The scent was carried by the western wind.

Deer? No not gamey enough.

Wait. I know this one.

The olfactory sense, the one she was most proud of was weak tonight. In normal days she could identify the musk of a carabao or even the scent of freshly cut undergrowth at a great distance.

Yes.

Humans.

Not the stringy kind, she thought, much more tender.

It had been a while since she had eaten juveniles. They were faster than the older ones, but the sweet taste of their flesh lingered on her tongue, long after that meal.

Three?

No. Two.
The wafting of the breeze emboldened her.

A great vintage. She said to no one in particular.

One male. Seven years old, very nervous. Sweating too much. A bit heavy set.

Another one. Female. Related to the boy. Old enough to have passed puberty. She seems to be the one leading them both through the forest.

Leading them to her first meal in a while.

Small game was what the giantess had been subsisting on for the past few weeks. She brought them to her cave, the soft light of the small fire exuding some form of comfort in her bleak existence.

She was an outcast even among the giants. She was not the strong Bungisngis, the fearsome Dambuhala or the oath sworn Sarimao.

She was Bekat, the giantess who could smell.

And today she was hungry.

The humans were in the part of the forest where the river ran.

Perfect. She could wash the meat without having to inconvenience herself.

She took a large log, felled from a narra tree and started her hunt.

That smell again.

She could tell by the scent that both of them were sweating, their adrenaline seeping out of their bodies.

Her belly growled. All she had to do was get close enough for one swipe. Just one.

The girl screamed, giving ample time for the boy to run away.

Bekat grabbed her quarry, the girl struggling to escape her grasp.

She smelled something on the girl, a kind of perfume or a lip balm? Bekat never liked eating those, they tasted like chemicals and preservatives.

It was time to drown her prey. The cold waters of the river would rush away any unwanted flavors.

“Wait!” The girl said. “Do not drown me giant, my flesh will be tough!”

Bekat reflected, had all her drowned prey been tough to chew? That may have been the case.

The giantess sat down, the girl still struggling against her grip.

“Hmmm.. How should I deal with you, child?”

“You could release me, giant. I can bring you many more humans.”

“I could not eat all of you given the chance. I only want a light meal.”

“then what kind of meal do you want to have?”

“Something plump and juicy.”
“I can get you my brother! All you need is to let me go and I can bring him!”
“What if you run away?”
“I will not, I promise.”
So Bekat let her go and waited.

The sun set and she waited.

Twilight passed and she waited.

“Damn, fooled again,” she said.

It was not the first time she was tricked like this and it wouldn’t be the last. Her strength equaled her ignorance.

She smelled a whiff of deer in the air.

And resumed her hunt.

=———————————-=

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Bekat description in The Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology, Maximo Ramos, Phoenix Publishing, 1990.

Bekat Illustration by emirajuju
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*Note this story is in Tagalog

Ito ang huling gabi ng taon at hindi pa rin tinatantanan si Danica ng ulan. Ang tunog ng kaniyang nanginginig na mga ngipin ay humahalo sa tunog ng mga patak ng ulan.

Niyakap niya ang kaniyang mga binti at paa upang damhin ang huling init na maibibigay ng kaniyang katawan.

Ang tsinelas na ibinigay ng kaniyang ina ay masyadong malaki kaya’t nalaglag ang mga ito habang siya ay tumatakbo para sumilong.

Napansin ni Danica na ang isang pares ay nahulog sa kanal at ang isa naman ay tila nawala sa madilim na kalye.

Kaya’t si Danica ay mag-isa sa lamig at mamasa-masa na nakahawak sa sampaguita malapit sa kaniyang dibdib.

Ito ay isa sa mga mababagal na araw na halos kakaunti lang ang mga sasakyang dumaraan at ni hindi pa siya nakabebenta ng isang tangkay ng sampasuita. Wala rin sinuman ang nagbigay sa kaniya ng piso.

Inilawan ng kidlat ang kalangitan at ang batang babae ay umatras sa isang sulok. Hindi siya naglakas-loob na umuwi dahil para sa kaniya, tiyak na magagalit ang kaniyang ama dahil wala siyang napagbentahan.

Tiyak na malamig na rin sa kanilang bahay dahil malamang pinasok na ito ng malakas na hangin at marahil nagyeyelo na rin ang kaniyang kwarto.

Ang kaniyang maliliit na kamay ang nanginginig na. Nilapit niya sa kaniya ang kaniyang mga bulaklak at nilanghap ang samyo n g mga ito.

Si Danica ay palaging nakatatagpo ng ginhawa sa amoy ng mga bulaklak, ipinaaalala umano ng mga ito na mayroon pa ring magagandang bagay sa mundo, kung mayroon lamang nagmamalasakit na tumingin.

Ang mga ilaw sa kalsada ay nagbibigay-anino na naglalaro sa harap ng mga mata ni Danica. Napansin niyang sa kaniyang tabi ay isang tindahan ng muwebles. Napuno naman ng kidlat ang kalye at sa isang maikling segundo ay natanaw na niya ang tindahan.

May isang mesa at sa ibabaw nito ay isang mantel. Nakapalibot dito ang magagandang plato, baso, kutsara’t tinidor na yari sa pilak. Ang mga ito ang nakapaligid sa litson.

Nakatitig kay Danica ang baboy at sa tingin niya’y nakikita niya itong nakangiti.

Nabasag ng kulog ang pagtititigang iyon.

Nagsiumula namang tumulo ang ulan sa bubong at ang mga patak ng ulan ay naghalo sa kaniyang mga luha.

Ngayon taon, ang Pasko ay malungkot at hindi masaya. Napakahirap ng sitwasyon ni Danica; nawalan ng trabaho sa pabrika ang kaniyang ama at nahumaling ito sa alak para lunurin ang mga problema. Ang kaniyang ina naman ay sinubukang maghanap ng trabaho sa pamamagitan ng paglilinis, pero hindi sapat ang kaniyang kinikita para matugunan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan.

At ang kaniyang lola Fatima, ang tanging taong nagmahal sa kaniya, ay pumanaw na rin. May anong kirot sa dibdib ni Danica na hindi na napawi mula noon.

Isa na namang kidlat ang tumama, inilawan nito ang kalye, at sinagot ng langit ang kaniyang hiling. Nagliwanag ulit ang kalye at sa gitna ng liwanag na iyon ay ang kaniyang lola Fatima, nangniningning at may mga ngiting pumawi sa kirot na nasa dibdib ni Danica.

“Lola!” iyak ni Danica, “Isama mo na ko sa iyo!” Alam niyang ang kaniyang lola ay mawawala rin pag tumama ulit ang isang kidlat. Tumigil ang hininga ni Danica habang ginigimbal ng mga kulog ang mga bintana sa paligid niya.

Ngunit hindi nawala si lola Fatima. Napaligiran siya ng mga naggagandahang engkanto, porselanang puti ang kanilang mga balat at kalmado ang mga mukha. Kinawayan nila si Danica at ngumiti naman ito pabalik.

