The Filipino Association of Cavan (FAC) had the privilege to be part of the Cavan Arts Festival which was held at Con Smith Park.
FAC Founder Vanda Brady talked about the book of Vicenta Kennedy “From the Philippines to Ireland” and Sociologist Researcher Diane Nititham’s book “Making Home in Diasporic Communities.”
Along with performers and artists from the Cavan Multicultural Society, Congolese Dance performances, Polish theatre, and Latvian Dance, Vanda also played a traditional Philippine patriotic song sang by famous folk singer Freddie Aguilar.called “Bayan Ko” (My Homeland)
Bayan Ko
Ang bayan kong Pilipinas,
lupain ng ginto’t bulaklak.
Pag-ibig ang sa kaniyáng palad
nag-alay ng ganda’t dilág.
At sa kaniyáng yumi at ganda,
dayuhan ay nahalina.
Bayan ko, binihag ka,
nasadlak sa dusa.
Ibon mang may layang lumipad,
kulungin mo at umiiyak!
Bayan pa kayáng sakdal-dilag,
ang ‘di magnasang makaalpas?
Pilipinas kong mimutya,
pugad ng luhá ko’t dalita,
aking adhika:
makita kang sakdal laya!
Bayan Ko (My Country) – English Translation
Philippines, my country, my homeland,
Gold and flowers in her heart abound,
Blessings on her fate did love bestow,
Sweet beauty’s grace and splendor’s glow.
How her charms so kind and tender
Drove the stranger to desire her;
Land of mine, in fetters kept,
You suffered as we wept.
Birds that freely claim the skies to fly
When imprisoned mourn, protest and cry!
How more deeply will a land most fair,
Yearn to break the chains of sad despair?
Philippines, my life’s sole burning fire,
Cradle of my tears, my misery;
All that I desire:
To see you rise, forever free!