*Note this story is in Ilocano

Alikamen:

Buneng – maaramat tapno mauluyan ti aswang kalpasan a maparmek daytoy.

Ipus ti Pagi – maaramat tapno saanen a makakuti ti aswang. Mangted kaniada iti nakaro unay a sakit.

Kalamansi – kalasag tapno saannaka a mapidut ti aswang. Dayta ti mangpadagsen kaniada.

Dapo – Iwaras iti bagi ti aswang no agsina ti bagida. Saanen nga maisubli ti Aswang ti naisina a bagina no naikkan ti dapo daytoy.

Gabon/Sambong/Bukadkad/Subsob (Blumea balsamefera) – Daytoy a mula ket mausar tapno mabugaw ti aswang. Masapul a kapurpuros ken ikabil a kanayon iti bulsa.

Bawang – Saan a maanusan ti aswang ti angot ti bawang. Kanayonen ti mangitugot.

Asin- Maaramat kasmet la iti dapo. Mausar met tapno maiyadayo  ti aswang kadagiti dadduma a lugar.

Ramramit –  Nabendisionan a banbanag, bendita, ken anting-anting a masapul iti panangiyadayo kadagiti nakabutbuteng a parsua.  Masapul a kasarita ti maysa a padi sakbay ti amin.

Dagiti ritos:

Mabalin a matiliw ti aswang babaen ti panangurnos ti tallo a dadakkel a bato iti sirkulo a kasla paglutuan. Inton mapasungadan ti ‘kak kak’ nga awag ti naparsua , baliksen ti Kredo dagiti Apostoles. Inton makadanon iti parte ti Kredo maipapan  iti pannakailansa  ni Cristo iti  krus, mangpidot ti maysa a bato ket ipak-ol ti maysa a lansa iti daga. Agpababanto ti naparsua ket agdisso iti tallo a bato, ket ditoy mabalinen a patayen.

Adda ritos  iti panangikkat ti lunod ti panagbalin ti maysa nga aswang; daytoy ket ti panaginum iti lemon ken danum, pannakaibitin a baliktad tapno maisarwada ti maysa a kasla billit a pinarsua ket daytoy maiwa-iwa iti pedaso.

Dagiti Palagip:

Usaren dagiti ramramit tapno mapasardeng dagiti encantasionda.  Padsuen  ida  babaen iti ut-ot manipud iti ipus ti pagi sa ipungsay ti uloda babaen ti panggibus a tagbat ti buneng.

Dagiti lunod  ti aswang ket mabalin a mapasingkedan babaen ti panangaramid ti ‘ritual ti itlog’ no sadinno a no makita dagiti marka ti mata ken dara iti itlog, kayatna a sawen a ti tao ket ‘inaswang’ (naallilaw).

Mabalin a maikkat dagiti ilusion iti taraon babaen ti panangipis-it iti calamansi kadagita. Dagiti masida a kas iti sinigang ket agbalin  a malukong a napno iti ramay ti tao ken dara.

Dagiti lunod  ti aswang ket mabalin nga agturong  iti  agsumbangir a dalan,  isu a no ti biktima ket masapsaplitan wenno masugatan iti aniaman a pisikal a wagas, ti aswang ti makarikna iti dayta.

Saan a nalawa daytoy a listaan ​​dagiti wagas iti panangtiliw iti naparsua. Adu pay dagiti ritual ken ramramit a maus-usar a manglaban kadagitoy a nakabutbuteng a parsua. .

Iwanwan koma ti Apo ti dalanmo.

Bendisyonannaka  ti Dios.

=——————————-=

Engilsh version

Equipment:
Bolo – used to give a final blow after incapacitating the aswang.
Stingray Tail – used to incapacitate the aswang. Causes great pain to them.
Kalamansi – A ward to ensure that the aswang cannot pick you up. It weighs them down.
Ashes – Used to sprinkle on the aswang’s body if they self-segment. Aswang cannot reattach if ashes are scattered on their other half.
Gabon/Sambong/Bukadkad/Subsob (Blumea Balsamefera) – This plant is used to ward off aswang. Pick it fresh and keep it in your pocket.
Garlic – Aswang cannot stand the smell of garlic. Keep some with you at all times.
Salt – Used in the same way as ashes. Can also be used to ward certain places away from aswang.
Wards – Blessed objects, holy water anting-anting are all useful to keep away the monsters. Make sure to see a priest beforehand.

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

*Note this story is in Ilocano

Iddiay Amianan, iti lugar nga maaw-awagan Lagui, nagnaed ti maysa a billit a managan ti Apan. Ni Apan ken dagiti kapadana ket naggapu iti adayo nga amianan-a-daya, ngem gapu iti nakaro a winter iti dayta a lugar, nagturongda iti umabagatan, iti lugar dagiti “windmills.”

Maysa nga aldaw, kabayatan a waywayaan ti init ti idadateng ti bulan, nakasirpat ni Apan iti maysa a tumatayab nga saannapay a nakitkita iti napalabas.. Addan uppat a winter manipud nai-pessa, ket impapanna nga ammona aminen a klase ti billit a sumangbay iti Lagui. Daytoy a billit ket saan met a “kingfisher,”  “starling,” wenno billit-tuleng. Mangipalagip  daytoy kadagitii kuago ti ruot nga agan-anup iti asidegna, ti kinaatiddog  dagiti payak ken ti rupana, ngem ditan nga aggibus ti pagpadaanda.

Awan kadagiti billit ti naranniag kas kadagiti bituen.

Nabannogen ni Apan gapu ti nagmalmalem nga panagbirokna iti taraon. Ngem saan daytoy a nanglapped ti panagtayabna nga agturong iti ayan ti billit, tapno mapennek ti panagusiusona.

Saan unay met a  dakkel daydiay a billit, mangipalagip kadagiti pato ken ul-ullaw nga kanayonna nga ad-adayoan. Uray iti adayo, mabalinna nga suroten ti billit, banag nga nanam-ay para ken ni Apan. Inwardas ti billit dagiti payakna sa nagdisso iti maysa a sanga.

Bayat iti panangipangatona kadagiti payakna, nakita ni Apan ti paggapuan ti lawagna. Iti sirok dagiti payak ket adda saggaysa a bola nga umap-apoy, Nagsiddaaw ni Apan no kasano nga saan a mauram ti apoy ti billit. Nagtayab iti ababa ta ipagarupna nga saan a makita ti billit, ket nagdiso iti maysa a sanga iti ngatuen ti billit.

Kasla maysa nga estatwa ti billit. Ti saan nga agkutkuti nga langa daytoy ken kasla nangpaseggar kenni Apan. “ Ania ngata ti maaramid daytoy a billit,” nasaludsodna.

“ Ammok nga addaka dita,” nagsao met laeng.

Saan a naggaraw ni Apan. Ammona nga adda isuna iti disso a di makita ti billit.

“Umayka ditoy ta agsaritata, “ imbilin ti billit.

Insigida a nagtayab iti ngato ni Apan ket nagdisso iti abay ti billit. Saan a narruam a sirriing iti rabii ket kasla dumagsen ti payakna iti panagtulid ti oras, ngem saanna nga maiyebkas ti ragsakna. Naidumduma ti pannakabirokna iti maysa a baro a banag a mabalinna a sukimaten.

Sinangona ti billit ket nagsaludsod, “ Aniaka kadi?”

Nagkatawa ti billit, “ Diretso ka, ania?”

Imbabana dagiti payakna ket nalingdan dagiti bola nga umap-apoy.

“Maysaak met a billit a kasla kenka.’

“Saanka a kas kadagiti gagangay a billit a nakitkitakon, ken uppaten a winter nga um-umayak ditoy.

“Maysaak a naipangpangruna a billit, “ insungbatna.

“Apay nga adda apoy iti sirok dagiti payakmo? Kasano a dika mapuoran?”

“Maysaka a nausisa a billit,” nakunana. “ Apay a kayatmo a maammuan?”

“Saanak pay a pulos a nakaimatang ti nakadadaeg a tumatayab iti law-ang. Kayatko nga ibaga kadagiti dadduma a billit iti katiponak ti maipapan kenka. “

“ Ala ngarud, “ ti sungbat ti billit. “ Ibagak kenka ti maipapan kaniak. Ngem sakbayna, masapol nga sungbatam daytoy a saludsod.”

“ Sige, “ ti sungbat ni Apan, “ uray ania tapno mangngegko ti pakaestoriaam.”

“ Ania ti pammatim iti gasat?”