At lahat sila, ang mga engkanto at si lola Fatima ay iniabot ang mga bisig kay Danica, na para bang hinihikayat siyang sumama sa kanila. Tumayo si Danica at naglakad papalapit sa kaniyang lola. Nais niyang maramdaman ulit ang mga init ng yakap nito, habang binabalewala ang malakas na ulan at ang lamig.

Muling tumama ang kidlat sa huling pagkakataon at naglaho si Danica sa isang iglap.

Ang iba, sinasabing siyang naglayas, mas ginustong mamuhay sa kalye kesa sa sariling bahay. Mayroon namang mga nagsasabing pinatira siya ng isang mayamang lalaki sa bahay nito at itinuturing na siyang anak.

Sa isang kuwento naman, nakatagpo si Danica ng kapayapaan sa piling ng mga engkanto kung saan ligtas siya at kapiling ang kaniyang lola.

=—————————-=

English Version

It was the last evening of the year and the rain still wouldn’t leave Danica alone. The sound of her chattering teeth joined the raindrops in a melancholy symphony. She huddled against her bare legs and naked feet to lure the last bit of warmth her body could give.

The hand me down slippers that her mother gave were much too big and they had fallen off while she ran for shelter. Danica noticed that one of them fell into the gutter and the other seemingly disappeared in the dark street.

So there Danica was, alone in the cold and damp, clutching her sampaguita flowers close to her chest. It was a slow day, not many cars were about and she hadn’t sold a single string of sampaguitas. No one had given her so much as a peso.

The lightning lit up the sky and the poor girl retreated into her corner. She didn’t dare go home, for she had sold nothing and her father would surely be angry with her. At home it was cold as well since the winds would surely come violently through here window and leave her room wet and freezing.

Her small hands were shivering. She held her flowers close and breathed in their scent. Danica always found comfort in the smell of flowers, they reminded her that there were still beautiful things in the world, if one cared to look.

The streetlights cast shadows that played in front of Danica’s eyes. She noticed that across her was a furniture shop. The lightning filled the street and for a brief second she could see into the store.

There was a table and on it was a lily white tablecloth. Beautiful silverware sat there surrounding a whole roast lechon. The pig was staring right at her and she thought she could see it smiling.

The spell of the scene broke as the thunder rang in Danica’s ears.

The roof above her began to leak and the raindrops mixed with her tears.

This year, Christmas was more somber than happy. It had been a difficult time; her father had lost his job in the factory and began to drink his problems away. Her mother tried to find work as a cleaning lady, but she wasn’t able to make enough for all their needs.

And lola Fatima, the only person who had loved her, was now no more. There was a pain in Danica’s heart that never went away after that.

Another bolt of lightning struck near, illuminating the street. Thousands of small lights danced in the air, and wonderful colors played in front of her. The little girl reached out and tried to grab them, but the light disappeared and once again, she was left alone.

She looked to the sky and waited for the lightning to come, and the sky answered her prayer. It was again light and in that radiance stood lola Fatima, so bright and lovely, with a smile that made the hurt in Danica’s heart leave.

“Lola!” The child cried out. “Please let me come with you!” She knew that her grandmother would disappear as soon as the thunder came rolling in, just like the floating lights. Danica’s breath stopped as thunder shook the windows around her.
But Lola Fatima did not disappear. She was surrounded by beautiful creatures, their skin porcelain white and their faces calm. They waved at Danica and she smiled back.

And all of them, the creatures and Lola Fatima stretched out their arms to the girl as if beckoning her to come. Danica stood up and walked to her lola. She wanted most to just feel warm again, to ignore the rain and the cold and be with someone that loved her.

The lightning struck one final time and Danica disappeared with the flash of light.

Some say that she ran away, preferring a life on the streets to her own home life. Others say a rich man found her and gave her a home and that she lives with him now as his adopted daughter.

Still one story persists, one where the girl finally finds peace in a heaven filled with beautiful faeries where she is finally safe and warm in the embrace of her lola.

————————–————————–————————–—

*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 Gabriela Baron
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Gabriela Baron

Story inspired by the Faeries of Niza description in Tuwan Nahuda. Narrated by Muham Julasman. in Voices from Sulu A Collection of Tausug Oral Traditions. Rixhon. 2010.

The Faeries of Niza Illustration by emirajuju
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*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga

“Nahahandal ako.”

“Dai kaipuhan, aki. Mangyayari an mga muya kan espiritu.”

“Ano an mangyayari sa sakuya?”

“Kitang duwa maduman sa puon kan Balete, asin babayaan taka duman. Matindog ka sa irarom kan puon sagkod dadarahun ka sa itaas kan kinaban pati na sa irarom kaini.”

“Tano?”

“Ngarig mabuhay kang liwat.”

“Makulugan daw ako?”

“Da… dai ko rumdom. Haluy na kan ako nag agi sa sakuyang reinkarnasyon. Pero dai ka maghandal, aki. Ipapahiling ninda saimo an kinaban.”

“Iyo ba iyan an rason kun tano ika nakakalayog?”

“Iyo, aki. Iyan sagkod kadakol pa. Hale ako sa kairaruman kan dagat pati na sa kalaog-laogan kan mga taho. Nakaulay ko na an mga kalag sa kinaban na ini asin sa minasunod pa. Nagbiyahe ako sa mga lugar na mayo ni isay ang makakahiling pa. Asin ako pagalun na.”

“Yaon na kita.”

“Danguga an mga kalag. Sinda an ma giya saimo arog kan pag giya ninda sa sakuya.”

“Maghilingan pa daw kita?”

“Sisay nakakaaram kun ano an itutugot kan mga espiritu? Paaram aki, ibabaya ko an sakong mga taho saimo.”

“Paaram, Lola.”

An duros dagos na nagtama sa aki habang siya nakatukaw sa irarom kan puon kan Balete. Mga aldaw na uminabot nin mga semana asin dai siya naghiro ni sarong pulgada. An mga inagihan siya, aram na dai dapat istorbohun an inaagi niya. Kan natapos an huring banggi para magtaong dalan sa bagong aga, tuminindog siya asin luhay na nagpasalamat sa mga espiritu.

An saiyang bagong mga mata lugod na nahiling an kinaban na nungka niya nahiling sa dati niyang buhay. Dai siya nakaisip mag ngirit.

Ugwa pa siyang gibo na kaipuhan matapos.

=—————————=

English Version

“I’m scared.”

“You don’t need to be, child. The spirits will do as they will.”

“What will happen to me?”

“We will both go to the Balete tree and I will leave you there. You will sit underneath the tree and be taken to the Skyworld and the Lower World.”

“Why?”

“To be reborn.”

“Will it hurt?”

“I…. don’t remember. It has been so long since I went through my initiation. Don’t be scared child, they will let you see a new world.”

“Is that why you can fly?”

“Yes, child. That and much more. I have been to the depths of the sea and inside the bodies of humans. I have spoken to the spirits in this world and the next. I have traveled to places that no human will ever see again. And I am tired.”

“We are here.”

“Listen to the spirits. They will guide you as they have guided me all my life.”

“Will I see you again?”

“Who knows what the spirits will allow? Goodbye child, I leave my people to you.”

“Goodbye, Lola.”

