*Note this poem is in Tagalog

Ang mga mata niya’y tila kumikinang na impyerno

At nang ang dila niya’y magsalita, nabalot ito ng 30 pirasong pilak

Sinulasok ng usok ang aking sentido

Nakita ko ang usok sa kung ano ito

Nararapat lamang akong magpaalam

Nararapat lamang akong magalit

At ang aking panghihinayang

O Diyos, sana ibinigay ko na lang noon iyon

Ang mga yabag niya’y unti-unting nilisan ang pinto

Ito na kaya ang sagot na hinahanap ko?

Upang sumayaw ang mga salita ko sa pahina

Upang maibigay ang buong puso ko sa bawat letra

Ang silid ay umalingawngaw sa sigaw

Habang ibinibigay ko ang sagot ko

Masyadong mataas ang presyo

At hindi ko matatanggap ito

“Oo”
Dahil ang pahina ay ang aking buhay

Ang tinta ng aking dugo

Ang mga salita ng aking kaluluwa

At dito ako nagsusulat

Sa gitna ng takipsilim

Naghihintay na kalampagin ang kampana

Aangkinin nito ang premyo

Para lang mahanap

Ang wala

Dahil ang pahina ang aking canvas

Ang tinta ang aking dugo

At ang mga titik

Ang aking kaluluwa

Sa tuwing magniniig ang panulat at papel

Ibinibigay ko ang kapiraso ng aking sarili

Na alam kong hindi ko na mababawi

Ibinibigay ko ito nang libre

Sa mga matang naghahanap

Bilang isang sulyap sa aking pagkatao

Ibinibigay ko ito nang libre

Sa mga may nais

Upang ihiwalay ang tabing ng buhay

Hindi na nito makukuha ang premyo

Dahil nakuha mo na

— Ang huling akda ng makatang si “Jillian”

=————————–=

English Version

Its eyes were a glistening inferno
And its tongue spoke, covered with 30 pieces of silver
The smoke choked my senses
The smoke made me see it for what it was

It deserved my goodbye
It deserved my anger
And my regret
I wish to God I gave it then

Its footsteps nearly left the door
Could this be the answer I was looking for
To make my words dance on the page
To make my heart pour into every letter

The room rang with screams
As I gave my answer
The price was too high
The price was unacceptable

“Yes”
For the page was my life
The ink my blood
The words my spirit

And here I write
In my twilight hours
Waiting to strike the bell

It would claim its prize
Only to find
Nothing

For the page is my canvas
And the ink my blood
And the letters
My soul

Each time the pen touched paper
I give a small part of myself
That I will never get back

I give it freely
To the eyes that seek
A glimpse into my being

I give it freely
To those that wish
To part the veil of life

It will never claim its prize
For you already have

-The last work of the poet “Jillian”

————————–————————–———————

*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 Gabriela Baron
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Gabriela Baron

Inspired by ‘Landas de Diablo’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

The Devil (The Bargainer) Illustration by Jam Trinidad
FB: Jam-core

Watercolor by Yanna Gemora
FB: Yannami

The post The Devil (The Bargainer) – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Muli akong nagising, nagimbal ang buong bulwagan sa mga sigaw ko.

Si Sister Ella ang unang nagpunta sa akin, siya ang laging nariyan sa lahat ng bangungot ko.

Hindi nila puwedeng malaman ang pinanggalingan ko.

Inilabas niya ang rosaryo at nagsimula kaming magdasal. Sa sandali ring iyon ay para akong binalot ng banayad na alon at tuluyang kumalma.

Hindi sapat ang pasasalamat para sa pagkupkop nila sa akin. Bihira lang ang taong magtitiwala sa isang estrangherong inanod sa kanilang pampang, pero ang mga madre ay hindi nagdalawang-isip na tumulong.

Isa akong kaluluwang kailangang sagipin.

Normal lang ang sumunod na araw, tutulong ako sa mga gawain sa kumbento, magninilay, at susubukang umangkop sa bago kong buhay.

Ang pagbabasa ng Bibliya ang paborito ko sa lahat. Kahit noong bago ako mapadpad sa kumbento, pagbabasa na ang paraan ko ng pagtakas sa reyalidad.

Iyon lang ang tanging mahalaga sa akin.

Magkakaroon daw ako ng kapayapaan sa tulong ng pagdarasal, sabi ng mga madre. Pero wala silang alam sa mga nakita ko, kung paanong ang pagkawasak ng sangkatauhan ay ilulubog ang lahat pati ang magagandang bagay.

