Full Script of new yorker in Tondo by Marcelino Agana Jr.

Scene 1:

Mrs. M: Visitors, always visitors, nothing but visitors all day long. I'm beginning to feel like a society matron.

Mrs. M: Tony! I thought you were on the province.

Tony: Is that you aling Atang?

Mrs. M: of course. It's I, foolish boy. Why?

Tony: You don' look like Aling Atang.

Mrs. M: I had a hair cut. Think it's horrible?

Tony: Oh, no, no.. You look just wonderful. Aling Atang for a moment, I thought you were Kikay.

Mrs. M: Oh, you are so palikero as ever, Tony. But come in. Here, sit down. How is your mother?

Tony: Poor mother. She is homesick for Tondo. She wants to come back here at once.

Mrs. M: How long have you been away?

Tony: Only 3 months..

Mrs. M: Only 3 months!!! It's too long for a Tondo native to be away from Tondo. My poor kumara. She must be bored out there.

Tony: Well, you know, we engineers are always on call. But as soon as I finish the bridge in Bulacan, we'll be going here in Tondo.

Mrs. M: Yes, must bring her back as soon as possible. We miss her when we play mahjong..

Tony: That is what she misses most of all.

Mrs. M: I understand. Once a Tondo girl always a Tondo girl. I wonder if that's fit my Kikay because after a year in America , she says she's not homesick at all..

Tony: When did Kikay arrive Aling Atang?

Mrs. M: Last Monday.

Tony: I didn't know it 'till I read it in the newspaper.

Mrs. M: That girl only arrived last Monday and look what happened to me! She dragged me to the parlor. My hair was cut, eyebrows shaved, nails manicured. And when I'm going to the market, I used lipstick! All my kumara are laughing. People think I'm a loose woman. Because of my age, but I can't do anything because it's hard to argue with Kikay. And she insists that I should look like an Americana ..

Tony: You look just wonderful, and where is she now?

Mrs. M: Who?

Tony: Kikay? Is she at home?

Mrs. M: She's still sleeping!

Tony: Still sleeping?!

Mrs. M: She says, in New York , people don't wake up until 12:00 noon.

Tony: It's only 10:00 now.

Mrs. M: Besides, she's busy. Since she came home. Welcome parties here and there. Visitors all day long. She's spinning like a top.

Tony: Well, will you tell her I called to welcome her. And kindly give her these flowers.

Mrs. M: But surely you're not going yet?

Tony: I did want to see Kikay. But if she doesn't get up at 12 noon

Mrs. M: Wait a minute. I'll go and wake her up.

Tony: Please don't bother Aling Atang. I can come back some other time.

Mrs. M: Wait right here. She'll simply be delighted to see her childhood friend. The flowers are beautiful, how expensive they must be.

Tony: Oh, they're nothing at all Aling Atang.

Mrs. M: Oh, Tony..

Tony: Yes Aling Atang?

Mrs. M: You mustn't call me "Aling Atang"

Tony: Why not?

Mrs. M: Kikay says that it's more civilized to call me Mrs. Mendoza.

Tony: Yes aling... I mean, Yes, Mrs. Mendoza..

Mrs. M: Wait a minute and I'll call Kikay.

Tony: Huh!!

Mrs. M: Oh! And Tony..

Tony: Yes, Aling.... I mean, Mrs. Mendoza?

Mrs. M: You must not call her Kikay.

Tony: And what shall I call her?

Mrs. M: You must call her Francesca..

Tony: Francisca?

Mrs. M: Not Francisca.. Fran-CES-ca..

Tony: But why Francesca?

Mrs. M: Because in New York , she says that's the way they pronounce he name, it sounds like "chi-chi" so Italian, be sure to call her Francesca and not Kikay.

Tony: Yes, Mrs. Mendoza .

Mrs. M: Now, wait right here while I call Francesca.... AIE DIOSMIO!!!

Tony: Never mind Mrs. Mendoza, I'll answer it.

Mrs. M: Just tell them to wait, Tony.

Scene 2:

Totoy: Tony!

Tony: Totoy!

Totoy: You old son of your father!

Tony: You big carabao!

Totoy: Mayroon ba tayo dyan?

Tony: You ask me that... and you look like a walking goldmine! How many depots have you been looting, huh!!??

Totoy: Hey hey!! More slowly there.. It is you the police are looking for.

Tony: Impossible! I'm a reformed character! Come in Totoy

Totoy: Okay Tony.

