*Note this story is in Ilocano

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

“Agtalna ka ubing a bassit, irikep mo dagita matam, Haan ka madandannagan ta haan ta maananno”

Nairut nga Inigganan ti babai ti tian na, maisigurado laeng a natalged ti anak na.

“Pangaasim haan mo tultulladen ti Ama’m, haan mo tultulladen ti madi nga aramid na, masapul a sirigem ti mesmessa laeng ngem masapul nga adaywam nu naala dan. “Ti lalaki ket lalakin to latta” isut pagsasao da, ngem haan da maamiris nga ti babbai ket kanayun nga isuda ti maibati”

WHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

“Ammuk nga kaslang maudin,rimwar ni Nana ta mapan na kan ubraen ti kaykayyat na. Baybayaan na dagitay agkakadakes nga lallaki nga agibatbatti kadagiti babbai.

“Uray kasanot ulpit ti lubong, nangisaganaak iti naisangsangayan a kita ti kinaranggas kadakuada”

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAAH!

“ Gapu ta maiparbeng kadakuada. Dagiti rugit da nga simrek kanyak. Maysaak  a nadalus a babai, ti kabibiag na nga nangat-ngato ngem siyak, kitaen nak itan. Addaak ditoyen. Maitanem tanto a dua agingga a mapugsat ti anges ta, ngem nu mapasamak man ita, saanak nga agsagaba a mesmessa. Ubraek a panunuten dagiti banag a nasken kadakuada. Dagiti kinabaknang ti ‘kinalalaki’ ket naragsakakto nga mangbuybuyya ti panagdardarra da.

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAA!

“Shhh, shhh. Haan ko nga gandat nga butngen ka. Adda ditoy ti Ina’m. Maipasigurado a natalged ti anak na kadagiti agkakadakes a lallaki. Inno ti mabalin tayo nga pagnaedan? Nu saan nga isuda. Agkukuyug tayo ngarud, siyak, ken sika, mangpaksiyat ti lubong nga nangpabalin kadatayo.

WAAAAH! WAAAAAH!

“Agtalna ka! Adda makitkittak a mesa a lalaki. Haan ka madandannagan ta apagkanito lang detoy. Kalpasan na, mabalin kayton nga agayayam ken Imam’ wen? Haan nga makadanag ta innak mangkablaaw”

=————————————————-=

English Version

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

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

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

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

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

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

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

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

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

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

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

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

=————————————————-=

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Ilocano translation by JC Flores
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © JC Flores

Inspired by the Mantiyanak legends from Mindanao

Mantiyanak illustration by Julia Kristen Delos Santos
FB: JKTD

*Note this story is in Waray

Tinmutok ako ha iya makaharadlok nga mga mata

Ngan nangurog

Sayop ada ini

Lugaring urhi na

Urhi-urhian na hin duro

“Kay ano ka aanhi?” ginhiram niya an iya kutsilyo

Ginlanat ko an akon ginhawa katima,

Sinmandig ako han kamatuoran

“Sumati ako Apoy, paunan-o matatapos an kalibutan?”

“Damo an baton hito nga pakiana, idoy,

Sugad kadamo han mga bituon ha kalangitan.”

Ginpakurog han iya halaba nga ngirit an akon kaunoran

Gin-ukab han iya mga mata an akon kalag.

“Karaotan la an dara han baton hito ngada ha imo.”
“Oo,” baton ko “Lugaring kinahanglan ko mahibaro.”

“Ada, hala,” nga laong niya

Tinmukdaw hiya ngan ginmawas han kwarto

Nag-ininaw-inaw la anay ako palibot

Han makangingirhat nga mga butang

Nga nagsasasrang ha iya payag;

Mga tudlo ngan mga bungo ngan dirudilain la

Nga mga parte han lawas hin damo nga mga binuhat

Nga waray ko na isipa pa

Linmingkod ako ngan ak’ gintutukan an kutsilyo nga biniyaan

Nga ha akon ino-ino, kun ibabaligya ini,

Mamahal an balor ha merkado

Pananglitan paraon la an pula hini nga mga dum-it.

Binmalik an babayi

Nga may dara nga us’ ka makaong nga tubig

Ngan naglalaga nga bato

“Kay ano mo karuyag mahibaro?”

Pakiana niya

“Diri na importante,” baton ko

“Balitaw?

Ano nga mga sekreto an imo tinatago?”
“Sige na gad, Apoy, batona an akon pakiana.”

Ginkuha niya an iya kutsilyo

Ngan ginhiwa niya an iya palad,

Iya ginpaturo an dugo didto han tubig

An naglalaga nga bato iya ginpaligid

Ngan an duason-asul hini nga lamrag

Nagbitad hin mga lambong ha bug-os nga kwarto

“Nakikit-an ko na,” nga laong niya

Human hin haros waray kataposan nga kahilom

“Ano an imo nakikit-an Apoy?”

