Characteristics of a Philippine Crocodile
Their choice of lifestyle does not reflect the money they have supposedly earned from other’s pockets.
They have an insatiable hunger, not only for riches but also for power.
They are deaf to the people that helped them get to their positions.
Their ‘standard’ procedure reflects years of systematic failures.
They live their life in public, showing off their ill-gotten gains.
Criticism does get through their skin, but their crocodile tears are the only manifestation of that.
They cling to each other like rats, but will not hesitate to sacrifice their compatriots if they will benefit from it.
Deception is their comfort zone.
Political life is a family affair.
Drama is used as a weapon to get sympathy from their constituents.
Their pockets are deep and they only use those funds to gain even more power or flaunt their corruption.
Characteristics of a Buwaya
Saurian creature with a box like item on its back.
Are sometimes called “Nono” (Grandfather or ghost).
In the north there is a practice wherein a fisherman’s first catch would be offered to the Buwaya, called panangyatang.
They take their victims and entrap them into the coffin shaped object on its back.
They serve a master called Kaptan.
They are respected creatures., with those in power punishing any that would dare bother the beast.
Sometimes seen as a dragon.
They live in caves in deep waters.
They are not always harmful.
People kneel in homage to them.
They were seen as the thrall of an unnamed spirit that dwells at the bottom of the sea, giving the spirit the victims it carries on its back.
Those that kill them perform a great sin and will themselves be killed.
In the Ibalon they are said to be as big as boats.
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Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Inspired by the buwaya description in El Folk-lore Filipino. Isabelo de los Reyes, trans. Dizon and Peralta-Imson. 1994. (Original Spanish Manuscript Printed 1889)
Illustration by Yan Tamba used with permission from Rob Martin of Pine Box Entertainment and Secret Garden Games
