Exquisite Waray Poems
The Waray people can boast of poems that may rival those of the Tagalogs, Cebuanos and Hiligaynon. Why do I say this? The answer is simple – I’m a Waray!
So, you still doubt my judgment…and you need some proof?
Let the exquisite Waray poems which were set to music speak for themselves. Then tell me what you think when you’re done reading.
One of these is a love song our great grandparents have probably sung as theme songs with their sweethearts. Just like the cool songs you love to sing today, this was a favorite. Just as you’re singing Taylor Swift’s love songs “Crazier” and “You Belong with Me” they sang this for their secret ” loves”.
Kon Harapit Na An Adlaw Matunod
(When the Sun Is About to Set)
Folksong attributed to Agustin El O’Mora
and Leonor Almeria
Kon harapit na an adlaw matunod
Ngan ha imo hirayo ako
Naputok an kakulba ha dughan
Ngan kamingaw asay gud dako.
Pagtikang han panuro han tun-og
Mga bukad ngan dahon paghumog
Inin luha, daw burabod,
Waray hunong hin pagtubod.
Ginhingyap ka han inagi nga adlaw
Ug an himaya nga hingpit gayud.
Labi kon upod ka han pagtan-aw
Han kapusak han mga balud.
Kondi inabut ako hin kakulba
Ug an kamingaw namara-para
Kay kon tingali an ak pagla-um
Bangin daw la nim kawangon.
Sanglit han pagsalidsid han mapawa nga adlaw
Higtaas nga bukid luub hin kasilaw
Paghuni han gangis upud an kamingaw
Duyog an pagtangis gindumdom ko ikaw
The first two stanzas translate:
When the sun is about to set
And we are far apart
My heart beats with longing and anguish
And I miss you, oh so much!
When the draught of night makes me shiver
And the flowers and leaves are, by dewdrops, kissed
The tears, like the ever-flowing spring
Keeps on coming and never ends.
The song expresses the anguish and loneliness lovers suffer when they are far apart. We can relate to the song, in one way or another, because we all have people we love.
When we love somebody we want to be with him or her. Being apart is simple torture. That sweet torture of not seeing the face of a beloved and not hearing his or her voice tears at the heart of this lover.
I feel so blessed to be living in this day and age. I am in Pampanga right now and my loved ones are in Leyte, but bridging the distance between us is not that big a problem anymore. I am spared from such agony which the lover in the song suffered.
The boons which technology has brought me somehow lessens the pain of separation. I can call and text them. We can even chat so we see each other on screen. However, nothing compares with having them by my side and I still long for their presence. The feeling of loneliness still engulfs me especially when the sun is about to set .
Another beautiful Waray poem that I love is this:
LIMUKON UG PUNAY
May duha nga tamsi, Kay an mga tamsi
Kay sugad hit puthaw’ |
The Pigeon and the Dove
Two birds, the pigeon and the dove, breeding the purest love, no flirtation showed, though deeply moved, reading their feelings only in their looks and glances
because birds have no words, no language, no metaphors but they know about love and stay true to a promise once given.
Like metal to magnet drawn, their desire is to stay close in each other’s embrace, and thus together weave a nest they will defend to the end with their life. –Translation by Merlie M. Alunan |
Galing ng Waray! Filipino diversity at work…
Thank you, !
Especially for the english translations, beautiful poems
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karuyag ko ini nga imo website maupay po hiya..I love the poetry.. possible po ba nga maghimo ka or could you write sayings or quotes in waray..just a bit of nice words for the children.. we can’t find any suitable waray sayings for them..it would be very useful for teachers especially now that mother tongue is given big emphasis on the new curriculum.. thank you po..