Saan a napakadaan ni Apan daytoy. Saanna a ninamnama daytoy a saludsod ti billit, Dagiti kasla kaniana ket saan a mangdakdakamat kadagiti nangato a kapanunotan kas iti gasat. Kontentodan nga agturong kadagiti nabara a lugar ken mangbirok ti sumaruno a taraonda.

Isu nga idi sumungbat..

“Diak ammo no adda kasta.Ti gasat ket para laeng kadagiti bannuar ken ari, saan a nanumo a billit kas kaniak.”

Nagkatawa ti billit.” Pudno kadi a dayta ti patpatiem?”

“Wen, mamatiak.”

Makaassian ti billit a nangkita ken Apan.” Amin a parsua ket adda gasatda a sursurotenda.Ti panangtalikod kadayta ket panangtalikod iti bukod a bagi.”

“Ket sika? Ania ti kapanunotam maipanggep iti gasat?”

“Ti gasat ket kasla angin. Mabalinna ti agpayogpog a kasla bagyo wenno pumoyot a kas iti arasaas kadagiti dutdotmo. Saan a mapagkedkedan, mangisangpet iti masakbayan a maagka no  dimo ikaskaso.”

Nagulimek ni Apan. Awan ti mabirokna a sao nga isungbat iti billit.

Intuloy ti billit.

“Amin a biag ket parte iti maysa a nangatngato a banag.Ti apagdarikmat a panagbalbaliw ti angin a gapuen ti panagpayakpak dagiti payakmi ket mangitunda iti maysa a ngilaw iti lugar nga dina pay naad-addakan. Nalawag nga amin a biag ket  apektaran nga inaldaw dagiti puwersa nga saan tayo pulos a matukod. Inton maawatan tayon dayta, masapul nga agrukma  tayon..

“ Ket ania ngarud ti gasatmo?” sinaludsod ni Apan.

“Makitamto.” Kasla umis-isem ti billit.” Ket gaputa addaka ditoy, sungbatak ti saludsodmo.”

“Daytoyak,” kinunana.

“Maysaka nga apoy?” Ginandat nga awaten ni Apan ti kayat nga ibaga ti billit.

“Siak ti apoy ken mangallilaw.”

“Ngem maysaka a billit. Kasano koma a dua ti kinataom?

“Kumitaka iti ngato,” imbilin ti billit.”Dandanin ti orasna.”

“Oras para iti anya?”

“Para iti tudo.”

Iti dayta a kanito, narikna ni Apan ti tedted ti tudo iti ulona. Ken dagiti nagsasaruno.

Kasla nalipatan ti billit ti saritaanda ken nagtayab a nagpangato iti ayan dagiti ulep a paggapuan ti tudo.

Ginandat ni Apan a pukkawan ti billit, tapno damagenna ti kayatna a sawen.

Naawatna ti sungbat babaen iti ranniag a dandani nangbulsek kaniana.

Nagbalin nga apoy ti billit, maysa a bola ti nakarangrangrang a gil-ayab a nakabitin iti law-ang. Saanen nga ammo ni Apan no mano nga oras a mangbuybuya iti bola ti apoy. Apagapaman nga binittak ti init ti sipnget, nagpukawen ti apoy ken nagsubli metten ni Apan iti pangenna.

Saannan a mauray nga ibaga  kaniada ti maipapan iti billit.

Ngem nadagsen dagiti sao ti billit kaniana.

“ Ti kinatao tayo kadi ket maibasar laeng iti gasat tayo?

=——————————=

English Version

In the North, in a place called Lagui, there lived a bird called Apan. Apan and her kind were from the far northeast, but the harsh winters in that land made them migrate southwards to the land of windmills.

One day, as the sun was giving way to the moon, Apan caught a glimpse of a bird she had never seen before. It had been four winters since she had been hatched and she thought she knew all the birds that came to flock in Lagui. The bird was not a kingfisher, a starling, nor a sparrow. It did remind her of the grass owls that hunted near her perch, with its wingspan and face, but the similarities ended there.

None of those birds ever glowed like starlight.

Apan was tired, having spent the whole day foraging for food. That didn’t stop her from flying towards the bird to sate her curiosity.

The bird was not that large, it reminded Apan of the ducks and kites that her kind avoided. Even from far away the bird could be followed which was convenient for Apan. The bird spread its wings and perched on a nearby branch.
As it lifted its wings up Apan saw the source of its glow. Under each of its wings there was a ball of intense fire. Apan wondered how the fire didn’t consume it. She flew low thinking that the bird would not see her and roosted on a branch under the bird.

It seemed like the bird was a statue. The unmoving countenance of it gave Apan chills. “What would this bird do?” she wondered.

“I know you’re there,” it finally spoke.

Apan did not move. She was sure she was in a place where the bird could not see her.

“Come here and we shall talk,” the bird said.

With that, Apan flew above and rested beside the bird. She was not nocturnal and the hours of night felt heavy upon her wings, but she had never felt such exhilaration. It was rare to find something completely new that she could explore.

She faced the bird and asked, “What are you?”
The bird laughed, “Straight to the point, aren’t you?”
It put its wings down, covering the balls of fire.
“I am, like you, a bird.”

“You are not like any kind of bird I have ever seen, and I have been going here for four winters,” said Apan.
“I am a special kind of bird,” it replied.

“Why do you have fire under your wings? How does it not consume you?”

“You are a very curious bird,” it answered, “why do you want to know?”

“Never have I seen such majesty flying through the skies, I would like to tell the other birds of my flock about you.”
“Very well,” said the bird, “I will tell you my story. But first you must answer a question.”

“Of course!” Apan said, “anything to hear your story.”

“What do you believe about destiny?”

Apan was caught off guard. She had not expected this kind of question from the bird. Her kind did not think of grand things such as destiny, they were content to fly to warm places and find their next meals.

And thus she answered:

“I do not know if it exists. Destiny is a word that describes heroes and kings, not a lowly bird such as I.”

The bird laughed. “Do you truly believe that?”

“Yes, I do.”

The bird looked at Apan with pity, “Every living being has a destiny that they follow. To deny that is to deny yourself.”

“What about you? What do you think about destiny?”

“Destiny is like the wind. It can blow with the wild abandon of a hurricane or the smallest of whispers on your feathers. It cannot be denied, it brings a future that would be foolish to ignore.”

Apan fell silent. She could not find the words to reply to the bird.

The bird continued, “All life is part of something much larger. A brief change in the air caused by the flap of our wings could make it so that a fly would end up where it might never have gone. It is clear that all life is affected every day by forces beyond our comprehension. And once we realize that, we must surrender.”

“And what is your destiny?” Apan asked.

“You will see it later.” The bird almost looked like it was smiling. “And since you are here I will answer your question.”

The bird once again raised its wings so that the balls of fireballs were visible. Apan was worried that her feathers would burn being so close to fire, but she was surprised at the warm glow that washed over her form.

“This is what I am,” said the bird.

“You are the fire?” Apan tried to understand what the bird was trying to tell her.

“I am the fire and a deceiver.”

“But you are a bird. How can you be both?”

“Look up,” the bird said, “it is almost time.”

“Time for what?”

“For the rain.”

At that moment Apan could feel a raindrop hit her head. And another. And another.

The bird seemed to forget their conversation and flew high towards the rainclouds.

Apan tried to shout at the bird, to ask what it meant.

She received her answer in a luminescence that nearly blinded her.

The bird became fire, a ball of bright flame hanging in the sky. Apan didn’t know how many hours she had spent staring at the ball of fire. Once the morning sun broke through the twilight the light disappeared and Apan made her way back to her flock.

She couldn’t wait to tell them about the bird.

But the bird’s words weighed heavy on her.

Are we only what our destiny is?

————————————————————————–

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Ilocano translation by Maria Jesusa Villaruz
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Maria Jesusa Villaruz

Inspired by the Sansilmo bird legends from Ilocos and “Sansilmo, the Light Deciever.” in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002. and an Interview with Migo Luis (2015)

The Sansilmo Bird Illustration by Alvin Gasga
FB: Art of Alvin

The post The Sansilmo Bird – Ilocano Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Ilocano

Rabiin idi, idi immay isu na.

Ammom sika, tatta ngay nga malgip ko, kuna nan sa nga gapo ta inbatik nga nakalukat adiay tawa’k ket mabalin isu na nga umuneg.

Iti malaglagip ko ket dadael adiay aircon ko idi, ket baraen akon, isu nga nilukatak adiay tawa. Naka-electric fan ak, yepyepen nak metten ah adiay uni na, aginggana nairidep ko met laengen.

