Dalawang Tula Para sa Mga Pawisang Mudrakels

Dahil araw ng mga mudrakels ngayon, May I share ako ng dalawang tula para sa mga nanay. Bahagi ito ng koleksyon ko ng sampung mga tulang pambata na may pamagat na "Nanay ko si Era, Tatay ko si Er at iba pang mga tulang pawisan". Alay ko ito sa mga magulang na blue-collar workers. Hapu Mudrakelles day sa inyong mga madiraka at sa iyo na rin kung madiraka ka or feeling mo madirakabelles ka!

Ang Giyerera
Ni Luis Batchoy

Hindi sundalo ang aking nanay,
Pero sumasabak sya sa matinding away.
Dala’y palu-palo, sabon at palanggana,
Sambundok na labada ang kalaban sa giyera.

Puti at de-kolor, una’y paghihiwalayin
Upang dugo ng kalaban, di magsalin-salin.
Lulunurin nya sa tubig ang kaaway
Magdamag na ibababad ang mga pasaway.

Pagkatapos isa-isa nyang sasabunin
Mahihigpit na kalaban kanyang kukuskusin.
Ubos lakas na pipigain at pipilipitin
Ang pagkapanalo, kanyang sisiguraduhin.

Matapos ito, kanya nang babanlawan,
Upang makita, tagumpay ng kalinisan.
Isa-isa na nyang isasampay,
Talunang mga kalabang lupaypay.

Meron daw syang sikreto
Sa kanyang laging pagkakapanalo.
Lalabanan daw nya, labada man ng buong mundo
Maitaguyod lamang kami ng mga kapatid ko.

 

Sinabawang Isda

Ni Luis Batchoy

Sinabawang isda na naman ang ulam,

Ako ay talagang takam na takam

Nanay ko lang naman kasi ang nagluto

Pinakasikat na kusinera sa buong mundo.

Maingat na kinaliskisan ang isda

Sing ingat ng kanyang pagaalaga.

Sing-asim ng tumulo nyang pawis

Sa trabahong bumubuhay sa amin.

Pinakuluan sa isang kaserolang tubig

Sing init ng pagmamahal nya sa amin.

Sinahugan ng konting sibuyas

Tulad ng manamis-namis nyang mga ngiti.

Konting hinog na kamatis,

Tulad ng pagpaphinog sa mga pangarap namin.

Luyang binungkal mula sa lupa,

Gaya ng pagsiskap nya para sa amin.

Pag naluto sabay kaming kakain

Salu-salo sa iisang mesa

Payak man ang pagsasaluhan

Puno naman ng pagmamahalan.

Handa na ang sinabawang isda

Bubusugin pati puso at kaluluwa

Ang nanay kong kusinera

Kayang kayang lutuan ang sanlibutan.

 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY BATCHOY DENIZENS!

By popular demand

The batchoy boi is ecstatic! Once again, a parcel came in August!

Oh yes, indeed! I will be at the Rigodon Ballroom of the Peninsula Hotel, Manila on September 1, 2011!

Yes, dear denizens. The Board of Judges for this year's Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards have found my entry meritorious enough to win the First Prize in the Filipino Poetry for Children category!

Oh yes, and I will be getting one of those ginormous 'plate-like' medals too! It's kinda ironic how, months before, even years before this happy day, I have always dreamed and fantasized of how it would feel to receive that Palanca 'pinggan' but when the letter finally came and I now actually stand to get one for myself, I seem to not believe I actually won one! I would jokingly tell my friends that my lone certificate from the Palanca Awards 2008 for my 3rd Prize win in the Hiligaynon Short Story category is already lonely on my wall and could use some company. Now, here it is - with a pinggan at that!



Much as I could not describe the incredible feeling the first time I won the Palanca, same goes with this one. It's true what they say that each award brings a thrill of its own. Perhaps I will never ever get used to this feeling - this exhilaration! Now before I get away with myself, let me get to the point of this blogpost. When I shared the news on my Facebook account, my ever supportive friends flooded me with congratulations and well wishes. This added to the sweetness of the triumph, even more than the award itself. One recurring request is for a copy of the winning piece. The entry is a collection of 10 poems for children. I am sure that it will appear on the Palanca website shortly, and since they have publishing consent, I'm afraid there will be 'technicalities' if I jump the gun and publish them online. So, to satisfy my loyal reading public and hordes of fans (Chos lang!) I'd like to give you the title poem of the collection. I believe it has already appeared in its unedited form somewhere in this blog, so let me repost it. Here goes:

AKO ANG BIDA

Ako ang bida.

Ako ang pinakamaganda.

Bago lagi ang damit ko at sapatos.

