*Note this story is in Aklanon

Kato anay hay may isaea ka mangangayam nga nakasaea. Gin eagas nana ro sapat nga anang inugdakop sa tagudtud it Daeogdog, isaeang ka bukid kun siin ga-istar ro mga dyos. Ro pinaka makakagahom sa tanan nga dyos ngara hay si Gamhanan. Imaw hay may pinasahi nga alaga nga si Panigotlo, isaeang ka usa nga kaputi-puti ag may mahanggod nga mga sungay. Sa isang haboy it saeapang, gin bawian ro sapat it kabuhi.

Kato anay hay may isaeang ka baryo nga wa’t mahimo. Ro paghuma ni Panigotlo miyentras bilog ro buean hay gakahueogan it bugana nga adlaw para sa pagtanum sa pagka-aga. Tanan hay naghinugyaw. Pero ro kasadyahan hay gulping nagpundo sa pagkakita nanda it tawong gapaeapit halin sa tabok it suba. Si Dagasanan nga mangangayam, ginapas-an ro baghok ko alaga ni Gamhanan. Indi nanda hibaton ro grabeng saea ngara. Ililimaw sanda nga bumuoe ko andang mga bangkaw ag mga sanduko ag ginpatay nanda si Dagasanan sa may suba. Dato man ro ginubra nanda sa anang ama sa andang baeay.

Kato anay hay may isaeang ka kaeag nga nagahamdom it pagbaeos. Ro kaeag ni Dagasanan nga mangangayam hay indi gid himayang. May puno it inyam nga nagtubo sa pungsod kun siin imaw namatay. Sa handong ko mga sanga, dikato imaw nagapanukot. Isaeang ka unga nga taga baryo ro gabayad sa gin-ubra ko anang mga ninuno. Isaeang ka unga kada dag-on, hasta’t hibatyagan man it banwa ro kasakit it andang kahisa.

Kato anay hay may isaeang ka easkit nga wa gapati sa mga kahaeadlok nga sugilanon. Gin huyo-huyo imaw ko anang mga amigo nga mageangoy sa may puno it inyam pero ginhibaygan eang nana sanda. Hambae nana nga tal-it sanda dahil gapinati sanda sa mga istorya it andang mga lolo ag lola. Sayod nana nga iba imaw. Nga imaw ro pinaka maisog kandang tanan. Wa’t paduha-duha nga nageumpat imaw sa tubi.

Hasta makaron hay may parte gihapon sa isaeang ka suba sa Akean nga ro pangaean hay Dagasanan. Suno kanda, ro daguno halin sa mga bato hay ro anang kaeag nga gaueahab sa kasakit, hamtang gausoy ko anang masunod nga biktima.

=———————————–=

English Version

There was once a hunter who made a terrible mistake. He searched for his quarry in the shadow of Mount Daeogdog, where the gods of his people lived. The most powerful of all the gods was Gamhanan, and he had a special pet. This favored creature of the great god was called the Panigotlo, a pristine, white deer with full antlers. One spear was all it took to silence the majestic sound of this enchanted creature.

There was once a village that had no choice. A full moon and the bleating of the Panigotlo signaled an abundant day for planting the next morning. The festivities and merriment suddenly stopped when they saw a figure approaching across the river. The hunter, Dagasanan, had on his shoulders the carcass of Gamhanan’s pet. They all knew that they could not abide by this sacrilege of the great god. The villagers took their spears and swords and slew Dagasanan by the river and his father in their home.

There was once a spirit that thirsted for vengeance. On the spot where Dagasanan was killed, an inyam tree grew. The hunter’s ghost would not know rest. The tree cast a shadow and on that spot his hunger for revenge would be sated. One child of the village would pay for what their ancestors had done. A child every year until the villagers would know the pain that he felt when his friends betrayed him.

There was once a boy who didn’t believe in ghost stories. His friends dared him to swim by the inyam tree and all he did was laugh. The boy called his friends cowards for believing in the stories that their lolos and lolas told them. He knew he was different and the bravest of their group, so he took the challenge and jumped in the water.

There is still a part of a river in Aklan named after the hunter, Dagasanan and an inyam tree that people avoid. They say that the loud noises that come from the rocks are his spirit crying in pain, looking for his next victim.

————————–————————–————————

*Aklanon (Akeanon), also known as Bisaya/Binisaya nga Aklanon/Inaklanon or simply Aklan, is an Austronesian language of the Bisayan subgroup spoken by the Aklanon people in the province of Aklan on the island of Panay in the Philippines. Its unique feature among other Bisayan languages is the close-mid back unrounded vowel [ɤ] occurring as part of diphthongs and traditionally written with the letter ⟨Ee⟩ such as in the autonyms Akean and Akeanon. However, this phoneme is also present in other but geographically scattered and distant Philippine languages, namely Itbayat, Isneg, Manobo, Samal and Sagada.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Aklanon Translation by Chi Payba-Suarez
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Chi Payba-Suarez

Story Adapted from ‘Legend of Aklan’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Dagasanan Illustration and Watercolor by Robert Rañosa Del Prado

The post Dagasanan – Aklanon Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Ilocano

Idi un-unana a panawen, adda nataengan nga agassawa nga saan a maaddaan iti anak. Kada rabii, itag-ay da ti kararagda iti langit agingga a naammuan ti babai isun ket masikogen. Idi maipasngay ti anakda, napalalo ti kinapintas daytoy ket naidir-i dagiti nagannak,” Awanen ti napimpintas pay ngem ti anak ta. Uray daytay kapintasan a tumawo ket saan a maidilig iti anak ta.”

Intayab ti angin dagiti balikasda iti nasipnget a kabakiran ken kadagiti kangangatuan nga ulep agingga a nakadanon dagitoy iti lapayag dagiti tumawo nga agnanaed iti maysa a narabaw a bubon, saan unay nga adayo iti pagtaengan dagiti agassawa.

Saan nga impagarup dagiti agassawa a daydiay naisawang da ket rubroban na ti panagapal dagiti espiritu. Napagnunumuan dagiti espiritu nga masapul nga bayadan ti ubing dagiti naisasao ti nagannak na.

Dagitoy a tumawo ket naanos kas iti kina-agnanayonda.. Naimatangan da ti panagdakkel ken ad-adda nga ipipintas ti ubing.  Uray dagiti adda iti adayo a lugar ket nadamagda ti maipapan iti ubing ken ti awan agpaiduma a kinapintas daytoy.

Kimmaro ti panagilem dagitoy a tumawo. Nangngeg da dagiti senyales a maibugas iti samiweng dagiti billit.

“ Isu ti init nga agpangato iti law-ang. Mabendisyona nga agnanayon dagiti masagid ti lawagna.”

“ Saan a maartapan dagiti amin a sabsabong iti lubong ti kinaraniagna.”

“Nagtaud kadagiti matana dagiti rimat ti kinaagnanayon. Awan ti makakitakit iti imatangna.”

“Saan nga masarmingan ti danum ti pudno nga daeg na.”

Ita, dagiti maudi a balikas ket nangted ti nauneg a sugat iti kaunggan dagiti espiritu nga aggigian iti narabaw a bubon. Para kaniada, nasagraduan unay ti danum ket ti pangibbet iti kasdiay a sasao ket mangparnuay ti pungtot.

Iti maika-sangapulo ket lima nga tawen ti panagkasangay ti balasitang, inrussuat dagiti espiritu ti panggep da.

Iti dayta a rabii, rimmuar ti balasitang idi makaturogen ti pamilya na, ket linagip na ti kinasangsangayan dayta nga aldaw. Adu ti naawat na a sagut manipud kadagiti agraraem kaniana- narimat nga al-alahas ken nakaayayat a balitok. Imbilangna dagiti init ken bulan kas tulnek laeng  nga mangsilnag iti pigura na.

Nasinga ti panaglaglagipna  gapu iti maysa a samiweng a  kasla mangay-ayab kaniana.  Saan na a malappedan ti kinapintas dayta nga uni ket rinuggian na ti nagna a nangsurot iti gubbuayan daytoy.

Iti bubon, nagsusupiat dagiti espiritu.

“Ilemmes tayo dayta nga nakasur-suron nga kattubo. Bassit la a minutos, ket malpasto aminen; satayto ipatulod ti nabulok a bangkayna kadagiti dadduma nga tattao tapno mabuyada no kasano a talaga ti kinapintas daytoy a prinsesa.”

