconut leaf; then, with the other hand, we shaped the leaf blade like a diamond. After it's done, we filled it with a quarter of a cup of uncooked rice; then, we drop these diamond-shaped plaited palm leaves into a pot of boiling water. In the process of cooking, the sap of the coconut leaves adds flavor to the cooking rice and also make the cooked rice longer from spoiling. The steaming usually takes, at least 30 minutes. When the cooking is done, the pusu` is firmly packed with cooked rice. To eat the rice, we always enjoy the subtle drama of unweaving the plaited leaf blade. However, If we are really starving to death, we usually cut the pusu` with a knife cross-wise. We usually eat pinusu` with either a grilled chicken or fish on a stick, which are oftentimes sold by food vendors at bus stations or sea ports.
How I wish there are coconut palms here in southern California; how I wish some Filipino or Mexican food markets sell coconut leaves as they sell banana leaves. Unfortunately, nothing is available here. Therefore, if we wanted our summer trip cheaper, we would take our rice cooker to fix the Filipino staple food, i.e. rice, in a motel where we would end up spending the night over. But I assure you, the aroma of a pusu` is beyond compare.
Happy Summer vacation everyone.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Slowly Savoring God's Given Talent
Come, let's shout praises to God; raise the roof for the Rock who saved us! (Psalm 95:1)
Five Filipinos: Lilian Lim (second soprano), Edmund Clay (tenor), Anthony Griarte (baritone), Israel Navarro (bass), and I (bass) are among the 114-members of Lake Avenue Church Sanctuary Choir, who will be singing in a concert during the 71st Annual Convention of the National Association of Church Musicians at the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Long Beach, California this Thursday, July 16th. With the exception of Israel, who professionally sang in the Philippines as a member of HIS Praise, we are ordinary people who just wanted to offer our God-given voices to minister through songs. Hence, it took extra effort for us to memorize 11 songs and master the music in just a short time.
During rehearsals, Dr John Sutton, our choir director, always reminds everyone to have clear diction and sing beautifully for the Lord. Except those members, who are former members of the Los Angeles Opera Choir, music directors and professors, many of us have one or two shortcomings.
One shortcoming, many of us definitely have, is how to hold our breath longer. One of the songs, "Hallelujah!", which is a composition of Dr. Emma Lou Diemer, requires us to hold our breath for 30 beats at the very end. In this song, there is only one word, "Hallelujah" to be sang in brisk tempo, 55 times. It is so difficult to train old "dogs" some tricks. Singing through ones diaphragm takes awhile to learn; singing softly with increasing crescendo at the end and holding the last note in 30 beats takes extra discipline.
Perform with your gut, slowly releasing your breath, and savoring the joy and sweetness of what you're doing. You will realize that you can overcome your shortcoming and enjoy what God has given you. As I pondered on these words, I realized that this also applies in our everyday life, in or out our workplace.
Most of us easily loss our "cool" when challenge. We always wanted outright positive result. Instead of enjoying the things we do, we often times end up thinking of failure and shortcomings. Consequently, we ended up gnawed into pieces until we give up our ghost. We forget that, in God, everything is possible.
Right after the second Sunday service today, we have our second to the last choir rehearsal. Again, we were reminded to sing beautifully for the Lord.
I patiently managed my breathing technique, and I was surprised! Those sections where I have problems before became easy, even though I still was nursing a stubborn cough. For the first time, I was able to hold my breath in 30 beats. As I listened to the choir, I heard a fervent chant-like song, upbeat soul musics, and lively angelic celebratory songs of "Hallelujahs".
Join us at the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Long Beach at 7 p.m. on July 16th and be blessed.
Lake Avenue Church Sanctuary Choir is already praying for an Out-of-the-Loft Concert in Arizona and Argentina in 2010 and 2011, respectively. These five Filipinos will certainly be joining the tour.
If you would like to join us, even if you still are not a member of Lake Avenue Church, the Sanctuary Choir would like to invite you. An open enrollment will be on September 3rd. Join Lilian, Israel, Anthony, and the two Edmunds savor the musical talent that God has given you. You will be blessed as you bless others through songs.
Five Filipinos: Lilian Lim (second soprano), Edmund Clay (tenor), Anthony Griarte (baritone), Israel Navarro (bass), and I (bass) are among the 114-members of Lake Avenue Church Sanctuary Choir, who will be singing in a concert during the 71st Annual Convention of the National Association of Church Musicians at the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Long Beach, California this Thursday, July 16th. With the exception of Israel, who professionally sang in the Philippines as a member of HIS Praise, we are ordinary people who just wanted to offer our God-given voices to minister through songs. Hence, it took extra effort for us to memorize 11 songs and master the music in just a short time.
During rehearsals, Dr John Sutton, our choir director, always reminds everyone to have clear diction and sing beautifully for the Lord. Except those members, who are former members of the Los Angeles Opera Choir, music directors and professors, many of us have one or two shortcomings.
One shortcoming, many of us definitely have, is how to hold our breath longer. One of the songs, "Hallelujah!", which is a composition of Dr. Emma Lou Diemer, requires us to hold our breath for 30 beats at the very end. In this song, there is only one word, "Hallelujah" to be sang in brisk tempo, 55 times. It is so difficult to train old "dogs" some tricks. Singing through ones diaphragm takes awhile to learn; singing softly with increasing crescendo at the end and holding the last note in 30 beats takes extra discipline.
Perform with your gut, slowly releasing your breath, and savoring the joy and sweetness of what you're doing. You will realize that you can overcome your shortcoming and enjoy what God has given you. As I pondered on these words, I realized that this also applies in our everyday life, in or out our workplace.
Most of us easily loss our "cool" when challenge. We always wanted outright positive result. Instead of enjoying the things we do, we often times end up thinking of failure and shortcomings. Consequently, we ended up gnawed into pieces until we give up our ghost. We forget that, in God, everything is possible.
Right after the second Sunday service today, we have our second to the last choir rehearsal. Again, we were reminded to sing beautifully for the Lord.
I patiently managed my breathing technique, and I was surprised! Those sections where I have problems before became easy, even though I still was nursing a stubborn cough. For the first time, I was able to hold my breath in 30 beats. As I listened to the choir, I heard a fervent chant-like song, upbeat soul musics, and lively angelic celebratory songs of "Hallelujahs".
Join us at the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Long Beach at 7 p.m. on July 16th and be blessed.
Lake Avenue Church Sanctuary Choir is already praying for an Out-of-the-Loft Concert in Arizona and Argentina in 2010 and 2011, respectively. These five Filipinos will certainly be joining the tour.
If you would like to join us, even if you still are not a member of Lake Avenue Church, the Sanctuary Choir would like to invite you. An open enrollment will be on September 3rd. Join Lilian, Israel, Anthony, and the two Edmunds savor the musical talent that God has given you. You will be blessed as you bless others through songs.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
ENJOY WITH CARE the 4th of JULY
DANGEROUS! BEAUTIFUL!
edmund industan
And look! They whistled! They zoomed up so high,
Like rockets shooting to the distant sky.
They spewed those embers of gold as they fly
…Exploding so colorful in a style.
Oh, what a wonder! A transformation!
Dangerous cylindrical invention!
They add colors to a celebration
…Either New Year’s or the 4th of July.
How awesome, beautiful they really are;
Those embers popping like mushrooms,
Bright jelly fish with falling tentacles.
They mesmerize, excite everyone’s eyes.
Mix all: sulfur, saltpeter and charcoal
So risky! Messing with it, not for all.
Those pyrotechnics know every rule
Leave them this dangerously beautiful.
Our life may be dangerous, some may say,
…Risky business to traverse and parlay.
But they who create know what is best,
Leave work to them! Just enjoy the rest.
(c) 2007
edmund industan
And look! They whistled! They zoomed up so high,
Like rockets shooting to the distant sky.
They spewed those embers of gold as they fly
…Exploding so colorful in a style.
Oh, what a wonder! A transformation!
Dangerous cylindrical invention!
They add colors to a celebration
…Either New Year’s or the 4th of July.
How awesome, beautiful they really are;
Those embers popping like mushrooms,
Bright jelly fish with falling tentacles.
They mesmerize, excite everyone’s eyes.
Mix all: sulfur, saltpeter and charcoal
So risky! Messing with it, not for all.
Those pyrotechnics know every rule
Leave them this dangerously beautiful.
Our life may be dangerous, some may say,
…Risky business to traverse and parlay.
But they who create know what is best,
Leave work to them! Just enjoy the rest.
