Iyo an bangging udang bulan kan nahiling ko siya

An lalaking naghibi nin kalayo

Nagduman ako saiya asin naghapot kung tano

Iyan baga luha nin kamunduan?

O kaanggutan?

Dae siya nagsimbag

Mas dakol akong beses maghapot

Mas dakol na kalayo ang nagrarata sa saiyang mga mata

Asin nagpuon akong magngalas

Pigiisip kaya nyang natatakot ako?

Kan salog na nagkikinang na pula

Kan kadikluman ning bangging panginoron

Dae siya nagtatao sakuya nin simbag

Asin minumuya na itulod ako parayo

Alagad kaipuhan ko maaraman

May iba ibang klase nin kamunduan

Iba ibang klase ning kaanggutan

Asin pati gayod iba ibang klase ning kaogmahan

Naghiling sya sako kang maitomon nyang mga mata

Nagbubulos ning kalayo pasiring sa daga

Naghibi siya nin magkapirang panghabambuhay

Antos ang liwanag magluwas sa kapalibutan

Asin bigla na lang siyang nawara

Liban kang nagkalat na basang pula

Ang ebidensya kan saiyang pagkawara

Saaga mabalik ako

Asin sa masunod na banggi

Para haputon ang naghihibing lalaki

Anong igwa sa likod kan saiyang mga luha.

=——————————-=

It was a moonless night when I saw him

The man who cried fire

I went up to him and asked why

Were they tears of sadness?

Or anger?

He did not reply

The more I asked

The more fire fell from his eyes

And I began to wonder

Does he think I am frightened?

By the pool of glittering red

By the darkness of the night sky

He would not give me an answer

And sought to push me away

But I needed to know

There were different kinds of sadness

Different kinds of anger

And maybe even different kinds of joy

He looked at me with his jet black eyes

Pouring flames onto the ground

He wept for several eternities

Until the light broke from the horizon

And in an instant he was gone

With only a puddle of red

As evidence of his passing

Tomorrow I will return

And the night after that

To ask the crying man

What is behind his tears

=———————————=

*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 Monmon Nietes

Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Monmon Nietes

Inongok Illustration by Joshua Hamangal
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ishart1228

*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga

Ek-Ek-Ek

Nadangóg kan gurang na babayi an ribók hali sa saiyang kwarto, asin natakdag an saiyang puso. “Dyos tabì bakô sya…” hinghing nya. Kuminurahaw sya asin tuninong na naglalaom na sakto na ini nganing takúton an linalang parayô, alagad aram nyang an saiyang tingog kulang pa an kusóg nganing madangóg kan saiyang akì na babayi sa ibong na kwarto.

Ek-Ek-EK

Kulang na an oras kun maduman pa sa kusina nganing magkua nin kutsilyo, tibaad huri na. Naghiling sya sa palibot kan saiyang kwarto asin nahiling an gunting. “Pwede na,” naisip nya. Alagad mayò nang oras mag-isip pa, mayò na kun siring kaini kadelikado an kawawâran. Duminalágan sya palúwas sa saiyang kwarto kapót an guting, nangangadyî na dai ini kukulángon.

Ek-EK-EK

Harani na sya ngunyan. Kuminurahaw sya giraray, mas makusog kisa subago, mas makusog kisa sa pinakamakusog na kurahaw na kinurahaw nya. Tibaad sakto na ito tanganing magimata an iba sa haróng, alagad aram nya na si saiyang aki magsarô sana sa kwarto. Binuksan nya an pinto kapót an gunting sa saiyang kamót.

EK-EK-EK

Turuhok nyang hiniling an halimaw. Hiniling nya an halabâ na puláng dilà kaini, nakatakod sa tulák kan saiyang babaying akì, asin nagirumduman nya an madiklóm na mabagyúhon na banggi kansu inot nyang nadangóg an mga ribok. Kansu nawara saiya an saiyang aki. Pinanugâ nya na dai na sa kasagkudan mauutro ini sa saiyang pamilya.

EK-EK-EK-EK

Makusóg na kinaputan kan gurang na babayi an gunting sa saiyang kamot, dangan suminúgod pasiring sa saiyang bangungot.

=——————–=

English Version

Ek-Ek-Ek

The old woman hears the sound from her bedroom and her heart drops. “Please God not her.”, she whispers. She screams, and silently hopes that this can be enough to scare the creature away but she knows that her voice isn’t strong enough to reach her daughter’s bedroom.

Ek-Ek-EK

There’s not enough time to go to the kitchen to get a knife, it might be too late. She looks around her room and sees a pair of scissors. “Good enough.” she thinks. But there’s no time to think, not when this much is at stake. She runs out of her room with the scissors in her hand, praying that it may be enough.

Ek-EK-EK

She is close enough now. She screams again, louder than before, louder than anything she has ever screamed before. It may be enough to wake up the others in the house, but she knows her daughter is alone in the room. She opens the door with the scissors in her hand.

EK-EK-EK

She stares down the beast. She sees its long, red tongue attached to her daughter’s womb and she remembers that dark stormy night when she first heard the sounds. When she lost her first baby. She vows that it will never hurt her family ever again.

EK-EK-EK-EK

The old woman grasps the scissors in her hand and charges at her nightmare.

