Filipino – Philippine Spirits

The 7 Biraddali Sisters – Animation

admin — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 16:07:07 +0000

https://www.facebook.com/rapplerdotcom/videos/487832905395250/

You can find the original adaptation here:

http://phspirits.com/the-7-biraddali-sisters/

Biraddali is usually translated as ‘fairy’, ‘angel’ or ‘skymaiden’. In more northern areas of the Philippines the word used for the enchanted woman is ‘Engkanta/Engkantada’ as seen in the story below”

http://phspirits.com/engkantada-4/

You can read more about the Skymaiden motif in different parts of the Philippines in this article:

https://www.aswangproject.com/the-sky-maiden-motif-in-phil…/

The story is based on 2 versions of the Skymaiden myth. ‘The Seven Angels’ and ‘Kata Kan Kanhaw’.

‘Kata Kan Kanhaw’ is told by Nadjirin Jainal (of Luas, Parang), in the story, the man’s name is Kanhaw and he and the biraddali have a daughter that the biraddali takes with her to heaven. Kanhaw swims across the sea to reach the edge of heaven. He asks for the biraddali’s hand in marriage from her father and he agrees only if Kanhaw can bring water in a basket and find the biraddali in one of the 99 rooms of his palace. Kanhaw succeeds with the aid of an eel and a firefly and wins the biraddali’s hand in marriage.

In another story titled ‘The Seven Angels’ the man is named Munaham. He manages to catch the youngest angel and makes her his wife. With the help of her older sisters she finds her wings and escapes to heaven. God, pitying Munham turned him into a gentle breeze that accompanies a rainbow.

The shapeshifting abilities of the Biraddali are seen in the Kanhaw version and the ending where she manages to escape to heaven is in the Munaham version.

Siyokoy (Tentacled) – Tagalog Translation

admin — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 05:21:42 +0000

*Note this story is in Tagalog

“Tapos na tayo”. Tiningnan ko ang screen ng aking telepono at hindi ako makapaniwala. Akala ko ay nagbibiro lamang siya. Sa limang taong pagsasama namin, hindi ko lubos maisip na itatapon lang niya nang ganoon kadali ang lahat sa amin pagkatapos niyang makakilala ng ibang lalaki. Hindi ko maintindihan.

Dali-dali akong nagbiyahe papunta sa kanila. Mahaba ang biyahe, nakatira siya sa Maynila at ako ay manggagaling pa sa Laguna. Malayo man kami sa isa’t isa nagawan naman ito ng paraan para maging maayos kami at iyon ang alam ko. Sa buong oras ng biyahe ko, wala akong ibang naisip kundi ang mga nangyari. Saan ako nagkamali? Ako nga ba ang nagkamali? Naging malayo kami sa isa’t isa sa mga nakalipas na buwan. Ang aming mga trabaho gayundin ang layo namin sa isa’t isa ay hindi naging magaan sa aming relasyon.

Inisip ko ang mga sasabihin ko. Wala akong pakialam sa mga kailangan kong gawin, ang nais ko lang ay bumalik siya sa akin. Pinatunog ko ang doorbell nang 20 ulit para ipaalam na nakarating na ako. Nakita ko ang inis sa mukha ng ate ni Myra nang buksan niya ang pinto. “Wala rito si Myra”, ang sabi niya. Nakiusap akong sabihin sa akin kung nasaan si Myra. Tumagal din ng halos isang oras ang pagpupumilit ko nang sabihin niya na nasa look ng Maynila daw si Myra. “Madalas siyang magtungo roon para mag-isip at magmuni-muni”, paliwang ng kanyang ate.

Nagtungo ako sa look ng Maynila at doon ko siya nakita na nakasuot ng puting bestida. Ang bestidang iyon ang suot niya noong una kaming nag-date. Hindi ko malilimutan kung gaano siya kaganda ng araw na iyon. Bumaba ako sa aking sasakyan at napuna ko na mayroon siyang kausap. Kung ang lalaking iyon ang kanyang kausap, umaasa akong handa niya akong harapin. Nagpupuyos ang aking damdamin sa galit habang papalapit kay Myra.

“Mahal kita”, narinig ko ang tinig niya at parang nalaglag ang puso ko sa sakit. Hindi ito maaaring mangyari. Hindi ngayon, hindi sa ganito kadaling paraan. Sino ba ang lalaking ito para hayaan niyang masayang ang 5 taong pagsasama namin? Ayoko ng alamin ang lahat, wala na akong pakialam.

Hinawakan ko siya sa kanyang braso at sinubukang kilalanin kung sino ang kausap niya. Madilim na pero nakatitiyak akong ang kausap niya ay nasa tubig. “Huwag Raf!” sabay tulak sa akin palayo. “Kailangan mo ng umalis!
“Paano mo ito nagawa sa akin, sa atin?” Nagsimula nang tumulo ang aking mga luha. Naramdaman ito ng aking pisngi at ayaw nitong tumigil. “Wala ba talaga akong halaga sa iyo?”

Maya-maya, bigla kong naramdaman na may kung anong basa ang pumupulupot sa aking leeg. Hindi ko makita kung ano ito at hindi ako makahinga dahil dito. Nagsisimula na rin akong maghabol sa paghinga dahil sa sobrang pagpulupot nito sa aking leeg. Hindi ko na alam kung ano ang nangyayari. “Tumigil ka, mapapatay mo siya!”, sigaw ni Myra. Tingin ko ay sinubukan niya akong iligtas pero unti-unting nagdilim ang aking paningin.

Umaga na nang magising ako kung saan ko huling nakita si Myra. Hindi ko na matandaan ang lahat ng nangyari. Si Myra pati na rin ang kanyang kausap ay hindi ko na makita. Naglaho silang parang bula. Bumiyahe ako pabalik sa kanilang bahay upang hanapin si Myra ngunit hindi raw siya umuwi ng gabing iyon. Nag-aalala ako kaya sinabi ko sa kanyang kapatid na mapanganib ang lalaking kasama niya at tiyak kong hindi ligtas si Myra kung patuloy niyang makakasama ito.

English Version

“We’re over.” I stared at the words on my phone screen and I couldn’t believe it. I thought she was joking. We’ve been together for 5 years and I refuse to believe she would throw everything away just because she met some random guy. It doesn’t make sense.

I drove to her house right away. The drive was a long one, she lived in Manila and I had to come from Laguna, but we managed to make it work, at least I thought we did. All through the drive I think about what happened, what I did wrong. Was this my fault? We have been getting more distant the past few months, the distance and our work lives haven’t been the most forgiving to our relationship.

I think about the things I’m going to say. I don’t care what I need to do, I just want her back. I ring the doorbell 20 times to make sure she knows I’m there. Her sister is visibly annoyed when she answers the door. “Myra’s not here,” she says. I beg her to tell me where she is and after an hour she finally lets me know that Myra is at a spot in Manila bay. “She’s been going there a lot to think or something,” her sister explains.

I drive by the bay and I see her in her white dress. It’s what she wore on our first date. I’ll never forget how beautiful she looked then. I get out of the car and it looks like she’s talking to someone. If it’s the other guy then I hope he’s prepared for a fight. I clench my fists and my blood boils as I walk to her.

“I love you,” I hear her voice and my heart drops. This can’t be happening. Not now, not this fast. Who the hell is this guy that he just makes her drop 5 years of being with someone? I don’t care anymore I just see red.

