Parang Sabil
His presence makes her
I’ve a story to tell you
This happened in Spanish
times
For everyone to know
Some Spanish soldiers
design.
They thought to build forts
one day
They built these high and
strong
Then they agreed to stay
To keep watch day and
night long.
These barrack they have to
build
To shield themselves from
lover’s rage
Who chose to die than to
yield,
Love, no matter what it
gives.
You see, this is the story
About Panglima’s daughter
A story that surely
Has lesson forever.
The sad truth of the story
About this lover’s lonely
tale
They were not wed yet you
see,
Nor bound above by God’s
will
Let’s start to tell the story
About Putli’ Isara
A girl of wholesome beauty
The sweet heart of Abdulla.
She, whose angelic beauty
And loveliness beyond
compare
Winsome as the orb and day
Gladsome as it’s sunshine
rare.
This Putli’ Isara
So magnetic was her charm
A sweetheart of Abdulla
Attractive to everyone.
So shapely was her body
That all men cannot resist
When Abdulla looks at her
She runs and hide all her
best
To her rooms she’d run and
shout
Even words of doom she’d
swear
Ne’er again would she come
our
Adbdulla mustn’t see her.
The reason she wants to
hide
From Abdulla’s melting
gaze.
tongue-tied
“Brother speak out” instead
Please won’t you tell me
And don’t be a naughty boy
For I’m uneasy with him
With Abdulla I’m so shy.
The Handsome Abdulla
spoke
Expressing with all his heart
That Sandakan’s his next
route
And really he has to depart
“Sir”, he said. “now I must
sail”
But sir it won’t take me long
Please take care of my
sweetheart
With you nothing can be
wrong.
My purpose sir of leaving
Is to buy our wedding needs
Then I’ll return believing
My Isara I shall wed.
The Panglima responded
And announced to all who
were there
Tell our relatives
Abdulla will wed Isara,
mygirl.
Yes, the Panglima said
You can now go on your
way
Worry of her, there’s no
need
Her shield and guardian I
shall be.
Abdulla prepared to said
The journey he intended
While Isara his sweet girl
In the stream she wants to
bathe.
Isara tried to persuade
Sobbing loud with all her
might
That her wish be granted
To weash herself from
grime.
“Oh God! My Father
Please let me go to the river
Brother’s with me all the
time
He’ll accompany me there.
“There’s no one like you
And your unlovable trait
With your lover you shall go
So for him patiently wait.
“Then Putli Isara
Reasoned to outwit his
father
If I’ll be with Abdulla
Surely there’s more danger
then
“the reason forbid you
From going to the river
Something might happen to
you
That will shame you forever
Oh God, oh father mine
I’ll not let him go with me
When Abdulla is around
I’ll be embarrassed as can
be.
Then her father said to her
Why are you embarrassed
The reason you are
betrothed
Is to escort you, he must.
“Only if I’m not myself
Then I will not insist to go
I’ve too much grime, I can’t
sleep
This’s something you must
know
Sweetheart I won’t let you
go
If I will only for this time
But if you insist to go
Then, my dear only for this
time
If that is what you want
I don’t have to die you
down,
Don’t have to
So Isara hide off, and
Then to the river she went,
She cried, she can’t
understand
Her defiance strong unbent
Down she went with broken
heart
Then called her younger
brother
She wished all were a head
start
Her insistence for the river.
Knowing then what she’s
done
Cold tears just flowed, just
flowed
Her father, her only one;
She has given him grief
untold.
And when she reached the
river
She saw the setting sun
Then leaning on the boulder
All her aching tears began.
But she has to take a bath
So she wade on the water
And slowly keeping watch
Was her kind younger
brother
But while she took a bath
With her brother keeping
watch
She thought about her father
She’s broken his heart
asunder
Then from out of nowhere
came
A Spanish soldier peering
Oh sister her brother yelled
I’m afraid of his bearing
What are you afraid of?
Don’t fear said Putli’ Isara
Just show him you’re strong
and bold
Our father is Panglima.
Oh my God, dear sister!