=——————=

*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 Jeremiah Cordial
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jeremiah Cordial

Story inspired by the Ekek legends

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

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

*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga

Si Migo, nagpoon nang hilingong an saiyang homework sa heograpiya asin dai niya aram kun ano an gigibuhon kaini, kadakul na bagay na dapat tuomon asin kulang na sa oras. Malagpak siya sa eksaminasyon, asin sigurado siya kaini.
“Kun nagbabasa ka nin mapa, an mga ngaran asin lugar bako man sana an mga bagay na saimong mahihiling.” Sabi kan saiyang lolo na nasa likod niya. “Lolo! Dai mo iyan pag-gibuhon, ta tinakot mo ako!” Napangisi si Lolo Abay, an mga pagsubang iyang iyo an pirmi niyang ginigibo sa saiyang mga makuapo.
“Uya, ipahiling ko saimo.” Kinua ni Lolo Abay an mapa asin ibinugtak sa lamesa sa kusina. “Igwa nin nagkapirang bagay na dai na ninda itinotokdo sa saindong mga kaakian sa eskwelahan.”
“Ano an lugar na ini?” Itinukdo ni Lolo Abay an sarong lugar sa Luzon.
“Pangasinan?” Dai sigurado si Migo, alagad dapat yaon ini sa lugar na iyan. “Tama,” ngonyan ano an istorya manungod sa mga bukid na idto?” Si Lolo Abay nakaturuhok saiya nin maigot. “Dai ko aram alagad sigurado akong sasabihon mo sako.” Nakamansay man pabalik saiya si Migo. “Tama man,” an sabi niya.
“Kaidtong panahon, nawara kan higanteng si Añgalo an saiyang ataman na orig asin nilibot nya an isla kan Luzon sa paghanap. Yaon siya sa lugar na iyan kan paghona niya nahiling niya an orig sa Cagayan harani sa Cabo Engaño. Linakaw niya an sa mag-ibong na kabukidan, alagad nahiling niya na an saiyang hinahanap mayong iba kundi sarong tambak na maitom na laboy.” Napangisi si Lolo Abay.
“Halat, ano an koneksyon kaiyan sa heograpiya?” hapot ni Migo. “Kan magbalyo si Añgalo sa kabukidan, narumpag sinda sa irarom kan saiyang mga bitis, asin an kabukidan kan Cagayan asin Pangasinan yaon pa man giraray mahihiling an mga gira kan saiyang toong bitis asin an saiyang walang gira mahihiling man harani sa mga Cordillera,” an simbag ni Lolo Abay.
“Salamat sa estorya mo po, lolo, alagad bako man idto an tema kan sakuyang homework.” Kinua ni Migo an mapa asin ibinugtak ini sa may laptop niya. “Dai ko po aram kun paano iyan makakatabang sako sa sakuyang eksaminasyon.”
“An buhay bakong manungod sa mga quiz,” sabi ni Lolo Abay sa saiyang makuapo.
“Para man po sinda sa mga kaipuhan na magkua kaiyan,” an simbag man ni Migo.
Nagngisi si Lolo Abay. Pirmi niyang aram na magigin matali si Migo, dawa kan omboy pa an saiyang makuapo. “Bueno, babayaan taka na sa saimong pag-adal, alagad tandan mo, an lambang lugar igwa nin estorya, dawa dai mo iyan nadadangog.”
Naghalat si Migo sagkod na makaluwas an saiyang lolo sa kwarto asin minasdan niya sa saiyang kompyuter. Nagpoon siyang maghanap kan mga lugar na kaipuhan niyang tuomon para sa saiyang homework asin narealisar niya na tama an saiyang lolo.
Tibaad makapasar man giraray siya sa eksaminasyon niya sa huri.

=————————-=

English Version

Migo, started to stare at his geography homework and he didn’t know what to make of it, too many things to memorize and not enough time. He was going to fail the test, he was sure of it.

“When you read a map, names and places aren’t the only things that you can find.” His lolo said from behind him. “Lolo! Don’t do that, you scared me!” Lolo Abay laughed, he was always playing those kinds of tricks on his grandchildren.

“Here, let me show you.” Lolo Abay took the map and set it on the kitchen table. “There are some things they don’t teach you kids at school anymore.”

“What is this place?” Lolo Abay pointed to an area in Luzon.

“Pangasinan?” Migo was unsure, but it should be in that area. “Correct,” now what is the story about those mountains?” Lolo Abay stared intently at him. “I don’t know but I’m pretty sure you’re going to tell me.” Migo stared back. “Also correct.”

“A long time ago the giant, Añgalo, lost his pet pig and went around the island of Luzon. He was in that area when he thought he saw the pig in Cagayan near Cape Engaño. He walked across the mountains only to find that what he was looking at was nothing but a pile of black mud.” Lolo Abay smiled.

“Wait, what does that have to do with geography?” Migo asked. “When Añgalo crossed the mountains, they crumbled beneath his feet and the mountains of Cagayan and Pangasinan still have the footprint of his right foot and his left footprint can be seen near the Cordilleras,” Lolo Abay replied.

“Thanks for the story, lolo, but that wasn’t the topic of my homework.” Migo took back the map and set it down by his laptop. “I don’t know how that’s going to help me with my quiz.”