I grab Myra by the arm and try to see who she’s talking to. It’s still dark but I think she was talking to someone in the water. “Raf no!” she tries to shove me away “You have to leave!”

“How could you do this to me? To us?!” The tears start falling down my face and they don’t stop. “Is this how little I mean to you?”

Suddenly, I feel something wet around my neck. I can’t see what it is, but I can’t breathe. I’m being suffocated and I don’t know what’s happening. “Stop, you’ll kill him!” Myra shouts and I think she tried to help me, but all I see is black.

I wake up the next morning by the bay. I still don’t know what happened and Myra and whoever she talked to is gone. I drive back to her house and her sisters say she didn’t come home last night and I’m still clueless. I’m worried and I tell her sisters. Whoever this guy is he’s violent and I don’t want her to be around that.

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*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
Translated by Abigail Descartin
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Abigail Descartin

Inspired by the Siyokoy Myths

Siyokoy (Tentacled) Illustration and Watercolor by Marc Magpantay
Tumblr: Glassy-draws.tumblr.com
FB: Murcy Murc Art.

Dagasanan – Tagalog Translation

admin — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 13:39:43 +0000

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Noo’y may isang mangangaso na lubusang nagkamali. Hinanap n’ya ang kanyang hukay sa anino ng bundok Daeogdog, kung saan nakatira ang mga diyos ng kanyang bayan. Ang pinakamakapangyarihan sa lahat ng diyos ay si Gamhanan, at mayroon siyang espesyal na alaga. Ang alaga ng makapangyarihang diyos ay nagngangalang Panigotlo, isang purong puting usa na buo ang sungay.

Noo’y may isang bayan na walang ibang pwedeng nagawa. Ang kabilugan ng buwan at ang ingay ng Panigotlo ay nagsisimbolo ng masaganang araw para magtanim kinabukasan. Ang pagpipista at pagsasaya ay biglang natigil nang may nakita silang anino na naglalakad sa kabilang baybayin ng ilog. Ang mangangaso, si Dagasanan, ay bitbit-bitbit sa kanyang mga balikat ang walang buhay na katawan ng alaga ni Gamhanan. Alam nilang lahat sa bayan na hindi nila maaaring palampasin ang pambabastos na ito sa kanilang diyos. Kinuha ng mga taong bayan ang kanilang mga sibat at itak mula sa kani-kanilang tahanan at pinaslang si Dagasanan sa may ilog, at ang kanyang ama sa kanilang tahanan.

Noo’y may kaluluwang nauuhaw para sa paghihiganti. Sa lugar kung saan pinaslang si Dagasanan, may tumubong puno ng inyam. Ayaw manahimik ng kaluluwa ng mangangaso. May anino ang puno, at sa anino nito mapupuna ang uhaw nito para sa paghihiganti. Isang kabataan mula sa bayan ang magbabayad sa ginawa ng kanilang mga ninuno. Isang kabataan bawat taon hangga’t malaman ng mga mamamayan ang pighati na naramdaman niya nang pinagtinaksil siya ng kanyang mga kaibigan.

Noo’y may isang batang lalaki na hindi naniwala sa mga kwento ng kababalaghan. Hinamon siya ng kanyang mga kaibigan na lumangoy sa may puno ng inyam at natawa lang s’ya. Tinawag niyang duwag ang kan’yang mga kaibigan sa paniniwala nila sa mga kwento ng kanilang mga lolo at lola. Alam ng batang lalaki na iba s’ya sa kanyang mga kaibigan, at na siya ang pinakamatapang, kaya tinanggap n’ya ang hamon at tumalon sa ilog.

Mayroon pa ring bahagi ng isang ilog sa Aklan na pinangalan mula sa mangangasong si Dagasanan. Sinasabing ang mga malalakas na tunog na nanggagaling sa mga bato ay ang kaniyang kaluluwang sumisigaw sa sakit; naghahanap ng susunod na mabibiktima.

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English Version

There was once a hunter who made a terrible mistake. He searched for his quarry in the shadow of Mount Daeogdog, where the gods of his people lived. The most powerful of all the gods was Gamhanan, and he had a special pet. This favored creature of the great god was called the Panigotlo, a pristine, white deer with full antlers. One spear was all it took to silence the majestic sound of this enchanted creature.

There was once a village that had no choice. A full moon and the bleating of the Panigotlo signaled an abundant day for planting the next morning. The festivities and merriment suddenly stopped when they saw a figure approaching across the river. The hunter, Dagasanan, had on his shoulders the carcass of Gamhanan’s pet. They all knew that they could not abide by this sacrilege of the great god. The villagers took their spears and swords and slew Dagasanan by the river and his father in their home.

There was once a spirit that thirsted for vengeance. On the spot where Dagasanan was killed, an inyam tree grew. The hunter’s ghost would not know rest. The tree cast a shadow and on that spot his hunger for revenge would be sated. One child of the village would pay for what their ancestors had done. A child every year until the villagers would know the pain that he felt when his friends betrayed him.

There was once a boy who didn’t believe in ghost stories. His friends dared him to swim by the inyam tree and all he did was laugh. The boy called his friends cowards for believing in the stories that their lolos and lolas told them. He knew he was different and the bravest of their group, so he took the challenge and jumped in the water.

There is still a part of a river in Aklan named after the hunter, Dagasanan and an inyam tree that people avoid. They say that the loud noises that come from the rocks are his spirit crying in pain, looking for his next victim.

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*Story originally printed in ‘Much More than an Archipelago…Tales from the Philippines’

Written by Karl Gaverza

Tagalog Translation by Ghost Kendrick

Story Adapted from ‘Legend of Aklan’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Dagasanan Illustration and Watercolor by Robert Rañosa Del Prado

Mamamarang – Tagalog Translation

admin — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 05:17:55 +0000

*Note this Story is in Tagalog

Umaalingawngaw ang bulwagan sa mga sigaw ng sakit. Ang mga taong dumaranas ng paghihirap sana ay makapagbigay ako nang kagaanan sa kanilang mga dinaranas. Subalit ngayon, mayroong mahalagang kailangang pagtuunan ng pansin.

Mabigat ang pakiramdam ng aking kamay habang hawak ko ang Bibliya. Matagal ko na ring hindi naisasabuhay ang aking pananampalataya, pero ipinaalala ko sa aking sarili na hindi lamang ito tungkol sa pananampalataya. Nagsimulang manginig ang kamay ko nang alisin ko ang demonyo sa aking nakaraan. Binalot ako ng demonyong ito sa mahabang panahon, ngayon ako na ang may kontrol sa kanya. Higit na akong makapangyarihan kaysa sa kanya.

Sinalubong ako ng pintong gawa sa bakal gayundin ng isang nars. Ipinaalam niyang handa na ang pasyente para sa pagsusuri. Itinanong ko kung ang pasyente ba ay mapanganib bago siya tuluyang lumakad palayo sa akin. Nagkibit-balikat ang nars sabay komento na ang mga pasyenteng tulad niya ay hindi mapagkakatiwalaan pero ang pasyenteng ito ay walang rekord ng pagiging bayolente.

“Tahimik na tao lamang siya Ma’am, tingin ko po ay hindi siya mananakit ng kahit na sino.” Napansin ng nars ang hawak kong Bibliya, “Mabuti at handa kang nagpunta rito. Ang huling doktor na sumuri sa kanya ay hindi nakapaghanda. Tawagin mo na lang ako kapag tapos ka na, titingnan ko lang ang iba pang pasyente.”

