*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

Sa gamay nga sitio sang Tinamnan Gabe, may ara isa ka kweba tupad sang humayan sang nagtaliwan nga Kapitan Colas Jumawan.

Madamo nga mga istorya ang ini nga kweba, hambal sang iban ini gina puy-an sang madamo nga enkanto. Mag ala una sang hapon, ang mga tawo maga balita nga may nakita sila tatlo matatahum nga mga babayi naga pungko sa bato sa ibabaw sang kweba kag sa isa lang ka pagpisok, magadula sila sa sulod sang kweba.

Isa ka adlaw, ang mayor nga naga istar sa humayan, isa ka lalaki nga pangalan ay Eyo ginatawag sa piyak nga parte sang humayan. Ginpawala an lang ni Eyo ang tawag, pero gasigi lang ini. Nag talikod sha kag na kibot sang makita ang is aka matahum na lalaki nga gatindog sa piyak nga bahin sang humayan.

Hambal sang lalaki, “Makadto kita sa Candanay kay may nakuha to nga madaku nga balyena.” Sabat ni Eyo nga indi sya kalakat kay sako gid sya. Nadula dayun ang lalaki, nga daw wala da sya kagina.

Sadto sa Candanay ang balyena gina parte-parte na. Ang lalaki ato didto, nagakuha sang iya parte kay siya ginkilala nga miyembro sang mga tinawo sang mga mangingisda, nadismaya ang isa sa mga tinawo sang ang iya parte nadula lang sang wala namu.

Ang lalaki dayun nagkadto sa balay ni Eyo kag gin istorya kun paano nangakig ang matuod nga tag-iya sang parte kay wala sang may maka eksplikar kun sin o nagkuha sang iya parte. Gin agda niya si Eyo nga magkadto sa iya balay para sa panyapon, pero nangindi si Eyo.

Pagkadasun nga aga, ang mga ga istar sa humayan nakakita ang mga matatahum nga mga babayi samtang nagapamala sang karne ka balyena sa bato sa ibabaw lang gid sang kweba.

Indi ma-inchindihan ni Eyo kun nga a nagka interesado ang lalaki sa iya. May iban pa man nga mga naga istar sa humayan nga pwede niya ma istorbo, pero indi niya pag lubayan sang lalaki si Eyo

Kada adlaw, gina imbitahan sang lalaki si Eyo nga mag upod sa iya sa ekskursyon ukon mag paambit sang pagkaon halin sa iya pero indi mag upod si Eyo sa lalaki.

Mabati-an ni Eyo ang tingog sang iya lola sa likod sang iya hunahuna, “Indi ka mag upod sa mga engkantado, indi ka magpaambit sang pagkaon halin sa ila. Indi ka na makahalin sa ila dominyo sa walay katapusan.”

Ginpati ni Eyo ang maalamon nga mga tinaga sa iya lola kag wala niya ginsapak ang gusto sang lalaki. Kun makita niya ang tatlo ka matatahum nga mga babayi lapit sa kweba, wala niya ginatulok, kay kabalo siya nga indi sila matuod nga mortal nga tawo.

Ginapanghambalan niya ang iban nga mga nagapuyo parti sa lalaki kaso wala nila nakita ang lalaki kapareho kay Eyo. Ginapanum dum ni Eyo nga sya nasumpa. May mga engkanto nga maga interesar sa mga espisipiko nga mga tawo, sa kadam-an, daku ni nga oportunidad kay ang mga engkanto magahatag sa ila sang mga managmi nga regalo nga ila gusto, pero sa iban, malain ini nga sumpa kay ginahampangan lang sila sang mga engkanto asta matak-an na sila sa ila hampang.

Gina konsiderar ni Eyo nga swerte siya, ginapabay-an siya sang engkanto nga lalaki kun I hambal ya, pero may kakulba permi sa sulod sang iya tagipusu-on.

Paano kun magdesisyon sila nga mag untat sang ila hampang?

Ano dayun ang matabo?

English Version

In the small sitio of Tinamnan Gabe, there is a deep cave next to the rice field of the late Capitan Colas Jumawan.

There were many stories about this cave, some would say that it was home to many enchanted creatures. At one o’ clock in the afternoon people would report that they saw three beautiful girls sitting on a rock just above the cave and, in a blink of an eye, they would disappear into the cave.

One day, the principal tenant of the rice field, a man named Eyo was called by someone on the opposite side of the rice field. Eyo ignored the calls, but they were insistent. He turned around and was shocked to see a handsome gentleman standing on the opposite side of the field.

The gentleman said, “We should go to Candanay because there is a big whale that was just caught.” Eyo replied that he could not go because he was very busy. The gentleman then disappeared, as if he was never there.

All the way in Candanay the whale was being portioned. The gentleman was there, getting his share as he was identified as a member of the crew of fishermen, much to the dismay of one of the actual crewman who had his share seemingly vanish.

The gentleman then went to the house of Eyo and related the story of how the true owner of the share got angry because no one could explain who had gotten his share. He invited Eyo to come to his house for supper, but Eyo declined.

The following morning, tenants of the rice field could see beautiful girls drying whale meat on a rock just above the cave.

Eyo couldn’t understand why the gentleman had taken such an interest in him. Surely there were other tenants in the field that he could go and bother, but the gentleman would not leave Eyo alone.

Day after day, the gentleman would invite Eyo to go with him on an excursion or ask him to share a meal, but Eyo would not go with the gentleman.

Eyo would hear the voice of his lola in the back of his head, “Do not go with the enchanted people, do not share a meal with them. You will be trapped forever in their realm.”

Eyo heeded his lola’s wise words and ignored the gentleman’s wishes. When he would see the three beautiful women near the front of the cave, he would avoid looking at them, for he knew that they were not as human as they seemed.

He would tell the other tenants about the gentleman, but they did not see him as Eyo did. Eyo began to think that he was cursed, and in a way he was. There are some enchanted beings that take interest in specific humans, for many, this would be a great blessing for the enchanted beings would give lavish gifts upon their chosen, but for others it was a terrible curse where the enchanted beings would toy with their victim until they got bored of their games.

Eyo considered himself lucky, the enchanted gentleman would leave him alone if he asked, but there was always that hint of fear deep in his heart.

What if they decided to stop playing?

What would happen then?

The post The Engkanto of Tinamnan Gabe – Hiligaynon Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

“Pwede mo ma lantaw ang idalom sang katre ko?” Nagluya ang tingog ni Jess tungod sang mga bulong. Amo ina ang iya gina himu kada gab-e sugod sang nagsaylo kami sa hospital, nagapati siya nga may ara ang sa idalom sang iya katre nga gapamasakit sa iya.

Tatlo ka bulan nga pagsulay kag bulong kag wala man siya gihapon naga-ayu. Kabalo ko nga ang kabuhi indi dapat patas pero sais-anyos palang si Jess. Dapat wala bata nga magaagi sa mga inadlaw sang mga dagum kag tubo, kag indi gihapun makabaton sang bisan ano nga sabat. Indi gid patas.

Nagyuhum ako kag ginhalukan iya agtang. “Wala halimaw sa idalom sang imo katre, magpahuway ka na. Kinahanglan mo ang imo kakusog para sa “test” mo buas, sige?” Nagyuhum si Jess sa akon kag nagtulog. Ang kalig-on sang mga kabata-an, gapabilib guid sa akun, pero nagala-um ako nga maka-igo ina para makasalbar pa siya isa ka adlaw.

Wala guid. Napatay si Jess sa ina nga gab-e. Natulugan ako sa tupad ya kag ang sunod ko nalang nabal-an ang mga doktor kag nars nagadinalidali kag nagashinagit. Ginpunggan ako sang isa ka nars kay gusto ko guid makita ang gakatabo.

