LISTEN: ‘Bukang-liwayway’: A poem to end the year and start anew

MANILA, Philippines – It’s been a tough 2019 for many Filipinos. From the whirlwind senatorial elections in May to the recent earthquake in Davao Del Sur this December and all the chaos in between, the year brought on many challenges. It wouldn’t be a surprise if many see 2020 as a chance to start again, and to work on bettering themselves and the world around them. 

The following song, written by Mindanawon poet Agustin Don Pagusara, may help bring one closure for 2019, and fill one with hope and vigor for the new year.

Pagusara was a young writer and activist during Martial Law and was imprisoned for 5 years. It was in prison that he further honed his writing, and he later on flourished as a celebrated poet and literary professor. 

He wrote the song “Bukang-liwayway” during Martial Law. Its message continues to ring true today. Listen to him sing the Filipino version in this video, and read its lyrics below. 

 

Bukang-liwayway/Banagbanag

 

Bisaya version

Sud-ongang adlaw sa kahaponon
Natina sa dugo ang nagkuyanap nga landong
Sud-ongang nasod sa iyang kagabhion
Naduhig sa dugo ang atong yutang tabunon

Hataas ang gabiing atong pagtukawan
Hataas ang dalan nga atong pagalaktan

Sa tumoy sa pangandoy may langit nga bughaw
Ang nawong sa sidlakan mapahiyumong kahayag
Mosidlak ang adlaw, ang bulawanong silaw
Mobanagbanag ang bag-ong buntag
Moabot ang gisaad nga bag-ong ugma

––

Filipino version

Masdan ang araw sa takipsilim
May kulay ng dugo sa gumagapang na dilim
Masdan ang bayan sa kanyang gabi
May kalat ng dugo sa lupang kayumanggi

Kay haba ng gabing ating susuungin
Kay haba ng landas na ating tatahakin

Sa dulo ng pangarap, may langit na bughaw
Ang mukha ng silangan, may ngiti ng liwanag
Sisikat ang araw singningning ng ginto
Magbubukang-liwayway ang bagong umaga
Darating ang pangako na bagong bukas.

––

English version

Behold the sun at eventide
Creeping shadows of blood so red
Behold the land lin its night
Pools of blood on the dear brown earth

Long be the night we shall traverse
Long be the road we shall trek 

At the edge of our dream a blue sky gleams
On the eastern horizon, a smiling sunshine
The sun will burst into showering gold dust
The dawn shall break into a new morning
A new tomorrow as promised shall come 

– Rappler.com