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BAGYONG UGÍS

Oil on Canvas: Eastern Wind, Lina Llaguno

Bagyong Ugís

(Bikol)

 

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          (Sabi kan mga gurang an pinakamakusog daang bagyo

          pig-aapod na Bagyong Ugis ta biyo man nanggad daang

          pipulbos an uran buda minaputi na garing gatas an paros.

          Mala daa ini an paros na nakakabulnot ki pako sa lanob

          buda nakakabari kan ilaw ki flashlight!)*

 

 

Makuring paros na daing padumanan,

Hinapay su natong, pinu’kit su dahon;

Rinaot, winasak su sakuyang daghan.

 

Naghale sa lawod, palaog kadlagan,

Paglugsot sa bulod byong nag-aagrutong;

Makuring paros na daing padumanan

 

Hinampas su gilid ka’ning barisbisan,

Linaog su harong tinuklap su bubong;

Rinaot, winasak su sakuyang daghan.

 

Nagaagrangay su pinulbos na uran,

Sa rapadong gari nagpupurungputong;

Makuring paros na daing padumanan

 

Binari su pakpak kan balinsayawan,

Sinaklot sa papag su aki kong bugtong,

Rinaot, winasak su sakuyang daghan.

 

Agrangay kan mga nasa kariknuman,

Kulog na ano daw an makakabulong;

Makuring paros na daing padumanan,

Rinaot, winasak su sakuyang daghan.

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Bagyong Putî

(Filipino)

 

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           (Bilang paggunita sa Bagyong Reming, isa sa

           pinakamaraming sinalanta sa Albay noong ika-30 ng

           Nobyembre 2006)** 

 

Malupit na hanging walang pakundangan

Hinaplit ang laing, pinunit ang dahon

Winasak ang tangi kong kaligayahan.

 

Nanggaling sa laot tungo’y kakahuyan

Umaatungal pang sa bundok umahon.

Malupit na hanging walang pakundangan

 

Hinampas ang aming yerong balisbisan

Pinasok ang bahay, tinuklap ang bubong

Winasak ang tangi kong kaligayahan.

 

Pumusyaw ang unos sa pulbos na ulan,

Mundo’y nagunaw sa sungit ng panahon 

Malupit na hanging walang pakundangan

 

Binali ang pakpak ng balinsayawan,

Sinaklot ang bunso’t nilunod sa alon.

Winasak ang tangi kong kaligayahan.

 

Ngayon ang sakit ay walang kasairan

Dahil puso’y lunod sa luhang bumalong.

Malupit na hanging walang pakundangan 

Winasak ang tangi kong kaligayahan

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(Translated by the author)

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White Storm 

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Harsh relentless aimless storm

Shred the leaf, flogged the yam, 

Tore into, shattered my bosom.

 

From open sea pierced the forest 

Roared on its mountain ascent;

Harsh relentless aimless storm.

 

Crashing onto iron gutter

Gouged the home, peeled its cover

Tore into, shattered my bosom.

 

The ripping of the powdery deluge,

The fury of the surf’s swell and surge;

Harsh relentless aimless storm. 

 

Split in two the swallow’s wings,

Seized from bamboo bunk my young.

Tore into, shattered my bosom.

 

Those in shadows weep and wail 

For the pain that will not heal.

Harsh relentless aimless storm 

Tore into, shattered my bosom.

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(Translation: Marne Kilates)

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*(The old ones say the strongest typhoon indeed is that called Bagyong Ugis (White Storm) because it "crushes" the rain into white powder and the wind turns white as milk. In fact it is that kind of wind that can pull nails out of boards and can bend the light of an electric torch.)

**(Remembering Typhoon Reming, the most destructive storm that visited Albay on 30 November 2006).)

NOTE:

 

VIllanelle, a gently beautiful poetic form composed of alternately repeating lines and a summation, is used here by Abdon Balde Jr. to describe and recall the most violent typhoon that visited Bicol in recent memory. Poetry works in strange ways. The esthetically and aurally pleasing poem both belies and enhances the intense emotional impact of the subject (the devastating typhoon).

 

A word about the term "bagyong ugis." Because Bicol is on the path of typhoons visiting the Philippines, Bicolano memory is full of terrible images. But even "bagyong ugis" is a rare occurence. It is "ugis" or white (a term for white roosters) because the rain is so dense and the wind is so strong the whole surroundings appear white and one can barely see beyond one's extended hands. ―MK

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by Abdon Balde Jr.
EasternWind.JPG
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