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.
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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