*Note this story is in Bahasa Sug

Iyutukan manuk-manuk yadtu.

Daran mag-urul kaku’ sakahaba’ aku mag-uwi’ dayn ha hinang dūm-dum.  Di’ ku pagkakitaan sa’ kaingatan ku yaun duun. Pagkarungugan ku sadja in katingug niya makahilu. Tik-tik-tik. Ugh. Marayaw tuud nakabī aku bagu headphones para aku di’ na masasat. Agun aku marupang sabab dūm dum yaun ha guwa’ sin tandawan ku. Amu in di’ ku hikatug marayaw pasal nanamun ku awn jimajaga kaku’. Kaingatan ku sattuwa sadja yaun sa’ awn tuud waktu di’ ku na katahanan.

Napuspus na tuud aku paranan ku tīlu’ sin batu kahapun. Di’ ra isab aku mabaya’ pasakitan yaun, bang man sadja muga’ iban makatūg aku misan dakuman hangka rūm wayruun sasaw, sa’ maray’ hati ku way sayu. Salta’ limagundak na pasal kiyuddanan ku ha bayhu’. In bunnal niya, bukun aku mapasu’ tau. Imus-us aku madtu supaya kitaun bang naunu sa’ di’ na misan maghibal.

Ampa aku nakakita’ biya’ sin manuk-manuk yaun pasal bukun siya biya’ sin kaibanan. Mangi’ tuud lupa niya. Di’ ku kaingatan bang biya’ diin papatahun. Biya’ sapantun manuk-manuk jiyahulaka’ sin tau. In mga mata niya… di’ ku misan maatud pasal sin pula dakuman—makagituk-gituk.

In makainu-inu tuud amu in liug sin manuk-manuk, pasal giyagallangan madtu. Hisiyu baha’ in dupang dupang magipat manuk manuk biya’ ha ini. “Aswang” in nakasulat, iban biya’ jimatu isab in ngān ha lupa ragbus sin manuk manuk yaun. Wayruun misan umbul atawa ngān sin lugal atawa misan unu na, hangkan na biyutang ku na sadja in manuk-manuk bang hain di’ siya masasaw.

Nasusa aku hangkan sulayan ku lawagun in tagdapu kaniya, iban mangayu’ aku kamaapan. Sa’ mahunit tuud pasal di’ ku misan kaingatan bang dayn diin aku magtagna’. Maray’ kaingatan sin tagdapu bang magpakain in ipatan niya sin mga limabay dūm ini.

Piyangayu’ ngayu’ ku tuud bang man kabatukan niya ra aku.

=———————–=

English Version

That damn bird.

It’s always following me every night on my walk back form work. I can’t always see it but I know it’s there. I can hear its annoying call. Tik-Tik-Tik. Ugh. I’m glad I bought new headphones to help me deal with that. Every night it’s outside my window and it’s driving me insane. I can’t sleep knowing that it’s there watching me. I know it’s just some dumb animal but there’s a point where I just can’t stand it.

I finally had enough and I threw a rock at it yesterday. I didn’t want to hurt it, just scare it enough so I could have one night without being bothered, but I guess it was slow. I hit it right in its face and it came crashing down. I’m not a violent person, I swear. I rushed to see if it was okay and it wasn’t even moving.

It wasn’t like any kind of bird I’ve ever seen before. It was ugly, really ugly. I don’t even know how to describe it. It was as if someone took a regular bird and distorted it. The eyes were… I couldn’t even look at the eyes, they were red and gave me the chills.

The strangest part was the bird’s neck. It had a collar on it. What kind of crazy person has a pet bird like this. It read “Aswang” and I guess that’s an appropriate name for a bird as ugly as this. There wasn’t a number or a return address or anything like that so I put the bird’s body somewhere it wouldn’t be bothered.

I feel bad so I’m going to try to find its owner and apologize. But it’s going to be hard, I don’t even know where to start. Maybe the owner knows where his pet has been going all these nights.

Hopefully he’ll be able to find me.

=—————————=

*Bahasa Sug or Tausug is an Austronesian language spoken in the province of Sulu in the Philippines and in the eastern area of the state of Sabah, Malaysia, by the Tausūg people. It is widely spoken in the Sulu Archipelago (Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Basilan), the Zamboanga Peninsula (Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga City), southern Palawan, and Malaysia (eastern Sabah).

Written by Karl Gaverza
Bahasa Sug translation by Nurtimhar Shahaji
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Nurtimhar Shahaji

Story inspired by the Tiktik description in Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition. Nasayao. 2010.

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

*Note this story is in Cebuano

Naa rana diha.

Akong panulundon.

‘Tong giignan ko sa akong apohan, gipaagi ra nakog katawa ang tanan.

Sa akong hunahuna, usa ra kini ka storya-storya.

Dayon nagpakita ang usa ka siwo-siwo.

Di kini nako maako nga dawaton.

Wala koy plano.

Pero dili na maantos sa akong lolo ang nabatiang sakit

Dili mabangbang nga kasakit.

Maong wala koy nahimo.

Kinahanglan gyod ko nimo tuohan niini.

Dili gyod ko ganahan nga buhaton kini.

Palihog lang ayaw na pag alkontra.

Wala koy laing nabuhat

Sukad nga akong kining gidawat nga gitawag nilag gasa.

Mahuman ra lage ni. Hapit na.

Pagsalig lang.

Dili mani butang nga akong gikat-onan.

Ang pagdawat nako sa maong gasa, akong buot na ang mimaniobra.

Dayon akong mga kuko nahimong ngadto sama sa mga agila.

Akong mga mata namula na.

Ug akong pamanit nangitom pa.

Nakita nako akong kaugalingon sa samin.

Ug ang mga istorya-istorya nia na sa akong atubangan.

Gibati kog kahadlok.

Pero labaw pa ana.

Gikutasan ko. Ang kagutom!

Kon motan-aw ko sa laing tawo.

Ang akong makita ang akong sunod nga panihapon.

Mangayo kog dispensa.

Pasaylo-a ko.

=————————————–=

Naggikan ang gahom sa usa ka aswang sa usa ka siwo-siwo (nagtibugol nga unod nga

makita sa tutunlan sama kadako sa usa ka piso). Bag-o mamatay ang usa ka aswang,

iyang ipasa ang siwo-siwo sa bisan kinsang miyembro sa ilang pamilya para

magpadayon ang iyang gahom. Mag-antos kini sa labihang kasakit hangtod

makadesidir ang usa ka miyembro sa iyang pamilya nga dawaton ang gahom. Ayha ra

dayon siya motaliwan nga adunay kalinaw.

=———————————-=

English Version

It’s there.

My birthright.

When my lolo told me about it, I just laughed it off.

I always thought they were fairy tales.

Then came the siwo siwo.

I wouldn’t have taken it.

I didn’t want to.

But lolo was in so much pain.

So much pain.

I had no choice.

You have to believe me.

I don’t want to do this.

Please stop resisting.

I can’t help it.

Not since I accepted the gift.

It will be over soon.

I promise.

It wasn’t something I learned.

Once I got the gift, instinct took over.

Then my nails turned into claws.

My eyes changed to red.

And my skin became black.

I saw myself in the mirror.

And the fairy tale before me.

I was scared.

But more than that.

I was hungry.

When I look at another person.

All I can see is my next meal.

I’m sorry.

I’m so sorry.

=————————————–=

Aswang draw their power from its siwo siwo (a chick shaped piece of flesh kept in its throat) Before the aswang dies, it must relinquish its siwo siwo to a member of its family so that its power will live on. It will suffer in pain until a family member decides to accept this power, then it dies in peace.

=—————————————=

*The Cebuano language, alternatively called Cebuan and also often colloquially albeit informally referred to by most of its speakers simply as Bisaya (“Visayan”, not to be confused with other Visayan languages nor Brunei Bisaya language), is an Austronesian regional language spoken in the Philippines by about 21 million people, mostly in Central Visayas, western parts of Eastern Visayas and most parts of Mindanao, most of whom belong to various Visayan ethnolingusitic groups, mainly the Cebuanos. It is the by far the most widely spoken of the Visayan languages, which are in turn part of wider the Philippine languages. The reference to the language as Bisaya is not encouraged anymore by linguists due to the many languages within the Visayan language group that may be confused with the term.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cebuano Translation by Gil Nambatac
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Gil Nambatac

Inspired by the Aswang description in Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition. Nasayao 2010.