(c) 2007
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
FILIPINO: A Language on Paper
LA Pinoy Magazine, the first glossy Filipino-owned magazine in the US, told me yesterday that it would include my language blog in its July issue. June issue used my blog on Skid Row as its feature article. I told the editor if she could wait in 24 hours so that I could think on how to make the article short and simple. Here now is the article that will be published in next month's LA Pinoy Magazine.
**************************
It was in 1937 when Pres. Manuel Quezon mandated the Institute of National Language (INL) to develop the Philippine official language. The purpose was to instill nationalism, national identity, and unity. The president wanted Tagalog as that language. However, non-Tagalog speakers particularly those from the central and southern Philippines strongly opposed it. After Quezon's term, the name was renamed to Pilipino in 1959. Amendment of the constitution in 1973 and 1987 renamed the national language to Filipino.
Did it serve the purpose to unite Filipinos? No! Instead, Filipino, as a language, became an illusion. Non-Tagalog speakers still considered it unacceptable, since Pilipino or Filipino, is still Tagalog-based.
Then came the move by the language purists, who wanted to discontinue the use of foreign words. They thought of coining new Pilipino words. So, in the late 60s, they started coining words such as salungpuwit (ass-catcher), salungsusu (breast-catcher), hattinig (voice-sender), and salipapaw to denote a chair, brassiere, telephone, and airplane, respectively.
Filipinos from Batanes to Jolo were united...in consternation. Tagalog speakers were shocked how their language was debased. Others have a blast mocking the Pilipino, as a language. I was in 6th grade that time. I tell you, my Pilipino teacher blushed everytime she said "salungpuwit".
Problem is Filipino never existed as one of the 175 major and minor Philippine languages. It only is on paper. Whether we like it or not, Philippine national language is still Tagalog elevated to a higher standard known as Filipino.
And unity amongst Filipinos? We could attain it if we could look beyond our own language group. Play down regionalism; exert more effort on respect. Don't ridicule those who'd say "tindig!" instead of "tayo!". If Filipinos could do these, maybe Filipino, as a language, would evolve over time.
**************************
It was in 1937 when Pres. Manuel Quezon mandated the Institute of National Language (INL) to develop the Philippine official language. The purpose was to instill nationalism, national identity, and unity. The president wanted Tagalog as that language. However, non-Tagalog speakers particularly those from the central and southern Philippines strongly opposed it. After Quezon's term, the name was renamed to Pilipino in 1959. Amendment of the constitution in 1973 and 1987 renamed the national language to Filipino.
Did it serve the purpose to unite Filipinos? No! Instead, Filipino, as a language, became an illusion. Non-Tagalog speakers still considered it unacceptable, since Pilipino or Filipino, is still Tagalog-based.
Then came the move by the language purists, who wanted to discontinue the use of foreign words. They thought of coining new Pilipino words. So, in the late 60s, they started coining words such as salungpuwit (ass-catcher), salungsusu (breast-catcher), hattinig (voice-sender), and salipapaw to denote a chair, brassiere, telephone, and airplane, respectively.
Filipinos from Batanes to Jolo were united...in consternation. Tagalog speakers were shocked how their language was debased. Others have a blast mocking the Pilipino, as a language. I was in 6th grade that time. I tell you, my Pilipino teacher blushed everytime she said "salungpuwit".
Problem is Filipino never existed as one of the 175 major and minor Philippine languages. It only is on paper. Whether we like it or not, Philippine national language is still Tagalog elevated to a higher standard known as Filipino.
And unity amongst Filipinos? We could attain it if we could look beyond our own language group. Play down regionalism; exert more effort on respect. Don't ridicule those who'd say "tindig!" instead of "tayo!". If Filipinos could do these, maybe Filipino, as a language, would evolve over time.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Is Filipino, as a language, Artificial?
I am posing this question to recapitulate what Dr. Patricia Schneider-Zioga, a linguistic professor at California State University-Fullerton, mentioned when we were guests of Jannelle So, host of Ch. 18's Kababayan LA. Like Jannelle, I know many TV viewers would have wanted more explanation from Patricia and me. Here now is a reinforcement to make the issue clearer.
Remember the words salungpuwit (catch-ass or ass-catcher), salungsusu(catch-breast or breast catcher), hattinig (send-voice or voice sender), and salipapaw to denote chair, bra, telephone, and airplane, respectively? These were used in our Pilipino language classes sometime in the 60s.
Believe me, most Filipinos expressed a raucous ridicule of these coined words. I was in 6th grade when these new words came about. My Pilipino teacher refrained from using them. Students like me, who even were not native speakers of Pilipino-Tagalog, just can't avoid laughing over them. The construction of new words by Pilipino language purists was initially thought to help overcome colonization and regionalism umbrage. They also thought of coining new words based from existing Tagalog words could help instill nationalism, national identity, and unity amongst Filipinos.
Those new coinage almost made Pilipino, as a language, artificial in flesh and bones. Thank goodness; they were short-lived.
So, why should I support Patricia's statement when those new Pilipino terms did not live on? As a term for a language, Pilipino/Filipino is, superficially, an artificial language. As a language system, it is not.
Pilipino/Filipino is a created term for Philippine national language. (Pilipino used to be the term for the language curriculum, while Filipino was to a people who are from the Philippines.) It is a language, because the Philippine Constitution states it so. Call it politically constructed language. Beyond books and government documents, there never was a Pilipino Philippine language.
So, Pilipino (1959 to 1973), which was renamed to Filipino (1973 to present), as a Philippine national language was never an existing language of Filipinos. Prior to 1959, the national language that Pres. Manuel Luis Quezon, the Father of Philippine National Language, simply wanted it called "Tagalog". This was strongly opposed by non-native Tagalog speakers, particularly those in central(Visayas) and southern Philippines (Mindanao). Hence, the national language was renamed as Pilipino, which, likewise, wasn't well-accepted.
Pilipino/Filipino, as a language system, cannot be aligned with Esperanto, Damin, Glaugnea, Lingua Ignota, Spocamian, etc.. These are all invented languages, with their own set of rules, either developed for art sake, communication secrecy, or neutral auxiliary language for those who engage in international communication, tourism, and research.
As a language system, Pilipino/Filipino is based on Tagalog. Coined words, like salungpuwit, were completely abandoned. The grammar and syntax are not new construction.
Remember the words salungpuwit (catch-ass or ass-catcher), salungsusu(catch-breast or breast catcher), hattinig (send-voice or voice sender), and salipapaw to denote chair, bra, telephone, and airplane, respectively? These were used in our Pilipino language classes sometime in the 60s.
Believe me, most Filipinos expressed a raucous ridicule of these coined words. I was in 6th grade when these new words came about. My Pilipino teacher refrained from using them. Students like me, who even were not native speakers of Pilipino-Tagalog, just can't avoid laughing over them. The construction of new words by Pilipino language purists was initially thought to help overcome colonization and regionalism umbrage. They also thought of coining new words based from existing Tagalog words could help instill nationalism, national identity, and unity amongst Filipinos.
Those new coinage almost made Pilipino, as a language, artificial in flesh and bones. Thank goodness; they were short-lived.
So, why should I support Patricia's statement when those new Pilipino terms did not live on? As a term for a language, Pilipino/Filipino is, superficially, an artificial language. As a language system, it is not.
Pilipino/Filipino is a created term for Philippine national language. (Pilipino used to be the term for the language curriculum, while Filipino was to a people who are from the Philippines.) It is a language, because the Philippine Constitution states it so. Call it politically constructed language. Beyond books and government documents, there never was a Pilipino Philippine language.
So, Pilipino (1959 to 1973), which was renamed to Filipino (1973 to present), as a Philippine national language was never an existing language of Filipinos. Prior to 1959, the national language that Pres. Manuel Luis Quezon, the Father of Philippine National Language, simply wanted it called "Tagalog". This was strongly opposed by non-native Tagalog speakers, particularly those in central(Visayas) and southern Philippines (Mindanao). Hence, the national language was renamed as Pilipino, which, likewise, wasn't well-accepted.
Pilipino/Filipino, as a language system, cannot be aligned with Esperanto, Damin, Glaugnea, Lingua Ignota, Spocamian, etc.. These are all invented languages, with their own set of rules, either developed for art sake, communication secrecy, or neutral auxiliary language for those who engage in international communication, tourism, and research.
As a language system, Pilipino/Filipino is based on Tagalog. Coined words, like salungpuwit, were completely abandoned. The grammar and syntax are not new construction.
Monday, June 22, 2009
TRIBES, LANGUAGES, & DIALECTS: The Bukidnon Case
A minority language close to my heart is Binukid. This is one of the minor languages in the province of Bukidnon in southern Philippines. Other minor languages in the province are the Western Bukidnon Manobo, Tigwa Manobo, and Matigsalug. The lingua franca (major or trade language) in the region is Cebuano or Binisaya.
