BUY NOW
CD BABY | Amazon.com

KALIBUTAN NAGDUMILI
ANUGON
KUNG IMO AKONG TALIKDAN
DAHONG LAYA
SALA BA DIAY ANG GUGMA
HIMAYANG NAHUNLAK
KAMINGAW SA PAYA
KUNG MAHIMO PA
SAKSI NING KABULAKAN
PANAMILIT

 

Thank you for listening with your heart.

The ballads in this collection have given voice to generations of Visayan1 speaking folk in central and southern Philippines. With Hispanized2 musical strains and lyrics in the Visayan vernacular, most of these songs have been generally passed on as oral traditions and are referred to by elders in Camiguin3 as “dalit,”4 and by others as “kinaraan” (“of the old”). As living documents of people’s sentiments, these ballads continue to live on to this day through contemporary voices that breathe new life into them. I sing these songs as a native Visayan speaker5, and as one to whom love and loss, anguish and despair are no strangers, but have, time and again, inhabited my heart and soul. The act of singing is in fact one of the few things that generate hope, healing and redemption in the midst of destiny’s misadventures.

– GRACE NONO
   Artist and Co-producer
   Manila, May 2009

 

1 Visayan is the primary language spoken in central Philippines. With its many variations (Cebuano-Visayan in which the songs in this collection are sung is just one of many), it is equally widespread in the southern island of Mindanao where many Visayans have migrated to for centuries. It is important to note however that the central, southern and northern languages of the Philippines including Visayan are said to trace back to the same Malayo-Polenesian or Austronesian language family (Scott 1994).

2 The Hispanic influence in Philippine culture was brought about by Spanish colonization from the 16th to the 19th centuries.

3 Camiguin is an island off the northern coast of Mindanao. Originally proto-Manobo, it had long been Visayanized. It is said that the Visayanization of Mindanao predated Spanish colonization.

4 Dalit is a generic term used by some Camiguin elders to refer to the Visayan secular folk song. It is differentiated from the Tagalog poetic form dalit (quatrain of monorhyming eight syllabic lines). Dalit In Visayan may also mean “gift” or “offering.”

5 I was born to a Camiguingnon (proto-Manobo) mother and Ilocano father, but grew up speaking Visayan in Agusan del Sur, Northeastern Mindanao, Southern Philippines where Visayan was lingua franca.

 

CREDITS

Voice, Concept, Research
GRACE NONO

Arrangements, Octavina and Nylon Guitars, Recording and Mastering
BOB AVES

Compositions
FRED BERAME (KalibutanNagdumili)
GIBBS CABRAL (Kung Imo AkongTakildan)
MANING VILLAREAL (DahongLaya)
JESS SACLO (HimayangNahunlak)
MINGGOY LOPEZ (KamingawsaPayag)
LEONORA PACRES (Anugon)

Information supplied by the Cebuano Studies Center
and the Filipino Association of Composers, Authors, Publishers, Inc.

Nylon Guitars on HimayangNahunlak, SalaBaDiay and Gugma,
NOLI AURILLO
Kung Imo AkongTalikdan

Additional Mixing
ARNOLD JALLORES

English Translations of the Visayan Songs
GEMINO ABAD

Sleeve Design
FELIX MAGO MIGUEL

Photography
DANNY BUENAVENTURA
and TAO NONO AVES

Recorded at SOUNDQUEST STUDIO, Quezon City, Philippines
Produced by
GRACE NONO and BOB AVES
A TAO MUSIC release




KALIBUTAN NAGDUMILI6

 

  THOUGH THE WORLD HINDER

Hinigugma, kinipatalinghugi

Angsalomangaakongipabati.

Panganti, maoynaghari

Angmgakitikningakongawit--

Timan-ilang, pinangga,

Gihigugmakoikaw,

Saksianglangit

Sa tim-oskongpagbati.

Luyosakakulian

Sa atongmgagugma,

Pangitaonkoangdalan

Alangkanatongduha.

Tuuhingaikawakongunungan

Bisanangkalibutannagdumili.

Way sapayanngaakoimongsakiton

Lamang, malipay ka.


Back to top of page

Listen, my love

To this old song, to my heart’s wish
for you,

A steadfast promise

Through all my song’s words.

Remember, beloved,

My hankering for you,

Heaven my witness

To the depth of my yearning.

Whatever bar there be

To our passion,

I shall beat a path there

For us to tread.

Believe that I shall be with you

Though the world hinder.

I care not if you hurt me

So long as your cheer endure.

ANUGON7

 

  O SUCH WASTE

Anugonsaatongmgasaad

Ngagituuhanako, mabulahanako.

Napakyasangtanankongpaglaum Kay gilaksiningdughansapinanggako.

Sa dapit, diinkoikawikahibalag,

Angkatam-is sagugmangagimatutoko,

Pagkapaitdiay, saakongdarangatan,

Ngagibilinkokanimo,

Mamataynalangako.


