Isinay Songs: "Kukkuyappon"

When I was little, there were always butterflies cavorting among my mother's front-yard garden of bougainvilleas, gumamelas, lilies, and daisies. It was probably because of such colorful creatures that even as I didn't quite like the tune of this song, I didn't exactly block it when it was taught to us in grade school. The version that I learned (Lyrics 1) was however short compared to the one (Lyrics 2) presented by Nueva Vizcaya delegates in a folk arts festival in Manila in 1978. 

Lyrics 1

KUKKUYAPPON (BUTTERFLY)
[Translation by Charles P. Castro]

  

Kukkuyappon maserot podda

maat tu tay ta dioy si ivahaˆ

eyam tiye sulat uwar

Ta i-ator mu y amigaˆ.

(Butterfly so beautiful

Come I'll tell something

Take this my letter

Then give it to my girlfriend.) 

Alimbawa ta santuwonaˆ

Ya adyom diyoy man-atu-atung

Andiyere atung nar

Atung si sait si nomnom.

(In case she'll ask about me

Please tell I'm not feeling well

If she'll ask what's the cause

Sick due to hurt feelings.) 

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Lyrics 2

KUKKUYAPPON

(BUTTERFLY)

 [Lyrics and choreography by Mrs. Estela G. Fernandez; translation by Mrs. Aida C. Mamaoag]

Kukkuyappon an maserot

Damdaman an-anapoˆ sia

Apeletaˆ di daˆdamar

Mangivolejas si aru-ar.

(Butterfly, so pretty

For you I’ve been searching

Your help I’ve been wanting

My love message, please relay)

Amtaˆ mot di ittuamar

Diyoy at nan manliliwaliw

Are-eyan di savungar

Si gitaw ri mihalang uar.

(I know now where you are

You are there roaming around

Amidst the beautiful flowers

In the meadow of my dear one)

Kukkuyappon an maserot

Maattu ta diyoy si ivajaˆ

Iyator mu tie sulat uar

Si pinavle ar an mariit.

(Butterfly, so beautiful

Please come, I’ve something to tell

Deliver my love letter

To the lady so much I endear)

Ittum di pan-engat muar

Etom si mabves di sulat uar

Uan satie ya yajyajom

Bivil uar mawayir lojom.

(Please be very careful,

Handle the letter very well

Lest it might get lost

My love message will vanish.)

Sar-om tay an basona

Ri sulat uar an in-ator mu

Santuwom di suvvet nar

Mu dawatona ri aru-ar.

(Wait until she reads

The letter you have given

Ask her immediate response

If she accepts my proposal.)

Alimbawa ta dawatona

Ammair piseysalamat uar

Maunat Apu tauar Diyos

On siat mi-ar-arwa.

(In case she accepts my love

My bountiful thanks

First, to our dear Lord

Secondly, to friend butterfly.)

Kukkuyappon lu-uyonaˆ

Seruwon ta ri inaru-ar

Ipasyal tat gitawar

Ta pangilan si gayjaya.

(Butterfly, accompany me

Let’s drop for my loved one

To stroll around the meadow

For relaxation and joy.)

Kukkuyappon manette-a

Belengom di pantaroˆ miar

Ihuyur u, iwayas u

Ilivor u mantunat tunanar.

(Butterfly, please observe

Watch how we both dance

We move forward and sideward

We turn around and around.)

Kukkuyappon an maserot

Maserot an kukkuyappon

Masompal amin dua

Salamat si, salamat si daˆdamar!

(Butterfly, so pretty

Pretty, pretty butterfly

We will soon get married

Thank you, thank you

For your big, big help.)

NOTE: Performed at the Philippine Folk Arts Theater, July 1978, by: Mayor William L. Giron, Mrs. Josefa G. Giron, Mr. Elpidio Cia, Mrs. Edita F.Galutera, Mr. Artemio Mamaoag, Mrs. Aida C. Mamaoag, Mr. Wilfredo Umli (butterfly), selected Bayombong and Solano teachers (flowers). Performed again at the Manila Garden Hotel representing the Province of Nueva Vizcaya during PAGAYAYA ’88 by: Mrs. Epifania M. Cia (Principal of Dupax Central School), Mr. Elpidio Cia (NFE Coordinator), Mrs. Aurora A. Reyes (GACES Elementary School Teacher), Mr. David Castro (District Statistician).