I am really so afraid
If I have wings my sister
I would really flown away
Then some other soldiers
came
Their number one cannot
tell
And the more much fear
gripped him
When they stared at her
sister well
The lieutenant emboldened
Now by his fleshy desire
“Be mine alone this
moment”
The touched her to quell the
fire.
Then Isara answered
Trying to calm the soldier
Sir, by now you must have
heard
That Abdulla’s my lover.
To Abdulla I’m betrothed
But then I’ll take off his ring
Just let me go from your
hold
I’m yours now so stop
courting
Darling though you are
engaged
Your partner I will surely be
Abdulla I’m sure will be
enraged
Don’t worry I’ll just shoot
him dead.
Yes, very well young man
Let your wish be as you
desired
When will you be my
husband
When shall we meet to wed.
Then Isara left him
She can’t wait to go home
Broken now and heart
melting
Repenting for what she’s
done.
How naughty the soldier
was
Very careless as can be
So daring to shame a lass
A leader’s daughter vainly.
When Isara reached home
She was very broken
hearted
She knew she cannot be
calm
Till her father knows her
grief.
Oh my God, My father
I’m in a great jeopardy
I’m not fit for my lover
For a soldier touched her
body.
You see now, her father said
Your stubbornness turned to
grief
If only you have listened
Shame and loss you would
not reap.
“Do not grieve my father
Never mind if here I failed
I will wait for my lover
Then I will do “Parang
Sabil”.
The father tried all his best
To save her daughter’s loss
He said I will wash your
shame
All the pain, all the dross.
Father I won’t remove it
I’m ready to bear my shame
My lover who’s on a trip
Will know it when he
returns.
Father I’ll not wore it off
I’ll endure my loss and
shame
When he comes perhaps
there’s hope
By that time I’ll see the end.
My betrothed in Sandakan
We’ll hear the sad news
from me
The soldier will see in time
Will pay the price you’ll
see.
At last Abdulla arrived
And when he landed on the
shore
Isara fainted
Great was the pain she bore.
She would not look at him
straight
She would not bear the
shameful thought
Her honor sweet to cruel
fate
Her life of shame the soldier
wrought.
Abdulla showed his wares
He displayed and scattered
all
Expensive silk clothes so
rare
For Isara to enthrall.
The cloth from Kamarinda
Were so beautiful indeed
For Putli Isara
Rare gifts as long as she
lives.
I brought her best linen
powder
And prepared everything
Each time I remember her
I felt my heart was breaking.
Here’s her favorite powder
All things she needs
Because I will marry her
All I can to her I’ll give.
“The powder smells do
sweet
I have carefully kept it
So I’ll offer at her feet
When she and I will wed.”
“I was so hard while we’re
apart
Just thought of her sadden
my soul
All the time, breaks my
heart
And I was never in control”.
While my exquisite jewel
At the back was murmuring
There was no way I could
tell
Why my dearest was crying.
Then Abdulla sighed and
stood,
And as he look up to her
There’s much to be
understood,
He asked, “Is something
wrong my dear?”
Abdulla this my purpose
That you’ll know what
happened
I can’t face you because
I was touched by a man.
Abdulla just bowed his head
For the problem was very
grave
Then praying to God
decided
To fight whatever it gives.
I’ll fight if the cause is you
I’ll not stop until you’re
avenged
What he did we can’t undo
Only by Parang Sabil.
So Putli’ Isara
To console the grieving man
Told a courageous idea
“I’m with you that’s an
assurance.”
“My dear should it be
suicide
We will do it together
I’ll ever be by your side
We will fight against the
kaffir.”
And if perchance we be
slain
I’ll die as your dying wife
Our dying won’t be in vain
Heaven will bless our
married life.
The brave handsome
Abdulla
Consoled himself and
commented
There’s no other good idea
But to fight them for their
deed.
Abdulla then stood and
spoke
He spoke with mustered
courage
My fight is go for broke
Though I would be
powdered
Nothing can make me turn
back
I’ll strike the heard quarters.
He then dressed up hastily
Picked up his Kris and run
“If perchance fate is wily
Our death shall only began.
The pitiful fiancée
Picked up the barung,
saying,
With the Lord God
Almighty
Together we’ll die fighting
Then they went down sadly
Worry was on their faces
Love was sweet yesterday
This was out of their wishes.
