*Note this story is in Cebuano

Bisan sa ulahing gabii sa tuig, ang ulan dili gyud mobiya kay Danica. Ang tingog sa nagkutab-kutab niyang ngipon niduyog sa mga lusok-ulan sa simponiya sa kasubo. Gigakos ni iyang hubo’ng mga paa ug tiil aron makutlo ang nabili’ng kaiinit sa iyang lawas.

Ang tinubuang sinilas na gihatag sa iyang inahan luag ra kaayo ug mahulog sa pagdagan niya sa silonganan. Namatikdan ni Danica na nahulog ang usa sa sandayong ug ang usa nawala sa ngitngit nga dalan.

Si Danica nga nag-inusara sa katugnaw ug umog, gikuptan ang bulak sa sampaguita duol sa iyang dughan. Hinay ang dagan sa adlaw, walay dagha’ng sakyanan ug walay ni usang kutay sa sampaguita ang nabaligya. Walay ni usang nihatag sa iya bisan piso.

Ang kilat nipahayag sa langit ug ang makalolooy na batang babaye nipadaplin. Dili siya magtuga-tuga og uli sa balay kay wala siya’y nabaligya ug ang iyang amahan masuko gyud sa iya. Sa balay tugnaw man pud kay ang hangin harosong mosulod sa iyang bintana ug mabiling basa og kaging iyang kwarto.

Nangurog ang iyang gamay’ng kamot. Gikuptan niya og ayo ang iyang bulak ug gisimhot ang kahumot. Mahiaguman ra ni Danica ang kaharuhay sa baho sa mga bulak. Kini magpadumdom sa iya nga naa pa gihapon mga maanyag na butang sa kalibotan kung maghatag lang og tagad.

Ang suga sa dalan nihulma og anino sa panan-aw ni Danica. Nabantayan niya na naay tindahan sa mga muwebles sa atbang. Ang kilat nikatag sa dalan ug sa kadiyot nakakita siya sa sulod sa tindahan.

Naay lamesa nga may puti nga hapin. Mga maanindot na kubyertos nga nagtuyok sa tibuok sa litson. Ang baboy nitutok sa iya ug sa iyahang hunahuna nagngisi kini sa iya.

Ang awog sa eksena nihunong sa pagliti sa dalugdog na nipiti sa dalunggan ni Danica.

Nagsugod na og tulo ang atop ug ang ulan nisagol sa iyang mga luha.

Karong tuig, ang Christmas mas subo kaysa malipayon. Lisod ang panahon, ang iyang amahan natanggal sa trabaho sa pabrika ug nagsugod og inom aron malimtan ang problema. Ang iyang inahan nisulay og pangita og trabaho isip usa ka manghinloay apan dili igo para sa ilang mga kinahanglan.

Ug ang iyang Lola Fatima, ang nag inusarang tawong nagmahal sa iya, wala na. Ang kasakit sa iyang dughan wala na nihawa paghuman ato’ng higayona.

Usa pa ka lagiti sa kilat ang nihayag sa dalan. Libo ka gagmay’ng suga ang nisayaw sa hangin ug mga makahibulungang kolor ang nagduladula sa atubangan niya. Ang gamay’ng batang babaye nisulay og kab-ot apan ang suga nawala. Nabilin na pud siyang nag-inusara.
Nitan aw siya sa langit ug naghulat sa kilat na moabo. Gitubag sa langit ang iyang pangadiye. Nikilat ug sa gilaw nagtindog ang iyang Lola Fatima, madan-ag ug matahom, ang yuhom na nikumot sa dughan ni Danica.

“Lola!” Siyaok sa bata. “Kuyuga na lang ko palihog!” Kabalo siya na mawala ang iyang lola sa pagliti sa dalugdog, sama sa galutaw na mga suga. Nihunong ang ginhawa ni Danica sa pagliti sa dalugdog na niuyog sa bintana palibot niya.

Apan wala nawala ang iyang Lola Fatima. Napalibutan siya sa mga maanindot na linalang, ilang panit sama sa porselana ug ang ilang nawong puno’g kalinaw. Nikaway sila kay Danica ug ningisi siya sa ila.

Ug sila tanan, ang mga linalang ug ang iyang Lola Fatima gihumlad ilang palad ug gidani siyang mokuyog sa ilaha. Nitindog si Danica ug nilakaw padulong sa iyang lola. Gusto niyang mahikaplagan ang init lingkawas sa ulan ug katugnaw ug makauban ang tawong naghigugma sa iya.

Nikilat sa usa pa’ng higayon ug nawala si Danica sa usa ka kidlap.

Ingon sa uban nilayas daw siya kay mas gipili ang kinabuhi sa dalan kaysa sa kaugalingong balay. Sa uban pa, nakit-an daw siya sa usa ka dato’ng lalaki ug gihatagan siya’g balay. Nagpuyo daw siya kauban sa lalaki kay gisagop na siya niini.
Naa pa’y istorya na nakakita na og kalinaw ang bata sa langit kuyog ang mga matahom na linalang. Sa lugar asa siya luwas ug hangop sa gugma sa iyang lola.

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It was the last evening of the year and the rain still wouldn’t leave Danica alone. The sound of her chattering teeth joined the raindrops in a melancholy symphony. She huddled against her bare legs and naked feet to lure the last bit of warmth her body could give.

The hand me down slippers that her mother gave were much too big and they had fallen off while she ran for shelter. Danica noticed that one of them fell into the gutter and the other seemingly disappeared in the dark street.

So there Danica was, alone in the cold and damp, clutching her sampaguita flowers close to her chest. It was a slow day, not many cars were about and she hadn’t sold a single string of sampaguitas. No one had given her so much as a peso.

The lightning lit up the sky and the poor girl retreated into her corner. She didn’t dare go home, for she had sold nothing and her father would surely be angry with her. At home it was cold as well since the winds would surely come violently through here window and leave her room wet and freezing.

Her small hands were shivering. She held her flowers close and breathed in their scent. Danica always found comfort in the smell of flowers, they reminded her that there were still beautiful things in the world, if one cared to look.

The streetlights cast shadows that played in front of Danica’s eyes. She noticed that across her was a furniture shop. The lightning filled the street and for a brief second she could see into the store.

There was a table and on it was a lily white tablecloth. Beautiful silverware sat there surrounding a whole roast lechon. The pig was staring right at her and she thought she could see it smiling.

The spell of the scene broke as the thunder rang in Danica’s ears.

The roof above her began to leak and the raindrops mixed with her tears.

This year, Christmas was more somber than happy. It had been a difficult time; her father had lost his job in the factory and began to drink his problems away. Her mother tried to find work as a cleaning lady, but she wasn’t able to make enough for all their needs.

And lola Fatima, the only person who had loved her, was now no more. There was a pain in Danica’s heart that never went away after that.

Another bolt of lightning struck near, illuminating the street. Thousands of small lights danced in the air, and wonderful colors played in front of her. The little girl reached out and tried to grab them, but the light disappeared and once again, she was left alone.

She looked to the sky and waited for the lightning to come, and the sky answered her prayer. It was again light and in that radiance stood lola Fatima, so bright and lovely, with a smile that made the hurt in Danica’s heart leave.

“Lola!” The child cried out. “Please let me come with you!” She knew that her grandmother would disappear as soon as the thunder came rolling in, just like the floating lights. Danica’s breath stopped as thunder shook the windows around her.
But Lola Fatima did not disappear. She was surrounded by beautiful creatures, their skin porcelain white and their faces calm. They waved at Danica and she smiled back.

And all of them, the creatures and Lola Fatima stretched out their arms to the girl as if beckoning her to come. Danica stood up and walked to her lola. She wanted most to just feel warm again, to ignore the rain and the cold and be with someone that loved her.

The lightning struck one final time and Danica disappeared with the flash of light.

Some say that she ran away, preferring a life on the streets to her own home life. Others say a rich man found her and gave her a home and that she lives with him now as his adopted daughter.

Still one story persists, one where the girl finally finds peace in a heaven filled with beautiful faeries where she is finally safe and warm in the embrace of her lola.

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*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 Sarah Masiba
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Sarah Masiba

Story inspired by the Faeries of Niza description in Tuwan Nahuda. Narrated by Muham Julasman. in Voices from Sulu A Collection of Tausug Oral Traditions. Rixhon. 2010.

The Faeries of Niza Illustration by emirajuju
IG: https://www.instagram.com/emirajuju/

The post The Fairies of Niza – Cebuano Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Cebuano

Kahay imong gihunahuna na ang mga isda kanunay na ingon ana, ug sa pipila ka mga kaso ikaw sakto. Apan naay gainusarang isda sa tanan, siya ang Hari sa mga isda ug siya gapuyo sa lawom luyo sa mga bawod, gamit iyahang gahom aron magmando sa lawom nga tugkaran sa lawod.

