*Note this story is in Kapampangan

Metung benging alang bulan anyang ikit ke

Itang lalaking tinangis api

Lepitan ke saka ke kitnangan bakit

Lua la bang lungkut den?

O lua lang mua mu?

E ya mekibat

Kontorung mengutang ku

Mas menulu ing api kareng mata na

Karin ku mipaisip

Aisip na kaya nung mengatakutan ko?

Miglawa nang malutu

Dinalumdum ne ing langit

Oneng ali ya pa din mekibat

Bagkus, tinapus naku pa palawut

Oneng kailangan kung abalu

Na ating miyayaliwang lungkut

Na ating miyayaliwang mua

Ampong sigurung miyayaliwang saya

Linawe naku kareng matuling nang mata

A manuling api king gabun

Menangis yang pilang alang anggang panaun

Anggang minaslag ya ing sulu king panakit ku king malawut

King metung iglap, mewala ne

Miglakwan yang malutung lawa

Katunayan na linabas ya

Pangabukas milbalik ku

Ampo keng benging kayari na ning bukas bengi

Bangkanita akutnan ke itang lalaki

Nung bakit ya manangis

=————————————-=

English Version

It was a moonless night when I saw him

The man who cried fire

I went up to him and asked why

Were they tears of sadness?

Or anger?

He did not reply

The more I asked

The more fire fell from his eyes

And I began to wonder

Does he think I am frightened?

By the pool of glittering red

By the darkness of the night sky

He would not give me an answer

And sought to push me away

But I needed to know

There were different kinds of sadness

Different kinds of anger

And maybe even different kinds of joy

He looked at me with his jet black eyes

Pouring flames onto the ground

He wept for several eternities

Until the light broke from the horizon

And in an instant he was gone

With only a puddle of red

As evidence of his passing

Tomorrow I will return

And the night after that

To ask the crying man

What is behind his tears

————————–————————–——————–

Inongok Illustration by Joshua Hamangal
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ishart1228

The post Inongok – Kapampangan Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

Nakita ko siya sang kagab-ihon Kung diin wala ang bulan

Ang tinuga nga naga luha sang kalayo

Ging kadtuan ko siya kag namangkot

Luha bala ina sang kasubo?

Ukon kaakig?

Wala siya nagsabat

Mas nag damo ang  ilig sang luha nga kalayo sa iya mata

Amo gani nanumdom man ako

Abi bala niya nahadlok ako?

Sang pula kag naga sidlak nga balanaw

Sang madulom nga kagab-ihon

Indi niya ako pag hatagan sang sabat

Gusto lang niya ako pahalinon

Pero gusto gid ya mahibal-an

Kadamo klase sang kasubo

Kadamo klase sang kaakig

Kag siguro, kinalain-lain man nga klase sang kasadya

Ang madulom nga mata niya, nagatulok saakon

Mga mata nga naga tabiris sang kalayo sa duta

Nang halayaon siya sang makapila

Asta nga nag abot ang makasililaw nga kasanag sang tuip.

Madasig siya nga nadula

May ara lang danaw sang pula nga dagta

Ebidensya sang iya paghalin

Bwas magabalik ako

Kag sa masunod pa nga mga gab-i

Para mamangkot sa nagahibi nga tinuga

Kung ano ang buot silingon sang iya mga luha

-=——————————————–=-

English Version

It was a moonless night when I saw him

The man who cried fire

I went up to him and asked why

Were they tears of sadness?

Or anger?

He did not reply

The more I asked

The more fire fell from his eyes

And I began to wonder

Does he think I am frightened?

By the pool of glittering red

By the darkness of the night sky

He would not give me an answer

And sought to push me away

But I needed to know

There were different kinds of sadness

Different kinds of anger

And maybe even different kinds of joy

He looked at me with his jet black eyes

Pouring flames onto the ground

He wept for several eternities

Until the light broke from the horizon

And in an instant he was gone

With only a puddle of red

As evidence of his passing

Tomorrow I will return

And the night after that

To ask the crying man

What is behind his tears

————————–————————–——————–

*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 Eloiza Gaduyon
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Eloiza Gaduyon

Inongok Illustration by Joshua Hamangal
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ishart1228

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

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

Wala — Tu-o — Talikod — Atubang

Lantawa ang pagsaot kag paghulag, ang iya li-og nagabukal-bukal . Ang pugot nagahulag sa kapatagan

nga madasig kag manaya-naya pareho sang kilat. Ang saot sini makabihag kag makawiwili, apang masobra pa sa  pagka-tarso ang yara sa iya panghulag.

Baboy talunon — pispis — man-og — ido

Ang pugot indi bal-anon nga nagabag-o sang porma, nagailis sa pinakaordinaryo nga sahi sang sapat. Ginasundan sini ang iya pagsaot, ang pagki-ay sang lawas sini nagalaragway sang imahe sang mahika kag kag kalikasan.

Ang transpormasyon naghatag laragway sa kanta sang kagulangan, kag sa mga nagapuyo diri.

Wala — Baboy talunon — Tu-o — Man-og

Wala ini sang baba, apang mabatyagan mo ang iya harakhak. Ang pugot isa ka tarso nga sahi, nagikan sa mahika kag katingalahan. Nagabalik ini sa iya matuod nga porma, pabalik sa mga sapat kag maski tawo. Ang pagbukal sang iya li-og nagadungan sa ritmo sang iya saot.

Atubang — Talikod — Tu-o — Wala

Nagbalik na ini sa iya orihinal nga porma, ang iya saot magatapos na. Madamo pa sang kinahanglan pamatyagan sa iya panghulag, nagasugid ini sang dalagku pa nga pagdiskubre. Mga istorya sang mga higante nga kanibal, kag makatilingala nga manggad, mga katalagman nga indi mapatihan kag perpekto nga premyo.