Then they reached the head
quarters
With Allah as strength and
guide
Ready to fight side-by-side
Determined to die together
Ready whatever betide
And never to surrender
Putli’ Isara entered
The Lieutenant greeted her
Then turning to the soldier’s
Said, “My lovely wife is
here.”
Isara sat and faced him
They talked like they were
old friends
Speaking like these were
sweet nothings
Thought like in a
conference.
‘Twas then that Abdulla
peered
The soldier unsuspecting
Didn’t hear what Abdulla
said
“I will stroke now my
darling.”
When Abdulla ascended
And there was offered a seat
The Lieutenant laughed,
then smiled
And gave him a cigarette.
Then without hesitation
Abdulla walked fast around
As his countenance
changed,
He asked about the
The soldier replied by
asking
Abdulla as of his purpose
It seems so surprising
He would be there for no
cause.
The reason of my coming
Is a good reason because
This Kris now I am bringing
Is gift to my soldier host.
I’m giving this to you
For you to keep as souvenir
Then to Isara whispered low
Though I die, just hide your
feelings dear.
So Abdulla signaled
By touching her shoulder
And then with all force
marshaled
They hacked the man
together
Together they struck him
As two words they said with
rage
The lieutenant so cornered
Can only but groan in pain.
They hacked him on the
shoulder
They hack him as they
prayed
Then a little bit later
In two he was divided.
Then Isara whispered
And gave to him her barung
On your body feel this she
said
And think you have done no
wrong.
Then the last defenders
They slashed them like
before
The lieutenant’s
dismembered
His breathing was heard no
more
His breathing was heard no
more.
The blood spurted on the
earth
Crimsoned the ground
because
Men in the market place
Fight’s in the office they
learned.
All the soldiers were
frightened
They run with all their
might
Abdulla was strong to the
end
The lieutenant a sorry sight.
People asked each other;
The city was disturbed;
The news about the soldier,
For the crime he had died.
What a sorry sight to see
The lieutenant’s body was
so wrecked
He died to lust for beauty
And forgetting is own sake.
This poor Spanish lieutenant
He destroyed Abdulla’s
name
He failed to be cognizant
Tausug’s name is more than
fame.
That’s the reason he was
killed
He can be trusted no more
Arrogant he missed and
failed
That great was the girl he
tore.
The reason he was slain
He abused the Panglima’s
girl
For he a leader of men
Should teach for honor to
prevail.
The reason he was slain
He abused the Panglima’s
girl
For he leader of men
Should teach that honor to
prevail
Then the avengers went
down
His girl following behind
Swift they were when they
reached ground
The soldiers they all ran in
time.
But Isara, this sweet lass
Turned out to be a great
hacker
Not even the sound of guns
Can quell her rising anger.
Putli’ Isara
Was indeed a great hacker
She could yell the last
hurray
With one hit two’s a-goner.
Abdulla the humble man
So good that everyone loves
him
Believing no bullet can
Destroy his body it seems.
Then a bullet rang aloud
Isara was hit on the forehead
Isara Abdulla’s love
Has sadly fallen cold and
dead.
This legendary fighter
Abdulla Isara’s life
Was indeed a great hacker
Eight fell each time he
moves a stroke
One stand soldier in the fray
Ran to hide and hid so well
Might he did kneel and pray
Might he succeed himself to
veil.
One captain ran to the west
For his life he ran so fast
But he was hack in the waist
By the people in the rush.
Abdulla fought so bravely
Hacked here and there as he
prayed
Suddenly a volley
Must have brought him cold
and dead.
Yet still the fighter wiped
himself
A hero strong and true
Upped his Kris and must
have felt
His last as his blood flowed
so
“End me now for I must
go.”
After saying this last words
Over Isara he fell
Till death he kept what he
vowed
To die with whom he loved
so well
The scene was so pathetic
Abdulla’s face was battered
Gone now the maverick
Honor to him’s what
mattered.
When the first thing had
ceased
The two had already died
A horse nosed them, must
have kissed
The lovers who died
side-by-side
After the firing ended
The soldiers met great
casualty
Thirty all were counted dead
Hundred against two oh
what a pity.
