*Note this story is in Chavacano-Zamboanga

Un noche na pono de anislag, el maga aniniput ya comenza dila ritual nocturno. Desde cuando uno kanila ay puede acorda, ta alumbra sila el con el cielo con diila maga baile que ay puede competi contra con el maga mas hermosa de maga contelacion. Y quien otro para encabeza kanila si hinde diila rey? El regente del maga aniniput ay baila junto con su maga subdito creando un engrande presentacion de brillo.
Mientras el Rey ta prepara para na baile, ya nota le que uno del maga aniniput no hay luz. “Niño aniniput,” ya habla le, “Por que tu hinde arde como igual tu maga uban?”
“Mi señor, hinde yo ta entende por que kita ta hace este, hinde ba si ta manda kita mira diaton luz ay ta atrae kita maga depredador? Ya adverti comigo el maga grillo que el maga palaka, el maga lawa y maga pajaro ay hace kanaton sabroso merienda si ay manda kita mira diaton maga cuerpo.”
“Por que kita esconde si diaton luz el muy hermosa parte del noche? Debe kita lleva luz na maga oscuro lugar. Cada uno diaton tiene un espiritu que no puede nega. Ta sinti tambien tu este, hinde ba?”
“Sinti cosa, mi señor?”
“El necesidad para alumbra el cielo. Talli ese na corazon del maga aniniput. El maga depredador ay mira kanaton, ese el verda, ay mira sila diaton maga luz y busca para apaga kanila, pero este un diutay precio para paga para puede diaton maga alma canta na oscuridad.”
El niño aniniput no puede siempre entende cosa que quere habla su Rey, tiene gayot le miedo mori. No puede le hace por pecho el maga palabra del disuyu Rey y ya oscurece su luz.
Aquel noche ya baila maga aniniput pero tiene maga rastro de sombra que puede mira na un distancia. Ta aparece que makatapon el miedo del niño aniniput. Ta puede oi con el maga hutik que el maga aniniput ta preferi el seguridad del oscuridad contra con el riesgo del luz.
El Rey del maga aniniput ya llama un miting del disuyu maga subdito para discuti con el situacion.
“El cosa kame ta habla ay debe kita tiene cuidao basta de noche,” ya habla el niño aniniput “No quere kame queda el siguiente sena del lawa.”
“Por que tu ta hace este, niño aniniput?” el Rey ya pregunta.
“Ta tiene yo miedo mi señor, no quere yo que ay saca mi luz hasta para siempre.”
“Pero hinde ba ese mismo tu ta hace na tu cuerpo?”
“Puede pa siempre kita alumbra, pero solamente na maga lugar Seguro. Este debe diaton nuevo reglamento!” Ya habla el niño aniniput con confianza.
“Aniniput, debe kita brilla na oscuridad, porque para ese razon kanaton ya crea. Por que tu necesita mira maga señales para alumbra cuando kita mismo el maga estrella que debe alinea?”
“Hinde pa siempre yo ta entende, mi señor.”
Y alla el Rey del maga aniniput ya pensa cosa debe ele hace.
Ya arde le, mas brillante con el luna y ya vola afuera del pono de anislag. El niño aniniput ya grita, “Mi señor! Ay mira sila contigo, por favor no arde tu cuerpo!”
Por supuesto este no hay sirvi, el luz del Rey ya aguanta con el horizonte y apenas el maga kabug, maga lawa, maskin maga pajaro del noche ya vola para na resplandor.
No puede cree el niño aniniput cosa ya socede siguiente. A su alrededor, el otro maga aniniput ya baila junto con diila Rey, formando un ipo-ipo de luz. El maga depredador ya para, cautivao del espectaculo y uno a uno ya entra na baile.
The birds and bats flapped their wings, the frogs moved to the rhythm and the spiders twirled as the fireflies brought light to the darkness. El maga pajaro y kabug ya toca diila maga alas, el maga palaka ya move na ritmo y el maga lawa ya gira mientras el maga aniniput ya lleva luz na oscuridad.
Y dentro del su alma, el niño aniniput finalmente ya entende.
Si ay dale tu luz ay queda tu parte de un cosa mas grande.
No hay ya ele espera para na un contestacion.
Ya brilla le.
Su alma ya grita na maga sombra, “Ay hinde yo deja que saca bo este conmigo!”
El bosque ay hasta siempre acorda el cuento del niño aniniput que tiene miedo na su mismo luz, y todo que ta llama con el bosque diila casa, maskin el maga depredador, ay recorda con el galaxia de luz en frente del pono de anislag, sabiendo que aquel momento que tiene sila fuego dento diila maga cuerpo que no puede sila nega.
Por ahora y para siempre.

=———————–=
English Version

One night by the anislag tree the fireflies began their nightly ritual. For as long as any of them could remember they would light up the sky with dances that rivaled the most beautiful of constellations. And who else would lead them but their king? The regent of the fireflies would dance with his subjects creating a breathtaking display of luminescence.

As the King prepared for the dance he noticed that one of the fireflies was not lighted. “Young firefly,” he said, “Why do you not light up with your brethren?”

“My lord, I do not understand why we do this, won’t showing our light attract predators? I was warned by the crickets that frogs, spiders and birds would make us a tasty snack if we show ourselves.”

“Why should we hide when our light is the most beautiful part of the night? We must bring light to the dark places. Each of us has a spirit that cannot be denied. You feel it too don’t you?”

“Feel what my lord?”

“The need to light the sky. It is in the heart of all fireflies. Predators will see us, that much is true, they will look at our lights and seek to snuff them out, but that is a small price to pay to have our souls sing out in the darkness.”

The young firefly still couldn’t understand what his King was trying to say, he was much too afraid of dying. He could not take his King’s words to heart and dimmed his light.

That night the fireflies danced but small flecks of shadow could be seen from a distance.  It seemed that the young firefly’s fear was contagious. Whispers could be heard from all around that fireflies would rather have the safety of darkness than the risk of the light.

The King of the fireflies called a meeting of his subjects to discuss the situation.

“All we are saying is that we should be careful in the night,” said the young firefly “We do not want to be a spider’s next meal.”

“Why do you do this, young firefly?” the King asked.

“I am scared my lord, I do not want my light to be taken forever.”

“But is that not what you are doing to yourself?”

“We can still light up, but only in safe places. That should be our new rule!” The young firefly said with confidence.

“Firefly, we must shine into the darkness, for that is what we were made for. Why must you look for signs to light up when we, ourselves, are the stars that must align?”

“I still don’t understand, my lord.”

And it was then that the King of the fireflies knew what he had to do.

He lit up, brighter that the moon and hovered outside the anislag tree. The young firefly cried out “My lord! They will see you, please do not light yourself up!”

It was no use of course, the King’s light touched the horizon and all around bats, spiders, even night birds flew towards the dazzling glow.

The young firefly couldn’t believe what happened next. All around the other fireflies danced with their King forming a hurricane of phosphorescence. The predators stood, enthralled by the spectacle and one by one joined in the dance.

The birds and bats flapped their wings, the frogs moved to the rhythm and the spiders twirled as the fireflies brought light to the darkness.

And deep within his soul, the young firefly finally understood.

If you send out your spark you will become a part of something greater.

He did not wait for a reply.

He shined.

And his soul cried out to the shadows, “I will not let you take this from me!”

The forest would forever remember the story of the young firefly who was afraid of his own light and all those that called the forest home, even the predators, would think back to the galaxy of lights in front of the anislag tree, knowing in that moment that they had a fire inside themselves that they would not deny.

For now and forever.

=————————=

*Note this story is in Kapampangan

“Alberto, matudtud naka!”, anang Neni anyang linawe ni i Alberto king kwartu na. Mebigla ya makakera ne pala.

Apansin na medyu matamle ya. Pigaganakan na pota ali na ne na naman matudtud masalese.

“Opu!.Matudtud naku pu!” Pakibat nang Albertu a makaulas na.

Yapin na ita. Pete na neng Neni ing sulu kaybat neng sebyanang matudtud ne i Alberto.

“Bukas munta tamu park, ne?” Anang Neni kalwal nang pasbul.

“Matudtud ta na puuuuu!” Pakibat nang Alberto.

———————————————————————————————————————————– “Manuyab ya pa i Alberto kabang makasake ya king kabayu nang de pakpak susulapo kareng ulap. Balamu mo napun mu milyari itang anyang minsang mekisabi ya itang metung prinsesa ning Kahangian a ali na ne pa ituluy itang metung pamaglusub na.

Balu nang Alberto, ali ya makaali patse ating pamipagsapalaran.

Oneng ngeni, buri nang Alberto, mayari na ing pamipagsapalaran a ita.Balamu malabug nang manyabut king alang aggang pamaglusub da reng ayup.

Ali la ordinaryung ayup deni. Balamu payung lang susula-sulapo kareng ulang ning Kahangian. Ana ning prisesa kang Alberto, madalas ali no man bubulad ampong manablas deng ayup oneng ngeni sinapak nala. Pigaganakan na ning prinsesa, ini pa ing umpisa ning mas madagul a pamaglusub king kaarian da.

