Per le belle donne del mondo…

International Women’s Day is a worldwide event that celebrates women’s achievements – from the political to the social – while calling for gender equality. It has been observed since the early 1900s and is now recognised each year on March 8. (Source)

So today, I decided to dedicate my posts to every beautiful, independent, and strong women around the globe. Here are some inspiring messages for all. 🙂

On being the type of woman

Sarah Kay was the first person who introduced me to Spoken Word Poetry years ago. Her works are awesome and heartfelt. Here’s a lovely piece she wrote and performed for the Button Poetry that speaks on what type of woman we are meant to be. ❤️❤️❤️

 

On being stereotyped by men

Most men, well, maybe those that I’ve met so far, view women as some damsel in distress in dire need of a knight in shining armor. Truth is we’re not. There are also  battles we could fight and we don’t just simply sit in the corner with a screaming silence when situation occurs. Jane Austen could agree to that. 😉

 

On being beautiful

I think we’re locked in our own cage of self-doubt without us knowing that we had the key all along. Yes, I know, easier said than done, especially when the world that we live in starts defining a woman’s worth with it’s own scale entrenched by stereotyping (the sole root of anxiety among women). So here’s a song from Colbie Caillat to remind us that we are beautiful- inside and out. Remember that. 

 

On being fearless

For that love of Taylor Swift (no haters, please!). I think Taylor has said enough in this one. 😄😄😄

 

On finding inner calm and peace

To those who are running, to those who are lost, to those who have fallen, and to those who have found the inner calm and peace. Here’s a beautiful piece from none other than Lang Leav. 

 

On being yourself

An upbeat song from my girl crush, Tori. The lyrics say it all. 😉

 

On making choices

Who could better tell us the true strength of a woman than Angelina Jolie herself? An excellent actress, Ambassador of Goodwill, and a loving mother. ❤️❤️❤️

 

On staying on course

Lastly, I’m leaving you with a message from 2015 Miss Universe, the Philippine’s pride, and a woman who is confidently beautiful with a heart, Pia. 

 

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Enjoy the rest of the day everyone! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Hahanapin Kita

Painting by Catrin Walz Stein

I have mentioned in my 2016 list of desires that I want to explore and try our local poetry, to eventually write poems in our local dialect (Tagalog or Bisaya) and share it in this blog soon. I think that ‘soon’ is now.

And since today marks the start of love month and the countdown to a very special day, I’m sharing this first of (hopefully) many local poems from me. This one’s inspired by two of my favorite spoken word poets, Juan Miguel Severo and Sarah Kay. I hope I did fine. 😀 😀 😀

A Tagalog Poem: Hahanapin Kita

Hahanapin kita sa magagandang linya sa bawat pahina
Sa madamdaming liriko sa bawat kanta, hahanapin kita
Sa mga luha’t galak ng mga artista sa isang pelikula na maaaring sabay nating pinanood
Hahanapin kita sa malumanay na pagtugtug ng isang magandang piyesa na tila mga alon na tumatangoy sa aking kaba papalayo sa dalampasigan ng iyong pagmamahal
Mahal, hahanapin kita
Hahanapin kita sa bawat kislap ng mga bituin sa langit
Sa liwanag ng buwan sa mga gabing kay dilim
Sa simoy ng hangin na sa akin ay dumadampi
At kung ako man ay maidlip sa huni ng mga kuliglig, hahanapin pa rin kita
Hahanapin kita sa aking mga panaginip
Makikipaglaro sa isip hanggat mahanap kita
Ngunit kung sa pagbungad ng bagong umaga
Sa aking paggising, pagmulat, pagbangon
Ay hindi kita makita, hahanapin ulit kita.

English Translation:

I will look for you in beautiful lines of every page I read
In poignant lyrics of every song I listen to, I will look for you
In the tears and joys of an actor in a movie that we may have watched together
I will look for you in gentle melodies of a playing beautiful piece—taking away my fears, like rolling waves, from the shores of your love
Love, I will look for you
I will look for you in every shining star in the sky
In the darkness of a moonlit night
In the touch of the squalling winds
And if I ever fall asleep amidst the crickets’ hymn, I will still look for you
I will look for you in my dreams
I will gamble and play until you’re found
But if a brand new day starts and
As I wake, rise, and realize
That you are not here, I will look for you again.