Kadaghanan sa mga tawo nakalimot na ang Hari tahuron ug ilimod ang angay kaniya, apan sa kadugayan ilang nakat-unan na wa’y pagbali sa pagpanumpa aron mahimong tahuron.

Adunay usa ka magtiayon na ginganlang Juan ug Juana nga nakat-unan pag-ayo ang pagtulun-an. Nagpuyo sila sa baybayon ug nagpaabot sa paglabay sa panahon nga grasyahan sila og anak.

Sa wa magdugay, mipahiyom ang swerte sulod sa pipila ka mga tuig ug mapun-an usab ang ilahang pamilya.

Atol sa pagmabdos ni Juana nangala kini ug bangus aron kan-on. Si Juan nga maalagaron nga bana muadto og layong lawod aron makapanagat sa isda nga gipangita sa iyang asawa.

Unya miabot ang adlaw na wa’y kuhang bangus sa iyang pukot si Juan. Galingkod sa iyang bangka, gasagmuyo naghunahuna nga wa’y bitbit alang sa iyang asawa.

Gawas sa kahilom usa ka tingog ang mitawag kang Juan. Milingi kini ug sa iyang pagkatingala Nakita ang usa ka bangus nga gasul-ob og korona.

Nagpaila ang bangus sa kaugalingon isip Hari sa mga Isda ug nangutana nganong bangus lamang ang gipangita ni Juan. Natingala kini og nganong nagkaminos ang mga sakop niini sa lawod.

Pagpatim-aw ni Juan nga mabdos ang iyang asawa ug nangala kini og bangus kada adlaw. Iyaha pu’ng giasoy ang kasubo mahitungod niini.

“Ayaw kabalaka,” asoy sa Hari sa mga Isda, “Hatagan tika sa tanang bangus nga imong kinahanglan, apan suklian nimo kini sa paghatag sa imong anak pag-edad niini ug pito ka tuig.”

Makita sa nawong ni Juan ang pagkakugang. Tinuod di niya mahatag ang iyang anak ngadto sa Hari sa mga isda, apan iya pu’ng gihunahuna ang iyang asawa, destrosar na walay bitbit. Tempo pa nga nihit ang bangus ug walay kasayuran si Juan nga makakuha ba kini og bangus nga siya ra ug walay tabang gumikan sa Hari sa mga Isda.

Sa kataposan, misugot si Juan sa uyon sa Hari sa mga Isda ug, tinuod sa iyang mga gipamulong, gihatagan niya si Juan og daghang bangus nga di mayhap. Sa kadaghan niini, padayon gihapon iyang pagbitbit niini pagkahuman og panganak ni Juana.

Ginganlan nila ang bata og “Maria” ug ilaha kining gihigugma pag-ayo. Pagtungtong sa babayeng bata sa enad nga siyete, nagpakiluoy si Juan sa Hari sa mga Isda nga buhian sila sa gipanaad. Ang Hari walay lubaylubay ug miingon kini, “Ang saad, saad.”

Ug ang usa ka hari di angay balibaran.

Miuli si Juan nga nagupok ang kasingkasing. Sugod atong adlawa, gidid-an ni Juan ug Juana ang ilang pinanggang anak na muduol sa dagat.

Kana, hangtod miabot ang usa ka adlaw, samtang nanglaba sina Juan ug Juana sa may suba. Adunay miabot na masilakon nga bangka. Sa pagkahalangdon niini, gitapokan kini sa mga tawo aron masuta ang maanyag na panan-awon. Si Maria nga gitukmod sa iyang pagkamapaniiron, miuban sa panon sa katawhan paingon sa baybayon.

Sa kalit lang, usa ka dakong bawod ang paingon sa baybayon ug gidala si Maria.

Mituratoy ang katawhan paingon kang Juan ug Juana aron sultihan sa panghitabo, apan umawi na ang tanan. Nasayod ang duha nga gikuha sa Hari sa mga Isda si Maria.

Bisan pa, ang ilang paghiguma sa anak nagpabiling lig-on, matag gabie sulod sa daghang panuigon ila kining huwaton sa may baybayon ug naghinaot nga makita ang panagway sa ilang anak nga si Maria.

Ug ang ilang pag-ampo gidungog sulod sa kahayag sa bulan diin Nakita nila ang usa ka babaye nga ang lawas Katunga babae ug ang Katunga bangus. Sa usa ka paniplat sa taas nga itom na buhok niini, ilang naamgohan nga mao kini ang nahilayo nilang anak, na karon sa kahangtoran paghisakop sa mga bawod.

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English Version

The post The King of Fishes – Cebuano Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

Alikas nën Anselmo ya manggiwgiw so lima to nën intanëm to so pilimiron bukël. Amta to ya ag labay na hari na palandëy so gagawaën to, natataktakot mët diad nagawad sikato. Balët, balëg so nagamoran ëd saman. No makpël labat iray managtanëm, sarag dan nisabi ëd tagëy na palandëy so tabakon itatanëm da.

Binukay so dalin insan inkotkot so bukël.

Aman a labi, akogip nën Anselmo so hari. Wala rad katakëlan, mankaarapan. Amitlon tinapik na hari so dalin, insan taloran mëlanting a too so pinmaway diman. Inmësaës so hari balët ag to narëngël nën Anselmo, kasumpal to, binmatik iray mëlanting papaway na katakëlan.

Atilak si Anselmo tan imay hari, balët singa ag nanënëngnëng na hari so lakin natatakot. Tinapik lalamët na hari so dalin na amitlo tan mas amayamay so pinmaway iran mëlanting. Mankëlaw si Anselmo katon tinumbok to iramay mëlanting pian nëngnëngën no antoy gagawaën da.

Nën asabi to so sampot na katakëlan, inmangës sikato ëd samay apatnagan to, adasig so tanëm a tabako anggad nasabi na pakanëngnëng to. Natan labat akanëngnëng sikato na unman a karakël a tabako. Okupadon mantatanëm na mas amayamay nin tabako iramay mëlanting. Binilang nën Anselmo so nilasos a mëlanting a mankikimëy ëd saman a dalin.

Inëmbënan to may sakëy ya mëlanting insan to tinëpët no antoy gagawaën da. “Siyempre, para ya ëd hari,” balikas to may mëlanting, “kaukulaan na hari so tabako pian makasigarilyo.” Binmëneg may mëlanting ëd si Alselmo tan man-ëlëk ëd kaambagëlan na tëpët to.

Diman tinmunda so pankokogip to, ëd samay mëlanting tan samay tanëm a tabako. Manparok so puso nën Anselmo, karuman to labat intanëm imay pilimiron bukël, balët nononotën to la no antoy nagawan dusa ëd sikato.

Pigan agëw ya nan-gonigon sikato, nodnonotën ton ëkalën la may bukël a intanëm to. Ag makarëën so kanonotan to diad dusan onsabid sikato.

Siansia ni, anggapoy nagagawa. Onsasabi ni agëw tan nababalang ni so bulan kaibad labi. Mankukukaok ni so lalong ëd parehon oras inagëw-agëw, tan unbubuna nin siansia iray tabako diad Kanlaon.

Ag binmayag, naimano na arom ya linmampas lad golis so pantatanëman nën Anselmo. Binmalëg so maagom dan mata ëd naalan yaman, katon inawit da mët iray gawa dan bukël na tabako insan nantanëm diad pantatanëman nën Anselmo.

Balët, anggapo nin siansia so agawa. Apanoy tabako so entiron Kanlaon.

Wala ray arom a nampasakbay ëd saray managtanëm. “Nonot yo no antoy imbaga na hari! No dia tayo nantanëm, alaën to so entiron tabako insan to sigarilyoën ya amin!”

Balët anggapoy undëdëngël ëd panangasi da. Anggad maong a too ët napëpërëng ëd yaman.

Diad labi, wala ray nandaragop palibër ëd sakëy ya pool tan man-iistorya nipaakar ëd hari na palandëy. Ta no akin ët walay pakapanyari to ëd mundo balët pinili to so man-ayam kaiba ray totoo nën say man-olëy ëd sikara.

Ninonot da may nën binilin ira na hari ya ag ira mantatanëm diad lampas na linyan impagolis to ëd saray mëlanting palibër tan asinggër ëd tapëw na palandëy. Pantotongtongan da may agëw ya tinmaynan so hari. No panonto may akis na saray totoo nën impaamta man na hari.

