GIVING BIRTH TO A CHRISTMAS SOUL



Some major work for the office finally got launched last December 21. It is a collection of 12 songs about our sea and the people who live and love with it. Filipino friends and fellow environmental advocates led by Joey Ayala were instrumental in bringing this project to fruition, while me and my teammates of information officers felt like obgynes or in more third-world context, like barrio midwives that just had to be there at the right place at the right moment.

And what Beauty we now cradle in our midst.

Allow me to say thank you by sharing this labor of love:
MGA AWIT NG MAGDARAGAT (SONGS OF THE FISHERMAN)

Lyrics from one of the core songs I loosely translated.



SANTWARYO
Lyrics by Joey Ayala
Music by Cynthia Alexander


Kung korales ay sing-hugis
Ng pag-asa
At ang buhay ay sing-kulay
Ng isda

Saan pa nga ba
Magtatagpo ang dalawa
- buhay at pag-asa

Kung ang lambat na umaapaw ay
Sagana
Sa biyaya ng likas
Na pagsinta

Saan pa nga ba
Sisilong at magdaragsa
- buhay at biyaya

Santwaryo -- Sa dagat
Santwaryo -- Sa puso
Santwaryo
Ng buhay at pag-asa

Santwaryo -- Ingatan
Santwaryo -- Tanuran
Santwaryo
Ng buhay at pag-asa


SANCTUARY

If corals are shaped
Like hope
And life is as colorful
As fish

Where else
Will both meet
-- life and hope

If an overflowing net is
Rich
With the grace of true
Love

Where else
Will take shelter and go in abundance
-- life and grace

Sanctuary -- In the sea
Sanctuary -- In the heart
Sanctuary
Of life and hope

Sanctuary -- care for
Sanctuary -- look after
Sanctuary
Of life and hope


Yes, it is Christmas however we feel or think, may we find it so.