*Note this story is in Waray

Waray iba nga nakakakilala ha imo sugad han pagkakilala ko ha im.

Nakila na ak ha im antes ka pa ig-anak. Usa nga mahusay nga babayi an imo iroy. Agsub hiya magpalipas han oras ha may salog, ginkukulawan an pag-agos han tubig ngadto ha abot han iya pagtan-aw. Aadto ako han gin-agda han imo amay, usa nga ginoo, nga magpakasal an imo iroy. Ginbuhat niya iton didto ha may puno.

Han guti nga sanggol ka pa, giayuni mo nga mag-uyas ha tubig. Ginbabantayan ka syempre, pirme ginseseguro han imo kag-anak nga ayos ka. Waray man hira angay ikabaraka, kay tubtub nga aadto ako waray bisan ano nga malain an mahitatabo ha imo.

Dumako ka nga aada an salog ha imo sapit. Han unom katuig ka na, usa ka nga pilyo nga bata. Agsub mo mulayan an mga lagas nga padi ngan madalagan ka ngadto ha salog kun diin diri ka nira madadakop. Usa ka nga maupay gud nga manlalangoy. Waray bisan usa ha imo mga sangkay an akos dumungan ha imo kalaksi. Tungod hiton, puno gud hin kadasig an akon kasingkasing ha imo pagin batid ha katubigan.

Aadto ako ha imo syahan nga kapakyasan ha paghigugma. Ayos la iton kay giupayi ka man ura-ura para hiton nga babayi. Nahinumduman ko kun tiunan-o mo gin-intindi an nahitabo. Katutnga na han gab-i ngan lipuyok an bulan han ginbiling ka han imo mga kag-anak. Bisan ano nga panalinguha nira, waray ka nira mabilngan tungod kay aadto ako agud seguruhon an imo pag-iinusaan. Nagmata ka ha sunod nga adlaw, waray bisan usa nga kalmot, ngan umuli ha imo kag-anak.

Dumako ka nga usa nga maupay nga ulitawo, madasig an kalawas ngan guwapo. Agsub ka tumambay ha may salog samtang nagsusurat han imo mga siday, nga imo ginsasaysay danay ha iba nga okasyon. Nakakakalma an imo tingog. Amo iton an akon pampakaturog kada gab-i.

Duha kabulan an naglabay, ginbasa mo an usa ha imo mga siday. Mahitungod ini ha kinabuhi, kun tiunan-o ini hilarum nga nahiwa ngadto ha kalag han kada tawo. “Sugad han kutsilyo ngadto ha kalag,” an usa ha mga linya tikang ha imo siday. Humiwi ngan umagos an salog agud dumungan ha imo pagsaysay. Hiton nga takna, maaram ak kun ano an angay himuon.

Han magtupo an aton mga mata, inabat mo liwat, di ba? Kun tiunan-o kita ginpagtupo han tadhana para ha kada tagsa. Tumindig ka didto, madig-on ha tuna samtang padayon kita nga nakatukod ha kada tagsa ngan kumanta an salog. Hinitaas iton tubtub nga maabot an imo mga mata ngan nakit-an mo ako kun ano ako.

Natigdaan ka, syempre. Kadam-an han mga tawo sugad an inaabat kapag nakikit-an an akon tinuod nga postura. Waray mo mareyalisar nga nagsul-ot ako han mga butok han banwa ngan mga yapi han saging agud igtago an katunga han akon lawas. Nahusayan ka gud ha akon ngan ako, ha imo. Nakit-an ko an karuyagon ha imo kalag. Diri importante kun itom ngan gray an akon panit o kun putos ini han mga tunok, naruruyag ka ha akon ngan amo la an importante.

Tubtub yana, ginsusumpa ko pa gihap an imo mga kag-anak. Tiunan-o nahibaro an usa nga tawo kun tiunan-o gumamit hin bolo ngan tigbason an tubig gamit an krus? Igintago unta ini nga kahibaruan ha mga tawo.

Ah diri ak angay magpakulaw hin kaluyahan ha imo, akon gugma.

Diri na mag-iiha, magkakaupod kita. Tubtub nga naagos an salog, ha imo la an akon kasingkasing.

Bug-os nga kinabuhi.

-=————————-=-

English Version

Nobody knows you like I do.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Always and forever.

=————–=

*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 Joan Sebastian
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Joan Sebastian

Adapted from a story from Abra, Calaba River told by Guillermo Guillen Crisologo

Berberoka Illustration by Guillermo Guillen Crisologo

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Wala iba lamang nakakaalam ang buong pagkatao mo, kundi ako.

