*Note this poem is in Tagalog

Dito kung saan kami tumigil

Dito kung saan kami magsisimula

Ang Muya

Ang Bayi-bayi

Ang pangalan niya ay Amburukay

Itinatago niya ang kaniyang mga dalaga

Itinatago niya dila sa kaniyang Tore

Ang Muya

Ang Bayi-bayi

Kung sino man ang makakukuha ng kaniyang tuos

Ng kaniyang gintong bulbol

Ay mapakakasalan siya,

Taghoy, ang duwende

Ang espiritung-gabay

Ng Labaw Donggon

Ay nagsabing ayusin niya

Ang sira niyang bidya

Tanging ang tuos

Ng Muya

Ng Bayi-Bayi

Kinuha niya

Alam niyang hindi ito sa tuos

Ng Muya

Ng Bayi-bayi

Ang kaniyang dapat pakasalan

Amburukay

Noong araw ng itinakdang kasal

Ang kaniyang tahanan

Ang tahanan ng lalaki

Ay ibinigay sa Muya

Sa Bayi-bayi

Umiyak ang Labaw Donggon

Hindi ang Muya

Hindi ang Bayi-bayi

Hindi ko siya mapakakasalan

Amburukay

Ito ang kaniyang binukot

Ang kaniyang tinatagong mga dalaga

Ang mga anak niyang babae

Natuwa ang Labaw Donggon

Kung saan kami huminto

Dito kami matatapos

=——————————-=-

English Version

Where we all pause
Here shall we begin

The Muwa
The Bayi-bayi
Her name, Amburukay
She hides her kept maidens
Hides them in her tower

The Muwa
The Bayi-bayi
Whoever gets her tuos*
Her golden pubic hair
Will marry her

Taghoy, the duwende
The spirit guide
Of Labaw Donggon
Tells him to fix
His broken bidya

With only the tuos
Of the Muwa
Of the Bayi-bayi
He takes it

He knows not of the tuos
Of the Muwa
Of the Bayi-bayi
He must marry
Amburukay

The wedding day
His house
The house of the groom
Is brought to the Muwa
To the Bayi-bayi

Labaw Donggon cries in despair
Not the Muwa
Not the Bayi-bayi
I cannot marry her

Amburukay
Is not there
It is her binukot
Her kept maidens
Her adopted daughters
Labaw Donggon rejoices

Where we all pause
Here shall we end

————————–————————–———————

*A tuos is a sacred vow or pledge. (This is in reference to the story wherein anyone that gets Amburukay’s golden pubic hair must marry her, as was the sacred magical binding contract of her parents)

*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 (In the style of a Sugidanon [Epic] of Panay)

Translation by Gabriela Baron
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Gabriela Baron

Story adapted from Amburukay: Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay. Caballero & Caballero-Castor translation by Magos. 2015.

Amburukay Illustration by Patmai De Vera
FB : Art of Patmai
TUMBLR : http://blog.patmai.net/
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The post Amburukay – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Sa kaibuturan ito’y naghihintay.

Hindi lahat ay alam ang kaniyang kuwento, ngunit marami ang nakaaalam kung anong klase ito.

Ang moon-eaters.

Ang mga celestial na halimaw.

Ang leon. Ang alimango. Ang higante. Ang ibon. Ang ahas.

Ang dragon.

Lahat sila ay dumaan sa pating, at ibinaba ito sa kalaliman na tinatawag nitong tahanan.

Mayroon bang isang kuwentong dapat sabihin?

O lagi lang itong nandiyan?

Maaaring gutom ang nagtutulak sa hayop, tulad ng halimaw, tulad ng alakdan. Ano pa ang magiging biktima ng pating kundi ang init ng isang buwan?

Maaari rin itong paglaruan, tulad ng leon. Ang buwan ay isang higanteng orb na pumupukaw sa atensyon ng halimaw. Ano pang elemento ang maaaring makaakit sa pating?

