I have not written in Filipino for a while. It’s such a beautiful language and it expresses certain emotions that may not be entirely captured by the English language. One such word is “kilig”, that warm fuzzy feeling you get whenever you think about something or someone. Usually associated with romantic feelings or that butterfly-in-your-tummy sensation. Some people use it too to convey a sense of pride after achieving a feat. 

So here’s my everyday version of “kilig”. 

Kilig 

Limanlibong araw na kitang nasisilayan

Karaniwan kung tutuusin                         

Ikaw na panatag at maasahan                  

Katuwang sa araw at gabi.

Nararapat sa akin,                                                

Sa damdaming masalimuot                               

At madalas mabagabag   

 Angkop sa tulad kong tigib ng katanungan.

Marahil nakuha ako sa sulyap                        

Na may munting kulit,                                          

O di kaya’y patuloy na namamangha             

Na ikaw ay tila bata, pilyo’t mabait. 

Basta kinikilig pa rin ako                                     

Sa tuwing nariyan kang        

Umiintindi at nagpaparaya 

Nagbibigay at tumatanggap                         

Nang walang pakundangan, walang pag-aalinlangan.