Roadside singer becomes an internet sensation
By JC Frances, Staff Reporter
CEBU - A Filipino roadside caroler has become an internet sensation overnight, after a video of his amusing performance was uploaded on Facebook. As of Friday, the video clip of the unknown singer has gotten more than 9,000 shares.
Netizens call the man “Tatay” (father). Dressed in a simple green shirt, a white baseball cap and and old guitar, “Tatay” stood out because of his humorous song about a bachelor’s life in the time of Yolanda, last year's typhoon considered the worst to ever hit the Philippines.
With a Boholanon accent, "Tatay" sings about misadventures during Yolanda, getting on a plane for the first time, landing in Cebu and then being forced to marry a widow. The song appears to be his original composition.
“Yah! He found something positive and funny episodes amidst disaster [sic],” Facebook user Oh Lee commented. Just how funny? Listen closely to his lyrics as you watch this video:
Here are the lyrics to the song:
Pwerti g’yod na-kong kujawa (kujawa) Sa pag-abot ni Reyna’ng Yolanda Damo sab koý dimalas, damo-damo sab ang di-buenas Ma nga balay nga gagmay, payag gawang katubo pagkahuman sa bag-jo ning kalit lang kadagko Kay may balay sa datu nanga bongkag nakay-ag Gihakot ni Yolanda, sa pobre sab gihatag
Translation: I was so scared when Queen Yolanda came. I got plenty of bad luck, plenty of bad fortune. Small houses and huts suddenly became bigger after the typhoon because Yolanda took from the houses of the rich and gave to the poor
Bali ga-‘jong damo-a (damo-a) Materyalis sa amo nanugpa, mga atop color roof Didto sa amo na pundok Aho dajong gitukod basin dunay mogukod Materyales na nugpa hinatag ni Yolanda
Translation: A lot of materials landed in our place, including colored roofing. I quickly used them in construction in case someone takes them, these building materials that came from Yolanda
Bali ga-‘jong garboha (garboha) Pagkahuman sa bagyong Yolanda Pajag naho dako na, bisan wala koý kwarta Kanindot nga tan-awon bisan wa’ko’y makaon Ang ahong pagpujo mura’g na sab ko’g datu
Translation: It was very grand, after the typhoon Yolanda. My small hut now very big even though I have no money. It looks so great even though I have nothing to eat. I am living like the rich Ang ahong pagka-pobre (ka pobre) Kujaw-kujaw ang ahong swerti Kay dinhay C-130 nga walay plete-plete Aho dajong gi-adto, un’ja ni linya sab ko Nakasakay ko’g eroplano Kun’ wala pa si Yolanda mamatay na lang ko Dili ako makasakay ug eroplano
Translation: Despite my destitute, my luck is amazing because of a C-130 that offered a free ride. I quickly went to line up for a ride. If not for Yolanda, I would never be able to ride a plane even after I am dead. Ni abot ko’g Cebu (ug Cebu) Nga wa akoy toyu didto Dako na ko’g problema kaý wa ra ba ‘koy kwarta Ma-ajo gani nadala kining ahong sista Didto sa carenderia ako nikankanta Pwerti na ‘ hong busuga wa’ra ba ko pabarya Kay ang ta-iya’ng viuda nag-wanted sab ug bana
Translation: I arrived in Cebu and I had nothing to do. I had a big problem because I had no money. It's a good thing I brought my guitar and at a cafeteria I sang. I was quite full, they did not let me pay for my meal because the owner was a widow looking for a husband Mi apply ko’g trabaho (trabaho) Palu-oy-luoy intawon ko Gi-taga-an ko’g pwesto Taga hugas ug plato Wala intawon koy sweldo (wa'y sweldo) Kay ang viuda nag plano nga akoý iyang bana-bana siya usab o’ asawa Kay buntis man diay to, iya kong gisiguro nga himo-on intawon ko, Salvador del Mundo Akong gi-aggwantahan bisan siya ug dikhad Total ang kasunod, ako naman Naka sakay man gani ako ug eroplano pero na minyo sab ko’g salin sa mga Negro
Translation: I applied for work and was given a job as a dishwasher. I did not get paid because the widow wanted me to pose as her husband. It turns out she's pregnant and she wanted me to be her savior. I gave in and sacrificed because I will surely have my turn of good fortune. Oh, I may have gotten on a plane, but I got married to someone knocked up by a Negro
