"The poem is rendered in tribal oral poetry a form common in filipino culture called "balagtasan." This is written in Tagalog language followed by its english translation. I presented this form in order not to lose its multicultural flavor."

Ang mata ng bagyo ay kidlat sa noo Katulad ng bala ng kanyon Huwag mong bombahin ang iyong baryo Masakit man ang isipin sila pa rin ang kasiping O di mo ba naririnig ang daing ng hangin Ang kawayan di matutumba di maarya Alisin mo ang hinagpis ng iyong panduduro Sila ay kay Bathala na katulad mo Bughaw man ang mata Puti ang panlalantad mo Ikaw pa rin ang iniibig O ikaw na banyaga sa bayan mo

The eye of the storm is the thunder on your brow But like a cannon shell Please don't demolish your own barrio Painful though it may be they are your bedfellows O don't you hear the howling of the wind? The bamboo thicker never breaks never falls So wipe the tears of your ire Just like you they too are from Bathala Blue though your eyes may be And white your skin You are still the beloved O you the stranger in your homeland

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