I penned HANGAD KO in tears. Overflowing tears.
It came after the unfortunate loss of 7 Marines who gallantly fought in Sulu against Abu Sayyaf Group who were occupying a very important lair. The troops captured the lair but it cost us the loss of 7 brave men. The platoon commander was one of those killed in action. He was a good friend of mine and an underclass. All the seven are my brother Marines.
As Heroes Honors were accorded to them in a solemn military ceremony, my heart crushed hearing the weeping of the bereaved families, especially the children when the caskets were lined up one by one. It was unbearable. The pain cut too deep. I have witnessed similar cases before, but what had just recently happened literally broke me, but still I chose to keep the tears and grief under my uniform, as many people were looking.
Alone in my office, I began questioning myself -- are our sacrifices futile? Are our efforts still not enough? I almost lost hope. But then I remembered the platoon commander's last radio message that called for fire support. It was a call that would impact most, if not all of the enemies on a particular location. He commanded: "fire at my position". In that seemingly dark and hopeless situation, this brave young man, a husband and a father, unmindful of his own safety, chose to sacrifice himself to shed some light and get everyone back on track.
It was as if the same light was shed on me. I resolved to myself to believe in peace and believe that it will happen. Maybe not too soon, but eventually in God's time. We in the Marine Corps have fought hard, and we will fight some more if that is what it takes -- for peace that lasts and progress for all.
Nakita mo na ba ganda ng buhay?
Malayang naglalakbay, paligid ay makulay
Ngunit sa ibang dako,
may mga pusong nanlulumo
Kahit ganun pa man, iyong kaligtasan
Hangad ko
Matatamis na ngiti, masisiglang tawanan
Ngunit sa ibang dako,
may mga luhang tumutulo
Kahit ganun pa man, iyong kasiyahan
Hangad ko
Kapayapaan aking ipaglalaban
Babantayan bawat saglit ng aking buhay
Sa puso ay bumubukal, sa isip ay nakatanghal
Pagmamahal sa Diyos at sa Bayan
Kasaganaan ating inaasam
Abot-kamay, hawak kamay ikaw at ako
Maaasahan mong kasiyahan mo, kaligtasan mo
Hangad ko.
 |
| From Google |
Halina’t pagmasdan bagong umaga
Tagumpay ay makakamit
sa ating pagsasama-sama
Ngunit ating isapuso,
Isang dugo, isang lahing Pilipino
Kahit kalian pa man, Iyong Karangalan
Hangad ko
KORO 2
Kapayapaan aking ipaglalaban
Babantayan bawat saglit ng aking buhay
Sa puso ay bumubukal, sa isip ay nakatanghal
Pagmamahal sa Diyos at sa Bayan
Kasaganaan ating inaasam
Abot-kamay, hawak kamay ikaw at ako
Karangalan mo, kasiyahan mo,
Kaligtasan mo Hangad ko.
