Part 4: La Golondrina (Conclusion)

Abe V Rotor

Leo Carlo Rotor and team mates and
their award winning kite, UST.

When I reached the age Manong Bansiong was as kite maker, I also found joy in making kites for children. I am not as good as my mentor though. When Leo Carlo, my youngest son, took part in kite flying at the University of Santo Tomas, he came to me and asked, “Can you help me make a kite, papa?”

I remember my kite flying days. I helped him re-create La Golondrina. It was turning back the hands of time. He carried the kite we made across the football field with Marlo, his brother, and I, at the other end, held the string. We waited for the old friendly wind.

Then it came, it came all the way from the North, and La Golondrina rode on it, flew above our heads, above the trees, above the grandstand and the chapel and the tall buildings, and up into the blue sky.

I saw Caniao at the back of my mind, its water full and flowing. Below is the meandering Banaoang River, and in the distance is the blue Cordillera. There is a familiar tree, on its branch sat a beautiful bird singing the song of La Golondrina. x x x


LA GOLONDRINA
(THE SWALLOW)*

1. High in the sky at break of dawn I see the swallow fly
Above the world among the drifting clouds he flashes by
Beneath the caves his little mate is waiting
Beneath the leaves where all his treasures lie.

2. Ah, would that I were a swallow that flies through the sky,
On the wing, rejoicing, where all care flutters by,
So light and free, above the voice of the throng,
High up in the sky, where all the world's a song!

REPEAT 1.
Adapted from LA GOLONDRINA (THE SWALLOW)
Song also known as the Mexican 'Home Sweet Home'.
Words, Walter Hirsch; Music, Narciso Serradell.

x x x

The Mystery Child, by AVRotor. All Rights Reserved