Wala — Tu-o — Wala — Tu-o

Ang pag-uya-uya sang pugot nagapatulog sa imo. Ang imo ulo puno sang mga posibilidad nga ikaw mangin bagani.

Sa kaagahun, ini madula, balik sa mga kakahuyan nga ginaistaran sini, apang sa karon magasaot lamang. Nagabukal-bukal ang li-og kadungan sang ritmo sini. Magabaylo ini sang porma kaangay sang mga sahi sa kagulangan, kag dayon ikaw magabugtaw.

===—————————————-===

English Version

Left – Right – Back – Forth

See it dance and move, as its neck-stump froths and bubbles. The headless one moves through the field as swift and as graceful as lightning. Its dance captivates and entertains, yet there is more than mere mischief in its movements.

Boar – Bird – Snake – Dog

The headless one seamlessly changes shape, transforming into the most mundane of beasts. It still follows its dance, the rhythmic swaying of its bodies call forth images of magic and nature. The transformations give insight to the song of the forest, and those that live in it.

Left – Boar – Right – Snake

It has no mouth but its laughter can be felt. The headless one is a playful creature, a being made of magic and wonder. It shifts from its true form back into those of animals and even of humans. The bubbling of its neck-stump seems to follow the rhythm of its dance.

Back – Forth – Right – Left

It shifts to its true form, the dance about to come to an end. There is more to feel than just the wonder of its movements, it foretells great adventure to be found: A tale of cannibalistic giants and wondrous treasure, of unimaginable danger and perfect rewards.

Left – Right – Left –Right

The swaying of the headless one leads you to sleep. Your head is filled with the possibilities of the hero you could become. In the morning, it will be gone, back to the trees it calls its home, but for now it will dance. Its neck-stump will bubble and froth to its own rhythm. It will change shape to the denizens of the forest, and then you will awaken.

To seize your destiny.

————————–————————–————————–—

*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 Pauline Brooks Dalisay
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Pauline Brooks Dalisay

Story inspired by Awan-ulo-na entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Awan-ulo-na Illustration by Leandro Geniston fromAklat ng mga Anito
FB: That Guy With A Pen

The post Awan-ulo-na – Hiligaynon Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga

Magtubod ka sakuya! Nahiling ko ini digdi, nagtutuga ako”

Ipiggala ni Jia an saiyang manga mata. Duwang oras na puon kadtong mahiling ni Jaime an ‘sarong bagay’ sa manga poon asin nagdesisyon na butungon siya.

“Tibaad sarong usa sana man idto. Hilinga , dai mayo akong nahiling na anuman na kaagid sa ‘bagay’ na nahiling mo. Maninigo na daw tabi kita magbalik?”

“Ay ta, ta’wan mo sana ako nin kadikit na oras, mahihiling nyato ini, aram ko an gigibuhon ta!”

Pig-isip ni Jia kun ano an ‘ini’ na kukunon niya.

Midbid na ninda an lambang saro puon kang mag-adal sa elementarya, alagad nagpuon sana sinda magin magkatood sa inot taon kan hayskul. Puon kadto, pigbuhos ninda an kadaklan sa saindang anwa*, sa pagtaram manongod sa saindang manga pamilya asin katood, an boot sabihon kan manga bituon, asin an hinuna nindang magigin kaarog kan saindang nuanoy.

Dai naghaloy, harayo na an memorya kan hayskul. Pigsusudya sinda kan saindang manga kag-anak na mag-adal sa manga unibersidad na harayo sa probinsya, na magkaigwa nin marhay na nuanoy, o kaya inisip ninda. Ipigpasa ni Jaime an kadaklan sa paglaog sa unibersidad asin nag-irok sa sarong eskwelahan sa Maynila mantang napag-uyunan si Jia na magduman sa Unibersidad nin Silliman sa Dumaguete.

Dai pa nin sarong bulan, masuwayan na sinda nin dalan. Iyo man, maninigo man sindang mag-ulay paminsan-minsan dangan hilingon an lambang saro sa pista-opisyal pag nagbisita sinda sa saindang pamilya. Alagad ini na an kasagkuran, asin siguro mawot sana ni Jaime nin mas kadakol na oras sa saiya.

O tibaad…

‘Hala. Ah, dai man baya.’ naisip ni Jia.

Narumduman niya an paagi kan paghiling niya sa saiya. Kaidtong nakaaging bulan, igwang nagbago. Parati na sana nahahandal manongod sa nuanoy si Jaime. Gabos na bagay sobra an pig-isip sa punto na nadadaog na siya kaini (asin an gabos na harani sa saiya). Alagad ibahon na siya, dai pa man nahaloy. Dai mayo na an manga pusog na hapot na nagamit niya. Tuninong sana sinda kan magkakairibahan sinda.

Igwa siyang romantikong pana’naw manongod sa pagkamoot na dawa an katotohanan dai nakikipagkompetensya asin tibaad iyo an rason kun tano ta nungka siya nagkaigwa nin bata. Pag napag-uulayan ninda an nuanoy, parating naglalaog an urulayan kun siisay an makakatapos sa sainda.

Kaidto pa man, pigsambit na ni Jia na dai mayo siyang labot na aktibong maghanap nin sarong tawo. Daing sirbi an manga Dating app, magtatapos an manga online chat sa pang-goghosting niya; sarong aldaw igwang makakakapot sa saiya. Sa ngunyan, igwa siyang buhay tanganing mabuhay.

Magtatapos si Jaime, na tapat sa saiyang sadiri, sa sarong oras na pagsasalaysay manongod sa kun pa’no dapat hanapon an pagkamoot sa gabos nin lugar. Nakakaugma asin medyo nakakaayoayo kung pa’no siya kasiguro sa paghahanap nin tunay na pagkamoot (o kasing totoo kan mahahanap kan sarong hagbayon).

