Taken thee at dawn
Sticking from the trunk
Not leaf of that tree
But sort of a vine
That’s unfamiliar

By Villareal
Wealthy family
In Capiz province
Maybe by worker
Or their gardener

While four boy shower
About 6 AM
Sun has just risen
Sky has just brighten
September Eighteen

Tree infront shower
Also facing pool
Seems like a resort
But mainly for sports
In city’s stadium

A rare adventure
In InterCapSU
By 12 of us from
CapSU-Dumarao
Exhilirating!

-09/21/2014
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Picked thee from rush day
About New Year, hey
So end in fourteenth
Not on leaf thirteenth
Front house “euphorbia”!

To us it belongs
Despite many thorns
Few people out here
Perhaps to drink beer
Elder relatives

Twelfth month – thirty-first
Year’s final outburst
Twenty-Eleven
Has come to an end
Last sunlight ‘bout six

On plant’s row outside
Along the roadside
Leans on bamboo fence
Beside wooden bench
Just in front our house

This year’s Toladas
Arrive at its last
Turning point it is
To next year’s new leaves
Oh Happy New Year!

-12/31/2011
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Picked thee from a shrub
Part of this poem job
Almost forgot thee
‘Til student told me
It’s “morning glory”!

A school property
But not CapSU-D
Also a public
Bigger, more classic
With BEEd 4

Wrote this night after
Our fieldtrip venture
Picked thee morning late
On Feb. Twenty-Eight
At about Twelve noon

Meters from the gate
West Visayas State
University
Next province city
Of Iloilo

TED students my dear
Second to fourth year
There’s no one did bar
Our going afar
On field trip we are!

-02/29/12
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Obtained thee at noon
When lunch was so soon
We step upon it
Toes it can meet
A “carabao grass”

I’m with First Sectors
Four village neighbors
Whose dress were all red
We’re under a shed
All Dumaraonons

First day of August
It’s lunch time almost
Eleven thirty
It was so sunny
While Gov. was speaking

Inside a large tent
Where I sat and bent
Dumarao Central
School Playground Oval
Right side facing stage

Behold Opening
Fiesta happening
A colorful one
Everyone has fun
Rejoice, Dumarao!

-08/01/2013
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Plucked thee while sitting
While Mayor speaking
Unlike the first four
You’re not for décor
Lo! “Carabao Grass”?

CapSU family
And unknown to me
Crowd – far and near
Cluster – there and here
Fiesta spectators

PM August One
Start of feast on town
There’s not enough sun
Not hot, not cold – fine
Mayor gives message

Parade to playground
Crowds and sounds around
Audience view – right side
Itchy grasses side
Kneel and Indian seat

It was eight years past
Since I was there last
Take part Padagyaw
Rejoice Dumarao
Our Lady of Snows!

-08/01/2011
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Got thee at toe high
While newly arrived
Ornamental plant
Small and violet
This one I don’t know!

Owned by academe
UP Visayas
Of town of Miagao
I’m still with students
Who are on field trip

Just been oriented
Then picture-taking
About nine-fifty
Day twenty-seventh
Of month September

At the very front
Of the Oblation
At the New Admin.
Of UP Miagao
A landscaped area

This I must get too
‘Coz it’s a token
From where I was once
Everyday in life
I feel very glad!

-09/27/2013
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Rended thee from herb
Released from thy curb
Curative floral
Sure medicinal
“Kalamantigue”!

Our neighbor nearest
Uncle for me best
Tatay’s next brother
To me godfather
Nice Dudoy Etic

This night near nine, ten
This day – eleven
This month – eleven
This year - eleven
Brown-out, full moon bright

Dudoy Etic’s fence
Outside adjacence
Rare luminescence
Utter silence
Almost front gate’s door

Enroll I finish
MAT English
Salingsing polish
Begin fitness wish
Saw Iglot first last!

-11/11/2011
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Removed thee from twig
That is not so big
If closely observed
It’s stylishly curved
Unfamiliar one!