“Saan! Rumbeng nga maikkan ti dusa nga atiddog ken in-inut. Iti unos  ti sangapulo ket lima nga tawen, inibturan tayo dagiti insulto iti langa tayo. Kayatko nga agsagaba met kas kadatayo.

Naglalaban ken nagpipinnasagid dagiti espiritu, ngem awan latta ti naurnos da a katulagan.

Agingga a maysa a timek ti naguni manipud iti uneg ti bubon. “Kakabsatko a tamawo, dagitoy patangan tayo maipanggep iti dusa ken panangparigat ket saan na masebseban ti pungtot tayo. Immanamong dagiti tattao  nga awan ti makaasping ti pintas daydiay a balasitang. Masapul a paneknekan tayo a nagbiddut da.

“Ania ti kayatmo ngarud nga aramiden mi?”

“Makitayonto.”

Nagtakder ti balasang iti abay ti bubon. Ammona no ania ti mapaspasamak ti bagina ngem saan na nga makontrol daytoy.

Manipud iti bubon, rimsua ti maysa a napintas a babai. Ammo iti puso ti balasang a maysa a datdatlag daytoy a babai, kas iti pannakaestorya ti apongna a lakay.

“Pangngaasim ta palusposannak,” impakaasi ti balasang.

“Adda nadagsen unay a basol ti pamilyam kadagiti espiritu.”

“Ania ti kayat mo a sawen?Awan ti inaramidmi a pakadangran da.”

“Saan kadi a pudno nga inwarwaragawag  dagiti tattao iti kabangibang a lugar a napinpintas ka ngem dagiti espiritu?”

“Wen, ngem ang-angaw laeng daydiay. Agpas-pasaw da laeng.”

“Ti pagarupek ket saan. Kas met ti inaramid mo.”

“Awan ti imbagbagak!”

“Kasta kadi? Ngem ania ti napasamak iti panagkasangay mo?”

“Awan ti napasamak!”

“Ania ti imbagam kalpasan a naawat mo dagidi sagutmo?

“Awan. Ang-angaw ko laeng!”

“ Ania. Ti. Imbagam?”

Nagayus ti lua iti pingping ti balasang.

“Imbagak a siak laeng ti napateg. Nga awan ti naparsua, awan ti espiritu, awan ti uray maysa a didiosen a makaartap ti pintas nga adda kaniak.

“ Tinupraam ti rupa dagiti espiritu. Awan ti makaartap ti kinapintas nga adda kadakami. Maysaka laeng a tao, ken saan nakam to a pulos na makapada.

Nagulimek ti balasang. Nariknana ti panagkapsut ti engkantasyon a mangigawgawid kaniana, ngem imbes nga agtaray, sinangona ti espiritu.

“Saan mo nga ammo ti ibagbagam.Sika nga maag a baka! Saan mo kadi nga ammo no kasano ti kinapintasko wenno awan kadi ti matam? Maaramid mo ti kaykayatmo kaniak, ngem kanayon, kankanayonto nga maammuam  a napimpintas daytoy a tao ngem ti aniaman a tumawo!”

“Maituredmo ti di mangrespeto.”

“Saan. Ibagbagak laeng ti kinapudno. Malaglagipdanto a siak ti kapipintasan iti daytoy a  lugar ken iti sabsabali pay, ngem dayta rupam, awan man la ti agka-interes a kadaywan a tao.

“Maag a balasang! Ngem mabalin nga husto ka. Napinpintas ka nga amang ngem ti panangipagarupko kenka. Ngem adda ammok a wagas tapno ibaga dagiti tattao ken espiritu nga dagiti tumawo ti kapipintasan iti daytoy nga pagturayan ken iti sabali pay.”

“Ania ti aramidem kaniak?”

“Makitam to… kabsat a babai.”

Adu a tawen a pinadas ti agassawa a biroken ti balasangda agingga a ti pannakasair ti pusoda ti nangdadael iti nakapsuten a bagida. Saan a nasungbatan dagiti kararagda ket nagtutuokda gapu iti saem ti panagpukaw ti anakda  agingga iti panungpalan da. Naitabonda iti asideg ti pagtaenganda, kadagiti tanem nga awan markana.

Kuna ti dadduma a nalmes ti balasitang iti karayan a saan unay nga adayo ket makita ti al-aliana nga agdaldaliasat kadagiti naliday a daldalan.

Kuna ti dadduma a maysa kadagiti nagarem ti nangitaray kenkuana iti adayo a daga , ket sadiay isu itan ti reyna, kontento a mangusar kadagiti aldawna a mangiranud iti kinapintasna kadagiti iturayanna.

Ngem adda dagiti mamakdaar a maiparit ti mapmapan iti naiputputong a bubon iti asideg ti kabakiran. Kunada a dagiti napintas nga espiritu ti agtataeng dita.. Adda dagiti di mangikankano kadagita a pakdaar ta kunada met a maysa kadagita nga espiritu ti kapipintasan a parsua iti amin a pagturayan. Dagidiay addaan iti sentido komon, ipangagda dagitoy a pakdaar ngem kadagidiay awanan iti rasrasunen, awan ti manglapped kadakuada a mangsirpat uray ti apagdarikmat iti kinapintasna.

============================

English Version

Once there was an old couple who had a difficult time conceiving. Every night they lifted their prayers to heaven until one day the woman found herself pregnant. When their child was born, she was of such profound beauty that her parents exclaimed, “There are none more beautiful than our daughter. Even the fairest tomawo could not compare to her!”

The wind carried their words through the somber forests and lofty clouds until they settled on the ears of those that tamawo that dwelt in a shallow well a fair distance from the couple’s house.

It never crossed the couple’s mind that an exclamation such as that could inflame the envy of those spirits. The spirits agreed that the child would pay for her parent’s words.

These tomawo were as patient as they were eternal. They watched as the child matured, growing even more beautiful. Even those from far-off lands knew of the girl and her unsurpassed loveliness.

The spirits grew even more embittered. They could hear the signs carried in the melodies of the songbirds:

“She is the sun ascending from the horizon. Those who are touched by her light are blessed forever.”

“All the flowers in the world cannot match her radiance.”

“In her eyes are the flickers of the infinite. No one can resist her gaze.”

“Mere water cannot reflect her true elegance.”

Now those last words cut a deep wound in the spirits’ pride for they dwelt in a shallow well. To them, water was so sacred that to even utter that statement would invoke their wrath.

On the girl’s fifteenth birthday the spirits began their plot.

That night, after her family had gone to sleep, the girl sat outside and reflected on how amazing the day was. She had received gifts from many suitors, dazzling jewels and breathtaking gold. She felt that the sun and moon were mere dots that served to light her figure.

Her rumination was interrupted by a sweet harmony, beckoning her near. She could not resist the sound’s charm and started walking to its source.

In the well the spirits bickered.
“We should drown that irritating upstart. A few minutes and it will all be over, then we can send her bloated corpse to the other humans to show just how pretty this ‘princess’ actually is.”

“No! We should make her punishment long and slow. For fifteen years we had to endure those insults that were thrown at our own beauty. I want to her to suffer as we have.”

The spirits fought and threw taunts at each other, but they were still no closer to an agreement.

Until one voice reverberated through the well.
“My tamawo sisters, all this talk of pain and suffering will not sate our resentment. The humans agreed that there was no spirit that could ever be as beautiful as this girl. We must prove them wrong.”

“What would you have us do then?”

“You shall see.”

The girl stood beside the well. She was fully aware of what her body was doing, but she could not control it.

From the well rose a beautiful woman. In her heart the girl new that the woman was a supernatural like her grandfather would tell of in his stories.

“Please let me go,” the girl begged.
“Your family has committed a grave sin against the spirits.”

“What do you mean? We’ve done nothing to harm you.”

“Is it not true that the humans across this land and others have proclaimed you as more beautiful than the spirits?”
“Yes but that was just a joke, they were exaggerating.”

“I don’t think they were. Or you were, for that matter.”

“I didn’t say anything!”

“Oh really? Then what happened at your party?”

“Nothing happened!”

“What did you say after you received your gifts?”
“Nothing! It was just a joke!”

“What. Did. You. Say.”

Tears welled out down the girl’s cheeks.

“I said that I was the only thing that mattered. That no being, not a person, not a spirit, not even a god could ever reach the beauty I have.”

“You spit in the face of the spirits. There are none that hold beauty such as we do. You are nothing but a human and you will never equal us.”

The girl grew silent. She could feel the spell that kept her still fade away, but instead of running she faced the spirit.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about! You stupid cow! Do you know how gorgeous I am or do you not have eyes! You can do what you want with me, but you will always, ALWAYS, know that this human is more beautiful than any tomawo will ever be!”