Pilang domingu nala ding tatabi Alberto, kayabe ning kabayu na, deng ayup palawut king kaarian. Agyang buri na ning prinsesa a gumamit yang puersa i Alberto, ena la agyung panasakitan deng  ayup.

Kayari na ning pekatawling kumpul ning ayup, pepaawus ne ning prinsesa i Alberto king kwartu na.

Kailangan na neng yarian Alberto ini. Sayang king oras ing gagawan nang Albertong pamanabi kareng ayup nung magbalik la din naman. Dininan neng kaun i Alberto at sebyanan neng munta king ari da reng ayup para paten ne.

Biklat neng Alberto ing kaun at mebigla ya anyang akit na na espada ya ing makalage a makaukit ing keyang lagyu. Mabayat yang lub linawe king prinsesa saka ya miniling.

Ali na agyu ing pagawa na. Ali solusyun ing pamanasakit para kaya. Likwan ne ing kaun king kwartu na ning prinsesa saka ya sinake kabayu na.

Mituknang mu ing egana-ganang ini nung masunud yamu buri i Alberto.

———————————————————————————————————————————–Tiniman ya ing kabayu nang Alberto. Uling kabayu ne mu, mesane neng ali sasabing pilubluban na oneng ngeni, ali ne mekabata.

Masaya iya na ustu ya ing desisyun nang Alberto. Ali no man manakit deng ayup. Istorbu la deng ayup king kaarian ning prinsesa oneng angga mu karin.

Sinulagpo lang adwa ning kabayu na kareng ulap angga king agyu na ning kabayu na. Nung nanu ya kagaling ing kabayu na king pamanlundag, makanita neman kapalpak kareng pakpak na. Pabusbus a  sinugud kareng ayup, mekapangan ya pang pipilang bulbul ayup i Alberto, agga king atupan de ing ari da reng ayup.

Dinuku ya ing kabayu nang Alberto. Agyang kabayu ya, atin ya pa din dayang ayup at kailangan nang tuki kareng aliwang batus-ayup bangkanita ali de kamuan deng aliwang ayup.

Asneng karagul ing ari da reng ayup. King kadagul na, mitatakpan ne alus ing aldo king katawan na. Linawe ne ning ari da reng ayup i Alberto ampo ing kabayu na saka na sinabi, “Ninu ikayu? Ampong nanung gagawan yu keni?”

Makaduku ya pa din ing kabayu anyang dimdam neng mekibat i Alberto.

“Bakit ye pu lulusuban ing kaarian?”, anang Alberto.

“Nanung buri mung sabyan?! Ala kung lulusuban! Panikwanan ku mung misubli ya ing kakung pibandian!”

Melukut ya kanuan i Alberto king pangalitu na.

“Oneng sabi na pu ning prinsesa kaku, ikayu pu ining linusub!”

“Iya ing minuna aliwa yaku! Penako ne ing kakung korona! Kaya kula papuntalan deng kakung alagad bangkanita akwa ke ita!”

“Oneng ana pu ning prinsesa –”

Dirutan ne ning ari da reng ayup i Alberto saka ne lege ing tuktuk na king lupa na.

“Abalitan da naka. Ika ampo ning kabayu mung de pakpak. Malwat da na kayung daramdaman kening kaarian a ini. Ngeni, makisabi kung mayap, isubli ye ing kakung korona. Patse milyari ita, metung mung amanu ku, tuknang na la reng alagad ku.”

Linawe ya ing Alberto king kabayu na at sabe lang tinangu.

———————————————————————————————————————————–Makalawe ya ing prinsesa king salamin kabang susuklen de reng alagad ing buak na. Ali na isip-isipang tanggian ne ning metung tawu ing keyang regalu. Siguru king susunud, ditak pang lua, ala nang makatanggi king regalu na.

Sebyanan na lang lumwal deng keyang alagad. Linub ya king metung sikretung pasbul. Keng kilub ning kwartu, metung a baul. At king kilub ning baul, metung a premyu a pakiingatan na.

Pekamasanting yang korona king buung Kahangian. Atin yang bala makaburdang batuin ibat king langit. Gintung inaseru nang Ginton. Atin yan kasantingan a bage king pekamalagung prinsesa kareng ulap.

“Malaram!”, Gulisak nang Alberto king kwartu na ning prinsesa.

Memigsu yang menakbag ing korona king bigla na. Ali na isipan a mibalik ya agad ing tawung tinubud na.

“Malaram ka!”, anang ginulisak pasibayu.

“Katnamu atyu naka! Atyu la deng ayup nandin keni buri deng kunan ing korona kaku!”, ana ning prinsesa sabe atin ginilid lua king mata na. Ali mu minsang ginana ya ing makanining palusut na ning prinsesa. Nung ginana ya dati, gumana ya din ngeni.

“Ali me bandi yan!”, Anang Alberto kabang linapit la ning abayu na king prinsesa.

“Ali ya kaku pero ken yang tatang ku ini! Maiinggit lamu deng ayup kanaku kaya buri deng kuanan kanaku ini. Ali mu naman paburen ita, ali? Saupan mu ku,” Ngeni, manulu na ing lua king pisngi na kabang lalen ne i Alberto king mata.

“Malaram!”, anang Alberto kaybat neng dinaklut ing korona saka sinake kabayu na.

“Dakpan ye yan!”, Ana ning prinsesa ka reng guardya na.

Sibukan de pang tagalan i Alberto oneng mekalagpas nala kareng susulapong ubingan a makabante king puntud nang Ulilangkalulua. Patse milagpas naka karin, mengari nakang pagong a ali milako king bale mu.

“Ali naka makabalik keni kapilan man!”, gulisak na ning prinsesa kareng ulap. “Pantunan daka tandanan mu yan!”

“Dinumug de reng ayup di Alberto ampo ning kabayu na. Metula lang mayap a tatalnan neng Alberto ing korona ning ari da.”

“Kapate na naka ning kaarian ning prinsesa mu,” Ana ning ari da reng ayup.

“Wa pin pu.”

“Salamat keka. Manibat ngeni asaan mung saupan naka ning kaarian da reng ayup nung sakaling kailangan mu.”

“Salamat pu.”

Makatiman yang linaweng i Alberto king kabayu na. Kinawul neng Alberto ing kabayu na at saka neman mekibat ing kabayu na. Balu da na ustu ya ing desisyun a gewa da agyang ngening atin nalang kapate madagul.

“Atsing Neni, mapagal naku pu!”

“Oh, sige, Alberto. Miglip naka pa. Ligpit mula deng kinalat mung crayola, ne?”

“Opu.”

Ngening aldo, maranun yang tinikdo i Alberto ampong mig-almusal. Migaganaka ya pa din i Neni na eya mekatudtud masalese i Alberto oneng balu na na makabawi neman king tudtud nung miglip ya.

Sinopan neng ligpit deng Crayola nang Alberto. Magtaka ya mu pin nung bakit payung ing pane nang do-drawing.

“Atsing Neni, ayup, oh!” anang Alberto kabang papakit ne ing ayup a dinrowing na lupang payung. Mas maragul yamu pin kareng aliwang payung.

“Ay! Kasanting na naman niyaaaaan! Oh, tara na, ne? Magligpit ta na saka naka matudtud, ne?”

“Opu!”

English Version

“Alberto it’s time for bed!” Neni shouted from the hallway. She checked Alberto’s bedroom and was surprised to find him already under the covers.

She had noticed that he was less energetic than usual and she was worried that he wasn’t sleeping well.

“Neni I’m going to sleep!” Alberto said from under his blanket.
There wasn’t much she could do. Neni switched the lights off and told Alberto to have good dreams.

“I’ll see you in the morning. We’ll go to the park tomorrow okay?” She said as she walked out of his room.

“Neni! Time to sleep!” was Alberto’s reply.

Alberto yawned as he rode his winged steed through the clouds. It felt like only yesterday when one of the princesses of Kahangian*asked Alberto and his horse to stave off an invasion.

Alberto knew he couldn’t say no. When adventure calls he only had one answer.

But Alberto wished this adventure would end soon. Victory seemed out of reach as the endless onslaught of birds came wave after wave.

These were no ordinary birds. They flew like umbrellas along the clouds of Kahangian. The princess told Alberto that the birds would usually keep to themselves, but something must have happened to rile them up. She was afraid that this was only the beginning of a larger assault on her realm.

Alberto and his horse spent the last few weeks rerouting the birds away from the kingdom. As much as the princess wanted him to use force, Alberto could not bring himself to harm the birds.

After redirecting the latest wave of birds Alberto was summoned to the princess’ chambers.

She told him that it was time to end this. Redirecting the birds was a waste of time if they just kept coming back. She gave Alberto a box and told him to go to the king of the birds and slay him.

Alberto opened the box and was surprised to find a sword with his name engraved on it. It felt heavy in his hands and he looked at the princess and shook his head.

