Pearl of the Orient

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Written for JCB Brul's Pearl of the Orient contest.

I have never been to the Philippines, but after writing this poem it seems like a very beautiful place with a lot of natural beauty.

 

"Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, 
hindi makakarating sa paroroonan".
(A person who does not remember where he came from 
will never reach his destination).
Filipino proverb.

Gift me wings so I can fly to a blessed land
of emerald isles with an eclectic ecosystem, 
admiring an affluence of biodiversity
of tropical exotic fauna and flora, 
where turquoise waves wander onto 
golden shores of alluring Binitinan, 
exploring the coral reefs of Boracay.

A place where childhood dreams fill the air,
where innocence once built sandcastles,
but now all that is left is forgotten footprints -
from ghosts of ancestors.

Let me soar with the Pithecophaga Jefferyi eagle,
through rainforests and Kawasan falls,
where souls are free to roam the motherland's
seven thousand spine-tingling islands,
from Maya bay to Palawan's underground rivers 
of enigmatic Puerta Princesa, 
until we greet the palm trees of Camiguin -
the valley of volcanoes and the sunken cemetery.

Viewing the Colours of StoBoSa to the
pretty patterns of Ifugao rice terraces,
until we reach the marvels of Luzon,
silently perching upon the zenith of
Mount Pulag's peaks, transcending spiritual
echoes towards Mindanao's Mount Apo,
whispering secretive Tagalog tongues,
in one hundred diasporic dialects,
as iris and marmalade skies welcome sunset,
we'll bathe in the sapphire ripples of Bohol sea.

Then we'll follow radiant night lights,
reaching the bustling streets of Manila,
losing ourselves in the succulent scents
of balut, kwek kwek, taho, halo halo,
as we devour juicy lanzones,
refreshed by a cool breeze, 

The pearl of the Orient,
home of Balagtas' Florante at Laura,
dulcet tones of Santiago's Anak Dalita,
where heartfelt hospitality
with rich cultural heritage, 
soothe tired eyes gazing at
natural wonders of ancient views,
where vibrant hues leave you breathless.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2024



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12
Date: 2/26/2024 10:06:00 AM
Wow! I’ve never been either, but after reading your poem I’m ready to pack my bags. You’ve obviously done your research! Congratulations on the win!
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Date: 2/26/2024 12:12:00 AM
Wow! Congrats! Thanks for this... I am a Filipina, and your poem made me very proud of my country. By the way, I hope you can come to the Philippines, and you will surely delight in balut, kwek kwek, taho, halo halo, and juicy lanzones. God bless you.
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Date: 2/25/2024 10:33:00 AM
Congrats on such a well deserved win S.O.
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Date: 2/25/2024 10:13:00 AM
This is one of those poems that are so good you can't help but to smile while reading it. It's beautiful written and without you saying you've never been, I would think otherwise. Well done!
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Date: 2/25/2024 7:29:00 AM
This poem took my breath away! Amazing how you describe Philippines with excellent execution. I was wondering who wrote this splendid poem and mentioning Binitinan, my granny's farm beside the sea.Thank you for you participation. Congratulations on your top win.
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Date: 2/17/2024 11:21:00 AM
So many "treasure islands" perfectly described here, a Poetic adventure... (I'm still exploring the colorful sights, sounds, tastes, - sensational!) Love learning about different cultures, vibrant diversity, natural wonders that are soul satisfying... Exquisitely written. Thoroughly enjoyed "visiting" these Beautiful islands... (((Warm Hugs))) Aqua.
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Date: 2/17/2024 8:55:00 AM
A tour de force of panoramic poetic beauty of the Phillipines, Silent One. Bravissimo! My very best wishes for the win with this stunning gem. Happy Weekend ~
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Date: 2/15/2024 4:22:00 PM
gl in contest with this marvellous poem superb pictures flash through my mind hugs Shadow
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Date: 2/15/2024 3:56:00 PM
You make me want to go visit there Silent One perhaps you can write one for Italy lol
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Date: 2/15/2024 2:28:00 AM
What a wonderful descriptive poem dear S1, no need for me to go there now. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I just looked through yours, and saw the beauty of the Island. Good luck in the contest, you nailed it...Hugs
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Date: 2/14/2024 10:16:00 PM
Beautiful write on a beautiful country brothaaa … bringing out the blue seas the corals n the mountains in such an extraordinary weave.. the lanzones the gorgeous descriptions of food made me hungry for Philippino food now … hahaha… beautiful write brothaa
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Date: 2/14/2024 6:01:00 PM
Feels like I was there, enjoyed.
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Date: 2/14/2024 5:37:00 PM
So much information on the Philippines. Good luck with the contest!
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Date: 2/14/2024 3:04:00 PM
Hello Silent One :-) I had visited Philippines three times years ago. So beautiful and nice places. Very nice read!
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Date: 2/14/2024 10:02:00 AM
What a varied and intricate portrayal you have created, my friend. As the vibrant colors of the sky and sea blend together at sunset, we will immerse in the serene waves of the Bohol sea. The attention to detail is truly awe-inspiring. Silent One, with precise and skillful brush strokes, you have this Pearl of the Orient into a destination that anyone would yearn to see at least once in their lifetime. Your writing is conveying both strength and eloquence. It shows a deep level of insight.
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Date: 2/14/2024 9:02:00 AM
So many new details you have added to your poem that we are given a multifaced image of the Philippines's topography and memorable landmarks. What a diversified picture you have drawn. "as iris and marmalade skies welcome sunset, we'll bathe in the sapphire ripples of Bohol sea." Breath-taking details. Silent One, with deftly brush strokes, you have made this Pearl of the Orient a heavenly land that anyone would long to visit at least once in his lifetime. Excellent.....
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Date: 2/14/2024 4:18:00 AM
Just gorgeous Silent one! Of all your eloquent and image filled lines, the one that I love most is 'A place where childhood dreams fill the air" That alone is a huge attraction! Happy Wednesday !!!
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Date: 2/13/2024 7:06:00 PM
It's hard to believe you have. Never been there Silent, Your research is excellent, Great write
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Date: 2/13/2024 5:49:00 PM
A wonderful poem Silent One. Your imager is so vivid and fills all my senses. Thank you for taking me along on your journey where turquoise waves wander onto golden shores.
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Date: 2/13/2024 4:20:00 PM
A wonderful poem SO... you have created a visually crafted poem...a lot of work was done on this one, really well done
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Date: 2/13/2024 12:58:00 PM
I know someone who has a Philippine partner, and they go to visit the parents often. There are beautiful places there but I've never been to see them either, but your poem is a close second to being there. Some people who travel to these destinations often have airline jobs and get travel as a fringe benefit. To travel so far is expensive, but it is an adventure when we get to go
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Date: 2/13/2024 12:58:00 PM
Wonderfully reminiscing in the beauty and culture of Philippines, my friend. Your imagery brings to fore the pearl of the Orient and dazzles the reader.
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Date: 2/13/2024 12:45:00 PM
wow, you included more proper nouns for places and other things than I did. GREAT job. We both used Boracay, I see!
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Date: 2/13/2024 12:21:00 PM
- Beautiful colors ... exciting unknown scents ... adventures of the sea ... I wish I could stay a little longer here in this paradise, S.O. ...(back to the snow :( - A tempting poem ... beautifully written :) - Best wishes in the contest :) - hugs
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Date: 2/13/2024 12:00:00 PM
This is an incredibly beautiful poem with perfect references to the Filipina islands. You must have researched a lot to come up with this magnificent poem—fine descriptions of beaches plus a reference to a great eagle.
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12
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