Basho's Haiku in Aklanon

 

Basho's Haiku in Aklanon

Last updated: November 9, 2008

The following are my translations of Basho's haiku as published in On Love and Barley Haiku of Basho, translated by Lucien Stryk. Penguin Books, 1985.

I will post the translations here batch by batch.

I started translating them on February 19, 2006 and originally posted them in batches in http://my.akeanon.com/, under the section: Everything Aklan.

In Stryk's translation, the first word in each haiku is capitalized with a period at the end of each haiku. This is not the practice use in Heron's Nest, a haiku journal. So I am following that style by Stryk. Each of the 253 haiku is individually numbered.

But there are some haiku which I cannot really translate into Aklanon.

Please help me translate them. Those that I cannot translate are in English.

The real name of Basho is Matsuo Kinsaku (1644-94), the first great haiku poet. He changed his name to Basho because each time he changed his residence, his students would gift him Japanese banana. In Japan, banana is called Basho.

Basho's last haiku is this:

Sick on a journey—
over parched fields
dreams wander on.

Thank you very much Edna Laurente Faral or Sunz for sending me a copy of this book. Now I want to share it to our fellow Aklanons worldwide.

Your comments, my dear readers, are most welcome.
You can post your translation in the comment section of this blog.
***

Mga Haiku ni Basho sa Akeanon
Translated by Melchor F. Cichon, et al.
Started: February 19, 2006
Last Updated: April 10, 2008


1. Sa bag-o kong kapa
kainang agahon—
eain nga tawo.


2. Mga kaeanasan, mga kabukiran
it Hubaku, sa
siyam nga adlaw--tagtubo.

3. Kada dag-on,
ro maskara't amo
kapakita ro pagkaamo.

4. Bag-ong Dag-on--ro Basho-Tosei
nga gina-istaran
ginahagungan it haiku

5. Bag-ong Dag-on—
may kasubo
halin pa ku tigdaeagas

6. Nag-abot ro tagtubo--Bag-ong Dag-ong
pinutos nga kalabasa, limang kwatrong
bugas ku nakaaging dag-on.

7. Gin-eabugay ku mga kukud
ro baeas it Futami--ginabi-abi ku
puting eangitnong kabayo ro Bag-ong Dag-on.

8. Gabii't tagtubo,
aga-aga't bueak
ku cherry.

9. Gasuksuk it dagami,
sa tagtueobo
ro mga santos nagkamustahan.

10. Paghaealin sa tagtubo—
ro mga siyagit it mga pispis,
gatueoeo ro mga euha't isda.

11. Gaarado't eanas
para sa eanot it cherry—
galanog ro bagyo.

12. Uean it tagtubo—
sa idaeum it kakahuyan
kristal nga sapa.

13. Gapusdak ro mga sike't monghe
sa mayelong dueom,
gasumpit ro matam-is nga tubi.

14.Buean sa tagtubo—
uyahon it bueak
sa ambon.

15. Uean sa tagtubo—
ginpukaw nanda ako,
mahinay nga magueang.

16. Taub—
ro mga willow
natiusok sa eutay.

17. Mga maya sa balisbisan.
eanggam sa kisami—
kanta sa kaeangitan.

18. Madueom nga gabii—
gatangis ro plover
sa anang pugad.

19. Sa tabuk it kanta't skylark
tangis ku Noh
hay pheasant.

20. Ano ka terible
ro tawag it pheasant—
manugkaon it sawa.

21. Ro daean sa bukid it Hozo
mas mataas pa sa
skylark.

22. Marka't ueod sa kahilamunan
ro humay nga bola
ginabuead sa portiko.

23. Ginaliksi ro bae-at
it oven--ro gainit nga kuring
nag-ueahab.

24. Tapos eon ro pag-iningaw it kuring,
ro kwarto gintabing
it kasiga't buean.

25. Ayaw paglipati ro plum nagabueak
sa kahilimunan.

26. Hangin it tagtubo—
ginhaboe nga buean
ag kahumot it plum.

27. Daean sa bukid—
gasaka nga bukid
sa kahumot it plum.

28. Eain nga haiku?
apang abu pa gid nga bueak it cherry—
pero buko't akon nga uyahon.

29. Gakatueog nga willow—
kaeag ku
nightingale.

30. Sa likod it kwarto
ku mga birgen,
may nagabueak nga plum.

31. Una nga cherry
ginapasukoe
ku bueak it peach.

32. Red plum blossoms:
where behind the
bead-screen's love?

33.Gahaum-haum nga gainum
it sake sa kabkab,
pinudburan it sinipadsipad nga bueak.

34. Kon may abilidad eang ako
makanta ako't parehas
ku gakahueog nga sinipi nga cherry.

35. Mag-eak-ang it pueo, dose
milyas sa pag-usoy it
remilyete nga cherry--ano ka daeayawon.

36.Sa idaeum it cherry—
sabaw nga bueak,
salad nga bueak.

37. Pasuray-suray sa sake
ag mga bueak it cherry,
ro may espadang baye sa haori.

38. Hilong sa bueak—
maitum nga bugas,
puti nga sake.

39. Guwa, kabug—
mga pispis, ro kalibutan mismo
ginabutong it mga bueak.

40. Mga remilyeteng busay—
isugid
mo ron sa mga nagasilinadya

41. Gasabwag sa hangin,
sa mga bueak,
mga humbak it Suok Grebe.

42. Mag-andam
kon siin ka nagapuntariya,
mga peaches of Fushini.

43. Mga maya
sa winasak nga eanas
pagtan-aw it bueak.

44. Maeamig nga puting azalea—
isaeahanon nga madre
sa idaeum it tinagib nga atop.

45. Draining the sake
cask--behold
a gallon flower base.

46. Gaeuhod, ginakupkupan
ro mga ugat,
gakalisod kay Padre Tando.

47. Taros nga gatubo
sa geyt
malinghod nga gakamang

48. usuya't mayad—
sa kurae nga tanum
ro kahita't bakero

49.Magueang--gakaon
it laver, rang ngipon
gagaling it baeas.

50.ga bueak it cherry—
mga iwag
ku mga nakataliwang dinag-on

51. Ro mga singgit nagpakurog
sa saging--sa bilog nga gabii
rang basin galahog it uean

52. Sa patay nga batiis
gasakdat ro owak—
gabii't tigdaeagas

53. Suba it Kiyotaki—
sa alipungto
ro sunog sa kagueangan it pine tree

54. Pagbueag—
gahugakomon sa dagami
para suporta

55. Dueaw nga sinipad nga rosas
daeugdog—
busay

56. Mas maputi pa
sa kabatuhan it Stone Mountain—
hangi't tigdaeagas

57. Maya, pabay-i
ro eangaw
nga makaduhong sa kabueakan

58. Masaw-asaw nga Hunyo—
mahabang buhok, uyahon
nga masakiong puti

59. Mga Buddhas it Nara,
kada-isaea
esenya't asters.

60. Gadueom nga humbak—
tangis ku mga ilahas nga bebe
maeupsing kaputian

61. owa't uyahon—
gakaealhit nga toe-an
ginagisi ku hangin rang uyahon

62. Kun siin gakaduea
ro cuckoo—
sangka isla

63. uean sa tag-eamig—
maski ro amo
gakinahanga't kaputi

64. Gaeum it Hunyo—
gaduhong sa tingoy-tingoy
it Arashiyama

65. Alibangbang—
mga pakpak nagpilo
nga puting poppy

66. Nagputos ro tag-ilinit—
owa eon gid it katapusan
ku kapurilan?

67. Tag-eaeamig—
nagtikang ako nga mabug-at rang siki.
Manogpanaw, rang ngaean.

68. Ano kalinong—
sirit it apan
gatiurok sa dalipi

69. Mundong mallow
nga naga-adorno sa kahoy—
ginhangeab kang kabayo.

70. Mga amigo sa Futami, adios—
tuway nga nagguwa sa sigay,
masunod ako sa tigdaeagas.

71. Natueog ro manogpanaw—
ro masakiton nga ilahas nga bebe nagbadbad
sa maeamig nga gabii.

72.Kon magdungok ako’t sobra kanaba,
purseweed
sa idaeum kang pensa.

