Testigo (Witness)

Ha halaba nga pulong, bisan marampag
                ha dughan
An pagmakasasala mo ha bagting
Han ak’ simod, ako la gihapon an
Mapainubsanon, ako, ako an madarahug
Nga ‘say naangay makigbisog ha lawod
Han kaarawdan, kay ikaw an naghalad,
Ikaw an kinmarawat han ak’ kamaisog
Nga malunod an ngatanan nga paghusga,
                O gugma.

Ha halipot nga pulong, bisan buong,
                bisan.

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In the long way of saying it, although
     it’s flowery on the chest
Your sinning upon the tolling of
My snout, I am yet the
Humble one, I, I am the oppressor
Who deserves to fight at the depths of
Shame, for you were the one who gave
     offerings,
You were the one who received my valor
That all judgments drown, o love.

In the short way of saying it, though
     broken, even so.

Note: English translation from the original Waray by the poet. The line “bisan buong, bisan” (even broken ones, even) is derived from the local call of the used-bottles collector in Leyte (called magbobote in the Tagalog regions) who frequented the poet’s street in his childhood.