If You Forget Me

Kung Kalimutan Mo Ako
Pablo Neruda
(Salin ni Bong Eliab)

Alam mo kung papaano ito:
Kung masulyapan ko
ang malakristal na buwan,
ang mapupulang sanga ng taglagas sa aking durungawan,
Kung dumampi sa akin
malapit sa apoy
ang malamultong abo
o ang kulubot na katawan na kahoy,
dinadala ako, lahat patungo sa 'yo
kung baga lahat ng bagay,
bango, ilaw, metal,
mga bangkang maliliit
naglalayag
tungo sa mga isla mong naghihintay sa akin.

Kung sakali ngayon
unti-unting ayaw mo na akong mahalin
`Di na rin kita mamahalin dahan-dahan.

Kung sakaling
bigla mo akong kinalimutan.
Huwag mo na akong hanapin,
Sapagkat matagal na kitang kinalimutan.

Kung pagnilayan mo ng matagal,
ang ihip ng mga bandilang
dumadaan sa buhay ko,
at nagpasya kang lisanin
ang dalampasigan ng aking puso
na aking kinaugatan,
alalahanin
sa araw ding iyon,
sa sandaling yaon,
Bibitaw ang aking mga kamay
at hahayo ang aking mga ugat
maghanap ng lupang madapuan.

Ngunit
kung sakaling sa bawat araw,
sa bawat sandali,
nararanasan mong ikaw ang aking kapalaran
ng may katamisang dumadaloy,
kung sakaling sa bawat araw
umaakyat ang isang bulaklak
sa iyong mga labi
tungo sa akin
Ah, irog ko, ah akin lamang,
sa loob ko bumabalik ang apoy,
sa loob ko walang nanamlay o nakalimutan,
buhay ng aking pag-ibig ang iyong pag-ibig, irog,
at habang buhay, iyong haplos
mananatili sa aking haplos. 

Pagbabago@Pilipinas Statement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PLEASE

We at Pagbabago@Pilipinas, together with the rest of the nation believe that the truth about the ZTE project must be allowed to surface that justice may be served. For too long and too often, the administration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has been contemptuous of any attempts at arriving at the truth on important matters that have robbed the nation of its wealth and wounded its spirit. The latest kidnapping attempt of witness Jun Lozada is another blatant attempt at truth suppression, among many other actions that have attempted to muddle every investigation dating all the way back to the Jose Pidal scandal and including the Hello Garci scandal, the Fertilizer scam, the Southrail projects, the Macapagal highway among many others.

We stand steadfast behind all efforts to arrive at the truth about the ZTE kickback scandal. Let everyone involved testify freely and let justice move swiftly and charge the guilty regardless of who they are.

We say with one voice that anyone who stands in the way of the quest for truth, including GMA and members of her administration, should immediately resign. Politicians who lie, cheat and thwart justice should have no place in the governance of this nation. Enough is enough. The Philippines deserves better-- and our people should settle for nothing less.


pagbabago@pilipinas Foundation
pagbabago.tripod.com

Invitation to a Nobel Peace Laureate Lecture

On behalf of Fr. Antonio S. Samson S.J., President of Ateneo de Davao University, we kindly invite you to participate in the March 2008 "Bridges" event and dialogue with the following keynote speaker: Prof. David Baltimore, Nobel Laureate for Medicine and President Emeritus of the California Institute of Technology.

Awarded the Nobel Prize at the age of 37 for research in virology, Professor Baltimore has profoundly influenced national science policy on such issues as recombinant DNA research and the AIDS epidemic. He is an accomplished researcher, educator, administrator and public advocate for science and engineering and is considered one of the world's most influential biologists.

Professor Baltimore will speak on "The role of science in fostering global health and development" on Friday, March 28 at 2 pm at Finster Auditorium, Ateneo de Davao University on E. Jacinto Street in Davao City (further information and free seats via phone (082) 227-8771 or 221-2411, fax (082) 226-4116 or email jse@addu.edu.ph, asamsonsj@gmail.com). Admission is free.

We hope you could join Professor Baltimore's event in March 2008 or the remaining "Bridges" event in April 2008 with Nobel Peace Laureate President Prof. Jose Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste. The detailed schedule of all "Bridges" events and further information is available on the website

www.peace-foundation.net

We thank you for your kind attention and consideration and would be delighted to personally welcome you at some of the upcoming "Bridges" events in March or April 2008.

With best regards,


JEREMY S. ELIAB
Assistant to the President
Ateneo de Davao University
Roxas Avenue, Davao City
8016 Philippines
Tel. +63 (82) 221.2411 local 8253
Fax +63 (82) 226.4116