12.31.2005

Masaganang Bagong Taon

uploaded by cathcath.com,
uploaded by cathcath.com,uploaded by cathcath.com

The Loves of Rizal-Josephine Bracken

Josephine Bracken






Jose Rizal met Josephine Bracken in Dapitan in 1895. She was an eighteen year old Irish girl with blue eyes and brown hair.She came from Hongkong together with her foster father, George Taufer and a 40-year old lady from Macau (Francesca Spencer). The 63-year old blind American widower and machinist from New York City sought the help of Rizal for his eye problem.
Due to his boredom and loneliness in Dapita, Rizal must have fallen in love with the foreigner.

Rizal asked Josephine to marry him. Josephine did not decide yet not until George Taufer left for Hongkong since his eye problem was untreatable. Josephine came back from Hong Kong and stayed with Rizal's family.

Upon her return to Dapitan, Rizal tried to get the permission of the Church
thru Father Antonio Obach to marry her.

However, the priest wanted a retraction as a precondition before marrying them. Rizal upon the advice of his family and friends and with Josephine’s consent took her as his wife even without the Church blessings. Josephine later give birth prematurely to a stillborn baby.

Dr. Rizal's sister named the baby, Francisco in honor of their father. Josephine, on the other hand, preferred the name Peter for her son. The baby was buried somewhere in the Gazebo (Glorieta), the favorite working place of Dr. Rizal, which was part of the improvements he made in Dapitan.

Josephine and Rizal were with Fr. Victor Balaguer, S.J. as the officiating priest. This was at 5:30 a.m. on December 30, 1896, about two hours before he was shot at Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park).

After the execution of Rizal, Josephine joined Paciano and Trinidad Rizal (her brother- and sister-in-law, the latter a Katipunera and a Mason)to join the Katipuneros.

She was billeted at the Tejeros estate house which she converted into a field hospital for the revolutionists. Together with the women of San Francisco de Malabon, Josephine took care of the sick and wounded Filipino soldiers from the battlefields.

She acted as the morale booster of the soldiers while making day and night rounds of the sick at the hospital. Josephine Bracken was an actual witness to the Tejeros convention of March 22, 1897.

On December 15, 1898, Josephine Bracken remarried, this time to another Filipino, Vicente Abad, a businessman whom she met in Hong Kong. They came back to the Philippines where Josephine taught English in a school where the future president of the Philippines, Sergio Osmena was one of her famous students.

In her second marriage, Josephine had a child named Dolores (nicknamed Pichay). Some of the Abads, all mestizos, claimed that Pichay was not a daughter of Vicente but of Dr. Rizal.

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12.30.2005

Jose Rizal's Loves- Segunda Katigbak


Segunda Katigbak




Segunda or Segundina Katigbak was the first girl mentioned in Jose Rizal's
biography as his first love. It was described as puppy love
to this short girl who was already engaged to be married to
Manuel Luz, Rizal's townmate.


,,,

12.29.2005

Huring Paaram- Last Farewell in Bicol dialect

Bicol Translation of Last Farewell

Bicol: Huring Paaram


Ni Dr. Jose P. Rizal
Sinurat sa Bicol ni Jose T. Figueroa

Paaram saimo banuang minamahal, dagang pinaorog nin astro nin aldao,
Perlang magayonon, mutia sa sirangan, maguinhauang Eden, ica babayaan.
Aco mapa-gadan ta saimo I-alay buhay cong mamondo asin malipongao,
Cun cuta na maogma, masarig, mabansay, lalo cong idolot ngani cang ma-buhay.

Sa campong labanan minaagap dacol, buhay hinahatod daing orong-orong,
Di na iniisip cun anong aabton, lango an cabagay cun momoninongon.
Dustang bibitayan, cetro o corona, madaog, manaog, magsaquit, mag ogma,
An gabos na ini ranya sa sainda cun iyo an hagad can satuyang banua.

Can aco sadang pa, culang pa nin boot, caso dacula na sangcap na nin cosog,
Ica, iyo sana sa isip an laog, ica daing iba an pinngangatorog.
¡Daing hanap cundi, oh, mutia nin dagat! An luha sa mata obos na mahoblas,
Angog mong magayon ma-panong liuanag, sa puso ma-hale an tacot, an ngirhat.

Aco magagadan oras nin pag-sinag sa licod nin diclom, aldao nin libertad,
Cun hanap mo, banua, dugo mag-uarasac, uya an dugo co minsan anong oras.
I-uasac mong biyo, di mo pagnyanongan, cun mataong curay sa aldao na iyan,
Tara sacong laom dugo co uarasan, gayon nin banaag na bagong somirang.

Banuang dayaday co na pagñatorogan, mau-ot cong bolanos sa bilog cong buhay,
Ma-buhay ca banua! Iyo an agrangay caining ma-hale, saimo ma-suhay.
Ma-buhay ca! Oh, labilabing gayon, na aco ma-pucan, ica an bomangon,
Ica an ma-buhay, aco an gadanon, asin an bangcay co sa lindong mo ilobong.

Cun sa linobongan co sa hodian na aldao, sa tahao nin doot igua nin somongao,
Macumbabang burac saca mo matanao, hadoque ta iayn ancalag cong tunay.
Hadoque ta nganing sacong ma-matean sa tahao nin lipot nin sacong linobongan,
Masangayang init nin saimong hangao asin an managum na simong pagmahal.

Hare pag-olanga liuanag nin bulan, can boot somongco sa sacong linobongan,
Aldao pabayae oras nin pagsirang cun i-alay saco an saiyang bangrao.
Di mo pag-pogolon tomangis an doros, an gamgam tomogdon sa sacuyang cruz,
Gamgam togotan mo na an pagcamoroot ipag-roquiao nia sa maogmang tigñog.

