ang bata

it was appropriate then, it's appropriate now.

i first heard this song when i was 12, i think, at the UP baguio himigsikan, an annual choral singing contest that the (then) college had. i don't know if they still have it now though.

anyways, i heard it again when i joined a retreat called SADE, or the sons and daughters encounter (i think i got that right) of the christian family movement. i could never get all the words memorized, though, but i remember laughing at the phrase "ang bata, may muta, tinunaw na ng kanyang luha..." i found it hysterical that time.

last year when i started going out again i heard one of the folk singers here in baguio, jun utleg, sing it during his set. i've been asking for it since. i heard that he released an album with a cover of that song.

i bought the album today [support local music!] and i wasn't disappointed. although now the phrase that used to get me almost crying from laughter depresses the hell out of me.

"ang bata, may muta, tinunaw na ng kanyang luha...mataas na ang sikat ng araw sa silangan, wala pa rin si ama." nyeta.

i still like the song, though. the cd case says it was composed by a ferdie dimaano. galing mo, ser.

enjoy the song, people.




ang bata, may dalang isang laruang lata
hila-hila sa kalsadang makipot at sira pa
butas ang damit, marumi ang ayus niya
siya ang bagong pilipino.

ang bata, may muta tinunaw na ng kanyang luha
panis na laway, naghihintay sa kapirasong pandisal
ngunit mataas na ang araw sa silangan
wala pa rin si ama.

ang bata nakayakap, dinarama ang init ni ina
malakas na ulan, malakas na kulog, tinatakot siya
pinto ng bahay, bubungang sira-sira
ang tanging karamay niya.

ang bata nakatingala at nakatingkayad sa bintana
siya'y nakasilip at nakikinig sa gulo sa labas
bakit ang buhay, kay ingay, kay gulo
natutulig na ako.

ang bata, ang bata, kawawang mga bata
saan sila patutungo, saan papunta?
dito ba sa buhay puno ng kaguluhan
puno ng kasawian.

ang bata, may dalang isang laruang lata
hila-hila sa kalsadang makipot at sira pa
butas ang damit, marumi ang ayus niya
siya ang bagong pilipino.