Bawat butil ng luha sa pisngi,

Ay patak ng damdaming,

Magkabilaan.

Dalisay at wagas.

Sa buhay na nagwawakas.

Tulad ng bulalakaw,

May hatid itong pag-asa,

May kakambal itong hangarin,

Umusbong sa isang adhikain,

Isang iglap ngunit hindi isang saglit,

Yumabong hatid ng

makauring pag-ibig.

Dahil sa tuwing titingin

Sa madilim na kalangitan,

Ningning ng ‘yong pakikibaka,

Ay inaabangan at pinapangarap,

Ng lahat ng tulad mong

tumindig.

Sa ngalan ng api.

At tuwing sasapit ang delubyo,

Sa tuwing lalambong ang dilim,

Sa tuwing babalutin,

Ng kaba at takot,

Sa tuwing sasaklutin,

Ng berdugo ang buhay,

Lilitaw muli ang bulalakaw,

Bago at malakas,

Sariwa at mapangahas,

Sumisilab sa ningas.

Para bumulong,

Sa puso at isip,

Sa hininga at diwa,

Sa ating kamalayan,

Ang naunang bulalakaw,

Na ang pangalan ay,

Marie Liliosa Hilao.

–Ibarra Banaag

Abril 25, 2022

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Every time a hero leaves us

Every tear on the cheek

Is a drop of emotions

Going both ways

Pure and untainted

For the life that is ending.

Like a meteor

It brings hope

Coupled with a yearning

Born out of a purpose

One moment but not in a flash

Nurtured and brought forth

By class love.

Because every time one gazes

At the dark heavens

The brilliance of your struggle

Is awaited and yearned for

By everyone who stands like you

In the name of the oppressed.

And every time the storm comes

Every time darkness arises

Every time one is gripped

By angst and fear

Every time life is snuffed out

By the executioner

The meteor appears again

Renewed and strong

Fresh and daring

Sparked and burning

To whisper

To our heart and mind

To our breath and spirit

Our consciousness

The meteor that had come before us

Whose name is

Marie Liliosa Hilao.

-Ibarra Banaag / Salin sa Ingles ni D. Borjal

April 25, 2022