“Say bilin ko labat ët ag kayo mantatanëm diad lampas to may golis ëd tagëy, no ag yo ya inonor, alaën kon amin so tabako insan anggapo mët la so balon unboyag diad gilig a palandëy anggad ag ko nasusumpal ya sigarilyoën man ya amin.” Tinapik tan inlukas na hari so dalin, insan abalang sikatod palandëy.

Intoor na totoo imay sipan da balët, siyempre, tinmunda ëd si Anselmo.

Anggano nid amin lan agawa, nantanëm nin siansia sikato na amayamay ya tabako. Anonotan to may kogip to, imay panlabay to na say pasol to ët singa may unman mët ëd hari, onsasabi anggad sampot a pakanengneng.

Kayari na pigan taon ët alingwanan lay totoo so hari na palandëy anggad samay sipan da ëd sikato.

Atanëman lay tabako so entiron palandëy na Kanlaon insan yinmaman la ray totoo lapod saray naaani da.

Anggad saray simplin too ët mikakasakëy ëd saray magarbon pistan gagawaën da. Singa anggapo so makapampatunda ëd panagselebra na totoo diad nala dan balon yaman.

Balët, tinmunda nën linmukas so dalin insan amawil imay hari na palandëy.

Unaan ya tinmaynan si Anselmo. Nalilikna toy giwgiw anggad pukë-pukël to, amta to ya sinmabi la so agëw na pambayaran ton amin so ginawa to. Ag mët la linmingaw sikato nën maplës a binmatik palëksab na palandëy.

Makapaërmen ya nëngnëngen so sinmublay. Nën saman a napnoy tabako, natan ët anggapo la so tanëm a nanëngnëng ëd Kanlaon. Ag makapanisia iray managtanëm ya unman labat kapëlës a nabalang iray tanëm da, alingwanan da lay tuan pakapanyari na hari.

Marëndëën so totoo, singa amta da lay nagawa. Kabëbëkta, sinmabog ëd dagëm so tapëw na palandëy ya nan-gaway abot a napnoy pool tan asëwëk.

Alabas lan maong so nagagawa ya ag mët la nanyarian na anggad say sangkamakpëlan ëd sikara. Nanlumbaan iray totoo ëd amin na direksiyon, natatakot ëd sanok na hari.

Aman a labi, nankogip si Anselmo.

Makapal ya asëwëk so pinmatnag ëd arap nën Anselmo. Inmukok sikato anggad anëngnëng to may hari ya masisisgarilyo na tabako. Tinmalimukor sikato san kinmërëw na perdona.

Balët ag lalamët naimano na hari si Anselmo. Amitlon tinapik na hari so dalin insan pinmaway iray mëlanting. Nan-awit iramay mëlanting na tabakon iyarom dimad samay sigarilyoën na hari.

Apaliberay asëwëk so palandëy na unsësëlëk anggad saray lëtak. Singa puwersan manpapairap. Alikas nën Anselmo ya singa natëtërak so pagëw to lapod samay amayamay ya nasusungap ton asëwëk.

Insan abangon sikato.

Linmipas iray taon tan wala la ray totoon pinmawil ëd palandëy. Nanlëtnëg iray purok dia rad diking to, balët anggapo lay masibëg odino siopan ambagël a mantanëm na tabako diad palandëy.

Anggapoy makaamta no anto lay nanmaliwa ëd Anselmo, ibabaga na arom ya inawit na hari sikato pian naitdan na niduduman dusa. Ibabaga da ray arom balët ya linmad arawi sikato ta babatikan toy sanok na hari.

Balët ag la bali, amta da ray totoo ya kapila mët iran nan-gaway aliwa. Anggapo so naitanëm ëd Kanlaon diad saray onsublay na henerasyon.

Anggapo anggad ag naupot na hari imay tabako to.

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English Version

Anselmo felt his hands quiver as he planted the first seed. He knew what he was doing was against the wishes of the king of the mountain, and he was fearful of the price. Yet, there was so much to gain. Tobacco plants could stretch until the mountaintop if only the farmers had enough backbone to take the leap.

The earth was parted and the seed buried.

That night he dreamt of the king. They were in a forest facing each other. The king tapped the ground three times and small men sprang from the earth. The king said something Anselmo couldn’t hear and the small men ran towards the edges of the forest.

Anselmo and the king were left alone, but it seemed that the king couldn’t see the scared man. The king tapped the ground three more times and even more small men appeared. Alfonso was curious so this time he followed the small men to see what they were doing.

As he reached the end of the forest he gasped at the sight, rows of tobacco plants that extended towards the horizon. He had never seen so many tobacco plants. The small men were busy planting even more tobacco. Anselmo counted hundreds, no thousands of small men toiling in the fields.

He grabbed one of the small men and asked what they were doing. “Why this is for the king, of course,” said the small man, “the king needs his tobacco to smoke.” The small man then turned his back on Anselmo snickering at such a stupid question.

The dream ended there, with the small man and the tobacco plant. Anselmo’s heart was pounding, it was yesterday when he planted the first seed and he wondered what his punishment would be.

He agonized for days, wondering if he should take back the seed he planted. His mind raced for months about what his punishment would be.

Still, nothing happened. The sun still rose and the moon faded into the night. The roosters crowed at the same time every day and the tobacco plants grew around Kanlaon as they always have.

Soon, others noticed that Anselmo was planting above the line. Their eyes grew greedy with the promise of gold and they too took tobacco seeds and planted where Anselmo did.
And again, nothing happened. Kanlaon was filled to the brim with tobacco.

There were those that tried to warn the farmers. “Remember what the king said! If we plant here then he would carry all the tobacco away and smoke it all!”

Their cries fell on deaf ears. Money blinds even the most humble of men.

In the night there would be those that huddled around campfires and told the story of the king of the mountain. How he had absolute power over the earth, but sought to live alongside humans rather than rule over them.

They recounted how he had asked the people not to plant above a certain line that he had ordered his small men to draw around the mountain near the top. They told of the day when the king left. How the people shed tears at the kings pronouncement.

“I only ask that you will not plant above the line, if you do I will take all the tobacco away and no more shall grow along the mountainside until I have smoked it all.” The king tapped the ground and opened the earth, disappearing into the mountain.
The people kept their promise until Anselmo, of course.

Throughout all this he planted more tobacco. He remembered the dream, how he wished that his fields would look like the king’s, stretching until the horizon.

Years passed and the people forgot about the king of the mountain and their promise to him.

The mountain of Kanlaon was covered entirely by tobacco plants and the people grew rich and fat from their harvests.
Even the most humble of the people joined in the lavish fiestas that were held. It seemed like nothing could stop their celebrations of the people’s newfound wealth.

That is, until the earth opened and the king of the mountain returned.

Anselmo was the first to flee. He could feel the rumble in his bones and he knew the day of reckoning had come. He didn’t even look back as made a dash for the foot of the mountain.
It was a terrible sight to behold. Once filled with tobacco, Kanlaon was now bare. The farmers could not believe that their crops had disappeared so easily, but they had forgotten the true power of the king.

There was silence among the people, as if they knew what was about to happen. Suddenly the mountaintop exploded into the air, creating a crater filled with smoke and fire.

This was too much for even the bravest of them. The people fled in all directions, fearful of the king’s wrath.

That night Anselmo dreamed.

A thick cloud of smoke appeared before Anselmo. He coughed until he saw the king smoking tobacco. He went down on his knees and asked for forgiveness.

Again, the king did not notice his presence. He tapped the ground three times and small men appeared. The small men then brought more tobacco for the king to smoke.

Smoke filled the mountain, filling each crevice. It was an oppressive force. Anselmo felt his chest about to explode from inhaling so much smoke.

Then he awoke.

Years passed by and there were those that returned to the mountain. They set up their villages along the sides, but no one was brave or foolish enough to grow tobacco on the mountain.

No one knows what became of Anselmo, some say the king stole him away for special punishment. Others say that he moved far away, trying to escape the king’s wrath.

It does not matter, for the people know they are complicit in his crime. Nothing will be planted on Kanlaon for generations.

Not until the king is done smoking his tobacco.

*Pangasinan (Salitan Pangasinan) – sometimes called Pangasinense is one of the major languages of the Philippines. It is the language spoken in the province of Pangasinan, on the west-central seaboard of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, the northern portion of Tarlac and southwestern La Union, most of whom belong to the Pangasinan ethnic group. Pangasinan is also understood in some municipalities in Benguet, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, and by the Aeta or Aeta of Zambales.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Dean Alfred Narra
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright ©Dean Alfred Narra

Story adapted from THE TOBACCO OF HARISABOQUED http://www.sacred-texts.com/asia/pfs/pfs03.htm

Hari sa Bukid Illustration by Camille Chua
Instagram: @frillion
Facebook: Frillion‘

The post Hari sa Bukid – Pangasinan Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

Onyok was tired from the day’s work. The sun was bearing down mercilessly and he decided to find shelter underneath a coconut tree.