He would not do as she asked. Violence wasn’t the answer, at least not to him. He left the box in the princess’ chambers and went to his horse.

This would end, but on his terms.

Alberto’s horse smiled. As a horse he was used to keeping his opinions to himself but today he couldn’t help it.
He was proud that he made the right choice in Alberto. The birds weren’t violent, at most they were a nuisance to the princess’ kingdom.

They flew through the clouds with as much grace as the horse could muster. As adept as he was with galloping, the horse was clumsy with his wings. They barreled through the surge of birds ahead of them, Alberto had to spit out a few feathers, but eventually they came upon the roost of the king of birds.

Alberto’s horse bowed his head. As much as he was a horse, he was also part bird, and there were certain rules that you had to follow to make sure the other birds wouldn’t get mad at you.
The king of birds was enormous, his large frame almost blacking out the sun. He took one look at Alberto and his horse and said, “Who are you and why are you here?!”

Alberto’s horse was still looking at the ground when he heard Alberto answer.

“Why you attack the kingdom?”

“Strange human, I attack nothing. I am just trying to get back what belongs to me.”

Alberto’s brow creased in confusion.

“But princess said you attack!”

“The princess was the one that started this. She and her kingdom stole my crown! I’ve been sending my birds to her kingdom to get it back.”

“But princess said—-“

The king of birds whirled around and put his beak up to Alberto’s face.

“I’ve heard of you, human. You and your bentohangin have made quite a name for yourselves in this realm. And I am asking you, please, get my crown back and I will tell my birds to stop.”

Alberto looked at his horse and they nodded in unison.

The princess stared at her mirror as her servants brushed her hair. She had not calculated that the human would reject her gift, but no matter. A few bats of her eyelashes and some tears would certainly do the job the next time.

She bade her servants to leave her alone and walked to a hidden door in her chambers. In it was a chest and in that chest was her prize.

It was the most beautiful headpiece in all of Kahangian, inlaid with fallen stars and made from gold straight from Ginton’s forges. Such beauty should only belong to her, the fairest princess in the clouds.

“L—-I—-A—-R!” Alberto’s voice rang through the princess’ chambers.

The princess managed to catch the crown as it fell through her fingers. She had not expected the human to be back so soon.
“You’re a liar!” Alberto shouted again.

“I’m so glad you’re here! The birds have been trying to steal from me!” It was time for the tears. The princess was familiar with this tactic, many heroes had fallen for her charms and this one would be no different.

“That’s not your crown!” Alberto and his horse moved towards the princess.

“This is my father’s! The birds are jealous of its beauty and keep trying to take it from me, but you won’t let them will you? Please help me!” Tears were flowing down her cheeks as she looked into Alberto’s eyes.

“L—–I—–A—–R!” Alberto grabbed the crown from the princess and ran towards his horse.

“Guards! Get them!”

Alberto and his horse were experts and running away. The guards tried to catch up to the pair but once you’ve escaped from the flying serpents guarding Ulilankalulua’s grave everything seems like a turtle in comparison.

“You are not welcome here!” The princess shouted through the clouds, “We will hunt you down!”

The birds flocked Alberto and his horse. They were overjoyed at the sight of the crown and accompanied them to their king’s throne.

“You have made yourself an enemy of the princess’ kingdom.” The king of birds said to Alberto.

“Yes.”

“Thank you, know that the kingdom of birds will help you, whenever you will need it.”

“Yes.”

Alberto looked at his horse and smiled. Alberto’s horse hugged his companion and neighed. They knew they made the right choice, even if it meant making a powerful enemy.

“Neni! I’m tired!”

“Okay Alberto, you can take a nap soon. Let’s clean up your crayons okay?”

“Okay.”

Today Alberto woke up early and even got ready for breakfast in time. Neni was still worried that he wasn’t getting enough sleep but that was nothing a good nap couldn’t fix.

She helped him clear his crayons and wondered why he kept drawing umbrellas.

“Neni! Bird!” He showed a drawing that was like the other umbrellas but bigger than the rest.

“It looks great Alberto! Let’s clean up and you can take a nap, okay?”

“Okay!”

Continued from the Bentohangin’s tale

*Kahangian is the fifth layer of the universe

Inspired by the Hubot description in The Soul Book. Demetrio & Cordero-Fernando 1991.

Hubot Illustration by Edrian Paolo T. Baydo

Color by Alexa Garde
Website: Lexa.us

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Umalingawngaw ang boses ni Neni mula sa pasilyo.

“Alberto, oras na para matulog!”

Gulat ang bumungad kay Neni nang silipin niya ang silid ni Alberto. Akma nang nakatalukbong si Alberto sa kanyang higaan.

Nakababagabag at nakakapanibago ang panghihina at kawalan ng kasiglahan ni Alberto na siyang ikinababahala ni Neni. Bukod pa rito ang pag-aalala niya sa pagkapuyat ni Alberto.

“Matutulog na ako!”, sambit ni Alberto sa kanyang tinig na kinulob ng kumot.

Walang nagawa si Neni kung hindi ang patayin ang ilaw at sabihan si Alberto na matulog nang mahimbing.

“Bukas ay pupunta tayo sa liwasan, ayos ba ‘yon sa’yo?”, pahabol ni Neni kay Alberto.

Hindi ito binigyan ng tugon ni Alberto.

“Oras na para matulog, Neni!”, ang tanging naging sagot nito.

Pupungas-pungas pang humikab si Alberto sakay ng kanyang lumilipad na kabayo. Napupuno ng ulap na singputi ng bigas at singlambot ng bulak ang himpapawid na binabaybay ni Alberto kasama ang kanyang kabayong may pakpak.

Sariwa pa sa kanyang isip at animo’y parang kahapon lamang nang hilingin ng isa sa mga prinsesa ng Kahangian* ang kanyang tulong na talunin ang mga hukbo ng mananakop.

Alam ni Alberto na hindi niya kakayaning tumanggi. Isa lamang ang kanyang sagot sa tuwinang tatawag ang paglalakbay.

Ngunit sa dulo ng kanyang isip, hinihiling ni Alberto na magwakas ang kanyang paglalakbay. Pagkat alam niyang hindi mapasasakamay ang tagumpay sa kanyang palad habang nagpapatuloy ang walang katapusang paglusob ng mga ibon.

Ang mga ibong kanyang sinasagupa ay hindi pangkaraniwan.

Animo’y mga payong na sumusuyod sa kaulapan ng Kahangian ang mga ibong kanyang hinaharap. Ibinahagi ng Prinsesa kay Alberto na dati rati ay hindi nanggagambala ang mga ibon subalit, marahil, mayroong nangyari sa mga ibon upang sila ay maging mapaminsala. Ikinatatakot ng Prinsesa na simula pa lamang ito ng pagsalakay ng mga ibon sa kanyang kaharian.

Ginugol ni Alberto at ng kanyang kabayo ang mga nakaraang linggo para lamang itaboy mula sa kaharian ang mga ibon. Ninais man ng Prinsesa na gamitan ng dahas ang mga ibon, hindi maatim ni Alberto na saktan ang mga ito.

Matapos itaboy ni Alberto ang panibagong lipon ng mga ibon ay ipinatawag siya ng Prinsesa sa silid nito.

“Nararapat na nating wakasan ang panganib ng mga ibon”, ani ng Prinsesa. Walang silbi ang pagtaboy sa mga ibon kung patuloy lamang silang manunumbalik at manggagambala sa kaharian.

Upang matupad ang kanyang hangarin ay ipinagkaloob ng Prinsesa ang isang sisidlan kay Alberto at ipinagutos ang katapusan ng hari ng mga ibon.

Hiwaga ang bumalot kay Alebrto sa kanyang pagbukas sa kahon. Nasilayan niya ang isang espada at nagulat nang makitang nakaukit ang pangalan niya sa talim nito. Dama niya sa kanyang kamay ang bigat ng kalis ngunit mas dumadagan sa kanyang dibdib ang masidhing pagsalungat sa nais ng Prinsesa. Nagbunga ang kanyang damdamin sa pagtingin sa Prinsesa at pag-iling sa kautusang iniatang nito.

Hindi niya susundin ang utos ng Prinsesa. Hindi karasahan ang sagot, hindi para sa kanya.

Lumisan siyang hindi tangan ang sisidlan na handog ng Prinsesa at nagtungo sa kanyang kabayo.

Matatapos ang panggagambala ng mga ibon, subalit, sa kanyang pamamaraan.

Napangiti ang kabayo ni Alberto. Nasanay na ang kabayo na angkinin ang kanyang mga saloobin ngunit natatangi ang araw na ito.

Lubos niyang ipinagmamalaki ang pagpapasiya ni Alberto na manindigan sa nararapat. Hindi gumagamit ng dahas ang mga ibon, kung tutuusin ay panggagambala nga lamang ang tanging dulot ng mga ito sa kaharian.