May malakas na kung anong tunog ang nagpahinto sa aming usapan. Naramdaman ko ang hangin na nagmumula sa mga nagmamadaling nars at nag-iiwan ng pangamba at pag-aalinlangan na mababanaag sa kanilang mga sarili. Ang lugar na ito ay maihahalintulad sa isang ulilang bata, napabayaan at para bang nais nang kalimutan ng lipunan. Ang mga nars ay pagal na ang katawan sa sobrang dami ng trabaho samantalang ang mga pasyente ay nabubulok na ang katawan dulot ng kanilang mga sakit.

Pinilit kong iwasan ang pag-iisip ng iba pang ikadidismaya ko. Kailangan kong ituon ang aking atensyon.Ang pasyenteng ito ay hindi nga mapanganib pero nakatitiyak akong mahihirapan ako sa kanya.

Una kong narinig ang pangalan ni Emilio Eugenio sa huli niyang psychiatrist. Hindi niya nasabayan ang pagiging kakaiba ng kanyang pasyente kaya naghanap din siya ng ibang pagpapasahan nito. Ang kanyang kalagayan ay nagbigay sa akin ng interes na higit pa siyang paglaanan ng oras marahil dala rin ito ng natapos kong thesis na may kinalaman sa mga problema sa pakikipag-komunikasyon. Ito ang kauna-unahang sakit na tinawag kong ‘Context Specific Callback Disorder’ na tingin ko ay maaari pang mapalitan kung may matuklasan pang impormasyon ukol dito.

Makakamit ko na rin ang pagkilalang matagal ko ng hinihintay. Salamat sa mga pasyenteng ito.

_________________________________________________

“Hello Emilio, ako nga pala si Katrina. Ikinagagalak kitang makilala”

Ang pagpapakilala ay sinuklian nang marahas na tugon.

“Ang lahat ng mga kapatid natin sa pananampalataya ay pinaaabutan ka ng pagbati. Batiin natin ang isa’t isa nang isang sagradong halik.

Natarantang hinanap ng doktor ang kanyang banal na aklat. Pansamantala siyang natigilan ngunit nangibabawa pa rin ang mahaba niyang pagsasanay upang maiayos ang kanyang sarili. Hindi niya hahayaang makita ng kanyang pasyente na siya ay nagsisimula nang kabahan. Ang kanyang mga daliri ay napaturo sa pahayag sa banal na aklat, 1 Corinthians 16:20. Agad niyang pinansin ang iba pang pahayag sa aklat, ang huling pagbati ni Paul.

Inayos niya ang kanyang sarili at tumugon, “ Batiin natin ang isa’t isa ng isang halik na may pagmamahal. Kapayapaan kay Kristo at kapayapaan sa isa’t isa.

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Isa lamang itong maikling talata, talatang may intensyong ibaba ang depensa ng kanyang pasyente. Napapaatras si Emilio sa mga taong nagsasalita sa paraan kung paano niya inaatake ang kanyang kausap.

“Alam kong mahihirapan kang makipag-usap sa akin pero hindi mo ako kaaway,” sabay lapag ng Bibliya sa pagitan nila. “Gusto lang kitang tulungan para gumaling ka. Papayagan mo ba ako?”

“Huwag mo siyang ituring na kaaway, bagkus ituring mo siyang kapatid .”

Muli nanamang gumana ang daliri ng doktor. Ang talata 2 Thessalonians: 15 ay bahagi ng isang mas mahabang paalala laban sa katamaran. Hindi niya matiyak kung kanino ipinatutungkol ang pahayag, kay Emilio ba o sa kanya.

Inilagay niya ang mga files ni Emilio sa tabi ng banal na aklat.

Hindi niya lubos maisip kung paanong ang buong buhay ng isang tao ay magkakasya lamang sa 12 pahina ng papel. Sa pagitan ng mga gamutan at pagsusuri gayundin ng mga naranasang trauma ay ang mga istroya ng hindi makayanang mga paghihirap.

“Kung nalalaman mo, pinagpapala ang mga taong nagsisikap. Narinig mo na ang pagsisikap sa trabaho at nakita kung ano ang kayang gawin ng Panginoon. Siya ay punong-puno ng pagkahabag at awa,” Matamang nakatingin si Emilio sa doktor.

“Marami ka ng pagtitiyagang pinagdaanan, tama ba?” naisip ng doktor sa kanyang sarili. Kinuha niya ang Bibliya at muling nagsimulang basahin ang talata mula sa Lamentations.

“Magdulot man siya ng pighati, mayroon pa rin siyang habag sa napakaraming taong maaawain.”

Inabot ng doktor ang mga files at inilabas ang larawan, larawang nagpapakita ng pagiging payak.

“ Kayong mga magulang, huwag hayaan ang inyong mga anak na mabalot ng pagkamuhi bagkus palakihin sila sa mga pagpapaalala ng Panginoon.” Kinuha ni Emilio ang larawan ng isang batang lalaki, nagsimulang tumulo ang kanyang mga luha.

“Maaari mo bang sabihin kung ano ang nagyari sa kanya?”

“Ngunit ang kanyang anghel na si Michael, hinamon ang demonyo at nakipagtalo kay Moses, hindi niya inakalang magbibigay siya ng hindi makatarungang paghahatol. Ngunit ang sabi, ang Panginoon ay nakipag-usap sayo.”

Tinanggap niya ang mga salitang ito, malinaw na sa kanya ang mga pahayag na ito. Sa simula ng kanyang gamutan, ang mga imahe ng demonyo at ang kapangyarihan nito ang siyang nakapagdulot upang mas lumala pa ang kanyang sakit sa pag-iisip. Kailangan niyang malaman kung anong klaseng demonyo ang kanyang nilalabanan. Naisip niyang sumubok ng iba pang paraan.

“Ngunit ang sabi ko sayo, huwag kang makipaglaban sa demonyo. Pero kung sinampal ka niya, sampalin mo rin siya.”

Naidabog ni Emilio ang kanyang mga kamay sa mesa, nagpupuyos ang kanyang kalooban. Sa wakas! Labanan mo at maging malakas ka sa tulong ng Panginoon. Gamitin ang kalasag Niya na siyang magagamit mo sa anumang pamamaraan ng demonyo.

Dahil hindi tayo nakikipagbuno sa laman at dugo bagkus sa lahat ng kapangyarihan na binabalot ng kadiliman, laban sa kapangyarihan ng mga masasamang espirito.

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Bago siya makapagsalita, itinuloy ni Emilio, “ Ngunit sinabi ng Panginoon, “Hayaang lumapit sa akin ang mga anak Ko at huwag hadlangan dahil sila ay nabibilang sa Aking kaharian sa langit.”

Ang paghinga ng bawat isa ang pumuno sa silid. Nabuksan na ng doktor ang mga sakit at wala na itong atrasan. Kailangan na niya itong ituloy.

“Maaari mo bang sabihin sa akin kung sino ang babaeng nasa larawan?”

“At ang dakilang dragon ay bumaba, ang sinaunang serpente na tinawag ng demonyo at ni Satanas, ang mapanlinlang sa buong sanlibutan- ibinaba sa mundo kasama ng kanyang mga anghel.