“You dare throw disrespect?!”

“No, I am just telling the truth. I will be remembered as the greatest beauty in this land and others, while your stupid face can’t even interest a normal person!”

“Foolish girl. But you may be right. You are beautiful, more than I care to admit. I do know one way to have humans and spirits alike say that the tamawo are more beautiful than anything  in this realm and others.”

“What are you going to do to me?”

“You shall see…. Sister.”

The couple spent years trying to find their daughter until their heartbreak took a toll on their frail bodies. Their prayers were unanswered and they were tormented with the pain of loss until the end. They were buried near their home, in unmarked graves.

Some say the girl drowned in a river not too far away and her ghost could be seen roaming lonely paths.

Others say that one of her suitors carried her to a far-off land where she is now queen, content to spend her days sharing her beauty with her subjects.

But there are those that warn against going to an isolated well near the forest. They say that beautiful spirits make it their home. There are those that ignore those warnings for it is also said that one of those spirits is the most beautiful being in all the realms. Those with common sense would heed these warnings but for those without logic, nothing will stop them from seeing a glimpse of her beauty.

*Tomawo are beautiful spirits like the engkanto.

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

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

Inspired by the Manbukay description in The Remnants of the Great Ilonggo Nation. Sebastian Sta. Cruz Serag. 1997.

Manbukay illustration by Gabrielle Solera

IG: @gbsolera

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

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

“Hipos lang langga, kipota imo mga mata, indi ka magkabalaka.” Ginkapyotan sang babaye ang iya nga tiyan sang mahugot, ginasigurado niya na wala may matabo sa iya nga bata.

“Palihog indi ka magparehos sa imo nga tatay, indi ka magparehos sa mga makakululba-an nga mga lalaki, pirme lang ginapangita ang gusto nila pero baya-an ka kung nakuha na nila. ‘Mga lalaki, lalaki gid na’ pirme lang amo na ginahambal nila pero ang wala nila ginapanumdom na ang mga babaye ang pirme kagabaya-an.”

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

“Kabalo ko nga medyo ulihi na, pero himu-on ni mommy tanan ang dapat niya himu-on. Kailangan niya pahibalo-on sa mga demonyo nga mga lalaki nga indi lang basta-basta ginabaya-an ang mga babaye. Kapintas sang kalibutan kag may ara ako ginreserba nga espesyal nga kapintason para sa ila.”

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

“Mangindapat na para sa ila. Ila ini garuk nga nagsulod sa akon. Isa lang ako ka inosente nga dalaga kung sa diin madamo ako sang handom para sa akon kabuhi, kag sa subong amo na ko ni. Amo na ni kita. Gindungan kita lubong kag mag-ulopdanay kita liwat sa katapusan pero kung kailangan nga maging amo ko ni, indi lang ako ang dapat mag-agwanta.

Kuha-on ko ang pinaka-importante nga bagay nga ara sa ila. Ang ila nga ginahigugma nga pagkalalaki kag malingaw ako samtang ginalantaw ko sila gadululugo.”

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

“Shhh, shhh. Wala ko gintuyo nga hadlukon ta ka. Pero sige lang, ari lang diri si mama. Siguraduhon niya nga hilway ang kalibutan nga wala sila.  Kabalo ka buhi pa tani kita? Kung indi lang ni tunggod sa ila. Tani ulopdanay pa kita duwa, kita indis sa kalibutan nga kung sin-o nag amo ni sa aton.

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

“Hipos anay! May nakita ko nga lalaki nga gapadulong. Indi magkabalaka, indi ni magdugay. Pagkatapos ni makahampang ka liwat upod kay mama ha? Sa subong paghipos lang anay kay kadtu-an ko siya.”

=—————————————————————=

English Version

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

“Hush little child, close your eyes, don’t worry we will be alright.” The woman holds her belly tight, making sure that her child is safe.

“Please don’t be like your father, don’t be like any of those hideous men, always looking for one thing then leaving when they get it. ‘Boys will be boys’ they always say, but they never realize that girls are always going to be the ones left behind.”

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

“I know it may seem late, but mommy’s going out to do what she has to do. She has to let all those evil men know that you can’t just leave women behind. It’s a cruel world out there and I reserve a special kind of cruelty for them.”

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

“Because they deserve it. It was their filth that entered me. I was just an innocent young woman, with her whole life ahead of her, and now here I am. Here we are. We were buried together and we will be together until the end of time, but if I have to be this way, then I will not suffer alone.

I will take what they think is the most important thing that they have. Their precious ‘manhood’ and I will enjoy watching them bleed out.”

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

“Shhh, shhh. I didn’t mean to scare you. But it’s okay, mama’s here. She’ll make sure the world is safe from those cruel men. We could have lived you know? If not for them. We could have been together just you and me, against the world that made us what we are.”

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

“Now hush! I see a man on his way. Now don’t worry this won’t take long. And afterwards you can play with mama alright? Now stay quiet while I go say hello.”

=————————————————————————-=

*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 Seyrah

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Seyrah

Inspired by the Mantiyanak legends from Mindanao

Mantiyanak illustration by Julia Kristen Delos Santos
FB: JKTD

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

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Isang araw may matandang mag-asawa na nahihirapan magkaroon ng anak. Nagdarasal sila tuwing gabi hanggang sa maipanganak ang kanilang anak na babae. Natuwa ang nanay nito at sinabi na may galak, “Wala ng mas gaganda sa aking anak. Kailanman hindi maihahambing sa kaniya ang pinakamagandang tomawo!”

Dinala ng hangin ang kaniyang mga sinabi, dumaan ito sa madilim na kagubatan at sa kaulapan hanggang sa umabot ito sa pandinig ng mga tomawo na naninirahan sa balon na may kalapitan lang sa bahay ng mag-asawa.

Hindi man lang nila naisip ang maaaring mangyari dahil sa sinabi nila tungkol sa mga espirito. Kaya ngayon, napagkasunduan ng mga tomawo na kunin ang pinakamamahal nilang anak bilang kabayaran sa kanilang kasalanan.

Ang mga tomawo ay walang kamatayan. Nasubaybayan nila ang paglaki ng maliit na bata at gayon din ang taglay nitong ganda. Kahit ang mga taong naninirahan sa kalayuan ay kilala ang isang babaeng kamahal-mahal.

Mas lalong naiingit ang mga tomawo dahil sa mga kinakanta ng mga ibon sa paligid:

“Siya ay isang bukang-liwayway. Kung sino man ang mahaplusan ng kaniyang liwanag ay pagpapalain magpakailanman.”

“Masusulyapan mo sa kaniyang mga mata ang walang hanggan. Walang makakatiis sa kaniyang titig.”

“Hindi masasalamin ng tubig ang taglay niyang kagandahan.”

Mas lalong sumiklab ang galit ng mga tomawo sa huling linyang iyon, dahil para sa kanila banal ang tubig at isang kabastusan ang pagpapahayag ng ganoong bagay.

Kaya pagsapit ng ikalabinlimang kaarawan nito, nagsimula nang kumilos ang mga espirito.

Nang gabing iyon, tulog na ang mag-asawa, at ang anak nila ay nasa labas natutuwa sa kinalabasan ng kaniyang kaarawan. Nakatanggap siya ng maraming regalo mula sa kaniyang mga manliligaw, kumikinang mga alahas at ginto. Pakiramdam niya na sumasang-ayon sa gusto niya ang lahat.

Ang pagmumuni-muni ay naudlot ng isang magandang tunog na papalapit sa kaniya. Hindi niya matiis na huwag itong pansinin at naglakad siya para hanapin ito.

Nag-uusap ang mga tomawo sa balon.

“Kailangan natin siyang lunurin, at pagkatapos ipapadala natin ang kaniyang bangkay sa mga magulang niya. Tingnan nila kung gaano kaganda ang kanilang ‘prinsesa’.”

“Hindi! Kailangan natin silang parusahan ng matagal at mabagal. Sa loob ng labinlimang taon tinitiis natin ang pang-aasar nila na kumupas na ang ating kagandahan. Gusto kong maramdaman niya ang ating pagdurusa.”

Nag-aaway ang mga tomawo at nagkukutyaan sa isa’t isa, pero hindi pa sila nagkakasundo sa kung ano ang gagawin nila.

Hanggang sa may isang boses na nangibabaw.