Sa pagsuyod nila sa kaulapan, ipinamalas ng kabayo ang kanyang makakaya sa paglipad. Kung anong husay niya sa lupa ay lubhang kabaliktaran ang kanyang paglipad. Sakay si Alberto ay bumulusok sila sa animo’y pader na pagtitipon ng mga ibon. Kinailangang ibuga ni Alberto ang mga balahibong kanyang nahigop ngunit sa kalaunan ay narating din nila ang pugad ng Hari ng mga Ibon.

Magalang na tumungo ang Kabayo ni Alberto sa Hari ng mga Ibon. Kabayo mang maituturing, siya ay may bahagi rin ng ibon, at may mga patakarang hindi dapat suwayin upang hindi matamo ang galit ng ibang mga ibon.

Dambuhala ang Hari ng mga Ibon. Sapat ang laki nito upang matakpan ang sinag ng araw. Masusing sinipat ng Hari si Alberto at ang kanyang kabayo.

“Ano ang inyong ngalan, at ano ang inyong pakay sa aking kaharian?”, sambit ng Hari.

Nanatiling nakagapos sa lupa ang paningin ng Kabayo sa pagtungo nito nang marinig ang tugon ni Alberto.

“Ano ang dahilan ng paglusob ninyo sa aming kaharian?”, ang sagot ni Alberto.

“Paglusob? Wala akong nilulusob, tao. Nais ko lamang maibalik sa akin kung ano ang akin.”

Halos magdikit ang kilay ni Alberto sa pagkunot nito sa nagging tugon ng Hari ng mga Ibon.

“Subalit ang sabi ng Prinsesa ay nilulusob mo ang kanyang kaharian!”

“Ang iyong tinutukoy na “Prinsesa” ang siya mismong nagsimula ng kaguluhang ito. Siya at ang kanyang kaharian ang nagnakaw sa aking putong! Ang tanging pakay lamang ng aking mga kapwa ibon sa kanyang kaharian ay mabawi ang aking putong!”

“Ngunit palagi niyang sinasab-“

Bumungad sa mukha ni Alberto ang pinakamalaking tuka na kanyang namasdan sa kanyang buhay.

Tiningnan ng Hari ng mga Ibon si Alberto, mata sa mata, at sinabing, “Marami na akong nasagap tungkol sa iyo, Manlalakbay. Tanyag ang iyong ngalan at ang iyong bentohangin sa lupaing ito.”

“Hindi ko nais na kalabanin ka o ang kaharian ng iyong prinsesa. Ang tanging hiling ko lamang ay maibalik sa akin ang aking putong. Mangyari ito at ipinapangako ko sa iyo, hindi na gagambalain ng mga ibon ang inyong kaharian.”

Naglapat ang paningin ni Alberto at ng kanyang Kabayo. Sabay silang tumango sa sinambit ng Hari ng mga Ibon.

Minamasdan ng Prinsesa ang kanyang wangis sa salamin habang humahagod ang suklay na gamit ng kanyang mga alalay sa kanyang buhok. Nanlilisik ang kanyang mata sa salamin sa hindi inaasahang pagtanggi ni Alberto sa kanyang handog.

Ngunit anuman ang naging desisyon ni Alberto, wala itong kahalagahan. Sa pamamagitan lamang ng mayuming pagkuskos ng kanyang pilikmata at pagpatak ng kanyang luha ay maa-akit ang Manlalakaybay at susunod sa kanyang hiling.

Inutusan niya ang kanyang mga alipin na lumisan. Tumungo siya sa nakatagong lagusan sa kanyang silid. Sa loob nito ay nakatago ang kanyang pinakaiingatan at pinakatatanging yaman.

Ang pinakanakapupukaw na putong sa lahat ng Kahangian!

Gawa ang putong sa gintong pinanday pa sa pugon ni Ginton at napupuno ng mga kristal na animo’y bulalakaw sa pagkinang.

“Ang pinakamagandang putong para sa pinakamagandang prinsesa sa Kahangian!”, kanyang naisip.

Malalim ang kanyang paghanga sa putong nang biglang umaligunggong ang nagngangalit na tinig ng isang lalaki.

“SI-NU-NGA-LING!”, sigaw ni Alberto na pumutok sa silid ng Prinsesa.

Sa gulat ng Prinsesa ay halos mabitawan niya ang kanyang korona. Wala sa kanyang isip ang mabilis na pagbalik ng Manlalakbay.

“Ubod ka ng sinungaling!”, singhal ni Alberto.

“Mabuti na lamang ay naandito ka! Nilusob ako ng mga ibon at sinubukang magnakaw sa akin!”

Dalubhasang pinatulo ng Prinsesa ang kanyang luha. Walang bayani ang hindi lumuhod sa kanyang pagtangis at sa kanyang isip, walang laban ang Manlalakbay sa kanyang yumi.

“Hindi sa iyo ang putong na iyan!”, tugon ni Alberto habang siya at ang kanyang Kabayo ay unti-unting lumalapit sa prinsesa.

“SI-NU-NGA-LING!”, galit na hinablot ni Alberto ang putong mula sa kamay ng nagpapa-awang Prinsesa at maagaop na sumibat mula sa silid.

“Mga kawal! ‘Wag n’yo silang hayaang makatakas!”

Sinubukan ng mga kawal na habulin ang Manlalakbay at kanyang kabayo ngunit hindi maihahambing kanilang bilis sa liksing tumalo sa mga lumilipad na ulupong na nagbabantay sa libingan ni Ulilangkalulua. Animo’y mga pagong ang mga kawal kung ihahambing sa bilis ng dalawa.

“Kailanma’y hindi ka na makapapasok sa kahariang ito!”, galit na sigaw ng Prinsesa sa landas ng mga ulap na tinahak ni Alberto at ng kanyang kabayo.

“Pagsisihan mo ito at ipinapangako kong tutugisin ka namin!”

Sa pagtakas ni Alberto at ng kanyang Kabayo ay maingat siyang pinalibutan ng mga ibon. Hindi maikubli ang kanilang ligaya sa muling pagbabalik ng kanilang putong.

“Ginawa mong mortal na kaaway ang Prinsesa at kanyang kaharian sa iyong naging pasya”, sambit ng Hari ng mga Ibon kay Alberto habang papalapit ang Manlalakbay sa kanyang trono.

“Oo.”, maikling tugon ni Alberto.

“Mula ngayon ay asahan mo ang tulong ng mga ibon, saan man at kailan man mo ito kailanganin.”

“Maraming salamat.”

Nakangiting nagkatinginan si Alberto at ang kanyang mahiwagang Kabayo. Niyakap ni Alberto ang kanyang Kabayo na tinugunan naman nito sa paghalinghing. Nakatatak sa kanilang isip ang paninindigan sa tama at katarungan, kahit pa nangangahulugan ito ng pagharap sa mga makapangyarihang kalaban.

“Pagod na ako, Neni!”

“Sige, Alberto, pwede ka nang matulog pero kailangan mo munang linisin ang mga krayola mo.”

“Okay.”

Gumising nang maaga si Alberto at maliksi pang naghanda para sa almusal. Nababahala pa rin si Neni sa pagkapuyat ni Alberto ngunit walang puyat na hindi malulunasan ng mahimbing na pag-idlip.

Tinulungan ni Neni si Alberto na linisin ang kanyang mga pangkulay ngunit nagtataka si Neni sa patuloy na pagguhit ni Alberto sa mga larawang animo’y mukhang payong.

“Neni! Tingnan mo itong ibon!”, sambit ni Alberto habang ipinapakita ang kanyang iginuhit na mas malaki pa kumpara sa iba pa niyang nagawa.

“Ang galing mong gumuhit! Maglinis na tayo para makatulog ka na, ha?”

“Sige!”

*Kahangian – ang ikalimang salop sa kalawakan

“Alberto it’s time for bed!” Neni shouted from the hallway. She checked Alberto’s bedroom and was surprised to find him already under the covers.

She had noticed that he was less energetic than usual and she was worried that he wasn’t sleeping well.

“Neni I’m going to sleep!” Alberto said from under his blanket.
There wasn’t much she could do. Neni switched the lights off and told Alberto to have good dreams.

“I’ll see you in the morning. We’ll go to the park tomorrow okay?” She said as she walked out of his room.

“Neni! Time to sleep!” was Alberto’s reply.

Alberto yawned as he rode his winged steed through the clouds. It felt like only yesterday when one of the princesses of Kahangian*asked Alberto and his horse to stave off an invasion.

Alberto knew he couldn’t say no. When adventure calls he only had one answer.

But Alberto wished this adventure would end soon. Victory seemed out of reach as the endless onslaught of birds came wave after wave.

These were no ordinary birds. They flew like umbrellas along the clouds of Kahangian. The princess told Alberto that the birds would usually keep to themselves, but something must have happened to rile them up. She was afraid that this was only the beginning of a larger assault on her realm.

Alberto and his horse spent the last few weeks rerouting the birds away from the kingdom. As much as the princess wanted him to use force, Alberto could not bring himself to harm the birds.

