Filipino Folk Goes International: Bahay Kubo

Here’s to reminiscing one of the most sung Filipino Folk Songs--Bahay Kubo. In fact, it’s a song kids use at play. What’s amusing is watching and listen to an all-boys choir sing this song with their own peculiar accent. But wait...they’re not Filipino! That is why it’s even more interesting. Watch and enjoy these adorable angels sing one of the Philippines’ popular folk song.

Bahay Kubo English Translation (Nipa Hut)

Bahay kubo, kahit munti Our Nipa Hut, even though it’s small
Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari. We have various plants found in our garden
Singkamas at talong, Jicama (Mexican turnip) and eggplant,
sigarilyas at mani Winged beans and peanuts
Sitaw, bataw, patani. String beans, lablab beans, lima beans

Kundol, patola, upo't kalabasa Wax gourd, loofah, bottle gourd and squash
At saka mayroon pang labanos, mustasa, And also radish, mustard
sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya Onions, tomatoes, garlic and ginger
sa paligid-ligid ay puro linga. The area is filled with sesame seeds

Children Are Our Hope

Epiphany Sunday, also known as Feast of the Three Kings, is a celebration of the three magi who found the Baby Jesus in the hands of his mother Mary in Bethlehem, so that they could pay the child homage. They found the child with the guidance of a star--the symbol of light amidst the darkness. When the magi followed the star and led them to the child, they were so overjoyed!

Light is a universal symbol of hope, of purity, of honesty, of humility. When we have hope, we strive to do better and get up each time we fail. We never give up and the experience could be humbling and could teach us to be better persons.

The one thing I enjoy about Christmas is the presence of lights--decorative, running, sparkling--a true delight to the eyes. For me, it reminds us of the very same light that led the three magi to the Saviour of the world and when he was found, they were overjoyed. I could imagine the choirs of angels singing praises to this light of the world--a song we still sing today. One version that I like is the one sung by an all-boys choir group--Libera. The song is entitled Sanctus.

 
Sanctus

Benedictus, benedictus
qui venit in nomine benedictus
In nomine
Domine

Benedictus, Benedictus                                             
qui venit in nomine benedictus
In nomine
Domine

Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabbaoth
Pleni sunt coeli et terra Gloria
Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabbaoth
Pleni sunt coeli gloria.

What could be more humbling than the sound of children who sings better than many of us? More than that, the sound of youthful voices can really uplift your spirits. Children are after all the hope of our future. Let's make a better world for them!