Peryodiko: Agawan Base (lyrics with English translation)

Song: Agawan Base
Artist: Peryodiko

(Filipino lyrics translated to English, copyright 2012)


Sakaling magbalik sa iyo
If I come back to you
Pagkatapos magpalit-anyo ang paligid
After the surroundings have transformed
Sa ‘sang gilid may mga matang nagmamasid
In a corner, there are eyes observing
At nag-aabang ng bagong laro
And waiting for a new game

[refrain]
Alam ko
I know
Pagbabayaran ko
I will pay for
Ang nakalimutang tagpo
the forgotten encounter
Pagbabayaran ko
I will pay for it

[chorus]
Sa tuwing umaalis at tuwing bumibitaw
Every time you leave and let go
Ang puso ko’y nagsusumigaw
My heart screams
Nagpapanggap mang nakangiti pa rin
Though I might be pretending to be smiling
Dala ang iyong habilin*
I carry your words*
Ang puso ko’y nagsusumigaw
My heart is screaming
Nagsusumigaw
Screaming

Sakaling magpalit-anyo** ang ngayon
If today changes/improves**
Magagamot ba ang pait ng kahapon
Will it heal yesterday's bitterness?
Pagsisisi’y nakaukit sa nag-uumpugang bato
Regrets carved on stones struck against each other repeatedly***
Eto na kaya ang bagong laro
Could this be the new game?


Note: Agawan base (loosely translated to stealing bases) is a popular Filipino street game, where two teams with their respective home base, tries to steal the other base to win the game. This can be done by either (a) tagging the players from the other team and hold them as captives in their home base until no one is left, or (b) sneaking to the other base. For more info on agawang base, go here. 

* Habilin is anything that is said or given to someone in trust or for safe keeping. In Filipino context, people who give habilin are those who die (last will); those who are leaving (as gifts for those who he/she will leave behind); and those who are going to return (as gifts and souvenirs). In the song, the habilin could be the words the other person said which the singer holds on to, or their shared dreams.

**Magpalit-anyo literally translates to change in form or appearance. But in the song, this refers to change in time or state of things, hopefully for the better (Sakaling magpalit-anyo ang ngayon
If today changes Magagamot ba ang pait ng kahapon Will it heal yesterday's bitterness?)

***Nag-uumpugang bato (loosely translated to rocks struck against each other repeatedly). Nag-uumpugan comes from the root word "umpog"  (verb) which means to hit or to strike.  In forests and in the wilderness, people make fire by striking two stones together. In the song, this is an allusion and metaphor to hearts in conflict.

Watch the music video here: