There are three different learning levels you can choose from:

a) Ebook only – if you simply like to read and expand your Cebuano vocabulary.

b) Ebook + Audio – One of the fastest ways to learn how to speak Bisaya, because the phrases are short… which means you can easily play the sound file over and over again.

c) Ebook + Audio + Video – One of the best ways to learn (and remember), because you use both your eyes and ears to learn Cebuano. And not only do you hear the words, you’ll also sense the meaning behind those phrases based on the way the people in the video say or deliver those sentences.

I like the way the videos were taken: No slick studio shots. Instead, you have natural, relaxed, outdoors-y video clips of real people (not professional actors or actresses).

Bud Brown injects his easy-to-like and friendly style, which makes learning Cebuano fun and enjoyable. Plus, there’s something about Bud’s voice…

Perhaps it’s the kindness that you’ll hear in each gently uttered word, honed by years of experience in learning dozens of other languages.

And the best part is, you can sample some of the Speak Bisaya (specifically, Cebuano) lessons when you visit Bud Brown’s Essential Cebuano site.

Bud promises lifetime updates, and I hope to hear him sing some Visayan songs in the future.

So go ahead, try it out, and have a blast speaking in Cebuano the next time you visit Cebu, Philippines!

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So we turned to this Musical Elements Chart Worksheet, and came up with the answers below:

Instrumentation – The instrument being played is a Philippine guitar. Sometimes, it’s a clavinova. Other times, there’s no instrument; just the soloist (it is, afterall, a lullaby).

Lyrics/Language – We guess the lyrics are in Ilonggo or Hiligaynon. Loving and reassuring words sung to a child who is missing his or her mother.

Tempo – The music is moderate. It can be sung slowly, as a lullaby.

Dynamics – The music is soft, not loud. Afterall, it is a lullaby. Soft, soothing vocals.

Melody – ili ili Tulog Anay is simple and sing-able. Solo vocal sings verse (no refrain). No instrumental breaks.

Rhythm – The music moves in three’s, and the accent is on the strong beats.

We hope this helps you!

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ili-ili tulog anay,
Wala diri imo nanay.
Kadto tienda bakal papay.
ili-ili tulog anay.

Mata ka na,
tabangan mo
ikarga ang nakompra ko
kay bug-at man sing putos ko
tabangan mo ako anay

Translation:

Sleep a while, little one.
Your mom’s not here
She went to the store to buy some bread
Sleep a while, little one.

You are awake,
come and help
carry the things I bought
because it is heavy
help me little one

And here’s a recording of the ili-ili song:

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Please click the Play button above to hear the MP3 audio recording.

And here’s Raffy Lata playing Ili-ili Tulog Anay on the classical guitar:

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First, you can hear Vina Morales sing her rendition of “Usahay”:

Video Source: USAHAY by VINA MORALES – The Perfect Cover !, uploaded to YouTube by IbongNakalaya

And here’s the translation into English of the song Usahay…

Usahay – Sometimes
Nakadamgo ako – I had a dream,
Nga ikaw ug ako – that you and I
Nagkahigugma-ay – fell in love.

Nganong damguhon ko ikaw? – Why do I dream of you?

Damguhon sa kanunay – I dream (of you) often
sa akong kamingaw. – in my loneliness.

Usahay, nagamahay ako – Sometimes, I regret…
Ngano’ng nabuhi pa – Why was I even born
Ning kalibutan – here in this world?

Ngano’ng gi tiaw-tiawan – Why do you belittle
Ang gugma ko kanimo – my love for you,
Male version: Kanimo, ‘day – for you, Inday (young lass)
Female version: Kanimo, da – for you (da – expression of emphasis)

Anyway, listen to more Visayan songs here.

And my curiosity was rewarded, because the MHL blog has an entry which features a song sung in Bisaya: Bato Balani Sa Gugma (Gozos Sa Novena Sa Sto. Niño). Interestingly, you’ll find that some people upload MP3 files in a password-protected folder in Drop.io, a “simple private exchange.”

What makes Drop.io interesting is that you can allow people to collaborate or even add notes to the files you upload, or if you will allow them to simply view the file. The service says they will store your file for up to one year, although you can always go back and re-upload.

Why is it free? I don’t know… Perhaps the whole concept of a “private exchange” or “secrets” catches the fancy of certain people, enough for them to offer this free service.

May Gitago Kong Pagbati (I Have A Secret Feeling)

May gitago kong pagbati
Alang ‘day gayod kanimo
Ang kahadlok ray nagalabi
Nga balibaran mo

Daw sayun ang pagpahayag
Kadako sa huna-huna
Mga hanaw lang ang pulong ko
Sa atubangan mo

Sa akong mga damgo
Gikaloy-an mo ako
Tinuod ba kini
Nga ako gihigugma mo?

Kung kining akong pagbati
Pagalumsan sa kanunay
Magpailub lang intawon ako
Kay pagbuot sa palad ko

And here’s the very loose translation (native speakers, please help me out…)

I have a secret feeling towards you (with emphasis), Inday. I am so afraid that you will reject me.

While it may seem easy for me to explain/speak out, the thought looms large in my mind how powerless/weak (hanaw) my words (pulong ko) are when spoken in front (atubangan) of you.

In my dreams, you pity me (gikaloy-an). Is it true that you love me?

If my feelings for you will always (kanunay) be drowned (pagalumsan), then I will just accept (magpailub) how pitiable (intawon) I am, because that is the will/destiny (pagbuot) of my fate (palad).

Nabilanggo Ako (I Was Imprisoned)

Nabilanggo ako sa gugma mo
Tul-tuli ako ngadto sa dalan
Nga wala’y kalisdanan.

Init ug ulan gi-antos ko kining tanan
Wa mo tagda kay wa ka man nahigugma

Mag-unsa ako kung wala na ikaw?
Kinsa pa ma’y akong sampitan? Ay…

Nakita ko ang imong larawan sa kalangitan
Ug balikon ko sa pag-ingon nga unungan

The song is sung from the point of view of a man smitten by love. He is smitten so badly, that he feels imprisoned and wishes that someone would point the way to the easy road (one without difficulty).

The man endures the heat and the rain, but his love doesn’t even notice because she is not in love with him.

He asks what will he do if she is no longer around. Who else will he talk to? Ay…

He sees her face in the heavens, and he wants to keep saying that he and the woman will be united.

(If you something lost in the translation [since I am not Bisaya], please help me out. Thanks!)