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 comparison, [...]

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 get you soon.
-
Miss, miss, with parasol,
keep this baby in the shade.
When [...]

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 held with a pin
Oh!
Her hand twirling a comb
Oh!
Decorated half-slip,
drawing others to peep.
Then she [...]

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 offer you my love,
my courage suits you fine.
I’ve got me seven knives,
I’m keeping [...]

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 is more, amiga,
radish, mustard, yeah!
Onions, tomatoes
garlic and ginger.
If you look all around,
sesame [...]