Maaaring ito ay galit, tulad ng alimango. Ang pating

ba ay supling ng araw at buwan? Nangangahulugan ba ito ng kabayaran laban sa mana mula sa mga magulang nito na hindi nito alam?

Maaaring ito ay paghihiganti, tulad ng higante. Ang pating ba ay isang mortal na nilalang? Nagdulot ba ito ng galit sa mga diyos? Ano ang nangyari dito na inilipat ito sa kalaliman ng dagat?

Maaaring ito ay kadiliman, tulad ng ibon. Kapag nakumpleto ng pating ang kaniyang gawain at ang mundo ay nahulog sa anino, ano na ang susunod na kakainin nito?

Maaaring bahagi ito ng nature niya, tulad ng ahas. Sa pag-iral ng mundo, bahagi ba ito ng pag-ikot?

At nariyan ang kuwento ng dragon.

Bawat nilalang ay alam ang kuwento nito.

Ang pitong buwan. Ang diyos Bathala.

Ang gahaman na dragon.

Ang pating ay naghihintay, hanggang sa iba ay mamatay, sa mga tunog ng sangkatauhan.

May isang kuwento sa pinaniniwalaan kong totoo.

Ang mga celestial na nilalang, na tinatawag na moon eaters, ay bahagi lahat ng mundo. Bawat isa ay may kanya-kanyang dahilan para kainin ang buwan o ang mga buwan.

At doon nakatira ang pating.

Ang pinakamahinang nilalang, bigo itong makuha ang midnight orb.

Ulit.

Ulit.

At ulit.

Alam na nito ang kabiguan at hindi na susubok muli, hanggang sa malaman nitong matagumpay niyang makukuha at premyo.

Sa tahanan nito sa kalaliman ay nagkukunwari. Alam nitong hindi magiging kasinglakas ng iba, hindi kasing galit, hindi kasing gahaman.

Ang poot nito ay mas tumindi, hindi poot sa iba, kung di poot sa sarili nito.

Bakit pa ito inilagay sa mundo kung magiging hindi siya kasinglakas ng iba?

Sa tubig ikinukubli nito ang kaniyang mga luha.

At naghihintay.

Hanggang sa gumabi.

=——————————=

English Version

In the depths it waits.

Not many know its story, though others may know of its kind.

The moon-eaters.

The celestial beasts.

The lion. The scorpion. The crab. The giant. The bird. The snake.

The dragon.

They all pass over the shark, relegating it to the depths it calls home.

Is there a tale to tell?

Or has it always been there?

It may be hunger that drives the beast, like the scorpion. What other prey will the shark have if not the warmth of the waning moon?

It may also be for play, like the lion. The moon is a giant orb that catches the beast’s attention, captivating it. What other element could enthrall the shark?

It may be anger, like the crab. Is the shark the offspring of the sun and moon. Does it mean retribution against the inheritance from the parents it never knew?

It may be revenge, like the giant. Was the shark ever a mortal being? Did it incur the wrath of the gods? What happened to it that relegated it to the watery abyss?

It may be darkness, like the bird. When the shark completes its task and the world is plunged into shadow, what will it eat next?

It may be a part of nature, like the snake. In the machinations of the natural world, is it part of the cycle?

Then there is the tale of the dragon.

Every being knows its story.

The 7 moons. The god Bathala.

The greedy dragon.

The shark lies in wait, until the others have fallen, to the sounds of humanity.

There is one tale which I believe to be true.

The celestial beings, called the moon eaters, are all part of the world. Each having their own reason to capture the moon, or moons to be more precise.

And it was there that the shark resided.

The weakest of the pack, it failed to capture the midnight orb.

Again.

Again.

And again.

It had known failure and would not try again, not until it knew it could successfully take its prize.

In its home in the deep it connives. It knows it will never be as strong as the others, not as angry, not as hungry.

Its hatred multiplies, not against the other beings, but against itself.

