Charles Breiner A Medina – Philippine Spirits https://phspirits.com Your Portal to Philippine Mythology Thu, 24 Aug 2023 07:14:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://phspirits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/cropped-Spirits-Logo-JPEG-scaled-1-32x32.jpg Charles Breiner A Medina – Philippine Spirits https://phspirits.com 32 32 Ugkoy – Cebuano Translation https://phspirits.com/ugkoy-cebuano-translation/ Thu, 24 Aug 2023 07:14:33 +0000 https://phspirits.com/?p=4121

*Note this story is in Cebuano

Kaso # MKJG 7325

Gihangyo ang kapulisan nga ikonsulta ang kaso sa mga nalumos nga turista sa sulog sa suba sa Ulot. Nailhan ang maong lugar sa pagsakay sa mga bangka nga walay katig aron magpabilin silang balanse nga gitawag og Torpedo Boating. Human og sakay sa sakayan naandan na nga gawi ang paglukso ngadto sa nagahaguros nga suba sa gitawag og Deni’s Point diin ang mga giya mosulti sa mga turista sa pagkuha sa pisi sa dili pa ang sulog modala kanimo ngadto sa unahan.

Ang maong aksidente nahitabo niadtong Hulyo 8, 2018. Ang duha ka turista, sila Rowena Yi ug Winston Yang, parehong mga taga-Tsina, nisakay sa mga sakayan ala 1 sa kadlawn. Morag normal ra ang dagan sa tanan hangtud naabot sila sa Deni’s Point kung diin, pagkahuman og lukso sa suba, wala na kini sila motunga pa og balik. Sa kahadlok nga ang duha kay nadala sa sulog sa suba, naghimo ang mga giya og grupo para mangita kanila. Ilang nakit-an ang lawas ni Winston Yang sa daplin sa suba 1 kilometro gikan sa iyang giambakan.

Ang mga paningkamot nga buhion siya wala’y kapuslanan tungod kay taudtaud na kining nalumos. Gikuha ang patay’ng lawas ug gibalhin sa pinakaduol nga morgue alang sa pagsusi. Ang pagkalumos mao ang dayag nga hinungdan sa kamatayon, apan daw adunay mga bun-og sa bukongbukong, nga daw adunay nagguyod kaniya paubos.

Ang lawas ni Rowena Yi wala gayod nakita, ilang pangagpas nga ang kusog nga sulog sa suba gadala sa lawas niini ngadto sa dagat. Ang maong lugar ilang gisusi pag-ayo ug aduna pay usa ka grupo sa mga eksperto nga gipalupad gikan sa Tsina aron sa pagtabang sa pagpangita, apan kini’y nahimo. Ang pagpangita natapos usa ka bulan pagkahuman sa insidente.

Niadtong Septembre 3, 2018, aduna na usab nangawala nga laing grupo sa mga turista. Niining higayona, wala na mipatigbabaw ang tulo ka mga abenturiro gikan sa Manila, sila Loren Albay, Samuel Encarnacion ug Iñigo Ferrer human miambak gikan sa Deni’s Point. Milungtad og 2 ka buwan ang pagpangita sa ilang mga patay’ng lawas ug daw wala na’y makuha sama sa nahitabo kang Rowena Yi, apan usa sa mga turista nga si Samuel Encarnacion adunay gibitbit nga GoPro kamera sa iyang helmet. Ang kamera nakuha sa usa sa mga mananawom atol sa ilang pagpangita.

Lisod ang pagsusi sa bidyo. Atol sa tempo nga 30:46 makita nga ang tulo (si Samuel Encarnacion naa sa likod mao nga hingpit nga makita ang laing duha ka mga turista) nagbitay sa pisi. Diha na nga daw nawala sa iskrin si Loren Albay. Ang pag-analisar sa bidyo nagpakita nga posibleng gitukmod siya sa usa ka paspas kaayo’ng nilihok nga butang nga nakasentro sa iyang mga tiil. May midakop sa iyang bukongbukong ug giguyod siya sa sapa.