Pero siguro nagibo na niya.

Nadugangan an gabos.

Pirang oras na sindang nagsosolosolo.

Napag-uurulayan na ninda an saindang manga plano para sa unibersidad.

Tibaad ini na an huring tyansa na magkakahirilingan sinda.

‘Sasabihon niya sakuya na padangat niya ako’ nagdadalagan sa isip ni Jia.

Napaisip siya kun ano an sasabihon niya. Kun sasabihon niya sa saiya na dai niya namamatian an parehas na paaging ini, makukulgan an saiyang puso, asin moot niya pa nanggad siya bilang sarong katood. Tibaad iyo an sasabihon niya na maninigo idto na sarong pagpipilian sa maabot na aldaw, pwede nindang balikan ini pag nagin mas mature na sindang duwa. Nagkaigwa man nin pagpipilian na sabihon na haloy na niya ining midbid kaya dai na niya ini maisip na iba apwera sa sarong pigura nin tugang.

‘Okay’ napaghuropan niya. ‘Kaya ko ini.’

“J, pwede daw tabi na magpundo kita?”

“Ta’no, pagal ka na? Maninigo man kitang magpahingalo nin kadikit, tibaad pagal man an bagay na idto. Baka maabutan ta pa ‘to.”

“Aram ko kun manongod sain talaga ini.”

“Bako ining usa! Midbid ko an usa, nakahiling na ako nin kadakol na manlainlain na usa. Kun ano man ini, bako ining sarong usa.”

“Magpundo ka na, aram kong bako ining pasil para saimo.”

“Ha?”

“Masuwayan na kita pagkatapos kan bulan na ini. Tibaad dai na magkasabatan giraray an satong manga landas. Pinapaduman mo ako sa lalaw na paghapag na ini ta igwa kang mawot na sabihon sako.”

“Iyo, pigsasabi ko saimo na yaon duman an bagay na idto asin pwede tang madakop ito!”

Nagsenyas si Jia sa sarong dakulang gapo dangan nagtukaw sindang duwa. Nasakitan siyang hilingon ini sa mata, alagad mas marhay na tangkason na niya an band aid ngunyan.

“Aram kong sasabihon mo na namomoot ka sakuya.”

“Syempre namumutan taka J. Magkamidbidan na kita kadto pa man, dai ko maisip an sarong urog kamarhay na katood na arog mo.”

“Dai, an boot kong sabihon. ‘Padangaton mo ako’ padangaton mo ako.”

“Ano?”

Makaagi an pirang segundo, sa luwas kan manga poon, sarong lalaw na nilalang an nagsugod sa atubangan ninda. Kasingdakula ini kan sarong dakulaon na kanding, igwang manga piad na kabaing kan kanbing na kumpleto sa manga kuko, alagad naglalakaw ini sa pangmahurihan na piad. Igwa ining balukag sa bilog na hawakn asin sa liwanag nin hapon, haros tawo an lalawgon kaini. Naglukso an nilalang sa atubangan kan duwa dangan nagbutas nin matinis na kurahaw bago naglukso pabalik sa kadlagan.

Pig-abot nin pirang minuto bago nakamukna nin manga kataga an mga hagbayon. Nagtindog si Jaime dangan inugmahan sa saiyang trayumpo.

“Sabi ko saimo! Sabi na! Tunay ini asin pigsabi ko saimo! Iyo! Iyo!”

“Dyosmiyo, totoo man nanggad.”

“Iyo! Hilnga? Dai ako mahaman nin arog kaiyan!”

“Nago, nago, tama ka. Ano an bagay na idto?”

“Dai ko aram pero siguradong bako ‘tong sarong usa.”

“Dai mo kaipuhan na magin surupugon manungod digdi.”

“Iyo! Nagsayang ka nin 3 oras sakuya, nagsasabing dai ka nagtutubod sakuya. Nom, ‘say nagngingirit ngunyan.”

Napahangos nin hararom si Jia. “Ika baga.”

“Hamag yan, tama ako. Nagduman siguro to sa dalan na idto kun nagdalagan kita tibaad makua ta ‘to bago maglubog an saldang. Sa hiling ko nagwalat ini nin bakas, bayai akong busision an daga.”

“J, ano ‘tong pigsasabi ko?”

“Arin na parte?”

“Itong— nadarodara** ka sakuya.”

“Ah, hahahahaha mauragon man yan.”

“Ano?”

“Masinuba ka J, dapat komedyante ka talaga.”

“Boot daw na dai ka— uh—– romantikong interesado sakuya?”

Nagngisi nin makusog si Jaime kasabay kan pagkurahaw kan nilalang.

“Bako ka sana an sakuyang tipo.”

Note:
* – anwa means time in Old Bikol Sentral
** – darodara means fall in love in Bikol Sentral

=————————————-=

English Version

“You have to believe me! I saw it here, I promise!”

Jia rolled her eyes. It had been 2 hours since Jaime saw ‘something’ in the trees and decided to drag her along.

“It was probably a deer. Look, I haven’t seen anything that resembles the ‘thing’ that you saw. Can we please go back?”

“C’mon, just give it a bit more time, we’ll find it, I know we will!”

Jia wondered what ‘it’ he was getting at.

They had known each other since elementary school, but they only started to be friends in the first year of high school. Ever since then, they spent the majority of their time together, talking about their families and friends, the meaning of the stars, and what they thought their futures would be like.

High school was soon to be a distant memory. Their parents encouraged them to go to universities away from the province, to have a better future, or so they thought. Jaime had passed most of the university entrance test and settled on a school in Manila while Jia decided to go to Silliman University in Dumaguete.

