May Isa Ka Ambahanon

1997

(A tribute to singers and musicians)

Lyrics by: Maria Luisa Tejero Torrento                           
Music & Interpretation: Josie Gentelizo Jarina

I.      May isa ka ambahanon,

        Nga madugay na gindihon;

        Apang gintago lang nakon,

        Sa akon tagipusuon.

II.     Bilanggong dalamguhanon,

        Ang ini nga ambahanon;

        Hipus ko nga gintipigan,

        Sa malawig nga panahon.

III.   Sa ano ko mapabutyag?

        Kay sin-o ko ipahayag?

        Tingog ko, wala’y naluyag,

        Ilo sa dunang kaanyag.

IV.   Balunon na lang kuntani,

        Sa pagtaliwan sing dayon;

        Ang matam-is nga dinalan,

        Sining akon ambahanon.

V.    Salamat sa pag-abot mo,

        Sa tingog mo kag sa lanton;

        Nga naghatag sing kabuhi,

        Sa kubos kong ambahanon.

The Lonely Tale Behind the Song

More than two decades ago, I requested my friend, Josie to set into music my lyric poem as my tribute to all musicians and singers, most specially to Miss Loreto Tenefrancia who discovered that I can create songs, but cannot sing them myself, because I am not a note reader, I do not know how to make a musical score and my voice is not pleasing to hear. Josie went to San Jose College where she was teaching and took the copy of my lyric to the music room to try to compose a tune for it. A man was practicing on the piano when she arrived. She stood behind him, waiting for her turn to use the piano. The man stood up,looked at the piece of paper she was holding. He reached for the written song and read it. Then he looked at Josie and said, "Daw karuluoy kana, no?", referring to the writer of the song. He returned to the seat before the piano, fixed a tape recorder and placed the poem in front of him. Then, he started to play the piano while singing the lyric. When he finished singing it, he handed the cassette tape record of the song to Josie and left without even telling her his name. On the Teachers' Night ball that year, Josie sang the song. I introduced her as the interpreter of the song only. I was not able to credit the composer because Josie and I knew him not. Up to now, the composer of my song remains a "mystery man". To this day I am a lonely hunter in search for that anonymous one who gave life to my song. I wish one day I'll come to know him in order to thank him  personally and give him the credit.