ARGONZAPOEM: Batanes

Monday, October 10, 2011

IVATAN’S PALECK WINE

IVATAN’S PALECK WINE

Erle Frayne Argonza y Delago

In no small measures I make rounds of towns

Past Basco—Uyugan, Mahatao, Ivana

Circa ‘81 through ’82 to task and spread goodwill

So will I now say my deep appreciation

Of Ivatan culture including warmth & hospitality

That went with so many drinks of sugar wine Paleck

More potent and palatable than delectable Ilocos basi

One day I moved around bringing along Luzon staff

In those same times to be entertained by mayors

With sweet potato as staple and sweet delicacy for lunch

In some occasions drank paleck right after lunch

And danced accompanied by guitar & Ivatan songs

A volunteer girl there in tow she danced with gusto

And wined with us too like she were Gypsy

Unmindful of time flowing along with sweet guests

Irresistible beat of song I stood pronto to dance along

And while dancing drank rounds of paleck to go

Till by day end tipsy indeed we were all

Our feet demanded we depart after saying thanks

Paleck & dance is akin to Earth embracing thee

As blessing for all thy rapport with folks’ bosoms

[Philippines, 01 July 2011]

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Monday, June 27, 2011

HAIL SABTANG!

HAIL SABTANG!

Erle Frayne Argonza y Delago

For a year Batanes was second home to me

In the early 80s upon the ascent of my first job

Building communities and spurring livelihoods

Packaging northern Cagayan & Batanes into one

Of Human Settlements ministry fame twas

So on one of my stays in idyllic Batanes

In a popular inn in Basco near my diva Love

Made usual rounds of Basco and Mahatao

Of Uyugan and Ivana round the highway built

So picturesque and grand is view of sea and hills

Of cows and carabaos going by their chores

Lush vegetation and farms spruced to charm

Till one day I decided to leave Batan for awhile

Waiting for a boat to cross the channel to Sabtang

Treacherous a channel ‘tis the world’s most dangerous

Quaffed half a small gin bottle to booze my fears down

As rivers seem to cross by the seas in both directions

And then upon arrival of the boat my knees still jerked

Motoring fast yet tricky a route we climbed waves

Upon waves as tall as seven feet each twas hard to see

The destination of this unholy sojourn till we arrived

I almost kissed this soil in Sabtang town

Privileged a young man I felt so great to be there

Hail Sabtang! Be thou challenge to the enthused souls

To marvel in thy land cross tough channel without repose

Hail Sabtang! Scion land of Mother Mu!

[Philippines, 24 March 2011]

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