Tony: Good to see you old pal.. Here, have a smoke.

Totoy: I thought you were in the province, partner.

Tony: I am. I just came to say hello to Kikay.

Totoy: Tony. I've been hearing the most frightful things about that girl.

Tony: So have I.

Totoy: People say she has gone crazy.

Tony: No, she has only gone New York .

Totoy: What was she doing in New York anyway?

Tony: Oh, studying.

Totoy: Studying what?

Tony: Hair culture and Beauty Science. She got a diploma.

Totoy: Imagine that! Our dear old Kikay!

Tony: Pardon me, she's not Kikay anymore,.. She's Fran-CeS-ca..

Totoy: Fran-CeS-ca??

Tony: Our dear Kikay is now an American.

Totoy: Don't make me laugh! Why I knew that girl when she's still selling rice cakes.. Puto kayo dyan!! Bili na kayo ng puto mga suki!!

Tony: Remember when we pushed her into the canal?

Totoy: She chased us around the streets.

Tony: She was dripping with mud!

Totoy: Naku! How that girl could fight!

Scene 3:

Nena: Why, Totoy?!

Totoy: Nena, my own.

Nena: And Tony, too.. What's all this? A Canto Boy Reunion ?

Totoy: We have come to greet the Lady from New York .

Nena: So have I. Is she at home?

Tony: Aling Atang is trying to wake her up.

Nana: To wake her up?! Is she still sleeping??

Mrs. M: No, she's awake already. She's dressing. Good morning Nena and Totoy.

Mrs. M: Well, Totoy? Nena? Why are you staring me like that?

Nena: Is that you Aling Atang?

Totoy: Good God, it is Aling Atang!

Mrs. M: It's Kikay who prefers it.

Nena: How you used to pinch and pinch me Aling Atang, when I was a li'l girl.

Mrs. M: Because you were all naughty, especially you! Always sneaking into our backyard for mangoes

Totoy: Do you still have that mango tree?

Mrs. M: Yes. Come and help me carry something in the kitchen.

Nena: Aling Atang, don't you prepare anything for us. We're not visitors

Mrs. M: It's only orange juice. I was preparing some for Kikay.


Nena: Well. Tony.

Tony: You shouldn't have come today, Nena.

Nena: Oh, why not?

Tony: I haven't talked with Kikay yet.

Nena: Not yet! I thought you said it last night.

Tony: I lost my nerve.

Nena: Oh Tony, Tony!

Tony: Use your head. Nena it's not easy breaking off his engagement with Kikay
or with the girl for God sake!!

Nena: Are you in love with Kikay or with me?

Tony: Of course with you!! I'm engage with you.

Nena: Yes, and with Kikay. Too!

Tony: That was a year ago! Nena, you know how much I love you.

Nena: How could you ask me if you're still engage with Kikay!

Tony: This is what I get from being honest!

Nena: Honest? Making me fall for you when you're inlove and engaged with Kikay!

Tony: I thought I didn't belong to Kikay anymore. It's only a secret engagement anyway. I proposed to her before she left for America . But when she stopped answering my letters, I considered myself a freeman again.

Nena: And so you proposed to me..

Tony: Yes..

Nena: Then, you tell me to keep it a secret!

Tony: Because I found out that Kikay was coming back.

Nena: I'm tired of being secretly engaged to you!

Tony: Just give me a chance to explain to Kikay. Then we'll tell them.

Nena: Well, you better hurry. I'm getting impatient.

Tony: How can I talk to Kikay?

Nena: Why not?

Tony: Because you're here and also Totoy. I don't wanna jilt Kikay infront of everybody.

Nena: You want Totoy and me to clear out?

Tony: No.. just give me a chance to be alone with Kikay for a moment..

Nena: I'll take care of Totoy..

Tony: That's good..

Nena: Just leave it to me..

Scene 4:

Totoy: Puto kayo dyan.. Bili na kayo..

Mrs. M: Here comes Kikay, But she wants to call her Francesca.

Kikay: Oh hello darling people!! Nena my dear...... But how but you've become.. and Tony, my little pal... how are you? And Totoy... my raishing! You look goodness,, you look like a Tondo Super Production in Technicolor!! But sit-downmumsy!!!
everybody and let me look at you.. Oh

Mrs. M: What's the matter now?

Kikay: How many times I must tell you, never to serve fruit juices in water glasses?

Mrs. M: I couldn't find those tall glasses you brought home.