Why was it put on this earth if only to be last place?

The water hides its tears.

And it waits.

Until the night.

=——————————————————=

*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 Baconaua entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Baconaua Illustration by Benedict Jose Villarante

The post Baconaua – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*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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The post The Faeries of Niza – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story in in Tagalog

Day 5

Hindi ko pa rin alam kung anong nangyayari. Sabi nila maaari naman akong umalis kahit kailan ko gusto, pero sa tuwing susubukan kong lumabas, hindi ako makagalaw. Para bang itinutulak ako palayo ng isang pwersa. Sinubukan kong magmakaawa para paalisin ako, ngunit isa pala yung isang pagkakamali. Sinabi kong may pamilya ako at gusto ko na silang makita ulit, ngunit sa tingin ko wala silang pakialam. Sinabi nilang kinain ko ang itim na kanin at ayon sa utos, kailangan kong manatili kasama sila. Habambuhay.

Day 14

Ngayon alam ko na kung bakit itinayo nila ang mansyong ito. Hindi lang ako ang tanging taong andito, ang iba, sa tingin ko mas matagal nang nananatili rito. Parang wala nang kaluluwa ang kanilang mga mata at hindi na sila halos nagsasalita maliban na lang kung tutugon sila sa mga utos ng aming mga amo Tinanong ko ang isa sa kanila kung gaano na siya katagal dito sinabi niyang “taon na” bago siya nagsimulang umiyak. Pero parang hindi makatwiran, kaedad ko rin silang lahat.

Day 25

Nagdala sila ng bagong bilanggo, sa pagkakataong ito ay isang maliit na bata. Naisip ko na baka ang bata ang isa rin sa kanila, maputi ang kanyang balat at buhok at para bang siya ay kumikinang, ngunit sinipa siya ng aming mga amo papunta sa hukay at pinagbuhat ng bato katulad ng ginagawa namin. kakausapin ko siya kapag pinagpahinga na kami ng aming mga amo.

Day 26

Hindi ko alam kung paano ko pa nabibilang ang mga araw. Walang araw rito, ang tanging ilaw lang ay mula sa apoy sa loob ng mansyon. Ang sabi ni Cirilo ay dahil ang masamang engkanto ay sanay na sa dilim, ito ang nagpapanatili sa kanilang mga alagang aswang na masaya. Cirilo ang pangalan ng batang bilanggo, sabi rin niya na ganun ang kanyang itsura dahil ang kanyang ama ay isang engkanto, isa sa mga mabubuting engkanto. Sinabi rin niyang dinala sila ng nanay nila para tumira sa kanyang tatay bago ito pumanaw, kusang-loob naglakbay ang kanyang nanay sa puno ng Balete, hindi tulad ng karamihan sa mga tao.

Day ???

Nandito pa rin kami ni Cirilo, gumagawa ng mansyon para sa aming mga amo. Hindi ko na alam kung ilang araw na ang lumipas, kung buwan o mga taon na. Sa palagay ko tinutulungan ako ni Cirilo para hindi maging katulad ng ibang bilanggo dito, siguro dahil meron akong kausap. Malakas siyang bata, ni minsan ay hindi niya kinibo ang aming mga amo, siguro malamang ito ang dahilan bakit galit sila sa kanya. Lagi siyang nakatingin sa dilim. Marahil may hinihintay siya.

=———————————=

English Version

Day 5

I still don’t know what’s happening. They say I can leave any time I want, but whenever I try and go out the door, I can’t move. It’s like I’m being pushed away by some force. I tried begging my hosts to let me go, that this is some sort of mistake. That I have a family and I want to see them again, but I don’t think they care. They told me that I ate the black rice and by the “rules” I have to stay with them. Forever.

Day 14

Now I know how they built this mansion. I’m not the only human they have here, but the others, I think they’ve been here longer than I have. Their eyes seem dead and they barely talk except to acknowledge orders from the masters. I asked one of them how long she’d been here and she said ‘years’ before she started crying. But that doesn’t make sense, they’re all still my age.