“Life isn’t about quizzes,” Lolo Abay said to his grandson.

“They are for those who have to take them,” Migo replied.

Lolo Abay laughed. He always knew that Migo was going to be clever, even when his grandson was a baby. “Well I’ll leave you to your studies, but remember, every place has a story, even if it you don’t hear it.”

Migo waited until his lolo left the room and stared at his computer. He started looking up the places that he had to memorize for his homework and he realized his lolo was right.

Maybe he would pass the test after all.

=————————–=

*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 Dominador N. Marcaida Jr.
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Dominador N. Marcaida Jr.

Inspired by ‘Some Fragments of the Añgalo Legend’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Añgalo Illustration and Watercolor by Marc Magpantay

*Note this story is in Bicol-Albay

“Kayu-kayu, madayu kayu.”

“Ngunyan, sabihon mo iyan na sabay kita”

“Kayu-kayu, madayu kayu.”

“Nyan, maray. Pirmi mo iyan tataramon kada maagi kita sa lugar na ini”

“Dai man kita pwede magsigid digdi hadi, mama?”

“Iyo, maray ta narumduman mo. Matalion talaga an aki kong ini!”

“Pero nata ta kaipuhan tang sundon ang mga iyan, mama? Huna ko sadiri ta ining harong?”

“Iyo, iyo satuya ining harong pati ining mga gamit, pero sain nakatugdok ang harong na ini?”

“…sa daga?”

“Uratihon! Ngunyan, an daga, an kinaban, bako satuya asin bako ta pagsadiri”

“Pero huna ko satuya ining daga? Bako satuya ining kaumahan? Buda bako baga digdi ako nagkakawat?”

“Iyo, iyo, binakal ta ining daga buda may mga papel kita na katunayan para duman, pero nagigin kumplikado. Huni, an daga nagin pagsadiri kaito kan ibang…tawo, haloy na panahon pa bago kita nagdigdi, bago pa nagpuon mag-istar an mga tawo digdi”

“Nata dai ta na sana bakalon sainda?”

“May mga bagay na dai mo mababakal ki kwarta. An lugar na ini sainda asin pirming magiging sainda, maski pa man ako buda ika magadan na. Kaipuhan ta pag-adalan pano mabuhay kairiba sinda.”

“Pano kun habo ko? Garo maurihon sinda. Pag dai ta tinaram ini, buda pag naglinig kita sa palibot kan sadiri tang harong, magkakahilang kita. Pano nagin patas ito?”

“…”

“Bako ini man talaga ini marhay asin magayon na sitwasyon maski sisay satuya, pero kaipuhan ta magin mabuot sa lambang saro. Pag mabuot kita sainda, mabuot man sinda satuya. Ngunyan, ano nganeng sasabihon ta?”

“Kayu-kayu, madayu kayu.”

“Nyan, marhay.”

=———————–=

English Version

“Kayu-kayu, madayu kayu.”

“Now say it with me.”

“Kayu-kayu, madayu kayu.”

“Good. Now remember, we always have to say that whenever we pass this place.”

“We also can’t sweep here right mama?”

“Yes, it’s good you remembered. I have such a smart boy!”

“But why do we have to follow these rules mama? I thought this was our house?”

“It is, it’s our place with all our things, but what is the house on?”

“….the ground?”

“Good job! Now the ground and all the earth, doesn’t belong to us.”

“But I thought this was our land? Isn’t this our farm? And isn’t this where I play?”

“Yes, yes, we bought this land, and we have all the papers to prove it, but then it gets complicated. See the land belonged to some other… people, long before we came here, before any humans started a town in this area.”

“But can’t we just buy it from those people?”

“There are just some things you can’t buy with money. This place is their home and always will be, long after you and I are gone. We have to learn to live with them.”

“What if I don’t want to? They seem mean. If we don’t say these things and if we just clean around our house we get sick. How is that fair?”

“How is it fair that they have to share their home with us?”

“…”

“It isn’t an ideal situation for either of us, but we have to learn to be kind to one another. If we are kind to them, they will be kind to us. Now what do we say?”

“Kayu-kayu, madayu kayu.”

“Good boy.”

=—————————-=

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 Danielle Serrano Dayog
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Danielle Serrano Dayog

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

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

*Note this story is in Bicol Naga

Kaidto pa man, sunuon ko nang magturúhok ki búlan. Igwáng kun anong mistério saiya. Minaliwanag sana daw siya sa mga taong maninigó sana? Minababa daw sa dagá an saiyang karwahe? Dai daw siyang kasagkuran?

Mayong oportunidád para sako makikáwat sa ibang mga aki sa luwás ta pirmi sana akong may hílang o kun ano pa man na nagkakawsa na magtinir sana sa laog kan hárong. Dai ko maapresyar an makusóg na siráng kan saldang, pero pag banggí, sa táhaw kan liwanag kan mga bitú-on asin suábeng duros, an búlan, iyo sana an sakong kakáwat.

An mga guráng minaistorya na pag an búlan hinali sa táhaw kan kalángitan, iyo na ini an katapusan kan kina’bán. Pigngísihan ko sana ining mga istoryang ini kaidtong mga panahon, ta pánong an búlan mapundó sa daing kasagkurang pagikot ka ini? Siya gíkan sa pangatúrogan dinara pasiring sa realidad, an perpektong tagapagbalangibog kan pag abot kan liwanag.