73. Ro manogbinaeaybay gakasubo
sa gakurog nga mga amo,
ano baea unga ngara ro ginhaboy sa hangi’t tigdaeagas?

74.Pobreng unga—
nagtan-aw it buean
embes nga maggaling it bugas.

75. Bugtaw, alibangbang—
adlaw eon, maeawig pa
ro atong paeanawon.

76. Violeta—
ano kaimportante
sa daean it bukid.

77. Gaeuksong uean
it Hunyo—
gahabok nga Suba’t Magami

78. Bag-ong tigdaeagas—
Eanas, eawod,
Sangka berde.

79. Mahayag nga buean: gapamasyar
ako sa palibot it deke—
dali eang, aga-aga eo’t-a gali.

80. Gabagyo sa suok it Nio,
gaipo-ipo ro mga bueak’
it cherry.

81. Halin sa
bueang-coronang kabutungan,
kanta it cuckoo.

82. Gadueaw sa mga eueobngan,
mga ubanon gadungok
sa baston.

83. skylark sa maeang kaeanasan—
matam-is nga kanta
nga owa’t sabit.

84. Daeaura—
may oras nga makatan-aw
it buean.

85. Bagyo sa tigdaeagas—
mga baboy-taeonon
gatib-ong kaibahan ku mga dahon.

86. Humbak gasaka
sa Isla’t Sado—
sapa’t kaeangitan.

87. Between Suma’s waves,
bush-clover
sparkled with shells.

88.Cuckoo—
kanta, eupad, kanta,
ag mag-umpisa eon man.

89. Tinukeapan it buean nga bush-clover
Ssh, sa pihak nga kwarto
nagahueagok nga puta


90. Pispis it oras—
sa Kyoto, gahandum
sa Kyoto.

91. gaeubog nga hilong
sa ueobrahan it sapatos,
nga nabaon sa rosas.

92. Silimbahan sa Ise—
anong kahoy ro makatao
ku rayang kahumot?

93. Kabayo—
indi mabatas ku putyukan
nga maghalin.

94. Nagbalik eon
ro yelo nga
gintan-aw naton?

95. Owa’t buean, owa’t bueak,
owa’t amigo—
ag nag-inum imaw it sake.

96. Buko’t kilaeang tagtubo—
bueak it plum
sa pihak it saeamin.

97. Katapusa’t tigdaeagas
paano baea
gapangabuhi rang kasilingan?

98. Baranggay nga owa’t lingganay—
gabii’t tagtubo
ano rang pamatian?

99. Magueang nga siki
gahandum pa gihapon
sa mabueakon nga dueohugan it Yoshino.

100. Mga kisiw it eukos—
sa sueod, ro matag-od nga handum
sa idaeum it buean sa tag-ilinit.

101. Hangi't tag-eagas--
tan-awa, ro chestnut
owa eon gid gaberde.

102. Bueak sa indaeum
it adlaw sa tig-aeani--kangawa
sa pispis, sa alibangbang.

103. Owa't humay
sa maraguso? Busa samiti
a bag-ong buskad nga bueak.

104. Owa't kaeo, ag
gatueo ro maeamig nga uean--
ay mayad!

105. Kidlat1--
ro tangis it tueabong
gabuno't dueom.

106. Fading bells--
now musky blossoms
peal in dusk.

107. gulping adlaw
sa daean pabukid,
humot it plum.

108. Maski pirmeng ginauyog
ro clover
owa't hamog nga nagakahueog.

109. Mogami River, ginabutong
ro gakaeayong eangit
sa eawod.

110. Agagangis--naghinuni
baea hasta owa eon't
nahibadwan?

111. binunaka't uean
nga camellia--sa pagkahueog,
gaasaw-asaw

112. Tagtoeubo--
sa ambo't agahon,
anong bukid pa runa?

113. truadlaw nga kadoyugon,
maeamig nga pader
sa siki ko

114. Eampas sa kahumbakan,
gaabot sa maeayo,
ro kanta't kukok.

115. Hugom it tigtaeagas--
nahidlaw ro tagipusuon
sa tig-ap-at nga banig nga kwarto.

116. Linganay sa templo,
daeaura't bueak it cherry--
Ueno? Asakusa?

117. Sa willow--
tanan kaakig, ag handum
king tagipusuon.

118. Owa eo't mas masubo--
kurti't tagipusuon
nga daho't paulownia.

119. "Sikaeum eon,"
naghuni ro pogo,
"ano ro pueos ku banug-banugong mata?"

120. sa ibabaw't amamakoe--
sin-o ro kasayod ku ginhalinan--
sangka dahon!

121. Pagkatawo't arte--
kanta't mga mangunguma,
korus kun siin gahalin.

122. Cresting Lake Omi's
seven misted views,
Miidera's bells.


123. Sa ibabaw ku templo ni Benkei
gulping nag-agi ro espada
ni Yoshitune--carpa't Mayo

124. Gapangisda ro Cormorant:
ano ka haeugay,
ano ka subo.

125. Sang adlaw nga kinanta't Skylark,
ag ro sang adlaw
kueang.

126. Katapusan it dag-on--
sa buri nga kaeo
ag sa sandal man gihapon.

127. plum nga ginabueanan--
hueat,
maabot gid ro tagtubo.

128. mayelong agahon--
gasunod sunod
nga owak.

129. Dali, tan-awa
ro minatuod nga bueak
ku mahapdi nga kalibutan.

130. Morning glory--
imaw mismo
gapaeayo man kakon.

131. Gaoy sa warang,
gausoy ako't matueogan--
ah, wistaria.

132. Dali,
matan-aw kita it yelo
hasta kita ieubong.

133. Chrysanthenum
hipos--ro monghe
gasipsip ku anang pang-agahong tsa.

134.Pinabay-ang
pugad it owak,
kahoy it plum.

135. Melon
sa agahong tun-og.
preskung eutay.

136. Maueano't nieve,
sa likod kang kabayo
may nagyelong handong.

137. Tingadlaw--
gapaeakpak nga mga alima
ginatib-ong ko ro kaagahon.

138. Ro basang clover,
ro umaeagi--
parehong gwapa.

139. Harsh sound--
hail spattering
my traveller's hat.

140. Lips too chilled
for prattle--
autum wind

141. Oma't maisog nga manogpanaw
sa daean ngara--
gabii't tag-eagas.

142. Ugang hilamon,
sa idaeum it tinumpok
gakaea-kaea.

143. Phew--
dace-guts scent
waterweed

144. Uean sa Hunyo,
nagliso ro hollyhocks
kon siin ro adlaw.

145. katapusa't paeanawon--
buhi pa gihapon
sa gabii ngara't tigdaeagas.