“Aking mga kapatid na tomawo, hindi sasapat ang pagpapahirap sa nararamdaman nating galit. Naniniwala ang mga tao na wala ng mas gaganda sa kanilang anak. Kailangan nating patunayan na nagkakamali sila.

“Ano ang gusto mong gawin natin?”

“Makikita mo.”

Nakatayo ang babae sa tabi ng balon. Alam niya kung ano ang ginagawa ng kaniyang katawan, pero hindi niya ito maigalaw.

Lumabas ang isang magandang babae sa bibig ng balon. Alam ng batang babae na may kakaiba sa nakikita niya katulad ng mga kuwento sa kaniya ng kaniyang lolo.

“Nakikiusap ako, pakawalan mo na ako.” nagmamakaawa ang batang babae.

“Nakagawa ng malaking kasalanan ang mga magulang mo sa mga tomawo.”

“Ano ang ibig mong sabihin? Wala kaming ginawang masama sa inyo.”

“Hindi ba totoo na sinabi ng mga tao na ikaw ang pinakamaganda sa lupaing ito. Kung saan natatalo mo pa ang tomawo sa kagandahan?”

“Oo pero biro lang iyon, labis-labis lang sila magsalita.”

“Sa tingin ko hindi. At kasama ka na rin doon.”

“Wala akong sinasabing kahit ano!”

“Talaga? Ano yung nangyari pagkatapos ng iyong kaarawan?”

“Walang nangyari!”

“Ano yung sinabi mo pagkatapos mong matanggap ang iyong mga regalo?”

“Wala! Nagbibiro lang ako!”

“Ano. Ang. Sinabi. Mo.”

Dumadaloy ang luha ng batang babae sa kaniyang mga pisngi.

“Sinabi ko na ako lang ang mahalaga. Na wala ng ibang nilalang, tao, espirito, o diyos ang makakaabot sa taglay kong kagandahan.”

“Isa kang kabastusan sa harapan ng mga espirito. Wala ng mas tatapat sa ganda na taglay namin. Isa kang tao lamang at kailanman hindi ka magiging kapantay namin.”

Napatahimik siya. Nararamdaman niya na humihina na ang kapangyarihan nila sa kaniya, pero sa halip na tumakbo hinarap niya ang espirito.

“Hindi mo alam kung ano tinutukoy mo! Bobo ka! Hindi mo ba alam kung gaano ako kaganda o wala kang mata! Kahit ano puwede mong gawin sa akin, pero lagi mong tatandaan, na ang taong ito ay mas maganda sa kahit sino sa inyo!

“Nambabastos ka talaga?!”

“Hindi, sinasabi ko lang ang totoo. Makikilala ako bilang pinakamagandang tao sa lupaing ito, habang ang iyong walang kuwentang mukha kailanman ay walang magkakagusto!”

“Pasaway kang bata ka. Pero baka tama ka nga. Paulit-ulit mong sinasabi na maganda ka kahit na wala na akong pakialam. Ang alam ko lang magkakasundo ang mga tao at mga espirito na ang tomawo ang mas maganda kaysa sa kahit anong bagay sa lupaing ito.”

“Ano yung gagawin mo sa akin?”

“Makikita mo….Kapatid.”

Ilang taong hinahanap ng mag-asawa ang kanilang anak hanggang sa namatay sila dulot ng kalungkutan. Hindi nasagot ang kanilang dalangin at nagdurusa sila hanggang sa kamatayan. Inilibing sila ng walang puntod malapit sa kanilang bahay.

May sabi-sabi na nalunod ang batang babae sa kalapit na ilog at makikita pa rin ang kaniyang kaluluwa na naglilibot mag-isa.

Ang sabi naman ng iba na sumama siya sa isa niyang manliligaw at isa na siyang reyna sa malayong kaharian. Kung saan doon ay payapa ang kaniyang buhay at patuloy na pinapalaganap ang kaniyang kagandahan.

Pero mayroon namang mga taong nagpapakalat ng babala sa balon malapit sa kagubatan. Ang sabi nila may mga magagandang espiritong nakatira doon. May mga taong hindi pinapansin ang mga babala dahil may mga kuwento na mayroong isang magandang espirito na nangingibabaw sa lahat. Ang mga taong may isip ay hindi susuway sa mga babala, pero mayroong mga tao hindi magpapatigil para lamang masilayan ang kaniyang kagandahan.

=———————————————–=

English Version

Once there was an old couple who had a difficult time conceiving. Every night they lifted their prayers to heaven until one day the woman found herself pregnant. When their child was born, she was of such profound beauty that her parents exclaimed, “There are none more beautiful than our daughter. Even the fairest tomawo could not compare to her!”

The wind carried their words through the somber forests and lofty clouds until they settled on the ears of those that tamawo that dwelt in a shallow well a fair distance from the couple’s house.

It never crossed the couple’s mind that an exclamation such as that could inflame the envy of those spirits. The spirits agreed that the child would pay for her parent’s words.

These tomawo were as patient as they were eternal. They watched as the child matured, growing even more beautiful. Even those from far-off lands knew of the girl and her unsurpassed loveliness.

The spirits grew even more embittered. They could hear the signs carried in the melodies of the songbirds:

“She is the sun ascending from the horizon. Those who are touched by her light are blessed forever.”

“All the flowers in the world cannot match her radiance.”

“In her eyes are the flickers of the infinite. No one can resist her gaze.”

“Mere water cannot reflect her true elegance.”

Now those last words cut a deep wound in the spirits’ pride for they dwelt in a shallow well. To them, water was so sacred that to even utter that statement would invoke their wrath.

On the girl’s fifteenth birthday the spirits began their plot.

That night, after her family had gone to sleep, the girl sat outside and reflected on how amazing the day was. She had received gifts from many suitors, dazzling jewels and breathtaking gold. She felt that the sun and moon were mere dots that served to light her figure.

Her rumination was interrupted by a sweet harmony, beckoning her near. She could not resist the sound’s charm and started walking to its source.

In the well the spirits bickered.
“We should drown that irritating upstart. A few minutes and it will all be over, then we can send her bloated corpse to the other humans to show just how pretty this ‘princess’ actually is.”

“No! We should make her punishment long and slow. For fifteen years we had to endure those insults that were thrown at our own beauty. I want to her to suffer as we have.”

The spirits fought and threw taunts at each other, but they were still no closer to an agreement.

Until one voice reverberated through the well.
“My tamawo sisters, all this talk of pain and suffering will not sate our resentment. The humans agreed that there was no spirit that could ever be as beautiful as this girl. We must prove them wrong.”

“What would you have us do then?”

“You shall see.”

The girl stood beside the well. She was fully aware of what her body was doing, but she could not control it.

From the well rose a beautiful woman. In her heart the girl new that the woman was a supernatural like her grandfather would tell of in his stories.

“Please let me go,” the girl begged.
“Your family has committed a grave sin against the spirits.”

“What do you mean? We’ve done nothing to harm you.”

“Is it not true that the humans across this land and others have proclaimed you as more beautiful than the spirits?”
“Yes but that was just a joke, they were exaggerating.”

“I don’t think they were. Or you were, for that matter.”

“I didn’t say anything!”

“Oh really? Then what happened at your party?”

“Nothing happened!”

“What did you say after you received your gifts?”
“Nothing! It was just a joke!”

“What. Did. You. Say.”

Tears welled out down the girl’s cheeks.

“I said that I was the only thing that mattered. That no being, not a person, not a spirit, not even a god could ever reach the beauty I have.”

“You spit in the face of the spirits. There are none that hold beauty such as we do. You are nothing but a human and you will never equal us.”

The girl grew silent. She could feel the spell that kept her still fade away, but instead of running she faced the spirit.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about! You stupid cow! Do you know how gorgeous I am or do you not have eyes! You can do what you want with me, but you will always, ALWAYS, know that this human is more beautiful than any tomawo will ever be!”

“You dare throw disrespect?!”

“No, I am just telling the truth. I will be remembered as the greatest beauty in this land and others, while your stupid face can’t even interest a normal person!”

“Foolish girl. But you may be right. You are beautiful, more than I care to admit. I do know one way to have humans and spirits alike say that the tamawo are more beautiful than anything  in this realm and others.”

“What are you going to do to me?”

“You shall see…. Sister.”

The couple spent years trying to find their daughter until their heartbreak took a toll on their frail bodies. Their prayers were unanswered and they were tormented with the pain of loss until the end. They were buried near their home, in unmarked graves.

Some say the girl drowned in a river not too far away and her ghost could be seen roaming lonely paths.

