*Note this story is in Bicol Naga

Tighiling ni Manay Paul an surat na tigwalat ni Lolo Ambo saiya. Gusto niya mang respetuhon an mga kagustuhan ni Lolo Ambo, masakit. Kaipuhan niyang ipabakal an daga para may kwarta sinda maglipat sa ibang lugar para sa kinabukasan kan saiyang pamilya. Naglakaw si Paula sa kahoy nin Balate sa may boundary kan uma. Mayong ilaw sa mga sanga ngunyan na banggi. Dae niya sigurado kun an ibig sabihun kaini na kung mahali man an mga tao sa kahoy.

“Sorry.” Nagdadakol na an mga luha sa mata ni Paula. “Aram ko na pinangako ni Lolo Ambo na mayong mangyayri sa saindong kahoy asin pinakiulay niya na gibuhon mi an pangakong ito, pero kaipuhan kong pilion an ikakarahay kan sakong pamilya. May makulog si Lila, dae mi kaya mabakal an saiyang bulong. Si Roberto, dae makahanap trabaho. Ako…ako ang ina, kaipuhan kong itao sa sakuyang mga aki an magayon na buhay sainda.” Tigpunasan ni Paula an saiyang mga luha, “Patawadon nindo ako.”

Maliwanag an bulan sa madiklom na langit. Oras na an nakaagi asin mayong nangyari. Mayong senyas, mayong senyas na pwede magsabi na nadangog kan mga tao sa kahoy an saiyang sinabi. Dae niya aram kung ano ang pwede mangyari pero sana may sabihon sinda saiya ning dawa ano. Kung anuman.

Naghalat siya hanggang aga asin pagkatapos, naglaog siya sa saiyang harong, nagpuon nang mag-impake.

Tulong bulan na an nakaagi, tigmamasdan ni Manay Paula an saiyang mga aki, ngunyan nanaman lang siya naugma ni arog kaini sa kahaluyan nin panahon. Nagdadalgan si Lila kaiba an saiyang mga pinsan. Nagirumduman ni Manay Paula kung gano kaluya ang itsura kan aking babae sa ospital asin nagsabi sya nin pangadyi ning pasasalamat na maluhay sana. Nagtukaw siya asin pinunan niyang gibuhon an tradisyon niyang pagkakaaga-an magbasa nin diyaryo.

An headline, “Bagong Kaganapan Sa Rali Kan Mga Nagpoprotesta” na mayo mang pinagbago; naakusahan nin korapsyon an kumpanyang nagpapatugdok kaiba an mga lokal na opisyales para dae na ninda pansinun an kararatan na dulot kaini sa kapaligiran, pero may sarong letrato na halos nagpatindog ki Paula sa saiyang pagkatukaw.

Letrato in ikan sarong magayon na aking babae na nakapula habang nanginginutan sa mga nagpoprotesta laban sa bulldozer.

Nagngirit si Manay Paula. Kaya man pala ninda an saindang mga sadiri.

=——————=

Engilsh Version

Manang Paula looked at the letter that Lolo Ambo left her. As much as she wanted to respect his wishes, times were hard. She had to sell the land to have enough money to move where it would be a better future for her family. Paula walked to the Balete tree in the edge of the field. There weren’t any lights in the branches tonight. She didn’t know if that meant the people in the tree were going toleave as well.

“I’m sorry.” The tears were starting to swell up in Paula’s eyes. “I know that Lolo Ambo promised that nothing would happen to your tree, and he asked all of us to keep that promise alive, but I have to choose what’s best for my family. Lila is sick and we can’t even afford her medicine anymore. Roberto can’t find a job. I… I am a mother and I need to give my children the life they deserve.”

Paula wiped away the tears from her cheek, “Please forgive me.

The moon was still in the night sky. Hours passed and nothing happened. There was no sign, nothing to tell Paula that the people in the tree heard her. She didn’t know what to expect, but she had hoped that they would tell her something. Anything.

She waited by the tree until morning and afterwards, she went to her house and started packing.

