*Note this poem is in Ilocano

Maysa a kuko manipud kenni Tara, agay-ay-ayam idiay paraangan,
Dua a kuko manipud kenni Kevin, napukaw iti kasipngetan,
Tallo a kuko manipud kenni Leo, nabati idiay pagtaengan,
Uppat a kuko manipud kenni Audrey, nasinga iti pagtawagan,
Lima a kuko manipud kenni Habi, rimuar a mapan mangan,
Innem a kuko manipud kenni Mike, tumartaray idiay dalan,
Pito a kuko manipud kenni Denise, agsapsapul iti aso,
Walo a kuko manipud kenni Migz, matmaturog a kasla troso,
Siam a kuko manipud kenni Camille, nakasubsob ti rupana iti libro,
Sangapulo a kuko manipud kenni Erik, saan a makaperreng iti adayo,
Adu pay a kuko para iti Kumao, dagiti met koma ubbing ket agridam
Ta masapul a padaraendaka no ramananda ti kinaawan namnamam.

=————————=

English Version

One fingernail from Tara, playing in the park

Two fingernails from Kevin, caught after dark

Three fingernails from Leo, left home alone

Four fingernails from Audrey, distracted by her phone

Five fingernails from Habi, going out to eat

Six fingernails from Mike, running down the street

Seven fingernails from Denise, looking for her dog

Eight fingernails from Migs, sleeping like a log

Nine fingernails from Camille, her face buried in a book

Ten fingernails from Erik, who didn’t think to look

More fingernails for the Kumao, and children beware

It takes them to bleed you and taste your despair

————————–————————–————————–—–

*Ilocano is the third most-spoken local language of the Philippines.An Austronesian language, it is related to such languages as Malay (Indonesian and Malaysian), Tetum, Chamorro, Fijian, Maori, Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, Paiwan and Malagasy. It is closely related to some of the other Austronesian languages of Northern Luzon, and has slight mutual intelligibility with the Balangao language and the eastern dialects of the Bontoc language.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Ilocano translation by Deo M. Ramos
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Deo M. Ramos

Inspired by Kumao entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Kumao Illustration by Leandro Geniston
FB: That Guy With A Pen

Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
FB: Wildling Child
IG: https://www.instagram.com/wildlingchild/

The post Kumao – Ilocano Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

Kalipayan niya ang ti-on sang kapistahan kada Disyembre tungod sa mga pamatan-on. Ka mga inosente sa ila, kadasig mag salig, ka mga dasig intu-on.

Parehos abi kay Jonah, gin bayaan lang siya ka dali sang iya ginikanan, nang laguyaw na siya dayon. Sa pag lagaw-lagaw niya, naka kita siya sang tigulang nga lalaki, may gina sukbit nga sako sa abaga.

“Ikaw si Santa Klaws ay?”, hambal ni Jonah. Nagsabat ang tigulang, “Abaw huo e! Gusto mo sang regalo haw?”

Ang gamay nga si Jonah, nag lingling sa sako, ano bala nga kalipay sang bata nga makabaton bag-o nga hampanganan. Wala gid siya naka pangaman, may nag lampos sang ulo niya kag wala na siya animo.

Hay, ang mga kabataan subong, puros na mga gaka wili sa mga gamit, ka lain man nga gamiton mo na para intuon sila.

Lain naman ni ya ang istorya ni Lualhati. Siya gid ni ang pinaka buotan nga bata nga gina pangamuyo ukon gina gusto nga bata sang isa ka mag-awasa. Ang iya pirme nga ubra, mag bantay sa iya mga kamanghuran.

Isog man ni siya nga bata, sang ging tambangan sila sang tigulang nga lalaki, gina sabad niya ini para lang nga maka dalagan palayo ang manghod niya nga lalaki, kag tungod da, siya ang ging sulod sa sako sang tigulang.

Ari naman ya ang bata nga si Flordeliza, gamay pa lang pero pirte na ka suplada. Indi mo ni ma istorya kung indi mo pag hatagan sang mga dulsi ukon panyam-is.

Ging into-into ini sya sang tigulang nga lalaki pakadto sa isa ka gamay nga alagyan. Bag-o pa siya maka syagit, ging sulod siya dayon sa sako upod sang iban pa nga mga bata.

Si Rizalino naman, pirme lang ga duko-duko ang ulo. Gapati gid abi ang iya ginikanan nga makabulig gid dako ang teknolohiya sa pag padako sa mga pamatan-on.

