*Note this story is in Isneg
Syam nga algow
Baga da ya la’lakey, syam nga algow bit sikuha nga di madamdam ya di masingen; tuni tida dan itamen ya wagi nga babey. Adeddu pa ya syam nga algow ngem kasapulan koo kagina di.
Walo nga algow
Di nga kawas ya nonna algow na ngem kasapulan Kandela; toley ki lebut ya natey senu di makaadani ya di masingen. Iyow la ya nakakahu nga ammu.
Pitu nga algow
Awad la ki sagged nga magin-indeg. Mangsing-singen ki natey.
Anem nga algow
Magin-indeg pakam.
Lima nga algow
Bayuy! Nakatudug na lugud langin. Awan la pe nakasingenin gaages nala ya wagi. Di ngin nga maunsi tuni. Appat la nga algow ya nebtangin.
Appat nga algow
Di masingen ki sagged ngin. Di na kid madamdam ngin.
Tal-lu nga algow
Kawas pa ya dilag ki gyan nateyan. Nagiddep ammin dilag ki piga nga oras. Nammat na din la adu Kandela tunin. Awanin ya di masingen, ngem amu nga awad la agina kiyan magin-indeg magiddep ya Kandela senu mala na ya wagi ngem di na ma’wa tuni.
Duwa nga algow
Nagawi ya dilag. Nakadiyat na ki piga algowin gapu ki kape; redbull. Di na makakendeg ngin nga matudug. Magimmang din yanin nga di masingen.
Nona/Esa nga algow
Pakawanen na Sarah, ammu nga di na nga kakapyaan nga manung mu kitu nabiag ka kam ngem kuma ta idi nga kokoo e mepasingo ya awad ki un-uneg ku. Mawe taka dan sinsinen ki gyan mu. Nebaga manung.
Nawe ya syam algow nan, ustu ya nebaga da ya la’lakey. Di madamdam ngin ya di masingen. Kuma ta ya isarunu na e di da kalepanan magsibet Kandela. Kararag ku yan nga kaduduwa, ngem ustu la ta din nga iya.
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English Version
Nine Days
The elders say it will only take nine days for the creature to lose interest and then we can bury my sister. That’s nine days too long but I have to do it. For her.
Eight Days
The first day went without incident, as long as there are candles and people around for the wake the monster doesn’t seem to be able to get close. This may be easier than I thought.
Seven Days
It just waits outside. Staring at the wake.
Six Days
It’s still waiting.
Five Days
Damn it. I fell asleep. No one covered for me and the creature almost got to my sister. It won’t happen again. I only have four days left.
Four Days
I haven’t seen it outside lately. Maybe it already lost interest.
Three Days
There was a problem with the electricity in the funeral home. All the lights went out for a few hours. Damn it! I should have bought more candles. I can’t see the creature, but I know it’s somewhere here, just biding its time until the candles go out. But it won’t get her. I won’t let it.
Two Days
The power’s finally back on. I’ve been surviving the past week on nothing but coffee and red bull to make sure that I stay awake. I can’t wait until I finally get some sleep and to put the monster to rest.
One Day
I’m sorry Sarah, I know that I wasn’t the best brother when you were alive, but I hope that my vigil for you showed you how much I love you. I promise to visit you every day and make sure that nothing bad will happen to you. Kuya promises.
Nine days have passed and it was as the elders said. The creature just lost interest. I hope that whoever it stalks next knows to light a candle and keep it at bay. I pray for that poor soul, but I’m glad it isn’t me anymore.
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*Isnag (also called Isneg) is a language spoken by around 40,000 Isnag people of Apayao Province in the Cordillera Administrative Region in the northern Philippines. Around 85% of Isnag are capable of reading the Isnag language. Many Isnag speakers also speak Ilocano.
Written by Karl Gaverza
Isneg Translation by Kristine Joy Rillera
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Kristine Joy Rillera
Inspired by the Ebwa description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.
Ebwa illustration by Andrew Rebuldela
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