Inot-inot nak nga nga nariing idi, ta makanggeg ak metten iti kasla agsasao ngay nga diyak maawatan, adiay uni na ket kasla ngay umasideg-umadayo, umasideg-umadayo.

Haan ko maibaga kitdi nu inya’t adiay nagparang. Adda metten iti bilog nga tumtumpaw idiay batog ko, iti kadakkel na ket kasla adiay pagil-iladak, santo adda iti nakaparang nga babai nga ammok lattan ah nga sabali isu, ta idi inted na adiay ima na tapno ibangon nak ket nakalam-lamiis met lakitdin.

Idiay met ket iti rugi na iti amin.

Tila’t nap-napanan mi, napasyar mi iti amin nga suli iti lubong idi nga rabii, adda adiay adda kami iti baybay nga nakaranranyag iti danom na, santo adda kami metten iti tep-ang iti nakangatngato a bantay, nga haan ko pay nga ammo nu kasatno kami nga naka-apan. Iti ritnak ket amin nga suli iti lubong ket napanan mi idi. Mabalin sa pay nga agpayso iti napanunot ko.

Saan ko a malipatan dagidiay nakitak idi nga rabii. Napan kami iti ilang nga nalipatanen iti tao, naiggamake pay adiay darat ken tapok na nga haan nga marun-runot, ken agidiay dissuor! Adiay kinatan-oc na adiay nga danom, nga nasilawan pay iti bulan, malagip ko pay laeng nu agkidem nak.

Nangrugin iti damdamag ken pnnakaawan iti talek ko kinyana, sinno ngata isu, ken kasatno na nga naamwan dagitoy amin nga inpakita na kinyak tatta a rabii. Kasla ammo na met iti panpanunotek, ta indissaag na met adiay bilog, sa na inbaskaag iti amin nga iduldulin na.

Nangidisu isu iti libro a dakkel iti sangok, sa na inbaga no inya iti nailemmeng a bileg na daytoy. Kuna na nga napanaganan isu iti libro de combania , nga iti nu usarek daytoy, makapan ak uray ayan na iti kayat ko nga papanan, nu laeng panunotek a naimbag.

Sinaludsod ko isu na nu apay na ibagbagak amin nga sansanikwa na kinyak, ket kinatawaan nak laeng. Adda kano iti nakita na kinyak nga gapo na, sa nak dinamag nu kano anya’t pagusarak daytoy a libro.

Saan ko nga masungbatan a dagos iti saludsod na. napanunot ko, pangusarak ngata agpayso? Innak ngata umuneg iti banko, tapno agtakaw? Wenno saan aya nga maymayat nga mapan iti rabaw iti kangatuan a banbantay? Panunotek pay ngata iti pamilya’k, sa nak agawid?

Ngem uray inya’t ragsak ko, haan ko maikkat adiay maritritnak nga sabali.

Kimmita ak kinyana, nagsabat iti mata mi, sa nak nakaritna iti kasla kuryente idiay bukot ko.

Maddik man makuna nu pay ak mabuteng kinyana. Saan ngata ta uray adda iti it-itde na kinyak a bileg, ket pinag-uray ko isu na kasangwanan ak nga simmungbat?

Ðinamag nak nu saan ko aya nga awaten iti it-ited na?

Haan ak nga nakasungbat.

Ado a dakes a sao iti nanggeg ko, agkakadakes nga ammo nga maipanggep kinyak.

Tabbed. Ingrato.

Nu man agpayso, ket agpayso, ngem saan ko nga awaten iti it-ited na kinyak. Saanen, malpas nga nagsabat iti mata mi.

Kinugtaran nak, natnag ak adiay bilog na, napigsa nga angin iti nangngeg ko habang matmatnag ak. Insaganak iti bagik para it ammok nga nalamiiis nga danom iti baybay.

Imbes nga lami-is nga danom, natnag ak iti pagidaak, idiay uneg iti kwarto, nga kasla awan latta iti napasamak.

Nag-uyek ak, dara iti intuprak. Isu gayamen iti rugi na iti aminen.

Tatta adda ak ditoy, nakailad, laglagipek iti napalabas, ken iti amin nga kamadi-an nga in-gapo na.

Haan nga makuna ken maawaten iti doctor nu inya iti rit-ritnaek, ken haan ko met nga maibaga kinyada adiay istorya adiay babae. Dinawat ko laengen nga pagawiden dak, ken nu laeng kuma mabalin ket palliative care laengen iti aramiden da. No haan da nga maikuna, uray mamin-ano dak nga duyuken iti hiringgilya, ket kay-kayat ko pay nga matay ak idiay balay.

Kuna na nu apong ko ket mang-ayab kano iso iti adda iti laing-laing nan ga mang-kita kinyak, ta bareng maagsan ak kano pay. Wen lattan, lola, agyaman ak, kunak, ngem haan ak nga agnam-naman nga umimbag ak pay.

Nagkidem ak, ken limmagip.

Adiay natangsit nga mat ana, ken adiay dissuor.

ken inya’t ritna na iti tumayab.

=———————————–=

English Version

She came in the night.

It’s funny, looking back I think it was the window I left open that might have been a sign for her to enter.

I remember my aircon was broken and I wanted to let the cold in, the hot air being kept at bay by the electric fan and its gentle sound, nudging me to blissful sleep.

I woke up to the sound of her voice catching waves of my consciousness towards her. Each ebb and flow pulsing towards a barely audible sound.

What was there defied explanation. A boat as large as my bed floated above me. On it was a woman, though I could tell she wasn’t ordinary. Her hand felt cold to my touch. She beckoned I come closer.

And that’s when it began.

We traveled the world that night, going from crystal clear beaches to gigantic mountains in the blink of an eye. Part of me thought that we crossed the whole globe then. Maybe I was right.

I will never forget what I saw then. We went to deserts forgotten by man and fondled the sands that kept time at bay, and the waterfalls! Such pristine majesty amplified by the moonlight. I still think of them when I close my eyes.
I tried to look at her throughout all of this. My mind wanted to know who she was and how she did these things.

As if she sensed my thoughts, she set the flying ship down by a lagoon and told me her secrets.

She set before me a book, larger than any book I had seen before and told me of its power. The woman said it was called the libro de la combania and she said that it could take me anywhere I wished. All I needed to do was think of a location and I would be there in an instant.

When I asked why she was telling me this, she laughed. She said there was something in me that interested her and she asked me what I would do with the book.

I didn’t answer her right away, my mind was filled with ideas clashing to the forefront. Would I use it to go in a bank and take as much money as I’d like? Would it be better to see the world from atop mountains? Would I think of my family and return home?

Excitement raced through my thoughts, but a part of me held back.

I looked into her eyes and electricity raced through my spine.

I didn’t know why the woman scared me so much. It might have been because she was offering me so much power, but I hesitated just long enough that she noticed.

She asked me if I would reject her gift.

I didn’t reply.

A string of profanities filled the air, words that should never be put together were strung as curses directed my way.

She called me a fool and an ingrate.

Maybe I was, but I would not accept the gifts she was giving me. Not after I saw her eyes.

She kicked me out of the boat and I could feel the wind rushing past me as I fell from the sky. I prepared myself to feel the cold water from the lagoon below.

Instead of the plunging into the clear waters, I fell on my bed, in my room as if nothing had happened.

I coughed then and I noticed there was blood, a prelude to my future troubles.

And here I stay, in my bed thinking of the past and the damage that it had dealt to me.

The doctors don’t know what’s wrong with me and I won’t tell them about the woman. I asked to be returned home for palliative care. If all the needles and prodding couldn’t solve it, I didn’t want to die in a hospital bed.

My lola said she would call a faith healer. I thanked her for the gesture but I think it’s too late for me.

I close my eyes and I remember.

Her cruel eyes and the waterfalls.

And what it was like to fly.

=——————————=

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Ilocano translation by Ronan Espinueva
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Ronan Espinueva

Inspired by The Sangkabagi description in El folklore Filipino . Isabelo delos Reyes, trans. Dizon and Peralta-Imson. 1994. (Original Spanish Manuscript printed 1889)

Sangkabagi Illustration by Florence Alcantara

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

*Note this story is in Cebuano

Ang yuta nga iyang gibarugan miawit kaniya sa tanang himaya niini.

Sama na niini sukad pa sa iyang mahinumduman, kung iyang hikapon ang yuta gamit ang iyang panit nga wala’y bisti, mahibal-an niya kung diin ug sa unsang paagi kini mitumaw.

Sa pagkakaron ang iyang mga tiil nahimutang sa isla sa Panay.