Others say that one of her suitors carried her to a far-off land where she is now queen, content to spend her days sharing her beauty with her subjects.

But there are those that warn against going to an isolated well near the forest. They say that beautiful spirits make it their home. There are those that ignore those warnings for it is also said that one of those spirits is the most beautiful being in all the realms. Those with common sense would heed these warnings but for those without logic, nothing will stop them from seeing a glimpse of her beauty.

=—————————————————————————————-=

*Tomawo are beautiful spirits like the engkanto.

*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 Manbukay description in The Remnants of the Great Ilonggo Nation. Sebastian Sta. Cruz Serag. 1997.

Manbukay illustration by Gabrielle Solera

IG: @gbsolera

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

*This story is in Bicol-Naga

Dae nasunoan nin Lia an panahon kan bangging idto. Uminoran pa kan aldaw na nalingaw siyang darahon an saiyang payong asin ngonian, nahaha’dit siya sa saiyang pag-uli. May sarong oras na siyang naghahalat na magpundo an uran pero dae pa nanggad nin swerte. Nagdesisyon siya na mag-itsa nin sensilyo nganing maaraman kun masapalaran siya na mag-taxi dawa trapik o mahalat pa siya nin saro pang oras sa opisina ninda. Payo an nagluwas. Habo na niyang isipon pa kun manggura’no an plete sa taxi, girumdom niya pa an pangako niya sa mga magurang na mauli siya nin amay kaidtong bangging idto para sa anibersaryo kan mag-agom.

Pirang minuto lang an naglipas na nakakua tulos siya nin taxi dawa pa trapik. Naghagad siyang pasensiya sa drayber huli ta naglaog siya nin basa sa bandang urihan kan lunadan. Nagsabi man an drayber na ayos lang daa sabay ngisi saiya. Naogma naman siya na ngonian dawa parupa’no trapik na lang an pagpitiw niya. Dakul na beses na nasusuya siya sa mga drayber na siniswitik siya sa paghagad nin halangkaw na plete. Pig-su’lot niya an saiyang headphones asin nagpatugtog nin jazz para mag-gian an saiyang pagmati. Halawig an trapik kaya sabi niya tama lang na magtogrog-torog muna asin napapirong na siya.

Nasa kabangaan na siya sa kanta ni Louis Armstrong na “Summertime” kan nakadangog siya nin kurahaw. Nagmata siya asin nagpirok nganing maseguro niya na dae siya namumurawan. Pigtanggal niya an headphones niya asin naghiling sa palibot. Yaon siya sa madiklom na kwarto, purong semento an mga lanob, asin dakol na mataklaon na batbat dawa saen. Sa tahaw kan kwarto igwa nin sarong tukawan asin may babaeng nakatukaw.

Naka-su’lot siya nin puti na may mga mapulang dogta. Pigranihan niya an babae asin pighapot kun ayos lang siya. Nakaduko lang an babae kaya dae niya nahiling an lalawgon kaini pero dangog niya an pigsasabi kan babae.

“Dae ka magtiwala saiya, Dae ka magtiwala saiya, Dae ka magtiwala saiya.” Ini an pauro-otrong sinasabi kan babae. Pinirit ni Lia na makarani sa babae pero igwang nagpupugol sa saiya. Pigmamandohan niya an saiyang mga bitis pero dae ini nagtutubod saiya. Kaya nakatindog lang siya na nakahampang sa tukawan na garong nakayelo.

Igwa pa siyang nadadangog na ibang mga boses na pareho kan sinasabi kan babae. An saro pang boses naghahali sa saro pang babae na nakaputi sa may likudan kan nakatukaw na babae. Parasa’ an lalawgon kaini asin dae na mabisto. Gusto niyang magkurahaw pero habong magsunod kan saiyang boses siring man sa bilog niyang lawas.

An panduwang babae igwa nin lugad sa walang parte kan sentido sa may angog niya. Nagdudugo pa ini habang siya ngalalakaw pasiring sa gilid kan tukawan. An pantulong babae nagrani na nakagakod an mga kamot sa saiyang likudan, an saiyang maitom na halabang buhok nakatahob sa saiyang lalawgon. Gabos na mga babae may mga dogta nin dugo sa saindang mga bado.

Pighiling niya gabos an mga babae asin gabos ini nakatukdo sa babaeng nakatukaw sa tukawan. Pigtaas kaini an saiyang payo ta nganing mahiling ni Lia an saiyang lalawgon. Garo siyang naka-atubang sa salming. An babae kalalawgon niya asin garo siyang binubo ning malilipot sa bilog niyang hawak.

Nakahiling lang si Lia kan sinabi kan babaeng nakatukaw na kalalawgon niya nin saro pang beses, “Dae ka magtiwala saiya.”

Pangala kaidto napagmata na siya.

Nagtutugtog pa nanggad an “Summertime” kan iminuklat niya an saiyang mga mata. Naghiling siya sa palibot asin nahiling niya na dae pang gayo nakakarayo an taxi puon kan pagkalunad niya. Nagtatakig pa an saiyang mga kamot huli sa pangaturugan kan inabot niya an saiyang selpon para itext an saiyang mga magurang na dae na siya makaka-abot sa saindang anibersaryo.

Sinabi niya sa drayber na mababa na siya duman mismo. Dae na pigdangog pa ni Lia an pagpugol saiya kan drayber asin sinabi na lang niya na igwa siyang nalingawan na importantehon. Minabulos pa nanggad an uran kan pagbaba niya sa taxi asin duminalagan pabalik sa saindang opisina. Naghahadit siya na baka mapahalnas siya sa uran pero dae na siyang pakiaram.

Sa purmerong beses puon kan pagkapangitorogan niya, nakamati siya nin pagkaseguro.

=———————————————–=

English Version

Lia didn’t like the weather tonight. It just had to rain on the day when she forgot her umbrella and she was worried about getting home. She had already been waiting for an hour for the rain to stop, but there was no luck there. She decided to flip a coin to see if she would risk the traffic and get a taxi or to wait in her office for another hour. It was heads. She didn’t want to think about how much the taxi would cost and she promised her parents she would be home that night in time for their anniversary dinner.

It only took her a few minutes to get a cab, despite the traffic. Lia rushed into the back seat and apologized to the driver for the rain on the seat. He just smiled and said it was no problem. She was happy that he seemed nice enough and that it was just the traffic that she’d have to deal with. She was tired of getting the obnoxious taxi drivers, always trying to extort extra money out of her. Lia put on her headphones and played a little jazz to lighten her mood. The traffic was bad so it just made sense to take a nap and she closed her eyes.

She was halfway through Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong’s “Summertime” when she heard a scream. Lia woke up and blinked to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating. She took off her headphones and looked around. It was a dark room, the walls were cement and there was rusted steel everywhere. In the middle of the room there was a chair and a woman sitting on it.

The woman was wearing white, though there were red stains all over her dress. Lia approached the woman and asked if she was all right. The woman’s head was facing downwards so Lia couldn’t see her face but she could hear something coming from the woman.

‘Don’t trust him.’ ‘Don’t trust him’ ‘Don’t trust him.’ The woman repeated the words over and over again. Lia tried to get closer but there was something stopping her. She told her legs to move but they wouldn’t obey. She just stood, frozen, in front of the chair.

She could hear other voices now and they were saying the same things. The first came from another woman in white, appearing from behind the chair. This woman’s face was battered beyond all recognition. Lia tried to scream but her voice was as uncooperative as the rest of her body.

The second woman in white had a wound on the left temple of her forehead; it was still bleeding as she walked to the side of the chair. The third woman approached with her hands tied behind her back and her long, black hair covering her face. There was blood on all of the women’s clothes.

She looked at all the women and they pointed to the one still in the chair. Her head moved up so Lia could see her face. I was like looking into a mirror. The woman had her face and Lia felt a chill go down her entire body.

Lia watched as the woman with her face said ‘Don’t trust him.’ One more time.

And then she woke up.

“Summertime” was still playing when she opened her eyes. Lia looked around and she realized that the taxi hadn’t moved much, she was still very near her office. Her hands were shaking from her dream and she reached for her phone and texted her parents that she was sorry that she was going to miss their anniversary.

She told the driver that she would get out at this street. Lia ignored his protests and said that she left something very important. The rain was still pouring when she got out of the taxi and ran to her office. Part of her was thinking that she might slip in the rain, but she didn’t care.

For the first time since her dream, Lia felt safe.

