*Note this story is in Tagalog

Hulyo 7, 1988

Nagsampa ng reklamo ang mga may-ari ng babuyan ukol sa kalagayan ng kanilang mga alagang hayop. Nakita na lamang nila ang kanilang alaga na nagkapira-piraso ang mga laman at animo’y kinain ng mabangis na hayop. Nangyari ang pagsalakay sa ilang may-ari lamang at sa hindi matukoy na dahilan. Ang mga testimonya ng mga may-ari ng nasabing babuyan ay nakalahad sa ulat.

Joselito Guevarra, edad 52

“Nasa labas ako at inaabangan ko kung ano mang pumapatay sa mga alaga kong baboy. Mayroong tila isang malaking anino at hindi ko matukoy kung ano. Marahil ay kasing laki ito ng isang baka. Nasaksihan ko na pumunta ito sa kulungan ng baboy at isa-isang pinatay ang mga naroon. Talagang kakila-kilabot ang naganap.

Teresito Cruz, aged 58

“Narining ko lamang na ang nakakabinging pagtangis ng mga baboy. Hindi ko batid kung ano ba ito pero tila may dala itong kalupitan. Sinakmal nito ang leeg ng ilang baboy at ilan ay pinabayaang dumugo lang.”

Alfonso Moreno, edad 63

“Isa itong aswang, sigurado ako doon. Dito sa mga bahagi ng Marinduque, mayroong mga aswang na kayang magpalit ng kaanyuan at tanging baboy lang ang binibiktima.”

Vicente Cabarro, edad 61

“Nabigla na lang ako. Natutulog ako ng marinig ko ang malakas na pag-iyak ng alaga kong mga baboy. Nang lumabas ako upang tingnan sila, nakita ko na lang na nakahandusay ang mga ito sa lupa at wala ng buhay. Kitang-kita ang kagat sa kanilang mga leeg.

Paolo Nesperos, edad 43

“Yung ibang nag-aalaga ng baboy din siguro ang  may pakana nito. Ayaw nila ng mga ka-kompetisyon, kaya’t marapat na pinapatay nila ang alaga ng iba para makapaghiganti lang.”

Kung ano man ito, natigil ang patayan sa mga baboy limang buwan matapos ito iulat sa kinauukulan. Kung nagkataon man ito o hindi, ito rin ang parehong panahon na umalis si Teresito Cruz at nagpakalayo-layo. Siya ang tinuturong salarin sa nangyari pero walang sapat na katibayan laban sa kanya upang iusad ng mga pulis ang kaso.

=————————————–=
English Version

Case # KJGM1771

July 7, 1988

Farmers have filed a complaint that their livestock has been found mutilated and in some cases eaten by a wild animal. The attacks only happen during the night with some of the farmers unable to see what the cause was. Testimonials of the farmers are included in the report.

Joselito Guevarra, age 52

“I was out at night waiting for whatever it was that was killing my pigs. There was a giant blur of black and I couldn’t make it out It may have been as large as a bull. I saw it come into the pig sty and attacking the pigs one by one. It was a slaughter.”

Teresito Cruz, age 58

“I only heard the sound of the pigs as they squealed.. I don’t know what it was, but it was cruel. It bit the throats of my pigs and left some of them to bleed out.”

Alfonso Moreno, age 63

“It was an aswang, I’m sure of it. In these parts of Marinduque there are aswang that can change their form and only hunt pigs.”

Vicente Cabarro, Age 61

“It was a surprise. I was sound asleep when I heard the squealing of my pigs. The moment I went out I saw their bodies all on the ground. Something had taken bites out of their throats.”

Paolo Nesperos , age 43

“It might be some of the other farmers, they don’t like that the other pigs are growing fatter than theirs so they take revenge by killing the pigs.”

Whatever the case, the killings stopped 5 months after they were reported. Coincidentally or not it was also the time when Teresito Cruz had moved away, the other farmers blame him for their pigs being slaughtered, but there is not enough evidence against him for the police to act.