“May ada ko nakikita nga dadako nga kalawas,

Dadako pa hin bis’ ano nga puro.

May ada ko nakikit-an nga mga barahibo

Hinimo hin mga espada

Ngan an puthaw hini nga mga kulo

Nakikit-an ko an akon kalugaringon

Dida han iya mga mata”

Nagtikalamrag an asul nga laga

Nga nagbak-ad pa hin duroy kamakarimadima

Nga mga lambong ha amon palibot

“Ano an may ada, Apoy?”

“Tikang ini ha iya yungib nga binabantayan hin asul nga aso

Ngan naghuhulat ini

Didto ha kasidsiran ha sinirangan.”

Nahimo nga itom an tubig dida han makaong

Nakit-an ko an tubig nga mabangis an pagtabsik

“Nakikit-an ko an katapusan han mga adlaw,”

Lain na an iya tingog

Daw gurang na hin duro

Daw kasisidman

“Aw, karuyag ngay-an hito nga diyo nga tawo

Mahibaro paunan-o matatapos an nga tanan?”

Nga laong han iya bag-o nga tingog

“Oo Apoy, kinahanglan ko mahibaro.”

“Kun asya man, kitaa!”

Tinmudlok hiya ha tubig

Matin-aw na ini

Ngan nakit-an ko an akon kahimo

Lugaring diri, diri la an akon kahimo

Nakit-an ko an iya nakit-an

Nakit-an ko an adlaw ngan an bulan

Ngan ginlalam-oy han kasisidman

Nakit-an ko an kagutom

Nga diri ug diri matatagbaw

Nagtinuok ako

Pakahibaro ko nga an kalibutan

Diri magkakaada hin paglaom

Dida hiton kataposan

Naghalo an akon mga luha ngan an tubig

Ngan binmalik an kaitom

“Diri gad ito mahihimo nga sugad iton katapusan,” siring ko

“Siring ko pa ha imo nga karaotan la

An dara ha imo han baton.”

Naliwat na an iya tingog

Yana, puno na ini hin kaluoy

“Ginbaton ko na an imo pakiana idoy,

Yana batona ako.
Kay ano nga karuyag mo mahibaro?”

Nagtapo an amon mga siplat

Ngan kamatuoran la an akon nayakan

“Karuyag ko mahibaro

Kun san-o ko ngahaw hiya makikit-an”

“Hin-o?” Pakiana han babayi

“An akon hinigugma, an akon kinabuhi,”
Akon baton

“Ginsidngan man gud ako hin usa

Nga parupareho ha imo

Nga makikit-an ko hiya

Dida hiton katapusan hit kalibutan

Asya nga maghuhulat ako

Hasta umulpot an higayon

Nga makikit-an ko ngahaw hiya”

“Lurong ka!”
Tinmigbas an iya mga pulong ha akon kalag

“Natatapos an mga kalibutan kada adlaw

Sigurado ka ba nga an imo ginbibiling

Diri an imo kalugaringon nga katapusan?”

“Diri ako maaram, Apoy.”
Nagtinuok na liwat ako

Ngan an akon mga luha nahulog didto han tubig

Nakit-an ko na an katapusan nga mas matin-aw

Kun paunan-o han tusak hini gindakop an bulan ngan adlaw

Kun paunan-o ini ka waray panginlabot han kinabuhi han tawo

Ginpasalamatan ko an lagas nga babayi ngan linmakat ako

Samtang hiya nag-iino-ino

Lugaring waray pa ako makakaulpot ha may ganghaan

Sinmiring hiya

“Ayaw lanata an katapusan, idoy.

Kasubo la an may ada hito nga aragian.”

“Maaram ako, Apoy.”

Waray na hiya iba pa nga ginbungat

Dida han akon paglakat

Ngan ginputos ko an akon kabido

Ha akon kabug-osan

Ngan naghinumdom

Han mga barahibo

Han ginsalaming nga mga mata

Han malinguon nga mga kulo

Ngan hinmiyom

Kay nakit-an ko an katapusan

Ngan dida han katapusan

Nakit-an ko hiya

=———————————————————=

English Version

She sat before me, wrapped in grey smoke.
Her red painted lips pursing into a small smile
A knife was set on the table before us
I stared in her cold eyes and shuddered
Maybe this was a mistake
But it was too late now
Far, too late
“Why are you here?” she fondled the knife
I caught my breath and leaned on the truth
“Tell me, lola, how will the world end?”

“That question has many answers, iho,
As many as there are stars in the sky.”
Her wide smile tensed my muscles
Her eyes dug into my soul
“The answer will only bring ruin.”
“Yes,” I replied “but still I must know.”

