A New Hope

The Philippines has a new president.  Last Wednesday, Benigno Aquino III was sworn in as the Philippines’ 15th President.  The son of former President Corazon Aquino and slain opposition leader Benigno Aquino,Jr., Noynoy, as he is called, won the May presidential election by a landslide with his promises to fight corruption.

And so there is renewed hope among many Filipinos.  And hopefully, each one of us will do our share, even in just the everyday things we do, just as this song says...

(I'm not a very good translator, and Goggle translator is even worse, but the lyrics say something like this...)

I am a good Filipino,
I love my country,
I fulfill my duties,
I follow the rules,
I cross the street in the right place,
I board my ride in the right place,
Queue and not push my way to the front 
And I don't lord it over others in the streets
I let people get off and on my vehicle at the right place
Not blocking the road as if I don't care 
I give way to pedestrians crossing the street
I stop when the light is red

[Chorus]Because I am a good Filipino 
I love my country 
I fulfill my duties 
I follow the rules

I don't ask for bribes and I don't bribe
The only thing I accept are the tickets issued
I stand right there in the corner
And not hide under a tree (referring to policemen)
I'm don't spread garbage in the street 
My vehicle isn't a smoke belcher
I put the mess in the garbage
I care for our environment
[Repeat chorus]
I'm always listen to my parents 
So I study well
I don't use illegal drugs 
Or just hang around in school, not attending
I defend my honor
Because it's my only treasure 
I will not sell my future
I value my vote
[Repeat chorus]
I am a loyal and true servant of the people 
I don't allow favor or bribery

My service to the people is true
I don't pocket the money of the people
I defend the Filipino citizens
I acknowledge their rights
I respect my fellow man
I fighting for the honor of my country.
[Repeat chorus twice]
Because I am a good Filipino
Because I am a good Filipino
Because I am a good Filipino

And for the Filipinos out there, let me know if you have a better translation...

Ako’y isang mabuting Pilipino

Minamahal ko ang bayan ko

Tinutupad ko ang aking mga tungkulin

Sinusunod ko ang kanyang mga alituntunin

Tumatawid ako sa tamang tawiran

Sumasakay ako sa tamang sakayan

Pumipila at ‘di nakikipag-unahan

At ‘di ako pasiga-siga sa lansangan

Bumababa’t nagsasakay ako sa tamang sakayan (Nagbababa ako sa tamang babaan)

‘di nakahambalang parang walang pakiaalam

Pinagbibigyan kong mga tumatawid sa kalsada

Humihinto ako ‘pag ang ilaw ay pula

[chorus]

‘pagkat ako’y isang mabuting Pilipino

Minamahal ko ang bayan ko

Tinutupad ko ang aking mga tungkulin

Sinusunod ko ang kanyang mga alituntunin

‘Di ako nagongotong o nagbibigay ng lagay

Ticket lamang ang tinatanggap kong ibinibigay

Ako’y nakatayo doon mismo sa kanto

At ‘di nagtatago sa ilalim ng puno

‘Di ako nagkakalat ng basura sa lansangan

‘Di bumubuga ng usok ang aking sasakyan

Inaayos ko ang mga kalat sa basurahan

Inaalagaan ko ang ating kapaligiran

[repeat chorus]

Lagi akong nakikinig sa aking mga magulang

Kaya’t pag-aaral ay aking pinagbubutihan

‘di ako gumagamit ng bawal na gamot

O kaya’y tumatambay at sa eskwela’y ‘di pumapasok

Ipinagtatanggol ko ang aking karangalan

‘pagkat ito lamang ang tangi kong kayamanan

‘di ko ibinebenta ang aking kinabukasan

Ang boto ko’y aking pinahahalagahan

[repeat chorus]

Ako’y isang tapat at totoong lingkod ng bayan

Pabor o lagay ay ‘di ko pinapayagan

Tapat ang serbisyo ko sa mamamayan

‘Di ko ibinubulsa ang pera ng bayan

Ipinagtatanggol ko ang mamamayang Pilipino

Mga karapatan nila’y kinikilala ko

Iginagalang ko ang aking kapwa tao

Ipinaglalaban ko ang dangal ng bayan ko.

[repeat chorus twice]

Pagkat ako’y isang mabuting Pilipino

Pagkat ako’y isang mabuting Pilipino

Pagkat ako’y isang mabuting Pilipino

And the winner for my ATC giveaway is Dianne!

Go and visit her blog "My Art Journal" and admire her mixed media art!  Congratulations, Dianne!