The winds buffeted the girl as she sat beneath the Balete tree. The days stretched into weeks and she did not move a single inch. Those that passed by knew better than to interrupt her journey. When the last night finally gave way to a new dawn she stood up and quietly thanked the spirits.

Her new eyes finally saw the invisible world that surrounded her old life. She did not think to smile.

She had work that needed to be done.

————————–————————–————————–—–

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Bicol Translation by Sam Jornales
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Sam Jornales

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

Babaylan Illustration by emirajuju
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Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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*Note this story is in Pangasinan

“Natatakot ak.”

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

“Anto’y nagawa’d siyak?”

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

“Akin?”

“Piyan niyanak ka lamët.”

“Nasakitan ak ëd saya?”

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

“Lapo’d saya katon makakatikyab kayo?”

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

“Wadya ti la.”

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

“Nanëngnëng taka ni?”

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

“Asikaso yo la, Bai.”

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

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

Walay kimëyën ton nëpëg a sumpalën.

=————————-=

English Version

“I’m scared.”

“You don’t need to be, child. The spirits will do as they will.”

“What will happen to me?”

“We will both go to the Balete tree and I will leave you there. You will sit underneath the tree and be taken to the Skyworld and the Lower World.”

“Why?”

“To be reborn.”

“Will it hurt?”

“I…. don’t remember. It has been so long since I went through my initiation. Don’t be scared child, they will let you see a new world.”

“Is that why you can fly?”

“Yes, child. That and much more. I have been to the depths of the sea and inside the bodies of humans. I have spoken to the spirits in this world and the next. I have traveled to places that no human will ever see again. And I am tired.”

“We are here.”

“Listen to the spirits. They will guide you as they have guided me all my life.”

“Will I see you again?”

“Who knows what the spirits will allow? Goodbye child, I leave my people to you.”

“Goodbye, Lola.”

The winds buffeted the girl as she sat beneath the Balete tree. The days stretched into weeks and she did not move a single inch. Those that passed by knew better than to interrupt her journey. When the last night finally gave way to a new dawn she stood up and quietly thanked the spirits.

Her new eyes finally saw the invisible world that surrounded her old life. She did not think to smile.

She had work that needed to be done.

————————–————————–————————–—–

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

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Dean Alfred Narra
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright ©Dean Alfred Narra

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

Babaylan Illustration by emirajuju
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Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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*Note this story is in Cebuano

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

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

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

“Wala pa, mama.”

“Sige, paminawʼg tarong.

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

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

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

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

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

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

=————————————-

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

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

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

“Not yet, mama.”

“Well listen closely,

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

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

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

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

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

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

“………………..”

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

————————–————————–————————––

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

*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 Joshua Aldiano Espartero
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Joshua Aldiano Espartero

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

Tuwan Putli’ Illustration by emirajuju
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Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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*Note this story is in Waray

Magigin maupay an ngatanan.

Nahampak an mga balod ha ulo han parupangisda. Nag-atentar hiya nga umabante ha katubigan kundi gin-ulang hiya han bagyo. Yukut kamilyon nga mga tarahiti an naigo ha waray korte nga kadagatan, kundi bisan sugad, maaram hiya nga maundang liwat ini. Waray hiya dad-a ngadto agud malumos, ngan matapod hiya ha ira tubtub ha iya kamatayon.

Nahinumduman niya an mga luha ha mga mata han iya iroy han ginlabay niya an rosaryo hini. Nahadlok ini para ha iya, kundi dugang nga nabaraka para ha iya kalag. Anak an parupangisda han iya amay ngan padayon nga natuod ha kadaan nga mga pamaagi tungod kay aada an tubig ha iya dugo.

Nakimaluoy an iya iroy nga tumapod hiya ha iya tagatalwas, ha ira tagatalwas. An pirme ginpapahinumdom ha iya samtang ginpapatubo hiya ha gugma ngan lamrag, kundi waray niya mahimo nga mamati ha iya iroy. Waray masabtan han iya iroy an ira kinabuhi ha dagat, an mga bantay nga naprotehir ha ira.

“Aswang han Dagat” – amo an ira tawag ha mga sugad. Sering nira, gin-aagda an mga parupangisda ngadto ha tubig pinaagi han ira mga kanta agud lumuson ngan kaunon hira. Nasosorpresa pa gihapon hiya kun ano kaiha na nga nalastar iton nga buwa ngan kun ano kadamo an mga tawo nga padayon nga natuod didto. Maaram an mga parupangisda kun ano iton nga mga istorya: usa nga pagkilala/paghatag hin kangaranan ha pira kasiglo nga pagrespeto ngan pagdayaw ha mga ispiritu.

Kundi waray na gud hiya mahihimo. Ginbag-o na han mga tuig an ginalalauman han mga tawo ha panahon nga nanginginahanglan hira. Waray na mga halad ha dagat, o mga pangadi ha mga balod. Hiya nala an nasalin. An urhi nga anak han natikamatay nga tuluohan.

Natikaluya na an mga braso han parupangisda. Nadadara na an iya lawas han waray kahumanan nga paghampak han mga balod ngan uran. Ginhinumdom niya an iya iroy ngan nagdig-on ha iya panindugan. Ginluwas niya tikang ha iya im-im an urhi nga dasal antes malumos an iya ulo ha mga balod:

An tubig an magdudul-ong ha akon ha balay

Matapod ako ha imo O ispiritu han bagyo ngan dagat

An kasisidman magigin lamrag

Makalma an mga balod

Magigin kaupod ako han dagat

Magigin maupay an ngatanan.

=—————————————–=

English Version

“They will save me.”

The waves crash over the fisherman’s head. He tries to tread water but the storm will not let up. Thousands upon millions of raindrops batter the ocean’s shapeless form, but he knows they will pass. They did not lead him here to drown and he will trust in them until the end of his days.

He remembers the tears in his mother’s eyes when he tossed her rosary aside. She was scared for him, but more concerned for his soul. The fisherman was his father’s son and carried on believing in the old ways because the water was in his blood.

His mother begged him to trust his savior, their savior. The one she had raised him to remember in love and light, but he couldn’t listen to her. She could never understand the life they had at sea, the guardians that protected them.

“Aswang ng Dagat” – that’s what they called them. They say that the spirits lured fishermen into the water with their songs to drown and eat them. It still surprised him how long that lie had lasted and how many people still believed in it. The fishermen knew those stories for what they were: a brush used to paint over the centuries of respect and admiration of the spirits.

There was nothing he could do though. The years had changed what people turned to in their times of need. There were no more offerings by the sea, or prayers to the waves. What was left was him. The last son of a dying belief.

The fisherman’s arms are getting weak now. His body is finally surrendering to the endless onslaught of the waves and the rain. He thinks back to his mother and stays firm in his conviction. His lips release one final prayer before his head goes beneath the waves:

The water will lead me home
I will trust in you
O spirits of storm and sea
The darkness will turn into light
The waves will calm
I will be with the sea

————————–————————–————————–—

*Waray is the fifth-most-spoken native regional language of the Philippines, native to Eastern Visayas. It is the native language of the Waray people and second language of the Abaknon people of Capul, Northern Samar and some Cebuano-speaking peoples of eastern and southern parts of Leyte island. It is the third most spoken language among the Visayan languages, only behind Hiligaynon and Cebuano.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Waray translation by Joan Sebastian
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Joan Sebastian

Inspired by the Magindara entry in Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition. Nasayao 2010.

