June 15, 1991

Does the date ring a bell? If you were living in the Central Luzon area back in 1991, especially if you're a Kapampangan, it should.

Iniang aldong ini, pepalual ne ning Pinatubu ing kayang mua king balen! [On this date, Mount Pinatubo released his anger on the province!]

Iniang aldo mu namang iti, sinagad ing kalungkutan nang Apo Namalyari (Bulan) king pangamate ning keang anak, i Silimsilim! [On this date also, Apo Namalyari, the moon deity, expressed his grief due to the death of one of her daughters, Nightfall!]

I commemorate the tragic (and soul-awakening) day by listening to this song by ArtiSta. Rita, titled Pinatubo, a really magnificent and ethnic-sounding song in a fusion of Ayta and Kapampangan language.

I don't have the actual lyrics of the Ayta part, but I transcribed what I hear; I'll update this post as soon as I find out the actual lyrics and translation. As far as I know though, the lyrics come from an actual Ayta tribal song or something (the Ayta lyrics are similar to the song sung by Jonalyn Ablong in the Sapang Bato Ayta film, Manoro).

Pinatubo
ArtiSta. Rita

Indu, iri kama ku
Mandakup kung puyu
Aku nara ku
Tinagal kung tau
Bapa, iri kama ku
Mandakup kung puyu
Aku nara ku
Uy ha

Asna kang karatun [You were very peaceful]
Bunduk kang matudtud [A slumbering mountain]
Alang kamalemale [Who could have known]
Maskup na ka kilub [You were already sick inside]
Tangis na ning balen [The nation grieves]
Taung mengapaburen [For the neglected ones]
Pait da king pusu [The bitterness in their hearts]
Mitipun king sepukuan mu [Filled your core]

Sinapak na ka rugu [You became fill]
E mu na inagyu [You couldn't take it]
Daya mung bubukal [Your blood smoldering]
Indu kang mapagal [You're an exhausted mother]

Mimua ka, Pinatubu [You were angry, Pinatubo]
Indu kung Pinatubu [My Mother Pinatubo]
Silbag mu na ing mua mu [Then you scattered your anguish]
Mispak ya ing pusu mu [Your heart was shattered]
Mimua ka, Pinatubu [You were angry, Pinatubo]
Indu kung Pinatubu [My Mother Pinatubo]
Silbag mu na ing lua mu [Then you scattered your anguish]
Pinatubu, aintindian ku [But, Pinatubo, I understand]

Igaye tana may naimya
Dag-ay Pinatubu
Mikakalaban king kaglaban
Na ing yabe ya yamampan

Minagus ka daya [Your blood flowed]
Migising la ring sabla [And the people awoke]Migising mu naman [What was awakened, too]
Lugud ding keraklan [Was the charity of people]
Aral na ning bulkan [The teaching of the volcano]
Aral ning ninuman [The teaching of everyone]
Abitan mo patas para [Pull them all up so]
Padalang tanara ning Dios [God will bless them]

Banua na ing milabas [Years have passed]
Makalaue na keng bukas [Now looking at tomorrow]
Magpiyak na ka't painaua [Close your eyes now and rest]
Apisan na ka ning banua [The heavens will caress you]

Painaua na ka Pinatubu [Rest now, Pinatubo]
Indung Pinatubu [Mother Pinatubo]
Kinayap na ing mua mu [Your anger has subsided]
Sugat king pusu mu [With the wound in your heart]
Painaua na ka Pinatubu [ Rest now, Pinatubo]
Indung Pinatubu [Mother Pinatubo]
Manatili na sa ing karurukan mu [May your greatness remain]

Indu, iri kama ku
Mandakup kung puyu
Aku nara ku
Tinagal kung tau
Uy ha