Nakilala pa kita noong araw pa bago ka pa pinanganak. Dahil ang iyong ina ay isang napakagandang babae. Ginagamit niya ang oras niya para bigyan ng pansinin ang pagtakbo ng alon sa ilog hanggang hindi na ito makita ng mata. At nandoon ako. Oo, nandoon ako nung nakita ko ang ama mong maginoo na binigay sarili niya sa ina mo. Ginawa niya roon sa puno na iyan.

Noong isa kang maliit na sanggol, mahal mo talaga maglaro sa tabi ng ilog. Palagi ka pang binabantayan ng mga nag-aalaga sa’yo para hindi ka madisgrasya. Pero, wala nag-alala dahil habang nandoon ako sa paligid mo, walang makasisira sa kasiyahan mo.

Lumaki ka kasama ang ilog sa tabi; nung umabot ka ng ika-6 na taon, naging isang makulit na bata. Madalas mo pa binibigyan ng sakit sa ulo sa mga pari at tinatakbuhan mo sila papunta sa ilog para ‘di ka nila maihabol. Magaling ka pa lumangoy. At dahil dito, walang makakapantay sa iyo pagdating sa laro. Naging mayabang ka pa lalo na ikaw yung pinakamagaling na lumangoy.

Nandoon pa ako nung panahon ng pinaka unang beses na nawasak ang puso mo dahil sa isang babae. Ang masasabi ko lang diyan ay hindi siya kawalan para sa’yo. At naalala ko pa nung hinahanap mo pa ng kulay at kung ano yung talaga nangyari sa araw na iyon. Hatinggabi pa nga at kitang-kita pa ang buwan sa langit nung hinanap ka ng mga bantay mo. Hinding-hindi kang mahanap, dahil nandoon ako at tinago ka ng palihim. Nung nagising ka sa susunod na araw, malinis ang balat mo at walang ni isang gasgas na makita, ngunit ka umuwi sa magulang mo.

Lumaki ka at naging isang binata na may itsura at may sigla. Umuupo ka pa rin sa tabi ng ilog para sumulat ng mga tula, at minsan tinatalumpati mo pa ito. Mahinahon at kalmado lamang ang boses mo, at ginagawa ko itong pampatulog tuwing gabi.

Dalawang buwan na lumipas nung huli mong talumpati sa gabi. Ito ay tungkol sa buhay na kung paano tumagos sa ilalim ng kaluluwa ng mga tao. Ang isang linya sa iyong talumpati ay, “Parang hiwang sa pamamagitan ng kaluluwa”. Tapos lumiko ang ilog para pumantay sa’yo, at dito nalaman ko na anong dapat gawin ko.

At nung nagtama ang ating mga mata, naramdaman mo yun diba? Na dapat tayo ay para sa isa’t-isa. Doon, nakatayo ka sa lupa habang nagtitigan tayo parehas at kumanta ang ilog. Tumaas ang tubig nito hanggang umabot sa mata mo at nakita mo ang totoong anyo ko.

Hindi mo inaasahan ito. Malamang, magugulat naman din ang mga ng tao pag nakita ang tunay na anyo ko. Di mo rin napansin na sinuot yung balutan ng tuyong damo at kumpol ng saging para itago ang binti ko. Namangha ka pa sa kagandahan ko, at ganun din ako sa’yo. Nakita ko pa ang pagnanais mo sa iyong kaluluwa. Na kahit itim o kulay-abo ang balat ko, o kahit punung-puno ako ng mga tinik, ang pagnanasa mo saakin ay lubos totoo pala at iyon lamang ang mahalaga sa buhay.

Hanggang ngayon, sinusumpa ko pa din ang bantay mo. Paano ba kasi nalaman ng tao na kumuha ng bolo para ilaslas ang tubig gamit ng krus? Hindi dapat nalaman to ng mga tao at dapat naitago to sakanila.

Pero dapat maging matatag ako pag hinaharap kita, aking sinta.

Huwag ka mag-alala, dahil hindi to ang huling pagkikita natin. Kasi habang dumadaloy pa ang ilog, sa iyo pa rin ang ipag-aari ng aking puso.

Magpakailanman.

=——————–=

Engilsh Version

Nobody knows you like I do.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Always and forever.

=———————————–=

Adapted from a story from Abra, Calaba River told by Guillermo Guillen Crisologo

Berberoka Illustration by Guillermo Guillen Crisologo

*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga.

Mayong tawo na nakaka-bisto simo na arog ko.

Midbid ta ka na bago ka pa namundag.  Ang saimong ina magayon na babaye.  Sa pangpang siya nagpapalampas nin oras, dinadalan ang sulog paduman sa kurit kan langit asin daga.  Yaon ako kan si ama mo nagpamalaye.  D’yan mismo sa kahoy na iyan.

