Oct 2013
Kapag ang lupa'y nag-alay na ng huling hininga,
Alalahanin mo yaong sayo'y sumamo ng tiwala,
Humimbing ka sa mga nalabing labi ng karumalan,
Ilubog mo ang sarili sa pusod ng kawalan.
Tama kaibigan, ito na nga ang kamatayan.
Death
When the earth has breathed its last,
Remember the people who gained your trust
Then, sleep with the ruins this monstrosity has created
Plunge yourself in deep desolation
Yes my dear friend, this is no longer an illusion.
Alalahanin mo yaong sayo'y sumamo ng tiwala,
Humimbing ka sa mga nalabing labi ng karumalan,
Ilubog mo ang sarili sa pusod ng kawalan.
Tama kaibigan, ito na nga ang kamatayan.
Death
When the earth has breathed its last,
Remember the people who gained your trust
Then, sleep with the ruins this monstrosity has created
Plunge yourself in deep desolation
Yes my dear friend, this is no longer an illusion.
This piece is my Filipino translation of Julie Ann Alfonso Pachoco's English poem entitled "Death." Julie Ann is my former student in the university. She is one of those who survived the enormous threats foisted by traditional praxis of university education in the Philippines. There is an iota of truth in Einstein's words: "The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education."