Three months later, Manang Paula was looking at her children and she was happy for the first time in a long while. Lila was running around playing with her cousins, Manang Paula remembered how weak her little girl looked in the hospital bed and she said a soft prayer of thanksgiving. She sat down and started her morning tradition of reading the newspaper.

The headline read “Protesters Rally New Development” which wasn’t surprising; the construction company had been accused of bribing the local officials so they could ignore the environmental destruction they were causing, but a certain picture almost made Manang Paula jump out of her seat.

It was of a beautiful girl in red leading the protesters against a bulldozer.

Manang Paula smiled. They could take care of themselves after all.

————————–————————–————————–

*Central Bicol, commonly called Bicol Naga, is the most-spoken language in the Bicol Region of southern Luzon, Philippines. It is spoken in the northern and western part of Camarines Sur, second congressional district of Camarines Norte, eastern part of Albay, northeastern part of Sorsogon, San Pascual town in Masbate, and southwestern part of Catanduanes. Central Bicol speakers can be found in all provinces of Bicol and it is a majority language in Camarines Sur.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Bicol Translation by Angela Arnante
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Angela Arnante

Inspired by ‘The Fairy of Balete Tree’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Mariang Ilaya Illustration by Laura Katigbak
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*Note this story is in Karay-a / Kinaray-a

Nagtórok táy Manang Paula sa sulat nga tugyan ni Lolo Ambo kana. Luyag man daad nana nga tahaon ang mga handum ni Lolo na, túman gid tana ka budlay ang panag-on. Kinahanglan gid nana nga ibaligyâ ang lupâ agod to makabuul tana it igô nga kwarta agod to makasaylo tana sa diin nga may dyan it mayad nga sum-an ang anang pamilya. Nag pánaw táy Paula paagto sa kahoy kang Balete sa binit kang làtàgón. Warâ gid it iwag sa mga sangá kadyang gabii. Warâ tana it hinalung-ong kon buut hambalon kabáy ka rian malumbos run man ang mga tawo rudto sa kahoy.

“Pasayloha ako.” Naghurubag ang mga luhâ sa mga masluk ni Paula. “Man-an man nakun nga nag-saad táy Lolo Ambo nga warâ it matabô nga sayud sa inyo kahoy, kag nagpangabáy pa tana kanamun tanan nga iparig-unon ang saad nga ran, páy kinahanglan ko pillion ang labíng mayad sa akun pamilya. May balatian táy Lila kag indî run tamun makabàtas magbayad kang anang bulung. Indî man táy Roberto kasagap kang paramugunan. Sa… sangka iloy ako kag kinahanglan ko itugrô sa akun mga batâ ang kabuhî nga takus kananda.” Pinanas ni Paula ang mga luhâ sa bagiing na, “Patawada gid ako.”

Rudyan pa angod ang bulan sa kalangitan. Naglubas ang mga taknâ kag warâ may natabô. Warâ gid it pamaan, warâ gid it may makuon káy Paula nga namatî kana ang mga tawo sa kahoy. Warâ tana ka maan kon ano anang lauman, páy nagsarig tana nga may ihambal sanda kana. Bisan ano man.

Naghulat tana sa kahoy tubtob sa kaagahon kag sa madason, nag-agto tana sa anang balay kag nagsugod it pangbagtong.

Kang lumigad ang tatlo ka bulan, nagatorok táy Manang Paula sa anang mga kabataan kag nalipay gid tana makadalî kutub sa mabúhay nga tion. Nagadalagan táy Lila imaw kang anang mga pakaisa, nadumduman ni Manang Paula kon ano ka pígaw kon sulngon ang anang indáy nga nga gabatáng sa baratangán sa hospital kag naghambal tana it mahinay nga pangamuyô kang pagpasalamat. Nagpungkô tana kag nagsugod kang anang kinabatasan tagsa aga nga among pag basá kang pèríodiko.

Mabasahan sa headline na kadya “Ang Bag-ong Pag-uswag kang Pagrally kang mga Manugprotesta” nga bukun man it makatiringala, ang Construction Company ginpabangdan nga ginasudyot nanda sa mga local official nga pasapayan lamang nanda ang pagrangga sa palibot nga sanda tanda man ang nagahimô, páy máy ma-id-id nga dágway ang nagpatumbô kay Manang Paula sa anang purungkoan.