A Nuk-Nuk owns thee
Not able to see
I am with classmates
Enriching our faiths
We’re with our teachers

From beach I’ve just been
Where sunrise I’ve seen
Beautiful morning
So fresh everything
Ninth day of third month

On Baybay seaside
Domicile beside
On landscape simple
Ad mired by nimble
Adjacent to porch

It’s our Retreat Day
This pretty Sunday
MAT Soc. Sci.
This moment we’re nigh
As Filamerians!

-03/09-10/2014
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Picked thee from root stock
Like a mini rock
That’s rough and dusty
Brown, pungeant, spicy
Wew! It’s “ginger” leaf!

Peasant Garduque
No other than me
Planted by my hands
Arancillo lands
A crop squatter too

First day of last year
I planted it there
The last time I saw
Only few leaves grow
One Twenty-Six Twelve

Carved fish pond paddy
Western side levee
Inside a plant box
Black, loamy soil stocks
Weeds and dirt surround

It’s first time to see
Leaves of crop by me
First time this year
Visit fish pond near
First time write so late!

-02/01/2012
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Taken thee at noon
From a living plant
Ornamental one
With pale green flowers
It’s a “euphorbia”!

By RRCY
A Rehab for Youth
Maybe by lads there
Or an employee
Or social worker

About to enter
Their room for lecture
For orientation
Eleven Twenty
Before the lunch break

On fence of entrance
To the lecture room
Alongwith other
Ornamental plants
It’s in Guimaras

On field trip again
But first time in there
With Crim. 2 students
A new experience
With peculiar pipz!

-04/01/2014
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Obtained thee from up
Just a second gap
For years with a crowd
Holy float enshroud
“San Enchero” leaf

From a man on top
Near the icon’s lap
Devotee clusters
Among churchgoers
Near highschool classmates

It’s a holy day
It is Good Friday
At early evening
After float blessing
Twenty-Ninth of March

About church in front
Diagonal slant
Where people gather
Here banwa proper
One of the last floats

It’s memorable
For I was able
To effortless pick
Now’s so very quick
About one second!

-03/29/2013
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Picked thee from a vine
Name unknown to mine
Hanging on the air
To passersby bare
What plant are you? Tell!

Men on middle age
Girls looking teenage
Those men were standing
The girls were walking
Strangers on the road

Nineteenth November
From class just after
Fine day – sun was high
Filamer bye bye
Was about to climb

Overpass school zone
Traversed all alone
Trellis – on school side
Opposite – trike ride
And novelty store

Sat. class first time me
English MAT
Night – Ante Mily
Came from UAE
Twelfth Leaf memory.

-11/19/2011
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Got thee at breast high
While newly arrived
A flowering plant
But has no odor
It’s a “yellow bell”!

Owned by religious
The Catholic Church
Of town of Miagao
I’m with Vet. Med. II
And BEEd II

Just finished raining
A cloudy morning
About nine-fifteen
Day twenty-seventh
Of month September

Right facing the front
Of quaint Miagao Church
A landscaped area
Near the tall pillar
With yellow flowers

Of course I must get
A leaf from a place
Where I was once part
When I’m in college
Oh how my heart jumps?!

-09/27/2013
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Culled thee from nipa
Little manger roof
We call it “Belen”
By third year students
It’s from a palm tree

My advisory
TED BEEd Three
Don’t know who from them
But it’s one of them
Who got and placed it

Third day January
Third day Twenty Twelve
Third day of the year
Of Water Dragon
About 8 AM

Roof of small manger
Back from one corner
Third years placed it there
With other decors
Character papers

Tolada of kind
The first one unrhymed
Got with two more leaves
Obtained the same day
While Xmas decors unfixed.

-01/03/2012
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Plucked thee on way out
Once again same route
It’s arboreal
It’s fruit national
Leaf from “mango” tree!