Day 25

They brought in a new prisoner, this time it’s a small child. I thought that the child might be one of them, he had white skin and white hair and he seemed to glow, but the masters kicked him to the pit and made him lift rocks like the rest of us. I’ll go talk to him when the masters let us rest.

Day 26

I don’t even know how I’m counting the days. There’s no sun here at all, the only lights are from the fires inside the mansion. Cirilo says it’s because it’s because the bad engkanto are used to living in the dark, it keeps their Aswang pets happy. That’s the kid’s name, Cirilo, he says that he looks the way he does because his father was an engkanto. One of the good ones, or so he says. He tells me that his mother took them to live with his father before she died, she willingly took the trip through the Balete tree, unlike most humans.

Day ???

Cirilo and I are still here, still stuck building a new wing of the mansion for the masters. I don’t know how many days I’ve been here, it may be months, even years. I think being around Cirilo stops me from ending up like the others, maybe it’s because I have someone to talk to. The kid’s strong though, he’s never once flinched at the masters, maybe it’s why they hate them so much. He’s always looking out into the dark. Maybe he’s waiting for something.

————————–————————–————————––

Story Continued from the Dalaketnon’s Tale

*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 Albino description in Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition. Nasayao. 2010.

Albino Illustration and Watercolor by Sam Despi
Website: http://samdespi.com/
IG: @samdespi

The post Albino – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Isa itong magandang lugar para manalangin. Ang mga salita ng kaniyang mga magulang ay umalingawngaw sa puso ni Alfonso.

Sa unang pagkakataon na sinabi ng kaniyang mga magulang na sila ay pupunta ng La Union, naisip na ni Alfonso ang mga itatanong niya sa surfing instructor.

Ngunit hindi niya inaasahan ang mga batong walang laman sa isang lumang simbahan.

Sa paglipas ng mga taon, sila ay nagbigay ng isang uri ng kaginhawaan.

Anuman ang mangyari sa kaniyang buhay, nandoon lamang ang mg bato. Nandoon sana siya.

Naalala ni Alfonso ang unang beses nang makita niya ang pari.

Nakita niya ito sa gilid ng kaniyang mga mata. Ginagalugad niya noon ang mga guho at tinitingnan kung sino pa ang ibang naroroon.

Nagtawag siya ng isang kaibigan at nakakita siya ng isang multo.

Tumatangis, tumakbo siya papunta sa kaniyang mga magulang at sinabi sa kanila ang kaniyang nakita.

Pareho ang kanilang naging sagot — “Ipanalangin mo siya.”

Alas-otso na ng gabi, tatlong oras buhat nang dumating si Alfonso sa simbahan. Muli siyang nanigarilyo at inalala ang nakaraan.

Tinangka niyang alamin lahat ng tungkol sa pari, ang mga alamat patungkol sa pugot na ulo, ngunit wala siyang napala.

Walang nakaaalam kung paano siya napugutan ng ulo. “Pero mahalaga pa ba ito?” naisip niya.

Sumagi ang isa na namang repleksyon sa isip niya. “Ang salitang ‘nawala’ ay nangangahulugang alam mo kung saan ka papunta, hindi mo lang alam paano makarating doon.” Hindi siya makahanap ng iba pang salitang makapagpapaliwanag ng sitwasyon niya.

Hindi siya nagkaroon ng anumang layunin na maaari niyang habulinl

Alas-nuebe na at sa wakas nagpakita na rin ang pari, nag-iikot-ikot sa mga pinagpalang bato.