Pabayae an aldao sa cosog nin init, oran na ma-holog ibalic sa langit
Na day nang ati, lobos nang matubis, ta caiba caiyan sacong hinanaquit.
Pabayae an gabos na sacong catood magnangag-tangis sinda caining pag-talicod,
Cun iguang ma-mibi sa sacong panongod, hagada man, banua, murauay co sa Dios.

Hagada sa lagñit an camoninogñan can manga gadan na simo an dahelan,
Can magña aqui mong nasa bilangoan, ipaquemaherac an caguinhauaan.
Asin magña inang sa luha nalamos, balo patin ilo tagob nin pag-tios,
Sa gabos caini hagadang padagos hanap mong libertad ma-camtan mo tolos.

Cun sa labing diclom nin banguing lipotoc, ma-para sa mata an linobongan gabos
Na day na cundi gadan an magtanod, moninong galange, hero mo i-ontoc.
Herote nin marhay an camoninongan, misterio nin Bangui di mo pag-ribocan,
Cun maca-dagñog ca tigñog na ano man, aco iyan, banua, simo nagroroquiao.

Cun an linobongan co lingao na nin gabos, day na nin tanda, day na minsan cruz,
Arado togote asin an asadol, ronoton, i-uasac dagang minaosbol .
Asin an abo ngapit can sacuyang bangcay, cun manga ronot na gabos sagcod tolang,
Bago mapa-balic sa day nin saysay, sa simong alfombra maguin alpog lamang.

Cun siring day na sa saco nin haros na aco lingawan, paraon padagos,
Sa panganoron mo, patag patin bolod di co oontocan sinda nin paglibot.
Sa ogong, sa bac-ho, sa pag-aagrangay, sa manga pag-auit asin sa pag-roquiao,
Saimong pagdangog tingog cong malinao, ta tingog mo aco sagcod noarin man.

Ma-saro sa curay, sa bangrao ma-salac, ma-iaba sa amio nin gabos na burac,
Sa pagolit-olit, sa puso mo i-bogtac dalisay cong pag-tobod na di mapa-hamac.
Inang Filipinas, saquit nin saquit co, huri cong paaram gñonian acoon mo,
Ama patin ina iualat co saimo, sagcod pa an gabos na minamahal co.

Aco ma-paduman sa dagang mapalad, na daing oripon, verdugo, o palpal,
An pag-tobod day iquina-gagadan, haros ta an Dios sana an nag-hahade duman.
Paaram ina co, ama, magña tugang, buhay nin buhay co, saco nag-ataman,
Paghale cong ini pag-pasalamatan ta iyong ma-tapos manga casaquitan.

Paaram, oh!
Agom na nagherot saco, taga ibang daga ranga caining puso,
Paaram sa gabos, di camo mag-mondo ta an cagadanon iyong pag-hingalo.

Note: Some words with gn have to be revised.


,,

Jose Rizal's untitled poem

A Poem that has no title
by Jose Rizal


To my Creator I sing
Who did soothe me in my great loss;
To the Merciful and Kind
Who in my troubles gave me repose.

Thou with that pow'r of thine
Said: Live! And with life myself I found;
And shelter gave me thou
And a soul impelled to the good
Like a compass whose point to the North is bound.

Thou did make me descend
From honorable home and respectable stock,
And a homeland thou gavest me
Without limit, fair and rich
Though fortune and prudence it does lack.



,,,

12.28.2005

Huling Paalam (German)

Jose Rizal's Last Farewell translated in German language

"Mein Letztes Lebewohl"

"Ãœbersetzung Pablo Lazlo"

Leb wohl, geliebte Heimat, der Sonne Kind so süß,
Perle des Orientes, verlorenes Paradies.
Ich gebe dir mit Freuden das trübe, welke Leben;
Und wenn es schöner wäre, voll Glück und Glanz und Ehre,
Auch dann hätt' ich's gegeben, zu dienen dir gegeben.

Auf den Schlachtfeldern kämpfend, begeistert, verwegen,
Ohne Zaudern manch andrer dir opfert das Leben,
Was kümmert der Ort uns, die Lorber der Lilien,
Ob am Galgen, am Felde, im Kampf, in Martyrien,
Unser Heim und die Heimat zu befreien wir streben.

Ich sterbe wenn schon durch die düsteren Wolken
Mit strahlendem Glanze das Morgenrot bricht;
Und brauchst du mehr Purpur um es röter zu färben,
So nehme mein Herzblut, wenn es netzt mich im Sterben,
Daß es vergolde das neue, erstehende Licht.

Mein Traum schon als kleiner, halbwüchsiger Knabe,
Und mein Traum als ins Jünglingsalter ich kam,
War einst dich zu sehen, Juwel östlicher Meere,
Mit trockenen Augen und die Stirne, die hehre,
Ohne Falten, erhoben, ohne Röte der Scham.

Mein sehnlich Verlangen, oh Traum meines Lebens,
Glückauf! ruft die seel, die von hinnen muß stürmen,
Glückauf! oh wie schön ist's nicth zu sterben vergebens,
Für dein Leben zu sterben, unter deinen Gestirnen,
Die in deiner schönen Erde ewig mich beschirmen.

Und hast eines Tages du auf meinem Grabe
Im wuchernden Grase ein Blümlein gefunden,
Heb' es an die Lippen und küß' meine Seele,
Daß der zärtliche Hauch diener Liebe beseele
Meine Stirne im freudlosen Grabe dort unten.

Laß' das Mondlicht mir scheinen so süß und so lind,
Und laß' daß der Morgen in Flammen mir glüht,
Laß' mit traurigem Seufzer mich umwehen den Wind,
Und das Vöglein, bevor es fortfliegt geschwind,
Sing auf meinem Kreuze ein friedliches Lied.

