Ze' Babeia

I miss my Literary Mother, The Princess of the Literary Seas, Prof. John Iremil E. Teodoro. He is a 5 time Palanca Awardee, and perhaps the most prolific writer in Antique, winning the "Bugal Kang Antique Award" ( Antique's Pride) for Literature. He writes in , Filipino Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a. Last year, his book of poems "Kung ang Tula ay Pwedeng Pambili ng Lalaki," was a finalist for the prestigious National Book Award by the Manila Critics Circle, and again, this year, his book of essays "Pagtatalak at Pagmumuni ng Prinsesang Nagpapanggap na Sirena, is a strong contender for the same award.


He finished his MFA from De La Salle University, Taft, with high distinction, and is a multi awarded poet, playwright, scriptwriter, journalist, essayist and fictionist! Iya na lang tanan. Though his is one of the loudest voice in Gay Lit in the Region, it is clear, haunting, melodious, bitter-sweet, and cacophonous. After all, he is a siren. This post is not a full tribute, but I'd like the blogosphere know how proud and humbled I am to be his 'daughson.' Any hoot, I am proud to be doing some kinda unofficial translation job of one of his book of Kinaray-a poems entitled "Mga Binalaybay Kang Paghigugma ( Poems of Love) from Kinaray-a to 'Baklese

Here is my favorite poem of all time from my Mom:

ANG BABOY

Ni: John Iremil E. Teodoro

Sugot takun nga mangin baboy
Kon ang tangkal ko mga butkon mo.
Basta damogan mo lang ako
Kang imong mga yuhum kag haruk
Aga, hapon.
Dali man lang ako patambukun.
Ang pangaku mo man lang
Nga indi ako pagpabay-an
Amo ang bitamina nga akun
Ginatomar.
Kag kon gabii gani,
Ang mga apuhap mo man lang
Sa akun likod kag dughan
Ang makapahoraguk kanakun.

ANG BABOY
Translation: By Luis Batchoy

Payag akong maging baboy
Kung ang kulungan ko, mga bisig mo.
Basta pakainin mo lang ako
Ng 'yong mga ngiti at halik
Umaga, hapon.
Mabilis lang naman akong patabain.
Ang pangako mo lang naman
Na hindi ako pababayaan
Ang syang bitamina na aking
Iniinom.
At kung gabi na,
Ang mga haplos mo lang naman
Sa aking likod at dibdib
Ang makapagpapahilik sa akin.

THE PIG
Translations: By Luis Batchoy

I agree to become a pig
If my pen is your arms.
Just feed me
With your smile and kiss
Morning, afternoon.
It's very easy to fatten me up.
Just your promise
That you won't abandon me
Is the vitamin that I
Take.
And when night comes
Only your caresses
On my back and chest
Will suffice to make me snore soundly.

Ze' Babeia
Translated By: Luis Batchoy

Sugotchenes shokelz mangin Babeia
If the shongkal shokei shomo shotkelz.
Damugenic lang shokei
Shomo Yuhum Magazine et Laflafenya
Morning Glory, Afternoon Delight.
Dalidanez lang shokei pashumbukekwa.
Shomo lang OPM
Nga judi jokels jizkyerdahan
Ang tiki-tiki nga shokelz
Junumzaikekwaness.
Kag kung oh holy night,
Ang jomo jukapzikyur man lang
Sa jukon back-to-backstroke kag breast stroke
Ang makapahoragukeia sa jukon.

Photo Credits:
www.geocities.com/.../literatura10.html
www.fotolia.com/id/2747487
http://www.awardsdailyforums.com/showthread.php?t=9203&page=4
http://www.warringtonfoe.org/Youths.html