CapSU-Main owns thee
Living property
Perhaps long ago
Thin & tall, young though
The tree’s juvenile

Third month and sixth day
While out along way
Sir Ralph had just been
Death cart had just seen
Overheard necro

Left-side corridor
Of the school’s ground floor
Almost near garage
Of front gate’s entrance
Some sort of plant box

Holiday CapSU
Ex. Pres., oh adieu
While funeral mass
Roching Dadivas -
CapSU shall miss you!

-03/06-07/2012
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Obtained thee from branch
Broken from its trunk
Fallen on the land
From a sturdy tree
“Indian Mango” leaf!

Owned by our neighbor
Gabo family
Doministo too
I’m with our neighbors
Watching vestiges

At three-thirty five
Of dark afternoon
Just after the storm
Weaker winds blowing
Fewer rains dropping

In front of the house
Of Dudoy Etic
Other side road
On way to river
From a branch fallen

Great devastation
Brought by a typhoon
A super typhoon
Labelled “Yolanda”
Marked in history!

-11/08/2013
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Plucked thee from low tree
Of rare fruit specie
Here it’s not native
So lucky to live
Wow!...an “apple” tree!

Don’t know thy planter
Maybe the owner
CapSU property
Veterinary
We’re six who saw thee

Wrote this day after
Picked thee from owner
Not so bright sunshine
Noon, February Nine
Year Two Thousand Twelve

Some meters away
National highway
Outside darag fence
Of roosters and hens
Backyard of Vet.Med.

Had picture-taking
Some staff Salingsing
Bea and Ghazee
Jayson and Amy
Ma’am Joy’s with us too!

-02/10/2012
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Got thee from tiny
Six-leaf plant only
It’s ornamental
But not so floral
It’s a “fortune” plant!

Maybe it’s father
Perhaps my mother
Or younger sister
But not me – never
Who cared to plant it

‘Twas here years ago
One, two, three or so
But leaf I picked, hey
Thirty first of May
Twenty eleven

Here inside our house
In living room, browse
On petite vase, lo
With water shallow
Near little Buddhas

‘Coz I must begin
So it’s origin
Of my Tolada
Sunrise of saga
Pinoy poetry!

-05/31 – 06/01/2011
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection…I invented this while I was in my first “hang-over” after bonding with highschool classmates

Got thee while walking
From school outgoing
Sidewalk ornament
Simple arrangement
You, “bougainville”?

It is obviously
A school property
That of CapSU-Main
Was there once again
Mother School – city

Ma’am Gomez called us
Authors – English Plus
To have a review
Changed many or few
July Twenty-Nine

Along the hallway
Assorted away
On the very first floor
Left-side corridor
Stage facing audience

I’ve not expected
4th Leaf’s connected
3rd Leaf’s appendix
Book-making matrix
Now it’s really real!

-07/30/2011
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Taken thee from vine
Stem, fence intertwine
Violet and soft
Not on place aloft
It’s “alugbati”!

Owned by Hapitan
Somehow famous clan
Ma’am Diday is she
By us known to be
Santos her partner

Eaten I just have
Foods that I so love
Afternoon that’s dark
New Year is its mark
Baby’s birthday too

In front of dwelling
Where there’s no ceiling
Climbing cyclone wire
Where there is no mire
Alongside the road

First birthday party
Of child named Arnie
Curly hair this one
To Ma’am Diday son
I’m with Joy, Angie.

-01/01/2014
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Plucked thee from near ground
Sprouts independent
On clayey barren
It’s the **** type one
A pretty wild “fern”!

Basco family
Neighbor but not kin
Are they owning it?
Now that it’s a ****?
Yet on their domain?

January Thirteenth
Friday Twenty Twelve
Old Nong Toging’s wake
Night before burial
Saw some my students

Neighborhood to North
Way to the crossing
Not along the road
Front concrete abode
Beside bamboo fence

Friday the Thirteenth
Last day – Amaya
Hour after watch it
Saw CapSU students
I & some cousins!