Mooton mong mag-kawat sa may salog kan sadit ka pa. Ang saimong mga para-aling nakabarantay sinisigurong libre ka sa peligro. Nungka sinda maghadit ta pagyaon ako mayo simong makaka-kulog.

Nagdakula ka na kaakbay ang salog.   Ano nang pilyo mo kan anom na taon ka. Pigpararingawan mo ang manga gurang na Padre. Tapos nagdalagan ka sa salog ta aram mo na dae ka makukua duman niisay man. Matibayon ka kayang maglangoy.  Mayo sa mga kakawat mo na kaya ang paspas mong paglangoy.  Nalobo sa orgulyo ang sakong puso ta himate na galamay mong marhay ang tubig-salog.

Yaon man ako kan mangyari ang enot mong problema sa pagka-moot. Ay, marhay-marhayon ka para sa babaeng eto.  Romdom ko pa ang pagparaisip mo kung ano ang manga nangyari.  Bilogon an bulan asin matanga na kan nagharanap ang manga nag-aataman saimo.  Haloy sinda naghanap pero dae ka naheling.  Iyo, ta oya ako siniguro s’imong pagsolo-solo. Pagmata pagka-aga mayo ka ning maski sarong guris sa hawak, asin nag-puli ka sa manga magurang mo.

Duminakula kang areglado, binatilyong ma-gulat asin guapo.  Pirmi ka diyan sa may pangpang, poesia sinusurat, binabalagtas minsan.  Ang saimong boses kalmado asin malumbay.  Iyan ang manga kantang naduyan sako sa pagkaturog.

Sinayod mo saro sa saimong berso duwa nang bulan ang naka-agi.  Na ang buhay kan tawo hararom ang gurot sa kalag.  Isinurat mo, “Garo sarong daga sa kalag.” Ang sulog kan salog nagbiko, nagtaliling, asin nagduko ta naki-iba sa pagtula mo.  Huli kaiyan, nagimadmad ako kun ano ang dapat kong gibohon.

Kan nagtuparan ang satong manga mata may namatian ka, ano?  Talaga kitang duwa saro sana.  Nakatindog kang solido sa daga kan nagserado ang satong manga hiling asin nagkantada ang salog.  Ang tubig luminangkaw sagkod na uminabot sa saimong mata asin naheling mo ang totoong ako.

Siempre, nangalas ka.  Arog ka’yan ang modo kan kadaklan pagnahiling ang tunay kong porma.  Dae mo nabatid na nakasulot ako kaning pungpong na uhot asin binurogpos na batag para itago ang hibaba kan sakong hawak. Nawili ka sa sakong gayon asin ako, siring man s’imo. Nahihiling ko ang pungaw asin pagmawot kan kalag mo.  Dae bale na ang kublit ko itom asin abuhon o kaya ine nasusuklob nin tarom, basta ang importante gusto mo ako.

Hasta ngonyan sinusumpa ko pa ang mga katambay mo. Pano ninda naaraman gamiton ang daga na itaga pa-kurus sa tubig?

Ay, habo kong maaraman mo ang sakong kaluyahan, padaba.

Dae mahaloy magkakasaro kita.  Sagkod na may sulog ang salog, puso ko pagsasadire mo

Madanay sagkod pa man.

=——————————————-=

English Version

Nobody knows you like I do.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Always and forever.

=———————————————————=

*Central Bicol, commonly called Bicol Naga, is the most-spoken language in the Bicol Region of southern Luzon, Philippines. It is spoken in the northern and western part of Camarines Sur, second congressional district of Camarines Norte, eastern part of Albay, northeastern part of Sorsogon, San Pascual town in Masbate, and southwestern part of Catanduanes. Central Bicol speakers can be found in all provinces of Bicol and it is a majority language in Camarines Sur.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Bicol Translation by Patricia P. SanJose
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Patricia P. SanJose

Adapted from a story from Abra, Calaba River told by Guillermo Guillen Crisologo

Berberoka Illustration by Guillermo Guillen Crisologo

*Note this story is in Bicol-Legazpi

Daing nakamidbid saimo arog kan pagkamidbid ko saimo

Midbid taka na bago ka pa man pinangaki. An saimong ina, sarong magayon na babayi.  Siya pirming nagduduman sa may salog, hinihiling an pagbulos kan tubig pasiring sa sunlupan. Niyaon ako kan an saimong ama, an maginoo, nag-atang nin kasal. Ginibo niya ito harani sa kahoy na an.