Umiling ako at sinubukang kalimutan ang nakaraan.

Ito na ang buhay ko ngayon.

O akala ko lang ‘yon.

May mga oras na magkakasama kaming nagbabasa at pag-uusapan ang Bibliya at pilosopiya. Isang araw ay pinag-usapan namin ang pitong kasalanan. Naiisip ko pa lang iyon ay ayaw nang tumigil ng kamay ko sa panginginig.

Napansin ni Sister Adeline ang pagiging balisa ko at sinabi sa lahat na magpahinga muna kami. Tinabihan niya ako at saka nagtanong kung ayos lang ako.

Tanging pag-iyak ang naisagot ko sa kaniya.

Nagpaalam siya sa mga kasama namin at inaya ako sa mas tahimik na lugar.

Tinanong niya ako kung gusto ko raw bang subukang mangumpisal, baka sakaling mapagaan daw nito ang loob ko.

Marahan akong umiling at sinabing hindi niya maiiintindihan. Hindi niya maiintindihan ang lahat ng pinagdaanan ko.

Tumango siya at ngumiti. Hindi na niya pinilit pang alamin, pero pinayuhan niya akong ilabas ang nararamdaman ko sa pamamagitan ng salita. Sumang-ayon ako.

Dahil iyon sa hangin.

Wala tayong alam.

Hindi tayo nakinig.

Hanggang sa binalot ng kadiliman ang buong daigdig.

Hanggang…

Huminto ako at hinayaang lumabas ang mga luha ko.

Sa katahimikan ay tinanong ako ng madre kung ano ang ibig kong sabihin sa “tayo”?

Tumayo ako at umalis. Tanga. Muntik ko nang masabi kung saan ako nanggaling.

Ilang linggo mula nang humupa ang mga bangungot ko, lumilipas ang mga araw nang hindi ako sumisigaw.

Ang mga araw na inilagi ko sa kumbento ang ilan sa mga pinakamagandang nangyari sa buhay ko.

Pero alam kong hindi ito magtatagal.

Nawala man ang mga bangungot ay nariyan pa rin ang mga panaginip.

Inuudyukan akong bumalik sa isla kung saan ako isinilang at subukang baguhin ang sarili.

Ang mga panaginip ko ba ang penitensiya ko?

Kailangan kong bumalik sa dati kong tahanan.

Tinipon ko ang kaunti kong gamit at nag-iwan ng papel kung saan nakasulat ang isang salita.

Polobulac.

Sumakay ako ng bangka para makita kung ano ang nangyari sa isla ng mga bulaklak.

Ang pitong itim na bato ang siyang nagpatunay ng pagbagsak ng sangkatauhan.

Habang papalapit ako ay naririnig ko ang halo-halong mga bulong.

Pagdurusa. Pagkawasak.

Babala. Paghahatol.

Pagnanasa. Pag-aadya.

Kamatayan.

Tumapak ako sa natitirang lupa ng isla, ang huling anak ng abo at kasalanan.

Bumalik ang mararahas at matatalim na alaala.

Ang pitong boses.

Ang pitong haligi ng apoy.

Ang panahon na binalot ang araw ng kadiliman.

Ang unos.

Lumuhod ako at nagpalamon sa natitira nilang kapangyarihan.

Kahit saan ako magpunta ay natatagpuan nila ako.

Pero ngayon, ako na ang kusang sumuko.

Salamat sa mga madre.

Mahahanap ko na ang kapayapaan ko.

=—————————–=

English Version

I woke up again, my screams reverberate through the halls.

Sister Ella was the first to come to me, that poor woman has been with me through all my terrors.

I can’t let them know where I came from.

She takes out a rosary and we begin to pray, and in that moment, calm washes through me like a gentle wave.

I can’t thank them enough for taking me in. Not many would trust a stranger that washed up on theirshores, but to the sisters it didn’t matter.

I was a soul that needed saving.

The next day was like any other, I would help do chores around the convent, do my daily meditation and try to adjust to my new life.

Reading scripture was my favorite part, even before stepping foot in the convent books were my escape.

They were the only things that mattered to me in the end.

The sisters told me I would find solace in prayer. They didn’t see what I saw, how human failings would drown out even the best of people.

I shake my head and try to forget the past.

This is my life now.

Or so I thought.

There were times when we would read and discuss scripture and philosophy together. That day we discussed the seven sins. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking at the mere thought of them.

Sister Adeline saw my discomfort and called for a break. She sat next to me and asked me if I was alright.

The warm heat from my tears was all the answer she needed.