Even though there are only four minor languages in Bukidnon, several dialects exist. Let me give Binukid, which is my mother tongue, as a case in point.
Growing up, we, the Bukidnons in Barrio Casisang, always distinguished ourselves from other Binukid speakers. Distinctions were based on accent and some unintelligible words that were seldom used in Casisang. We distinguished ourselves from other Binukid speakers by not having a "sing-song" or rough speech pattern. The used of archaic Binukid words by other villages further contributed to our differences. Matter of fact those archaic words were the main barrier in communicating with those Bukidnons from outlying barrios.
Dr. Richard Elkins, my thesis mentor in early 80s and a linguistic anthropologist who interconnected several Philippine minor languages in a Proto-Manobo Theory (1964), told me that those from Casisang, Kalasungay, Sumpong,Impasug-ong, etc. are speaking the "asphalt" Binukid. This is a variation of a language (dialect) based on sociolect. It was well-said. These barrios are located along Sayre highway and many are highly literate.
Based on Morris Swadish word list there was no big difference of Casisang Binukid to the Binukid in outlying barrios. Nevertheless, the indifference amongst Binukid speakers created, more or less, a social divide. Interaction was affected.
Then came the PANAMIN, the Presidential Assistant for National Minorities, in the late 70s. This quasi-government agency was supposed to continue on with the program of the defunct Commission on National Integration (CNI). However, instead of integrating or unifying the Bukidnons, PANAMIN contributed to a permanent divide amongst Binukid speakers. Based on the geographical location (topolect/regiolect), PANAMIN sub-divided the Binukid speakers into the Higa-onon, Tala-andig and Bukidnon tribes.
Currently, we have these three recognized tribes. Their language is Binukid. Based on Binukid language, either one has the right to say that the languages used by the other tribes are dialects of their language. However, Binukid is NOT a dialect of Cebuano or Bisaya.
NOTE: So, what is an "artificial" language? Patricia mentioned, when we were guests on Channel 18, that Filipino is an artificial language. I will talk about that in my next blog.
Even though there are only four minor languages in Bukidnon, several dialects exist. Let me give Binukid, which is my mother tongue, as a case in point.
Growing up, we, the Bukidnons in Barrio Casisang, always distinguished ourselves from other Binukid speakers. Distinctions were based on accent and some unintelligible words that were seldom used in Casisang. We distinguished ourselves from other Binukid speakers by not having a "sing-song" or rough speech pattern. The used of archaic Binukid words by other villages further contributed to our differences. Matter of fact those archaic words were the main barrier in communicating with those Bukidnons from outlying barrios.
Dr. Richard Elkins, my thesis mentor in early 80s and a linguistic anthropologist who interconnected several Philippine minor languages in a Proto-Manobo Theory (1964), told me that those from Casisang, Kalasungay, Sumpong,Impasug-ong, etc. are speaking the "asphalt" Binukid. This is a variation of a language (dialect) based on sociolect. It was well-said. These barrios are located along Sayre highway and many are highly literate.
Based on Morris Swadish word list there was no big difference of Casisang Binukid to the Binukid in outlying barrios. Nevertheless, the indifference amongst Binukid speakers created, more or less, a social divide. Interaction was affected.
Then came the PANAMIN, the Presidential Assistant for National Minorities, in the late 70s. This quasi-government agency was supposed to continue on with the program of the defunct Commission on National Integration (CNI). However, instead of integrating or unifying the Bukidnons, PANAMIN contributed to a permanent divide amongst Binukid speakers. Based on the geographical location (topolect/regiolect), PANAMIN sub-divided the Binukid speakers into the Higa-onon, Tala-andig and Bukidnon tribes.
Currently, we have these three recognized tribes. Their language is Binukid. Based on Binukid language, either one has the right to say that the languages used by the other tribes are dialects of their language. However, Binukid is NOT a dialect of Cebuano or Bisaya.
NOTE: So, what is an "artificial" language? Patricia mentioned, when we were guests on Channel 18, that Filipino is an artificial language. I will talk about that in my next blog.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
ANOTHER RECAP: Dialect is not a Language
Many lay people would confuse a minor language to a dialect. Probably, the reason behind this is that they confuse a language to a lingua franca (trade language).
In my home country, the Philippines, most people would think that other than the eight major languages; namely, Tagalog, Bisaya/Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon/Ilonggo, Bikolnon/Bisakol, Waray-waray, Kapampangan, and Pangasinan/Pangasinense, the remaining 167 minority languages are mere dialects of these major ones.
This might help a lay person determine a medium of communication a language. If we speak the language or the lingua franca of the region, where we live in, and we have problem understanding another person, whom we have come in contact with, and we are not prejudicial in any way on the manner that person speaks, consider his language different from yours; hence, a language. If we understand the speaker, despite the differences in pronunciation, accent, intonation, and with some slight intelligibility problem, then, consider his language a dialect.
Dialect is a variation of a particular language. Bisaya in Mindanao, and even the Binol-anon in Bohol island, are dialects of Cebuano/Binisaya in Cebu. Differences in pronunciation, accent, intonation, and a unique verbal production of some letter-sounds or a few extra and unique affixes exist; however, intelligibility between Bisaya (of Mindanao) and Boholano speakers is very high.
Cebuano or Binisaya in Mindanao may pronounced the /l/ in between vowels or may add /ha/ as a suffix to an action word to express exaggeration, example: (katawa = laugh in Cebu) vs. katawaha = laugh in Mindanao), but those Bisaya/Cebuano in Cebu can understand the Bisaya in Mindanao perfectly.
Similarly, the Boholanos/Bol-anons pronounces /y/ as /dz/ (e.g., ayaw (Cebuano of Cebu and Mindanao for 'do not...') vs. adzaw; however, the sentence structure and the words are the same. Henceforth, Bisaya in Bohol is a dialect of Cebuano/Bisaya.
Dialect can be caused by ones social class. This is what we call sociolect. As we, Filipinos, are aware that Tagalog spoken by students in exclusive schools has developed some vocabulary and unique sentence pattern. The differences may be intentional, out of the desire of distinguishing themselves from other Tagalog speakers, or it may have been caused by the school restriction for students to speak in vernacular.
An intentional code-switching in Tagalog, like "kilig to the bones", which originated from co-ed students in prestigious colleges, is an example of a sociolect. Others have caught up to this manner of speaking Tagalog, that we commonly now hear "Taglish", which is a Tagalog with a sprinkles of English words or phrase. Nevertheless, this Tagalog-English mix is also considered linguistically as a Patoi, because it is a non-standard dialect and it is not institutionally supported.
Regiolect or topolect can also cause the existence of dialect. The frequency of interaction and other neighboring languages can result to a development of new words and expressions, and borrowings from other nearby languages. Despite the regional "ala eh" expression of the Batanguenos (of Batangas)and few other lexical (word) differences does not mean that they are not speaking in Tagalog. They are! We distinguish them as Tagalog speaker from Batangas based on some expressions and accents that they have uniquely included in their speech patterns.
I hope this blog helps us not to get confuse on the use of the terms, dialect and language.
In my home country, the Philippines, most people would think that other than the eight major languages; namely, Tagalog, Bisaya/Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon/Ilonggo, Bikolnon/Bisakol, Waray-waray, Kapampangan, and Pangasinan/Pangasinense, the remaining 167 minority languages are mere dialects of these major ones.
This might help a lay person determine a medium of communication a language. If we speak the language or the lingua franca of the region, where we live in, and we have problem understanding another person, whom we have come in contact with, and we are not prejudicial in any way on the manner that person speaks, consider his language different from yours; hence, a language. If we understand the speaker, despite the differences in pronunciation, accent, intonation, and with some slight intelligibility problem, then, consider his language a dialect.
Dialect is a variation of a particular language. Bisaya in Mindanao, and even the Binol-anon in Bohol island, are dialects of Cebuano/Binisaya in Cebu. Differences in pronunciation, accent, intonation, and a unique verbal production of some letter-sounds or a few extra and unique affixes exist; however, intelligibility between Bisaya (of Mindanao) and Boholano speakers is very high.
Cebuano or Binisaya in Mindanao may pronounced the /l/ in between vowels or may add /ha/ as a suffix to an action word to express exaggeration, example: (katawa = laugh in Cebu) vs. katawaha = laugh in Mindanao), but those Bisaya/Cebuano in Cebu can understand the Bisaya in Mindanao perfectly.
