*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga

“Nahahandal ako.”

“Dai kaipuhan, aki. Mangyayari an mga muya kan espiritu.”

“Ano an mangyayari sa sakuya?”

“Kitang duwa maduman sa puon kan Balete, asin babayaan taka duman. Matindog ka sa irarom kan puon sagkod dadarahun ka sa itaas kan kinaban pati na sa irarom kaini.”

“Tano?”

“Ngarig mabuhay kang liwat.”

“Makulugan daw ako?”

“Da… dai ko rumdom. Haluy na kan ako nag agi sa sakuyang reinkarnasyon. Pero dai ka maghandal, aki. Ipapahiling ninda saimo an kinaban.”

“Iyo ba iyan an rason kun tano ika nakakalayog?”

“Iyo, aki. Iyan sagkod kadakol pa. Hale ako sa kairaruman kan dagat pati na sa kalaog-laogan kan mga taho. Nakaulay ko na an mga kalag sa kinaban na ini asin sa minasunod pa. Nagbiyahe ako sa mga lugar na mayo ni isay ang makakahiling pa. Asin ako pagalun na.”

“Yaon na kita.”

“Danguga an mga kalag. Sinda an ma giya saimo arog kan pag giya ninda sa sakuya.”

“Maghilingan pa daw kita?”

“Sisay nakakaaram kun ano an itutugot kan mga espiritu? Paaram aki, ibabaya ko an sakong mga taho saimo.”

“Paaram, Lola.”

An duros dagos na nagtama sa aki habang siya nakatukaw sa irarom kan puon kan Balete. Mga aldaw na uminabot nin mga semana asin dai siya naghiro ni sarong pulgada. An mga inagihan siya, aram na dai dapat istorbohun an inaagi niya. Kan natapos an huring banggi para magtaong dalan sa bagong aga, tuminindog siya asin luhay na nagpasalamat sa mga espiritu.

An saiyang bagong mga mata lugod na nahiling an kinaban na nungka niya nahiling sa dati niyang buhay. Dai siya nakaisip mag ngirit.

Ugwa pa siyang gibo na kaipuhan matapos.

=—————————=

English Version

“I’m scared.”

“You don’t need to be, child. The spirits will do as they will.”

“What will happen to me?”

“We will both go to the Balete tree and I will leave you there. You will sit underneath the tree and be taken to the Skyworld and the Lower World.”

“Why?”

“To be reborn.”

“Will it hurt?”

“I…. don’t remember. It has been so long since I went through my initiation. Don’t be scared child, they will let you see a new world.”

“Is that why you can fly?”

“Yes, child. That and much more. I have been to the depths of the sea and inside the bodies of humans. I have spoken to the spirits in this world and the next. I have traveled to places that no human will ever see again. And I am tired.”

“We are here.”

“Listen to the spirits. They will guide you as they have guided me all my life.”

“Will I see you again?”

“Who knows what the spirits will allow? Goodbye child, I leave my people to you.”

“Goodbye, Lola.”

The winds buffeted the girl as she sat beneath the Balete tree. The days stretched into weeks and she did not move a single inch. Those that passed by knew better than to interrupt her journey. When the last night finally gave way to a new dawn she stood up and quietly thanked the spirits.

Her new eyes finally saw the invisible world that surrounded her old life. She did not think to smile.

She had work that needed to be done.

————————–————————–————————–—–

*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 Sam Jornales
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Sam Jornales

Inspired by the Baylan initiation ritual as described in The Soul Book. Demetrio & Cordero-Fernando 1991.

Babaylan Illustration by emirajuju
IG: https://www.instagram.com/emirajuju/

Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
FB: Wildling Child
IG: https://www.instagram.com/wildlingchild/

The post Babaylan – Bicol Naga Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Bicol-Albay

Pagkadisganar. Iyan sana an taramon na nagdadalagan sa isip ni Ari.

Baku dahil sa dai siya tatao magbayle, an saiyang mga hiro pareho pa man gilayon kan dati. Nawara na an saiyang mahika. Garu de numero ang saiyang mga hiro. Maski anong pirit niya dai niya maisapuso an pagbayle.

Sinabihan siya kan mga barkada niya na bumalik sa pinakaprimero ngani maiparumdom sa sadiri kung nata namomo’tan niya an pagbayle. Dai na mabilang an palabas buda mga video na may mangiba-ibang istilo an saiyang hiniling, pigaporbaran na mahanap an silyab ta ngani maging masuripot gilayon an nawarang pagkamoot.

Kada banggi nagapraktis siya, buda kada banggi na naghahale man siya sa studio nakakamati siya ki pagkadisganar. Napapahiling sa salming buda pigsasabi sa sadiri na namemental block sana siya, saro pa na pagsubok na malalampasan niya.

Nasa isip mo sana iyan. Ibayle mo, aram mo na kaya mo.

Pauruutro niyang pigasabi bago magpoon an kada palabas. Wara siya ki labot kung ini garu hababaw pagdangungon, kaipuhan niyang may gibuhon, maski ano na pwedeng makatuwang ngani magpadagos.

Habang patapos na an pagparakpakan kan sa pangSabado na palabas siya paduman na man sa dressing room. Si Ari namamanhid na nagtukaw sa hampang kan saiyang salming. Wara siya ki labot sa iba pa na mga parabayle, maski an pangbanggi na dyanitor dai niya namati kan nagsabi na palsukon ang ilaw pag tapos na siya.

“Kumusta, nawawara ka?” Sarong boses ki babaye an nagalingawngaw sa kasilensyohan.

Dai nagsimbag si Ari, nagtukaw na garu warang labot sa saiyang tukawan. Dai man lamang siya nakigkig kan nagtukaw an babaye sa may kataning niya.

“Kakaiba ka.” An tono kang boses kan babaye nangiinsulto.

Nakapirmi sana an parabayle, nagtatagdo an mga luha sa mata, dangan nagtukaw habang nakahiling sa sadiri niyang repleksiyon.

“Dai ako makabayle,” sabi ni Ari sa sadiri. “Nata dai ako makabayle?!” tuminusok an mga pidaso kan pasa na salming sa saiyang kulit kang sinuntok niya an saiyang repleksiyon diretso sa pandok.

“Ahh saro ka sainda.” Namumundo na pighiling kan babaye an problemado na daraga. “Mari digdi.” An babaye nagpasabot na makupo buda si Ari nagsunod man.

“Nata dai ako makabayle!?” An hibi ni Ari nagalingawngaw sa teatro na ngunyan wara na ki ibang tawo. Nakamati ki lipot an kulit kan babaye sa saiyang hapros dangan naisip ni Ari kung nakalakop na man ang pamamanhid sa kulit niya.

“Yan, yan. Iluwas mo, iluwas mo. Warang saysay na itago an gabos.” Ginibo kan babaye an makakaya niya na pakalmahon si Ari, pero an daraga dai namamatunong. An mga suriyaw kan kapagalan huminalo sa saiyang hibi kan kamunduan.

Labi-labi na an kulog kan boot ni Ari. Pirmi niya pigahanap an pagbayle para mabuhay siya. Yaon na ini kan nagadan ang mga magurang niya, yaon sa kada pakikipagbulagan sa soltero na dai pigasimbag an saiyang mga apod. Dai niya mamatian an koneksiyon sa sarong bagay na nagtao ki katuyuhan sa saiyang buhay.

Naghiling siya sa saiyang tagapagpala. Magayon an babaye. Igwa siyang maitom, hararom na mga mata na makakahali kan mga panlaban ni Ari.

Namangnuhan niya na sana na ipigaistorya niya an saiyang pagkatawo sa babaye, manungod sa kung nata wara na siyang namamatian maski ano pag nagabayle.

“Parabayle man ako dati, pero haluyon na itong panahon.” Luay-luay na inaprus kan babaye an buhok ni Ari. “Dai ko maisip kung ano an dapat na mamatian mo.”

An pagistorya ni Ari kan entablado garu ini na an naging buhay niya. Naistorya niya an saiyang primero na padis kang sapatos na pangbayle buda an kaogmahan na namamatian niya pag nahihiling na nagaliwanag an pandok kan mga parahiling sa kada pagbayle niya na solo. Naistorya niya man an mga banggi buda agang atabon siya nagaunat kan lawas niya antos sa saiyang limitasyon. Nagsabi siya tungkol sa pagkamoot dangan kung pa’no namamatian niya sana ini pag siya nagabayle.

“Dapat mo ining dumanan, padaba ko.” May itinurol an babaye ki sarong pidaso na papel “May nagsabi sakuya na natutuwangan an nagadigdi na mga tawo arog saimo.”

Napahiling siya sa kamot niyang may dugo dangan binasa ki makusog, “Kiblawan.” Nagtangad si Ari dangan nagpoon maghapot sa babaye kung ano an muyang sabihon kaito, pero nawara na siya. Nangiinsulto an tukawan sa kataning niya sa kawaraan kaini.

An saiyang adrenaline pahale na dangan nagpopoon ng mamatian ang kulog kan kamot. Pinuntok niya an pidaso kan papel dangan pagkatapos siya namili.

Natuparan ni Ari an sadiri sa sarong saday na banwa na matutuparan sa probinsiya kan Davao Del Sur. Natuparan niya an pamati na matuninong sa katahawan kan mga poon ki niyog dangan mga tindahan.

Tibaad digdi siya nararapat.

Nagpirmi siya sa nagsosolo na hotel sa lugar dangan napapahanga sa mga tawo na nasa palibot niya. Wara sindang ginibo kundi kabootan. Nagpapasalamat siya na dai sinda naghahapot kung pa’no siya nagkaigwa ki benda sa tuong takyag.

