Catherine Chiu Archives - Philippine Spirits

Babaylan – Bicol Naga Translation

admin — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 07:45:11 +0000

*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
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Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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Laho – Hiligaynon Translation

admin — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 07:22:00 +0000

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

Sa tion lamang sang full moon ukon bilog nga bulan lamang makikit-an ang lunar eclipse kag kung magaagi ini sa anino sang aton kalibutan.

Sa tatlo nga eclipse, ang full moon gid ang pinakamatahum kag indi basta basta malimtan. Makit-an gid naton ini kung ang bilog gid nga bulan maga-agi sa umbral shadow sang kalibutan. Trenta y cinco porsyento lamang ang tyansa nga magatabo ang lunar eclipse kag pilang beses lang gid naton makita sa isa ka tuig.

Sa tion sang total lunar eclipse kaabot gihapon ang silak sang adlaw sa bulan apang indi galing direkta. Maagi danay ang silak sang adlaw sa atmospera sang kalibutan bag-o ma-separar ang pinaka-asul sini nga kasanag bag-o mangin kulay dalag ukon kahil– ang kolor sang adlaw. Ang pula nga suga nga ini ay nagalain ang direksyon kung ini mag-agi sa atmospera sang kalibutan kag kung ginaiwagan ang bulan. Muni ang rason kung ngaman ginatawag ang ‘Lunar Eclipse’ bilang ‘Blood Moon’ ukon dugo nga bulan.

Muni ang ila tawag.

Tistingan ninyo ipaguha ang inyo nga ‘telescope’ samtang Blood Moon para makit-an ninyo sa inyo kaugalingon. Obserbahi ang mga bitoon kung paano ini maghulag kung paano magpalayo sa aton panan-awan samtang may eclipse. Diri, mas makit-an gid naton ang pagkapula sang iwag asta sa indi na gid kita makalingad sa pagtulok diri.

Daw sa ‘deja vu’ ukon hitabo nga daw natapos na. Nga daw natabo na ini sa imo sadto sa pila na ka-beses. Kululbaan kag makatilindog balahibo ang pamatyagan kapin pa gid sa imo likod. Abi mo kung ano na, gali “eclipse” ma lang.

Pero halong lang, indi gid pagdirekta ang “telescope” sa “Blood Moon” kung indi ka gusto nga may makit-an ka sa pagtalikod mo.

=————————-=

English Version

A lunar eclipse can only occur at full moon and only if the moon passes through the Earth’s shadow.

Of the three kinds of lunar eclipses a total lunar eclipse is the most striking. Supposedly it is when the whole moon passes through Earth’s umbral shadow. Only 35% of eclipses are total lunar eclipses. Lunar eclipses occur a few times per year.

During a total lunar eclipse indirect sunlight can still reach the moon. That sunlight has to first pass the Earth’s atmosphere which filters out most blue colored light leaving a bright red or orange glow. This red light refracts through Earth’s atmosphere and illuminates the moon. This is why a total lunar eclipse is sometimes referred to as a ‘Blood Moon’

Or so they say.

Take a telescope out during a Blood Moon and see for yourself. See how the stars seem to move out of the way when the eclipse occurs. How the movement of the light seems to flicker and fade almost as if there’s something else that the light is reflecting on.

If you’re lucky you might see the small bits of orange and yellow light move around in big dots. You’ll see them twist in a zig-zag pattern toward the moon. When the eclipse starts you might see the light dots stop and stay stationary for the whole duration of the eclipse. You’ll see the red light grow deeper and deeper and you won’t be able to look away.

There will be a feeling of déjà vu. Like you’ve seen this moment happen a hundred times before. You’ll feel a deep chill in your spine and for some reason you’ll be scared. You’ll think that’s ridiculous, it’s only an eclipse.

But be careful not to point your telescope directly above the Blood Moon.

You might see something looking back.