Gindul-ong ko sang nars sa may pertahan kag didto ko una nga nakita. Sa una sa hunahuna ko isa lang sa mga tubo nga nagatakod kay Jess, pero daw may indi insakto sa ina nga tubo. Kadako gid to para maging tubo ukon ano man gid kag nagatapos ina sa ubos sang katre.

Amo lang to ang nadumduman ko sa ina nga gab-e kag kadamo sang mga malain nga bagay nga nagkalatabo pagkatapos to. Ang lawas ni Jess “nadula” sang pakadto na sa pulenarya, hambal sang morque nga wala man lain nga matabo sa transportasyon, pero ang bangkay wala to nag-abot.

Ginahimo ko ang tanan nga makaya ko para mabal-an kun ano natabo kay Jess. Ang hambal ka mga nars nga may nagsulod sang isa ka bulan sa ikatlo nga palapag sang hospital, basi konektado to sa pagkadula ni Jess.

Ibalik ko siya.

Basta malubong lang siya.

English Version

“Can you check under my bed?” Jess’ voice was weak from the treatments. It had been her routine every night since we moved to the hospital, she was convinced there was something under her bed that kept making her sick.

Three months of tests and medicine and she still hasn’t gotten any better. I know life’s not supposed to be fair but Jess is only six years old. No child should have to go through days of needles and tubes and still not getting any answers. It wasn’t fair.

I smile and I kiss her forehead. “There aren’t any monsters under your bed, now go get some rest. You need your strength for the tests tomorrow, alright?” Jess smiles at me and drifts off to sleep. The resilience of youth never failed to impress me, but I hoped that it would be enough to get her through one more day.

It wasn’t. Jess died that night. I had fallen asleep next to her and the next thing I knew doctors and nurses were rushing in and shouting. One of the nurses had to restrain me because I kept trying to see what was happening.

The nurse led me to the door and I that was when I saw it. At first I thought it was one of the tubes that was attached to Jess, but there was something off about it. It was too big to be a wire or anything like that and it ended at the bottom of the bed.

That’s all I remember from that night and there were too many strange things that happened after. Jess’ body was “lost” en route to the funeral home, the morgue says there was nothing wrong with the transport, but the body never got there.

I’m doing all I can now to find out what happened to Jess. The nurses said that there was a break-in a month ago on the third floor of the hospital, maybe that’s connected to Jess’ disappearance.

I will get her back.

If only to bury her.

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

Ako lang gid ang nakakilala sa imo.

Wala ka pa nabata, kilala ta na ka. Ang imo iloy ka gwapa gid kaayo. Gatinir siya permi sa kilid suba, samtang galantaw sang gadalagan nga tubig pakadto sa panganud. Ato ako didto sang imo amay, ang ginoo, sang ginpangayo niya ang kamot niya. Ginhimu niya na sa dira nga puno.

Sang bata kapa, nanamian ka maghampang sa tubig. Siyempre, ginabantayan ka man, ang imo tagabantay nagasunod permi sa imo para mahibalu an nga maayo ka. Indi na sila magkabalaka, samtang ara ako didto wala sang malain nga matabo sa imo.

Nagdaku ka kaupod sang suba. Sang sais anyos ka kasalawayon sa imo nga bata nga laki. Ginahampanggan mo ang tigulang nga pari kag magdalagan palayo pakadto sa suba kun sa diin indi ka nila madakpan. Wala sa imu mga kahampang ang makalagas sa imu. Ginhimu mo ang akun tagipusu on malipayun kay kasagad sa imo maglangoy.

Ara ako didto sa una mo nga pagkabigo. Masyado ka kamaayo para sa babayi nga ato. Nadumduman ko sang nangita ka sang rason sang natabo. Tunga-tunga na sang kagab-ihon kag ang bilog nga bulan sa kalangitan sang ginapangita ka na sang mga tagabantay mo. Grabe ang pagpangita nila sa imo pero indi ka nila makita, syempre, ara ako didto para mahatagan ka sang pribado mo nga oras. Pagkabugtaw mo sa dason nga adlaw, wala gid pilas sa lawas mo, kag nagpuli ka sa imo ginikanan.

Nagdaku ka nga maayo nga batan-on nga lalaki, nami panglawason kag gwapo. Nagatinir ka sa kilid suba kag nagasulat sang mga pamalaybay, kis a gina hambal mo pa na. Ang imo tingog makapahupay kag makapakalma. Amo ina ang akon ili-ili kada gab-e.

Sang nagligad nga duwa ka bulan, gin hambal mo sang matunog ang isa mo ka pamalaybay. Daw buhi ini, kag kun paano ini naga-utod sang madalom sa kalag sang kada tawo. “Kapareho sang sundang nga gaa gi sa kalag”, isa ina ka linya sang imo pamalaybay. Ang suba nagaliko kag gailig kasabay sa imu paghambal. Sa amo ina nga ti-on nakahibalo ako kun ano ang himu-on ko.

Sang nagsanto ang aton mga mata nabatyagan mo man ini, indi bala? Kun paano kita dapat nga duha para sa isa kag isa. Nagatindog kalang dira, sa duta samtang gatulu kay ta kag gakanta ang suba. Nagapadayun ini sa pagsaka asta naglab-ot sa imo mga mata kag nakita mo ako kun ano gid ko.

Natingala ka, syempre. Halos tanan nga mga tawo amu na kun makita nila ang matuod ko nga anyo. Wala mo na realisar nga nagasul-ob lang ko sang gapungpong nga dagami kag kumpol nga saging para matabunan ang ubos nga katunga sang akon lawas. Napukaw ka sang akon katahum kag ako, sa imo. Makita ko ang paghandum sa imo kalag. Wala kaso sa imo kun ang panit ko itom kag abuhon ukon puno sini sang tunok, ginakinahanglan mo ko kag amu na ang importante.

Asta subong ginasumpa ko ang imo tagabantay. Paano kabalo ang isa ka tawo nga magkuha sang bolo kag ginlabo ang tubig nga pa krus? Dapat nakatago ina nga kahibalo sa mga tawo.

Ah. Pero indi ko dapat magpakita sang kahinaan sa atubang mo, akun pinalangga.

Maga-upod man gid kita nga duwa sa intyakto nga tiempo. Asta naga ilig ang malapad nga suba, para sa imo ang akon kasing-kasing.

Permi kag tubtub san-o.

English Version

Nobody knows you like I do.

I’ve known you since before you were born. Your mother was such a beautiful woman. She would spend time by the river, watching it run into the horizon. I was there when your father, the gentleman, proposed. He did it right by that tree.

When you were a little baby you loved to play by the water. You’d always be watched of course, your guardians would hover around you to make sure you were alright. They didn’t need to worry, as long as I was there nothing would be able to harm you.

You grew up with the river by your side. At six years old you were a mischievous little boy. You would play tricks on the old priests and run away to the river where they couldn’t catch you. You were a great swimmer. None of your playmates could match your speed. It made my heart swell with pride knowing that you took to the water so well.

I was there during your first heartbreak. You were too good for that girl anyway. I remember you trying to find sense in what had happened. It was midnight and the moon full in the sky when your guardians came to look for you. Try as they might they couldn’t find you, of course, I was there to make sure you had your privacy. You woke up the next day, not a scratch on you, and went back home to your parents.

You grew into a fine young man, so dashing and handsome. You would stay by the riverside and write your poems, even orating them on some occasions. Your voice was so soothing and calm. It was my lullaby every night.

Two moons ago you spoke one of your poems out loud. It was about live, how it cuts deep into the soul of every person. “Like a knife through the soul”, that was one of the lines from your poem. The river bent and flowed to match your oration. It was then I knew what I had to do.

When our eyes met you could feel it couldn’t you? How we were meant to be together. You stood there, solid on the ground as we locked our gaze and the river sang. It rose higher until it reached your eyes and you saw me for what I was.