147. Gatan-aw it aninipot--
hilong nga timonador
hilong gna baroto.

148. Matun-ugon nga abaga
sa ang papel nga eeambong--
gakaea-kaea.

149. Maueanon nga inadlaw--
katungay nga mga silkworms
sa mulberries.

150. Gaginhawa pa
sa gayelo-yelong bukoe--
segay.

151. Buean sa tag-eamig.
gabuea ro taob
una gid sa geyt.

152. Bayeng kuring, sobra
kaniwang sa paghigugma
ag sa barley.

153. Magueang nga lawa.
may eumoksong paka--
tsog!

154. Nabuka ro tadhaw--
galigid-ligid eang ako
sa rayang mayelong gabii.

155. Gahueat it nieve--
gabuyo't mga kupa ro mga manogbinaeaybay
nakakita it kilat.

156. Shrieking plovers,
calling darkness
around Hoshizaki Cape.

157. Paagto sa capital--
daeaurang yelo gaporma--
tunga pa sa kaeangitan ro aeagtunan naton.

158. Naduyog sa likod it kabayo--
aso sa nasusunog nga tsa
naanod sa buean.

159. Sa adlaw't kinamatyan ni Buddha--
magueang nga alima
gapanutnog it rosarito.

160. Katapusa't dag-on, tanan
ro binit ku rayang
gaeutaw nga kalibutan, gatangis.

161. Tag-eagas
ro mga pispis ag daeaura
mingko magueang.


162. Cedar nga payong, gapanaw
sa Bukid Yoshino para
sa bueak it cherry.

163. Uean sa Mayo--may
ginasugid, tulay
sa Seta Bay.

164. Moor: ginaturo
rang kabayo
kon siin gakanta ro mga pispis.

165. Hangin it tigdaeagas.
gina-apok ro mga bato
sa Bukid Asama.

166. Hangi't tig-eaeamig.
gina-apok ro mga bato't
Bukid Asama.

167. Sikaeum--maski
gakaduea eon ro tunog ku katapusang bagting,
mahumot cherry man gihapon ro hangin.

170.Ro tagahukwa't tunog--
tinunga
nga pakwan.

173. Ugsad--
rayang kapsula't kahoy
nga winasay ko.

174. Katapusa't buean--owa't buean,
ginasiad-siad it bagyo
ro sanglibong gueang nga mga cedar.

178. Eamang, ikaw
ro gatangis--o
ro hangin it tag-eagas?

179. Gatunod nga buean
kaaeat it eawod
biti-biti.

180. Gakahiwa nga hangin
it tag-eamig sa mga dalipi
sa mga cedar

181. Baeago't morning glory-
sa bilog nga adlaw
ro bolt it geyt sirado.

182. Gakahueog nga uea't yelo--
paris ku magueang nga oak,
Indi ako magbag-o.

183. Gatiurok nga limog
sa sliding door--
hangin it tigdaeagas.

184.Baeaan nga handumanan sa Edu--
hangin it Fuji
naglinong sa kabkab.

185. Gaespeho sa kadaisaea:
puti nga narcissi,
paper screen.

186. Tunog it dagasanan--
mahipos nga dueaw nga sipad
ku rosas it bukid.

189. Maski ano kaeapit rang pagtueok,
owa gid it higko
ro puting chrysanthemum.

190. Besperas it tigdaeagas--
balikda man ako
ako man hay etrangero.

238. Pagkatapos matanum it mga baye
ro katapusang binhi't paeay,
nagguwa ako halin sa handong it willow.

239. Isaea ka kalipayan
it pagwarang--ro pambihirang
pagsugilanon hanungod sa iris.

240. Sa unahan ku taeam-an it papatas,
naduea ro pwertahan
sa goose-grass.

241. Baealigyaa't isda--
ano kaeamig ro mga bibig
it inasinang bisugo.

245. South Valley--
ro hangin gadaea't
kahumot it nieve.

246. Halin sa tagipusuon
ku matam-is nga tiyo't kabayo,
ro hilong nga putyukan.

247. Gakaro ro baka't lato ag puto,
sa dag-on ngara't baka--
anyo ka nga asawa?

248. Negosyanteng tagabanwa--
sin-o mabakae
ku kaeo nga binarnisan it nieve?

249. Makaon kita tana't
binato't trigo,
maghulid kita sa mahaeang hilamnon

250. mga tun-og--
ano mas mayad pa nga mahugasan tanan
ro tapu-tapu't kalibutan?

251. Nitso, nagaduko
sa hangin it tigdaeagas--
rang hibi

252. Hilamon sa tig-ilinit,
raya eon lang ro habilin
sa mga panamgo it mga soldado.

253. Gaoy sa pagwinayod
sa gagiltak nga kaeanasan
mga damgo nagapadayon. Translated by Tata Goloy

Jesus Catigan Insilada: A Writing Teacher

Jesus Catigan Insilada: A Writing Teacher
By
Melchor F. Cichon
Revised: March 2, 2018