Aswang (Albay) Illustration by Sandra Sison

IG: @cre8tv_
FB: Art by Sch3rb

*Note this story is in Cuyonon

“Sa matod lang, indi ko dia makita bilang problima.” Makon si Angela. “Mas maite ateng magiging trabaho.”

Ikalimang bisis den naynabo na mi akaona agbuat sa andang dapat buaten. Ag sala sa angin ang maborong pangalamo ang  asusunog na lawas ang mangalok. Angirit pa si Angela, mintras si Diosdado, nga pirmi ra, midyo ing gorames anang itsura. “Indi ko dia maliagan,” makon si Diosdado. Agpanaw tana paraye sa patay na lawas ang mangalok para magpaangin.

“Ara masyadong biktima na mga tao, Dio.”

“Sino man ang aga buat dia siguradong aga gamit kalayo sa pagpatay i mangalok.”

“Matod, aga abot ang timpo na ang kalayo ay nagiging karoyan ang tanan.”

“Beken dia timpo para magniloko-loko!”

“Ang matinglo, midian kita reng timpo!! Indi mo ma-bel, ara kita i pakipag-kompitinsya sa kung kikino. Ang mayad na mangalok, at patay na mangalok.”

“Indi mo gamiten akeng limeg laban kanaken.” Makikita sa mata ni Angela na beken tana pabor. Pirming kondan si Diodado. Aliag na pirming nanalaeman ang tanan.

“Selenga Dio, anono ateng bubuaten kung maelaman ta kung sino aga buat i dia?  Pakigampangan sanda na magpanari sa andang ingbubuat? Na dapat kita lamang ang manigdakep mangalok digi sa Metro?”

“Pwidi sanda kataw importanting impormasyon kanaten.” Akoriseng para enged si Diosdado.

Ara ibang paagi para kalosot, sa isip ni Angela. Ara ren ibang paagi kundi magpa-oyon den lang. “Sigi. Okay. Sigi. Indi ta ren ampangan dia.”

“Selengen ta ren lang ang mga biktima.”

Midyo ag tas ang lokon ni Angela. “Dia mga mangalok, beken makokon na mga biktima.”

“Indi mo sanda ren lamang selengen na mga mangalok. Buaten ta ren lamang, ateng dapat buaten.”

“Ikaw ang madadason.”

“Ang onang biktima.”

“Ang onang biktima ay isarang kiwig, ag pwisto tana marapit sa iskwilan para magpandakep mga bata. Basi sa impormasyon, marakeng mga bata ang ag kon na kakita sanda tió na adaba-daba ang mga mata. Isara kananda ag bel pa litrato, ig agtawag kanaten ang anang mga gorang-gorang.”

“Sa timpong dia…”

“Indi mo ako istorbon, Dio. Akita amen sa atep ang sunog na lawas ang kiwig. Sa anyong tao den, ig mga kwarinta tegka sinkwinta anang idad. Ara reng ibang importanti na makikita pa sa logar ang kinaynaboan.

“Okay, ang madasong biktima.”

“Isarang wakwak na aga manman sa maternity ward. Marakeng mga aberedes ang nabelan bago kita ingtawagan.” Aka koriseng si Angela.

“Ange—” kon ni Diosdado.

“Indi kita pwidi sa ibang-ibang logar sa saka timpo, Dio.”

“Naelaman ko.”

“Mapadayon kita.”

“Basi sa footage na ateng nabel, ag kunwari ang wakwak na bisita sa maternity ward. Kada gabi na ig katatorog don tana aga-ataki. Makonkon tana sa babai. Karaekan sa mga nanay madali ag sarig sa mga babai da.”

“Makabebereng lamang na ara ta nakita anang lawas sa ospital.”

“Kung sino man ang ag patay sa wakwak, ag buat den paagi na mapadali ang paglimpyo.”

“Akita ang lawas ang wakwak sa pararadan sarakayan sa isarang asusunog na kotsi.

“Abebereng ako lamang na ara mi akakita sa naynabo, midyo lamang bomba na gulpi ag lupok.”

“Ara ra CCTV sa pararadan.”

“Maswirti sanda. Mapakon kita sa pangatlo.”

“Ang mga tiktik?”

Ag pa een si Angela.

“Midyo kaw alingling sa saka bucket ang Chickenjoy. Ang mga sigbin ay akarasunog da. Apat kabilog na tiktik, itabid pa ang andang agalin nga mangalok. Ing akes na ang saka tiktik mintras asusunog sanda.”

“Midian pang ibang impormasyon?”

“Dato ang problima, ingtawagan kita lang pagkatapos dia maynabo. Ara kita kilalang ibang biktima. Ara pasobaling agpatay, kung sino man ang ag buat dia sa mga tiktik. Midyo naelaman nang lagi na mangalok ang isarang tao o ayep.

“Midyo kita ra.”

“Indi kaw ag pabogal, Dio. Mi mga sitwasyon da na kung kaysan indi tang lagi masingot kung mangalok ang saka tao o beken.”

“Piro ang manigpatay na dia, ara palya.”

“Tama kaw, magagamit ta ang impormasyon na dan.”

“Pakon kita sa ikaapat na biktima.”

“Ang sinasa’ban, akeng paborito.” Paburit ni Angela. “Atatandan ko pa ang pangalamo.”

“Iba ang sakabilog na dia.”

“Matod. Agumpisa ang sunog sa seled anang lawas, paloa. Ang mag-abot kami, ag lopok anang lawas, ig aglagpak kanamen tanang anang mga kinaen.”

“Akakasigmi.”

“Korang pa dan imong diskripsyon sa talagang naynabo.”

“Ang pang-ori?”

“Okay, dia ang talagang makakagolpi. Maski kita naelaman ta na indi ta kaya ang asbo kung kita-kita lang.”

“Indi ta maelaman dan.”

“Ing libot ko ang logar, saka padis na marka ang lapak lamang akeng nakita.”

“Mayad para kananda.”

“Ange—?”

Okay, okay – ameng naabotan ang asbo na sa anang anyong ayep. Ig pariho sa iba, doro rang kasunog.”

“Anono andang pagkapari-pariho?”

“Poro sanda ing pangsunog.”

“Siryoso ako, selengan ta ang mga ditalyi.”

“Hmmmm..”

“Sigi, kunwari kita sanda. Pagkakita ta sa mga mangalok, anono ateng boboaten? Boboan ta gasolina, ig sindian ta gamit ang posporo?”

“Araboay. Konan dan olit.”

“Ang posporo?”

“Beken, ang gasolina. Sa mga logar kung sadin ta akita andang mga lawas, mi apangalamoan kang gasolina o lana?”

“Midian?”

“Sa akeng seleng, beken tao ang mi binoatan dia.”

“Saka mangalok pa?”

“Beken, beken toladato. Ara ako pa ababati na mangalok na kakakontrol kalayo. Mi iba pa.”

“Dapat tang padalemen ateng imbistigasyon. Anong klasing tao o ayep ang mi madalem na silag laban sa mga mangalok?”

“Liban kanaten?”

“Liban kanaten.”

“Sa akeng seleng…”

“Anono?”

“Indi mo dia maliagan.”

“Konan kanaken.”

“Dapat kitang magkonsulta sa ispiritu i ang mga puno.”

“Mi otang na leba tana kanaten.”

“Agugulpian ako sa pagpabor kanimo. Akeng kaysip asisilag kaw kanana.”

“Ang silag ay isarang emosyon na dapat i-risirba para sa giyira. Akeng isip aga kon na mi beken matringlo digi, dapat kong sarigan akeng paena-ena.”

“Apaayon ako kanimo.”

Asaraot ang alitaptap sa atobangan ang puno ang Balete, asinyas sa darwa na magseled. Midyo abububuay den da bago sanda oman kaseled sa logar ang mga ispiritu, beken sanda sanay, piro agdiritso sanda para enged i dason sa sanag, sa isip andang toyó. Sa midyo pira ka adlaw na andang pagpanaw, apapateng-pateng ni Angela ang pigura ang saka batang babai na agakapet payong.