Back to top of page

O such waste the promises we vowed

That I believed was my good fortune!

All my hopes were dashed
When my beloved broke my heart.

Where I first met you,

There I nurtured Love’s sweetness,

Not knowing how bitter is my fate.

Now that I am left without you,

My only recourse is to die.

KUNG IMO AKONG TALIKDAN8

 

 

IF YOU TURN AWAY FROM ME

 

Kung imoakongtalikdan,

Mag-unsanalangningdughan?

Way pagkutatangkasubokointawon,

Ningkasingkasingnganaghilak, masulub-on.

Wanabagayo’ypagbalik

Angpagpanggakongnausik?

Pagkapaitsagidangatanko

Naghilaktungodsagugma mo.


Back to top of page

If you turn away from me,

What shall this heart do?

My sorrow will know no end,

In grievous sadness this heart
shall weep.

Is there no hope you would return

To my lovelorn care for you?

O how bitter is my destiny

As I weep yearning for you!


DAHONG LAYA9

 

 

WILTED LEAF

Kaanugonlangsananglabayngpanahon,

Nalaragnangtanangayud

Dawdahonglaya.

Angdahonngalaya, napulak, gipadpad,

Samasadamgulang, sapagmata, nahanaw,

Nahisama, ay, sagugmakokaron,

Ngasatanangpaglaumdaw, nawad-an naako.

Mao kinianggugmakokanimo, way palad

Inayngamagmaya, karonintawonnanghupaw.

Kaanugonlangsananglabayngpanahon,

Nalaragnangtanangayud

Dawdahonglaya.


Back to top of page

How past times have gone to waste,

All things have fallen to the ground

Like wilted leaves.

The wilting leaf, torn from its bough,
Then whirled away by the wind –

Just so a dream vanishing upon waking,

O just so my love now,

All hopeless, so without hope.

O just so my love for you, without fortune,

Alive only as memory, without joy.

How past days have gone to ruin,

Everything has fallen to the ground,

Verily like wilted leaves.

SALA BA DIAY ANG GUGMA10

 

 

IS TO LOVE THEN A SIN?

Salabadiayanggugma?

Salabadiayanggugma?

Pananglit kung sala,

Ugaling kung sala,

Kitangtananang may kasal-anan.

Basulan mo raugaling

Kung ikawmahiadtosa lain

Tamayon ka unya,

Pahilakon ka unya,

Ikawra dong ang may kasal-anan.

Di baikawmisaad

Ngaakoimonghigugmaon?

Nganonggipakyas man?

Nganonggipakyas man?

Tungodbakaykasal-anan?


Back to top of page

Is to love then a sin?

Is it a sin then to love?

If it were a sin,

O, if it were a sin,

Then have we all sinned!

You may rue it yet

If you go with someone

Who may despise you

Or drive you to tears,

You’ll have yourself only, boy, to blame.

Didn’t you promise

To love me?

Why have you failed?

O, why have you failed?

Is it because to love is to sin?

 

 

HIMAYANG NAHUNLAK11

 

  A GLORY, EXTINGUISHED

Ingonsagiminokaronkiningkalagko,

Dawgibilanggointawonsausa ka damgo.

Walakomasayod kung unsaangangayngbuhaton,

Handumon ka ba, kasilagan ka ba,

Ugkalimtannalang?

Ingonsagihayakaronkininggalamhan,

Walayumoybisandyutayningbalatian,

Ganisaluhaakonahubsan,

Wala nay umoykiningdughannganagbangutan.

Nahugno, nagun-ob,
nahunlakangakonghimaya,

Nahugno, nagun-ob,
nahunlaksaimongpagbiya.

Walakukalooyakongagibudhian,

Walakukalooyakongagitalikdan.

Pataynaangkanhingpunosahudyaka.

 

Pataynangpagbatingnalumsansamgaluha.

 

Kanakowala nay biliningkinabuhi

Sukad ka nagbudhikanakongakongpinili.

 

Busasahilomnangandoynalamang,

 

Nangandoymataposnalangangtanan.


Back to top of page

Adrift is my spirit now,

Lost as in a dream.

I don’t know what apt thing to do,

Whether to cherish you in memory, or resent
Or forget you altogether.

 

Enfeebled is any power in me,

All feeling is without vigor,

Even my tears have run dry,

My heart languishes, bereaved.

Fallen, crushed, extinguished
all my glory,

Fallen, crushed, extinguished,
since you left me.

Without pity I was betrayed,

Mercilessly I was forsaken.

What festivity there was
Now only reeks of death.

All feeling is dead, drowned
in tears.

For me life is without meaning

Ever since you, my chosen one,     
betrayed me.

Now in silence my heart only
dreams,

Dreaming all will quickly come
to an end.

