nov 2012 travel diaries: i travelled across the pacific ocean, 19 hour flight, fast forward to a different time zone, stranded in guam where we experienced what felt like a tropical heatwave inside the plane as passengers hyperventilated when we were left inside the airplane for almost one hour with doors and windows locked when the air conditioning stopped working, something was wrong. they would not let us out of the airplane nor open the doors and windows because there were non-US citizens inside the plane. after 30 minutes folks were panicking. it was beautiful outside as i looked out the plane’s window, the sun rising, clouds shape shifting as coconut trees swayed, inside, we were fanning ourselves like as if we were in the desert with limited drinking water available. i was getting parched. the stewardess announced if there were any doctors on board to help fellow passengers with medical complaints. still the doors and windows remained closed. it was another fifteen grueling minutes when the clearance to open the plane doors came. many of us who were able rushed towards the fresh air. ahhh, breathing in, ahhh, i am alive. we landed in manila a few hours later. i was rushed to the connecting flight to bohol, the final destination. i was exhausted. it took another 1 hour and 15 minute plane ride to be reunited with my parents after a year of separation. it took me eight years away from the islands to finally return to my ancestral home. my task was to learn about seafaring traditions. inquiries regarding songs related to the bangka led me to boholanos that shared this bisayan song called Krutsay (note this is a jazzier version of the original song). keep scrolling down for an explanation below. despite the long weary travel, i was fortunately safe from the path of destructive storms. thankful blessings.

post storm bopha pablo, mindanao dec 2012

Sakayanon (Krutsay) by Minggoy Lopez

Krutsay! Ang sakayanon nagtawag sa hangin 
Krutsay! Kon ang kalantap sa dagat magsakit (maghagit?) 
Kalaay gayud, kabug-at sa gaud 
Ug kainit nga daw mamahit

Midag-um, midag-um na 
Dapit sa atong habagatan 
Pagbantay-bantay mga kauban 
Ang timbangan dili pagbiyaan 
Ayaw baya kalimot 
Nga gikalisangan kining hangina 
Mogisi sa layag 
Muguba sa atong sakayan.

Timbang kamo, hinubig kamo 
Dagan ngari, dagan ngadto 
Walay labing pait ingun sa kinabuhing sakayanon 
Init ug ulan gisawud nga walay pulopasilong,
Aniay pay katugnaw ug kagutom pa gayud intawon 
Giantos ang tanan 
Kay gimbut-an sa kapalaran.

Sir Reigh’s Note: Other versions use “maghagit” (to challenge) instead of “magsakit” (to cause to suffer)

Sir Rene Ponte’s Note:

Below is not a singable translation Leng, this is more of an explanation of the terms. I am not even comfortable with the boatman. Sakayanon aptly means one who always ride boats either a fisherman or passenger pumpboat operator. At least, you can understand the gist of the song.

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BoatWoman (Krutsay)  (leng leng’s version in bold italics)

Krutsay! The bangkaWOman is calling the wind
Krutsay! If the stillness of the sea confronts (challenges)
So dull, so heavy the tediousness
And the heat that seems to bite

Rainclouds are starting to gather 
Way down south of us 
Be watchful my friends
Always keep the balance
Just don’t forget 
That the southwind is feared
Tears down the sails
And destroys our boat.

Keep the balance, scoop out the water
Run over here, run over there
There is nothing harder than the life of a bangkaWOman
The heat and the rain is taken without shelter
Then there is the cold and the hunger
Everything is handled
As it is fate’s willing