Kikay: Oh, poor li'l mumsy.. she is so clumsy noh? But never mind, don't break your heart about it. Here sit down.

Mrs. M: No, I must be going to the market.

Kikay: Oh, don't forget my celery. I can't live without it. I' like a rabbit, munch all day.

Mrs. M: Well, if you people will excuse me. Tony, remember me to your mother.

Kikay: And remember, a little bloom on the lips, a little bloom on the cheeks. Say mwah, mwah..

Mrs. M: Do I have to, Kikay?

Kikay: Again mumsy?

Mrs. M: Do I have to paint this old face of mine? Rancesca, what am I going to do with you?

Kikay: But how dreadfully you put it. Oh mumsy, what am I going to do with you?

Mrs. M: I give up!

Kikay: Poor mumsy. How pathetic!

Nena: Tell us about New York .

Tony: How long did you stay there?

Kikay: 10 months, 4 days, 7 hours and 21 minutes.

Totoy: And she's still there.... In her dreams...

Kikay: Yes, I feel as if I was still there, as though I had never left it, as though I lived there all my life. But I look around me and I realized that no, no, I'm not there. I'm not in New York , I'm at home. But which is home for me, this cannot be home because here, my heart aches with homesickness..

Nena: I don't think we ought to be here at all.

Tony: Yes, we shouldn't disturb her.

Totoy: Let's all just walk out very, very quietly.

Nena: And leave her alone with her memories.

Tony: Is that girl we used to go swimming with the mud puddles?

Kikay: Ah, New York , my own dear New York ..

Nena: Totoy, will you come with me..

Totoy: To the ends of the earth!

Nena: No darling, just out to our dear little backyard.

Totoy: Oh, the backyards of Tondo, the barong barongs of Mypaho, the streets of Sibakong..

Nena: Listen Idiot! Are you coming with me or not??

Totoy: Anywhere dream girl, anywhere at all!!

Scene 5:

Kikay: Apparently, out Totoy still has a most terrific crush on Nena. Do wake up, Tony. What are you looking so miserable about?

Tony: Kikay, I don't know how to begin.

Kikay: Just call me Francesca... that's a good beginning.

Tony: There is something I must tell you... something very important.

Kikay: Oh, Tony, can't we just forget all about it?

Tony: Forget??

Kikay: That's the New York way, Tony. Forget, nothing must ever too serious; nothing must drag on too long. Tonight, give all your heart, tomorrow, forget. And when you meet again, smile, shake hands... just good sports..

Tony: What are you talking about?

Kikay: Tony, I was only a child at that time.

Tony: When?

Kikay: When you and I got engaged. I've changed so much since then, Tony.

Tony: That was only a year ago.

Kikay: To me, it seems a century. So much had happened to me. More can happen to you in just one year in New York .

Tony: Listen, I don't want to talk about New York ... I want to talk about our engagement.

Kikay: And that's what we cannot do Tony. Not anymore.

Tony: Why not?

Kikay: Tony, you got engaged to a girl named Kikay. Well, that girl doesn't exist anymore. She's dead. The person you see before you is Francesca. Don't you see, Tony, I'm a stranger to you. I hate to hurt you, but surely you see that there can be no more talk of an engagement between us. Imagine, a New York Girl, marrying a Tondo Boy!!! It's so insane!!

Tony: Now look here..

Kikay: I'm sorry if I've hurt you, Tony.

Tony: I'm not going to sit here and be insulted.

Kikay: Hush! Tony! Hush! Don't shout, don't lose your temper. It's so uncivilized. People in New York don't lose their temper.

Tony: What do you want me to do? Smile, say thank you for slapping my face?

Kikay: Yes, Tony. Be a sport, let's smile and shake hands, and be just friends, huh?

Tony: If you weren't a woman, I'd I'd...

Scene 6:

Totoy: Hold it Tony. You must never, never hit a woman.

Nena: What's all this?

Kikay: Nothing,,, nothing at all..

Totoy: What were you two quarrelling about?

Kikay: We were not quarrelling. Tony and I just decided to be good friends and nothing more

Nena: Tony, is it true?

Tony: Yes!

Nena: Now, we can tell them!

Kikay: Tell us what?

Totoy: What's going on here?

Nena: Tony and I are engaged!!

Kikay: Engaged!!

Totoy: Engaged! Engaged!!

Nena: Yes! We've been secretly engaged for a month!

Kikay: A month!? Why you....you...

