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Talumpati: Andres Bonifacio

See also the category "Talumpati."
November 30 is Bonifacio Day.

A tula (poem) is not exactly the same as a talumpati (speech), but if a student were to recite the poem by Andres Bonifacio below for a class in Filipino, I don't think any teacher would object.

The Tagalog text is from Katapusang Hibik ng Filipinas at Iba Pang Tula (pdf, via Pantas), while the translation by Teodoro Agoncillo is from The Writings and Trial of Andres Bonifacio (via Bonifacio Papers). Words enclosed in brackets in the English translation—but not the original—are mine.

This poem has also been turned into a song. Chords are available via PRWC, while an mp3 file may be downloaded at MP3Pilipinas.com. However, because I have heard neither song, it's possible that these are two different songs.


Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa
Andres Bonifacio
Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya
Sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila
Gaya ng pag-ibig sa tinub’ang lupa?
Aling pag-ibig pa? Wala na nga, wala...

Walang mahalagang hindi inihandog
Ng may pusong mahal sa Bayang kumupkop;
Dugo, yaman, dunong, katiisa’t pagod,
Buhay ma’y abuting magkalagot-lagot...
Sa kaniya’y utang ang unang pagtanggap
Ng simoy ng hanging nagbigay-lunas
Sa inis na puso na sisinghap-singhap
Sa balong malalim ng siphayo’t hirap...

Ang nangakarang panahon ng aliw
Ang inaasahang araw na darating
Ng pagkatimawa ng mga alipin,
Liban pa sa bayan saan tatanghalin?...

Kung ang bayang ito’y nasasapanganib
At siya ay dapat ipagtangkilik
Ang anak, asawa, magulang, kapatid
Isang tawag niya’y tatalikdang pilit...

Nasaan ang dangal ng mga Tagalog?
Nasaan ang dugong dapat na ibuhos?
Baya’y inaapi, bakit di kumilos
At natitilihang ito’y mapanood?...

Kayong mga dukhang walang tanging [palad]
Kundi ang mabuhay sa dalita’t hirap
Ampunin ang Bayan kung nasa ay lunas
Pagkat ang ginhawa niya ay sa lahat.

Ipaghandog-handog ang buong pag-ibig,
Hangang sa may dugo’y ubusing itigis,
Kung sa pagtatanggol buhay ay [mapatid]
Ito’y kapalaran at tunay na langit.

Love of Country
Andres Bonifacio
What love can be
purer and greater
than love of country?
What love? No other love, none...

Nothing dear to a person with a pure heart
is denied to the country that gave him birth:
blood, wealth, knowledge, sacrifices,
E'en if life itself ends...

To her one owes the first kiss
of the wind that is the balm
of the oppressed heart drowning
in the deep well of misfortune and suffering...

The bygone days of joy,
the future that is hoped
will free the slaves,
where can this be found but in one's native land?...

If this country is in danger
and she needs defending,
Forsaken are the [child, wife, parent, sibling]
at the country's beck and call...

Where is the honor of the Filipino?
where is the blood that should be shed?
The country is being oppressed, why not make a move,
you are shocked witnessing this...

You who are poor without [recourse]
except to live in poverty and suffering,
protect the country if your desire is to end
your sufferings, for her progress is for all.

Dedicate with all your love—
as long [as] there is blood—shed every drop of it,
If for the defense of the country life is [lost]
this is fate and true glory.

Categories: Talumpati

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