Iyan, sagkod na mahiling ko an león.

Arimaonga, apod kan mga guráng igdi. Dai ko aram kun panó an nágin reaksyon mánta’ng an sakong bilóg na háwak pinu-pu’ót kan takot. Mas dakúla ini komparádo sa arin man na háyop na áram ko. Asin ini nakapurupot sa sakóng namu’mu’ótan na búlan.

Puminundó an óras, tuminurúhok sa solamenteng kakáwat, mayong maginibo mánta’ng siya kinakakan kan háyop. Sa dai masabótan na rasón, an león nagkákawat, daing pagkaaram na ini na an puwedeng magin kasagkuran kan gabos.

Mas tákot siya komparádo sa sako. Namamati ko na mayo siyang maginibo mánta’ng siya kapót kapót kan león sa saiyang panga. Huminibí ako.

“León butasan mo an búlan o kun dai katapusan na kan kina’bán!”

Dai ko aram kun tano ko nasambítan itong mga tatarámon na ito pero naturálon sa pagmáti’, na garó kaipo ko talaga sindang sabíhon.

“León butasan mo an búlan o kun dai katapusan na kan kina’bán!”

An ibang mga taga-baryo umináyon naman sa pagkuráhaw. An mga guráng iniluwás an saindang tambol asin gong para mas magkusóg an ribók asin makaabot sa kalángitan.

“LEÓN BUTASAN MO AN BÚLAN O KUN DAI KATAPUSAN NA KAN KINA’BÁN!”

An samong halanóhan pá’as, an samong hinángos halos maúbos, alágad dai kami nagpundó. Dai ko siya babáya’an sa león, dai siya babáya’an kan baryo.

An león binutasán siya sa laog kan garó halawigon na panahón. Binutasán siya asin pinadágos an pagbaklay pasiring sa kalángitan.

Asin ako, mapakumbabá’ng aki, nagpasalámat sa mga diós ta an sakóng solamenteng kakáwat,  salbádo.

=——————————–=

English Version

I have always liked staring at the moon. There’s just the mystery of what she is. Does she shine her light on only the worthy? Does her chariot descend to the earth? Is she eternal?

There was never a chance for me to play with the other children, there was always some sickness or another that kept me indoors. I could never appreciate the sun’s harsh rays, but in the night, among the starlight and the gentle breeze, my only friend was the moon.

The elders tell stories that if the moon were to cease being in the sky, the world would end. I laughed at those stories once upon a time, for how could the moon ever stop her perpetual cycle? She was the dream made into reality, the perfect harbinger of light.

That is, until I saw the lion.

It was called the Arimaonga by the elders. I didn’t know how to react as terror filled my entire body. It was larger than I thought any animal could ever be. And it was clutching my beloved moon.

Time froze then, I stared helplessly as my only friend was being devoured by the beast. In some perverse way, the lion was playing a game, not knowing that it may just be the doom of us all.

She was more scared than I was. I could feel her hopelessness as she was clutched between the jaws of the lion. I started crying then.

“Lion release the moon or the world will come to an end!”

I don’t know why I started saying those words but it felt natural, like they needed to be said.

“Lion release the moon or the world will come to an end!”

The other villagers started joining me in the chant. The elders brought out their drums and gongs to make the noises reach the heavens.

“LION RELEASE THE MOON OR THE WORLD WILL COME TO AN END!”

Our throats were hoarse, our breath almost gone but we did not stop. I will not abandon her to the lion, this village will not abandon her.

The lion finally released the moon after what seemed like an eternity. She clutched her sides and resumed her track along the heavens.

And I, a humble child thanked the gods that my only friend was safe.

=————————=

*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 Jenly Paz Balaquiao
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jenly Paz Balaquiao

Inspired by the Arimaonga description in Philippine Folk Literature: The Myths. Eugenio. 2001.

Arimaonga illustration by Lou Pineda
IG: https://www.instagram.com/blacknivalis/

*Note this story is in Bicol Naga

Kaidtong panahon may sarong aking lalaki na dai tataong magtultol. Saro siyang pasaway na aki. Ginigibo niya pirmi an kabaliktadan kan mga sinasabi kan saiyang mga magurang asin sa aroaldaw pirming nakakakua nin mga paagi an aking lalaki para tawanan kulog payo an saiyang pamilya.

Alagad an saiyang mga nguhod na tugang, pig-iidolo siya. Sa paghuna ninda, an saindang kuya iyo an pinakamaurag asin matibay sa kinaban.

Sarong aldaw, dinara kan aking lalaki an saiyang mga tugang sa kadlagan tangarig maglakaw-lakaw, kun sain nanuparan ninda an sarong lungib (kuweba). “Tabi apo, Tabi apo” sabi kan saiyang mga nguhod na tugang. Tigtukduan sinda kan saindang mga magurang na pirming magtaong galang kun kinakaipuhan.

An matuang lalaki o saindang kuya nangtutuya-tuya. “Anong ginigibo nindo?” Hapot niya sa saiyang mga nguhod na tugang. ‘’Nagtatao kaming galang sa mga saradit na tawo sa lungib,” an sabi ninda.