She and I excused ourselves and went to a quieter place.

She asked me if I had considered confession, that maybe that catharsis would make me feel better.

I calmly shook my head and told her she wouldn’t understand. Not with what I had been through.

She nodded her head and smiled. She wouldn’t presume to know that, but she asked me to put my feelings into words. I agreed.

It was the wind.

We were ignorant.

We didn’t listen.

Until the blackness rolled through the land.

Until…..

I paused for a moment to let my tears out.

In the silence, sister asked me, what did I mean by “we”?

I stood up and left. Stupid. I almost told her about where I came from.

In the weeks that followed the night terrors subsided, I could get through some days without screaming at all.

The days spent in the convent were some of the best of my life.

But I know it wouldn’t last.

The dreams were there even without the terrors.

To go back to the island of my birth, and make amends.

Were the dreams my penance?

I needed to go back to my old home.

I gathered what meager belongings I had and left a note with only one word.

Polobulac

I took a boat and saw for myself what happened to the island of flowers.

7 black rocks stood testament to a fallen people.

As I go closer, I can hear their mixed murmurs.

Torment. Devouring.

Warning. Condemnation.

Desire. Avoidance.

Death.

I stepped on what remained of the island, the last daughter of ash and sin.

The memories came back, harsh and jagged.

The seven voices.

The seven pillars of flame.

The day the sun was hidden behind a curtain of dark.

The tempest.

I fall on my knees and let myself be consumed by the remnants of their power.

No matter where I was, they would find me.

But now it would be on my own terms.

Thank you, sisters.

I shall now find my rest.

=————————————–=

*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 Raquel Jacinto Pombo
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Raquel Jacinto Pombo

Story inspired by:

THE FALL OF POLOBULAC. http://www.sacred-texts.com/asia/pfs/pfs13.htm

*This is a tale from Panay. It probably originated with the Spanish fathers, who wished to impress the doctrine of the Seven Deadly Sins on the natives. The islands are just off Iloilo.

The Seven Sins Illustration by Abe Joncel Guevarra
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008285862780

IG: @abe.art.ph

The post The Seven Sins – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

“Hindi mo siya kilala tulad ng pagkakakilala ko sa kaniya!”

“Pakiusap, tigilan mo na ang mga cliche na linya. Ikaw ang hindi nakaaalam ng ginagawa niya. Ano ba ang alam mo sa lalaki na ‘yan? Sino siya at ano ang mga ginagawa niya?!”

“Hindi na mahalaga ‘yun! Mahal ko siya at wala kang kahit na ano mang pwedeng sabihin na makapagpapabago ng isip ko!”

“Hindi mo naiintindihan! Hindi siya tulad ng inaakala mo!”

“Tigilan mo na nga ang pagtatangkang protektahan ako! Malaki na ko, kaya ko na ang sarili ko. Pagkatiwalaan mo lang ako. Alam kong halos kakikilala ko pa lang sa kaniya, pero pinaramdam niya sa aking mahalaga ako. Alam mo naman na ngayon lang ito nangyari sa akin. Hindi ko man sigurado kung saan ako dadalhin ng damdamin ko, pero sigurado akong ito ang kailangan ko. Alam kong nag-aalala ka sa akin, pero ayos lang ako. Kaya ko ito.”

“Siya ay isang diablo.”

“Ano? Ang babaw mo naman.”

“Makinig ka nga sa akin! Nakilala mo siya sa Punta de Diablo, ang sirang tulay na parang papunta sa Talim Island, hindi ba? Nagre-research ako. Ni wala ngang nakarinig sa kaniya sa lugar na ‘yun at kung siya man ay isang turista o tagalabas, malalaman ‘yun ng mga tagaroon. Walang angkop na naglalarawan sa kanya na nakatira sa Binangonan at tiyak malalaman ‘yun ng mga tagaroon kung meron.

Mag-isip ka nga. Bughaw ang kaniyang mga mata, para siyang ‘yung paborito mong mang-aawit, katakatakang alam niya ang lahat ng tungkol sa iyo kahit bago pa lang kayo magkakilala. Napakaraming coincidences.

Alam mo ba kung bakit iniiwasan ng mga tao ang Punta de Diablo?! Kada ilang taon, may isang babae ang nilulunod ang sarili niya sa pagtalon sa tulay. Ang mga babaeng ‘yun daw ay sinasabing kailangan nilang samahan ang kanilang mga asawa. Hindi na natuloy gawin ang tulay dahil ayon sa mga kwento, napamahal ang isang diablo sa isang babae, at ang tanging paraan para makapagpakasal sila ay gumawa ng tulay papuntang Talim Island. Malapit na sanag maitayo ng diablo ang tulay ngunit isang mangingisda ang nakakita nito, pinatunog ang kampana ng simbahan para pigilan ang pagkakatayo ng tulay!”

“Para kang baliw, aalis na ako.”

“Alam kong iniisip mong mahal mo siya, pero hindi ito maaari. Hindi niya kayang suklian ang nararamdaman mo. Kinuha niya ang tiwala mo at pinaniwala ka niyang hindi siya katulad ng ibang lalaki diyan, at tama nga naman. Mas masahol pa siya.

Alam niya kung ano ang ginagawa niya at alam niya kung paano ka sasaktan. Pakiusap, wag mo naman hayaang mangyari ‘yun sayo.”

“Paalam. Kung hindi mo kayang maging masaya para sa akin, doon na lang ako sa magpaparamdam sa akin ng pagmamahal.”

=———————=

English Version

“You don’t know him like I do!”

“Please, spare me the cliché lines. You’re the one that doesn’t know what she’s doing. Do you know anything about this guy? Who he is and what he’s done?!”

“It doesn’t matter! I love him and there’s nothing you can say that can change my mind!”

“You don’t understand! He’s not what you think he is.”

“Stop trying to protect me! I can take care of myself. I’m old enough to handle this. Please, just trust me. I know it hasn’t been long since I met him, but he makes me feel like I matter. You know as well as I do that hasn’t happened in a long time. I don’t know where this will take me, but I know this is something I need. I know you care about me, but I’ll be okay. I know I can handle this.”

“He’s the devil.”

“What? Now you’re just being petty.”

“Listen to me! You met him at the Punta de Diablo, that broken bridge that looks like it’s going to Talim island right? I’ve been doing my research. No one’s ever heard of him in this area and if he were a tourist or an outsider, people would know. There’s no one fitting his description that lives anywhere in Binangonan and people would know if he did.

Think about it. He has blue eyes, he sounds like your favorite singer, he knows “surprisingly” knows everything about you even before you guys met. There are too many coincidences to count.

Do you know why people stay away from the Punta de Diablo?! Every few years a girl drowns herself by that bridge. The girls say that they have to join their husband. That bridge is unfinished because the legend goes the Devil fell in love with a girl and the only way she would accept her hand in marriage was to build a bridge to Talim island, he was about to finish but a fisherman saw it and rang the church bells to stop the bridge!”

“You sound crazy, I’m leaving.”

“I know you think that you’re in love with him but you can’t keep doing this. You fell in love and he’s not going to be there to catch you. He made you trust him, made you think that he wasn’t like all the other guys, and he was right. He’s worse.

He knows what he’s doing and he knows he’s going to hurt you. Please. Don’t let it happen.”

“Goodbye. If you can’t be happy for me then I’ll go somewhere I’ll be loved!”

————————–————————–————————

*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 Gabriela Baron
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Gabriela Baron

Inspired by ‘Punta de Diablo’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

The Devil (The Handsome Stranger) Illustration and Watercolor by Marc Magpantay
Tumblr: Glassy-draws.tumblr.com

The post The Devil (The Handsome Stranger) – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Cebuano

“Wala ka maka-ila niya sama nako!”

“Palihug, ayaw ako padunga anang imong pangatarungan. Ikaw ang wala masayod kong unsa na ang imong ginabuhat. Aduna ka ba’y bisag gamay lang nga nahibaw-an bahin anang lakiha? Kinsa siya ug unsa ang iyang mga binuhatan?!”

“Wala ko maghuna huna ana. Gihugma ko siya ug wala’y makapa-usab sa akong gibati bisag unsa pa man ang imong isulti!”

“Wala ka makasabot! Sayop ang imong pagka-ila niya”

“Hunong na gud! Kahibalo man ko mag amping sa akong kaugalingon. Tiguwang naku, nasayod ko kung unsa akong gibuhat. Saligi lang ako. O kahibalo ko nga di padugay sa dihang nagka-ila kami, apan  gipabati niya nga importante ako. Dugay nakong wala makasinati ani ug kahibalo ka ana. Wala ako nasayud kong asa man ako dalhun ni-ini, apan mao ni ang akong gusto. Salamat sa imong paghuna-huna sa akong ka-ayuhan apan ako pa? Kaya ni naku ui.”

“Siya ang diablo”

“Unsa? Binuang mana imo.”