Sa kabilugan, matuninong ang lugar, harayo sa ribok kan siyudad, bagaman baku sa warang selebrasyon. Nagabot siya sa oras kan sarong kapistahan, maski na dai niya masabi kung para sa ano. Maski digdi an mga tawo naghahanap ki dahilan para magporma dangan magbayle kaya siya naoogma sa katotohanang ini.

Nariparo niya an sarong grupo ki mga babaye na nagabayle pabilog. Pigsabi saiya kan mga tawo na ini an Maral Fieu awas, an bayle kan magagayon na mga nimpa.

Dai mapugulan ni Ari na arugon an saindang mga hiro. Pinabwelo siya kan mga tawo na nasa palibot niya habang pigapahiro niya an saiyang mga takyag dangan utro pigarog an saindang bayle.

Duman niya ito namatian.

Garu mainit na kupo ki sarong dati na barkada. Suminaklob saiya an pamati dangan naglakop sa saiyang lawas. Buminulos dangan nagpatakig sa mga guramoy.

Napangirit siya sa enot na pagkakataon sa kahaluyan na panahon.

Natapos an bayle buda nagautnga siya sa katahawan kan mga tawo buda mga parabayle. Nakamati siya ki supog, sarong turista na dai aram an saiyang lugar, pero an mga tawo todo ngirit, pati an mga parabayle pinarakpakan siya.Kan bangging ito dai si Ari nangangaturog, an kaogmahan garu dai mawara. Nagluwas siya sa tinampo dangan nagpoon baylehon an Maral Fieu Awas.

Nagirumduman kan kalamnan niya an kada hiro na garu saro siya sa parabayle kasubago. Warang tugtog para baylehan niya, pero ini bakung importante.

Pagkamoot. Kuryente. Kagayonan. Katuyuhan.

Baku ito an eksaktong namatian niya buda dai niya maipaliwanag an nakakabua na crescendo na nakakapano sa saiyang puso.

Habo niyang matapos an saiyang namamatian. An kada hiro nakakaparumdom saiya kung ano talaga an muyang sabihon kan pagbayle sa buhay niya. Hiniro niya an saiyang takyag paitaas dangan bigla siyang naging sadayot na aki na limang taon, nagaadal kung pa’no ang pirouette. Ilinuwas niya an saiyang bitis dangan siya naman kinse anyos, nagapreparar para sa saiyang audition para sa Swan Lake an paghadit may halong kaogmahan. Nagtalibong siya dangan niya narumduman an banggi na si Rolly inagda siyang magpakasal, nagbayle siya ta ngani malingawan an hitsura kan pandok kaini kan sinabi niya na habo.

Kakulugan. Kakalmahan. Kapagalan. Katrangkiluhan.

Ini an saiyang mga namamatian buda iba pa na nagalakop poon sa mga guramoy sa bitis hanggang sa gulugod. An kada pangyayari garu sarong kapalaran na dai niya pighahaditan na mapaghurup-hurupan.

Namangnuhan niya na sana na dai siya nagsosolo. An paghuna ni Ari sinda an mga parabayle na babaye kasubago. Nagiba sinda saiya sa pagbayle kan Maral Fieu Awas.

Warang bulan kan bangging ito buda an mga bituon sana an testigo sa kaelegantehan na nabukasan. An kada miyembro nakisuksukan sulog an saindang mga puti na bado, nagintra sa iristoryahan na warang taramon kundi mga parabayle sana an nakakasabot.

=—————————-=

English Version

Frustration. That was the only word racing through Ari’s mind.

It’s not that she couldn’t dance, her moves were still as sharp as ever. She had lost her magic. Her movements felt mechanical. No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t put her heart into her dancing.

Her friends told her to go back to the basics to remind herself why she loved to dance. Ari watched countless shows and videos of every style, trying to find the spark to reignite her lost love. There wasn’t even a flicker.

Every night she would train, and every night she would leave the studio disappointed. She would look in the mirror and tell herself that it was only a mental block, another challenge that she could overcome.

It’s all in your head. Dance through it, you know you can.
She repeated these words before every show. She didn’t care that they sounded hollow, she just needed to do something, anything to push her through this obstacle.

As the audience’s applause faded from Saturday night’s show she retreated to the dressing room. Ari sat numb in front of her mirror. She didn’t mind the rest of the dancers, she didn’t even hear the night janitor tell her to switch the lights off when she was done.

“Hello, are you lost?” A woman’s voice pierced through the silence.

Ari did not answer, she sat unmoved in her chair. She didn’t even flinch when the woman sat next to her.

“You’re a strange one.” The woman’s voice had a mocking tone.

The dancer remained still, tears were rolling down her eyes, but she sat gazing at her reflection.

“I can’t dance,” Ari said to herself. “Why can’t I dance?!” shards of glass dug into her skin as she punched her reflection straight in the face.

“Ahh you’re one of those.” The woman gave a sad look to the troubled girl. “Come here then.” The woman motioned for a hug and Ari complied.

“Why can’t I dance!?” Ari’s sobs echoed through the now empty theater. The woman’s skin felt cold to her touch and Ari wondered if the numbness had spread to her skin.

“There, there. Let it out, let it out. No sense in keeping it all in.” The woman tried her best to comfort Ari, but the girl was inconsolable. Her screams of anguish mixed with her sobs into a mournful aria.

Ari was broken inside and out. She had always looked to dancing to get her through life. It was there when her parents died, there for every breakup with a boy that wouldn’t return her calls. She couldn’t feel connected to the one thing that gave her life purpose.

She looked at her benefactor. The woman was beautiful. She had dark, deep set eyes that seemed to strip away Ari’s defenses. She found herself baring her soul to the woman, about how she couldn’t feel anything when she danced.

“I was a dancer once too, but that was very long ago.” The woman gently stroked Ari’s hair. “I can’t imagine what it is you must be feeling.”

Ari spoke of the stage like it was her entire life. She spoke of her first pair of dancer’s shoes and the rush she would get when the audience’s faces lit up during her solos. She spoke of late nights and early mornings stretching her body to its limits. She spoke of love and how she only felt that way when she danced.

“You should go here, my dear.” The woman handed Ari a piece of paper “I’ve been told that going here helps people like you.”

She looked at her bloody hand and read out loud, “Kiblawan.” Ari looked up and began to ask the woman what it meant, but she was gone. The chair beside her mocked her with its emptiness.

Her adrenaline was leaving her and she started to feel the pain from her hand. She stared at the piece of paper and made a choice then and there.

Ari found herself in a small town nestled in the province of Davao del Sur. She found a feeling of peace in between the coconut trees and the sari-sari stores.

Maybe this was where she was supposed to be.

She stayed at what seemed to be the only hotel in the area and came to admire the people around her.
They treated her with nothing but kindness. She appreciated that they didn’t ask her how she came to get bandages on her right arm.

All in all it was a peaceful place, far away from the troubles of the city, though not without celebration. She had come at the time of a festival, though for what she couldn’t tell. Even here people wanted an excuse to dress up and dance and she stood comforted with that fact.

What caught her eye was a group of girls dancing in a circle. The people told her that it was Maral Fieu Awas, the dance of the beautiful nymphs.

Ari could not help but imitate their movements. The people around her gave her room as she moved her arms and recreated their steps.

That was when she felt it.

It was like the warm embrace of an old friend. The feeling enveloped her and coursed through her body. It flowed through her and made her fingertips tingle.

She smiled for the first time in ages.

The dance finished and she stood breathless between the crowd and the dancers. She felt embarrassed, a tourist that didn’t know her place, but the people were all smiles, even the dancers gave her a round of applause.
That night Ari couldn’t sleep, the rush didn’t seem to fade. She walked outside to the street and started to dance the Maral Fieu Awas.

Her muscles remembered each movement as if she was one of the dancers from earlier in the day. There was no music for her to dance to, but it didn’t matter.

Love. Electricity. Beauty. Purpose.

That wasn’t exactly how she felt and words failed to describe the maddening crescendo that filled her heart.

She wanted these feelings to never end. Each action made her recall what dance had meant to her all her life. She moved her arms upward and suddenly she was a little girl of five, learning how to do her first pirouette. She put her leg out and she was fifteen, preparing for her audition for Swan Lake the nervous energy mingling with excitement. She twirled and remembered the night Rolly had asked her to marry him, she danced then to forget the look on his face when she told him no.

Pain. Comfort. Torment. Peace.

These feelings and more flowed from her toes through her spine. Each moment felt like a destiny she was not afraid to realize.

She soon noticed she was not alone. Ari thought they were the dancer girls from earlier in the day. They joined her in the Maral Fieu Awas.

There was no moon that night and the stars were the only witness to the elegance that unfolded. The starlight was dim compared to the warm glow that permeated the euphoric dance. Each new member flowed through the throng with their white robes, joining a wordless conversation that only dancers could understand.

Ari woke up the next morning in the middle of the street. Dirt surrounded one side of her face and soreness blanketed her muscles.

She greeted the new day with newfound purpose. She noticed her hand didn’t hurt anymore and was not surprised to find her wounds healed.

She said a soft prayer of thanks to the woman that told her to come here.

“I can dance.”

She rushed to her room to pack her bags. If she hurried she could make it back in time for the matinée.

————————–————————–————————–—–
Albay Bikol, or simply Albayanon is a group of languages and one of the three languages that compose Inland Bikol. It is spoken in the southwestern coast of Albay, (Pio Duran, Jovellar) and northwestern Sorsogon. The region is bordered by the Coastal Bikol and Rinconada Bikol speakers.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Bicol Translation by Judy Azul
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Judy Azul

Inspired by the B’laan Fieu Awas legends

Fieu Awas Illustration by Colleen Matti

FB: The Art of Colleen

The post Fieu Awas – Bicol Albay Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

“Tahan na aki ko, ipirong mo na an saimong mga mata, dae na maghadit, magiging okay kita.” Inaalalayan kan babae an saiyang tulak para siguraduhon na ligtas an saiyang aki.”