Among the contemporary literary people from Western Visayas, Dr. Jesus Insilada is known as a reserved writer of poems, short stories, and novels in Hiligaynon.
And through hard work, he has won four Palanca awards for his Hiligaynon short stories in 2010, 2012, 2015, and 2017.
In 2013, he was an honoree of the Many Faces of the Teacher (Bato Balane Foundation), and in 2014 he was chosen as one of the 2014 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teacher awardees for the secondary level. Last year, Dr. Insilada was a recipient of the Princess Maha Chakri Award as “Outstanding Educator in Southeast Asia” which he received in Bangkok, Thailand. This year, 2018, Dr. Insilada is a one of the Ten Finalists for the US$1M Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize. At present he teaches English at Caninguan National High School in Lambunao, Iloilo and at the same time serving as school principal.
In addition, Dr. Insilada has published more than 60 short stories, 10 poems in Hiligaynon and on Liwayway. Four of his Hiligaynon novels have been serialized in Hiligaynon magazine. These are Panubok, Ang Gugma ni Valentina, Mga Alibangbang sa Handurawan, and Sa Sabak sang Kabukiran.
Dr. Insilada took his Master of Arts in English and Literature, and Doctor of Education, major in Educational Management in WVSU-Main Campus and in WVSU – Lambunao Campus, respectively.
According to him, he loves teaching because it is his “opportunity to transform the lives of my indigenous students who are deprived and less privileged, and to empower them to reach their dreams through education."
But who really is Dr. Jesus Insilada? Let us open some of his windows.
Dr. Insilada, or Jess, among his peers, was born on March 24, 1978 in Calinog, Iloilo. His parents are Vicente Insilada and Aurelia Catigan, both farmers. He said that not one of his parents has tried writing literary pieces, although his late grandfather from Escalante, Negros Occidental really had talent in writing but none of his works was published.
As a young boy, Jess has already showed his scholastic superiority. He was a valedictorian when he graduated at Alibunan Elementary School, Alibunan, Calinog. He graduated with honors at Calinog Agricultural and Industrial College-High School Department, and graduated as cum laude at Calinog Agricultural and Industrial College, now West Visayas State University – Calinog Campus.
From high school to college, he was a staff member of their school organs, the Farmer’s Choice, and the Goldern Harvest.
Then in 2008, he attended his first creative writing workshop at the University of San Agustin. After that he started sending his works to Hiligaynon magazine where he first published his short story, Salamat Sa Sugilanon. After that workshop, he kept on sending entries to almost all workshops in the country. He has attended almost all national workshops except two creative writing workshops which he hopes to attend.
When I asked him on what topic/s he is writing about, he said “Be it poetry or story, I usually write about the life, triumphs, culture of the people in my place. I’m into culture-based writing. When I write about my place and my people, I feel I do my share of promoting our culture. By the way, I am a Panay Bukidnon, a Jalaudnon to be specific.”
Of the many poems, short stories and novels that he has written, he considers his Palanca award winning works as his masterpieces for they have passed the standards of the judges and he is confident of their quality.
Since he already has won several awards that only few people have won, I asked him what else he wants to achieve. His answer is simple: “I want to be remembered as a teacher who also writes. I wish to continue what I have started. It has been my advocacy to write about the beauty and the uniqueness of my culture. I wish to continue highlighting my culture in the lessons and in my writings.”
And when I asked him what he thinks of the contemporary Western Visayas literature in terms of their strengths and weaknesses, he said, thus: “Western Visayan literature is flourishing. Writers, both seniors and beginners, are active in propagating their crafts. Young writers are fortunate to have senior writers in their side ready to assist and give them direction. The initiative to have venues for old and young writers to work together serves its purpose. It is giving good results in terms of publications and new books.”
Jess must have been thinking of the various literary groups in Western Visayas. In Aklan, we have the Akeanon Literary Circle. In Antique, we have the Dungug Kinaray-a and Balay Sugidanon; while in Iloilo, we have the Hubon Manunulat and the Sumakwelan. All these literary groups have been doing their best to help develop their respective literatures. The Kinaray-a group has been conducting short story and poetry contests and have published several books. The Akeanon group has also published anthologies of their literary outputs. The Hiligaynon writers have also conducted poetry and short story contests and have published their works too. These efforts must surely bring Western Visayas literature to the national literary scene.
Jess hopes that Western Visayas writers will continue this good relationship. He further hopes that the connection between our writers from and outside the academe be strengthened. They need to come to terms, to sit down and have discussion on how to standardize like for example our orthography. “We have already proposed orthographies for Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a and Akeanon languages from writers groups but we still have to agree which orthography shall we follow which will be proposed to the academe and the media.”

Alice Santos Paraiso: A Silent Warrior Librarian

 Alice Santos Paraiso: A Silent Warrior Librarian

By Melchor F. Cichon

February 17, 2014

 

"...it is more fun working in libraries and I love what I am doing."

 

These words came from one of the most successful librarians in the Philippines today.

 

I am referring to Mrs. Alice Santos-Paraiso, a librarian, a mother, and a leader.

 

Alice as she is fondly called by her friends and colleagues was born in Hagonoy, Bulacan, on October 22, 1952.

 

She received her elementary and secondary education at St. Anne's Academy in her birthplace. After this, she enrolled at the University of the East, Manila, where she took up Bachelor of Science in Education, majoring in Library Science, and minoring in Pilipino.

 

By this time, she was already working at the University of the Philippines Library in Diliman, Quezon City.

 

When the Post Graduate Training Course for Science Information Specialist in Southeast Asia (PGTCSIS) opened in the U.P. Institute of Library Science (UPILS), now known as the School of Library and Information Studies, she was chosen as one of the lucky trainees. This program was sponsored by United Nations Development Program (UNDP), UPILS and Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

 

Before she became the Head Librarian of Goethe-Institut Philippinen, she worked as a Library Assistant, then later as Research Assistant at the University of the Philippines doing readers and reference services, indexing of magazines and newspapers, and some cataloging and classification jobs. After her stint in U.P., she transferred to Technology Resource Center (TRC) in Makati City where she worked as a librarian. Of course, her duties widened and that included managing the whole library and doing all aspects of library work from acquisition of materials, cataloging and classification and readers service. She now experienced doing Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) service of the company and in-charge of the computerization of the Patent DataBase and contributing to the Philippine National Bibliography.

 

Now she was ready for a higher responsibility. And when the opportunity came, she grabbed it. This time it was in Lagos, Nigeria. She applied as a librarian at the National Library of Nigeria, Lagos, Nigeria.

 

And was accepted.

 

She worked there doing research and documentation of the National Library of Nigeria, aside from being Assistant Editor of the Newsletter of the National Library of Nigeria, from 1981 to 1983.

 

But the longing for home came.

 

So she went home.

 

In 1985, she was employed as a part-time librarian of Goethe-Institut Philippinen Library, Salcedo Village, Makati City. After a year she became full-time librarian and when the German librarian went on retirement, she then became the Head Librarian.

 

And while she works in this German library she was also very much involved in Philippine librarianship.

She was elected as the president of the Association of Special Libraries of the Philippines (ASLP).

 

Along with her involvement in ASLP, she served as resource person or participant in many seminar-workshops and conferences not only in the Philippines but also abroad like Germany, the United States, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.

 

To know more about Alice, here is part of my online interview with her.

 

Melchor F.Cichon (MFC): What made you decide to take up LS and stayed on it until now?

Alice Santos Paraiso (ASP): Well, after high school I wanted to take up architecture but it was my mother who introduced me to library science, because at that time, one of our relatives was a librarian at the Central Bank of the Philippines.

So without knowing what will be my job after graduation and what is library science all about, I adhered to what my mother told me.

Wondering aloud, I said to myself: "Oh I will work in a library where all the books are locked inside the cabinet with glass door-- our high school library was like that."

But then when I saw a university library, I was surprised that the shelves were open and not locked. So my perspective on what library work was all about was drastically changed.

Summer vacation, and had nothing to do at home, I decided to look for some part time job.

I checked the classified ads of the newspapers and I found one which I thought I would like it. So I applied and I was called for an interview. I found out, however, that the job was for sales representative. 

This is not the kind of job for me, so I declined it.

Since, we were staying at the UP Campus, my father told me to apply at the UP Main Library. So I applied and I was accepted as a library assistant provided that I would continue with my studies. I only had one year to finish my bachelor degree.

I became a working student - working from 7:30am to 4:30 pm, then I had to travel to Manila (Univ. of the East) for my 6 p. m. class. At that time, traffic was not a problem and there were buses inside the Campus going to Manila. All those studying in Manila would leave the Main Library before 5 p. m. to catch up with the evening classes.

While working as a library assistant, I found out that there is more fun working in the library.

I have experienced working in different types of libraries for the past 43 years.

My first experience as an undergraduate student was in a University Library. After 5 years, I transferred to a Special Library (Technology Resource Center). Then, I got an offer at the National Library of Nigeria and I worked there for three years. And in 1985, I was accepted at the Goethe-Institut until my retirement in May 2014.

Why I stayed on this until now? It is more fun working in libraries and I love what I am doing.

The work we do is important and not boring. You get to know/meet so many people with different personalities and backgrounds. There is always something new to learn, something new idea to consider. We are surrounded by the world of ideas and we get to help students and researchers to find their way in and out of this world of ideas. It is so fulfilling, encouraging when you are able to help them through their assignments and put together their research papers. These students are very grateful for our help.

