Gamson Jr Mawallil Quijano
English translation by Warina Sushil A. Jukuy
Sawa Bulan
I
Katumtuman mu pa ba
Ha düwm bulan masawa
Bang pagpatay-ilaw na
Waktu katakata na
II
Katakata hi apu’
Malami nakalandu’
Ha pagkatawa namu’
Sambil pa si’pun tumu’
III
Kāmu’ niya hisalasila
Kahālan sin pu’ gimba
Ha waktu kunu’ nila
Lima siyn malaggü’ na
IV
Mga kakasi magtipun
In pārsugpatan buhiun
Misan way internet cellphone
Laksa’ kaküwgan nanamun
V
Sahaya sawa bulan
In kami magdüyagan
Ha tapus dān manayam
In hibuk namu’ daman
VI
Sawa bulan sahaya
Nagdara kasilasa
Bang ikabalik sadja
Butawanan kaw di’ na
Supermoon
I
Do you still remember?
On a night the moon shines brightest
Once the lights are off
It’s storytelling… time!
II
Folktales of Apu’
Oh my! How uproarious
Laughing hard we hoot
Until our nasal mucus oozed
III
To us she would narrate
Anecdotes from hinterlands to coast
In their age of yore
Five cents’ more than valuable
IV
All our cherished ones converge
To revive interrelations
Even sans internet cellphone
In our hearts infinite elation stoked
V
Luminous full moon shine
How so rambunctious we are
On the road we play in glee
How rowdy our gaming spree
VI
How effulgent the Supermoon
Glad tidings of love and affection
If only I can turn back Hands of Time
Never would I ever let you go!
Lasa Ku Mag-anud Masi Ha Dugu’
I
Kaymu misan nakalayu’
Kasilasa way nabugtu’
Ha jantung punud tiyataw’
Mag anud masi ha dugu’
II
Hula’ takaw kalasahan
Hula’ kiyapag anakan
Ikaw in kiyasuligan
Hula’ kaapu’-apuan
III
Süga misan pa tumu’gum
Dagat luminaw, umalun
Kāhapun, bihayaun, künsüwm
Masi ra kaw tiyutümtüm
IV
Ha lupa’ mu kiyatanum
Kasumpingan sin kāhapun
In tangis, katawa, uyum
Mustahil landu’ lupahun
V
Bang sin Tuhan Rahman duwlan
Ikaw masi in uwian
Ha duwaa ta kaw daran
Mabiya’ süga ha silakan
In My Blood My Love Constantly Flows
I
Distant I may be from you
Eternal is my love and mercy for you
Kept in my heart staunchly
Through my blood, it flows constantly
II
You are my beloved native land
Homeland of my birth
Raised in you I have grown
O Fatherland, of my ancestors!
III
Even Sun may have set
The seas may calm or may rage
Yesterday, today, tomorrow
Still, I always long for you
IV
In the native soil, you have sown
Yesterday’s floral blooms
Your tears, your laughter, smiles
Indeed, to forget is so impossible
V
If The Lord Merciful shall allow
It shall always be you, I’ll return home to
Eternally, you are in my supplication
Shining brightest like the Rising Sun
Imadodin “Imad” Basar Dimao graduated from Zaid bin Thabit Quranic Institute. He’s been an expat for years in the Middle East. He is a tenured Bilingual (Arabic) Technical Support Analyst for Coursera since 2019. He contributes Islamic articles to Philippine Muslim Today.
Elijah Marvin Santos Guangco is a Bachelor of Arts in English graduate from the Mindanao State University in Marawi City. He has been published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer Youngblood (2016), Youngblood 7 (2019), and Mirar: Untold Scribbles (2021). Currently, he works as a Communications Officer and teaches Research at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Senior High School. He also teaches literature in the College Unit of the same University.
Shariful S. Mansul was born in Sulu, spent his high school years in Bulacan, and attends college in Zamboanga. He studies philosophy and occasionally scribbles. He likes reading stuff on history, language, and power—or just anything that makes him understand or that deepens and widens his already-placed understanding. He prefers to be called Perry.