Magindara Illustration by emirajuju
IG: https://www.instagram.com/emirajuju/

Watercolor by Mykie Concepcion
Tumblr: http://mykieconcepcion.tumblr.com/

The post Magindara – Waray Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Cebuano

Bisan sa ulahing gabii sa tuig, ang ulan dili gyud mobiya kay Danica. Ang tingog sa nagkutab-kutab niyang ngipon niduyog sa mga lusok-ulan sa simponiya sa kasubo. Gigakos ni iyang hubo’ng mga paa ug tiil aron makutlo ang nabili’ng kaiinit sa iyang lawas.

Ang tinubuang sinilas na gihatag sa iyang inahan luag ra kaayo ug mahulog sa pagdagan niya sa silonganan. Namatikdan ni Danica na nahulog ang usa sa sandayong ug ang usa nawala sa ngitngit nga dalan.

Si Danica nga nag-inusara sa katugnaw ug umog, gikuptan ang bulak sa sampaguita duol sa iyang dughan. Hinay ang dagan sa adlaw, walay dagha’ng sakyanan ug walay ni usang kutay sa sampaguita ang nabaligya. Walay ni usang nihatag sa iya bisan piso.

Ang kilat nipahayag sa langit ug ang makalolooy na batang babaye nipadaplin. Dili siya magtuga-tuga og uli sa balay kay wala siya’y nabaligya ug ang iyang amahan masuko gyud sa iya. Sa balay tugnaw man pud kay ang hangin harosong mosulod sa iyang bintana ug mabiling basa og kaging iyang kwarto.

Nangurog ang iyang gamay’ng kamot. Gikuptan niya og ayo ang iyang bulak ug gisimhot ang kahumot. Mahiaguman ra ni Danica ang kaharuhay sa baho sa mga bulak. Kini magpadumdom sa iya nga naa pa gihapon mga maanyag na butang sa kalibotan kung maghatag lang og tagad.

Ang suga sa dalan nihulma og anino sa panan-aw ni Danica. Nabantayan niya na naay tindahan sa mga muwebles sa atbang. Ang kilat nikatag sa dalan ug sa kadiyot nakakita siya sa sulod sa tindahan.

Naay lamesa nga may puti nga hapin. Mga maanindot na kubyertos nga nagtuyok sa tibuok sa litson. Ang baboy nitutok sa iya ug sa iyahang hunahuna nagngisi kini sa iya.

Ang awog sa eksena nihunong sa pagliti sa dalugdog na nipiti sa dalunggan ni Danica.

Nagsugod na og tulo ang atop ug ang ulan nisagol sa iyang mga luha.

Karong tuig, ang Christmas mas subo kaysa malipayon. Lisod ang panahon, ang iyang amahan natanggal sa trabaho sa pabrika ug nagsugod og inom aron malimtan ang problema. Ang iyang inahan nisulay og pangita og trabaho isip usa ka manghinloay apan dili igo para sa ilang mga kinahanglan.

Ug ang iyang Lola Fatima, ang nag inusarang tawong nagmahal sa iya, wala na. Ang kasakit sa iyang dughan wala na nihawa paghuman ato’ng higayona.

Usa pa ka lagiti sa kilat ang nihayag sa dalan. Libo ka gagmay’ng suga ang nisayaw sa hangin ug mga makahibulungang kolor ang nagduladula sa atubangan niya. Ang gamay’ng batang babaye nisulay og kab-ot apan ang suga nawala. Nabilin na pud siyang nag-inusara.
Nitan aw siya sa langit ug naghulat sa kilat na moabo. Gitubag sa langit ang iyang pangadiye. Nikilat ug sa gilaw nagtindog ang iyang Lola Fatima, madan-ag ug matahom, ang yuhom na nikumot sa dughan ni Danica.

“Lola!” Siyaok sa bata. “Kuyuga na lang ko palihog!” Kabalo siya na mawala ang iyang lola sa pagliti sa dalugdog, sama sa galutaw na mga suga. Nihunong ang ginhawa ni Danica sa pagliti sa dalugdog na niuyog sa bintana palibot niya.

Apan wala nawala ang iyang Lola Fatima. Napalibutan siya sa mga maanindot na linalang, ilang panit sama sa porselana ug ang ilang nawong puno’g kalinaw. Nikaway sila kay Danica ug ningisi siya sa ila.

Ug sila tanan, ang mga linalang ug ang iyang Lola Fatima gihumlad ilang palad ug gidani siyang mokuyog sa ilaha. Nitindog si Danica ug nilakaw padulong sa iyang lola. Gusto niyang mahikaplagan ang init lingkawas sa ulan ug katugnaw ug makauban ang tawong naghigugma sa iya.

Nikilat sa usa pa’ng higayon ug nawala si Danica sa usa ka kidlap.

Ingon sa uban nilayas daw siya kay mas gipili ang kinabuhi sa dalan kaysa sa kaugalingong balay. Sa uban pa, nakit-an daw siya sa usa ka dato’ng lalaki ug gihatagan siya’g balay. Nagpuyo daw siya kauban sa lalaki kay gisagop na siya niini.
Naa pa’y istorya na nakakita na og kalinaw ang bata sa langit kuyog ang mga matahom na linalang. Sa lugar asa siya luwas ug hangop sa gugma sa iyang lola.

=———————————-=

It was the last evening of the year and the rain still wouldn’t leave Danica alone. The sound of her chattering teeth joined the raindrops in a melancholy symphony. She huddled against her bare legs and naked feet to lure the last bit of warmth her body could give.

The hand me down slippers that her mother gave were much too big and they had fallen off while she ran for shelter. Danica noticed that one of them fell into the gutter and the other seemingly disappeared in the dark street.

So there Danica was, alone in the cold and damp, clutching her sampaguita flowers close to her chest. It was a slow day, not many cars were about and she hadn’t sold a single string of sampaguitas. No one had given her so much as a peso.

The lightning lit up the sky and the poor girl retreated into her corner. She didn’t dare go home, for she had sold nothing and her father would surely be angry with her. At home it was cold as well since the winds would surely come violently through here window and leave her room wet and freezing.

Her small hands were shivering. She held her flowers close and breathed in their scent. Danica always found comfort in the smell of flowers, they reminded her that there were still beautiful things in the world, if one cared to look.

The streetlights cast shadows that played in front of Danica’s eyes. She noticed that across her was a furniture shop. The lightning filled the street and for a brief second she could see into the store.

There was a table and on it was a lily white tablecloth. Beautiful silverware sat there surrounding a whole roast lechon. The pig was staring right at her and she thought she could see it smiling.

The spell of the scene broke as the thunder rang in Danica’s ears.

The roof above her began to leak and the raindrops mixed with her tears.

