Most popular: translated folk songs and the origami CD envelope

It is an interesting phenomenon and an eye-opener for me. Out of the 6,000-plus who accessed this blog over the twelve months since I started it, the most popular posts have been Bahay Kubo (and other English translations of Filipino folk songs), in a near dead-heat with the origami CD envelope I designed myself. (For [...]

Translating Philippine folk songs

I’ve gotten some encouraging comments about my English translations of Filipino folk songs. This is probably because my translations can be sung with the original tunes. So far, I’ve done four: Bahay kubo, Paru-parong bukid, Leron Leron sinta, and Sitsiritsit alibangbang. I think my most appreciative audience is elementary school students, who have to do [...]

Sitsiritsit, alibangbang (English translation)

Hey, hey, butterfly English translation by Roberto Verzola Sitsiritsit, alibangbang Traditional Filipino folk song Hey, hey, butterfly beetle me, oh, beetle my. Watch that girl on the block; she poses like a fighting cock. – Blessed child of Pandacan, Rice biscuits on a stall. Why won’t you give me a loan? The pesky ants will [...]

Paru-parong Bukid (English translation)

Butterfly from the field English Translation by Roberto Verzola Paru-parong Bukid Traditional Filipino folk song I just saw a butterfly, flitting and floating by; waiting by the main trail, fluttering in the air. Sari wrapped around her, sleeves as wide as my palm, Skirt’s a trifle oversized, ends dragging on the ground. – Her hair [...]

Leron, Leron sinta (English translation)

Leron-leron my love English translation by Roberto Verzola Leron, Leron sinta Traditional Filipino folk song Leron, leron my love, papaya seeds above. He took a bamboo box to keep the fruits he’d get. Then as he neared the top, the entire branch broke up. “It’s not my lucky day; I’ll find another way!” – I [...]

Bahay Kubo, English translation

Translations of Paru-parong bukid and Leron, Leron sinta also available. My Humble Hut English translation by Roberto Verzola My humble hut may look tiny, but the veggies around it, sure are many. Yam beans and eggplants, wing’d beans and peanuts, string, hyacinth and lima beans. Winter melon and loofah, bottl’ gourd, squash, et cetera. There [...]