After redirecting the latest wave of birds Alberto was summoned to the princess’ chambers.

She told him that it was time to end this. Redirecting the birds was a waste of time if they just kept coming back. She gave Alberto a box and told him to go to the king of the birds and slay him.

Alberto opened the box and was surprised to find a sword with his name engraved on it. It felt heavy in his hands and he looked at the princess and shook his head.

He would not do as she asked. Violence wasn’t the answer, at least not to him. He left the box in the princess’ chambers and went to his horse.

This would end, but on his terms.

Alberto’s horse smiled. As a horse he was used to keeping his opinions to himself but today he couldn’t help it.
He was proud that he made the right choice in Alberto. The birds weren’t violent, at most they were a nuisance to the princess’ kingdom.

They flew through the clouds with as much grace as the horse could muster. As adept as he was with galloping, the horse was clumsy with his wings. They barreled through the surge of birds ahead of them, Alberto had to spit out a few feathers, but eventually they came upon the roost of the king of birds.

Alberto’s horse bowed his head. As much as he was a horse, he was also part bird, and there were certain rules that you had to follow to make sure the other birds wouldn’t get mad at you.
The king of birds was enormous, his large frame almost blacking out the sun. He took one look at Alberto and his horse and said, “Who are you and why are you here?!”

Alberto’s horse was still looking at the ground when he heard Alberto answer.

“Why you attack the kingdom?”

“Strange human, I attack nothing. I am just trying to get back what belongs to me.”

Alberto’s brow creased in confusion.

“But princess said you attack!”

“The princess was the one that started this. She and her kingdom stole my crown! I’ve been sending my birds to her kingdom to get it back.”

“But princess said—-“

The king of birds whirled around and put his beak up to Alberto’s face.

“I’ve heard of you, human. You and your bentohangin have made quite a name for yourselves in this realm. And I am asking you, please, get my crown back and I will tell my birds to stop.”

Alberto looked at his horse and they nodded in unison.

The princess stared at her mirror as her servants brushed her hair. She had not calculated that the human would reject her gift, but no matter. A few bats of her eyelashes and some tears would certainly do the job the next time.

She bade her servants to leave her alone and walked to a hidden door in her chambers. In it was a chest and in that chest was her prize.

It was the most beautiful headpiece in all of Kahangian, inlaid with fallen stars and made from gold straight from Ginton’s forges. Such beauty should only belong to her, the fairest princess in the clouds.

“L—-I—-A—-R!” Alberto’s voice rang through the princess’ chambers.

The princess managed to catch the crown as it fell through her fingers. She had not expected the human to be back so soon.
“You’re a liar!” Alberto shouted again.

“I’m so glad you’re here! The birds have been trying to steal from me!” It was time for the tears. The princess was familiar with this tactic, many heroes had fallen for her charms and this one would be no different.

“That’s not your crown!” Alberto and his horse moved towards the princess.

“This is my father’s! The birds are jealous of its beauty and keep trying to take it from me, but you won’t let them will you? Please help me!” Tears were flowing down her cheeks as she looked into Alberto’s eyes.

“L—–I—–A—–R!” Alberto grabbed the crown from the princess and ran towards his horse.

“Guards! Get them!”

Alberto and his horse were experts and running away. The guards tried to catch up to the pair but once you’ve escaped from the flying serpents guarding Ulilankalulua’s grave everything seems like a turtle in comparison.

“You are not welcome here!” The princess shouted through the clouds, “We will hunt you down!”

The birds flocked Alberto and his horse. They were overjoyed at the sight of the crown and accompanied them to their king’s throne.

“You have made yourself an enemy of the princess’ kingdom.” The king of birds said to Alberto.

“Yes.”

“Thank you, know that the kingdom of birds will help you, whenever you will need it.”

“Yes.”

Alberto looked at his horse and smiled. Alberto’s horse hugged his companion and neighed. They knew they made the right choice, even if it meant making a powerful enemy.

“Neni! I’m tired!”

“Okay Alberto, you can take a nap soon. Let’s clean up your crayons okay?”

“Okay.”

Today Alberto woke up early and even got ready for breakfast in time. Neni was still worried that he wasn’t getting enough sleep but that was nothing a good nap couldn’t fix.

She helped him clear his crayons and wondered why he kept drawing umbrellas.

“Neni! Bird!” He showed a drawing that was like the other umbrellas but bigger than the rest.

“It looks great Alberto! Let’s clean up and you can take a nap, okay?”

“Okay!”

Continued from the Bentohangin’s tale

*Kahangian is the fifth layer of the universe

*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 Mathew Juganas
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Mathew Juganas

Inspired by the Hubot description in The Soul Book. Demetrio & Cordero-Fernando 1991.

Hubot Illustration by Edrian Paolo T. Baydo

Color by Alexa Garde
Website: Lexa.us

*Note this story is in Cebuano

Usa ka gabi-i, ngadto sa punoan sa anislag, nagsugod ang mga aninipot sa matag gabi-i niini nga pagkabuhaton. Sa bisan kinsan man ang makahinumdom sa ila, ilahang sugaan ang kalangitan ubanan og mga pagsayaw na kaindig sa labing matahom nga kalalaw. Ug si kinsa pa ang mangulo niini kundi ang ilahang hari? Ang piniyalan nga mga aninipot musayaw kauban ang iyahang mga sakop nga maghimo og kahibolongang paghiklad sa kahayag.

Samtang nangandam ang Hari sa iyahang sayaw, iyahang nabatyagan kining usa sa mga aninipot nga wag magsiga. “Batan-ong aninipot,” miingon ang hari, “Nganong wa man ka nagpahayag kauban imong mga igsoon?”

“Ginoo, wala ko kasabot og nganong ato kining gibuhat, dili ba kini pangimbitar sa mga manunukob? Giabisohan ko sa mga timos nga ang mga baki, mga kaka ug mga langgam himuon tang lamiang simosimo kung ato’ng ipakita ang ato’ng kaugalingon.”

“Nganong ato mang tagoan ang ato’ng mga kahayag nga mao man kini’y labihang maanyag nga katipik sa kagabhion? Dapat ato kining dal-on ngadto sa mangitngit nga mga lugar. Tagsa-tagsa nato adunay kalag nga di ikalimod. Nakabti ka niini, di ba?”

Mabati ang unsa, ginoo?

“Ang kinahanglan nga hayagan ang langit. Anaa kini sa kasingkasing sa tanang aninipot. Makit-an ta sa mga manunukob, usa kini ka tinuod, tutukan nila ang atong kahayag ug suwayan sa pagpawong, apan gamayng bayad kini aron pasagdan ang atong mga mga kalag nga mukanta sa kangitngit.

Wala gihapon kini masabtan sa batan-ong aninipot ang buot ingnon sa Hari, giunhan kini sa kahadlok nga mamatay. Wa niya masabti ang mga gipamulong sa Hari sa iyang kasingkasing ug iyang gipaup-op ang iyang kahayag.

Kadtong gabhiona ang mga aninipot nagsayaw apan adunay mga gagmay nga tipik sa anino ang makita sa layo. Sama sa makatakod nga kahadlok sa batan-ong aninipot. Madunggan ang mga hungihong sa tibuok palibot nga ang mga aninipot palabihon ang ilang kaluwasan sa kangitngit kaysa irisgo ang kahayag.

Nagpatawag ang Hari sa mga aninipot og usa ka panagtigom sa iyang mga sakop aron hisgotan ang panghitabo.

“Buot lang namong ipasabot nga kinahanglan kita mag-amping sa gabi-i,”misulti ang batan-ong aninipot. “Di kami buot mahimong sunod na pagkaon sa kaka.”

“Nganong di ni nimo suwayan og buhat, batan-ong aninipot?” pangutana sa Hari.

“Mahadlok ko ginoo, di ko gusto mawala ni’ng akong kahayag hangtod sa kahangtoran.”

“Apan di ba mao kini imong gibuhat sa imong kaugalingon?”

“Mahimo pa man natong pasigaan apan sa mga luwas nga lugar. Mao unta kini ang angay na bag-o natong lagda!” Asoy sa batan-ong aninipot nga anaay kumpiyansa.

“Aninipot, kinahanglan kitang magpasiga ngadto sa kangitngit, kay mao kana ang rason sa atong pagkahimugso. Nganong mangita man kita og senyales aron magpasiga, nga kita, mga bituon nga kinahanglang maglaray?”

“Wa gihapon ko ni masabtan, ginoo.”

Ug didto, nasayod ang Hari sa mga aninipot ang kinahanglan niyang buhaton.

Gihayagan ang kaugalingon, labing hayag pa sa buwan ug gaalirong sa punoan sa anislag. Mihilak ang batan-ong aninipot nga mipadayag, “Ginoo! Makit-an ka nila, palihug ayaw pahayagi imong kaugalingon!”