Kadiyot lang nga higayon dihang midagayday kaniya ang kaamgo.

Makita niya ang langit nga natabonan sa dagkong mga pako ug ang bantogang bayani nga mitunga alang sa hagit.

Mabati niya ang lanog sa mga pwersa nga naggikan sa duha ka manggugubat.

Madungog niya ang mga lanog nga abot sa lagyong dapit, ang kaisog ug determinasyon sa usa ka bahin ug ang nagsumpaking kasaba sa yawyaw sa pikas.
Masimhot niya ang anghit nga baho sa dugo ngadto sa hangin.

Matilawan niya ang iyang kadaugan. Ang mga sensasyon mas tin-aw niining higayona, halos wala siyay higayon sa pagpahuway. Iyang gigunitan ang yuta sa iyang mga kamot ug naghulat sa laing panan-awon.

Ug ang yuta mitubag sa matang.

Ang bayani ginganlang si Dumalapdap, ang mangtas, si Ayutang.

Nilanat og pito ka buwan ang ilang panagsangka tungod kay daw managsama ra ang ilang gahom ug kusog. Apan nadiskobrehan sa bayani ang kahuyang sa mangtas.

Pinaagi sa iyang sundang nga adunay salamanangka, nga gitawag og Daniwan, iyang giduslak sa tibuok niyang kusog ang ilok ni Ayutang.
Sa dihang nahulog kini, ni-abli ang yuta ug gilamoy ang daw kabog nga mananap.

Aduna’y kabag-ohan sa yuta.

Ang mga bato sa maong dapit naunlod ngadto sa bag-ong naporma nga dagat, apan mitubo sa ibabaw ang duha ka bag-ong isla, simbolo sa kadaugan sa bayani.

Ug sa ingon, dili lang ang isla sa Panay ang nahimugso kon dili lakip sab ang Negros.

Nanghupaw siya ug gipapahuway ang gikapoy niyang hunahuna.

Laing istorya nga nahibal-an, laing adlaw nahuman.

=——————————————-=

English Version

The ground she had trodden on sang to her in all its glory.

It had been like this ever since she could remember, as soon as she touched the earth with her bare skin she would know where and how it came to be.

Today her feet rested on the island of Panay.

It only took a moment for a torrent of senses to come grasping at her.

She could see the sky being covered by gigantic wings and the great hero that came up to the challenge.

She could feel the reverberation of the blows coming from both combatants.

She could hear echoes that reached great distances, of grit and determination on one side and a cacophony of feral gibbering on the other.

She could smell the stench of blood in the air.

She could taste his victory.

The sensations were more vivid this time, barely giving her room to rest. She gripped the soil in her hands and waited for another vision.

And the earth responded in kind.

The hero’s name was Dumalapdap, the monster, Ayutang.

Their fight took seven long months as their power and prowess seemed to be equal. But the hero was able to discover the weakness of the monster.

With his magic dagger called Daniwan, he struck with all his might, the armpit of Ayutang.

When it fell the earth opened and swallowed the bat-like creature whole.

The ground shifted.

The rocks in the area sank into the newly formed sea, but jutting out to the surface were two new islands, a symbol of the hero’s victory.

And thus, it was not only the island of Panay that reached its genesis but also of Negros.

She sighed and laid her weary head to rest.

Another story known, another day finished.

=——————————————–=

*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 Arcy Salvacion
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Arcy Salvacion

Inspired by the The Hinilawod. Clavel (1972)

Ayutang Illustration by Joel Bulagnir

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

*Note this story is in Chabacano / Chavacano Caviteño

Entre na mana cenizas del monte Bita, Sulayman tá de pie firmament, ele ya pasa todo de mana casas vacíos na su camino y su corazón ya queda lleno con tristeza. Había mana juguetes pero no mana criaturas. Había mana campos pero nadie para man hace caso, había mana familias allá guna vez , pero no agora.

Sulayman ya maldecí na cielo, “ Di pagá cosa man bestea que ya hacé esto ! ” ya quedá oscuro el cielo , y ya parecí concedido su deseo.

Y el pájaro ya queda llamao Pah. Por casa na enorme figura del gran pájaro ya queda oscuro el cielo, no ansina que ya vé de nadie antes. Con rapidez ya sacá Sulayman su espada y  ya lográ corta ele uno de mana alas del bestea. El gran pájaro ya girá hacia Sulayman, y ele ya esquivá el enorme cuerpo del bestia pero ya olvida ele, el ala que ya cortá ele, aquel parte del bestia ya plastá Sulayman, este ya sana el que ta cabá su aventura, pero hay un otro.

Datu Indarapatra ya mira con agonia , cuando un pimpollo na lado de su ventana ya secá y morir, ya reculdá ele cuando su hermano Sulayman ya embarcá na su adventura na Mindanao. Ele ya articulá el mana palabras que ele ya bisa cuando ya salí Sulayman. “ Na este ponu ta sabe yo vos destino, si vos viví , si vos morí. Si vos di viví, el ponu tambien di viví, si vos di morí di morí tambien ese.

El corazón de Datu Indarapatra ya queda llenung llenu de venganza, y ele ya recogí todo de sus mana pertenencias , incluido su espada más confiable, y ele ya embarcá na un búsqueda para di buscá su hermano.

Como su hermano Sulayman , Datu Indarapatra ya viajá a través del aire , y ya buscá su mismo na montaña si onde ta crecí el mana rattán.ya vé ele el evidencia del victoria de su hermano na batalla contra na mana Kurita. El mana huesos de maná monstruo  tá llenao el suelo, y ele ya queda llenung llenu de orgullo

El seguida queda monte Matutana, el mana cadavers de mana Tarabusao podrido na suelo ta bisá con ele cosa ele nescesita di sabí. El maná lado lado , tá desprovisto pa del vida , pero el maná monstruos no ya podí man lastimar con alguien otra vez. Datu Indarapatra ya continuá na su búsqueda con maná pensamientos de maná monstruos, ta plagando su mente.

El grand muerte que ya causá de este mana criaturas queda sabido na mana tierras lejanos, incluso na su corte na tierra de puesta del sol dorada. Datu Indarapata es el que ya pedí con su hermano Sulayman para di cruzá el mar pa anda na tierra de Mindanao y hace vencé este mana gran bestias. Raja Sulayman ya andá na mindanao con su propio voluntad, para di vengá sus habitantes, si este es verdad, pero Datu Indarapatra ta sentí un punzada de la culpa, na hecho que ele es responsable na pag morí de su hermano. Ya sacudí ele esos mana pensamientos de su mente, a medida ele ta cercá na monte Bita.

El cuerpo del gran pájaro Pah ta acostá na suelo, ele ya fijá el grande ala cortada del pájaro, y ele ya alzá la,  y tallá ele ya buscá el mana huesos de su hermano. Datu Indarapatra ya llora por el sangre de su sangre, y ya queda ele consumido por el dolor.

El Cielo ya dale respuesta na su oración silenciosa. Mientras ele ya mira hacia arriba ele ya ví un bote chiquiting lleno de agua. Sabiendo cosa ele debe di hacé, ya verté ele el agua sobre na mana huesos de Sulayman, y su hermano ya queda vivo otra vez.

El monte ya queda lleno de alegria, cuando se reuní el man hermanos. Sulayman ya explicá, no ele ya murí completamente, sino durmiendo nomas. Datu indarapatra no le importaba, su corazón ya queda llenung llenu de feliz, por casa su hermano ya queda vivo y bien.

Sulayman ya volví na tierra del puesta del sol dorada, pero Datu Indarapatra ya queda. Quiere ele di cabá el que ya empezá su hermano. Tiene pa el cuarta gran bestia na monte Guryan. Datu Indarapatra ya saludá su hermano adios y ya afilá su espada. Indarapatra ya jurá ele el mismo juramento que ya hace Sulayman na su Reino. Y di ví ele ese cumplido.

=——————=

English Version

Among the ashes of Mount Bita, Sulayman stood resolute. He passed the empty homes and his heart was filled with sadness. There were toys but no children, there were farms, but no one to tend them, there were families here once.

But no more.

Sulayman cursed at the sky. Whatever beast did this would pay. The sky darkened and seemed to grant his wish.

The third was Pah.

The sky was blotted out by the enormous frame of a great bird, like nothing that was ever seen before. Sulayman was quick, he drew his sword and managed to hit its wing. The great bird spiraled towards Sulayman, and he was able to dodge its massive body, but forgot about the wing he had cut off. That part of the beast crushed Sulayman and would have ended his journey.

But there was another.