Kalipay gid niya sang makabaton siya sang tablet. Pila ka mga inoras ang ging kunsumo niya sa paglantaw sang maanyag nga mga kinarton kag mga hampang-hampang. Ging tratar na niya nga iya na kabuhi ang tablet.

Sa subrahan nga kalingaw niya sa tablet, wala gid siya nag abi-abi sa palibot niya, ging palapitan siya gali sang tigulang nga lalaki kag ging sulod sa sako.

Ang pinaka ulihi, si Amor, ang retobada nga bata.  Nag layas ni siya halin sa ila balay kag nag layaw sa banwa kay indi niya gusto mamati sa ginikanan niya pirme lang ga sinilinggitan sa sulod-balay.

Kapila gid mag paandam ang iya ginikanan nga ‘Indi mag-istorya sa mga indi mo kilala’, pero anhon ta ina kay natural nga tig-a ulo man bi ang mga bata. Abi nila daw kabalo na gid sila sang tanan-tanan. Amo na ila panumdumon, pero kung patilawon mo na, dira gid na sila guro mag balalag-o.

Ging sigurado sang tigulang nga lalaki nga kumpleto na ang tanan nga panakot sa iya espesyal nga lulutu-on. ‘Dapat may bilin ni ang lulutu-on para mabaligya niya sa tindahan’, panaahumdom niya sa kaugalingon.

Gakabatyagan niya nga naga giho iya sako. Ang mga bata, amat-amat na nga ga bulugtaw, ka aga pa ni para dira. Halin sa banwa, ging pas-an niya ang prutas sang iya pinangabudlayan kag ging dala pakadto sa gamay niya nga kubo didto sa ka-umahan.

Indi amo ni ang pirme nga gakatabo. Sang una nga tyempo, indi niya kaya nga maka kuha sang madamo nga bata sa gamay lang mga mga inoras.

Ging dumdum niya nga sang una, ang mga maralagson nga kagulangan sa ila lugar, daw isa ka diyamante nga gina amagan ka mga negosyante.

Sang una, ga hulat lang na siya sang mga nag tinalang nga mga bata sa kagulangan kag iya sila kuhaon.

Ang mga ginikanan sang mga nagkala dula nga mga bata, halos aldaw-adlaw maka pamasyar sa iya kag pirme gapamangkot:

“Kita mo amon bata nga babaye?”, “Naka labay ni sila sa imo kubo?”, ” Pwede mo kami mabuligan pangita sa ila?”

Yuhom kaupod sang mga makapalati kag daw sa inosente nga mga tinaga pirme iya sabat. Indi man gid abi mag sulod sa paminsaron nimo nga ang isa ka mal-am, kag ugod-ugod nga lolo, makahimo malain nga butang parehos sang pag kuha sang mga gagmay nga mga bata. Daw ka kaladlawan na ya.

Ga arok-ok sang kakadlaw ang tigulang samtang papuli.

Kagamo sang kwarto sa sulod sang kubo. Ang lugar daw ging tugmawan sang pula nga dagta nga ga bukalwa sa palibot. May ara pa mga ginagmay nga butkon nga makit-an.

Ging butang sang tigulang nga lalaki sako kag nag gululuwa ang lawas sang mga bata. Iban sa ila ga giliho pa, pero kabalo man siya nga indi na sila makabugtaw gid.

Gingkuha na niya ang iya kutsilyo nga panglasā, kag ging handa ang kaugalingon para sa una nga pag ihaw. Ang bata nga baye, is Lualhati, ang pinaka lapit sa iya. Ging panumdom sang tigulang nga maayo ni nga klase ang iya dugo para himuon namit nga dinuguan.

Sang ging alsa sang tigulang ang dako nga kutsilyo, dira nag giho ang bata. Ging gamit niya ang tikod sang iya tiil para igu-on ang tiyan sang tigulang, natumba ang tigulang kag nakasyagit pa sang kasakit nga naaguman.

“Dalagan kamo tanan!”

Nag binangon dayon ang mga kabataan halin sa salog kag naka lab-ot sa pwertahan. Nalab-utan pa sang tigulang ang tiil sang isa ka bata nga lalaki, pero ging kagat sang bata ang iya kamot amo nga nakabuya siya.

Ging lantaw sang tigulang nga maka dalagan ang mga bata halin sa iya kubo. Wala na siya nagtilaw nga la-uton sila, kung maabtan man niya, ma law-ay kaledad sang karne nila. Tig-a na  ina kag ga bahul-bahol ang kusúg nila tungod sa dalagan.

