*Note this poem is in Ilocano

Maysa a kuko manipud kenni Tara, agay-ay-ayam idiay paraangan,
Dua a kuko manipud kenni Kevin, napukaw iti kasipngetan,
Tallo a kuko manipud kenni Leo, nabati idiay pagtaengan,
Uppat a kuko manipud kenni Audrey, nasinga iti pagtawagan,
Lima a kuko manipud kenni Habi, rimuar a mapan mangan,
Innem a kuko manipud kenni Mike, tumartaray idiay dalan,
Pito a kuko manipud kenni Denise, agsapsapul iti aso,
Walo a kuko manipud kenni Migz, matmaturog a kasla troso,
Siam a kuko manipud kenni Camille, nakasubsob ti rupana iti libro,
Sangapulo a kuko manipud kenni Erik, saan a makaperreng iti adayo,
Adu pay a kuko para iti Kumao, dagiti met koma ubbing ket agridam
Ta masapul a padaraendaka no ramananda ti kinaawan namnamam.

=————————=

English Version

One fingernail from Tara, playing in the park

Two fingernails from Kevin, caught after dark

Three fingernails from Leo, left home alone

Four fingernails from Audrey, distracted by her phone

Five fingernails from Habi, going out to eat

Six fingernails from Mike, running down the street

Seven fingernails from Denise, looking for her dog

Eight fingernails from Migs, sleeping like a log

Nine fingernails from Camille, her face buried in a book

Ten fingernails from Erik, who didn’t think to look

More fingernails for the Kumao, and children beware

It takes them to bleed you and taste your despair

————————–————————–————————–—–

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Ilocano translation by Deo M. Ramos
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Deo M. Ramos

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

Kumao Illustration by Leandro Geniston
FB: That Guy With A Pen

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

*Note this story is in Cebuano

“Daddy! Naa nasad siya!!”

Minglingi si Danilo sa iyang asawa nga wa kadungog sa sampit sa ilang anak tungod sa
ka-hinanok sa iiyang pagkatulog. Ming barog siya samtang naghandum sa gi sulti sa
Psychologist. Duha na ka bulan ang minglabay gikan sa lubong apan ang kasakit nag pabilin.

Sa edad nga sinco anyos, ilang gituhu-an nga si Maine bata pa kaayo aron makasabot sa mga
panghitabo.

Nakita gayud nila ang kausaban. Kining bataa kani-adto lagsik og lihok mingkalit lag ka hilom.
Gisamutan pani sa mga hulagway nga kanunay gi druwing sa bata.

Unang nakabantay si Miss Grade sa mga druwing paglabay sa pipila ka adlaw gikan sa
paglubong nila sa iyang lola. Pag una, gituhuan nila nga coping mechanism lang kini sa bata
tungod sa kamatayon sa iyang lola. Tingaleg gusto ni Maine nga handumon iyang lola unya
isabyag sa kalibutan.

Apan, nabantayan nalang ni Miss Grace nga hinay hinay na nga mugamit si Maine og mga
baga-on nga kolor susama sa itom og puwa sa iyang mga druwing. Ang kalmado og
mang-atimanon nga hulagway sa babae sa drawing ni Maine gipulihan man ug makahadlok nga
hulagway,hangtud sa kini aduna nay mga dagong nganga ug nagbitay nga dila.

Katong gi pangutana ang bata bahin sa iyang mga druwing igo ra kini mi tubag nga “pirme ni
siya mo Hii nako inig ka gabie. Hilabi na kung pagngon na ni mama og papa ang mga suga,
makita nako siya bintana. Mao to nangayu ko nilag suga aron dili siya ka duol nako.”

Tungod ato, gi-rekomendar ni Miss Grace kang Danilo nga ilang dalhon si Maine sa usa ka
Psychologist aron magiyahan si Maine sa iyang nasinati karon. Buot man, ilang gi timan-an ang
mga pulong sa Psychologist og ila pun’g nasag-ulo ang dapat nilang isulti kung makig-istorya
kang Maine.

Nanuktuk si Danilo sa pultahan sa iyang anak. Iya kining gipanguta kung pwede ba siyang
musulod.