In less than a month, they would go their separate ways. Sure, they might chat from time to time and see each other on holidays when they visit their families. But this was the end, and maybe Jaime just wanted a bit more time with her.

Or maybe…

‘Oh no. Oh god no.’ Jia thought.

She remembered the way he looked at her. In the past month something about it changed. Jaime was always one to worry too much about the future. Everything was overthought to the point of overwhelming him (and everyone close to him). But recently he was different. Gone were the soliloquies that she had gotten used to. It was just silence when they were around each other.

He had this romantic view about love that reality couldn’t compete with and maybe that’s why he never had a girlfriend. When they talked about the future, the topic of who they’d end up with would always come up.

Jia had always said that she didn’t care enough to actively seek someone. Dating apps were useless, online chats would end with her ghosting; one day someone she could handle would find her. In the meantime, she had her life to live.

Jaime, true to his nature, would end up with an hour-long spiel about how one should seek love in all places. It was funny and a little bit cute how he was just so sure about finding true love (or as true as a teenage boy could find).

But maybe he already did.

It all added up.

They’ve been alone for hours.

They’ve talked about their plans for university.

This may be the last time they might see each other.

‘He’s going to tell me he loves me’ Jia’s mind raced.

She thought about what she was going to say. If she told him she didn’t feel the same way it would break his heart, and she still loved him as a friend. Maybe she would say that that might be an option in the future, they could revisit it when they both became more mature. There was also the option of saying that she’d known him for so long that she couldn’t think of him as anything else other than a brother figure.

‘Okay’ she thought. ‘I can do this.’

“J, can we please stop?”

“Why, are you tired? We can take a small rest, maybe the thing’s tired too. We might catch up to it.”

“I know what this is really about.”

“It’s not a deer! I know deer, I’ve seen many different kinds of deer. Whatever this was, it wasn’t a deer.”

“Stop okay, I know this isn’t easy for you.”

“Huh?”

“We’re going to be apart after this month. Our paths might not ever cross again. You’re sending me on this wild chase because you want to tell me something.”

“Yes, I’m telling you that the thing is there and we can catch it!”

Jia motioned to a large rock and they both sat down. She had trouble looking him in the eye, but better she rip the band aid off now.

“I know you’re going to say you’re in love with me.”

“Of course I love you J. We’ve known each other since forever, I can’t imagine a better friend like you.”

“No, I mean. ‘Love me’ love me.”

“What?”

A split second later, out of the trees, a wild creature dashed in front of them. It was about the size of a large goat, with legs like a goat complete with hooves, but it walked on its hind legs. It had hair all over its body and in the afternoon light its face looked almost human. The creature jumped in front of the two and let out a shrill scream before bounding away back into the forest.

It took a few minutes before the shellshocked teenagers were able to form words. Jaime stood up and enjoyed his triumph.

“I told you! I knew it! It was real and I told you! Yes! Yes!”

“Oh my god it was actually real.”

“Yes! See? I wouldn’t make something like that up!”

“Okay, okay, you were right. What was that thing?”

“I don’t know but it sure as hell wasn’t a deer.”

“You don’t have to be so smug about it.”

“Yes I do! You spent 3 hours with me saying you don’t believe me. Well who’s laughing now.”

Jia sighed. “You are.”

“Damn right I am. It went that way if we run maybe we can get to it before sundown. I think it left a trail, let me check the ground.”

“J, what about what I said?”

“Which part?”

“The— you being in love with me one.”

“Oh, hahahahaha that was a good one.”

“What?”

“You’re full of jokes J, you should really be a comedian.”

“So you’re not— uh—– romantically interested in me?”

Jaime laughed as loud as the creature screamed.

“You’re just not my type.”

=——————————————————————=

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Bicol Translation by Joseph Villanueva Ciudadano
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Joseph Villanueva Ciudadano

Inspired by the Oguima description in Diccionario mitológico de Filipinas in Volume 2 of Retana, W.E. Archivo del bibliófilo filipino by Ferdinand Blumentritt (1895)

Oguima Illustration by Abe

The post Oguima – Bicol Naga Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Sa lahat ng mga nilalang mula sa Kanluran ng Visayas, ang bagat ang pinakakakaiba.

Ang mga bagat ay may kakayahang magpalit-anyo, maaari silang maging kasindak-sindak na hayop na may malaking sukat (karaniwan ay ang mga maaamong uri) o iba pang nakatatakot na pangitain gaya ng paglutang ng kandila o ng ataul.

Mararamdaman sila sa mga mapanglaw na lugar. Hindi na kakaiba na makita sila kung kabilugan ng buwan o kung madilim ang langit sa gabi matapos ang kaunting patak ng ulan.

Kalimitan, sila ay di mapaminsala, gaya ng nabanggit sa itaas na anyo ng mga alagang hayop. Ngunit huwag magpakakampante dahil may mga ilan ring dapat na alalahanin.

May mga bagat na alaga ng ilang kagila-gilalas na nilalang at kung makakaalitan mo ang mga ito ay paggagantihan ka ng mga bagat para sa kanilang amo.

Nagiging delikado rin ang mga bagat sa mga pagkakataon na sila ay masasaktan.

May nagsasabi rin na ang ilang mga aswang ay ginagaya ang anyo ng mga bagat. Kadalasang nakatayo ang mga ito nang ang buhok ay nakatirik at ang mukha ay sadyang nakakatakot, habang ang mata nito ay nakatingin lang sa harapan.

Now it has to be noted about bagat and aswang. In some cases, there are bagat that are aswang and in others there are aswang that take the form of the bagat. There is a strange relationship that I wish I had more time to study, but that will have to wait for a future time.