King Indarapatra watched in agony as the sapling by his window withered and died. He recalled the day his brother, Sulayman, set forth on his journey to Mindanao. He mouthed the words that he said when Sulayman left: “By this tree I will know of your fate. If you will live, it will live, and if you die, it will die also.”

King Indarapatra’s heart was filled with revenge. He gathered his belongings, including his most trusted sword and went on a quest to find his brother.

Like Sulayman, he traveled through the air and found himself on the mountain where the rattan grew. He saw evidence of his brother’s victory against the Kurita. The bones of the monster littered the area and he was filled with pride.

Next was Mount Matutun. The rotting corpse of the Tarabusaw told him all he needed to know. The surrounding areas were still barren of life, but the monster would never be able to hurt anyone again. King Indarapatra continued on his journey and thoughts of the monsters plagued his mind.

The great deaths caused by these creatures were told of in faraway lands, even reaching his court in the land of the golden sunset. It was King Indarapatra that pleaded with Sulayman to cross the seas and rid the land of Mindanao of these great beasts.

It was Sulayman’s choice to go to the distant land and avenge her people, that much was true. But King Indarapatra felt a pang of guilt that he had lead his brother to certain death.

He shook those thoughts away as he approached mount Bita.
The body of the great bird Pah lay on the ground. He noticed the severed wing of the bird and lifted it up, revealing the bones of his brother. King Indarapatra wept for the blood of his blood, so consumed with grief was he.

The heavens replied with an answer to his silent prayer. As he looked up, he saw a small jar filled with water. Knowing what he must do, he poured the water over Sulayman’s bones and his brother lived again.

Joy filled the mountain as the brothers reunited. Sulayman explained that he was not completely dead, but sleeping. King Indarapatra didn’t care, he heart was filled with great happiness that his brother was alive and well.

Sulayman returned to their home in the land of the golden sunset, but King Indarapatra stayed. He wanted to finish what his brother started. There was still the matter of the fourth great beast on Mount Gurayn.

King Indarapatra bade his brother farewell and sharpened his sword. He swore the same oath that Sulayman did and upon his kingdom, he would see it fulfilled.

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*Chavacano or Chabacano is a group of Spanish-based creole language varieties spoken in the Philippines. The variety spoken in Zamboanga City, located in the southern Philippine island group of Mindanao, has the highest concentration of speakers.  Currently existing varieties are found in Cavite City and Ternate, located in the Cavite province on the island of Luzon. Chavacano is the only Spanish-based creole in Asia.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Translation by Stacy Paredes Foote
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Stacy Paredes Foote

Continued from the Tarabusaw’s tale

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Adapted from “Mythology of Mindanao” in Philippine Folklore Stories. Cole. 1916. (Full text can be accessed at http://www.sacred-texts.com/asia/pft/index.htm

The post Pah – Chabacano / Chavacano Caviteño appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Kapampangan

Keng balen na ning Igbahay, makatuknang ya ing metung mausisang nilalang. Anyang banwa na ning Guino, 1539, linusub de reng tau ing bale na nitang marok a tau na awsang dang Talagman. Keng baleng ayta ikit do reng makapangilabut na bage. Metung kareng peka-aliwang dili itang uwak na ating tukang kasing taram na ning kutsilyu, ating yang apat a makakabang bitis, kuku, ampong tusuk.

Ngeni, sabi da reng memalen, ining nilalang ayni atin yapang kayabeng metung mas marok a nilalang. Keng sobrang karok ng Talagman, kinalat ing sabi-sabi na metung ya kanung Sigbin. Anyang panaun ayta, paniwalan da na ing Sigbin metung yang tau na magdalang sobrang karokan at kasakitan manibatan keng kayang pisalikutang lugar.

Atin lapang istorya reng memalen na metung kanung aldo atin masikan a lalaking menakit kang Talagman na kasalungsungang gagawang marok a bage anya itang lalaking ayta pinutut ne balugbug i Talagman. Ngeni, kanitang aldong ayta megi neng tradisyun kareng memalen na ning Igbahay, detang taung awsang dang Ibajaos, deng lalaki sadya dong paputut reng karelang kailing balugbug. Ing panyaptang dang ayni paniwalang dang makalakong bisa ketang kasunduwan na nitang Sigbin ampo nitang Espiritu na awsang dang Oag. Ining Oag ayni metung yang nilalang na mamyeng laru na makapamyeng sikanan keng metung a tau para magi yang Sigbin.

Makanita ya karok i Talagman, na mangaman ngeni, reng tau pane dang istorya da nung makananung ing kayang lawe malyari yang makapamyeng kasakitan kareng menakit. Pane de muring istorya nung makananung deng akakit I Talagmang deng karelang kanunuhan na kukwang basyu at didinan neng laru ing kayang katawan. Sinulapo ya keng angin at melakwan ya ing kapitna na ning kayang katawan keng bale.

Ing karokan at katsurang ugali ng Talagman pante ya ketang awsan ng Uac-Uac, ing kayang kaluguran. Ining uwak ah mamyeng disgrasya ayni panwalan de muring mamateng biktima pauli na ning pamanyaksak keng karelang gulut gamit ing mataram ng tuka kabang kukutkut ne ing kayang kuku keng laman na ning tau. Pauli na ning sobrang tula keng pamamanyeng kasakitan kareng tau, sadya lang susulapo kayabe na ning kayang among Sigbin para manintung laman na ning taung karelang pikutkutang kuku.

Ining istoryang ayni dinalan a banwa ne ing milabas, oneng magpanggang ngeni mapali ya parin keng panimanman da reng tau. Patye ikit me ing uac-uac a apat a bitis, mingat ka uling paniguradung kayabe ne at atyu yamu nung lokarin ing kayang amu.

=——————————–=

English Version

In the town of Igbahay, there exists a curious creature. In the year of the Lord, 1539, the people of the town raided the house of an evil man called Talagman. In his house they found many horrors. One most strange was a black crow with a beak as sharp as a knife, four long feet and claws and spines.

Now, it was said by the townsfolk that this creature was the companion of something more malicious. The evil of Talagman was so great that the people of the town whispered that he was a sigbin. In those days, a sigbin was a man who caused great evil and harm from his hiding place.

The townsfolk even tell a story of one day when a strong man caught Talagman in the middle of an evil act and the strong man cut off Talagman’s ear. Now, in those days there was a tradition in the town of Igbahay, whose people are called the Ibajaos, where certain men would have their left ear cut off. This practice was to break the pact that sigben would have with the spirit called oag, the creature that gives the oil which would make a man become a sigben.

Such was the evil of Talagman that, to this day, people would tell stories of how his glance alone would cause harm. They still say of stories where their great-great-great grandparents would see Talagman take a small flask, anoint his body with oil and fly through the air leaving half of his body in his house.

The cruelty and malice of Talagman had his match in the uac-uac, his companion. The misshapen crow would stab victims with its sharp beak and take great pleasure in raking its claws against the flesh of humans. So great was its love of torture that it would fly with its sigben master to find fresh meat that it could dig its claws in.

This story is of hundreds of years past, but always be warned. If you see the uac-uac and its four legs, know that its master will not be far behind.

————————–————————–————————–

Inspired by “The Legend of the Sigbin.” Pavon (1838-1839) in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Uac-uac Illustration by NightmareSyrup
Tumblr: http://nightmaresyrup.tumblr.com/

The post Uac-uac – Kapampangan Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Kahit na masakit ang kaniyang likod, sinabayan pa ng  pamamaga ng kaniyang paa ay nakapagbalik-balik pa rin siya sa banyo. Sa lahat ng kaniyang naranasan, ni hindi siya kailan man nagreklamo.

Nasa ikapitong buwan na si Clara sa kaniyang pagbubuntis at ngayon ay  naka-bed rest. Ang kaniyang asawa na si Angelo, hindi muna pumasok sa trabaho, pinaghahanda siya ng kaniyang almusal.

Sa tabi ng kaniyang higaan, tumunog bigla ang kaniyang telepono.

“Hello?”

Sa kabilang linya narinig niya ang namamaos na boses ng isang babaeng matanda.

“Hello, si Clara Campos po ito, sino po sila?”

“Ikaw ba yung buntis na nakatira sa Zaragosa Street?”

“Sino po sila? Pa’no niyo po nakuha ang numerong ito?”

“Huwag kang lalabas ng inyong bahay! Nasa peligro ka!”

“Prank call ba ‘to? Hindi nakakatuwa ah!”

“Para ito sa kapakanan ng nasa iyong sinapupunan! Kailangan mong makinig sa akin!