At sinimulan na ni Alfonso:

Ama namin sa langit

Sa Iyo namin matatagpuan ang kaligtasan

Ang mga kaluluwa ay gumagala

At itinatangis ko sa Iyo

Para sa mga nawawalan ng pag-asa

Para sa mga nawawalan ng pag-ibig

Ikaw nawa ang maging lahat ng bagay

Sa lahat ng tao

Upang mailigtas Mo sila

Itaas mo ang Iyong mga kamay

Palayain mo ang aming mga kaluluwa

Pakawalan mo kami sa aming mga tanikala

Linisin mo kami mula sa aming mga nakaraan

Gamutin mo ang aming mga sugat

Upang kami ay umasa sa hinaharap

Ito ay nangyayari lamang sa pamamagitan ng Iyong biyaya

Sa pangalan Mo

Na nagliligtas sa amin

Amen

Inulit-ulit ito ni Alfonso nang walang tigil hanggang sa tumulo ang kaniyang mga luha sa mga bato/

Alam niya na naroon pa rin ang pari sa susunod.

Alam niya na hindi ito patatawarin.

Ngunit naniniwala siya sa kapangyarihan ng panalangin.

Mula sa isang ligaw na kaluluwa papunta sa isa pa.

=———————————–=

English Version

It’s a good place to pray. His parent’s words rang hollow in Alfonso’s heart.

The first time his parents said they were going to La Union Alfonso had already thought of the questions he would ask the surfing instructor.

He didn’t expect the empty stones of an old church.

Through the years they became a sort of comfort. No matter what happened in his life, the stones would be there. He would be there.

Alfonso remembers the first time he saw the priest.

It was out the corner of his eye. He was exploring the ruins and wanted to know who else was there.

He called out for a friend and he found a phantasm.

Tears in his eyes, he ran to his parents and told them what he saw.

Their answer was always the same – ‘Pray for him’

It is 8PM, 3 hours since Alfonso arrived at the church. He takes another drag on his cigarette and remembers better times.

He tried to find out everything about the priest, of course, digging through urban legends about the headless specter and finding nothing of note.

No one knows why he lost his head. ‘But does it matter?’ he thought.

Another drag, another reflection. ‘The word ‘lost’ implies that you know your destination and you just don’t know how to get there.’ He couldn’t find another word to explain his situation.

He never had a goal he could chase.

9PM and the priest finally shows up, making his rounds through the once-blessed stones.

And Alfonso begins:

Heavenly Father

In You we find salvation

Souls wander

And I cry to you

For those that are hopeless

To those that do not know love

You become all things

To all people

That you may save them

Lift Your hands

Set our souls free

Undo our chains

Cleanse us of the past

Heal our scars

That we may look forward

It happens only through your grace

In your name

Who saves us

Amen

He repeats this without pause and Alfonso’s tears fall on the stones below.

He knows that the priest will still be there the next time.

He knows that he won’t be forgiven.

But he trusts in the power of prayer.

From one lost soul to another.

=====—————————————

*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

Inspired by The Headless Priest of Pindangan Ruins urban legends

The Headless Priest of Pindangan Ruins Illustration by Kring Demetrio
IG: www.instagram.com/thekringles
FB: facebook.com/thedrawerkring

The post The Headless Priest of Pindangan Ruins – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this poem is in Tagalog

Ang mga mata niya’y tila kumikinang na impyerno

At nang ang dila niya’y magsalita, nabalot ito ng 30 pirasong pilak

Sinulasok ng usok ang aking sentido

Nakita ko ang usok sa kung ano ito

Nararapat lamang akong magpaalam

Nararapat lamang akong magalit

At ang aking panghihinayang

O Diyos, sana ibinigay ko na lang noon iyon

Ang mga yabag niya’y unti-unting nilisan ang pinto

Ito na kaya ang sagot na hinahanap ko?