‘’Mayo man arog kaiyan.” Nakakasuyang simbag kan matuang lalaki sa nadangog na mga pang-aki sana man na paliyon. ‘’Nahiling na nindo? Mayo lamang ibang tawo sa laog kan lungib. Pumurundo kamo, garo kamo mga aki na dai nakakaaram sa totoong kinaban.”

‘’Alagad kuya, baka aksidente ta sindang matumakan.” Simbag na dai pag-uyon kan mga nguhod na tugang.

An saindang kuya, nagparagpadag kan saiyang bitis sa laog kan lungib. Takuton na pighiling kan mga nguhod na tugang an saindang matuang tugang sa saiyang ginigibo.

Makalihis an pirang minuto, mayo man nangyari. “Hilinga? Sinabi ko na saindo. Tistingan man nindong gibuhon ini.”

An matuang lalaking tugang pinirit na gibuhon man kan mga tugang niya an saiyang ginibo, hasta saro, asin gabos na sinda napiritan na maggibo kaini. ‘’Kuya, mga tugang, dai ko aram kun marhay ining ginigibo ta.” Sabi niya.

An mga magtururugang dai nadangog an saiyang sinasabi mantang sinda mariribukon na nagpaparadag-padag.

Oras na an nakaagi, an mga aki nagkakarawat sa laog kan kuweba. Nagdesisyon sindang magpuli na sa harong ta oras na nin pamanggihan.

Sarong tingog an nagsabi sa huri, “Tabi apo” bago sinda nagharali.

Kan an mga aki pasiring na sa saindang harong, sarong sanga an biglang nahulog asin tinamaan an sarong tugang sa payo. An tugang na matuang lalaki dai na aram an gigibuhon ta aram niyang siya an mababasol huli sa nangyari sa saindang mga tugang.

“Dali na, an saro saindo maghagad nin tabang!” tigmanduhan an saiyang mga tugang.

Kan an mga aki naghihiridali, nagkadarapla sinda sa kada saro asin nagkarulugadan asin nagkarurungasan. Nagpuon sindang maghiribi.

“Dai kamo magparahibi!” An matuang lalaki nagkurahaw. An saiyang tingog nakalakop sa kadlagan asin nakapurisaw sa sarong layas na upon (baboy-ramo). Tighiling kan upon an mga aki asin nag-atungal ini.

An matuang lalaki, aram na kaipuhan niyang protehiran an saiyang mga tugang na mawot lapagon kan upon, alagad sa mayong ano-ano, an upon nakahiling lang sa mga aki.

Marhay na sana, an sarong tugang na lalaki nagrani sa upon. ‘’Patawara kami ta tigparatumakan mi ika” sabi kaini. ‘’Hagad mi na mapatawad mo kami.”

An upon nagsimbag nin atungal. Sa puntong ito, nahiling kan mga magtururugang na nabolong na an saindang mga lugad asin rungas.

Nagkaurugma an mga aki asin hinapot an saindang tugang kun ano an nangyari.

“An dapat ta lang gibuhon, pirming magtataong galang” an saiyang simbag.

Nagin marahay na an gabos asin naghapot sa inosentihon na tingog an sarong nguhod na tugang.

“Nahiling nindo si kuya?”

=————————-=

English Version

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Stop crying!” The older brother shouted. His voice echoed through the woods and attracted a wild boar.

The boar stared at the children and gave out a large grunt.

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

Finally, one of the brothers approached the beast.

“I’m sorry that we stepped on you,” he said. “I hope you will forgive us.”

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

The children rejoice and asked their brother what happened.

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

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

“Have any of you seen kuya?”

=—————————=

Story inspired by Dwende entry in Myth Museum. Medina. 2015.

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

*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga

Siya ito.

Sa inot, dae ko sya nabisto. Kaidtong banggi, nakahiling ako ning biribid na lalawgon asin mga pangil. Nahiling ko ang mapulang garo dugo na pisi asin pigsusog ini pasiring sa atop.

Asin nahiling ko ang halimaw.

Ang mga pangil naribayan ning maogmang ngisi asin ang buhok nakahugay palikod ning sobrang pomada, pero iyo an parehong lalawgon.

Naghapot ako sa palibot asin naaraman na ang ngaran niya ay Fortunato Leviste. Yaon siya sa lugar para magpurbar makakua ning mga boto bilang pagkagobernador.

Kung aram lang ninda.

Sa pagdakula mi, pigsabihan kami na maglikay sa banggi, lalo na kung kami may helang. May mga nilalang na naglalayog sa langit na may liwanag kan bulan, handa na magtugdon sa mga atop asin magpakabasog sa saindong mga bituka.

Ang lola ko nagistorya sako minsan tungkol igdi sa mga halimaw na ini. Sinabi nya na ini magagayon, may singputi ning ivory na balat asin mapang-akit na mga mata. Alagad ang mga lalaki pigbabalaan kaning gayon na ini, ta sinasabi na pinapakasalan ninda ang saindang biktima asin minarayo, dae na mahihiling giraray.

Siguro ginigibo nya ang kapareho igdi. Gwapo sya asin mestizo, sinusuyo ang kada babae sa kwarto. Sinda halos magdarasmag para lang magkaigwa ning pakikiulay sa saiya.

Pero sarong bagay ang daeng ontok na nagbabagabag sako.