Ging kuha niya ang bangkito kag nag pungko. Dapat na gid nga maghalong na siya sa dason.

Nagtulok siya sa mga madako ang matag.as nga mga establisyemento sang banwa halin sa iya bintana.

Damo pa man mga kabataan a, kinahanglan lang, mangin maagwantahon kag may laba nga pasensya.

Isa pa, amo naman ni ang pirme nga gina ubra niya halin pa sang una nga tyempo.

=——————————–=

English Version

He loved the holiday season, there were so many children, so naïve and trusting.

Take Jonah for example, his parents let him out of their sight for only a few minutes. He wandered off in the mall and happened upon a nice old man carrying a sack.

He asked, “Are you Santa Claus?” and the man replied “Of course I am! Would you like a present?”

Jonah immediately peered into the sack, such was the boy’s excitement in getting a new toy. He didn’t even feel the blow to the back of his head. Kids these days were so materialistic, it would be such a shame if someone took advantage of that.

Lualhati was a different story. She was the most well behaved girl any parent could ask for. She spent her days looking after her little siblings.

She was such a brave girl too, distracting the old man long enough for her little brother to run away. She was no match for him of course, and into the sack she went.

Then there was the girl, Flordeliza, such a snobby little brat. She wouldn’t talk to anyone unless she thought they could give her sweets.

The old man used that to lure her into a nice little alleyway. Before she could even think to scream she was in the sack, along with the other children.

Rizalino always had his head down. His parents believed in letting technology do the brunt of the work when it came to raising children.

He was so proud when he got his tablet, he would spend hours and hours watching his brightly colored cartoons or playing another mind numbing video game. It was as if that screen was his entire world.

He never realized that there were things happening beyond his screen, like a very old man and a sack creeping up behind him.

And finally came Amor, a very troubled child. She would wander around the city because she didn’t feel like listening to her parents getting into a shouting match for the hundredth time.

If she listened to them she might have heard them say ‘Never talk to strangers’, but children can be so stubborn. They always think they know everything. That is, until everything proves them wrong.

The old man checked his list and made sure he had enough for his special recipe, he needed to have some left over to sell to the market, ‘It’s the holidays’ he reminded himself. There would be other chances, he just had to wait.

He could feel the movement coming from the sack. The children were starting to wake up, it was much too soon for that. The old man took the fruits of his labor, far away from the city to his little kubo in the mountains.

It wasn’t always like this, of course. In the old days he would never be able to get this many children in such a short amount of time.

He thought back to when the concrete jungles were a glimmer of inspiration in the eyes of the tycoons, and a sea of green dominated the landscape.

In those times he would have to wait for the odd child to wander into the woods, never to be heard from again. Their parents would come by and ask all the questions a concerned parent needed to ask:

“Have you seen our little girl?” “Did they walk by your kubo?” “Will you help us look for them?”

He would smile and say a few remorseful words. No one would ever think that an old, venerable lolo could have anything to do with the disappearances of a few children. The very thought was laughable.

And he laughed all the way home.

The room inside the kubo was pure chaos. Scarlet stains and misplaced limbs were fighting a battle for supremacy.

The old man put the sack down and five small figures came tumbling out. There was some slight movement, but he knew they wouldn’t regain consciousness for a few more minutes.

He grabbed his lucky cleaver and readied himself for the first chop. The girl, Lualhati, was closest. The old man thought that her blood would make for good dinuguan.

As he raised his knife, she decided to strike. The heel of her foot hit the old man’s stomach, he collapsed to the ground, letting out a scream of pain.

“Everyone run!”

In that instant the four other children woke from their stupor and made for the door. The old man managed to grab the leg of one of the boys, but he bit his hand and the old man lost his grip.

The old man watched as the children fled his kubo. He didn’t bother chasing them, all that running would make their meat tough and stringy.

He pulled up a chair and sat down. He would have to be more careful next time.

The old man glanced outside his window and stared at the tall buildings in the distance.

There would always be more children, and he was nothing if not patient.

After all, he had been doing this for a very, very long time.

————————–————————–————————–—-

*The Hiligaynon language, also colloquially referred often by most of its speakers simply as Ilonggo, is an Austronesian regional language spoken in the Philippines by about 9.1 million people, mainly in Western Visayas and SOCCSKSARGEN, most of whom belong to the Visayan ethnic group, mainly the Hiligaynons. It is the second-most widely spoken language and a member of the so-named Visayan language family and is more distantly related to other Philippine languages.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Hiligaynon translation by Eloiza Gaduyon
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Eloiza Gaduyon

Inspired by the Tagalog Tigabulak legends

Tigabulak Illustration by Glendford Lumbao

Behance: https://www.behance.net/glendfordlumbao

The post Tigabulak – Hiligaynon Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Cebuano

“Daddy! Naa nasad siya!!”