=—————————————————–=

Inspired by the Mambababoy legends from Marinduque

Mambababoy Illustration by Glendford Lumbao
Behance: https://www.behance.net/glendfordlumbao

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

*Note this poem is in Tagalog

KORO

KOROKOTO

Kutíng maingay

KORO

KOROKOTO

Nakahanap ng pilyong bata

KORO

KOROKOTO

Nagmistulang tao

KORO

KOROKOTO

May masamang plano

KORO

KOROKOTO

Nag antay sa mga puno

KORO

KOROKOTO

Hinablot siya sa tuhod

KORO

KOROKOTO

Hiniwa siya ng pirapiraso

KORO

KOROKOTO

Kinain ang kumakabog niyang puso

KORO

KOROKOTO

Kutíng maingay

KORO

KOROKOTO

Nakahanap ng pilyong bata

=————————————————=

English Version

KORO

KOROKOTO

Noisy little cat

KORO

KOROKOTO

Found a little brat

KORO

KOROKOTO

Turned into a man

KORO

KOROKOTO

Had an evil plan

KORO

KOROKOTO

Waited in the trees

KORO

KOROKOTO

Grabbed him by the knees

KORO

KOROKOTO

Cut him into parts

KORO

KOROKOTO

Ate his beating heart

KORO

KOROKOTO

Noisy little cat

KORO

KOROKOTO

Found a little brat

=—————————————————————=

*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.

*Korokoto is onomatopeic, it is the sound the creature makes as well as its name.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Translation by Raven
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Raven

Inspired by the Korokoto myths from Eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao.

Korokoto Illustration by Rai Hamid
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The post Korokoto – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Bumibilis ang pagtibok ng kaniyang puso habang nakatingin sa isang babae sa bar. Ngumiti ba siya kay Sam?

Nag-iisip siya ng maaari niyang gawin: Ang pinakaposibleng mangyari ay hindi siya pansinin kapag niyaya niya itong makipag-usap. Kapag naman tumagal ang usapan, kinatatakutan niya na hindi maging interesado ang babae dahil wala siya gaanong maikukuwento. Palaisipan naman sa kakayahan niya na makausap at makuha ang numero nito dahil nangangailangan ng lakas ng loob para magawa iyon.

Lumugok si Sam ng alak para magkaroon siya ng tapang at hinahanda ang sarili sa mga sasabihin: “Gaano ka kadalas dito?” Pangit, gamitin na. “Naglalaro ka ba ng soccer? Nasalo mo kasi ang puso ko.” Masyadong korni, baka iwanan ako bago ko pa matapos. Paano kaya kung, “Ang hirap hindi mapansin ang iyong kagandahan mula sa aking kinauupuan.” Tuwid ang gustong ipaalam, baka gumana.

Naglalakad siya papunta sa babae hanggang sa nakalimutan niya ang kaniyang sasabihin. Naantig siya sa kagandahan nito sa malapitan. Nauutal si Sam at nagmamadali kung ano ang sasabihin, at naisipan niya na lang na magpakilala “Kumusta, ako si Sam.”

Ngumiti ang babae sa kaniya at tumawa, “Nakakatawa ka, ayos lang naman ako, ako pala si Samantha.”

“Ibang klase, Sam din ang pangalan mo?” Sabay siyang naguguluhan sa kung ano ang pag-uusapan nila at napapaisip dahil sa ganda ng boses ni Samantha.

“Gusto mo ba akong samahan? Kikitain ko dapat yung mga kaibigan ko pero hindi sila makakapunta, kaya nandito lang ako mag-isa. Ngumiti ulit si Samantha at nahuli niya si Sam sa kaniyang pakay.

“…sige, walang problema!” Nilakasan ni Sam ang kaniyang loob at nagtanong, “Gaano ka kadalas dito?”

“Hindi gaano, hindi talaga ako mahilig sa lugar na ito. Gusto ko ng lugar na puwedeng sumayaw. Nandito lang talaga ako dahil sa mga kaibigan ko.”

“Ano yung nangyari sa kanila?”

“Bigla silang kinailangan sa mga bahay nila, ngayon nakabihis na ako at hindi alam ang gagawin.”

“Alam ko naman na makakahanap tayo ng lugar na magugustuhan mo.” Ngumiti si Sam, pero sa totoo lang nagdarasal na sana gumana ang kaniyang linyahan.

“Ano ang gusto mong gawin?” Tanong ni Samantha.

“Mayroon akong alam na lugar na matitipuhan mo. Malaki ang sayawan, at magaling din ang DJ magsama-sama ng mga kanta. Kung papayag ka na kasama mo ako.

“Ayos lang sa akin. Para naman hindi sayang yung lakad.” Inabot niya ang kamay ni Sam, habang siya naman ay tuwang-tuwa dahil napapayag niya si Samantha.