Ang manananggal ay mga babae sana, tama?

Nag isip ako pabalik sa gabos na istorya.

Mga babaeng natatanggal ang taas na kabanga kan saindang hawak.

Mga babaeng may pakpak na garong sa paniki.

Mga babae na dae maitakod ang kabangang babang lawas kun bugtakan nin abo, suka o asin.

Mga babae na may gapising laba ning dila na minasupsop kan bituka kan saindang biktima asin nagpapakasawa igdi.

Dae.

Aram ko an sakong nahiling.

Siya nakatindog apat na dupa ang rayo hali sako asin nagngingirit.

Nagngangalas ako kung ano an saiyang iniisip. Siguro an sunod nyang biktima?

Dae ko tutugutan na mangyari ito.

Dae pakatapos kan sakong nahiling.

Pigsusog ko siya paluwas kan pinto pasiring sa dalan. An parong kang tabako minadukot pa sa sakuyang dungo.

Nahiling nya ako asin nagdakula an saiyang pagngisi.

Tapos sinabi ko saiya na aram ko kung ano siya asin kung ano ang pigpurbaran nyang gibuhon sako. Sinabihan ko siya na dae ko babayaan na mangyari ito, na mayo nang magiging biktima pa.

Asin nagparangakngak siya.

Sinabi nya sako na saro lang akong nakakapay na babae.

Siisay ang matubod sako?

Ang mga pulis?

Mga amigo asin amiga ko?

Mga kapamilya ko?

Anong magiginibo ninda?

Naglakaw siya pasiring sako asin naghiling sa sakong mga mata. Takot ang nagkamang sa sakuyang tulang.

“Mainot na akong maghali,” sabi niya “Dae pa ako namanggi.”

Namamati kong naglalaba ang saiyang dila, tamang laba para maabot ang likod kang sakong liog.

Napatukaw ako sa daga, nagtuturo ang luha pababa sa sakong lalawgon.

Dae.

Dae ko itatao saiya an saiyang kamuyahan.

Aaramon ko sain siya nag-iistar.

Asin maiskusar.

Asin, bawang, tsaka kutsilyo.

Sana lang Dios ko, bayaang maging sapat na ini.

=————————-=

English Version

It’s him.

At first, I didn’t recognize him. That night, I saw a twisted face and fangs. I saw the blood-red thread and followed it to the roof.

And I saw the monster.

The fangs are replaced by a gleeful smile and the hair is slicked back with too much pomade, but it’s the same face.

I ask around and find out that his name is Fortunato Leviste. He’s in the area trying to get some votes to be the governor.

If only they knew.

Growing up we’d be told to be careful in the night, especially if we were sick. There were creatures that flew through the moonlit sky, ready to land on your roof and feast on your bowels.

My lola told me a story once about these monsters. She said they were beautiful, with ivory-white skin and alluring eyes. Men were warned against this beauty though, for it was said that they marry their victims and flee, never to be seen again.

Maybe he’s doing the same here. He’s handsome and mestizo, charming every woman in the room. They’re practically falling over themselves to have a conversation with him.

But one thing keeps nagging me.

Mananaggal are only female, right?

I think back to all the stories.

Women that remove the upper half of their bodies.

Women with batlike wings.

Women that can’t reconnect their lower parts if it’s covered with ash, vinegar or salt.

Women with a threadlike tongue that sucks the bowels of their victims and feast on them.

No.

I know what I saw.

He’s standing four feet away from me and laughing.

I wonder what he’s thinking about. His next victim perhaps?

I won’t let that happen.

Not after what I’ve seen.

I follow him out the door into the street. The smell of tobacco cloyingly lingers on my nose.

He sees me and his smile widens.

Then I tell him I know what he is and I know what he tried to do to me. I tell him I won’t let that happen, that there would be no more victims.

And then he laughs.

He tells me I’m just a hysterical girl.

Who would believe me?

The police?

My friends?

My family?

What could they do?

He walks by me and looks me in the eye. Fear rolls down my spine.

“I’m going to go ahead,” he says “I haven’t had dinner.”

I could feel his tongue get longer, long enough to reach the back of my neck.

I fall to the ground, tears streaming down my face.

No.

I won’t give him the satisfaction.

I find out where he’s staying.

And prepare.

Salt, garlic and a knife.

I hope this is enough.

Please God, let this be enough.

=——————————-=

*The Iqui is also known as Ikki / Ike

*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 Monmon Nietes

Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Monmon Nietes

Story inspired by the Iqui description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Iqui Illustration by Michael Sean B. Talavera
IG: @maykelshan
Deviantart: https://www.deviantart.com/isaneleach13

*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga

Pumikít ka.

Hangúson an kristal na dúros.

Dangugón an tanóg kan bukid.

Igwang paagi an kapalibutan na taranggalan ka sagkod sa puró kan saimong úbod. Pinaparà kaini an tupúng-túpong na kinahinimanwáan na nakaukit sa saimong háwak, kada pidaso, sagkod na mayò nang matadâ kun dai an kalag na minatakod sa puso nin mga hayop, naghihinguang makatalingkas.

Mamamatian mo ini sa saimong tùlang. Minalakop an buhay sa mga kapuntukan asin lambak, sa nakasulnop na mga tanawon sa kada kanto nin kadlagan. Sa urog na hiwas kan kayamanan nin buhay, dai ka makakakurap na mayong nasasakripisyo.