“Daddy, guba ang suga di na musiga unya makita na nako siya!”

Wa na tuod nag siga ang suga sa tapad sa iyang katre. Minglingkod si Danilo tapad kang
Maine.

“Di ko ganahan niya. Hadlok kaayo siya.”

Sa tan-aw ni Danilo murag nahadlok man gyud tuod iyang anak samtang iya kining gigakos. Diri
na niya nahimunduman ang gisulti sa Psychologist. Kailangan niyang tubagon ang kahadlok sa
iyang anak pinagi sa pag agak og pag atiman. Iyang gipangutana iyang anak kung tungod ba
gyud ni sa babae sa bintana o tungod sa iyang lola.

“Ana si Lola nako nga kung palong daw ang suga unya abli ako mga mata, makita daw nako
ang babae.”

Nasayud na si Danilo aning istoryaha. Mao kini pirme balik balikon ni Maine matag gabie sukad
nga namatay iyang lola.Ming subay siya sa gitudlo sa Psychologist aron pagtubag sa iyang
anak. Iyang gi butang ang gibati sa iyang anak sa iyang mga pulong og gi-ingnan niya kini nga
kahibalo siya nga naguol siya sa iyang lola, ug unsa siya kapinangga sa tanan. Mipuno siya sa
pagsulti nga di to ganahan iyang lola nga mahadlok siya. Giduyugan ni Danilo si Maine sa
paghandum ni Lola aron maibanan ang kaguol.

Sa katong nahuman na sila sa ilang paghadum, nakita ni Danilo ang ka kapuy sa mga mata ni
Maine maong iya kining gi-ingnan nga oras na para mupahuway siya og balik. Ming tando si
Maine og mi-ingon “Okay, daddy. Pero palihug kog bilin sa suga nga nag siga. Di ko ganahan
maka kita niya.”

Ming tando si Danilo ug gi-ablihan ang pultahan aron makasulod ang kahayag. Nasayud siya
nga maghinanglan pag taas taas nga panahon si Maine aron maka lingkawas sa kaguol nga
iyang gi bati. Kailangan niyang mahimong mapasi

=————————————————–=

English Version

“Daddy! She’s here again!!”

Danilo looked to his right and saw that his wife was sound asleep, the cries of their child ineffective against her current dream. He stood up and thought about what the psychologist said to say.

The funeral had been finished about two months ago, but the scars still lingered. At 5 years old they thought that Maine was too young to understand what was happening.

But a few weeks after, Miss Grace had asked to speak to them about what Maine was doing in class.

The little girl that was so bright and filled with energy had become despondent and silent.

And that was separate from the drawings.

Miss Grace noticed the first drawing a few days after they buried her lola. At first, she thought that it was a way of coping. Maybe Maine wanted to channel her grandmother and tried to put those feelings out into the world.

Then Miss Grace saw Maine use darker colors, always red and black.; the calm, caring face of the woman in her drawings becoming more grotesque, the later ones having a gaping jaw and a long tongue.

When Maine was asked what she was drawing the girl would just reply, “She always says hi to me at night. When Mama and Papa turn the lights off, I can see her by the window so I told them to give me a light so she can’t go near me.”

Miss Grace recommended that the family see a psychologist to help Maine get through this difficult time and her parents agreed. They took the words of the psychologist to heart and memorized how they should talk to their daughter.

Danilo knocked on his daughter’s door and asked if he could come in.
“Daddy the light isn’t working and I can see her!”

Maine was right, the nightlight by her bedside was pitch black and definitely broken. He sat by her bedside and asked her what was wrong, carefully remembering to use clear words to let her understand.

“I don’t like her. She’s scary.”

She did seem scared and Danilo took his daughter in his arms. It was at this point that the advice of the psychologist kicked in. Responding to her fear with comfort and reassurance. He asked her if it was really about a woman in the window, and changed the topic to her lola.

“Lola used to tell me about her. She said that if the lights were off and if my eyes were open, I could see the woman.”

