JEDDAH, 13 November — There’s a new song entitled Ramadan by Richard Villanueva that goes:
T’wing sasapit ang panahon ng Ramadan/ Bawat sikat ng araw sa Gitnang Silangan/ Ay naghuhudyat na ika’y dapat na mag-ingat.
Bawal mag-yosi, uminom o kumain/ Sa madla at sa harap ng tao’y huwag gawin/ Itago mo na lang kung ito’y di mo mapipigil.
Ramadan, sakripisyong dapat na igalang mo/ Tandaan, ika’y dayuhan at bisita lang dito/ Ramadan, pag-aayunong dapat irespeto mo/ Ikaw ay igagalang, kung igalang mo ito.
A timely reminder, indeed, for the Ramadan season is fast approaching.
It also has a rap portion:
Panahon ng Ramadan isipin mo ito/ Kung dayo ka ay dapat lang igalang mo ito/ Ilagay mo ang ‘yong sarili sa wasto; iwas ka sa bawal at baka makalaboso/ At maperwisyo ang hanapbuhay; pati ang bukas ng pamilya mo ay madadamay/ Dayuhan ka lang igalang mo naman; sundin mo ang wasto sa panahon ng Ramadan.
One may wonder how Villanueva, who had not worked in a Muslim country, could have thought of composing such thoughtful lyrics.
Well, he didn’t. He was just interpreting the composition of a "real-life" OFW by the name of Rolly Amaranto, who is based in Jeddah.
Ramadan is just part of Amaranto’s album Awit Abroad, which is now being distributed in the Middle East by Stallions.
The other songs include: Aking Mahal, interpreted by Nora Aunor; I Do by Claudine Baretto; Makapaghanapbuhay Lang by Nonoy Zuñiga; Kabayan Huwag Mag-Alala by Juan Rodrigo; Maayos na Buhay by Miriam Pantig; O.T. by Aldo Rubee; Doon by Cindy Rosas; Para sa Inyo, OFW ng Buong Mundo by Miriam Pantig and Jo Awayan; and Dakila Ka by Nonoy Zuñiga and Kelly Grace Salcedo.
Awit Abroad is the story of OFWs. It tells about the dreams and aspirations, the trials and tribulations of Filipinos who leave home to work abroad.
So if you don’t have a copy of the album yet, hurry up and get yourself one.
