You're a Woman (Babae Ka)

You’re a Woman

by Inang Laya

translated by J.A. Del Prado

You’re a woman, desired, adored

protected, but you have no freedom.

Your world is always in a house.

Your beauty is the only asset; unaware of life.

You have proven that you can fight

for your right and complete freedom.

The door of success for you is constantly closed.

Face it, open it,

lift your being.

You’re a woman.

You’re the other half of life.

If you do not exist, how can life begin?

You have proven that you can be oppressed

but you can also rule a country.

The door of success Is now in front of you.

Face it, open it,

lift your being

You’re a woman,

thought to be weak;

your value, ignored.

Though you lack physical strength

your mind is blessed,

so your voice shall decide,

so you can be free

Fight, woman, it’s your duty

to free this country, our origin.

In the original language (Filipino):

Babae Ka

ni Inang Laya

Babae ka, hinahangad, sinasamba

ipinagtatanggol, ikaw nama’y walang laya.

Ang daigdig mo’y lagi nang nasa tahanan.

Ganda lang ang pakinabang, sa buhay walang alam.

Napatunayan mo, kaya mong ipaglaban

ang iyong karapatan at ganap na kalayaan.

Ang pinto ng pag-unlad sa ‘yo laging nakasara.

Harapin mo, buksan mo

ibangon ang iyong pagkatao

Babae ka.

Kalahati ka ng buhay.

Kung ikaw kaya’y wala saan ang buhay ipupunla?

Pinatunayan mong kaya mong magpaalila

ngunit kaya mo ring magpalakad ng bansa
Ang pinto ng pag-unlad sa’yo ngayo’y nakabungad.
Harapin mo, buksan mo
ibangon ang iyong pagkatao

Babae ka.
Dahil sa akala ay mahina ka
alaga mo ay di nakikita.
Bisig mo man sa lakas ay kulang
ngunit sa isip ka biniyayaan
upang ang tinig mo’y maging mapagpasya
upang ikaw ay lumaya.
Lumaban ka, babae may tungkulin ka
sa pagpapalaya ng bayan na siya nating simulain.