“Sana dae ka maging arog ni ama mo, dae ka maging maraoton asin makanuson arog kadtong ibang lalaki, perme sanang hanap an bagay na ito tapos mahali kapag nakua na ninda.” An sabi ngani ninda, ‘Boys will be boys’, pero dae ninda nasasabutan na an mga babae an permeng nawawalat.”

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

“Aram ko na medyo banggi na pero kaipuhan ni mama magluwas para gibuhon an saiyang dapat gibuhon. Kaipuhan niyang ipahiling sa mga mararaot na lalaki na dae ninda basta-basta winawalat an mga babae. Maraot an mundo sa luwas at may reserba akong kabayolentehan para sa inda. “

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

“Iyo ta nararapat yan sainda. An saindang ati an naglaog sako. Inosente man sana akong daraga na may kinabukasan pero nguyan uni ako. Uni kita. Pareho kitang nakalubong asin magkaibahan hanggang sa wakas kan panahon, pero kung magiging arog ako kaini, dae ko kaipuhan magsakit nin solo.

Kukuanon ko an pinakaimportanteng bagay na igwa sinda. An saindang pinakahahalagahang pagkalalake asin magiging kaugmahan ko an pagdalan kan saindang pagkaubos nin dugo.

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

“Shhh, shhh. Dae na matakot. Yaon na si mama. Sisiguraduhun niya na ligtas an mundo sa mga mararaot na lalaki. Aram mo mabubuhay kuta kita kung bako lang dahil sainda. Kuta pwede kita mag-ibahan, ika asin ako, laban sa mundo na naghulma sato.”

WAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!

“Tahan na! May nahiling akong lalaki padigdi. Dae na maghadit, dae man ini mahaloy. Pagktapos pwede ka nang makikawat ki mama ah? Dae na magribok ta sasalubungon ko na siya.”

=—————————-=

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.”

————————–————————–————————–—

*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 Angela Arnante
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Angela Arnante

Inspired by the Mantiyanak legends from Mindanao

Mantiyanak illustration by Julia Kristen Delos Santos
FB: JKTD

The post Mantiyanak – Bicol Naga Transaltion appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga

Takoton akong marhay.

Nakabalik pa nanggad duman si Papa kaiba an maligno. Pinurbaran kong magin maisog asin nagdalagan sainda, alagad dai mayo akong magigibo. Saro sana man akong sadit na babaye na padagos na nanraraot sa buhay kan manga tawo. Mayo akong naginibong toltol.
Madiklomon na marhay an kadlagan para maagihan ko kaya nagtinir na sana ako sa sarong lugar. Pigsabi sakuya kadto ni Kuya na madudukayan ako kan mga tawo kun magtunong ako sa sarong lugar. An magigibo ko sana iyo an paghibi, Pagkatapos kan nangyari ki Aura, kun pa’no kulgan kan omboy si Mama, kun pa’no nawara si Kuya asin ngunyan, nagdudulag si Papa sa sarong maligno, dai ko sana aram kun anong igwa sakuya.

Ako sana man si Teleia, sarong sadit na babaye na dai kayang imantinir na ligtas an saiyang pamilya. ‘Kompleto’ an boot sabuton kan Teleia. Pinangaranan ako nin arog kaiyan kan sakong Mama ta sabi niya kan namundag daa ako, bilog na an pamilya mi, alagad sa hiling ko, niraot ko sana. Sa kaangutan ko nin marhay nagkua ako nin gapo dangan ginapo ko!

Nakadangog ako nin makusog na kurahaw dangan may kun anong nakakatakot na nagluwas sa mga poon. Garo ini aki, arog ko, alagad naglalakaw ini sa saiyang manga kamot. Madiklomon man kaini, garo gibo sa manga anino. Pinurbaran kong magdulag parayo, alagad nagpuon na magkulog an sakuyang manga piad. Makulugon. Dai ko mahiro an sakong mga piad, kaya nagpuon na sana ako gamiton an sakuyang manga kamot. Nangalas talaga akong marhay na ini madalion. Ni dai ko ngani kaidto magibo an wheel-carti-cartwheels! Alagad ngunyan, naglalakaw ako sa sakong manga kamot, talagang, marikason. Sa pagkarikas kong marhay, nakarayo na ako sa nakakatakot na bagay nin dai sa oras!

Amang-ugma ko. Sa hiling ko aram ko na an gigibuhon ngunyan. Magayunon kan kadlagan pag banggi. Maninigo kang magtago dawa sain! Kaipuhan ko sanang magpadagos sa paglakaw sa sakong manga kamot ta makulog pa nanggad talaga an sakuyang piad. Makulog talaga kun pupurbaran kong maglakaw nin normal alagad ayos lang. Arog ako kaini ngunyan!

Magigin maugma ini. Magigin marhay an sakuyang pamilya kun mayo ako. Naaraman kong maninigo akong magkaigwa nin manga bagong katood. Kaipuhan ko sanang maghiling nin bagong kakawat dangan makulog man an saindang mga piad! Asin malakaw sinda sa saindang manga kamot arog ko!

Maninigo akong magkaigwa nin kadakulon na bagong katood.

Kaipuhan ko sanang maghanap nin kadakol na aki na mapagkakalwagan.

=——————————————————-=

English Version

I’m so scared.

Papa’s still back there with the monster. I tried to be brave and run after them, but there was nothing I could do. I’m just a little girl who keeps ruining people’s lives. I can’t do anything right.

The forest is too dark for me to walk through, so I just stayed in one place. Kuya told me before that if I stay in one place then people can find me. All I could do was cry. After what happened with Aura, how the baby hurt Mama, how Kuya disappeared and now Papa’s running away from a monster, I just don’t know what’s wrong with me.

I’m just Teleia, the little girl that can’t keep her family safe. Teleia means ‘complete’. My Mama named me that because she said that when I was born it made our family complete, but I think I just tore it apart. I was so angry I took a rock and I threw it!

I heard a loud scream and something scary came out of the trees. It was like a child, like me, but it was walking on its hands. It was also very, very dark, like it was made of the shadows. I tried to run away, but my knees started to hurt. It was so painful.

I couldn’t move my legs, so I just started using my hands. I was really surprised that I found it so easy. I couldn’t even do wheel-carti—-cartwheels before! But now I was walking on my hands, really, really fast. I was so fast that I was away from the scary thing in no time!

I was so happy. I think I know what to do now. The forest is so nice when it’s night. You can hide anywhere! I just need to keep walking on my hands because my legs still really hurt. It’s really painful if I try to walk normal but it’s ok. This is how I’m gonna be now!

It’s going to be great. My family’s going to be fine without me. I found out I can make new friends. I just need to look at a new playmate and their legs will hurt too! And they’ll walk on their hands just like me!

I can make so many new friends.

I just need to find more kids to play with.

————————–————————–————————––

Story continued from the Harimodon’s Tale

*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 Joseph Villanueva Ciudadano
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Joseph Villanueva Ciudadano

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

Bugsok illustration by Nia Cortezano
Tumblr: http://niakawa.tumblr.com/

The post Bugsok – Bicol Naga Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga

“Uyan na naman sinda.” Binutong ni Tanya an bado kan saiyang Ate. “Dapat tang papunduhon sinda.”

“Dae mo problemahon yan, mayo man sindang kinukulugan na dawa sisay. Tsaka pirming sinasabi ni Lola na ang mga yan dae nagkukua ning mas dakol sa kaipuhan ninda.” Nagkaway si Layla sa pag agi kan mga saradit na nilalang. “Nahiling mo na? Pwede mo man sinda maging barkada kung tataan mo lang sinda ning pagkakataon.”

“Dae ko man giraray naiisip na tamang ideya an bayaan sinda na magkua ning bagas,” sabi ni Tanya. Pighakbot nya ang saro sa mga ini asin itinungod sa mukha kan Ate nya. “Ano bagang pangangaipo ninda sa bagas? Pigkakakan ba ninda yan?”

“Tanya, ibaba mo yan.” Hinablot ni Layla ang garo manikang nilalang hali sa kamot kang saiyang tugang. “Pasensya na po, aki pa po kaya sya.” Nagtungod si Layla sa saiyang tugang. “Maghagad kang dispensa sainda.”

“Tano ko gigibuhon yan? Nagiikit sindang bagas ta sa tungod ta pa,” madunong na taram ni Tanya.

“Gusto mo talagang mahiling sain ninda pigdadara yang mga bagas?” seryosong nakahiling si Layla sa saiyang tugang.

Natakot si Tanya. Dae nya pa nahiling ang Ate nya na naghiling saiya ning arog kaidto, pero mas nangibabaw saiya ang pagkamausisa.

“Iyo,” simbag ni Tanya.

Nagsunod ang magtugang sa grupo ning mga ugaw pasiring sa kagubatan asin pasakat sa bulod. Kaipuhan nindang mglakaw ning kaskas, saradit ang mga ugaw pero maririkas sinda. Pinirit ni Tanya na dae magkimat ta naghahandal siyang baad sinda mawara. Dae ngsisibot si Layla, yaon lang siya pirang metro sa likod kan tugang nya.

Natapos ang lakaw ning mga ugaw sa may sementeryo na dae karayuan sa bayan. Pigmasdan ni Tanya habang piglalaag ninda ang kada pidaso ning bagas sa tungod ning puntod hanggang sinda matapos. Tapos, kada sarong ugaw naglakaw parayo, pasiring sa kagubatan.

Naghiling si Tanya sa saiyang tugang, pirang minuto bago nya narealisar kung haen siya. “Puntod baga iyan ni Lola,” ang nasabi nya pakatapos ang pirang minutong katrangkiluhan.

“Kabarkada ni Lola sinda.” Nakangirit na sabi ni Layla.

=—————————————=

English Version

“They’re at it again.” Tanya grabbed her sister’s dress. “We should stop them.”

