Old school/new school PH poets (a contrast from the 19th century to 21st century)

PH is now the accepted abbreviation for the Republic of the Philippines

Leona Josefa Florentino, b.1849 – d.1884, “was a Filipina poet who wrote in Spanish and Ilocano. She is considered as the mother of Philippine women’s literature serving as “bridge from oral to literary tradition and as a pioneer in Philippine lesbian literature.”—Wikipedia.

BLASTED HOPES

What gladness and what joy are endowed to one who is loved for truly there is one to share all his sufferings and

his pain. My fate is dim my stars are low perhaps nothing

to it can compare, for truly I do not doubt for presently I

suffer so. For even I did love the beauty whom I desired

never do I fully realize that I am worthy of her.

Shall I curse the hour when first I saw the light of day would

it not have been better a thousand times I had died when I

was born. Would I want to explain but my tongue remains

powerless for now I do clearly see to be spurned is my lot.

But would it be my greatest joy to know that it is you I love,

for to you I do vow and a promise I make it’s you alone for

whom I would lay my life.”

A rap excerpt from Ruby Ibarra

PH rapper Ruby Ibarra was born in Tacloban City, PH on Feb. 25,1988 or 1991. (sources differ on the years).

She raps in Tagalog, Waray, and English with raps about her cultural heritage and experiences as an immigrant to the U.S.

She co-founded the Pinay Rising scholarship program for mainly Filipina students in higher education, who are also pursuing visual and performing arts. You can find her on YouTube, Pandora, and Spotify. Here is an excerpt from a 2017 release, circa 1991 US. featuring Ruby, Klassy and Faith Santilla:

HOOK (Klassy)

Island woman rise, walang makakatigil / Brown woman, rise,

alamin ang yung ugat / They got nothin’on us (aye!) Nothin’ on

us (aye!) [repeat that twice] Isang bag sak/

VERSE 1 (Ruby Ibarra)

Yo f… a story arc if it don’t involve no matriarchs /

Our mother work from the ground up, they craftin air like ATR /

With the butterfly sleeves naka Filipiniana,

pag nagsalita mga banat ay bala/

‘Wag magtaka kung ako ay makata bulok na sistema,

korakot sa pera bagsak ! /

But we puttin’ our heart into darkness, they puttin’ these pigs

into office/

Oh you thinkin’ you schoolin’ ? but you hella lost cause you Betsy

Devos while I taught this/

But look at my ate she movin so cold, can’t hold a candle to her

when she glow/

Flick of the wrist with the ilaw she hold, Pandanggo sa ilaw,

she drippin in gold/ …” the rap continues from here.

(A comment. Do you remember Betsy Devos? She was Trump’s cabinet Secretary of Education for four years. Her legacy was a complete horror show for teachers, students, and democracy.)

Joey aka “Pepe Batbon” Connolly is a retired educator who taught in the CNMI, NOLA, and LVNV. He is the Poet Laureate of Tinian and enjoys stargazing.