Union

Last night, I attended a wedding reception for a friend. I wasn't able to attend Presto and Aya's wedding and "formal" reception, but the after-wedding party at Balai Obrero (Worker's Home) was just as apt as the ceremony it celebrated.

It was also a reunion of sorts: I got to meet old friends, and recall old faces.

I brought home with me warm feelings of solidarity, Aya's mother's 'ube halaya', and a ripped CD of the newly wed's favorite songs.

Not surprisingly, some of their choices were hits performed in street protests and in the countryside. Inserted between typical mushy fare like America's "All my life", Aiza Seguerra's rendition of "How did you know?", and Aerosmith's "I don't wanna miss a thing" were "Walang hanggang paalam" by Joey Ayala and Buklod's (original artist of Bamboo's revival, "Tatsulok") "Ang ating awit".

What caught my fancy, though -- opening up the floodgates of memory -- were "Sana" and "Rosas ng Digma", written and sung by artists in the people's struggle.

"Sana" (lyrics and a lousy attempt at translation below) tells of a musician's yearning for someone who will be with him in making music and songs for freedom.

Love blooms in the midst of war, in "Rosas ng digma" (lyrics below). Like a rose, beauty blossomed and gave life and meaning to the struggle.

Both songs, while senti(mental -- now called "emo"{tional}), strike chords of recognition and mark a clarion call to the cause, the cause that both Presto and Aya share.

There's a saying, "Love is not merely looking at each other, but looking at the same direction." Presto and Aya not only look at the same path -- they have offered their union (and the fruits it will bear) for that path.

To Presto and Aya-- friends and comrades -- congratulations.

Sana (Hoping)

Isipan ma'y napapagod din
Sa pag-iisip ng mga kataga
Na magsasalarawan ng
Tunay na nadarama ng puso ko

(The mind also gets weary
From thinking of verses
That will convey
The true feelings of my heart)

Ngunit nang ika'y dumating
Ang aking isipa'y biglang sumigla
Ang mga titik at himig
Ay tila di-mapigilang agos ng batis

(But when you came
My sullen mind suddenly went alive
Then the lyrics and music
Seemed to rush like the river's waters)

Sana sa tuwina kapiling kita
Sa paglikha ng mga awit ng paglaya
Sana'y laging kasama kita
Sa pagsasalarawan ng buhay

(I wish to be forever with you
In writing songs of freedom
I hope that we will stay together
In describing life)

Sana sa tuwina kapiling kita
Sa paglikha ng mga awit ng paglaya
Sana'y laging kasama kita
Bigyan natin ng kulay ang buhay

(I wish to be forever with you
In writing songs of freedom
I hope that we will stay together
Let's give color to life)


Dahil mithiin ay iisa
At ang katuparan
Nasa ating pagpapasya

(Because our dreams are one
And their fulfillment
Lies in our hands)

Ang ibig ko lamang
Ay narito ka
Katuwang at kasama sa pagkilos

(All I need
Is you beside me
As friend and comrade in struggle)

Dama ko ang lumbay at saya
Sa saliw ng aking gitarang dala
Hatid ay pag-ibig sa bayan
Na di-kailanman mapapantayan

(I feel both sorrow and gladness
To the tune of my guitar
I bring with it my love for the people,
Love that will never be surpassed)

Sana sa tuwina kapiling kita
Sa paglikha ng mga awit ng paglaya
Sana'y laging kasama kita
Sa pagsasalarawan ng buhay

(I wish to be forever with you
In writing songs of freedom
I hope that we will stay together
In describing life)

Sana sa tuwina kapiling kita
Sa paglikha ng mga awit ng paglaya
Sana'y laging kasama kita
Bigyan natin ng kulay ang buhay

(I wish to be forever with you
In writing songs of freedom
I hope that we will stay together
Let's give color to life)

Sana sa tuwina kapiling kita

(Hoping we will always be together)

Rosas ng digma (Rose of war)

Sumibol sa isang panahong marahas
Bawat pagsubok ay iyong hinarap
At hangga't laya'y di pa nakakamtan
Buhay mo'y aking laan

(Blossoming in a period of strife,
You faced all challenges
And so long as freedom has not been achieved
I offer you my life)

Namumukadkad at puno ng sigla
Tulad mo'y rosas sa hardin ng digma
At di maiwasan sa iyo ay humanga
Ang tulad kong mandirigma

(Blooming and full of life,
You are like a rose in the garden of war
And a warrior like me
Could not help but admire you)

Ako'y nangangarap na ika'y makasama
Taglay ang pangakong iingatan kita
Ang gandang mong nahubog sa piling ng masa
Hinding-hindi kukupas, di malalanta

(I dream of being with you
Promising to cherish you
Your beauty that grew in the midst of the people
Will never fade, will never dry up)

Ang kulay mong angkin, singtingkad ng dugo
Nagbibigay-buhay sa bawat puso
Tinik mo'y sagisag ng tapang at giting
Sa laranga'y kislap ng bituin

(Your color is as bright as blood
That brings life to every heart
Your thorns symbolize courage and valour
In battle, you are the shining star)

Ako'y nangangarap na ika'y makasama
Taglay ang pangakong iingatan kita
Ang gandang mong nahubog sa piling ng masa
Hinding-hindi kukupas, di malalanta

(I dream of being with you
Promising to cherish you
Your beauty that grew in the midst of the people
Will never fade, will never dry up)

Ako'y nangangarap na ika'y makasama
Taglay ang pangakong iingatan kita
Ang gandang mong nahubog sa piling ng masa
Hinding-hindi kukupas, di malalanta

(I dream of being with you
Promising to cherish you
Your beauty that grew in the midst of the people
Will never fade, will never dry up)

Gaya ng pag-ibig na alay ko, sinta

(Like the love I offer you, my dear)