Once, We were a Child

Once, we were just a child,

candidly conversing with Mama,

playfully exploring the yard,

reverently adheres to the words of Papa.

Once, we were just a child,

who simply sleep, eat, and play,

unaware of the events around,

defeating the ignorance with what we see.

Once, we were just a child,

delighted to receive even a penny,

no envy, bragging, or blazing up of pride,

living with our life so contently.

But, we were no longer a child,

we learn to dream of prosperity,

seeking more of what we have,

we exist no more just to eat and play.

Wish, we stayed just a child,

free from habits of depravity,

pleased with the things we have,

not anxious of the coming day.

If I Could Write More

Many times I wrote about the rain,
and how it brought the joy and pain.
I also wrote about the deep blue sea,
and how it was ruined by humanity.

Wish I could write more about nature,
so as the stream with water so pure,
and so the fowls flying in flocks,
and the mountains with trees and rocks.

But how could I write the unseen things-
if it only exists within my dreams?
How could I describe it so vividly-
when it was never in my memory?

I want to write about the human life,
of the society and the people’s strife.
Wish I could pen down the things I see,
and make known of the inequality.

Also, wish I could write about love,
that in everyone’s heart it will have.
But how could it becomes a reality-
when everyone is full of animosity?

If only, I have the courage to write,
of what I see whether it’s wrong or right,
of corrupted things and what the people suffer,
so it may be known to those who do not care.

Pangarap

Umpisa sa pagkabata ay natuto

kang mangarap

Nangarap na lumipad at abutin

ang mga ulap

Naging tagapagtanggol ng mga

taong mahihirap

Libre mo itong nalasap dahil

ika’y nangarap

Mangarap ka ng malaki o

kahit na payak

Mangarap ka ng mataas, ng saya,

at ng sarap

Mangarap kang libutin ang mundo

ng walang kahirap-hirap

Subalit, bakit ba hindi ka mangarap ng simple

at madaling malasap?

Libre para sa lahat ang umasam

at mangarap

Bakit ka maglalakad kung maaari

ka namang lumipad?

Bakit hanggang ituktok lang

ng bundok –

Kung kaya mo namang abutin

ang ulap?

Sa pangarap ay maaari kang sumikat

na parang tala

Maging isang prinsesa katulad

ni Cinderella

Maging isang mandirigma na

mahal ng madla

Ah, ang mangarap ay para sa lahat

‘di lang sa mga bata

Lumipas na Kabataan

Sa pagharap mo sa salamin,

Ano’t tila ngayon lang napansin,

Ang pagbabago sa hitsura,

Ang humpak o bagsak na mukha,

Ang malamlam na mga mata.

Ang dahilan ba ay pagod?

O kabataang unti-unti nang inaanod,

Kasabay ng lumalambot na tuhod.

Subalit, hindi ka nag-iisa,

Sa pagbabago na ‘yong nakikita,

Sa mga nararamdaman mo,

Ang lakas na unti-unti’y naglalaho,

Ang paningin na tila lumalabo.

Nasaan na ang buhok na maganda?

Tila kulay ulap o nauubos na,

At wala na’ng kutis na mala-porselana.

Marahil ay may facebook ka,

Buksan mo at iyong makikita,

Mga kababata mo sa inyong bayan,

Mga dating kaklase at kaibigan,

Pansinin mo ang kanilang kaanyuan.

Hindi ba at katulad mo rin sila?

Lumipas na ang dating ganda,

At malapit nang maging lolo at lola.

Ang mundo ay patuloy na umiikot,

Kasabay ng buhay na masalimuot,

Kahapon ang buhay ay ipinunla,

Umusbong, yumabong at sumigla,

Subalit bukas ito ay malalanta.

May pag-aalala ba sa ‘yong isipan?

Sa wari ko ‘yan ay walang katuturan,

Sa pagkat lahat tayo ay may hangganan.

Election Fever (re-post)

There’s a fever approaching,

but some people are rejoicing,
they are now full of vim,
a chance to get what they aim.

Dynasties will come to rise again,
people watch of what will happen,
old and new antics will come into play,
as politicians will engage in mud slay.

Others will join the game,
waving their banner of fame,
new faces will try their fate,
for in this game there is wealth.

Each mouth will utter promises,
the crowd will make some wishes,
will hope that it would be fulfilled,
and words will not scatter in the open field.

Let us be watchful of those tainted mind,
there’s an agenda they'll try to hide,
let us be vigilant of the occurrence,
there lies the future of our children.

In a Trance

In the silence of the night, I hear...

the gentle steps that are coming near.

My heart beats faster as I waited...

for the familiar voice to be heard.

Seconds count, a minute, then an hour...

waited ‘til my spittle comes to sour.

I rushed and opened the timid door...

and saw none but footprints on the floor.

I come after the footprints and search...

saw a man, on a bench he perched.

I look around hoping to see you...

and the man told me where you went to.

Then, I realized I’m in a trance...

and from the corner I see your glance.