Laß die strahlende Sonne auftrocknen den Regen,
Rein mit meinem Flehen kehr' zum Himmel er zurück,
Laß' jemand beweinen meinen verfrühten Tod,
Bete auch du, Vaterland, für mein Heil zu Gott.

Oh bete für alle die glücklos verschieden,
Für alle die furchtbare Qualen erlitten,
Für die seufzenden Mütter, deren Herz ohne Frieden,
Für die Witwer und Waisen, denen Foltern beschieden,
Und die eigne Erlösung sollst betend du bitten.

Wenn die Schatten des Abends den Friedhof verhüllen,
Und nur die Toten dort lauschen in einsamer Nacht,
Stör' nicht ihr Geheimnis, ihre Ruh' wenn die stillen
Lüfte Gitarren und Zithern erfüllen,
Ich bin es, Vaterland, der singend, dir wacht.

Und wenn dann mein Grab schon vergessen von allen,
Das Kreuz und der Grabstein vermodert, verfallen,
Laß den Spaten des Landmanns verstreuen die Erde,
Und bevor meine Asche ins Nicht wiederkehre
Zum Staub deines blühenden Teppichs sie werde.

Dann magst du mich vergessen, dann ist es mir schon gleich,
Ich durchzieh' deine Täler, deine Luft, deine Gründe,
Als Ton rein und ehern tön ich durch deine Gründe,
Als Seufzer, Licht und Farbe, Gesang und Duft so reich,
Den Kern meines Glaubens stets neu ich verkünde.

Angebetene Heimat, Schmerz meiner Schmerzen,
Geliebte Philippinen, hör' mein letztes Lebwohl,
Dir laß ich alles; die Eltern, die Liebe im Herzen,
Geh' ins Land ohne Sklaven, Tyrannen und Henker,
Wo der Glaube nicht tötet, wo Gott ist der Lenker.

Lebt wohl Eltern, Geschwister, Blut von meinen Blut,
Freunde meiner Kindheit im heim verloren nun,
Gebt Dank, daß ich raste nach des Tags Müh und Glut,
Leb wohl, süße Fremde, meine Freunde, mein Gut,
Lebt wohl, geliebte Wesen, lebt wohl, sterben ist ruhn.

Back to Now What, Cat?

,,

12.22.2005

Ang Parabula ng Mga Bulag at ang Elepante

Ang Parabula ng Mga Bulag at ang Elepante
Tagalog version.
Si Buddha ay nagkuwento:

Minsan ay may isang raha (hari) na anyayahan ang mga taong ipinanganak na bulag at ipakita sa kanila ang isang elepante.

Sinunod ito ng kaniyang katulong. Sa isang bulag ay pinahawakan niya ang ulo ng elepante, sa isa naman ay ang tainga, sa isa ay ang mahabang ilong, ang isa ay ang isa sa mga sungay nito sa nguso; sa isa pa ulit
ay ang katawan, habang ang isa ay paa, sa isa pang bulag ay ang likod at sa iba pang bulag ay ang buntot at ang dulo ng buntot.

Pagkatapos nang lahat ay nagkarron ng pagkakataon upang mahawakan ang elepante, tinanong ni Buddha kung ano sa palagay nila ang elepante.

Ang humawak ng ulo ay nagsabi na ito ay isang kalderong lutuan.
Ang humawak ng tainga ay nagsabi na ito ay isang bilao.
Ang humawak ng sungay ay nagsabi na ito raw ay talim sa pang-araro.
Ang humawak ng mahabang ilong nito ay nagsabing ito ay ang pangararo.
Ang humawak ng katawan ay sinabing ito ay imbakan ng inani.
Ang humawak ng paa ay sinabing ito ay poste.
Ang humawak ng likod ay sinabing ito ay bayuhan.
Ang humawak ng buntot ay sinabing ito ay pambayo.
Ang humawak ng dulo ng bunto ay sinabing ito ay panglinis.

Dahil sa bawa't isa ay gumigiit ng kanilang paniniwala, di kalaunan,
sila ay nag-aaway-away.

Ang leksiyon sa parabula. Ang bawa't nagtuturo ay may iba'ibang
paniniwala ayon sa kanilang iniisip na tama kahit sila ay tulad sa
mga bulag na pinaniwalaan lang ang kanilang nahahawakan.

English version.


The Buddha told a story, "Once upon a time there was a certain raja who called to his servant and said, 'Come, good fellow, go and gather together in one place all the men of Savatthi who were born blind... and show them an elephant.' 'Very good, sire,' replied the servant, and he did as he was told. He said to the blind men assembled there, 'Here is an elephant,' and to one man he presented the head of the elephant, to another its ears, to another a tusk, to another the trunk, the foot, back, tail, and tuft of the tail, saying to each one that that was the elephant.

"When the blind men had felt the elephant, the raja went to each of them and said to each, 'Well, blind man, have you seen the elephant? Tell me, what sort of thing is an elephant?'

"Thereupon the men who were presented with the head answered, 'Sire, an elephant is like a pot.' And the men who had observed the ear replied, 'An elephant is like a winnowing basket.' Those who had been presented with a tusk said it was a ploughshare. Those who knew only the trunk said it was a plough; others said the body was a grainery; the foot, a pillar; the back, a mortar; the tail, a pestle, the tuft of the tail, a brush.

"Then they began to quarrel, shouting, 'Yes it is!' 'No, it is not!' 'An elephant is not that!' 'Yes, it's like that!' and so on, till they came to blows over the matter.

"Brethren, the raja was delighted with the scene.

"Just so are these preachers and scholars holding various views blind and unseeing.... In their ignorance they are by nature quarrelsome, wrangling, and disputatious, each maintaining reality is thus and thus."

Back to Mga Bugtong at Parabula.