“Ano ang ginawa niya?”

“Nakita ng Panginoon ang kasamaan ng mga tao sa mundo, at ang intensyon ng kanilang mga isip at puso ay puro kasamaan.”

‘Anong kasamaan ito?”

Hindi tumugon si Emilio, ang kanyang mga mata ay naiwang nakatingin sa batang lalaki na nasa larawan.

Pinaalala ng doktor sa kanyang sarili na isa lamang lalaki ang kanyang kaharap. Ang mga naiwang paghihirap ng taong ito ay naiwang naglalaro sa kanyang isipan, naghahanap ng katahimikan sa matagal na niyang pinanghahawakang napakalaga sa kanya.

“Anong nangyari sa kanya?” Alam na ng doktor ang sagot ngunit mas gusto niyang manggaling ang sagot sa pasyente.

“Naghirap, isang bruha na hindi maaaring mabuhay”

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English Version

The halls echo with screams of unknown pain. Those poor people, I wish I could give them some solace, but today there is a special case that needs my focus.

The Bible feels heavy in my hand. I haven’t practiced that faith in a very long time, but I remind myself it’s not about faith. My hand starts to shake as I brush off the demons of my past. I was that person for too long, now I have control. Now I have power.

A metal door greets me, as does a nurse. He tells me that the patient is inside and ready for my evaluation. He starts to walk away, and I ask him if the patient is dangerous. The nurse shrugs and comments that you can’t trust the loons in this place, but this particular patient didn’t have any history of violent outbursts.

“He’s a very quiet person ma’am, I don’t think he could hurt anyone,” the nurse sees the Bible I’m carrying, “at least you came prepared, the last doctor didn’t know how to deal with that one. Call me when you’re finished, I’ll be checking up on the other patients.”

A loud bang interrupts our conversation. I feel the air as the nurse rushes past me, leaving a trail of trepidation and concern in his wake. This whole place is like an orphaned child, cast away and ignored by the rest of society. The nurses are overworked and understaffed, the patients festering in their own filth.

I shake off the feeling of disgust. I need to keep my head clear, this patient may not be violent, but he will be difficult.

I had first heard of Emilio Eugenio from his last psychiatrist.

She couldn’t handle his idiosyncrasies and was looking for someone to pass him off to. His case was of particular interest to me as I had done my thesis on communication disorders. This was the first known case of what I had termed ‘Context Specific Callback Disorder’, though I may change the name if I think of something that will jump off the page.

I will finally get the recognition I deserve, all thanks to this patient.

————————–————————–————————–————————–————————–—-

“Hello, Emilio my name is Katrina. It’s nice to meet you.”

The greeting is met with a curt reply.

“All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.”

The doctor searches the holy book frantically. She is momentarily shocked, but years of training take over. She will not allow her patient to see her flustered. Her fingers land upon the passage, 1 Corinthians 16:20. She quickly scans the surrounding passages, the final greetings of Paul.

She collects herself and replies, “Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.”

It was short verse, one that had its intended effect of lowering the patient’s defenses. Emilio was taken aback by someone who spoke the way he did.

“I know it will be hard for us to communicate, Emilio, but I am not your enemy,” the doctor puts the Bible between them, “I just want to help you get better. Will you let me do that?”

“Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”

The doctor’s fingers fly again. The passage 2 Thessalonians: 15 is part of a larger warning against idleness. She was not sure who Emilio was relaying the message to, Emilio or herself.

She places Emilio’s file beside the holy book. It still boggled her mind that a whole life could be summarized in twelve pages. In between the treatments and the trauma was the story of unimaginable hardship.

“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy,” Emilio stared placidly at the doctor.

“You have persevered through a lot haven’t you?” The doctor thinks to herself. She takes the book in her hands and settles on a verse from Lamentations.

“But though he causes grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.”

The doctor reaches into the file and brings out a picture, a showing of simpler times.

“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in training and admonition of the lord.” Emilio’s arm extended towards the small boy in the picture, tears were falling down his cheeks.

“Can you tell me what happened to them?”

“But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, ‘the Lord rebuke you.’”

She took those words, and the meaning was clear. In the early days of his treatment, the imagery of the devil and his forces played a great part in his psychosis. She needed to know what kind of evil he was fighting against. She thought she would try another tactic.

“But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

Emilio slammed his fist against the table, his face wrenched with emotion, “Finally! Be strong in the Lord and in the strength on his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

Before she could react, Emilio continued, “But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’”

Their breaths filled the empty room. The doctor had opened old wounds, and there was no turning back from this point. She had to continue.

“Can you tell me about the woman in this picture?”

“And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world – he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”

“What did she do?”

“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

“What was that wickedness?”

Emilio did not respond, his eyes were focused on the small boy in the picture.

The doctor reminds herself that this is only a man. The shattered remnants of his mind danced in his words, finding solace in the one thing that he held dear all his life.

“What happened to her?” The doctor already knew the answer, but she wanted to hear it from her patient.

“Suffer not a witch to live.”

————————–————————–————————–———-

The kind of magic that the Siquijor Mamamarang practice is called ‘haplit’. They use a wooden doll that represents the victim and when pins are inserted, intense pain is induced.

The making of the doll is a grisly process. It is carved during the seven Fridays of Lent. When it is finished the doll is taken to a church where a child is being baptized and the doll goes through the baptismal rites as well (this is done by someone other than the Mamamarang). The doll is given a similar/ the same name as the child. It is only if the child dies that the doll can be used for haplit. It is believed that the dead child’s spirit has possessed the doll and it is now the Mamamarang’s servant.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translated by Abigail Descartin

Source: The Folk Healers-sorcerers of Siquijor
By Rolando V. Mascuñana, Evelyn Fuentes (2004)

Mamamarang illustration by Annadel Cinco

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Kelita’s Engkanto – Tagalog Translation

admin — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 12:16:51 +0000

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Hindi niya napansin ang nagdurugo niyang paa, o ang katotohanang muntik na siyang matutong sa init. Ang tanging naiisip niya ay ang binatang naglalakad sa tabi niya. Ito ang katuparan ng mga pangarap, masyadong literal. Hindi pa niya alam noon, na ang paglimot ay nakabalot sa kagandahan.

Nag-aalala ang mga magulang ni Kelita. Hindi ito katulad niya na biglaan na lang iiwan ang kanyang mga gawain bago mag-takipsilim. Naghanap sila sa Ogahong, sinubukang hanapin ang pinakamamahal na anak, hanggang sa may isang kapitbahay na nagsabi na nakita raw niya ito kasama ang isang matipunong binata.

Nasa may ilog na sila, isang kalmadong liko-likong daluyan ng tubig na nagpangiti sa kanya. Bigla na lamang ang suot na niya ay isang mahabang bestida, ngunit hindi niya naaalala ang pagpapalit. Nababalot ito sa pinakamagagandang perlas na nakita niya at ang kanyang kasama ay nakasuot ng napakagandang barong. Ito ang palagi niyang inaasam.

Ang mga magulang ni Kelita ay hinagilap ang kahit sinong maaaring tumulong at nagmadali patungong kagubatan. Hindi nila hahayaang makuha ng nilalang na iyon ang kanilang dalaga. Batid nilang ang kagandahan ng anak ay makahuhumaling ng mga hindi karapat-dapat na lalaki, hindi nila napagtanto na kailangan itong balaan tungkol sa isang espirito sa kagubatan.