Sa akin ay wala nang nakakaungos.

Ako ang bida.

Ako ang laging nangunguna.

Mga gamit ko ay mamahalin.

Wala nang tatalo sa akin.

Ako ang bida.

Kinaiinggitan ng iba,

Sikat at pinaguusapan,

Sa buong paaralan.

Liban na lang pag may miting ang PTA

O di kaya ay tuwing Family Day.

Dahil si Nanay, sa ibang bansa nagtatrabaho

Hayun, si Yaya, sinasapawan ang byuti ko.

Thank you so much to all my friends, family and supporters who believed, prayed, wished and hoped with me. This victory is as much yours as it is mine! I love you guys! Oh, and yes, see you in Manila and let he coffee flow! The Batchoy boils over!

This is it!

This is it!

I have always been afraid to publish. Mostly because I have been afraid of the discriminating critics. There are times when I even stop myself from submitting to Folios and Anthologies. I don't know, maybe this is the writers version of stage-fright. And then, this year came.

I do not remember anymore how it started. I posted poems on my facebook notes and most of them took on the same vein. Erotica. I am originally a writer in Hiligaynon, and the poems I consider well crafted and those I love best are in the language, but from time to time, I also produce pieces in English and Filipino. The erotic poems are in English. Then, one of the poems I posted was featured in an online website by the Asia Writes Project. This gave me a deep feeling of satisfaction and affirmation as a writer.

As the facebook poem/notes continued to grow, I would often get comments. Why not publish a collection of poetry? As usual, my 'stage-fright' comes up. But this year, I might have overcome this. I decided, this is my year. Finally, I will pursue publication. I will live up to that title I use when I travel abroad. The one I place under 'Occupation' - author.

At this point, I have finished writing the 50 poems that will make up the compilation of the Erotic Poetry, and yes, I also have a working title for the book.

YES! Book! I am braving publishing my first ever Book! Under my own name, solo!

Whew! I feel overwhelmed and excited.

There is no turning back. I just pray that this will go well until the book is finally launched.

What comes next will be editing, reviewing, revising and rewriting the poems if needed. After which, I will meet with my photographer friend Babak Niaraki to brainstorm on the photos for the book. I intend the book to be a coffee table poetry book of sorts, with 50 poems and an accompanying photograph for each poem. Well, technically, since it is Erotica, it will be a bedside table book, then. After this, I am sending the manuscript to my Literary Mother, John Iremil E. Teodoro for further editing and critique. She will also have the honor of writing and Introduction to the Collection. After which, we will then be marketing the Folio to publishers. Whew!

For now, I will celebrate the collection's completion with unrestrained hibernation and a good nights sleep!

Oh by the way, the working title of the book is

"The Unfinished Phoenix Tattoo"
and other poems of Longing, Love and Lust
(Well, mostly, Lust)

Whew! I am ecstatic! Wish me luck Batchoy Denizens and pray
that this pushes through, well up until launching!

Happy Poet

Break muna sa nakaka depress na Death Chronicles.

Masaya ang batchoy boi at magandang balita ang natanggap.

One of his poems got featured in a respected literary site and he is just bubbling over with pride and joy.

Thank you so much Asia Writes for the honor. I am humbled guys.

Here is the link to the website.


Kung tamad ka ma click, here's the poem.

Divination

By Luis Batchoy

"The key to unlocking this puzzle

is within you"

- Doriel, mentor of Mistral Isle

Magic the Gathering card 'Divination' flavor text

You told me that the runes were vague

And even the lines in the palm of my hands

Were not enough to ascertain

My destiny, so we moved on

To more arcane tools and methods.

You chuckled when I asked

About crystal balls and visceral castings.

While you lighted your sacred

Candles,

The Feng Shui of your room

Demands we heed the flow of Chi

On your inviting bed.

You must slowly map the moles

In my body with a far more

Efficient hands, than eyes

That won't do well in darkness.

It was not kissing.

It was labiomancy.

As the heat surges

It was obvious we

needed to go Kirilian.

Now we alternate to Reiki

With your gifted palms.

Clamancy in our choral moans and groans

Or were we speaking in tongues?

Tongues, yes, of course

Tongues and dowsing rods.

Bumpology for the bumps on my bodies

Or plainly bumping, humping pumping?

At this point I forget whether we're moving into

Kabbalah, or are we approximating the Kama Sutra?

It doesn't matter as long as

I'm moving into you.

Thus we invented

Sodomancy.

Now we debate if I explode within you

Or if we need the fluids for drimimancy.

Later as we sip coffee and smoke.

We realized that we could have had

Tea instead, for teacup scrying.

