Poem/song in Tagalog—English translations

Here are two stanzas of a 20-stanza love poem written by Francisco Balagtas (b.1788-d.1862). Find the complete poem and his bio online.

“Magkaisa” (Tagalog for ‘Unite’) is a 1986 Filipino pop song composed by Tito Sotto, sung by Vima Lisa Loberiza and associated with the People Power Revolution of 1986. Poem and song originally written in Tagalog.

TO CELIA—a love poem by Francisco Balagtas (an excerpt)

“… Not rarely now my vagrant grief sits under the mango tree we passed,

and looking at the dainty fruits you wanted picked I forgot my ache/

The whole of me could only be intimate with sighs when you were ill;

for I knew as Eden kept a room for us my hidden heart was heaven still.”

‘MAGKAISA’ (Tagalog for ‘Unite’)

“LET US UNITE” (English translation from Tagalog)

Now it is evident that the world’s suffering/What we need is understanding

Let us give love and compassion to others/We came from only one root

We are all just humans/In the midst of the storm and waves,

Don’t lose hope

It is time (Hope is just around the corner) for Unity (a new morning,

a new day) Even if this (He the Lord loves each of us)

Is all pain and suffering

Let us unite (Hope is just around the corner) And march together

(A new morning a new day) Lets hold hands (He the Lord loves each of us)

In the newly found Hope

Now Hope can be seen/A new day, a new morning/God’s everlasting love,

Keep in mind always/ (Repeat -‘It is time…) (Repeat -‘Let us Unite …)”.

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.