Hindi inaasahan ang mga pangyayari sa gabing iyon.

Paano napunta si Sam doon?

Ang naaalala niya sumasayaw lang sila. Baka sumobra siya ng inom at iniwan niya lang ang kaniyang sasakyan sa labas ng bar dulot ng sobrang kalasingan, at ngayon…

Nasa bahay siya kasama ang isang magandang babae. Nasa sahig ang kanilang mga damit at magkadikit ang kanilang mga labi.

Hindi siya makapaniwala na totoo ang nangyayari. Pumunta lang siya ng bar, para makalimutan ang kaniyang lungkot dahil nawalan siya ng trabaho, hindi niya inaasahan mapupunta siya sa kalagayan niya ngayon. Inisantabi niya muna ang lungkot at pinili niyang magsaya kapiling ni Samantha.

Ayaw muna niyang pansinin ang mga pagdududa sa kadahilanan na hindi ito kailangan sa ngayon.

Nararamdaman ni Sam ang init ng balat at hininga ni Samantha sa kaniyang leeg. Gusto niyang hawakan ang buong katawan nito. Kumapit siya sa likuran ni Sam, kaso nasugatan niya ito. Mukha itong masakit pero hindi niya nararamdaman dahil parehas silang nasasabik sa isa’t isa.

Tumingin siya sa mga mata ni Samantha at nagtanong, Ano iyon? Kinalimutan niya ang kaniyang napansin at nagpatuloy na lamang sa kaniyang ginagawa.

Nagpakasakop siya sa kagandahan ni Samantha. Pinaulit-ulit niya sa kaniyang sarili, “Totoo itong nararanasan ko. Ito ang mahalaga sa ngayon.”

Kung pinagtuonan lang niya ng pansin, makikita niya na humaba ang kuko at patalim nang patalim ang mga ngipin ni Samantha.

=—————————–=

Nagbihis na siya dahil tapos na ang kaniyang hapunan.

Kailangan ulit maglinis ngayon gabi, pero ang mahalaga sulit ang kaniyang pagkain.

Hindi siya makapaniwala na gumagana pa rin ang kaniyang galawan.

Tunay na kapang-kapa niya ang mga lalaki.

=————————-———=

English Version

Sam stares at her from across the bar and his heart skips a beat. Did she really smile at him?

His mind tries to go through all the possibilities: He talks to her and she turns him down, that was the most likely scenario. He talks to her and she finds out how boring he is, that was what he was afraid of, he was never the best conversationalist. He talks to her and he gets her number, that would be incredibly unlikely but fortune favors the bold.

Sam downs his liquid courage and prepares himself. “Do you come here often?” No, that was too cliché. “Do you play soccer, ‘cause you’re a keeper?” Too corny, she would probably walk away before he finished. “I can’t help but notice how beautiful you were from across the room.” Direct and straight to the point, maybe that will work.

He walks towards her and his mind draws a blank. She’s even lovelier up close. Sam stutters and his mind races to find words of any kind to start with, finally it settles with “Hello, I’m Sam.”

She smiles back and giggles. “That’s funny, my name’s Samantha. It’s nice to meet you.”

“You’re name’s also Sam? What a coincidence.” The inside of his head is a mess alternating between finding topics to talk about and thinking about how melodic her voice is.

“Do you mind keeping me company? I was supposed to meet my friends here but they aren’t coming so I’m just here all alone.” She smiles again and Sam is caught offguard.

“…sure, that’s no problem.” He gulps and hopes that he can do this. “Do you come here often?”

“Not really, I’m not into bars like this. I like any place with a dance floor. I was just here for a friend.”

“What happened to them?”

“Some emergency at home, now I’m all dressed up with nothing to do.”

“I’m sure we can find something you’re interested in.” Sam smiled, but in his head he was praying that line would work.

“What do you have in mind?” She asked.

“I know a place that you might be interested in. The dance floor’s pretty big and the DJ’s supposed to be amazing. I mean, if you don’t mind going with me.”

“Why not? Might as well salvage this night.” She takes his hand and his mind is filled with fireworks.

Tonight was a welcome surprise.

=————————-———————–=

How did he end up here?

They went dancing, that much he knew. Maybe had one too many drinks. He remembered leaving his car at the club because he was too tipsy to drink, and now…

Now he was with a beautiful girl in her apartment. Their clothes were on the floor and their lips were locked.

He couldn’t believe this was happening to someone like him. He was at the bar to drown his sorrows after losing his job, he never expected to end up like this. Sadness could wait, now was his time to enjoy.

Sam pushed away all the doubts that usually plagued his mind, they were unwelcome in this moment.

He can feel the heat from her skin, and the warmth of her breath on his neck. He wanted to caress every crevice of her body. She dug her nails on his back, it may have hurt but there was too much adrenaline between them for him to notice.

He looked into her eyes and saw something, what was it? His mind brushed that thought away, he wanted to focus on what was happening.

He leaned back and basked in her beauty. This was real. This was the moment. This was all that mattered.

If he paid attention he would have noticed when her nails grew longer and her teeth became sharper.

=————————-————-=

Sam finished her midnight meal and put on her clothes.

It was another night of cleaning up, but at least she had a good meal out of it.

She still couldn’t believe her game still worked.

Men were so predictable.

=————————-————=

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

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

Inspired by the Mandarangkal aswang legends

Mandarangkal Illustration by Julius Arboleda

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

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Case #MGKJ88891

Tinawag ang mga barangay tanod dahil sa sunod-sunod na reklamo sa mabangis na hayop na umaaligid at umaatake sa mga taong nasa paligid. Tumagal ng dalawang linggo ang mga pag-atake, buong gabi, at parami nang parami ang nabibiktima. Ang limang insidente ay ang mga sumusunod:

Martes, Marso 2, 1976 — Naglalakad si Ma. Mapeso pauwi mula sa kaniyang paaralan nang makarinig siya na may lumilipad sa itaas. Inilarawan ng bata ang nilalang na may mahabang pakpak katulad sa paniki, nagawan niya ng paraan para siya ay makatakas, pero nagtamo siya ng mga gasgas at sugat.

Huwebes, Marso 11, 1976 — Lasing si Jun Tesero pagkatapos niyang manggaling sa isang pagdiriwang. Namataan siya sa gilid ng puno malapit-lapit sa bahay ng kaniyang kapatid na si Monica. Hindi maalala ng biktima kung ano ang sumalakay sa kaniya, pero mayroong mahahabang itim na buhok na natagpuan sa kaniyang buong katawan.

Lunes, Marso 15, 1976 — Hindi nakita ni Boy Calizo ang hayop na umatake sa kaniya dahil madilim ang daan. Nagreklamo ang biktima dahil sa mga kagat niya sa balikat at kaliwang braso.

Miyerkules, Marso 17, 1976 — Narinig ang sigaw ni Melody Refol sa buong daan nang may sumugod sa kaniya. Ayon sa mga nakakita, ang hayop ay may kalakihan at nagtataglay ng itim na balahibo. Sa kabutihang-palad nailigtas siya ng mga nakasaksi hanggang sa lumipad papalayo ang nilalang.

Huwebes, Marso 18, 1976 — Ang biktima ay si Roberto Diangson, malaki ang natamo niyang sugat mula sa pagkakalusob sa kaniya. Naglalakad siya nang ika-9 ng gabi. Nakarinig ang biktima ng kakaibang tunog, natakot, at nakita niyang lumilipad ang hayop. Kahawig nito ang isang malaking paniki. Sinabi niya na sinugod siya ng nilalang na ito at tinumba siya sa lupa. Paulit-ulit na sinusubukan ng biktima na harangan ang mga kalmot, pero mahaba ang mga kuko nito na bumabaon sa kaniyang balat. Umabot kinabukasan ang sugat niya sa leeg dahil sinubukan siyang sakalin nito. Sumigaw si Roberto sa susunod na bahay at nang lumabas ang mga naninirahan dito, nawala bigla ang hayop.

Nagkakaisa ang pahayag ng mga biktima sa nakita nilang nilalang at si Melody Refol lang ang may saksi na nagpapalakas sa kaniyang kuwento.Ang iba pang mga kaso ay maaaring maipaliwanag ng isang malaking paniki, pero hindi ito sinang-ayunan ng mga biktima. Ang kanilang katwiran ay walang kakayahan ang isang paniki na kumilos ng ganoon.

May mga balita pa ng mga pag-atake sa lugar na iyon, na may parehas na paglalarawan sa hayop sa mga taong 1977, 1979, 1981, at 1983.