Then again, we can always

Go back to your room

And survey the sheets.

There must be omens there.

Or if we feel Karmically bound

To repeat history

Again and again.

We both took out

Our Tarot

Decks.

Photo Credits:

http://gatherer.wizards.com/

We Were Sky and Fire

We Were Sky and Fire
For John Mark Anthony Lutao
I will miss you forever 'kumag-chan'

Skies are majestic, no matter what time of day.
On dawns, they are resplendent with the first touches of light
They are blue and eternal on fine mornings
And turn fiery red on sunsets
On evenings, they become bedecked by stars
And even its inky blankness invite awe.

Fires can transform no matter how small.
A tiny spark changes you
Slow burning fire gives constant warmth
A steady blaze enervates
And a huge conflagration razes the mightiest of cities.
It's warmth is that which is never forgotten.

Once, you and I were sky.
A vast endless expanse we looked up to.
Stars, yes, we gazed upon.
Sunsets, dawn breaks and all that's in between
But the skies can never be owned.
No matter how we try, we can never hug the expanse.

Once, you and I were fires
From tiny sparks to great smoldering blazes
But what sparks and consumes us
Must turn to ashes, just like our bodies.
Now, please be the vast expanse above me
And the fire will burn forever in my heart.

We loved, and that's what matters most.


Dear JM,

I will try not to be emotional. I will try my very best. Let me say what you have wanted me to say. What you have waited to hear me say. I love you. Yes, I do. Let me tell you why it took me so long to get around to it. You see, ours was not an easy thing. I think, even before friendster came up with that label, we were labeled as such... It's complicated. I meet you in Mirc. It's a chat program online. You were a refreshing chat. None of the usual questions about asl, stat, pic blah blah. You were funny, you were witty, you were a great chat. Except for one thing. When you did trade pictures with me, I recognized you instantly, and I think my rage boiled to ten thousand degrees. You! You @#%Y^U%*&^(*!!! Of course I know who you are! So! That's why you seem to know what tickles my fancy. Because I assume you know me very well. Then again, I thought that if I played my cards right I will get the better of this still, and maybe, just maybe, get that rare revenge moment. Oh yes! Revenge! After all, you happen to be that third party of that ex who really broke my heart into smithereens! How am I so sure? Well, that's how I discovered his infidelity. I saw your pictures saved in his 'hidden files' in his PC, together with your chat logs. Tsk tsk tsk! Now, now! So I kept chatting with you, I kept flirting and I kept playing coy to see at which point I could have my revenge. But you trumped me by admitting you knew me, and saying that for the past few years, you were actually hoping you'd meet me online, or something like that, on an off chance, because you said you wanted to apologize for what happened. Now that was something! I played along. I still wanted my revenge. So we texted. I used to laugh at your silly lines, limp poetic verses which were very cliches. So pathetic I thought. You were consistent, and persistent.

Then I agreed to meet you for coffee the next chance I had to be in Manila. I was still hooked on my moment of revenge. When I was with you, I started feeling myself softening. You were so tender and gentle. You were sweet, and funny, and caring, and kind, and nice, and cute and... well... hot! Exactly my type! My chubby chinito. You were intelligent. You tickled my brains. You made me laugh. You spoke my language. I can't help it. I was beginning to like you. GADAMMIT! Then you hugged me. OH Fuck! I liked the warmth. So when you asked me if I wanted to spend the night together, I could find no objections. Of course I convinced myself that this is part of my revenge. You were great! No, you were amazing! Yes, this is part of my revenge. So we became friends. Okay fine, friends with benefits. Meet ups over coffee, good talk, good times. Now, I was dumbstruck when you said you wanted to take it to the next level. Ahmmmm...

You said you'd court me properly. Complete with roses, chocolates and poetry. I thought, here it is! My moment of revenge! My turn to crush your heart the way that ex crushed mine. Well, you had it coming didn't you? You were party to this crime of heart breaking weren't you? They weren't exactly what I planned to do, but it was playing out nicely. I will say yes to you, then make you fall ever so deep, and then drop you like a hot potato. Just like that! Simple, and evil! Revenge is a dish best served cold, right?

But I couldn't do it. You were so sincere and wonderful and warm and very nice! I long for the walks we had in Malate. The sit downs on the sidewalk in front of Remedios Church. Endless starbucks coffee. That surprise treat for my birthday at Don Henrico's. God! How did you find out I love DH? How do you know exactly when I want a hot or a cold drink in Starbucks? How do you read my mind and moods for such? You were wonderful.