Tony: I did try to tell you Kikay, I was trying to tell you...

Kikay: You unspeakable cad!!

Nena: Hey, carefully there!! You're speaking top of my fiancé..

Kikay: He's not your fiancé!

Nena: Oh No!! And why not, huh!!??

Kikay: Because he was still engaged to me when he got engaged to you!

Nena: Well, he's not engaged to you anymore, you just said it yourself.

Kikay: Ah, but I didn't know about all this..

Tony: Now remember, Kikay... it's so uncivilized to lose one's temper, People in New York don't lose their temper.

Kikay: I've never felt so humiliated in all my life!! You beast, I'll teach you!!

Nena: I told you to leave him alone. He's my fiancé!!

Kikay: And I tell you he's not!! He's engaged to me until I release him... and I haven't release him yet.

Nena: You ought to be ashamed of yourself! You're just being a dog in the manger!

Kikay: You ought to be ashamed of yourself! Stealing my man behind my back!

Nena: What? What did you say!!??

Tony: Totoy, pull them apart!

Kikay: You keep out of this or I'll knock your head off!

Totoy: Naku lumabas din ang pagka Tondo!

Nena: Shameless hussy!!

Kikay: Man eater!!

Tony: How dare you suck her??!!

Nena: She hit me first!

Tony: Look what you've done to her!

Nena: Are you trying to defend her? You never defended me!

Tony: Shut up!!

Nena: I hate you! I hate you

Tony: Shut up or I'll bash your mouth off!!

Totoy: Hey, don't you talk to Nena that way.

Tony: You keep out of this!

Nena: He's more of a gentleman than you are. He defends me!

Totoy: You take your hands off her!

Tony: I told you to keep out of this!

Nena: Oh, Totoy, you've save my life

Kikay: Tony! Tony, open you eyes!

Tony: Oh, get away from her!

Nena: Take me away from her!

Totoy: Are you still engaged to him?

Nena: I hate him! I never want to see him again in my life!

Totoy: Good! Come on, and let's go!

Tony: Hey!

Nena: Don't you speak to me, you brute!

Tony: I wasn't talking to you!

Totoy: Don't you speak to me either! You have insulted the woman I love!

Nena: Oh, Totoy, why have you never told me?

Totoy: Well, now you know.

Tony: Congratulations!!!

Nena: Let's go darling; I don't want the smell around here.

Scene 7:

Tony: Now, you've ruined my life! I hope you're satisfied.

Kikay: I.... have ruined your life??? You.... Ruined mine!!

Tony: What you need is a good spanking!

Kikay: Don't you come near me, you,,, you Canto Boy..

Tony: Don't worry, I wouldn't touch you with my ten foot pole.

Kikay: And I wouldn't touch you with my twenty foot pole.

Tony: Just one year in New York and you forgot your old friends.

Kikay: Just one year that I'm in New York ... and what did you do? But when we got engaged, you swore to be true, you promised to wait for me. And I believe you!! Oh, you're a fickle, fickle..

Tony: What are you crying about? Be brave.....forget..... That's the New York way.. Nothing must ever be too serious, nothing must ever drag on too long..

Kikay: Oh Tony Please, please!

Tony: Besides, there could be no more talk of an engagement between us. Imagine a New York Girl, marrying a Tondo boy!!

Kikay: Oh Tony, I've been such a fool.. I'm sorry, Tony..

Tony: Well, I'm not! I'm glad I found out what kind of a person you are!

Kikay: Oh Tony, you're wrong, you're wrong! I'm not that kind of person at all..

Tony: Oh. "person" is just a relative name, huh!?

Kikay: Yes Tony, that was Francesca saying all that. But Francesca exist no more, Tony, the girl standing before you now, is Kikay.

Tony: In that silly dress?

Kikay: Oh this is just a gift wrapping, Tony.

Tony: Well, well, well..

Kikay: It's true Tony. I'm Kikay....remember me??

Tony: If I remember it right, I was right, I was engaged to a girl named Kikay.

Kikay: Yes, and you're still engaged to her Tony!

Tony: Welcome home Kikay!!! How was the trip?

Kikay: Horrible!! I couldn't wait to get back.

Tony: Like it in New York ?

Kikay: Uh-uh! Give me a Tondo anytime!

Tony: Why didn't you answer my letters?

Kikay: Francesca wouldn't let me write, Tony.

Tony: That nasty girl. I'm glad she's dead!