“Agbalik akeng mga paboritong kakarawat!” Makon ang batang babai na akalogbo sa kalipay.

“Beken dadi Aura. Mi ipapakitaw akong pabor.”

“ Makarawat kita anay, pariho ang dati Mr. Diosdado.”

“Ara kami ren timpo para dyan,” makon si Angela.

Ag pa-een da si Diosdado. “Aura, mi otang na leba kaw kanamen.”

Golpi koriseng ang bata.

“Anono indong aliagan?”

Ag sabat si Angela, “Mi saka tao o ayep na agapamatay mangalok sa Metro. Agagamit sanda kalayo sa pagpatay sa mga… biktima.”

Ag dogang si Diosdado na ag kon, “Ara ra mga tao na biktima sa dadi, sa ameng pagkaelam.”

“Makabebereng, sigoro aga lemek den anang leba mintras amamalam.”

Aka-ignek si Angela mi Diosdado, “Kilala mo?”

“Pira kamo ron ka dagon pandakep mga mangalok? Abebereng ako na ara indo tana pa nababagat.”

“Baritan kanamen.” Siryoso na ag pakiman si Diosdado.

Ingtangkeb ni Aura anang payong, ag panaw papakon sa darwa.

“Pamatian indo ang kwinto.”

Mi saka lalaki (kung makokon mo tanang tao) na tedek sa tagiposon na ag mal a isarang mangalok.

Ag imbeng sanda mintras nabubui, ig kong iba lamang ang mga bagay-bagay, ara maliag ikon kananda ang “ara kataposan”.

Ang mangalok pati anang asawa, ag imbeng pira kagatos nga dagon para sa isara mi isara.

Asta saka adlaw ng odas tana ang mangalok. Adora ang mangalok, ing salan tana na dorong kasakit sa anang tagiposon.

Ig ag kalayo anang mata.

Tenged sigoradong mapamales tana ag lagted-lagted tana sa iba-ibang logar apamatay mga mangalok.

Tegka sa makita na anang “mangalok”.

“Arabuay, maliag ikonon mi saka imortal nga aga sagiap anang asawang mangalok para patayen?” pakiman ni Angela.

Ag sabat si Aura,”Mayad, mi apamati ra gali kanaken! Akeng kaysip alilimegen ako lamang sa akeng sadili digi.”

“Ig kakapaloa tana kalayo sa anang mata?”

“Matod kamong apamati kanaken? Sa matod, midyo mas agapolpol kamong mga tao kada timpo na ing kakampang ta kamo.”

“Dio, iba reng arampangen dia.” Ing kawidan ni Angela ang braso ni Dio.

“Ara ako ron alilipay, naelaman indo ang dalan paloa.” Ing abrian olit ni Aura anang payong ig aglepad paobong. Mintras adodora tana sa anadang paneleng, ag golpi linog ang logta.

Priparado ang darwa sa kondiang sitwasyon, beken dia ang onang bisis na ag palagiaw sanda sa logar ang mga ispirito.

Pag loa anda, asingot anda ren da ang maborong pangalamo i ang logar ang mga tao.

Agselengan si Diosdado pati si Angela. Si Diosdado ang ag ona limeg.

“Ano sa imong pabetang?”

“Midyo ministir kitang mag-priparar.”

“Para sadin?”

“Sa ona na ateng kalaem na tao lamang ang mi binoatan ang tanan, ayos lamang kanaken, piro ang mangalok na dia mi anang sadiling toyó. Indi ag boay na mi mga tao o bagay na madadamay.

Ag tonga-tonga si Disodado.

“Marake pa ateng dadakepen.”

=——————–=

English Versio

“I honestly don’t see how this is a problem.” Angela was beaming. “Less work for us.”

This was the fifth time they were beaten to the punch. The stench from the flaming carcass of the aswang left an acrid aftertaste in the air. Angela was still smiling while Diosdao, as usual, had his face crumpled into a grimace.

“I don’t like this,” Diosdado said. He walked away from the corpse to get some fresh air.

“There weren’t that many human victims, Dio.

“Whoever’s doing this is using fire to deal with aswang.”

“To be fair, at a certain point fire becomes everything’s weakness.”

“This isn’t the time for jokes!”

“But now we have time!! Don’t you get it, we’re not competing with whoever this is. The only good aswang is a dead aswang.”

“Don’t use my own words against me.”

Angela rolled her eyes. Diosdado was always like this. He always had to know.

“Look Dio, what do we do when we find out who this is? Tell them politely to stop? That there’s only room for one set of aswang hunters in this Metro?”

“They could be a valuable source of information.” Diosdado was still grimacing.

There was no way to escape this, Angela thought. She had no choice but to surrender. “Fine. Okay. Fine. Let’s get through this.”

“Ok let’s look at the victims.”

Angela’s eyebrow shot up. “These were aswang, not exactly what we’d call victims.”

“Ignore the fact that they were aswang. Let’s do this our way, like we always do.”

“If you say so.”

“So, the first victim.”

“The first one was a kiwig, it was attempting to hunt children near a public school. Based on what information we gathered, multiple children said that they saw a dog with fiery eyes. One of them even took a picture of it and her parents called us.”

“It was then—”
“Don’t interrupt me Dio. We found the remains of the kiwig on the roof, most of the corpse was burned to ash. It was in its human form, that of a middle-aged woman. There was nothing else in the scene that was worth noting.”

“Okay the next one.”

“A typical wakwak stalking a maternity ward. There were multiple miscarriages before we were called in.” Angela’s face contorted.

“Ange—-” Diosdado started.
“We can’t be everywhere Dio.”

“I know.”

“Let’s continue.”

“Based on the footage we were able to get, the wakwak disguised itself as a visitor in the maternity ward. It spent its nights feeding during graveyard hours. It looked like it was a woman. Most mothers would trust another woman more.”

“It was surprising that we didn’t find its body in the hospital.”
“Whoever killed it was kind enough to make things easier to clean up.”

“The wakwak was found in the parking lot in a burned-out car.”

“I’m surprised no one saw what happened. It was like a bomb that detonated suddenly.”

“There was also no CCTV in the parking lot.”
“Lucky for them. And now we go to number three.”

“The tiktiks?”

Angela nodded.

“It was like looking in a bucket of Chickenjoy. The familiars were burned as well. I counted 4 tiktik in addition to the aswang master. She was hugging one of the birds when she was burned.”

“Anything interesting there?”

“That’s the thing, we were called after the fact. There were no victims that we know of. Whoever killed the tiktiks struck without waiting. Like he was able to see that it was an aswang right away.”

“Like we do.”

“Don’t feed your ego, Dio. We’ve been in situations where we couldn’t be sure if someone was an aswang.”

“But this whoever can.”

“You’re right, that could be useful.”

“Anyway, the fourth victim.”

“The sinasa’ban, my favorite kind.” Angela was dripping with sarcasm. “I can still remember the smell.”

“This one was different though.”
“Yeah it burned from the inside out. When we got to it, it burst and showered us with all the filth it had eaten.”

“It was disgusting.”

“That’s an understatement.”

“The last one?”

“Okay this is the one that was most surprising. Even we couldn’t handle an asbo by ourselves.”

“And whoever this is they were able to do it alone.”

“We don’t know that.”
“I went through the whole site, there was only one set of footprints.”

“Well good for them.”

“Ange—”

“Okay okay – the asbo was in its beast form when we got to it. Same as the others, burned to an absolute crisp.”

“So what do they have in common?”
“They all got fried.”

“I’m serious, we have to look at the details.”

“Hmmmm..”

“Okay let’s pretend we’re them. We somehow find the aswang and then what? We pour gasoline on it and light a match?”

“Wait. Say that again.”

“The match?”

“No, the gasoline. In the sites did you ever smell gasoline or oil?”

“Did you?”

“I don’t think whoever did this is human.”

“Like another aswang?”

“No, nothing like that. I’ve never heard of an aswang that can control fire. It’s something else.”