I had to struggle with my own issues. I could not get past the fact that once upon a time, you were an accomplice to the crime of heart breaking! I even told you derisively that from now on, I will be calling you 'kumag-chan.' Knowing from your chat logs with that ex of mine, that he calls you 'kuma-chan', which means bear in Japanese. You did not miss that, and though you laughed at the suggestion, I saw the sadness in your eyes. And so, you became 'kumag-chan.'
But that did not stop the prosaic-poetry-cliche texts, the roses, chocolates and poetry, so to speak.

But I could not get past. You told me you understand. You still wanted us to be friends. The roses, chocolates and poetry did not stop. Then we began drifting. Mostly because we became busy with work. Then I heard you were dating some one, two or three. I respected that. But...
I missed you. I did!

Then, last night... I was checking my long unattended Friendster account. I saw your update. There was a comment there saying you're gone and that your remains lie in state at so and so Memorial Chapel. I could not believe what I was reading! It can't be true! I know you were sickly but, no, this must be a cruel joke!

This morning, I stared at your emaciated body peacefully asleep in that coffin. I had to go to that Memorial Chapel to find out if it's true. I couldn’t stop myself from crying 'kumag-chan!'
Andaya daya mo naman! Nangiiwan ka! Then your sister asked me.

"Kaibigan mo ba si kuya?"


Her eyes begged the real question.
There and 'kumag-chan' the truth dawned upon me. So I answered truthfully.


"Ahmmm, ano po (whispers to sister) ex ko po sya."

She smiled at me. Squeezed my hand.

Brain Viral Encephalitis

Andaya daya mo naman kumag chan.

I love you, kumag-chan. We, loved, that's what matters most. Farewell...

Stories From On High... A call for submissions and an entry.

Part of my Baguio sojourn is meeting up with the wonderful and talented young writers from the Cordillera's; the Ubbog writers group. I was lucky enough to be invited to one of their meet ups, which was mainly the reason for my stay-over after the pride march. They are coming up with a call for entries to commemorate the 20th year of the Baguio earthquake.

You do not need to be a creative writer to submit. A powerful line or two would be enough to show solidarity and a collective remembering. Here is the call for submissions.

Gathering Stories & Weaving Memories: 20 Years After the July 16 Earthquake

Friday, June 18, 2010 at 10:39am

Existence throws us in the middle of paradoxes. Life is renewed at the same instance that death is confirmed, concretely as with the 1990 July 16 Luzon earthquake that hit Baguio hardest. We come together during its anniversary to observe solemnity for losses … but at the same time express jubilation for the triumph of the human spirit over adversities.

As years go by, the commemoration of this tragedy becomes more and more personal. The city now might show no sign of the destruction that crushed almost everything to the ground twenty years ago. But apart from physical restoration and reconstruction, the consciousness and the psyche, too, copes with this shattering experience. It is in these arenas invisible to the eye that imprints of destruction are almost always permanent. This day is most remembered by individuals who survived and lived to tell the story – those whose lives have been forever changed by what happened.

Piecing together written personal accounts of that historical day, we are aiming at collecting strength, celebrating survival, and creating/recreating solidarities. We share painful memories in the thought that things shared become more bearable. We remember losses, create meanings and make sense of human existence. We recount devastating experiences to discover what we have gained and how far we have moved on. We recall images of destruction to see the heroism and humanity manifest within us and the people around us. We revisit moments of ruin and weakness to keep our humility at the same time show how high and enduring our restored and reconstructed inner posts are.

Commemorating the 20th year of July 16 1990 earthquake in the form of an exhibit of stories may not leave a permanent marker in this city like a monument for the lives lost would. We hope that perhaps in this form, we add emphasis on remembering and healing, moving on and letting go.

Those who survive go on living. In this instance we veer away from paradoxes: stories of life reaffirmed and renewed likewise reaffirm and renew other lives.

contact us*email us your stories*
*any language*300 words maximum*
*deadline July 10*memoryweaving@yahoo.com*

And in support, here is my submission.

Tay-og
Para sa mga magkahagugma nga ginlamon sang paglinog sa Baguio
Ni Luis Batchoy

Indi na lang ta magdalagan,
Pagwa diri sa atun nahamtangan.
Dunganan ta na lang ang pagtay-og
Agud mas madasig matapos ang linog.

Indi ta na gid lang ka pag buy-an,
Mas hugot ta pa gid ka nga uyatan.
Halukan agud mapunggan ang pagkawas,
Sing kakugmat sa atun mga lawas.

Akun ka na lang nga dapi-ugan,
Bag-o kita rus-agan sang balibung-an.
Palig-unon agud mapanas ang hadlok nga nabatyagan,
Sa atun pag hirup, nyan masalapuan ang kaluwasan.