=—————————————————————————-=

Case # MGKJ88891

The barangay police were called in after a series of complaints of a wild animal appearing in the area and attacking bystanders. The attacks all happened within the span of two weeks, all at nighttime, and with increasing frequency. All in all five incidents were reported as follows.

Tuesday, March 2, 1976 – Ma. Mapeso was walking home from school when she heard something flyingoverhead. The girl described the creature as having long wings like those of a bat, she managed to run away from it, but not without sustaining minor cuts and bruises.

Thursday, March 11, 1976 – After coming back from a party Jun Tesoro was inebriated. He was found beside a tree very close to his home by his sister, Monica. The victim could not remember what it was that attacked him, but long, black hairs were found all over his body.

Monday, March 15, 1976 – Boy Calizo was not able to see the animal attack him, as he said it was very dark along the street. The victim complained of bite marks all over his shoulder area and left arm.

Wednesday, March 17, 1976 – Melody Refol’s screams were heard by most of the street when she was being attacked. Eyewitness accounts say that the animal was large and had black fur. Fortunately bystanders were able to assist her and the animal flew away .

Thursday, March 18, 1976 – The victim, Roberto Diangson, had the most extensive account of his attack. He was taking a walk at 9 o clock in the evening. The victim heard a strange sound and was frightened, he saw the animal hover. It resembled a giant bat. He said that the creature then attacked him and wrestled him to the ground. The victim repeatedly tried to fend off the attack, but the animal’s long nails kept digging into his skin. The animal had tried choking him and the marks were still visible on his neck the following morning. He shouted for help at a nearby house and when the occupants arrived, the animal had disappeared.

All victims had similar versions of the creature that attacked them and only Melody Refol had eyewitnesses to corroborate her story. The other cases could be explained by a larger than normal bat, but the victims disagree with that theory. They said that no bat would be able to attack them in that manner.

Subsequent attacks have been reported in the same area, with similar descriptions of the animal in 1977, 1979, 1981 and 1983.

=————————————————————————=

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

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

Inspired by ‘Encounter with a Wakwak.’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Wak-wak (Aklan) Illustration by Ysa Peñas
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The post Wakwak (Aklan) – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

Doctora rubbed her temples and feigned interest in the new girl’s story.

It was something she had heard a hundred times over. ‘My boyfriend left me and I can’t take care of it by myself.’, ‘I’m too young for this.’, ‘it’s the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make.’

Blah blah blah blah blah

It was late and Doctora was tired so she went straight to the point.

“We can do the procedure tomorrow. Meet me at this address and have the payment with you.”

The crying girl could only mumble a ‘yes’ through her tears.

It was going to be one of those weeks.

The girl left and Doctora waited until he arrived.

“I trust you heard all that?”

“Of course.”

“I don’t know why you bother eavesdropping on their stories. You’ll do the same thing anyway.”

“It makes it all the more… delicious.”

“You disgust me.”

“Such hurtful words. You know we can’t live without each other. It’s been too long.”

Doctora sighed and avoided his gaze.

“You have the address. Just go there at the agreed time.”

“Make sure she’s asleep. Remember that time in Laguna.”

“That was 20 years ago. I learn from my mistakes, something you should try thinking about.”

He let out a shrill laugh that sent a shock down Doctora’s spine. He threw his neck back and bellowed.

It should be loud. Why isn’t it loud? She thought.

She shook her head to clear the thought away. After the long decades she still never got used to him.

Maybe she never will.

“Just go.”

“Of course, Doctora, I will see you soon.”

He left, but it gave no reprieve.

Doctora went to the kitchen and brought out the bottle she was saving for this one.

Her ‘patients’ thought that this was her home, a single bedroom that looked neat and clean. It added to the illusion and fed on their hopes making them think that the procedure would be the same.

Such idiots.

She took a swig of gin and let the memories take her over.

She thought back to a time when she had a name.

Life was easier then, there was one goal that she needed to reach.

I wasn’t about the knowledge or the oath. She needed the title. It would complete her.

Or so she thought.

Another gulp, another memory.

It was robbery what they charged for the procedure. And she was sure that they didn’t even have any actual medical knowledge.

But she was desperate.

She pooled her savings and met them in a dingy motel. They told her to lie down and they prepared their instruments.

When she saw what they were going to use, she shouted.

She demanded that they sterilize their tools.

She told them which painkillers to get.

She spat at their incompetence and told them simply,

She wanted to be awake.

They told her it was crazy, better to be under and wake up with the procedure complete without having to look at the disturbing operation.

