As an artist, creative expression is something I don’t compromise, but the question of fate remains.
Take the Panya-en, supernaturals from the Tagbanwa ethnolinguistic group in Palawan.
Before I did my research, I asked: What do they look like?
Or do they have any forms at all?
Many creatures I have come across are vexatious. Sources say that they are invisible beings that make their home in the natural world.
So then, how do I imagine their visage?
I turn to the very nature they reside in.
What animals are in their domain? What flora bloom at their will?
I try not to cop out and use human forms for the invisibles unless explicitly stated. These beings are more than human and I feel it would be great disrespect to them if I do not try.
Then the glare of creative freedom paralyzes my hands.
I could go in so many directions.
I could reimagine them as mechas reaching towards space.
There could be a fantasy element where I could put them in Faerun (A Dungeons and Dragons campaign setting).
But my responsibility is a welcome burden.
These and other spirits I study have never had art made of their form.
And thus, I delve into my process:
Google.
Libraries.
iNaturalist.org
Tapping my networks to see if I know any Tagbanwa informants.
Trawling Facebook groups to try to find Tagbanwa people.
But it all revolved around Fox.
Religion and Society Among the Tagbanwa of Pabuan.
I managed to get in touch with the current Masicampo of the Tagbanwa people (The Masicampo is the highest ranking noble as voted in by the Usba or the council of their elders).
He told me that his father, the previous Masicampo, was the main informant of Fox. We talked online and the conversations were enlightening.
I managed to get inspiration through the photos that he sent. Rice paddies and beehives, livestock and fisheries made my mind race.
He was a good orator, recounting legends interspersed with the wisdom of his people.
So I take what I have learned and let it all out on my tablet.
Colors and shading, drafts made and deleted, and that settled on the Panya-en, Li-iyan Kat Baga, the spirit of pigs.
It is said that they would take the forms of an old man, a beautiful lady, floating lights or as animals.
I had a start, all I needed to do was execute.
They (The Panya-en) could control certain wild trees so when I thought of Li-iyan Kat Baga I imagined a large boar, though I used the description of him as an old man and melded them together.
It was only just to give him respect.
And I echo his story.
There was once a hunter who was lost in the forest. The hunter stumbled upon an area with countless pigs. And there he met Li-iyan Kat Baga in the form of an old man. Li-iyan Kat Baga introduced himself as the leader of pigs. The hunter helped the spirit’s children and he was rewarded and able to return home.
I finished my illustration and sighed.
I hope this speaks to his spirit.
The next one will not be as easy.
=——————–=
Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Inspired by the description in Tagbanuwa Religion and Society. Fox. 1982 pg 169
Illustration by Brian Valeza used with permission from Rob Martin of Pine Box Entertainment and Secret Garden Games