“So, let’s expand our search. What kind of entity would hold a grudge against aswang?”

“Apart from us?”

“Apart from us.”

“I think…..”

“What?”

“You’re not going to like this.”

“Tell me.”

“We should consult with the spirits of the trees.”

“She owes us one favor.”

“I’m surprised you’re agreeing with this. I thought you hated her.”

“Hate is an emotion better saved for battle. My gut says there’s something here, I have to trust my instincts.”

“If you say so.”

=—————————————————————————————=

The fireflies danced in front of the Balete tree beckoning the two hunters in. It had been long since they have entered the realm of the spirits and they were not used to the shift in reality, but they trudged on into the light, seeking their goal.

She finally came into view in what seemed like days of walking, a small girl holding an umbrella.

“My wonderful playmates have returned!!” The little girl leaped into the air.

“Not today, Aura. I request a boon.”

“Oh no, but we had so much to play with last time Mr. Diosdado.”

“We don’t have the time for this,” Angela said.

Diosdado nodded. “Aura, you owe us.”

Suddenly the girl’s face contorted into a scowl. “What do you want party poopers?”

Angela answered, “There is an entity hunting aswang in the Metro. They prefer the use of fire when they dispatch their… victims.”

Diosdado added, “There have been no human victims for now, not directly at least.”

“That’s strange, he must have gotten soft in his old age.”

Angela and Diosdado both exclaimed, “He?!”

“You two have hunted the aswang for how long now? I’m surprised you haven’t met him sooner.”

“Tell us,” Diosdado’s eyes were stern.

Aura closed her umbrella and walked towards the two hunters.

“Let the story flow.”

=————————————————————————————————–=

There was once a man

(If you can call him that)

Completely in love

With a monster

They spent their lives together

And if things were different

Eternity would have meant nothing to them

The monster

And her husband

Had centuries

In each other’s arms

Until one night

The monster betrayed him

She vanished

Leaving him with a broken heart

And his eyes burned

For vengeance would be his

So, he travels the land

Hunting monsters

Until he finds his

=————————————————————-=

“Wait, so there’s an immortal creature looking for his aswang wife to kill her?” Angela

Aura replied with a sarcastic smile, “Wow you actually listened! And here I thought I was talking to myself.”

“And he can spew fire from his eyes?”

“Did you even listen to me? I swear you humans get dumber every time I talk to your kind.”

“Dio, this changes everything.” Angela grabbed Diosdado’s arm.

“I’m bored now, you know the way out.” Aura opened her umbrella and flew upwards. As soon as she was out of sight, tremors violently raged through the earth.

The two were prepared for this, after all it wouldn’t be their first time escaping from the engkanto’s realm.

The portal closed behind them and they savored the acrid air of the human world.

=———————————————————-=

Diosdado and Angela stared at each other. It was Dio who broke the silence.

“What do you think?”
“I think we need to prepare.”

“For what?”

“When we thought it was another human, I was fine, but this thing sounds like he has his own agenda. It won’t be too long that something or someone is going to be collateral damage.”

Diosdado nodded.

“More for us to hunt.”

=———————=

*Cuyonon is a regional Visayan language spoken on the coast of Palawan, and the Cuyo Islands in the Philippines.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cuyonon Translation provided by Arlan Belen
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Arlan Belen

Inspired by the Bonggo description in Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition. Nasayao 2010.

Illustration by Art of EDOY

*Note this story is in Cebuano

Gimasahe ni Doktora ang iyang agtang ug nagpaharon-ingon nga interesado sa istorya’s bag-ong baye.

Nadungog na ni niya’g pila na ka gatos. ‘Gibiyaan ko’s akong uyab ug dili na ko kaatiman nga ako ra usa.’, ‘Bata pa kaayo ko para ani.’, ‘Kinalisorang desisyon ni nga akong buhaton.’

Bla bla bla bla bla

Dugay na ug gikapoy si Doktora mao nga miadto na lang siya’s punto.

“Pwede nato mabuhat ang operasyon ugma. Anhia ko’s aning adres ug dal-a nya ang bayad.”

Makayamyam ra’g ‘ou’ ang baye lahos sa iyang luha samtang naghilak siya.

Ing-ani diay ni rong semanaha.

Mibiya ang baye ug naghulat ang Doktora nga muabot siya.

“Musalig lang kong nadungog to nimo tanan?”

“Alangan.”

“Ambot lang ngano maghasol-hasol pa gyud ka manghiring sa ilang mga istorya. Parehas ra gihapong mahitabo.”

“Makapalabi man gud sa… kalami.”

“Kaluod ba nimo.”

“Kasakit ba. Kahibaw baya ka nga dili ta mabuhi kon wala ang usa. Kadugay na ba.”

Mihupaw si Doktora ug milikay sa iyang tutok.

“Naa nimo ang adres. Adto ra sa gisabotang oras.”

“Siguradoha nga natulog siya. Hinumdomi ang nahitabo’s Laguna.”

“Baynte ka tuig nato. Nakat-on na ko’s akong mga sayop. Suwayon ta na nimo.”

Nagpagawas siya’g hait nga katawa nga nagpakurog sa dukogan ni Doktora. Gilubag niya iyang liog ug mingaab.

Saba unta. Nganong dili saba? Naghunahuna si Doktora.

Giuyog niya iyang ulo haron mawala ang hunahuna. Bisa’g pila na ka dekadang tag-as, wala gihapon siya naanad sa iya.

Basi’g dili g’yod.

“Adto na.”

“Alangan, Doktora. Kita lang nya ta puhon.”

Mibiya siya, pero wala’y kalangan aduna.

Miadto si Doktora sa kusina ug nagpagawas og botelya nga iyang gitigom para sa karong higayon.

Iyang mga ‘pasyente’ naghunahuna nga iyaha ning balay: usa ka kuwarto nga han-ay ug limpyo tan-awn. Nagpadungag ni sa ilad ug nagpatambok sa ilang paglaom haron makahunahuna sila nga ang operasyon parehas sab.

Kabugoa g’yod.

Giyarok niya ang dyin ug nagpakupot siya sa mga memorya.

Nakahinumdom siya sa panahon kadtong aduna pa siya’y pangalan.

Mas sayon ang kinabuhi sa una. Aduna lang siya’y usa nga abtonon.

Dili to bahin sa kahibalo o sa pagpanumpa. Kinahanglan lang niya ang titulo. Makakompleto unta to sa iyaha.

O mao iyang gihunahuna.

Lad-ok na sab, memorya na sab.

Pangawat unsa’y gipabayad nila sa operasyon. Ug sigurado si Doktora nga wala sila’y tinuod nga kaalam sa medisina.

Pero desperado siya.

Gipundo niya tanan niyang tinigom ug nakig-abot sa ilaha sa usa ka hugawng motel. Gipahigda nila siya ug giandam ilang mga hiramenta.

Pagkita niya sa unsa ilang gamiton, misiyagit siya.

Gidemanda niya nga iesterilays ilang hiramenta.

Gihisgot niya unsa’y mga tambal nga kuhaon.

Giluwaan niya ilang kakuwang ug mao iyang giingon sa ila.

Ganahan niya nga mumata.

Ming-ingon sila nga nayabag siya, mas maayo nga magpiyong unya mumata human sa pagtiwas sa operasyon kaysa makakita unya matugawan og maayo.

Sa diha nagkaila sila—si Doktora ug iyang magkadugayng kaila.

Misulod siya sa kuwarto nagdala’g presensiya nga nakapahunong hasta sa iyaha.

Iyang gipagawas ang mga trabahante. Gipangutan-an niya si Dotkora kon ganahan g’yod ba siya magmata para ani.

Miingon si Doktora’g ou.

Naigo na siya’s alkohol ug naghayang na siya sa sopa, ang botelya hapit na mahurot.

Naghunahuna siya sa baye ug iyang binugo ug mihilak, usa ka ideya nagsige’g lumba sa iyang utok.

Basin igkahuman ini, iya na g’yong buhaton.

Pero sa kinalawman, kahibalo siya nga talawan ra kaayo siya makatiwas.

Samtang mikatag ang kahubog ug napugos siya’g katulog, inandang pulongan migawas sa iyang mga ngabil.