Mrs. M: Frances ....... Oh, Tony, are you still here? Francesca, don't be angry but I couldn't find any celery..

Kikay: Oh, never mind, Inay, I hate celery!

Mrs. M: Hate celery? Why? You said, you couldn't live without it!

Tony: That was Francesca. Aling Atang and Francesca is dead. The girl standing before you is Kikay!

Mrs. M: But Kikay is Francesca..

Kikay: Oh, no, Inay, I'm not Francesca......I'm Kikay!

Mrs. M: I give up!!

Kikay: That tune! What memories it brings back! I first heard it in New York , at Eddie Candon's..

Tony: uh-uh..

Kikay: Sorry darling. May I have this dance with you partner?

Gabi ng isang Piyon:

Gabi ng isang Piyon:
 
Paano ka makakatulog?
Iniwan man ng mga palad mo ang pala,
Martilyo, tubo’t kawad at iba pang kasangkapan,
Alas-singko’y hindi naging hudyat upang
Umibis ang graba’t semento sa iyong hininga.
Sa karimlan mo nga lamang maaaring ihabilin
Ang kirot at silakbo ng iyong himaymay:
Mga lintos, galos, hiwa ng daliri braso’t utak
Kapag binabanig na ang kapirasong playwud,
Mga kusot o supot-semento sa ulilang
Sulok ng gusaling nakatirik.
Binabalisa ka ng paggawa —
(Hindi ka maidlip kahit sagad-buto ang pagod mo)
Dugo’t pawis pang lalangkap
Sa buhangin at sementong hinahalo na kalamnang
Itatapal mo sa bakal na mga tadyang:
Kalansay na nabubuong dambuhala mula
Sa pagdurugo mo bawat saglit; kapalit
Ang kitang di-maipantawid-gutom ng pamilya,
Pag-asam sa bagong kontrata at dalanging paos.
Paano ka matutulog kung sa bawat paghiga mo’y
Unti-unting nilalagom ng bubungang sakdal-tayog
Ang mga bituin? Maaari ka nga lamang
Mag-usisa sa dilim kung bakit di umiibis
Ang graba’t ‘semento sa iyong hininga...
Kung nabubuo sa guniguni mo maya’t maya
Na ikaw ay mistulang bahagi ng iskapold
Na kinabukasa’y babaklasin mo rin.

Essay:

it is very nice that both US and Spanish Colonization have given us contribution to our beloved country..

First is the US Colonization teach us to be educated in all ways.. like before, the US military became our first teacher and teach us to be more fluent in grammar and speaking..  and from now on in our time, we reach the intellect of them because Filipino's is the best..

Second is the Spanish Colonization teach us also to have a faith in God.. and from now on  we treasure yhat kind of lesson..

