Page 20 - AHATA

A14 LOCAL
Thursday 5 december 2019

Te Aworo Padu: An Homage to Aruba’s Cultural Father

Oranjestad – Last week the Aruban community was stricken with the
devastating news that Juan Chabaya Lampe, better known as Padu del
Caribe or Aruba’s “Tata di Cultura” (cultural father), has passed away at
the fascinating age of 99 years old. Today the Aruban community will be
paying their last respects at Plaza Padu honoring his legacy, and tomor-
row the official religious ceremony and burial will take place at the Prot-
estant Church of Aruba in Oranjestad. In April 2020, Aruba would have
celebrated Padu’s 100th birthday together with the legacy he has es-
tablished on the island and the Caribbean region. Padu is a well-known
Aruban composer, musician, singer, writer, poet, and painter, an inspir-
ing multifaceted artist. Padu is the mastermind behind the composition
of the Aruban hymn, which was first sung in 1986 when Aruba got its Sta-
tus Aparte within the Dutch Kingdom. Padu was a distinctive cultural pil-
lar and heritage advocate in our community. Therefore, this week local
musicians, artists, poets, writers, singers, composers, arrangers, choirs,
bands, cultural and creative institutions and foundations, and the entire
Aruban community are mourning the loss of their cultural father.

In solemn with the Aruban community, especially the Aruban cultural sec-
tor, today’s column will be dedicated to our beloved Padu. In our efforts to
raise awareness of Aruba’s cultural heritage, two very popular compositions
of Padu are shared with you. Whenever the name Padu is mentioned, al-
most everyone automatically thinks about the song “Abo So” and of course
Aruba’s National Anthem. Interestingly, something very authentic to Padu is
his charisma and very passionate choice of words. The song “Abo So” is a
very romantic dedication to his now deceased wife, Daisy Lampe – Croes.
In the song he expresses his love to her and his desire to share his life with her
and ultimately promising to love her till death parts them from each other.
Now, when you consider the national anthem of Aruba, it is also a very pow-
erful song expressing love, loyalty, respect, and commitment to his beautiful
country, Aruba.

Padu wrote hundreds of songs over the years and received many awards
during his lifetime. He was loved locally and internationally for the precious
gift he gave to this world, which was sharing his talents and his heart through
the arts. The essence of creativity is simply exercising ones talent and believ- - And feel the sweetness of a -though small and simple you
ing that it can have a positive impact on society. Padu was a true innovator warm kiss may be
in his generation, and his legacy with no doubt will live for many generations pero si respeta.
to come. Like we Arubans say; Te Aworo Padu, te aworo! (Farewell Padu, Ay mare ta awe nochi mes... Ay -you are indeed esteemed.
farewell!) mare ta awoki mes
- Oh wish it would be tonight... Oh Chorus:
Abo So – Only You (waltz) wish it would be now O, Aruba, dushi tera
Cu henter mi alma... cu henter mi bida Mi lo entregabo tur mi curazon. -Oh, Aruba, our dear country
- With all my soul... with all my life - I will give you all my heart nos baranca tan stima
Ta asina mi sa stima... y ta abo so ma stima -our rock so well beloved
- That is the way I love... and you are the only one I love Aruba Dushi Tera – Aruba Pre- nos amor p’abo t’asina grandi
Bou tur sircumstancia... y te na mi morto cious Country (National Aruban -our love for you is so strong
- Under any circumstances... and until I die Anthem) cu n’tin nada pa kibre (bis)
Lo mi sigi stimabo... abo so... abo so Aruba patria aprecia -that nothing can destroy it. (re-
- I will keep loving you... only you... only you - Aruba beloved home peat)
Ki dia mi lo tin e honor... di cariciabo cu mi amor nos cuna venera
- When will I have the honor... to caress you with my love - our venerated cradle Continued on Page 15
Y sinti bo dulsura den un sunchi calor chikito y simpel bo por ta