Tungud rian sa sangka maambung nga bahi nga nakapula nga naga pang-ulo sa mga nagaprotesta bátok sa sangka bulldozer.

Nagyuhum táy Manang Paula. Kon sa bagay, maámlìgan man nanda andang kaugalingon.

=———————————————————————-=

English Version

Manang Paula looked at the letter that Lolo Ambo left her. As much as she wanted to respect his wishes, times were hard. She had to sell the land to have enough money to move where it would be a better future for her family. Paula walked to the Balete tree in the edge of the field. There weren’t any lights in the branches tonight. She didn’t know if that meant the people in the tree were going toleave as well.

“I’m sorry.” The tears were starting to swell up in Paula’s eyes. “I know that Lolo Ambo promised that nothing would happen to your tree, and he asked all of us to keep that promise alive, but I have to choose what’s best for my family. Lila is sick and we can’t even afford her medicine anymore. Roberto can’t find a job. I… I am a mother and I need to give my children the life they deserve.”

Paula wiped away the tears from her cheek, “Please forgive me.”

The moon was still in the night sky. Hours passed and nothing happened. There was no sign, nothing to tell Paula that the people in the tree heard her. She didn’t know what to expect, but she had hoped that they would tell her something. Anything.

She waited by the tree until morning and afterwards, she went to her house and started packing.

Three months later, Manang Paula was looking at her children and she was happy for the first time in a long while. Lila was running around playing with her cousins, Manang Paula remembered how weak her little girl looked in the hospital bed and she said a soft prayer of thanksgiving. She sat down and started her morning tradition of reading the newspaper.

The headline read “Protesters Rally New Development” which wasn’t surprising; the construction company had been accused of bribing the local officials so they could ignore the environmental destruction they were causing, but a certain picture almost made Manang Paula jump out of her seat.

It was of a beautiful girl in red leading the protesters against a bulldozer.

Manang Paula smiled. They could take care of themselves after all.

=———————————————————–=

*The Karay-a language, or Kinaray-a is an Austronesian regional language spoken by the Karay-a people, mainly in Antique in the Philippines, Iloilo and other provinces on the island of Panay, as well as portions of the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. It is one of the Visayan languages, mainly along with Aklanon/Malaynon, Capiznon and Hiligaynon. As of 2015, there is an estimated 1,200,000 speakers of Kinaray-a with almost half of them are from Antique and Iloilo provinces.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by En

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © En

Inspired by ‘The Fairy of Balete Tree’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Mariang Ilaya Illustration by Laura Katigbak
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“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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The flutter of wings breaks the stillness as the maya birds scatter from their fountain perch.

Alberto always liked to see the birds fly away. He would point at their wings and shout “Fly!” at the top of his lungs, which is the way he would usually say things.

“Neni can we go… mall?”

The bleary look on the young woman’s face was apparent, but she smiled through it all the same.

“Alberto first we have to be—“

“Have to be—“

“We have to be—“

“Good, good. Have to be good.”

“Good job Alberto. We can go to the mall later, let’s enjoy the park. The birds are over there—“

And with that the boy raced off and shouted as if he wanted the whole world to hear him. No, not a boy anymore, at least not to an outward observer, Neni had to remind herself. She took out her phone and took a few photos of Alberto chasing his feathered friends.

His mom would always ask for pictures, Neni thought it was because she wanted to be reminded that she had a son, but Neni brushed those sentiments away. Worn, that’s what she remembered from the faces of Alberto’s parents when they hired her. She didn’t think she had a right to judge their parenting, especially since she wasn’t in their shoes.

“Neni! Fly!” She laughed with Alberto as they spent the day disturbing the birds.

As they were leaving the park, they passed a young couple. Before she could say anything Alberto stepped in front of the girl.

“Hi what’s your name?”

Neni had enough practice to know that this was unavoidable. She started with the usual apologies, but Alberto had a one track mind.

“Hi what’s your name?”

