"Tagakaulo" a Filipino Poem Written and Translated by John Dave B. Pacheco

Tagakaulo

When long-ago settlers set foot
In the mountains of Davao Occidental,
We never regained the title of the land
Imprinted on their tongues.

Their words are too sharp,
Chests almost torn apart
Of our tribe, they have also claimed:
To work in the fields; husk sugarcanes
And harvest corn;
To offer income to their gentle palms

And return meager coins
To spasmed, callused, scarred hands.
Whoever revolts
Has to prepare money for the burial ground.

Some left
From their woke-up-to-culture.
Others escaped
Even before morning.
They know they can never come back.
They know that the traces of their footprints
Will be erased from the flood of grief

To be remembered on the map of a lifetime.
That’s why I am writing this as a plea
And maybe find the lost

I am writing and maybe I can follow
Back the traces of violence
Of my identity.

Note: "Tagakaulo" is a term in the Filipino language referring to the indigenous Tagakaulo people.

~~~~

Tagakaulo

Nang makatapak ang mga dumayo noon
Sa kabundukan ng Davao Occidental,
Hindi na namin nabawi ang titulo ng lupang
Nakaimprenta sa kanilang dila.

Masyadong matalas ang mga kataga,
Halos pinilas ang dibdib
Ng mga katribong inangkin na rin nila:
Magtrabaho sa umá, manapas ng tubó,
At mangharbes ng mais;
Para ihahalad ang kità sa banayad nilang palad

At barya-baryang ibabalik
Sa pasmado, makalyo’t mga pilas sa kamay.
Ang mag-aalsa’y
Kailangan maghanda ng pera para sa lupang libingan.

Ang iba’y nilisan
Ang kanilang kinagisnan.
Ang iba’y tumakas
Bago pa man mag-umaga.
Alam nilang hindi na sila makababalik pa.
Alam nilang ang mga bákas ng paa’y
Mabubura sa baha ng hinagpis

Na aalalahanin sa mapa ng habambuhay.
Kaya’t nagsusulat ako bilang panawagan
At baka mahanap ang mga nawala.

Nagsusulat ako at baka masundan ko
Pabalik ang mga bakás ng dahas
Ng aking pagkakakilanlan.

John Dave B. Pacheco is a writer and spoken word artist from General Santos City, with roots in Malungon, Sarangani Province. His poetry was featured in the 2020 international anthology "A Thousand Cranes." JD also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Hayo, the Philippines' first children's magazine focused on HIV/AIDS awareness, earning recognition as the 1st runner-up in a national contest. Currently, he is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Filipino at Mindanao State University – General Santos City.