PASKO NA!!!

Tenderhearted Sentimental Fool.

That's what I turn into this time of the year,
specially when the Simbang Gabi begins,
the Pinoy countdown to Christmas Day!!!

Last night,
as I watched the GIANT PAROL Festival
in San Fernando, Pampanga
with a smile plastered on my face throughout,

I have to admit that I got misty-eyed,
out of affection and admiration for the artistry
of my cabalens who crafted those glorious lanterns,

and for the first time this year,
I finally was fully embraced by that warm Christmas feeling!



The majestic works of art,
each as tall as a 3-storey building,
cost hundreds of thousands of pesos;

but the prize money is a fraction of that:
P20,000 to the barrio whose entry comes in first.
But the cash ultimately is immaterial~


the real rewards are the Prestige and Pride
these artisans are able to offer to their community,

as well as the sheer exuberant, childlike wonder
they provide to their exultant audiences.




As the Parols lit up one by one,
the lights seemed to dance, in perfect choreography
with the Christmas Carols that joyously boomed
from the speakers surrounding the field.




One song in particular made our smiles even wider,
and what made it even more fun, was the fact that
as they gazed in awe at the giant parols,

the guests of the Ultimate Pampanga Food Tour
were actually munching on Puto Pao from Nathaniel's,
the best delicateseen in Pampanga!



The song?

PUTO AT SUMAN,
a very witty Filipinization of "Frosty the Snowman",
from this very rare classic cassette (!) from 1993:



PUTO AT SUMAN
by the Core Group

Pinoy lyrics by Ernie de la Pena
arranged by Tex Cimafranca & Egay Gonzales
produced by Dr. Francisco Erana & Danny Tan


PUTO AT SUMAN
NA ANG LUTO'Y ESPESYAL
MAY KASAMANG KESO ANG PUTO
MAY LATIK ITONG SUMAN
Frosty the Snowman
was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal



PUTO AT SUMAN
KUNG PASKO'Y MATITIKMAN
KARANIWAN SA AMING BAYAN
GANITO ANG SUMAN
Frosty the Snowman
Is a fairytale they say
He was made of snow
But the children know how he came to life one day


SA BARYO MAN O SA BAYAN
MAY PUTO AT SUMAN
SARAP NITO AT LINAMNAM
MAHIRAP MALIMUTAN
There must have been some magic
In that old silk hat they found
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around


OOO...
PUTO AT SUMAN
'YAN ANG IBIG NI NANAY
PABORITO NG AKING TATAY
ITONG PUTO AT SUMAN!
Ohh...
Frosty the Snowman
Was alive as he could be
And the children say he could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me!



ANG GALING 'NO?
DABEST!

Now I have to find some tech guy
to convert my analog tape to a digital CD;
I enthusiastically promised my friends
that I would give them copies before the 24th!



My other favorites on the tape,
soon to be MP3s in a CD are:

TING TING TING : jingle bells
"Ting Ting Ting, Ting Ting Ting
Buong Kasiglahan..."


T'WING PASKO : the christmas song
"Mga kastanyas at mayroong ubas,
iba't ibang mga prutas..."


MAGBABAIT KA : santa claus is coming to town
"Magbabait ka, dumarating na,
may regalo na magaganda,
T'wing Pasko ganyan si Santa..."


There are 8 more genius translations into Pilipino
(without a single mention of snow!)
of these Yuletide Classics:

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,
Christmas Alphabet,
Winter Wonderland,
Joy To The World,
Jingle Bell Rock,
O Holy Night,
Silent Night,

and the best title of all:

ANG ILONG NI RODOLFO!!

Congratulations to
Barrio TELEBASTAGAN
for winning the 2007 Ligligan Parul!!!