12.21.2005

A FILIPINO OF FAITH

A FILIPINO OF FAITH
BY THE WAY By Max V. Soliven

The Philippine Star 12/19/2005


We keep on paying lip service to the catchword, "Faith in the Filipino." In this Christmas season of hope – and also sadness – this faith and confidence in ourselves too often falls short of being justified.

However, here’s one story which I must tell.

This incident took place last Thursday in the late afternoon. I was rushing home in my car, an X-5, from my last meeting in Makati Рalready far behind schedule, since my next appointment, after a change of clothes, was in Malaca̱ang. My vehicle broke down in the mounting rush-hour traffic on the Paseo de Roxas, not far from the corner of Buendia. There I was, frantically trying to hail a cab in vain while the avenue was crawled alongside, almost gridlocked. My desperation must have been all over my face. I had fruitlessly attempted calling my Stargate office on Ayala Avenue, then my associates and friends nearby. I needed a car badly to rescue me from the corner where I had been stranded. But nobody could be contacted.

Then a white Chevrolet Ventura pulled up to the curb. The young man at the wheel leaned over, his window rolled down, and asked: "Can I help you, sir?"

I blurted out, "Yes – my car over there broke down. I must get home in a hurry! Can you bring me somewhere where I can find a taxicab?"

The fellow smiled and said: "Hop in, Sir I will drive you home."

I scrambled aboard, thankful to the kind stranger, and God – and for my good fortune. In retrospect, I wonder why it had never occurred to me he might be an armed hold-up man. I guess it was the disarming nature of his smile, his earnest approach. Yet now could anyone be so generous as to stop in the middle of traffic, then offer a total stranger a ride all the way to his home? He hadn’t even asked how far away I lived; he’d made the offer without hesitation.

When we were underway, I asked to shake his hand and asked for his name, "My name is Alex," he simply said. ‘I’m Max," I replied, then fished in my pocket and offered him my card. He peered at it, then exclaimed: "Wow. It’s an honor! I read you every day!"

"Now. Alex, you owe me your card in return." I said.

Stopped at a light, he took out his wallet, got one and politely handed it to me. It read: Alexander L. Lacson, above which was his firm’s title: "Malcolm Law", underneath that, "A Professional Partnership." By golly, I had been rescued by a lawyer.

There you are. Somehow, when faith in the Filipino wavers, a Filipino comes along to restore your faith. Restore it? So surprise you with his kindness and generosity. This is an experience – and a shining gesture – I’ll never forget.
* * *
I finally told Alex I was headed for Greenhills. He grinned. "By coincidence, since I’m taking you there, my destination happens to lie not far away – I’m headed for Wack-Wack subdivision to give a talk at a Christmas party."

"Why?" I exclaimed. "In addition to being a lawyer, are you also a preacher?"

He smiled even more merrily and explained that he had written a little book. It was on the car seat beside him, and I picked it up. It was entitled: "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country."

Alex had his little volume (108 pages) published earlier this year by the Alay Pinoy Publishing House in Quezon City, and it had sold out in its first printing within three weeks. The second and third printings were about to sell out, too.

No, he wasn’t selling it through any bookshop, the biggest book shop (unnamed here) wanted too big a portion of its possible earnings, but I told them I wanted the proceeds to go to a scholarship foundation for the needy."

So, Lacson has been selling his book out of his office and out of his home.

The dedication of the slim tome reveals his sincerity. It says: "To my Creator, who has blessed me with so much, and to my Country, which yearns for love from its people."

As we drove up EDSA, Alex said: "I read your mother’s book, ‘A Woman So Valiant,’ too – and I loved it!"

Can you beat that?

My mama had written that book of hers in longhand, on yellow pad paper not long before she died at the age of 81 on October 16, 1990 – and belatedly, we had published it last year. Astoundingly, it had been a runaway bestseller, without publicity, and had sold out in the National Bookstores.

My sister, Mrs. Mercy S. David messaged me when she arrived from New York that the Japanese were now planning to transcribe the autobiography into Japanese and publish it in Tokyo, as a chronicle of what happened to a Filipino family in the war years (and during Japanese military occupation). The proposed Japanese title, "A Valiant Mother and Her Nine Children."

But that’s another story, far removed from today’s inspiring tale about Alex Lacson’s Christian spirit and generosity. One thing Alex said demonstrated he had really read Mom’s book. He remarked that the thing he vividly remembered in Mama’s memoirs was that, in spite of our poverty, she had determined: "I don’t want my children to feel poor." Thus, one of us or two of us in turn had been taken by her, on her meager earnings as a seamstress, to eat at a good restaurant. The "classy" restaurant of the time, Alex recalled from its mention in mama’s book, was The Aristocrat. How lives intersect in this spinning world.

To get to the end of the "rescue" saga, Alex Lacson drove me to my home in Greenhills, and I noticed he never broke a traffic rule. I was tempted, in my selfish agitation to get home and get my tuxedo for the State dinner in the Palace, then dash over to Malacañang, to cut corners, such as push into the opposite lane when stuck not far from the Buchanan Gate, in order to sneak into the Gate. But Lacson calmly awaited his turn in traffic . Obey the law and obey the rules were obviously the bedrock of his "12 Things" credo.

In any event, getting to Malacañang in the end was only the bonus. Meeting someone like Alex Lacson was the real miracle .
* * *
Alexander Ledesma Lacson, it turned out, modest as he was in bearing, was a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law, 1996, and took up graduate studies at the Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Mass. (Good old Harvard Yard, by gosh). His wife, Pia Peña – it turned out even more amazingly – is the daughter of an old friend, Teddy Peña from Palawan! She, too, is a lawyer – U.P. 1993 – a legal counsel for Citibank. They established a foundation together to help underprivileged children through school, and are now subsidizing 27 young scholars in different public schools in Alex’s native Negros Occidental.

