Mindanao

Mindanao

By Apolinario B Villalobos

 

Itinuring na lupang ipinangako –

Ng mga Pilipinong dito ay napadako

Mga naglakas-loob na makipagsapalaran

Hindi inalintana panganib na madadatnan.

 

Maraming kuwento ang aking nalaman –

May mga kulay ng lungkot at kaligayahan

Nguni’t lahat ay puno ng hangarin, ng pag-asa

Sa lupang ipinangako’t magigisnang bagong umaga.

 

May mga Pangasinense, Kapampangan, Ilocano

Mayroong Bicolano, Bulakeño, Caviteño, Batangueño

Mga taga-Luzon silang dala ay lakas ng loob, kasipagan

Hindi ininda ang init sa  pagbungkal ng tigang na kabukiran.

 

Mayroon ding galing sa Antique, Negros, isla ng Cebu

Sumunod ang mga taga-Leyte, Antique, Guimaras at Iloilo

Ano pa nga ba’t sa malawak, mayaman at luntiang Mindanao

Magkaiba man ang mga salita, pagkakaisa ay pilit nangingibabaw.

 

Hitik sa kwentong makulay ang buong isla ng Mindanao

Unang tumira’y mga kapatid nating sa relihiyon, iba ang pananaw

Silang mga  taal na katutubo, makukulay, matatapang at mahinahon

Tanging hangad ay mabuhay ng matiwasay, tahimik, sa lahat ng panahon.

 

Ang mga  Kristiyano, Muslim, Lumad – lahat sila ay nagkakaisa

Nagtutulungan, nagbibigayan, mga paniwala man nila ay magkaiba

Nguni’t dahil sa makasariling hangad ng ilang gahaman sa kapangyarihan

Animo kristal na nabasag, iningatang magandang samahan at katahimikan.

 

Nguni’t tayo ay Pilipino, iba tayo – lumalaban na may masidhing pag-asa

Sa harap ng masalimuot na mga problema, matatatag na kalasag ay nakaamba

Ito’y ang masidhing paniniwala sa Maykapal, malalim at marubdob na kapatiran

Ugaling nagbuklod sa mga taga-Mindanao, magkaiba man ang pananaw at kaugalian.

 

Ating isigaw-

Mabuhay ang Mindanaw!

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

 

T’boli

In commemoration of the National Indigenous People’s Month/October

 

T’boli

By Apolinario B Villalobos

 

Gentle people of South Cotabato –

Epitome of strength who moves with agility

But graceful enough to sway with the wind

With innocent smile easily parting their lips

And laughter that crease their gentle face.

 

Fortunate people, contentedly they live –

In the fastness of green, rivers, hills and valleys

By God’s will, long- hidden from lowlanders

Which did them good, but then time came –

The haze was parted, and finally, they were seen.

 

Clothed in patiently – pounded fibers

And woven into the smooth cloth – t’nalak

The men stand proud in the earth-colored garb

While women looking regal in their vivid dress

Seen from afar, they seem to float in the breeze.

 

People of the rainbow, these people are –

And placid that made them prey to the greedy

But to them, God is kind, made them secured

From harm that only the heartless could inflict

And nature’s wrath, to them could easily wreak.

 

Straight from their heart, to God they pray

Sincere praises are mumbled by betel-red lips

No pretensions in their offered dances

Pleadings are for their safety and health

That for them are well- cherished wealth…

 

 

(The T’boli is one of the indigenous tribes of the Philippines, found in the southern part of the archipelago, particularly, South Cotabato province, island of Mindanao)

 

 

 

 

T’boli

T’boli

By Apolinario B Villalobos

Gentle people of South Cotabato –

Epitome of strength who moves with agility

But graceful enough to sway with the wind

With innocent smile easily parting their lips

And laughter that crease their gentle face.

Fortunate people, contentedly they live –

In the fastness of green, rivers, hills and valleys

By God’s will, long- hidden from lowlanders

Which did them good, but then time came –

The haze was parted, and finally, they were seen.

Clothed in patiently – pounded fibers

And woven into the smooth cloth – t’nalak

The men stand proud in the earth-colored garb

While women looking regal in their vivid dress

Seen from afar, they seem to float in the breeze.

People of the rainbow, these people are –

And placid that made them prey to the greedy

But to them, God is kind, made them secured

From harm that only the heartless could inflict

And nature’s wrath, to them could easily wreak.

Straight from their heart, to God they pray

Sincere praises are mumbled by betel-red lips

No pretensions in their offered dances

Pleadings are for their safety and health

That for them are well- cherished wealth…

(The T’boli is one of the indigenous tribes of the Philippines, found in the southern part of the archipelago, particularly, South Cotabato province, island of Mindanao)