The many voices of Jay Gallega Malaga

Saturday, February 4, 2012

A LEGGERO tenor? Or a base? Can he do a Cesare Siepi spiel or an Andrea Bocelli’s tune?

Well, I don’t know if he can belt out same as the aforementioned two, but one thing sure is Jay Gallera Malaga’s artistic expressions and multi-faceted life has but varied voices. For one, the guy can act, dance and sing. Moreover, his ability to use well the Hiligaynon language made him get the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Committee on Literary Arts(NCLA) and the Ateneo Institute of Literary Arts and practice (AILAP) nod for ‘Duha Ka Tingog’, Jay’s collection of poems in Hiligaynon, to be published in the UBOD New Authors Series. ‘Duha Ka Tingog’, as a title, is not new, since it was conceived first in Jay’s psyche while making a riddle in the UP Writer’s workshop in Baguio. The verses in the collection vary in thematic life concept, from rice to fireflies to gossip and families, or nationalities.

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But as the poet claimed, his poetic voice also includes his deep desire to promote the Hiligaynon language and the Visayan culture, much as the poems are his ways of looking back from the young, ambitious teenager he had been to a grown–up man that he is now. As the poem bearing the main title says: “Ikaw ang una ko nga kalibutan./Sa imong baybay ako gikan./Nagtakas agud sa imong mata/Langit akong makit-an/Kag mabatyagan /Sa imong luha una nga ulan./Sa imong hutik, una nga daguob/Akon nga mabatian. Ang imong mga mata/Duha ka mga bituon./Nagsabwag kahayag/ Sa ining kadulum./Ang imong paghibi/Nagwasaag sang kahilum./Ang kasubo nagisi/Sang ikaw nagyuhum.”

The reader can also transcend on the poet’s ideals of birthing, living, moving away from home, establishing goodwill and relating with God.
And with Jay’s ideals also come his ardent prayers and wishes. As he penned in ‘Ang Siling Sang Manghod Nga Lalaki:’ “Ang akon damgo, akon panaad/Pagtinguha nga kita magtin-ad/Sige, ako dayon na gid sa paglakat/Biskan ang dala ko nagdoble ang bug-at.”

In 2009, he made three petitions to his God: to have a book published, to visit Paris and spend New Year’s Eve Party there, and the third, I consider to be quite personal which needs to be kept by the faithful Jay to himself.

Thus, with his sincere voice, Jay stormed heaven with prayers, and did his share: work his way to make things work for him. He joined and worked for NGO, Peace and Conflict Journalism Network, Negros Cultural Foundation Cannon Creek Publishing, Incorporated, and even worked as copy editor, writer and columnist at...(and this we’re very proud to write) Sun.Star Bacolod!

Jay diligently did his share of work as the initiator and facilitator of Read-To-Lead Program, and as youth leader for a United World of the Focolare Movement. For one month, he had a stint as a participant in the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program, interacting with other youth leaders from Southeast Asia to promote the concepts of peace, culture and international cooperation. The young voice in Jay continue to belt out lyrics of spirituality and unity when he became participant in the School of Formation for the Youth at Centro Internazionali de Studi ed Esperienze Sociali at Florence, Italy.

Now, in his three decades of a lifetime, the small man had been to so many places: Poland, Prague, Hungary, Vienna, Paris, Slovakia, Rome. And the trips to these places would spell another article.

Yet, with these places, and the span of distances Jay had conquered, his victory, once accumulated, is even more than the giant Goliath’s scale. And Jay continues to sing the same tune of being a man of peace and goodwill. Being a scholar in Transdisciplinary Studies major in Philosophy and Theology at the Instituto Universitario Sophia in Florence, Italy is something of a feat worthy of mention for Jay.

And with his C-1 rating in reading, speaking, writing in Italian, Jay had proven that the Filipinos are very adaptable and teachable, and still be able to enjoy and make it in other countries.

Thanks to Jay’s inner voices of love and faith, which join the melody of care with the caring members of Jay’s religious community in Italy, the Focolare Movement.

So if Jay’s in Florence, Italy, how come I was able to write about him? Well, I heard his voice. Figuratively, yes. Physically, the man is here – to finish writing his thesis on a very significant topic: “The Global Conflict in Mindanao: Possible Space for Dialogue between Johann Galtung Transcend Interreligious Dialogues.” This academic endeavor is a continuation of Jay’s masteral studies at the University of St. La Salle and the Pax Christi Institute on Conflict and Reconciliation.

Jay may still miss grandma’s cima, pesto, prosciutto but home beckons. Home is where the heart is, as one poet wrote. And the voice of one’s family, and native land are surely lulling and soothing melodies to the heart. But while feasting on the local fish stew, and broiled fish, Jay Gallera Malaga, will continue to croon, and even write the English, Italian or Portuguese translations of his second poetry collection.

And come summer this year, on his way back to Florence, Italy, Jay Gallera Malaga’s ‘Duha Ka Tingog’ (Two Voices) may find its way on print there in Italy. Though not a tenor, or a base, who knows? Jay’s inner voices of faith, love, hope and understanding incorporated in the pages of his book will circumnavigate the high seas of the world.

Vaya con dios, Jay. You indeed have come a long way. Congratulations!