Minglingi si Danilo sa iyang asawa nga wa kadungog sa sampit sa ilang anak tungod sa
ka-hinanok sa iiyang pagkatulog. Ming barog siya samtang naghandum sa gi sulti sa
Psychologist. Duha na ka bulan ang minglabay gikan sa lubong apan ang kasakit nag pabilin.

Sa edad nga sinco anyos, ilang gituhu-an nga si Maine bata pa kaayo aron makasabot sa mga
panghitabo.

Nakita gayud nila ang kausaban. Kining bataa kani-adto lagsik og lihok mingkalit lag ka hilom.
Gisamutan pani sa mga hulagway nga kanunay gi druwing sa bata.

Unang nakabantay si Miss Grade sa mga druwing paglabay sa pipila ka adlaw gikan sa
paglubong nila sa iyang lola. Pag una, gituhuan nila nga coping mechanism lang kini sa bata
tungod sa kamatayon sa iyang lola. Tingaleg gusto ni Maine nga handumon iyang lola unya
isabyag sa kalibutan.

Apan, nabantayan nalang ni Miss Grace nga hinay hinay na nga mugamit si Maine og mga
baga-on nga kolor susama sa itom og puwa sa iyang mga druwing. Ang kalmado og
mang-atimanon nga hulagway sa babae sa drawing ni Maine gipulihan man ug makahadlok nga
hulagway,hangtud sa kini aduna nay mga dagong nganga ug nagbitay nga dila.

Katong gi pangutana ang bata bahin sa iyang mga druwing igo ra kini mi tubag nga “pirme ni
siya mo Hii nako inig ka gabie. Hilabi na kung pagngon na ni mama og papa ang mga suga,
makita nako siya bintana. Mao to nangayu ko nilag suga aron dili siya ka duol nako.”

Tungod ato, gi-rekomendar ni Miss Grace kang Danilo nga ilang dalhon si Maine sa usa ka
Psychologist aron magiyahan si Maine sa iyang nasinati karon. Buot man, ilang gi timan-an ang
mga pulong sa Psychologist og ila pun’g nasag-ulo ang dapat nilang isulti kung makig-istorya
kang Maine.

Nanuktuk si Danilo sa pultahan sa iyang anak. Iya kining gipanguta kung pwede ba siyang
musulod.

“Daddy, guba ang suga di na musiga unya makita na nako siya!”

Wa na tuod nag siga ang suga sa tapad sa iyang katre. Minglingkod si Danilo tapad kang
Maine.

“Di ko ganahan niya. Hadlok kaayo siya.”

Sa tan-aw ni Danilo murag nahadlok man gyud tuod iyang anak samtang iya kining gigakos. Diri
na niya nahimunduman ang gisulti sa Psychologist. Kailangan niyang tubagon ang kahadlok sa
iyang anak pinagi sa pag agak og pag atiman. Iyang gipangutana iyang anak kung tungod ba
gyud ni sa babae sa bintana o tungod sa iyang lola.

“Ana si Lola nako nga kung palong daw ang suga unya abli ako mga mata, makita daw nako
ang babae.”

Nasayud na si Danilo aning istoryaha. Mao kini pirme balik balikon ni Maine matag gabie sukad
nga namatay iyang lola.Ming subay siya sa gitudlo sa Psychologist aron pagtubag sa iyang
anak. Iyang gi butang ang gibati sa iyang anak sa iyang mga pulong og gi-ingnan niya kini nga
kahibalo siya nga naguol siya sa iyang lola, ug unsa siya kapinangga sa tanan. Mipuno siya sa
pagsulti nga di to ganahan iyang lola nga mahadlok siya. Giduyugan ni Danilo si Maine sa
paghandum ni Lola aron maibanan ang kaguol.

Sa katong nahuman na sila sa ilang paghadum, nakita ni Danilo ang ka kapuy sa mga mata ni
Maine maong iya kining gi-ingnan nga oras na para mupahuway siya og balik. Ming tando si
Maine og mi-ingon “Okay, daddy. Pero palihug kog bilin sa suga nga nag siga. Di ko ganahan
maka kita niya.”