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Hiligaynon translation by Trisha Delfin
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Trisha DelfinTrisha Delfin

Story inspired by Laho description in The Soul Book. Demetrio & Cordero-Fernando 1991.

Laho Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
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Watercolor by Nicole Chiu
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Kumao – Ilocano Translation

admin — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 05:24:11 +0000

*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
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Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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The Bird of Mount Gurayn – Cebuano Translation

admin — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 09:35:15 +0000

*Note this story is in Cebuano

Giandam ni Haring Indarapatra ang iyahang kaugalingon. Ang adlaw nagbanaag sa hinagiban nga anaa sa iyang mga kamot ug niginhawa siya ug lalom. Ang iyang huna-huna napuno sa mga sugilanon mahitungod sa mga maalamon nga mga binuhat, apan iyahang atubangon ang maong mananap bisan unsa pa kini kamakalilisang.

Ang ikaupat niini mao ang makahahadlok nga langgam sa bukid sa Gurayn.

Maabtik nga nilikay si Haring Indarapatra sa ulo nga padulungay niya, gamay na lamang ug maigo na siya sa mahait niini nga tuhik. Niligid siya sa yuta aron malikayan niya sa makausa ang duha pa niini ka mga ulo, ug gisulayanan niya pag-igo ang ikatulo, apan ang taguanan sa maong mananap kay mas labing lig-on pa diay kaysa sa iyahang pagtuo.

Wala magdahum si Haring Indarapatra sa mga panghitabo. Bisan asa man padulong, usa sa pito ka mga ulo ang gabantay niya. Tungod niini, gigamit na lamang sa hari ang iyang kusog sa maong suliran. Ug sa dihang ang usa na pud ka ulo ang padulungay ngadto kaniya, gikuptan ni Haring Indarapatra ang iyahang hinagiban sa iyang duha ka kamot gamit ang tanan niyang kusog aron tungaon ang ulo sa mananap.

Nilanog sa tibuok kabukiran ang pagsiyaok sa unom pa nga mga ulo, diin nagsagol ang kasakit ug kapungot. Gibati nag kahago si Haring Indarapatra sa tanan niyang pagpakigbisog. Ang matag kaunuran niya nagbati ug kasakit, apan wala na siyay panahon para magpahulay. Ang mananap, aduna pay unom ka laing ulo, diin nagaandam aron sa usa ka mapintas nga pag-igo.

Nilabay na ang mga gabii ug adlaw, nagbanaw ang dugo gikan sa matagpikas ngadto sa mga bato sa kaawaawan sa kabukiran. Hapit na mahabol ang hinagiban ni Haring Indarapatra gumikan sa pagtigbas niini sa taguanan sa langgam, apan sa makanunayon niya nga paghampak, ang maong mananap napukan ra gayud.

Gilantaw niya ang lawas sa mananap ug gipiyong ang iyang mga mata, natagbaw na siya sa iyahang nahimo.

Sa pagmata ni Haring Indarapatra, nakahunahuna siya kung unsa kaha kung dili pa patay ang tanang tawo dinhing nga dapit? Nagtoo siya nga aduna pa gayud pipila nga mga nakaluwas ngadto sa mga buntod ug kalasangan. Maong gisakob sa hari ang iyang hinagiban ug nipanaw na pud siya pag-usab.

Usa ka adlaw, iyang nakita sa layong dapit ang usa ka maanyag nga babaye. Wala kabalo si Rajah Indarapatra kung ugaling gimatamata lang siya, apan nalipay siya nga makakita ug laing tawo. Ang babaye kalit lamang nahanaw sa wala pa man nakaduol ang hari, maong nilingkod na lang siya sa duol nga bato, gikapoy ug gigutom.