“Paminawa gud ko! Naka-ila nimo siya sa Punta de Diablo, katong guba-on nga taytayan nga mura’g agi-anan padulong sa isla sa Talim diba? Nangutana ako. Wala’y bisag kinsang naka-ila niya didtong lugara, makahibalo man ang mga katawhan kong turista ba o taga laing lugar siya. Wala’y taga Binangonan nga angay sa iyang hulagway ug kung naa man gani makahibalo unta sila.”

Huna-huna-a gud. Bughaw ang iyang mga mata, ang iyang tingog parehas sa kinaham nimong mangantahay, kahibalo siya “katingalahan” nga kahibalo siya tanan bahin nimo bisag wala pa kamo magkaila. Daghan kaayong mga maihap nga sulagma.

Kahibalo ka ba nganung ginalikayan sa katawhan ang Punta de Diablo?! Kada pila ka-tuig anaay babaye nga maglumos sa iyang kaugalingon didtong taytayana. Sumala pa nila ilang adtoon ang ilang bana. Wala mahuman katong taytayan kay matud pa sa mga sugilanon, ang diablo nahigugma sa usa ka dalaga og aron tugotan siyang mapakaslan iyang gibuhat ang maong taytayan padulong sa isla sa Talim, ug sa dihang hapit na unta niya kini mahuman, nakit-an siya sa usa ka mananagat ug gipatinggog ang kampana sa simbahan arun mahunong nag pagtukod.

“Mura man ka’g buang paminawun tawn ui, adto nako”

“Nagtu-o ka lang nga nahigugma ka niya apan di na nimo angay ipadayun. Wala siya nahigugma nimo. Gipasalig ka lang niya, gipatu-o ka nga di siya sama sa ubang laki, og sakto kana kay mas grabe man siya kompara sa tanan.”

Kahibalo na siya kung unsa iyang gibuhat ug nasayod siyang pasakitan ka lang niya. Palihug intawn ayaw kana tuguti nga mahitabo.

Manamilit naku nimo. Kung dili ka magmalipayun alang kanako mo adto na lang ko’g dapit nga higugmaon ako.

=—————————————————————=

English Version

“You don’t know him like I do!”

“Please, spare me the cliché lines. You’re the one that doesn’t know what she’s doing. Do you know anything about this guy? Who he is and what he’s done?!”

“It doesn’t matter! I love him and there’s nothing you can say that can change my mind!”

“You don’t understand! He’s not what you think he is.”

“Stop trying to protect me! I can take care of myself. I’m old enough to handle this. Please, just trust me. I know it hasn’t been long since I met him, but he makes me feel like I matter. You know as well as I do that hasn’t happened in a long time. I don’t know where this will take me, but I know this is something I need. I know you care about me, but I’ll be okay. I know I can handle this.”

“He’s the devil.”

“What? Now you’re just being petty.”

“Listen to me! You met him at the Punta de Diablo, that broken bridge that looks like it’s going to Talim island right? I’ve been doing my research. No one’s ever heard of him in this area and if he were a tourist or an outsider, people would know. There’s no one fitting his description that lives anywhere in Binangonan and people would know if he did.

Think about it. He has blue eyes, he sounds like your favorite singer, he knows “surprisingly” knows everything about you even before you guys met. There are too many coincidences to count.

Do you know why people stay away from the Punta de Diablo?! Every few years a girl drowns herself by that bridge. The girls say that they have to join their husband. That bridge is unfinished because the legend goes the Devil fell in love with a girl and the only way she would accept her hand in marriage was to build a bridge to Talim island, he was about to finish but a fisherman saw it and rang the church bells to stop the bridge!”

“You sound crazy, I’m leaving.”

“I know you think that you’re in love with him but you can’t keep doing this. You fell in love and he’s not going to be there to catch you. He made you trust him, made you think that he wasn’t like all the other guys, and he was right. He’s worse.

He knows what he’s doing and he knows he’s going to hurt you. Please. Don’t let it happen.”

“Goodbye. If you can’t be happy for me then I’ll go somewhere I’ll be loved!”

=—————————————————————————–=

*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. The Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino, the official regulating body of Philippine languages, spells the name of the language as Sebwano.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cebuano Translation by Esperanza Bonifacio
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Esperanza Bonifacio

Inspired by ‘Punta de Diablo’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

The Devil (The Handsome Stranger) Illustration and Watercolor by Marc Magpantay
Tumblr: Glassy-draws.tumblr.com

The post The Devil (The Handsome Stranger) – Cebuano Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

I woke up again, my screams reverberate through the halls.

