National Artist Rio Alma Pays Tribute to Gilda Cordero-Fernando with a Poem

A tribute to Gilda Cordero-Fernando by Rio Alma

National Artist for Literature Virgilio “Rio Alma” Almario paid a tribute to late iconic writer Gilda Cordero-Fernando through a poem.

National Artist Rio Alma Pays Tribute to Gilda Cordero-Fernando — Photo Credit: Manila Bulletin

Rio Alma published a poem in memory of her friend, Gilda Cordero-Fernando, who died on Thursday, August 27, at the age of 90.

When asked about his friendship with the renowned writer and publisher, he said: “Yes, we were very close.”

He added: “Mahirap ipaliwanag. Pero dalawa sila, si Odette Alcantara, na naging mas kaibigan sa panahong nag-iisa ako.”

According to Manila Bulletin, Rio Alma’s poem centers on the life and legacy of Gilda Cordero-Fernando, who once received a Gawad CCP Para Sa Sining (Publikasyon at Panitikan) award from the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1994.

“Hanga ako kay Gilda dahil masigasig siya sa pagtuklas ng kulturang Filipino,” he said.

Read the poem below:

KAY GILDA
Kung pagsaulan kong basáhin sa isip
Ang nangakaraang araw ng ligalig,
Walang mahagilap na lungtiang titik
Liban na kay Gildang namugad sa dibdib.
Yaong Gildang lagìng ginugunamgunam
Na bitwing marikit at di mapaparam,
Minsang naging tanglaw niring kapalaran
Sa mundong madilim at tigib sa panglaw.
Makaligtaan ko kayâng di bigkasin
Ang kaniyang payo at masayáng bilin?
Huwag ikalungkot ang gabing madilim,
Kung nabubúhay pa at diwa ay gisíng.
Lumipas ang araw naming matatamis
Kahit nagdidilim ang buong paligid;
Ang halakhak niya’y mahimalang tinig
Pantaboy sa taksil at itim na bagwis.
Ngayong nawala na at nangungulila,
Ano ang gagawin pag muling nagdusa?
Ay! May tatamis pang dapat maalala?
Wala nang tatamis, wala na nga, Gilda!
-Rio alma