Upang sumayaw ang mga salita ko sa pahina

Upang maibigay ang buong puso ko sa bawat letra

Ang silid ay umalingawngaw sa sigaw

Habang ibinibigay ko ang sagot ko

Masyadong mataas ang presyo

At hindi ko matatanggap ito

“Oo”
Dahil ang pahina ay ang aking buhay

Ang tinta ng aking dugo

Ang mga salita ng aking kaluluwa

At dito ako nagsusulat

Sa gitna ng takipsilim

Naghihintay na kalampagin ang kampana

Aangkinin nito ang premyo

Para lang mahanap

Ang wala

Dahil ang pahina ang aking canvas

Ang tinta ang aking dugo

At ang mga titik

Ang aking kaluluwa

Sa tuwing magniniig ang panulat at papel

Ibinibigay ko ang kapiraso ng aking sarili

Na alam kong hindi ko na mababawi

Ibinibigay ko ito nang libre

Sa mga matang naghahanap

Bilang isang sulyap sa aking pagkatao

Ibinibigay ko ito nang libre

Sa mga may nais

Upang ihiwalay ang tabing ng buhay

Hindi na nito makukuha ang premyo

Dahil nakuha mo na

— Ang huling akda ng makatang si “Jillian”

=————————–=

English Version

Its eyes were a glistening inferno
And its tongue spoke, covered with 30 pieces of silver
The smoke choked my senses
The smoke made me see it for what it was

It deserved my goodbye
It deserved my anger
And my regret
I wish to God I gave it then

Its footsteps nearly left the door
Could this be the answer I was looking for
To make my words dance on the page
To make my heart pour into every letter

The room rang with screams
As I gave my answer
The price was too high
The price was unacceptable

“Yes”
For the page was my life
The ink my blood
The words my spirit

And here I write
In my twilight hours
Waiting to strike the bell

It would claim its prize
Only to find
Nothing

For the page is my canvas
And the ink my blood
And the letters
My soul

Each time the pen touched paper
I give a small part of myself
That I will never get back

I give it freely
To the eyes that seek
A glimpse into my being

I give it freely
To those that wish
To part the veil of life

It will never claim its prize
For you already have

-The last work of the poet “Jillian”

————————–————————–———————

*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

Inspired by ‘Landas de Diablo’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

The Devil (The Bargainer) Illustration by Jam Trinidad
FB: Jam-core

Watercolor by Yanna Gemora
FB: Yannami

The post The Devil (The Bargainer) – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

“Hindi mo siya kilala tulad ng pagkakakilala ko sa kaniya!”

“Pakiusap, tigilan mo na ang mga cliche na linya. Ikaw ang hindi nakaaalam ng ginagawa niya. Ano ba ang alam mo sa lalaki na ‘yan? Sino siya at ano ang mga ginagawa niya?!”

“Hindi na mahalaga ‘yun! Mahal ko siya at wala kang kahit na ano mang pwedeng sabihin na makapagpapabago ng isip ko!”

“Hindi mo naiintindihan! Hindi siya tulad ng inaakala mo!”

“Tigilan mo na nga ang pagtatangkang protektahan ako! Malaki na ko, kaya ko na ang sarili ko. Pagkatiwalaan mo lang ako. Alam kong halos kakikilala ko pa lang sa kaniya, pero pinaramdam niya sa aking mahalaga ako. Alam mo naman na ngayon lang ito nangyari sa akin. Hindi ko man sigurado kung saan ako dadalhin ng damdamin ko, pero sigurado akong ito ang kailangan ko. Alam kong nag-aalala ka sa akin, pero ayos lang ako. Kaya ko ito.”

“Siya ay isang diablo.”

“Ano? Ang babaw mo naman.”

“Makinig ka nga sa akin! Nakilala mo siya sa Punta de Diablo, ang sirang tulay na parang papunta sa Talim Island, hindi ba? Nagre-research ako. Ni wala ngang nakarinig sa kaniya sa lugar na ‘yun at kung siya man ay isang turista o tagalabas, malalaman ‘yun ng mga tagaroon. Walang angkop na naglalarawan sa kanya na nakatira sa Binangonan at tiyak malalaman ‘yun ng mga tagaroon kung meron.