-01/13/2012
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Plucked thee from near ground
Outdoor ornament
On Bermuda grass
It’s the plant type one
Decorative “fern”!

By Hachuela clan
Neighbor relative
It belongs to them
Planted by someone
To grace their front yard

January Thirteen
Friday Twenty Twelve
Ante Aclet’s wake
Night before burial
And saw Marvic G.

Neighborhood to South
Way to Codingle
Not along the road
Yellow-painted house
Just in front its porch

Friday the Thirteenth
Last day – Amaya
Hour before watching
Saw CapSU backers
I, Nanay & kin!

-01/13/2012
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Culled thee from a bunch
Of décor for lunch
Pinned on half plant trunk
With flowers in rank
Another “fortune”!

Students & teachers
Servants & masters
Congman. Haresco
Gov. V.A. Tanco
CapSU guests, members

October Fifteen
29th Foundin’
Dumarao’s CapSU
And Gov’s Birthday too
Luncheon at noon

On Tanco Resort
No food was short
Ten long tables
Skirtings on ripples
Drinks here & there too

It is memorial
I hope not final
Almost one year here
First shake hands Gov. dear
Onwards Thirtieth!

-10/15/2011
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Picked thee from clusters
With red-like blisters
Shrub with thousand leaves
Packed flowers it gives
Hey! It’s a “santan”!

The owner of thee
A rich family
Named Araneta
And Hachuela
Dumarao’s elite

Glad birthday to her
Ma’am Inday’s mother
Their clan reunites
Family invites
June One of this year

Beside the stairway
Flowers in array
On box plots planted
To porch surmounted
Abode’s grand entrance

This day’s important
Somehow jubilant
‘Bout thirteen years past
Since I was there last
This one’s second time.

-06/01/2011
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Pulled thee near from earth
A short shoot – new birth
Among the humblest
One of the smallest
Behold!...a “kamia”!

Obtained by father
From bank of river
Whoever planted
Not known by my head
Transplanted and then

Tenth day – September
Twenty-third’s over
About nine morning
Mist sprayed – thought raining
‘Bout nine thirty – wrote

Before – bank river
Now – “takas” – father
There he transplanted
On land adopted
Bless it to prosper

This one is special
Birthday memorial
So far the only
Written so early
While sun not yet gone.

-09/10/2011
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Got thee from water
Sitting position
According to host
It’s a herbal plant
But don’t know this one!

From a rich maiden
In town she’s famous
Ex-SB Member
A lady so fair
She’s Joy Paredes

Fifth day of August
Year Twenty Thirteen
It is a Monday
Local holiday
It’s our Town Fiesta

One of concoctions
Of rare drink to me
With other sliced fruits
First time to take it
Said it’s fat water

Fiesta remembrance
Another rare chance
Still with Joy, Shamie,
Arnold & Almars
Was nice being there!

-08/05/2013
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Detached thee with pain
Mind nearly insane
Staircase ornament
Balanced arrangement
Not know name for long!

CapSU property
Students behind me
Few meters away
Alone on the way
I wearing all-black

Ninth of December
Sky’s not bright up there
About three-thirty
Afternoon empty
No class for awhile

On guest house staircase
Going up right base
Towards the admin
Sir Ladoc goin’
To seek good counsel

This day’s treacherous
Clearly dangerous
Ma’am Juls read Gospel
To my ears a bell
Lost sheep – that is me!

-12/10/2011
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Got thee from small vase
Old décor replace
Host plant of 1st Leaf
Thrown away no grief
Diff’rent “fortune” plant

Planted by father
Installed there after
I was there when placed
A little so fazed
First leaf’s host no more

Third day October
Sunset was nearer
While feeling not well
I’m under cold spell
Drinking I fruit juice

Just inside our house
Living room, oh browse
On vase first leaf was
‘Lil water still has
Buddhas adjacent

Simple day only
Not planned – truthfully
Just went to Passi
Withdrew some money
Wilted 1st Leaf host.