Ming tando si Danilo ug gi-ablihan ang pultahan aron makasulod ang kahayag. Nasayud siya
nga maghinanglan pag taas taas nga panahon si Maine aron maka lingkawas sa kaguol nga
iyang gi bati. Kailangan niyang mahimong mapasi

=————————————————–=

English Version

“Daddy! She’s here again!!”

Danilo looked to his right and saw that his wife was sound asleep, the cries of their child ineffective against her current dream. He stood up and thought about what the psychologist said to say.

The funeral had been finished about two months ago, but the scars still lingered. At 5 years old they thought that Maine was too young to understand what was happening.

But a few weeks after, Miss Grace had asked to speak to them about what Maine was doing in class.

The little girl that was so bright and filled with energy had become despondent and silent.

And that was separate from the drawings.

Miss Grace noticed the first drawing a few days after they buried her lola. At first, she thought that it was a way of coping. Maybe Maine wanted to channel her grandmother and tried to put those feelings out into the world.

Then Miss Grace saw Maine use darker colors, always red and black.; the calm, caring face of the woman in her drawings becoming more grotesque, the later ones having a gaping jaw and a long tongue.

When Maine was asked what she was drawing the girl would just reply, “She always says hi to me at night. When Mama and Papa turn the lights off, I can see her by the window so I told them to give me a light so she can’t go near me.”

Miss Grace recommended that the family see a psychologist to help Maine get through this difficult time and her parents agreed. They took the words of the psychologist to heart and memorized how they should talk to their daughter.

Danilo knocked on his daughter’s door and asked if he could come in.
“Daddy the light isn’t working and I can see her!”

Maine was right, the nightlight by her bedside was pitch black and definitely broken. He sat by her bedside and asked her what was wrong, carefully remembering to use clear words to let her understand.

“I don’t like her. She’s scary.”

She did seem scared and Danilo took his daughter in his arms. It was at this point that the advice of the psychologist kicked in. Responding to her fear with comfort and reassurance. He asked her if it was really about a woman in the window, and changed the topic to her lola.

“Lola used to tell me about her. She said that if the lights were off and if my eyes were open, I could see the woman.”

Danilo knew this part of the story well enough, it was something that Maine repeated every night since her lola passed. He returned to using the psychologist’s advice. He put her emotions into words, telling her that he knows she feels sad about her lola, and how much everyone loved her. He told her that lola wouldn’t want her to be scared. They sat together and talked about lola, thinking back to happy memories to activate positive feelings.

When they finished remembering Danilo saw the tiredness in Maine’s eyes and told her it was time to get some rest.

She nodded and said, “Okay daddy, but please put the lights on. I don’t want to see her.”

Danilo nodded and opened the door to let the light in. He knew that it would take time for her to heal from the loss and he would be as patient as he needed to be for Maine’s sake.

After all, it’s what parents do.

=—————————————————————=

*The Cebuano language, alternatively called Cebuan and also often colloquially albeit informally referred to by most of its speakers simply as Bisaya (“Visayan”, not to be confused with other Visayan languages nor Brunei Bisaya language), is an Austronesian regional language spoken in the Philippines by about 21 million people, mostly in Central Visayas, western parts of Eastern Visayas and most parts of Mindanao, most of whom belong to various Visayan ethnolingusitic groups, mainly the Cebuanos. It is the by far the most widely spoken of the Visayan languages, which are in turn part of wider the Philippine languages. The reference to the language as Bisaya is not encouraged anymore by linguists due to the many languages within the Visayan language group that may be confused with the term.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cebuano Translation by Julius Cesar Cudera
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Julius Cesar Cudera

Inspired by a story told by  Teresita Gasga

Kulukupap Illustration by Alvin Gasga

FB: The Art of Alvin Gasga

The post Kulukupap – Cebuano Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

“Daddy! She’s here again!!”

Danilo looked to his right and saw that his wife was sound asleep, the cries of their child ineffective against her current dream. He stood up and thought about what the psychologist said to say.

The funeral had been finished about two months ago, but the scars still lingered. At 5 years old they thought that Maine was too young to understand what was happening.

But a few weeks after, Miss Grace had asked to speak to them about what Maine was doing in class.

The little girl that was so bright and filled with energy had become despondent and silent.

And that was separate from the drawings.

Miss Grace noticed the first drawing a few days after they buried her lola. At first, she thought that it was a way of coping. Maybe Maine wanted to channel her grandmother and tried to put those feelings out into the world.

