Payo Sa Bumabasa ng Tula ni: Rolando S. Tinio

Payo Sa Bumabasa ng Tula
ni: Rolando S. Tinio

Hindi nalalayo
sa pagpangos ng mangga
Ang pagbasa ng tula.

Amuyin, sapulin sa kamay.
Ipalasap sa palad
Ang init at kinis ng balat,
Saka hubarin ang dilaw na katad
Na minsan may itim na pakas,
Parang matang ibig mangusap.

Huwag na huwag ngangatain.
Tubo at mangga’y magkaibang sining.

Tandaang laman ay parang laman,
Humihingi ng ingat, pagmamahal.
Turuan ang ngiping dumagan
Nang hindi mag-iiwan ng sugat.
Unti-untiin ang pagsisiwalat

Sa buto...

Na namimintog, lumalapad
Kutsilyong walang talas
Pinatuyong sinag ng araw,
Usok-at-ulang nagsabato,
Garing na di pa nakakatam,
Siksik na taguan ng yabong,
Lilim, a tatal.

Huwag mithiin ang asetikong buto,
Ang putting ermitanyo,
Bago mapagdaanan ang mga ehersisyong karnal.

Bayaang maganap
Tamis, pait, saklap
Sa isang panlasang wagas.

Huwag kainipan ang labo
Ng pisnging humuhulas.

Pagkatapos na makipagtapatan
Sa mga istasyon ng pagkalaman
Kusang liliwanag
ang sagradong buto
Na simbigat ng katotohanan
Singgaan ng pangarap at kalawakan!

 

Kung ang Tula ay Wala (pasintabi sa makata ng Obando) ni Albert Alejo, S.J.

  Kung ang Tula ay Wala
(pasintabi sa makata ng Obando)
ni  Albert Alejo, S.J.

Kung ang tula ay wala 
kundi kangkong sa sikmura
lalo pa nga kung inumit
sa munting tindahan
ng kapwa nagpapawis,
di hamak ko pang
nanaising makinig
sa dalawampu’t isang
taludtod ng kampana
na binibigkas
sa katanghalian,
o  kaya nama’y tumitig
sa andap ng kandila
na bumabasbas
sa oras ng hapunan,
pagka’t ako’y bumubuay
at ang loob ko’y pagod na
pagod na pagod na.
Nasilaw na ako sa kinang
ng mga langit na de-lata
at nalason lamang
sa pagsubo’t pagdura ng bala.
Kaya’t para na ninyong awa
mga makatang kapwa ko rin dukha,
huwag kayong manukso
at huwag ding magpatukso
kahit pa nga ba ang tula
ay maging letson sa bunganga.

 

W.H. Auden Poem "Funeral Blues" Translated in Tagalog by Jose F. Lacaba

 Dalit 

Halaw kay W. H. Auden
Salin ni Jose F. Lacaba

Patigilin sa pagikot and relo
pagpuputulin na ang linya ng telepono

Patahimikin na ang mga piyano, at ang kabaong

ay ilabas sa kalye, simulan ang prusisyon.

Patugtugin ang punumbre, at sa pagbuntunghininga
Ay iparinig sa bayan ang balitang Patay na siya.

Bihisan ng luksa ang mga nagtatrapik na pulis

lagyan ng lasong itim ang mga traysikel at dyip.

Siya ang aking hilaga, timog, kanluran, at silangan,
ang aking takipsilim at bukang-liwayway,

Ang aking piyesta opisyal at araw ng trabaho,

Akala ko’y habang buhay ang pag-ibig: Mali ako.

Bawian na ng sindi ang mga tala at bituin,
ibalot na ang buwan, at ang araw ay baklasin,

walisin na ang gubat, at ang dagat ay itapon;

Pagkat wala ng silbi ang lahat mula ngayon.

Below is the original poem.

Funeral Blues
by W. H. Auden

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,

Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,

Silence the pianos and with muffled drum

Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead

Scribbling on the sky the message 'He is Dead'.

Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,

Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,

My working week and my Sunday rest,

My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;

I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,

Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,

Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;

For nothing now can ever come to any good. 

Selected Tagalog Poems in Philippine Literature

ALAALA 

ni Maria Luisa F. Torres

Bakit ganoon ang alaala?

Sala sa init, sala sa lamig. May gusto kang tandaan, 

lumilipad, parang ibon. 

May ibig kang kalimutan, 

kapit-tuko, nakapagkit.

Parang makahiya, 

pag nakanti, namamaluktot. 

Parang karayom at sinulid 

na nagkabuhol-buhol.

O kaya’y tipaklong 

na tatalon-talon. 

Parang kukong ikinakaskas

sa salamin 

nakakangilo, nakakahilo 

Malambot na unan 

sa himbingan, 

nasis mong hagkan-hagkan. 

Bakit ganoon ang alaala? 

May patay na binubuhay, 

buhay na pinapatay. 

AWIT NG ISANG KABALYERO 

ni: Reuel M. Aguila 

Huwag kang tumangis 

sa panahon ng taglagas 

Kung ang mga daho’y 

humahalik sa talampakan 

Ilang panahon lang 

ako’y muling mamumukadkad 

ng mga pulang bulaklak

Tatangayin ng hangin

ang aking mga binhi

sa mga pulo-pulo 

Upang doo’y 

may tumubo ring

mga puno ng kabalyero 

At darating na naman 

ang taglagas ang pamumulaklak 

At tatangaying muli ng hangin

ang mga binhi 

hanggang sa buong kapuluan 

HAYOK 

ni Fatima V. Lim 

Kay lapot ng gabi. 

buwan ay nahating itlog, 

palutang-lutang sa ulapang lugaw.

natutunaw ang mga bituin 

asing ikinalat sinisipsip ng dilim. 

pulutang adhika, 

patikim, 

aking luha'y’ walang lasa. 

Bukas, 

magigising na ako ng mahimbing

busog sa bangungot. 

OYAYI

ni: Rio Alma 

Meme na, bunsong sinta,

Ang ina mo e ‘ala pa.

Sumaglit ke Kabesa 

At hihiram lang ng pera 

Meme na, bunsong sinta, 

Ang ina mo e ‘ala pa. 

Di masundo ni Ama

At kabayo ng malarya

Meme na, bunsong sinta, 

Ang ina mo e ‘ala pa 

Naglit lang ke Kabesa

Inabot na ng K’waresma

Meme na, bunsong sinta, 

Ang ina mo e ‘ala pa. 

Sinundo na ni Ama

Kahit habol ang paghinga 

Meme na, bunsong sinta, 

Ang ina mo e ‘ala pa. 

Nang abutan ni Ama, 

Nalilisan na ng saya.

Anonymous Love Letter for Secret Loves

a love letter

Dear A,

Hi, it's me and in the hopeless longing for something to fill my mind, I suddenly remember you. Remember seems to be the wrong word to use, for the truth is, your memory never left me. For quite some time now, you are constantly a part of my consciousness. I am always wondering where you are, what you are doing, and who are you with (agonizing) or what is on your mind (wishing to high heavens, I am there).

Well, let us say I have been somehow hoping but with eyes wide open so I am no longer expecting. As they say, "It hurts to expect too much." Especially to a person you may never see again.

By this time, I guess I have finally accepted the fact that you will not be coming back. Well, I am still hoping to  see you again, but I think I have to start dismissing the possibility that there can be anything deeper between us.

For me, you will remain just that. A once upon a time friend (?), acquaintance, and love interest (uh oh!).

After all, the feeling of pain and slight bitterness is still not enough for me to regret ever known you. You are one person who made me real happy once in my life and I will always be grateful for that.

I don't care if what you had shown is genuine or not, or maybe everything is simply a product of my imagination. Smiles and laughter come by hard these days and the happiness you made me feel refreshed my withered and lonely soul.

