# # Wonderment (A Translation Of 'Kahibulungan') Poem by Sonya Florentino

# # Wonderment (A Translation Of 'Kahibulungan')

Rating: 5.0


Oh Wonderment!
This birth of love
What madness...

Here I am a wretch
In the cold of night
I bare my heart for you to witness
Under heaven’s eyes - this love!
This anguish!
What I feel for you
My dear beloved


© 2009 Sonya Florentino


This is a translation of a folk song (see below) in the Cebuano language (one of about 171 languages spoken in the Philippines) . I do not speak this language. I looked up each word in the dictionary and from that made my own interpretation. One of my favorites songs from my native country, however I never understood the lyrics until now.

KAHIBULUNGAN

Kahibulungan
Ang gibati ko
Natawo ang gugmang makabuang
Kanimo pinangga ko

Ania intawon ako ning matugnawng gabii
Binuksan kining dughan aron ka makasaksi
Nga dinhi sa ilawom sa langit
Ang gugma ko imo da

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Rakesh Bedi 18 August 2009

They say; there is not much of difference in courage and madness and to prove ones love......, nice one, sonya.......

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Laurie Hill 19 August 2009

You translated well... a lover presenting his love.....

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Estrella Baldemosa 23 August 2009

You did a good in translating...nice song

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Meggie Gultiano 20 November 2009

Sonya, this is a soft haunting song composed by Stax Huguete if i am not mistaken. My late father used to sing this with his guitar and this was his favorite song. A nice piece..It pulls my heart string..I miss my father very much. thank you for this wonderful translation.

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Lillian Thomas 21 September 2009

I think you have a real knack for translation. Even people who are fluent in both languages could not have come up with a better English poem based on the words of the song. Most translations of poetry seem to leave the emotional content of the poem somewhere in a back closet, so to speak. Thank you for sharing this little gem with us, Sonya.

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nomad omnia 25 August 2009

Always a favourite :) . Thanks Sonya. N

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Yelena M. 25 August 2009

A beautiful song speaking the universal language of love, Sonya. Thanks for providing information and original text below, pity I cannot hear this song in the original, should be a very special sonic experience..and wow, I am surprised there are 171 languages spoken on Philippines! Thanks for sharing with us. Yelena M.

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Sandra Fowler 24 August 2009

The wonderment of love is apparent in every language. Beautiful translation. Warm wishes, Sandra

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Sonya Florentino

Sonya Florentino

Manila, Philippines (residing NYC)
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