Marawi airstrikeImage Source

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Para sa Sarili, Para sa Bayan

(Kathang Orihinal)

Praataataataataaat!
Mga duguan, nagkalat
Praataataataataaat!
Lapnos ang balat
Dapa, yuko, magtago!
Buhay ang nakataya dito

Lingon sa kaliwa
Wala silang awa
Matyag sa kanan
Tila walang hanggan
Ang kapayapaan
Kailan makakamtan?

Laban, kapatid!
Tumakbo ka.
Sana'y mabatid,
Hindi ka nag-iisa.
Laban para sa sarili.
Laban para sa bayan!
Landas na ito'y di pinili,
Bawiin ang karapatan.

Babangon tayo
Iindahin ang kalbaryo
'Pag tapos ng bagyo
Ang bahaghari'y nasa dulo.

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Bandila

Last night, I watched "Maalaala Mo Kaya" (MMK). The episode was entitled "Bandila" and the story was about the war in Marawi, Mindanao. The story revolved in a group of Christians who failed to evacuate before the war broke out and were trapped in the basement of a Moslem's house for 11 days. They stayed alive rationing food and water waiting to be rescued and finally running for their lives successfully in the middle of the war to reach the military safe zone. (Read more of the story here.)

The war in Marawi has been going on for a while now and it's a big deal that Martial Law has been extended and expanded. But what really pains me is hearing about the news that Christians were being killed by the terrorists (Maute Group) while Moslems were given the hard choice of "Resist and Die" or "Join (the (ISIS)) and Live". There's no good thing that war brings but I'd like to commend my fellow Filipino Moslems who shield the Christians from the terrorists to safety. Moreover, I dedicate the poem above to our unsung heroes down south who sacrifices themselves, their own safety just to help our fellow Filipinos regardless of the religion and to all Filipino soldiers who fought and those who are still fighting the terrorists and for defending and rescuing the victims of the war. High salute!

I didn't translate my poem to English for I offer this to my fellow Filipinos. I'm sorry. I'd also like to share this song by Sgt. Ronie M. Halasan (OS) PA entitled "Bangon Marawi" which translates to "Rise, Marawi". It really touched my heart hearing it at MMK's episode, MARAWI. (See the lyrics here.)

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I apologize to all non-Filipino Steemians because the song, too isn't translated to English. To help you, I'd like to translate the chorus:

Marawi, bumangon ka
Tama na ang maling pakikibaka
Kapatid gumising ka!
Di ka ba naaawa sa bayan kong nagdurusa
Bumangon ka, Marawi
Kaya natin ito
Oh, Bangon Marawi
Simulan na natin ngayon

English Translation

Marawi, rise up
Emough of the wrong struggles
Brother, wake up!
Don't you pity my suffering nation?
Stand up, Marawi
We can do this!
Oh, get up Marawi
Let's begin now!