Ang suba sa Ulot, sa pagkakaron, ky gisirado sa mga turista apan aduna pa gihapon ang panginahanglan sa Torpedo Boating. Ang mga lokal nga giya nagplano nga iabri kini pag-usab sa sunod nga mga semana gawas kon adunay igo nga rason para babagan ang ilang panginabuhian.

Usa sa mga giya, si Ramon Agbon, ni duol sa mga pulis ug mananawom atong ining mga insidente ug nihatag sa samang pahayag sa duha ka higayon:

“Kining mga tawhana walay respetar sa suba. Adunay mga naggamit niini nga dapit ingon nga usa ka dapit sa pagpangayam, andam sa pag-atake sa usa ka higayon nga pahibalo. Sinugdanan pa lamang kini.”

 

Gipangutana kini sa mga opisyal mahitungod sa iyang pahayag, apan iya lamang sublion ang iyang gisulti. Ang ubang mga opisyal nagtuo nga kini tanan aksidente, nga ang mga giya kinahanglan nga adunay mas estrikto nga mga lakang sa kaluwasan aron dili na kini mahitabo pag-usab. Ang uban nagtuo nga kini mahimong mas daotan ug adunay nagpaluyo nga tawo sa mga insidente.

Tungod kay wala na silay dugang ebidensya, ang rekomendasyon sa mga opisyal kay ang paghigpit sa mga lakang mahitungod sa kahilwasan sa Torpedo Boating ug ang sunod nga mga pag-ambak sa suba. Ang mga giya miuyon niini ug buhaton ang tanan nga paningkamot aron mapauswag ang kahimtang sa kahilwasan sa lugar.

=—————————–=

English Version

Case # MKJG 7325
 
Police were asked to consult on a case of drowned tourists in the rapids of Ulot river. The area is known for boat rides without outriggers to keep them balanced called Torpedo Boating. After the boat ride it is usual protocol to jump into the raging river at Deni’s point where guides will tell the tourists to grab the rope before the current takes you further down the river.
 
The so-called accident happened on July 8, 2018. The two tourists, Rowena Yi and Winston Yang, both Chinese nationals boarded the boats at 1 AM. Things seemed to be going normally until they reached Deni’s point wherein, after jumping into the river, they did not resurface. Fearing that the two individuals were carried away by the river current the guides formed a search party. They managed to find the body of Winston Yang on the bank of the river 1 kilometer from where he jumped into the river.
 
Efforts to revive him were futile as it seemed he had drowned some time prior. The body was retrieved and transferred to the nearest morgue for examination. Drowning was the obvious cause of death, but there seemed to be bruises on the ankles, as if something was physically dragging him down.
 
The body of Rowena Yi was never found, it was speculated that the strong river current carried the body to the sea. The area was searched thoroughly and a Chinese team of experts was flown in to help with the search, to no avail. The search ended a month after the incident occurred.
 
On September 3, 2018 another set of tourists disappeared. This time three thrill seekers from Manila, Loren Albay, Samuel Encarnacion and Iñigo Ferrer did not resurface after jumping off from Deni’s point. The search for their bodies lasted 2 months and it seemed that nothing would be recovered as was the case for Rowena Yi, but one of the tourists, Samuel Encarnacion had a GoPro camera attached to his helmet. The camera was retrieved by one of the divers during the search.
 
Examination of the footage was difficult. During a timestamp of 30:46 it can be seen that the three (Samuel Encarnacion was in the back so there was a full view of the other two tourists) were hanging steadily on the rope. It was then that Loren Albay seemingly disappeared from the frame. Analysis of the footage showed that she may have been pushed by a fast-moving object centered around her feet. Something caught her ankles and she was dragged away by the river.
 
The Ulot river is currently closed to tourists, but the demand for Torpedo Boating is still there. The local guides plan to reopen the attraction within the next few weeks unless there is sufficient reason to block their means of livelihood.
One of these guides, Ramon Agbon approached the police and divers during these incidents and gave the same statement both times:
 
“These people do not respect the river. There are those that use this place as hunting grounds, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. This is only the beginning.”
 
Officers questioned him more on his statement, but he would only repeat what he said. Some officers believe this is all accidental, that the guides just need to have stricter safety measures so this does not happen again. Others believe that this might be more sinister and there is a human hand in the incidents.
 