Kailangan tandaan ang tungkol sa bagat at aswang. May mga pagkakataon na may mga bagat na asawang at may mga aswang na ginagaya ang anyo ng mga bagat. May kakaibang relasyon ito na sana ay may mas oras pa ako para pag-aral, ngunit kailangan muna itong maipagpaliban.

Those that encounter true bagat should know that they are prone to terrifying lone travelers. Some bagat may even chase or wrestle their scared quarry. If one is wrestled this way then the victim should bite the bagat’s thumb hard until it yields and begs to be freed.

Sa mga nakatagpo na ng totoong bagat ay alam nila na karaniwan itong nananakot ng mga nag-iisang manlalakbay. May ilang bagat na nanghahabol o nakikipagbuno sa mga takot na dayo. Kung makipagbuno ang bagat, dapat na gawin ng biktima ay kagatin ang hinlalaki ng bagat hanggang sa huminto ito at magmakaawa na palayain na siya.

May ilan ring kwento na nagsasabing naduduwag o humihinto ang bagat sa pamamagitan ng pagbati rito na parang kakilala. Sa ganitong paraan, nalilito ang nilalang kaya nahihirapan itong gumawa ng kilos.

May narinig akong kwento kung saan nag-anyong malaking aso ang isang bagat at hinarang ang mga manlalakbay na dumaraan sa pook nito isang gabi. Wala namang napahamak sa pagkakaalam ko at di rin nagtagal, umalis na rin ang ang bagat at naghanap na ng bagong lugar na paglalagiman.

Pagkatapos ng lahat, hindi ko pa rin alam kung ano ang itsura o anyo ng totoong bagat at baka hindi ko na talaga malaman pa dahil aalis na ako sa Mindanao ngayong linggo.

Ano man ang mangyari, mag-ingat sana ang mga makatatagpo ng bagat.

Walang nakakaalam sa gagayahin at gagamitin nitong anyo.

Sana lang ay yung hindi kakaiba.

-Mula sa sulat ni Mari Bas

=——————————–=
English Version

Among the creatures from Western Visayas, the bagat is most peculiar.

The bagat are shapeshifters in the common nomenclature, changing between monstrous animals of huge proportions (mostly those of the domesticated variety) or other frightful apparitions such as floating candles or coffins.

They haunt lonely trails. It is not uncommon for them to be sighted when the moon is full or if it is completely dark after a light drizzle in the evening.

Normally, they are harmless, assuming the aforementioned form of domesticated animals. But one must not let their guard down as there are special considerations to note.

There are bagat that are pets of other supernatural creatures and if you cross these creatures then the bagat will have no choice but to retaliate for their masters.

What is common in most cases is that the bagat is very dangerous when harmed.

It is also said that some aswang take on one of the forms of a bagat. These are often encountered walking with their hair standing on end and their faces a terrifying sight, with the creature’s eyes staring ahead.

Now it has to be noted about bagat and aswang. In some cases, there are bagat that are aswang and in others there are aswang that take the form of the bagat. There is a strange relationship that I wish I had more time to study, but that will have to wait for a future time.

Those that encounter true bagat should know that they are prone to terrifying lone travelers. Some bagat may even chase or wrestle their scared quarry. If one is wrestled this way then the victim should bite the bagat’s thumb hard until it yields and begs to be freed.

There are also tales of discouraging the bagat by greeting them as if they were someone familiar. This presumably confuses the spirit, making it hard for it to react.

I have heard of a strange situation wherein a bagat took the form of a large dog and waylaid travelers walking its path at night. There were no casualties that I am aware of and eventually the bagat moved on, looking for another place to haunt.

Throughout all of this I still do not know what the true form of the bagat is, and I may never know as I leave for Mindanao this week.

Whatever happens I wish luck to those that encounter the bagat.

You never know what form it will take.

Pray it is a familiar one.

-From the notes of Mari Bas

=———————————————–=

*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 Reina Mikee
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Reina Mikee

Story inspired by the Bagat description in  The Encyclopedia of Philippine Folk Beliefs and Customs Vol. 1 , F.R. Demetrio S.J., Xavier University, 1990

Bagat Illustration by Michael Sean B. Talavera
IG: @maykelshan
Deviantart: https://www.deviantart.com/isaneleach13

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

*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga

“Anó an tanog na ini?”

“Dai ko aram, an tanog garo nagngunguya. Tibaad sarong nagpapangudto nin lalaw na hayop.”

“Likayan ta an dalan kun sain ini hali. Mari na, kaipuhan ta magdalidali, paabot na an natatada sa sainda.”

“Dai ko maaraman kun pano mo ako kinakaulay manongod sa estupidong pangangayam na ini, bako ini arog kan muya ko sa manga tawong ini”

“Eksakto, magagamit mo an pagkasuya na iyan tanganing mag-ungos an samuyang kapangganahan, maduman na kita, sa hiling ko an masunod na tanda iyo an yaon sa ibabaw kan bulod na ini.”
“Nago, alagad kun manggana, tatawan mo ako nin 2 pidaso nin manok hali sa Jollibee.”
“KAGURANGNAN TANG DIOS!”
“Ok, ok, nago, sarong pidaso na sana.”

“Dai! Maghiling ka digdi. Diosmiyo, Kagurangnan tang Dios!”
“Ano ‘ni—– Linti—–“
“Saro ining gadan na hawak!”
“Nahiling ko idto!”
“Anong gigibuhon ta?!”

“Okey, kalmado sana, maghinangos sana!”
“Diosmiyoperdones Kagurangnan tang dios.”
“MAGHANGOS SABI KO! Makibilang ka sakuya, saro. Duwa. Tolo.”

“Saro. Duwa. Tolo.”