You were surprised, of course. Most humans are when they see my true form. You didn’t realize that I wore the bundle of rice straws and cluster of bananas to hide my lower half. You were enthralled by my beauty and I, by you. I could see the longing in your soul. It didn’t matter that my skin was black and grey or that it was covered with spines, you wanted me and that was all that mattered.

To this day I still curse your guardian. How did a human know to get a bolo and slash at the water with a cross? That knowledge should have been hidden from humans.

Ah but I should not show weakness in front of you, my love.

We will be together soon enough. As long as the river flows, my heart will belong to you.

Always and forever.

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

Tinu ig na nga gakatingala ang mga siyentipiko sang mga buyog. Gamit ang daan nga “aerodynamic theory”, indi ni sila dapat maka lupad. Subong makita nga ang mga buyog maka lupad gamit ang baskog nila nga pwersa. Ang ila paglupad daw indi instakto, daw natunga nag ini nga insekto sa tunga. Ang wala kag tuo nga pakpak makalupad tig isa kag nag hangin nga gaagi sa iya pakpak wala gabulig sa buyog nga makalupad sang maayu.

Isa ini nga mysteryo sa siyensya asta sang isa ka dekada niligad. Pero ako matingala kung anu mapanumduman sang mga siyentipiko kung matubangan nila ang nakita ko.

Tskato guid hambal sang buang nga tigulang, ari guid di sila. Bal an ko nga kung patihun ko akun nabatyagan na makita ko na sila. Tinu ig nga paghulat kag pag hunahuna, mahambal ko naman guid kay lolo nga instakto sya. Ang tanan nga istorya sang Handiong taming parti sa mga ini kag panu nga wala na sila makita ay tuod. Si lolo kag ang iya “platoon” indi mga buang. Abi sang ila mga superyor ang ila mga storya parti sa mga galupad nga bagis isa lang ka pati-pati kag indi matuod. Indi ko na mahulat  nga makita ang ila mga tsura kung mapakita ko na sa ila ang Tiburones.

Ang ini nga mga bagis tama ka interesado. Indi ko mahambal kung paano sila ka tinir sa hangin. Sila bala may “swim bladder” nga nag ebolb kag nag “adopt?” Kilanlang ko ini mapalapitan para mabal an ko. Ang mga bato kay perti ka talom,  napilas pa ko gane pagsaka ko pero wala ini kaso. Anu man ang gamay nga dugo para sa presyo sang siyentipiko nga ebolusyon.

Nakapalapit naman guid ko sa tubig para makita ang ginaubra sang mga Tiburones. Daw ang ila ginakaon mga pispis kag mga isda sa sina nga bahin. Ang ila pagpanakup wala ga lain sa ordinaryo nga pating kag galupad lang sila sa tubig kung makagwa ang pispis halin sa ila.

Ang mga normal nga pating ga salig sa ila nga panimaho sa tubig ti salbar man ko basta indi lang ko madagdag. Ang pinakadaku nga pating daw gapakita nga sya ang mayor. Ang mga ini lain sa mga ordinaryo nga pating kag ang mga ordinaryo nga pating indi lapit sa kaalaam nga ginapakita sang mga Tiburones. Sila daw mga “dolphins” sa ila pamatasan.

Ara ko sa pil as para magkuha sang mayu nga mga “shots.” Ini mga ibedensya para makakuha ko suporta para sa isa ka madaku nga ekspedisyun. Pero ang mga Tiburones may iban nga plano. Sila maka panimaho kung ara sila sa hangin ukon sa tubig. Nakapalagyo ko sa malapit nga kweba.

Ara pako gyapun sa sulod sang kweba. Ang mga pating ga tiyog tiyog sa gwa sa hangin. Basi makapoy man sila, amu na ang tsansa ko nga makapalagyo.

Kung indi, kung sin o man makabasa sang sini nga sulat, palihog pagwa sang kamatu oran. Kilanlan ini makagwa. Palihog nga indi pag usiki ang akun nga sakripisyo.

Scientists have been baffled by the bumblebee for years. Using old aerodynamic theory they shouldn’t even be able to fly. Today, it has been shown that the bumblebee adopts a brute force approach to flying. Their flight is inefficient, as if the insect has been split in half. The left and right wings flap independently and the airflow around the wings never joins to help the bee slip through the air more easily.

It was a scientific mystery until only about a decade ago, but I wonder what those scientists would think if they would be faced by what I saw.  

That crazy old woman was right, they would be here. I knew that if I followed my instincts that I would finally find them. Years of waiting and wondering and I can finally tell my lolo that he was right. All those stories of Handiong taming these things and how they were never seen again were true. Lolo and his platoon weren’t crazy. Their superiors thought that stories of flying sharks were silly superstition. I can’t wait to see their faces when I show them the Tiburones.

These sharks are incredibly interesting. I can’t tell what keeps them in the air. Is it a swim bladder that they somehow evolved and adapted? I have to get closer to find out. The rocks along this cove are very sharp, I managed to cut myself on a steep part of the climb, but it doesn’t matter. What’s a little blood if the prize is a scientific revolution?

I finally got close enough to the water to see what the Tiburones are doing. It seems like their diet consist of the birds and fish around the area. Their hunting pattern isn’t any different from regular sharks and they only fly out of the water when there’s a bird that’s attempting to get away.

Normal sharks rely on their sense of smell in the water so I was safe as long as I didn’t fall in. The largest shark in the frenzy seemed to be exhibiting leader behavior. This is different from regular sharks and I don’t think these things are anywhere close to the intelligence exhibited by those specimens. They seemed to be acting more like dolphins in their outward behavior.

I was by a cliffside to get better shots. This evidence can help me get the support I need for a full expedition. But the Tiburones have a different plan. They seem to be able to smell in the air as well as they do in the water. I barely escaped to a nearby cave in time.

I’m still inside the cave. The sharks are circling outside in the air. Maybe they’ll get tired and I can have a chance to escape.

If I don’t, to whoever’s reading this letter, please let the truth get out. They are out here. Don’t let my sacrifice be in vain.

*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
Tagalog translation by Allen Suating
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Allen Suating

Story inspired by the Ibalon (A Bikolano epic).

Pating na Pakpakan Illustration by Leandro Geniston
FB: That Guy With A Pen

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

The post Pating na Pakpakan (Hiligaynon Translation) appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

“Amu ni ang pinakamanami nga tira.” Gin preparar ni Chinhok ang iya pana para itiro sa usa. Kabalo siya nga kun samaran niya ang is aka tiil, makatiro siya liwat. Kadasig sang kuba-kuba sang iya tagipusu-on, amu ni ang una ya nga pangaso, kun makapuli sya sang usa sa ila baryo, ang tanan manamian kag pa-intrahon na siya sa ila kasahi. Amu ni ang iya tyansa.

Bag-o niya ma buy-an ang pana, may nabati-an siya sang matunog nga syagit kag sa iya malas nakabati man ang usa. Nag dalagan ini sa lasang, nga wala man lang nasamaran. “Chinhok!” kun sin-o man ang nagguba sang iya chansa amo na ang ga syagit sang iya pangalan kag akig gid si Chinhok, sin-o bala ang magahimu na sa iya?Si Bitil, ang pinakasagad nga mangangayam sang mga bukid, kag ang tiyo ni Chinhok nagatindok sa likod niya kag naga syagit sang iya pangalan liwat “Chinhok!”

“Tiyo, nga-a ginhimo mo ato? Makuha ko na tani ang usa!” Si Chinhok daw akig kag nagapakitlu-oy nga nagapangayo sang eksplenasyon.

“Ginhatag mo na ang halad sa kahoy sang Banayakaw?” pamangkot ni Bitil, wala ya ginatalupangod ang proteta sang bata nga lalaki.