You’re in a frame with a simple smile…

darling, you’re gone… not just for a while.

Makamundong Kaligayahan

Minsan, ay nakita ko ang bukas,

Habang mga mata’y nakapikit,

At dinuduyan ng alapaap.

At sa isang lugar ako ay napadpad,

Lugar na kung saan ay naroon ang lahat,

Ang makamundong kaligayahan,

Na sa tuwina ay hinahangad.

Malawak ang ilog at malakas ang agos,

Bawat lumulusong ay nagpapatianod.

Sa lakas ng daloy ay may ilang sumubok,

Na kumampay pabalik at sumalungat sa agos,

Subalit, sila’y nabigo at nilamon ng ilog.

Ako’y nanghilakbot at kapagdaka’y natakot,

Ano’t ang ilog ay tila halimaw na hayok,

O isang hunyango na nagbabalatkayo.

Sa pagmamasid ako’y tila nakalimot,

At natukso na lumusong din sa ilog,

Sa pagdampi ng tubig lamig ay nanuot,

At minsan pa ang diwa ko ay inanod.

Dahil sa lamig na ang dulot ay kiliti,

Paimbabaw na sarap sa kaluluwang uhaw,

Uhaw sa kaligayahan at nais na matighaw.

Sa aking paglingon ay di na matanaw,

Ang pampang na dati ay ayaw mawalay,

Subalit sa anyaya ng ilog na mababaw,

Natukso, biglang kumaripas at nakipagtampisaw.

Ngayon ay batid ko na ang nararamdaman,

Ng mga nagsilusong at biglang umayaw,

Umayaw na umahon at tuluyang naglunoy,

Nagtampisaw sa ilog at sa agos ay nagpatianod,

At tuluyang nakalimutan na sa mundong ibabaw,

Ang kaligayahan ay panandalian lamang.

A Usual Scene

Sometimes I’m thinking loudly,

of the time that I would see,

the people having freedom,

from poverty and boredom.

Countless times that I would think,

of how to break this tight link,

the bondage of grave hunger,

so no one will live in fear.

Fear of facing tomorrow,

and of the days to follow,

then slowly feels the boredom,

in waiting for help to come.

But I think I am a fool,

just like of other people,

for hunger is not fleeting,

but rather a usual scene.

Poverty won’t be unusual,

unless the world unites and shall,                                                  

devise a long term solution,

to rescue every poor nation.

Missing Yesterday

How I missed the days that were gone

When as a kid I only play

Whatever problem, I care none

Looking forward for the next day

I missed the days when I’m in school

Learning new things to feed my brain

Sometimes naïve and being fool

And learns to take success and pain

I missed the days when I was a kid

And during times when I am sick

For mother stays beside my bed

Giving me medicine to take

The yesterday I really missed

For it was when I learned to dream

It was the time that I had wished

That someday I soar and gleam

Those days full of memories

Is now part of my history

Whether there was fun or worries

I’ll always miss my yesterday

Wala Kang Katulad

Hindi tayo magkakilala,

At kailan man ay ‘di nagtagpo,

Ngunit ang ‘yong mga ginawa,

Ay madalas naririnig ko.

Ilang beses nang nakapunta,

Sa Naga na ‘yong teritoryo,

Ang mga taong nakilala,

Bukambibig ang pangalan mo.

Walang narinig na masama,

Kundi mga kabutihan mo,

Ang lugar na ‘yong pinasigla,

Ang turing sa ‘yo ay idolo.

At bago pa man nakapunta,

Du’n sa lugar na nilingap mo,

Ngalan mo ay aking nabasa,

Tampok sa isang artikulo.

At sa pagtapak ko sa Naga,

Ay labis na napagtanto,

Na sadyang karapat-dapat ka,

Sa karangalang bigay sa ‘yo.

Mula noon ay hinangad ko na,

Na sana lahat ng pulitiko,

Ay maglingkod ng tapat sa bansa,

Katulad ng paglilingkod mo.

Ngayon ang bansa ay lumuluha,

Dahil sa biglaang pagpanaw mo,

At lubos ka pang nakilala,

At minahal ng mga tao.

Ang katanungan ngayon ng madla,

Mayro’n pa bang isang katulad mo?

‘Di nasilaw sa kinang ng pera,

‘Di tulad ng ibang pulitiko.

Marahil ay may uusbong pa,

At magpanggap na katulad mo,

Subalit sa puso ng masa,

Iisa lang ang JESSE ROBREDO.

God, Where are You?

God, where are you?

That is what you utter…

when you are down,

when you are in trouble,

when you are petrified.

God, where are you?

The question you ask…

when someone leaves you,

when someone torments you,

when someone condemns you.

God, where are you?

The words you cry out…

when you’re at the end of the road,

when bleakness strikes you,

when darkness surrounds you.

Now, you are in bliss…

your sailing is not rough,

have the wealth that you desire,

you get what you want.

Do you ask where GOD is?