We are not just libraries and librarians, we have great role in the preservation of culture for the future generations. We developed skills in the process like - attention to details, eagerness to learn new things, interpersonal and communication skills, adaptability to new technologies, willingness to serve with a smile, patience and a happy disposition at all times.

 

MFC: What is your greatest accomplishment in and out of librarianship?

 

ASP: First, I consider it as a great accomplishment when students and researchers are very grateful for whatever help I have been extending to them. When I can see the materials they are looking for in just a click, that's an accomplishment.

I was the first Filipino who became the Head Librarian of the Goethe-Institut. The head librarian of the Institut has always been a German national.

My other great accomplishment is when I became the President of the Association of Special Libraries of the Philippines in 2012. It was also during my time as president that the whole (12 members) of the ASLP Board went on a “Group Study Tour of Libraries, Museums and Archives in the Federal Republic of Germany”. It was an immense thought to have visited seventeen (17) various institutions consisting of libraries, museums, archives and conservation/preservation center in 10 days in Germany. And as what one of the Board Members said “Germany – a country where buildings were built for the libraries and where librarians are essential.”

This was sponsored by the Bibliothek & Information International (BII) and the Goethe-Institut Philippinen.

Another great accomplishment I have had was when I was elected Treasurer of the Special Libraries Association, Asian Chapter for 2014.

I also consider as my greatest accomplishment when I got to see seminarians became priests through prayers, masses, financial and moral support. I am also helping the old, sick and retired diocesan priests through the Ephesus Foundation “One with Mary caring for Priests” whenever I am able to.

But my greatest and most important accomplishment was to have a family with a lovely and pretty daughter, Gloria S. Paraiso,

 

MFC: Do you have any other comments?

 

ASP: Today, libraries are not only about information, it is a place where people meet together to discuss great ideas and people have the tools and facilities to develop these ideas into concrete projects. A haven for study and research, library is an access point and distribution center for print and electronic information. The library should be a place where people will be inspired, surprised and empowered.

That's Alice Santos Paraiso, the successful Filipino silent warrior librarian.

 

Mayaman Tayo, Di Ba?

Mayaman Tayo, Di Ba?
Melchor F. Cichon
January 23, 2013

mayaman tayo, di ba?

isang milyon lang naman ang bonanza

Sa senatong natin, di ba?

Kulang pa nga yon, di ba?

Kasal-anan ng mahigit isang milyon sa atin

Na walang makain, di ba?

Ah, dapat iboto natin siya muli sa senado, di ba?

Sayang din naman ang isang milyong bonanza

Sa bawat senatong natin, di ba?

Kung sa akin lang, kulang na kulang ang isang milyong Christmas gift, di ba?

Sa mga walang katapusang imbestigasyon nilang nagawa, di ba?

( Sori may mga batas din silang napasa,

Katulad ng RH Bill at Sin Tax, di ba?)

Ah, pasensiya na kung kulang

Sa isang milyon ang nakuha ng iba.

Magka-iba kasi ang agos nila kay sa kanya, di ba?

Ah, dapat huwag nating palitan ang batas

Tungkol sa bonanza ng mga senatong natin,di ba?

Kawawa sila, di ba? Kulang pa nga yon sa pagod nila, di ba?

Rose Fostanes

 Rose Fostanes---
a new spark
of the Pearl of the Orient
***Melcichon
January 15, 2014

Abu Gid Nga Saeamat, Papa

 

Abu Gid Nga Saeamat, Papa

ni Melcichon

January 16, 2015

 

Abu gid nga saeamat, Papa.

Sa pag-abot mo, tan-awon mo gid it mayad

Kon ro among mga kalye hay bukon it abortion road.

Kon ro LRT o ro amon nga MRT hay bukon it maarte

Kapin pa gid kon nagadueotdutan ro mga pasahero

Ay gulpi eang ron mapundo--may guba kuno nga linya.

Ahay, abaw manaog kuno ro presyo it gasolina

Pero sa pilang adlaw ra pagsaka hay

Mas doble pa sa anang pagpanaog.

Owa kuno it barilan sa kabukiran

Sa pag-abot mo, Papa.

Pero pamatii eang ro linopok.

Ag tan-awon mo kon ro mga pitaka

Sa buesa o sa bag it mga kasimanwa ko

Hay owa gakaeaduea

Samtang gahinueat sa karsada sa pag-agi mo.

Abu gid nga saeamat, Papa

Ay nagbisita ka sa among banwa--

Banwang tadlong gid kuno ra daean.

Ro inagyan ni Bagyo Yolanda ag ni Bag-o Seniang

Hay amat-amat nga nagakapanas eon.

Ag sa pag-abot mo Papa,

Nagkaeaduea ro mga papel sa mga kalye,

Nagkaeaduea ro mga tong-pulis,

Kaibahan eon kuno ro mga pobreng nagapakalimos

Ag ro mga unga nga gapalibot-libot sa karsada.

Igto kuno sanda gintipon sa House of Hope.

Hadumduman ko kon may Dinagyang

Ginahakot man kuno sa Guimaras ro mga matuod nga Ati.

Matadlong eon gid man siguro

Ro amon nga daean.

Ag basi ro mga huya-huya sa amon nga pilapil

Hay magkaeaduea eon gid man.

Ugaling basi pagtaliwan mo, Papa,

Mabalik eon man ro tong-pulis

Sa amon nga karsada.

Mapundo eon man ro mga saeakyan

Sa tunga it mga pedestrian lanes.

Magbalik eon man ro barilan sa kabukiran,

Ro paghaeabuyan it eunang sa kongreso.

Ag basi matiko gid it husto ro atong daean.

Ag madugangan pa gid ro mga baril ag druga

Sa Bilibid Prison.

Abu gid nga saeamat, Papa,

Sa imong pagbisita sa Pilipinas.

Nag-ueogyon ro mga Pilipino

Maski sa lima eang kaadlaw.

Ang Pag-Ibig Ko Sa 'Yo

Ang Pag-Ibig Ko Sa 'Yo

Hindi kasali sa paglubog ng araw ang pag-ibig ko sa 'yo.

Hindi rin ito natabunan ng lupa ng Campostela Valley.

O natangay ito ng agos ng bahang dala ni Bagyong Sendong.

At hindi rin ito ginawang pabaon sa mga nagretirong heneral.

O ginawang Goodbye Philippines noong nakaraang Bagong Taon.

Bagkos, ito'y buhay na buhay.

***

Melcichon

Jan 7, 2012

Revised: Jan 7, 2023

Beyond the Mountains

 

Beyond the Mountains

by Itsong

Jan. 3, 2023

 

I look far beyond the mountains

To see more green leaves

And to look closer at what is beyond the blue skies.

I wish my sunset

To be brighter

So I could touch

And inspire more lives

Before I finally close my eyes.

In Your Heart

In Your Heart 

***Melchor F. Cichon
 

The red roses 

I have been sending you 

Will not wilt 

If only you will keep their fragrance 

In your heart. 

When I return 

Into your arms, 

I shall untangle 

The bitter memories 

That entwine your heart.

In Your Heart

 

In Your Heart

***Melchor F. Cichon

 

The red roses I have been sending to you

Will not wilt

If only you will keep their fragrance

In your heart.

