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.

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.

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.

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.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Maunday Thursday Haiku & Good Friday Concert

PRAISING GOD FOR PESAH
SIGNS OF LOVE AND PROTECTION
NIGHT WAILS SURVIVED.
from: "Praising All Seasons Long"
(Comfort Publishing, 2009)

Pesah is a Jewish Festival celebrating the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and Maundy Thursday is the day in which Christians around the world remember the Last Supper, the last meal that Jesus shared with His disciples. Maunday comes from the Latin maundatum, which means "mandate".

Reading Exodus 12, we know that God instituted the Passover for Moses to mandate the Israelites to celebrate for the following day they finally will be allowed to leave Egypt. Along with the mandate, rules were established (vv.43-49) and to keep the Passover as a memorial. Likewise, Jesus mandated his disciples at the Last Supper to eat the bread and the wine "in remembrance of me" (Luke 12:17-20 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-25). Maunday Thursday is the annual observance of the Last Supper, few hours before Jesus died on the cross.

Just as God showed His love and protection to the Israelites through a thick cloud at daytime and a fire at nighttime when they left Egypt, He showed his love and protection to us through the death of Jesus. No one can save mankind from the sinful world. It is only God's sacrificial love who can save us. It is only in God's love that man can survive this troubled world. How wonderful to remember God's love for mankind this Passion Week.

To celebrate this Passion Week, I would like to invite you, if you are living close to Pasadena, CA, to join us this Good Friday at Lake Avenue Church. The Concert will be a wonderful way to remember the sufferings that Jesus experienced at Calvary. It starts at 7:00 p.m., an hour long.

The service will begin with an organ prelude, finishing it with Albinoni. Then, seven (7) short scripture readings will follow with instrumental interlude of flute, viola, clarinet, horn, bassoon, oboe, and violin.

The Sanctuary Choir with the accompaniment of the Symphony Orchestra will sing the following:
1. Thy Will Be Done (Courtney)
2. O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus (Ebenezer)
3. Behold The Lamb of God (Handel's Messiah)
4. Surely He Hath Brone Our Griefs ( Messiah)
5. Alas,and Did My Savior Bleed (Watts/Wilson: Arranged by Forrest)
6. When I Survey The Wondrous Cross (Martin)

Before the Sanctuary Choir sings the finale, "God So Loved the World" (Schirmer), the Symphony Orchestra will be playing "Pavane"(Faure).

Come and join us on Friday. Music will be great.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

OH, IT'S LENT SEASON

Hi guys,

A friend sent his apology over the phone on Monday morning. He told me that as much as he would like to express his thoughts about my "Joking-Up, Joking-Down" blog, he would rather not. I asked him the reason. He told me, "It's Lent Season!" Time to remember the death of Christ. Time not to create controversy and hate."

My bad! I never thought that my last week's blog would send a wrong signal. Nevertheless, I know where my friend is coming from. Using Carlos Mencia's humor on the Filipinos created a "red signal". The truth is that I never plan to stir controversy and hate. In fact, my line of thought was socially correct. Sorry guys. I will bring the subject on "Joking-Up, Joking-Down" some other time.

Anyways, my friend is absolutely right. This is Lent Season. In fact, this is Triumphal Entry weekend. Tomorrow is Palm Sunday...the Day of Acclaim...the beginning of the "week that changed the world" also known as Passion Week. Most will be recollecting how Jesus, the Messiah, entered Jerusalem on a humble beast of burden, albeit an animal of peace.

Unlike Caesar or Alexander the Great, who had triumphal entries to cities with 1,000 lancers on horseback, followed by 2,000 trumpeters, 1,000 swordsmen, 30,000 foot soldiers and another 1,000 trumpeters behind, to proclaim his greatness and power; Jesus, the Messiah, entered Jerusalem on a humble donkey. There were no trumpeters, soldiers and horsemen, just a crowd of followers waving palm branches and laying their garments on the Jesus' path.

At Lake Avenue Church, the Sanctuary Choir will be singing "Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates" and an oratorio,"Let your Eye Be to the Lord". Then, on Holy Friday, a mini-concert will be held. We, the Sanctuary Choir, will be singing "Behold the Lamb of God ( from Handel's Messiah), "Surely He hath Borne our Griefs" (another some from Handel's Messiah),and four(4) other songs. The Sanctuary orchestra will be accompanying us.

Everyone is welcomed. It's free. So, if you're near Pasadena, California, come join us on Friday night, 7:30 pm. Lake Avenue Church members have been advised to park at Gateway parking across I-210 freeway, so that guests can park at the church parking area.

See you on Friday, then.


NOTE: My gift book, PRAISING ALL SEASONS LONG, can now be ordered on Borders.com. It still can be purchased at Target, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and Comfort Publishing online store. To those who already have bought their copies, 'THANK YOU VERY MUCH."