The reason Alex had been headed for Wack-Wack was the fact that the officers and employees of a company named Resins Inc., after buying 1,000 copies of his book had invited him to give the "homily" at their Christmas party. This was not a small group – the company had 600 employees, waiting for his "word" that night.

Alex, it struck me from our conversation, is an eloquent and devout Catholic. He believes God must have destined our people for some great role – why, in all history, he reasoned, were we Filipinos the "only Christian nation in Asia?" One thing is certain: He and his wife Pia practice their Christianity – and live it.

Four years ago, he and his wife had a serious discussion about migrating to the US or Canada because the Philippines, as a country appeared hopeless since things only got worse year after year. They wanted to know if their children (they have three, one boy and two girls) would be better off staying in our country or abroad in the next 20 years.

Pia and Alex had asked themselves the question: "Is there hope for the Philippines to progress in the next 20 years?"

They reasoned: If the answer is Yes, then they would stay. If it was No, they would leave and relocate abroad while they were still young and energetic. There were long discussions. One day, the realization, Alex recalls, struck them: the answer to that question was in themselves. The country would improve, Pia and Alex finally understood, if they and every other Filipino did something about it. Leaving the Philippines was not the solution. As Lacson put it in his book: "The answer is in us as a people; that hope is in us as a people."
* * *
When I read the book afterwards, I discovered that many important people had endorsed it.

But these encomiums are not needed. Alex laughed when I quipped that he must be one of the wealthy Lacsons from Negros Occidental, like my classmates and schoolmates in the Ateneo. He cheerfully, and proudly, said that he was "a poor Lacson." His mother, he pointed out, had been a public school teacher in Cabangcalan.

No, he’s not poor – his richness are in his friends, and in the heart.

Here are, in outline, his 12 commandments:

1) Follow traffic rules. Follow the law.

2) Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt.

3) Don’t buy smuggled goods. Buy local. Buy Filipino. (Or, if you read the book, he suggests: 50-50).

4) When you talk to others, especially foreigners speak positively about us and our country.

5) Respect your traffic officer, policeman and soldier.

6) Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve.

7) Support your church.

8) During elections, do your solemn duty.

9) Pay your employees well.

10) Pay your taxes.

11) Adopt a scholar or a poor child.

12) Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and love our country.

These are the 12 things every Filipino can do to help our country. At first blush, they seem simple. When you study them more closely, they are difficult to do. But all of us, together can do them.

12.12.2005

Tagalog Christmas Song -Ang bango ng pasko-OPM

Ang bango ng pasko
by Sarah Geronimo

Lyrics and Music by : Mike Villegas/Chi Datu

uploaded by cathcath.com


uploaded by cathcath.com



Ang bango ng pasko
Ay walang katumbas
Parang lumang pagbati
Na di kumukupas
Parang bagong damit
Kay linis kay puti
Hindi pa nakaranas
Ng mantsa at dumi

Ang bango ng pasko
Regalong hatid
Ang ihip ng pag-asa
Tuwing disyembre
Ang bango ng pasko
Langhapin ang sarap
Magkasama ang pamilya
Walang katumbas

...ang bango ng pasko ay walang katumbas...

Ang bango ng pasko
Ay walang sing saya
Tamis ng halakhakan
Sa biyayang dala
Ang bango ng pasko
Ay walang sing sarap
Simoy ng pag-ibig at pagkaka-isa...

Ang bango ng pasko
Biyayang hatid
Ang ihip ng pag-asa tuwing disyembre
Ang bango ng pasko
Langhapin ang sarap
Magkasamang pamily
Walang katumbas
Ang bango ng pasko

...sana lahat makatanggap...



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Tagalog Christmas Song - SA PASKONG DARATING (with chords)


SA PASKONG DARATING
(with chords)


uploaded by cathcath.com


INTRO: A---

D,D/C# Bm-A
Sa Paskong darating

Am/C B Em
Santa Klaus n'yoy ako rin

Em-Em+M7 Em-A-
Pagkat kayong lahat

E A
Ay naging masunurin.

D,D/C# Bm-A
Dadalhan ko kayo

Am/C B Em
Ng mansanas at ubas

G D
May kendi at tsokolate

A D-C#
Peras, kastanyas na marami.

F#m C#
Sa araw ng Pasko

F#m
Huwag kang malulumbay

A E
Ipagdiwang ang araw

A
Habang nabubuhay.

(Repeat 1st Stanza except last 2 lines)

Em-A D-Bm
Pagkat kayong lahat

A D
Ay mahal sa akin

(Repeat Intro)
(Repeat All)
(Repeat 1st Stanza except last 2 lines)

Pagkat kayong lahat
Ay naging masunurin


Coda:

Em-A D-Bm
Pagkat kayong lahat

A D-
Ay mahal sa akin.








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12.11.2005

Tagalog Christmas Song -PASKONG ANONG SAYA (with chords)

PASKONG ANONG SAYA (With chords)





INTRO: C-Dm-C-Dm

C
Bati nami'y Merry Christmas

Dm
At bagong taong sagana
Pasko ay pandiwang

C
Pang-araw na dakila
Dapat tayong manatili

F
Sa buhay na mapayapa

Fm C
Upang lumigayang tunay

Dm G C
Ang ating Inang Bansa.

(Do Chords of 1st Stanza)
Merry Christmas, Merry, Merry Christmas
Paskong anong saya
Happy New Year, Happy, Happy New Year,
Bagong taong sigla
At kung kayo'y lumigaya
Pagdating ng Christmas
Kayo'y makakaasang kami'y magagalak.

