Auspicious Beginnings

wrote this 2 years ago, during my sophomore year. given to us as an assignment in our Philippine Literature subject.

The annals of Tacloban I could not distinctly expound,
Chronicles says it had fought for it grounds.
Alluded its name to the inhabitants of the place;
Reminiscing its glorious and melancholic heritage face,
went through some drastic change over a decade or two;
Reason of colonization gives me no clue.

Kankabatok was its name, is true;
Transmuted to Tacloban was rejoicing too;
Waray was its official dialect,
become the core of commerce we didn't quite expect.

Captured and suffered under the Japanese invasion;
People of all ages were tortured and slaughtered.
Everyone was just hopeless and dismayed.
This was indeed the darkest and cruelest event in the annals of the place.

Formed alliances that brought the city's victory,
the noted promise "I shall return" that kept the people hoping,
Japanese were diminished because Americans and Leyteños were fighting.
A liberation that was more than a grueling and tremulous story.

Freed by the Americans which was led by the valiant General Douglas MacArthur.
This was a victory and liberation worth to savor.
Despite the lugubrious painful deaths,
we've learnt to conquer the depths;
Now we're stalwart and wise we'll never be invaded.

Celebrating and reminiscing the annals through feasts,
our worries and uncertainties are ceased.
Landmarks and feasts that is so vital and inviting,
that makes Tacloban fascinating.