Agud sa tion nga ila na makalkal kag ma ukay,
Isugid sang atun nga mga bangkay,
Ang sugilanon sang gugma nga wala'y sarang makatay-og
Bisan pa sang pinakamakusog nga linog.


Yanig
Para sa mga magsing-irog na nilamon ng paglindol sa Baguio
Salin ng may-akda
Ni Luis Batchoy

'Wag na lang tayong tumakbo
Palabas sa kwartong ito.
Ang pagyanig ay atin na lang sabayan
Para matapos ng mas mabilisan.

Hinding hindi na lang kita pakakawalan
Mas mahigpit pa kitang hahawakan.
Hahalikan kita upang mapigilan,
Ang pag apaw ng hindik sa ating mga katawan.

Ikaw ay akin na lang dadaganan,
Bago tayo guhuan ng bubungan.
Palalakasin upang mapawi ang takot na nararamdaman,
Sa ating pagsinta, sakali'y matagpuan ang kaligtasan.

Upang sa oras na kanila nang mahalukay,
Ikukwento ng ating malalamig na mga bangkay,
Ang ating pag-ibig na 'di kayang yanigin,
Pinakamalakas man na lindol, di kayang daigin.

Another Poem

Para sa laki nga tambok kagab-i
Ni Luis Batchoy

Duro gid nga salamat
Kay bangud sa imo mga hikaplos
Sa akun malapad nga dughan
Liwan ko nabatyagan
Nga ayhan ang imo ginasagap
Ang manggad ni Marikudo.
Sa imo mga bibig nga dahak dahak
Nadugos ko liwan ang prutas
Nga daw sa bulawan nga tagipusuon
Sa isla sang Guimaras.
Sing matal-usan ang hugot mo nga kamot
Sang mas hugot mo nga bibig
Sa pakipagambit sa gintunaan
Sang akun lawasnon nga kalipay
Gilayun ako gintubuan sang mga kuyos
Kag nagkayab ako sa kahimayaan
Bisan pa ako dalitan nga gabunan.
Sa akon pagpanigal-ot sa kweba
Nga mas mariit pa sang sa Tarangban
Mayad kay wala ber isa ka binukot nga makahas
Magpamalabag sa akun tinutuyo
Kag liwan nagsigrab sa akun kalawasan
Ining dugo nga ginpanubli
Kay ulang Buyong Humadapnon
Ilabi sa tanan, salamat gid
Kay sa pagbusawak sang kalipay
Nagbusawak man ang tuburan
Sang akun pagpamalaybay
Ano abi kay dirii sa Manila
Maalat ang ulan nga ginabunyag ko
Sa bagtik nga duta sang kamingaw
Duro gid nga salamat sa imo.
Sa imo panglaba nga ginahigugma mo ako
Tulad sang gugma nga gin tagnay ni Tungkong Langit
Kag sa imo gugma, nagatuo ako
Ano gani liwat ngalan mo ah?

Para sa lalaking mataba kagabi
Ni Luis Batchoy

Maraming salamat
Dahil sa iyong mga hikaplos
Sa malapad kong dibdib
Muli kong naramdaman
Na baka ang hinahanap mo
Ay ang kayamanan ni Marikudo
Sa iyong matakaw na mga bibig
Nadugos kong muli ang prutas
Na parang ginintuang puso
Ng isla ng Guimaras.
Nung mapalitan ang mahigpit mong kamay
Ng mas mahigpit mong mga bibig
Sa pakikipagambit sa pinagmumulan
Ng aking makamundong kaligayahan
Agad akong tinubuan ng mga bagwis
At pumailanlang ako sa luwalhati
Kahit pa ako'y isang makalalasong gabunan
Sa aking pagsusumiksik sa kweba
Na mas mariit pa kay sa Tarangban
Buti't walang ni isang binukot na nangahas
Humadlang sa aking minimithi
At muling nagumapoy sa aking katawan
Itong dugong minana pa
Kay Ulang Buyong Humadapnon
At higit sa lahat, salamat
Dahil sa pagbulwak ng kaligayahan
Bumulwak din ang bukal
Ng aking panulaan
Kasi naman, dito sa Maynila
Maalat na ulan ang aking binibinyag
Sa tigang na lupa ng pangungulila
Maraming salamat sa 'yo
Sa iyong pangalaba na iniibig mo ako
Katulad ng pagibig na inaalay ni Tungkong Langit
At sa iyong pagibig sumasaplataya ako
Ano nga ulit ang pangalan mo?