With no further evidence the recommendation of the officers is to tighten the safety measures in the Torpedo Boating and the subsequent jump into the river. The guides have agreed to this and will make every effort to improve the safety conditions of the area.
 
—————————————————————————

*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 Joy Gabales
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Joy Gabales

Inspired by the Ugkoy description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.
 
Ugkoy Illustration by Charles Breiner A Medina
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herbal_aria/?hl=en
]]>
Ugkoy – Bicol Naga Translation https://phspirits.com/ugkoy-bicol-naga-translation/ Thu, 18 Aug 2022 15:07:44 +0000 https://phspirits.com/?p=3750

*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga

Sinubol ang pulisya na kunsultahon ang kaso kang nalamos na turista sa anod kang salog Ulot. Midbid ang lugar sa mga sugno ning bangka na udang alalay tangarig mamintenar ang balanse kani na inaapod na Torpedo Boating. Pagkatapos kang pagsakay, kadalasang gibuhon na lumukso sa naragasang salog sa punto ni Deni kung sain ang mga giya nagsasabi sa mga turista na magkapot sa gakod bago sinda anudon sa babang parte pa ning salog.

An sinasabing aksidente nangyari kang Hulyo 8, 2018. An duwang turista na si Rowena Yi sagkod Winston Yang, parehong Chinese, nagsakay sa baruto ning ala una ning maagahon. Normal man ang mga bagay bagay hanggang sa makaabot sinda sa punto ni Deni kung sain, pakalukso sa salog, dae na sinda nagbutwa. Sa takot na ang duwang indibidwal ay pigdara na parayo kang anod kang salog, ang mga giya nagbuo ning mahanap na grupo. Nagibo nindang mahanap ang hawak ni Winston Yang sa bangketa kan salog, sarong kilometro ang rayo hale sa pigluksuhan niya sa salog.

Ang pagpurbar na masalbar siya mayo ng naginibo huri kang nalamos na ining haloy. Ang bangkay kani kinua asin nilipat sa pinakaharaning morge para maeksamin. Ang pagkalamos ang malinaw na kawsa kang pagkagadan pero igwa ining mga gasgas sa bitis na garong may pisikal na nagbutong kani pairarom.

Ang hawak ni Rowena Yi dae na nahanap, pinagtutubudan na ang makusog na anod kang salog dinara ang hawak pasiring dagat. An lugar masusing pinaghanapan asin sarong grupo ning mga ekspertong Chinese ang pinadara para magtabang sa paghanap, pero mayong napala. Ang paghanap natapos sarong bulan pakatapos mangyari ang insidente.

Kan September 3, 2018, panibagong grupo ning mga turista na naman ang nawara. Sa pagkakataong ini, tulong haling Manila na sina Loren Albay, Samuel Encarnacion, asin Iñigo Ferrer ang dae na nagbutwa pakatapos maglukso sa punto ni Deni. Ang paghanap sa mga hawak ninda inabot ning duwang bulan asin garo mayo ng masasalbar arog kang kaso nin Rowena Yi alagad ang saro sa mga turista, si Samuel Encarnacion, ay may kamerang GoPro na nakatakod sa saiyang helmet. Nakua an kamera kan saro sa mga tagarurip kang naghaharanap.

Masakit ang eksaminasyon kang footage. Sa timestamp na 30:46, mahihiling na ang tulo (nasa likod si Samuel Encarnacion kaya igwang kumpletong kua kan duwang turista) nakabitay ning mayong hiro hiro sa gakod. Sa puntong ini na si Loren Albay garo nawara sa kua. Sa pag-analisar kan footage, mahihiling na pwedeng tinulod siya kang sarong marikas na naghihirong bagay sa sentro kan saiyang bitis. Igwang nagkapot sa saiyang bitis asin hinila siya pairarom sa salog.

Ang salog ning Ulot kasalukuyang sarado sa mga turista alagad yaon pa ang demand sa Torpedo Boating. Ang local na mga giya nagpaplano na bukaan ang atraksyon sa masurunod na pirang semana maliban kung igwang saktong rason para punduhon ang saindang ikinabubuhay.