When I return

Into your arms,

I shall untangle

The bitter memories

That entwine your heart.

Saeamat Gid Ginoo

 

Saeamat Gid Ginoo

***Melchor F. Cichon

Oct. 15, 2022

Saeamat gid Ginoo

Sa pagtao Mo't kahigayunan

Nga makaagi ako

Sa rayang kalibutan.

Makaagi ag makapamati

Sa mga huni't mga pispis

Sa kabukiran, sa kaeanasan.

Makaagi ag makakita

It buean, it adlaw

Maski kon amat

Hay ginatabuan ra't maitum nga gae-um.

Makaagi ag mabatyagan

Ko ro kaeamig ag ro kainit

Ku hangin, ku adlaw

Ag ro pagkupkop kang Nanay ag kang Tatay

Ag kang mga unga ag kang asawa.

Saeamat gid Ginoo

Ay ginpaagi Mo ako

Sa kalibutan ngara

Agod mabatyagan ko

Kon ano kasadya

Nga makabulig ako sa pagpatindog

Sa sangkatawong natumba,

Sa pagpaugwad ku literaturang Akeanon,

Agod mabatyagan ko ro katam-is it dugos

Ag ro kaap-eod it apdo't pangabuhi.

Araw ni Bonifacio

Adlaw ni Bonifacio-
ginkupkupan ni Andres Bonifacio
si Emilio Aguinaldo
***Melchor F. Cichon
Nov. 30, 2022

 Araw ni Bonifacio--
niyakap ni Andres Bonifacio
si Emilio Aguinaldo

Bagyo Paeng

Bagyo Paeng--
nagkagunit-gunit eon ro mga dahon it saging
sa siging pagbinayle

***Itsong, Nov. 20, 2022

Pamahaw

 pamahaw--
gasermon ro sangka nanay
sa dalaginding nanang unga

***Itsong, Nov. 20, 2022

 

The Boy Who Wanted to Swallow Santol Seeds

 

The Boy Who Wanted to Swallow Santol Seeds

By

Melchor F. Cichon

October 21, 2020

“Oh, Itsong, why did you come home only now?” inquired his father. “Isn’t it that your classes end at four in the afternoon? It’s already five thirty!”, his father added.

Before Itsong answered him, he first reached his father’s right hand to kiss it.

"God bless you, Anak."

“Tay, we passed by the house of our classmate, Ambeth,” Itsong answered. “They have a big santol tree in their backyard with too many ripe fruits. They are so sweet, Father. We even swallowed the seeds.”

“What! You swallowed the seeds? If these seeds will stock up in your throat, you will be gone forever!” his father warned him.

“Not really, Tay! They just slide down into my throat once I swallow them.”

“OK, go on swallowing more santol seeds! Don’t you know that santol seeds grow in the stomach? When that happens, you won’t be able to move. Santol will tear you into pieces!”

“Really, ‘Tay?”

“Yes! Now, go and change your clothes, then work on your assignments.”

“Yes, Tay.” And he proceeded to his room.

Itsong is Grade Three at Lezo Integrated School, in Lezo, Aklan, about a kilometer away from their house in Sta. Cruz, Lezo. He is the only child of Tatay Jose and Nanay Soriang. His father is a farmer and his mother, a weaver of abaca fiber. She turns these into mosquito nets. The wall of their house, which is along the highway, is made of bamboo and nipa leaves with nipa roofing and split bamboo for the flooring. It’s floor is about five feet above the ground. They use bamboo stairs to go up their house.

On school days, Itsong just walked back and forth to their school, although there were public jeepneys and tricycles in their area. He saved the money being given to him as his fare. He deposited this in his bamboo bank on their wall for his birthday celebration. While reading his science book, Itsong thought of what his father just told him. But he believed that swallowing sandol’s seeds while eating it’s pulp, especially the seeds of the native big santol, is very satisfying.

So on the next day, he and his classmates again passed by the house of Ambeth and they again ate santol. Of course, Itsong again swallowed its seeds. Unfortunately, the last seed that he swallowed stocked up at his throat. He kept on coughing, but the seed would not get out. He got nervous. Ambeth noticed the situation of Itsong. Immediately, Ambeth came to his rescue. He told Itsong to bend his neck, and in just one pound with his fist on Itsong’s nape, the seed came out. Itsong breathed deeply and thanked Ambeth for his help. But Itsong said that if Ambeth will again invite him and his classmates to pass by their house to eat santol, he would still come and eat santol and swallow its seeds.

Five minutes after that, Itsong went home. But before he left, Ambeth jokingly said that they would still eat santol the following day.

“Of course, I will!” Itsong said as he walked on his way home, “And swallow its seeds!”

When Itsong reached home, his father was standing in front of their house.

“Oh, you came home late again, Itsong. Perhaps, you again passed by the house of your friend, Ambeth. And perhaps, they still have some more santol there.”

As usual, Itsong would first kiss his father’s hand before he would say anything to him.

“Yes, Father. Our classmates and I passed by the house of Ambeth and we again ate some santol there. I really love to eat santol. I am just taking this opportunity because we can only eat santol once a year,” Itsong said. He remembered what happened to him earlier.

“OK. Continue eating santol and swallowing its seeds. If that seed will grow in your stomach, that’s the time when you will obey me.”

“That’s not true, Tay!”

“It’s up to you if you will not believe in me. But I have warned you. OK. Go inside now and change your clothes and then work on your assignments.”

“Thank you, Tay.” And he proceeded into his room.

After eating their supper, Itsong felt that something was moving inside his stomach. But he did not mind this. He went back to his room and went to sleep.

Usually, he would wake up at around six thirty in the morning. But this time, he woke up at five in the morning. He felt that something was moving inside his stomach. A few minutes after, he noticed that something was getting out of his right ear. He went in front of his mirror on the wall of his room to see what was coming out of his ear. And he saw that a fresh santol leaf was getting out of his ear. He wanted to call his mother, but another santol leaf was blocking his mouth so he could not say any word. He wanted to cry, but then fresh santol leaves simultaneously came out through his two eyes. Then two other santol leaves sprouted out of his two noses. He wanted to run out of his room, but some hardy roots came out of his anus and penetrated through the floor of his room and penetrated to the ground. He was helpless, so he had to stand still as he felt his body being split out as the tree was steadily growing bigger. He lost his consciousness.

At that time, Itsong’s mother was preparing their breakfast. And since she was through with her cooking, she went out of the kitchen to check Itsong in his room. She was shocked when she noticed that a santol tree was rapidly growing inside Itsong’s room and parts of Itsong’s body had been sliced into pieces. Her mother rapidly ran to her husband who was sleeping in the other room, and nervously informed him of what happened to Itsong. Immediately, Itsong’s father woke up and walked hurriedly at Itsong’s room and found the growing santol tree with some flesh of Itsong on its branches, hanging. By this time, the branches of the santol had penetrated through their rooftop. Itsong’s father just held his own forehead. And said, “I told him so! But he was hard headed!”

Pamahaw

 

pamahaw--

mananam ro humay

nga may kinudkod nga niyog

***Melchor F. Cichon

Oct. 18, 2022

a bell sound

a bell sound--
I'm again back
to myself
***Melchor F. Cichon.
Oct. 17, 2022

Saeamat Gid Ginoo

 

Saeamat Gid Ginoo

***Melchor F. Cichon

Oct. 15, 2022

 

Saeamat gid Ginoo

Sa pagtao Mo't kahigayunan

Nga makaagi ako

Sa rayang kalibutan.