Sister Ella was the first to come to me, that poor woman has been with me through all my terrors.

I can’t let them know where I came from.

She takes out a rosary and we begin to pray, and in that moment, calm washes through me like a gentle wave.

I can’t thank them enough for taking me in. Not many would trust a stranger that washed up on their shores, but to the sisters it didn’t matter.

I was a soul that needed saving.

The next day was like any other, I would help do chores around the convent, do my daily meditation and try to adjust to my new life.

Reading scripture was my favorite part, even before stepping foot in the convent books were my escape. They were the only things that mattered to me in the end.

The sisters told me I would find solace in prayer. They didn’t see what I saw, how human failings would drown out even the best of people.

I shake my head and try to forget the past.

This is my life now.

Or so I thought.

There were times when we would read and discuss scripture and philosophy together. That day we discussed the seven sins. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking at the mere thought of them.

Sister Adeline saw my discomfort and called for a break. She sat next to me and asked me if I was alright.

The warm heat from my tears was all the answer she needed.

She and I excused ourselves and went to a quieter place.

She asked me if I had considered confession, that maybe that catharsis would make me feel better.

I calmly shook my head and told her she wouldn’t understand. Not with what I had been through.

She nodded her head and smiled. She wouldn’t presume to know that, but she asked me to put my feelings into words. I agreed.

It was the wind.

We were ignorant.

We didn’t listen.

Until the blackness rolled through the land.

Until…..

I paused for a moment to let my tears out.

In the silence, sister asked me, what did I mean by “we”?

I stood up and left. Stupid. I almost told her about where I came from.

In the weeks that followed the night terrors subsided, I could get through some days without screaming at all.

The days spent in the convent were some of the best of my life.

But I know it wouldn’t last.

The dreams were there even without the terrors.

To go back to the island of my birth, and make amends.

Were the dreams my penance?
I needed to go back to my old home.

I gathered what meager belongings I had and left a note with only one word.

Polobulac

I took a boat and saw for myself what happened to the island of flowers.

7 black rocks stood testament to a fallen people.

As I go closer, I can hear their mixed murmurs.

Torment. Devouring.

Warning. Condemnation.

Desire. Avoidance.

Death.

I stepped on what remained of the island, the last daughter of ash and sin.

The memories came back, harsh and jagged.

The seven voices.

The seven pillars of flame.

The day the sun was hidden behind a curtain of blackness.

The tempest.

I fall on my knees and let myself be consumed by the remnants of their power.

No matter where I was, they would find me.

But now it would be on my own terms.

Thank you, sisters.

I shall now find my rest.

=———————————————————————=

Story inspired by:

THE FALL OF POLOBULAC. http://www.sacred-texts.com/asia/pfs/pfs13.htm

*This is a tale from Panay. It probably originated with the Spanish fathers, who wished to impress the doctrine of the Seven Deadly Sins on the natives. The islands are just off Iloilo.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverz

The Seven Sins Illustration by Abe Joncel Guevarra
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IG: @abe.art.ph

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It is known that all are bound to the Almighty and were made to submit to Him. All spirits were made to submit to Allah as well as to Adam, the vice-regent of His power on earth. But there was one that did not. In his arrogance and envy he refused to bow down and even repent for his insolence.

The jinn tempted Adam and his wife and because of this was condemned to eternal suffering, but Saytan’s sentence was stayed until the last day of judgement.

And so, he waits.

And so, he plots.

There was a time when Adam, the Datu’ of the land was faced with a matter regarding his children. Five were his sons, and afterwards a sixth child was born. This offspring was not like the rest: it had no mouth, no eyes, no hands, no feet and no ears. It was like a lanzones fruit that could only roll.

Adam was perplexed. What was this thing that he had begotten? Why was it so different from his other children? What could be done about it?

His son, Jibrail learned about this strange occurrence and went to his father to see for himself. Jibrail asked what had his mother given birth to and Adam could only reply that it was different from him and his other siblings.

Adam told his son that he did not know what to do and Jibrail told him not to worry. This problem would land on Jibrail’s shoulders and he told his father such.

Jibrail returned home and, after rest, he appealed to God and sat in a tahayat* manner. God replied and asked why He had been invoked.

Jibrail bowed before the Immaculate one. He told Him of the sixth offspring of Adam. How the other children were like everyone else, but this thing was like a lanzones fruit.God commented that He had never encountered such a thing and left Jibrail to wonder. Jibrail asked God what should be done with the offspring.

God decreed that Jibrail should go back to his father and plant the offspring. Jibrail obeyed and told his father what God had decreed.