Yes thirty dead were
counted
The people were troubled
After this tragedy they said
“Never touched a
betrothed.”
This will serve as caution
Something to remember
Forever a strong a lesson
A lesson that many should
fear.
This goes to all the soldiers
To all young people too
That they should never
falter
To hid well this lesson
through.
After the battle ended
The Spanish soldiers gave
command
To pick up all the dead
And to the lovely maiden.
Yes all the firing had ceased
And soldiers had
commanded
To pick up the dead bodies
And Abdulla’s sweet
beloved.
The Panglima must be told
To get her daughter’s body
And so a sergeant was
called
That this was his duty.
But the sergeant did not go
He must have little wisdom
His heart says to pursue
For perhaps there’s waiting
vengeance.
But the sergeant used his
head
Worried of what fate awaits
He called a small boy
instead
To muster the errand great.
When the Panglima heard
the news
He cannot believe the tale
His daughter was so foolish
To do a Parang Sabil.
The call for Panglima
If he would choose not to
dare
Get Putli’ Isara
Would be shamed beyond
compare
As for my daughter’s body
I will not dare gather it
She chose to disobey
So this tragedy she met.
The Panglima’s wife
answered
Bearing all the feeling of a
wife
The dead should be gathered
Than to live a shameful life.
The Panglima was steadfast
His decision will not change
What he does he knows is
just
The body’s not his problem.
You are very strange
A Panglim should not fear
A leader of all men
Should have all the courage
to dare.
Why should I be ashamed
When money I have them
all
I’m the envy of all men
Why should I heed to your
call.
The wife then lit in fury
“He was such a useless
man”
Now she can’t keep her fury
“He was a useless man.”
She boldly gathered her Kris
And vowed to get her
daughter.
The she dressed up for sabil.
The Panglima went with her
T’was a battle of the will
She can’t keep her anger.
The little boy heard it all
He heard it loud and clear
Then his tears began to fall
Mother I’ll save my sister
dear.
Let me go with you mother
Let me die with her too
Let me pick up my sister
Mother let me go with you.
My sister , loving sister
Deserves all our love and
care
If I would see that soldier
I’d also kill to avenge her.
In your sight I’m a little
child
Art of war I may not know
But my feelings running
wild
Tell me so that I can do.
You must not come with me
son
You must only stay here
What I’ll do is not for fun
These are things a child
can’t bear.
Oh my God! My mother!
Why should I not go with
you
I cannot forget my sister
She’s the only one I know.
Your father is with you
To feed you and look after
Your mother has serious
things to do
Uncertain she be alive or
dead later.
And even if I live on
What’s life without my
sister
I have to move fast and soon
Pick her at the head quarters
The mother quickly went
down
But thinking of her son
She quickly too returned
To embrace her little one
Then with sadness she went
down
And down went too her
tears
She thought of her only son
Of now and the coming
years
The son look at his mother
From the window as she
walked fast
He thought of how to help
her
And how to live without
her.
Finally she reached the
place
Saw her daughter in the dust
So beautiful in her gaze
With her love she died at
last.
Her full breath stopped
Just as her heart seemed to
explode
Viewed the scene with deep
regret
Child! Your father’s no
good.
These thought fired her as
before
She stood up and raised up
her
KrisTo die is painful for
sure
But for a daughter it’s bliss.
The she attacked with all her
fury
If she dies that was her fate
The soldiers fired, she was
ready
Her child’s was worth her
death
In heaven they would be
marry.
Left and right she dared
hacked them
Hacked them with all her
courage
On earth no peer has her
mien
All soldiers ran in dread.
But there was this lone
captain
Whose aim straightforward
Hit her on her belly, then
The one sure shot fired her
more.
But this shot did not stop
her
Her fleshed pierced the
more she moved on
If bullet would not waver;
I will be done, I’ll be done
If bullets would not waver
I will be done, I’ll be done.
Skillful was she in hand
combat
Swift her arms and limbs
She stand the man on attack
With art and skill beyond
their dreams
When the second shot was
fired
She just prayed and smiled
Was not afraid was not tired
She trusted God like a child.