Kan ika sadit pang aki, muyahonun mong magkawat sa may tubigan. Pirmi mong pigmamasdan an pagdalagan kaini, an saimong mga bantay dai ka pigbabayaan nganing masiguro ninda dai ika maaano. Dai man sindang dapat ikahadit, ta sagkod niyaon ako warang makakulog sa saimo.

Nagdakula ika na an salog harani saimong boot. Sa edad na anom, ika makaraw na aki. Saimong kinakarawan an mga gurang na kapadian asin ika minadulag pasiring sa salog kung sain dai ka ninda madadakop. Saro kang matibay na paralangoy. Wara saimong mga kakawat an kayang magsabay sa saimong kaskas. Na-oogmang maray an sakong puso na an tubig saimong namomotan.

Niyaon ako kan ang saimong puso inot na nakulogan. Marhay kang lalaki para sa babaying ito. Naromdoman ko na ika nagparaisip kung nata arog kaito ang nangyari. Ang bilog na bulan nagsisirdang sa kamatangaan nin banggi kan ika pighanap kan saimong mga bantay. Haloy ka nindang pighanap pero dai ka ninda nakua ta niyaon ako, sinisiguro na igwa kang oras para saimong sadiri. Kinaagahan, nagimata ka na maray an kamugtakan, tulos man na ika nag-uli sa saimong mga magurang.

Nagdakula ka na sarong marhay na lalaki, makusog an boot asin may itsura. Niyaon ika pirmi sa may salog, duman sinusurat mo an saimong mga tula asin sa piling mga okasyon ini saimong binabasa. Ang saimong boses kalmado asin mayumhok sa pamati. Ini ang sakong pampakaturog sa kada banggi na minaagi.

Duwang bulan na an nakaagi kan makusog mong pigtula ang saro sa saimong mga gibo. Ini patungkol sa buhay, kun pano ini nakalugad nin hararom sa kalag nin kada sarong tawo. “Arog kan sarong kutsilyong nakatusok sa kalag”, iyan an saro sa mga linya kan saimong tula. An salog nagliko asin padagos na nagbulos sa pagsabay sa saimo. Sa mga oras na ini, aram ko na kun ano an dapat kong gibohun.

Kan an satuyang mga mata nagsabatan, bako namatian mo man? Kun panong kitang duwa an dapat na magibahan. Dai ka nakahiro sa saimong tinitindugan, an satong mga mata dai ta mahali sa kada saro mientras na ang salog nagkakanta. Ini naglangkaw, naglangkaw sagkod maabot an saimong mga mata asin  nahiling mo  kun ano ako.

Siyempre, nakigkig ka. Gabos man na tawo pag nahiling ninda an totoo kong itsura. Dai tulos nag-laog sa isip mo na kaya ako nakasul-ot nin bugkos nin uhot asin sapad nin mga batag tanganing maitago ko an kabanga kan sakong lawas. Nadara ka kan sakong gayon asin ako sa imo man. Nahihiling ko an pungaw sa saimong kalag. Dai na bale na an sakuyang kulit itom asin abo an kolor o ini pano nin tunok. Muya mo ako, iyo ang importante.

Sagkod sa aldaw na ini, isinusumpa ko an saimong bantay. Pano naaraman nin sarong tawo na magkua nin sundang asin tigbason an tubig sa korteng krus? An kaaraman na ini dapat itinatago  sa mga tawo.

Ah, pero dai dapat ako magpahiling nin kaluyahan saimong hampang, sakong namomotan.

Diit na panahon na sana, kitang duwa magiibahan na. Sagkod an salog nagbubulos, an sakong puso saimo sana.

Ngonyan asin sagkod pa man.

=—————————————————–=

English Version

Nobody knows you like I do.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Always and forever.

=—————————————————————————-=

The Bikol languages or Bicolano languages are a group of Central Philippine languages spoken mostly in the Bicol Peninsula in the island of Luzon, the neighboring island province of Catanduanes and the island of Burias in Masbate. There is a dialect continuum between the Visayan languages and the Bikol languages; the two together are called the Bisakol languages.

The Tabaco-Legazpi-Sorsogon (TLS) dialect is spoken in the eastern coast of Albay and the northeastern part of Sorsogon. TLS is the dialect that has been most influenced by the Inland Bikol languages.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Translation by Wella Guianan
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Wella Guianan

Adapted from a story from Abra, Calaba River told by Guillermo Guillen Crisologo

Berberoka Illustration by Guillermo Guillen Crisologo

Ako lang gid ang nakakilala sa imo.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Permi kag tubtub san-o.

English Version

Nobody knows you like I do.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Always and forever.

Nobody knows you like I do.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Always and forever.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Adapted from a story from Abra, Calaba River told by Guillermo Guillen Crisologo

Berberoka Illustration by Guillermo Guillen Crisologo