Nag-ampo siya ug tabang, ug sa pagsuhid niya sa palibot, nakakita siya ug usa ka kulon nga anaay bugas ug usa ka dakong kalayo sa atubangan niini. Samtang iyahang giluto ang bugas, nakadungog siya ug kusog nga katawa. Nibati ug kasadya ang iyang kasing-kasing! Usa ka tigulang nga babae ang naglantaw kaniya. Nagpatimbaya siya niini ug naghisgutanay sila samtang gakaon si haring Indarapatra sa iyahang kan-on.

“Aduna pay uban nga nabuhi”, ingon ang babaye nga tigulang sa hari, apan pipila lang. Iyahang gihulagway ang usa ka langob kung asa nagtago ang mga tawo, layo sa makalilisang nga gahum sa upat ka mananap. Ang tigulang nga babaye ug ang iyang bana nagtago sa bangag sa kahoy ug ayha ra sila nanimpalad pagawas sa dihang napatay na ni Sulayman ang langgam nga si Pah.

Gitultolan sa tigulang nga babaye si Haring Indarpatra sa langob ug nagtipok ang mga tawo aron maminaw sa sugilanon sa maong langyaw. Iyahang gisaysay ang mahitungod sa iyahang igsoon nga si Sulayman, ug giunsa niya pagpatay sa mga mananap nga sila Kurita, Tarabusaw, ug Pah. Kung giunsa ang iyahang igsoon pagdat-ug sa ilalom sa pako sa dakong langgam. Ug kung giunsa niya pagpatay sa langgam nga may pito ka ulo didto sa bukid sa Gurayn.

Nag pasalamat ang mga tawo sa maong langyaw nga nagpahawa sa mga mananap sa ilang yutang ginsakpan. Gihatag sa nagapangulo sa maong katawhan ang iyahang anak aron ipaminyo sa hari, ug nahibulong si Haring Indarapatra sa pagkakita niya nga mao kini ang maanyag nga babaye nga iyahang nakita kaniadto.

Sa makadugay, hinay-hinay na nga nanggawas ang mga tawo sa ilahang taguanan ug namalik na sila sa ilahang mga panimalay, ug nanginabuhi sila nga malinawon ug malipayon hangtod sa hangtod.

=—————————=

English Version

King Indarapatra readied himself. The sun reflected against the blade in his hands and he breathed in deep. His mind was filled with tales of the creature being all-seeing, but he would face the beast no matter how fearsome it was.

The fourth was the dreadful bird of Mount Gurayn.
King Indarapatra deftly dodged the head coming towards him, the sharp beak missing its mark by only a few inches. He rolled on the ground avoiding another two heads and tried to strike at a third, but the beast’s hide was tougher than King Indarapatra thought.

Surprise was the one thing King Indarapatra could not count on. In each direction, one of the seven heads would be watching. So the king resorted to applying his strength to the problem. As another head bared down upon him, King Indarapatra held his sword with two hands and used all his strength to cut the monster’s head in half.

The screams of the other six heads echoed through the mountain range, a combination of pain and anger. King Indarapatra was exhausted from the effort, his every muscle screamed in agony, but there was no time to rest. The monster still had six other heads, all preparing to take a vengeful strike at him.

The nights blended with the days, blood from both sides was spilt on the barren rocks of the mountains. King Indarapatra’s blade was almost blunt from hacking away at the bird’s hide, but his strikes were true and the monster did fall.

He stared at the body of the beast and closed his eyes, content with what he had done.

King Indarapatra awoke with a thought. What if not all were slain in these lands? Surely there must be some survivors among the hills and forests. Thus, the king sheathed his sword and went on another journey.

One day he saw, in the distance, a beautiful woman. King Indarapatra did not know if it was an illusion, but he was delighted to see the sight of another human being. The woman disappeared before the king could get near and he sat on a nearby rock, tired and hungry.

He prayed for relief and, surveying the area, he saw a pot of uncooked rice and a large fire on the ground in front of it. As he cooked the rice, he heard loud laughter. His heart rejoiced! An old woman was watching him. He greeted her and they talked as King Indarapatra ate his rice.

