Poem 'Balak' by Desiree L. Balota
Published on July 4, 2026, at 9:56 am, the poem 'Balak' by Desiree L. Balota captures a solar eclipse in Talisay City, Cebu. The piece uses rich imagery: whispers that suddenly become a roar, a glimpse of the moon cutting into the sun, and a mirror that shouts the sleeplessness of eyes fixed on the closed and blinded Lanogon.
Imagery of the Eclipse
Balota writes: 'gabii, ang hunghong nga nikidhat / alingawngaw sa usa ka siplat / ni Bulan nga niguhit kang Adlaw / og samin nga gisinggit ang pulaw / sa pulsong nagtutok sa gipiyong / ug gipakabuta ni Lanogon.' This translates to: 'night, the whisper that erupted / into a roar at a glimpse / of the Moon that etched the Sun / and a mirror that shouted the sleeplessness / of the pulse staring at the closed / and blinded Lanogon.'
Lanogon's Slumber and Awakening
The poem continues: 'nagduka na si Lanogon karon. / nagkipat-kipat na ang gipiyong. / paminaw. mosiga na ang mata / ug ang kalimutaw mosulti na.' Meaning: 'Lanogon is now drowsy. / the closed one is blinking. / listen. the eye will shine / and the forgotten will speak.' Balota, from Dakbayan sa Talisay, Cebu, uses this allegory to depict the eclipse as a moment of cosmic shift and inner awakening.