Once upon a time, you made me feel whole and special. How I wish we have been given time to get to know each other better.

But still, there are dreams we create and realities we have to face. For me now, it is the painful realization of a life ahead without you, of a love lost, and of a seemingly endless debate within of what could have been.

Some may wonder why I even have to go through all this when there has never been us. I myself wonder but I can never explain. For I don't want to question the mysteries of love. 

Weird as it may sound, I am enjoying the pain. And why? Why do I want to prolong the pain? How come I am no rushing to forget? It is because I do not want to forget or forget that quick. The pain is actually an assurance that you are still the one, that my feelings for you still exist. 

As with the rules of nature, I know that however intense the feelings I have for you now, all of this will most likely fade. I may even start wondering what I ever saw in you and what made it so difficult to let go. That moment will be like an awakening from a deep slumber. And I dread that day. Right now, I cannot imagine myself totally over you.

I started this letter looking for a way out and it seems like I cannot stop. I do not know to end this just as I do not know how I would like our end to be.

Yet amidst the confusion and bitterness, I chose to end this letter in a calm mind and a happy heart. With a vow to remain strong, I am letting you go. In all sincerity, I am wishing you the very best. And I hope that even just for a while, even if it is seems impossible, you will at least remember me with fondness...

Edgar Allan Poe's A Dream Within a Dream.

A Dream Within a Dream

by  Edgar Allan Poe

I stand amid the roar

Of a surf-tormented shore,

And I hold within my hand

Grains of the golden sand-

How few! yet how they creep

Through my fingers to the deep,

While I weep- while I weep!

O God! can I not grasp

Them with a tighter clasp?

O God! can I not save

One from the pitiless wave?

Is all that we see or seem

But a dream within a dream?

The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

The Rainbow Fish By Marcus Pfister

Far out in the sea lived a fish. No ordinary fish however. He was the most beautiful fish in the entire ocean. His scales shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow.

The other fish admired his colourful scales and called him Rainbow Fish. “Come on, play with us, Rainbow Fish But Rainbow Fish was proud and swam past them.

A little blue fish swam along behind him. “Rainbow Fish,wait for me! Please give me one of your glittering scales. They are so beautiful and you have so many.”

“Give you one of my scales? What are you thinking of?” cried Rainbow Fish. “Get away from me!” Shocked, the little blue fish swam away.

Still excited, he told his friends about it.  From then on, nobody wanted anymore to do with Rainbow Fish. They turned away when he swam past them.

What use were Rainbow Fish’s beautiful scales if they were no longer admired by anyone? Now he was the loneliest fish in the entire ocean. One day he poured out his troubles to the starfish. “I’m so beautiful. Why doesn’t anyone like me?”

In a cave behind the coral reef lives the wise octopus. Perhaps he can help you,” the starfish advised him.

Rainbow Fish found the cave. It was very dark here. He could hardly see anything. Then suddenly he saw two glowing eyes.

“I have been expecting you,” said the octopus in a deep voice. “The waves have told me your story. Listen to my advice: give every fish one of your glittering scales. Then you may not be the most beautiful fish in the ocean, but you will be happy again..”

“But…” Rainbow Fish began to say, but the octopus had already disappeared into a dark cloud of ink. Give away my scales? My beautiful glittering scales,? thought Rainbow Fish.  “Never! No! How could I be happy without them?

Suddenly he felt the light touch of a fin. The little blue fish was back! “Rainbow Fish, please, don’t be angry.  Please give me one of your glittering scales, a small one” Rainbow Fish hesitated. A very very small scale, he thought. Why not? I will hardly miss it.

Rainbow Fish carefully pulled off the very smallest of his glittering scales. Here, I’ll give you this one. But now leave me in peace.