Neni apologized again, but it seemed that the young lady understood. She said her name was Raina and gave a comforting smile to both of them.

“Raina. R-A-I-N-A.”

The man then introduced himself as Oscar and Alberto gave a warm greeting. To their credit they were more understanding than most others of Alberto. Neni gave a hurried goodbye as she led Alberto to the car, she wasn’t about to be late for dinner.
————————–————————–————————–———-

Alberto finished getting ready for bed. The evening ritual of taking a shower, changing his clothes and brushing his teeth was one of the most enjoyable parts of his day. It was something he could do all by himself and that made him proud.

After he was done he looked around the room. It was a room just like any other. Four walls, a big window, a bed. And of course there was the horse.

Now, this was no ordinary horse. True, it had hooves, four legs and the kind of face that would make passers by undoubtful of its horse-ness, but it also had the kind of feathers that would make a swan flush with envy.

Alberto knew that the horse was a horse, of course. The horse was his horse, and seeing it in his room meant that he was about to embark on another journey.

The grin on Alberto’s face matched the horse’s, after their last daring escape from the dragon trapped in the stars, the rush of adventure was still fresh in his heart.

Alberto climbed up his horse’s back and they flew out the window. There was no time to waste, and he wanted to make sure he was back in time for breakfast.

————————–————————–————————–————————––

“Aray!” Neni thought she was getting good at avoiding Alberto’s Legos, but there was always one that would sneak under her foot.

She picked the offending piece up and put it next to the others in a neat pile. She gave up on trying to organize the Legos a long time ago, Alberto had his own system that never coincided with hers.

“Neni! Clouds!”

Alberto was finishing up his next masterpiece. Neni could never figure out what he was building, to her they all looked like mish mashed columns strung together randomly.

“Neni! Look!”

He was proud of his work, and Neni was just happy he was happy.

“It’s very good Alberto, what is it?”

“Fly! Clouds!”

“Good job Alberto, but we have to get ready for lunch. Go wash up.”

As Alberto ran towards the bathroom, a brown feather dropped from his pocket. Neni sighed. She thought she cleaned up all the mess from the park. “Oh well,” she thought, “At least it’s only one feather this time.”

————————–————————–————————–

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Bentohangin description in ‘The Soul Book’ by Demetrio & Cordero-Fernando 1991.

Bentohangin Illustration by Kurt Prieto
Behance: https://www.behance.net/KurtPrieto

Colors by Alexa Garde
Website: Lexa.us

“Alberto it’s time for bed!” Neni shouted from the hallway. She checked Alberto’s bedroom and was surprised to find him already under the covers.

She had noticed that he was less energetic than usual and she was worried that he wasn’t sleeping well.

“Neni I’m going to sleep!” Alberto said from under his blanket.
There wasn’t much she could do. Neni switched the lights off and told Alberto to have good dreams.

“I’ll see you in the morning. We’ll go to the park tomorrow okay?” She said as she walked out of his room.

“Neni! Time to sleep!” was Alberto’s reply.

Alberto yawned as he rode his winged steed through the clouds. It felt like only yesterday when one of the princesses of Kahangian*asked Alberto and his horse to stave off an invasion.

Alberto knew he couldn’t say no. When adventure calls he only had one answer.

But Alberto wished this adventure would end soon. Victory seemed out of reach as the endless onslaught of birds came wave after wave.

These were no ordinary birds. They flew like umbrellas along the clouds of Kahangian. The princess told Alberto that the birds would usually keep to themselves, but something must have happened to rile them up. She was afraid that this was only the beginning of a larger assault on her realm.

Alberto and his horse spent the last few weeks rerouting the birds away from the kingdom. As much as the princess wanted him to use force, Alberto could not bring himself to harm the birds.

After redirecting the latest wave of birds Alberto was summoned to the princess’ chambers.

She told him that it was time to end this. Redirecting the birds was a waste of time if they just kept coming back. She gave Alberto a box and told him to go to the king of the birds and slay him.

Alberto opened the box and was surprised to find a sword with his name engraved on it. It felt heavy in his hands and he looked at the princess and shook his head.