Makaagi ag makapamati

Sa mga huni't mga pispis

Sa kabukiran, sa kaeanasan.

Makaagi ag makakita

It buean, it adlaw

Maski kon amat

Hay ginatabuan ra't maitum nga gae-um.

Makaagi ag mabatyagan

Ko ro kaeamig ag ro kainit

Ku hangin, ku adlaw

Ag ro pagkupkop kang Nanay ag kang Tatay

Ag kang mga unga ag kang asawa.

Saeamat gid Ginoo

Ay ginpaagi Mo ako

Sa kalibutan ngara

Agod mabatyagan ko

Kon ano kasadya

Nga makabulig ako sa pagpatindog

Sa sangkatawong natumba,

Sa pagpaugwad ku literaturang Akeanon,

Agod mabatyagan ko ro katam-is it dugos

Ag ro kaap-eod it apdo't pangabuhi.

Kon Tan-awon Ko si Ambeth

 Kon Tan-awon Ko si Ambeth*
***Melchor F. Cichon
September 9, 1995

Kon tan-awon ko si Ambeth nga naga-arado
Sa gina-agsahan nga eanas,
Ginapanumdom ko ra Nanay sa katre
Nga gahueat it grasya sa eangit.
Gatueok sa bubungan
Kon siin makita ro pilambato nga bituon
Sa magae-umon nga kaeangitan.
Apang ra uyahon ka anang Nanay
Hay masiga paris it daho't saging
Kon silakan sa agahon.

***
This is my other old poem which I discovered in my old notebook.

Galitik Eon Rang Eanas

 

Galitik Eon Rang Eanas*

Melchor F. Cichon

May 30, 1994

 

Galitik eon rang eanas.

Owa eot mahangeab rang anwang.

Owa eon man gapaeapit

Ro mga taeabong

Sa ang eangbon--

Inubos eon sanda't baril ni Juan ag ni Uncle Sam.

Mga onga eon lang

Nanday Tay Omeng ag ni Nong Ulding

Ro gaestorya kakon

Kon kapoy eon sanda

Sa andang pagpaeupad it bulador.

Maski rang apo nga ginbutiti ko

Hasta makatapos sa kolehiyo

Hay owa eon man ngani nakapadaea kakon

It maski putos it sigarilyo.

Ro mais nga gintanum ko

Hay owa eon man mapusli

Ay tag-aeanyon eon ra bunga

Hay ginpanungan man it mga maputing buhok nga eanggam.

Gusto ko man kunta magtanum it paeay

Ugaling owa ako't inugbakae

It krudo ag inugsuhoe sa manug-arado.

Ag ro insektisaid man

Nga owa't eabot nga gapang-uk-ok it kuko

Hay ginpang-ubos man nana ro kuhoe ag ro mga puyo ag pantat

Sa kaeanasan ag sa kasubaan.

Peru indi bale

Mangayo eon lang ako't bulig

Sa teknisyan it gobyerno

Kon ano ro mayad sa problema ko.

Ugaling basi pangayuan man nana ako't eana

Agod makadaeagan ro anang trisikad

Ag owa eon ako't kueouton

Nga ninoy sa akong buesa.

***

*I accidentally discovered this poem in one of my old notebooks. This is dated May 30, 1994.

Rose Llera

 

New Dawn

 

New Dawn

still pushing the sunset

with a sweet smile

***Melchor F. Cichon

Oct. 8, 2022

he says

he says
we can view the moon
even not on your birthday
***Melcichon
Oct 5, 2011

Typhoon Pedring

 

Typhoon Pedring--
where is our father?
where?

***Maeara
Oct. 7, 2011

sa likod it tinaipan

 

sa likod it tinaipan

ro kaeayo

ro kaambong ni Grace...

sa ugsad

sa rosas

***Melcichon

Oct. 7, 2012

sa anang mata

 

sa anang mata
rang reflection
indi makit-an

***Melcichon
October 7, 2012

Your Tears Float

 

your tears float
in my mind beyond
sunset
***Melcichon
Oct. 7, 2013

sunset

 sunset--
I look at the Aklan River
where poetry is born
***Melcichon
October 7, 2015

Pagtunod it ugsad

 

pagtunod it ugsad--

ro katam-is king bibig kabii

malasahan ko pa gihapon

***Melchor F. Cichon

Oct. 4, 2020

Haiku

 

long night has begun

her embrace lasts forever

displayed Christmas trees

***Melchor F. Cichon

October 7, 2022

My Reaction To The Proposed Ordinance for the Creation of the Provincial Council for Culture and the Arts in Aklan

 

My Reaction To The Proposed Ordinance for the Creation of the

Provincial Council for Culture and the Arts in Aklan

by

Melchor F. Cichon
September 28, 2014

UMPIL Awardee

 

Aklan is rich in cultural heritage.

From the recent diggings found in Tigayon Cave, in Tigayon, Kalibo, we can bravely say that Aklan is indeed one of the oldest civilized places in the Philippines.

The presence of the Ati in Aklan and their songs as mentioned by Mr. Alexander De Juan in his write-up will certainly prove that indeed Aklan is one of the oldest civilized places in the Philippines.

The early alphabet that was noted by Fiorella I. Nabor in one of the poems, Hambae Inakeanon, will likewise prove that early civilization had taken place in Aklan. The copy of this poem in its original text is reprinted in my book, The 32 Best Aklanon Poets, 2009.

All these cultural heritage have to be taken care of. Not only taken care of, but have to be preserved and developed so that our future generations will have something to look into. And be a proud Aklanon.

Even before the founding of Akeanon Literary Circle in the early 1980s, our early writers like Roman dela Cruz, Manuel Laserna, Dominador Ilio, etc. have been writing poetry, short stories, essays, dramas.

A literary renaissance took place in the early 1980s when a group of young Aklanon writers like Alexander De Juan, Joeffrey Ricafuente, Pett Candido, Arwena Tamayo, John Barrios, Mila de la Rosa-Ibanez, Edna Romulo Faral, Melchor F. Cichon, and others started writing poetry, short stories, essays, and drama in Aklanon. Some of their works have been published in local, national, and international publications.

Some of them have also won both local and national poetry contests and awards. Mr. Melchor F. Cichon, for example, is the only Aklanon Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL) awardee. Dr. John Barrios and Mr. Cichon are both Cultural Center of the Philippines awardees in short story and poetry writing, respectively.

Among the published books that feature the works of Aklanon writers are Ani Aklanon,1993; 32 Best Aklanon Poets,2009; and Matimgas nga Paeanoblion, edited by Melchor F. Cichon and others.

Mr. Roman dela Cruz published the Five-Language Dictionary, so far the most comprehensive Aklanon dictionary and Mr. Belisarius dela Cruz, translated the first Aklanon translation of the New Testaments.

With the establishment of Akeanon Literary Circle, some poetry workshops have been conducted to help develop the creative writing skills of our young Aklanons. And hundreds of young Aklanons have availed of these workshops.

Many other things can still be done by Aklanons to preserve and develop our cultural heritage.

One of this is the creation of Aklanon Archives and Museum wherein Aklaniana print and non-print materials should be stored, preserved, managed and served to all interested students, researchers, and scholars.

