Saranggola (Kite)

from Bugtong (Riddles)

SATB choir and SA youth choir a cappella
(version for SA choir and piano coming soon)
5:30 approx.

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Saranggola is one of a series of choral settings of bugtong or Filipino riddles written by Joey Vargas. The work likens fragile little paper kites to our hopes and dreams, and in a sense, the youth. They’re able to soar high and fly when raised with love, care, and the proper support system.

Bugtong: Saranggola is commissioned by the Phoenix Chamber Choir, Nicholle Andrews — Artistic Direcrtor. It received its premiere in May 2023 in Vancouver, BC.

Bugtong: Saranggola

Buto’t balat, walang laman, lumilipad,
panandaliang nakabibigay galak;
subalit kapag hindi lubos nag-ingat,
makikitang bumulusok, mawawasak.  

Mahigpit ang pangunyapit sa pangarap
ng taong nais makaahon sa hirap,
inaaral bawat bugso ng panahon,
sa ihip ng hangin, s’ya ay umaayon.  

Ang sanhi ng trahedya nga lamang minsan
kapag pangarap napigtal, nabitawan,
natitigagal, pag-asa’y ‘di hawakan,
manlulumo’t susuko, ‘di na lalaban. 

Minsan nama’y walang ibang tinitingnan
kundi ang lipad ng pinuhunan,
kaya nama’y hindi na namamalayan
ibang mga pagsubok na daraanan. 

‘Tong nasa ng tao’y tila saranggola,
daluyan ng tuwa mula pagkabata;
mahalagang gugulan ng paghahanda, masisira
kung ‘di mabuo nang tama.

-Joey Vargas

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Riddle: Kite

Skin and bones, empty, yet it soars,
able to briefly provide joys;
but if one’s not truly careful,
it will then end up crashing, fall. 

One holds on to their dreams tightly
so as to rise from poverty;
they study the gusts of seasons;
wherever the wind blows, they conform. 

Sometimes though, tragedy occurs –
when dreams are interrupted, dropped –
when one gets shocked, lets go of hopes,
gets depressed, stops the fight, gives up. 

Sometimes too, one neglects others
those not about their growing riches;
thus, they lose sight, awareness
of life’s other important tests. 

A person’s desire is just like a kite,
channel of joy from when a child;
preparation is necessary,
lest be crushed if not done right.

-trans. Joey Varga