Tula lang

Bilog Na Hugis Itlog
Ni Luis Batchoy

"May bilog, may bilog na hugis Itlog"
-Sex Bomb Dancers

Ay, kasagad gid ya sa imo
Magsagap tana sang bilog
Nga hugis itlog.
Abaw, kag imo gin itiman
Kag imo gid ginshade
Wala gid nagdamulit
Sa bilog nga hugis itlog.
Ayaw lang lamutaka
Kag kumus-kumusa
Kay basi magkaproblema
Kung atun na isulod
Sa imo pikos masyin.
Gilayun man nga magagwa
Kung ano ang resulta
Sang atun pag piniliay.
Ay abaw, kung amo lang sini
Kanami kag kasulhay
Manami gid magkapiniliay
Kada adlaw
Agud sa kada pag
Binotohay
Sagap sagapun mo liwan
Kag itim-itiman
Kag ishade ang bilog
Ko nga itlog.
Awwww!

Translation by the author:
Bilog Nga Hugis Itlog


"May bilog, may bilog na hugis Itlog"
-Sex Bomb Dancers

Naku, napaka galing mo talaga
Maghanap ng itlog
Na hugis itlog.
Naku, at iyong initiman
At talagang inishade
Walang kalat
Sa bilog na hugis itlog.
Wag mo lang lalamutakin
At kuyumusin
Baka kasi magkaproblema
Kung atin nang ipapasok
Sa iyong pikos masyin.
Agad namang lalabas
Kung ano ang resulta
Ng ating halalan.
Ay naku, kung ganito lang
Kaganda at kginhawa
Masarap talaga maghalalan
Araw araw
Upang sa bawat
Pagboboto
Hahanap hanapin mong muli
At iitim-itiman
At isishhade ang bilog
Kong itlog.
Awwww!

Got Milk?

I am lactose intolerant, but I love milk. I drink it, I use it on my cereal, I use it on deserts, I cook with it. I love milk. Kaya siguro strong ang bones ko, but then again, it does not change the fact na sasakit at sasakit ang tyan ko after consuming it. Nevertheless, it has never stopped me from loving milk. Parang love. kahit alam mo na pwede kang masaktan in the end, go pa rin ng go. Anyhoot, here's a poem I wrote one time i was waiting for a date. Enjoy...



Lactose Intolerance
Ni Luis Batchoy

Man ang gugma mo, pinalangga
Marimis sa akun panagamsaman
Kag nalangkag gid ako
Matilawan sang akun mga bibig
Ang himpit mo nga paghirup
Bisan pa, pat-ud gid
Nga akun igkalubi
Kag igkaaguntol ang kasakit
Nga halos igkahunos
Sang akun ginhawa
Nyan lubuson ta na gid lang
Ning himaya nga sukon
Kay siguro, indi ko man
Mas ikamatay ang gugma mo
Kung ipaanggid sa kahidlaw
Sang pagkahilayo ko kanimo.



Lactose Intolerance
Ni Luis Batchoy

Ang pag ibig mo kasi, pinalangga
Marimis sa aking panlasa
At kinasasabikan ko talaga
Matikman ng aking mga bibig
Ang marubdob mong pag-ibig
Kahit pang sigurado
Aking ikapamimilipit
At ikaaguntol ang sakit
Na halos ikapupugto
Ng aking hininga
Kaya't lubusin na lang natin
Ang luwalhating ganap
Kasi, siguro hindi ko naman
Mas ikamamatay ang pag-ibig mo
Kung ikukumpara sa pangungulila
Ng pagkakahiwalay ko sa yo.

Photo Credits:

http://hillbuzz.org/2009/01/11/
http://core.com.my/threeds/?p=1067
http://screenrant.com/milk-wolverine-images-rob-6801/

Blog Marathon Part 4 of 4

Now, what better way to cap off a four part blog marathon than with a piece of poetry. Merry Christmas Batchoy Denizen and Happy New Year too. Enjoy this dessert. Tah tah!

The Bar
By Luis Batchoy


The music is loud
Enough to drown out
Whatever it is that we
Have to say. The beat
Is the thing
The reason, the say.
Palpable enough
To cut through
Our loneliness.
The lights glimmer bright
So we can get blinded
By something other than
Our own fears;
To keep us lost,
Not to find our way.
Now the spirits flow
To drown out and intoxicate
What little spirits
We have left.
Tonight, it is overcrowded
With everyone’s
Emptiness.
And we rule against
Each other rubbing off
The cynicisms.
No one’s a stranger here
And no one has to know
Anyone. Companionable
Anonymity. With the music
The beat, the lights, the spirits
And sorrow, checked
At the doors, to be picked
And taken back home
Like a coat
Only when the night ends.