(Repeat the 2nd Stanza)

Ad lib: C-Dm-C

(Repeat the last 3 lines of the 2nd Stanza)
(Repeat all)
(Repeat the 2nd Stanza)


Coda:
C-
Merry Christmas (3x)




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Tagalog Christmas Song-PASKO NA NAMAN (with chords)


PASKO NA NAMAN (with chords)







INTRO: Gm/D, Gm-Cm-D-Cm-D/
Bb-D/A
Gm
Pasko na naman
D
O kay tulin ng araw
Paskong nagdaan
Gm
Tila ba kung kailn lang
Ngayon ay Pasko
G Cm
Dapat pasalamatan
Gm/D
Ngayon ay Pasko
D G
Tayo ay mag-awitan
G
Pasko, (Pasko), Pasko (Pasko)
G/B
Pasko na namang muli
Tanging araw
G
Na ating pinakamimithi
G
Pasko, (Pasko), Pasko (Pasko)
G G/B C
Pasko na naman muli
G/B C-D G
Ang pag-ibig naghahari.
(Repeat All)
(Repeat 2nd Stanza)
ADLIB: (Do Intro Chords)
( chords of 1st Stanza)
(Repeat 2nd Stanza 2x)


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Tagalog Christmas Song- HIMIG NG PASKO (with chords)

HIMIG ng PASKO (with chords)





uploaded by cathcath.com


INTRO: C-C-Em7-Dm-G-C-G/D,G

C F C
Malamig ang simoy ng hangin

G/B
Kaysaya ng bawat damdamin

C F C
Ang tibok ng puso sa dibdib

G
Para bang hulog na nang langit

G/B C
Himig Pasko'y laganap

G/B
Mayrong sigla ang lahat

D G
Wala ang kalungkutan

D G
Lubos ang kasayahan

( Chords Of 1st Stanza)
Himig ng Pasko'y umiiral
Sa loob ng bawat tahanan
Masaya ang mga tanawin
May awit ng simoy ng hangin

(Repeat 2nd Stanza)
(Repeat Last Stanza)

AD LIB: C-F-C-
G/B-C-

CODA:

C F C
Ang tibok ng puso sa dibdib

G C-F-Em7-Dm-G-CM9
Para bang hulog na ng langit.






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12.10.2005

Tagalog Christmas Song- NAKARAANG PASKO (with chords)


NAKARAANG PASKO (with chords)





INTRO: D---

(Oh-hoh-oh-hoh...)

D (Dsus) D
Naglalakbay ang aking isip

(A/C#)-Bm7 A GM7
Hanap ka ng 'yong sintang

F#m7
nagmamahal

Em7 A
Nayayanig sa lamig

D
(Oh-hoh-oh-hoh...)

D (Dsus) D (A/C#)
Naririnig ang dating himig na may

Bm7
lambing

D7-GM7 F#m7
Sa lilim ng damdaming ito

Em7 A
Sumasamo sa puso mo.

REFRAIN:

D (Dsus) (D7)
Isipin ko lang ating nagdaan

G
Pasko

D/F# Em7 A
Sapat na ang pagdiriwang

D (Dsus) (D7)
Kapiling ka na tuwing sasapit ang

G
Pasko

D/F# Em7 A
Sa tamis ng ating suyuan

(Repeat Intro)

(Do 2nd Stanza Chords)
O, ang liwanag na paligid
Namamasdan kahit wala ang
tanging ilaw ngayon
Naghahayag, laman ng aking loob.

(Repeat Refrain except last line)

D/F# Em7 break G-D/F#-Bm
Sa tamis ng ating suyuan noon--

Em7 A
Pitak ng puso ay iisang Pasko

(Repeat Refrain moving chords one fret higher)
(Repeat Refrain except last line
moving chords one fret higher)

CODA:

(Eb/G) Fm7 Bb G#
Sa tamis ng ating suyuan noon

(Eb/G) Fm7
(Kay tamis ng ating suyuan noon)

Bb-hold
Kay tamis ng ating suyuan.

Bb-hold
(Oh-hoh...)


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Tagalog Christmas Song-SA MAY BAHAY ANG AMING BATI (with chords)


SA MAY BAHAY ANG AMING BATI (with chords)



uploaded by cathcath.com




INTRO: Am-E7-Am pause
Am E7
Sa may bahay, ang aming bati
Am
Merry Christmas' na maluwalhati
A7 Dm
Ang pag-ibig ang siyang naghari
Am E7
Araw-araw ay magiging Paskong
Am lagi
CHORUS:
C G
Ang sanhi po ng pagparito
C
Hihingi po ng aginaldo
C7 F
Kung sakali't kami'y perwisyo
C G
Pasensiya na pagka't kami'y
C
namamasko.
(Repeat all then fade)


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12.09.2005

Tagalog Christmas Song-PASKO NA SINTA KO (with chords)

PASKO NA SINTA KO (with chords)





uploaded by cathcath.com




INTRO:
G D/F#
Pasko na, sinta ko

Fdim D/E
Hanap-hanap kita,

Cm/Eb G/D
Bakit nagtatampo't

Cm7 D
Nilisan ako?


G D/F#
Kung mawawala ka

Fdim C/E
Sa piling ko, sinta,

Cm/Eb G/D
Paano ang Pasko?

Am D7-9 G-Am/G,G-
Inuli----la mo.


REFRAIN:

C D/C Bm7 Em7
Sayang sinta, ang sinumpaan

AM7 D7sus(or D9sus)
At pagtitinginang

Cm/D, G(9)-G7sus
tu---nay,

G7 C D/F# Bm7 Em7
Na--is mo bang kalimutang ganap

Amsus A7 D-D hold
Ang ating suyuan at galak?

G D/F#
Kung mawawala ka

Fdim C/E
Sa piling ko, sinta,

Cm/Eb G/D
Paano ang Paskong

Am D7-9(interlude)
Alay ko sa yo?