“Tiyo, wala ko oras! Himu-on ko na tani kag nakita ko ang usa kag malipas na ang akon tyansa!” Ginapa-intyendi ni Chinhok ang iya tiyo, sigurado nga mangangayam sya kabalo siya nga ang isa indi dapat mag-usik sang tyempo.“Chinhok, kabalo ka nga imposible nga makapatay sang usa gamit sang is aka pana?” Sabat ni Bitil nga may pamangkot.

“Oo tiyo kabalo ko, amo na nga-a kinahanglan ko nga e-pilason danay para indi makapalagyo kag para makatira sang katapusan nga tira.” Indi ma inchindihan ni Chinhok kun diin gapakadto ang ila gina-istoryahanay.

“Ang usa, kapareho sa aton, nagakabahin sa duta, pero ang ini nga bukid may mga manugbantay. Nagahatag kita sang halad sa atubang sang kahoy sang Banayakaw para masigurado nga ang mga ispiritu magakalipay. Hambal ni Bitil samtang nagatulok sa mga mata sang iya hinablos nga lalaki.

“Kaso tiyo, maka-inchindi ang mga ispiritu kun magahatag ta sang mga halad pagkatapos sini.” Matig-a ang ulo ni Chinhok kag wala niya gina kagusto nga maperdi sa isa ka argumento, labi na sa iya pamilya.

“Kun na-igo sang pana ang usa, kinahanglan mo nga pasunuran sang madamo bag-o mapatay. Kay sa kada usa nga mapatay naton, mas madamo ang nagapatay sa gubat nga may isa ka pana sa ila lawas. Mapatay sila mga pila ka adlaw ukon semana, samtang ga agwanta sang kasakit, wala may mahimu kontra sa ila mga kaaway.” Ang pagsugod nga paglaygay ni Bitil.

“Tiyo, kabalo ko pero ang ano—“ Ang pagsapar ni Chinhok pero ang iya tiyo nagpadayon.

“Are, paminsara kun ano mabatyagan sang mga ispiritu kun wala bayad ang tanan nga ina nga pag-antos. Ang mga gina protektahan nila nga mga kasapatan mapatay nalang nga wala sang ritual nga paghalad. Sa imo pamatyag, ano ayhan ang ila mabatyagan?” Diretso nga pagtulok ni Bitil sa mga mata ni Chinhok.

“Pero tiyo—“ Pagpadayon ni Chinhok.

“Ano sa pamatyag mo ang himu-on nila? Maghalong ka hinablos, indi lang ang mga usa ang mga biktima sa ini nga mga bukid.” Gintapos ni Bitil sa mabug at nga tinaga, ang pagkabalo ni Chinhok nga indi sya makasabat.
“Oo, tiyo.” Kinuha ni Chinhok ang iya pana kag naglakat pa-uli. Isa ka adlaw, mapa-inchindi niya sila nga mangin isa iya ka-sagad nga mangangaso. Maabot gid na nga adlaw.

————————————————————————————————————————-

Indi na makahulat si Chinhok. Subong na ang adlaw. May nakita siya nga mas madako pa kaysa iban nga usa kag indi niya gusto nga madula ang iya chansa. Wala na sunlog, wala na insulto. Ipakita niya sa tanan, labi nag gid sa iya tiyo nga matu-od siya nga mangangaso. Bahala na ang mga ispiritu.

Nagtaya na siya sa usa. Pagkatapos sang duwa ka oras nga pagsunod, nakakuha man siya sang klaro nga sa pagtiro. Binulan man ang pagpaabut niya sa ini nga tini-on kag ang iya buas damlag nga mangin is aka mangagaso naga-humlad sa iya atubang. Wala gid sang rason nga indi niya ma-igo, pero ang iya pana may la-in nga plano. Sa ti-on nga gin buy-an niya ang iya pana, ang nag-untat giho ang tanan. Ang mga dahon nagdulog sa paghulog halin sa ila mga sanga, and usa naglinong samtang nagatulok sa pana nga wala gagiho.

“Indi matinahuron nga kuha-on mo ang mga bagay nga indi imo.” Nagbalikid si Chinhok kag nag-atubang siya sa mga istorya nga labay-labay: Isa ka pula nga panit nga babaye kag isa ka puti nga panit nga lalaki. Kabalo siya kun sin-o sila— ukon ano sila. Ang Tahamaling kag ang Mahomanay, ang mga manugbantay sang mga kasapatan sang kagubatan, kag sa subong palang, nagkabuhi ang iya mala-in nga damgo.

“Ano ang himu-on ta ni sa isa?” siling ni Tahamaling, ang iya tingong klaro kag kalmado. “Kinahanglan ta himu-on ang dapat. Gapanguha siya nga wala gahatag balik.” And Mahomanay wala gapakita sang iya emosyon kun maghambal ini. Mabati-an ni Chinhok ang mga istorya sang mga ispiritu nga masadya kag mabinuligun sa mga tawo, tapos nadumduman niya nga amo na ang mga ispiritu pagkatapos mahatag ang mga halad.

“—–“ Nagdulog ang tingog ni Chinok sa iya tutunlan. Kabalo siya kun ano ang ginhimo niya. Kabalo man siya nga wala na sang paagi nga makapangayo siya sang kapatawaran halin sa mga ispiritu. Nangamuyo si Chinhok sa kay Pamulak Manobo nga padali-on lang ang iya kamatayon.

Ginpamati-an sang mga ispiritu ang iya gamay nga pagpakaluoy.

Nakita ni Bitil ang lawas sang iya hinablos nga lalaki pagkatapos sang tatlo ka adlaw nga pagpangita. Napatay ang bata nga lalaki sa iya pana, ang kasubo nga kapalaran sang mangungubat. Kabalo si Bitil nga imposible nga ma-igo ni Chinhok ang iya kaugalingon, kag nabatyagan niya ang kaakig sang mga ispiritu sa wala pagtahod sang bata.

Ginhalad ni Bitil ang liso sang betel nga ginadala niya permi para sa mga ispiritu bilang isa ka halad sa sang paghinulsol. May mga utod nga lalaki si Chinhok kag ga-asa si Bitil nga tani may matun-an sila sang iya kapaslawan sa mga ispiritu. Indi gid ma-angkon sang mga tawo ang bukid kag ang kagubatan, sa iya mismo nabal an.

Kinuha niya ang bangkay ni Chinhok kag nagsugod siya iya malayo nga pagpanglakaton pabalik sa ila baryo.

———————————————————————

English Version

“This is the perfect shot.” Chinhok readied his bow and took aim at the deer. He knew that if he wounded one of its legs he would be able to get another shot. His heart was racing, this was his first hunt, if he brought back the deer to the village, everyone would be so impressed and he would finally be invited to join the hunting parties. This was his chance.

Just before he could let the arrow fly he heard a loud shout and to his misfortune, so did the deer. It ran away into the forest, without so much as a scratch. “Chinhok!” whoever ruined his chance was shouting his name and Chinhok was furious, who would do this to him?

Bitil, The greatest hunter in the mountains, and also Chinhok’s uncle stood behind him and shouted out his name again “Chinhok!”

“Uncle, why did you do that? I was about to get my first deer!” Chinhok looked exasperated and pleading for an explanation.

“Did you give the offerings at the Banayakaw tree?” Bitil asked, apparently ignoring the boy’s protest.

“Uncle, I had no time! I was about to and I saw the deer and I was going to miss my chance!” Chinhok tried to make his uncle understand him, surely as a hunter he would know that one shouldn’t waste time.

“Chinhok, do you know that it is almost impossible to kill a deer with one arrow?” Bitil again replied with a question.

“Yes uncle I know, that is why we need to wound it first so that it cannot escape and we can land the final blow.” Chinhok, did not understand where this conversation was headed.

