𝘗𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘺 (𝘯); 𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺;
𝘴𝘺𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘴: 𝘴𝘭𝘶𝘵, 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳,
𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘮𝘦𝘯'𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘦

I know who I am
Yet I don't mind being contained inside a stereotype
I'd even laugh with them or crack a harder joke,
if that means with you, I'll get to spend more time.
I know that in surprise of my truth, they will all choke.

I know myself
I've sworn with blood I won't throw my heart so far
like a boomerang that mindlessly takes flight.
But I don't mind being inside the comfort of your car,
especially being found with you there late at night.

I know what I want
I chase my dreams daily, men only every two years
And I don't mind the name-calling and naysays
Because what I want can't be bought with tears
and all they'll ever know about me is my name anyway.

I know what I'll get
But if it's you, I'll take what I can and hope I won't need
Even if it feels like looking into those eyes of yours is a crime
Because life before you have been stereotypical indeed
So I don't mind, no I don'tㅡin hundreds of jails I'd merrily do time.

I know what you'll get
And if it's not me, there are always the girls
waiting for you back home
or the ones who anticipates you
wherever you may cross, dock or land
Because I have a feeling life after you
would feel like I've always been alone
But would you mind? If I ask you
to hold me longer and take my hand?

Do we know where we’ll go next or what we'll both get?
If it's not with you and me,
there are thousand other pretty faces and luscious lips...
But can they ever fill the void I've left?
and will I ever stop thinking about what they lack?
Because I have a feeling there's more to this,
I've never missed anyone's hand on my hips...
But would you mind? If I ask you
to give me another night, will you ever come back?

I miss her.
Me in the island.
The me that's carefree,
doesn't care about schedules,
about no rules,
eats healthier, sleeps better,
wears flowers on her hair
instead of carrying burdens in her head,
dances like no one's watching
and sings like no one has ever hurt her,
laughs her heart out
and hugs people and means it.
I miss the person that I was on the island;
she was everything I'm not
or I cannot be at home and in reality.

I miss her and I'm gonna keep missing her...
until I meet her again.

F*ck the postcards and dried mangoes, baby.
The prayers in The Philippines,
The prayers from and by Filipinos,
will be the best souvenir one can ever get.


The Prayers in The Philippines, by the Filipinos
are what has been keeping our islands, vintas and mangroves afloat
and why more new islands have been popping up like moles.
The Prayers in The Philippines, by the Filipinos
are what has been keeping the storms, typhoons and hurricanes all but a joke.
Another one? Bring it on and on and once more.
The Prayers in The Philippines, by the Filipinos
are what has been putting earthquakes and tsunamis to shame.
My grandmothers have been through worse,
what's a little bit of motion and shake?


The Prayers in The Philippines, by the Filipinos
are what has been keeping this country a curse and a miracle;
why we have mountains that we have today,
why and how they're shaped that way.
Despite the chaos of politics, corruption and news of crimes...
Why we have oceans that are bright blue
and how they could make a weary traveler or a desolate native feel brand new.
Despite the familiar dangers and age-old stereotypes...


The Prayers in The Philippines, by the Filipinos
are what has been holding Filipinos together,
be it with each other or to fight through another day for much longer.
The Prayers in The Philippines, by the Filipinos
are what has been keeping this country ever magical and mystical,
even if some days it's harder to feel that way.
The Prayers in The Philippines, by the Filipinos
are the reason why I'm here, why I exist,
why I'm alive and kicking,
full of dreams and spite and hope, writing,
the reason why I'm full of life, full of love
and will keep on living and loving.


I will live and die saying my prayers
in The Philippines,
as a Filipino,
for The Philippines
and for other Filipinos.

Stop.
Don't puff.
See the ocean?
Run and go.
Want to make a new friend?
Put down your phone.
Or do as you please,
but please don't smoke cigarettes in Siargao.
Don't make an irony of your stay
and a fool of yourself here.
Don't disrespect her sweet air,
don't bastardize her fresh breeze.

See the ocean?
Run and go.
Make a friend.
Do what you please.
Breathe in the sweet air.
Feel the kiss of the fresh breeze.
Don't smoke cigarettes in Siargao.

your love in my life shines like rubies,
feeling so sweet like candies,
made me sing soft melodies.

distance may keep us physically apart
but all my fond feelings for you won't depart
because i know i'm always held close to your heart.

since you came, each day has been beautiful;
even mundane days are delightful
because in every second, you make me joyful.

a love like yours is a rare gem
even if we're miles apart, it's not a problem
we'll always be the perfect tandem.