An gayon kan kapalibutan iyo an kaayusan sa daing-kaayusan. Linalabanan nin buhay an paagi nin buhay. An agi-agi kan mga hayop na pigdadakóp asin kan mga hayop na paradákop, saralák sa sarong sayaw na siring sa suanoy na mga sálog, alagad minadanay sinda sa tanóg kan kantang dai pa nadadangóg. An mga amíd minabukod nin mga kinô, an mga paniki minalayog sa saindang mga insekto, asin an mga gamgam minadakop sa kaitaasan, an uran nin laman asin dugo pinapatalubo an kadlagan.

Nagsabatan sa katuninungan an pag-ultanan, asin igwang mga parabantay na dai mapupugulan ni sisay o ni ano man, tanganing padágos sana an kanta kan kapalibutan.

Sya an puting usá. An pamayó kan pugrô. An pastol kan kadlagan. Sya an maimbod na paniki, an madúnong na malkoha, an makaráw na amid, asin an matagas na payo na urig.

An mga parabúsol nin kinahinimanwaan daing gayo makakalaog sa saiyang erokan, dangan girumdumon parati:

Dangugon an tanóg kan saiyang mga tungtóng.

Hare ka magkuá sa saiyang bukid.

Dánay muklatón an saimong mga mata.

=——————-=

English Version

Close your eyes.

Breathe in the crystal air.

Listen to the sounds of the mountain.

Nature has a way of stripping you down to your core. It rubs away the layers of civilization etched on your body, piece by piece until there is nothing left but the soul that can connect to the animal heart fighting its way out.

You can feel it in your bones. The life stretched out among the peaks and valleys, the hidden wonders in each corner of the forest. The abundance of life so massive that you don’t even blink when one is sacrificed.

The marvel of nature is the order in the chaos. Life fights its way through life. Prey and predator are intertwined in a dance as old as the rivers, yet they continue on to the sound of an unheard song. The civet hunts the mouse, the bats fly to their insects and the birds hunt in the skies, nurturing the forest with a rain of flesh and blood.

A balance has been met and there are guardians that will stop at nothing to let nature’s song go on.

He is the white deer. The head of the flock. The shepherd of the forest.  He is the humble fruit bat, the wise malkoha, the playful civet and the stubborn boar.

The agents of civilization are not welcome in his home, and always remember.

Listen to the sounds of his footsteps.

Take nothing from the mountain.

Keep your eyes open.

=—————————=

*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 Jeremiah Cordial
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jeremiah Cordial

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

Lampong 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/

*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga

“Taramá sakuyà an dapít sa saimong kahoy,” taramon kan bubuyog sa dayamdam.

“Iyo man saná bagá an pinaka-urog na kahoy sa bílog na kinâban!” hawhaw kan dayamdam. Aram kaini na mayong ibang kahoy sa kadlagan an makakatupong sa gayon kan saiyang kahoy. Igwa ining magagayon na burak na minabukad pag tig-init asin pag minabunga! Aw, an mahamis na hamot kaiyan an pinakamakangangalas na bagay na mapaparong nin sisay man na linalang.

An bubuyog naghapot, “Nya, si mga tawo? Siring man an saindang kaisipan dapít sa kahoy?”

“Aram mo man bagá si mga tawo,” simbag kan dayamdam. “Sadiri saná parati an iniisip. Dai nganì sinda nagpapaaram kun makua nin mga bunga sa sakuyang kahoy.”

“Kabaraglâ!” bulyaw kan bubuyog.

“Ining mga tawo, mayo nin ano man na marhay na gawì,” taramon kan dayamdam na may kapalangkawan.

Mayong ano ano pa, nagyugyog an bílog na kahoy. Naglayog pasiring sa ligtas na lugar an bubuyog, alagad nagpawalat an dayamdam sa mga sanga kan saiyang kahoy.

“Dulág na!” Nagkurahaw an bubuyog.

“Ano an nangyayari?!” Kurahaw man kan dayamdam.

“An mga tawo! Pigpupurutol kan mga tawo an kahoy!” Naghinguang tabangan kan bubuyog an dayamdam, alagad ta sadit man saná ini, dai kayang darhon an linalang. Naghingua giraray an bubuyog na tabangan an saiyang amigo sa pagkakakagat sa mga tawo mantang naghihingua man sindang putulon an kahoy, alagad mayo nin nangyari.

“Dalágan na, amigo! Dalágan na parayò!” kurahaw giraray kan bubuyog.

Alagad aram na kan bubuyog na dai babayaan kan saiyang katuod an kahoy. Para sa dayamdam, an kahoy bakô saná sarong simpleng haróng. An kahoy iyo an saiyang bílog na buhay, an mga sanga iyo an saiyang mga ugat, asin an mga burak iyo an saiyang puso. An mga dahon kan kahoy an ginigibo niyang gubing, asin nakatagama an bílog kan saiyang buhay sa ultanan kan bakbak asin kan bunga.

Hiniling kan bubuyog mantang nagkaturumba an mga puno sa kamot kan mga tawo, asin kun makakahibi saná ini, mahibi ini para sa saiyang puminiyong na amigo. Dakol pa sa sarô an pigbiktima kan mga tawo kan aldaw na ito, asin minidbid ito kan bílog na kadlagan.