That was when she met him.

He walked into the room with a gravitas that made even her pause.

He told the workers to leave the room. He asked her if she really wanted to be awake for this.

She said yes.

The alcohol had gotten to her and she was sprawled on the sofa, the bottle almost empty.

She thought about the girl and her stupid choices and cried, one solitary idea racing through her brain.

Maybe after this one I’ll finally do it.

But deep down she knew she was too much of a coward to end it.

As the inebriation took over and forced her into slumber, a familiar phrase left her lips.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

=———————————————————————————

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Based on the Ekek myths/urban legends

Ekek Illustration by Timothy Aldrin Ocleasa

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You can find the original adaptation here:

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*Note this story is in Bicol

Tiga-sinagan kan bilog na bulan an mga gadan. Tiripontipong lawas nin mga tawo an nagtataralayan sa luwas na gari katayan nin orig, an mga pidaso nin mga buto asin mga nagtitios na suriyaw tigpapano an paros sa papag-atake kan halimaw sa sakuyang barangay.

Ugaring, aram kong sa sunod na bulan mapapasaiya na kami saiya. Pagnagsinag na an kabilogan kan buwan sa samuyang barangay, magi sana itong matinabang na diyos na nag-iiling sa samuyang mga pananom, arog kin sarong matibay na taga-bantay.

Pipagal na ako kaini.

Nyata pa kami kailangan mag-tios sa kadikluman nin banggi? Nyata pa ako kailangan mag-lubong kan saro pang miyembro kan sakong pamilya asin mag-agad nin grasya para sa saindang kagadanan? Nyata pa ako kailangan makadangog kan saindang mga suriyaw sa sakuyang pag-turog puripirmi, tig-iisip kun ano an sakuyang mga naitabang kuta para sainda?

Sa saindang “marahay-rahay” na itsura, gari man lang sinda kapandok ta, ugaring dae ako nagpapadara sa saindang pagbalat-kayo. Aram ko an saindang tunay na itsura, an saindang tig-sararong mata asin an saindang mga mapanasong pangil. Dae sinda makakatago sa saindang maray na itsura kun madara sana sinda kin digmaan sa sunod na pagpailing nin bulan.

Sa pag-sakat nin ba’gong bulan, ako minagibong pangako ngunyan.

Papatapuson ko an paulit-ulit na pasakit. Itataas ko an mga sandata laban sa libong na diyos na ini asin papatukruon ko siya pagnadaog siya.

Gigibuhon ko nanggad.

Nagluya na ako sa takot, sa mga maribokong suriyaw. Burubanggi an nailing ko sana, pandok kan sakuyang tugang na nakasa’bit sa ngimot kan tagamaling. Daeng kasagkuran ko marurumduman an saiyang natatadang suriyaw hanggang magadan ako.

Tig-sabayan ako nin iba pang mga taga-ngaso laban sa halimaw, gabos na sinda may nawarang padaba, amigo asin amiga, tugang o magurang sa saro sanang sa’ngab nin halimaw na ito. Gabos wara nang mawawara pa. Dae nang mawawara pa.

Kaya tigsusurat ko ining liham saimo, padabaon kong aki.Pirming maging makusog asin matibay pag nasa ampangan nin maraot, asin dae ipaaram maski kisay kun sisay o ano ka.

Paaram.

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English Version

The full moon lends its light to the carnage.

Piles of human flesh strung across the plain like an abattoir, the crunch of bone and the screams of pain filled the air as the monster ravaged its way through my village.

Yet, we knew that in the next month it would have our worship. When the light of the full moon extends over our village shall it become a beneficent deity, watching over our crops like stoic sentinels.

I’m tired of this.

Why must we suffer with the whims of the moon? Why must I have to bury another member of my family and then ask blessings of their murderer? Why must I hear their screams every time I sleep, wondering what I could have done to save them?

In their “benevolent” form they appeared much like we do, but that does not fool me. I know their true nature, their one eye and their terrible fangs. They cannot hide behind their facade of peace only to bring war the next time the moon rears its next full face.

With the rise of the new moon I make a vow.

I will end this cycle of torment. I will raise arms against this confused god and bring it down to its knees.

I will.

I have lost too much to the terror, to the screams. Each night I can only see the face of my brother as he hung from the mouth of the tagamaling. His last scream will haunt me until the end of my time.