=——————————————————–=

*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 Willie Villar
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Willie Villar

Inspired by the White Lady/ Kaperosa legends

White Lady (Kaperosa) Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
FB: That Guy With A Pen

Watercolors by Mykie Concepcion

IG: @mykieconcepcionart
Tumblr: http://mykieconcepcion.tumblr.com/

The post White Lady (Kaperosa) – Bicol Naga Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Hindi gusto ni Lia ang panahon ngayong gabi. Umulan kung kailan wala siyang dalang payong at nag-alala siya kung paano siya uuwi. Mahigit isang oras na siyang nagpapatila ng ulan, pero hindi pa rin ito tumitigil. Naisipan niyang idaan sa barya ang kaniyang pag-iisip. Pinag-iisipan niya kung sasakay siya ng taxi at haharapin ang masikip na trapiko o maghihintay ulit siya ng isang oras bago umalis. Lumabas ang ulo ng barya at hindi na siya nag-atubili kung magkano ang aabutin ng metro ng taxi, dahil nangako siya sa kaniyang mga magulang na makakarating siya sa kanilang anibersaryo.

Nakasakay agad siya ng taxi sa kabila ng masikip na daan. Nagmadali siyang pumasok sa likuran ng taxi at humingi ng tawad dahil nabasá niya ang upuan ng sasakyan. Ngumiti lang ang nagmamaneho ng taxi at ayos lang sa kaniya ang lahat. Masaya si Lia na mabait ang drayber sa kaniya at ang trapiko na lang ang kinakailangan niyang alalahanin. Naisip niya ito dahil napapagod na siya sa mga drayber na mahilig mamera sa mga pasahero. Nagsuot ng headphone at nakinig ng jazz si Lia para gumaan ang kaniyang pakiramdam. Dahil sa sikip ng daanan siya ay humantong sa kaniyang pagkakatulog.

Nangngalahati na siya sa awitin ni Louis Armstrong na “Summertime” nang nakarinig siya ng sigaw. Nagising si Lia at sinigurado na tama ang nakikita niya. Tinanggal niya ang kaniyang headphone at tumingin siya sa paligid. Madilim ang kuwarto, semento ang mga pader at nangangalawang ang bakal sa paligid. Sa gitna ng kuwarto mayroong babaeng nakaupo.

Ang babae ay nakasuot ng puti, na may mga pulang mantsa sa kaniyang kasuotan. Nilapitan ni Lia ang babae at kinumusta niya ito. Nakayuko ang ulo ng babae kaya hindi niya makita ang mukha nito pero mayroon siyang naririnig na may dumarating.

Paulit-ulit na sinasabi ng babae ang mga salitang, “Huwag mo siyang pagkatiwalaan.” “Huwag mo siyang pagkatiwalaan.” “Huwag mo siyang pagkatiwalaan.” Sinusubukan ni Lia na lumapit sa babae pero mayroong humahadlang sa kaniya. Hindi sumusunod ang kaniyang mga binti sa ninanais niyang gawin. Nandoon lang siya nakatindig sa harapan ng upuan.

Naririnig ni Lia ang iba’t ibang boses at sinasabi nila ang parehas na bagay. Unang nagpakita ang isang babaeng nanggaling sa taong nakaupo, nandoon siya sa likuran ng upuan. Hindi na makilala ang mukha ng babae dahil sa labis na pagkakabugbog dito. Sinusubukang sumigaw ni Lia pero hindi sumusunod ang kaniyang buong katawan.

Ang pangalawang babae ay may sugat sa kaliwang bahagi ng kaniyang noo; dumudugo pa rin ito habang papunta siya sa gilid ng upuan. Lumapit ang pangatlong babae, natatakpan ng mahaba niyang buhok ang kaniyang mukha at nakatali ang kaniyang mga kamay niya sa likuran. Nababalot ng dugo ang lahat ng damit ng mga babae.

Nakatingin si Lia sa mga babae at sabay-sabay tinuro nilang tatlo ang babaeng nakaupo. Tinaas nito ang kaniyang ulo para makita ni Lia ang kaniyang mukha. Nagmumukhang parang lang siyang nananalamin. Taglay ng babae ang kaniyang mukha at kinalibutan siya sa buong katawan.

Pinapanood ni Lia ang babae nang sabihin ulit ng isang beses ang mga salitang, “Huwag mo siyang pagkatiwalaan.”

At biglang siyang nagising.

Tumutugtog pa rin ang “Summertime” nang binuksan niya ang kaniyang mga mata. Tumingin si Lia sa paligid at napansin niya na hindi pa gaanong nakakagalaw ang taxi, at malapit pa siya sa sa kaniyang opisina. Nanginginig ang kaniyang mga kamay dahil sa napaginipan niya. Kinuha niya ang kaniyang telepono at nagpadala siya ng mensahe sa kaniyang mga magulang at sinabi na hindi siya makakaabot sa kanilang anibersaryo.

Sinabihan niya ang drayber na bababá na siya. Hindi na pinansin ni Lia ang panghihimok ng lalaki para siya ay bumalik, sinabi niya na lang na mayroon siyang nakalimutan. Bumubuhos pa rin ang ulan nang lumabas siya sa taxi at tumakbo siya pabalik sa opsina. Mayroong bahagi ni Lia na baka siya ay madulas, pero hindi na niya ito pinansin.

Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon pagkatapos nang kaniyang panaginip, napanatag ang kalooban ni Lia.

=————————————–=

English Version

Lia didn’t like the weather tonight. It just had to rain on the day when she forgot her umbrella and she was worried about getting home. She had already been waiting for an hour for the rain to stop, but there was no luck there. She decided to flip a coin to see if she would risk the traffic and get a taxi or to wait in her office for another hour. It was heads. She didn’t want to think about how much the taxi would cost and she promised her parents she would be home that night in time for their anniversary dinner.

It only took her a few minutes to get a cab, despite the traffic. Lia rushed into the back seat and apologized to the driver for the rain on the seat. He just smiled and said it was no problem. She was happy that he seemed nice enough and that it was just the traffic that she’d have to deal with. She was tired of getting the obnoxious taxi drivers, always trying to extort extra money out of her. Lia put on her headphones and played a little jazz to lighten her mood. The traffic was bad so it just made sense to take a nap and she closed her eyes.

She was halfway through Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong’s “Summertime” when she heard a scream. Lia woke up and blinked to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating. She took off her headphones and looked around. It was a dark room, the walls were cement and there was rusted steel everywhere. In the middle of the room there was a chair and a woman sitting on it.

The woman was wearing white, though there were red stains all over her dress. Lia approached the woman and asked if she was all right. The woman’s head was facing downwards so Lia couldn’t see her face but she could hear something coming from the woman.

‘Don’t trust him.’ ‘Don’t trust him’ ‘Don’t trust him.’ The woman repeated the words over and over again. Lia tried to get closer but there was something stopping her. She told her legs to move but they wouldn’t obey. She just stood, frozen, in front of the chair.

She could hear other voices now and they were saying the same things. The first came from another woman in white, appearing from behind the chair. This woman’s face was battered beyond all recognition. Lia tried to scream but her voice was as uncooperative as the rest of her body.

The second woman in white had a wound on the left temple of her forehead; it was still bleeding as she walked to the side of the chair. The third woman approached with her hands tied behind her back and her long, black hair covering her face. There was blood on all of the women’s clothes.

She looked at all the women and they pointed to the one still in the chair. Her head moved up so Lia could see her face. I was like looking into a mirror. The woman had her face and Lia felt a chill go down her entire body.

Lia watched as the woman with her face said ‘Don’t trust him.’ One more time.

And then she woke up.

“Summertime” was still playing when she opened her eyes. Lia looked around and she realized that the taxi hadn’t moved much, she was still very near her office. Her hands were shaking from her dream and she reached for her phone and texted her parents that she was sorry that she was going to miss their anniversary.

She told the driver that she would get out at this street. Lia ignored his protests and said that she left something very important. The rain was still pouring when she got out of the taxi and ran to her office. Part of her was thinking that she might slip in the rain, but she didn’t care.

For the first time since her dream, Lia felt safe.

————————–————————–————————–—–

*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 White Lady and Kaperosa myths and urban legends

White Lady (Kaperosa) Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito

FB: That Guy With A Pen

Watercolors by Mykie Concepcion
Tumblr: http://mykieconcepcion.tumblr.com/

The post White Lady (Kaperosa) – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

Once there was an old couple who had a difficult time conceiving. Every night they lifted their prayers to heaven until one day the woman found herself pregnant. When their child was born, she was of such profound beauty that her parents exclaimed, “There are none more beautiful than our daughter. Even the fairest tomawo could not compare to her!”