“A deer, like all of us is a part of the land, but this mountain has its own guardians. We give the offerings in front of the Banayakaw tree to make sure that those spirits are appeased.” Bitil said, looking directly into the eyes of his nephew.

“But uncle, surely the spirits will understand if we give the offerings after.” Chinhok was stubborn and he never liked losing an argument, especially to his family.

“When a deer is hit with an arrow, it needs to be shot many more times before it can die. For every deer we manage to kill there are many more that die in the forests with an arrow in their bodies. They die days or even weeks later, all the while under constant pain, defenseless against their natural predators.” Bitil started a lecture.

“Uncle I know but what—-“ Chinhok tried to interrupt but his uncle continued.

“Now imagine what the spirits would feel if there was no compensation for all that suffering. That the creatures they protect would just die in the forest without the rituals of appeasement. How do you think they would feel?” Bitil was looking right at Chinhok now, his gaze steady.

“But uncle—-“ Chinhok was nothing if not persistent.

“What do you think they would do? Be careful nephew, the deer aren’t the only prey in these mountains.” Bitil ended with a heavy tone, one that Chinhok knew he could not say anything to.

“Yes, uncle.” Chinhok took his bow and headed back towards his home. One day he would make them understand that he was a great hunter. One day.

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Chinhok couldn’t wait anymore. Today would be the day. He spotted a larger than usual deer and he couldn’t miss this chance. No more taunts, no more insults. He would prove to everyone, especially his uncle that he was a real hunter. The spirits be damned.

He took aim at the deer. After 2 hours of tracking it, he finally got a clear shot. Months of anticipation boiled down to this moment and his future as a hunter was laid out in front of him. There was no way he could miss this, but his arrow had a different idea. The moment he let loose his arrow, everything stopped. The leaves stood frozen falling from their branches, the deer was silent as it stared at the arrow that didn’t move.

“It isn’t polite to take things that aren’t yours.” Chinhok turned behind him and he was faced with stories from the fireside: A red-skinned woman and a white skinned man. He knew who—or what they were. The Tahamaling and the Mahomanay, guardians of the beasts in the forest, and as of now, his worst nightmares come to life.

“What should we do with this one?” said the Tahamaling, her voice lustrous and soothing. “We must do as we must. He has taken without giving.” The Mahomanay was stoic, almost emotionless as he spoke. Chinhok would hear stories of the spirits being happy and helpful to humans, and then he remembered that was only after the offerings were given.

“—-“ Chinhok’s voice stopped at his throat. He knew what he had done. He also knew there was no way to ask forgiveness from the spirits. Chinhok prayed to Pamulak Manobo that his death would be quick.

The spirits may have listened to that small mercy. Bitil found his nephew’s body after 3 days of searching. The boy was killed with his own arrow, a sad fate for any hunter. Bitil knew that it was impossible for Chinhok to shoot himself, and he sensed that the spirits were angered at the youth’s indiscretion.

Bitil offered the betel nut that he kept with him to the spirits as a small token of remorse. Chinhok had brothers and Bitil only hoped that they would learn from his failure to listen to the spirits. The mountain and the forest will never belong to people, that much he knew.

He took Chinhok’s body and began the long walk back to the village.

———————————————————————–

*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 Ma. Rafel Delos Santos and Allen Suating

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Ma. Rafel Delos Santos and Allen Suating

Story inspired by Tahamaling description in The Maiden of the Buhog Sky. Manuel (1958) in Philippine Folk Literature:The Epics. Eugenio. 2001.
Tahamaling

Illustration by Laura Katigbak

FB: Rabbit Heart

IG: https://www.instagram.com/rabbitheartart/

The post The Price of the Hunt – Hiligaynon Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

Halin sa taguangkan sang kalibutan ako nagdaku

Naga-inggat kapareho sang adlaw kung agaSa imo mga kamot ginahilu-an ko ang mga kalag

Kag idul-ong ang mga kalalakin-an sa ila kagub-anan

Ano ako?

“Bugtaw na.”

“Ha…? Ano natabo?”

“Nagahambal ka naman sa imu pagtulog.”

“Ay, pasensya. Nagpulaw naman ko bi.”

“Nag-untat na ulan”

“Nag-untat na? Maayo na kay para makakuha ‘ta sang nagmi nga mga litrato.”

“Iplastar ko na tanan. Preparar nyo na kaugalingon nyo, may pila pa ta ka oras sang kasanag.”

“Sige. Ma ilis lang ko. Tani matapos tani ang pag pikture nga indi magsinabad ang tyempo.”

“Ay, wow.”

“Ano?”

“May balangaw sa likod mo.”

“Siguro indi man gid maglain ang tyempo.”

Tugnaw asta sa pangamotWala ko sang matuod nga kasanagPero indi guid ko madulaAno ako?

Nagbugtaw sya nga may tugnaw nga balhas. Amo man gihapon nga damgo, ang pag igpat sang suga, ang ilaga sa tanuman kag ang kalaw ay nga kasunod. Ginahambal ya sa iya kaugalingon nga ara na na sa nagligad, may mas importante nga mga bagay nga gakakinahanglan sang iya atensyon.

Magatindog sya sang mataas, ang iya “ivory” nga sungay naga sidlak sa kadulum sang kweba nga gina puy-an nya. May manggad nga makita sa ini nga mga kabukiran, kag makuha nya ang iya lang madala.

Pero, ang mga igpat sang iya nagligad nagakamang sa iya paminsaron. Nadumduman nya ang iya daan nga pangalan kag kun paano ang iya nga katahum nag inspirar sang paghigugma bisan sa mga gamhanan nga diyos. Gina sumpa niya ang pangalan nga Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan kag nag dupla sa salog. Kun indi tungod sa iya, ara pa gihapon sa iya ang iya katahum.

Kun ara na ang iya manggad, ang tanan mangin maayo, mangin kompleto na sya liwat. Wala na paglabay sang oras sa kadulom sang kweba. Wala na ang paghulat sa pag-untat sang ulan para makapangita naman sang kalan-on. Wala na ang pagpa-aninag sa iya kaugalingon kag sa pagtulok sang halimaw nga nanging siya.

Sa unahan, makita niya ang pag-inggat sang suga. Manggad? Ang iya tagipusu-on indi guid makapungong. Nag-untat na ang ulan, kaso indi na sya maghulat sa nagapangaluyag sa iya. Oras na para mangita.

Naga-upod ako sa tubigSa bilog nga kalibutanIndi ako malayo sa kagamhanan

Kay ako ang kagamhanan

Ano ako?

Ang masanag nga ginu-o nagtulok sa dalom halin sa kalangiton kag nag duhoy. Naglakat naman siya nga indi upod ang isa. Nagapunggko siya sa mga panganod sang Kalibutang sang Langit kag nag panumdum sang sina-una nga pabakasay kag mangimon nga mga diyos.

Mainit ang hapon sang tag-ilinit sang natabo ato, ginhatagan sang masanag nga diyos ang babaye sang regalo nga kasanag kag ginagamit na niya sa iya kaanyag nga maka-ribal sa mga diyos. Ang kalu-oy nga babaye, ara na sa wala kapuslanan kaysa kaalamon, bangod sa iya kabugalon nga napaminsar ya nga gin-angkat niya ang diyosa. Swerte pa sya. Napaakig niya si Ynaguinid, indi na tani siya buhi para mapudyot niya ang mga parte sang iya guba nga kabuhi.

Pero wala na diri ukon didto.

Ginhimu niya ang iya masarangan, syempre. Ginhatag niya liwat ang kun ano man nga katahum nga makaya niya. Pero wala sang makakuntra sang iya sumpa. Ang diyosa sang kahakog ay mapasigarbuhon kapareho sang iya pagkakusog.