Bitaw, wa kiniy pulos, ang kahayag sa Hari mikatag sa palibot ug tanang mga kuwaknit, mga kaka, ug mga panggabiing langgam nanglupad paingon sa makasisilaw nga kahayag.

Di makatuo ang batan-ong aninipot sa mga musunod na panghitabo. Tanang mga nakapalibot nga aninipot nagbuhat og sama sa bagyo nga kahayag. Ang mga manunukob mibarog, nalumay sa panan-awon ug tagsa-tagsang miapil sa pagsayaw.

Gikapakapa sa mga langgam ug kuwaknit ang ilahang mga pako. Miuban sa indayog ang lihok sa mga baki, ang mga kaka nagtuyok-tuyok inubanan ang mga aninipot nga nagbitbit og kahayag sa kangitngit.

Ug ang kinalawmang bahin sa iyang kalag, sa kataposan nasabtan na sa batan-ong aninipot.

Kung magpagawas ka og kidlap, mahimo kang bahin sa usa ka butang nga mahinungdanon.

Wala na kini magpaabot og tubag.

Nagpahayag kini.

Ug mihilak ang iyang kalag ngadto sa mga anino, “Di nako tugutang kuhaon kini nimo sa ako!”

Hangtod sa kahangturan mahinumduman sa lasang ang sugilanon sa usa ka batan-ong aninipot nga kas-a nahadlok sa kaugalingong kahayag ug tanang mananap nga gitawag nila ang lasang nga ilahang puy-anan, bisan ang mga manunukob, makahunahuna pag-usab sa kalawakan sa kahayag atubangan sa punoan sa anislag, nasaypd sa higayon nga adunay silay kayo sulod sa kaugalingon nga di mahimong ilimod.

Karon ug hangtod sa kahangturan.

=——————————————=

English Version

*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.

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

O marcupo, marcupo, sa imo harianon nga padong

O marcupo, marcupo, sa imo pugad nagatambong

Sa labing taas nga bukid  sa dumaan nga kadutaan

Sa tunga sang Marapara kag Canlaon ang ginapuy-an

Ambahanon mong’ nagapanglakaton sa mga suba kag linaw

Ang imo tulunggon nagatay-og sa adlaw nga masinaw

O marcupo, marcupo, ano nga manggad ang imo gina-alinga

Sa halapunan mong’ taas, ngaa natrangkahan ang puerta

Kilala ko ang imo pakaisa, kon anong’ dalit ang yara sa iya

Kay sa idalom sang puno, kumari ang iya mga biktima

Nagtener sa ila aliwansan, isa ka puno kon kabigon

Ginhingadlan Kamandag, kon diin ginkabig sila nga tulokbon

O marcupo, marcupo, ngaa bala, ang dalit nga kalangil-aran

Nahulom sa mga sanga agud ang kalag mahingalayuhan

Ang ambahanon mo nagtunong, sa kagat mo napa-idalman

Nagtulin sa mga ugat sang kasulgan sang kapulakan

Marcupo, marcupo, ambaha sa amon ang ambahanon mo

Magtener ka lamang sa kahoy nga puluy-an mo

Ang imo dila kag sungay ipaiway, wala na sang agsik sang dugo

Ihilayo ang imo bangkil kag ikog kag padong sa imo ulo

Bangud kami dili mangin imo daga

Sa imo kahoy, kalayo ang igadala

Kag amon tupukon tubtob sa wala ka na

O,marcupo, marcupo, ini amon ginapanumpa

=————————————=

English Version

*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 Juriel Ong
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Juriel Ong

There are 41 possible different species of venomous snakes in the Philippines. Of that number 26 are sea snakes and the other 15 are terrestrial snakes that live in diverse habitats in freshwater and on land. Some species like Tropidolaemus subannulatus are arboreal and almost never go down to the ground. All terrestrial species of these are able to swim and some inhabit areas near human habitation, around sources of water such as flooded rice fields, streams and rivers, and in agricultural areas.

Venomous snakes in the Philippines are represented by two families: Elapidae and Viperidae while there also occur mildly venomous snakes which are members of the family Colubridae. It is still up to future research to determine the degree of danger that these mildly venomous snakes pose to humans.

It may be hard to distinguish venomous from non-venomous snakes without special attention to detail. Several snakes in the Philippines are black with white bandings and these include the species Calmaria lumbricoidea, Lycodon subcinctus, and members of the genera Hemibungarus and Calliophis. The latter two are dangerously venomous while the other species are non-venomous.  The only way to tell the difference is to check the side of the head in front of the eye to see if a loreal scale is present. If there is no loreal scale then the snake in question may be venomous.

In the Philippines, the snake fauna is relatively well known, but there are areas such as those in Luzon, Palawan and Mindanao that have not been explored in detail. It should be noted that accurate knowledge of snake species is necessary for proper treatment of snakebites. For example, there is only one antivenin manufactured for cobra snakebites derived from the species Naja philippinensis. It was believed in the past that there was only one species with three subspecies of the Philippine cobra, Naja naja, but further research has shown that the three subspecies are distinct and have been recognized as full species. This is important to note because antivenin is species specific, the antivenin used for one kind of snakebite may not work for bites of other species.

Her hands drifted across the keyboard and she took another sip of coffee. This should be good enough for now. The introduction is always the hardest part, then the rest just flows.

She stood up and went to her bag and took out some pictures. “Lovely,” she said to no one in particular. It had taken her months of work, traversing mountains and islands to get this collection. It was her life’s work, but she knew she had to do so much more.

The first picture was of Ophiophagus Hannah, also known as the king cobra. She knew how to describe every part of the snake’s anatomy. Her fingers ran through the nasal scales and noted that the loreal scale was absent.

She flipped through the pictures and picked another one at random. This time it was of Trimeresurus (Parias) schultzei, a green-turquoise snake with alternating bands of black and red. She remembered seeing this species in her travels to Leyte and Samar. They were tree-dwelling and it took her many attempts to get a proper photograph.

Laughter filled her small room. Such wonder and majesty that the elders of her people just ignored. There was power in knowing what you could conjure and they just wasted it on petty cantrips and dime store illusions.

Not her. Never her.

When the elders held her initiation, she did not fear. She had seen the kind of power that their kind possessed. Large black dogs, grotesque flying beings, flaming phantasms were but some of the conjurations she had experienced. But what she remembered was the snakes.

It was the favorite illusion of their people. A gnarled mass of slithering serpents flung at their victims, most of which died of fright in an instant. Those that were left alive through small mercies would forever have nightmares of the forked tongues, limbless bodies and scaled skin.

But the elders had no imagination. They assumed that all snakes looked like pythons and left it at that. It would end with her. She would show them all what they could be capable of if they just tried to see the horror that was at their doorsteps.

From the corner of her eye she could see the familiar black rings of the Hemibungarus calligaster, known by some as the Philippine coral snake. She held the photo against her chest and a faint orange and black glow manifested from her hands. In a moment the black and white ringed serpent was in front of her. She savored the beauty of her creation. This one she had seen in her hometown in Quezon province and it was this very snake that lead her heart to wander through the archipelago. She thanked it silently and went back to her research.

She had learned a lot from libraries and forests. Leafing through books and finding the creature in real life was a thrill she could never let go of. But there were other sources that she had queried, at a price.

Her mind drifted to Iloilo. There was a woman there with power much like hers, but different. She wouldn’t make eye contact for fear she would be exposed, but it was no use. She needed to know. The scar on her palm was throbbing now, the memories made her mind relive the pain. It was worth it though, she got what she was looking for.

The serpent that she would master.

Again, there was laughter. This would be no mere snake, no earthly beast. She walked to the window and the glistening stars reflected in her eyes. Light was not what she craved. It was only darkness in her heart that she let reign.

The darkness of the gods.

She breathed in deep. It was not yet time. She needed more information. She needed to see it for herself. In a month she would start her travels to the different bungalog in hopes of seeing her god.

Until then she would think of the wings and the whiskers, the blood red tongue and the mouth large enough to cast the world into terror.

One day she would use her powers to make it come alive.

One day.

=————————————————————————–=

Written by Karl Gaverza

Copyright © Karl Gaverza 

Inspired by the May-gling legends from Quezon Provinc and description in Diccionario mitológico de Filipinas in Volume 2 of Retana, W.E. Archivo del bibliófilo filipino by Ferdinand Blumentritt (1895), trans Marcaida D. (2019)

May-galing Illustration by Edrian Paolo T. Baydo 

Color by Alexa Garde

Website: Lexa.us

More information on Philippine Snake species can be found in https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263375284_The_dangerously_venomous_snakes_of_the_Philippine_Archipelago_with_identification_keys_and_species_accounts

The flutter of wings breaks the stillness as the maya birds scatter from their fountain perch.

Alberto always liked to see the birds fly away. He would point at their wings and shout “Fly!” at the top of his lungs, which is the way he would usually say things.

“Neni can we go… mall?”

The bleary look on the young woman’s face was apparent, but she smiled through it all the same.

“Alberto first we have to be—“

“Have to be—“

“We have to be—“

“Good, good. Have to be good.”

