Bahag-hari sa Cubao

I just translated the poem "Rainbows in Cubao" (see below) in Filipino

Paeng Ferrer
29 Oct 2013

"We're born alone, we live alone, we die alone.
Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion
for the moment that we're not alone." - Orson Welles


Nahalina ako ng kumikislap na laruang
de-kuryente. Marahil Made in China
na may tau-tauhang kenkoy na nakadikit sa tuktok.

Mga mabababaw na bagay na matatagpuan
sa maruming kanto ng Cubao,
lalo na ‘pag gabi.

Bunga ng inggit, mula sa laruan
o marahil mula sa kasiyahan niya,
binugahan ko siya ng makapal na usok
galing sa yosing bitbit ko buong araw.
Umiyak siya sa pangamba.
Hindi ako humingi ng paumanhin.

Isang mumurahing artipisyal na bahag-hari
sa kamay ng isang batang babae
pero tunay na maligaya siya.

Hinampas mo ako sa balikat
para ipaalala ang asal ko.

Hindi ako kumilos
ni isang pintig
kasi nagiging kulog ang isang munting tibok
tuwing hindi umiimik ang lahat.

Ipagpaumanhin mo kung maalikabok ang bahay ko.
Ako ang alikabok pero hindi ka pwedeng hikain.

Bakit kinalilimutan ng tao ang malasakit
gayong ito ang tanging katotohanang
nakapang-aakit at puno ng pag-asa?
Ano’ng paki ko?

Umuwi ako sa maalikabok na bahay
at itinarangka ang pinto ng kadenang umuugoy
na hindi ko na nais buksan kailanpaman.

Tinitigan mo ang kalsada
at niyakap ng mahigpit ang abasto
na parang kasing-irog mong
nag-aabang ng bus.

Marahil maligaya ka rin,
tulad ng lumuluhang paslit,
nang sumakay sa bus.

Nagtatakang tumitig sa akin ang tindero.
Binigyan ko siya ng 50 piso
kapalit ng walang kapararakang laruan
at iniabot sa iyo.
Magalang kang tumanggi.

Ano’ng paki ko?
Maalikabok pa rin ang bahay ko.
Nambubwisit pa rin ang patay-sinding laruan
habang itinatapon ko ang sigarilyo.
Tinitigan ko ang pinto
kung saan idinuduyan pa rin ang kadena.
Iumpog ang ulo sa hawakan! #

Rainbows in Cubao

Paeng Ferrer
28 Oct 2013


"We're born alone, we live alone, we die alone.
Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion
for the moment that we're not alone." - Orson Welles


The blinking lights from that cheap toy
put me in a trance.
It was probably made in China
with a cartoon character perched on top.

The trivial things you find
in the messy streets of Cubao,
especially at night.

Out of envy, from the toy
or perhaps from her happiness,
I let out a thick streak of smoke to her face
from the cig I've been carrying all day.
She wept fear. I didn't apologize.

What a cheap electronic imitation of rainbows
in the hands of a child
but it made her eternally blissful.

You thumped me on the shoulders
reminding me of my morals.

I didn't even move,
not a single heart beat
because a tiny throb becomes thunderous
when everyone else says nothing.

I’m sorry if my house needs dusting.
I am dust and you must take care of asthma attacks.

Why do people neglect to care
even though it is the only truth
that is exquisite and hopeful?
See if I care.

So I went to my dusty lodging and locked the door
with a pendulum chain
that I prefer never to open once more.

You just stared at the roads
and clutched your bag tightly like a lover
waiting for your bus.

I guess you're happy too,
just like that toddler in tears,
when you hopped on your ride.

Puzzled, the vendor gazed at me.
I gave him 50 bucks
for that tasteless toy
and handed it to you.
You refused politely.

See if I care.
My house endures dust.
The flashing plaything persists to annoy
while I throw away my cigarettes.
I stare at the door,
where the sliding chain still swings,
and bang my head on the doorknob! #