Island in the Sun

By Frank A Hilario, guest blogger

This is my island in the sun, and nobody can take it away from me. I will forever keep this picture in my mind, if not in my flash drive and/or hard disk.

That is what I hear someone say early morning today, July 12; we’re on the wharf where you take the boat ride going to Wonder Island in the middle of the lake that even the Calamba boy Jose Rizal loved.

Are we in Barangay Palingon or Lingga? I don't know. It doesn't matter. While I myself look at this island, I imagine Harry Belafonte singing:

Island In The Sun
(Harry Belafonte and Lord Burgess)

This is my island in the sun
Where my people have toiled since time begun
I may sail on many a sea
Her shores will always be home to me.

Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand.

When morning breaks the heaven on high
I lift my heavy load to the sky
Sun comes down with a burning glow
Mingles my sweat with the earth below.

Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand.

I see woman on bended knee
Cutting cane for her family
I see man at the water side
Casting nets at the surging tide.

Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand.

I hope the day will never come
That I can't awake to the sound of drum
Never let me miss carnival
With calypso songs philosophical.

Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand.

Sad the time, I'll ever miss
The gay colored skirts as they turn and twist
Let me always hear soft guitars
And a maiden's voice 'neath a thousand stars.

Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand.

Many people have visited this island before; I haven't. Someday I will. I will.