Similarly, the Boholanos/Bol-anons pronounces /y/ as /dz/ (e.g., ayaw (Cebuano of Cebu and Mindanao for 'do not...') vs. adzaw; however, the sentence structure and the words are the same. Henceforth, Bisaya in Bohol is a dialect of Cebuano/Bisaya.
Dialect can be caused by ones social class. This is what we call sociolect. As we, Filipinos, are aware that Tagalog spoken by students in exclusive schools has developed some vocabulary and unique sentence pattern. The differences may be intentional, out of the desire of distinguishing themselves from other Tagalog speakers, or it may have been caused by the school restriction for students to speak in vernacular.
An intentional code-switching in Tagalog, like "kilig to the bones", which originated from co-ed students in prestigious colleges, is an example of a sociolect. Others have caught up to this manner of speaking Tagalog, that we commonly now hear "Taglish", which is a Tagalog with a sprinkles of English words or phrase. Nevertheless, this Tagalog-English mix is also considered linguistically as a Patoi, because it is a non-standard dialect and it is not institutionally supported.
Regiolect or topolect can also cause the existence of dialect. The frequency of interaction and other neighboring languages can result to a development of new words and expressions, and borrowings from other nearby languages. Despite the regional "ala eh" expression of the Batanguenos (of Batangas)and few other lexical (word) differences does not mean that they are not speaking in Tagalog. They are! We distinguish them as Tagalog speaker from Batangas based on some expressions and accents that they have uniquely included in their speech patterns.
I hope this blog helps us not to get confuse on the use of the terms, dialect and language.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
A RECAP on ISSUE DISCUSSED ON TV
What is a language? This was the first question hurled at Dr. Patricia Schneider-Zioga, a linguistics professor at California State University-Fullerton, and me, when Jannelle So invited us to guest in her TV program, Kababayan L.A., on Channel 18 two days ago, June 8th.
Dr. Schneider-Zioga responded that there's no clear-cut definition what language really is among linguists. She supported her answer by citing a case in Europe. Unfortunately, some viewers, particularly my friends, were not satisfied with her answer. ( I knew...with mine, as well.) A few sent me email that she should have given an example on the Philippine languages, because Kababayan L.A. is a Filipino program. Since her answer is true, I didn't react against it. Instead, I reinforced it by saying that mutual intelligibility is a criterion that linguists uses to determine whether a particular medium of communication is a language or simply a dialect. By mentioning a technical terminology, I made the answer murkier to lay people. I should have given a Filipino example to satisfy the Filipino community. I'm sorry, I didn't. It is tough to think on your toes, especially if there's time constraint.
Anyway, allow me to use this blog to address it now.
It is a fact; a linguist would consider a medium of communication a dialect of another language on the basis of mutual intelligibility, even if the speakers of that "dialect" would consider it differently. A case in point is the Batad Ifugao and the Mayoyao Ifugao. For an outsider or a linguist, he or she may immediately say that these two cultural groups are identifiably speaking the same language. The reason is: mutual intelligibility is high. Ethnologue (1984) mentioned that the intelligibility is at least 86%. It's too high to be considered as two separate languages.
Certainly, the language scientist may come up with his or her decision on how the two language groups understand each other (i.e. mutual intelligibility). Hence, if there is high percentage of cognate or identical words with similar meaning and no big differences in affixation and word formation (i.e. morphology), that other language group may be treated as a mere dialect of the other.
I mentioned in the program that the Laguna Tagalog is a dialect (i.e. language variation) of Tarlac Tagalog, or vice versa. Most Filipinos know that Laguna is south of Manila, while Tarlac is north. It's true, they have disparity, which is more than accent (i.e. pronunciation or intonation); however, both could perfectly understand each other.
The same thing with Binisaya of Cebu and Mindanao; the obvious difference is just the /l/. Cebuano will never say the /l/ in between vowels, while the Binisaya in Mindanao will always have it. (e.g. waa vs. wala (nothing), baay vs. balay (house).) The meanings are the same; hence, the Binisaya in Mindanao is just a dialect of that of Cebu.
Nevertheless, if we'd compare Binisaya of Cebu or the Binisaya in Mindanao to the Bisaya of Ilo-ilo, there are words (i.e. lexicon) that may be said or spelled without any difference at all; however, the meaning may be 100% not the same. (e.g. sabut is a word found in both Binisaya in Cebu, Mindanao, and in Ilo-ilo. However, sabut in Cebu and Mindanao means 'to understand', while in Ilo-ilo it means "pubic hair". Besides different meaning in some words, affixation or affixes also has considerable differences. Hence, the Bisaya of Cebu and Mindanao is one language, and the Bisaya of Ilo-ilo is another. We, Filipinos, all know it as Hiligaynon. Well, with regular contact, speakers of Hiligaynon and Binisaya do understand each other. We just have to be careful on our word usage so as not to offend someone.
Definitely, mutual intelligibility is not a perfect criterion to distinguish a language from the other. The reason is that language is strongly interrelated to the speaker's thought process and behavior. How one conveys meaning is affected by how he thinks of the person (or a people group) and how he behaves around that person.
Historically, a feud existed between the Batad Ifugao and the Mayoyao Ifugaos. Socially, interaction between the two language groups might be reserved and minimized. Competition as to who might be speaking the high or the low standard language might be existing. So, when a translation of literature had started for the Batad, the Mayoyao speakers did not accept it as theirs. (But the language difference is very minimal!) Mayoyao speakers wanted to be recognized that theirs is a distinct language. As a result, in Philippine linguistics, Batad and Mayoyao Ifugaos are recognized as two different languages; two of the 175 languages in the Philippines.
Therefore, what is a language? Let me now put it this way. It is a set of symbols of sounds that is structured using a set of rules to express a meaning to a thought process or behavior and is transmitted from one generation to another.
(NOTE:
1) In celebration of the Philippine Independence (June 12th), I plan to blog about the Philippine language and culture for the whole month of June.
2) Those who have checked out my poetry reading on You Tube, please accept my sincere thanks. I apologize of the poor synchronization of my voice and my mouth in Part 1. Part 2 and 3 are better. Check them out.
Thanks again, guys.
Edmund Industan
Friday, June 5, 2009
Retracing Steps to Skid Row
On Mondays and Fridays, I take the Metro (train) at Memorial Park Station, which is just two blocks down from the Pasadena City Hall.
The train station is safe and clean. There's even an art design hanging above the platform for one's eyes to enjoy.
It only takes 25 minutes to get to the Union Station.
And I also am welcomed with commercial ads strategically posted on the wall. Oh, they're written in English and some in Spanish without any English translation.
Don't get me wrong. Skid Row is not in Mexico. The fact is; US now is densely populated with Spanish-speaking immigrants that there are thousands of Spanish advertisements everywhere. I just thank that Spanish was an elective course to Filipino high school seniors and a required course for the first two years in college when I was still a teenager. So, I am literate in Spanish. Too bad, Spanish is not a required course in Philippines colleges and universities anymore. The decision to exclude a Spanish course in the Philippine curriculum is ironic, because thousands of Filipinos are working overseas and many of them are even working in Spain. My country must consider offering foreign language(s) again as a course in both high school and college.
Anyway, from the Union Station, I take three stairs down to get a subway train that takes me to Pershing Square. Not a big deal. It is a five minute metro ride.
Look! It's not boring waiting for the subway train. At Pershing Square there are art works also made from neon lights to feast one's eyes on.
And I have a choice how to get out of the subway. I can take the stairs or the escalators.
Once I am out of the train station at Pershing Square, I am engulfed with beautiful and imposing high-rise buildings in downtown Los Angeles.
And this:
Nevertheless, I have to turn my back away and walk three blocks down the financial district of Los Angeles to begin my day in Skid Row.
I cross the Los Angeles street and see all the small shops selling all kinds of wares. One can get 3 pairs of shoes for $18 or a Lakers shirt for less than $5. Just realize now that Skid Row is not really scary to be walking around, despite those homeless people walking and idling around. Hence, if you'd like to get items at low cost, this place in Los Angeles would be the best place. One can haggle, too.
One could find everything here even dirty pavements...
And toilets! I am now in Skid Row.
I begin to see thousands of people in the street sitting in a small park or on the side of the streets, some selling cigarette sticks to other homeless friends and passers-by, and some are pushing their wheelchair or shopping carts full of belongings. Others are talking to themselves. Again, don't be alarmed. Just don't be ostentatious with bling-blings. Play it simple while on or near Skid Row.
They are waiting for meals and other social services offered by different agencies, like the Los Angeles Rescue Mission...
and the Union Rescue Mission...