Danilo knew this part of the story well enough, it was something that Maine repeated every night since her lola passed. He returned to using the psychologist’s advice. He put her emotions into words, telling her that he knows she feels sad about her lola, and how much everyone loved her. He told her that lola wouldn’t want her to be scared. They sat together and talked about lola, thinking back to happy memories to activate positive feelings.

When they finished remembering Danilo saw the tiredness in Maine’s eyes and told her it was time to get some rest.

She nodded and said, “Okay daddy, but please put the lights on. I don’t want to see her.”

Danilo nodded and opened the door to let the light in. He knew that it would take time for her to heal from the loss and he would be as patient as he needed to be for Maine’s sake.

After all, it’s what parents do.

=—————————————————————=

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cebuano Translation by Julius Cesar Cudera
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Julius Cesar Cudera

Inspired by a story told by  Teresita Gasga

Kulukupap Illustration by Alvin Gasga

FB: The Art of Alvin Gasga

*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga

“Papa, oya na naman siya!!!”

Kuminiling sa tuo si Danilo asin naheling niya ang saiyang agom turogon pa, ang manga hibe kan saindang aki dae man naka-purisaw sa nangingi-turugan.  Nagtingdog si Danilo asin naisip ang sinabi kan psychologist.

Natapos ang lubong magkaka-duwang bulan na ang naka-agi pero manga pila nagu-unog pa.  Ini-isip ninda na ang singko aῆos na si Maine akion pa para maintindihan ang manga nangyari.

Alagad makatapos nin perang semana,  nagpasing-tabi si Miss Grace na kaulayon sinda manungod sa gibo-gibo ni Maine sa klase.

Ang dating neneng na madunong y pano nin enerhiya nagging mamundo asin mayong girong.

Asin iyan suway  pa sa manga drawings.

Na notisya ni Miss Grace ang enot na drawing ni Maine magka-perang  aldaw pakatapos ilubong ang lol ani kaine.  Kan enot inisip niya na eto paagi nin pag-atubang. Siguro gusto ni Maine na maging medio ang saiyang lola asin iluwas sa kinaban ang saiyang manga namamatean.

Dangan naheling ni Miss Grace ang pag-gamit ni Maine nin madidiklom na kolor, pirmeng pula asin itom; ang kalmado, maataman na lalaogon kan babaye nagiging mas abnormal, sa huring manga drawings iguang naka-nganga asin halabaon ang dila.

Kan hinapot si Maine kung ano ang pigdro-drawing niya ine ang simbag, “Sa banggi pirme na siya na hi sakuya.  Pagpig-parong nina Mama asin Papa ang manga ilaw, naheheling ko siya sa may bentana kaya sinabii ko sainda na ilawan ako sa cuarto para dae ang babaye makarane sako.”

Ni-rekomendar ni Miss Grace sa family na magpaheling si Maine sa psychologist para matabangan alpasan ineng oras nin kadeficilan asin ine inuyonan kan manga magurang.

Nagtoktok si Danilo sa puertahan kan aki asin naghapot kung puedeng mag-laog.

“Daddy ang ilaw dae nag-gagana asin naheheling ko siya.”

Totoo na ang nightlight sa may katre ni Maine may diperensya asin itom-kadiklom ang cuarto. Nagtukaw sa gilid kan katre si Danilo asin naghapot kung ano ang problema, mariparo siya sa gamit nin klarong tataramon para maintindihan kan aki.

“Habo ko saiya. Nakaka-takot siya,”

Garo takot na takot talaga si Maine asin kinugos ni Danilo ang aki.  Sa oras na ine suminipa ang advice kan psychologist. Ranga, karinyo, asin asertasyon ang mga simbag niya sa takot ni Maine. Hinapot niya ang aki kung ine talaga manungod sa babaye sa may bentana, asin iniba niya ang urulay para sa lola.

“Pig-istoryahan man ako ni lola kaidto manungod sa babaye. Sabi niya na pagparong ang mga ilaw asin bukas ang sakong manga mata, maheheling ko ang babaye.”