“Very well then,” she said
She stood up and left the room
And I took a moment to look around
The grotesque trophies littered her hovel
Fingers and skulls and parts of other creatures
I dare not imagine
I sat down and stared at the knife left behind
It would have fetched a fair price in any market
If the red stains were removed

The woman came back
With a bowl of water
And a glowing stone
“Why do you want to know?”
She asked
“It is not important,” I replied
“Oh, isn’t it?
What secrets do you keep from yourself?”
“Please lola, answer my question.”

She took the knife
And cut her hand
Letting drops of blood trickle into the water
The glowing stone was set to the side
And its pale blue light cast shadows around the room
“I can see it,” she said after an eternity of silence
“What do you see lola?”

“I see its giant frame, larger than any island.
I see its feathers made of swords
And its iron claws
I see myself in its eyes”
The blue glow was brighter now
Casting even more violent shadows around us
“What is it, lola?”

“It comes from its cave guarded by blue smoke
And lies in wait
In the eastern horizon.”
The water in the bowl turned black
I could see the liquid splash violently
“I see the end of days,”
She spoke with a different voice now
Something old
Something dark

“So the little human wishes to know
How it will all end?” She said in her new voice
“Yes lola, I need to know.”
“Then look!”
She pointed to the water
The liquid was clear now
And I could see my reflection
But no, not just my reflection

I saw what she saw
I saw the sun and the moon
Consumed by darkness
I saw the hunger
That would never be satisfied
I cried then
To know that the world
Would know no hope
Not in the end

My tears mixed with the water
And it the blackness returned
“It can’t end that way,” I said
“I told you the answer would only bring your ruin.”
Her voice changed again
Now filled with pity

“I answered your question iho,
Now answer mine.
Why do you want to know?”

Our eyes met
And I could only say the truth
“I want to know when I
Will see her again”

“Who?” The woman asked
“My love, my life,” I replied
I was told by one like you
That I will see her
When the world ends

So I wait
Until that moment
When I can see her
“Fool that you are!”
Her words cut into my soul

“Worlds end every day
Are you sure it is not your end that you seek?”
“I do not know, lola.”
I started to cry again
And my tears dropped into the water

I could see the end more clearly now
How its beak ensnared the sun and moon
How it cared so little for the lives of man

I thanked the old woman and left her
To her thoughts
But before I reached the door
She said
“Do not chase the end, iho.
There is only sorrow in that path.”

“I know, lola.”
She said nothing else as I left
And I wrapped my sorrow
Around me

And remember
The feathers
The mirrored eyes
The treacherous claws
And smile

For I saw the end
And in the end
I saw her

=————————————————–=

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Waray translation by Hiyom Labon Buhi
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Hiyom Labon Buhi

Illustration by Harv Heinrich
FB: Harvibore

Inspired by the Minokawa description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

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

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

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

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

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

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

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

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

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

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

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

=—————————————————————=

English Version

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

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

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

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

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

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

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

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

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

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

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

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

=————————————————————————-=

*The Hiligaynon language, also colloquially referred often by most of its speakers simply as Ilonggo, is an Austronesian regional language spoken in the Philippines by about 9.1 million people, mainly in Western Visayas and SOCCSKSARGEN, most of whom belong to the Visayan ethnic group, mainly the Hiligaynons. It is the second-most widely spoken language and a member of the so-named Visayan language family and is more distantly related to other Philippine languages.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Hiligaynon translation by Seyrah

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Seyrah

Inspired by the Mantiyanak legends from Mindanao

Mantiyanak illustration by Julia Kristen Delos Santos
FB: JKTD

*Note this story is in Ilocano / Ilokano

Natalna nga banbantay ni Gonzalo ti pagtaengan da. Maysa isuna nga bulldog, nayanak nga natibker ken natangsit nga aso. Linikaw na man maminsanen ti pagtaengan tapno masigurado na nga natalna ti bigat da.

“Agalwad ka!” Ngangani naipati leb tay ubing nga bassit, imbag langenen ta napartak nga naiposisyon ni Gonzalo ken diay bag nga nalaka na lang nga nagaw at.

“Naglaing ka nga talaga !” Awit awit na tay rosas nga kolor nga bag na, napan nagturong ni Lila diay kusina. Ni Gonzalo sumasaruno met kanyana tapno siguraduen nga awan mapasamak nga madi  ken Lila.

Natalna nga nalpas ti pannangan da ti pammigat. Naimasan la unay ni Lila ti nangan ti pammigat na nga champorado. Ken ni Gonzalo nasdaaw tay pammigat na, ta adda laok na nga hotdog diay makan na, ” ni nasyaat sa tay riing na atoy baket” nakuna na.

Ngem ita nga aldaw sabali ti panagrikna na. Kas  idi kalman han nga makauray ni Lila diay dakkel nga kiaw nga balay. Haan nga makatalna tay ubing, inarakop na ni Gonzalo  san to nagpukkaw  ” mapan tayo diay parke!”