Indarapatra and Sulayman

Indarapatra and Sulayman

A long, long time ago, Minadanao waa covered with water, and the sea cover all the
lowlands so that nothing could be seen but the mountains jutting from it. There were many people
living in the country and all the highlands were dotted with villages and settlements. For many years
the people prospered, living in peace and contentment. Suddenly there appeared in the land four
horrible monsters which, in short time has devoured every human being they could find.
Kurita, a terrible creature with many limbs, lived partly on the land and partly on sea, but its favorite
haunt was the mountain where the rattan palm grew; and here it brought utter destruction on every
living thing. The second monster, Tarabusaw, an ugly creature in the form of a man, lived on Mt.
Matutum, and far and wide from that place he devoured the people, laying waste the land. The third,
an enormous bird called Pah, was so large that, when on the wing, it covered the sun and brought
darkness to the earth. Its egg was as large as a house. Mt. Bita was its haunt; and there the only
people who escaped its voracity were those whi hid in the mountain caves. The fourth monster was
also a dreadful bird, having seven heads and the power to see in all directions at the same time. Mt.
Gurayan was its home and like the others, it wrought havoc to its region.
So great was the death and destruction caused by these terrible creatures that at length, the news
spread even to the most distant lands - and all nations grieved to hear the sad fate of Mindanao.
Now far across the sea, in the land of the golden sunset, was a city so great that to look at its many
people would injure the eyes of men. When tidings of these great disasters reached this distant city,
the heart of King Indarapatra was filled with compassion, and he called his brother, Sulayman, and
begged hem to save the land of Mindanao from the monsters.
Sulayman listened to the story and as heard it, was moved with pity. "I will go", zeal and enthusiasm
adding to his strenght, "and the land shall be avenged," said he.
King Indarapatra, proud of his brother's courage, gave him a ring and a sword as he wished him
success and safety. Then he placed a young sapling by his window and said to Sulayman "By this
tree I shall know your fate from the hour you depart from here, for if you live, it will live; but if you
die, it will die also."
So Sulayman departed for Mindanao, and he neither waded nor used a boat, but went through the air
and landed on the mountain where the rattan grew. There he stood on the summit and gazed about
on all sides. He looked on the land and the villages, but he could see no living thing. And he was
very sorrowful and cried out: "Alas, how pitiful and dreadful is this devastation."
No sooner had Sulayman uttered those words than thw whole mountain began to move and then
shook. Suddenly out of the ground came the horrible creature Kurita. It sprng at the man and sank
its claws at his flesh. But Sulayman knowing at once that this was the scourage of the land, drew his
sword and cut Kurita to pieces.
Encourage by his first success, Sulayman went on to Mt. Matutum, where conditions were even
worse. As he stood on the heights viewing the great devastation, there was a noise in the forest and
a movement in the trees. With a loud yell, Tarabusaw forth leaped. For the moment they looked at
each other, neither showing any sign of fear. Then Tarabusaw used all his powers to try to devour
Sulayman, who fought back. For a long time, the battle continued, until at last, the monster fell
exhausted to the ground and Sulayman killed him with his sword.
The nest place visited by Sulayman was Mt. Bita. Here havoc was present everywhere, and though
he passed by many homes, he saw that not a single soul was left. As he walked, sudden darkness
fell over the land, startling him. As he looked toward the sky he beheaded a great bird that swooped
upon him. Immediately he struck, and the bird fell dead at his feet; but the wing fell on Sulayman and
he was crushed.
Now at this very time King Indarapatra was sitting at his window, and looking out he saw the little
tree witcher and dry up.
"Alas!" he cried, "my brother is dead" and he wept bitterly.
Then although he was very sad, he was filled with a desire for revenge. Putting on his sword and
belt, he started for Mindanao, in search for his brother.
He, too, traveled through the air with great speed until he came to the mountain where the rattan
grew. There he looked about, awed at the great destruction, and when she saw the bones of Kurita.

He knew that his brother had been there. He went on till he came to Matutum, and when
he saw the bones of Tarabusaw, he knew that this, too, was the work of Sulayman.
Still searching for his brother, he arrived at Mt. Bita, where the dead bird lay on the ground, and
when he lifted the severed wing he beheld the bones of Sulayman with his sword biy his side. His
grief now so overwhelmed Indarapatra that he wept for some time. Upon looking up, he beheld a
small jar of water by his side. This, he knew had been sent from the heaven, and he poured the water
over the bones, and Sulayman, came to life again. They greeted each other and talked animatedly for
great length of time. Sulayman declared that he had not been dead but asleep, and their hearts were
full of joy.
After some time Sulayman returned his distant home, but Indarapatra continued his journey to Mt.
Gurayan where killed the dreadful bird with the seven heads. After these monsters had all been
killed, peace and safety had been restored to the land: Indarapatra began searching everywhere to
see if some of the people who hid in the earth were still alive.
One day, in the course of his search, he caugth sight of a beautiful woman at a distance. When he
hastened toward her she disappeared through a hole in the ground where she stood. Disappointed
and tried, he sat down on a rock to rest when, looking about, he saw near him a pot uncooked rice
with a big fire on the ground in front of it. This revived him and he proceeded to cook the rice. As he
did so, however, he heared someone laugh near by, and turning he beheld an old woman watching
him. As he greeted her, she drew near and talked to him while he ate the rice.
Of all the people in the land, the woman told him, only few were left, and they hid in a cave in the
ground from whence they never ventured to come out. As for herself and her old husband, she went
on, they had hidden in a hollow tree, and this they had never dared to leave until Sulayman killed the
voracious bird Pah.
At Indarapatra's request, the old woman led him to one such cave. There he met the headmen with
his family and some people. They all gathered about the stranger, asking many questions, for this
was the first time they had heard about the death of the monsters. When they found out what
Indarapatra had done for them, the headman gave his daughter to him in marriage, and she proved
to be beauiful girl whom Indarapatra had seen at the mouth of the cave.
Then the people all came out of their hiding places and returned to their homes where they lived in
peace and happiness. And the sea withdrew from the land and gave the lowlands to the people.

