Laygay Samarnon Series, No. 3 - "AN MAROL" (Villareal, Samar)

Marol is the Samarnon word for the sampagita, the white dainty flower, long considered as the national flower of the Philippines. Across the country the sampagita is indeed renowned as it delicate white petals and unmistakable scent is commonly used metaphor for the Filipina maiden: simple, modest yet alluring. Expectedly, many sampagita-inpired folklore materials are present in the Philippines, Samar included. This song for example, is also a version of a song-dance from Catbalogan. Borongan, however, boasts the earliest published version of this song, when Priscilla V. Magdamo published the "An Manol" song from Borongan in her Philippine Folk Songs: Songs of the Visayas Vol. VI in 1958. This version, from Villareal town on the western part of Samar was collected by Crispina C. Garcia.

Pagkamatahom han marol bukad han tuna ta

Kamakakaaawil han hamot niya

Kundi labi na an marol, bukad han Villa

Bantog humiyom, bantog tumawa, bantog ngatanan.

An ha Villareal nga marol

Maaram magkanta di angol

Maaram mamati di bungol

Maglipay bisan guol-guol.

How beautiful is the sampagita, flower of our land

How lingering is its scent

More special is the sampagita of Villa

Famous for its smile, its laughter, famous for everything.

The sampagita of Villareal-

she knows how to sing, she's not foolish

She knows how to listen, she's not deaf

She finds happiness, despite being tired.

Source: Music, Arts and Physical Education, Basic Textbook in MAPE for Grade Five

by Crispina C. Garcia, Bella Mirasol-Elichicon, Caridad Arguelles and Carmen T. Andin

First edition (1995), page 52.

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