Sumayaw siya sa malapad na kalsada, nakangiti palagi. Iyon ay parang isang pagmamadali na makuha ang lahat ng iyong mga hinahangad at hiniling niya na hindi na ito magwakas. Tumama ang paa niya sa isang bato at napasigaw ng “Hesus!”.

Saka natapos ang panaginip.

Namamaos na ang kanyang mga magulang sa kasisigaw. Ang ingay na iyon ang natatanging paraan upang mahanap sila ni Kelita, at ipinagdasal nila na hindi pa huli ang lahat. Ang bawat palo sa tambol at lata ay nagdadala ng piraso ng kanilang pag-asa, nakalipas na ang isang araw pero alam nilang pagbibigyan ang kanilang dasal. Kahit papaano, alam nila.

Hindi makapagsalita si Kelita, hindi kaagad. Nasa kagubatan siya, iyon ang alam niya, pero ang lahat ng iba ay malabo. Paano siya napunta dito? Nasaan na ang binata? Bakit hindi siya makapagsalita? Ang tanging nararamdaman niya ay ang malubhang sakit sa kanyang paa.

Sa wakas ay narinig na nila ito. Matapos ang ilang oras na paghahanap ay narinig nila ang boses ng anak at ito ang pinakamagandang tunog na narinig nila. Kinarga ng ama ang anak at natulog ito sa kanyang mga bisig.

Doon nalaman ni Kelita na siya ay minamahal.

She didn’t notice her bleeding feet, or the fact that she had almost been sunburned to a crisp. All she could think about was the young man walking beside her. He was what dreams were made of, all too literally. She didn’t know it then, that oblivion was wrapped in beauty.

Kelita’s mother and father were worried. It wasn’t like her to just abandon her chores right before sunset. They searched around Ogahong, trying to find their precious daughter, until one neighbor said he saw her with a handsome young man.

They were by the river now, a calm twisting waterway that made her smile. She was somehow wearing a long dress, but she didn’t remember changing. It was covered in the most beautiful pearls she had ever seen and her companion was wearing a very dapper barong. This was what she always wanted.

Kelita’s parents grabbed whoever could help and rushed to the forest. They would not let their girl be taken by that creature. They always knew her beauty would attract undesirable young men, they never realized they had to warn her against a spirit of the forest.

She danced along the wide road, smiling along the way. It was a rush to have all your desires come true and she wished it would never end. He foot struck a rock and she exclaimed “Jesus!”.

It was then that the dream was over.

Her parents’ voices were hoarse from shouting. The noise was the only way they could make Kelita find them, they prayed they weren’t too late. Each beating of the drums and cans took a little bit of their hope with them, it had already been a day but, they knew their prayers would be answered. Somehow they knew.

Kelita could not speak, not at first. She was in the forest, that much she knew, but everything else was a blur. How did she get here? Where was the handsome young man? Why wouldn’t her voice work? All she could feel was the pain from her feet crashing down upon her.

They finally heard it. After hours of searching they heard their daughter’s voice and it was the most beautiful sound they could think of. Her father picked her up and she fell asleep in her arms.

Kelita knew then that she was loved.

————————–————————–———————

Written by Karl Gaverza
Tagalog translation by Catherine Britania
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Catherine Britania

Story adapted from “Kelita and Her Enchanted Lover.” from Negros Oriental and Siquijor Island Legends, Beliefs and Folkways. Aldecoa-Rodriguez. 2000.

Kelita’s Engkanto Illustration by Marc Magpantay
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Yanggaw – Tagalog Translation

admin — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 07:47:04 +0000

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Hindi niya inaasahang ganito katindi ang kalalalabasan ng kaniyang ginawa.

Kadalasan, kapag siya’y nakakagawa ng salab laban sa tao, ito’y hindi nasisiyahan sa dugo at laman ngunit hindi sa puntong ito. Parang mayroong kakaiba sa baguhang lalake ito na nakakawili.

Hindi iyon ang unang beses siyang nakagawa ng salab para maging bagong aswang. Hindi rin iyon siguro ang huli.
Ang kanyang eksperimentong nagiging tao ay higit pa sa inaakala, ito ay siyensya para masubukan ang hangganan sa kung anung uri ito.

Ang proseso ng pagiging aswang mula sa pagiging tao nito ay tinatawag na salab. “-Ang punit na pahina ng kaniyang isinulat ay nagpapahiwatig. “Ang salab ay nag iibang uri, maaring ito ay maging aswang na nag-aanyong tao dahilan na ang kanilang pag-uugali ay hindi tama. Mayroon ding salab na kung saan ang aswang ay naglalabas ng likido sa katawan o kakaiba sa isang tao, ito ay kadalasang nag-uuring ibon, ang salab ay namamana, ang mga anak ng aswang ay nagiging asawang rin.

Tiningnan niya ang lalakeng nagsusumigaw sa kulungan. Kailangan na neto ng sariwang karne ng tao, ang bagong yanggaw ay siya ring hanap. Ay isang ito ay bata pa pero ito ang napili at di maaring masayang, libo-libong kabataan sa kalye araw-araw at marka ng sangkatauhan na kung ikaw ay nasa mababang antas ng lipunan ay malaking posilibilidad na hindi ka kilala.

“Sa gilid ng kamatayan ang salab ay nagiging mahalaga sa mga aswang dahil kailangan netong ipasa ang kapangyarihan sa iba. Maaring lamang, ang aswang ay magdurusa sa sakit ng walang katapusang kamatayan. Kadalasang ipinapasa ng aswang ang kapangyarihan sa kanilang miyembro ng pamilya.”

Nakatangin siya sa larawang katabi ng kaniyang mga isinulat. Nalalapit na ang araw at alam nyang hindi nya maaring patawarin sa kung anung kaniyang maaring gawin. Gustuhin niyang ipakita sa babae ang kanyang naisulat, na sabihin sa kanya na sinubukan niya lahat ng kanyang makakaya para mailaganap or makagawa ng ibang paraan.

Pero nabigo siya. Kahit hanggan ngayon.

Nakatitig sya sa lalake, nakakaramdam na siya ng gutom. Wala ng oras. Hindi siya malupit, malayo sa isang ito. Ang mga baluktot na paraan ay may patutunguhan sa sumpa ng mundong kaniyang dala, ngunit ang alam nya na mas malakas ang sumpa para ito’y kalabanin. Ang gutom ang siyang tatapos sa’yo hanggang sa harapin mo ang sangkatauhang iyong sinimulan.

Ang ungol ng lalake’y umaalingawngaw sa loob ng laboratoryo. Iyon ang una nyang kain.

English Version

He had never expected the specimen to be this enraged. Usually, when he commits the salab against a human they would be insatiable for blood and flesh, but not to this point. There was something different about this newly turned boy, something interesting.

It was not the first time he had used the salab to create a new aswang, it wouldn’t be the last either. His experiments with turning humans was more than mere curiosity, this was science to test the boundaries of what his kind was.

“The transmission process of turning a human into an aswang is called the salab” – the worn pages of his notes were almost speaking to him. “The salab can come in different ways, it can be as simple as an aswang looking at a human, causing their behavior to be erratic. There is also the salab in which the aswang excretes a bodily fluid or something from its person, this is usually in the form of a small bird, a salab may also be hereditary, children of aswang will become aswang themselves.”