This is my fifth week helping serve lunch to the homeless at Union Rescue Mission. It's a busy day, but I am always enjoying it. I can interact with different kinds of people. I can observe how people cope up with nothingness. Most importantly, I am learning how to assign a realistic behavior to my novel's main character.
I am pretty sure other volunteers are also enjoying their time in Skid Row. Just look at these group from Judson International School of Pasadena.
After serving food and cleaning the tables, they joyfully help in the kitchen.
Oh, yes, they are middle school kids under the supervision of their teachers, Sandy Halley and Kathy Pilgrim. And what a surprise! Kathy is also a member of Lake Avenue Sanctuary Choir; however, it is at Skid Row where we know each other. The Sanctuary Choir at Lake Avenue Church has more than 100 members and our two-hour choir rehearsals on Thursdays has been focus on learning and rehearsing 10 songs. No real time for socialization.
If you love God, you could come over sometime in Skid Row and offer your helping hand to make a difference in the lives of homeless people. Remember this: He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and that which he has given He will repay to him (Prov. 19:17). And the King said, "Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least of these My brethren, you did it for Me" (Matthew 25:40).
Please join us sometime and be blessed.
(NOTE: I would like to invite you to check my 25-minute Poetry Reading on Channel 56. My friend uploaded it on You Tube 3 days ago. If you'd like to get a copy of my books, you could check out Amazon.com, Barnes & Nobel, Borders.com, Target.com, Vromans, and other online outlets. Also, if you're in California and Hawaii, you could tune in Channel 18 at 4:30 pm on June 8th. Jannelle So invited me to guest (again) in her show, KABABAYAN LA, to talk about the languages in the Philippines. I hope Jannelle would upload our discussion on You Tube, especially that some of my out of state and U.K. friends told me that they also would like to listen to the discussion. Thanks guys and Happy Weekend. Edmund Industan)
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Filipino Language & Other Philippine Languages on Channel 18
A PHOTO W/ MY WIFE, ANGIE, & JANNELLE SO (May 27,2009)
What is a Filipino language? This was one of the questions that Jannelle So, the beautiful host of Channel 18's Kababayan L.A., asked in her email couple of days ago, and she wanted it discuss in one of her Pre-Independence Day programs.
Apparently, some of our kababayans here in the U.S. has been suggesting that they would like her to speak in Filipino, since her program is specifically catering to the Filipino community. But is there really a Filipino language? If she would speak plain Tagalog (Filipino (?)) in the program, would she not alienate some Filipinos or Filipino-Americans who are non-native Tagalog speakers?
I was Jannelle's guest on May 27th to promote my two published books, KOILAWAN and PRAISING ALL SEASONS LONG, and my experimental performance poetry, Hey-Dasang. I probably have done pretty well that day, despite my thick Tagalog accent, that she expressed, after the show, her plan to invite me again. And I wasn't surprised when I received her email inviting me to guest on June 8th.
So, I would like to invite you all to watch Channel 18's Kababayan L.A. from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. on June 8th. Besides me, Jannelle also has invited a linguist. Well, I am not a linguist. I am a sociologist with a modest research experiences in ethnology and linguistics.
I believe this discussion on Filipino, as a language, is a "first" without the presence of Filipino language planners, academicians, and politicians. Hence, I can assure you all that we will be taking up the language issue head-on and free of bias.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
People In Skid Row
Yesterday, May 22nd, I again was in Skid Row for my volunteer work with the Union Rescue Mission. Fortunately, I was requested to man the bread station, and not the lettuce or the chopped tomatoes, the stewed diced white meat or the corn. All of these require the servers to move fast for the trays to get into the hands of those on line. We have white bread, raisin bread, and rye bread, so I often asked which one would they prefer to have. This allowed me to look at everyone and observe those who already were eating. I also have the opportunity to tell them to enjoy their meal and that 'Jesus loves them'.
Young and old Asians, African-Americans, Hispanics, and Caucasians were represented. Sane, insane, shabbily dressed, and formally dressed were there to be served lunch. There was even a guy, who was wearing a clean coat and tie, so opposite to a guy, who wore a dirty pair of shoes and a black plastic trash bag to cover his upper body.
Certainly, homelessness doesn't excuse any nationality. Sometimes, it hits someone, because of extravagance and addiction; many times it victimizes someone, because of job loss and unemployment. Nevertheless, the one that touches me most, besides those hapless children, are those with mental instability.
I can't help myself, but to sympathize for those I saw staring blankly at their food, talking and laughing as they talked either to their food trays or to imaginary someones beside them. Most of the time, they were the last ones to turn their trays in. Others don't even have the time to finish their food before the security officer would announce that their eating time is up.
But you know what; you cannot underestimate homeless people. Even though most don't observe cleanliness, many still do.
In between service, servers have to clean tables. We were supposed to dispose our old gloves, washed our hands properly before wearing another clean pair of gloves. In one occasion, one of the lady volunteer inadvertently forgot to dispose her latex gloves. She immediately went to her station, because the next serve was about to begin. Immediately, a homeless lady called the attention of the supervisor to report it.
So, when you're on Skid Row doing some volunteer work, forget the idea, for once, that they sleep on a card boards, tattered tents, or plastic tarps at nighttime. Many of those who don shabby or showy dresses cannot just be taken for granted.
And if you have time or a dime to spare, open up your heart or pocket to help URM and other agencies on Skid Row. Yesterday, URM run out of disposable plastic gloves. All the agencies are non-profits; thus operating by faith. Come on. Let's help them a little.
The dining hall and the food counter in this clip are that of the Union Rescue Mission.
Young and old Asians, African-Americans, Hispanics, and Caucasians were represented. Sane, insane, shabbily dressed, and formally dressed were there to be served lunch. There was even a guy, who was wearing a clean coat and tie, so opposite to a guy, who wore a dirty pair of shoes and a black plastic trash bag to cover his upper body.
Certainly, homelessness doesn't excuse any nationality. Sometimes, it hits someone, because of extravagance and addiction; many times it victimizes someone, because of job loss and unemployment. Nevertheless, the one that touches me most, besides those hapless children, are those with mental instability.
I can't help myself, but to sympathize for those I saw staring blankly at their food, talking and laughing as they talked either to their food trays or to imaginary someones beside them. Most of the time, they were the last ones to turn their trays in. Others don't even have the time to finish their food before the security officer would announce that their eating time is up.
But you know what; you cannot underestimate homeless people. Even though most don't observe cleanliness, many still do.
In between service, servers have to clean tables. We were supposed to dispose our old gloves, washed our hands properly before wearing another clean pair of gloves. In one occasion, one of the lady volunteer inadvertently forgot to dispose her latex gloves. She immediately went to her station, because the next serve was about to begin. Immediately, a homeless lady called the attention of the supervisor to report it.
So, when you're on Skid Row doing some volunteer work, forget the idea, for once, that they sleep on a card boards, tattered tents, or plastic tarps at nighttime. Many of those who don shabby or showy dresses cannot just be taken for granted.
And if you have time or a dime to spare, open up your heart or pocket to help URM and other agencies on Skid Row. Yesterday, URM run out of disposable plastic gloves. All the agencies are non-profits; thus operating by faith. Come on. Let's help them a little.
The dining hall and the food counter in this clip are that of the Union Rescue Mission.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
A Brief Face-to-face talk with a Kid on Skid Row
Lunch at the Union Rescue Mission (URM) is served in three batches. First serve is at 11a.m., exclusively for men, who are in URM's Recovery, Apprenticeship, and Transitional Living Programs. Second serve is at 12p.m., exclusively for women and women with children. This includes women, who lives in the street. Third serve is at 2p.m., exclusively for men, who are not in the URM program;hence, every homeless men is welcome. A slice of meat, a scoop of rice or mashed potato, a half-cup of cooked vegetables, a bowl of green salad (sometimes a scoop of fruit) and a slice of bread comprise lunch. Besides serving the food, we also have to clean the tables before the next batch of people comes in.
It was during the second serve last Friday, May 8th, when I got the chance to talk face-to-face with a 4-year old girl on Skid Row. Her mom and her three sisters regularly eat at URM. Almost all the women have left the dining hall. I was cleaning one of the tables near the water fountain, when she was trying to get her drink. The mom was about 15 yards away feeding the youngest daughter. She tried to reach for the paper cup, but she was a little short. I went near her and asked if she would like my help. Instead of answering, she just stood motionless, staring at me. That few seconds of silence tore me apart. Her eyes was calm, yet sharp. She did not call her mom, but she seemed to size me up whether I was a good or a bad guy. Then, after she realized that I was one of those who served them food, her facial expression changed in an instant. I saw in her eyes a helpless child, who have been harboring pain and exhaustion, sleepy yet awake, trying to grow up fast. She smiled wryly and said, "Yes, please."