This year, Christmas was more somber than happy. It had been a difficult time; her father had lost his job in the factory and began to drink his problems away. Her mother tried to find work as a cleaning lady, but she wasn’t able to make enough for all their needs.

And lola Fatima, the only person who had loved her, was now no more. There was a pain in Danica’s heart that never went away after that.

Another bolt of lightning struck near, illuminating the street. Thousands of small lights danced in the air, and wonderful colors played in front of her. The little girl reached out and tried to grab them, but the light disappeared and once again, she was left alone.

She looked to the sky and waited for the lightning to come, and the sky answered her prayer. It was again light and in that radiance stood lola Fatima, so bright and lovely, with a smile that made the hurt in Danica’s heart leave.

“Lola!” The child cried out. “Please let me come with you!” She knew that her grandmother would disappear as soon as the thunder came rolling in, just like the floating lights. Danica’s breath stopped as thunder shook the windows around her.
But Lola Fatima did not disappear. She was surrounded by beautiful creatures, their skin porcelain white and their faces calm. They waved at Danica and she smiled back.

And all of them, the creatures and Lola Fatima stretched out their arms to the girl as if beckoning her to come. Danica stood up and walked to her lola. She wanted most to just feel warm again, to ignore the rain and the cold and be with someone that loved her.

The lightning struck one final time and Danica disappeared with the flash of light.

Some say that she ran away, preferring a life on the streets to her own home life. Others say a rich man found her and gave her a home and that she lives with him now as his adopted daughter.

Still one story persists, one where the girl finally finds peace in a heaven filled with beautiful faeries where she is finally safe and warm in the embrace of her lola.

————————–————————–————————–—

*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 Sarah Masiba
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Sarah Masiba

Story inspired by the Faeries of Niza description in Tuwan Nahuda. Narrated by Muham Julasman. in Voices from Sulu A Collection of Tausug Oral Traditions. Rixhon. 2010.

The Faeries of Niza Illustration by emirajuju
IG: https://www.instagram.com/emirajuju/

The post The Fairies of Niza – Cebuano Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

N’yang minunang panaun, ating malating a anac ing mipanganac. Ya i cahi Nabi’ Isa(o Jesus na cabaluan tamu qing palibut niting yatu), o’neng atin pang aliuang istorya na masanting bukod yapa queng miraculus ning pangayanac.

Meg-umpisa ya cang indu na, cayari ning mepanganac iting Sitti Maryam(o Mary).
Metung ya aldo, yi ning Sitti Maryam cabud nemu dinaldal caring pengari na, anapaya turuanan de canung mangandi(calupa ning pacanu mag ritual ampong manganding pangdebusyunal).

Casi alayang cabalu-balu nung pacanu, mig wa ne man ing tatang, atsu ne murin casi qing istung edad mayap mung atin ya cabaluan qing pamangandi.
Aldo’t bengi paca antabe la ring pengari na caya, at tiruanan deng mangandi caring que gana-ganang cabalualan dang pamingandi.

Misan ya aldo, pegmaragul na tinalacad ya ampong quinulait ya pa anapa ya caring pengari ng adua. Ikwa cunungan ing istung buri cung abalu, patseng buri cung manganding dili.
Deng pengari na sebucan de ampong linawe de cung tutumu in amanuan na, aywa istu ya pin careng puntu at iquit dang mabiyasa neng manganding magdili-dili.

Pepaquit ne rugu cang tatang na, nung pacanu ya magandi limah’ng besis qing quilub ning metung ya aldo.
Luhul, ing cahi culait na patseng ugtu.
Magalib, ing cayang pangandi panga’gatpanapun.
Aisa, neman kadatang ning panga’bengi.
Subu, ing talwing pangandi na qeng abac a ganiyaldu.

Ining Sitti Maryam geua nu ngan dening pamangandi qeng hanggang agyu na. Cayabe ing istung pamaggalo at pamacabisado qeng isip bantang acabisado na lamu dening dacal a pamangandi.
Dinagul yang ing tela ing pama’nganding merapat queng bie na. Gagauan na quing quilub ning anam a pulung’anam a banua ya rugung magdili-dili.

Metung ya aldo, me ngulait ya ing ibpang Diyos a macapangyarian qing gana-gana. Inaus ne i ang’el Jibrail(Gabriel).
Anapa ning Ginu, malulunus cu cang Sitti Maryam case ala cung abiye caya qing panga’dibusyun na canacu.

Anang Jibrail ng quitnangan ne ing ibpang Ginu, ot pacanyan na’niyeman paca’yisipan at picasasabe iting apung Ginu, “Marapat ya’mu apaquit que ing lunus cung depat. Calupa ning lulugug, mayap ya’mong ibalic.”

Minulit yang mengutang cang ibpang Diyos iting Jibrail anang cutang na, “Pacananu mu neman ayalala ampong liguran?” mequibat ya ing ibpang Diyos anapa’ya yi ’ting Sitti Maryam mabalo ya man’yalala canacu pane ya mangandi aldo’t bengi, ica pen cutnangan danaca mu’h Jibrail qing lawe mu nanu caya ing katapat a grasyang abiye tamu.

Ala yang apaquibat sinucu ya yi Jibrail qeng calugdan niting Ibpang Diyos. Panga’cahi dininan ne ing ibpang Diyos yi Jibrail a metung a bangang katmu yang danum anapayang menutos cang Jibrail dala me yan cang Sitti Maryam.

Mengataranta ya yi Jibrail, e- enaman balu nung pacanano ing gauan ng Sitti Maryam queting metung a bangang capnu yang danum.
O’neng mequibat ya ing Ibpang Diyos, ana ilage me queng alimpuyung bunbunan ning buntuc mu(adwang ipu-ipo parting malambut qeng bunbunang buntuc niting bayung panganak a bingut, cayari abang daragul sist’iyas yang cusa).
Anjang mengalito ya man i Jibrail, queng utus ng Ginu inumpisan ne pa murin gawan ing canyang misyun.

Ing ang’el memintunan ya minta ya agad qeng bale ng Sitti Maryam, o’neng maugtu na cayari ene ayabala casi mangandi ne itang oras ayta. Dahil ene buring maish’turbo, niluklok ya pa yi Jibrail ala yang siglang gagawan abang manenaya casi nung manggulo ya qeng pamangandi ing parusa metung a camelyu.

Nang meyari ing pamangandi, tsaca ne migpaquilala i Jibrail geua na qing pamangatuc qeng arap pasbul. Aquilala ne y’agad yi Sitti Maryam ing ang’el ning Ibpang Diyos pacamalan ca-cahi niluklok lang adua ampong manyaman lang mipag-isturya.
Abang mipag-isturya la mecakqua yang tiyempu yi Jibrail memalagua neng lege itang danum qeng alimpuyung butuc ng Sitti Maryam. Ginagad neng geua para ala yang cabaluan qeng dapat ng gaua.

Pinatac ing gap’panapun oras ning pamangandi, carin ne murin meco yi Jibrail. Quinulait ya pa cang Sitti Maryam bantang magpaalam ya, licuanan na neman a pangandi. Cayari na qing pamangandi mipaquirot ya ot apansinan na atin yang danum buntuc, nang’cayi mengua ya capatac lege ne qeng cayang canuan.
Migcasat ya qen cayang cama cacua nang unan tsaca ne metudtud. Panga’gising na quinulait yang masican ausan ne ing cayang yi Ma.