He would not do as she asked. Violence wasn’t the answer, at least not to him. He left the box in the princess’ chambers and went to his horse.

This would end, but on his terms.

Alberto’s horse smiled. As a horse he was used to keeping his opinions to himself but today he couldn’t help it.
He was proud that he made the right choice in Alberto. The birds weren’t violent, at most they were a nuisance to the princess’ kingdom.

They flew through the clouds with as much grace as the horse could muster. As adept as he was with galloping, the horse was clumsy with his wings. They barreled through the surge of birds ahead of them, Alberto had to spit out a few feathers, but eventually they came upon the roost of the king of birds.

Alberto’s horse bowed his head. As much as he was a horse, he was also part bird, and there were certain rules that you had to follow to make sure the other birds wouldn’t get mad at you.
The king of birds was enormous, his large frame almost blacking out the sun. He took one look at Alberto and his horse and said, “Who are you and why are you here?!”

Alberto’s horse was still looking at the ground when he heard Alberto answer.

“Why you attack the kingdom?”

“Strange human, I attack nothing. I am just trying to get back what belongs to me.”

Alberto’s brow creased in confusion.

“But princess said you attack!”

“The princess was the one that started this. She and her kingdom stole my crown! I’ve been sending my birds to her kingdom to get it back.”

“But princess said—-“

The king of birds whirled around and put his beak up to Alberto’s face.

“I’ve heard of you, human. You and your bentohangin have made quite a name for yourselves in this realm. And I am asking you, please, get my crown back and I will tell my birds to stop.”

Alberto looked at his horse and they nodded in unison.

The princess stared at her mirror as her servants brushed her hair. She had not calculated that the human would reject her gift, but no matter. A few bats of her eyelashes and some tears would certainly do the job the next time.

She bade her servants to leave her alone and walked to a hidden door in her chambers. In it was a chest and in that chest was her prize.

It was the most beautiful headpiece in all of Kahangian, inlaid with fallen stars and made from gold straight from Ginton’s forges. Such beauty should only belong to her, the fairest princess in the clouds.

“L—-I—-A—-R!” Alberto’s voice rang through the princess’ chambers.

The princess managed to catch the crown as it fell through her fingers. She had not expected the human to be back so soon.
“You’re a liar!” Alberto shouted again.

“I’m so glad you’re here! The birds have been trying to steal from me!” It was time for the tears. The princess was familiar with this tactic, many heroes had fallen for her charms and this one would be no different.

“That’s not your crown!” Alberto and his horse moved towards the princess.

“This is my father’s! The birds are jealous of its beauty and keep trying to take it from me, but you won’t let them will you? Please help me!” Tears were flowing down her cheeks as she looked into Alberto’s eyes.

“L—–I—–A—–R!” Alberto grabbed the crown from the princess and ran towards his horse.

“Guards! Get them!”

Alberto and his horse were experts and running away. The guards tried to catch up to the pair but once you’ve escaped from the flying serpents guarding Ulilankalulua’s grave everything seems like a turtle in comparison.

“You are not welcome here!” The princess shouted through the clouds, “We will hunt you down!”

The birds flocked Alberto and his horse. They were overjoyed at the sight of the crown and accompanied them to their king’s throne.

“You have made yourself an enemy of the princess’ kingdom.” The king of birds said to Alberto.

“Yes.”

“Thank you, know that the kingdom of birds will help you, whenever you will need it.”

“Yes.”

Alberto looked at his horse and smiled. Alberto’s horse hugged his companion and neighed. They knew they made the right choice, even if it meant making a powerful enemy.

“Neni! I’m tired!”

“Okay Alberto, you can take a nap soon. Let’s clean up your crayons okay?”

“Okay.”

Today Alberto woke up early and even got ready for breakfast in time. Neni was still worried that he wasn’t getting enough sleep but that was nothing a good nap couldn’t fix.

She helped him clear his crayons and wondered why he kept drawing umbrellas.

“Neni! Bird!” He showed a drawing that was like the other umbrellas but bigger than the rest.

“It looks great Alberto! Let’s clean up and you can take a nap, okay?”