Photo Credits:
http://www.djjdee-mobiledisco.co.uk/images/disco.jpg

When it can

I'm lucky that with the rate my job and life is going here in Manila, inspiration still hits me, and some poem proliferates my brains... Thank the muses! Here's another one I wrote while braving the rush hour traffic! ENJOY!

ENSLAVEMENT
By Luis Batchoy

Amazing how words and phrases
Mutate,
Taking alternate meanings
And perhaps,
Lives,
When enslaved by four
Squiggly little punctuations
Called quotation marks.
How they become
Dramatic,
Emphatic, and even,
Scary, and at times,
Hilarious or even
Hysterical,
Drawing attention to themselves.
More so, when spoken,
With that little twitchy gesture
Of index and middle fingers
Of both hands.
So much like you and me,
When that squiggly word
"Commitment"
Was introduced to the scenario.
Above mentioned word
Enslaved
In quotations,
For emphasis and hysterics,
Poetic device cited as a reason.


Photo Credits:

http://www.copyblogger.com/quotations/

Poetry in Manile, Halloween edition

This is the first poem I wrote when I came to Manila... Oh and its just in time for the Halloween! Enjoy!

PAGPAANDAM SANG ISA KA ASWANG NGA NANGLATAS SA MANILA
PARA SA HIGALA NGA NABILIN SA PROBINSYA
Ni Luis Batchoy

Ayaw na paghanduma, higala,
Nga magpasimpalad diri sa Manila.
Kagab-i pag ugsad kang bulan,
Nagsupog gid akun pagkagabunan.
Gani, sa duro tawo, ako nagpangpanglatas.
Tuya sa Malate naglupad paspas.
Apang ang tuyo sa pagpangyanggaw
Gilayon gid nga naalimunaw
Sa kadulom sang kagab-ihon
Sila ya ang nagakinan-anay sa tunga sang dalanon.
Abaw nasal-an pa takun, patron nga dalangpan,
Kay ginduludamulas kag dayun gin ludhan.
Gani dya na lang kaw sa atun pambiktima,
Hinali ako makauli, binli lang ko, ayaw pag ubusa.
Kay sa matyag ko mas masupog sila diri,
Ako ang nayanggaw, kag daw wala na gani ako atay!

BABALA NG ISANG ASWANG NA NANGLATAS SA MANILA
PARA SA KAIBIGAN NA NAIWAN SA PROBINSYA
Ni Luis Batchoy

Huwag mo nang pangarapin, kaibigan,
Na makipagsapalaran dito sa Manila.
Kagabi, pag bilog ng buwan,
Nagsupog talaga ang aking pagka gabunan.
Kaya't sa maraming tao, alo nanglatas.
Dun sa Malate, lumipad ng mabilis
Upag ang layuning mangyanggaw
Agad namang nagunaw.
Sa dilim ng gabi
Sila sila ang nagkakainan sa gitna ng daan.
Aba't napagkamalan pa akong patron na takbuhan,
Kasi hinapulas ako't dagling niluhuran.
Kaya, dyan ka na lang sa atin mamiktima,
Kung sakaling makauwi ako, tirhan mo na lang ako't wag mong ubusin.
Kasi pakiramdam ko, mas masupog sila dito,
Ako ang nayanggaw, at parang wala na akong atay.

PS: Bakit kaya pag sinabing Aswang, ang automatic na pumapasok sa mga utak ng mga tao ay manananggal? Andami kayang Aswang na iba!


P.S sa P.S: Ang iba sa kanila, nakaupo sa pwesto!


Photo Credits:
http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=410887&page=60
http://www.advancedphotoshop.co.uk/show_image.php?imageID=7152

YAYP (Yet Another Yellow Post)

Sanlibutan na ang nagpaalam sa yo, pero para yatang hindi ko pa rin nagawang mag paalam ng maayos sa yo.

Paano naman kasi, pinakamagandang pamamaalam para sa akin ay ang gawin ang pinaka alam kong gawin... yun ay ang sumulat at tumula.

Dahil parang hungkag at tuyo/tuyot ang batis ng aking panulatan dahil na nga sa luhang umagos sa aking mga mata, hayaan nyo na munang manghiram ako sa higit na mas magaling sa akin sa panulaan.

Narito ang dalawang tula mula sa isa sa mga paborito kong makata.

SONG

by: Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)

HEN I am dead, my dearest,

Sing no sad songs for me;

Plant thou no roses at my head,

Nor shady cypress tree:

Be the green grass above me

With showers and dewdrops wet;

And if thou wilt, remember,

And if thou wilt, forget.

I shall not see the shadows,

I shall not feel the rain;

I shall not hear the nightingale

Sing on, as if in pain;

And dreaming through the twilight

That doth not rise nor set,

Haply I may remember,

And haply may forget.

