The Caged Bird: A Children's Book

      A children's book about a country, a song, its writer and a musician.

Hoy, did you know that there once was a land that was clean, green and pollution-free?

Its beauty so captivating, its riches so bountiful and its people so warm that it lured men from different parts of the world. 

Let's fast-forward our story to 1929 (Parents: Use fast-forward effect here) when that land - now called the Philippines - was on its 364th year of being occupied by these foreigners.

This is where we find our writer - by all accounts, an unexceptional man who led an unexceptional life but who was rather exceptional with words (Parents: Re-do that sentence with a British accent.  We were, after all, under them for two years).  His name?  Huseng Batute.  Funny name, right?  That, of course, is his stage name (Parents: Explain "stage name") but in the interest of keeping you from getting bored we'll leave it at that.

He was a wordsmith - he and others had come up with something called balagtasan: a contest done in poetry (Parents:  Do an example of this - "Nananalig akong nagsisimula ang pamahalaan sa ibaba at kumikilos paitaas dahil.....") - who longed for his beloved country to be free.  To express this, he wrote a poem and asked a friend to write music for it. 

The song was about a country imprisoned and in poverty and pain.  Of a country that once had grace and tranquility but was now in sorrow and despair.  It longed to be be free...when its people would rise up and break free...break free from their slavery.  For a time when freedom would reign supreme.

Let's fast-forward our story, again, to a few more years - the late '70's (Parents: Fast-forward effect again).  Here we find a singer longing to write a patriotic song.  Try he did, but, it was the song written by our friend, Huseng Batute, that kept haunting him.  So Freddie Aguilar said to himself, "Instead of writing a new song, why don't I do a remake of that song."

So, Freddie approached his record producer and, after playing him his version, asked if he could record it.  The producer graciously asked Freddie, "Maybe you should sing something else.  Don't you know that song is now banned?"

You see, the Philippines, by this this time, was no longer held captive by people from other countries but was now under the iron fist of someone called a dictator - someone who had made life difficult for a lot of people.  The dictator did not allow certain songs to be played.  Certainly, you must understand, he wouldn't allow one about pain, suffering and a longing for freedom be played.

But, Freddie was determined.  Because he was determined, he found a way.  How?  He was able to have the WIFE of the dictator fall in love with his version.  I suppose, after this, the dictator couldn't do anything about it. 

The dictator - as you may understand - didn't make a lot of people happy.  One of those who voiced his complaint was a man named Ninoy.  Ninoy talked loud and clear about the wrongdoings of the dictator.  As you may understand, this did not make a lot of people happy, either.  One day, someone shot and killed Ninoy to silence him - forever.

Millions felt a great sadness and longed to say goodbye to Ninoy.  One of those who lined up for hours to pay respect was our friend, Freddie.  After Ninoy's family recognized him, they asked if he could sing the song that spoke about freedom.  He declined at first because he didn't have a guitar with him.  They asked him to sing acapella - without a musical instrument - instead.  This, he did, with much power and love that it brought tears to many. 

A few years later, the people would finally rise up and kick out the dictator.  This happened because they were no longer afraid.  Guess what?  It was our song that helped keep the faith in this struggle alive. 

Today, things are not yet so free with the Philippines.  We're still not fully free from poverty nor suffering.  There is still much great pain and sorrow. 

Perhaps, one day, with your help...yes, your help...this country will finally be free and the caged bird - the bird that cries in captivity - will finally break free. 

This is the song:




My beloved country
Filipinas is your name
Pearl of the Orient
Blest with unblemished beauty
But alas! robbed of your longed-for freedom
Always weeping in poverty and pain.

My country, Filipinas
Land of gold and flowers
Love has given her grace and tranquility
And her radiance and loveliness
drew rapacious foreigners
My country, they have imprisoned you
Thrown you into sorrow and despair.

Even birds who freely fly
When caged will struggle to escape
What more of a country endowed with
nobility
Would she not strive to break free?

Filipinas, my cherished land
My home of sorrow and tears
Always I dream to see you truly free.
How lovely it is to live in one's native land
If there is no slavery and freedom
reigns supreme

A people who are now oppressed
In the morrow shall stand up
The east will turn a fiery crimson
And mark the dawn of freedom.

For my father who gave me a brain, my mother who gave me a heart, my two wonderful kids, my wife who is raising them well, my cousin, Jeannine, who showed me love of country and to not fear Filipino music and finally to those who gave their lives so that we may all live free - J.B.

For my mother, my brother, Marcus, and Grandma and Grandpa - K.B.

JAY BUENAFLOR was born in the United States, grew up in the Philippines, worked abroad for 14 years and is back - for now - in the Philippines.  Wheww.  He lives in Paranaque together with his wife, Kelly, and two kids, Kara and Marcus. 

KARA BUENAFLOR was born in the United States and is currently in the process of learning to love the Philippines.  The interests of this seven year old include arts and crafts, history, reading and gymnastics.