“Magkita ta ugma.”

=————————-=

English Version

Doctora rubbed her temples and feigned interest in the new girl’s story.

It was something she had heard a hundred times over. ‘My boyfriend left me and I can’t take care of it by myself.’, ‘I’m too young for this.’, ‘it’s the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make.’

Blah blah blah blah blah

It was late and Doctora was tired so she went straight to the point.

“We can do the procedure tomorrow. Meet me at this address and have the payment with you.”

The crying girl could only mumble a ‘yes’ through her tears.

It was going to be one of those weeks.

The girl left and Doctora waited until he arrived.

“I trust you heard all that?”

“Of course.”

“I don’t know why you bother eavesdropping on their stories. You’ll do the same thing anyway.”

“It makes it all the more… delicious.”

“You disgust me.”

“Such hurtful words. You know we can’t live without each other. It’s been too long.”

Doctora sighed and avoided his gaze.

“You have the address. Just go there at the agreed time.”

“Make sure she’s asleep. Remember that time in Laguna.”

“That was 20 years ago. I learn from my mistakes, something you should try thinking about.”

He let out a shrill laugh that sent a shock down Doctora’s spine. He threw his neck back and bellowed.

It should be loud. Why isn’t it loud? She thought.

She shook her head to clear the thought away. After the long decades she still never got used to him.

Maybe she never will.

“Just go.”

“Of course, Doctora, I will see you soon.”

He left, but it gave no reprieve.

Doctora went to the kitchen and brought out the bottle she was saving for this one.

Her ‘patients’ thought that this was her home, a single bedroom that looked neat and clean. It added to the illusion and fed on their hopes making them think that the procedure would be the same.

Such idiots.

She took a swig of gin and let the memories take her over.

She thought back to a time when she had a name.

Life was easier then, there was one goal that she needed to reach.

I wasn’t about the knowledge or the oath. She needed the title. It would complete her.

Or so she thought.

Another gulp, another memory.

It was robbery what they charged for the procedure. And she was sure that they didn’t even have any actual medical knowledge.

But she was desperate.

She pooled her savings and met them in a dingy motel. They told her to lie down and they prepared their instruments.

When she saw what they were going to use, she shouted.

She demanded that they sterilize their tools.

She told them which painkillers to get.

She spat at their incompetence and told them simply,

She wanted to be awake.

They told her it was crazy, better to be under and wake up with the procedure complete without having to look at the disturbing operation.

That was when she met him.

He walked into the room with a gravitas that made even her pause.

He told the workers to leave the room. He asked her if she really wanted to be awake for this.

She said yes.

The alcohol had gotten to her and she was sprawled on the sofa, the bottle almost empty.

She thought about the girl and her stupid choices and cried, one solitary idea racing through her brain.

Maybe after this one I’ll finally do it.

But deep down she knew she was too much of a coward to end it.

As the inebriation took over and forced her into slumber, a familiar phrase left her lips.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

=——————————–=

*The Cebuano language, alternatively called Cebuan and also often colloquially albeit informally referred to by most of its speakers simply as Bisaya (“Visayan”, not to be confused with other Visayan languages nor Brunei Bisaya language), is an Austronesian regional language spoken in the Philippines by about 21 million people, mostly in Central Visayas, western parts of Eastern Visayas and most parts of Mindanao, most of whom belong to various Visayan ethnolingusitic groups, mainly the Cebuanos. It is the by far the most widely spoken of the Visayan languages, which are in turn part of wider the Philippine languages. The reference to the language as Bisaya is not encouraged anymore by linguists due to the many languages within the Visayan language group that may be confused with the term.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cebuano Translation by Jan Alexander Arcenal
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jan Alexander Arcenal

Based on the Ekek myths/urban legends

Ekek Illustration by Timothy Aldrin Ocleasa

FB: @notsoperfect_art

IG: notsoperfect_art

*Note this story is in Chavacano Zamboanga

Un noche, un cuago ya man tika de este cabeza desde un gueco na pono. El ulan ya man hinay na un taliti.

Siendo con hambre, ya estrecha este su maga alaz y ya vola na maga rama donde puede este encontra presa.

Ya imagina este su una sena este noche, quilaya hinde ya este ta puede espera machaca su presa y traga con este entero. El idea ya hace conele realmente almareao.

Ahora el cuago tiene bien bueno sentido de oida, de echo este experto oi maskin el pinakadiutay movimiento para cogi de este presa.

Mientras ya vola este encima de un sitio, ya puede este oi un sonor familiar.

El claro ritmo de ‘kik kik kik’.

Ay hinde era con este pone atencion el cuago como igual este pirmi ta hace, pero este curioso y ta queda ya fuerte el ulan. El maga cuago de vejes ya habla con el maga bata que este maga criatura hinde ta mete kanila, solamente na maga gente. Ya describe sila con detalle de este largo lengua, perchando na maga techo de maga casa de gente y el diila sonor otro clase.

Cerrando de este maga ojos, el cuago ya concentra para busca dond estaba el sonor, acordando cosa debe este busca.

Cuantos momentos despues, este confianza que ya puede loca donde el criatura.

Entonces, ya esta este donde el ventana y ya mira con el maga siguiente suceso.

Tiene tres gente ta dormi na costao de a uno’y otro. Un bata, un mujer que claro kay preñada y un hombre.

Maskin entrey alboroto del ulan, el cuago claro ta puede oi el sonor del tulo del un liquid na barriga del mujer. El cuago ya mira con ele levanta y pone tabo donde le parte. El mujer ya move y ya encontra otro lugar donde para dormi, pero otra vez el cuago ta puede oi el tulo ta tupa na su barriga na un tempo familiar.

Y aqui ya queda listo el orejas del cuago.

Y talla. ‘kik kik kik’

Dol aquel este un hutik, como el sonor ya traveza grande distancia para llega na diila maga orejas.

Ya enfria el sangre del cuago.

El hombre y el bata ya desperta na sonor y por instinto, el hombre ya saca un bolo y ya corre pa afuera.

Ya vola el cuago en frente del casa para mira cosa hace el hombre.

Ya grita el hombre, “Si ebo hinde deja dimiyo familia, ay anda yo na de bos casa mañana!” Este mientras ta taya le con su bolo el ulan.

En seguidas este ya para, y el cuago ta oi ya lang el taliti mientras ta dale este baña con el luna del medianoche.

El criatura ya sale, incapaz de sacar de este comida, y el cuago ya habla su cuerpo na este ay hinde socede conele este noche.

Mientras el cuago ya vola para busca presa, este ya pensa:

Sabe ba gayot el hombre donde el casa del tiktik?

=———————–=

English Version

One night, an owl poked its head out of its tree hole. The rain was weakening into a manageable shower.

Hungry as it was, it stretched its wings and flew to the perches where it could find prey.

It imagined its first meal of the night, how it couldn’t wait to crush their prey and swallow it whole. The thought made it positively giddy.

Now the owl had a very good sense of hearing, in fact it was adept at listening for even the slightest hints of movement to catch their quarry.

As it flew over a human village it heard a familiar sound.

The unmistakable cadence of ‘kik kik kik’.

The owl would have ignored it as it always had, but it was curious and the rain was starting to get stronger. The elder owls told the young that these creatures are harmless to their kind, only targeting humans. They described in detail the long tongue, perching on the roofs of human houses and their confusing sound.

Closing its eyes, the owl concentrated to find the source of the sound, remembering what it should be looking for.

After a few moments it was confident that it located where the creature would be.

So, it stayed by the window and watched the events unfold.

There were three humans sleeping side by side. One child, a woman that was clearly pregnant and a man.

Even through the noise of the raindrops the owl could clearly hear the sound of some liquid dropping on the stomach of the woman. The owl saw her stand up and put a dipper where she was. The woman moved and found another place to sleep, but again the owl could hear the same sound of droplets hitting her stomach in a familiar tempo.

And then the owl’s ears piqued.

There it was. ‘kik kik kik’

It was almost like a whisper, as if the sound traveled great distances to settle on their ears.

The owl’s blood ran cold.

The man and the child both woke up to the sound and almost through instinct the man grabbed a bolo and rushed outside.