INTERLUDE:
G-C/G-D/G-G-
G-C/E-D/F#-hold

(Repeat 2nd stanza)
(Repeat Refrain)
(Repeat last stanza)

G-C/G-D/G-G-Am/G,G

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12.08.2005

Tagalog Christmas Song-ANG PASKO AY SUMAPIT (with chords)



ANG PASKO AY SUMAPIT (with chords)




uploaded by cathcath.com


INTRO: Dm-Am-E7-Am-E7 pause
Am
Ang Pasko ay sumapit
E7
Tayo ay mangagsi-awit
Ng magagandang himig
Am
Dahil sa Diyos ay pag-ibig.
Am
Nang si Kristo'y isilang
A7 Dm
May tatlong haring nagsidalaw
Am E7
At ang bawat isa ay nagsipaghandog
Am
Ng tanging alay.
CHORUS:
G C
Bagong taon ay mag-bagong buhay
E7
Nang lumigaya ang ating bayan;
Dm Am
Tayo'y magsikap upang makamtan natin
B7 E7
Ang kasaganaan.
Am
Tayo'y mangagsi-awit
E7
Habang ang mundo'y tahimik
Ang araw ay sumapit
Am
Ng sanggol na dulot ng langit
Am
Tayo ay magmahalan,
A7 Dm
Ating sundin ang gintong-aral,
Am
At magbuhat ngayon
E7 Am
Kahit hindi Pasko ay mag-bigayan.
(Repeat Chorus and last Stanza)


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Christmas Song-White Christmas (with chords)

WHITE CHRISTMAS (with chords)
(Irving Berlin)






G Am D
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
C D7 G
just like the ones I used to know
G C Cm
Where the tree tops glisten and children listen
G Am D7
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
G Am D
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
C D7 G
with every Christmas card I write
C Cm
May your days be merry and bright
G Em C D7 G Am D7
And may all your Christmas-es be white


REPEAT, then finish with:
G Em C D7 G
And may all your Christmas-es be white


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12.07.2005

Tagalog Christmas Songs-Christmas in Our Hearts


CHRISTMAS IN OUR HEARTS (with chords)OPM
Jose Mari Chan with Liza Chan

(Rina Cañiza/Jose Mari Chan/Homer Flores)



uploaded by cathcath.com

INTRO:
F-Bb-; Dm--

Dm
Whenever I see girls and boys
Gm A
Selling lanterns on the streets
Gm
I remember the Child
A Dm
In the manger as He sleeps
Dm
Wherever there are people
Gm Gm
Giving gifts, exchanging cards
Gm Dm
I believe that Christmas
A
Is truly in their hearts


REFRAIN:
C F
Let's light our Christmas trees
C F
For a bright tomorrow
C F
Where nations are at peace
E Am C7
And all are one in God


CHORUS:
F
Let's sing Merry Christmas
Bb
And a happy holiday
C
This season, may we never forget
F
The love we have for Jesus
F
Let Him be the One to guide us
Bb
As another new year starts
C
And may the spirit of Christmas
F A-
Be always in our hearts

(Do stanza chords)
In every prayer and every song
The community unites
Celebrating the birth
Of our Savior, Jesus Christ

Let love, like that starlight
On that first Christmas morn
Lead us back to the manger
Where Christ the Child was born

(Do Refrain chords)
So, come let us rejoice
Come and sing a Christmas carol
With one big joyful voice
Proclaim the name of the Lord!

CHORUS:
F
Let's sing Merry Christmas
Bb
And a happy holiday
C
This season, may we never forget
F
The love we have for Jesus
F
Let Him be the One to guide us
Bb
As another new year starts
C
And may the spirit of Christmas
F A-
Be always in our hearts

(Repeat Chorus moving chords to F#)

C# F#-B-F#-B-F#
…Be always in our hearts



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Tagalog Christmas Songs-OPM- NAKARAANG PASKO

NAKARAANG PASKO
by Kuh Ledesma


Composed by:
TATS FAUSTINO

Lyrics by:
TATS FAUSTINO


uploaded by cathcath.com



Intro: D---
(Oh hoh, oh-hoh)

D (Dsus) D
Naglalakbay ang aking isip
(A/C#)-Bm7 A GM7 F#m7
Hanap ka ng 'yong sintang nagmamahal
Em7 A
Nayayanig sa lamig
D
(Oh-hoh, oh-hoh…)
D (Dsus) D (A/C#)Bm7
Naririnig ang dating himig na may lambing
D7 Gm7 F#m7
Sa ilalim ng damdaming ito
Em7 A
Sumasamo sa puso mo


REFRAIN:
D (Dsus) D7 G
Isipin ko lang ang ating nagdaang Pasko
D/F# Em7 A
Sapat na ang pagdiriwang
D (D7sus) (D7)(D7) G
Kapiling ka sa tuwing sasapit ang Pasko
D/F# Em7 A
Sa tamis ng ating suyuan

(Repeat Refrain except last line)
D/F# Am7 break G-D/F#
Sa tamis ng ating suyuan noon
Em7 A
Pitak ng puso ay iisang Pasko

(Repeat Refrain moving chords 1 fret higher)

(Repeat Refrain except last line moving chords 1 fret higher)

CODA:
(Eb/C)Em7 Bb G#
Sa tamis ng ating suyuan noon
(Eb/G) Fm7
(kay tamis ng ating suyuan noon)
Bb-hold
Kay tamis ng ating suyuan
Bb-hold
(Oh-hoh…)


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12.03.2005

Tagalog Christmas Song-MANO PO, NINONG (with chords)

MANO PO, NINONG



INTRO:
G-G7-EU-A7-D7-G-Em-Am-D7 (2x)