He looked at the boy screaming in the cage. The boy would need fresh human meat soon, the newly turned yanggaw always do. This one was only a child, but he had been chosen because the boy would not be missed, there were thousands of children on the streets every day and it was a mark of humanity that the lower you were on the social scale the more invisible you were.

“On the verge of death the salab becomes imperative to the aswang as it needs to pass on its powers to another. Until it does, the aswang suffers torturous pain without the release of death. The aswang typically prefers to pass on its powers to a member of its family.”

He stared at the picture beside his notes. The time was coming, and he knew she would never forgive him for what he was going to do. He wanted to show her his notes, to tell her that he tried all he could to spread it to someone or even something else.

But he had failed. Even this time.

He stared at the boy, the hunger was consuming him now. There was no more time to wait. He was not cruel, far from it. These twisted methods had the goal to finally rid the world of the curse he carried, but he knew now that the curse was too strong to fight. The hunger would eventually consume you until what’s left is a façade of the humanity you once had.

The boy’s howls reverberated through the laboratory. It was time for his first feeding.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Tagalog Translation by Jemer Allanic
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jemer Allanic

Inspired by the Yanggaw entry in 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang. Samar. 2015. and the Salab description in Cebuano Sorcery: Malign Magic in the Philippines. Lieban 1967.

Yanngaw Illustration by Maku Felix
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Watercolor by Yanna Gemora
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Usikan – Tagalog Translation

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2018 07:57:35 +0000

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Dumaloy sa dugo ng lalaki ang hiwagang kaniyang taglay, sabay sa nagngingitngit niyang poot. Hindi ito tulad ng ibang pagkakataon na siya ay maghihiganti kapalit ng salapi. Bakas sa pagsakal niya sa manika ang labis na pagninilay kung gaano kapersonal ang bagay na ito sa kaniya.

May natatanging dalawang paraan kung paano tataglayin ng isang tao ang kakayahan sa usik. Ang una ay ang pagbibigay ng pasasalamat sa mga diyos ng kadiliman bilang pagtanaw ng utang na loob sa kapangyarihang pinagkaloob bilang kakambal mula pagkapanganak, na buong buhay ay tataglayin niya ito kaakibat ng kaalaman sa paglilipat ng hiwaga mula sa isang katawan.

At naroon sa kaniyang tabi ay ang kaniyang alalay na mag-aaral, ang patunay sa ikalawang paraan sa pagtataglay ng usik. Maaari pa ring ituro ang hiwaga ng usik sa iba, isang pag-aaral na puno ng hilahil, na maituturing na kabaliwan kung susubukan ng isang palalong tao, ngunit ang sumpa ay mapang-akit pa rin s mata ng mga desperado at mapaghiganti.

Muli niyang tinitigan ang manika at nanatiling walang kibo. Isa itong digmaang hindi gagamit ng tabak, at nag-aalangan siya kung nais niyang tapusin ang digmaan sa isang iglap lamang. Inalala niyang ang alalay na mag-aaral ay hindi niya dugo ni laman, ngunit nag-alaala pa rin siya rito sa paraang mag-aalala ang isang halimaw sa kaniyang mga kauri.

Ang unang pagkakataon na nagtagumpay ang alalay sa pagsasagawa ng sumpa ng usik ay itinuturing niyang isang espesyal na araw sa tanang buhay niya hindi lamang bilang isang guro. Tanda niya pa ang ngiting ipinamalas habang pinapakinggan ang sigaw ng unang biktima ng mag-aaral ng ilipat nito ang bubog sa katawan ng biktima, hilig pa man din niya ang klasikong pamamaraan.

Dangal ang pumuno sa kanila ng gabing iyon. Dangal din ang sisira sa kanila sa gabing ito.

Paupos na ang apoy ng lamparang nagbibigay ng malilim na liwanag ng makaramdam ng pangangati ang lalaki sa kaniyang pisngi. Kinamot niya ito at maya’t-maya ay may malilit na butil na nahulog mula rito.

Butil ng mga buhangin.

Tanda ng panghahamon at pangkukutya.

Mula rito ay alam niyang nagsimula na ang digmaang hinihintay niya. Isang laban sa pagitan ng guro at ng kaniyang mag-aaral hanggang sa tuluyang manaig ang isa. Sa kailaliman ng kaniyang puso, kung mayroon man siya nito, ay ninanais niyang hindi na sana pa humantong dito sapagkat maaari namang hindi lamang iisa ang tataguriang usikan sa buong baryo.

Ang tanging hindi niya lamang matanggap ay ang pagtaliwas ng mag-aaral bilang respeto sa guro at hindi niya tutulutan ang isang tutang nagyayabang na mangangagat bagamat sa pagtahol pa lamang ito natututo.

Muli niyang hinawakan ang manika sa mga kamay at minabuting magsaksak ng talim sa mata ng mga manika. Wala ng dahilan pang patagalin pa ang labang ito.
Malalaman na ng palalong mag-aaral kung ano ang pagkakaiba ng kapangyarihang natutunan sa kapangyarihang likas na taglay.

The magic flows through the man, and so does his anger. This time it isn’t about being hired to carry out some petty revenge, as he clutches the doll he thinks about how personal this matter is.

There are two ways the usik can move through a person’s body. The man thanks his dark gods that he was born with the power, he had lived with it his whole life and knew the small ways the magic could move from one person to another.

Then there was his apprentice. The usik could be taught to others, it was an excruciating process, one that no normal person would be crazy enough to try, but then again the curse always attracted those desperate or cruel enough to learn its ways.

He stared at the doll and sat in silence. This was a war unlike any that would be fought, and he didn’t know if he wanted to stage a preemptive strike. The apprentice was not his flesh and blood, but the man still cared about his student in the way monsters cared about their own kind.

The first time his apprentice ever successfully practiced the curse was a proud day in the man’s life. The boy chose shards of glass to transfer into the victim’s body, the man had a soft spot for the classics and smiled as the screams of the victim echoed through the night sky.

Pride was all they felt that night. Pride would also be his downfall.

The candle was slowly burning away when the man suddenly felt an itch in his cheek. He scratched until small grains fell out.

Sand.

A challenge and an insult.

Now the war had truly begun. Master and apprentice would battle until only one of them would be left. The man wished it didn’t have to be this way, truly, in his heart he believed that there was room for more than one usikan in the village.

But he could not tolerate disobedience and he would certainly not tolerate a young upstart trying to show people the power he had just barely earned.

The man took the doll in his hands and set a few razorblades inside where the doll’s eyes were. There was no point in dragging the battle longer than it had to be.

The young apprentice was about to learn that true power is something that you are born with.

————————–————————–————————

Written by Karl Gaverza
Tagalog Translation by Mitch Johnson Abel
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Mitch Johnson Abel

Inspired by the Usikan description in Cebuano Sorcery: Malign Magic in the Philippines. Lieban 1967.

Usikan Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
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Color by Yanna Gemora
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Anananggal – Tagalog Translation

admin — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 10:11:04 +0000

*Note this story is in Tagalog

“Selamat Datang!” bati ni Aish sa akin sa kanyang tubong wika, na tinugunan ko naman ng “Masaya akong makita ka.” Bago lang siya rito, isang exchange student mula sa Malaysia na gustong makita ang ganda ng Pilipinas kaya narito kami ngayon. Sa pusod ng Negros, nagba-backpacking sa “kahanga-hangang” kagubatan. Ang saya.