Mi último adiós

Mi último adiós ¡Adiós, Patria adorada, región del sol querida, Perla del mar de oriente, nuestro perdido Edén! A darte voy alegre la triste mustia vida, Y fuera más brillante, más fresca, más florida, También por ti la diera, la diera por tu bien. En campos de batalla, luchando con delirio, Otros te dan sus vidas sin dudas, sin pesar; El sitio nada importa, ciprés, laurel o lirio, Cadalso o campo abierto, combate o cruel martirio, Lo mismo es si lo piden la patria y el hogar. Yo muero cuando veo que el cielo se colora Y al fin anuncia el día tras lóbrego capuz; si grana necesitas para teñir tu aurora, Vierte la sangre mía, derrámala en buen hora Y dórela un reflejo de su naciente luz. Mis sueños cuando apenas muchacho adolescente, Mis sueños cuando joven ya lleno de vigor, Fueron el verte un día, joya del mar de oriente, Secos los negros ojos, alta la tersa frente, Sin ceño, sin arrugas, sin manchas de rubor Ensueño de mi vida, mi ardiente vivo anhelo, ¡Salud te grita el alma que pronto va a partir! ¡Salud! Ah, que es hermoso caer por darte vuelo, Morir por darte vida, morir bajo tu cielo, Y en tu encantada tierra la eternidad dormir. Si sobre mi sepulcro vieres brotar un día Entre la espesa yerba sencilla, humilde flor, Acércala a tus labios y besa al alma mía, Y sienta yo en mi frente bajo la tumba fría, De tu ternura el soplo, de tu hálito el calor. Deja a la luna verme con luz tranquila y suave, Deja que el alba envíe su resplandor fugaz, Deja gemir al viento con su murmullo grave, Y si desciende y posa sobre mi cruz un ave, Deja que el ave entone su cántico de paz. Deja que el sol, ardiendo, las lluvias evapore Y al cielo tornen puras, con mi clamor en pos; Deja que un ser amigo mi fin temprano llore Y en las serenas tardes cuando por mí alguien ore, ¡Ora también, oh Patria, por mi descanso a Dios! Ora por todos cuantos murieron sin ventura, Por cuantos padecieron tormentos sin igual, Por nuestras pobres madres que gimen su amargura; Por huérfanos y viudas, por presos en tortura Y ora por ti que veas tu redención final. Y cuando en noche oscura se envuelva el cementerio Y solos sólo muertos queden velando allí, No turbes su reposo, no turbes el misterio, Tal vez acordes oigas de cítara o salterio, Soy yo, querida Patria, yo que te canto a ti. Y cuando ya mi tumba de todos olvidada No tenga cruz ni piedra que marquen su lugar, Deja que la are el hombre, la esparza con la azada, Y mis cenizas, antes que vuelvan a la nada, El polvo de tu alfombra que vayan a formar. Entonces nada importa me pongas en olvido. Tu atmósfera, tu espacio, tus valles cruzaré. Vibrante y limpia nota seré para tu oído, Aroma, luz, colores, rumor, canto, gemido, Constante repitiendo la esencia de mi fe. Mi patria idolatrada, dolor de mis dolores, Querida Filipinas, oye el postrer adiós. Ahí te dejo todo, mis padres, mis amores. Voy donde no hay esclavos, verdugos ni opresores, Donde la fe no mata, donde el que reina es Dios. Adiós, padres y hermanos, trozos del alma mía, Amigos de la infancia en el perdido hogar, Dad gracias que descanso del fatigoso día; Adiós, dulce extranjera, mi amiga, mi alegría, Adiós, queridos seres, morir es descansar. José Rizal, 1896

