My first impression was that these local trips would be dull for the fact that I was going out with acquaintances. I resolved that I was there for the place anyway.
When we went up the highlands of Balamban by vanpools, we were met by the uninviting sand of the resort; surprised at the rare sight of a huge tree with branches spread about a meter away from the shoreline. Nobody swam in except during our last day. Still, it was a sight to behold. The tranquility was devoid of the noise pollution in the city. It was not a must to wear a swimsuit except for those who trooped to use the pool instead. The place was remote and being the first to book the place, we covered majority of the expanse. We found no other beachgoers but ourselves. As participants of the parlor games prepared by the organizers, we laughed hard as we lost and won some. It was December the other year and on one of the games, it rained a little. We were not there to cook or shop which was also good. No pressure. We enjoyed and contented ourselves with the only available service provided to us by its management and staff. At night, the air conditioner was satisfyingly cold and the bed was cushiony soft and clean.
Comparably, the boat ride then bus trip to Boracay–a longer route chosen by the government to save on fare was more wearisome that I looked forward to sleeping first thing upon arrival but when we hit the shorelines, the inviting texture and sight of the sand and aquamarine waters were too tempting not to immerse in them. Though not required, each local or foreign tourist that peopled the beach wore a complementing swimsuit as he or she swam and passed by the varied Italian, Korean and other restaurants and a disco haus. It was an irony for the youth who were not all employed yet to be there and not afford most of the services as diving, spa, etc. We satisfied ourselves with the food served by the hotel assigned to us. The same hotels that showbiz people on their first day of arrival preferred to lock themselves in the rooms they booked when we there. It was May and Holy Week. A time when the island is most populated. Locals would say that once in a while they’re visited by nudists. Certainly at that time of year, it was impossible to spot one. Our organizer did not prepare a program except for the buffet dinner served by two juxtaposed hotels on the first night. During our last day, each was given an honoraria. Out we went buying souvenirs from the market.
I expected other people to join me in these trips which were years apart but I was far from homesick though. I enjoyed the diversity each resort had to offer which was what I came for and in the company of other people.
The early morn that I first heard of Lingin, the volume of my radio was minimized so the backup choral was not that audible. I was excited as the vocalist began to enumerate.
The song opens with him naming the parts of and things seen in his house–…our roof…cabinet…knife; my mind was saying “Go on” in anticipation.
What’s funny is that they are all described to be lingin—as repeatedly chanted by the back-up from the beginning (so I realized the next time I heard it).
And—he doesn’t have any other word to describe them with. That goes for the band’s chorus as well.
The third time he enumerates, he directs to his body parts.
Which is the odd one out? Definitely, it’s the word “itoy” (Watch the video below.) which is reworded as “periko” in radio airings. Unless this is in reference to his “bird,” then it lifts whatever makes it different from the class of objects found in the third verse.
Although it’s a terse and repetitive song with a simple melody, questions rolled through my head. If this speaks of the Circle of Life (kinabuhi), the song isn’t as long and as elaborate as Elton John’s. If this is about life being like a wheel as an addage—it is not implicit. Maybe it’s the natural curve in nature? Well, the first two sets are man-made. How about money represented by the shape of a coin?
Are your interpretations as roundabout as the circle too?
The artist knows best of the meaning behind this song.
Verse 1
ang among balay…. lingin
ang among atop……lingin
ang among bintana…lingin
ang among pultahan..lingin
ang among kwarto….lingin
ang among bong bong..lingin
ang among hagdanan
oooo..
Verse 2
ang among lamisa….lingin
ang among bangku….lingin
ang among aparador..lingin
ang among lantay….lingin
ang among kabinit…lingin
ang among takori….lingin
ang among kutsilyo
oooo.
Repeat refrain
Chorus:
ang among chorus
lingin lang gihapon
kay wala nay laing lyrics
lingin lang ghapon
kay ang atong kinabuhi lingin
Verse 3
ang akong ulo…..lingin
ang akong mata….lingin
ang akong ilong…lingin
ang akong baba….lingin
ang akong dughan..lingin
ang akong pusod…lingin
ang akong periko
oooo.