“Don’t worry about it, they’re not hurting anyone. Besides, lola always said these ones never take more than they need.” Layla waved as the small creatures walked by. “See? They can be friendly if you give them a chance.”

“I still don’t think it’s a good idea to just let them take the rice,” Tanya said. She grabbed one of the things and held it to her face. “What do they even need the rice for? Do they eat it?”

“Tanya! Put it down.” Layla grabbed the doll-like being from her sister’s hands. “I’m sorry, she’s young.” Layla turned to her sister. “Apologize to them.”

“Why should I? They’re stealing our rice right in front of us,” Tanya said adamantly.

“Do you really want to see where these things take the rice?” Layla looked at her sister sternly.

Tanya was scared. She had never seen her sister look that way, but her curiosity got the better of her. “Yes” was Tanya’s reply.

The sisters followed the group of ugaw through the forest and up the hills. They had to walk fast, the ugaw were small, but they were also swift. Tanya forced herself to not blink because she was afraid that they might disappear. Layla did not rush, she stayed a few steps behind her sister.

The ugaw ended their journey at the cemetery, which wasn’t far from the town. Tanya watched them set each grain of rice in front of a grave until they were all finished. Then, each ugaw walked away, heading towards the forest.

Tanya looked at her sister, it took her a moment before she realized where she was. “That’s lola’s grave,” she managed to say after a few minutes of silence.

“They were her friends.” Layla smiled.

————————–————————–————————–—

*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
Translation by Monmon Nietes
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Monmon Nietes

Story inspired by Ugaw description in Myth Museum. Medina. 2015.

Watercolor by Tara Singson
IG: https://www.instagram.com/tarabell93/

The post Ugaw – Bicol Naga Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Bicol – Naga

“Selamat pagi!” bati ni Aish sa local niyang taramon asin nagsimbag ako na “Maray man mahiling ka.” Siya bago pa sana, sarong estudyante haling Malaysia na muya mahiling ang igwa ang Pilipinas kaya uni kami ngonyan. Nasa katahawan ning Negros, masakat pasiring sa kabuludan. Yay.

Dae man sa habo kung maging tour guide pero mahambog lang ako kung masabi akong iyo. Saro akong taga syudad, pinangaki asin nagdakula duman kaya habo ko sa arog kani igdi. Kadakulon mga kahoy, kadakulon maray masitas asin dae pa ko nainom kape sa limang oras na nakaagi. Dae ko maisip na kakayahon kong mabuhay sa arog kani.

Pagkatapos kang lakaw na garo mayong katapusan, nakaabot man kami sa campsite. Naglibot si Aish sa lugar para magkua ning mga magagayon na litrato para sa saiyang souvenir book asin ako man nawalat sa campsite habang minaisip kung panong ang arog kaning bagay naging pamuso sa arog kaning panahon. Ang pagsakat sa mga tukad bako ko talagang ideya ning kaogmahan asin pagkatapos kaning lakaw na ni, dae ko maisip na maulit pa ko.

Naglatag ako ning duyan asin nagpurbar magturog nguna bago magpreparar ning pamanggihan. Naglubog na ang aldaw ning amay ngonyan na banggi pero ang bulan bilogon kaya dae man problema. Nagsara ako ning mata asin nag-isip na mangiturugan ning marhay na bagay.

“Penanggalan! Penanggalan!” namata ako sa kurahaw ni Aish asin dae ko aram kung saro pa ini sa mga gawi ning Malaysian, pero mayo akong interes ngonyan sa pag-aadal kultura. Pigyugo ako ni Aish sa sakuyang duyan asin naghapot, “Haen si mga kakanon!?”

“Aram mo Aish—” nagpundo ako sa katahawan ning taram kang mahiling ko siya. Ito. Aram ko kung ano ito. Sarong ungga-ungga o kung ano mang apod saiya sa parteng ini, pero sa Bikol inaapod mi ining anananggal. Ang mga tour groups madalas tinatakot ang mga turista kang mga istorya kang bruhang naglalayog na naglalaylay ang lamang loob. Dae na ko nag isip isip asin nagdalagan ning abang rikas. Dapat talagang ngpirmi na lang ako sa harong.

“Hain si kakanon?!” Kurahaw ni Aish giraray. “Dae ini oras para mag-isp kang tulak mo!” Kurahaw ko man habang nagdadalagan kasabay niya. Dae ko maisip na maiintindihan ko ang mga Malaysians talaga. “Seryoso ako!” kurahaw niya giraray, kaya tano dae, kung gusto niya ang huri niyang pagkakan, dae ko siya pupugulan. “Yaon sa likod kang tent.”

Nagdalagan si Aish pasiring sa tent asin pigsusog siya kang ungga-ungga. Bako ako itong maisog na tawo pero barkada ko man giraray si Aish. Garo arog kayan, kaya kaipuhan ko magdalagan pabalik para kuanon siya. Nahiling ko siya na may kapot pinya asin pigdaklag ini sa ungga-ungga asin tinamaan ini. Dae ko aram kung anong nangyayari pero nagkurahaw ang ungga-ungga asin naglayog parayo.

Nagtindog lang ako duman, ribaraw.

“Sa pinaghalian ko, ang pinya pigtatanom gibo kang ang mga tunok kang dahon kani pinapahali ang Penanggalan. Ang mga tunok napasiring sa mga baga asin laman loob kani kaya nasasakitan sindang maglayog. Aram kong mabisa ini dawa igdi.” Nagngingirit si Aish sin nag-abot sako ning mga isnakan.

“Gutom ka?”

=—————————=

English Version

“Selamat pagi!” Aish greets me in his native language and I reply “Nice to see you.” He’s a new guy, an exchange student from Malaysia who wanted to see what the Philippines had to offer so here we are. In the middle of Negros backpacking through the “great” outdoors. Yay.

It’s not that I don’t like being a tour guide, but that would be a lie. I am a city boy, born and raised and I do not like it here. There are too many trees, there’s too much green and I haven’t had coffee in 5 hours. I don’t think I’ll survive this.

After a trek that seemed to last forever we finally hit camp. Aish goes around the area to take some nice pictures for his souvenir book and I’m left at the campsite wondering how this sort of thing is popular these days. Trekking through the mountains is just not my idea of fun and after this trip I don’t think it will ever be.

I lay out a hammock and try to take a small nap before preparing dinner. The sun set early tonight but the moon is full so it isn’t that inconvenient. I close my eyes and hope that I get to dream about something good.

“Penanggalan! Penanggalan!”Aish’s shouts wake me up and I don’t know if it’s another one of his Malaysian customs, but right now I am not interested in a cultural exchange. Aish shakes me from my hammock and says, “Where is the food!?”

“Look Aish—“ I stop mid-sentence when I see her. It. I know what that is.  An ungga-ungga or at least that’s what they call it in these parts, back in Bikol we just call them anananggal. The tour groups would always try to scare tourists with stories of the witch that flies with its guts hanging out. I don’t take another moment before I run like hell. I should have stayed in my house.

“Where is the food?!” Aish shouts again. “This is no time to think about your stomach!” I scream as I run alongside him. I don’t think I’ll ever get Malaysians. “I’m serious!” he shouts again, so why not, if the guy wants his last meal then I won’t stop him. “It’s behind the tent.”

Aish dashes to the tent and the ungga-ungga follows him. I was never the brave one but Aish is still my friend. Kind of. I have to run back and get him. I see him with a pineapple and he throws it at the thing and hits it. I don’t know what’s happening but the ungga-ungga screams and flies away.

I just stand there, confused.

“Where I come from, pineapples are grown because their thorns keep the Penanggalan away. The thorns go into their lungs and intestines which makes it harder for them to fly. I knew that would work just as well here.” Aish smiles and hands me some snacks.

“You hungry?”

=——————————————-=

*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
Translation by Monmon Nietes
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Monmon Nietes

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

Anananggal Illustration by Leandro Geniston fromAklat ng mga Anito
FB: That Guy With A Pen

Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
FB: Wildling Child
IG: https://www.instagram.com/wildlingchild/

The post Anananggal – Bicol Naga Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Not this story is in Bicol Naga

Sa kapino’nan igwang makakamhan na diyos na si Gamhanan, siya an pinaka-makapangyarihan sa gabos na mga diyos, an tagapagtao nin buhay, kapinsaran, asin hanapbuhay. Naka-istar siya kaibanan an ibang mga diyos sa bukid kan Daeogdog, kun saen siya nagtatao nin buhay asin nagkakastigo nin mga parasala na mga tawo.

Sa katapos-taposan, nagtatao si Gamhanan nin pag-uran o pagtingating sa mga tawo segun sa pagtubod o pagbalga ninda sa kabu’tan niya. Sa mga dae makakapagtao nin tamang pag-atang sa saiyang kuwebang istaran, makakanamit sinda nin malaen na pagkastigo hali sa diyos.

Siring man sa kapino’nan yaon an Panigotlo, an paboritong ataman ni Gamhanan. Minakuripas ini pabalyo nin salog na garo lang sinag nin purong liwanag. Daeng sisay man ang nagporbar na magkulog sa magayunon na hayop bako lang huli ta sa pagkatakot sa pagkastigo ni Gamhanan, kundi huli man sa igwa ining huni na nagtatao nin maraot na signos.

Sa pagtatapos nagtatao an Panigotlo nin sarong huring huni bago an kabilugan kan bulan na nagtatao nin senyales nin magayon na ani o swerte. Sa siring na pangyayari, nagkakasibot an mga tawo sa pag-andam para sa sarong kaogmahan asin pasasalamat para sa diyos asin sa ataman kaini.

Sa kapinu’nan igwa nin kaogmahan asin pagliliwanag. Daeng kaipohan na matakot an Panigotlo sa mga tawo sa palibot kan bukid kan Daeogdog huli ta pinangagaladan ini bilang tagapagtao nin swerte o nin kadimalasan.