“Hilinga? Kaipuhan ta sanang magin kalmado asin—– ANONG IMPYERNO INI”
“Naghihiro ini! Abaanang Dyosmiyoperdon ”
“Dai ko aram kun ano ika alagad rumayo ka! Habo ming magkaigwa nin problema.”
“Diosmi igwang dugo sa liog niya.”
“An boot sanang ipasabot kan sakuyang katood iyo an dai mi intensyon na kulgan ka.”
“Pakiulay, dai mo kami kulgan! .”

“Rumayo ka!”

“AAAHHHGHGH!”

“…. halat.”
“…..buhay pa daw kita?”
“Ano an ginigibo kaini?”
“Sa hiling ko nginingiritan kita kan manga ini.”
“Dai mayo ining nguso.”
“Ano pa daw an ginigibo kaini?”
“Sa hiling ko nagpapaaram na ini ngunyan”

“Ako….. Anong nangyari?”

=—————————————=

English Version

“What’s that sound?”

“I don’t know, sounds like crunching. Maybe a wild animal’s having lunch.”

“Let’s avoid the path where it’s coming from then. Come on we need to hurry, the rest of them are already ahead.”

“I don’t know how you talked me into going on this stupid scavenger hunt, it’s not like I even like these people.”

“Exactly, you can use that hatred to fuel our victory, now let’s go, I think the next clue is over this hill.”

“Fine, but if we win you owe me a 2 piece chicken from Jollibee.”

“OH MY GOD!”

“Ok, ok, fine, a 1 piece.”

“No! Look over here. Oh my god, oh my god!”

“What’s—– HOLY—–“

“It’s a dead body!”

“I can see that!”

“What do we do?!”

“Okay, calm down, just breathe!”

“Ohmygodohmygodohmygod.”

“I SAID BREATHE! Count with me, one. Two. Three.”

“One. Two. Three.”

“See? We just need to stay calm and—– WHAT THE HELL”

“It’s moving! Ohmygodohmygodohmygod”

“I don’t know what you are but stay away! We don’t want any trouble.”

“Ohymygodthere’sbloodonitsneck.”

“What my friend is trying to say is we don’t mean you any harm.”

“Pleasedon’thurtus.”

“Stay back!”

“AAAHHHGHGH!”

“……wait.”

“…..are we still alive?”

“What’s it doing?”

“I think it’s laughing at us.”

“It doesn’t have a mouth.”

“Well what else do you think it’s doing?”

“I think it’s waving goodbye now.”

“I…..What just happened?”

=—————————————————=

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Bicol Translation by Joseph Villanueva Ciudadano
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Joseph Villanueva Ciudadano

Story inspired by Numputul entry in Myth Museum. Medina. 2015.

Numputul (Sambal) Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
FB: That Guy With A Pen

The post Numputul (Sambal) – Bicol Naga Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Palubog na ang araw sa tabi ng bundok at ang daan ay nagiging padilim na ng padilim. Si Carlo at Che ay pabalik na sa kanilang bakasyunan pagkatapos ang isang araw na paglalakbay ng pagiging isa sa kalikasan. Ito na ang pangatlong beses sa loob ng maraming araw na napagdesisyonan nila na galugarin ang katabing bundok at ang mga local na gabay ay higit pa sa pagiging matulungin.

Naisip ni Carlos na maganda ito. Higit pa sa isang buwan simula noong napagpasyahan nilang magkabalikan at ang mga bagay ay patuloy na bumubuti.

Kahit papaano ay naisagawa nya ang pagbabayadsala para sa mga maling kanyang nagawa, o siguro ay napagdesisyonan nlng ni Che na patawarin sya. Ngunit ngayon ito ay parang katulad ng unang panahon. Noong nakakapagtawanan pa sla at nakakapaglakad-lakad at nahahawakan ang kanyang kamay. Hiniling nya na magpatuloy ito habang buhay.

Ang daanan ang mahirap na makita ngayon at natuwa ang magkasintahan na naalala nilang magdala ng mga lente at mga ulo lampara. Nasanay sila sa paggala sa labas at nagkakila pa sila sa mountaineering club ng kanilang paaralan. Para sa kanila, parating may magandang dulot ang pagiging handa.

“Nararamdaman mo ba un?” tanong ni Che.

“Wag mo nang ikabahala iyon, mabilis talaga bumaba ang temperatura sa lugar na ito” sagot ni Carlos. “Dapat ay malapit na tayo sa resort ngayon, magbigay o tumagal ng 15 minuto.”

KAO-KAO

KAO-KAO

KAO-KAO

“ano iyon?!” Inikot ni che ang kanyang lente sa paligid upang subukang mailawan ang mga puno.

“Marahil ay isa lng iyon sa mga ligaw na ibon. Wag kang mag alala, walang ano man ang makakapanakit saatin dito” malumanay na sagot ni Carlos. “Che? May mali ba?”

Nahulog ni Che ang kaniyang lente at nagsimulang tumakbo papunta sa ibang direction mula kay Carlos. Hindi nya alam kung ano ang nangyayari at umikot sya para makita kung ano ang tinakbuhan ni Che.

KAO-KAO

KAO-KAO

KAO-KAO

Ang tanging bagay lng na narinig ni Che ay ang tunog ng hiyaw ni Carlos habang tumatakbo sya pababa sa daan. Inaasahan nya na maging mas mabilis si Carlos sa kung ano mang bagay iyon pero alam nya na iyon ay mapaghangad na pag-iisip.

KAO-KAO

KAO-KAO

KAO-KAO

Nadarama na niya ito sa likuran niya.

=——————————————–=

English Version

It was sunset along the mountainside and the trail was getting darker and darker. Carlo and Che were headed back to their resort after a day’s journey being one with nature. It was the third time in as many days that they decided to explore the nearby mountain and the local guides were more than accommodating.

