TABAROTI

   As an aspiring writer I am always curious. I always question the possibilities. I always ask the unusual. I always try to find the answer in books, internet (all reading materials), and if I happen to be curious when I am at my highest confidence I am unstoppable.

    I first saw the word imprinted in the jersey of my college classmate. At first, I thought it is a simple nickname he invented. Just like how most Filipinos form words. I was guessing it comes from taba (fat) and roti (an Indian bread). See how the words relate? The thing is my classmate is not fat so the name does not suit him.

   When I asked him about the meaning of the word I was with my friend Grace (I was lucky she was curious too). I told him about my theory. Turns out I was wrong. He explained that the word means peasant.

    Then I have a new question. What is the origin of the word? This new question does not stop me from creating a piece as a token of my appreciation. As for the answer the answer of my next question, who knows, I might find it here.

TABAROTI

Anong meron sa lansangan

na ginawa mong kanlungan?

Bakit aking kaibigan,

ikaw ay nasa mundong pilit kong iniiwasan?

Linisan ang konkretong tahanan

Tumuloy sa bangketang mailap ang hapunan

Malambot mong kama ipinagpalit

sa kartong kasukat ng paslit

Kahanay ka na ng mga sawing – palad

Marahil ay nalakbay mo na ang buong siyudad

Sa paningin ng mga taong ‘di alam

ang iyong tunay na pinagmulan

Nakikita ko ang saya sa salu – salo

Kasama ng mga estranghero

Ngunit hanggang kelan ka makikisali?

Ano ang hahantungan ng iyong pagiging tabaroti?

Nariyan ba ang  puwang na iyong gusto?

May hinihintay ba na llimos ang iyong puso?