Alminah B. Alyamen is a twenty-year-old first year college student at the Mindanao State University- Main Campus where she is taking up her Bachelor of Science Major in Physics. She was a former member of LANGKOM Official Student Publication of RC-AL Khwarizmi International College Foundation Incorporated, Senior High School. She loves to read books and writing is her best escape. For her, without books she can’t truly live well.
Bensar M. Saed is a graduate of Bachelor in Elementary Education. He just finished his Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration last June 2020. He is currently teaching at J. Marquez Elementary School. He is handling Grade Six learners and teaching Science.
Ahmad Shaid Jundam Sallim is a current second year law student at Western Mindanao State University, College of Law in Zamboanga City. He took his Bachelor of Arts major in Asian Studies in the same university. Born and raised in Basilan during the height of the island’s political unrest, his consciousness about outside world beyond his understanding and environment is vague and dimmed. Somehow, his inspiration to write was the book about the history of Sulu. As an aspiring lawyer and writer, he started his passion in reading and writing since he was very young. The urge to redefine the Basilan’s tumultuous past drive his passion to write his experiences about the island. He is currently engage with the non-government organizations (NGO) involving youth leadership and environmental conservation and currently working on his project about writing the local history of his hometown in Maluso, Basilan.
Maleeha Ampatuan Ansari is a medical student who has a passion for uplifting and inspiring people through her writing and creativity. She is the creator of Maleehini.art, the associate editor of her medical school’s publication and the co-founder of Muslimah Artist Philippines which is an online group created for female Muslim artists and aspiring artists to share and connect with one another.
Omira S. Abdulbasit is currently a senior clerk (fourth year) medical student at Liceo de Cagayan University. She is a professional civil service eligible and a licensed nurse. She is both a passionate advocate and a volunteer since undergrad and is affiliated with different organizations in line with academic or socio-civic associations. She excels both in public speaking and journalism, being the previous Editor-In-Chief of MSU-CHS The Lamp Publication and graduated with “Writer of the Year” and “Best Thesis Awardee” as part of her numerous graduation awards. She won multiple competitions in the fields of writing and public speaking. She also presented her paper focusing on mental health and got it funded and published internationally.
Amira R. Bagumbaran is a teacher from Marawi City. She graduated cum laude from Mindanao State University and ranked 10th place in the Licensure Examination for Teachers last September 25, 2011. With passion to teach, she enjoys teaching both children and LET reviewees as a part-time lecturer. She strongly advocates for respect and unity in diversity.
Adia Arianne A. Bangcola is a young M’ranao poet and writer. Her spoken word performances of her original work has granted her distinctions in competitions organized by Pilumbayan, Inquirer, and the Film Development Council of the Philippines. She is currently pursuing medicine, and would like to work with children in the future.
Bai Fairuz Candao is the youngest daughter of former ARMM Regional Governor Datu Zacaria A. Candao with his late wife Bai Saada Bajunaid Candao. Her exposure to the Bangsamoro struggle for self-determination all through the years has inspired her to express her views through writing. As a creative writer, she aims to appeal to the hearts of her fellow Bangsamoro with her thought-provoking short stories, poetry, and essays. She also specializes in speech writing and public speaking. As a current employee in the interim Bangsamoro government, she hopes to impart her skills to the younger ones and convince them to express their valuable thoughts.
Rohaina S. Dansal is a twenty-year old student in Mindanao State University Main Campus. She worked with student publications as part of the editorial staff from her past and present schools. Her written works were published in Banwag, Bedlisiw, The Worksheet, and Mindanao Varsitarian. She lives in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.
Jahara A. Solaiman is an instructor at the English Department of Mindanao State University-Marawi City, where she teaches English, literature, and art appreciation. Her earlier works have appeared in other literary anthologies, the most recent being Lawanen II (Gantala Press) and Ani 40: Katutubo (Cultural Center of the Philippines). In addition to creative writing, she loves imparting her love of art (she works with colored pencils, watercolors, and acrylic) to her students.
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