Magtaca ya ing inda qung baquit mengulait ya ing cayang anac. Anapa ng Sitti Maryam, ”Megmulagat cu panga’quera balamu ating aliua cung panandaman. Ali’que abie itang sakto. Jang casi itang gatas mung asususuan cu careng susu mu ala ya qing calingquinan ni’tang manyaman a denasan cu.” mengutang ya yi Sitti Maryam cang inda na palage mu nanu caya’y ta.

Meguibat ya ing inda na, “Palague cu dininan na cang lugud ning Ibpang Diyos careng gewa mung mayap a dapat. Metung mu ibig na ng sabian magui cang suerte qing bayu aldo.”

Pangayari mibalic ya ing inda qeng cayang gagauan ampong ali ne dinaldal qeng milyari.

Mengalabas-labas ing atlong aldo ampong apat a bulan meg-umpisa neng melacu yang gana i Sitti Maryam. Ene ne macapangan masele aldo-aldo, pane yapa mangatalwi patse mangandi neh. Matudtug yamu patinapun tsaka ya tutulo lawe.

Migaganaca ya ing inda ng Sitti Maryam qeng cayang anac, ing masaquit alang macapagbayu qing panamdaman nang Sitti Maryam. Qeng pangalimang bulan pamagpalto nitang ang’el. Nilapit ya ing tatang niting Sitti Maryam qeng cayang inda onemu quening mapapalyari.

Mipapaquirut nemu ng misan migtali yang sarong qeng cayang beuang aliua ya casi ing panga-umbuk ning cayang atsan. Anapaya qing asaua na cutanangan mu nemu ing anac tamu cung ating mumuntang lalake caya.

Awa sigi cayari ning pamangandi ng Sitti Maryam arapan taya.
“Migaganaca ya ing tatang mo queca. Buri ng abalu cun atin cang carelasyon a lalake,” cutang ning inda.

Anang meguibat yi Sitti Maryam, “Alang lalake na lalapit canacu. Aquit me qeng sarili mu, puwera namun caring lamuk ampong lango na ecu la balung palacuan, alang macalub qing kwartu cu. Maquisabi cung mayap sabian mu cang tatang ali ne isipan ing canacung pamanyabian.”

Mengisnaua yang mayap ing cayang inda cayari quinulait ne ing cayang asaua ibalita nemu itang balita. Tinggap ne itang tatang ng Sitti Maryam ing cuentu.

Nilabas ing pitung bulan, masalang aldo mabuctut ya pin i Sitti Maryam. Menutus ya ing tatang na sabian na caya cung ninu ing tatang, oneng panga-inusenti mu ing agyu ng paquibat niting Sitti Maryam.

Abalu da reng siping bale da ing carelang situasyun cayari pengalat de ing milyari.

Penipun niting tatang ng Sitti Maryan reng cayang cababata tsaka deng aliuang propeta ampong deng cayang camag-anak uli mung pisabyan ing bage a milyari.

Sabi da macarine ining milyari, caya micasundo lang mitatang na dinan yang tabla ing cayang atsan para masalicut ing cayang pangabuctut.

Ating lalaeng tutul ampong sinabi ya. “Maniuala cu na ali istu ing pamaglage nitang tabla uli mung asalicut ing cayang buctut. Ngeni aliua mu icatamu ing ating mali baca melaus mica salanan tapa. Cung tutu yang mabuctut eya dapat masipit qeng tabla ining binggut qeng cayang atsan mapalyari uari mate ya.”

Wapin ada reng mititipun a misasabi. Ating metung a mequibat idala ye qeng malaut a lugar para carin nemu mapalyaring manganak. Awa anapa da, ating migaganaca casi mimwa la reng pamilya nitang tatang.

Anapa da cang Sitti Maryam eca magdala jang nanu jang pamangan ampong danum. Cumabye yang muring qeng daralan ng malan qeng gulut na. Cayari dela de ampong penintunan deng lugar na mapalyari caya. Miparas la qeng malanging bunduc, o neng matas ampong matarik ya cayari miras la qeng madicut. Capapagal qeng macabang pamaglakad migdesisyun lang queti da nemu lacuan i Sitti Maryam.

Attangap ng Sitti Maryam ing cayang mipalyari, memintunan ya qeng desisyun ning cayang tatang ampong kamag’anakan.

Iquit ne ing cayang pangatau qeng pamangandi ampong mengandi ya pin qeng Ibpang Diyos, “Canacu ng pamangandi dening adua, mumuna buri cung ibiye ing cacung pamagsalamat, pangadua buri cung magcabaleng maragul queti ngenin.”

Cayari ning cayang pamanagadi, milapalawe ya qing cayang uanan atin ping bale a macatalacad. Catula na o neng aliya meging salabat ing cayang aldo-aldong sasabian ng pangandi.

Mengandi ya minyad yang danum ating bucal a nilual para caya. Mengandi ya para pamangan na cayari atin ping pamangan ing pepalto qeng gigintong platu na ating palibut a perlas.

Menganac ya qing panga apulung bulan na ala mang sinaup caya. Ing binggut pelagui ning Nabi metung yang mataba ampong maculit a y’anac.

Ing pangadatang niting binggut eya meging salabat qeng cayang pamamintu qeng gagauan ning cayang reliiyon. Milabas ing atlong aldo’ atlong bengi ating kinaldas qeng babu yatu sisyentay siete a babaeng ang’el quinulait la caya dinatang la para supan de qing utos ning Ibpang Diyos.

Nilambat la reng ang’el qing quilub ning pitung aldo, cayari mig utos ya ing carelang pinunong ang’el manibat qeng bilang dang sisyente siyete na oras ning pamaglako da.

Queng panga apat ampong apat ya aldo linntu neman ing ba’agari ampong licuan da ne reng aliuang ang’el i Sitti Maryam ampong iting binggut.

Casimple mu ing carelang biye, pane yamu mangandi i Sitti Maryam ampong masalese ya ing catauan niting malating anac.

Metung ya aldo quinulait ya ing tatang ng Sitti Maryam careng camag-anac na uli mung maguibalita ya cung atsu ya pa carin i Sitti Maryam nung nucarin de licuan.

Matacut la kaya. Cabilis da memintu qing utos niting matua. Minta la qeng lugar a talwi deng iquit i Sitti Maryam. Mipaquirut la ngan qeng baleng iquit da abang maca abang neman i Sitti Maryam.

“Nanu ing gagawan mu queti?” cutang na.

“Buri ng abalu ing tatang mu nung nanu na ing mipalyari queca queti,” paquibat na.

Magtacs neman i Sitti Maryam ot baquit bigla nemu meging interesado caya ing tatang na, minsan casi pesabi ne ing cayang tatang na magbiye at masalese ya bili qeng bayu ng bale.

Nang abalu na niting tatang ing caya, papagbalican nalang mi inda.
Mibalik la sebyanan de pa i Sitti Maryam qeng cabaluan na qeng utus ning tatang.