Then Miss Grace saw Maine use darker colors, always red and black.; the calm, caring face of the woman in her drawings becoming more grotesque, the later ones having a gaping jaw and a long tongue.

When Maine was asked what she was drawing the girl would just reply, “She always says hi to me at night. When Mama and Papa turn the lights off, I can see her by the window so I told them to give me a light so she can’t go near me.”

Miss Grace recommended that the family see a psychologist to help Maine get through this difficult time and her parents agreed. They took the words of the psychologist to heart and memorized how they should talk to their daughter.

Danilo knocked on his daughter’s door and asked if he could come in.
“Daddy the light isn’t working and I can see her!”

Maine was right, the nightlight by her bedside was pitch black and definitely broken. He sat by her bedside and asked her what was wrong, carefully remembering to use clear words to let her understand.

“I don’t like her. She’s scary.”

She did seem scared and Danilo took his daughter in his arms. It was at this point that the advice of the psychologist kicked in. Responding to her fear with comfort and reassurance. He asked her if it was really about a woman in the window, and changed the topic to her lola.

“Lola used to tell me about her. She said that if the lights were off and if my eyes were open, I could see the woman.”

Danilo knew this part of the story well enough, it was something that Maine repeated every night since her lola passed. He returned to using the psychologist’s advice. He put her emotions into words, telling her that he knows she feels sad about her lola, and how much everyone loved her. He told her that lola wouldn’t want her to be scared. They sat together and talked about lola, thinking back to happy memories to activate positive feelings.

When they finished remembering Danilo saw the tiredness in Maine’s eyes and told her it was time to get some rest.

She nodded and said, “Okay daddy, but please put the lights on. I don’t want to see her.”

Danilo nodded and opened the door to let the light in. He knew that it would take time for her to heal from the loss and he would be as patient as he needed to be for Maine’s sake.

After all, it’s what parents do.

=—————————————————————=

Written by Karl Gaverza

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by a story told by  Teresita Gasga

Kulukupap Illustration by Alvin Gasga

FB: The Art of Alvin Gasga

The post Kulukupap appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

The post Lagtaw appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

He loved the holiday season, there were so many children, so naïve and trusting.

Take Jonah for example, his parents let him out of their sight for only a few minutes. He wandered off in the mall and happened upon a nice old man carrying a sack.

He asked, “Are you Santa Claus?” and the man replied “Of course I am! Would you like a present?”

Jonah immediately peered into the sack, such was the boy’s excitement in getting a new toy. He didn’t even feel the blow to the back of his head. Kids these days were so materialistic, it would be such a shame if someone took advantage of that.

Lualhati was a different story. She was the most well behaved girl any parent could ask for. She spent her days looking after her little siblings.

She was such a brave girl too, distracting the old man long enough for her little brother to run away. She was no match for him of course, and into the sack she went.

Then there was the girl, Flordeliza, such a snobby little brat. She wouldn’t talk to anyone unless she thought they could give her sweets.

The old man used that to lure her into a nice little alleyway. Before she could even think to scream she was in the sack, along with the other children.

Rizalino always had his head down. His parents believed in letting technology do the brunt of the work when it came to raising children.

He was so proud when he got his tablet, he would spend hours and hours watching his brightly colored cartoons or playing another mind numbing video game. It was as if that screen was his entire world.

He never realized that there were things happening beyond his screen, like a very old man and a sack creeping up behind him.

And finally came Amor, a very troubled child. She would wander around the city because she didn’t feel like listening to her parents getting into a shouting match for the hundredth time.

If she listened to them she might have heard them say ‘Never talk to strangers’, but children can be so stubborn. They always think they know everything. That is, until everything proves them wrong.

The old man checked his list and made sure he had enough for his special recipe, he needed to have some left over to sell to the market, ‘It’s the holidays’ he reminded himself. There would be other chances, he just had to wait.

He could feel the movement coming from the sack. The children were starting to wake up, it was much too soon for that. The old man took the fruits of his labor, far away from the city to his little kubo in the mountains.

It wasn’t always like this, of course. In the old days he would never be able to get this many children in such a short amount of time.

He thought back to when the concrete jungles were a glimmer of inspiration in the eyes of the tycoons, and a sea of green dominated the landscape.

In those times he would have to wait for the odd child to wander into the woods, never to be heard from again. Their parents would come by and ask all the questions a concerned parent needed to ask:

“Have you seen our little girl?” “Did they walk by your kubo?” “Will you help us look for them?”

He would smile and say a few remorseful words. No one would ever think that an old, venerable lolo could have anything to do with the disappearances of a few children. The very thought was laughable.