His eyes were heavy and he took the moment to drift into blissful sleep.

It was then he heard a voice.

“Have you heard the tale of the orphaned spirit?”

“Who are you? What is this? Am I dreaming?”

“No?”

“What is this? Please, I am just a farmer.”

“Have you heard the tale of the orphaned spirit?”

Onyok knew in his bones that he would have to answer,

“No, I have not.”

“Then sit close and listen.”

He took a deep breath and waited to hear the story.

=———————————————————————————=

The orphaned spirit took the form of a large snake. He was a god to some and, in the beginning, ruled the heavens that he called his home.

The world was young then, there were no seas or oceans, no plants or animals. The earth was made of nothing but hard rocks.

In his realm the god-serpent saw nothing but clouds of white. This triggered his wanderlust. He would go down to the earth and climb the highest peaks and traverse the deepest crevasses.

One day he saw another being sitting down below him.

Infused with shock, it took many moments before he could speak.

At last he asked.

‘Who are you?’

The being responded:

‘I am the ruler of the universe, Bathala.’

Incensed with anger the orphaned spirit lashed out. He challenged Bathala to combat, filled with rage.

And so, it came to pass that the orphaned spirit was slain, his power outmatched by that of Bathala.

The serpent-god’s body was buried by his opponent far from his home in the clouds.

=——————————————————————–=

“Why are you telling me this?” Onyok’s voice echoed in the dreamscape.

“Because you and all the others should know what had transpired.”

“Why should we know?”

“Let me ask you, what were you leaning on?”

“I… do not understand.”

“What were you leaning on before drifting to the realm of dreams?”

“A coconut tree?”

“Exactly. The tree holds the form of the orphaned spirit. Its trunk the god-serpent’s body. In the end Bathala made the first man and woman and, using the parts of the coconut tree, they built homes, used it for food and clothing. The coconut tree gave them life and it was, in part, because of the orphaned spirit.”

“But still, why me? Why are you telling me all this?”

“You are the first of many, those that have been touched by the orphaned spirit. You shall carry on his word and bring his story to the highest peaks and lowest depths.”

“I cant… what about my family?”

“They will not understand, and only a few will, but you will persevere.”

“And if I choose to say ‘no’?”

“Ahhh humans, always so eager to displease.”

The dreamscape trembled, shapes appeared and twisted form, the turbulence shifted and Onyok was face to face with the serpent-god.

“Now do you know what I am?”

“You are the orphaned spirit from the story.”

“Yes, little one, and I am now your master.”

“No, I refuse! I have a family, I have a farm. There are people that depend on me! I will not allow myself to be your slave!”

“There is no choice to make. The solitary god and the wandering spirit will not win again! You will spread my gospel throughout the world and gain me power!”

Onyok could feel himself change, he could see the skin around his arms change into scales. He tried to scream, and maybe he did, but no sound escaped the void surrounding him.

=————————————————=

The serpent-god smiled.

That sad little human would be the first among many to spread his word and what better way to fight the solitary god than use his own creations against him?

And now all the orphaned spirit has to do is wait.

Until his own inscrutable plans come to a head.

But until then the trees that bear his form will serve as his vessels.

To gain power.

One human at a time.

=———————————————————–=

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by The First Coconut Tree and the Creation of man (Fansler 1911) in Philippine Folk Literature: The Myths. Eugenio. 2001

Illustration by Frances Alcaraz

Website: http://francesalcaraz.com/

FB:  @TheMonsterIllustrator

IG: https://www.instagram.com/illustratorpanch

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*Note this story is in Tagalog

Nanginginig ang kamay ni Anselmo habang siya ay nagtatanim. Alam niya na tuligsa sa kahilingan ng hari ng kagubatan ang kaniyang ginagawa at mayroon itong kabayaran. Ganoon pa man, marami siyang aanihin kapag ipagpapatuloy niya pa ito. Kung malakas lang ang loob ng mga magsasaka, lalawak ang tanim ng tabako hanggang sa maabot ang tuktok ng kabundukan.

Hinukay niya ang lupa at itinanim ang buto.

Sa gabing iyon napaginipan niyang magkaharap sila ng hari.Tinapik nito ang lupa nang tatlong beses at may mga maliliit na taong umusbong mula sa lupa. May sinabi ang hari pero hindi ito marinig ni Anselmo at nagsitakbuhan ang mga maliliit na tao sa kaduluduluhan ng kagubatan.

Mag-isa na lamang ang hari at si Anselmo. Mukhang hindi nito napansin na takot si Anselmo kaya ipinapagtuloy pa nito ang kaniyang ginagawa. Tinapik ulit ng hari ang lupa nang tatlong beses at lumabas ulit ang mga maliliit na tao. Dahil palaisipan kay Anselmo kung saan sila pumupunta at ano ang kanilang ginagawa, sinundan niya ang mga ito.

Pagdating niya sa dulo ng kagubatan, nabigla siya sa kaniyang nakita, hile-hilerang tabako ang nakatanim sa kaniyang harapan. Hindi siya makapaniwala sa dami tanim na umaabot hanggang sa kalayuan. Patuloy lang na nagtatanim ang mga nilalang sa bukid at nakita niya na libo-libo silang nagtatrabaho rito.

Kinuha niya ang isa roon at tinanong kung para saan ang ginagawa nito. “Lahat ng ito ay para sa mahal na hari,” sabi ng nilalang. “Kailangan ng hari ang hari ang tabako para sa kaniyang paninigarilyo” ipinagpatuloy pa nito. Tumalikod at tumawa ito dahil para sa kaniya hindi pinag-isipan ang itinanong sa kaniya.

Nagtapos ang kaniyang panaginip sa pangyayaring iyon. Kinakabahan si Anselmo dahil kahapon lang siya nagsimulang magtanim ng tabako at ngayon nagmumuni-muni siya sa kaniyang kaparusahan.

Ilang araw siyang nagdurusa at nagtataka kung tama ba ang ginawa niya o tama lang na bawiin na lang ang itinanim na buto. Buwan-buwan siyang natataranta kung anong nakalaan na kabayaran para sa kaniyang kamalian.

Sumikat at lumubog ang araw wala pa ring nangyayari. Nagpapatuloy lang ang paglawak ng tabako sa kalupaan ng Kanlaon.

Hanggang sa napansin ng ibang magsasaka na lumampas sa linya ang tinataniman ni Anselmo. Dahil sa pangamba na nilalamangan sila sa kíta, ginaya nila siya.

At ulit wala pa ring nangyayaring parusa. Mas lalo lang yumayabong ang tabako sa Kanlaon.

May mga iba na nagbabala sa mga magsasaka. “Naaalala niyo ba ang sinabi ng hari? Kapag nagtanim tayo na lampas sa lupa natin, uubusin niya lahat ang mga ito at gagamitin sa kaniyang paninigarilyo!”

Walang nakinig sa kanilang mga hinaing. Nakakasilaw ang pera sa mga pangkaraniwang tao.

Gumawa sila ng kampo at doon muna sila nanatili. Nang sumapit ang gabi, pumalibot sila sa apoy at nagkuwento tungkol sa hari ng kabundukan. Nagtataglay siya ng kapangyarihan sa buong kalupaan, pero mas pinili niyang mamuhay kasama ang mga tao sa halip na pamunuan ang mga ito.

Binilang nila kung ilang beses silang sinabihan ng hari na huwag magtatanim lagpas sa linya, na nakapaikot malapit sa tuktok ng kabundukan. Kinuwento nila ang araw kung kailan umalis ang hari at kung paano sila nagsiiyakan sa ipinahayag nito.

“Isa lang ang hinihiling ko sa inyo, at iyon ay huwag kayong magtatanim lagpas sa linyang ginawa ko. Kung susuwayin niyo ang aking hiling, kukuhanin ko lahat ng tabakong nakatanim dito, at wala nang tutubo sa buong kabundukan dahil magiging sigarilyo ko na ang mga ito.” Tinapik ng hari ang lupa at bumukas ang buong lupain hanggang naglaho siya sa kabundukan.

Tinupad ng mga tao ang kanilang pangako, at dumating si Anselmo.

