MGA HAGAS NI ALIWAGWAG
(The Whispers of Aliwagwag Falls)
This short documentary film extols Aliwagwag Falls’ sublime beauty, but also laments its threatened existence due the gradual denudation of Cateel forests in Davao Oriental, Philippines.
This is a Davaoeño Poem Project featuring Danny Castillones Sillada's "Mga Hagas Ni Aliwagwag" (The Whispers of Aliwagwag Falls).
A Davaoeño Language, widely spoken in Davao oriental, is mixed with Mandaya (one of the natives of Davao Oriental), Visayan, and Spanish (very small percentage) languages. It is different from Cebuano or Sinugboanon language, which is widely spoken in Davao City, Davao Del Sur, and Davao Del Norte.
The Davaoeño is akin to Kamayo Language, which is spoken in some parts of Surigao Del Sur (Caraga Region), the neighboring province of Davao Oriental.
This is a Davaoeño Poem Project featuring Danny Castillones Sillada's "Mga Hagas Ni Aliwagwag" (The Whispers of Aliwagwag Falls).
A Davaoeño Language, widely spoken in Davao oriental, is mixed with Mandaya (one of the natives of Davao Oriental), Visayan, and Spanish (very small percentage) languages. It is different from Cebuano or Sinugboanon language, which is widely spoken in Davao City, Davao Del Sur, and Davao Del Norte.
The Davaoeño is akin to Kamayo Language, which is spoken in some parts of Surigao Del Sur (Caraga Region), the neighboring province of Davao Oriental.
MGA HAGAS NI ALIWAGWAG
Poem by Danny Castillones Sillada
"Lumapos kaw. Ya tapos. Di kaw mauno."
(You will succeed. You will finish. Nothing bad will happen to you.)
~ Mandaya Panawagtawag Ritual
Matam-is na hagas kanak kiyadunggan
ngadto sang butay kanak isundan,
itungas ko yang malisod na dān
para ta kaw lamang makit-an.
Gikan sang langit ya-agas kaw sang hagdan,
O Prinsesa sang tunga ng guwangan;
taghoy ng langgam, landong ng kahoy
ikaw yang buwa ng kanak kakapoy.
Yang kanmo mga huni sang hangin
i-hangkop yang kanak kasing-kasing:
‘langoy ngadi,’ itawag mo ako,
‘langoy sang kanak mga hikǒ.’
Sang kanmo dagaha ako yasandig
yanalinga ng canta mo sang tubig,
yang kadayaw mo dili masampit
anghel kaw na ya-gikan sang langit.
Pero ya-guol ako pag-abot ng adlao
mga pisngi mo di’ da ko malantao,
mawa kaw pag-lupas ng panahon
sang damgo da ta kaw lamang handomon.
_______________________________________
The Whispers of Aliwagwag Falls
(English Translation)
I heard your gentle murmur
echoing from a verdant mountain:
I follow your call through a tortuous trail
just to witness your mystical presence.
From heaven, you constantly descend on a stairway,
the regal princess of the forests:
the refuge of my tired soul
from a long exhaustive journey.
Your whispers in the wind
embrace the anxious beatings of my heart:
“‘Come,” you said,
“Swim with the sound of my laughter!”
Onto your soft breasts I gently rest,
listening to your songs on the gushing waters;
your transcendent beauty is incomparable –
a goddess from heaven.
But my heart is lamenting that one day
I couldn’t glimpse on your majestic beauty anymore;
from the cruel hands you would vanish
and become just like a dream to be cherished!
© Danny Castillones Sillada
Poem by Danny Castillones Sillada
"Lumapos kaw. Ya tapos. Di kaw mauno."
(You will succeed. You will finish. Nothing bad will happen to you.)
~ Mandaya Panawagtawag Ritual
Matam-is na hagas kanak kiyadunggan
ngadto sang butay kanak isundan,
itungas ko yang malisod na dān
para ta kaw lamang makit-an.
Gikan sang langit ya-agas kaw sang hagdan,
O Prinsesa sang tunga ng guwangan;
taghoy ng langgam, landong ng kahoy
ikaw yang buwa ng kanak kakapoy.
Yang kanmo mga huni sang hangin
i-hangkop yang kanak kasing-kasing:
‘langoy ngadi,’ itawag mo ako,
‘langoy sang kanak mga hikǒ.’
Sang kanmo dagaha ako yasandig
yanalinga ng canta mo sang tubig,
yang kadayaw mo dili masampit
anghel kaw na ya-gikan sang langit.
Pero ya-guol ako pag-abot ng adlao
mga pisngi mo di’ da ko malantao,
mawa kaw pag-lupas ng panahon
sang damgo da ta kaw lamang handomon.
_______________________________________
The Whispers of Aliwagwag Falls
(English Translation)
I heard your gentle murmur
echoing from a verdant mountain:
I follow your call through a tortuous trail
just to witness your mystical presence.
From heaven, you constantly descend on a stairway,
the regal princess of the forests:
the refuge of my tired soul
from a long exhaustive journey.
Your whispers in the wind
embrace the anxious beatings of my heart:
“‘Come,” you said,
“Swim with the sound of my laughter!”
Onto your soft breasts I gently rest,
listening to your songs on the gushing waters;
your transcendent beauty is incomparable –
a goddess from heaven.
But my heart is lamenting that one day
I couldn’t glimpse on your majestic beauty anymore;
from the cruel hands you would vanish
and become just like a dream to be cherished!
© Danny Castillones Sillada