REMEMBER

by: Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)

EMEMBER me when I am gone away,

Gone far away into the silent land;

When you can no more hold me by the hand,

Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay.

Remember me when no more day by day

You tell me of our future that you plann'd:

Only remember me; you understand

It will be late to counsel then or pray.

Yet if you should forget me for a while

And afterwards remember, do not grieve:

For if the darkness and corruption leave

A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,

Better by far you should forget and smile

Than that you should remember and be sad.

Paalam Mahal na pangulo... Paalam Tita Cory...



Photo Credits:

http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2006_12_17_mchenrycountyblog_archive.html
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2009-07-02&sec=1&aid=97205
http://jbsolis.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html

Marlboro Black Final Part

I really tried my best to finish this thing. Dami nga palusot na kunyari dapat isingit before finishing it eh.

Pero wala talaga. Di ko talaga alam kung paanong tapusin. Basta, the bottomline is, hindi nga talaga kami pwede ni MB.


Sabi ng friend ko, hindi naman talaga straight si MB. Malamang me karanasan na yun, kaya nya kayang makipaglandian with me. Siguro nga...

Sabi pa nung isa ko pang friend, confused lang siguro si MB. If not, gusto lang makipaglaro... siguro nga

Sabi pa nung isa, takot daw si MB. Kaya sya ganun... siguro nga.

At tatlo sila nag aagree na akala daw ni MB nung una, mapaglalaruan nya ako. Tapos, kakatambay nya kasama ako, di nya inaasahanag iba pala mangyayari. Na hindi pala ako dapat pinaglalaruan... Na gusto na pala talaga nya ako...

Siguro nga...

Hay... From the start naman kasi wala naman talaga akong kung ano anong iniisip o binabalak with him eh. Face value lang ako... until he got 'sweet' and all... Oh well...

Labo no?

Nasaktan ako, that much I am willing to admit. Ewan ko nga ba kumbakit. And to end this sordid, sad and pathetic affair, ano pa nga ba? A writer like me has only words, and poetry...
Goodbye MB... and by way of a Eulogy, here is a poem I wrote for you.

Bangud Indi Pwede Mangin Kita
Para kay JG
Ni: Luis Batchoy

Kahinawahawaan
Sa kalangitan
Ang kahidlaw ko
Sa mga hakus mo.

Higupon ko na lang
Sa kinaha nga sigarilyo
Ang mga panganod
Nga nagalimbong sa atun.

Linawod lawod
Sa kadagatan
Anag nagaupang
Sa atun paghigugma

Salumon ko na lang
Sa binalde nga kape
Ang mga balod
Sang akun pagisahanon.


Goodbye...

OO JG ang tutoong initials ni Marlboro Black...

Patubas Dos

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR PATUBAS 2 – LITERARY ANTHOLOGY

Ten years after the release of Patubas – An Anthology of West Visayan Literature, published by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and edited by Palanca Hall of Famer, Dr. Leoncio Deriada, the Capiz Council for Culture and the Arts (CCCA) headed by Bryan Mari Argos, through it’s literary division, Yanggaw Capiz Writers’ Group (YCWG), headed by Marcel Milliam will again take the initiative of instrumentalizing the publication of Patubas 2.

Responding to the growth of the literary corpus in the region, Patubas 2, which will still be edited by Dr. Leoncio Deriada, will feature works from budding and established regional writers from the period of 1990 to the present. The project coordinators hope to include in this volume a good sampling of pieces representative of the robust condition of literature in Region VI.

The CCCA along with the YCWG invites all writers from Western Visayas, whether residing in the region or residing outside the region but are originally from Western Visayas to submit pieces in any language. The pieces may be poetry, short fiction, non-fiction, drama (preferably one-act), excerpts from longer works like novels and full-length plays and screenplays, and should include translations for non-English or Filipino pieces. Each writer is encouraged to submit 3-5 short pieces or 1-2 longer pieces (excluding translations for non-English/Filipino pieces) to allow the editor as well as the project coordinators to decide which pieces to include in the anthology. Submissions should also be accompanied by a 150-200-word narrative description of the author as well as a picture. All submissions should be in .doc or .rtf format and should be sent as an email attachment to patubas2@gmail.com not later than July 15, 2009. Only submissions sent through email will be entertained.

The project, which will be entered as a proposal for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) competitive grants program will hopefully see publication in 2010.

For more information, please contact Bryan Mari Argos through cell phone number (0920) 9499622 or Marcel Milliam through cell phone number (0918) 9248460, or write to the email address indicated above.

Padayun ang pagtib-ong sang rehiyunal nga literatura!