Maari namang ibaba ni Clara ang telepono. Maari naman niyang hindi na pansinin ang pinagsasabi ng nasa kabilang linya at magpatuloy sa pangkaraniwan niyang ginagawa araw-araw. Pero nagbabago ang mga bagay-bagay kapag ikaw ay magiging isang ina. Kahit gaano pa ito kakaiba, kung may dulot naman ito sa iyong anak, gagawin mo ito. Walang kahit na anong tanong.

“Ano po bang nais mong sabihin?” Tumataas na ang tono ng boses ni Clara. “Ano pong koneksyon nito sa aking baby?”

“Makinig ka!”

Sa kalagitnaan ng sasabihin nito, ay yumakap ang katahimikan. Ramdam ni Clara ang pintig ng kaniyang puso dulot ng kaba.

“May dumadating tuwing gabi. Kapag may narinig kang tunog na palapit sa inyo. Magtaklob ka. Magtabi ka ng patalim at kalamansi bilang proteksyon sa kasamaan nito. Huwag magpakasigurado na ligtas ka dahil nasa bahay ka. Kaya nitong pumasok sa mga naiwang bukas na bintana kahit pa sa mga  kasulok-sulukan ng inyong mga dinging para lamang sa iyong nasa sinapupunan.

“Ano po ito?” Saka darating para sa aking baby?”

Sa isang saglit ay nagkaroon ng mahabang katahimikan. Yinakap ng kaba si Clara na nagdulot ng kakaibang pakiramdam.

“Maghanda kayo. Darating ang tiktik!”

At biglang binaba nito ang tawag.

Matapos ang ilang minuto, pumasok si Angelo para bigyan ng almusal si Clara. Ngunit napansin nito ang ekspresyon ng kaniyang asawa. “Ayos ka lang ba, sweetheart? Para kang nakakita ng multo ah!”

“Wala, wala ito.”

Hindi niya maisip kung bakit siya nagsinungaling sa kaniyang asawa. Siguro ay nahiya siya sa kaniyang sarili na may bahagi sa kaniyang puso na naniniwala sa sinabi ng tumawag na matanda. Pero kahit ayaw niyang aminin, napansin niya ang pagyakap ng kaniyang mga kamay sa kaniyang tyan.

“Darating daw mamayang gabi.”

“Huh? Ano ‘yon, sweetheart?”

“Wala, Gelo. May naisip lang ako bigla.”

“Ahh, pero huwag ka ngang masyadong mag-aalala. Nakasasama ‘yan sa ating baby.”

“Oo, alam ko. Susubukan kong hindi masyadong mag-alala. Salamat pala sa almusal.”

“Sige na, kumain ka na. Maglilinis pa ako ng kusina.”

“Okey babe.”

Nawalan ng ganang kumain si Clara, ngunit kailangan niyang magpalakas para sa kaniyang baby. Kailangang niyang protektahan ang kaniyang baby. Ito ang pinakamahalaga para sa kaniya.

Sumapit na ang dilim. Natulog na si Clara.

Mag-isa lamang siya sa kaniyang kuwarto. At tanging mahinang tunog lamang ang naririnig niya.

Tik-Tik-Tik!

Parang may mali sa hangin. Naging maalinsangan sa buong kuwarto. Inikot niya ang kaniyang tingin sakaling may makitang bagay na para maipagtanggol ang sarili. Bagay na magbibigay ng kapanatagan sa kaniya.

Sa gilid  ng kaniyang higaan, agad-agad niyang kinuha ang nakatabing kutsilyo.

Lumipas ang ilang minuto, na naging oras, at patuloy pa rin ang pagiging alerto ni Clara. Tila naghihintay ng kung anong sunod na mangyayari.

Ramdam ni Clara ang pagod at hapo ngunit hindi ito nagging alintana sa kaniya upang gumalaw o magbago ng posisyon. Hanggat sa may napansin siyang gumagalaw sa madilim na sulok.

Isang manipis na linyang kulay pula. Parang isang laso. Bigla itong yumakap nang mahigpit sa kaniyang hita. Ramdam niya ang lamig na tumatagos hanggang sa kaniyang mga buto.

Mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang kutsilyo sabay na nilaslas ang pulang linyang yumayakap sa kaniyang hita. Pagkatapos ay narinig ang napakalakas, paimpit na tila mula sa gutom na nilalang  na ni minsa ay hindi nabuhay sa mundong ibabaw.

Pagkatapos ay nakita niya ang tunay na katauhan ng linyang pula. Tila mas kasuklam-suklam na bersyon ni Frakenstein. Ang  katawan nito ay katawan ng tao at katawan ng ibon na pinagsama.  Tumutulo sa katawan nito ang mga dugo at ang mga mata nito ay punong-puno ng galit na nakatitig sa kaniya.

Panaginip lang pala.

Basang-basa ng pawis ang kaniyang unan. Natanong si Angelo kung ayos lang siya. Binalewala niya lang ang tanong. Sinabi na lang niya na bahagi lang ito ng kaniyang pagbubuntis.

Tumayo siya upang tumungo sa kusina para uminom. Kinulit ulit siya ni Angelo at sinabing siya na ang kukuha. Ngunit hindi nagpatinig si Clara. Kayang-kaya naman daw.

Alam ni Clara na tila kabaliwan ang mga nasa isip niya. Pero para sa kasiguraduhan, dali-dali niyang kinuha ang kutsilyo sa kusina.

=——————————-=

English Version

Her back aches, her feet are sore and she just went to the bathroom for the third time this past hour, but through it all she had never been more thankful for the pain.

It was the seventh month of her pregnancy and Clara was on bedrest. Her husband, Angelo, had taken the day off work and was busy making her breakfast.

By the bedside the phone rang.

“Hello?”

It was the raspy voice of a woman, unfamiliar to Clara.

“Hello, this is Clara Campos, who is this?”

“Is this the pregnant woman that lives on Zaragosa street?”

“Who is this? How did you get this number?”

“Do not go outside your house! You’re in terrible danger!”

“Is this a prank call?! It’s not funny!”

“It’s for your baby! You have to listen to me!”

Clara should have put the phone down. She should have ignored whoever it was on the phone and continued on with her day. But things change when you’re about to become a mother. No matter how crazy things might seem, if there’s even the tiniest chance of helping your baby, you do it. No questions asked.

“What are you talking about?” Clara’s tone was sharp. “What does this have to do with my baby.”

“Listen to me!” There was a pause and, in the silence, Clara could feel her heartbeat echo in her bones.

“It comes in the night. Once you hear the sounds coming, head for cover. Keep a knife and kalamansi around you to protect yourself from its evil. Do not think that just because you are in your home you are safe. It can creep in through unseen corners and open windows and it will come for your baby!”

“What is it? What will come for my baby?!”

There was another long pause and Clara felt the anticipation seep into her skin, making it tingle.

“The tiktik will come for you. Be prepared.”

And the line went dead.

It was a few minutes before Angelo came in and gave Clara breakfast in bed. He noticed the look on her face and asked,

“What’s wrong sweetheart? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“It’s nothing. Nothing at all.”

She didn’t know why she lied to her husband. Part of her was ashamed for thinking that a crazy phone call had any effect on her, but she noticed that she was holding her stomach tight.

“It comes in the night.”

“What was that sweetheart?”

“Nothing, Gelo, just thinking about something.”

“Well don’t think too much. Worrying can’t be good for the baby.”

“Yes, of course. I’ll try not to stress myself out. Thank you for breakfast.”

“Now go eat, I’ll clean up in the kitchen.”

“Okay babe.”

Clara could feel her appetite slipping away, but she fought through it. She needed to think of the baby.

It was the only thing that mattered.

That night, Clara drifted off into a dream.

She was in her bedroom and Angelo was nowhere to be seen. She could hear a soft sound throughout the room.

Tik-Tik-Tik-Tik

There was something wrong in the air, an aura of heaviness that permeated the entire room. She looked around to see if there was anything she could use to defend herself, something that would make her feel safe.

By her bedside there was a knife and she grabbed it readily before anything could happen.

Minutes passed, maybe hours and Clara sat alert on her bed, waiting.

Her eyelids felt heavy and tiredness enveloped her body, but she would not move from her position. And in the darkness, she could notice something moving.

It was a thin, red line, almost like a ribbon. It twisted around her leg and she could feel it like ice coursing through her veins.

She took the knife and slashed at the red line and was greeted with an inhuman scream, a loud, guttural ululation that didn’t belong in this world.