Sa bandang huri ginadan an magayunon na hayop nin sarong pobreng para-ayam na nagngagarang Dagasanan. Nadogtaan na nin dugo an saiyang mapution na balukag. Dae na nongka ini matao nin paghuni sa pagtao ning pagsagana, dae na nongka ini makakapagtao nin anunsyo nin pagbaha o pagtios.

Sa kapino’nan yaon an diyos asin an saiyang ataman.

Sa kahuri-hurihan an mga tao an nagbayad sa saindang gibo.

=————————————————-=

English Version

In the beginning, there was the great god Gamhanan, the most powerful of all the gods, the giver of life, security and livelihood. He dwelt with the other gods of his land in Mount Daeogdog, giving life and punishing errant mortals.

In the end, the god Gamhanan would send the rain and drought to those mortals who would defy his will. Those that would not give the proper offerings to his cave dwelling would know the bitter taste of the god’s punishment.

In the beginning, there was the panigotlo, Gamhanan’s favored pet. It dashed across the river like a ray of pure light. So beautiful was this animal that none would dare harm it, not only for fear of Gamhanan’s retribution but also because it could foretell omens with its bleating.

In the end, the panigotlo would have its last bleating before the full moon, being the harbinger of good harvest and fortune. The people of the village would rejoice and prepare for their thanksgiving to the great god and his pet.

In the beginning, there was joy and light. The panigotlo did not have anything to fear from the mortals surrounding Mount Daegdog, for it was favored, and it would foretell favor or misfortune.

In the end, the majestic beast was killed by a lowly hunter named Dagasanan. Its white fur forever stained by blood. Never again would its bleats tell of abundance and purpose, never again would it warn of flood and despair.

In the beginning, there was the great god and his pet.

In the end, the mortals paid their price.

=————————————————–=

*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 Willie Villar
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Willie Villar

Inspired by the Panigotlo description in ‘A Legend of Aklan’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Panigotlo Illustration by Julius Advincula
IG: https://www.instagram.com/subhelic

The post Panigotlo – Bicol Naga Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Bicol-Legazpi

Paagi sa mabakawang lati, lagpas sa salog, igwang sadit na kadlagan. Ngunyan, kadaklan sa mga tawo, wara man maiiling na sala duman. Mas maaaraman pa ngani na igwang sala kun warang puno sa gilid nin salog.

Pag-iniling nindang maray, maaaraman ninda kun nyata makatakot an mga bangkay na ini. Kada sarong puno nakakaros an mga pandok kan tawong nagapururipot sa saindang pasakit. An balat kan puno tigapailing an saindang dinimalas na mga itsura.

An mga lokal na tawo, tigaapod nindang sumpa ini, asin an iba naggigibo nin maray nganing marayuan an mga punong ini.

Ugaring may sarong oragon an warang takot na tigharap an ilang nganing makahanap nin mga simbag na su mga puno sana an makaka-inging saiya.

Ini an saiyang istorya.

Abuonon ni Simeon Boñaga an saiyang pangaran. An saiyang kapangaran sarong bayani, an panghudyan na heneral na nag-suko kan panahon kan giyerang Pilipinas laban Estados Unidos, asin ini sana sya, sarong 27-anyos na sawi, an saiyang mga mararahay na aldaw tarapos na.

Sya an inot sa saiyang pamilya na makatapos sa sarong unibersidad. Ali sa sadit na baryo na dae ka mabubuhay kun dae ka manira, saro na utong dakulang tagumpay. Ugaring, sagkod uto kan pag pailing kan kinaban an saiyang makanos na itsura.

Sa dakulang multinational na kompanya an saiyang inot na trabaho pagkatapos sa unibersidad, saro uto sa mga lugar na pirmi nya nadadangod kaso dae sya nagkakaigwang oportunidad na mailing arani. Sakto sana an bayad saiya asin sakto man an mga oras, kaya sa pag-una nya yaon na saiya gabos.

Ugaring, pirming may boses sa saiyang payo na nag-nagtitikwil saiya. Gari gabat na nagbubutong saiya urualdaw. Natinuhan nya uto sagkod kan ika-limang bulan nya sa trabaho. Dae sya nakakaisip nin makaskas, dagitunon sya asin naiirita na sa saiyang mga katrabaho asin dae sya nakakaturog.

Una nya mawawara man sana uto, na saro man sana utong pangiturugan na magigimatahan nya. Saka uminabot an ikaduwang bulan asin paraot na nin paraot an mga bagay. An saiyang eyebags duminakulaon asin ilingunon kaya tigpapara komentaran ini kan mga tawo.

Huli kaito, mas naging marauton na lugod an itsura nya. Tig-baluan nyang dae tinuhon an mga chismis na nadadngog nya, ugaring an mga boses sa luwas kasing kusog man sana kan mga boses sa saiyang payo. Natinuhan ni Simeon na an saiyang mga katrabaho nagapuon nang magrayo saiya. Pagnaglalakaw sya paduman sa may pahingaluan, garo nagaarali gabos na tawo sa palibot nya.

Naapektuhan na kan saiyang kamugtakan an saiyang pag-trabaho. Sa puon pa sana kan taon, nagigibo nya pang mag asikaso nin mga spreadsheets asin sobra an tubod nya sa sadiri pag may mga presentasyon. Sa pag-agi kan panahon, mas naparayo si Simeon sa sadiri nya, pipaali an saiyang mga barkada na muya kutang magtarabang saiya.

Kun nag-agad kuta syang tabang kan atab pa, dae nya kuta nasuriyawan an saiyang amo. Kun tig tuga nya kuta na may igwa saiya, dae kuta sya nawaran nin trabaho. Kun bako kuta sya nagin ambugon, igwa pa kutang paagi nganing ipadagos an saiyang buhay.

Tig-hohorop-horop utong mga panahon ni Simeon habang nakailing sya sa salog arani sa arong nya. Abo nya man sana kuta mag-uli talaga sa probinsya, kaso pagkatapos kan ginibo nya, wara naman syang magiginibo.

Grabe an saiyang pagkamundo, nagtutukaw sana sya sa mga gapo asin tiga-iling an pag-agos kan tubig paduman sa kadlagan.

Dae man nasasabutan kan saiyang mga magurang kun ano an nangyayari sa saindang aki. Tinaraman pa ngani ninda ini na nasa utak nya man sana an gabos. Muya nya kutang sabihun, “iyo man talaga, nasa utak ko uto gabos, sa iling nindo nasain an alimantak ko?” pero bako naman uto kaipuahan. Ka-simple sana kan saiyang mga magurang, warang salak na medical jargon na naging bago nyang reyalidad.

Saro itong buhay na dae nya ma-aagad sa maski kisay.

Nagbuntong hininga sya asin nagpuon lakawon an arayong agihan paduman sa sunod na baryo. Abo ni Simeon na mag-saro kaiba an saiyang mga tig-iisip. Saro utong pagabat na kinaag sa saiyang mga abaga na sana kuta pwede nyang iinda na sana. Sa paglaog nya sa baryo, nailing nya an mga tawong nagtitiripon palibot sa may sentro. Sa kadiit na momento, nagpurunduhan an mga boses sa saiyang payo asin naka-pokus na sya sa nangyayari sa saiyang palibot.

Grabe sa pagpara-ibi an sarong babae na napandukan nya na si Aleng Norma. Suriyaw nya, “Angongolood! Angongolood!” habang daeng ribok na tigpaparairiling sya kan mga tawo.

Aram nya an alamat nanggad. Kada sarong tawo sa baryo, aram. Su higanteng garo gorilyang bakulaw na nambibiktima nin mga parasira sa may ngimot kan salog.

Gabos man sana uto mga pamahiin, mga istorya na ginibo nganing takuton an mga parasira na parayuon sa mga delikadong parte kan lati. Kaso garo si Aleng Norma tubudunon duman sa istoryang uto. Pirming marurumduman ni Simeon an pandok kan babaeng namarahan na nin luha, nagpaparaibi para sa saiyang agom.

“Jherick! Jherick nyata dae ka nag dangog?! Ano na an mangyayari samuya ngunyan? Nyata dae mo naisip an sadiri mong mga aki?!” An saiyang ibi nagaalingawngaw sa buong sentro kan baryo, mas kinusog pa ta grabeng silensyo kan mga tawong nakapalibot saiya.

Garo man sana nakontento an mga tawo sa pagiling kan nangyayari asin si Simeon dae mapugulan an sadiri na mairak sa mga tawo maski kay Aleng Norma. Bako man dapat arog kato an senaryo. Rinanihan nya si Aleng Norma nagtukro sa kataning nya, kinaag an saiyang kamot sa abaga nya.

Nakigkig si Aleng Norma sa kapot ni Simeon. Puminundo na sya sa pagibi asin nagbagsak sa saiyang mga takyag nin aloy.

Dae nya aram kun gurano kaaloy nya na tigkakaputan si Aleng Norma. Nag-arali na su mga tawo, padiit-diit sagkod an natada na sana sina Simeon asin Aleng Norma pati an ibang mga paralaw lakaw sana.

Iniling ni Aleng Norma si Simeon na may pagal sa mata. Tigpakaray nya an sadiri nya asin tigpasalamatan sya para sa pag-konsolar saiya. Tinaraman ini ni Simeon na wara man uto, Ugaring dae si Aleng Norma nagtutugot. “Wara man lamang may makusog na boot na magrani sakuya kan naaraman nindang nawawara na an sakuyang agom. Salamat.”

Dae aram ni Simeon an saiyang tataramon. Dae nya mataram sa babae na nagiibi man sya burubanggi arog kan pag-ibi nya. O pano nagkaigwang bagyo na nagpaparatalibong sa saiyang payo asin nakatabang man an pagtabang nya sa iba nganing malingawan nya an paglala kan emosyon nya na diit n asana masabog na.