Manen, kagura la unay ni Gonzalo ti rumuar.  Agpayso nga makawalay , makataray taray , ngem madanagan la unay ni Gonzalo ti aksidente wenno didigra nga mabalin mapasamak kanyada gapu ti panagwalay da. Kinita ni Gonzalo niLila ken naginsasangit.

“Agtalna ka man, mapan tay lang diay parke!”  Pinadpadas ni Lila nga ikabit tay galot ni Gonzalo ngem han na maipan. Imbag laengen ta singmangpet tay baket , ket intarimaan na diay galot ni Gonzalo, idi nakasagana dan napan da diay parke’n.

Ngem uray asideg da pay lang diay balay da madanaganen ni Gonzalo, kasta la unay ti panaka alerto na. Adda maangot na nga madi, ngem haan na mailadawan no anya nga klase ti angot na. ” Gonzalo agtalna ka man, sumardeng ka nga agtaol! Han ka man mangbutbuteng.” Haan da pinapati tay ballaag ni Gonzalo, ngem ni Gonzalo agnanayon latta nga naka alerto.

Marikna na, adda nabangsit nga angin nga mangsursurot kanyada. No makita na la kuma.

Diay pagtugawan binilin tay baket ni Lila, ” haan ka nga umad adayo, agay ayam ka ngem ditoy ka lang asideg ko, diay nalaka ka lang nga makita.” Nag wen isuna ti ulo na ken nagisem , ni Gonzalo ammo nan nga attidog man daytoy nga aldaw para kanyana. Ket tay baket inruwar na tay bassit nga kahon nga agsilaw silaw sana rinugyanan ti nagay ayam. Masid daawan la unay ni Gonzalo no anya daydiay nga banag, naminsan pinadas na nga nginal ngal daytoy, ngem na ungtan lang isuna. Anya la kadi unay daydiay nga banagen? Apay han ko mabalin nga ay ayamen?

Agkat katawa nga nagtaray ni Lila nga agturong diay pagay ayaman nga pagpagalisan. Adda latta tay madi nga angot didiay hangin, masursuron ni Gonzalo’n no ayan na ti pag gapgapwan na. Awan sabali nga maaramidan nan no saan ket abantay nga nalaing kenni Lila ken aguray.

Aguray nga malpas agay ayam diay pagpa galisan. Aguray nga malpas nga maki ay ayam ti tago taguan kadagiti ka ay ayam na. Ken aguray nga  malpas da a mangan ti meryenda da.

Adu met ti saba sabali nga aso diay parke kaday diay nga aldaw, ket ammo ni Gonzalo nga maangot da met diay maang angot na. Masiddaawan latta dagidiay tattaon no apay nga natalna tay taraken da nga aso’n. Haan da ammo nga tay taraken da adda marikna da nga didigra nga haan da makita.

“Ayan mo?” Haan nga makatalna tay panunot ni Gonzalo no ayan na tay palemlemmengan tay maang angot na.

“Lila! Agawid tayo’n!” Pukkaw tay baket. Rumab rabii gayam’en.  Panag kuna met ni Gonzalo natalna ti lubong dan no agawid dan, ngem saan, ta diay mangring ringgor nga angot nga birbiruken na, simmurot kanyada.

Aglut luto ti adobo nga pangmalem da Lila ken tay baket. Nariribok ni Gonzalo kaday diay angot ti adobo, haan na maangot tay birbiruken nan. Ngem ammo na ti rumbeng nga aramiden nan, agbantay isuna diay kusina. Ammo na ti obligasyon na, isuna ti ulo, isuna ti protektor da.

“Lila umuna ka nga manganen, rumuar nak pay lang biit, mangan ka nga nalaing, ibusem ta labay mo.”  Rimwar tay baket nga awit awit na manen tay bassit nga kahon nga agsilaw silaw.  Ammo ni Gonzalo daytoyen,pumanaw manen sunan.

” Adda sabali ditoy! Apay haan mo maangot?” Taol ni Gonzalo, ngem haan met  isuna maawatan tay baket. Panagkuna na mabisin lang tay tarakena, tapno agtalna inserbian na ti makan.

Ngem awan pay gan ganas na nga mangan. Maang angot na latta tay nabangsit  nga angin. Nadennaan ti agong nan tay makaringgor nga angin nga maang angot na. Sigurado ni Gonzalo ag gap gapo tay angot diay kwarto ni Lila. Pinartakan na nga rimwar diay kusina tapno suroten tay maang angot na.

Haan nga ekspektaren ni Gonzalo tay nakita na. Dakkel ken natayag, atir tirter tay tengged nan ti sobra katayag na. Agkuskusilap dagita dadakkel nga kiaw nga mata na kayana, naka nga-nga tay ngiwat na,agpaparang dagitay natatadem nga pangil na.

