Hermogenes, Rea Shanine C. July 22, 2010

Fil 21 – Y

Atin Cu Pung Singsing

Atin cu pung singsing

Metung yang timpucan

Amana que iti

Qng indung ibatan

Sancan queng sininup

Qng metung a caban

Mewala ya iti

E cu camalayan!

Ing sucal ning lub cu

Susucdul qng banua

Picurus cung gamat

Babo ning lamesa

Ninu mang manaquit

Qng singsing cung mana

Calulung pusu cu

Manginu ya caya!

Translation:

I have a ring

With a beautiful stone

It was given to me

By my dear mother.

I kept it close to my breast.

To keep it safe.

But it was lost

As to where, I really have no idea.

The ring got lost.

I never found it.

I cried to high heavens for my sorrow,

Whoever gentleman can retrieve it for me

I offer my humble heart

For him to take.

Analysis

In the literal analysis of the folk song, it presents women as its main characters and a man

as a secondary character. However, these are still attached to the notion that females are weak,

since the lady in the song cannot find the missing ring for herself (in the line “whoever

gentleman can retrieve it for me”), and she still has to present her love as a “prize” for the man

who could find it (in the line “I offer my humble heart”). Males are consequently portrayed as

strong, and they have the capacity to find the ring. It is also explicitly stated in the song that they

can capture the heart of a woman or make a lady love them (in the lines “ I offer my humble

heart/ For him to take”). This is significant because Filipinos have been fighting for equality not

only among social class and order but most especially among all genders. In the folk song, it

seems that the beliefs and notions that many generations have long wanted to be changed were

reinforced. This seems to be contrasting and so I will present another view later in my analysis.

The emphasis is drawn on the ring inherited by the lady from her mother. We are likely to

look at the importance of the act of offering her heart to the man who can find it, but for me the

ring is of higher importance since she is willing to sacrifice her love. It is implied that the lady

loves her mother so dearly because she values and secures the ring so much. We may think of

this as a song for lovers, but clearly, this is a song about a mother and a daughter and their love

for each other. This is significant for the people of Pampanga because the concept shows that

love is not all about women and men, it is also a feeling for family members. This concept in the

poem may help Kapampangans remember to value their loved ones.

The belief in supreme beings is reflected in the song. It is implied in the line “I cried to

high heavens for my sorrow”. This shows the Kapampangans’ sense of spirituality. They may

not have a single religion but these lines suggest that they believe in a supreme being. Another

notable concept in this line is that they can “cry to high heavens for their sorrow”. This is

significant for the people of Pampanga because it reminds them that they can not only worship

but also cry and pour their hearts out to their supreme being. It may give the people a sense of

connectedness to their god.

In the lines, “I offer my humble heart/ For him to take”, we can see it as a way of

expressing gratitude. “Offering the heart” is like telling the other person that you will love

him/her. It seems to be a great thing to do for thankfulness but for me, this is a reflection of the

Kapampangans’ deep sense of gratitude.

Another perspective in analyzing the folk song is putting it in the context of the country.

This folk song may perhaps be another revolutionary song. For me, the song reflects the people’s

longing for their true identity. I will consider the lady as the Filipinos, the ring as Filipino

identity, the mother as the Philippines, the “heart” or love of the lady as honor. The man in the

story would be another Filipino who can bring back the Filipino identity. This is significant for

the Kapampangans because their province is one of those that revolted against the Spaniards.

With their colonization, Filipinos have lost a big part of their identity, and what is left now are

fragments of the real one, hence our inability to point out what is a Filipino. The Filipinos yearn

to find their real and complete identity which was born out of their country, the Philippines (back

then our country is not named as the “Philippines”). The man is the person, which is a Filipino

too, who could bring back the true character of a Filipino. He/she would be given honor by his

fellowmen, and with this honor comes gratitude, great respect and admiration.