The owl flew to the front of the house to see what the man would do.

The man shouted “If you don’t leave my family, I will go to your house tomorrow!” All the while swinging his bolo through the rain.

And in an instant, it stopped, the owl could only hear the pitter-patter of the drizzle as it washed over the midnight moon.

The creature left, unable to get its meal, and the owl scoffed and told itself that wasn’t going to happen to it tonight.

As the owl flew to its hunting grounds it wondered.

Did the man really know where the tiktik’s house was?

=————————-=

*Chavacano or Chabacano refers to a number of Spanish-based creole language varieties spoken in the Philippines. The variety spoken in Zamboanga City, located in the southern Philippine island group of Mindanao, has the highest concentration of speakers. Chavacano is the only Spanish-based creole in Asia.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Chavacano-Zamboangueño Translation by Marion Bais Guerrero
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Marion Bais Guerrero

Story inspired by a story told by Gil Geolingo

Tiktik Illustration by Gil Geolingo

*Note this story is in Masbatenyo

Batyag ko an matugnaw na bakal na nakadikit saakon na panit.

” Nagtuna an tanan mga alas singko san kagab- ehun. Dili man gayod madugay an naging kanam sa bakestbolan kaya naka uli man dayun ako san atab lalo na kay nagtugon si mama na mag- uli gaud san atab. Kaya nag dali- Dali man ako Pauli. Miski maghinay lang an boses nababatian ko gihapon ini kag aram ko na adi lang gaud sa halapit an nagatunog. Naglingi- lingi ako, paglingi ko sa tuo nakita ko an puno san santol kag didtu ko naaraman na didtu gaud nagahali an nagatunog kag adtu siya.

” Wak …wak….wak..”

Makaburungol na sa talinga an boses san aswang kag bigla nalang ako nakabalik saakon nga sadiri san nabatian ko naan boses ninda lola kag Lolo. ” Pag an huni gani san aswang graben tuda big sabihun sana huruharayo ina siya saimu pero maghimat ka kung an huni naman sana kay graben hinay kay ada lang ina sa halapit.” Nanugnaw na ako gaud sadtu sa sobra na kahadlok san pagsulod ko sa balay.

Nagdali- Dali ako dalagan pakadtu sa kusina para magkuha san kutsilyo, na magaan lang sa kamot paggamiton kay aram ko na gaud kung nanu an dapat pagahimuon sa mga oras na ini. In tago ko sa akon short an kutsilyu, kag umingkod ako sa katakin ni mama samtang nagahulat na magpakita an aswang na may huruhalaba na dila.

Naghinulat ako pira ka oras.

Nahuman an tryanta minutos sa pagabantay ko. Tryanta minutos ma. An in about bago ako magkadtu sa labas kag inkita didtu banda sa may santol kung adtu gihapon siya

Pero nawara na gali.

=——————————=

English Version

I could feel the cold steel of the knife pressing against my skin.

It started at 5:30 pm. The basketball game didn’t take too long and my mom wanted me home early so I rushed home as soon as I could. The sound was faint, but very distinct. I looked towards my right and when I saw the santol tree I knew exactly what it was.

“Wak….wak…..wak….”

The sound rang in my ears and suddenly I was hit with my grandparents voices, “If the wakwak sound is loud then that means the creature is far, but be careful if the voice is soft, for that means it is very near.” My blood ran cold the moment I entered the house.

The santol tree was right above the bedroom of my parents, so I knew I had to see if there was anything there that the wakwak might want. When I saw my pregnant mother watching TV, that’s when I knew. The fight had begun.

I raced to the kitchen to get a knife, it felt light in my hand, probably because I was sure of what I had to do. I hid the knife in my shorts, and sat next to my mother, waiting for the moment the monster would let loose its red tongue.

I waited.

I waited.

It was 30 minutes that I stayed on guard. 30 minutes until I ventured outside to the santol tree to hear if the voice persisted.

I waited and it was gone.

To this day, I’d like to think the creature sensed that I was ready for a fight and that my mother wouldn’t be easy prey. But there are still shivers down my spine every time I look at that santol tree, half expecting to hear a soft falsetto of

“Wak…..wak…..wak….”

=———————=

*Masbateño or Minasbate is a Bicol-Visayan language spoken by more than 600,000 people, primarily in the province of Masbate in the Philippines. It is very close to Capiznon, Hiligaynon/Ilonggo and Waray-Waray, all three spoken in Visayas. It is considered a Bisakol language, meaning a language intermediate between Visayan languages and Bicolano languages.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Masbatenyo Translation by Angel Papilosa
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Angel Papilosa

Inspired by a story told by Ian Quirante

Wak-wak Illustration by Ian Quirante
FB: Ian Quirante Illustrations

*Note this story is in Pangasinan

“Grrrah,”  Inmakis so buwaya.

“Mampainawa ka la, magano lan onsabi so naakan, pian walay naakan tayon dua.” Maaron inkuan na aswang ed alaga to.

Mairap so mananap na ayep ed sarayan agew, amta na totoo a sayan pasen ed katakelan so pasen a panaganen na aswang tan say ayayep to, balet ag-itan makapangigapo ed sikato a mananap na naakan.

“Kaukolan tayo labat so onasingger ed baryo, tan mas onaligwas so amin a bengatla,” Say buwaya so nanngulngul lamet tan pinaseguroan na aswang.  “Amtak, makalmo kami na pigaran ugugaw, amtak ya labalabay yo so panangan na saratan.”

Malikeliket ya inmawet so ikol na buwaya; pigay bulan to lan ag-agawa itan.

On, onasingger itayo ed baryo tan manggawa na patit. Naerel tayo iramay manlangoy ed gilig na ilog! Akiulop si aswang ed ayep to diad gilig na ilog.

Sikatoy narasan, tan ontan met so alaga to. Lapud panag-alwar na totoo, mairap so pananap na tagano. Say unor a panangan da et sakey a managsigay a dinmalan ed kaarawi na katakelan. Sikatoy mabisbiskeg tan maruksa, ya ag-itan labalabay na balang sakey ed sikara.

Say aswang et amin a imis balet. Amta to a dakdakel so naala ton ayep. Sikatoy lawas nanmatalek ed biskeg na ayayep to pian narel so tagano ra, agto singa arum ya aswang a mantikyab ed kaliberliber na baryo pian manaktakot ed saray totoo.

Sikatoy sakey ya agalon hayopan, sakey a klase na aswang a mamapabaleg ed saray buwaya pian mananap ya nabuwag da. Mabetbet a babalawen tan tatawagen na arum ya aswang a mangiras iray kapara ran totoo, balet agda amta so irap a kaukolan na sakey pian napabaleg labat so sakey a buwaya manlapud sakey ya iknol.

Nampalner lamet so alaga to tan inmelek. Pigay taon iran nankakasakey tan pinabaleg to iyan buwaya manlapu la’d inkaugaw to. Amta to iray ugali tan ugali to a singa met ed sikato. Sikara so agnibiig. Amta to a no walay kanen to, magmaliw lan mangiras.

“Wadia kami la,” so aswang tan say alaga to so akaalagey ed gilig na ilog.

“Panaon la pian mangala na naakan.”

“Grrrah,” so ebat na alaga to.

=—————————–=

English Version

“Grrrah,” The crocodile groaned.

“Hush now, the food will come by soon, then we will both have something to eat.” The aswang said lovingly to her pet.

Prey was hard to come by these days, the humans knew that this place in the swamp was the hunting ground for the aswang and her pet, but that wasn’t about to stop her from finding a meal.

“We just have to go closer to the village, and then everything will be better,” The crocodile grunted again and the aswang reassured him. “I know, we’ll find some children, I know how much you like the taste of those.”

The crocodile wagged its tail with joy; it had not had that treat in many months.

“Yes, let’s go nearer to the village and set a trap. We can catch the ones swimming by the river!” The aswang walked alongside her pet to the riverbank.

She was hungry, and so was her pet. Due to the human’s caution, food was hard to find. The last meal they both had was a fisherman that strayed too far into the swamp. He was stringy and tough, not a dinner that either of them savored.