Ngem natibker ni Gonzalo, situtured nga niraut na tay nakabutbuteng nga ayup. Sipipigsa nga kinagat ni Gonzalo tay tengnged   ti ayup ket nagbuteng daytoy ken ni Gonzalo. Nakita ti ayup diay tawa, didiay timmaray tay ayup. Uray kasanu kaddakel na tay ayup takrot met gayam ti panag puspuso na.

Ka daydiay nga rabii nagpapatangan ti karkaruba tay nakaskasdaaw nga kiblaaw nga nang ngeg da di madama ti pangmalem da. Kunada maysa lang daydiay nga naiyaw awan nga ayup, diay dadduma imbaga da adda lang simmabog nga tubo.

Ngem uray anya pay iti kuna da ti napasamak, ni Gonzalo mayat ken natalna ti lubong nan. Naimas ti turog na, diay baba ti katre ni Lila.

=—————————————————————-=

English Version

Gonzalo surveyed his domain with the quiet dignity that was unique to his breed. He was a bulldog, born to be resolute and courageous. He took one more lap around the house to make sure everything was in order for the morning.

“Watch out!” Lila almost tripped over herself. Gonzalo deftly dodged the slight frame of the kindergartener and positioned himself and her bag just within reach.

“Good boy!” She grabbed her rose-colored backpack and headed to the kitchen. Gonzalo trailed behind her to make sure she didn’t fall again.

Breakfast passed without incident. Lila enjoyed her champorado with the kind of gusto a child gets when they realize that they’re having chocolate for a meal. Gonzalo noshed on his kibble and was surprised to find hotdogs mixed in with his food. “The lady must still be in a good mood,” he thought.

Today was different and Gonzalo put himself on guard for anything suspicious. Lila didn’t wait for the big yellow house like she did yesterday. Instead, she hugged Gonzalo and shouted “We’re going to the park!”

Outside; Gonzalo always hated going outside, sure there was the daily walk and the occasional chase around the nearby streets, but there was a sense of danger that surrounded the outside. He looked at Lila and whimpered.

“Silly doggie! Let’s go to the park!” Lila tried clumsily to attach the walking harness onto Gonzalo but it was no use. The lady stepped in and fixed it up and she, Gonzalo and Lila were all set to go to the park.

It was only a short distance from the house and Gonzalo grew increasingly more cautious. There was a strange smell that he could not place. “Stop barking doggie, don’t be scary!”
Gonzalo’s warnings were dismissed, but he was on high alert.
Something was out there, if he could only figure it out.

The lady set Lila and Gonzalo next to a bench. “Don’t go too far, always be somewhere I can see you.” Lila nodded and smiled like she was supposed to and Gonzalo knew that this was going to be a long day. The lady had already took out her small light-box and started playing with it. Gonzalo didn’t know what the appeal was, he had once gotten scolded for chewing it up. If he couldn’t play with it what was the point?

Lila ran towards the slide, laughing along the way. The strange smell was still in the air, almost mocking Gonzalo with its mystery. He kept a keen eye on Lila, and waited.

He waited as Lila went down the slide. He waited as she played hide and seek with the other neighbor children. He waited as they all had some snacks.

There were many dogs in the park that day and Gonzalo knew that they smelled it too. The humans would sit and wonder why their dogs were so well behaved, completely unaware of the looming danger.

“Where are you?” His mind raced through the possibilities.

Suddenly the Lady shouted “Lila! Time to go home!” the sun was already setting, thick beams of orange light were peeking through the clouds.

If Gonzalo thought that going home would ease his worries, he was mistaken. The smell had followed them from the park.

The lady and Lila were getting ready for dinner now, the scent of adobo failing to mask what kept the bulldog’s hair on end. He stationed himself by the kitchen, he knew what his duty was and he would not shy away from it.

They were his pack and he was their protector.

“Lila, I’m just going to step out for a few minutes. Be a good girl and eat your dinner.” The lady takes her light-box and her fingers race. Gonzalo had seen this before, it meant that the lady would be out for a while.

“There’s something here! Can’t you smell it?!” His barks fell on deaf ears. The lady thought he was hungry so she gave him some food and left the kitchen.

Gonzalo didn’t have any appetite, he was too focused on the smell. His nose had picked up the scent coming from Lila’s room. There was no hesitation as the dog bolted out of the kitchen and raced towards the smell.

It was bigger than Gonzalo expected, it was so tall that it had to crouch to fit in the room. Its long neck twisted around and a large, yellow eye greeted him with a menacing glare. The mouth opened to reveal rows of pointed fangs.

Brave was the bulldog as he lunged to the monstrous creature before him. The creature recoiled in terror as the hound bit it right in the neck. It spotted the window and ran. As big as it was, it had a coward’s heart.

That night the neighbors discussed the strange sound they heard around dinnertime. Most say it was a wild animal that somehow got into the village, others think it was a burst pipe.

Whatever the answer, the night yielded to a tired Gonzalo sleeping at the foot of Lila’s bed, dreaming the dreams of a very good dog.