My Last Farewell Farewell, beloved Country, treasured region of the sun, Pearl of the sea of the Orient, our lost Eden! To you eagerly I surrender this sad and gloomy life; And were it brighter, fresher, more florid, Even then I’d give it to you, for your sake alone. In fields of battle, deliriously fighting, Others give you their lives, without doubt, without regret; The place matters not: where there’s cypress, laurel or lily, On a plank or open field, in combat or cruel martyrdom, It’s all the same if the home or country asks. I die when I see the sky has unfurled its colors And at last after a cloak of darkness announces the day; If you need scarlet to tint your dawn, Shed my blood, pour it as the moment comes, And may it be gilded by a reflection of the heaven’s newly-born light. My dreams, when scarcely an adolescent, My dreams, when a young man already full of life, Were to see you one day, jewel of the sea of the Orient, Dry those eyes of black, that forehead high, Without frown, without wrinkles, without stains of shame. My lifelong dream, my deep burning desire, This soul that will soon depart cries out: Salud! To your health! Oh how beautiful to fall to give you flight, To die to give you life, to die under your sky, And in your enchanted land eternally sleep. If upon my grave one day you see appear, Amidst the dense grass, a simple humble flower, Place it near your lips and my soul you’ll kiss, And on my brow may I feel, under the cold tomb, The gentle blow of your tenderness, the warmth of your breath. Let the moon see me in a soft and tranquil light, Let the dawn send its fleeting radiance, Let the wind moan with its low murmur, And should a bird descend and rest on my cross, Let it sing its canticle of peace. Let the burning sun evaporate the rains, And with my clamor behind, towards the sky may they turn pure; Let a friend mourn my early demise, And in the serene afternoons, when someone prays for me, O Country, pray to God also for my rest! Pray for all the unfortunate ones who died, For all who suffered torments unequaled, For our poor mothers who in their grief and bitterness cry, For orphans and widows, for prisoners in torture, And for yourself pray that your final redemption you’ll see. And when the cemetery is enveloped in dark night, And there, alone, only those who have gone remain in vigil, Disturb not their rest, nor the mystery, And should you hear chords from a zither or psaltery, It is I, beloved Country, singing to you. And when my grave, then by all forgotten, has not a cross nor stone to mark its place, Let men plow and with a spade scatter it, And before my ashes return to nothing, May they be the dust that carpets your fields. Then nothing matters, cast me in oblivion. Your atmosphere, your space and valleys I’ll cross. I will be a vibrant and clear note to your ears, Aroma, light, colors, murmur, moan, and song, Constantly repeating the essence of my faith. My idolized country, sorrow of my sorrows, Beloved Filipinas, hear my last good-bye. There I leave you all, my parents, my loves. I’ll go where there are no slaves, hangmen nor oppressors, Where faith doesn’t kill, where the one who reigns is God. Goodbye, dear parents, brother and sisters, fragments of my soul, Childhood friends in the home now lost, Give thanks that I rest from this wearisome day; Goodbye, sweet foreigner, my friend, my joy; Farewell, loved ones, to die is to rest. José Rizal, 1896

Folk Tales

The Hawk and the Hen

A hawk flying about in the sky one day decided that he would like to marry a hen whom he often saw on earth. He flew down and searched until he found her, and then asked her to become his wife. She at once gave her consent on the condition that he would wait until she could grow wings like his, so that she might also fly high. The hawk agreed to this and flew away, after giving her a ring as an engagement preesent and telling her to take good care of it.

The hen was very proud of the ring and placed it around her neck. The next day, however, she met the cock who looked at her astonishment and said:

"Where did you get that ring? Do you not know that you promised to be my wife? You must not wear the ring of anybody else. Throw it away."

And the hen threw away the beautiful ring.

Not long after this the hawk came down bringing beautiful feathers to dress the hen. When she saw him coming she was frightened and ran to hide behind the door, but the hawk called to her to come and see the beautiful dress he had brought her.

The hen came out, and the hawk at once saw that the ring was gone.

"Where is the ring I gave you?" he asked. "Why do you not wear it?"

The hen was frightened and ashamed to tell the truth so she answered:

"Oh, sir, yesterday when I was walking in the garden, I met a large snake and he frightened me so that I ran as fast as I could to the house. Then I missed the ring and I searched everywhere but could not find it."

The hawk looked sharply at the hen, and he knew that she was deceiving him. The he said to her:

"I did not believe that you could behave so badly. When you have found the ring I will come down again and make you my wife. But as punishment for breaking your promise, you must always scratch the ground to look for the ring. And every chicken of yours that I find, I shall snatch away."

Then he flew away, and ever since all the hens throughout the wolrd have been scratching to find the hawk's ring.

Epic

Bagobo Epic Poetry:

The Bagobo tribe has an epic hero named Tuwaang. He was a brave and strong warrior with various powers. In one story, he rode a lightning to the land of Pinanggayungan and later, met the maiden of the Buhong Sky who was running away from the young man of Pangumanon: A giant with great vigor. Tuwaang and the giant fought but it was an even match. So the giant used his magical powers and threw a flaming bar at the hero. Entwining itself at Tuwaang, our hero escaped this ordeal and used his own magical ability to call the wind to fan the flames and let the giant be engulfed by the flames.