-10/03/2011
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Plucked thee on chest high
As quickly passed by
Big abode’s entrance
A very rare chance
Don’t know what plant thee

Owned by Gonzaga
Also Hallarda
Among the helpful
Dumarao people
Not a far neighbor

Twentieth of March
When it’s early dark
After dinner treat
I was on retreat
Second time in there

Entrance gate inside
Pathway wall beside
House of Gonzaga
Here in the banwa
Way to Codingle

Valedictorian
Bea Gonzaga
Blowout “pahanda”
OLSI Graduation
I Guest Speaker on!

-03/20-21/2012
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Removed thee from tree
It’s sturdy and tall
I think not native
Looks familiar but
Do not know its name

By the Trappist monks
Who live by in there
Or just a planter
Folk or foreigner
Don’t know who planted

About to enter
The souvenir shop
Where we bought some goods
About 3 o’clock
On way to the wharf

Just in front the shop
Selling souvenirs
Foods and rosaries
Decors and softdrinks
A monastery

On field trip again
But first time in there
With Crim. 2 students
A new experience
That I should treasure!

-04/01/2014
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Plucked thee on leg high
Some tombs are nearby
People are mourning
Sunshine is scorching
A kind of “grass fern”

By nature it’s born
So soil to adorn
Planted by no one
Owned by everyone
I’m with some mourners

April Eleven
During internment
It was time of noon
Teacher buried soon
Picked this while standing

On cemetery
Dumarao county
Few metres away
Where Ma’am Zen’s tomb lay
Side sarcophagus

Teacher’s memorial
From her day’s burial
Guidance Counselor
My precious mentor
Ma’am Macalipay.

-04/11/1012
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Torn thee from torn leaf
A long one – not brief
Unlike the first five
This one’s not alive
Don’t know its name too

Décor by first year
On table to cheer
By someone from them
For only one name
BSEd One, lo!

First day of Mid-Term
Their very first sem
Eighteenth of August
While I am their host
For Ma’am Jul’s exam

As said – on table
On vase – with bundle
With flowers – other
Surround them – cluster
It’s one of six leaves

Felt I bit boring
For students taking
Exam not over
I noticed flower
Pre-lunch time stupor.

-08/18/2011
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Got Thee from flower
Yellow in color
Décor funeral
Until for burial
Leaf “chrysantemunm”

Handled by nephew
With some flowers few
For cousin who died
While some people cried
With neighbors and kin

Novem. Twenty-One
So hot was the sun
Three o’clock about
Requiem mass we’re out
While slowly walking

Near the entrance way
Where tombs nearby lay
Dumarao graveyard
Sarcophagus hard
Towards our clan’s graves

Bye Toto Eldie!
No more we see thee
Hope meet you again
There up the heaven
Farewell, my cousin.

-11/21/2012
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Picked thee on head high
With crowd my side by
From batchmates away
To them again, hey
It’s called here “apoy”

A highschool batchmate
Parish affiliate
Rich and religious
Family Venus
Of the Ilawod

Fourth month and sixth day
It’s a Good Friday
After procession
Night lights were turned on
Before the “duaw”

Where people cluster
On banwa proper
Second last caro
Float San Enchero
A Station of Cross

Again with batchmates
Like the former years
Somehow miracle
Rare get-together
The Lord bonds us here!

-04/06/2012
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Pulled thee from a fruit
Tiny from crown’s root
Poses like dagger
Head of its master
Guess – it’s “pineapple”!

Just bought by father
Or maybe mother
Sold by some vendor
Grown by some farmer
For every eater

First Day Twenty Twelve
On this solemn eve
Almost second day
No time for delay
First Sunday near end

Among the thirteen
Fruits midnight dinin’
Tradition they lay
On plastic pink tray
The table center

Imperfect New Year
But somehow it’s dear
Firecrackers zero
Even sparklers no
Yet, full and happy!