Aram-araman na ni Danilo ang istorya, ta ine bara-banggi nire-repitir ni Maine magpuon na nagadan ang lola niya.  Balik si Danilo sa advice kan psychologist.  Inihatag sa sayod ang manga mate kan aki, ginigimata na aram niya ang namamatean kaine na pagmundo para sa lola, asin ang orog na pagmamahal saiya kan gabos.  Sinabi ni Danilo na si lola habo na matakot siya. Nagtukaw sinda asin nagulay-ulay manungod ki lola, ni-recuerdo ang mga maogmahon na naka-agi para mabuhay ang manga positibong kamatean.

Pagkatapos pag-girumdom naheling ni Danilo ang kapagalan sa manga mata ni Maine kaya oras na para magpahingalo.

Tuminango ang aki asin sinabi, “Okay daddy, pero paki-bukas kan ilaw.  Habo Kong maheling siya.”

Nagtango si Danilo asin binukas ang puerta para maglaog ang liwanag kan ilaw hale sa kasunod na cuarto. Nai-intindihan niya na kaipuhan ni Maine ang panahon para marahay asin magigin pasensyoso siya para sa aki.

Total iyan ang magi-ginibo kan mga magurang.

=——————————————————————=

“Daddy! She’s here again!!”

Danilo looked to his right and saw that his wife was sound asleep, the cries of their child ineffective against her current dream. He stood up and thought about what the psychologist said to say.

The funeral had been finished about two months ago, but the scars still lingered. At 5 years old they thought that Maine was too young to understand what was happening.

But a few weeks after, Miss Grace had asked to speak to them about what Maine was doing in class.

The little girl that was so bright and filled with energy had become despondent and silent.

And that was separate from the drawings.

Miss Grace noticed the first drawing a few days after they buried her lola. At first, she thought that it was a way of coping. Maybe Maine wanted to channel her grandmother and tried to put those feelings out into the world.

Then Miss Grace saw Maine use darker colors, always red and black.; the calm, caring face of the woman in her drawings becoming more grotesque, the later ones having a gaping jaw and a long tongue.

When Maine was asked what she was drawing the girl would just reply, “She always says hi to me at night. When Mama and Papa turn the lights off, I can see her by the window so I told them to give me a light so she can’t go near me.”

Miss Grace recommended that the family see a psychologist to help Maine get through this difficult time and her parents agreed. They took the words of the psychologist to heart and memorized how they should talk to their daughter.

Danilo knocked on his daughter’s door and asked if he could come in.
“Daddy the light isn’t working and I can see her!”

Maine was right, the nightlight by her bedside was pitch black and definitely broken. He sat by her bedside and asked her what was wrong, carefully remembering to use clear words to let her understand.

“I don’t like her. She’s scary.”

She did seem scared and Danilo took his daughter in his arms. It was at this point that the advice of the psychologist kicked in. Responding to her fear with comfort and reassurance. He asked her if it was really about a woman in the window, and changed the topic to her lola.

“Lola used to tell me about her. She said that if the lights were off and if my eyes were open, I could see the woman.”

Danilo knew this part of the story well enough, it was something that Maine repeated every night since her lola passed. He returned to using the psychologist’s advice. He put her emotions into words, telling her that he knows she feels sad about her lola, and how much everyone loved her. He told her that lola wouldn’t want her to be scared. They sat together and talked about lola, thinking back to happy memories to activate positive feelings.

When they finished remembering Danilo saw the tiredness in Maine’s eyes and told her it was time to get some rest.

She nodded and said, “Okay daddy, but please put the lights on. I don’t want to see her.”

Danilo nodded and opened the door to let the light in. He knew that it would take time for her to heal from the loss and he would be as patient as he needed to be for Maine’s sake.

After all, it’s what parents do.

=—————————————————————=

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

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

Inspired by a story told by  Teresita Gasga

Kulukupap Illustration by Alvin Gasga

FB: The Art of Alvin Gasga

“Daddy! She’s here again!!”

Danilo looked to his right and saw that his wife was sound asleep, the cries of their child ineffective against her current dream. He stood up and thought about what the psychologist said to say.

The funeral had been finished about two months ago, but the scars still lingered. At 5 years old they thought that Maine was too young to understand what was happening.