Kabugalon. Ang pagkawala kapuslanan. Pagkatikalon. Siguro ang mga diyos mas madamo ang ila pagkapareho sa mga mortal sa gusto man nila ukon sa indi.

Kun wala lang tani naglabay ang babaye sa sagrado nga kakayuhan sang diyosa.
Kun wala lang tani ni

ya nakita ang mga duwende nga nagadala sang mga sako sang mangad.
Kun wala lang tani niya gin-ako nga sya ang labing maayo.

Ang iya tagipusu-on guba man sagihapon. Sa tanan nga gakahitabo, ang iya pagpalangga wala man gihapon ginbalosan. Nagalaum sya nga kun maibalik niya siya sa matuod niya nga porma, makita niya nga pwede sila magupod nga duha.

Pero indi sya magsalig sa dira. Ang masanag nga diyos nag dugoy kag gin buy-an niya ang iya kasanag sa kalibutan. Siguro makita na niya ang iya ginapangita.

Ang akon panug-an isa ka damgo

Sang busog nga tiyanKag kahilwayan

Ang pagpamatuod sa maayo nga pagsalig

Ano ako?

“Nakita mo to!?”

“Abi ko katas na sa aton para sa mga kabayo?!”

“Amo man guid, kaso wala ko kabalo kun ano gina himu na diri.”

“Nakita mo guid sang mayo?”

“Kadasig guid bi, nakuha guro sang kamera.”

“Mahalin na ta, indi ko gusto nga ari pa ko di kun mabalik man to. Wala ko hilig sa mga sapat.”

“Sige, prinsesa. Insakto na ni siguro ang mga nakuha ta para pili-an sang mga editors. Ilis na para makasugod na ta sang pagpanglakaton. Makapanaog gid ta bag-o mag dulom.”

“Sige, dasigon ko lang.”

May manggad nga makuha, pero indi ina ang iya gina pangita. Wala sini ang husto. Nga a siya ang sumpa nga magtinir sa ina nga malain nga anyo? Ang diyosa magwapa kag malain. Ang luha naka-ilig halin sa iya sang-una nga maanyag nga istura samtang ang ulan naga tupa sa duta.

Ang masanag nga diyos kabalo sang isa ka bagay sa sumpa nga ang babayi wala kabalo. Ang diyosa sang kahakog naghuyop sang bulawan nga yab-ok sa mga mata sang babayi para lagson niya ang manggad nga indi niya makita. Amu ina ang katapusan nga insulto nga gin dugang sa iya nga pilas. Himu-on niya ang mahimu niya, kay ang ginapangayo sang iya tagipusu on ay ang makapalapit lang sa iya.

“Okay ka na?”

“Oo, pero sa pamatyag ko hulaton ta mag-untat ang ulan.”“Wala gid ko ga la om sa malutakon nga dalan.”

“Indi na magreklamo, damo man nga mga nagmi nga kuha ang nakuha ta sa ini nga biyahe.”

“Palantawa ko… Sige, insakto ka na, mayu nami man kuha ko. Dali lang, wala ko ni ya nadumduman.”

Pamatyag ko kabayo na. Katalawaan lang kay ang buhok ya daw buhok mo.”
“Gintawag mo ko nga kabayo?”

“Kalma. Hulaton ta lang nga madula ang gal-om para makahalin na ta.”

Ang lutak nagatalsik sa bukid sang nagbalik na ang babayi sa iya kuweba. Isa ka adlaw makuha niya liwat ang iya katahum kag ipakita niya sa tanan nga diyos kun ano gid ang para sa iya.
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English Version

Out of earth’s womb I grow Glistening like the morning sun

In your hands I poison souls And lead all men to ruin

What am I?

“Wake up.”

“Wha..? What’s happening?”

“You’re talking in your sleep again.”

“Oh, sorry. Must have been up too late.”

“It stopped raining.”

“Did it? That’s good we can finally take some nice pictures.”

“I’ll get everything set up. Get yourself ready, we still have a few more hours of sunlight.”

“All right. Let me get dressed. Hopefully we can finish this shoot without the weather getting in the way.”

“Oh wow.”

“What?”

“There’s a rainbow behind you.”

“Maybe the weather’s not so bad after all.”

Cold to the touchI have no true lightYet I will never be lostWhat am I? She wakes up with a cold sweat. It was that dream again, the flashes of light, the yellow field mice and the wretched ugliness that followed. She reminded herself that it was in the past, there were more important things that needed her attention.

She stood tall, her ivory horn shining bright in the dark cave that housed her. There was treasure to be found in these mountains, and she would take all that she could carry.

Still, flashes of the past crept into her thoughts. She remembered her old name and the way her beauty would inspire love in even the mightiest god. She cursed the name of Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan and spat at the floor. If it wasn’t for her she would still have her beauty.Once she had her treasure all would be well, she would finally be whole again. No more passing time in the darkness of this cave. No more having to wait after the raindrops for her chance to hunt. No more looking at her reflection and staring into the monster that she had become.

In the distance she could see flashes of light. Treasure? Her heart could barely contain itself. The rain had stopped, but she would not wait for her suitor. It was time to hunt.

I flow in a current

Throughout the world

I am never far from power

For power is what I am

What am I?

The bright god looks down from the heavens and sighs. She has gone without him again. He sits among the clouds of the Skyworld and reminisces about old rivalries and jealous gods.

It had been a warm summer afternoon when it happened, the bright god had given the girl the gift of his prismatic light and she used it to make her beauty rival the gods’. The poor girl, more vain than wise, it was in her hubris that she thought to challenge a goddess. She was lucky, in a way. Had she offended Ynaguinid she would not be alive to pick up the pieces of her broken life.
But that was neither here nor there.

He did his best, of course. He gave her back what beauty he could. But there was no fighting the power of her curse. The goddess of greed was as prideful as she was powerful.

Pride. Vanity. Hubris. Maybe the gods had more in common with mortals than they would like to admit.

If only the girl had not passed by the goddess’ sacred grove.

If only she had not seen the dwarves carrying the sacks of treasure.
If only she had not claimed that she was the fairest.

His heart would still be broken. In the midst of everything his love was still unrequited. He hoped that if he could help her return to her true form she would finally see that they could be together.

But he would not hold out hope for that. The bright god sighed and set loose his light towards the earth. Maybe she would finally find what she was looking for.

My promise is a dream

Of full stomachs And freedom

A testimony to good faith

What am I?

“Did you see that?!”

“I thought we were too high up for horses?!”

“We are, I don’t know what that thing is doing here.”

“Did you get a good look at it?”

“It was too fast, I think I got it on camera.”

“We should go, I don’t want to be here when it gets back. I’m not good around animals.”

“Alright, princess. I think we have enough shots for the editors to choose from anyway. Get changed and we can start hiking. I think we can make it down before sunset.”

“Fine, I’ll be fast.”

There was treasure to be had, but not what she had been looking for. None of this was fair. Why was she the one that was cursed to stay in this horrible form? The goddess was petty and despicable. Tears flowed from her once-beautiful face as the raindrops pattered on the ground.

The bright god knew one aspect of the curse that the girl did not. The goddess of greed blew gold into the girl’s eyes so that she would forever chase treasure that she could not find. It was a final insult to add to her injury. He would do what he could, for in his heart he longed to have her near.

“Are you good?”

“Yeah, but I think we have to wait for the rain to stop.”

“I’m not looking forward to the muddy trek.”

“Stop complaining, at least we got some good shots out of this trip.”

“Let me see…. Fine, you’re right, at least I look good. Wait, I don’t remember this one.”

“I think that was the horse. Funny, its mane almost looks like your hair.”

“Did you just call me a horse?”

“Relax. Let’s just wait for the clouds to clear and we can get out of here.”