“Okay!”

Continued from the Bentohangin’s tale

*Kahangian is the fifth layer of the universe

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Hubot description in The Soul Book. Demetrio & Cordero-Fernando 1991.

Hubot Illustration by Edrian Paolo T. Baydo

Color by Alexa Garde
Website: Lexa.us

The post Alberto’s Adventures in the Skyworld appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

The post Mariang Binokong – Cebuano Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

Kaisa was left in a strange bed alone. He didn’t even bother to say goodbye, but that’s just the way it was. Boys will be boys.

She picked her clothes off the floor and took a shower. Her skin was raw from the soap rubbing against it. No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t wash off last night.

Maybe she didn’t want to. This was how her weekends went. She would meet a strange man somewhere out in the world, then she would be left alone. Like always.

It was the way the world worked. At least her world.

She dressed herself and went outside. The noontime sun was bright and felt painful against her skin.

There was a gathering of people near the town hall and her curiosity was piqued. There was nothing else to do today so why not go?

She asked an old woman what the commotion was about and was met with disbelief.

“You mean you don’t know?! She has come from the mountain!” the old woman shouted.

“Who is ‘she’? And which mountain did she come from?” Kaisa was confused. It seemed like the whole town was here for this occasion.

“She has come! From the heights of the Skyworld she has come!” no matter how hard she tried Kaisa couldn’t get a meaningful sentence from the old woman, so she gave up and pushed through the crowd to see what the fuss was about.
And as she pushed away a young couple she saw her.

Kaisa had never seen such a beautiful woman. The sunlight glistened against her skin which seemed to be made from precious marble. Her hair was black as a moonless night and her smile; it was almost as if you could fit the whole world into her smile.

All around the crowd cheered at her arrival. It was a miracle made real, nothing like they had ever seen before. None of them would have ever guessed that they would see one such as her in their lifetime.

And Kaisa just stared.

“Where have you been?” she whispered to herself.

There was a force building inside her, one she could not deny. It swelled in her chest until it could not be held back.

“How dare you come here?!” Kaisa burst out.

“Don’ talk to her like that!” a bystander was horrified that she could raise her voice to the Diwata.

The Diwata was confused at the outburst, she didn’t understand why a human would react to her presence that way. She walked towards Kaisa and gently put her hand to the girl’s face.

“I’m here now,” the Diwata looked at Kaisa with pity.

Kaisa laughed, “Where were you ten years ago? Where were you when I was new?” tears streamed down her face “When I was one of those maidens that your kind would come to?!”

There are certain kinds of sadness that build up through your lifetime. Some stay with you, nestling until they shadow your soul. Kaisa’s sadness was that and more. It latched onto her spirit like honey and would not be shaken off.

“How dare you come to me now, when I am this!?” Kaisa crumpled into the arms of the Diwata, her tears flowing into a seemingly endless river.

Silence reigned through the crowd. The scene had an almost sacred quality about it.

“I’m here now,” the Diwata repeated.

The Diwata began to hum a soft tune. It echoed the bending of the bamboo forest, the silent dignity of the running stream and the gentle sound of nature’s creatures.

“I forgive you.” Kaisa’s words lingered through the music.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Diwata myths

Diwata Illustration by Kristienne Amante
FB: Creatorivm

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The post Diwata appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

AAAAAAIIIEEEEE!!”

Sumabay ang hiyaw ng kapatid ko sa dagundong ng kulog na sumaklob sa buong bahay. Hindi ko alam kung bakit palagi niyang ginagawa ‘yun, samantalang ‘di naman na ito ang unang beses na nangyari ang nangyari. Nakasanayan ko na din namang marinig ang kanyang mga sigaw. Sabi ng lola, isinumpa daw ang pamilya namin at sa paraang ito tintubos ang mga kasalanan ng angkan.

“AAAAAAIIIEEEEE!!”

Hindi siya nagpatinag sa lalong paglakas din ng mga kulog. Sumilip ako sa bintana at nakita kong lumalala din ang pagbuhos ng ulan, oras lang siguro ang bibilangin at kailangan na naming lumipat sa ikalawang palapag. Pumunta ako sa kusina at tinignan ang mga pagkain—may sapat pa naman kami hanggang sa matapos ang bagyo.