Mag-isip ka nga. Bughaw ang kaniyang mga mata, para siyang ‘yung paborito mong mang-aawit, katakatakang alam niya ang lahat ng tungkol sa iyo kahit bago pa lang kayo magkakilala. Napakaraming coincidences.

Alam mo ba kung bakit iniiwasan ng mga tao ang Punta de Diablo?! Kada ilang taon, may isang babae ang nilulunod ang sarili niya sa pagtalon sa tulay. Ang mga babaeng ‘yun daw ay sinasabing kailangan nilang samahan ang kanilang mga asawa. Hindi na natuloy gawin ang tulay dahil ayon sa mga kwento, napamahal ang isang diablo sa isang babae, at ang tanging paraan para makapagpakasal sila ay gumawa ng tulay papuntang Talim Island. Malapit na sanag maitayo ng diablo ang tulay ngunit isang mangingisda ang nakakita nito, pinatunog ang kampana ng simbahan para pigilan ang pagkakatayo ng tulay!”

“Para kang baliw, aalis na ako.”

“Alam kong iniisip mong mahal mo siya, pero hindi ito maaari. Hindi niya kayang suklian ang nararamdaman mo. Kinuha niya ang tiwala mo at pinaniwala ka niyang hindi siya katulad ng ibang lalaki diyan, at tama nga naman. Mas masahol pa siya.

Alam niya kung ano ang ginagawa niya at alam niya kung paano ka sasaktan. Pakiusap, wag mo naman hayaang mangyari ‘yun sayo.”

“Paalam. Kung hindi mo kayang maging masaya para sa akin, doon na lang ako sa magpaparamdam sa akin ng pagmamahal.”

=———————=

English Version

“You don’t know him like I do!”

“Please, spare me the cliché lines. You’re the one that doesn’t know what she’s doing. Do you know anything about this guy? Who he is and what he’s done?!”

“It doesn’t matter! I love him and there’s nothing you can say that can change my mind!”

“You don’t understand! He’s not what you think he is.”

“Stop trying to protect me! I can take care of myself. I’m old enough to handle this. Please, just trust me. I know it hasn’t been long since I met him, but he makes me feel like I matter. You know as well as I do that hasn’t happened in a long time. I don’t know where this will take me, but I know this is something I need. I know you care about me, but I’ll be okay. I know I can handle this.”

“He’s the devil.”

“What? Now you’re just being petty.”

“Listen to me! You met him at the Punta de Diablo, that broken bridge that looks like it’s going to Talim island right? I’ve been doing my research. No one’s ever heard of him in this area and if he were a tourist or an outsider, people would know. There’s no one fitting his description that lives anywhere in Binangonan and people would know if he did.

Think about it. He has blue eyes, he sounds like your favorite singer, he knows “surprisingly” knows everything about you even before you guys met. There are too many coincidences to count.

Do you know why people stay away from the Punta de Diablo?! Every few years a girl drowns herself by that bridge. The girls say that they have to join their husband. That bridge is unfinished because the legend goes the Devil fell in love with a girl and the only way she would accept her hand in marriage was to build a bridge to Talim island, he was about to finish but a fisherman saw it and rang the church bells to stop the bridge!”

“You sound crazy, I’m leaving.”

“I know you think that you’re in love with him but you can’t keep doing this. You fell in love and he’s not going to be there to catch you. He made you trust him, made you think that he wasn’t like all the other guys, and he was right. He’s worse.

He knows what he’s doing and he knows he’s going to hurt you. Please. Don’t let it happen.”

“Goodbye. If you can’t be happy for me then I’ll go somewhere I’ll be loved!”

————————–————————–————————

*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

Inspired by ‘Punta de Diablo’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

The Devil (The Handsome Stranger) Illustration and Watercolor by Marc Magpantay
Tumblr: Glassy-draws.tumblr.com

The post The Devil (The Handsome Stranger) – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.