“Thank you! Thank you very much!” burbled the little blue fish excitedly. You are kind, Rainbow Fish. Rainbow Fish felt quite strange. He watched the little blue fish for a long time as he swam away happily through the water with his glittering scale, turning this way and that.

The little blue fish darted through the water with his glittering scale. Soon, Rainbow Fish was surrounded by other fish. All of them wanted to have a glittering scale. Rainbow Fish shared out his scales and he felt happier and happier as he did so. Finally Rainbow Fish had only one glittering scale left. He had given away all the others. And he was happy, happier than he had ever been.

“Come on Rainbow Fish, come and play with us!” called the others.

“I’m coming,” said Rainbow Fish and went happily with the other fish.

OPM Love Song - Harana by Parokya Ni Edgar English Translation

Check out the English translation of this popular Tagalog and OPM love song from Parokya Ni Edgar

Harana (Serenade)
by Parokya ni Edgar

Is serenade still a thing?
You may be wondering
Who is this fool
Stumbling in an effort to sing
And sounding off-key with fright 

He even brings roses
Yet clad in faded jeans 
  And the whole gang is here 
Dressed to the nines
Wearing traditional polo
Belting out a song
to beat minus-ones and sing-alongs 

A sky full of stars
And the wind's blowing cold
I get lost in your stare, my dear 

In this song of mine
I really hope you'd like
Pouring my heart out 
In this simple serenade for you. 

Isn’t this like a movie scene?
A romantic movie
Aren’t you the lead star? 
And I happen to be the leading man
In a story that ends in true love.

A sky full of stars
And the wind's blowing cold
I get lost in your stare, my dear
 

In this song of mine
I really hope you'd like
Pouring my heart out
 In this simple serenade for you.

Harana (Tagalog lyrics, original version)
by Parokya ni Edgar

Uso pa ba ang harana

Marahil ikaw ay nagtataka

Sino ba 'tong mukhang gago

Nagkandarapa sa pagkanta

At nasisintunado sa kaba

Mayron pang dalang mga rosas

Suot nama'y maong na kupas

At nariyan pa ang barkada

Naka-porma naka-barong

Sa awiting daig pa ang minus one at sing-along

Puno ang langit ng bituin

At kay lamig pa ng hangin

Sa 'yong tingin ako'y nababaliw giliw

At sa awitin kong ito

Sana'y maibigan mo

Ibubuhos ko ang buong puso ko

Sa isang munting harana

Para sa'yo

Di ba parang isang sine

Isang pelikulang romantiko

Di ba't ikaw ang bidang artista

At ako ang 'yong leading man

Sa istoryang nagwawakas

Sa pag-ibig na wagas

Puno ang langit ng bituin

At kay lamig pa ng hangin

Sa 'yong tingin ako'y nababaliw giliw

At sa awitin kong ito

Sana'y maibigan mo

Ibubuhos ko ang buong puso ko

Sa isang munting harana

Para sa 'yo

Inspiring and Anonymous One-Liner Quotes About Life And Love

Above all else, guard your affection for they influence everything else in your life.

A hug is better than all the theology in the world

As long as you find pleasure in life's simple joys, you'll never be lonely.

Ask why until you understand.

Your mind is a terrible thing to waste.

Exit the room with your pride.

Each day is a little life. Make the most of it.

Expect miracles.

Life will sometimes hand you a magical moment. Savor it.

Live small, but always, always dream big dreams.

Life is the best teacher.

Love is work in action.

What's certain is uncertain.

You have to be first , best, or different.

There is a God.

Inspiring Video - Listen by Joshua Ortiz

For some boost of inspiration, check out this short film by Joshua Ortiz which is HBO’s Project Greenlight Winner for Most Unique Short Film. 

 Listen by Joshua Ortiz

 How you react to failure would determine whether you’re a
quitter or a winner 

And I promise you -- If you do what you love and you never give up,
 you’ll realize that failure doesn’t mean you lost
It’s just a reminder to get back up
And If you have the courage to try again,
you already won