Growing up my lola always said:
Eat until you’re satisfied, never full.
Looking at the panorama of carnage before me, I could only think of her serious expression.
Satisfied.
Never full.
What you were didn’t matter, its victims would end up in its stomach either way.
A clash of giants reigned and the Mamam was winning.
It started innocently enough (as innocent as these creatures can get), with the Mamam stealing a carabao from the hands of a Bungisngis.
The one eyed giant was enraged, putting weight behind a punch and momentarily stunning the bloated figure.
(At this point the carabao took the opportunity to run away).
Blood and saliva showered the nearby bamboo.
The Mamam unhinged its maw and bit the Bungisngis’ arm, ripping it out of its socket.
As the giant screamed, the Mamam swallowed the severed appendage.
Knowing the battle was lost, the Bungisngis tried to run away, but the Mamam was faster than its form would betray.
It pinned the giant down and with another crunch, tore off its head and gleefuly basked in its victory.
As the Mamam was finishing its meal, I tried to get a closr look.
I have seen many creatures in my travels, horrific and deadly, bloody and savage.
The Mamam in its home region in Bicol had a reputation of being of a singular mind.
It ate.
It only ate.
Its teeth seemed to specialize in chewing bone from sinew. I still hear its mastication in my nightmares.
I was curious but not stupid.
I wrote what I saw in my notes and fled the scene.
Whatever happens at least I know I won’t be its next meal.
Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Inspired from the description Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition. Nasayao 2010.
Illustration by Rusty Dela Cruz used with permission from Rob Martin of Pine Box Entertainment and Secret Garden Games
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