=——————————————————————=

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Ilocano translation by Anonymous
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Anonymous

Inspired by the Tigbanua entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Tigbanua Illustration by Jowee Aguinaldo

*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.

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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.

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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

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/

“I still look for her

In the forests

In empty fields

It all started three weeks ago. I met him at an overpass near Ortigas. He was selling his art by the stairs and I couldn’t help but admire the illustrations.

It seemed the moon was his muse. Each painting was beautifully crafted with moonlight in mind, the landscapes almost glowed the more you looked at it.

I asked him how much a painting was and was surprised when he said 100 pesos. I couldn’t let him sell something so beautiful for such a low cost so I handed him a thousand and slung the canvas under my arm.

He thanked me profusely for the money and told me I was welcome to get another painting. I readily accepted and made my way home.

That night I put the paintings up in my living room and looked closer at the compositions. They looked like they were depicting the same place at different times, one when the moon was full and another when the moon was at a crescent. The way the painter made the shadows dance in the moonlight was incredibly impressive and I fell asleep dreaming about the landscape.

That’s when it first started. I can’t pinpoint the exact moment that it happened. I would leave a light on in the bathroom or somewhere and I’d find that it was off when I went back to check. I thought it was just me being absentminded, but things began to escalate.

I woke up to the sound of a screech from my kitchen. Once, when I was a child I heard an owl screech as it caught a rat right in front of me, it was something like that but louder. The sound echoed in my bones and I ran towards it to see if a bird had gotten into my house. I fumbled through my hallway as all the lights were out and when I looked back to my bedroom it seemed that the light got darker. Another screech came, this time from my guest room and I nearly shouted.
I ran towards the living room and turned on the lights, after a few minutes to gather my thoughts I went back to the kitchen to find nothing.

I thought I was going crazy until I walked by the living room and saw it.

The paintings had changed. There was a larger shadow on the painting with the crescent moon, and on the other one there was a shadow on the full moon that looked like a triangle.

I’m a grown man and I can admit when I’m afraid. I asked to stay with my friend and left my apartment for a few days to collect my thoughts.

The next day I went to the overpass to ask the man about the paintings. I didn’t know what to expect but I was still surprised that he wasn’t there. I asked the other beggars around the area if they saw him, and they all said they didn’t know where he was. One night he just packed up his paintings and left.

I wasn’t about to let a pair of paintings get to me so as soon as I was ready to go back to my house I threw them in the garbage. I don’t think I was as relieved at any other point in my life. I was still a little afraid, I won’t lie, so that night I left the light on in my room.

I shouldn’t have done that.

I woke up to darkness and screeching. I didn’t know where the sound was coming from and I turned on the flashlight in my cellphone and looked around. The bulb of the light had been broken by something and I rushed out of my room to get my bearings.

I ran through the hallway, crashing into pictures and side tables and tripped on my couch as I heard another screech.
I swung my cellphone around and I saw them.

The paintings were back.

I cautiously switched the lights back on and looked around my living room. There was nothing to indicate someone had broken in. But why would anyone break in to leave two paintings I had thrown out?

I looked at the paintings and they had changed again. The shadow was bigger in the one with a full moon, it almost looked like a bird’s head. The other canvas was almost black, it was like a giant figure blocked all the light that was supposed to reach the ground.

This was all getting too much for me. I tried to rid myself of the paintings but they come back each time. I even tried burning them, but they appeared, like clockwork, on my living room wall.

The paintings get darker each time.

I don’t know what will happen when they both fade to black, and I don’t want to know. I put my apartment on the market that day and never looked back.

Let the next person deal with this.

Better him than me.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Minokawa description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Minokawa illustration by Dyani Lao:
Website: www.dyanilao.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dyanilaotattoos/?hl=en
FB: DYANI LAO Tattoos – Cubao X

*Note this story is in Kapampangan

Metung ya mu buri: daya.

Linawe na ngang Manib deng memagkalat ya bangke da reng kayang kawal. Karakal da na reng bagani na mengamate keng buso, dapot ali pa yari ing pamipamuk. Medinan lang istu mung oras na makapulayi deng manuknangan, uling mengasugat ne ing buso manibat keng karelang tabak. Mabiye ya pa ing buso, balu nang bumalik ya pa kaniti.

Pinulut neng Manib itang metagan keng baluting gindua ning kawal. Sapak neng daya ing masalat a abaka ya panyagka ning karelang katawan. Sibulan ya ing lagyu ning kawal. Aganaka neng Manib, yapin ya itang manigtigang kuglong kanitang piyesta. Ali na sana buring Sibulan ya maging kawal, oneng ala neng akarapat ning sinugud ya karela ing buso.