“Good job Alberto. We can go to the mall later, let’s enjoy the park. The birds are over there—“

And with that the boy raced off and shouted as if he wanted the whole world to hear him. No, not a boy anymore, at least not to an outward observer, Neni had to remind herself. She took out her phone and took a few photos of Alberto chasing his feathered friends.

His mom would always ask for pictures, Neni thought it was because she wanted to be reminded that she had a son, but Neni brushed those sentiments away. Worn, that’s what she remembered from the faces of Alberto’s parents when they hired her. She didn’t think she had a right to judge their parenting, especially since she wasn’t in their shoes.

“Neni! Fly!” She laughed with Alberto as they spent the day disturbing the birds.

As they were leaving the park, they passed a young couple. Before she could say anything Alberto stepped in front of the girl.

“Hi what’s your name?”

Neni had enough practice to know that this was unavoidable. She started with the usual apologies, but Alberto had a one track mind.

“Hi what’s your name?”

Neni apologized again, but it seemed that the young lady understood. She said her name was Raina and gave a comforting smile to both of them.

“Raina. R-A-I-N-A.”

The man then introduced himself as Oscar and Alberto gave a warm greeting. To their credit they were more understanding than most others of Alberto. Neni gave a hurried goodbye as she led Alberto to the car, she wasn’t about to be late for dinner.
————————–————————–————————–———-

Alberto finished getting ready for bed. The evening ritual of taking a shower, changing his clothes and brushing his teeth was one of the most enjoyable parts of his day. It was something he could do all by himself and that made him proud.

After he was done he looked around the room. It was a room just like any other. Four walls, a big window, a bed. And of course there was the horse.

Now, this was no ordinary horse. True, it had hooves, four legs and the kind of face that would make passers by undoubtful of its horse-ness, but it also had the kind of feathers that would make a swan flush with envy.

Alberto knew that the horse was a horse, of course. The horse was his horse, and seeing it in his room meant that he was about to embark on another journey.

The grin on Alberto’s face matched the horse’s, after their last daring escape from the dragon trapped in the stars, the rush of adventure was still fresh in his heart.

Alberto climbed up his horse’s back and they flew out the window. There was no time to waste, and he wanted to make sure he was back in time for breakfast.

————————–————————–————————–————————––

“Aray!” Neni thought she was getting good at avoiding Alberto’s Legos, but there was always one that would sneak under her foot.

She picked the offending piece up and put it next to the others in a neat pile. She gave up on trying to organize the Legos a long time ago, Alberto had his own system that never coincided with hers.

“Neni! Clouds!”

Alberto was finishing up his next masterpiece. Neni could never figure out what he was building, to her they all looked like mish mashed columns strung together randomly.

“Neni! Look!”

He was proud of his work, and Neni was just happy he was happy.

“It’s very good Alberto, what is it?”

“Fly! Clouds!”

“Good job Alberto, but we have to get ready for lunch. Go wash up.”

As Alberto ran towards the bathroom, a brown feather dropped from his pocket. Neni sighed. She thought she cleaned up all the mess from the park. “Oh well,” she thought, “At least it’s only one feather this time.”

————————–————————–————————–

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Bentohangin description in ‘The Soul Book’ by Demetrio & Cordero-Fernando 1991.

Bentohangin Illustration by Kurt Prieto
Behance: https://www.behance.net/KurtPrieto

Colors by Alexa Garde
Website: Lexa.us

“Alberto it’s time for bed!” Neni shouted from the hallway. She checked Alberto’s bedroom and was surprised to find him already under the covers.

She had noticed that he was less energetic than usual and she was worried that he wasn’t sleeping well.

“Neni I’m going to sleep!” Alberto said from under his blanket.
There wasn’t much she could do. Neni switched the lights off and told Alberto to have good dreams.

“I’ll see you in the morning. We’ll go to the park tomorrow okay?” She said as she walked out of his room.

“Neni! Time to sleep!” was Alberto’s reply.

Alberto yawned as he rode his winged steed through the clouds. It felt like only yesterday when one of the princesses of Kahangian*asked Alberto and his horse to stave off an invasion.

Alberto knew he couldn’t say no. When adventure calls he only had one answer.

But Alberto wished this adventure would end soon. Victory seemed out of reach as the endless onslaught of birds came wave after wave.

These were no ordinary birds. They flew like umbrellas along the clouds of Kahangian. The princess told Alberto that the birds would usually keep to themselves, but something must have happened to rile them up. She was afraid that this was only the beginning of a larger assault on her realm.

Alberto and his horse spent the last few weeks rerouting the birds away from the kingdom. As much as the princess wanted him to use force, Alberto could not bring himself to harm the birds.

After redirecting the latest wave of birds Alberto was summoned to the princess’ chambers.

She told him that it was time to end this. Redirecting the birds was a waste of time if they just kept coming back. She gave Alberto a box and told him to go to the king of the birds and slay him.

Alberto opened the box and was surprised to find a sword with his name engraved on it. It felt heavy in his hands and he looked at the princess and shook his head.

He would not do as she asked. Violence wasn’t the answer, at least not to him. He left the box in the princess’ chambers and went to his horse.

This would end, but on his terms.

Alberto’s horse smiled. As a horse he was used to keeping his opinions to himself but today he couldn’t help it.
He was proud that he made the right choice in Alberto. The birds weren’t violent, at most they were a nuisance to the princess’ kingdom.

They flew through the clouds with as much grace as the horse could muster. As adept as he was with galloping, the horse was clumsy with his wings. They barreled through the surge of birds ahead of them, Alberto had to spit out a few feathers, but eventually they came upon the roost of the king of birds.

Alberto’s horse bowed his head. As much as he was a horse, he was also part bird, and there were certain rules that you had to follow to make sure the other birds wouldn’t get mad at you.
The king of birds was enormous, his large frame almost blacking out the sun. He took one look at Alberto and his horse and said, “Who are you and why are you here?!”

Alberto’s horse was still looking at the ground when he heard Alberto answer.

“Why you attack the kingdom?”

“Strange human, I attack nothing. I am just trying to get back what belongs to me.”

Alberto’s brow creased in confusion.

“But princess said you attack!”

“The princess was the one that started this. She and her kingdom stole my crown! I’ve been sending my birds to her kingdom to get it back.”

“But princess said—-“

The king of birds whirled around and put his beak up to Alberto’s face.

“I’ve heard of you, human. You and your bentohangin have made quite a name for yourselves in this realm. And I am asking you, please, get my crown back and I will tell my birds to stop.”

Alberto looked at his horse and they nodded in unison.

The princess stared at her mirror as her servants brushed her hair. She had not calculated that the human would reject her gift, but no matter. A few bats of her eyelashes and some tears would certainly do the job the next time.

She bade her servants to leave her alone and walked to a hidden door in her chambers. In it was a chest and in that chest was her prize.

It was the most beautiful headpiece in all of Kahangian, inlaid with fallen stars and made from gold straight from Ginton’s forges. Such beauty should only belong to her, the fairest princess in the clouds.

“L—-I—-A—-R!” Alberto’s voice rang through the princess’ chambers.

The princess managed to catch the crown as it fell through her fingers. She had not expected the human to be back so soon.
“You’re a liar!” Alberto shouted again.

“I’m so glad you’re here! The birds have been trying to steal from me!” It was time for the tears. The princess was familiar with this tactic, many heroes had fallen for her charms and this one would be no different.

“That’s not your crown!” Alberto and his horse moved towards the princess.

“This is my father’s! The birds are jealous of its beauty and keep trying to take it from me, but you won’t let them will you? Please help me!” Tears were flowing down her cheeks as she looked into Alberto’s eyes.

“L—–I—–A—–R!” Alberto grabbed the crown from the princess and ran towards his horse.

“Guards! Get them!”

Alberto and his horse were experts and running away. The guards tried to catch up to the pair but once you’ve escaped from the flying serpents guarding Ulilankalulua’s grave everything seems like a turtle in comparison.

“You are not welcome here!” The princess shouted through the clouds, “We will hunt you down!”

The birds flocked Alberto and his horse. They were overjoyed at the sight of the crown and accompanied them to their king’s throne.

“You have made yourself an enemy of the princess’ kingdom.” The king of birds said to Alberto.

“Yes.”

“Thank you, know that the kingdom of birds will help you, whenever you will need it.”

“Yes.”

Alberto looked at his horse and smiled. Alberto’s horse hugged his companion and neighed. They knew they made the right choice, even if it meant making a powerful enemy.

“Neni! I’m tired!”

“Okay Alberto, you can take a nap soon. Let’s clean up your crayons okay?”

“Okay.”

Today Alberto woke up early and even got ready for breakfast in time. Neni was still worried that he wasn’t getting enough sleep but that was nothing a good nap couldn’t fix.

She helped him clear his crayons and wondered why he kept drawing umbrellas.

“Neni! Bird!” He showed a drawing that was like the other umbrellas but bigger than the rest.