Inapot nya si Aleng Norma kun nyata sa iling nya angongolood an nagkuwa kan saiyang agom asin sinimbag nya, “Nagduman sya sa may mga puno.”

“Aring mga puno?” apot ni Simeon.

“An kupo kan angongolood igwang lason pagnadutan ka, sisay man an madakop sa saiyang mga takyag magiging makanuson na mga puno,” taramon nya, may mga bagong luha an nagtururo sa saiyang mga mata.

“Aram ko maiiling man sana ninda yan.”

“Dae na man. Udyan na gabos. Sobrang udyan na.” Iniling ni Aleng Norma si Simeon sa mata asin an saiyang mapanasong iling natamaan an saiyang kalag. “Dae ka magduman sa lati, warang maray an maitatao kan lugar na uto.”

Nagtindog sya asin binayaan si Simeon na nakatindog magsaro sa tahaw kan sentro kan baryo. Tigrumdum nya an mga taramon kan babae asin na-iro sya kan saiyang garantiya na an pagkawara kan saiyang agom konektado sa sarong bakulaw kan alamat. Ugaring si Simeon sarong lalaking nagtutubod sa lohika. Igwang sarong bagay o sarong tawo an responsable digdi.

May saro dapat na mag-iro asin igwang mapiritong boses sa saiyang payo na sya daw uto. An namamatian nya uminagi nanaman asin nagging alipin nanaman si Simeon kan saiyang emosyon. An pagmati nya kan puro kamunduan uminuran saiya asin dae nya marumduman kun nyata yaon sya sa baryo.

“May saro dapat na mag-iro,” tigtaram nya sa sadiri nya sa pagpuon nya maglakaw sa arayong agihan pauli.

“Buwat na! Maaga na!”

Nakabungkaras si Simeon huli kan saiyang ama. Dae nya namumuyahan an pagmatang atabunon. Tinaraman sya kan saiyang ama na kaipuhan nindang dakol na oras magkaibahan, na maggibo nin tapat na trabaho, asin puminayag man si Simeon. Arog man kaini an nangyari kan aki pa sya, an ama nya tigpaparamata sya sa kinaagahan asin parehas sinda maluwas paduman sa may salog nganing makadakop nin labas na mga sira.

Priniparar ninda an mga silo asin nag-agab si Simeon sa pag-guyod ninda kan bangka paduman sa tubig.

Magayunon sa pangiling an mga bakawa sa irarom kan aldaw asin pareho sinda daeng ribok na nagsagwan paarayo. An am ani Simeon bako talaga maribok na tawo asin dae nya mataram nin maray an mga muya nyang taramon. Sa bilog na pagbangka ninda, binalo kaurunon si Simeon kan saiyang ama na magbalik sa syudad asin maghanap nin trabaho, kun pano kamarhay an mga gigibo nya asin baka oras na na i-balo nya liwat.

Dae sya tig-tino ni Simeon. Ano an aram kan saiyang ama sa saiyang tig-aagihan, ano an aram kan iba? Tigrumdom nya an ika-hudyan nyang parabulong sa payo na tig-dudumanan nya. Mas may pakiaram pa sya sa sadiri nya kaysa sa kamugtakan ni Simeon asin dagit pa nanggad sya ngunyan na nagpara gastos sya para sa mga sesyon na mas pinadipisil pa an gabos.

Asin igwa pang mga bulong. Minsan namamatian ni Simeon na garo sya sombi na minasabay sana sa agos kan buhay. Dae sya nakakaisip nin tanos, pirmi syang paha asin nasusuka asin dae uto nakatabang sa saiyang padusa burubanggi.

Siguro mabalik sya sa syudad para maghanap nin saykayatrista na makakatabang nanggad saiya, ugaring makakaalat man sana uto. Ngunyan an oras para sa pagdakop nin mga sira.

Tinapok ninda an mga silo asin nag-alat na may makukuwa sindang maray, maski tuna sana. An pagdakop ninda medyo bigo, ta puro man sana mga saraday na sira asin naglipat n asana sinda sa kabilang parte kan salog. Tigpaparaulit ninda ini nin pirang oras, wara pa nanggad sindang nakukuwa sagkod nauuyam na si Simeon.

Nagsagwan sinda arani sa may lati na aram nindang dae sindang may makukuwang maray na kuha. Baka saro sana ini sa mga paagi kan ama nya nganing magkaigwa sindang sadiring oras na magkaiba, kaso dae man ini namuyahan ni Simeon.

Abo nya man digdi, bako sa saiyang baryo, bako sa saiyang pamilya. Nagpaparapangadyi si Simeon na makasuriyaw kuta sya sa bilog na kinaban, ugaring aram nyang wara man madangog. Kaipuhan nya pang magtios sa katahimikan asin magsulog pa kan itsurang ‘ayos’ sana sya. Muya nya sa gabos an masabutan sya maski kan sarong tawo sana, maski sisay.

Tuminalikod sya sa saiyang ama asin nag-angos. Turo kan saro sa saiyang mga parabulong na an pag-angos nakakatabang mabawasan an saiyang pagparahadit. Tulong ararom na angos asin makakayanan nya na gabos, tigaasahan nya man.

Kan priparado na sya, tuminalikod liwat sya nganing ampangon an saiyang ama. Mas kalmado na sya ngunyan. Una nya ngani madadagit an saiyang ama, dae man pano nasasabutan kan saiyang ama an kamugtakan nya, kaya mas kaipuhan nya mag-sabot.

Kan pagtalikod nya, nakigkig sya ta wara na an ama nya. Kinuskosan ni Simeon an mata nya nganing makasigurado na dae sya nangingiturugan o saro utong utik sa saiyang mga tig-iinom na bulong, ugaring wara talaga asin paros na sana an igwa sa kabilang parte kan bangka.

Inapod nya an ama nya, nagsusuriyaw sagkod magkaparaos. Kaso wara man nangyari, tanog sana kan kalikasan an nagsisimbag saiya.

Magsaro na sana si Simeon.

Madali sana asin taimtim an serbisyo.

Sarong taon na an nakaagi puon kan nawara an saiyang ama asin panahon na nganing pahingaluan an saiyang memorya.

Daeng pundo an pag-ibi kan in ani Simeon sa burol. Dae nya mailing sa mata si Simeon arog kan dati bago mangyari an insidente. Naiiling nya sa mata kan ina nya na sana sya na sana an nawara.

Bako marahay an taon para kay Simeon. An pagkawara kan saiyang ama mas nadara sana sya paarayo sa kinaban. Sa pagkakaaram nya, wara naming igwa sa luwas kan apat na kanto kan saiyang kwarto.

Kun mas may pakiaram kuta sya, mas nasabutan nya kuta na an saiyang mga tigipunan paubos na asin kaipuhan nya nang mag-hanap nin ibang trabaho. Kaso, dae sya makaali sa lati na yaon sa sadiri nya. Mas nagpaparakusog an mga boses sa saiyang payo asin tigpangadyi nya sana may paagi pa nganing ma-aali ini gabos sa payo nya. An mga bulong dae naman naggagana saiya asin naisip nyang magpundo na sana sa pag inom kan mga uto.

Muya nya sana mailing an saiyang ama liwat. Muyang sabihon ni Simeon sa saiyang ama na nagaagad sya nin tawad ta dae sya naging maray na aki asin dinara nya pa an kasusupgan sa pamilya ninda. Muya nyang mag agad nin tawad para sa saiyang kamugtakan, maski garo na inda pag dangugon. Muya nya sana maging normal.

Dae naman uto mangyayari ngunyan, bibaba na ninda an kabaong sa saiyang lubungan. Dae na ninda naaram o nailing an ama nya.

May mga chismis, syempre. An mga gurang sa baryo, tigiiring-ing ninda na angongolood daa ta sigi nang dakol an mga nawawara.

Ugaring wara man labot si Simeon.

Pagmati nya, garo sya naglalakaw sa dugi. An mga simple sanang mga bagy arog kan paglimpya kan arong o pagbuwat sa igdaan, padipisil nin padipisil para saiya. Tiga-iling uto kan ina nya na saro nanamang kaugakan, sarong pagabat na kaipuhan nya mang darahon.

Para saiya, madayaon gabos. Nawara saiya an padaba nya sa buhay asin an saiyang aki nagrarayo na sa reyalidad. Aram nyang may dapat syang gibuhon.

Sarong aga sa pagsakat kan aldaw, kinuwa nya an bangka kan agom nya asin duminuman sa may lati.

Nagimata si Simeon asin una nya maiiling nya an ina nyang nagpipriparar nin pamahawan. Naghuna sya kun nyata wara sya duman. Kan pag-iling nya sa luwas asin naaraman na nawawara an bangka, aram nya kun sain nagduman an ina nya.

Madali man sana kuta para kay Simeon na dae uto intindihon, na magpakalugmok sa saiyang kamunduan asin magluksa sa saiyang sadiring ina. Naka-anap sya nin kusog dae una nya wara sya, asin nagduman sa saiyang kapitbahay nganing magsubli nin bangka para hanapon an saiyang ina.

Sa pag-sagwan nya pairarom sa salog, tigsunggaban kan takot an saiyang puso. Dae nya aram an saiyang gigibo, hahanapon nya an saiyang ina tapos ano? Nyata man nanggad nagduman sa lati an ina nya? Nganing hanapon an ama nya?

Dae sya priparado na kaurunon an saiyang ina na mag-uli, ugaring uminangos sya asin duminerecho. Nawara nya na an ama nya, dae nya na mawawara an saiyang ina.

Nakuwa ni Simeon an bangka na ginamit kan saiyang ina sa may mabakawang lati. Wara utong laog asin garo duminerecho pa an ina nya sa kadlagan na naka bitis.

Nagbaba sya sa bangka nya asin sinundan an bakas na nawalat kan ina nya.