Saro sa mga giya, si Ramon Agbon, nagrani sa mga pulis asin tagarurip kang mga nakaaging insidente asin nagtao ning parehong taramon sa parehong pagkakataon:

 

“Ining mga tao dae pigrerespeto ang salog. Igwa kadtong naggagamit kaining lugar na pangangasuhan, nakapreparar mag atake ning biglaan. Ini pa lang ang puon.”

Ang mga opisyal pighapot pa siya sa saiyang mga taramon pero pig-uulit niya lang ang sinabi na niya. Ang ibang opisyal nagtutubod na ini aksidente sana, na ang mga giya kaipuhan lang ning mas istriktong pag-iingat para dae na mangyari ini ulit. Ang iba man minatubod na may igwang nakakatakot asin may ibang tawong kaibahan sa mga insidente.

Sa pagkawara ning dagdag na mga ebidensya, ang rekomendasyon sana kang mga opisyal ay magistrikto sa pagiingat na gibo sa Torpedo boating asin ang nasunod na paglukso sa salog. Ang mga giya nag-ayon igdi asin magibo kang dagdag na pag-obserbar kang pagiingat sa kondisyon kang lugar.

=————————————————————-=

English Version

Case # MKJG 7325
 
Police were asked to consult on a case of drowned tourists in the rapids of Ulot river. The area is known for boat rides without outriggers to keep them balanced called Torpedo Boating. After the boat ride it is usual protocol to jump into the raging river at Deni’s point where guides will tell the tourists to grab the rope before the current takes you further down the river.
 
The so-called accident happened on July 8, 2018. The two tourists, Rowena Yi and Winston Yang, both Chinese nationals boarded the boats at 1 AM. Things seemed to be going normally until they reached Deni’s point wherein, after jumping into the river, they did not resurface. Fearing that the two individuals were carried away by the river current the guides formed a search party. They managed to find the body of Winston Yang on the bank of the river 1 kilometer from where he jumped into the river.
 
Efforts to revive him were futile as it seemed he had drowned some time prior. The body was retrieved and transferred to the nearest morgue for examination. Drowning was the obvious cause of death, but there seemed to be bruises on the ankles, as if something was physically dragging him down.
 
The body of Rowena Yi was never found, it was speculated that the strong river current carried the body to the sea. The area was searched thoroughly and a Chinese team of experts was flown in to help with the search, to no avail. The search ended a month after the incident occurred.
 
On September 3, 2018 another set of tourists disappeared. This time three thrill seekers from Manila, Loren Albay, Samuel Encarnacion and Iñigo Ferrer did not resurface after jumping off from Deni’s point. The search for their bodies lasted 2 months and it seemed that nothing would be recovered as was the case for Rowena Yi, but one of the tourists, Samuel Encarnacion had a GoPro camera attached to his helmet. The camera was retrieved by one of the divers during the search.
 
Examination of the footage was difficult. During a timestamp of 30:46 it can be seen that the three (Samuel Encarnacion was in the back so there was a full view of the other two tourists) were hanging steadily on the rope. It was then that Loren Albay seemingly disappeared from the frame. Analysis of the footage showed that she may have been pushed by a fast-moving object centered around her feet. Something caught her ankles and she was dragged away by the river.
 
The Ulot river is currently closed to tourists, but the demand for Torpedo Boating is still there. The local guides plan to reopen the attraction within the next few weeks unless there is sufficient reason to block their means of livelihood.
One of these guides, Ramon Agbon approached the police and divers during these incidents and gave the same statement both times:
 
“These people do not respect the river. There are those that use this place as hunting grounds, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. This is only the beginning.”
 
Officers questioned him more on his statement, but he would only repeat what he said. Some officers believe this is all accidental, that the guides just need to have stricter safety measures so this does not happen again. Others believe that this might be more sinister and there is a human hand in the incidents.
 
With no further evidence the recommendation of the officers is to tighten the safety measures in the Torpedo Boating and the subsequent jump into the river. The guides have agreed to this and will make every effort to improve the safety conditions of the area.
 
=———————————————————-=

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

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

 

Inspired by the Ugkoy description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.
 