Carlos thought this was nice. It had been more than a month since they decided to get back together and things were looking up. He had somehow managed to atone for the mistakes that he had made, or maybe she just decided to forgive him, but now this was like the old times. When they could laugh and walk and he could hold her hand. He wished that this could go on forever.

The trail was getting hard to see now, and the couple was glad they remembered to bring flashlights and headlamps. They were used to going outdoors and they had even met in their school’s mountaineering club. To them it always paid to be prepared.

“Do you feel that?” Che asked.

“Don’t worry about it, the temperature drops really fast in this area.” Carlos replied. “We should be near the resort now anyway, give or take 15 minutes.”

“We’re more than 30 minutes away, I recognize this tree from the trek going up.” Che smiled, she always liked to remind Carlos who had more experience on the trail.

KAO-KAO

KAO-KAO

KAO-KAO

“What was that?!” Che spun her flashlight around trying to illuminate the trees.

“It’s probably one of the wild birds. Don’t worry, there’s nothing here that can hurt us.” Carlos calmly stated. “Che? What’s wrong?”

Che dropped her flashlight and started running towards the opposite direction from Carlos. He didn’t know what was happening and he turned around to see what Che ran away from.

KAO-KAO

KAO-KAO

KAO-KAO

The only thing Che heard was the sound of Carlos’ scream as she ran down the trail. She hoped that he would be faster than whatever that thing was but she knew that was wishful thinking.

KAO-KAO

KAO-KAO

KAO-KAO

She could already feel it behind her.

————————–————————–———————–

*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 Alexandra F. Opon
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Alexandra F. Opon

Story inspired by The Myths of the Philippines: The Terror of the Thalon. Gaverza. 2014.

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

The post Mhenamad Thalon – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

Among the creatures from Western Visayas, the bagat is most peculiar.

The bagat are shapeshifters in the common nomenclature, changing between monstrous animals of huge proportions (mostly those of the domesticated variety) or other frightful apparitions such as floating candles or coffins.

They haunt lonely trails. It is not uncommon for them to be sighted when the moon is full or if it is completely dark after a light drizzle in the evening.

Normally, they are harmless, assuming the aforementioned form of domesticated animals. But one must not let their guard down as there are special considerations to note.

There are bagat that are pets of other supernatural creatures and if you cross these creatures then the bagat will have no choice but to retaliate for their masters.

What is common in most cases is that the bagat is very dangerous when harmed.

It is also said that some aswang take on one of the forms of a bagat. These are often encountered walking with their hair standing on end and their faces a terrifying sight, with the creature’s eyes staring ahead.

Now it has to be noted about bagat and aswang. In some cases, there are bagat that are aswang and in others there are aswang that take the form of the bagat. There is a strange relationship that I wish I had more time to study, but that will have to wait for a future time.

Those that encounter true bagat should know that they are prone to terrifying lone travelers. Some bagat may even chase or wrestle their scared quarry. If one is wrestled this way then the victim should bite the bagat’s thumb hard until it yields and begs to be freed.

There are also tales of discouraging the bagat by greeting them as if they were someone familiar. This presumably confuses the spirit, making it hard for it to react.

I have heard of a strange situation wherein a bagat took the form of a large dog and waylaid travelers walking its path at night. There were no casualties that I am aware of and eventually the bagat moved on, looking for another place to haunt.

Throughout all of this I still do not know what the true form of the bagat is, and I may never know as I leave for Mindanao this week.

Whatever happens I wish luck to those that encounter the bagat.

You never know what form it will take.

Pray it is a familiar one.

-From the notes of Mari Bas

=———————————————–=

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Story inspired by the Bagat description in  The Encyclopedia of Philippine Folk Beliefs and Customs Vol. 1 , F.R. Demetrio S.J., Xavier University, 1990

Bagat Illustration by Michael Sean B. Talavera
IG: @maykelshan
Deviantart: https://www.deviantart.com/isaneleach13

The post Bagat appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

“May naririnig ka ba?”

“Oo, parang malutong. Baka may kumakain lang na hayop.”

“Iwasan na lang natin kung saan nanggagaling yung tunog. Bilisan natin, nauna na silang lahat.”

“Hindi ko talaga alam kung paano mo ako nakumbinsing sumali sa walang kwentang Scavenger Hunt. Hindi naman sa wala akong pakialam sa mga tao rito.”

“Gamitin mo iyang galit mo para manalo tayo. Tara dalian natin kasi nandoon sa burol yung susunod na palatandaan.”

“Sige, pero kapag nanalo tayo ililibre mo ako ng dalawang manok sa Jollibee.”

“Seryoso ka!”

“Sige, isang manok lang.”

“Hala! Tumingin ka rito. Ano ito, ano ito?!”

“Ano—-Ga–”

“Patay na tao!”

“Alam ko!”

“Anong gagawin natin?”

“Kailangan muna nating huminga at kumalma!”

“Dios Mio!”

“SABI KO HINGA! Sabayan mo ako, isa, dalawa, tatlo.”

“Isa. Dalawa. Tatlo.”

“Gumana ‘di ba? Kailangan lang nating kumalma at—- ANO IYON?!”

“GUMAGALAW! DIOS MIO!

“Hindi ko alam kung ano ka, pero lumayo ka sa amin! Hindi ka namin sasaktan.”

“Grabe, mayroon siyang dugo sa leeg niya.”

“Ang gusto lang sabihin ng kaibigan ko ay wala kaming gagawing masama sa iyo.”

“Huwag mo kaming sasaktan.”

“Diyan ka lang!”

“AAAHHHGHGH!”

“……teka.”

“……buhay ka pa ba tayo?”

“Ano yung ginagawa niya?”

“Sa tingin ko tinatawanan niya tayo.”

“Nakikita mo ba wala siyang bibig.”

“Kung hindi siya tumatawa, ano yung ginagawa niya?”