Kahit na alam niya ang naganap na kasunduan, patuloy lang siyang nagtanim ng mas maraming tabako. Naalala niya ang panaginip, kung paano niya ninanais na ang kanyang mga bukirin ay magmukha ng sa hari, malawak hanggang sa abot-tanaw.

Lumipas ang mga taon nakalimutan na ng mga tao ang ipinangako nila sa hari.

Nababalot na ng tabako ang kabundukan ng Kanlaon at yumayaman ang mga tao dahil kanilang mga ani.

Dumarami ang mga taong nakikisaya sa mga marangyang kapistahan. Nagmumukhang hindi na magtatapos ang kanilang pagyaman bunga ng kanilang pagsasaka.

Iyon, hanggang sa bumukas ang kalupaan at nagbalik ang hari ng kabundukan.

Si Anselmo ang unang kumaripas ng takbo. Nararamdaman niya ang pagyanig at takot dahil alam niya na dumating na ang paghuhukom para sa kanilang mga kasalanan. Hindi na niya naisipang lumingon habang tumatakbo pababa sa paanan ng bundok.

Kagila-gilalas ang mga kaganapan sa Kanlaon. Ang dating malalagong mga tanim ay naglaho na parang bula. Hindi makapaniwala ang mga magsasaka na biglang mawawala ang kanilang mga pananim, nakalimutan nila kung gaano kalakas ang hari.

Nababalot ng katahimikan ang mga tao, na parang alam na nila kung ano ang mangyayari. Biglang sumabog ng tuktok ng bundok at naglalaman ito ng usok at apoy.

Sa lahat ng naganap, wala sino man ang hindi matatakot pati ang mga matatapang. Natataranta ang mga tao sa iba’t ibang direksyon bunga ng ipinamalas na galit hari.

Nang gabing iyon, nanaginip si Anselmo.

May makapal na usok sa kaniyang harapan. Naubo siya at nakita niya ang haring naninigarilyo. Lumuhod siya tapat nito at humingi ng kapatawaran.

Hindi napansin ng hari ang kaniyang prsensya. Tinapik nito ang lupa nang tatlong beses at may lumabas na maliliit na tao. Nagdala pa sila ng mga tabako para gamitin ng hari.

Nababalot ng usok ang buong kabundukan, at napupuno na rin ang mga butas nito. Napakalakas na yanig ang naramdaman sa paligid ng Kanlaon. Bumigat ang dibdib ni Anslemo dulot ng paghinga niya sa makapal ng usok.

At bigla siyang nagising.

Lumipas ang ilang taon at may namuhay ulit sa lugar. Nagtayo sila ng mga barrio sa gilid ng kabundukan, pero wala ng naglalakas loob na magtanim ulit ng tabako.

Walang nakakaalam sa kinahinatnan ni Anselmo, may nagsasabi na kinuha siya ng hari para sa kakaibang parusa. Ang sabi naman ng iba nagpakalayu-layo na siya para takasan ang hagupit nito.

Hindi na mahalaga kung nakipagsabwatan ang mga tao sa kasalanan ni Anselmo. Wala ng puwedeng maitanim sa kabundukan ng Kanlaon.

Habang hindi pa tapos ang kaniyang paninigarilyo.

=———————————————–=

English Version

Anselmo felt his hands quiver as he planted the first seed. He knew what he was doing was against the wishes of the king of the mountain, and he was fearful of the price. Yet, there was so much to gain. Tobacco plants could stretch until the mountaintop if only the farmers had enough backbone to take the leap.

The earth was parted and the seed buried.

That night he dreamt of the king. They were in a forest facing each other. The king tapped the ground three times and small men sprang from the earth. The king said something Anselmo couldn’t hear and the small men ran towards the edges of the forest.

Anselmo and the king were left alone, but it seemed that the king couldn’t see the scared man. The king tapped the ground three more times and even more small men appeared. Alfonso was curious so this time he followed the small men to see what they were doing.

As he reached the end of the forest he gasped at the sight, rows of tobacco plants that extended towards the horizon. He had never seen so many tobacco plants. The small men were busy planting even more tobacco. Anselmo counted hundreds, no thousands of small men toiling in the fields.

He grabbed one of the small men and asked what they were doing. “Why this is for the king, of course,” said the small man, “the king needs his tobacco to smoke.” The small man then turned his back on Anselmo snickering at such a stupid question.

The dream ended there, with the small man and the tobacco plant. Anselmo’s heart was pounding, it was yesterday when he planted the first seed and he wondered what his punishment would be.

He agonized for days, wondering if he should take back the seed he planted. His mind raced for months about what his punishment would be.

Still, nothing happened. The sun still rose and the moon faded into the night. The roosters crowed at the same time every day and the tobacco plants grew around Kanlaon as they always have.

Soon, others noticed that Anselmo was planting above the line. Their eyes grew greedy with the promise of gold and they too took tobacco seeds and planted where Anselmo did.
And again, nothing happened. Kanlaon was filled to the brim with tobacco.

There were those that tried to warn the farmers. “Remember what the king said! If we plant here then he would carry all the tobacco away and smoke it all!”

Their cries fell on deaf ears. Money blinds even the most humble of men.

In the night there would be those that huddled around campfires and told the story of the king of the mountain. How he had absolute power over the earth, but sought to live alongside humans rather than rule over them.

They recounted how he had asked the people not to plant above a certain line that he had ordered his small men to draw around the mountain near the top. They told of the day when the king left. How the people shed tears at the kings pronouncement.

“I only ask that you will not plant above the line, if you do I will take all the tobacco away and no more shall grow along the mountainside until I have smoked it all.” The king tapped the ground and opened the earth, disappearing into the mountain.
The people kept their promise until Anselmo, of course.

Throughout all this he planted more tobacco. He remembered the dream, how he wished that his fields would look like the king’s, stretching until the horizon.

Years passed and the people forgot about the king of the mountain and their promise to him.

The mountain of Kanlaon was covered entirely by tobacco plants and the people grew rich and fat from their harvests.
Even the most humble of the people joined in the lavish fiestas that were held. It seemed like nothing could stop their celebrations of the people’s newfound wealth.

That is, until the earth opened and the king of the mountain returned.

Anselmo was the first to flee. He could feel the rumble in his bones and he knew the day of reckoning had come. He didn’t even look back as made a dash for the foot of the mountain.
It was a terrible sight to behold. Once filled with tobacco, Kanlaon was now bare. The farmers could not believe that their crops had disappeared so easily, but they had forgotten the true power of the king.

There was silence among the people, as if they knew what was about to happen. Suddenly the mountaintop exploded into the air, creating a crater filled with smoke and fire.

This was too much for even the bravest of them. The people fled in all directions, fearful of the king’s wrath.

That night Anselmo dreamed.

A thick cloud of smoke appeared before Anselmo. He coughed until he saw the king smoking tobacco. He went down on his knees and asked for forgiveness.

Again, the king did not notice his presence. He tapped the ground three times and small men appeared. The small men then brought more tobacco for the king to smoke.

Smoke filled the mountain, filling each crevice. It was an oppressive force. Anselmo felt his chest about to explode from inhaling so much smoke.

Then he awoke.

Years passed by and there were those that returned to the mountain. They set up their villages along the sides, but no one was brave or foolish enough to grow tobacco on the mountain.

No one knows what became of Anselmo, some say the king stole him away for special punishment. Others say that he moved far away, trying to escape the king’s wrath.

It does not matter, for the people know they are complicit in his crime. Nothing will be planted on Kanlaon for generations.

Not until the king is done smoking his tobacco.

*Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a quarter of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by the majority. Its standardized form, officially named Filipino, is the national language of the Philippines, and is one of two official languages alongside English.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Translation by Emman Bernardino
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Emman Bernardino

Story adapted from THE TOBACCO OF HARISABOQUED http://www.sacred-texts.com/asia/pfs/pfs03.htm

Hari sa Bukid Illustration by Camille Chua
Instagram: @frillion
Facebook: Frillion‘

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The post Sabian / Isabian appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

They called him ‘The lightning man’.

It was a great spectacle. He, shouting out against the typhoon, missing being hit by two bolts of lighting by literal inches.

The video went viral overnight and as of this morning had reached a million views.

Everyone wanted to know about the Lightning man and how he saw his situation.

Was it blind luck? A prayer answered?

Whatever it was I was going to find out.

I readied my recorder and notebook and stepped out of the car.

The winds were strong this afternoon. The forecast called for scattered thunderstorms. Appropriate for the setting I suppose.

I can feel the phone buzz in my pocket. The message read “DEADLINE 11PM URGENT”

My editor was out for blood. Apart from the lightning man I still owed her a piece on migrant worker’s conditions in Singapore.

If I finish the interview in an hour or less, I should be able to get everything done by the deadline.

