Local Poetry or Binalaybay Part II

Iloilo is also proud to have a veteran poet in the person of Fiscal Nilo P. Pamonag. The poet who is a native of San Enrique, Iloilo is a former president of the Sumakwelan society from 1982 - 84 and director of Iloilo Press Club, Inc. in 1983. He is an excellent storyteller and received awards in this category.

Bukid Sang Makiling

ni Nilo P. Pamonag

Bukid nga bansagon kag makasaysayan; 

Makalilibug ang duna mong kagayon;

Tarug sang kaalam ikaw palaagyan,

Sa apat ka suok bug-os ipatayon.

Ginatala ikaw sang linghod nga adlaw

Tubtob halukan sing tuman katam-is;

Nagapaalam ini huban ang kahidlaw,

Sa pagpanumbalik nga dili magyam-is.

Imong purongpurong ang puting panganud;

Sa danyag sang langit gapaanud-anud;

Takdang mong malasukla ang alipuop;

Madamul nga talon ang imo nakanup.

Paraiso nga palhi ni Diosa Marya;

Dalangpan sang kapispisan, kasapatan;

Tag-amlig sang bahanding kinaiya,

Sa lunhaw nga buas-damlag sang kalibutan.

English Translation

Mountain of Makiling

by Nilo Pamonag

Mountain of praise and historic;
Your innate charm is bewildering
Way of wisdom you are the path
In four corners you are erected.

You are ginatala of the linghod sun
Until kissed with too much sweetness;
Bidding goodbye this huban longing,
In returning that will never sweeten.

Your crowned-filled white clouds; 
In the danyag of heaven floating;
Takdang mong malasukla ang alipuop;
Thick wilderness you nakanup.

Extraordinary paradise of Goddess Mary;
Refuge of birds and animals
Caretaker of one's treasures,
To the green future of the world.

Wala'y Kamatayon Ang Kadalagan

ni Nilo P. Pamonag

Nakita ko ang paglaum

Sa nagapamagbanag nga adlaw

Tagdala sing kabuhi

Sa tanan nga mamalatyon.

Nakita ko ang kabuhi

Sa silak sang adlaw

May kalulo kag bugal

Nga ginapaalinton sa tanan.

Nakita ko ang kasubu

Sang nagapaalam nga adlaw

May paglaum kag kahadluk

Sa nagahilapit nga katapusan.

Nakita ko ang kadalag-an

Sang paglaum kag kaayuhan

Kag ang kamatayon napaslawan

Sang magpugaang liwat ang sidlangan



English Translation

Undying Victory

by Nilo P. Pamonag

I saw hope
In the rising sun
Carrier of life
To all the mortals

I saw life
In the rays of the sun
There is tenderness and pride
That is conveyed to all.

I saw sadness
In the fleeting sunset
There is hope and fear
In the nearing end.

I saw victory
Of hope and goodness
And the death failed
When the east becomes bright red once again.