Hindi naman sa hindi ko gustong maging tour guide, pero kasinungalingan ‘yon. Laking siyudad ako, sa lungsod ako ipinanganak at lumaki, at hindi ko gusto rito. Masyadong maraming puno, puro halaman ang paligid, at 5 oras na akong hindi nagkakape. Hindi ko yata kakayanin ‘to.

Pagkatapos ng parang walang katapusan naming pagte-trek, nakarating na kami sa wakas sa camp. Nag-ikot-ikot si Aish sa paligid para kumuha ng magagandang larawan para sa kanyang souvenir book at naiwan naman ako rito sa campsite, iniisip ko kung paano sumikat ang ganitong gawain sa panahon ngayon. Hindi kasama ang pagte-trek sa listahan ko ng mga bagay na masayang gawin at pagkatapos ng trip na ito, mukhang hindi na magbabago iyon.

Nagkabit ako ng duyan at sinubukan kong umidlip bago maghanda ng hapunan. Maagang lumubog ang araw ngayong gabi pero bilog na bilog ang buwan kaya hindi naman mahirap. Ipinikit ko ang aking mga mata at umasa akong may mapanaginipan akong maganda.

“Penanggalan! Penanggalan!” Nagising ako sa mga sigaw ni Aish at hindi ko alam kung isa na naman ba itong kaugalian sa Malaysia, pero hindi ako interesado ngayon sa pagbabahagi ng kultura. Niyugyog ako ni Aish sa aking duyan at ang sabi niya, “Nasaan ang pagkain!?”

“Aish, ganito—“ Napahinto ako bago ko pa matapos ang pangungusap ko nang makita ko ang babaeng ‘yon. Ang bagay na ‘yon. Alam ko kung ano iyon. Isang ungga-ungga, iyon ang tawag ng mga tagarito sa bagay na ‘yon, pero sa Bikol, anananggal ang tawag namin sa mga ito. Palaging tinatakot ng mga pangkat ng nagtu-tour ang mga turista sa mga kwento ng mga lumilipad na bruhang nakaluwa ang bituka. Wala akong sinayang na oras at nagtatakbo ako. Hindi na dapat ako umalis sa bahay.

“Nasaan ang pagkain?!” muling sigaw ni Aish. “Hindi ito ang panahon para atupagin mo ‘yang gutom mo!” Sigaw ko habang tumatakbo sa tabi niya. Parang hindi ko talaga maiintindihan ‘tong mga Malaysian. “Seryoso ako!” sigaw niyang muli, kaya bakit naman hindi, kung gusto ng lalaking ito ng huling hapunan, hindi ko siya pipigilan. “Nasa likod ng tent.”

Mabilis na tumakbo si Aish sa tent at sinundan siya ng ungga-ungga. Hindi talaga ako matapang pero kaibigan ko pa rin si Aish. Medyo. Kailangan kong tumakbo pabalik para tulungan siya. Nakita kong hawak niya ang pinya, ibinato niya ito sa bagay na iyon at natamaan niya. Hindi ko alam kung ano’ng nangyari pero sumigaw ang ungga-ungga at lumipad palayo.
Hindi ako nakagalaw sa kinatatayuan ko, litong-lito ako.

“Sa pinanggalingan ko, nagtatanim ng mga pinya dahil takot ang Penanggalan sa mga tinik nito. Natutusok ng mga tinik ang kanilang mga baga at bituka, at dahil doon, nahihirapan silang lumipad. Alam kong gagana rin iyon dito.” Ngumiti si Aish at inabutan ako ng pagkain.

“Gutom ka na ba?”

English Version

“Selamat Datang!” Aish greets me in his native language and I reply “Nice to see you.” He’s a new guy, an exchange student from Malaysia who wanted to see what the Philippines had to offer so here we are. In the middle of Negros backpacking through the “great” outdoors. Yay.

It’s not that I don’t like being a tour guide, but that would be a lie. I am a city boy, born and raised and I do not like it here. There are too many trees, there’s too much green and I haven’t had coffee in 5 hours. I don’t think I’ll survive this.

After a trek that seemed to last forever we finally hit camp. Aish goes around the area to take some nice pictures for his souvenir book and I’m left at the campsite wondering how this sort of thing is popular these days. Trekking through the mountains is just not my idea of fun and after this trip I don’t think it will ever be.

I lay out a hammock and try to take a small nap before preparing dinner. The sun set early tonight but the moon is full so it isn’t that inconvenient. I close my eyes and hope that I get to dream about something good.

“Penanggalan! Penanggalan!”Aish’s shouts wake me up and I don’t know if it’s another one of his Malaysian customs, but right now I am not interested in a cultural exchange. Aish shakes me from my hammock and says, “Where is the food!?”

“Look Aish—“ I stop mid-sentence when I see her. It. I know what that is. An ungga-ungga or at least that’s what they call it in these parts, back in Bicol we just call them anananggal. The tour groups would always try to scare tourists with stories of the witch that flies with its guts hanging out. I don’t take another moment before I run like hell. I should have stayed in my house.

“Where is the food?!” Aish shouts again. “This is no time to think about your stomach!” I scream as I run alongside him. I don’t think I’ll ever get Malaysians. “I’m serious!” he shouts again, so why not, if the guy wants his last meal then I won’t stop him. “It’s behind the tent.”

Aish dashes to the tent and the ungga-ungga follows him. I was never the brave one but Aish is still my friend. Kind of. I have to run back and get him. I see him with a pineapple and he throws it at the thing and hits it. I don’t know what’s happening but the ungga-ungga screams and flies away.

I just stand there, confused.

“Where I come from, pineapples are grown because their thorns keep the Penanggalan away. The thorns go into their lungs and intestines which makes it harder for them to fly. I knew that would work just as well here.” Aish smiles and hands me some snacks.

“You hungry?”

————————–————————–————————

*The Anananggal is called the Ungga-ungga in Negros, and Wuwug in Eastern Visayas. It is very similar to the myths of the Penanggalan found in the Malaysian archipelago.

**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
Tagalog Translation by Ninya Zulueta
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Ninya Zulueta

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

Anananggal Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
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Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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Laho – Tagalog Translation

admin — Wed, 23 May 2018 12:01:44 +0000

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Magaganap lang ang isang lunar eclipse kapag bilog ang buwan at kapag dadaan ito sa anino ng mundo, o ng Earth.
Sa tatlong klase ng lunar eclipse ang pinakanakakahanga ay ang total lunar eclipse. Nangyayari ito kapag dumadaan ang bilog na buwan sa umbral shadow ng Earth. 35-porsiyento lang ng eclipse ang mabibilang sa total lunar eclipse. Nagaganap ang mga lunar eclipse ng ilang beses sa isang taon.

Sa isang total lunar eclipse, nararating pa rin ng sinag ng araw ang buwan. Kinakailangan munang dumaan ng sinag ng araw sa atmosphere ng Earth na nagsasala sa karamihan ng kulay asul at nag-iiwan ng mapusyaw na pula o orange. Tumatagos ang pulang ilaw na to sa atmosphere ng Earth at tumatama sa buwan. Eto ang dahilan kung bakit ang total lunar eclipse ay kadalasan tinatawag na blood moon.

Yan ang sabi nila.