I know that these children have no other choice, but to live on Skid Row. They were collateral victims of poverty, unemployment, lack of affordable housing, substance abuse, domestic violence, changes and cuts in public assistance (welfare) program, and job loss. Statistics on families with children who are homeless each night in Los Angeles County is 29% of 84,000 homeless people.
Without help from non-profit organizations, such as Union Rescue Mission, Los Angeles Mission, The Midnight Mission, etc., these children will literally be out sleeping in tents, on cardboards, or in plastic tarps.
Yes, education in the U.S. is mandatory. Every school age child is required to be in school on weekdays, except if a child has health issue or family emergency. That 4-year old girl should had been in pre-school. However, some homeless moms just do not have the means to take their kids to school even if education is free. I probably have to be at Skid Row before 6 a.m. one of these days to check if there are orange (school) buses picking up the kids for school.
After lunch service was over, I decided to walk around to do more observation. I saw a little place called School-On-Wheels. Compared to the buildings of other non-profit organizations on Skid Row, School-On-Wheels is just a molehill. It has been run by a retired nun. It's window has been decorated with cut-up paper arts. It's facade is so modest that my heart falls for it. I hope to stop by in one of these days to check its program. If its mission suits me, especially on the spiritual aspect of its program, I probably would be giving to School-On-Wheels one day of my two days beginning next month. If not, then, I would be sticking both of my days with URM's kitchen and, later, in it's Learning Center.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
ON L.A SKID ROW: Homeless People is Worth My Time
I have been hearing on the radio and seeing on TV the Skid Row of Los Angeles. However, I never have seen it first-hand. Living in Pasadena, a very progressive suburbian city of Los Angeles county, yet haven't gone to Skid Row? That's ludicrous!
Call me hypocrite! Label me so insincere to the academic discipline that I spent so much time on. What happened?
The news about Skid Row gave creeps and chills; too risky for me to dare. I thought that those count of 84,000 homeless people in Los Angeles county, many of them are in Skid Row, were scarier than living and interacting with the Ata Manobo tribe of so. Philippines, who were considered by the early Philippine historian as the fiercest warriors of Mindanao. I was so intimidated.
Watch this clip from You Tube and see what I mean.
Nevertheless, while I started brainstorming on my first novel, Skewed Triad; No More: The Novel, I thought that Skid Row would be an excellent setting for a badly disfigured Filipino-American woman to regain completely her self-confidence and self-worth. Consequently, I mustered courage to visit and observe the "Third World" of Los Angeles,The Skid Row.
The traffic at the freeway was heavy that Thursday morning, so I decided to take the Metro train, Gold line. Pasadena to Union Station, the main hub, was only half an hour ride. At the Union Station, I walked two stairs down to take a subway Metro that took me to Pershing Square right at the Los Angeles financial center.
Believe me, just three blocks from Pershing Square, I already smelled the stink of a slum area, saw the roguishness of many untidy street people, and felt that I was rooted off the great city, despite those tall buildings. I slowed down starting to observe. Many were standing and talking in the street, especially near the buildings of non-profit organizations serving three-square meals a day and offering home and shelter to fortunate homeless families and individuals. Some people were yelling at each other; a few were walking erratically. Others were involved in some transaction of some sort.
I continued my walk for a few more blocks and I felt I was one of them. The smell became normal; the sight became ordinary, yet strange. I started to empathize with these less fortunate. I began to think of doing some volunteering in one of the soup kitchens. I went inside the building of Union Rescue Mission. After a talk with a Volunteer Supervisor, I decided to be a server at lunch time on Mondays and Fridays. Join me in this adventure at Skid Row in my next blogs.
Call me hypocrite! Label me so insincere to the academic discipline that I spent so much time on. What happened?
The news about Skid Row gave creeps and chills; too risky for me to dare. I thought that those count of 84,000 homeless people in Los Angeles county, many of them are in Skid Row, were scarier than living and interacting with the Ata Manobo tribe of so. Philippines, who were considered by the early Philippine historian as the fiercest warriors of Mindanao. I was so intimidated.
Watch this clip from You Tube and see what I mean.
Nevertheless, while I started brainstorming on my first novel, Skewed Triad; No More: The Novel, I thought that Skid Row would be an excellent setting for a badly disfigured Filipino-American woman to regain completely her self-confidence and self-worth. Consequently, I mustered courage to visit and observe the "Third World" of Los Angeles,The Skid Row.
The traffic at the freeway was heavy that Thursday morning, so I decided to take the Metro train, Gold line. Pasadena to Union Station, the main hub, was only half an hour ride. At the Union Station, I walked two stairs down to take a subway Metro that took me to Pershing Square right at the Los Angeles financial center.
Believe me, just three blocks from Pershing Square, I already smelled the stink of a slum area, saw the roguishness of many untidy street people, and felt that I was rooted off the great city, despite those tall buildings. I slowed down starting to observe. Many were standing and talking in the street, especially near the buildings of non-profit organizations serving three-square meals a day and offering home and shelter to fortunate homeless families and individuals. Some people were yelling at each other; a few were walking erratically. Others were involved in some transaction of some sort.
I continued my walk for a few more blocks and I felt I was one of them. The smell became normal; the sight became ordinary, yet strange. I started to empathize with these less fortunate. I began to think of doing some volunteering in one of the soup kitchens. I went inside the building of Union Rescue Mission. After a talk with a Volunteer Supervisor, I decided to be a server at lunch time on Mondays and Fridays. Join me in this adventure at Skid Row in my next blogs.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
MID-SPRING SONNET & WEDDING HAIKU
It is almost mid-spring and the weather in so. California feels like it. Tomorrow is also the last day of National Poetry Month. That said, I am bidding the month of April goodbye and welcoming the month of May, the month of wedding preparation, with two of my poems.
THE ROCK IN MID-SPRING
(Shakespearean sonnet)
The only rock so big with gorgeous top;
Looks like a lion roaring at the sky.
Those naked grass and shrubs in their long nap,
Made desert dry and boring to the eye.
The climate changed; the aura turned around.
I looked below and saw gold carpeting.
Green shrubs throughout and life was on the ground,
So pretty all around; it’s now mid-spring.
Reality sank in; I knew in full.
I was the best before, but now no more.
Those withered plants now green and colorful
Ah, spring, you changed my thought who to adore.
Just one of them, the best that I can claim,
My time is up and now their turn for fame.
(c) edmund melig industan, 2009
I wrote this sonnet to appreciate the green shrubs and desert blooms, that I failed to look at my favorite boulder of rock proudly sitting atop the mountain, as we drove back from Las Vegas, Nevada to Pasadena. Ah! man is like that rock. He doesn't always get the adulation. All man can do is to stay focus and firm. Soon, season will turn again in full circle.
And for those preparing to march down the aisle before the end of spring, here is one of the wedding haiku verses in my gift book, PRAISING ALL SEASONS LONG (Comfort Publishing, 2009).
Marching day and night
White gowns and candle lights
Praise God! He is love.
Take care now, guys.
NOTE: Looking for a wedding gift that is cheaper than a dozen roses? Why not consider giving a copy of my gift book, PRAISING ALL SEASONS LONG? Now available in US, Canada, Japan, France , UK, Germany, and The Netherlands.
THE ROCK IN MID-SPRING
(Shakespearean sonnet)
The only rock so big with gorgeous top;
Looks like a lion roaring at the sky.
Those naked grass and shrubs in their long nap,
Made desert dry and boring to the eye.
The climate changed; the aura turned around.
I looked below and saw gold carpeting.
Green shrubs throughout and life was on the ground,
So pretty all around; it’s now mid-spring.
Reality sank in; I knew in full.
I was the best before, but now no more.
Those withered plants now green and colorful
Ah, spring, you changed my thought who to adore.
Just one of them, the best that I can claim,
My time is up and now their turn for fame.
(c) edmund melig industan, 2009
I wrote this sonnet to appreciate the green shrubs and desert blooms, that I failed to look at my favorite boulder of rock proudly sitting atop the mountain, as we drove back from Las Vegas, Nevada to Pasadena. Ah! man is like that rock. He doesn't always get the adulation. All man can do is to stay focus and firm. Soon, season will turn again in full circle.
And for those preparing to march down the aisle before the end of spring, here is one of the wedding haiku verses in my gift book, PRAISING ALL SEASONS LONG (Comfort Publishing, 2009).
Marching day and night
White gowns and candle lights
Praise God! He is love.
Take care now, guys.