Tinalnan neng Manib ing kayang tabak, matalik. Pilan pa ba ing dapat mate karela bayu ya mate ining buso? Abi na ning mabalian*, menibat ya ing buso keng aliwang yatu, perala da reng dimonyu para keng kagulwan da reng manginu keng katalauran.

Ali na agyung isipang betingan da reng ginu ing kayang balen. Atin yang pamigalang i Manib kareng miglalang: Macoreret, Domacolen, Macaponguis, Tiguiama, ampong deng aliwa pa. Atin yang kasalpantayanan kareng miglalang, panwalan nang ali da la kabud paimburisan king kasakitan da ngeni.

Minta ne i Manib nung nokarin la mikit-mikit deng kayang kawal. Bitbit da na la reng karelang armas; makayadia na lang mate para king karelang pamilya, gang buso pa ing karelang kapate. Ning ikit na muring Manib keng malda reng kayang anak, sinikan ya lub; ala nang panaun para mag-adwang-isip
.
Kaibat kanita, ginulisak yang masikang-masikan. Demdam da reng sabla ing kayang siuala: “Ali ta papabureng siran na ning buso ing eganagana. Menibat ya man kang Darago—kaputol dang Colambusan, Comalay, Tagamahng, Siring ampong Abac—mate ya murin keng kekatamung tabak! Makipamuk tamu angga magus ya ngan ing kayang daya keng kekatamung tabak!”

Masikan muring gulisak ing pekibat da reng kawal. Anggang nang malyari, ali la murung deng bagani. Kaibat deng begut keng kaluban deng karelang tabak, memanyugud na la keng pisalikutan ning mangaynang buso.

Daya ing buri na ning buso—dapot deng kawal, sane la keng dayang miyayagus keng gabun.

————————–————————–————————–—–

English Version

All it knows is blood.

Manib looked at the valley littered with the bodies of his warriors. Too many bagani* had succumbed to the battle with the beast and he knew it wasn’t over. His men were able to wound the buso long enough to give time to the rest of the villagers to escape but he knew it would be back.

He crouched and picked up the remnants of a warrior’s gindua armor. The ragged edges of the abaca strips that they used for inner protection was soaked red. Sibulan, that was his name. Manib remembered that he saw him during the last festival and he was playing his two stringed kuglong. Sibulan never meant to become a warrior, but there were no other options when the buso struck.

Manib clenched his bolo. How many more would have to die before the buso was finished? The priestess said that it was a warning from the other world. The great demons were sending their messengers to wreak havoc on the worshippers of the just.

He didn’t believe that the gods would be so cruel to leave them alone. Manib had always respected the creators, Macoreret, Domacolen, Macaponguis,Tiguiama and all the rest. He knew they wouldn’t forsake his people in their darkest time.
Manib walked to where his remaining men were gathered. They had their weapons and were prepared to die trying to save their families from the buso. He saw a few of his sons in the crowd and he knew that it was no time to falter.

He prepared his voice and shouted as far as the last man could hear “We will never allow this creature to destroy what we have. This agent of Darago, brother to Colambusan, Comalay, Tagamahng, Siring and Abac will fall to our swords! We will fight until its blood runs through our swords!”

His warriors responded with a loud shout. His bagani would never consider retreat as an option and they drew their weapons and charged at the wounded beast’s hiding place.
This buso may know blood, but his warriors were also used to spilling it.

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• Kapampangan, Pampango, or the Pampangan language is one of the major languages of the Philippines. It is spoken in the province of Pampanga, most parts of Tarlac and Bataan. Kapampangan is also understood in some municipalities of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija and by the Aitas or Aeta of Zambales. The language is also referred to honorifically in the Kapampangan language as Amánung Sísuan, meaning “breastfed/nurtured language.” In 2012, Kapampangan was one of the major languages of the Philippines, taught and studied formally in schools and universities.

*The warrior class of the Bagobo people

*Colambusan, Comalay, Tagamahng, Siring and Abac are names of demons in Bagobo cosmology.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Translated by Joseph Argel Gania Galang
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Joseph Argel Gania Galang

Inspired by the Bagobo Buso myths and the Buso/Busaw/Busao description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

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

Gonzalo surveyed his domain with the quiet dignity that was unique to his breed. He was a bulldog, born to be resolute and courageous. He took one more lap around the house to make sure everything was in order for the morning.

“Watch out!” Lila almost tripped over herself. Gonzalo deftly dodged the slight frame of the kindergartener and positioned himself and her bag just within reach.

“Good boy!” She grabbed her rose-colored backpack and headed to the kitchen. Gonzalo trailed behind her to make sure she didn’t fall again.

Breakfast passed without incident. Lila enjoyed her champorado with the kind of gusto a child gets when they realize that they’re having chocolate for a meal. Gonzalo noshed on his kibble and was surprised to find hotdogs mixed in with his food. “The lady must still be in a good mood,” he thought.