Ngayong ako’y nakakalabas na
Ngayong ako’y nakakagala na
Ngayong ako’y nakakabalik na
Sa mga gawaing dati’y
Di nagagawa
Bakit may lungkot
Kapag naaalala ka
Sana kasama ka
Sana nandito ka
Sana…
Nandito ka pa.

hindi ko alam saan magsisimula
saan pupulutin ang mga naiwang piraso
ng pagkatao ko
naliligaw, nalilito,
parang lalagyang walang laman
lumulutang at walang patutunguhan
sasakyang walang destinasyon
ibong naiwan ng mga kasama nito
nasaan na nga ba ako?
ba't naliligaw pa rin sa mundong 'to?
kakahanap ko sa sarili ko,
bakit di ko pa rin matumbok kung nasaan ako

051022

At sumapit na nga araw ng paghuhusga
Kung saan hindi na pulso ng taumbayan
Ang ating sisiyasatin
Kundi ang puso ng bawat Pilipinong
Sumasambit ng “Mahal ko ang Pilipinas.”

Sabi ng iilan,
“Mahirap raw mahalin ang Pilipinas”
Iniisip ko nga paminsan,
Sapat na nga ba ang pagiging makabayan?

Sapat ba?
Ang panunumpa ng bawat Juan sa watawat
Na ayaw sana nating dungisan
Ngunit tayu-tayo rin ang nagwawasto
Sa paningin nating madayang pagpili
Ng lipunang ating ilang beses nang sinumpaan.

Kung hindi ako naniniwala sa Poong Maykapal,
Ay baka hindi ko rin maititikom ang talas ng aking dila
At walang himpil ding tatalak na walang pinipiling katauhan
Buhat sa makamandag na bugso ng aking damdamin.
At marahil ay sasabihin ko na lamang
Na ito ay isang paraan ng pagtindig para sa saking Bansa
Na may demokratikong pamamalakad.

Ngunit sa kabilang banda’y
Binabaling ko na lamang ang paghuhusga
Sa tunay ngang nasa tronong
Hindi na kailangang luklukin pa.

At naniniwala pa rin akong
Ang pag-asa ay hindi natin maaaring itaya
Sa sarili nating mga palad
Na kalauna’y mapupuno rin ng mga kalyo’t
Babalik din lamang sa alikabok.

Ano pa nga ba ang ating ipinaglalaban?
Sino nga ba ang tunay nating kalaban?
At para kanino nga ba tayo naninindigan?

Baka sa kasisigaw nati’y
Hindi lamang boses ang mawala sa atin,
Maaring nakawin din ang ating mga lakas at oras
Na sana’y ibinabaling natin
Sa pagpapalaganap ng natatanging katotohanang
Buhay ang ating Panginoong Hesus
At ang magandang balita’y
Nakadikit sa kanyang Ngalan.

Sinasabi kasi nating naghihinagpis ang ating mga kababayan
Kaya tayo na lamang ang magsisilbing mga boses para sa kanila.
Minsan nga'y nananatili na tayong hangal
Pagkat sa sariling dunong, doon lamang tayo nakaangkla.
Ngunit hanggang kailan ba matatapos
Ang sinasabi nating pakikibaka para sa mga nasa laylayan?
At ano nga ba ang dulo ng bawat hiningang napapagal na?

Sana hindi tayo tumigil sa paraang alam lamang natin,
Sana mahanap natin ang ating mga sariling
Nananatiling may pananampalataya
Sa Diyos na Syang may lalang sa sanlibutan.

Sana wag na tayong mag-alinlangan pang lumukso
Sa kung saan nga ba tayo pinasusuong ng Maykapal
At sana mahanap natin ang halaga natin
Sa presensya Nyang kayang pumuno ng bawat kakulangan.

At dito na rin ako pansamantalang magtatapos —
Pilipinas, gumising nang may pag-asa
Pagkat hindi natutulog ang ating Diyos!
Pilipinas, mahal kita at mas mamahalin pa
At patuloy kitang ipaglalaban
Hindi gamit ang mga armas
Na syang panukso't patibong ng mundo,
Titindig ako sa kadahilanang hindi lamang ako isang Pilipino —
Titindig ako para kay Hesus na aking pinaniniwalaan!
Salamat Ama, Sa'yo pa rin ang aming Bayan.

I want to open my ports like never before
I want to welcome you into my shores
I spent months bending my trees
I spent weeks without sun or sleep
Until you came, my summer sky
I forgot about the heavy rains of December
I forgot about all the damages from November
I feel like I could even grow mountains
Like I'm brand new
I feel like an unnamed island again
Because of you

My new season
My summer sun
My rebirth
My new earth