Nursery Rhymes

I don't know why as I open my IMESH, I instantly think of downloading popular nursery rhymes-not for my three growing nieces and nephew, but just a fun for myself. From one song to another, I've played each song successfully saved in my computer. My officemates who hear, smiled and asked too many questions to show their amazement. Why suddenly?

I recall my childhood. CD's nor tapes then were not that familiar to our home, for we barely own a casette player. I grew up in one of the nearly remote areas of Cagayan province, the northernmost part of Luzon island. My mother was then pregnant with me when the NPA troubled the barangay they originally settled. I was then born at Pattao, nearer the highway, nearer the poblacion. Nursery rhymes were introduced to me when I first stepped at Kindergarten. And while I listen to the english version of PAA, TUHOD, BALIKAT, ULO, I can't prevent myself from smiling-recalling the memories I had in the classroom when I was in kinder. I hated standing and doing the action songs, I preferred playing outside, sing and act the London Bridge with my classmates. I was too shy when in class, yet I can't imagine how well I've done to remain top 1 academically.

It's only now that I know, there are too many nursery songs - most of them unfamiliar to me. Yet I know nothing could also surpass the many ilocano songs that tatang (my father) taught me and my siblings when we were still kids. I write one unforgettable song below:

Banbantay, turturod ti ayan mi
Kabalyo, nuang, baka ti lugan mi
Agsakay kam’ kabalyo aglagto-lagto

Uminom kam’ gatas nga adu!

What troubles me now is - who's milk we drink? The first lines refer to farm animals!