“Sa tingin ko namamaalam siya sa atin.”

“A…..Anong nangyari?”

=—————————————————————-=

English version

“What’s that sound?”

“I don’t know, sounds like crunching. Maybe a wild animal’s having lunch.”

“Let’s avoid the path where it’s coming from then. Come on we need to hurry, the rest of them are already ahead.”

“I don’t know how you talked me into going on this stupid scavenger hunt, it’s not like I even like these people.”

“Exactly, you can use that hatred to fuel our victory, now let’s go, I think the next clue is over this hill.”

“Fine, but if we win you owe me a 2 piece chicken from Jollibee.”

“OH MY GOD!”

“Ok, ok, fine, a 1 piece.”

“No! Look over here. Oh my god, oh my god!”

“What’s—– HOLY—–“

“It’s a dead body!”

“I can see that!”

“What do we do?!”

“Okay, calm down, just breathe!”

“Ohmygodohmygodohmygod.”

“I SAID BREATHE! Count with me, one. Two. Three.”

“One. Two. Three.”

“See? We just need to stay calm and—– WHAT THE HELL”

“It’s moving! Ohmygodohmygodohmygod”

“I don’t know what you are but stay away! We don’t want any trouble.”

“Ohymygodthere’sbloodonitsneck.”

“What my friend is trying to say is we don’t mean you any harm.”

“Pleasedon’thurtus.”

“Stay back!”

“AAAHHHGHGH!”

“……wait.”

“…..are we still alive?”

“What’s it doing?”

“I think it’s laughing at us.”

“It doesn’t have a mouth.”

“Well what else do you think it’s doing?”

“I think it’s waving goodbye now.”

“I…..What just happened?”

————————–————————–————————

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

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

Story inspired by Numputul entry in Myth Museum. Medina. 2015.

Numputul (Sambal) Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
FB: That Guy With A Pen

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

*Note this story is in Tagalog

“Lintil” sabi ni Jomar habang nakatingin sa ilog. Nakita niya ang dating kaaway mula sa kalayuan.

Hindi kayang itago ng kaniyang mahabang buhok ang mukha nito kay Jomar. Ilang beses niyang pinapaalala sa sarili na kahit ano pa man ang mukha nito, isa pa rin siyang demonyo.

Kinuha na ni Jomar ang kaniyang lambat sa ilog at nilapag ito sa bangka. Ang pagbebenta lang ng ueang* ang pinagkakakitaan niya at tuwing nababaling ang kaniyang paningin, kukuhanin ng demonyo ang lahat ng kaniyang napangisda. Nangangarap na lang siya na sana buhay pa ang kaniyang lolo para maturuan siya kung paano harapin ang ganoong klaseng nilalang. Naisa-isa na ang mga mahal niya sa buhay dahil panahon kaya kailangan niya itong harapin mag-isa.

Nakaupo siya sa kaniyang bangka at nag-iisip kung ano ang gagawin niya ngayon. Hindi niya kayang makipag-unahan dahil mayroon siyang binubuhat. Alam ni Jomar na hindi siya kayang habulin nito sa ilog, kaya kailangan niyang mag-isip kung ano ang gagawin niya: Delikado sumugod sa rumaragasang ilog dahil masisira ang bangka niya sa matutulis na bato, at ang isa namang pwede niyang gawin ay lilituhin niya ito para siya makatakas. Hindi niya nagustuhan ang mga naisip na plano.

Lumipas ang isang oras pagkatapos makita ni Jomar ang nilalang at matagal na rin siyang nakabilad sa araw. Kinikilabutan siya dahil napansin niya na hindi gumagalaw ang demonyo simula nang nakita niya ito. Kailangan niya nang pumunta sa ilog para mauwi niya ang kaniyang napangisda.

Dinaan niya ang bangka pababa sa ilog. Tinangay siya ng rumaragasang tubig at kinailangan ang buong lakas niya para iwasan ang mga tumatalsik na bato at malalakas na agos. Hindi nagtagal nakaabot din siya sa kaniyang pupuntahan, pero ang ginahawang naramdahan ay bigla ring humupa.

Dahil mayroon siyang nasisilayan sa tabing-ilog.

Isa na namang demonyo.

=————————————————–=

English Version

“Linti!” Jomar looked across the river and saw his old nemesis. He could see its face beneath the long hair and he had to remind himself that, no matter what it looked like, it was still a demon.

Jomar fished his net out of the river onto his boat. Selling ueang* was has only source of income and every time he would let his guard down one of these demons would steal his catch and leave him with nothing. He wished his lolo was still alive to tell him how to deal with these creatures, but time took its toll on the people that he loved and he was left alone with his problems as always.

He sat in his boat and wondered what he would do this time. There was no chance of outrunning the demon, not while he was carrying this heavy a load. Jomar knew that the demon couldn’t follow you through a river, and he had to make a choice: Going through the river could be dangerous, the current ran fast and there was a chance that he would end up dashed against the rocks, on the other hand he could take his chances distracting the demon and then making a break for it. Neither of those choices seemed appealing to him.

I had been an hour since Jomar had first seen the demon and his skin was cooked from the heat of the sun. The demon hadn’t moved a single inch and its impassive features sent shivers down Jomar’s spine. It was time to decide, and Jomar knew that the river would be his best bet at surviving and keeping his catch.

He steered the boat down the river and held on for his life. The rapids were violent and it took all his strength to guide his craft through the winding stones and dangerous waters. It didn’t take long to reach his destination, but the relief he felt didn’t last long.

A figure was waiting along the riverbank.

Another demon.

————————–————————–————————–

*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.

*Ueang is freshwater shrimp

Story inspired by the Bawa description in ‘The Myths of the Philippines’. Gaverza. 2014.

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

Bawa Illustration by Nica Mapeso

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