I am joined by the other hunters, each has lost a lover, a friend, a sibling or a parent to the maw of the mad god. Each has nothing left to lose. Not anymore.
So I write to you this letter, my beloved son.

Always keep yourself strong in the face of evil, and never compromise who and what you are to anyone.

Goodbye.

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* The Bikol languages or Bicolano languages are a group of Central Philippine languages spoken mostly in the Bicol Peninsula in the island of Luzon, the neighboring island province of Catanduanes and the island of Burias in Masbate. There is a dialect continuum between the Visayan languages and the Bikol languages; the two together are called the Bisakol languages.

The Tabaco-Legazpi-Sorsogon (TLS) dialect is spoken in the eastern coast of Albay and the northeastern part of Sorsogon. TLS is the dialect that has been most influenced by the Inland Bikol languages. 

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Jeremiah Cordial

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Jeremiah Cordial

Inspired by the Tagamaling description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Tagamaling Illustration by Jowee Aguinaldo.

The post Tagamaling – Bicol Legazpi Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

One night, an owl poked its head out of its tree hole. The rain was weakening into a manageable shower.

Hungry as it was, it stretched its wings and flew to the perches where it could find prey.

It imagined its first meal of the night, how it couldn’t wait to crush their prey and swallow it whole. The thought made it positively giddy.

Now the owl had a very good sense of hearing, in fact it was adept at listening for even the slightest hints of movement to catch their quarry.

As it flew over a human village it heard a familiar sound.

The unmistakable cadence of ‘kik kik kik’.

The owl would have ignored it as it always had, but it was curious and the rain was starting to get stronger. The elder owls told the young that these creatures are harmless to their kind, only targeting humans. They described in detail the long tongue, perching on the roofs of human houses and their confusing sound.

Closing its eyes, the owl concentrated to find the source of the sound, remembering what it should be looking for.

After a few moments it was confident that it located where the creature would be.

So, it stayed by the window and watched the events unfold.

There were three humans sleeping side by side. One child, a woman that was clearly pregnant and a man.

Even through the noise of the raindrops the owl could clearly hear the sound of some liquid dropping on the stomach of the woman. The owl saw her stand up and put a dipper where she was. The woman moved and found another place to sleep, but again the owl could hear the same sound of droplets hitting her stomach in a familiar tempo.

And then the owl’s ears piqued.

There it was. ‘kik kik kik’

It was almost like a whisper, as if the sound traveled great distances to settle on their ears.

The owl’s blood ran cold.

The man and the child both woke up to the sound and almost through instinct the man grabbed a bolo and rushed outside.

The owl flew to the front of the house to see what the man would do.

The man shouted “If you don’t leave my family, I will go to your house tomorrow!” All the while swinging his bolo through the rain.

And in an instant, it stopped, the owl could only hear the pitter-patter of the drizzle as it washed over the midnight moon.

The creature left, unable to get its meal, and the owl scoffed and told itself that wasn’t going to happen to it tonight.

As the owl flew to its hunting grounds it wondered.

Did the man really know where the tiktik’s house was?

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Written by Karl Gaverza

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Story inspired by a story told by Gil Geolingo

Tiktik Illustration by Gil Geolingo

The post Tiktik appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

“It’s my turn! Gimme the crown!”

“No way! It looks better on me!”

The girls were being a handful again and it was getting on Lola Nena’s nerves. There was no reason for Aina and Alisa to be fighting this much over something as silly as being a princess.

“Give it back,” Alisa screamed, “the crown belongs to me!”
“No, fair is fair, now it’s my turn to be the princess, and I’m going to be the best princess ever!” Aina stuck her tongue out at Alisa and that just made her angrier.

“You can’t be the best princess, you don’t even know how to rule! You’re just gonna make your kingdom suck.” Alisa tried to tackle her sister, but she was too fast and Alisa stumbled through empty air.

“Now girls watch your language! We don’t say ‘sucks’ to each other,” said Lola Nena, trying to inject a measure of civility into the fight.

“It’s mine!” Aina deftly dodged her sister sending Alisa right into the path of a very expensive vase.

The crash could be heard throughout the house. The sisters didn’t even notice the chaos that they caused, continuing to play their game of catch the crown.
Lola Nena had enough.

“That’s it! Both of you to your room!” Lola Nena may have been old but she was fast. She snatched the crown from Aina’s head and grasped it tight. “If you two won’t behave then no one gets to be the princess.” And with that Lola Nena broke the crown in two.