I let out a sigh. If only past me could see what I’ve become.

After four years on the job the idealism of journalism wore itself out. Mediocre pay, long hours and office politics were my reality. But hey, at least I get to travel sometimes? That’s probably the Stockholm Syndrome talking.

Well it’s time to see what makes the lightning man tick.

He opens the gate and I’m surprised. He’s wearing a well-tailored suit and a large grin.

I compliment him on his clothes and he earnestly replies that it’s the first time he’s ever been interviewed about anything.

Oh great, I think. It’s going to be one of those interviews. When they prepare themselves this much you just know they’re dying to tell their life story.

Remember the deadline Pia, 11PM sharp. You don’t need another shouting match with your editor.

The lightning man leads me to his living room and we sit beside each other by an antique narra table.

=———————————————————-=

“Hello Mr. Severino, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me. My name is Pia Robianes of the Chronicle. Would you mind if I record this interview?”

“Of course not Pia. Whatever you need. I’m a big fan of your work. I read the Chronicle all the time.”

Ugh he’s using my first name and he’s seen what I do. That’s never a good sign.

“Alright, can you tell our readers about the incident from your point of view?”

“It all happened on a Friday night. I was sitting right here in the sala when I noticed that my dog Sena wasn’t responding to my calls. I looked for her all over the house but I couldn’t find her. The winds were strong and there was thunder everywhere but through it all I managed to hear Sena’s bark coming from the outside. I rushed out immediately and screamed out her name to see where she was. That was when the lightning hit. I swear I thought I was dead in that moment. I rushed back into the house and waited out the storm. The CCTV was able to capture what happened and I posted it on social media and well, you know the rest. It’s a good thing they missed me. I live alone and no one would have ever found me if I got hit.”

“What happened to your dog?”

“I wasn’t able to find Sena after that.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that.”

A lost dog. An interesting angle for the story.

“So what do you think about both bolts of lightning missing you? That must have been a one in a million chance of that happening.”

“1 in 3,222,000. I checked.”

Of course he did.
“With those chances how do you think you left without any injury?”

“I think this helped me.” He let down a small, white object. “This is my agimat. It’s always been useful to me and has given me great luck in many things.”

Finally, something interesting.

“How did you get it?”

“I made it myself.”

“What is it made out of?”

“Bone.”

At that moment a loud rumble of thunder jolted me out of my seat.

“Very interesting Mr. Severino. Would you mind if I went to the bathroom?”

“Of course it’s up the stairs and the first door to your right.”

“Thank you.”

=———————————————————————————–=

Something’s off. I can feel it in my gut.

The house was huge. Big enough that you would need help cleaning it. But everything was pristine. No traces of dust anywhere.

Maybe you’re just being paranoid Pia. He dressed up for the interview, it stands to reason that he’d clean up the house as well.

There’s another story here though.

I finish my business in the bathroom and head back to the living room.

The lightning man isn’t there.

I take a breath and refocus. Maybe he’s just getting us some water.

Ten minutes pass and I throw that thought out.

Then I realize the recorder was still on.

I rewind it to the point just after I had left for the bathroom.

He only says one sentence and it brings chills to my spine.

“Such a beauty. She will go great with the rest.”

-==—————————————————————————–==

Self-preservation told her to grab her things, run out to the car and never look back.

But self-preservation lost out to journalistic curiosity.

Who were “the rest”?

And why would the lightning man want her to be a part of them?

She decided to check the house room by room. She was bound to find something if she looked hard enough.

But she wasn’t stupid. The lightning man may be around any corner and she had to be careful.

The first few rooms were of little interest, just moldy old books and an empty dining room.

As she crept by what looked to be the kitchen a fetid smell assaulted her senses, coming from a nearby door.

She looked behind her to make sure the lightning man wasn’t there and headed to the source of the odor.

What she saw nearly made her vomit.

Bodies were piled up, in varying states of decomposition. All of them women.

She took out her phone and began to take pictures.

At least there’s enough signal to get this uploaded.

In the corner she could see a small table.

Pia don’t be stupid. Pia run away and get the police. You have enough evidence. Pia you WILL die if you stay here.

She ignored her internal monologue and skulked to the table.

It was filled with tools and solid white material.

Upon closer inspection she realized the lightning man was working with bones.

The agimat, she thought.

You have enough evidence. Run. Run now.

She remembered that there was a door to the outside by the kitchen.

She might have made it if she ran two minutes sooner.

=——————————————————=

“So you’ve seen my collection.” The lighting man’s hands coiled around her neck. “You know, I’ve been watching you for a long time now. ‘The darling of the Chronicle’. I knew I had to do something drastic to get your attention. You don’t know what I sacrificed and what I angered. But you’re here. I can’t wait to add your beautiful bones.”

It wasn’t the first time she was in this position and she thanked the mandatory self-defense classes for her escape.

She’d never complain about Krav Maga again.

The thunderstorm was in full force now, wind and rain were obscuring Pia’s vision.

How the hell do I get to the car, she thought.

“Get back here!”

Pia hit the ground as the lightning man tackled her.

In the struggle she realized that the lightning man was wearing the agimat.

Journalistic intuition told her that that was significant and that it might be her only way out.

She ripped the agimat from the lightning man’s neck and crawled away from him.

The lightning man screamed and Pia was blinded by the crash of lightning directly hitting her would be captor.

As she regained her senses she faced a large, white dog, crackling with electricity. It nodded its head and vanished in an instant.

=——————————————————–=

The police managed to get there within the hour. They found more bodies littered inside the house.

They think that the lightning man hired girls that no one would miss as maids. When he was done with them, they’d join the rest of his collection.

I called my editor and let her know what happened. It was the first time in 3 years that I’ve heard her happy. And she seems relieved I survived.

I look towards the sky and wonder what happened. What the hell was that dog?

But I’ll have time to find that out.

And as I look at the charred corpse of the man that tried to murder me. I think, in the end, the lightning man lived up to his name.

=——————————-=

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Kimat description in Cole, Fay-Cooper. (1922). “The Tinguian.” FMNH-AS, Vol. 14, no. 2, p 295

Kimat Illustration by CJ Reynaldo

IG: @caldatelier

The post Kimat appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Tinitigan ni Migo ang kanyang takdang-aralin sa heograpiya at hindi niya malaman ang gagawin niya; masyadong maraming kailangang kabisaduhin at hindi sapat ang oras para rito. Sigurado siyang babagsak siya sa pagsusulit.

“Kapag nagbabasa ka ng mapa, hindi lang mga pangalan at lugar ang mahahanap mo.” Sabi ng lolo niya mula sa kanyang likuran. “Lolo! Huwag mong gawin iyan, natakot ako sa iyo!” Tumawa si Lolo Abay, madalas siyang magbiro nang ganito sa kanyang mga apo.

“Heto, ipapakita ko sa iyo.” Kinuha ni Lolo Abay ang mapa at inilapag niya ito sa hapag kainan. “May mga bagay na hindi na itinuturo sa inyong mga bata sa paaralan ngayon.”

“Ano ang lugar na ito?” Tumuro si Lolo Abay sa isang bahagi ng Luzon.

“Pangasinan?” Hindi sigurado si Migo, pero alam niyang naroon banda iyon. “Tama. Ngayon, ano ang kuwento tungkol sa kabundukang iyon?” Masinsinan siyang tinitigan ni Lolo Abay. “Hindi ko alam, pero halos sigurado akong sasabihin mo sa akin.” Tinitigan din ni Migo ang kanyang lolo. “Tama ka rin diyan.”

“Matagal na panahon na ang nakalipas, naiwala ng higanteng si Añgalo ang kanyang alagang baboy at naglakbay siya sa isla ng Luzon. Noong naroon siya sa bahaging iyon, waring nakita niya ang baboy sa Cagayan malapit sa Cape Engaño. Naglakad siya at tinahak ang kabundukan, at sa huli ay natuklasan niyang isang malaking tumpok ng itim na putik lang pala ang kanyang nakita.” Ngumiti si Lolo Abay.

“Teka, ano’ng kinalaman niyon sa heograpiya?” Tanong ni Migo. “Noong tinahak ni Añgalo ang kabundukan, nawasak ito sa ilalim ng kanyang mga yabag at naroon pa rin ang bakas ng kanyang kanang paa sa kabundukan ng Cagayan at Pangasinan, at matatagpuan naman ang bakas ng kanyang kaliwang paa malapit sa Cordilleras,” sagot ni Lolo Abay.