Ugkoy Illustration by Charles Breiner A Medina
Instagram: @herbal_aria
]]>
Ugkoy – Tagalog Translation https://phspirits.com/ugkoy-tagalog-translation/ Tue, 14 Apr 2020 12:01:20 +0000 http://phspirits.com/?p=1983

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Case #MKJG 7325

Inabisuhan ang mga pulis tungkol sa mga nalunod na turista dahil sa lakas ng daloy ng Ilog Ulot. Kilala ang lugar sa pagpapasakay sa bangka at tinatawag itong Torpedong pamamangka. Pagkatapos sumakay sa bangka, kasama sa pinapagawa ay ang tumalon sa Deni’s point kung saan sasalubungin ka ng rumaragasang ilog. Sa puntong iyon, doon gagabayan ng mga bangkero ang mga turista para abutin ang lubid para hindi sila matangay ng malakas na hampas ng tubig.

Naganap ang aksidente nang ika-8 ng Hulyo 2018. Ang dalawang turista na parehong galing Tsina ay sina Rowena Yi at Winston Yang. Sumakay sila sa bangka nang ika-1 ng umaga. Maayos ang paggalaw ng kanilang sinasakyan hanggang sa naabutan nila ang Deni’s point, kung saan hindi na sila lumutang pagkatapos nilang tumalon. Dahil sa takot na hindi sila matagpuan, hinanap agad ang mga ito. Nakita nila ang katawan ni Winston Yang sa tabing-ilog, isang kilometro mula sa kaniyang pinagtalunan.

Hindi na ito kayang buhayin dahil pagkakalunod nito. Kinuha at dinala ang kaniyang labi sa pinakamalapit na morge para masuri. Ang pagkakalunod talaga ang sanhi ng kaniyang pagkamatay, pero nakitaan ito ng gasgas sa sakong na parang may humatak sa kaniya pailalim.

Hindi na nakita ang katawan ni Rowena Yi, may mga bali-balita na umabot na ito sa dagat dahil sa malakas na pagdaloy ng ilog. Masinsinang isinagawa ang paghahanap at may kasama ring mga dalubhasang galing Tsina para tumulong maghanap, pero wala itong pinuntahan. Isang buwan pagkatapos maganap ang insidente, nagwakas na ang paghahanap.

Noong ika-3 ng Septyembre 2018 may nawala ulit na mga turista. Ngayon mga bisitang galing Maynila na sina, Loren Albay, Samuel Encarnacion at Iñigo Ferrer ang hindi na natagpuan sa Deni’s point. Tumagal ng dalawang buwan ang paghahanap sa kanilang mga labi at naisipan na hindi na ito kayang makita katulad ng kaso ni Rowena, pero isa sa mga turista na si Samuel Encarnacion ay may Go Pro na nakakabit sa kaniyang helmet. Natagpuan ito ng isang manlalangoy habang isinasagawa ang paghahanap.

Nahirapan silang pag-aralan ang kuha ng kamera. Makikita rito na may tatak ng oras na 30:46, na si Samuel Encarnacion ay nasa likuran kasama ang dalawa niyang kaibigan na nakakakapit ng maiigi sa lubid. Napansin na hindi na nahagip ng kamera si Loren Albay. Ayon sa pag-aaral ng kuha, siya ay maaring natulak ng mabilis na bagay sa kaniyang paanan. Mayroong nakitang tumama sa kaniyang sakong at tinulak siya nito papalayo.

Sinara ang Ilog Ulot sa mga turista, pero bukas pa rin ang pamamangka roon. Pinag-iisipan ng mga naninirahan na buksan ulit ang pasyalan sa susunod na mga linggo, maliban na lang kung may sapat na dahilan para ipasara ang kanilang pangkabuhayan.

Isa sa mga gumagabay ay si Ramon Agbon, Lumapit siya sa pulis at sa mga manlalangoy nang naganap ang insidente at dalawang beses din siya nagbigay ng pahayag:

“Hindi nila ginagalang ang ilog na nito. May mga taong ginagamit ang lugar namin para mangaso, na handang bumaril kailan nito gustuhin. Nagsisimula pa lang ang lahat.”

