“Pasko na sinta ko”: Jean-Paul asks Sha to translate a Filipino seasonal pop song…

Gary Valenciano

Jean-Paul:

I heard this song when I passed through the Philippines one Christmas. The melody was beautiful.  It had a haunting, melancholy quality. I’m back in The States now and I don’t have any friends that speak Tagalog well enough to translate the words for me…

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“Pasko na sinta ko” (by Gary Valenciano)

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Pasko na sinta ko hanap-hanap kita

Bakit magtatampo’t nilisan ako

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Kung mawawala ka sa piling ko sinta

Paano ang Pasko, inulila mo

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Sayang sinta ang sinumpaan

At pagtitinginang tunay

Nais mo bang kalimutang ganap

Ang ating suyuan at galak

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Kung mawawala ka sa piling ko sinta

Paano ang Paskong alay ko sa’yo

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Kung mawawala ka sa piling ko sinta

Paano ang Pasko, inulila mo

.

Sayang sinta ang sinumpaan

At pagtitinginang tunay

Nais mo bang kalimutang ganap

Ang ating suyuan at galak

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Kung mawawala ka sa piling ko sinta

Paano ang paskong alay ko sa’yo.

.     .     .

Sha:

I know it will sound cheesy when it’s translated into English yet it’s also cheesy in Tagalog.  But the lyrics are deep, we don’t even use some of these Tagalog words in our daily conversations, although singer Gary Valenciano does justice to the song – the right melody, the right singer, the right time of year…So if you’re broken hearted and Christmas time is fast approaching, listen to his song.  If you want to reminisce about the good times (and bad times) you had with your ‘Ex’, if you want to have a good cry, even if you want to rub salt into your wounds, then you can relate to these words.  Okay, here goes my try at a translation…

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“It’s Christmas already, my Love” / “Pasko na sinta ko”

(A 1996 song by Gary ‘Edgardo’ Valenciano, Filipino gospel/pop singer, born 1964)

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It’s already Christmas, my love – I’ve been longing for you…

Why are you so sullen?  And you’ve left me all alone.

If you’re getting out of my life

what will Christmas be like when you have forsaken me?

Our promises, our true love for each other – were they wasted?

Do you really want to dismiss our sweetness and joy?

Oh, if you’re getting right out of my life

what will Christmas be like?  – a Christmas that I dedicated to you!

Yes, if you’re vanishing from my life

what will Christmas be like once you have forsaken me?

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