Maglabas ka ng telescope at tignan mo sa sarili mo. Tignan mo kung pano nagbibigay daan ang mga bituin kapag nagkakaroon ng eclipse. Kung paano tila nawawala ang galaw ng ilaw na para bang may ibang tinatamaan ito.

Kung sinuswerte ka, pwede mong makita yung bihirang mga ilaw na orange at dilaw na gumagalaw bilang malalaking bilog. Makikita mo silang gumagalaw at umiikot na tila pazig-zag papunta sa buwan. Kapag nagsimula na ang eclipse makikita mong titigil ang mga bilog na ilaw at mananatiling walang kibo sa kabuuan ng eclipse. Mapapansin mo na palalim nang palalim ang kulay na pula at hindi mo mapipigilan ang sarili mo na tumitig.

Mararamdaman mo na parang nangyari na ‘to. Na parang nakita mo na ‘tong eksaktong eksen na ‘to nang isang daang ulit na. Kikilabutan ka at matatakot ka nang di mo alam ang dahilan. Maiisip mo, ang OA naman natatakot ako, eclipse lang naman to.

Pero mag-ingat ka na hindi mo maitapat yung telescope mo sa taas ng buwan.

Baka may makita kang nakatingin pabalik sa yo.

English Version

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

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

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

Or so they say.

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

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

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

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

You might see something looking back.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Tagalog Translation by Ghost Kendrick
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Ghost Kendrick

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

Laho Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
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Watercolor by Nicole Chiu
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Kataw – Tagalog Translation

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 09:52:16 +0000

*Note this story is in Tagalog

“Maghanda ka, kailangan nating umalis bago pumutok ang araw.”

Ginising ako ni Tatay mula sa isang magandang panaginip. Lumilipad ako sa ibabaw ng bundok at dumaraan sa gitna ng kagubatan tulad ng isang tauhan na may katangiang higit sa pangkaraniwang tao. Ngunit ang panaginip ay laging may wakas, ngayon ay oras na upang harapin ang bagong araw. Sinimulan ko ang aking nakasanayan, kumuha ng pagkain at inihanda ang lahat ng gamit para ngayong araw. Ang aking mga kamay ay nagsala-salabid na naman sa lambat at si Tatay ay nagalit sa akin dahil sa aking pagiging makupad. Kagaya kahapon.

“Pupunta tayo sa look ngayon.”

Nakakapagtaka iyon. Si Tatay at ang lahat ng mga nakatatandang mangingisda ay laging iniiwasang mapalapit sa look. Ang sabi nila mapanganib ang alon sa lugar na iyon. Ngunit alam ko na wala kaming mapagpipilian. Paunti nang paunti ang nahuhuling isda kada araw at hindi ko alam hanggang kalian naming matatagalan manirahan sa dalampasigan. Sa palagay ko kailangan kong sabihin kay Tatay na dapat akong lumuwas sa lungsod upang makahanap ng ibang trabaho. Ito ay mas mainam kaysa sa magtaka kung makakahuli pa ba kami ng isda para mapakain ang aming mga sarili.

“Lagi kang mag-iingat at siguraduhin mong hindi mo susundan ang ilaw.”

Ito ang paalala na sinasabi ng mangingisda bago kami pumalaot sa tubig. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito ngunit nakapapanatag marinig. Sa palagay ko araw-araw ko itong naririnig hanggang sa tumanda para pumalaot. Magaan na lamang ang lambat ngayon, tanda na ako’y mas naging malakas. Siguro’y makakakita ako ng trabaho sa isang construction site sa lungsod.

“Takpan mo ang iyong tainga!”

Natakot ako sa sigaw ni Tatay. Hindi ko alam kung bakit niya tinatakpan ang kanyang mga tainga. Napakaganda ng musika. Ito ay parang isang lupon ng mga anghel na nakapaligid sa akin. Naramdamdan kong maging malaya, na kabahagi ng daigdig. Nakakahalinang puntahan ang dahilan ng yaring marikit na awit.

“Huwag kang lumapit sa tubig!”

Sa palagay ko iyan ang sinabi ni tatay , ngunit hindi ko siya naririnig. Sinubukan niya akong hatakin pabalik ngunit kailangan kong hanapin ang mang-aawit nitong kahanga-hangang kanta. Kailangan niyang pigilan ang kanyang ginagawa, ang laging hindi pagtitiwala sa akin . Hindi niya alam kung gaano kahirap ito sa panahon na darating. Walang anomang bagay na naiwan dito. Ang dagat ay hindi na nagbibigay sa amin ng isda. Kailangan naming pumunta sa ibang lugar sa lugar kung saan mayroong pag-asa.

“Ang liwanag! Huwag mong sundan ang liwanag!”

Nakikita ko na sila ngayon, ang ganda nila. Nang-aakit ang andap ng liwanag sa ilalim ng tubig. Hindi naiintindihan ni Papa. Matanda na siya para makita ang kinabukasan. Hindi katulad ko. Susundan ko ang liwanag na magliligtas sa ating lahat. Maaari akong makakuha ng sapat na pera upang matustusan ang aming pamilya. Makikita niya. Makikita nilang lahat.

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English Version

“Get ready, we have to leave before sunrise.”

Papa woke me up from a nice dream. I was flying over the mountains and going through the woods like a superhero. But dreams always have to end, now it’s time to face another day. I start my routine, grabbing a meal and preparing all the supplies for the day. My hands got tangled in the nets again and Papa scolded me for being slow. Just like yesterday.

“We’re going by the cove today.”

That was strange. Papa and all the older fishermen would always avoid going near the cove. They say it’s dangerous since the current is unpredictable in that area. But I know we don’t really have much of a choice. The catch of the day has been getting smaller and smaller and I don’t know how long we can live off the ocean. I think I’m going to tell Papa that I should go to the city to find work. It’s better than wondering if we can catch enough fish to feed ourselves.

“Be careful and make sure you don’t follow the lights.”

It’s the warning that we fisherman say before we go out on the water. I don’t know what it’s supposed to mean but it’s always comforting to hear. I think I’ve heard it every day since I was old enough to be on a boat. The nets seem lighter today, a sign that I’m getting stronger. Maybe I can find work in a construction site in the city.

“Cover your ears!”

Papa’s shout scared me. I don’t know why he was covering his ears. The music was so beautiful. It was like a chorus of angels floating all around me. I feel so free, so in touch with the world. I want to go to whatever’s making such a beautiful sound.

“Don’t go in the water!”

I think that’s what papa said, but I didn’t hear him so well. He tried to pull me back by the arm but I need to go find the singer of this wonderful song. He needs to stop doing that, always holding me back. He doesn’t know how hard it’s going to be in the future. We don’t have anything left here. The sea isn’t going to keep giving us fish, not anymore. We need to go somewhere else somewhere where we can hope.

“The lights! Don’t follow the lights!”

I can see them now, they’re so beautiful. The glow under the water is calling me. Papa doesn’t understand. He’s too old to see the future. Not like I can. I’ll follow the light and it will save us all. I can make enough money to feed our family. He’ll see. They will all see.

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Written by Karl Gaverza
Tagalog Translation by Michael Thomas Nelmida
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Michael Thomas Nelmida

Story inspired by Kataw/Catao entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Kataw Illustration by Leandro Genisto from Aklat ng mga Anito
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Watercolor by Mykie Concepcion
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