“There are other survivors,” the old woman told the king, but very few. She described a cave in which the people were sheltered, far from the fearsome might of the four beasts. The old woman and her husband hid in a hollow tree and were only able to venture outward when Sulayman killed the bird, Pah.

The old woman led King Indarapatra to the cave and the people gathered around the stranger and listened to his tale. He told of his brother, Sulayman and how he slew the beasts Kurita, Tarabusaw and Pah. He told of how his brother was crushed under the wing of the great bird and how he journeyed from his lands to avenge his brother. He told of how he slew the seven headed bird of Mount Gurayn.

The people gave thanks to the strangers that rid their land of the monsters. The headman of the people gave his daughter’s hand in marriage to the king, and King Indarapatra was surprised to find that it was the beautiful woman that he had seen before.

Others eventually came out of their hiding places and returned to their homes, living in peace and happiness for the rest of their days.

————————–————————–———————-

Continued from Pah’s Tale

*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 Rica Quennie Lloren
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Rica Quennie Lloren

Adapted from “Mythology of Mindanao” in Philippine Folklore Stories. Cole. 1916. (Full text can be accessed at http://www.sacred-texts.com/asia/pft/index.htm)

The Bird of Mount Gurayn Illustration by Julius Arboleda

Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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Babaylan – Pangasinan Translation

admin — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 11:19:30 +0000

*Note this story is in Pangasinan

“Natatakot ak.”

“Ag ka natatakot, anako. Gawaën na saray espiritu so kaukolan.”

“Anto’y nagawa’d siyak?”

“Unla tan duwa ëd samay Balete insan taka itilak diman. Unirong ka’d sirong to may kiyëw, tan iyakar ka’d kawalaan ëd tagëy na tawën tan kawalaan ëd dalëm na dalin.

“Akin?”

“Piyan niyanak ka lamët.”

“Nasakitan ak ëd saya?”

“Ag… ag ko la nanonotan. Abayag la lapo’d samay siyak so abinyagan. Balët ag ka natatakot, anako, ipanëngnëng da’d sika so balon mundo.”

“Lapo’d saya katon makakatikyab kayo?”

“On, anako. Atan insan amayamay ni. Nanlapo ak la’d sangkaaralëman na dayat tan diya’d dalëm daray laman a totoo. Akatongtong ko la ray ispiritu ëd sayan mundo tan diya’d untombok. Akalinma ak la’d saray pasën a ag la nanëngnëng lamët na saray totoo. Balët naksawan ak la.”

“Wadya ti la.”

“Dëngël mo ray ispiritu. Igiya da ka ya singa no panon da ak inggiya’d intiron bilay ko.”

“Nanëngnëng taka ni?”

“Siopa’y makaamta no anto’y gabayën na saray ispiritu? Manpatanir ak la, anako, itilak ko ray totook ëd sika.”

“Asikaso yo la, Bai.”

“Sinmiplog so dagëm nën inmirong imay bii diya’d lëksab a Balete. Binmayag lapo’d pigan agëw angga’d pigaran simba ya ag inmalis imay ugaw. Maamta iramay apadalan ëd sikato ya ag pibabalian so panagdalëpdëp to. Nën sinmabi so sampot a labin mangitër a balon palbangon, inmalagëy sikato insan marëën a nampasalamat ëd saray ispiritu.

Anëngnëng na balon mata to so akaamot a mundon akapalibër ëd bilay to nën saman. Ag to la ninonot so ungngiriyët.

Walay kimëyën ton nëpëg a sumpalën.

=————————-=

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?”

“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.”

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.

