PADAPADAKAM: A Unique Ilocano Birthday Celebration

03. 01.2008

I was invited by my former students Rheden and Ogilyn to become one of the godparents of their son Ian Gabriel on his baptism to the Christian world. It was officiated at the St. Wiliam Cathedral. It’s a double celebration of his baptism and first birthday. The reception was held at La Preciosa Restaurant.

Padapadakam is a song rendered by the relatives, friends and guests to the birthday celebrator. It is a song to wish goodluck. They offer the celebrator with a halo of flowers and roses while singing the song, then each guest shall shower the celebrator with rose petals and rice to symbolize prosperity.

Ilocano Birthday Song

Padapadakam’ a siraragsak a kumablaaw,
Mangipaduyakyak
Ta nagtengan ti aldaw a pannakayanak,
Panagtaom a napuan gasat

Balangat a naurnos dagiti sabsabong
Nga umayi kenka isaad dita ulom
Kasta met nga iyawatmi kenka
Toy nainggasatan/(naindayawan) unay a palma

Tapnon isu ti mangipakita ti ragragsakmi
Amin a sangapada
Rag-o ken ragsakami nga agnanayon
Ta nagtengan manen aldaw a panagtaom

Sapay iti Dios ta inayonna koma ta salun-at mo,
Pia ken regta
Ken ta singpetmo a nagpaiduma nga ap-apalan
Dagiti kas kenka

Happy Birthday to you….