Adam obeyed and planted it.

And so, he waited.

After a week, Adam noticed that there were things that resembled needle tips growing from the ground.

After ten nights, he found that it had sprouted.

After fifteen days, green leaves were all around it.

After a month there were two robust budsthat had branches.

After two months the lower and middle parts of the bud had become smaller.
Two and a half months had passed when Datu’ Saytan appeared in the garden. He rejoiced at the plant. Unbeknownst to the Datu an unseen companion** had heard him celebrate the growth of the plant.

After a long time had passed Datu’ Saytan returned to his home and the companion went to see Adam. The companion told Adam about how Datu’ Saytan rejoiced in the garden, saying the plant was his.

Adam scoffed at Datu’ Saytan’s arrogance. He would never accept that Saytan could take the plant away from him even going as far as saying if he sees Saytan in the garden he would cut him alive in two with a sword. More time had passed and Adam and Datu’ Saytan had found each other in a quarrel, both claiming ownership of the plant. In the midst of the fight the skin of the plant’s fruit had turned light yellow.

After learning of his father’s fight with Saytan, Jibrail went to see Adam. Jibrail was told that each side had taken ownership of the plant and Jibrail’s words were thus, “Do not fight with each other. Settle this amicably.” Adam replied and agreed with him.

Once again Jibrail consulted God’s wisdom. He told the Almighty about the trouble Datu’ Saytan was causing and God’s decree was, “We will judge them. Tell Adam to bring grains of the plant in his right hand and have Datu’ Saytan bring some grains in his left hand.”

Jibrail met with both Adam and Datu’ Saytan and told them of God’s decree. Both agreed to stand before God and be judged at the portals of heaven.
An angel was sent to fetch the two and both made their case before the Almighty. Saytan stood firm in his assertion that the plant was his and Adam replied with his own case that it was God himself that ordered him to plant his sixth offspring.

God said to Datu’ Saytan, “Will you open your left hand?
What is in it, Datu’ Saytan?”

Saytan opened his hand and nothing but chaff was in it.

God then said to Adam, “You, too, open yours.”

Adam opened his hand and in it was a multitude of husked grains.

God’s judgment was clear: Datu’ Saytan had lost, his lies were revealed in his hands.

Datu’ Saytan asked God, “What is that plant? The world is already complete.***”

And God replied, “Rice.”

Saytan then said that he must have a share of it and when Jibrail asked him how he would have his share Saytan said that the people of earth would cultivate the plant and when that happens the owner of the crop should not partake of the rice until it has been used in performing the devotional prayer. It should also not be placed on the weighing scale. Whatever is left must be used for the prayer and that would be Saytan’s.

And Jibrail replied, “This means that for any rice seedlings left, a small amount of it should be used as an offering to God.”

And thus ends the story of how rice came to be.

——————————————————————————

This narrative was originally narrated by Mullung (Muhammad Absari Salahuddin), a Tausug storyteller.

Mullung’s philosophy (as explained by Maduh Damsani, a relative of his) is “Kata piya-awn sin Tuhan bunnal katan” – “All that is created by Allah is true”. Stories are a creation and because creation belongs to Allah, and Allah is true, therefore his stories are true.

His narration of this kaawn (creation story) is perceived by Mullung’s inner spirit and does not fit to the letter of the Qur’an.

*Tahayat refers to the ninth essential position for prayers, a sitting position in which the right foot is inserted behind the left knew and the buttocks touches the left foot.

**The companion is called Sahabat, a term of Arabic origin and often refers to a companion or follower of the Prophet.

***Implied here is the question, “Why add one more species?”

Written by Karl Gaverza

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Story adapted from In Kaawn sin Pây – The Creation of Rice, Narrated by Mullung in Voices from Sulu: A Collection of Tausug Oral Traditions pg 34-47.

The Devil (Datu’ Saytan) Illustration by Leandro Geniston

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Colors by Catherine Chiu

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“In the three days before the resurrection, the devil will make his way into the hearts of man. Be careful of the places you go and the things that you meet.”

I’m half asleep as I listen to the sermon. Mass hasn’t been the most exciting thing I’ve done today, but lola dragged me here. I wish I was back home in front of my computer doing something interesting. I could squeeze in a few games before the next mass I have to go to.

“The children of the devil walk the earth at this time, make no mistake, they will take forms that will entice you to help them. They hide under the shroud of innocence and they pervert what will be good. The product of a union with the devil will only bring pain and misery.”