But a few weeks after, Miss Grace had asked to speak to them about what Maine was doing in class.

The little girl that was so bright and filled with energy had become despondent and silent.

And that was separate from the drawings.

Miss Grace noticed the first drawing a few days after they buried her lola. At first, she thought that it was a way of coping. Maybe Maine wanted to channel her grandmother and tried to put those feelings out into the world.

Then Miss Grace saw Maine use darker colors, always red and black.; the calm, caring face of the woman in her drawings becoming more grotesque, the later ones having a gaping jaw and a long tongue.

When Maine was asked what she was drawing the girl would just reply, “She always says hi to me at night. When Mama and Papa turn the lights off, I can see her by the window so I told them to give me a light so she can’t go near me.”

Miss Grace recommended that the family see a psychologist to help Maine get through this difficult time and her parents agreed. They took the words of the psychologist to heart and memorized how they should talk to their daughter.

Danilo knocked on his daughter’s door and asked if he could come in.
“Daddy the light isn’t working and I can see her!”

Maine was right, the nightlight by her bedside was pitch black and definitely broken. He sat by her bedside and asked her what was wrong, carefully remembering to use clear words to let her understand.

“I don’t like her. She’s scary.”

She did seem scared and Danilo took his daughter in his arms. It was at this point that the advice of the psychologist kicked in. Responding to her fear with comfort and reassurance. He asked her if it was really about a woman in the window, and changed the topic to her lola.

“Lola used to tell me about her. She said that if the lights were off and if my eyes were open, I could see the woman.”

Danilo knew this part of the story well enough, it was something that Maine repeated every night since her lola passed. He returned to using the psychologist’s advice. He put her emotions into words, telling her that he knows she feels sad about her lola, and how much everyone loved her. He told her that lola wouldn’t want her to be scared. They sat together and talked about lola, thinking back to happy memories to activate positive feelings.

When they finished remembering Danilo saw the tiredness in Maine’s eyes and told her it was time to get some rest.

She nodded and said, “Okay daddy, but please put the lights on. I don’t want to see her.”

Danilo nodded and opened the door to let the light in. He knew that it would take time for her to heal from the loss and he would be as patient as he needed to be for Maine’s sake.

After all, it’s what parents do.

=—————————————————————=

Written by Karl Gaverza

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by a story told by  Teresita Gasga

Kulukupap Illustration by Alvin Gasga

FB: The Art of Alvin Gasga

He loved the holiday season, there were so many children, so naïve and trusting.

Take Jonah for example, his parents let him out of their sight for only a few minutes. He wandered off in the mall and happened upon a nice old man carrying a sack.

He asked, “Are you Santa Claus?” and the man replied “Of course I am! Would you like a present?”

Jonah immediately peered into the sack, such was the boy’s excitement in getting a new toy. He didn’t even feel the blow to the back of his head. Kids these days were so materialistic, it would be such a shame if someone took advantage of that.

Lualhati was a different story. She was the most well behaved girl any parent could ask for. She spent her days looking after her little siblings.

She was such a brave girl too, distracting the old man long enough for her little brother to run away. She was no match for him of course, and into the sack she went.

Then there was the girl, Flordeliza, such a snobby little brat. She wouldn’t talk to anyone unless she thought they could give her sweets.

The old man used that to lure her into a nice little alleyway. Before she could even think to scream she was in the sack, along with the other children.

Rizalino always had his head down. His parents believed in letting technology do the brunt of the work when it came to raising children.

He was so proud when he got his tablet, he would spend hours and hours watching his brightly colored cartoons or playing another mind numbing video game. It was as if that screen was his entire world.

He never realized that there were things happening beyond his screen, like a very old man and a sack creeping up behind him.

And finally came Amor, a very troubled child. She would wander around the city because she didn’t feel like listening to her parents getting into a shouting match for the hundredth time.

If she listened to them she might have heard them say ‘Never talk to strangers’, but children can be so stubborn. They always think they know everything. That is, until everything proves them wrong.