And he laughed all the way home.

The room inside the kubo was pure chaos. Scarlet stains and misplaced limbs were fighting a battle for supremacy.

The old man put the sack down and five small figures came tumbling out. There was some slight movement, but he knew they wouldn’t regain consciousness for a few more minutes.

He grabbed his lucky cleaver and readied himself for the first chop. The girl, Lualhati, was closest. The old man thought that her blood would make for good dinuguan.

As he raised his knife, she decided to strike. The heel of her foot hit the old man’s stomach, he collapsed to the ground, letting out a scream of pain.

“Everyone run!”

In that instant the four other children woke from their stupor and made for the door. The old man managed to grab the leg of one of the boys, but he bit his hand and the old man lost his grip.

The old man watched as the children fled his kubo. He didn’t bother chasing them, all that running would make their meat tough and stringy.

He pulled up a chair and sat down. He would have to be more careful next time.

The old man glanced outside his window and stared at the tall buildings in the distance.

There would always be more children, and he was nothing if not patient.

After all, he had been doing this for a very, very long time.

————————–————————–————————–—-

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Tagalog Tigabulak legends

Tigabulak Illustration by Glendford Lumbao

Behance: https://www.behance.net/glendfordlumbao

The post Tigabulak appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

Gonzalo surveyed his domain with the quiet dignity that was unique to his breed. He was a bulldog, born to be resolute and courageous. He took one more lap around the house to make sure everything was in order for the morning.

“Watch out!” Lila almost tripped over herself. Gonzalo deftly dodged the slight frame of the kindergartener and positioned himself and her bag just within reach.

“Good boy!” She grabbed her rose-colored backpack and headed to the kitchen. Gonzalo trailed behind her to make sure she didn’t fall again.

Breakfast passed without incident. Lila enjoyed her champorado with the kind of gusto a child gets when they realize that they’re having chocolate for a meal. Gonzalo noshed on his kibble and was surprised to find hotdogs mixed in with his food. “The lady must still be in a good mood,” he thought.

Today was different and Gonzalo put himself on guard for anything suspicious. Lila didn’t wait for the big yellow house like she did yesterday. Instead, she hugged Gonzalo and shouted “We’re going to the park!”

Outside; Gonzalo always hated going outside, sure there was the daily walk and the occasional chase around the nearby streets, but there was a sense of danger that surrounded the outside. He looked at Lila and whimpered.

“Silly doggie! Let’s go to the park!” Lila tried clumsily to attach the walking harness onto Gonzalo but it was no use. The lady stepped in and fixed it up and she, Gonzalo and Lila were all set to go to the park.

It was only a short distance from the house and Gonzalo grew increasingly more cautious. There was a strange smell that he could not place. “Stop barking doggie, don’t be scary!”
Gonzalo’s warnings were dismissed, but he was on high alert.
Something was out there, if he could only figure it out.

The lady set Lila and Gonzalo next to a bench. “Don’t go too far, always be somewhere I can see you.” Lila nodded and smiled like she was supposed to and Gonzalo knew that this was going to be a long day. The lady had already took out her small light-box and started playing with it. Gonzalo didn’t know what the appeal was, he had once gotten scolded for chewing it up. If he couldn’t play with it what was the point?

Lila ran towards the slide, laughing along the way. The strange smell was still in the air, almost mocking Gonzalo with its mystery. He kept a keen eye on Lila, and waited.

He waited as Lila went down the slide. He waited as she played hide and seek with the other neighbor children. He waited as they all had some snacks.

There were many dogs in the park that day and Gonzalo knew that they smelled it too. The humans would sit and wonder why their dogs were so well behaved, completely unaware of the looming danger.

“Where are you?” His mind raced through the possibilities.

Suddenly the Lady shouted “Lila! Time to go home!” the sun was already setting, thick beams of orange light were peeking through the clouds.

If Gonzalo thought that going home would ease his worries, he was mistaken. The smell had followed them from the park.

The lady and Lila were getting ready for dinner now, the scent of adobo failing to mask what kept the bulldog’s hair on end. He stationed himself by the kitchen, he knew what his duty was and he would not shy away from it.

They were his pack and he was their protector.

“Lila, I’m just going to step out for a few minutes. Be a good girl and eat your dinner.” The lady takes her light-box and her fingers race. Gonzalo had seen this before, it meant that the lady would be out for a while.

“There’s something here! Can’t you smell it?!” His barks fell on deaf ears. The lady thought he was hungry so she gave him some food and left the kitchen.