Then the captain told his
men
I just thought we must
retreat
The devils seemed her
strength
Useless it seems are our
bullets
When the sun cast its
shadow
No more bullets jagged the
air
They telescoped her to
know
If life in her breath was still
here.
To their surprise she was
strong
Invisible true she was
No one ever stood that long
Still holding her wide Kris
uncrushed
Then the soldiers decided
To marshall in a volley fire
All their craft of war
outpoured
Then she collapsed cold in a
mire
When the young boy saw
her fate
He cried hard till tears were
no more
Wrapped her in his arms in
death
That’s all young child could
pour
Three of them side-by-side
Back home the boy decided
To do a ritual suicide
A horse was there for him
prepared
And saw his mother’s
image.
Then she cried to see his
mother
She was there astride a
mare!
She was there astride a
mare!
So he called his father
That the apparition he can
share.
But his father’s words
shocked him
“You better stop talking,
Even though now I see them
Pity I don’t have for
asking”.
Why is it so father?
It’s true my mother
appeared
Though you hate it, I’ll
follow her
I’ll fight like you’ve never
heard.
Oh! Do not talk anymore
Because we won’t follow
them
We’re rich now more than
before
That we could live on our
lifetime.
We have plenty of money
At home it’s the envy
Why on earth should we
worry
Our wealth can buy
everything.
We’ve all money at home
Just locked in for the
opening
All over the world we can
roam

Our wealth can buy
everything.
The son seemed firstly
convinced
And said he might not
follow them
Anyway now it’s shameful
it seems
This before the eyes of men.
But in just a little while
The young boy changed his
mind
Thinking all would be futile
Life without honor divine.
So he told his father
To forgive him for change
of mind
He can’t help and none
other
But to do Parang Sabil while
there is time.
He then left right away
So fast in due time with
light
Outside it was rainy
To do Parang.
He thought of his father
What he told him of his
prayer
There’s nothing none other
But to attack the
headquarters.
He bade his father farewell
The earth seemed to join his
cast
With courage beyond
compare
He killed four surprising
fast.
A message was issued
Not to kill the boy because
Should he die or be crippled
“All blame will be ours”.
The Spanish offer said
The boy should not be
arrested
That he could stay unhurt
In Manila he would be bred.
The same Spanish officer
Ordered not to shoot the boy
Thought he could be his
father
So him they should not
destroy.
Let’s pity him don’t hang
him
Someday he might assist us
When he grows to be a man’
Of wisdom and skill
amassed.
Indeed my soldiers died
Let’s just think they’re on
travel
Let’s just think this thought
abide
Someday he could calm the
people
So the soldiers laid a plan
To hide him in the head
quarters
In a wild they began
And since the boy had no
arms for cover
Andu’ a-a
He should hide well within
To seek cover within
But then there was this
soldier
Who had hid from the
people
He’s home the boy had
looked for
Not knowing in his hands
he’d fall
He had searched for him
over
Over he rounded a fence
Not finding him he sat there
Till he’ll see him again.
He rounded the headquarters
Peering every nook
Searched the missing soldier
But he himself was caught
looking
Then after he reached the
stairs
He went up the tall building
Still searched for the soldier
But he himself was caught
looking.
Yes now very well then
The soldier approached the
child
And brought him to the
captain
The captain said, “Be my
child
You’ll not be hurt, never
again”.
Yes now very well then
You have just become my
father
I also understand
Your child that’s what I am
You are now my good father
Hope I’ll be a good son.
Then the captain told the
child
I can love you greatly
I’ll be ever at your side
You’ll always have
company
You are now really my son
As long as I’ll live you’ll be
one
My only one Tausug son Forever we hope it would.
Now life for us two had
begun.
The Panglima there
meanwhile
Had been searching out for
his son
He started talking vile
Because for long the boy
could not be found.
The Panglima looked so
worried
For long his searched for his
son
His search still not ended
His son might never be
found
Never mind he sadly said
I will look for him no more
Though life is lonely to live
I can live life like before
His search for the boy ended
Decided to stay home
But in few long months later
He died by Himself so
forlorned
Well this kiss has ended
Like any song in this world
Thanks for lessons rendered