And then she saw it. It was as if a bird and a man had been twisted together in some Frankenstein like abomination. Drops of red were falling from its mouth and its eyes burned with fury.

And then she awoke.

Her pillow was soaked with a cold sweat and Angelo asked her if she was okay. Clara brushed it off, saying it was just the pregnancy and hopefully she would brush it off and get more rest later.

She got up and said she was going to get a glass of water, telling Angelo she could get it herself this time.

Clara went to the kitchen and grabbed the first knife she saw and remembered, if there’s even a slightest chance, you take it.

No matter how crazy it may seem.

*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 Kenn Empuesto
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Kenn Empuesto

Story inspired by the Tiktik descriptions from Western Visayas

Tiktik Illustration by Ian Sagun
FB: Ian Sagun Art​
Instagram: @iansagunart

The post Tiktik – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Kapampangan

“Alberto, matudtud naka!”, anang Neni anyang linawe ni i Alberto king kwartu na. Mebigla ya makakera ne pala.

Apansin na medyu matamle ya. Pigaganakan na pota ali na ne na naman matudtud masalese.

“Opu!.Matudtud naku pu!” Pakibat nang Albertu a makaulas na.

Yapin na ita. Pete na neng Neni ing sulu kaybat neng sebyanang matudtud ne i Alberto.

“Bukas munta tamu park, ne?” Anang Neni kalwal nang pasbul.

“Matudtud ta na puuuuu!” Pakibat nang Alberto.

———————————————————————————————————————————– “Manuyab ya pa i Alberto kabang makasake ya king kabayu nang de pakpak susulapo kareng ulap. Balamu mo napun mu milyari itang anyang minsang mekisabi ya itang metung prinsesa ning Kahangian a ali na ne pa ituluy itang metung pamaglusub na.

Balu nang Alberto, ali ya makaali patse ating pamipagsapalaran.

Oneng ngeni, buri nang Alberto, mayari na ing pamipagsapalaran a ita.Balamu malabug nang manyabut king alang aggang pamaglusub da reng ayup.

Ali la ordinaryung ayup deni. Balamu payung lang susula-sulapo kareng ulang ning Kahangian. Ana ning prisesa kang Alberto, madalas ali no man bubulad ampong manablas deng ayup oneng ngeni sinapak nala. Pigaganakan na ning prinsesa, ini pa ing umpisa ning mas madagul a pamaglusub king kaarian da.

Pilang domingu nala ding tatabi Alberto, kayabe ning kabayu na, deng ayup palawut king kaarian. Agyang buri na ning prinsesa a gumamit yang puersa i Alberto, ena la agyung panasakitan deng  ayup.

Kayari na ning pekatawling kumpul ning ayup, pepaawus ne ning prinsesa i Alberto king kwartu na.

Kailangan na neng yarian Alberto ini. Sayang king oras ing gagawan nang Albertong pamanabi kareng ayup nung magbalik la din naman. Dininan neng kaun i Alberto at sebyanan neng munta king ari da reng ayup para paten ne.

Biklat neng Alberto ing kaun at mebigla ya anyang akit na na espada ya ing makalage a makaukit ing keyang lagyu. Mabayat yang lub linawe king prinsesa saka ya miniling.

Ali na agyu ing pagawa na. Ali solusyun ing pamanasakit para kaya. Likwan ne ing kaun king kwartu na ning prinsesa saka ya sinake kabayu na.

Mituknang mu ing egana-ganang ini nung masunud yamu buri i Alberto.

———————————————————————————————————————————–Tiniman ya ing kabayu nang Alberto. Uling kabayu ne mu, mesane neng ali sasabing pilubluban na oneng ngeni, ali ne mekabata.

Masaya iya na ustu ya ing desisyun nang Alberto. Ali no man manakit deng ayup. Istorbu la deng ayup king kaarian ning prinsesa oneng angga mu karin.

Sinulagpo lang adwa ning kabayu na kareng ulap angga king agyu na ning kabayu na. Nung nanu ya kagaling ing kabayu na king pamanlundag, makanita neman kapalpak kareng pakpak na. Pabusbus a  sinugud kareng ayup, mekapangan ya pang pipilang bulbul ayup i Alberto, agga king atupan de ing ari da reng ayup.

Dinuku ya ing kabayu nang Alberto. Agyang kabayu ya, atin ya pa din dayang ayup at kailangan nang tuki kareng aliwang batus-ayup bangkanita ali de kamuan deng aliwang ayup.

Asneng karagul ing ari da reng ayup. King kadagul na, mitatakpan ne alus ing aldo king katawan na. Linawe ne ning ari da reng ayup i Alberto ampo ing kabayu na saka na sinabi, “Ninu ikayu? Ampong nanung gagawan yu keni?”

Makaduku ya pa din ing kabayu anyang dimdam neng mekibat i Alberto.

“Bakit ye pu lulusuban ing kaarian?”, anang Alberto.

“Nanung buri mung sabyan?! Ala kung lulusuban! Panikwanan ku mung misubli ya ing kakung pibandian!”

Melukut ya kanuan i Alberto king pangalitu na.

“Oneng sabi na pu ning prinsesa kaku, ikayu pu ining linusub!”

“Iya ing minuna aliwa yaku! Penako ne ing kakung korona! Kaya kula papuntalan deng kakung alagad bangkanita akwa ke ita!”

“Oneng ana pu ning prinsesa –”

Dirutan ne ning ari da reng ayup i Alberto saka ne lege ing tuktuk na king lupa na.

“Abalitan da naka. Ika ampo ning kabayu mung de pakpak. Malwat da na kayung daramdaman kening kaarian a ini. Ngeni, makisabi kung mayap, isubli ye ing kakung korona. Patse milyari ita, metung mung amanu ku, tuknang na la reng alagad ku.”

Linawe ya ing Alberto king kabayu na at sabe lang tinangu.

———————————————————————————————————————————–Makalawe ya ing prinsesa king salamin kabang susuklen de reng alagad ing buak na. Ali na isip-isipang tanggian ne ning metung tawu ing keyang regalu. Siguru king susunud, ditak pang lua, ala nang makatanggi king regalu na.

Sebyanan na lang lumwal deng keyang alagad. Linub ya king metung sikretung pasbul. Keng kilub ning kwartu, metung a baul. At king kilub ning baul, metung a premyu a pakiingatan na.

Pekamasanting yang korona king buung Kahangian. Atin yang bala makaburdang batuin ibat king langit. Gintung inaseru nang Ginton. Atin yan kasantingan a bage king pekamalagung prinsesa kareng ulap.

“Malaram!”, Gulisak nang Alberto king kwartu na ning prinsesa.

Memigsu yang menakbag ing korona king bigla na. Ali na isipan a mibalik ya agad ing tawung tinubud na.

“Malaram ka!”, anang ginulisak pasibayu.

“Katnamu atyu naka! Atyu la deng ayup nandin keni buri deng kunan ing korona kaku!”, ana ning prinsesa sabe atin ginilid lua king mata na. Ali mu minsang ginana ya ing makanining palusut na ning prinsesa. Nung ginana ya dati, gumana ya din ngeni.

“Ali me bandi yan!”, Anang Alberto kabang linapit la ning abayu na king prinsesa.

“Ali ya kaku pero ken yang tatang ku ini! Maiinggit lamu deng ayup kanaku kaya buri deng kuanan kanaku ini. Ali mu naman paburen ita, ali? Saupan mu ku,” Ngeni, manulu na ing lua king pisngi na kabang lalen ne i Alberto king mata.

“Malaram!”, anang Alberto kaybat neng dinaklut ing korona saka sinake kabayu na.

“Dakpan ye yan!”, Ana ning prinsesa ka reng guardya na.

Sibukan de pang tagalan i Alberto oneng mekalagpas nala kareng susulapong ubingan a makabante king puntud nang Ulilangkalulua. Patse milagpas naka karin, mengari nakang pagong a ali milako king bale mu.

“Ali naka makabalik keni kapilan man!”, gulisak na ning prinsesa kareng ulap. “Pantunan daka tandanan mu yan!”

“Dinumug de reng ayup di Alberto ampo ning kabayu na. Metula lang mayap a tatalnan neng Alberto ing korona ning ari da.”

“Kapate na naka ning kaarian ning prinsesa mu,” Ana ning ari da reng ayup.

“Wa pin pu.”

“Salamat keka. Manibat ngeni asaan mung saupan naka ning kaarian da reng ayup nung sakaling kailangan mu.”

“Salamat pu.”