The old man checked his list and made sure he had enough for his special recipe, he needed to have some left over to sell to the market, ‘It’s the holidays’ he reminded himself. There would be other chances, he just had to wait.

He could feel the movement coming from the sack. The children were starting to wake up, it was much too soon for that. The old man took the fruits of his labor, far away from the city to his little kubo in the mountains.

It wasn’t always like this, of course. In the old days he would never be able to get this many children in such a short amount of time.

He thought back to when the concrete jungles were a glimmer of inspiration in the eyes of the tycoons, and a sea of green dominated the landscape.

In those times he would have to wait for the odd child to wander into the woods, never to be heard from again. Their parents would come by and ask all the questions a concerned parent needed to ask:

“Have you seen our little girl?” “Did they walk by your kubo?” “Will you help us look for them?”

He would smile and say a few remorseful words. No one would ever think that an old, venerable lolo could have anything to do with the disappearances of a few children. The very thought was laughable.

And he laughed all the way home.

The room inside the kubo was pure chaos. Scarlet stains and misplaced limbs were fighting a battle for supremacy.

The old man put the sack down and five small figures came tumbling out. There was some slight movement, but he knew they wouldn’t regain consciousness for a few more minutes.

He grabbed his lucky cleaver and readied himself for the first chop. The girl, Lualhati, was closest. The old man thought that her blood would make for good dinuguan.

As he raised his knife, she decided to strike. The heel of her foot hit the old man’s stomach, he collapsed to the ground, letting out a scream of pain.

“Everyone run!”

In that instant the four other children woke from their stupor and made for the door. The old man managed to grab the leg of one of the boys, but he bit his hand and the old man lost his grip.

The old man watched as the children fled his kubo. He didn’t bother chasing them, all that running would make their meat tough and stringy.

He pulled up a chair and sat down. He would have to be more careful next time.

The old man glanced outside his window and stared at the tall buildings in the distance.

There would always be more children, and he was nothing if not patient.

After all, he had been doing this for a very, very long time.

————————–————————–————————–—-

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Tagalog Tigabulak legends

Tigabulak Illustration by Glendford Lumbao

Behance: https://www.behance.net/glendfordlumbao

There was an old woman who kept a peculiar pet
It taught more about medicine than anyone you’ve met
It was small and cheerful, so full of mirth
You wouldn’t think it lived inside the earth

One day the old woman went out of her house
She was chasing away a naughty little mouse
A boy was lost in the forest and said
“I’m hungry. Maybe here I can find some bread.”

He went in the house and looked all around
But to his disappointment, nothing could be found
He turned around and fell flat on his face
The boy tripped on the Kokok’s sleeping place!

Its head was pointed and it slept in the ground
So it wouldn’t make any kind of sound
The boy asked the Kokok if he could have a meal
And it said only if the boy agreed to a deal

The boy had to turn around and close his eyes
Then the Kokok would give him his prize
The boy did as he was told
And the Kokok opened its mouth, it was a sight to behold

It ate the small child with one loud crunch
It had almost forgotten it had skipped lunch
The woman came back and asked what had happened
The Kokok said “nothing” and she was gladdened

So to all the children lost and alone
Have some advice that should be known:

Look at the Kokok and don’t believe its lies
And when it laughs its lips cover its eyes
Run from the Kokok and don’t look back
Or you might be the Kokok’s next snack

————————–————————–————————-

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Poem inspired by Kokok entry in 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang. Samar. 2015.

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

Careful little child
It might hear you sneak
Careful little child
Don’t let the floor creak
Careful little child
Don’t make a sound
Careful little child
Keep your head on the ground

Quiet little child
Don’t hide under your bed
Quiet little child
Or you might lose your head
Quiet little child
It is looking for you
Quiet little child
Or you’ll turn black and blue

Run little child
It found your hiding place
Run little child
It doesn’t have a face
Run little child
It’s right behind you
Run little child
From the Pugot Mamu

————————–————————–———————

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Poem Inspired by the Pugot Mamu urban legends

Pugot Mamu Illustration and Watercolor by NightmareSyrup
Tumblr: http://nightmaresyrup.tumblr.com/