Mud splashed though the mountain as the girl returned to her cave. Someday she would have her beauty back and then she would show all the gods what she truly deserved.
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*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 Ma. Rafel Delos Santos and Allen Suating

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Ma. Rafel Delos Santos and Allen Suating

Inspired by the myth of the Anggitay and the Visayan goddess of greed, Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan.

Anggitay Illustration by Abe Joncel GuevarraInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joncel/

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

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

Sang una nga panahon, may isa ka bata nga lalaki nga indi kabalo mag pahimunong. Kadungol sa iya nga bata. Permi ya ginaubra nga suli sang ginahambal sang iya ginlikanan kag adlaw adlaw ang bata nga lalaki permi makahimu sang bag o nga pamaagi nga makahatag sang sakit ang ulo sa ila pamilya.

Pero ang iya mga manghod gatulok sa iya sang mataas. Abi nila ang ila magulang ang pinaka-maisug kag pinaka-maalam nga bata sa bilog nga kalibutan.

Isa ka adlaw, ang bata gindala ang iya mga manghud para maglagaw sa kagubatan, kung diin nagsulod sila sa kweba. “Tabi tabi po” hambal sang mga manghod. Gintudlu an sila sang ila nga ginlikanan nga permi guid maghatag sang respeto.

Nagkadlaw ang magulang. “Anu ginahimu nyu?” pamangkut ya sa iya mga manghud. “Gahatag kami sang respeto sa gamay nga tawo sa sini nga kweba,” ila pag hambal.

“Wai sang amu sina,” hambal sang magulang nga pag sudlong kay abi ya ina isa ka bata-bata nga pati-pati. “Kita nyo? Wala awo sa sini nga kweba. Tama na na ang pagka bata bata nyu kag magpati sang kamatu oran sa tuod tuod nga kalibutan.” “Pero manong, basi matapakan ta sila!” hambal sang iya mga manghud.

Nagtapak tapak ang magulang sang iya mga tiil sa sulod sang kweba nga daw wala lang. Ginatulok lang sya sang iya mga manghud nga may kahadlok samtang ang ila magulang indi magpati sa mga ispirito.
Pakatapos sang pila ka minuto, wala may natabo. “Kita nyu? Hambal ko guid sa inyu. Tistingi nyu bala.”
Ginakumbinsi sang magulang nga unbrahun sang iya mga manghud ang iya gin ubra, ginsunod siya pero isa lang ang wala nag pati. “Manong, mga utod, pinsar ko indi guid ni manami nga ideya,” hambal sang isa.

Indi sya mabati an sang iya mga utod tungod sang mga paglampos nga ila ginaubra.
Pagligad sang oras ang mga bata gahampang gyapun sa sulod sang kweba, maliban sang isa. Nag desisyun na sila nga magpuli kay manug panyapon na.

Isa ka tingog ang naghambal sang “Tabi tabi po” bag o mag puli.

Samtang papuli na ang mga bata, may nadagdag nga sanga sang kahoy kag naigo ang isa sa mga bata sa ulo. Nagsala ang magulang kay kabalo sya nga sya ang responsable sa iya mga manghod.

“Dali, isa sa inyu maglakat kag mangayu bulig!” Sugo ya sa iya mga utod.
Nagdalagan ang iya mga utod sa pag pati sa iya, natumba sila, nalaguban kag napilasan. Naghililibi sila.

“Tama na nga hibi!” Pagsingit sang magulang. Ang iya tingog naglapta sa gubat kag nabati an ini sang baboy ramo. Gintulok sang baboy ramo ang mga bata kag gin-nguruban ya ini.

Kay nabal an sang magulang nga kilanlan ya protektahan iya mga manghud, gin testingan ya ang baboy ramo nga lagson sa pero wala may natabo. Nagtindog lang ang baboy sa atubang sang mga bata.
Kag sa isa ka ti on, ginpalapitan sang isa ka bata ang baboy ramo.

“Pansensya nga gintapakan ta ka”, iya pag hambal. “Tane mapatawad mo kami.”
Nag pusnga lang ang baboy. Sang ina nga iton, nakita sang mag-ulutod nga wala ang ila pilas nag ayu lang gulpi.

Nag sinadya ang mga bata kag ginpamangkot nila ila utod kung anu ang natabo.

“Ang ginhimu ko lang ihatang ang gaka-angay nga respeto”, iya paghambal.
Ma-ayo na sila sang may napamangkot ang isa nila ka utod sang isa ka innocente nga palamangkotun.

“Nakita nyu si manong?”

English Version

Once upon a time there was a little boy that didn’t know how to behave. He was a most troublesome child. He would always do the opposite of what his parents would tell him and every day the boy would find a new way to give headaches to his family.

His younger brothers idolized him though. They thought that their kuya was the bravest and most clever boy in the world.

One day, the boy took his little brothers out for a stroll in the woods, where they came upon a cave. “Tabi tabi po” said the younger brothers. They had been taught well by their parents and always sought to give respect where it was due.

The older brother laughed. “What are you doing?” he asked his little brothers. “We are giving respect to the small man in the cave,” they replied.

“There is no such thing,” the older brother scoffed at what he thought was a childish superstition. “See? No one is in the cave. You should stop being such babies and learn the truth about the real world.”

“But kuya, we might accidentally step on them!” The younger brothers protested.

The older brother stamped his feet around the cave without care. The younger brothers stared in horror as their kuya willfully defied the spirits.

After a few minutes, nothing happened. “See? I told you so. You all should try this.”

The older brother tried to make his younger siblings repeat what he did, until all but one relented. “Kuya, brothers, I really don’t think that this is a good idea,” he said.

His brothers couldn’t hear him over all the stomping they were doing.

Hours passed and the children were all playing in the cave, save one. They decided to go home for it was
almost dinnertime.

One voice said a final “Tabi tabi po” before leaving.

As the children were making their way back home, a tree branch fell and hit one of the children in the head. The older brother was panicking for he knew he was going to be held responsible for his sibling.

“Hurry, one of you go and get help!” he ordered his brothers.

As the children rushed to follow the command, they tripped over one another causing bruises and scrapes. They started crying.

“Stop crying!” The older brother shouted. His voice echoed through the woods and attracted a wild boar.
The boar stared at the children and gave out a large grunt.

The older brother, knowing that he had to protect his siblings tried to get the boar to chase him, but to no avail. The beast just stood looming in front of the children.

Finally, one of the brothers approached the beast.
“I’m sorry that we stepped on you,” he said. “I hope you will forgive us.”

The boar grunted in reply. At that moment the other brothers realized that their wounds were suddenly healed.

The children rejoice and asked their brother what happened.

“All I did was give respect where respect was due,” he answered.

And all was well until one of the brothers asked an innocent question.

“Have any of you seen kuya?”

*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 Allen Suating
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Allen Suating

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

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

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

“Sa ika-tatlo ka adlaw bag o ang pagkabanhaw, ang demonyo mahimo magakadto sa tagipusu on sang tawo. Paghalong sa mga lugar nga inyo pag gakadtu an kag sa mga bagay nga inyu malapitan.”

Medyo tulog ko samtang gapamati sang sermon. Ang misa ang isa sa mga indi masadya nga nahimo ko subong nga adlaw kay ginbutong lang ko di ni lola. Mas gusto ko pa nga ara ko sa balay kag mag tubang sa akun “computer” kag mag himo sang mga interesado nga bagay. Makahampang pa ko tane bag o magkadto sa dasun nga misa.
“Ang mga bata ka demonyo galakat sa sini nga k Patiyanak. »

“Sa ika-tatlo ka adlaw bag o ang pagkabanhaw, ang demonyo mahimo magakadto sa tagipusu on sang tawo. Paghalong sa mga lugar nga inyo pag gakadtu an kag sa mga bagay nga inyu malapitan.”

