I’ve met Ms. Odette during the ‘Harana Style’ gathering of artists at her home in Quezon City on July 5. I ran the Milo half-marathon race early morning that same day. The gathering was to raise funds as well as showcase different local and indigenous talents. I was fortunate enough to be invited by Joey Ayala’s vocalist, Tapati.
I sang two songs, Himig ng Pag-ibig by Asin and Walang Ibang Sadya by Joey Ayala at ang Bagong Lumad. It was indeed a night of music about the environment. What happened next was the surprise of my life. They asked me to sing Bayang Barrios’ Awit ng Mortal. I had no choice and granted their request. After I sang the song, Ms. Odette, stood up and hugged me. What she did is forever etched in my mind.
Even if she’s gone, I would still sing this song for her.
Awit ng Mortal
ano ang sukat ng halaga ng isang buhay
kayamanan ba o di kaya ang pangalan
ano ang titimbang sa husto o kulang
ng katuparan ng adhikain at paninindigan
may gantimpala bang dapat pang asahan
upang kumilos nang tama't makatuwiran
saglit lamang ang ating buhay
tilamsik sa dakilang apoy
ang bukas na nais mong makita
ngayumpama'y simulan mo na
ang bawa’t tibok ng iyong puso
minsan lamang madarama
ito ang kumpas ng ating awit
na sadyang may hangganan
may gantimpala bang dapat pang asahan
upang kumilos nang tama't makatuwiran
kat'wan at isipa'y kukupas
sa lupa'y yayakap din
subali’t ang bunga ng iyong pamana'y
higit pa sa pinagmulan
saglit lamang ang ating buhay
tilamsik sa dakilang apoy
ang bukas na nais mong makita
ngayumpama'y simulan mo na
Odette Alcantara, known to most of us as “Tita Odette" is a well-known ecological artist, environmentalist who is the convener of Mother Earth Philippines, a chess master and Olympian in the 1970s and 1980s, Earth Day Network Philippines country representative, a champion of zero-waste living, and a lover of arts and music. She would have turned 68 on Oct. 1.
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