-01/01/2012
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Culled thee from new plant
Obvious ‘coz house new
And height still a foot
Though can grow meter
Here it’s called “pasaw”

By Ozaraga
Father – school admin
Mother – professor
Daughter –ex-classmate
They’re seven members

Third day January
This day Twenty Twelve
Third day of the year
Of Water Dragon
About 12 PM

Beside bamboo fence
Outside to open
Along a path walk
Near its native gate
Aligned with same kind

Just there to have lunch
With Ma’am Diday, Angie
Ma’am Beth and others
New Year left-overs
But Anne was not there.

-01/03/2012
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Culled thee from waist height
Quaint ornamental
A type of hard grass
Some Japanese breed
Pretty “dwarf bamboo”

CapSU-Dumarao
Arancillo land
So their property
Their worker planted
It’s a décor there

Third day January
Third day Twenty Twelve
Third Day of the Year
Of Water Dragon
About 4 PM

Eighth bundle of same plant
Row from TED Building
Along the path way
Side where there frat huts
Arrayed in neat line

First TED afternoon
Of this year to home
While alone walking
Under fine sunset
Bye bye for now TED!

-01/03/2012
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Got thee from burial
After funeral
It’s green in color
Not from a flower
It’s a sort of “fern”

Handled by my aunt
With few flowers count
For grandma who’s dead
With white hairs on head
Neighbors and kin with

April Twenty-Two
It is summer too
Two o’clock about
Requiem mass we’re out
While to tomb heading

On middle of way
Where Lola should lay
Dumarao graveyard
Sarcophagus hard
Towards our clan’s graves

Bye Lola Edith!
No more you can sit
Hope to see later
Or maybe sooner
Beloved Lola!

-04/23/2013
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Picked thee from high place
Meters from its base
Now the longest one
Note’s page overspan
It’s a bamboo leaf

Students – sports players
-And stage performers
From InterCapSU
Just said “Bye, bye you”
Towards Home-Sweet-Home

September last day
While bus on delay
Road’s bit so rocky
Blurred air was dusty
Sun has just set

On bus “Marienelle”
Beside window sill
On Sigma somewhere?
A highschool near there
Dumarao coming

Processed Salingsing
Papers to Ma’am Bing
Bought books, inks, CDs
Went to Ma’am Gomez
Somehow busy day.

-09/30 – 10/01/2011
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Obtained thee at end
Of new experience
Brought by masteral
A riverside shrub
It’s mangrove leaf!

Planted by any
Concerned citizen
Perhaps a student
Or a caretaker
Five barangays care

Cloudy afternoon
About two-thirty
Twenty-first day of
September this year
While going away

From Cadimahan
Floating restaurant
That sails on river
Near mouth of the sea
Mangrove plants along

A nice souvenir
From a rare happening
With my Masteral
Classmates and teacher
On a river tour!

-09/22/2013
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Picked thee from grown-up
Now in a small cup
Among leaves of nine
Of a dwarf-sized plant
Here, it’s third “fortune!”

Perhaps a teacher
Or a gardener
A student could be
One who planted thee
TED territory

Twelfth day of this March
Sometime during lunch
While TED preparing
Lit. Day happening
This is second time

Along the pathways
Of Teacher Ed. place
Beside a classroom
Of BEED 2
Planted on a ***

Used as souvenir
For Lit. Day this year
With ***** colorful
Artificial soil
In a ‘lil blue cup.

-03/12-13/2012
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection

Picked thee head level
From bamboo bundle
Beside eight of us
It’s sort of wild grass
Behold this “Chinese Bamboo!”

As Ante Bing said
By them it’s planted
Capuso family
The owner of thee
I’m with 6 batchmates

Twenty-third of June
Sky’s speaking a rune
Nimbus were coming
Was about raining
About 3 PM

Beside a dam deep
Wherein no one should creep
It’s an upland
Metres from farmland
In Aglalana

Tolada active
For month elusive
But need not be tired
If moment inspired
Batchmates rebonding.

-06/23/2012
(Dumarao)
*My Toladas Collection