The wind carried their words through the somber forests and lofty clouds until they settled on the ears of those that tamawo that dwelt in a shallow well a fair distance from the couple’s house.

It never crossed the couple’s mind that an exclamation such as that could inflame the envy of those spirits. The spirits agreed that the child would pay for her parent’s words.

These tomawo were as patient as they were eternal. They watched as the child matured, growing even more beautiful. Even those from far-off lands knew of the girl and her unsurpassed loveliness.

The spirits grew even more embittered. They could hear the signs carried in the melodies of the songbirds:

“She is the sun ascending from the horizon. Those who are touched by her light are blessed forever.”

“All the flowers in the world cannot match her radiance.”

“In her eyes are the flickers of the infinite. No one can resist her gaze.”

“Mere water cannot reflect her true elegance.”

Now those last words cut a deep wound in the spirits’ pride for they dwelt in a shallow well. To them, water was so sacred that to even utter that statement would invoke their wrath.

On the girl’s fifteenth birthday the spirits began their plot.

That night, after her family had gone to sleep, the girl sat outside and reflected on how amazing the day was. She had received gifts from many suitors, dazzling jewels and breathtaking gold. She felt that the sun and moon were mere dots that served to light her figure.

Her rumination was interrupted by a sweet harmony, beckoning her near. She could not resist the sound’s charm and started walking to its source.

In the well the spirits bickered.
“We should drown that irritating upstart. A few minutes and it will all be over, then we can send her bloated corpse to the other humans to show just how pretty this ‘princess’ actually is.”

“No! We should make her punishment long and slow. For fifteen years we had to endure those insults that were thrown at our own beauty. I want to her to suffer as we have.”

The spirits fought and threw taunts at each other, but they were still no closer to an agreement.

Until one voice reverberated through the well.
“My tamawo sisters, all this talk of pain and suffering will not sate our resentment. The humans agreed that there was no spirit that could ever be as beautiful as this girl. We must prove them wrong.”

“What would you have us do then?”

“You shall see.”

The girl stood beside the well. She was fully aware of what her body was doing, but she could not control it.

From the well rose a beautiful woman. In her heart the girl new that the woman was a supernatural like her grandfather would tell of in his stories.

“Please let me go,” the girl begged.
“Your family has committed a grave sin against the spirits.”

“What do you mean? We’ve done nothing to harm you.”

“Is it not true that the humans across this land and others have proclaimed you as more beautiful than the spirits?”
“Yes but that was just a joke, they were exaggerating.”

“I don’t think they were. Or you were, for that matter.”

“I didn’t say anything!”

“Oh really? Then what happened at your party?”

“Nothing happened!”

“What did you say after you received your gifts?”
“Nothing! It was just a joke!”

“What. Did. You. Say.”

Tears welled out down the girl’s cheeks.

“I said that I was the only thing that mattered. That no being, not a person, not a spirit, not even a god could ever reach the beauty I have.”

“You spit in the face of the spirits. There are none that hold beauty such as we do. You are nothing but a human and you will never equal us.”

The girl grew silent. She could feel the spell that kept her still fade away, but instead of running she faced the spirit.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about! You stupid cow! Do you know how gorgeous I am or do you not have eyes! You can do what you want with me, but you will always, ALWAYS, know that this human is more beautiful than any tomawo will ever be!”

“You dare throw disrespect?!”

“No, I am just telling the truth. I will be remembered as the greatest beauty in this land and others, while your stupid face can’t even interest a normal person!”

“Foolish girl. But you may be right. You are beautiful, more than I care to admit. I do know one way to have humans and spirits alike say that the tamawo are more beautiful than anything  in this realm and others.”

“What are you going to do to me?”

“You shall see…. Sister.”

The couple spent years trying to find their daughter until their heartbreak took a toll on their frail bodies. Their prayers were unanswered and they were tormented with the pain of loss until the end. They were buried near their home, in unmarked graves.

Some say the girl drowned in a river not too far away and her ghost could be seen roaming lonely paths.

Others say that one of her suitors carried her to a far-off land where she is now queen, content to spend her days sharing her beauty with her subjects.

But there are those that warn against going to an isolated well near the forest. They say that beautiful spirits make it their home. There are those that ignore those warnings for it is also said that one of those spirits is the most beautiful being in all the realms. Those with common sense would heed these warnings but for those without logic, nothing will stop them from seeing a glimpse of her beauty.

*Tomawo are beautiful spirits like the engkanto.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Manbukay description in The Remnants of the Great Ilonggo Nation. Sebastian Sta. Cruz Serag. 1997.

Manbukay illustration by Gabrielle Solera

IG: @gbsolera

The post Manbukay appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Waray

Hadton una pa, may-ada mangangayam nga nakagsayop hin dako.

Nagbiling hiya hin darakpon ha ubos han lambong han Bukid Daeogdog, kun hain naukoy an mga diyos han iya lahi. Hi Gamhanan, an pinakagamhanan ha ngatanan nga diyos, in may-ada pinaura nga hayop. Ini nga pinaura nga binuhat ni Gamhanan inin ngaranan nga Panigotlo, usa ka puro ngan mabusag nga usa nga may talibugsok nga sungay. Usa la ka bangkaw in nagpa-hunong han huni hini nga engkantado nga binuhat.

May-ada liwat hadto usa ka baryo nga waray pagpipilian. Han mga gab-i nga bulanon, an paghuni ni Panigotlo amo in pahibaro ha mga mag-uruma nga maupay an panahon han sumurunod nga adlaw para pagtanom. Dagmit la nga umukoy an pagrisyo ngan pagrugyaw han makit-an nira an pigura nga tikaharapit didto pa tabok han salog. Pas-an han mangangayam nga hi Dagasanan an patay nga lawas han pinalabi nga hayop ni Gamhanan. Maaram an mga taga-baryo nga diri nira mapapasagdan ini nga sakriliheyo han ira dinayaw nga Diyos. Ginkuha nira an ira mga bangkaw ngan ginpatay hi Dagasanan didto salog ngan an iya amay ha ira panimalay.

Mayda usa ka espiritu nga uhaw para makapanimalos. Didto han lugar kun diin ginpatay hi Dagasanan, usa ka puno hin Inyam in tumubo. Waray makatilaw hin pahuway an kalag ni Dagasanan. Ginlambungan han puno an lugar nga nagpahungay han iya kabut-anan nga pagbulos. Usa ka anak han baryo an magbabayad para han ginbuhat han iya mga katigulangan.

May-ada usa ka bata nga lalaki nga waray pagtuod ha mga iru-istorya parte ha mga multo. Ginhagad hiya han iya mga sangkay nga lumangoy didto ha dapit han puno nga Inyam. Tumawa la an ulitawuhay. Tinawag niya an iya kasangkayan nga mga talawan kay natuod ha mga istorya han ira mga apoy. Maaram hiya, iba hiya, ngan pinaka-maisog hiya ha grupo, salit ginkarawat niya an ira amang-amang ngan lumukso ha tubig.

Asta yana, may-ada la gihapon dapit han salog ha Aklan nga ginngaranan para han mangangayam nga hi Dagasanan. Siring nira, an mga aringasa nga tikang ha kabatuan amo an espiritu ni Dagasanan nga nataghoy, nagsasakit, naghuhulat para han iya sunod nga biktima.

English Version

There was once a hunter who made a terrible mistake. He searched for his quarry in the shadow of Mount Daeogdog, where the gods of his people lived. The most powerful of all the gods was Gamhanan, and he had a special pet. This favored creature of the great god was called the Panigotlo, a pristine, white deer with full antlers. One spear was all it took to silence the majestic sound of this enchanted creature.

There was once a village that had no choice. A full moon and the bleating of the Panigotlo signaled an abundant day for planting the next morning. The festivities and merriment suddenly stopped when they saw a figure approaching across the river. The hunter, Dagasanan, had on his shoulders the carcass of Gamhanan’s pet. They all knew that they could not abide by this sacrilege of the great god. The villagers took their spears and swords and slew Dagasanan by the river and his father in their home.

There was once a spirit that thirsted for vengeance. On the spot where Dagasanan was killed, an inyam tree grew. The hunter’s ghost would not know rest. The tree cast a shadow and on that spot his hunger for revenge would be sated. One child of the village would pay for what their ancestors had done. A child every year until the villagers would know the pain that he felt when his friends betrayed him.