Makapalon an paros asin naglalagkit asin nagpupuon namang madumog nin daplos si Simeon. An pag-agi nya sa may lati, narurumduman nya an mga tig-agihan nya buong buhay. Pagduman nya sa may mamarang daga, pagmati nya na kada tungtong nya digdadara sya asin namamatian nya na bako na sya komportable.

Wara na syang oras mag-horop-horop mangongod duman, ta nadangog nya na an maluway na pag-ibi sa inutan nya.

An nailing nya, sarong makagirabong ilingon. Sarong puno na may pandok kan saiyang ama, nagapuripot sa kulog, asin an saiyang ina nag-iibi sa irarom kan punong uto.

“Dae ka na kuta nagdigdi,” taramon kan ina nya habang nag-iibi.

Warang simbag si Simeon, makasakason an mga nangyayari. Dae nya masabutan kun nyata may pandok an puno kana ma nya, naka-karos sa balat kaito.

Nagpawalat sinda duman nin pirang oras sagkod nagkaigwang kusog nin buot si Simeon na aputon an saiyang ina na magsabay na saiya pauli.

“Nyata nagdigdi ka?” apot ni Simeon.

“Muya kong maaraman.”

Buminalik sinda asin sa pagbaba kan aldaw, dae sana sindang ribok, muyang makuwa an saktong mga taramon na makakadiskribiha sa nailing ninda.

Kan naka-antos sinda sa saindang bangka, nailing ninda uto. Sa madikom, garo sya tawo, alangkaw asin dakulang lalaking nakadungaw sainda. Aram ni Simeon kun ano uto, asin preparado na sya.

“Kwaon mon a ining bangka, mag-uli ka na,” taramon nya sa ina.

“Dae ta ka babayaan.”

“Kaipuhan ko ining gibuhon.”

Nagrani sya sa bakulaw na nakabukas an mga kamot. Ini an saiyang tig-papara alat. An ikahudyang paglaya sa priso na tiga apod nyang buhay.

Nagsuriyaw an ina nya nganing magpundo sya. Pero dae sya nagmati.

Sa pagkupo kan halimaw kay Simeon, namamatian nya na an pagtagas kan saiyang balat asin an saiyang mga bitis nagigi nang mga ugat.

Nakakurit na sa balat an nakangirit nyang pandok.

Sa wakas, malaya na sya.

=——————————————————————————————————=

English Version

Through the mangrove ridden swamps, past the riverbanks, lies a small grove of trees. Now, most people would find nothing strange about it, they would probably find it stranger if there weren’t any trees by the riverside.

As they look closer, they can see what makes this copse so horrifying. Each tree is etched with the face of a person, twisted in agony. The bark of the tree outlines their wretched visages.

Locals call the area cursed and most do well to avoid these trees.
But one brave soul dared to brave the wilderness to seek answers that only the trees can whisper.

This is his story.

Simeon Boñaga always hated his name. His namesake was a hero, the last general to surrender during the Philippine-American war and here he was, a 27-year-old burnout, whose best days were behind him.

He was the first of his family to graduate university. Coming from a small town where you either became a fisherman or starve, it was a big accomplishment. That is, up until the real world turned its ugly head.

His first job after university was in a large multinational company, the kind of place that he had always heard about but never got the opportunity to see up close. The pay was good and the hours were reasonable, he finally felt he had it all.

But there was always that voice in his head that nagged him. It was like a weight that slowed him down every day. He noticed it after the fifth month of work. His mind didn’t think as fast, he was angry and irritable to his coworkers and he couldn’t sleep.

He thought it would pass, that it was just a bad dream he would wake up from eventually. Then the second month came and things started to get worse. His eyebags got so big and obvious that people couldn’t help but comment on them.

That made him feel more terrible. He tried to ignore the gossip floating around, but the voices outside were just as loud as the voices in his head. Simeon noticed that his officemates started to avoid him. Whenever he would walk up to the lounge people seemed to disperse.

His mood affected his performance at work. At the start of the year he could glide through spreadsheets and was confident with presentations. As the months went by Simeon retreated more into himself, pushing away even his friends that tried to help.

If he had gotten help early maybe he could have avoided shouting at his boss. If he admitted that there was something wrong, he could have kept his job. If he wasn’t so prideful, there would have been a way to continue the life he was living.

Simeon thought back to those days as he stared at the river by his home. He didn’t want to have to go back to the province, but after what he did there was no choice. He felt alone now more than ever, sitting by the rocks and watching the water flow through the forest.

His parents didn’t understand what was wrong with him. They told him it was all in his head. He wanted to reply, “of course it’s in my head, where do you think my brain is?” but that would be unnecessary. His parents were simple people, far removed from the medical jargon that became his new reality.

It was a life he wouldn’t have wished on anyone else. He sighed and started the long to the nearby town. Simeon hated being alone with his thoughts. It was a burden put upon his shoulders that he wished he could just shrug off.
As he entered the town, he saw people gather around the square. For a few brief moments the voices in his head quieted down and he was able to focus on what was happening before him.

A woman who he recognized as Aling Norma was sobbing hysterically. She shouted, “Angongolood! Angongolood!” as the crowd watched silently.
He knew the legends, of course. Every person in town did. The giant gorilla-like beast preying on fishermen at the mouth of the riverbank.

It was all just superstition, a story made up to scare fisherfolk away from dangerous areas in the swamp. But it seemed like Aling Norma believed every word of it. Simeon would always remember the look on her tear-stained face as she cried out for her husband.

“Jherick! Jherick why didn’t you listen?! What will happen to us now? Why didn’t you think about your children?!” Her cries echoed through the town square, made even louder by the silence of the bystanders.

It seemed that people were just content to watch the spectacle and Simeon couldn’t help but feel pity for the crowd as well as Aling Norma. This scene wasn’t meant to turn out like this. He walked towards Aling Norma and bent down beside her, putting his hand on her shoulder.

Aling Norma was surprised by Simeone’s touch. She stopped crying long enough to crumple into his arms.He didn’t know how long he held Aling Norma. The crowd dispersed, bit by bit until the only people left were Simeon and Aling Norma as well as a few stragglers.

Aling Norma looked at Simeon with tired eyes. She composed herself and thanked him for comforting her. Simeon said it was nothing, but she disagreed. “No one would even come near me when they found out my husband went missing. Thank you.”

Simeon didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t tell her that he would cry himself to sleep every night the way she did. Or how there was a storm brewing inside him and it helped to be of help to others to forget the emotional buildup that threatened to burst.

He asked Aling Norma why she thought it was the angongolood that took her husband and she replied, “He went to the trees.”

“What trees?” Simeon asked.

“The angongolood’s embrace is poison to the touch, anyone caught in its arms is twisted into a horrible tree,” she said, new tears forming in her eyes.
“I’m sure they’ll be able to find him.”

“They won’t. It’s too late. Far too late.” Aling Norma looked Simeon in the eye and her piercing gaze shot to his soul. “Do not go out to the swamp, nothing good can come from that place.”

She stood up and left Simeon standing alone in the town square. He thought back to her words and he was moved by her assurance that her husband’s disappearance was tied to a mythical beast. But Simeon was a man of logic.
There had to be something or someone responsible. Someone had to do something and there was a persistent voice in his head that it should be him. The feeling passed though and once again Simeon was a slave to his emotions. The feeling of ennui showered over him and he couldn’t even remember why he went to the town.

“Someone else has to do something,” he said to himself as he started the long walk home.

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“Get up! It’s nearly sunrise!”

Simeon was jolted awake by his father. He didn’t appreciate being woken up this early. His father had said that they needed to spend more time together, to do honest work, and Simeon reluctantly agreed. It was like this when he was younger, his father waking him up at the break of dawn and both of them going out to the river to get a fresh catch.

They got ready with their nets and Simeon yawned as they pushed out into the river.

The mangroves were radiant in the morning sun and they both were silent as they went upriver. Simeon’s father was a man of few words and he couldn’t express as much as he would like to. Throughout the boat ride his father had tried to talk Simeon into going back to the city and finding work, how he was doing so well and it was about time he tried again.

Simeon ignored him. What would his father know about what he was going through, what did anyone know? He thought back to the last therapist he was seeing. She cared more about herself than she did Simeon’s well being and he was still mad that he spent too much money on sessions that made things more difficult.

And there was the medicine. Half the time Simeon felt like a zombie going through the motions of life. He couldn’t think straight, he was always thirsty and nauseous and it didn’t help with his night terrors.

Maybe he would go back to the city to find a psychiatrist that would help, but that would have to wait. Now was the time for fishing.

They cast out the nets and hoped that they would find something good, maybe tuna. The catch was disappointing, nothing but small fish and they moved on to another area. They repeated this for hours, finding nothing all while Simeon was getting frustrated.

They had drifted near the swamp where it was sure they wouldn’t get a good catch. Maybe this was his father’s way of giving them some alone time, though Simeon didn’t appreciate it.

He didn’t want to be here, not in this town, not with his family. Simeon wished so hard that he could scream out into the world, but he knew no one would listen. He had to suffer in silence and put on a façade of being ‘alright’. More than anything he wanted to be understood by someone, anyone.
He turned his back to his father and tried to breathe. One of his older therapists had taught him breathing exercises to minimize anxiety. Three deep breaths and he would be able to handle things, or so he hoped.

When he was ready, he turned back to face his father. He was calmer now. He had expected his father to be angry, his father never understood anything about his condition, so he had to be more patient.

He turned and was surprised to find his father missing. Simeon rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn’t dreaming or a trick of his medication, but there was nothing more than empty air on the other side of the boat.

He called out for his father, screaming until his lungs gave out. It didn’t matter though, there was only the sounds of nature that answered him.
Simeon was alone.

————————————————————————–

The service was brief and solemn.