Tinatanong siya ng mga pulis dahil sa kaniyang isinalaysay, pero inuulit lamang niya ang kaniyang sinabi. Pinapaniwalaan ng ibang pulis na isa lamang itong aksidente, at nangangailangan lamang ng mas mahigpit na panuntunan para hindi na ito mangyari ulit. Iniisip ng iba na may mamamatay taong nasa likuran ng lahat.

=————————————————————–=

English Version

Case # MKJG 7325
 
Police were asked to consult on a case of drowned tourists in the rapids of Ulot river. The area is known for boat rides without outriggers to keep them balanced called Torpedo Boating. After the boat ride it is usual protocol to jump into the raging river at Deni’s point where guides will tell the tourists to grab the rope before the current takes you further down the river.
 
The so-called accident happened on July 8, 2018. The two tourists, Rowena Yi and Winston Yang, both Chinese nationals boarded the boats at 1 AM. Things seemed to be going normally until they reached Deni’s point wherein, after jumping into the river, they did not resurface. Fearing that the two individuals were carried away by the river current the guides formed a search party. They managed to find the body of Winston Yang on the bank of the river 1 kilometer from where he jumped into the river.
 
Efforts to revive him were futile as it seemed he had drowned some time prior. The body was retrieved and transferred to the nearest morgue for examination. Drowning was the obvious cause of death, but there seemed to be bruises on the ankles, as if something was physically dragging him down.
 
The body of Rowena Yi was never found, it was speculated that the strong river current carried the body to the sea. The area was searched thoroughly and a Chinese team of experts was flown in to help with the search, to no avail. The search ended a month after the incident occurred.
 
On September 3, 2018 another set of tourists disappeared. This time three thrill seekers from Manila, Loren Albay, Samuel Encarnacion and Iñigo Ferrer did not resurface after jumping off from Deni’s point. The search for their bodies lasted 2 months and it seemed that nothing would be recovered as was the case for Rowena Yi, but one of the tourists, Samuel Encarnacion had a GoPro camera attached to his helmet. The camera was retrieved by one of the divers during the search.
 
Examination of the footage was difficult. During a timestamp of 30:46 it can be seen that the three (Samuel Encarnacion was in the back so there was a full view of the other two tourists) were hanging steadily on the rope. It was then that Loren Albay seemingly disappeared from the frame. Analysis of the footage showed that she may have been pushed by a fast-moving object centered around her feet. Something caught her ankles and she was dragged away by the river.
 
The Ulot river is currently closed to tourists, but the demand for Torpedo Boating is still there. The local guides plan to reopen the attraction within the next few weeks unless there is sufficient reason to block their means of livelihood.
One of these guides, Ramon Agbon approached the police and divers during these incidents and gave the same statement both times:
 
“These people do not respect the river. There are those that use this place as hunting grounds, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. This is only the beginning.”
 
Officers questioned him more on his statement, but he would only repeat what he said. Some officers believe this is all accidental, that the guides just need to have stricter safety measures so this does not happen again. Others believe that this might be more sinister and there is a human hand in the incidents.
 
With no further evidence the recommendation of the officers is to tighten the safety measures in the Torpedo Boating and the subsequent jump into the river. The guides have agreed to this and will make every effort to improve the safety conditions of the area.
 
=———————————————————-=

*Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a quarter of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by the majority. Its standardized form, officially named Filipino, is the national language of the Philippines, and is one of two official languages alongside English.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Translation by Emman Bernardino
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Emman Bernardino

 

Inspired by the Ugkoy description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.
 