“Salamat sa kuwento, lolo, pero hindi iyon ang paksa ng takdang-aralin ko.” Binawi ni Migo ang mapa at inilapag niya ito sa tabi ng kanyang laptop. “Hindi ko alam kung paano ako matutulungan niyon sa pagsusulit ko.”

“Ang buhay ay hindi tungkol sa mga pagsusulit,” sabi ni Lolo Abay sa kanyang apo.

“Para ito sa mga taong kailangang magsagot ng pagsusulit,” sagot ni Migo.

Tumawa si Lolo Abay. Dati pa niyang batid na magiging matalino si Migo, kahit noong sanggol pa ang kanyang apo. “Aba sige, maiwan na kita diyan sa pag-aaral mo, pero pakatandaan mo, lahat ng lugar ay may kuwento, kahit hindi mo pa naririnig ito.”

Hinintay ni Migo na makalabas sa kuwarto ang kanyang lolo, saka siya tumitig sa kanyang computer. Sinimulan niyang hanapin ang mga lugar na kailangan niyang kabisaduhin para sa kanyang takdang-aralin, at napagtanto niyang tama ang kanyang lolo.

Maaari pa pala siyang makapasa sa kanyang pagsusulit.

=———————————————————=

English Version

Migo, started to stare at his geography homework and he didn’t know what to make of it, too many things to memorize and not enough time. He was going to fail the test, he was sure of it.

“When you read a map, names and places aren’t the only things that you can find.” His lolo said from behind him. “Lolo! Don’t do that, you scared me!” Lolo Abay laughed, he was always playing those kinds of tricks on his grandchildren.

“Here, let me show you.” Lolo Abay took the map and set it on the kitchen table. “There are some things they don’t teach you kids at school anymore.”

“What is this place?” Lolo Abay pointed to an area in Luzon.

“Pangasinan?” Migo was unsure, but it should be in that area. “Correct,” now what is the story about those mountains?” Lolo Abay stared intently at him. “I don’t know but I’m pretty sure you’re going to tell me.” Migo stared back. “Also correct.”

“A long time ago the giant, Añgalo, lost his pet pig and went around the island of Luzon. He was in that area when he thought he saw the pig in Cagayan near Cape Engaño. He walked across the mountains only to find that what he was looking at was nothing but a pile of black mud.” Lolo Abay smiled.

“Wait, what does that have to do with geography?” Migo asked. “When Añgalo crossed the mountains, they crumbled beneath his feet and the mountains of Cagayan and Pangasinan still have the footprint of his right foot and his left footprint can be seen near the Cordilleras,” Lolo Abay replied.

“Thanks for the story, lolo, but that wasn’t the topic of my homework.” Migo took back the map and set it down by his laptop. “I don’t know how that’s going to help me with my quiz.”

“Life isn’t about quizzes,” Lolo Abay said to his grandson.

“They are for those who have to take them,” Migo replied.

Lolo Abay laughed. He always knew that Migo was going to be clever, even when his grandson was a baby. “Well I’ll leave you to your studies, but remember, every place has a story, even if it you don’t hear it.”

Migo waited until his lolo left the room and stared at his computer. He started looking up the places that he had to memorize for his homework and he realized his lolo was right.

Maybe he would pass the test after all.

=——————————————————-=

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Dyanne A
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Dyanne A

Inspired by ‘Some Fragments of the Añgalo Legend’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Añgalo Illustration and Watercolor by Marc Magpantay

The post Angngalo / Añgalo – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

“Do you feel that brother?”

“I do.”

“Yet another soul desires to summon the King*.”

“They will not succeed.”

“No one ever will.”

“Not here.”

“We are victorious over the lesser spirits”

“We will not allow their taint to fester.”

“We own this land.”

“As one—”

“As two—”

“As three.”

——————————————————————————

A solitary black candle was the only thing keeping the darkness at bay. The sound of something being etched on the ground gave a small respite to the crushing silence.Samuel knew he had to be careful, even the smallest mistake when drawing the sigil could lead to disaster. He had a guide, of course, he made a stencil of it to be certain that the summoning would take place.

His shaky hands drew the circle, then the lines, then the crosses. The symbols were foreign to him, but they worked. At least, according to his friends they did. He took a deep breath and stared at the sigil. The black candle was flickering in the middle of the room. It was now or never.

Samuel focused on the sigil and started to speak. His voice was shaky, but there was a sense of conviction about it.

“Hail Great King*, Almighty and Powerful. Hail the ruler of 72 legions of spirits. Hail the three headed one. Hail the serpent in the garden. I come to you, beseech you to make yourself present to this lowly being. Show me where treasures lie. Give me the Ring of Virtues. Make me invincible.”

And then he stared, through the darkness, concentrating on the sigil in the candlelight. It seemed like hours, maybe even days had passed until Samuel felt something.It was a dark energy that enveloped him, a sort of pressure that weighed his whole body down until it hit his face. He could feel a dull ache in his eyes which made it hard to keep focus on the sigil.

The candle cast a giant shadow on the wall, a silhouette of a man that looked like he had three faces, all looking at different directions.

This was it. Samuel’s heart was beating so fast he thought he would die from the excitement.

He focused all his attention on the figure before him and prostrated himself before it.

The three heads spoke in unison. Their voice was like gravel.

“Why have you summoned me?” they said.

“Lord, I seek your dark blessings. I wish to rid myself of someone in my life. I wish to know the places of treasures that you guard. I wish to be taught your arts and sciences. I wish for you to destroy my enemies, I—–”

“Enough!” all three heads screamed in unison, “I am not here to grant your wishes. Stand up and face me! I am here to test you.”

There was a pregnant pause before Samuel answered. “What are your tests?” Samuel’s voice quivered. This was not what he had expected. All the other guys said that summoning a demon would make your wishes come true. He didn’t want do any sort of test.

The three heads spoke again.

“Offer the necessary sacrifices.”

“Yes! I have those!” Samuel quickly went to his bag and took out saffron and some lambanog. “I offer these to you, my lord.”

“These are–,” said the right head.

“Sufficient,” said the left head.

“What other tests do you require of me?” Samuel started to sound more confident. If the other tests were as easy as the this one then it would be nothing.

“You must—” said the center head.

“Show your devotion—” said the left head.

“Show your capability—” said the right head.

“Break your idols.” The three said in unison, “Burn them down.”

“I don’t understand,” Samuel was confused. What idols were they referring to?

“That thing—” said the right head.

“On your neck—” said the left head.

“Burn it,” said the three in unison.

In his rush to summon the demon, Samuel forgot that he was wearing a cross necklace. He cursed himself for being so stupid to forget such an important detail.

“I will do as you ask.” He ripped the cross from his neck and flung it to the other side of the room.

“Good,” said all three heads.

“This is not the end,” said the center head.

“You will still be tested,” said the right head.

“To gain our blessing,” said the left head.

“Anything my lord, anything—–” Samuel pleaded.

And then the lights turned on.

“Sammy, come down for dinner! And stop playing with those candles, you’ll burn the house down!”

In that instant Samuel felt the pressure around him dissipate into nothingness. The silhouette of the demon was nowhere to be seen.

Damn his sister! Dammit all to hell! He was so close to getting what he needed!

He vowed he would gain the demon’s favor soon. He only needed time.

———————————————————-

“A pity.”

“Yes, he would have been easy to mold.”

“I sensed conviction from him.”

“The kind that we could use.”

“Let us wait—”

“Let us wait—”

“Let us wait—”

“For we are eternal.”

“It is calling to us again.”

“So soon?”

“It is another that seeks the King.”

“And we will answer.”

“As one—”

“As two—”

“As three.”
——————————————————–

There was no darkness this time. The room was lit up with several black candles. The light served to heighten the cruel look on her face.

Sigils were etched all around, some were scratched into the walls, while others were painted on the floors. There was no grand monologue, not a single sound came from her.

The room started to fill with unseen pressure, causing its lone inhabitant to utter an involuntary gasp.

And then they arrived.

“Who dares—“

“Who summons—-”

“The great king.”

She did not hide, she did not falter. She stared at the three headed being before her and shouted, “You are not the king!”

For a split second, the three heads gave a look of what might have been surprise, but it was over in an instant.

“Who are you—”

“Dare to presume—-”

“Foolish mortal—”

“We will grind your bones into dust,” said all three heads. In an instant an unseen wind blew the candles out. And in the darkness, she could feel the overwhelming power surround her.

She smiled as she thought, ‘I was right’.

“You will pay—”

“Destroy you—”

“Crush your pitiful existence—”

The pressure was palpable now, causing her to go on her knees.

“Die—-,” Said all three as they moved towards her.

“I offer you this crocodile tooth and this oil!” She screamed.In an instant the pressure disappeared. She was able to stand up and look at the direction of the voices.

