Thursday, October 8, 2020

Ang Masel ni Aling Maria

 Today we feature the poem Ang Masel ni Aling Maria, written by  German V. Gervacio. A three-time winner of the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature and a four-time winner of the Homelife Magazine National Poetry Competition,  he authored Hari Manawari, Si Tanya, ang Uwak na Gustong Pumuti, and 101 Bugtong na Hindi Alam ng Titser Mo. His works have been included in various anthologies and journals like CCP’s Ani 22 and UP Likhaan Anthologies. 

Ang Masel ni Aling Maria is a story of parenthood, motherhood in particular. Although there is already gender equality, the poem shows us still of the tasks a woman has to bear in order to support her family. Though we say, it is  a choice in the end, we would know it is the basic instinct of Maria to ascertain her children have food in the table as well as are sent to school. 

Let us read the poem and discover how our mothers, even fathers, are reflected and appreciated in the smallest gesture we oftentimes neglect- Acknowledgement of their efforts. 

Ang Masel ni Aling Maria

ni German V. Gervacio 


alas-tres ng madaling araw

habang ang bana'y naghihilik pa

babangon siya para makipag-agawan

sa mga ibabagsak na banyera ng isda

doon sa may talipapa

siya na rin ang bubuhat

papunta sa kanyang pwesto

dalawanpung taon siyang ganito!

tingnan mo tuloy ang kanyang braso

mahihiya si Popeye

maski na si Rambo

 

pero sa masel niya masasalamin

walong anak na iginagapang.

                isang kumakarera

               dalawa sa hayskul

               tatlo sa elementarya

               ang isa'y di pa nag-aaral

ang bunso'y pasususuhin pa

 

pagkagat ng dilim

 

saka pa lang huhupa ang masel niya

ang ulo niya'y nakasubsob sa unan

patalikod sa banang mapintog ang tiyan.


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