Kalayaan

June 11 is a very special day for Filipinos: Independence Day.  I was priviledged to be teaching for a semester in the Philippines at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Manila during the Centennial of Philippine Independence.  The word I kept hearing over and over was "Kalayaan."

"27.  Kalayaan (Kah-lie-ah-on): Freedom

One of my favorite keepsakes from 1998 is a little enamel lapel pin in the shape and colors of a waving flag of the RP.  On the top, against the blue backgrond, are the lines, "Philippine Centennial," "1898-1998."  Below, on the red background in larger letters is "Kalayaan," and underneath it, again in smaller letters, "Kayamanan ng Bayan."  The latter expression means, "Wealth of the Nation."  Kalayaan even by itself is a memorably lyrical word, poetic in sound and quintessentailly Filipino in sentiment."

Excerpted from Sundays in Manila, pp. 232-233.  I will be making additional posts leading up to Independence Day.  I welcome your comments on or stories about "Kalayaan."