Ganito ang Tao

Noon, ganito ang tao, ganito tayo,

mapagkumbaba at may respeto,

may isang salita at paninindigan,

opinyon ng iba ay iginagalang.

Ang bawat isa ay may delikadesa,

laging maingat sa pananalita.

Mga pangako ay ‘di napapako,

laging matapat at may puso.

Kapakanan ng iba ang inuuna,

maunawain at ‘di mapanghusga.

Hindi mapang-api at ‘di palalo,

at sa mga api laging sumasaklolo.

Ngayon, ganito ang tao, ganito na tayo,

ang mga salita ay akin ‘yan, akin ito.

Kasalanan mo dahil mahirap ka,

wala kang utak kaya’t ika’y magdusa.

Mahirap ka at ako ay mayaman,

masdan mo ang magara kong sasakyan.

Narito ako sa harapan ninyo,

iyan ang wika ng mga pulitiko.

Tayo ay aahon mula sa kahirapan,

magandang bukas ay ating masisilayan.

Kakaway, ngingiti sabay tatalikod,

pangako’y nakalimutan nang matalisod.

Ah…ang tao ay sadyang ganyan,

pagsikad ng panahon ay sinasabayan.

Dahil ang panahon ay nagbabago,

ang malambot na puso ay nagiging bato.

Marumi at baluktot na ang isipan,

kilos ay pansariling kapakanan na lamang.

Life's Nemesis

You run as far as you can,

then hide from everyone.

Now, all that you hear is stillness.

You are running and hiding…

isolating yourself… from whom?

You can’t find the answer,

and all that you can say….

LIFE is not fair… and not easy.

You took the hardest blow…

that made you weak, that made you sick.

Gave love and was hurt.

Been kind but was exploited.

Been faithful but was betrayed.

Now feels like you were all alone,

and all that you can say…

LIFE is not fair… and not easy.

There’s a light you see,

but scare to come out.

There’s a voice you heard,

but you refused to listen.

A hand reaching out for your hand,

but you dare not raise you arm,

and all that you can say…

LIFE is not fair… and not easy.

You blame the world

and everyone else…

but you fail to blame yourself.

Life may not be easy or fair,

and at times you feel the fear.

But not the world is to be blamed,

or be dreadful of anybody,

for within YOU, lies the enemy.

The Green Trees

Green is the color of the trees,

That cover the mountains,

The source of water in the springs,

Of rivers and wells. . .

That was a long time ago.

Green is the color of the trees,

That gives shade in the parks.

Trees that lined-up along the side streets,

Keeping the countryside cool…

That was a long time ago.

Green is the color of the trees,

That bear flowers and fruits.

Trees with its roots and leaves,

That cures the sick…

Where are those trees?

The green trees, now color brown,

Piling-up in the lumber yards, or

Drenched in the rivers by loggers.

Who care only for their pockets…

I still see the trees… or logs?

The mountains are no longer green,

Where are the trees now?

The water in the spring, I taste it.

Not from the trees, but in a bottle…

For trees were no longer there.

History

The pages of time is rending fast

Leaving yesterday a muted past

And though history would stay and speak

And to guide us of which road to take

To a few, it merely means nothing

But a script telling the unseen thing

But, what are we with no yesterday?

Who are we without a history?

Will our life be on a seamless path - or

Dwell in a society with no wrath?

For without history we are blind

So unaware of what lies beyond

Today, others speak of legacy

But, does not respect ones dignity

They are conceited individuals

Who think that they are of good morals

Even though they committed misdeeds

In their minds, they’re sowing the good seeds

History will tell of what we are

And in the past where we had gone far

It’s not we who will speak for ourselves

Or tell someone what we deserve

The future generation will speak

If in the past we were strong or weak

A Strong Heart

As dark as the clouds in the sky, telling

that a heavy rain is about to fall;

a poignant heart is about to burst

and tears would fall while looking at

the shadow fading, swallowed by the dark.

As vague as an object standing

from a distance, of a pale color,

unknown to the viewer; a stranger?

a feeling inside quite hard to explain;

love or hatred? Trying to decipher,

but now and again it exists and contend.

As searing as the heat of the sun in

a summer-sky; the intense heat that 

withers and annihilates the green fields

and the flowers, and thirsting the birds;

a heart that was warm and loving

which becomes weary, now refrains from

sobbing, piling-up some strength.

As odorous as the fragrance of the flowers

that blossom in the month of May;

a new love blooms that gradually

brings a smile to a worn out heart.

As calm as the tranquil sea after

the storm had passed, with the seagulls  

flying or resting upon the peaceful water;

a soul that used to battle against

life and love’s hostilities, now

more composed and vexes no more.

As happy as a child that plays around,

so carefree and frets not of any peril,

for there’s a hand who will catch and

pamper, and caress the battered flesh;

a woman who weathered the storm

of infidelity, now stands strong and

positive, for now there’s a shoulder

to lean on, stronger than before. 

Love sometimes is full of complexities,

at times down and battered, but

a strong heart survives nevertheless.