Menandaman ya qing ali misabi-sabi, menalangin ya i Sitti Maryam qeng Ibpang Diyos. Ena balu ot baquit buri neng balican ing cayang tatang cayari ning mengalabas-labas. Cayari ning pang apat dasal minyad ya qing Ibpang Diyos na ibalic na namu ing cayang peparam caya, ampong deng danum ampong bale. Migpasya neng mibalic sunod ne qing utos ng kayang tatang.

Ating buring sumaup bantang ibuat de ing binggut oneng alina ca mag-abala “Ing puwed mu macatalan caya detang taung inutus ning Ibpang Diyos.”

Cauli da ngan atsu ya ing tatang para batyan nalang mi inda. Catula na ning matua ca’it qeng edad na binaba ya ampong selubungan nala.

Ali na peyagang Sitti Maryam na talnan ne ing cayang tatang ing anac na. Anapa na yaku ing balang mamyie permiso nung capilan me atalan ing anac cu. Milabas ing panaun na agyu namung gawan ing tatang lawen ing cayang apu na manmiyalong.

Mipalyari muring abalu da reng tau qeng cayang malalam a pamamalacad ng tatang ng Sitti Maryam ing tungkol qing pangabalic ning anac ng babae cayabe ing cayang anac.

Ing cayang tatang tuloy-tuloy yamu qing panga pinuno qeng pitung distritu, cayari tintratu neng mayap ing que gana-ganang mamintunan careng utus na.

*Ining kwetu ay ti menibat ya careng Tausug bersyon da qeng capanganacan ng Jesus(Nabi’Isa) ampong bie ng Mama Mary(Sitti Maryam)

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English Version

Long ago, a child was born, Nabi’ Isa (or Jesus as he is known throughout the world), but there is more to his story than just his miraculous birth.

It starts with the birth of his mother, Sitti Maryam (or Mary).
One day Sitti Maryam asked her parents to teach her how to pray (this included the ritual and devotional prayers) for she did not know how to. Her father agreed since she was at the age to learn the prayers.

Days and nights were spent with her parents as they taught her all they knew about prayer until one day she stood proudly and told her parents that she knew all there was to know about her prayers. Her father tested her on all the points of prayer and found her knowledge to be sufficient.

She showed her father how she prayed five times a day. At noon she prayed the luhul and at mid afternoon the ‘asal. She prayed the magalib at sunset and the aisa’ at night and the next dawn she did the subu’ prayers. Sitti Maryam did all her prayers to the best of her ability, going through all the motions and in doing so showed how she had mastered the prayers.

As she grew, her prayers became the fabric of her life. She did this for sixty-six years, all by herself.

One day, God the Almighty summoned the angel Jibrail (Gabriel). God said that He felt sorry for Sitti Maryam because He had nothing to give her for her devotion.
Jibrail asked the Lord why he thought that way and God said, “compassion has to be manifested in acts. It is the same as with love, it should be returned.”

Jibrail asked God another question, “How did you come to remember and love her.” God replied that Sitti Maryam remembered to pray day and night in remembrance of Him, he asked Jibrail how he should reward such faithfulness.

With that, Jibrail surrendered to God’s will. The Lord gave Jibrail a jar full of water and told him to bring it to Sitti Maryam.

Jibrail was confused, he did not know what Sitti Maryam was going to do with a jar of water. But God only replied by saying to put it on the fontanelle of her head (two bony spots in the baby’s skull whose ‘softness’ facilitates the head to pass easily through the birth canal. They harden as the baby grows older.

Puzzled by the Lord Jibrail did as he was told. He set out on his mission.

The angel went to Sitti Maryam’s house, but it was past noon and she was busy praying. To not disturb her, Jibrail sat down and waited quietly since an interruption of her prayers could result in the fine of a camel.

At the end of her prayers Jibrail announced himself by knocking. Sitti Maryam recognized God’s servant and they sat down and engaged in lively conversation.

As they were talking Jibrail saw an opportunity to put the water on Sitti Maryam’s head. He took his chance and did it all without her knowing.

When it came time for the afternoon prayer, Jibrail decided to leave. He bade Sitti Maryam goodbye and left her to her prayers.

As she finished her prayers, she noticed water on her head, of which she took a drop and placed it on her forehead. Then she took a pillow and went to her bed, after which she fell asleep. When she awoke she called for her mother to come.

Her mother was curious as to why she was called by her daughter. Sitti Maryam said, “I woke up feeling unusually well. I cannot describe it. Even the milk I sucked from your breasts never tasted as good as what I have just experienced.” Sitti Maryam asked her mother what she thought of this.

Her mother replied, “Maybe God has rewarded you for your good deeds. It may also mean that you will be lucky in the future.”

And with that her mother returned to her chores and did not mention the incident.

Three or four months went by and Sitti Maryam began to lose her appetite. Not only was she eating less every day, she was often late for her prayers. She would fall asleep during the day and salivate heavily.

Sitti Maryam’s mother was concerned for her daughter, but nothing could change what Sitti Maryam was feeling. On the fifth month after the angel arrived Sitti Maryam’s father approached her mother about the situation.

He had noticed that when she ties her sarong around the waist, her stomach was bulging more than normal. He told his wife to ask their daughter if any man came to her.
Her mother agreed and waited for Sitti Maryam to finish her prayers before confronting her.

“Your father is worried about you. He would like to find out if you had relations with a man,” her mother asked.
Sitti Maryam replied, “No man has ever come near me. You can see that for yourself, except for some mosquitoes and flies which I cannot drive away, nobody can enter my room. Please, tell father not to doubt my word.”

Her mother was relieved and she called her husband and relayed the news. Sitti Maryam’s father accepted the story.
When the seventh month came, it was apparent that Sitti Maryam was pregnant. Her father commanded her to tell who the father was, but Sitti Maryam could only protest her innocence.

It was shortly after that when the situation was discovered by their neighbors and gossip spread fast.

Sitti Maryam’s father gathered his younger brother as well as other prophets and relatives to discuss the matter. They saw the condition as a disgrace and agreed with her father when he wanted to tie a board to her belly to hide her pregnancy.

Only one man dissented and spoke up. He said, “I believe we should not put a board to cover her stomach. In this, we not only might be mistaken but also commit a sin. If it is true that she is with child, then the board may affect the baby who may die from it.”

Those gathered agreed. And another spoke up and said that Sitti Maryam should be taken far away where she could give birth. They all agreed, though some were reluctant as they feared displeasure from the father’s family.

Sitti Maryam was told not to bring anything, no food or water. She was to live with only the clothes on her back. Then they took her away and searched for a place suitable for her. They came upon a barren mountain, but it was too steep and high. After which, they found a plateau. Weary and tired from the long journey they decided this would be the place where they would leave Sitti Maryam.

Sitti Maryam accepted her fate, she abided by the decision of her father and her relatives.

She found solace in prayer and she prayed to God, “My prayer is twofold, first I want to offer thanks, then I am asking that a big house be erected for me now.”