The priest seems to really like talking. I’m still drifting in and out, thinking about anything else that will get me out of this place. The pews are hard, the aircon’s broken and everyone has the same look on their face: placid, but still listening.

“Remember this warning. In these three days the agents of the devil will come. I am reminded of a story where the devil had a union with another monster. This child of darkness seeks to devour the flesh of man and its screams will create more like it.”

This is strange. The priest is changing his voice. It seems a lot deeper now. I don’t know what he’s been talking about but it really seems to be affecting him.

“My mother was one of its victims. The price of one’s sin is sometimes too much to bear. But the Lord would never send agents of the Devil to do his work. The Lord will forgive, not destroy. Remember the light of love will be with you all.”

The priest is softly crying now. I wish I had paid more attention to the earlier part of the sermon. He seemed to be caught in a trance.

“The devil will seek to lead you astray and his child is no different. Always put your trust in the Lord. For only in Him will you find true salvation.”

The sermon ends with that. I’m still a bit shaken from the change that the priest had while he was saying it. I take a small detour to the park where I notice something strange.

It’s a baby. It seems to have been left alone, the poor thing. I go near it to see if I can help it find its parents. The words of the priest still echo in my ears, but I ignore them.

A baby can’t hurt me.

————————–————————–————————––

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

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

Patiyanak Illustration by Leandro Geniston fromAklat ng mga Anito
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Its eyes were a glistening inferno
And its tongue spoke, covered with 30 pieces of silver
The smoke choked my senses
The smoke made me see it for what it was

It deserved my goodbye
It deserved my anger
And my regret
I wish to God I gave it then

Its footsteps nearly left the door
Could this be the answer I was looking for
To make my words dance on the page
To make my heart pour into every letter

The room rang with screams
As I gave my answer
The price was too high
The price was unacceptable

“Yes”
For the page was my life
The ink my blood
The words my spirit

And here I write
In my twilight hours
Waiting to strike the bell

It would claim its prize
Only to find
Nothing

For the page is my canvas
And the ink my blood
And the letters
My soul

Each time the pen touched paper
I give a small part of myself
That I will never get back

I give it freely
To the eyes that seek
A glimpse into my being

I give it freely
To those that wish
To part the veil of life

It will never claim its prize
For you already have

-The last work of the poet “Jillian”

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Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by ‘Landas de Diablo’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

The Devil (The Bargainer) Illustration by Jam Trinidad
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Watercolor by Yanna Gemora
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“You don’t know him like I do!”

“Please, spare me the cliché lines. You’re the one that doesn’t know what she’s doing. Do you know anything about this guy? Who he is and what he’s done?!”

“It doesn’t matter! I love him and there’s nothing you can say that can change my mind!”

“You don’t understand! He’s not what you think he is.”

“Stop trying to protect me! I can take care of myself. I’m old enough to handle this. Please, just trust me. I know it hasn’t been long since I met him, but he makes me feel like I matter. You know as well as I do that hasn’t happened in a long time. I don’t know where this will take me, but I know this is something I need. I know you care about me, but I’ll be okay. I know I can handle this.”

“He’s the devil.”

“What? Now you’re just being petty.”

“Listen to me! You met him at the Punta de Diablo, that broken bridge that looks like it’s going to Talim island right? I’ve been doing my research. No one’s ever heard of him in this area and if he were a tourist or an outsider, people would know. There’s no one fitting his description that lives anywhere in Binangonan and people would know if he did.

Think about it. He has blue eyes, he sounds like your favorite singer, he knows “surprisingly” knows everything about you even before you guys met. There are too many coincidences to count.

Do you know why people stay away from the Punta de Diablo?! Every few years a girl drowns herself by that bridge. The girls say that they have to join their husband. That bridge is unfinished because the legend goes the Devil fell in love with a girl and the only way she would accept her hand in marriage was to build a bridge to Talim island, he was about to finish but a fisherman saw it and rang the church bells to stop the bridge!”

“You sound crazy, I’m leaving.”

“I know you think that you’re in love with him but you can’t keep doing this. You fell in love and he’s not going to be there to catch you. He made you trust him, made you think that he wasn’t like all the other guys, and he was right. He’s worse.

He knows what he’s doing and he knows he’s going to hurt you. Please. Don’t let it happen.”

“Goodbye. If you can’t be happy for me then I’ll go somewhere I’ll be loved!”

————————–————————–————————

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by ‘Punta de Diablo’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

The Devil (The Handsome Stranger) Illustration and Watercolor by Marc Magpantay
Tumblr: Glassy-draws.tumblr.com

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