Medyo tulog ko samtang gapamati sang sermon. Ang misa ang isa sa mga indi masadya nga nahimo ko subong nga adlaw kay ginbutong lang ko di ni lola. Mas gusto ko pa nga ara ko sa balay kag mag tubang sa akun “computer” kag mag himo sang mga interesado nga bagay. Makahampang pa ko tane bag o magkadto sa dasun nga misa.

“Ang mga bata ka demonyo galakat sa sini nga kalibutan subong, indi mag ubra sang sala, magakuha sila sang isa ka nawong kag magatemptar sa imu para buligan sila. Magapanago sila sa pagka innocente kag magapa-kuno kuno sa imu nga sila mabuot. Ang produkto sa pag anib sa demonyo ay magadala lamang sang pasakit ”

Nanami an guid guro maghambal ang pari. Medyo gapamati ko nga daw indi, gapanumdum man ko bi sang lain lain para makahalin sa sini nga lugar. Ang pulunku-an sang simbahan katig-a, guba pa ang aircon kag pare-pareho ang tsura ka mga tawo: kalmado pero gapamati man gyapun.

“Tanda an nyu ni nga paandam. Sa sulod sang tatlo ka adlaw ang mga kampon ka demonyo maga kari. Nadumduman ko ang isa ka storya, nga ang isa ka demonyo nag-upod sa isa ka halimaw. Ang bata sang kadulom gapangita sang kasudlan ka tawo kag ini gasingit kag magahimo pa sa parehos sa iya.”

Daw katingalahan. Ang pari nag lain iya tingung. Daw nag nubo na guid. Indi ko ka intsende sang iya ginahambal pero daw nga a gakaapektuhan sya.

“Ang akun iloy isa sa iya mga biktima. Ang presyo sang isa ka sala kis a kabug at guid dal on. Pero ang Ginoo indi magpadala sang kaupod sang demoyo para ubrahun ang iya ubra. Ang Ginoo mafapatawad, indi magapanguba. Tanda an and suga sang higugma mapa ara sa inyu. ”

Gahibi sang mahinay ang pari. Kung tane namati ko kagina sa mga una nga parti sang sermon. Daw nadula sya sa iya nga panghuna huna.

“Ang demonyo himu on nga madula ka sa intsakto, kag ang iya bata pareho man sa iya. Ibutang guid permi ang imu pagsalig sa Ginoo. Kay sya lang makadala sa imu sa tuod tuod nga kaluwasan. ”

Kag da natapos ang sermon. Medyo natingala ko gyapun sa paglain sang tingong sang pari samtang gahambal sya. Naglakat ko sa plasa sang may nakita ko nga lain.

Isa ini ka bata. Daw ginbilin ini nga gaisahanon, kalu oy man. Ginpalapitan ko ini para mabal an ko kung makita ko ang iya ginlikanan. Ang mga hambal ka pari daw nagsulit sulit sa akun dalungan pero gin pabay an ko lang.

Indi man ko masakit ka bata.

English Version

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A baby can’t hurt me.

————————–————————–————————––

*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 Allen Suating
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Allen Suating

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

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

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

Gin instorya ko liwat sang landong.

Sang tigpalanyaga na. Ga preparar ko sang chop suey kag ini naghambal sa akon nga kwa on ko ang sundang kag bun on ang “waitress” nga gapakadto para kwa on ang dason nga order. Ginhutikan ako sni sang malalain nga tinaga parti sa iya kung panu ya ako ginalibak; kung pano sya magistoya sa mga tawo nga ako isa ka buang kag amu na ang rason nga gin bayaan ako sang akun nga nobyo; kung paano wai may gapalanga sa isa ka buang nga peros sa akon.

Naghambal ko sa boss ko nga lain akon pamatyag kag ginpasugtan ya ako magpuli. Ang pagpapuli ko balik sa akun apartment daw impyerno. Sala man ang ginhimo ko nga pagtindog sa binta sang isa ka oras kag ginatulok lang ko ka mga tawo. Ginatulok ko nila kag nagaduko nalang ako. Indi ko gusto sang atensyon.

Tama na, nagimpake ko sang akun mga gamit kag nagpabook sang flight papuli sa Iloilo. Isa lang ka oras ang flight kag nagsakay ko sa una nga bus papuli. Isa ka daku nga parti sa akun gahambal nga buang ko para ubrahun ko ini, himo nga pagbato sang halimaw sa isa man, pero naghipos nalang ang parti nga ina.

Nag istorya naman liwat ang landong.

Naghambal sya nga hapos lang kadtu on ang driber kag pwersahan nga ibungo ang bus sa galabay nga salakyan ukon mas mayu nga ang building. Mas gakusog ang hutik pero ginpwersa ko nga tabugun sila. Gakahadlok sila. Dapat lang.
Naka abot na ko sa banwa gab-i na. Lapit na tungang gabi, pero indi na ko mag usik sang tyempo. Nag dalagan ko sa tunga sang kampo. Nabal an ko nga ara to, parehos sang ginpatay sini ang akun utod nga babayi. Naghambal sya sa akun nga magdalagan pero indi ko sya gusto pag baya an, abi ko mabuligan ko sya. Permi ko madumduman ang iya pagsingit samtang ginkagat sini ang iya landong.

Ang hutik sa akun dalungan naging singit na. Gapangakig na ang landog kag indi na ko makahulat. Nagkuha ko flashlight halin sa akun bag kag ginbutang ko ini sa akun atubang. Sa pila lamang ka minuto, na simhutan ko na ini. Ang baho sang gakag agnas nga unod kag sunog nga panit. Ang baho sang akun kaluwasan.

Gapangakig ang sigbin. May matalom ini nga unto kag gadalagan na pakadto sa akon kag sa isa ka ti on nabal an ko ang tuod tuod nga kataw hay. Natabo na, tawhay na ako.
Pag katapos sang isa ka tion may na batyagan ko nga may sala. Gulpi lang na nakabatyag ako sang kakulba.

Ginkagat sini ang sala nga landong.

English Version

My shadow spoke to me again.

This time it was during lunch. I was preparing the chop suey and it told me to take the knife and stab the waitress who was going to pick up the next order. It whispered terrible things about her, how she talked behind my back; how she told people I was insane and that’s why my boyfriend left me; how no one would ever love a freak like me.

I told my boss that I was feeling sick today and he let me go home. The commute back to the apartment was hell. I made the mistake of standing by the window and people stared for an hour. They looked right across me and I just kept my head down. I didn’t want the attention.

Enough is enough, I packed my bags and booked a flight back to Iloilo. The flight only lasted an hour and I took the first bus back home. A big part of me thinks I’m crazy for doing this, trying to fight back a monster with another one, but that part is quickly silenced.

The shadow spoke again.

It told me how easy it would be to go up to the driver and force the bus to hit a passing car, or better yet a building. The whispers were getting stronger but I force them away. It’s getting scared. It should be.

I reach the town late. It’s close to midnight, but I can’t waste any more time. I run towards the field. I know it will be there, just like it was when it killed my sister. She told me to run, but I didn’t want to leave her, I thought I could help her. I’ll always remember her scream when it bit her shadow.

The whispers in my ears turn into shouts. The shadow’s angry and I can’t wait. I take the flashlight from my bag and set it in front of me. A few minutes later I smell it. The smell of rotting flesh and burnt skin. The smell of my salvation.

The sigbin is vicious. It bares its teeth and rushes past me and for a second I know true peace. It’s happened, I am finally free.
A moment later I feel something wrong. The sudden realization leaves me gasping for air.

It bit the wrong shadow.

*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 Allen Suating
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Allen Suating

Inspired by the Sigbin entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971., Myth Museum. Medina. 2015. and 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang. Samar. 2015

Sigbin Illustration and Watercolor by Nightmaresyrup
Tumblr: http://nightmaresyrup.tumblr.com/

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