“It looks great Alberto! Let’s clean up and you can take a nap, okay?”

“Okay!”

Continued from the Bentohangin’s tale

*Kahangian is the fifth layer of the universe

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Hubot description in The Soul Book. Demetrio & Cordero-Fernando 1991.

Hubot Illustration by Edrian Paolo T. Baydo

Color by Alexa Garde
Website: Lexa.us

The old man stared at the sea and breathed in the salty air.

It wasn’t always like this. Once upon a time his bones didn’t ache. But once upon a time was a long time ago and he leaned on his cane as he waited for the sunset.

His meditations were interrupted by a loud shout.

“Lolo! What happened here?!”

The old man ignored the boy approaching him. All he wanted was to be alone in this moment.

“Lolo, I know there was a hill here, and now it is gone. How is that possible?!”

The boy looked imploringly at the old man and he was met with a grimace.

“I have no time to answer your silly questions! Leave me be!”

The boy would not relent.

“Please Lolo! I loved playing on the hill with my friends. It is where we would always meet. Surely it must be somewhere?”

The old man pointed his cane at the boy and said, “How can you be so sure it was a hill?”

The boy replied “But what else could it be?”

The old man found a stone to sit on and looked at the boy. He pointed his cane towards the sea and said, “It is over there.”

“Where is it lolo? I don’t see anything!”

“That is because it is under the waves.”

“How is that possible? Hills can’t do that!” The boy’s brows ruffled in confusion.

“I just said it wasn’t a hill.” The old man sighed. Young people these days just don’t listen. Youth is surely wasted on the young.

“I don’t understand lolo.”

“That’s because you don’t pay attention. What do you remember about the hill?”

“It had grass growing all over it. It was gray and rocky.”

“Did you ever see its face?”

“Lolo! Hills don’t have faces.”

“I keep telling you it wasn’t a hill! Now do you want answers or will you leave me alone?”

“I didn’t see any face when I was playing.”

“You don’t pay attention to where you are, and it’s a sad sight to see in one so young. I remember when I was your age, taking everything for granted. Believe me boy, days like these never last.”

“You still haven’t answered my question. Where did the hill go?”

“I really envy you. You have your whole life ahead of you, and the worst part is you’ll never realize what you have until it’s all gone.”

“Lolo, please. I just want to know.”

“If I tell you will you leave me alone?”

“Yes lolo, whatever you want.”

“It got tired of being there so it left.”

“What?”

“Now leave me alone.”

“But hills can’t just walk away!”

“This one can and it did. Now you said you would leave if I told you. So leave.”

“But—“

“LEAVE!!”

As the boy ran away from the old man, a smile crept across his wizened face. He threw his cane on the ground and walked towards the ocean.

As he let the water surround his body he moved his joints in a way they hadn’t been moved in years. Tears mixed in with the saltwater as he swam through the sea.

Maybe the hill was right about something after all.

————————–————————–————————–——–

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Daruanak legends from Bicol.

Daruanak Illustration by Edrian Paolo T. Baydo

Color by Alexa Garde
Website: Lexa.us

“Alberto it’s time for bed!” Neni shouted from the hallway. She checked Alberto’s bedroom and was surprised to find him already under the covers.

She had noticed that he was less energetic than usual and she was worried that he wasn’t sleeping well.

“Neni I’m going to sleep!” Alberto said from under his blanket.
There wasn’t much she could do. Neni switched the lights off and told Alberto to have good dreams.

“I’ll see you in the morning. We’ll go to the park tomorrow okay?” She said as she walked out of his room.

“Neni! Time to sleep!” was Alberto’s reply.

Alberto yawned as he rode his winged steed through the clouds. It felt like only yesterday when one of the princesses of Kahangian*asked Alberto and his horse to stave off an invasion.

Alberto knew he couldn’t say no. When adventure calls he only had one answer.

But Alberto wished this adventure would end soon. Victory seemed out of reach as the endless onslaught of birds came wave after wave.

These were no ordinary birds. They flew like umbrellas along the clouds of Kahangian. The princess told Alberto that the birds would usually keep to themselves, but something must have happened to rile them up. She was afraid that this was only the beginning of a larger assault on her realm.

Alberto and his horse spent the last few weeks rerouting the birds away from the kingdom. As much as the princess wanted him to use force, Alberto could not bring himself to harm the birds.

After redirecting the latest wave of birds Alberto was summoned to the princess’ chambers.

She told him that it was time to end this. Redirecting the birds was a waste of time if they just kept coming back. She gave Alberto a box and told him to go to the king of the birds and slay him.

Alberto opened the box and was surprised to find a sword with his name engraved on it. It felt heavy in his hands and he looked at the princess and shook his head.

He would not do as she asked. Violence wasn’t the answer, at least not to him. He left the box in the princess’ chambers and went to his horse.

This would end, but on his terms.

Alberto’s horse smiled. As a horse he was used to keeping his opinions to himself but today he couldn’t help it.
He was proud that he made the right choice in Alberto. The birds weren’t violent, at most they were a nuisance to the princess’ kingdom.

They flew through the clouds with as much grace as the horse could muster. As adept as he was with galloping, the horse was clumsy with his wings. They barreled through the surge of birds ahead of them, Alberto had to spit out a few feathers, but eventually they came upon the roost of the king of birds.

Alberto’s horse bowed his head. As much as he was a horse, he was also part bird, and there were certain rules that you had to follow to make sure the other birds wouldn’t get mad at you.
The king of birds was enormous, his large frame almost blacking out the sun. He took one look at Alberto and his horse and said, “Who are you and why are you here?!”

Alberto’s horse was still looking at the ground when he heard Alberto answer.

“Why you attack the kingdom?”

“Strange human, I attack nothing. I am just trying to get back what belongs to me.”

Alberto’s brow creased in confusion.

“But princess said you attack!”

“The princess was the one that started this. She and her kingdom stole my crown! I’ve been sending my birds to her kingdom to get it back.”

“But princess said—-“

The king of birds whirled around and put his beak up to Alberto’s face.

“I’ve heard of you, human. You and your bentohangin have made quite a name for yourselves in this realm. And I am asking you, please, get my crown back and I will tell my birds to stop.”

Alberto looked at his horse and they nodded in unison.

The princess stared at her mirror as her servants brushed her hair. She had not calculated that the human would reject her gift, but no matter. A few bats of her eyelashes and some tears would certainly do the job the next time.

She bade her servants to leave her alone and walked to a hidden door in her chambers. In it was a chest and in that chest was her prize.

It was the most beautiful headpiece in all of Kahangian, inlaid with fallen stars and made from gold straight from Ginton’s forges. Such beauty should only belong to her, the fairest princess in the clouds.

“L—-I—-A—-R!” Alberto’s voice rang through the princess’ chambers.

The princess managed to catch the crown as it fell through her fingers. She had not expected the human to be back so soon.
“You’re a liar!” Alberto shouted again.

“I’m so glad you’re here! The birds have been trying to steal from me!” It was time for the tears. The princess was familiar with this tactic, many heroes had fallen for her charms and this one would be no different.

“That’s not your crown!” Alberto and his horse moved towards the princess.

“This is my father’s! The birds are jealous of its beauty and keep trying to take it from me, but you won’t let them will you? Please help me!” Tears were flowing down her cheeks as she looked into Alberto’s eyes.

“L—–I—–A—–R!” Alberto grabbed the crown from the princess and ran towards his horse.

“Guards! Get them!”

Alberto and his horse were experts and running away. The guards tried to catch up to the pair but once you’ve escaped from the flying serpents guarding Ulilankalulua’s grave everything seems like a turtle in comparison.

“You are not welcome here!” The princess shouted through the clouds, “We will hunt you down!”

The birds flocked Alberto and his horse. They were overjoyed at the sight of the crown and accompanied them to their king’s throne.

“You have made yourself an enemy of the princess’ kingdom.” The king of birds said to Alberto.

“Yes.”

“Thank you, know that the kingdom of birds will help you, whenever you will need it.”

“Yes.”

Alberto looked at his horse and smiled. Alberto’s horse hugged his companion and neighed. They knew they made the right choice, even if it meant making a powerful enemy.

“Neni! I’m tired!”

“Okay Alberto, you can take a nap soon. Let’s clean up your crayons okay?”

“Okay.”

Today Alberto woke up early and even got ready for breakfast in time. Neni was still worried that he wasn’t getting enough sleep but that was nothing a good nap couldn’t fix.

She helped him clear his crayons and wondered why he kept drawing umbrellas.

“Neni! Bird!” He showed a drawing that was like the other umbrellas but bigger than the rest.

“It looks great Alberto! Let’s clean up and you can take a nap, okay?”

“Okay!”

Continued from the Bentohangin’s tale

*Kahangian is the fifth layer of the universe

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Hubot description in The Soul Book. Demetrio & Cordero-Fernando 1991.

Hubot Illustration by Edrian Paolo T. Baydo

Color by Alexa Garde
Website: Lexa.us