Today was different and Gonzalo put himself on guard for anything suspicious. Lila didn’t wait for the big yellow house like she did yesterday. Instead, she hugged Gonzalo and shouted “We’re going to the park!”

Outside; Gonzalo always hated going outside, sure there was the daily walk and the occasional chase around the nearby streets, but there was a sense of danger that surrounded the outside. He looked at Lila and whimpered.

“Silly doggie! Let’s go to the park!” Lila tried clumsily to attach the walking harness onto Gonzalo but it was no use. The lady stepped in and fixed it up and she, Gonzalo and Lila were all set to go to the park.

It was only a short distance from the house and Gonzalo grew increasingly more cautious. There was a strange smell that he could not place. “Stop barking doggie, don’t be scary!”
Gonzalo’s warnings were dismissed, but he was on high alert.
Something was out there, if he could only figure it out.

The lady set Lila and Gonzalo next to a bench. “Don’t go too far, always be somewhere I can see you.” Lila nodded and smiled like she was supposed to and Gonzalo knew that this was going to be a long day. The lady had already took out her small light-box and started playing with it. Gonzalo didn’t know what the appeal was, he had once gotten scolded for chewing it up. If he couldn’t play with it what was the point?

Lila ran towards the slide, laughing along the way. The strange smell was still in the air, almost mocking Gonzalo with its mystery. He kept a keen eye on Lila, and waited.

He waited as Lila went down the slide. He waited as she played hide and seek with the other neighbor children. He waited as they all had some snacks.

There were many dogs in the park that day and Gonzalo knew that they smelled it too. The humans would sit and wonder why their dogs were so well behaved, completely unaware of the looming danger.

“Where are you?” His mind raced through the possibilities.

Suddenly the Lady shouted “Lila! Time to go home!” the sun was already setting, thick beams of orange light were peeking through the clouds.

If Gonzalo thought that going home would ease his worries, he was mistaken. The smell had followed them from the park.

The lady and Lila were getting ready for dinner now, the scent of adobo failing to mask what kept the bulldog’s hair on end. He stationed himself by the kitchen, he knew what his duty was and he would not shy away from it.

They were his pack and he was their protector.

“Lila, I’m just going to step out for a few minutes. Be a good girl and eat your dinner.” The lady takes her light-box and her fingers race. Gonzalo had seen this before, it meant that the lady would be out for a while.

“There’s something here! Can’t you smell it?!” His barks fell on deaf ears. The lady thought he was hungry so she gave him some food and left the kitchen.

Gonzalo didn’t have any appetite, he was too focused on the smell. His nose had picked up the scent coming from Lila’s room. There was no hesitation as the dog bolted out of the kitchen and raced towards the smell.

It was bigger than Gonzalo expected, it was so tall that it had to crouch to fit in the room. Its long neck twisted around and a large, yellow eye greeted him with a menacing glare. The mouth opened to reveal rows of pointed fangs.

Brave was the bulldog as he lunged to the monstrous creature before him. The creature recoiled in terror as the hound bit it right in the neck. It spotted the window and ran. As big as it was, it had a coward’s heart.

That night the neighbors discussed the strange sound they heard around dinnertime. Most say it was a wild animal that somehow got into the village, others think it was a burst pipe.

Whatever the answer, the night yielded to a tired Gonzalo sleeping at the foot of Lila’s bed, dreaming the dreams of a very good dog.

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Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Tigbanua entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Tigbanua Illustration by Jowee Aguinaldo

The full moon lends its light to the carnage.

Piles of human flesh strung across the plain like an abattoir, the crunch of bone and the screams of pain filled the air as the monster ravaged its way through my village.

Yet, we knew that in the next month it would have our worship. When the light of the full moon extends over our village shall it become a beneficent deity, watching over our crops like stoic sentinels.

I’m tired of this.

Why must we suffer with the whims of the moon? Why must I have to bury another member of my family and then ask blessings of their murderer? Why must I hear their screams every time I sleep, wondering what I could have done to save them?

In their “benevolent” form they appeared much like we do, but that does not fool me. I know their true nature, their one eye and their terrible fangs. They cannot hide behind their facade of peace only to bring war the next time the moon rears its next full face.

With the rise of the new moon I make a vow.

I will end this cycle of torment. I will raise arms against this confused god and bring it down to its knees.

I will.

I have lost too much to the terror, to the screams. Each night I can only see the face of my brother as he hung from the mouth of the tagamaling. His last scream will haunt me until the end of my time.

I am joined by the other hunters, each has lost a lover, a friend, a sibling or a parent to the maw of the mad god. Each has nothing left to lose. Not anymore.

So I write to you this letter, my beloved son.

Always keep yourself strong in the face of evil, and never compromise who and what you are to anyone.

Goodbye.

*The Tagamaling switches between beneficent deity and man-eating monster. It turns monstrous between the full moon and the new moon.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Tagamaling description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Tagamaling Illustration by Jowee Aguinaldo.