Makatiman yang linaweng i Alberto king kabayu na. Kinawul neng Alberto ing kabayu na at saka neman mekibat ing kabayu na. Balu da na ustu ya ing desisyun a gewa da agyang ngening atin nalang kapate madagul.

“Atsing Neni, mapagal naku pu!”

“Oh, sige, Alberto. Miglip naka pa. Ligpit mula deng kinalat mung crayola, ne?”

“Opu.”

Ngening aldo, maranun yang tinikdo i Alberto ampong mig-almusal. Migaganaka ya pa din i Neni na eya mekatudtud masalese i Alberto oneng balu na na makabawi neman king tudtud nung miglip ya.

Sinopan neng ligpit deng Crayola nang Alberto. Magtaka ya mu pin nung bakit payung ing pane nang do-drawing.

“Atsing Neni, ayup, oh!” anang Alberto kabang papakit ne ing ayup a dinrowing na lupang payung. Mas maragul yamu pin kareng aliwang payung.

“Ay! Kasanting na naman niyaaaaan! Oh, tara na, ne? Magligpit ta na saka naka matudtud, ne?”

“Opu!”

English Version

“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

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 Hubot – Kapampangan Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

Ek-Ek-Ek

Kinulbaan ang mal-am sang makabati kang huni halin sang iya kwarto. Hutik na, “ Dios ko, indi daad tana.” Nagsinggit siya kag nagapangamuyo nga kahadlukan kang sapat ang iya tingug. Pay nakabalo siya nga indi makaabot ang iya tingug sa kwarto sang iya bata nga nagakaturog.

Ek-Ek-Ek

Uyon niya magdara sang kutsilyo pay waay  dun tana ka oras nga mag-adto sang kusina. Nagapangita siya ka puwede madara gikan sa iya kuwarto. Nakit-an na ang pares kang gunting. “Sakto na diya.” Waay dun sang oras nga mag-isip, karun pa nga na sa pigado dun sanda nga sitwasyon.  Nagdalagan tana paguwa sa iya nga kwarto nga may kaput nga gunting, nagapangamuyo nga sakto dun ang iyang ginakaptan.

Ek-Ek-Ek

Sang paparapit dun, nagsinggit duman tana kang tama ka kakusog. Nagahandum siya nga mapukaw ang tanan nga imaw sa balay. Man-an niya nga isa lang ang iya bata sa kwarto. Ginbuksan niya ang puwertahan samtang may kaput niya mangid ang gunting.

Ek-Ek-Ek

Nakit-an niya ang sapat. Malabog, adto ang pula nga dila sang busong sang iya bata. Nadumduman na ang indi malimtam nga gab-I sang mabatian niya ang huni.  Ang gab-I kun diin nadura ang iya una nga bata. Nangako tana nga indi dun matabo sa kung sin-o man sa iya nga pamilya ang natabo sa iya.

Ek-Ek-Ek

Kaput sang mal-am  ang  gunting kag gin atubang ang iya nga daman.

=-=——————————–=

English Version

Ek-Ek-Ek

The old woman hears the sound from her bedroom and her heart drops. “Please God not her.”, she whispers. She screams, and silently hopes that this can be enough to scare the creature away but she knows that her voice isn’t strong enough to reach her daughter’s bedroom.

Ek-Ek-EK

There’s not enough time to go to the kitchen to get a knife, it might be too late. She looks around her room and sees a pair of scissors. “Good enough.” she thinks. But there’s no time to think, not when this much is at stake. She runs out of her room with the scissors in her hand, praying that it may be enough.

Ek-EK-EK

She is close enough now. She screams again, louder than before, louder than anything she has ever screamed. It may be enough to wake up the others in the house, but she knows her daughter is alone in the room. She opens the door with the scissors in her hand.

EK-EK-EK

She stares down the beast. She sees its long, red tongue attached to her daughter’s womb and she remembers that dark stormy night when she first heard the sounds. When she lost her first baby. She vows that it will never hurt her family ever again.

EK-EK-EK

The old woman grasps the scissors in her hand and charges at her nightmare.

————————–————————–————————–—

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Hiligaynon translation by Zyryl Leal Abuyen
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Zyryl Leal Abuyen

Story inspired by the Ekek legends

Ekek Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
FB: That Guy With A Pen

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

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

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Noong 1539, sa bayan ng Igbahay, mayroong namataang isang kakaibang nilalang kaya’t nilusob ng mga tao ang pinanggalingang bahay nito. Mula sa pinagtataguang bahay na ito ay may nakita silang maraming kakilakilabot. Napag-alaman nilang tirahan ito ng isang masamang tao na kilala sa tawag  na Talagman. Ang kakaibang nilalang na kasama nito sa bahay ay isang uwak na may tuka na kasingtulis ng kutsilyo, may apat na mahahabang mga paa at mga matutulis na kuko na puno ng mga tinik.

Bulung bulungan ng mga taong-bayan na si Talagman ay isang di pangkaraniwang nilalang at may taglay na kasamaan.  Diumano siya ay isang  sigbin o isang aswang na noong mga panahong iyon ay sanhi ng malaking kasamaan at pinsala  sa kanilang bayan.

Ilang kwento pa ng mga taga-bayan noon ay  nahuli ng isang malakas na lalaki si Talagman sa gitna ng isang masamang gawain at pinutol ng malakas na lalaki ang tenga nito. Isang nakaugalian ng mga Ibajao sa  bayan ng Igbahay ang pagpuputol ng kaliwang tainga ng ilang piling tao. Ang tradisyon na ito ay upang sirain ang kasunduan na magkakaroon  sa espiritung tinatawag na oag. Ang Oag ang nilalang na nagbibigay ng langis para maging sigbin o aswang ang isang tao.

Ayon din sa maga taong bayan, Ang  mga mata ni Talagman ay may kakaibang kapangyarihan na nakapagdudulot ng kapahamakan sa taong tititigan nito. Nagpasalin salin din ang kwento mula pa sa mga  ninuno na  itong si Talagman raw ay nakitang kumuha ng maliit na prasko, pinahiran ng langis ang kanyang katawan at lumipad habang ang kalahati ng kanyang katawan ay naiwan sa kanyang bahay

At hindi nga nag-iisa sa kalupitan at kasamaan si Talagman. Palagi nitong kasama sa kanyang paglipad at paghahanap ng sariwang karne ang walang kasing itim na Uac-uac.  Sinasaksak ng Uac-uac ang kanyang mabibiktima gamit ng kanyang matalas na tuka at ganun din ang  matataliim na kuko sa pagdagit ng laman ng mga ito.  Labis ang pagkalugod nito sa ginagawang kasamaan kasama ang amo nitong sigbin.

Ang kwentong ito ay daan-daang taon na ang nakalilipas na laging nagpapaalala o nagbibigay babala. Kung makikita mo ang Uac-uac at ang apat na paa nito, hindi malayong nasa paligid din lamang ang amo nitong si Talagman.

=————————=

English Version

In the town of Igbahay, there exists a curious creature. In the year of the Lord, 1539, the people of the town raided the house of an evil man called Talagman. In his house they found many horrors. One most strange was a black crow with a beak as sharp as a knife, four long feet and claws and spines.

Now, it was said by the townsfolk that this creature was the companion of something more malicious. The evil of Talagman was so great that the people of the town whispered that he was a sigbin. In those days, a sigbin was a man who caused great evil and harm from his hiding place.

The townsfolk even tell a story of one day when a strong man caught Talagman in the middle of an evil act and the strong man cut off Talagman’s ear. Now, in those days there was a tradition in the town of Igbahay, whose people are called the Ibajaos, where certain men would have their left ear cut off. This practice was to break the pact that sigben would have with the spirit called oag, the creature that gives the oil which would make a man become a sigben.

Such was the evil of Talagman that, to this day, people would tell stories of how his glance alone would cause harm. They still say of stories where their great-great-great grandparents would see Talagman take a small flask, anoint his body with oil and fly through the air leaving half of his body in his house.

The cruelty and malice of Talagman had his match in the uac-uac, his companion. The misshapen crow would stab victims with its sharp beak and take great pleasure in raking its claws against the flesh of humans. So great was its love of torture that it would fly with its sigben master to find fresh meat that it could dig its claws in.

This story is of hundreds of years past, but always be warned. If you see the uac-uac and its four legs, know that its master will not be far behind.

————————–————————–————————–

*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 Rhodora Garcia-Medina
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Rhodora Garcia-Medina

Inspired by “The Legend of the Sigbin.” Pavon (1838-1839) in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Uac-uac Illustration by NightmareSyrup
Tumblr: http://nightmaresyrup.tumblr.com/

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