There isn’t a word to describe the sound of two girl’s hearts breaking, but ‘crestfallen’ comes pretty close. The girls were disconsolate and Lola Nena would not budge. They cried all the way to their room, burying themselves in their sheets, trying to forget what had happened.

“This is all your fault stupid!” Alisa muffled scream forced its way through her blankets. “If it wasn’t for you one of us would still be the princess.”

“Ha shows what you know! You don’t need a crown to be a princess,” Aina said, haughtily.

“Stupid! How else will people know you’re royalty? The crown is a symbol of your power!” Alisa replied.

“A crown is just a crown; real royalty doesn’t need fancy jewelry. You just know what you are.”

Silence followed. Aina took this as a sign that she had won the argument and readied herself for sleep. It was so childish the way Alisa kept trying to get the crown. Even though they were twins Aina always thought that she was the more mature one, it paid to have been born five minutes earlier.

Aina switched off the lamp and put her blanket over her head, trying to get some sleep.

And outside the window a golden figure hovered.

He was half a man, with wings of gold, peering through the windows the human homes.

The hour was late and he was getting hungry. He had decided on a particularly mousey girl to be his dinner, but a noise in the distance interrupted his plans.

Curious, he flew towards the sound.

And he listened.

It had been decades since he had last taken a princess to be his prisoner. Not since…

Not since her.

He closed his eyes and thought to the past.

The storm gods were angry that day and rain battered an unnamed village by the coast. The people of the village tried to hide from the rain in their huts, but it was of no use. Waves, tripling in size, threatened to drown the villagers.
It seemed like there was nothing they could do, nothing until she walked out towards the rain.

She shouted to the heavens in a voice that not even gods could ignore.

“Spare this village and take me instead! I will be your servant!”

The winds carried her prayer and what else could he do but answer?

“Are you a god?” she asked.

“To some,” he answered.

“Will you spare my people from this storm?”

“In exchange for you? I will.”

He took her hand and with his power the storm ceased to be. They did not fly towards the heavens as she expected, instead diving to the bottom of the ocean. His home.

Their days were spent in story and song. She had a voice that would make angels flush with envy and her beauty was matched by her quick wit.

She told tales of far off lands, magical beasts and those that sought to tame them.

In time he felt comfortable enough that he took his true form, his human shape.

But all things come to an end. No matter how hard he tried to keep her alive, humans were fragile beings. The sands of time fell not in her favor and she was lost to dust.

He shook off the past and remembered that his prey was waiting.

He would have his princess.

“Wha—?” Aina rubbed her eyes and saw a large, golden bird knocking at her window.

She thought she was still dreaming and opened the window.

“Are you the princess?” the bird asked.

“I—-”

“No she’s not!” Alisa screamed. “I’m the only princess here!”

“Well, it is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, your majesty,” said the bird.

“Alisa, stay back.” Something wasn’t right, this didn’t feel like a dream. A spark traveled through Aina’s spine and lingered.

“See? Here’s someone that knows how to treat royalty!” Alisa sprang up from her bed and stood in front of the golden bird.

“Will you come with me to my palace, your majesty?”
“No Alisa! Don’t—-this isn’t——”

“Quiet! All my life all you do is stop me from doing things, I don’t care if you’re five minutes older, we’re still the same age and you can’t tell me how to live my life!”

“Alisa listen to me, this is dangerous—-”

“I don’t care, for once in my life I’m finally going to be treated the way I deserve.”

“And what is a princess without her crown?” From his wings the bird produced a tiara of glistening gold, enveloping the room in a soft glow.

“Yes, now we’re talking! Give it to me!”

“Alisa! Stop!”

But it was too late. The young girl greedily snatched the crown from the claws of the bird and before she knew it she was being carried away.

Aina tried to call for help. She told Lola Nena what had happened, but would you believe that a golden bird came out of nowhere and offered your granddaughter a crown?
Alisa’s picture was spread through social media and the newspapers. A sizable reward was put forward for information on her whereabouts, but they would never find her. They were looking in the wrong places.

And Aina?

She knew what monster took her sister and she prepared herself. Nothing was going to stop her from rescuing her twin. The years were hard for her, putting herself through the most physically demanding training and diving through books until she found what she was looking for.

Garuda.

She swore that she would find her sister.

But that’s a story for another time.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Garuda description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Garuda Illustration by Paul Medalla
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