————————–————————–————————–—–

*Pangasinan (Salitan Pangasinan) – sometimes called Pangasinense is one of the major languages of the Philippines. It is the language spoken in the province of Pangasinan, on the west-central seaboard of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, the northern portion of Tarlac and southwestern La Union, most of whom belong to the Pangasinan ethnic group. Pangasinan is also understood in some municipalities in Benguet, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, and by the Aeta or Aeta of Zambales.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Dean Alfred Narra
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

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

Babaylan Illustration by emirajuju
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Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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Ekek – Hiligaynon Translation

admin — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 06:50:04 +0000

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

Ek-Ek-Ek

Kinulbaan ang mal-am sang makabati kang huni halin sang iya kwarto. Hutik na, “ Dios ko, indi daad tana.” Nagsinggit siya kag nagapangamuyo nga kahadlukan kang sapat ang iya tingug. Pay nakabalo siya nga indi makaabot ang iya tingug sa kwarto sang iya bata nga nagakaturog.

Ek-Ek-Ek

Uyon niya magdara sang kutsilyo pay waay dun tana ka oras nga mag-adto sang kusina. Nagapangita siya ka puwede madara gikan sa iya kuwarto. Nakit-an na ang pares kang gunting. “Sakto na diya.” Waay dun sang oras nga mag-isip, karun pa nga na sa pigado dun sanda nga sitwasyon. Nagdalagan tana paguwa sa iya nga kwarto nga may kaput nga gunting, nagapangamuyo nga sakto dun ang iyang ginakaptan.

Ek-Ek-Ek

Sang paparapit dun, nagsinggit duman tana kang tama ka kakusog. Nagahandum siya nga mapukaw ang tanan nga imaw sa balay. Man-an niya nga isa lang ang iya bata sa kwarto. Ginbuksan niya ang puwertahan samtang may kaput niya mangid ang gunting.

Ek-Ek-Ek

Nakit-an niya ang sapat. Malabog, adto ang pula nga dila sang busong sang iya bata. Nadumduman na ang indi malimtam nga gab-I sang mabatian niya ang huni. Ang gab-I kun diin nadura ang iya una nga bata. Nangako tana nga indi dun matabo sa kung sin-o man sa iya nga pamilya ang natabo sa iya.

Ek-Ek-Ek

Kaput sang mal-am ang gunting kag gin atubang ang iya nga daman.

=-=——————————–=

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. 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

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

————————–————————–————————–—

Written by Karl Gaverza
Hiligaynon translation by Zyryl Leal Abuyen
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Zyryl Leal Abuyen

Story inspired by the Ekek legends

Ekek Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
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Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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Tuwan Putli’ – Cebuano Translation

admin — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 05:29:59 +0000

*Note this story is in Cebuano

“Mama, suginli pa ra gud ko og istorya. Dili man gud ko katulog.”

“Sige ba, tara sa imung higdaanan, ‘nak.

Akoa na ba kang naingnan sa istorya sa mga anghel ni Sitti Maryam?”

“Wala pa, mama.”

“Sige, paminawʼg tarong.

Niadtong nag-inusara si Sitti Maryam sa kamingawan arun buhion ang pinakamaayong propeta nga si Nabiʼ Isa, wala siya gipasagdan sa Ginoo. Nagpadala ang Ginoo og 77 ka mga babayeng anghel arun bantayan ang bata, ug ang ilang lider kay si Tuwan Putliʼ. Gwapa siya nga anghel ug naay lapad nga mga pako. Siya ra pud ang natahasang makipag-istorya kay Sitti Maryam sa mga dapat nilang himuon.

Iyang giingan ang 70 ka mga anghel nga puwede na muhawa sa ikapito kaadlaw human maanak si Nabiʼ Isa, ug ang laing 6 ka mga anghel ang magpabilin hantod sa ika-44 kaadlaw bago sila mubalik sa langit. Maayo ug buotan kaayo si Tuwan Putliʼ ug permi niyang ginasiguro nga dili maunsa ang bata.

Sa kamingawan sa isla, kauban si Sitti Maryam ug ang mga anghel, nakulbaan sila ug nangalisang sa mga nagkalain-laing ihalas nga hayop sa mga kakahuyan ug kabatoan. Wala mahadlok ang mga anghel ug ilang giprotektahan pag-ayo ang inahan ug ang bata. Ilang gipanalipdan sila, ug gigiyahan arun malikay sa peligro.