 

KAMINGAW SA PAYAG12

 

  HOW DESOLATE THIS HUT    
Kamingawnasapayag
Kanhiatonggipuy-an,
Sa duruhata ka gugma, ay!
Wanangiyangkahayag,
Kanhiatongmibanwag
Sa gabiingtanan.
Mag-unsanaako
Kung mawalanaikaw?
Unsay puy-an sapayagnga
Gibiyaan mo na man?
Asakonaikawpangitaakaron
Ngawala ka na man
Sa atongpayag?
Manamilitnalamang--
Manamilitnalamang,
Kay lumalangyaw.

 

Back to top of page

How desolate, this hut
Where we used to live,
The two of us in love, oh!
Its light all gone,
Light that so brightly shone on us –
Evenings without end!
What shall I do
When you are gone?
What hut to dwell in
When you have left?
Where shall I look for you
Now that you are no longer
Here in our hut?
I have no recourse but to bid Farewell--
farewell,
For you are no more.

     

KUNG MAHIMO PA13

 

  IF IT WERE STILL POSSIBLE

Kun mahimo pa ngaisumbongkokini

Angtanangpagtamay mo

Sa langitaronangtananmanagsama

Ugkanakomalooy ka.

Tungodsakabangissapagsilag mo

Sikinsa pa unyangsumbunganko?

Sa langitaronangtananmanagsama

Ugkanakomalooy ka.


Back to top of page

If it were still possible for me
To tell heaven how poorly you treat me

So all may come to my aid

And you take pity on me –
In the face of your fierce anger
Where else shall I plead my case? –
To heaven, so all may come to my aid

And you take pity on me.

 

     

SAKSI NING KABULAKAN14

 

 

ALL THE FLOWERS STAND WITNESS

Saksiningkabulakan,

Saksiningkalanggaman,

Ubosniadtongdakongkahoy

Didtonatawongimongkaluoy.

Unyaningtabonangkangitngit

Kay gidag-oman man anglangit,

Unyakalit, mihilak ka,

Ambotngano, naunsaba,

Natahap ka saatonggugma.

Tuuhiko, akongpinili,

Nautlan ka ningkinabuhi,

Kay didtounyasalangit

Imongkatawa, akongkasakit.

Angsugasakapalaran

Napalunghangtudsalubnganan.

Ibabawsaakonglubong

Ayawkalimotpagtanum

Aronadunakaymahandum.


Back to top of page

All the flowers stand witness,

All the birds stand witness,

Under that old towering tree

At last you took pity on me.

Then a darkness descended

From a sky overcast with storm clouds,

And on a sudden you wept,

I cannot tell why, or what mishap,

But our love then you doubted.

Believe me, my chosen one,

When you shall have wearied of living,

There in heaven where you be

Your laughter shall grieve me,

The light of my destiny

Flickering away to death.

Over my grave then forget not

To plant a flower

To remember me by.


     

PANAMILIT15

 

   FAREWELL

Manamilitnaakokanimo,

Binalonangmatam-is kongdamgo.

Hinautngaimongbati-on

Kiningpagsangpitkokanimo.

Kay saatongpag-inusara

Hinumdumiangatonggugma,

Gugmangwa’ypag-balhin

Gugmangakanimo lang.


Back to top of page

Now I bid you farewell,

Farewell to sweet dreams with you.

O would that you feel and heed

My yearning for you

In our separate solitude.

Cherish in your memory our love

That knows not alteration –

My love only for you.

 

 

6 Taught to Grace Nono by Ralph Valle. Song attributed to Fred Berame. Music arrangement by Bob Aves. English translation by Gemino Abad.

7 Taught to Grace Nono by Ralph Valle. Song attributed to Leonora Pacres. Music arrangement by Bob Aves. English translation by Gemino Abad.

8 Taught to Grace Nono by Ralph Valle. Song attributed to Gibbs Cabral. Music arrangement by Bob Aves. English translation by Gemino Abad.

9 Taught to Grace Nono by Ralph Valle. Song attributed to Maning Villareal. Music arrangement by Bob Aves. English translation by Gemino Abad.

10 Taught to Grace Nono by Ralph Valle. Music arrangement by Bob Aves. English translation by Gemino Abad.

11 Taught to Grace Nono by Francisco Awitin. Song attributed to Jess Saclo. Music arrangement by Bob Aves. English translation by Gemino Abad.

12 Taught to Grace Nono by Lordina Potenciano and Ralph Valle. Song attributed to Minggoy Lopez. Music arrangement by Bob Aves. English translation by Gemino Abad.

13 Taught to Grace Nono by Ralph Valle. Music arrangement by Bob Aves. English translation by Gemino Abad.

14 Taught to Grace Nono by Ralph Valle. Music arrangement by Bob Aves. English translation by Gemino Abad.

15 Taught to Grace Nono by Francisco Awitin. Music arrangement by Bob Aves. English translation by Gemino Abad.

 

 

Other albums by Grace Nono:
Dalit | Diwa | Hulagpos | Isang Buhay | Opo | Tao Music

 


Copyright © 2008 GraceNono.com. All rights reserved.