Wala akong matandaang panahon na hindi umuulan. Matapos akong ipanganak, lumipat daw kami sa Cebu dahil sa nangyari kay nanay, pero, umuulan din naman sa kung saan kami nanggaling. Matagal ko nang iniisip kung bakit parang laging sinusundan ng mga bagyo ang pamilya namin—kakatwa, pero nakasanayan ko na. Sa totoo lang, nakakapanatag nang marinig ang buhos ng ulan.

“Patawad.”

Sanay na si nanay na mga kandila lang ang ilaw sa bahay. Palaging pinapatay ang supply ng kuryente kaya marami kaming ganu’n. Nakatitig siya sa’king walang kurap habang lumuluha at paulit-ulit sa kanyang pakiusap.

Sinabi ko sa kanya na wala siyang dapat ihingi ng tawad, na iisa at buo ang aming pamilya upang sama-sama na lagpasan ang pagsubok na ito, ngunit parang wala siyang naririnig. Dali-dali siyang bumangon at tumakbo palabas ng bahay.

“PATAWARIN MO NA’KO, SABI! HINDI PA BA SAPAT ANG LAHAT NANG GINAWA MO SA’KIN? LUBAYAN MO NA AKO AT ANG PAMILYA KO!”

Hinabol ko siya at halos kinaladkad pabalik sa bahay. Nang tignan ko ang kanyang basang mukha, hindi ko mawari kung alin ang luha sa mga patak ng ulan.

“HINDI NIYA TAYO TATANTANAN!”

Niyakap ko siya at sumunod dito ang pagtindi ng kanyang mga hikbi. Isinalaysay niya ang ilang bahagi ng kanyang kabataan. Kung paanong isang araw ay umakyat daw siya sa bundok Sinukuan at nagnakaw ng isang bagay mula sa kanya, kay Mariang Sinukuan. Buntis siya nu’n sa aking kapatid nang magsimula kaming magpalipat-lipat ng tirahan, aniya, upang iligtas kami sa panganib. Ngunit sumunod naman sa amin ang mga bagyo. Sa’n man kami mapadpad, susunod at susunod ang pag-ulan.

Tumigil siya sa pag-iyak makaraan ang isang oras at hinawakan ang aking kamay.

“Alam mo ba kung anong ninakaw ko?”

Ni minsa’y ‘di ko pa narinig ang buong kuwento tungkol sa nangyari. Kailanma’y ‘di siya nagsalita nang anumang bagay na may kinalaman du’n, kahit nang mamatay si tatay. Wala akong ideya kung anong mga bagay ang maaaring maungkat kung sakaling buuin niya ang pagkukuwento, ngunit ayaw ko nang lumipas na naman ang isang araw nang hindi ko nalalaman. Kailangang mabatid ko kung bakit buong buhay ko ay umuulan sa labas at walang puknat ang ihip ng hangin at pagbayo ng mga bagyo. Tinitigan ko si inay at tinanong kung ano ang kanyang ninakaw.

“Isang mangga.”

————————–————————–————————–—

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!”sin

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.”

————————–————————–————————-

*Mariang Sinukuan is also called Maria of Arayat

Written by Karl Gaverza
Tagalog Translation by Alpine Moldez
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Alpine Moldez

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

Mariang Sinukuan Illustration by Laura Katigbak
FB: Rabbit Heart
IG: https://www.instagram.com/rabbitheartart/

The post Mariang Sinukuan – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

“Gusto ko talagang akyatin ang bundok na ‘yon!”

“Hindi. Hindi dapat.”

“Hindi mo ‘ko kailangang tratuhin na para bang lagi akong bata!”

“Kailangan, lalo na kapag parang bata ka naman talaga umasta.”

“Walang matinding dahilan para hindi ako umakyat.”

“Nando’n siya. Sapat nang dahilan ‘yon para manatili ka dito.”

“Hindi ‘yan dahilan. Ni hindi nga totoo ang alinman sa mga kuwento tungkol sa kanya.”