Kan bangging ito, uminalingawngaw an mga kanta kan dayamdam, daing kasagkudan na pagigirumdumon an kahoy sa kadlagan na pinaka-urog sa gayon.

=————————=

English Version

“So tell me about your tree,” said the bee to the dayamdam.

“Well, it’s the best tree in the world of course!” The dayamdam said proudly. It had known that no other tree in the forest could match the beauty of its tree.  It had beautiful flowers that bloomed in the summer and when it bore fruit! Oh was that sweet smell the most ravishing thing any being had ever smelled.

The bee asked “What of the humans? Do they share your thoughts on the tree?”

“You know how humans are,” the dayamdam replied. Always thinking of themselves. They don’t even ask for permission when gathering fruit from my tree.”

“How rude!” the bee exclaimed.

“These humans don’t have any manners” the dayamdam said haughtily.

Just then, the entire tree shook. The bee flew away to safety, but the dayamdam stayed in the branches of its tree.

“You must run away!” The bee shouted

“What is happening?!” The dayamdam cried out.

“The humans! The humans are cutting your tree.” The bee tried to help the dayamdam but it was too small to carry the creature. The bee still tried to help its friend by stinging the humans as they tried to cut the tree down, but to no avail.

“Run my friend! Run far away!” The bee exclaimed again.

But the bee knew that its friend would never leave the tree. For the dayamdam, the tree was more than just a simple home. The tree was its entire life the branches its veins and the flowers its heart. It would make clothes from the tree’s leaves and spend the entirety of its lifetime in between the bark and the fruit.

The bee stared as the tree was felled by human hands and if it could cry it would shed a tear for his fallen friend. The humans claimed more than one victim that day, and the whole forest would acknowledge that.

That night the trees echoed with the songs of the dayamdam, forever remembering the most beautiful tree in the forest.

=———————–=

*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 Jeremiah Cordial
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jeremiah Cordial

Inspired by the Dayamdam description in Myth Museum. Medina. 2015.

Dayamdam Illustration by Kayla Teodoro
Tumblr: mikaylateodoro.tumblr.com

*Note this story is in Bicol-Albay

Nata mo kakatakutan an kagagdanon?

May iisturya ako saindo.

Kaitong panahon, may mayamanon na babayi na nakaistar harani sa dagat. Dai sya nin maski sarong bisita, ta muya nya sana ang katahimikan na naitatao kan saiyang dakulaon na harong. Nagiistambay sana sya maghapon asin magdamlag sa may dagat, nagbibilang kang mga bituon asin baybay.

May kasaro-sarui sana syang kabarkada na daing kaparehas na tawo sa bilog na kinaban, ta ito bako talagang tawo. Kurukaiba nya pimi an anino kan kagagdanon na nakakaina kan saiyang kamunduan. Inot sindang nagkamidbidan kan kinua kan aninong ini an buhay kang ina kang babayi. Dai sya nakakamati nin maski anong takot ta sa paghiling nya, tigsasabat kang mga tawo ang anino kang kagagdanon na may kapakumbabaan.

“Nata dai ka nagdudulag sa takot?” an anino naghapot. “Ika ay parte kang kagayunan nin buhay”. An babayi suminimbag.

Kaito pa man ay dai pa naaapod na magayon an anino kang kagagdanon kaya ini nag tagal pa hanggang sa matapos kang babayi an larao, ritwal seremonyas  ngane maprotektahan an lawas kan saiyang ini sa mga magdulot ki maraot saiya sa lugar pagkatapos kan kagagdanon. An anino luway-luway na namuot sa babayi pagkatapos kaito, ta dai pa maski saro kaito na ruminespeto kang kagagdanon tulad kan pagrespeto kan babayi.

An anino kang kagagdanon ugaring ay maimunon, muya nya na saiya sana an babayi. Tigsundan nya ini hanggang sa may baybayon sa gilid kan dagat asin nagplanong butodon na sana ini ngane makairiba nya na pirmi.

An babayi ugaring ay matali man, naaraman nya ang tigpaplano kan anino kang kagagdanon. Huminali sya sa saiyang harong asin duminuman sa harong kan saiyang lola. Ta ining lola ay may makusog na kakayanan na hinabuan man sana kan saiyang apong babayi. Ngunyan, dai ng mapapaniruan ining babayi ta an anino kan kagagdanon ay harani na.

Kan yaon na su anino ngane kuwaon su babayi, nakigkig sya. An babayi dai na magagadan pa, dai nya na maaaraman an pagmati na nasa kagagdanon.

Pero dai nya babayaan ang anino kang kagagdanon. Naaraman nya na ang pagmati na maraot an saiyang tiwala gibo kan tinuring nyang barkada, kaya sya dai matunong hangga’t dai nakakabalos. Kada dai rerespetuhon an kagagdanon gamit an larao, yaon sya. Rarauton an kung ano man na maray na dapat makua kan anino.

Dai ka dapat matakot sa anino kan kagagdanon.

Matakot ka sa kun ano an kasunod kaini.

=————————————=

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.

=———————–=

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 Danielle Serrano Dayog
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Danielle Serrano Dayog

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

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