As she finished her prayer, she glanced at her right and there stood a house. She was overwhelmed with happiness but that did not stop her from reciting her daily prayers. She prayed for water and a fountain sprang up for her. She prayed for food and meals were served on a golden plate decorated with beautiful pearls.

On the tenth month she delivered the child without any assistance. The baby, which she named Nabi’ Isa was healthy and playful. The coming of the baby did not stop her from performing her religious duties. After three days and three nights seventy-seven female angels came down from heaven and they said that they came to assist her under the orders of God.

The angels stayed for seven days after which the leader of the angels bade seventy of their number to leave. On the forty fourth day a rainbow appeared and the rest of the angels left Sitti Maryam and the baby.

Their life was simple, Sitti Maryam continued to pray and the child remained healthy.

One day, Sitti Maryam’s father called another assembly. He sent for his relatives to find out if Sitti Maryam was still where they abandoned her.

As they were afraid, they obeyed his order and went to where they last saw Sitti Maryam. They were surprised to find a house and were greeted by Sitti Maryam.

“Why have you come?” she asked.

“Your father wants to know what became of you,” was their reply.

Sitti Maryam wondered why her father was suddenly interested in her, but since it was her father she told them to tell him that she was still alive and comfortable in her new home.

When her father found out her he ordered that both Sitti Maryam and the child be brought back.

They returned and told Sitti Maryam about her father’s orders.

Feeling conflicted, Sitti Maryam prayed to God. She did not know why her father wanted her back after all that had happened. After the fourth prayer she asked God to take back all that was lent to her and the house and fountain vanished. She had decided to obey her father’s wish and return.

Her companions wanted to help her carry the child but she refused saying, “Only those who cared for him are allowed to touch him.”

They all made it safely home and her father was there to greet them. The old man was so ecstatic that even in spite of his age, he went down and met them.

Sitti Maryam would not let her father touch the child. She told her father that she would decide in due time when he could carry the baby. This went on for some time, and all he could do was watch his grandchild play.

In the meantime, all people under the rule of Sitti Maryam’s father came to know of the daughter that returned and the child that was with her. Her father continued to rule over his seven districts, treating all his followers well.

*This story is based on the Tausug version of the birth of Jesus (Nabi’ Isa) and the life of Mama Mary (Sitti Maryam).

Adapted from Sitti Maryam. Lady Mary. Narrated by Mullung. in Voices from Sulu A Collection of Tausug Oral Traditions. Rixhon ed. 2010.

Jibrail Illustration by emirajuju
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*Note this poem is in Ilocano

Malagip ko tay kimat

Ti ayamuom ti nakset a kudil

Ti naraniag a panaggilap

Ket naimatangak

Tay buwaya

Nga nangtakaw tay bagik

Innala ti para iti bagbaggi na

Nga namagsisina ti lasag ko

Tay imuco

Nga innala da kanyak

Sada ingkabil iti likudak

A pinangputed da toy kararuak

Tay tanem ko nga agserbi a baro a balay ko

Dagiti ramot nga nangsarabo Kanyak

Ti taraon da ket toy kararruak

Ket nagbalinnak met a mesa

A kas sanga ken bulbullong

Haan nak a matagikua

Kadagiti natadem a paslep mo

Toy balay ko ket permanente

Haan met a pisyen ida

Saan nga ta kaykayyat u laeng

Ibaga yu ti kararag u

Kantaen ‘yu dagita kanya u

Nalasatak ti kimat

Nalasatak ti buwaya

Nalasatak ti imuco

Isalakan ka.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I will survive you

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

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

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

Mangmangkik Illustration by by emirajuju
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Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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*Note this story is in Hanunoo

“magkadala ako”

“ Danga mag kadala, nak. Ti mga ispiritu buwaton nida kanda gusto.

“Uno ti mangyari aa kangko?”

“ Atag kita duwa sa luon balete bag o tayakan kawo niko ati. Mantukaw kawo sa arani bahe bag o bul on kawo tag sa tungod pag mundo ag sa sirung mundo.”

“Hayga”

“ para mabuhi maan.”

“Natay masakit hida?”

“ Ako…unman mag tanda. Dugay ye simula ako ay inmantag sa daniwan. Danga magkadala nak, ipakit nida sa kanmu ti bag o pag mundo.”

“ hida aw nakan kawo mag layang?”

“Ho, nak. Hida ngani bag o adok. Naktan ye niko ti sirung sirung dagat sa sulud tawo. Naka bagawan ye niko ti mga ispiritu sitay pag mundo ag kay kasunod. Naka atag ye ako sa lugar na ti tawo udye mag aktan. Ag napagod aku.

“Atay ye kita”
“ Pakidnog sa mga ispiritu. Mang alalay sida sa kanmu katida di man na inalalayan nida ako sa buong buhi niko.

“Maktan waya aw kawo niko?”

“Unman may alam no ti ispiritu payag?. Amt amat ye ako nak. Tayakan niko kang mga tawo sa kanmu.”

“ Ho paalam ye, idu.”

“ Ti arayhay maghampak sa bilog babaye habang nakatukaw siya arani sa puon balete. Ti sirang hanggan di naging  linggo unman siya nangimot una di usa ka sukat inaina. Ti mga maglawoy alam nida kaysa labuton siya sa kanya pag mga lalakawon. Naan kapira ti uryan yabi in mapot ye hanggan di sa madlom surip siya ay nan tindog ag nagpasalamat sa mga ispiritu.”

“ Kanya pag bag o mata ay maghiling ye mga unman mag aktan tawo pag mundo na nakapalibot sa kanya pag gurangon buhay. Unman siya nangasari.

“May mga buruwaton waya siya na kailangan mabwat.”

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English Version

“I’m scared.”

“You don’t need to be, child. The spirits will do as they will.”
“What will happen to me?”

“We will both go to the Balete tree and I will leave you there. You will sit underneath the tree and be taken to the Skyworld and the Lower World.”

“Why?”

“To be reborn.”

“Will it hurt?”

“I…. don’t remember. It has been so long since I went through my initiation. Don’t be scared child, they will let you see a new world.”

“Is that why you can fly?”

“Yes, child. That and much more. I have been to the depths of the sea and inside the bodies of humans. I have spoken to the spirits in this world and the next. I have traveled to places that no human will ever see again. And I am tired.”

“We are here.”

“Listen to the spirits. They will guide you as they have guided me all my life.”

“Will I see you again?”

“Who knows what the spirits will allow? Goodbye child, I leave my people to you.”

“Goodbye, Lola.”

The winds buffeted the girl as she sat beneath the Balete tree. The days stretched into weeks and she did not move a single inch. Those that passed by knew better than to interrupt her journey. When the last night finally gave way to a new dawn she stood up and quietly thanked the spirits.

Her new eyes finally saw the invisible world that surrounded her old life. She did not think to smile.

She had work that needed to be done.

*Hanunoo, or Hanunó’o (IPA: [hanunuʔɔ]), is a language spoken by Mangyans in the island of Mindoro, Philippines.

It is written in the Hanunoo script.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Hiligaynon translation by Kevin Uybad
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Kevin Uybad

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

Babaylan Illustration by emirajuju
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