NOTE: Looking for a wedding gift that is cheaper than a dozen roses? Why not consider giving a copy of my gift book, PRAISING ALL SEASONS LONG? Now available in US, Canada, Japan, France , UK, Germany, and The Netherlands.
Friday, April 24, 2009
BUKIDNON, MY HOME: Final Lyric from my End
Mga sulled ku:
Thank you very much to all of you who have interacted with me or responded to my call regarding the suggested revision of "Bukidnon, My Home".
Since several of you have requested if you could copy or sing the song using my suggested revision, I decided to pour more time onto it. It is my utmost desire to be as close as possible to the English version and be as dynamic, vis-a-vis to the current trends on migration, nationalism, fertility, land grabbers, etc.
Some of you have insinuated that you would like to help me on the revision by either doing a survey or interview. Hence, even though this is the final suggestion from my end, you could still send me your much needed comments and suggestions. Like you, I would love to have a provincial anthem that I really could be proud of.
"BUKIDNON, BANUWA KU"
Bisan pa hindu a
Lalag ku'g uli` a
Dini ta Bukidnon
Kanak ha banuwa
Buntod ha matangkaw,
Kalasan...makapal,
Patag ha malu-ag,
Na tungkay madagway.
Chorus:
Bukidnon ha banuwa ku
Dini ka ta pusung ku.
Langit nu bon kadagway,
Hadi ku agkalipatan.
Bukidnon ha bugta ku
Dakol sa goinawa nu.
Ka-uyagan, in-ila` nu,
Ngaran nu, hitindugan ku.
Note: I didn't touch the first stanza. Please refer to my previous blog, "Bukidnon, My Home: Revisited", for its English translation.
Now, here's the English translation of the chorus.
Bukidnon, my town/province.
You are here in my heart.
Your sky is so beautiful,
I never can forget.
Bukidnon, my land.
You have a big breath (love).
Means-of-living, you have given,
Your name, I will stand-for (protect).
Here's the chorus of the original Binukid version with its English back translation.
Bunturun, balalayan,
Basakan, kapatagan,
pastuhan, kapinyahan,
ba alan-alan ka-uyagan.
Langit din pig-aldawan,
piglambongan, pig-uranan,
sirungan, uranan.
ba alan-alan ka-uyagan.
Its English back translation:
Mountainous, hilly,
Rice paddy, plains,
Grassy-for-grazing, pineapple farm,
But all are means-of-living.
Its sky is sun-drenched,
laid-with-overcast, rained-on,
(?), to-be-rained-on
But all are means-of living.
I put a question mark as an English equivalent of "sirungan", because I really haven't heard this word but in this chorus. T.S. Sungkit, the author of the novel, "Batbat Hi Udan" commented about this word in my previous blog, "Bukidnon, My Home; Revisited". Check out my Feb. 15 blog.
And here's the English version.
BUKIDNON, MY HOME
Wherever I may roam
The distant land to see
I long to go back home
To sweet Bukidnon home
Her lovely mountains high
Her forest old and grand
Bring memories to me
The home I long to see.
Chorus:
There my heart, yearns to be
In far away, Bukidnon land.
Under its blue starry sky,
Where love and joy never die.
(Repeat)
By the way, Walter Balane, a local journalist and writes the blogs, "Istambay sa Mindanaw" and "Bukidnon Our Home", asked me on the lyricist of the original version and the date the song was written.
I really don't know. I have been singing the Binukid version even when I was still in the elementary. That was 50 years ago. Despite my old age, I never learned who wrote the song. I asked a few to do research on this, but I received nothing.
This is the best hunch that I can give you. It is very possible that an American Baptist missionary wrote the English version in the 1940s. Miss Little, the Atherton, the Kohler(?) are a few name that I can remember. Then, a Bukidnon was asked to write the Binukid text. I remembered my father, who grew up and studied with these American missionaries, when he told me that some of them were requested to help in the translation of English Christian songs to Binukid. He mentioned the name of Pastor Sinagda, Pastor Sinohon, or that long-time pastor of Can-ayan (whose name has eluded me, while writing this blog). Too bad, all of them have already passed. It couldn't be the Summer Institute of Linguistics (Nasuli), because SIL was invited to do language research and translation in the Philippines by Pres. Ramon Magsaysay in 1953.
Anyway, the old Binukid version is now a public domain. Besides, it's possible that there was no copyright law that time. It could have been great to acknowledge those who burned their midnight candles to come up with the Binukid lyric. So, whoever and wherever you are, THANK YOU for writing the Binukid lyric of "Bukidnon, My Home". You have given us, the sons and daughters of Bukidnon province, a pride worth remembering and sharing. However, with our access to modern science of linguistics and translation, hope it is alright with you for us to do some major revision of its chorus.
And to all present tagaBukidnons, feel free to copy, share, and sing this new translation in your social or official functions. I don't intend to copyright this. It is my humble contribution to the music and arts; the culture, in general, of Bukidnon.
Now, mga higala, it's time for you to send me your feedback. Is this revision better than the old one? Is the message closer to the English version?
Marakol tungkay ha salamat.
Thank you very much to all of you who have interacted with me or responded to my call regarding the suggested revision of "Bukidnon, My Home".
Since several of you have requested if you could copy or sing the song using my suggested revision, I decided to pour more time onto it. It is my utmost desire to be as close as possible to the English version and be as dynamic, vis-a-vis to the current trends on migration, nationalism, fertility, land grabbers, etc.
Some of you have insinuated that you would like to help me on the revision by either doing a survey or interview. Hence, even though this is the final suggestion from my end, you could still send me your much needed comments and suggestions. Like you, I would love to have a provincial anthem that I really could be proud of.
"BUKIDNON, BANUWA KU"
Bisan pa hindu a
Lalag ku'g uli` a
Dini ta Bukidnon
Kanak ha banuwa
Buntod ha matangkaw,
Kalasan...makapal,
Patag ha malu-ag,
Na tungkay madagway.
Chorus:
Bukidnon ha banuwa ku
Dini ka ta pusung ku.
Langit nu bon kadagway,
Hadi ku agkalipatan.
Bukidnon ha bugta ku
Dakol sa goinawa nu.
Ka-uyagan, in-ila` nu,
Ngaran nu, hitindugan ku.
Note: I didn't touch the first stanza. Please refer to my previous blog, "Bukidnon, My Home: Revisited", for its English translation.
Now, here's the English translation of the chorus.
Bukidnon, my town/province.
You are here in my heart.
Your sky is so beautiful,
I never can forget.
Bukidnon, my land.
You have a big breath (love).
Means-of-living, you have given,
Your name, I will stand-for (protect).
Here's the chorus of the original Binukid version with its English back translation.
Bunturun, balalayan,
Basakan, kapatagan,
pastuhan, kapinyahan,
ba alan-alan ka-uyagan.
Langit din pig-aldawan,
piglambongan, pig-uranan,
sirungan, uranan.
ba alan-alan ka-uyagan.
Its English back translation:
Mountainous, hilly,
Rice paddy, plains,
Grassy-for-grazing, pineapple farm,
But all are means-of-living.
Its sky is sun-drenched,
laid-with-overcast, rained-on,
(?), to-be-rained-on
But all are means-of living.
I put a question mark as an English equivalent of "sirungan", because I really haven't heard this word but in this chorus. T.S. Sungkit, the author of the novel, "Batbat Hi Udan" commented about this word in my previous blog, "Bukidnon, My Home; Revisited". Check out my Feb. 15 blog.
And here's the English version.
BUKIDNON, MY HOME
Wherever I may roam
The distant land to see
I long to go back home
To sweet Bukidnon home
Her lovely mountains high
Her forest old and grand
Bring memories to me
The home I long to see.
Chorus:
There my heart, yearns to be
In far away, Bukidnon land.
Under its blue starry sky,
Where love and joy never die.
(Repeat)
By the way, Walter Balane, a local journalist and writes the blogs, "Istambay sa Mindanaw" and "Bukidnon Our Home", asked me on the lyricist of the original version and the date the song was written.
I really don't know. I have been singing the Binukid version even when I was still in the elementary. That was 50 years ago. Despite my old age, I never learned who wrote the song. I asked a few to do research on this, but I received nothing.
This is the best hunch that I can give you. It is very possible that an American Baptist missionary wrote the English version in the 1940s. Miss Little, the Atherton, the Kohler(?) are a few name that I can remember. Then, a Bukidnon was asked to write the Binukid text. I remembered my father, who grew up and studied with these American missionaries, when he told me that some of them were requested to help in the translation of English Christian songs to Binukid. He mentioned the name of Pastor Sinagda, Pastor Sinohon, or that long-time pastor of Can-ayan (whose name has eluded me, while writing this blog). Too bad, all of them have already passed. It couldn't be the Summer Institute of Linguistics (Nasuli), because SIL was invited to do language research and translation in the Philippines by Pres. Ramon Magsaysay in 1953.