“Hindi mahalaga kung ga’no katotoo ang mga usap-usapan. Nando’n siya at hindi natin siya gagambalain.”

“Pakinggan mo nga ang sarili mo! Natatakot ka sa isang tsismis!”

“Hindi lang siya isang tsismis at marami ka pang ‘di nalalaman.”

“Katulad ng?”

“Bakit siya tumigil?”

“Alam mo naman ang kuwento.”

“Bakit niya itinigil ang pamamahagi ng ginto sa mga mahihirap?”

“Talaga bang tinatanong mo sa’kin ‘yan?”

“Bakit?”

“Dahil naging sakim ang mga tao. Pinaghuhukay nila ang kanyang hardin upang nakawin ang mga tanim niyang luya na nagbabago-anyo at nagiging ginto.”

“Bakit siya tumigil?”

“Gaya nga nang sabi ko, lumabis ang pagnanais ng mga tao. Teka, ano bang kinalaman nito sa—“

“Bakit siya tumigil!”

“….”

“Dahil binigo natin siya. Binigo natin ang bundok. Higit pa sa simpleng kuwento ng kasakiman ang kuwento niya, dahil kailanman’y ‘di naging simple ang kasakiman. Sasairin nito ang pinakamahuhusay na bagay, hanggang sa wala nang matira ni isa. Ang kuwento niya ay paalala sa ating lahat na walang hinihinging kapalit ang bundok. Magbibigay ito nang magbibigay hanggang sa maghangad tayo ng higit pa sa dapat nating hangarin.”

“Gusto ko lang naman tumanaw mula sa tukok—“

“Tapos, ano? Kumuha ng mga litrato? I-post online para makita ng lahat?

“Oo, pero—“

“Pero, ano? Sandali lang na panahon at susunod ang mga tao sa’yo. Ga’no pa katagal hanggang sa sila na mismo ang umakyat sa tuktok, umapak sa lupa, wumasak sa mga damo, at kumuha ng mga mag bagay na hindi naman sa kanila?”

“….”

“Tinatrato kitang bata dahil ni minsa’y di mo naintindihan ang aral ng kanyang kuwento.”

“Na binigo natin siya?”

“Na binigo natin ang bundok.”

————————–————————–————————–—–

English Version

“I want to go up the mountain!”

“No, you really don’t.”

“You can’t keep treating me like a child!”

“I can if that’s how you’re acting.”

“You still haven’t given me a good reason why I shouldn’t go up.”

“She is up there. That is all the reason there needs to be.”

“That’s not a reason. Those stories aren’t even real.”

“It doesn’t matter how real the stories are. She is there and we will not disturb her.”

“Listen to yourself! You’re scared of a story.”

“There is more to the story than just Her.”

“And what is that?”

“Why did she stop?”

“You know the story.”

“Why did she stop giving gold to the poor?”

“I can’t believe you’re asking—“

“Why?”

“Because the people got greedy. They dug up her garden because a ginger root from her turned into gold.”

“Why did she stop?”

“Like I said, they got greedy, what does this have to do with—“

“Why did she stop!?”

“….”

“Because we failed her. Because we failed the mountain. There is more to Her story than simple human greed, because greed isn’t simple. It finds the most brilliant solutions to take until there’s nothing left. Her story reminds us that the mountain wants for nothing. It will give until we decide to take more than we can hold.”

“I just want to see the summit—“

“And what then? Take a few pictures? Post it online so that people can see?”

“Yes, but—“

“How long will it take until people decide to follow your lead and go up the mountain themselves? How long until their feet trample on the earth and the grass? Until they take what was never theirs?”

“…..”

“I treat you like a child because you haven’t learned her lesson.”

“That we failed her?”

“That we failed the mountain.”

————————–————————–————————–—

Written by Karl Gaverza
Tagalog Translation by Alpine Moldez
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Alpine Moldez

Inspired by Mariang Makiling in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Mariang Makiling Illustration by Laura Katigbak
FB: Rabbit Heart
IG: https://www.instagram.com/rabbitheartart/

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