“You know—”

“The old ways—-”

“The offerings—“

“It has been so long,” said the three heads.

“I know who you are,” she stood strong, “I know what you have done.”

“You know us—–”

“Who we are—-”

“Who we were —”

“What we can do,” said the three, “What do you want from us?”

“I hold this oil in my hands. I seek your power.”

“Who will die?” said the three.

“Does it matter?” she answered.

“It does not,” was their reply.

——————————————————————————

“She knew.”

“The old ways.”

“The old power.”

“The sacrifices.”

“She called us—”

“By our true names.”

“She remembered—”

“When they forgot.”

“She saw—-”

“Past the illusion.”

“What we pretended to be.”

“…….”

“We are called again.”

“They seek the King.”

“They will not find him.”

“They never will.”

“For we are what we are.”

“And what we were.”

“As one—”

“As two—”

“As three.”

———————————————————————

*The King refers to Asmodeus, a king of demons in Judaic, Christian and Islamic lore. He “is strong, powerful and appears with three heads; the first is like a bull, the second like a man, and the third like a ram; the tail of a serpent, and from his mouth issue flames of fire.”

**Nagined is also spelled as Naguined or Nagime

Arapayan is also spelled Arapayam

Macarubac is also spelled Makabarubak

Written by Karl Gaverza

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Story inspired by Miguel De Loarca’s description of Nagined, Arapayan and ‘Macbarubac as demons.

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16501/16501-h/16501-h.htm

Nagined, Arapayan and Macbarubac / Makabarubak Illustration by Marius Lane Reonico

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*Note story is in Southern Subanen [laa]

“AAAAAAIIIEEEEE!!”

Midliyâ su ṗater hu ḹibun sâ mirengeg en su ḹugung ritu ḹawas ƀalay. Gendâ hu mesunay masa piguleh en, manin gendî en na tau pulî ƀetar en. Su hetubû delayun manini, ḹong pa ni apu hu pimedlat-ṫaluan ita ṗun tu nga dusa mipegbetad ta.

“AAAAAAIIIEEEEE!!”

Gendâ hyanin pegbwat, ugaid su ḹugung ṗekheseg. Midungaw hu muhâ su dupi sumineheg dahag migusay pa memales, ƀwat ritu sampay mirepet na tu harwâ panghat. Ginangay hu ṫenggyay sâ dun i run pa gan misawad, ḹyagan hu mepeniguru na dun pa gan mesamâ sampay metubus i ƀadyû.

Gendâ hu mepihil-pihil su dyanghâ sâ ndâ rupi. Minangay ami tu Cebu genat su hagbatâ ṗun tu mipegbetad tu gina hu, pya ritu dupi pa regid. Delayun hu mepephemihil-mihil masa dun sa ƀadyû mephesempel sa endun su dyanami senlangan, muhâ melayam ha ri delayun ḹibuk. Dahag i guni nen mahaphesibâ ri hebatik mu.

“Ampun mu inan.”

Minayan si ina pegwit ḹansuk. Su ḳurinti mibeleng muhâ hyanin meperayun megbegay heshag. Segay pithenggyan en inan milurus di ḹwâ en bu pinumi-an en su dyanin nga ṫalû.

Pikhamû-amû hu hyanin na gendî na medlibuleng mahapantag ritu, selabuh ami senlangan muhâ megunut delayun, ugaid su ṫalû hu gendâ pemilangay. Dahag minalus du ƀwangan muhâ ritu na ƀadyû.

“AMPUN MU INAN! HENÂ PA BEN SAKTU PARA RYANI-A?! WAAY MU INAN MUHÂ SU SENLANGAN NAMI!”

Pinengaw hu hyanin muhâ pegbintang en hu hyan simpulî tu ƀalay. Dahag pithengyan hu i ḿulû en gendî hu milala i pidlenan di nga ṫhiddû nga ḹwâ en bu ri dupî.

“GENDÎ EN YANTA EWAAN!”

Su gayar en ṗekheseg muhâ lilegelan hyanin heppay. Pinuli-an en guhitay su guhiten tu dyanin ḳebetaay. Ḳetad hemeneh en tu Ɓentud Sinukuan muhâ middaw gahad ni Maria Sinukuan. Si ina su dyanghâ hitu ƀeresan en tu nguran hu ḹibun muhâ mipanaw di suggat helaû ƀenwa para mepegipat en su dyanin senlangan. Ugaid su ƀadyû minateng. Su ƀadyû delayun mateng.

Mikheneng si ina minayan i sehuras muhâ pigwiran en i ḳemet hu.

“Misunan mu alan i giddaw hu?”

Gendâ hu mesunay su pithibuhan tu guhituhitten tu alan i mipegbetad. Si ina gendî methalû, pya pa su hepatay ni ama. Gendâ hu mesunay ḳetad heset en sâ puli-an hu ṧahay ugaid su hesesa hu mibal en inan ḿesibâ. Ḹyagan hu mesunay alan hebalalagâ sâ lagan hu metubû dyalem di ḿesekheg ṧambel bu dupî. Ṫenggin hu si ina muhâ gishahan hu sâ alan mipegbetad.

“Selabuk-labuk ḿanggâ.”

——————————————————————————

English Version

“AAAAAAIIIEEEEE!!”

My sister screams as the thunder roars through the house. I don’t know why she keeps doing that, it’s not like it won’t happen again. Our lives have always been like this, lola says we are cursed and things have to be this way to atone for what happened.

“AAAAAAIIIEEEEE!!”

She doesn’t let up, but the thunder is getting louder. I look outside the window and the downpour is getting steadily worse, a few more hours and we may have to move to the second floor. I go and check on the food, making sure we have enough to last through the storm.

I don’t remember a time when it wasn’t raining. We moved to Cebu when I was born because of what happened with my mom, but it was raining even there. I always wondered why typhoons would follow our family around, but you get used to the constant rain. Eventually the sound becomes soothing.

“I’m sorry.”

My mother passes by with candles. The power’s out and she always has to keep a steady supply. She looks at me with tears in her eyes and repeats her words.

I tell her she has nothing to be sorry about, that we’re a family and we can go through this together, but my words fall on deaf ears. She runs out the door and into the storm. “I’M SORRY! ISN’T THAT ENOUGH FOR YOU?! LEAVE ME AND MY FAMILY ALONE!””

I go after her and drag her back to the house. When I look at her face I can’t tell the difference between the tears and the raindrops.

“SHE’LL NEVER LEAVE US ALONE!”

Her sobs get stronger and I hug her tight. She retells the story of her girlhood. How she went up Mt. Arayat and took something that belonged to Her, Mariang SInukuan. Mom was pregnant with my sister then and she moved as far away as possible to protect her family. But the storms came. The storms always came.

Mom calmed down after an hour and she held my hand.

“Do you know what I stole?”

I never learned the whole story of what happened. Mom would never speak of it, not even when dad died. I didn’t know what wounds this would bring up but curiosity took the better of me. I wanted to know what was so important that I had to live my life under a constant stream of wind and rain. I looked at mom and asked her what was taken.

“A mango.”

———————————————————————–

Othography and Language Notes:

Ṗ/ṗ – ph This is read by sounding p and h together.
Ḳ/ḳ – kh This is read by sounding k and h together.
Ṫ/ṫ – th This is read by sounding t and h together.
Ḹ/ḹ – dl This is read by sounding d and l together.
Ɓ/ƀ – gb This is read by sounding g and b together.
Ṧ/ṧ – sh This is read by sounding s and h together.
Ḿ/ḿ – ngmThis is read by sounding ng and m together.
â – glottal stop ‘a’ This is read by stopping the a sound midway, comparable to the last letter of the word: masamâ
î – glottal stop ‘i’ This is read by stopping the i sound midway, comparable to the last letter of the word: hindî
û – glottal stop ‘u’This is read by stopping the u sound midway.

There are 6 different sublanguages of Subanen (according to Ethnologue.com). The translation above is Southern Subanen and its corresponding ISO 639-3 code is laa.

In spoken Subanen, dy is pronounced as j. For example, dyanghâ is pronounced as janghâ.

All the letter e’s written in the translated material is schwa /e/. It is not meant to be pronounced as a regular e. However, Subanen does have a regular /e/ sound vowel, but due to it being less common it has a different symbol instead.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Copyright © Karl Gaverza 

Translation by Rongie Moli 

Translation Copyright © Rongie Moli and Fed Martinez

Orthography Fed Martinez

Story inspired by “Mariang Sinukuan” in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Mariang Sinukuan Illustration by Laura Katigbak

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