Niabot ang ika-44 kaadlaw, nananghid na si Tuwan Putliʼ kang Sitti Maryam nga muhawa na sila. Bisan kabalo sila nga human na ilang misyon, apan masulob-on gihapun silang nibiya sa inahan ug sa bata. Nibalik sila saka sa langit pinaagi sa paglatay nila sa balangaw nga maoy giya nila.

Nabilin si Sitti Maryam ug ang iyang anak, ug nahibal-an niya nga naa pa g’yud diay dakong plano ang Ginoo para nila sa umalabot. Iyang gigakos iyang anak ug nakita niya sa iyang anak ang hayag nga kaugmaon. Nag-ampo siya sa hilom para sa 77 ka mga anghel, labaw na kay Tuwan Putliʼ, nga nagtabang niya sa panahon sa kalisdanan. Kabalo sʼya sulod sa iyang kasingkasing nga permi siyang ginalantaw sa mga anghel sa taas, ug giyahan sʼya hantod sa hantod.”

“Tulog na gamay nakong anghel. Naa pa tay taas nga adlaw ugma, puhon.”

=————————————-

“Mama, tell me a story. I can’t sleep.”

“Alright, let me take you to bed now, child.

Have I ever told you the story of Sitti Maryam’s* angels?”

“Not yet, mama.”

“Well listen closely,

When Sitti Maryam was left alone in the wilderness to raise the great prophet Nabi’ Isa, God did not leave her alone. He sent 77 female angels to help keep the child out of danger, and their leader was none other than Tuwan Putli’. She was a beautiful angel with great wings. She was also the only one who spoke to Sitti Maryam to tell what the angels would do.

She bade 70 angels to leave the seventh day after Nabi’ Isa was born and she and six other angels stayed for 44 more days before ascending into heaven. Tuwan Putli’ was kind and gentle, and would always seek to make sure the baby was unharmed.

The angels and Sitti Maryam were in the wilderness of the island and there were many dangers lurking around, from wild animals to the saytan living in the trees and rocks. The angels protected their charge with grace and light. They made him a cradle and guided the light towards them.

On the forty fourth day, Tuwan Putli’ told Sitti Maryam that the angels had to go. All seven angels gave a sad farewell to the baby and his mother, but they knew that their work was done. Each angel stepped onto a rainbow that guided them to heaven.

Sitti Maryam was left with her baby and also with the wisdom that God had a greater plan for her that was still to come.

She cradled her child in her arms and saw a future for them. She said a silent prayer to all the 77 angels that helped her through her darkest times and she said a special one for Tuwan Putli’. Sitti Maryam knew in her heart of hearts that the angels would be watching over her from that day on.”

“………………..”

“Sleep well my little angel. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

————————–————————–————————––

*Sitti Maryam and Nabi’ Isa are the Tausug names for Mama Mary and Jesus Christ

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cebuano Translation by Joshua Aldiano Espartero
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Joshua Aldiano Espartero

Inspired by “Sitti Maryam. Lady Mary.” in Voices from Sulu A Collection of Tausug Oral Traditions. Rixhon. 2010. and Aida Gaverza

Tuwan Putli’ Illustration by emirajuju
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Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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Tambanokano – Cebuano Translation

admin — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 05:24:53 +0000

*Note this story is in Cebuano

Usa ka liti ang nidan-ag sa kangitngit sa kagabhion. Ang mga balod nidasmag sa baybay, nihampak sa mga bato ug sa pantalan.

“Nimata na siya.”

“Unsa man ang iyahang gusto?”

“Gipangita sa walay puangod na anak ang iyahang inahan.”

“Iyahang inahan?”

“Ang bulan.”

“Unsa man ang kinahanglan niya sa iyahang inahan?”