There was once a boy who didn’t believe in ghost stories. His friends dared him to swim by the inyam tree and all he did was laugh. The boy called his friends cowards for believing in the stories that their lolos and lolas told them. He knew he was different and the bravest of their group, so he took the challenge and jumped in the water.

There is still a part of a river in Aklan named after the hunter, Dagasanan and an inyam tree that people avoid. They say that the loud noises that come from the rocks are his spirit crying in pain, looking for his next victim.

————————–————————–————————

*Waray is the fifth-most-spoken native regional language of the Philippines, native to Eastern Visayas. It is the native language of the Waray people and second language of the Abaknon people of Capul, Northern Samar and some Cebuano-speaking peoples of eastern and southern parts of Leyte island. It is the third most spoken language among the Visayan languages, only behind Hiligaynon and Cebuano.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Waray Translation by Abi Cirera
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Transation Copyright © Abi Cirera

Story Adapted from ‘Legend of Aklan’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Dagasanan Illustration and Watercolor by Robert Rañosa Del Prado

The post Dagasanan – Waray Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Ibanag

Egga gari y tadday nga minangnganuh nga nakaliwah tad dakal. Inala-alek na y anukan na tag gukak na Vukik Daeogdog nu sitaw maddian y dios da ira. Si Gamhanan nga kuruga makapangwa tan nira e egga y neeruma nga ayam na. Tadday yaw nga furaw nga utta, puru-puro enna kompleto y tagguk na. Y ngagan na e Panigotlo. Ngem, y makakkasta enna makabannay nga ngaral naw e ginattah nat tadday nga pana./spear.

Egga gari y tadday nga ili nga awattu pappilyan na. Y nappannuan nav vulan enna y tannug ni Panigotlo ay senyales nan napia nga ammula tak kommanan na. Ngem y gawagawayyan enna gaggrasya nat totolay ira e nagimmang turi ta nasingadda y umara-aranni nga forma nga naggafu tat tangabbagan nab bannak. Di Dagasanan, tadde nga minangnganuh, e egga y kinattu na ta abaga na, yari y baggi nat taron nga ayam ni Gamhanan. Ari makapikah y totolay ira ta ammu ra nga kuruga dakal nga liwah yaw kani Gamhanan. Yatutta inah da ngamin y armas da enna pinate ra si Dagasanan enna y yama na.

Egga gari y tadde nga espiritu nga kuruga karagatan na y mangibaloh. Tari ta natayan ni Dagasanan nga lugar, egga y nattugu nga kayu na inyam. Apiddu y alino na inyam ; tari nga lugar y nangibalattan tan nakaliwatan.Y amang nam minangnganuh e ari makemammoh. Mawak tu tadday nga abbing tari ta ili y mappaga ta liwah nad darakal na. Kada ragun, tadde nga abbing y matay tape ipatagenoh nari na ispiritu nu kunnasi y takih na nepatallikuk nak kakkofun na sa.

Egga gari y abbing nga lalaki nga ari manguruk ta istorya ira na amang. Netubbu-tubbah nak kakkofun na yayya nga mattafuk ta bikoh na kayu na inyam. Negalo-galoh na laman ira. Tarkuh kanu ira ta manguruk ira ta amang ira nga istorya na kakoh enna kakay da ira. Ammu na tu neeruma yayya, tu yayya y kuruga masikan y nonoh na nira ngamin. Nepasingan na nira e nallattu yayya ta danum.

Egga paga y parte nab bannak ta Aklan nga nengagan kani Dagasanan. Y kagiadda, yari y nasikan nga tannug nga maggafu tari tak kabatwan e y ispiritu ni Dagasanan nga maddagin tat takih na enna magalek ta tumunuk nga pabbenggansan na.

————————–————————–————————–—-

English Version

There was once a hunter who made a terrible mistake. He searched for his quarry in the shadow of Mount Daeogdog, where the gods of his people lived. The most powerful of all the gods was Gamhanan, and he had a special pet. This favored creature of the great god was called the Panigotlo, a pristine, white deer with full antlers. One spear was all it took to silence the majestic sound of this enchanted creature.

There was once a village that had no choice. A full moon and the bleating of the Panigotlo signaled an abundant day for planting the next morning. The festivities and merriment suddenly stopped when they saw a figure approaching across the river. The hunter, Dagasanan, had on his shoulders the carcass of Gamhanan’s pet. They all knew that they could not abide by this sacrilege of the great god. The villagers took their spears and swords and slew Dagasanan by the river and his father in their home.

There was once a spirit that thirsted for vengeance. On the spot where Dagasanan was killed, an inyam tree grew. The hunter’s ghost would not know rest. The tree cast a shadow and on that spot his hunger for revenge would be sated. One child of the village would pay for what their ancestors had done. A child every year until the villagers would know the pain that he felt when his friends betrayed him.

There was once a boy who didn’t believe in ghost stories. His friends dared him to swim by the inyam tree and all he did was laugh. The boy called his friends cowards for believing in the stories that their lolos and lolas told them. He knew he was different and the bravest of their group, so he took the challenge and jumped in the water.

There is still a part of a river in Aklan named after the hunter, Dagasanan and an inyam tree that people avoid. They say that the loud noises that come from the rocks are his spirit crying in pain, looking for his next victim.

————————–————————–————————

• The Ibanag language (also Ybanag or Ibanak) is spoken by up to 500,000 speakers, most particularly by the Ibanag people, in the Philippines, in the northeastern provinces of Isabela and Cagayan, especially in Tuguegarao, Solana, Abulug, Cabagan, and Ilagan and with overseas immigrants in countries located in the Middle East, United Kingdom and the United States. Most of the speakers can also speak Ilocano, the lingua franca of northern Luzon island. The name Ibanag comes from the prefix “I” which means “people of”, and “bannag”, meaning river. It is closely related to Gaddang, Itawis, Agta, Atta, Yogad, Isneg, and Malaweg.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Translation by Edna Sabino
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Edna Sabino

Blogsite: https://ednaremembers.wordpress.com/

Story Adapted from ‘Legend of Aklan’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Dagasanan Illustration and Watercolor by Robert Rañosa Del Prado

The post Dagasanan – Ibanag Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

The tragedies that these creatures bring are unimaginable to some. I still remember the stories that my lola used to tell, stories of vengeance and loss. They follow me in my nightmares.

It all started with my lolo. He decided to kaingin a small piece of land in the mountains, to prepare it for the planting season. I don’t know why he decided to go further up the mountain, away from his usual spot. It was near the waterfall they called “lamesa”, relating to the flat rock on the bottom.

He burned the tree that was there and that was the start of the troubles.

My lola and mother joined him in the payag (nipa hut) afterwards to bring him dinner and to spend the night with him. They still remember the loud hoofbeats. The feeling of dread when the sound circled their small hut still echoes in their memories before they sleep at night.

“Benito, come out. We need to talk to you.” My mother and lola tried to replicate the voice every time they told the story, but they said they could never get it right. “There was too much anger in the voice,“ they said, “more than we can mimic.”

“The moonlight was bright that night.” This was the part of the story where lola describes the creatures. “They were human from head to trunk, but were horses from their trunk to their feet.” I thought back to myths from a different part of the world, where half-human half-horse beings would help humankind. Lola told me that these spirits weren’t helpful at all. They came seeking vengeance.

“You will pay for such arrogance and disrespect.” The leader of the kabalans pointed to my lolo. It told him that my lolo killed its brother when he burned his tree. My lolo begged for his life. He would not have burned the tree had he known there was something living there.

The creatures didn’t care.

Thus began the tragedy. The creatures left that night but their curse lingered. Doctors were never able to tell what exactly was wrong with my lolo. He stopped eating because every time he ate he would vomit and cough up blood. He said it would burn his throat every time he vomited.

My lola had no other choice, she consulted the manggagamot, our local faith healer. The faith healer tried to reason with the creatures. My lola said that night after night the faith healer would try another ritual, but it was all for naught.

The creatures would not be appeased.

After my lolo died, my mom’s elder brother was struck by lightning while he was at the top of the coconut tree outside their house. After three years he died in his sleep.
My mother’s family lost most of their properties and were trapped in poverty until lola died of cancer.

These creatures don’t know the meaning of mercy, they will seek their vengeance until they are repaid in blood.

Beware the kabalans, for they will not listen to your pleas of forgiveness. And be careful around the trees high up in the mountains, you will never know if one makes its home there, not until it’s too late.

————————–————————–———————

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Adapted from a Story told by Grace Collantes

Kabalan Illustration by Ysa Peñas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonechitect/

The post Kabalan appeared first on Philippine Spirits.