Ugkoy Illustration by Charles Breiner A Medina
Instagram: @herbal_aria
]]>
Kulariut https://phspirits.com/kulariut/ Fri, 05 Oct 2018 06:48:37 +0000 http://phspirits.com/?p=1340

 

Once when I was a child
I wondered what it was to be wild
 
To live in the forests and in the trees
To befriend the boars and the bees
 
It was then I ran away
In my heart to seize the day
 
I made my way to the bamboo grove
And I imagined what treasure trove
 
It would be when I came running
But to my surprise what I found stunning
 
Was that the forest was not what I thought
And in my fear I had found myself caught
 
In the creeping darkness of the night
My heart was filling with fright
 
It was then something moved
By the bushes so I removed
 
Myself from the sound
I wished then that I would be found
 
By my family or someone I knew
But the sounds were following me so I flew
 
To the edges of the forest to my home
I soon realized I wasn’t alone
 
For a creature, large in size appeared
Though strange, it was not as I feared
 
It did not lunge or claw
It did not bite or gnaw
 
It just stood there watching
In a manner that appeared wanting
 
So I ran back away from the trees
Knowing that this would not have a reprise
 
I tried to wave goodbye when I looked behind
But the creature was not there, and I resigned
 
To remember its long white beard
Its large eyes and black fur, how they appeared
 
And as I lay in my bed
Full of thoughts within my head
 
I thank the lord for my family and home
For it is here I will never be alone
 
————————————————————
 
Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Inspired by the Kulariut legends from Pampanga
Ugkoy Illustration by Charles Breiner A Medina
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herbal_aria/?hl=en
]]>
Ugkoy https://phspirits.com/ugkoy/ Thu, 06 Sep 2018 07:14:19 +0000 http://phspirits.com/?p=1214

 

Case # MKJG 7325
 
Police were asked to consult on a case of drowned tourists in the rapids of Ulot river. The area is known for boat rides without outriggers to keep them balanced called Torpedo Boating. After the boat ride it is usual protocol to jump into the raging river at Deni’s point where guides will tell the tourists to grab the rope before the current takes you further down the river.
 
The so-called accident happened on July 8, 2018. The two tourists, Rowena Yi and Winston Yang, both Chinese nationals boarded the boats at 1 AM. Things seemed to be going normally until they reached Deni’s point wherein, after jumping into the river, they did not resurface. Fearing that the two individuals were carried away by the river current the guides formed a search party. They managed to find the body of Winston Yang on the bank of the river 1 kilometer from where he jumped into the river.
 
Efforts to revive him were futile as it seemed he had drowned some time prior. The body was retrieved and transferred to the nearest morgue for examination. Drowning was the obvious cause of death, but there seemed to be bruises on the ankles, as if something was physically dragging him down.
 
The body of Rowena Yi was never found, it was speculated that the strong river current carried the body to the sea. The area was searched thoroughly and a Chinese team of experts was flown in to help with the search, to no avail. The search ended a month after the incident occurred.
 
On September 3, 2018 another set of tourists disappeared. This time three thrill seekers from Manila, Loren Albay, Samuel Encarnacion and Iñigo Ferrer did not resurface after jumping off from Deni’s point. The search for their bodies lasted 2 months and it seemed that nothing would be recovered as was the case for Rowena Yi, but one of the tourists, Samuel Encarnacion had a GoPro camera attached to his helmet. The camera was retrieved by one of the divers during the search.
 
Examination of the footage was difficult. During a timestamp of 30:46 it can be seen that the three (Samuel Encarnacion was in the back so there was a full view of the other two tourists) were hanging steadily on the rope. It was then that Loren Albay seemingly disappeared from the frame. Analysis of the footage showed that she may have been pushed by a fast-moving object centered around her feet. Something caught her ankles and she was dragged away by the river.
 
The Ulot river is currently closed to tourists, but the demand for Torpedo Boating is still there. The local guides plan to reopen the attraction within the next few weeks unless there is sufficient reason to block their means of livelihood.
One of these guides, Ramon Agbon approached the police and divers during these incidents and gave the same statement both times:
 
“These people do not respect the river. There are those that use this place as hunting grounds, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. This is only the beginning.”
 
Officers questioned him more on his statement, but he would only repeat what he said. Some officers believe this is all accidental, that the guides just need to have stricter safety measures so this does not happen again. Others believe that this might be more sinister and there is a human hand in the incidents.
 
With no further evidence the recommendation of the officers is to tighten the safety measures in the Torpedo Boating and the subsequent jump into the river. The guides have agreed to this and will make every effort to improve the safety conditions of the area.
 
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Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
 
Inspired by the Ugkoy description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.
 
Ugkoy Illustration by Charles Breiner A Medina
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