Gonzalo didn’t have any appetite, he was too focused on the smell. His nose had picked up the scent coming from Lila’s room. There was no hesitation as the dog bolted out of the kitchen and raced towards the smell.

It was bigger than Gonzalo expected, it was so tall that it had to crouch to fit in the room. Its long neck twisted around and a large, yellow eye greeted him with a menacing glare. The mouth opened to reveal rows of pointed fangs.

Brave was the bulldog as he lunged to the monstrous creature before him. The creature recoiled in terror as the hound bit it right in the neck. It spotted the window and ran. As big as it was, it had a coward’s heart.

That night the neighbors discussed the strange sound they heard around dinnertime. Most say it was a wild animal that somehow got into the village, others think it was a burst pipe.

Whatever the answer, the night yielded to a tired Gonzalo sleeping at the foot of Lila’s bed, dreaming the dreams of a very good dog.

————————–————————–————————–——

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Tigbanua entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Tigbanua Illustration by Jowee Aguinaldo

The post Tigbanua appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

Why are you smiling?

Think about it. Why is it that when an animal bares its teeth, it always seems threatening, yet when a person does the same action, we call it a smile?

Smile.

A word synonymous with laughter and joy, a word brimming with pictures of children and happiness, a word that we take for granted. Do you ever think about how many muscles it takes to smile? At least 10, 10 muscles to signify that a person is feeling happy.

Now imagine if you had to hold that smile.

How long would it take before your face started to hurt? How long before your mouth starts to cramp up and you feel excruciating pain?

Strangely enough, the smile evolved from what scientists call the ‘fear expression’ – bared teeth, flattened ears and a tight throat, an expression that happens when an animal feels trapped and threatened but physically can’t escape.

You see, smiles are taken for granted. They aren’t all happy rainbows and blue skies. Smiles are still signals of danger.

Would you trust a stranger with a smile?

When you go in the forest remember this. Remember the sign of danger, remember the pain of a smile, for there is one that will be hiding in the bushes, waiting.

Waiting for the moment it can share its smile.

————————–————————–———————-

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Tago-Ngirit entry in Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition. Nasayao 2010.

Tago-Ngirit Illustration by Julius Advincula
IG: https://www.instagram.com/subhelic

The post Tago-Ngirit appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

One fingernail from Tara, playing in the park

Two fingernails from Kevin, caught after dark

Three fingernails from Leo, left home alone

Four fingernails from Audrey, distracted by her phone

Five fingernails from Habi, going out to eat

Six fingernails from Mike, running down the street

Seven fingernails from Denise, looking for her dog

Eight fingernails from Migs, sleeping like a log

Nine fingernails from Camille, her face buried in a book

Ten fingernails from Erik, who didn’t think to look

More fingernails for the Kumao, and children beware

It takes them to bleed you and taste your despair

————————–————————–————————–—–

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by Kumao entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Kumao Illustration by Leandro Geniston
FB: That Guy With A Pen

Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
FB: Wildling Child
IG: https://www.instagram.com/wildlingchild/

The post Kumao appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

There was an old woman who kept a peculiar pet
It taught more about medicine than anyone you’ve met
It was small and cheerful, so full of mirth
You wouldn’t think it lived inside the earth

One day the old woman went out of her house
She was chasing away a naughty little mouse
A boy was lost in the forest and said
“I’m hungry. Maybe here I can find some bread.”

He went in the house and looked all around
But to his disappointment, nothing could be found
He turned around and fell flat on his face
The boy tripped on the Kokok’s sleeping place!

Its head was pointed and it slept in the ground
So it wouldn’t make any kind of sound
The boy asked the Kokok if he could have a meal
And it said only if the boy agreed to a deal

The boy had to turn around and close his eyes
Then the Kokok would give him his prize
The boy did as he was told
And the Kokok opened its mouth, it was a sight to behold

It ate the small child with one loud crunch
It had almost forgotten it had skipped lunch
The woman came back and asked what had happened
The Kokok said “nothing” and she was gladdened

So to all the children lost and alone
Have some advice that should be known:

Look at the Kokok and don’t believe its lies
And when it laughs its lips cover its eyes
Run from the Kokok and don’t look back
Or you might be the Kokok’s next snack

————————–————————–————————-

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Poem inspired by Kokok entry in 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang. Samar. 2015.

Watercolor by Tara Singson
IG: https://www.instagram.com/tarabell93/

The post Kokok appeared first on Philippine Spirits.