One of the major problems being encountered by the Aklanon writers is the financial support from our government. If only our local government can financially support the holding of more creative writing workshops and poetry contests in Kalibo and in the different towns of Aklan, more and more Aklanons will be encouraged to write poetry and other literary pieces. Soon we will have Aklanon Palanca awardees. And more Aklanon literary works will be included in Philippine literary anthologies.

Another problem that are being encountered by Aklanon writers is the non-standardization of Aklanon spelling especially in the use of u and o, and in the proper use of Aklanon prefixes like nag, mag, etc. The Summer Institute of Linguistics-Philippine Language has proposed a spelling guideline, but this has not been adopted by Aklanon language experts. Part One of The Study of the Aklanon Dialect by Vicente Salas Reyes et al, 1969, also presents guidelines on Aklanon language. On this regards, it’s high time that Aklanon language experts should work together to standardize Aklanon spelling. This also needs government supports.

It is therefore commendable that Mr. Alexander de Juan has proposed the creation of an ordinance creating a Provincial Council for Culture and the Arts in Aklan. I am certain that with the establishment of this Council, our cultural heritage will be given more attention, and it will help boast our tourism industry.

Paskua

 Paskua--
hinakus ako ni Nanay
gahueagok ako
 ***
Itsong
Sept. 25, 2022

Washing Time

 

Indecision

 

Indecision

Melchor F. Cichon

1986

 

The moon keeps on shining bright

After we've called the Beta Way* our own.

But the music of the waterfalls

Seems to have been playing in its half-tune.

I stay an hour before my mirror

Awaiting for your visit.

But once I see you knock on my door,

I feel a negative throb in my soul.

Ecstasy has filled my dreams

Which I have no wish for its end.

But once I feel the rays of sun,

I begin to shrug and sigh.

Wait...Please give me a day or two

To give you my golden

"Yes!"

Or

"No!"

*****

*Beta Way is a road between the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

Children Poetry

 Children Poetry

This is a collection of children poetry which I translated into Aklanon.  Some of the original poems are in English with unknown authors.

I See the Moon

I see the moon,
And the moon sees me;
God bless the moon,
And God bless me.
**Unknown author

Makita ko ro Buean

 Makita ko ro buean,
Ag makita man ako't buean;
Ginbendisyonan it Ginuo ro buean,
Ag ginbendisyonan man ako't Ginuo.
**Translated into Aklanon by Melchor F. Cichon
Sept. 16, 2022

Dear Mother

 

Dear mother, your love is special,

I cannot help but show.

Like flowers in a garden,

Your love makes me grow.

— Author Unknown

 

Mahae Kong Nanay

**Translated into Aklanon by Melchor F. Cichon.

Mahae kong nanay, ring paghigugma hay pinaeabi,

Owa ako't mahimo kundi ipakita.

Pareho't mga bueak sa harden,

Ring pagmahae hay gapabahoe kakon.

 

Go to Bed Late

**Unknown Author

Go to bed late,

Stay very small;

Go to bed early,

Grow very tall.

 

Matueog it Managob

***Translated into Aklanon by Melchor F. Cichon

Matueog it managob,

Magpaputot;

Matueog it temprano,

Magpataas gid.

 

The Man in the Moon

**Unknown Author

 

The man in the moon looked out of the moon,

Looked out of the moon and said,

"Tis time for all children on the earth

To think about getting to bed!"

 

Ro Eaki sa Buean

Translated into Aklanon by Melchor F. Cichon.

 

Ro eaki sa buean nagdungaw,

Nagtan-aw sa guwa it buean and naghambae,

'Oras eon it tanan nga mga unga sa kalibutan

Nga magpiniino nga magkatueog!"

 

 

 

Ro Nagpakuno-kuno nga Uwak

 

Ro Nagpakuno-kuno nga Uwak

Ni Aesop

Gin-Inakeanon ni Melchor F. Cichon

August 25, 2015

 

May sangka uwak nga nakakita it mga nagkaeataktak nga baeahibo it pabo sa eugta. Gintinueok na ra ag nasadyahan imaw sa mga kaeain-eain nga kolor. Ag bangod natak-an eon imaw sa pagkamaitum nga pispis, pinueot na ra it tigsambilog ag gindukot sa anang eawas.

Pagkatapos hay eumopad imaw ag nag-imaw sa mga pabo ag nagpakilaea nga pabo man imaw.

Ugaling kilaea gid it mga pabo ro andang mga kaibahan. Owa magbuhay hay hakilaea gid man imaw nga nagapakuno-kuno man lang imaw nga pabo.

Bangod kara hay ginpanghukas it mga pabo ro magkaeain-eain nga mga baeahibo nga nakadukot sa eawas it uwak. Gintinuka it pabo ro nagapakuno-kuno nga uwak. Sa anang kahadlok hay eumopad eon lang imaw.

Pagbalik it uwak sa anang kaibahan nga mga uwak, owa man imaw ginbaton rito. Ag ginhambaean nga indi nanda kinahangean ro kapareho kana nga owa’t pagmahae sa anang kaugalingon nga eawas.

Mykha D. Cichon

 

Paskwa Eon Man

 

Paskwa Eon Man

ni Itsong

Sept. 14, 2022

 

Paskwa eon man

Ag abo rang madumduman

Kon mag-abot rayang tyempo.

Madumduman ko ro mga hapon

Kon siin kami kaibahan kang mga kabarkada

Nga nagapaeupok it kanyon nga butong.

Kaeueo-oy eang ro mga paka nga ginahimo namon nga bala.

Abo pa kunta nga namok ra andang nakaon.

Ag sa pag-abot it misa de gallo,

Agahon pa ako mabugtaw

Agod makamunot ako sa ang mga magueang

Sa pagsimba sa Simbahan ni San Isidro de Labrador.

Ag sa pag-uli namon sa baeay,

May mainit-init eon nga suman ag kape.

Ag sa pag-abot it Paskwa

Maagto ako sa baeay kang maninoy

Nga may pag-eaum nga makabaton ako't pamaskwa kana.

Ugaling sa pag-abot ko sa andang baeay

Hambaean ako kang maninay

Nga rang maninoy hay may gin-agtunan.

Mauli eon lang ako nga may mabug-at nga siki.

Mayad eang nga rang Lola Juana

Hay indi gid makalipat nga taw-an ako't bakod

Embes nga itangway nana't tuba.

To be a poet

 To be a poet is to be immortal.--Melchor F. Cichon

Jhess Ong

 

tea time

tea time--
pouring our heartaches and headaches
in our cups of tea 

***Melchor F. Cichon
July 5, 2022

gasilak

 gasilak--
gaeagsanay ro mga unga sa uean
sa karsada
***Maeara
July 5, 2022

Ro Belen Kakon ni Nanay

Ro belen kakon ni Nanay,
Kon ako mangasawa,
Pilion ko ro Akeanon.
Owa't eabot nga gwapa, mabinuligon pa.
***Maeara, July 5, 2022

 

 

Ro belen kakon ni Tatay

 

Ro belen kakon ni Tatay...

Kon ako mangasawa

Magbakae ako't air-phone

Agod kon magwinakaea rang asawa

Ro limog ni Céline Dion rang mabatian.

***Maeara

July 3, 2022