It had been a year since his father had disappeared and it was time to put his memory to rest.

Simeon’s mother didn’t stop crying through the funeral. She never looked at Simeon the same way since the incident. He could see in her eyes that he should have been the one that vanished.

The year was not kind to Simeon. His father’s disappearance only led to him retreating from the world. As far as he was concerned there was nothing outside the four walls of his room.

If he had cared more, he might have realized that his savings were dwindling and he would have to look for a job soon. Unfortunately, he couldn’t move past the mire he found himself in. The voices in his head were getting louder and he wished he could find some way to make them stop. The meds weren’t working anymore and he had decided a few months ago to stop taking them.

He just wanted to see his father one more time. Simeon wanted to tell him that he was sorry he was a bad son and that he brought shame upon the family. He wanted to apologize for his condition, as strange as it sounds. He just wanted to be normal.

That would never happen now, as they slowly lowered an empty casket into the grave. They hadn’t even found a trace of his father.

There were rumors of course. The elders in town would whisper of the angongolood as more disappearances happened.

But that didn’t matter to Simeon.

He felt like he was moving through mud. The simplest things like cleaning the house or getting out of bed were getting more and more difficult for him. His mother saw it as laziness, a burden that she had to bear as well. To her, nothing was fair. She had lost the love of her life and her son was retreating from reality. She knew that something had to be done.

One morning as the dawn began, she took her husband’s boat and made her way to the swamp.

Simeon woke up and expected to find his mother making breakfast. He was puzzled why she wasn’t there. As soon as he looked out and saw the boat was missing, he knew where she had gone.

It would have been easy for Simeon to just ignore it, to wallow in his own sadness and grieve for his missing mother. Where he found strength, he didn’t know, and he went to his neighbor’s house and asked to borrow their boat to find his mother.

As he delved deeper into the swamp fear gripped his heart. He didn’t know what he was doing, he would find his mother and then what? Why had she gone to the swamp in the first place? To find his father?

He wasn’t prepared to talk his mother off that ledge, but he breathed in deep and pushed forward. He lost his father, he wouldn’t lose his mother too.
Simeon found the boat his mother used by the mangrove trees. It was empty and it looked like she had gone deeper into the swamp on foot.

He got out of his boat and followed the trail that she left.The air was thick and humid and Simeon began to sweat through his shirt. Trudging through the bog reminded him of how he felt every day. Moving through rough terrain, feeling like every step forward took everything within you and being uncomfortable through it all.

He didn’t have time to reflect on that as he heard soft sobbing ahead of him.
What he saw was a macabre sight. A tree with the face of his father, twisted in pain, stood with his mother weeping under it.

“You shouldn’t have come,” his mother said through the tears.
Simeon had no answer, things were happening too fast. He didn’t understand why the tree had the face of his father etched in its bark.

They stayed there for hours until Simeon was brave enough to ask his mother to go back home.

“Why did you come here?” he asked.

“I needed to know for sure.”

They made their way back and as the sun set, they sat in silence, desperately trying to find the words to describe what they had seen.

As soon as they reached their boats, they saw it. In the dark it looked almost human, like a tall, burly man hunched over. Simeon knew what it was, and he was prepared.

“Take the boat and go home,” he told his mother.

“I won’t leave you.”

“This is what I have to do.”

He walked towards the creature with open arms. This was what he was searching for. A final release from the prison he called life.

His mother screamed for him to stop. He didn’t listen.As the monster embraced Simeon, he could feel his skin harden and his legs turn to roots.
The bark etched his face in a solemn smile.

Finally he was free.

=————————————————————————————————-=

*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 Jeremiah Cordial

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Jeremiah Cordial

Based on the Angongolood description in Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition. Nasayao 2010.

Angongolood Illustration by Justine André Villapa

Instagram: @art.justineandrev

The post Angongolood – Bicol Legazpi Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Bicol-Sorsogon

Nanu kay hadlok ka magadan?

Isturyahan ko ikaw.

San sadto, may mayaman na babaye na nakaistr harani sa dagat? Wara saiya nagbibisita. Gusto niya pirmi lang mahilom sa dako niya na balay. Pirmi siya nasa dagat, nagbibilang san mga bituon, san mga baybay.

Saro lang an amiga niya nan dili idto tawo. An anino san kamatayan an pirmi noya kaupod sa saiyang kamunduan. Nakilala niya san namatay an ina niya. Dili siya nahadlok san nakita niya siya.

“Nano kay dili ka hadlok saakon?” hinapot siya san anino. “Pinapagayon mo an buhay.” Simbag niya.

An anino kan kamatayan naugma sa sinabi niya. Dili niya binayaan an babaye hanggang sa matapos niya an ritwal para sa proteksyon san mama niya pagkamatay niya. Namuot saiya  an anino san kamatayan. Niyan lang siya nakakakilala san arug niya.

Madali magselos an anino san kamatayan. Gusto niya saiya lang an babayi. Pirmi siya nakasunod saiya.

An babayi aram an plano san anino san kamatayan. Naghali siya sa balay ninda nan nagadto sa lola niya na may kapangyarihan. Hinatagan siya san kapangyarihan. Batog sadto dili na mamamatay an babayi.

Pero dili binayaan san babayi an anino san kamatayan. Gusto niya magbalos sa amiga niya. Nawara an respeto niya sa kamatayan.

Dili ka dapat mahadlok sa kamatayan.

Mahadlok ka sa puwede mangyari pagkatapos mo mamatay.

English Version

Why should you fear death?

Let me tell you a story.

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

She had but one friend, not like any person in the world, for it was not a person at all. The shadow of death would spend time with her to ease her loneliness. They first met when death’s shadow claimed the woman’s mother. She was not afraid as most people would have been and greeted the shadow politely.
“Why are you not running in fear?” The shadow asked. “You are part of what makes life beautiful.” The woman answered.

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

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

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

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

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

You should not fear death.

Fear what comes after.

*The 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
Bicol Translation by Sara Grace C. Fojas
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Sara Grace C. Fojas

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

Aswang (Capiz) Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
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Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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The post Aswang (Capiz) – Bicol Sorsogon Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Bicol Sorsogon

“Duwang minuto lang yada na ako. Haranihon lang ina nan makaskas man ako magdalagan.” Makusog na tibok san puso, mahagkot na kamot, nan an balhas nagtuturo. Hangos san hararom, batog san lakat.

“Basi urhi ko na ini na hangos.” Kada lakat pamate mo ikaw an pinamakaskas na tawo sa kinab-an. Maugma ang saimong pamati. “Amu na ini,” naisip mo, “Nakaya ko.” Diyot na lakat na lang.

“Hala!” Yada na tulos. Huna mo mauunahan mo siya. Inkita ka niya kan saiyang mga mata. “Ayaw!” Naisip mo, “Dili ini puwede!”

Nagbalyo ka san lakat, pabalik sa puno. “Dapat dili na lang ako nagluwas!” Inisip mo ang naging desisyon mo. “Dapat dili na ako nagdalagan! Nanu kay ginibo ko ini? Dapat dili na lang ako nagbati sainda!” Dili ka inuudungan san utak mo.

Harani ka na sa puno. “Dili man ina makalagpas.” Wara pa limang minuto an dinalagan mo. Wara pa limang minuto nagbag-o an buhay mo.

“Harani na. Diyot na lang.” Dili ka mapadakob. Dili ka mapatumba. Dili mo namamatian an pagal “Buhay pa ako.” Dakol an saimong pasasalamat.

Kapot sa dughan. “Dili ini puwede.” Nawawara ka na sa sadiri mo. “Kakaskas man.” Nagtuturo na an dugo sa kamot mo nan sa bado mo. “Nagibo ko. Dapat maayos an kamutangan ko.”

Inulit ulit mo na dapat nasa mayad an kamutangan mo hanggang sa paubos na an saimong dugo. “Dapat nasa maayos an kamutangan ko.” An urhi mo na sinabi.

English Version

“I can make it in two minutes. It’s only a few feet to the next building and I can run fast.” You can feel your heartbeat reverberate to your feet, your hands are cold and sweaty and the chill down your spine has been there for the better part of an hour. The muscles in your legs start to tighten and you take one deep breath before starting your sprint.

“This might be the last breath I’ll ever take.” The adrenaline surges through your body. Each step makes you feel like you’re the fastest person in the world. Your face betrays a smile, “This is it!” you think, “I made it!” Your objective is just a few steps away.

“Oh no.” You don’t know how it got there so fast. You were so sure that you were going to outrun it. The woman stares at you with her bulging red eyes and her hideous face twists in a scream. “No!” The voice in your head shouts “It wasn’t supposed to be this way!”

Your legs take you in the opposite direction, back to the relative safety of the tree. “Why didn’t I stay indoors?” The decisions all start coming back to haunt you “Why didn’t I take up running?”, “Why am I in this place?”, “Why didn’t I listen when I had the chance.” The voices in your head won’t stop screaming.

The tree is in sight now. “It won’t be able to get past the branches.” You realize it’s been less than five minutes since you started running. Less than five minutes would make the difference between now and the rest of your life.

“One more step and I’m there.” Just one last dash and it won’t be able to grab you. There is a moment of doubt before you lunge under the tree and crash into the roots. You don’t feel much of the pain because of your adrenaline. “I’m still alive.” You’ve never been more grateful.

Until you put your hand to your chest. “No, no, no…” Your mind trails off. “It couldn’t have been that fast.” The blood starts to trickle down your fingers onto the rest of your clothes. “I made it, I’m supposed to be safe.”

You repeat those words in your head until there’s too much blood loss.

“I should be safe.” Was what you thought before you closed your eyes, maybe for the last time.

*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
Bicol Translation by Sara Grace C. Fojas
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Sara Grace C. Fojas

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

Abat illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
FB: That Guy With A Pen

The post Abat – Bicol Sorsogon Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.