Bulatlat

NI PAPA OSMUBAL
Inilathala ng Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 11, April 20-26, 2008

Lumads (indigenous people) in the remote areas of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao are ready for along dry spell, having learned about its coming not from the weather bureau, newspapers, television, radio or government agencies, but from the position of the stars and the flowering of a rare bamboo called badtak.  But Masayagan, an Arumanen Manuvu, expressed concern that other Lumads may not have seen the signs specially in areas where the forests have disappeared.

– Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 24, 1997

Diwang Anito at Matang Bituin
ang nasa ating mga matatanda at pantas

Kaya nga’t sa tuwi-tuwina
alam nila-alam na alam-

Kung kailan nais ng lupa at hangin
na lumuwa ng apdo at pangil at alabok

Subali’t lahat tayo-tayong mga walang Diwang Anito
at Matang Bituin-ay nangangapa at gumagapang

Sa gitna ng maitim na apoy na sumunggab
at dumarang sa ating landas

Nakikiramdam tayo at nagmamanman nang walang saysay
sapagka’t ngayon ang paligid ay naging binging labirintong abo

Na parang pisngi ng isang bangkay-
walang awit     walang kulay     walang pintig

Inilathala ng Bulatlat