“Nasuko ang anak sa iyahang inahan maong subadun niya kini.”

“Wala’y puangod na anak.”

“Anak gyud siya sa iyahang amahan.”

“Iyahang amahan?”

“Ang adlaw.”

Nibusikad ang kilat lahos sa dagat. Ang hampak sa mga balud ang niundang sa makabungol na kahilom sa kagabhion. Ang sidlak sa bulan hinay-hinay na nipus-aw sa kapunawpunawan.

“Gigakos niya ang iyahang inahan ug iyaha na kining lamunon.”

“Unsa man ang iyahang gilaum na makab-ot?”

“Dili na importante.”

Ang hugyaw sa mga balud niuban sa bagdos sa agong.

Ug usa pa.

“Itugot sa amoa na buhaton unsa ang kinahanglan.”

=———————————=

English Version

A flash of lightning illuminated the cloudless night sky. The waves crashed violently along the shore, smashing on the rocks and the pier.

“He is awake.”

“What does he want?”

“The ungrateful child seeks his mother.”

“His mother?”

“The moon.”

“What does he want with her?”

“The mother has angered him and he seeks to devour her.”

“An ungrateful child.”

“He is his father’s son.”

“His father?”

“The sun.”

Lightning bursts through the sea. Only the crash of the waves breaks through the endless silence of the night. The soft glow of moonlight slowly fades from the horizon.

“He has embraced his mother and will devour her.”

“What does he hope to accomplish?”

“It does not matter.”

The roar of the waves was joined by the strike of a gong.
And another.
And another.

“Let us do what must be done.”

————————–————————–———————

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cebuano Translation by Sarah Masiba
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Sarah Masiba

Story inspired by:
“The Sun and the Moon” in Philippine Folklore Stories. Cole. 1916.

Tambanakaua
Ilustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
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Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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Mangmangkik – Ilocano Transltion

admin — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 04:18:19 +0000

*Note this poem is in Ilocano

Malagip ko tay kimat

Ti ayamuom ti nakset a kudil

Ti naraniag a panaggilap

Ket naimatangak

Tay buwaya

Nga nangtakaw tay bagik

Innala ti para iti bagbaggi na

Nga namagsisina ti lasag ko

Tay imuco

Nga innala da kanyak

Sada ingkabil iti likudak

A pinangputed da toy kararuak

Tay tanem ko nga agserbi a baro a balay ko

Dagiti ramot nga nangsarabo Kanyak

Ti taraon da ket toy kararruak

Ket nagbalinnak met a mesa

A kas sanga ken bulbullong

Haan nak a matagikua

Kadagiti natadem a paslep mo

Toy balay ko ket permanente

Haan met a pisyen ida

Saan nga ta kaykayyat u laeng

Ibaga yu ti kararag u

Kantaen ‘yu dagita kanya u

Nalasatak ti kimat

Nalasatak ti buwaya

Nalasatak ti imuco

Isalakan ka.

=-============

I remember the lightning
The smell of burning skin
The bright flash
Made me see

The caiman
It stole my body away
And took it for its own
Separated me from my flesh

The knife
They took it from me
And put it in my back
Cutting my soul apart

My grave marked my new home
The roots welcomed me
They nourished my spirit
And I became one
With the branches and the leaves

You will never own me
With your blades and steel
My home will remain

We will not be cut down
Not by the likes of you
Say your prayers
Sing your songs

I survived the Lightning
I survived the Caiman
I survived the knife

I will survive you

————————–————————–————————––

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

Inspired by Mangmangkik description in El Folk-lore Filipino. Isabelo de los Reyes, trans. Dizon and Peralta-Imson. 1994. (Original Spanish Manuscript Printed 1889)

Mangmangkik Illustration by by emirajuju
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Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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Anananggal – Bicol Naga Translation

admin — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 07:27:33 +0000

*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?”

=——————————————-=

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
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Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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