The aswang was all smiles though. She knew that prey would be plentiful. She had always relied on the strength of her pet to catch their meals, she was not like the other aswang who would fly around the village terrorizing the humans.

She was an agalon hayopan, a kind of aswang that would raise crocodiles to hunt their prey for them. The other aswang would often jeer and call their kind lazy, but they would never know the hardship one would take just to raise a single crocodile from an egg.

Her pet grumbled again and she laughed. They spent years together and she had raised this one ever since he was a hatchling. She knew his quirks and quips just as well as he knew hers. They were inseparable. She knew that once he had something to eat, he would change back to his lazy self.

“We’re here,” The aswang and her pet stood by the river.

“Time to get some food.”

“Grrrah,” replied her pet.

=——————–=

*Pangasinan (Salitan Pangasinan) – sometimes called Pangasinense is one of the major languages of the Philippines. It is the language spoken in the province of Pangasinan, on the west-central seaboard of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, the northern portion of Tarlac and southwestern La Union, most of whom belong to the Pangasinan ethnic group. Pangasinan is also understood in some municipalities in Benguet, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, and by the Aeta or Aeta of Zambales.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Nelmar A. Mallari, MDC
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Nelmar A. Mallari, MDC

Inspired by the Agalon Hayopan legend from Bicol: Filipinas Volume 12, Page 53, Filipinas Pub., 2003

Agalon Hayopan Illustration by NightmareSyrup
Tumblr: http://nightmaresyrup.tumblr.com/

*Note this story is in Inabaknon

Kapa’i kay nagkinahanglan nga atalaw kaw si kamatayon?

Pata’anin ako, agbuwan istorya si ka’aw .

Ngan siray bali na awat mga panahon, aniya’ bali yaman danda nga ag’istar matapit si kalawot. Gana’  ngi adda ruyag-na bisita, husto na si iya i kamingawan nagpumwan na si mahaya ruma’-na. Aggamit na hamok pirmi i mga allaw ngan sangom nga aniya’  iya pina’agi si beach, nga kun singnga para isip na i kada bitu’on ngan kun pira bug’os i baybay.

Aniya’  hamok adda kumpanya-na, ma’in  pariyo si bisan say a’a ha si kalibutan, kay ma’in gayud iya a’a bisan pa pinapa’i. I lingaw-na si kamatayon i kahuruhuwang na pirmi para ka’ibanan i kasurub’on na. Primiro mayya agsikilalahay ngan ag’ako’ na si lingaw-na si kamatayon i sa’i-na si danda. Ga’I iya atalaw ma’in pariyo na si mga a’a nga dapat agtangdo na hamok ngan agbuwan respito sito lingaw.

“Kapa’i  kay ga’i kaw angabat katalaw?” I patilaw na si lingaw. “Parti kaw kun kay kapa’i mas aghalap i kinabuhi’.” I saruman na si danda.

Dati, ga’i  ni adda kapinugaran mahalap i lingaw-na si kamatayon ngan pirmi to hamok antis anakka i panahon nga satima na si danda i larao, adda to ritwal nga nagparahimo para ka protektaran i puho’ -na si sa’i-na si mga maruyag magkilwag sito pakahuman-na si kamatayon. Siray, aruyag i lingaw si danda, kay ga’i iya bisan sumiran akabagat adda a’a nga agbuwan respiratar pariyo si pagpakulaw na respito si iya.

Masiniluson i lingaw-na si kamatayon ngan karuyag na agtatawa’ na hamok i danda. Agsunuran na i danda pada’iray  si baybayon ngan agplanuhan na nga limbo nayto, para pirmi na iya si pudir na si kamatayon hasta si kahastahan.

Piro kay ma’in bulok i danda, sakatu’anan  na kon ay i hirimuhon na si iya si lingaw. Ag’ambanan na i ruma’-na ngan padugok iya si papo’-na danda. Aniya’  pambihira kapangyarihan-na sito maktong nga adda beses na agdiri’an na sito ampo nayto danda. Gana’ la’in  pagpipili’an na si danda, ag’itatapit na i lingaw-na  si kamatayon.

Ngan satakka na na kunta’  si lingaw i danda nginarat to iya. Hintak to danda to kawara’an hingasong, ga’i na sa abat na i kupkop na si lingaw.

Piro kay ga’i  gad kunta’ ambanan na si danda i lingaw-na si kamatayon. Sakatu’anan  na sanglit i pagtraydor na si iya si adda kumpanya nga agtapuran na gayud, ngan sito butang, ga’i  liwat iya pahuway hasta ga’i iya akabulos. Balang ga’i nagrespitar i kamatayon pina’agi si paghimo’ si larao, pada’iray iya. Rangka na kon ay may i primyo na si lingaw.

Ma’in  kinahanglan nga agkatalawan mo i kamatayon.

Atalawa si kun titakka pakatima na siray.

=————————-=

English Version

Why should you fear death?

Let me tell you a story.

A long time ago, there was a rich woman who lived by the sea. She would not have any visitors, for she liked the quiet that her large house gave her. She would spend her days and nights by the beach, counting each star and each grain of sand.

She had but one friend, not like any person in the world, for it was not a person at all. The shadow of death would spend time with her to ease her loneliness. They first met when death’s shadow claimed the woman’s mother. She was not afraid as most people would have been and greeted the shadow politely.

“Why are you not running in fear?” The shadow asked. “You are part of what makes life beautiful.” The woman answered.

Death’s shadow had never been called beautiful before and it stayed until the woman finished the larao, the ritual ceremony to protect her mother’s body from those that would harm it after death. The shadow fell in love with the woman then, for it had never met a human who respected death such as she did.

Death’s shadow was a jealous thing and it wanted the woman all to itself. It had followed her to the seaside and had planned to drown the woman, so that she may be in death’s embrace forever.

The woman was no fool, though and knew what the shadow had planned. She left her house and visited her grandmother. For you see, the old woman had great power that was once rejected by her granddaughter. The woman had no choice, death’s shadow was approaching.

When the shadow caught up to the woman it was surprised. She had become deathless, she would never know the shadow’s embrace.

The woman would not leave death’s shadow though. She had known the betrayal of a trusted friend, and she would not rest until she had her revenge. Every time death was not respected through the larao, she would be there. Desecrating what would have been the shadow’s prize.

You should not fear death.

Fear what comes after.

=—————=

*The Inabaknon language, also known as Abaknon, Abaknon Sama, Capuleño, Kapul, or Capul Sinama, is an Austronesian language primarily spoken in the Island Municipality of Capul of Northern Samar, in the Eastern Visayas Region of the Philippines. Unlike the other indigenous languages of the Eastern Visayas, namely Waray, Cebuano and Boholano, Inabaknon is not classified as part of the Visayan language family, but is rather grouped with the Sama–Bajaw languages.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Inabaknon Translation by Jo-An Panis Magloyuan
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jo-An Panis Magloyuan

Inspired by the Aswang (Capiz) description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

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

*Note this story is in Cebuano

Porbidang langgam.

Kanunay ko niining ginasundan samtang pauli ko gikan sa tarbaho matag gabii. Dili ko kini makita, apan nasayod ko nga nagpahipi lamang kini sa palibot. Akong madungog ang iyahang sampit:

“Tik! Tik! Tik!”

Hay nako. Maayo nalang nakapalit ko ug headphones aron dili nako mabati iyahang yamar. Kada gabii, magpundo ang langgam sa gawas sa tamboanan ug dili ko mahimutang. Dili usab ko makatulog kay kahibaw ko nga naglantaw kini kanako. Usa lang kini ka bulok nga linalang, apan niabot gyud ang punto nga dili na nako kini maagwanta.

Kagahapon, akong gilabayan ug bato ang langgam dili tungod gusto nako siyang pasakitan, apan aron makabaton lamang kini ug kahadlok. Tinguha ko lang nga dili ko samokon sa langgam bisan usa ka gabii lang.

Sa akong pagpanaghap, hinay diay kini mulupad. Naigo kini sa dagway ug nahulog paubos. Nabuhat man nakong pasakitan ang langgam, makasaad ko nga dili ko maharoson nga pagkatawo. Dali-dali nakong giduol ang langgam ug nakit-ang wala na kini naglihok.