Anyway, the old Binukid version is now a public domain. Besides, it's possible that there was no copyright law that time. It could have been great to acknowledge those who burned their midnight candles to come up with the Binukid lyric. So, whoever and wherever you are, THANK YOU for writing the Binukid lyric of "Bukidnon, My Home". You have given us, the sons and daughters of Bukidnon province, a pride worth remembering and sharing. However, with our access to modern science of linguistics and translation, hope it is alright with you for us to do some major revision of its chorus.
And to all present tagaBukidnons, feel free to copy, share, and sing this new translation in your social or official functions. I don't intend to copyright this. It is my humble contribution to the music and arts; the culture, in general, of Bukidnon.
Now, mga higala, it's time for you to send me your feedback. Is this revision better than the old one? Is the message closer to the English version?
Marakol tungkay ha salamat.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
April: National Poetry Month
April is National Poetry Month. American Academy of Poets initiated it in 1996. To celebrate it, I am posting two of my poems beginning this week.
I have thought of posting one of my poems about spring, because fourth week of spring had just ended. However, the temperature here in Southern California this Sunday is expected to be in 3-digit level. And, well, it is summer in the Philippines, my home country;hence, I have decided to give you this poem, instead.
OH, SUMMER LOVE
(a Triolet)
Oh, Summer Love, you’re hot as season brings
Exuding beauty reaching digit three;
All eyes in you: the paupers and the kings,
Oh, Summer Love, you’re hot as season brings.
Wish you will lend your ears as my heart sings,
A melody that’s from a bourgeoisie;
Oh, Summer Love, you’re hot as season brings.
…Exuding beauty reaching digit three.
Edmund Melig Industan
By the way, my gift book, PRAISING ALL SEASONS LONG: Haiku Verses, is now available in France (Amazon.fr), Japan (Amazon.jp), The Netherland (Von Stockum.nl), Germany (Amazon.de, Bookya.de, and AbeBooks.de), Canada (Amazon.ca), and in the U.K. (Amazon.co.uk). Also, Amazon.com (US) has announced that it only has one copy left in stock, but more are coming. You also can get a copy at Barnes &Noble, Borders.com, Target, and Comfort Publishing. So, I would appreciate it very much if you could place your order now. Thank you very much.
And here's one haiku in the Spring Section of PRAISING ALL SEASONS LONG (Comfort Publishing, 2009). This haiku is best as we celebrated Easter just a week past.
Life has shown in spring.
Temporal! Eternal life!
Green in thoughts and sights!
Have a good week to you all.
I have thought of posting one of my poems about spring, because fourth week of spring had just ended. However, the temperature here in Southern California this Sunday is expected to be in 3-digit level. And, well, it is summer in the Philippines, my home country;hence, I have decided to give you this poem, instead.
OH, SUMMER LOVE
(a Triolet)
Oh, Summer Love, you’re hot as season brings
Exuding beauty reaching digit three;
All eyes in you: the paupers and the kings,
Oh, Summer Love, you’re hot as season brings.
Wish you will lend your ears as my heart sings,
A melody that’s from a bourgeoisie;
Oh, Summer Love, you’re hot as season brings.
…Exuding beauty reaching digit three.
Edmund Melig Industan
By the way, my gift book, PRAISING ALL SEASONS LONG: Haiku Verses, is now available in France (Amazon.fr), Japan (Amazon.jp), The Netherland (Von Stockum.nl), Germany (Amazon.de, Bookya.de, and AbeBooks.de), Canada (Amazon.ca), and in the U.K. (Amazon.co.uk). Also, Amazon.com (US) has announced that it only has one copy left in stock, but more are coming. You also can get a copy at Barnes &Noble, Borders.com, Target, and Comfort Publishing. So, I would appreciate it very much if you could place your order now. Thank you very much.
And here's one haiku in the Spring Section of PRAISING ALL SEASONS LONG (Comfort Publishing, 2009). This haiku is best as we celebrated Easter just a week past.
Life has shown in spring.
Temporal! Eternal life!
Green in thoughts and sights!
Have a good week to you all.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
GOOD FRIDAY: In PRAISING...VERSES
VINEGAR AND SAP...
OFFERED TO QUENCH A DRY CORD!
IT'S HOT MOCKING DAY.
THORNS AND LASHES FELT.
WOUNDED DAYS FOR HEAV'N AND EARTH.
HEAT AND HATE UNITE.
SUFFERING IN STRIDE!
MEEKLY GIVING UP THE DAY.
EARTHLY LIFE EXPIRED.
WORLD'S IN FULL DECAY.
SPRINGS OF LIFE HE LEFT TO SAVE.
WHAT...CHAOTIC DAY!
from:Praising All Seasons Long
Comfort Publishing, 2009
Why has this day of Jesus' suffering on the cross been called "good"?
Reading Matthew 26 and 27, Mark 14 and 15,Luke 22 and 23, and John 18 and 19, we know that Jesus suffered a lot. He showed the human side of him by feeling the pain. He showed sorrow and heaviness of heart. He prayed to let the "cup pass from Him". Nevertheless, He also knew that His suffering was part of the plan. He came to save the troubled world. And this is why we have called the "Day of Agony" good. It is the day that the ultimate price of our sin is paid. It is the day God gives everyone the ultimate gift of love. All we have to do is to acknowledge and accept Him as our Lord and Savior.
Today is the Easter vigil. Let's continue to contemplate the death of Jesus. Let us meditate the verses in John 19: 38-42. Let's be ready to welcome Christ's resurrection.
Blessings!
NOTE: If you live close to Pasadena, California and would like to celebrate the "Day of Ressurection" this Sunday, come and worship with us at Lake Avenue Church.
The 9am and 11am services will begin with a concerto for two violinists and strings in A minor (Vivaldi). The Sanctuary Choir will follow it with "Easter Song" (arranged by Hayes). The church will then sing "Christ is Risen Today" and "In Christ Alone/The Solid Rock". A soloist will render "I Know that My Redeemer Liveth" (Handel). The Symphony Orchestra will play "Variations on a Theme by Haydn" (Brahms). The choir will sing "Worthy is the Lamb" (Handel's Messiah) before the message of Dr. Greg Waybright, Lake's Senior Pastor and former president of Trinity International University in Illinois.
OFFERED TO QUENCH A DRY CORD!
IT'S HOT MOCKING DAY.
THORNS AND LASHES FELT.
WOUNDED DAYS FOR HEAV'N AND EARTH.
HEAT AND HATE UNITE.
SUFFERING IN STRIDE!
MEEKLY GIVING UP THE DAY.
EARTHLY LIFE EXPIRED.
WORLD'S IN FULL DECAY.
SPRINGS OF LIFE HE LEFT TO SAVE.
WHAT...CHAOTIC DAY!
from:Praising All Seasons Long
Comfort Publishing, 2009
Why has this day of Jesus' suffering on the cross been called "good"?
Reading Matthew 26 and 27, Mark 14 and 15,Luke 22 and 23, and John 18 and 19, we know that Jesus suffered a lot. He showed the human side of him by feeling the pain. He showed sorrow and heaviness of heart. He prayed to let the "cup pass from Him". Nevertheless, He also knew that His suffering was part of the plan. He came to save the troubled world. And this is why we have called the "Day of Agony" good. It is the day that the ultimate price of our sin is paid. It is the day God gives everyone the ultimate gift of love. All we have to do is to acknowledge and accept Him as our Lord and Savior.
Today is the Easter vigil. Let's continue to contemplate the death of Jesus. Let us meditate the verses in John 19: 38-42. Let's be ready to welcome Christ's resurrection.
Blessings!
NOTE: If you live close to Pasadena, California and would like to celebrate the "Day of Ressurection" this Sunday, come and worship with us at Lake Avenue Church.
The 9am and 11am services will begin with a concerto for two violinists and strings in A minor (Vivaldi). The Sanctuary Choir will follow it with "Easter Song" (arranged by Hayes). The church will then sing "Christ is Risen Today" and "In Christ Alone/The Solid Rock". A soloist will render "I Know that My Redeemer Liveth" (Handel). The Symphony Orchestra will play "Variations on a Theme by Haydn" (Brahms). The choir will sing "Worthy is the Lamb" (Handel's Messiah) before the message of Dr. Greg Waybright, Lake's Senior Pastor and former president of Trinity International University in Illinois.
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