G B7 C
Maligaya, maligayang Pasko, kayo'y bigyan
Am d7 Am D7 G
Masagana, masaganang Bagong Tao'y kamtan
G E Am
Ipagdiwang, ipagdiwang araw ng Maykapal
C G/D Am D7 G
Upang manatili sa atin ang kapalaran
C G/D Am D7 - G-
At mamuhay na lagi sa kapayapaan


CHORUS:
Dm7 G7
Mano po, Ninong
C
Mano po, Ninang
Dm7 G7
Narito kami ngayon,
C
Humahalik sa inyong kamay
Dm7 G7
Salamat Ninong,
C
Salamat Ninang
F G C
Sa aginaldo pong inyong ibibigay

(Repeat Chorus except last word)
C-D7
…ibibigay

(Repeat the stanza & chorus)

Adlib: (1st stanza chords)

(Repeat Chorus)
(Repeat Chorus except last word)

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12.02.2005

Bibingka-Filipino Christmas Traditions

Bibingka




Wikipedia describes Bibingka - /bee-bing-kah/ as a Filipino rice cake made from galapong, baked in a special clay pot, lined with a piece of banana leaf, with live coals on top and underneath. It is topped with slices of kesong puti (white cheese) and itlog na maalat (salted duck eggs). The newly-cooked bibingka is spread with butter and sometimes sprinkled with sugar then served with niyog (grated coconut).

Puto Bumbong-Filipino Christmas Traditions

Puto Bumbong





According to wikipedia, puto bumbong is a purpled-colored sweet cooked in tubes that are placed on a special steamer-cooker. When cooked, they are removed from the bamboo tubes, spread with butter and sprinkled with sugar and niyog (grated coconut). They are then wrapped in wilted banana leaves which keeps them warm and moist until they are ready to be eaten. Like Bibingka, Puto Bumbong is inexorably linked with Simbang Gabi--the dawn mass on the nine days preceeding Christmas.

For recipe, click here.


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SIMBANG GABI-Pasko sa Pilipinas (Christmas in the Philippines)

Simbang Gabi






Christmas in the Philippines starts when the month of the year ends with the BER.

This is when radio stations start playing Christmas carols on the air.
Ours is one country that celebrates a mixture of Western and native Christmas traditions.

We send Christmas cards, decorate our houses with Christmas trees, mistletoes, Santa Claus and long strings of lights.
Manila and Makati, the two prime cities are converted into little Paris because of the galore of lights.

The Filipino Chistmas traditions however begin in December 15 for the dawn mass or Simbang Gabi. Masses are held as early as 5' o clock in the morning for nine consecutive days which culiminate on December 24, Christmas eve.

Young people look forward to seeing their friends dressed in their best; office workers come in their work clothes and mothers come with their sleepy kids whose motivation to come is the bibingka and puto bumbong that they buy after the mass.


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12.01.2005

Tagalog Christmas Songs-SANA NGAYONG PASKO

SANA NGAYONG PASKO (with chords)
Ariel Rivera
(Jimmy Borja)



uploaded by cathcath.com


INTRO:
C-C/B-Am-C/B-;(2x)
F-Em-Dm-G-
F-Em-G#-G-

C C/B C/Bb Fm
Pasko na naman ngunit wala ka pa
Ab C Dm G
Hanggang kailan kaya ako maghihintay sa iyo
C C/B C/Bb F
Bakit ba naman kailangang lumisan pa
Ab C Dm G
Ang tanging hangad ko lang ay makapiling ka


REFRAIN:
F Bm E Am Gm C F
Sana ngayong Pasko ay maalala mo pa rin ako
Em Dm G
Hinahanap-hanap pag-ibig mo
F Bm E
At kahit wala ka na
Am Gm C F
Nangangarap at umaasa pa rin ako
Em Dm Em G
Muling makita ka at makasama ka
C-C/B-AAm-C/B-; (2x)
Sa araw ng Pasko

C C/B C/Bb Fm
Pasko na naman ngunit wala ka pa
Ab C Dm G
Hanggang kailan kaya ako maghihintay sa iyo
C C/B C/Bb F
Bakit ba naman kailangang lumisan pa
Ab C Dm G
Ang tanging hangad ko lang ay makapiling ka


REFRAIN:
F Bm E Am Gm C F
Sana ngayong Pasko ay maalala mo pa rin ako
Em Dm G
Hinahanap-hanap pag-ibig mo
F Bm E
At kahit wala ka na
Am Gm C F
Nangangarap at umaasa pa rin ako
Em Dm Em G
Muling makita ka at makasama ka
C-Ebm-Ab-
Sa araw ng Pasko, oh

(Repeat Refrain moving chords 1/2 step (F# higher)

C#
Sana ngayong Pasko…



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Tagalog Christmas song- SIMBANG GABI

Simbang Gabi


Lyrics by: Bert Reyes



uploaded by cathcath.com





I


Ang simbang gabi kung Pasko
Ay sadyang dinarayo
Ng mga taga bayan
At maging taga baryo
Ang kalembang ng kampana
Doon sa kampanaryo
Ay hudyat ng pasimula
Nitong misa de gallo

II


At pagkatapos ng misa
Ang iba'y umuwi na
Ang ila'y kumakain
Ng puto at bibingka
Ang ibang nangaroroon
Ang gusto'y puto bumbong
Ang simbang gabi ay gayon
Sa bayan at sa nayon.

Koro


Subalit sabi ng masisiste
Oras ng tiempo ang simbang gabi
Para lang magtanan ang babae
Nakasama ang mahal n'yang kasi.

III


Pagsapit ng simbang gabi
Mayroon ponda sa kalye
Musiko'y naglilibot
Sa tugtog nawiwili
Doon sa mga simbahan
Ang tao ay kay dami
Ganyan sa ating bayan
Kung mayroong simbang gabi.

Ulitin ang Koro, III
Coda


Ganyan sa ating bayan
Kung mayroong simbang gabi.


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