Ang maong langgam dili tuod sama sa mga kanhing langgam nga akong nakita: maot kini ug hitsura, pirting maota. Dili ko segurado kung unsaon ko ni pagbatbat. Mura kini ug dagway sa usa ka gilusngo nga langgam. Dili pod ko uroy makatan-aw sa iyahang magil-as ug puwa nga mga mata.

Ang hilabihang baligho sa akong panan-aw mao  ang liog sa langgam. Aduna kini’y kulyar. Kinsa ba gyuy buang na muamuma ug binuhi na sama niini? Nakasulat sa kulyar ang palabra nga “Aswang” ug nakahunahuna ko nga angay lamang kini sa maong maot nga langgam. Wala kini numero o adres o bisan unsang impormasyon busa gihiluna ko ang langgam diin dili kini matugaw.

Nakabati ako ug tanlag busa akong pangitaon ang tag-iya sa langgam aron mangayo ug pasaylo, apan lisod kini buhaton. Wala ko kahibaw diin magsugod. Tingali nasayod ang tag-iya kung asa nagalatagaw iyahang binuhi karong mga gabhiona.

Hinaot iyaha kong mapangita.

=———————=

English Version

That damn bird.

It’s always following me every night on my walk back form work. I can’t always see it but I know it’s there. I can hear its annoying call. Tik-Tik-Tik. Ugh. I’m glad I bought new headphones to help me deal with that. Every night it’s outside my window and it’s driving me insane. I can’t sleep knowing that it’s there watching me. I know it’s just some dumb animal but there’s a point where I just can’t stand it.

I finally had enough and I threw a rock at it yesterday. I didn’t want to hurt it, just scare it enough so I could have one night without being bothered, but I guess it was slow. I hit it right in its face and it came crashing down. I’m not a violent person, I swear. I rushed to see if it was okay and it wasn’t even moving.

It wasn’t like any kind of bird I’ve ever seen before. It was ugly, really ugly. I don’t even know how to describe it. It was as if someone took a regular bird and distorted it. The eyes were… I couldn’t even look at the eyes, they were red and gave me the chills.

The strangest part was the bird’s neck. It had a collar on it. What kind of crazy person has a pet bird like this. It read “Aswang” and I guess that’s an appropriate name for a bird as ugly as this. There wasn’t a number or a return address or anything like that so I put the bird’s body somewhere it wouldn’t be bothered.

I feel bad so I’m going to try to find its owner and apologize. But it’s going to be hard, I don’t even know where to start. Maybe the owner knows where his pet has been going all these nights.

Hopefully he’ll be able to find me.

=—————————=

*The Cebuano language, alternatively called Cebuan and also often colloquially albeit informally referred to by most of its speakers simply as Bisaya (“Visayan”, not to be confused with other Visayan languages nor Brunei Bisaya language), is an Austronesian regional language spoken in the Philippines by about 21 million people, mostly in Central Visayas, western parts of Eastern Visayas and most parts of Mindanao, most of whom belong to various Visayan ethnolingusitic groups, mainly the Cebuanos. It is the by far the most widely spoken of the Visayan languages, which are in turn part of wider the Philippine languages. The reference to the language as Bisaya is not encouraged anymore by linguists due to the many languages within the Visayan language group that may be confused with the term.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cebuano Translation by Melaine Mendez
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Melaine Mendez

Story inspired by the Tiktik description in Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition. Nasayao. 2010.

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

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*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

“Graaah” Nagngurub ang buwaya

“Hipos, maabot lang na ang pagkaon sa indi madugay, dayon makakaon na kita nga duwa” Ang mahigugmaong tugda sang Aswang sa iya nga alaga.

Tumalagsahon na lamang kun maglinabat ang mga buhi nga kalan-on, mga biliktimahon. Nakahibalo na ang mga tawo nga ang ini nga sapa-sapa, puno sang mga aswang kag iya alaga, ugaling indi ini upang sa pagpangita sang buhi nga kalan-on.

“Kinahanglan lang natonmagpalapit sa mga panimalay, kag mangin maayo na ang tanan,” Nagngurub liwat ang buwaya kag ginhambalan lamang siya sang aswang.

“Kabalo guid ko sina, makakita guid kita sang bata, kabalo guid ko nga nanamian ikaw sang sabor sina”

Nag ikol-ikol ang ikog sang buwaya nga may kalipay kay binulan na sang ulihi siya nakatilaw sang bata.
“Huo, lakat kita, palapit kita sa mga panimalay kag mabutang sang siod. Puwede guid naton masiod ang mga nagalangoy sa suba.”

Naglakat ang aswang sa pangpang sang suba kaupod ang iya nga buwaya.

Nagutom na guid siya kag ang iya nga buwaya, tungod sa paghalong sang mga tawo, iwat na guid ang pagkaon. Ang manugpangisda nga nagtalang sa dulunan sang sapa-sapa ang ulihi nila nga nakaon, Palakpalakan kag nagabato, paniyapon nga wala nila napasaboran.

Nagayuhum ang aswang. Kabalo siya nga damo guid sila madakpan sini. Nagasalig siya sa kusog sang iya nga buwaya para sa pagdakop sang ila nga kalan-on, indi siya angay sang iban nga aswang nga nagalupad kag nagapangpahog sang mga tawo sa mga panimalay.

Isa siya ka Agalon Hayopan, isa ka aswang nga nagasagod sang buwaya para magsiod sang mga biliktimahon para sa iya. Gina sunlog sila sang iban nga aswang nga tamaran, ugaling wala sila kabalo kun ano kabudlay magsagod sang isa lamang ka buwaya halin sa itlog.

Nagngurob liwat ang iya nga buwaya kag nagkadlaw. Tinuig na ang ila pag-updanay, halin oa sang gamay pa ini.  Kabalo guid siya sang mga gagmay nga butang nahanungod sa iya nga buwaya, amu man ang buwaya sa iya. Indi sila masipak, kabalo guid siya nga kun may yara siya sang kalan-on, mabalik ang iya nga pagkatamaran.

“Ari n akita, nagtindog sila nga duwa sa pang-pang sang suba.

“Oras na para magkuha sang pagkaon”

“Grraahh” Nagangurub nga sabat sang buwaya.

=———————=

English Version

“Grrrah,” The crocodile groaned.

“Hush now, the food will come by soon, then we will both have something to eat.” The aswang said lovingly to her pet.

Prey was hard to come by these days, the humans knew that this place in the swamp was the hunting ground for the aswang and her pet, but that wasn’t about to stop her from finding a meal.

“We just have to go closer to the village, and then everything will be better,” The crocodile grunted again and the aswang reassured him. “I know, we’ll find some children, I know how much you like the taste of those.”

The crocodile wagged its tail with joy; it had not had that treat in many months.

“Yes, let’s go nearer to the village and set a trap. We can catch the ones swimming by the river!” The aswang walked alongside her pet to the riverbank.

She was hungry, and so was her pet. Due to the human’s caution, food was hard to find. The last meal they both had was a fisherman that strayed too far into the swamp. He was stringy and tough, not a dinner that either of them savored.

The aswang was all smiles though. She knew that prey would be plentiful. She had always relied on the strength of her pet to catch their meals, she was not like the other aswang who would fly around the village terrorizing the humans.

She was an agalon hayopan, a kind of aswang that would raise crocodiles to hunt their prey for them. The other aswang would often jeer and call their kind lazy, but they would never know the hardship one would take just to raise a single crocodile from an egg.

Her pet grumbled again and she laughed. They spent years together and she had raised this one ever since he was a hatchling. She knew his quirks and quips just as well as he knew hers. They were inseparable. She knew that once he had something to eat, he would change back to his lazy self.

“We’re here,” The aswang and her pet stood by the river.

“Time to get some food.”

“Grrrah,” replied her pet.

=———————-=

*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 Rocky Nicor
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Rocky Nicor

Inspired by the Agalon Hayopan legend from Bicol: Filipinas Volume 12, Page 53, Filipinas Pub., 2003

Agalon Hayopan Illustration by NightmareSyrup
Tumblr: http://nightmaresyrup.tumblr.com/