*Note this story is in Ilocano

Idi un-unana a panawen, kas insarita dagiti panglakayen, adda agnaed a maysa a nakabutbuteng nga ayup iti Amianan. Daytoy dakkel nga animal ket nailadawan a maysa nga uleg nga addaan payak nga agtaytayab iti ngato dagiti ulep. No aggaraw,makaluban ti dakkel nga anniniwanna ti lubong a mangipakdaar kadagiti tattao ditoy baba nga umadanin ti peggad.

Awan ti makadangran iti dragon. Saan a matudok dagiti siksikna babaen kadagiti igam ti tao ket dagiti maag, wenno dagiti natutured a manggandat a mangkarit iti animal.

Naglabas ti panawen ket sagpaminsan laengen a makita dagiti tattao ti animal.  Babaen laengen kadagiti sarsarita nga insalaysay dagiti naglabas a kaputotan a napagtalinaed a sibibiag ti estoriana.

Awan ti makaammo no ania ti nagbalinan ti dragon, ken adda pay ketdi dagidiay arasaas nga adda natured a bannuar a nangpapatay kadaytoy, nupay pulos a di mapaneknekan.

Ket ngarud, naglabas ti panawen ket nagtultuloy ti biag dagiti tattao. Adu a panagbalbaliw ken riribuk ti inyeg dagiti siglo iti Amianan. Ti baro a pammati ket nangiyeg kadagiti templo a bato. Dagiti obra ti asero ken alambre ti nagkukuros iti daga.

Dimmakkel ken immadu dagiti tattao. Iti baet dagitoy, nagulimek ti dragon.

Agingga a dagiti ginggined ti nangyugyugyog iti Amianan a nangrippuog kadagiti pasdek,  nangdadel kadagiti ili ken nangbingay iti daga. Adu ti naipadamag a nasugatan ket nagtalinaed dayta a trahedia iti panunot dagiti tattao kadagiti sumaganad a tawen.

Kalpasanna adda dagidiay mamati a daytoy a pasamak ket pakdaar manipud iti Mannakabalin-amin. Narebba ti maysa a lugar a pagdaydayawan ket nagsurat dagiti agbabawi  iti Apoda nga agpakpakaasi iti pammakawan.

Maysa kadagitoy ket ti agtutubo nga agnagan Mariano. Minatmatanna dagiti narba iti sanguananna ket nagkararag tii rosario bayat ti panangidatagna iti insuratna a nota a mangipakpakaasi iti panangibabaet kadagitoy a narikut a panawen.

Bayat ti panangikararagna  iti maika-20 nga Ave Maria, nakigtot iti panagdisso ti maysa nga ima iti abagana. Dayta ti maysa a baket a dina am-ammo.

“Hello lola, ania kadi ti maitulongko?” sinaludsod ni Mariano.

Blangko laeng ti pinangmatmat ti babai kenkuana.

Napukawka kadi? Addaka kadi ditoy a kaduam ti pamiliam? Makatulongak kenka a mangsapul kadakuada.”

Bigla nga iniggaman ti baket ti takiag ni Mariano ket pinerrengna dagiti matana.

“Nagsubli,” kinunana.

“Ania ti nagsubli?” Mariro ni Mariano, awan ti maawatanna nga ibagbaga ti baket.“

Ti dakkel a phantom. Ti higante nga espiritu. Ti nakabutbuteng.”

Nagtuang ti baket iti takiag ni Mariano. Narabaw ti panagangesna, ken nakapsut ti pulsona.

Nagpukkaw ni Mariano ti tulong ket naayaban ti ambulansia.

Kabayatan ti panagdengngegna iti angesna, nabaelan daytoy iti nangiarasaas, “Olimaw.”

Inserrek dagiti paramedics ti baket iti ambulansia ket nabang-aran ni Mariano. Impagarupna a nalpasen.

Iniggamanna ti rosariona ket intuloyna ti panagbantayna. Sumagmamano pay la a minuto idi nadlawna nga adda naiduma. Sabali ti narikna dagiti ramayna. Kinita ni Mariano ti rosariona ket nadlawna a nabaliwan dagiti nalinis a kuentas iti nakersang a kakasla bato. Minatmatanna ti rosario ket pinampanunotna no kasano koma a napasamak dayta.

Iti dayta a kanito adda anniniwan a nangsallukob kenkuana. Kimmita iti langit ket awan met ti nakitana no di laeng maysa a grupo dagiti ulep nga apagapaman a nangkalob iti init.

Pinampanunotna ti maipapan iti baket ken no ania ti imbagana.

Nalagipna iti kinaubingna idi intugot da lolo ken lolana iti parola idiay Cape Bojeador.

Ti langit ket maysa a tapestry a naabel manipud iti lawag ti bituen. Di pay nakakitkita ni Mariano ti kastoy iti napalabas.  Intudona ti nagduduma a konstelasion ket isalaysay ti lolona ti tunggal estoriada.

Iti ngudo ti isasarungkarda, idi naladaw unayen a siririing ti maysa nga agtawen iti innem, intudo ni Mariano ti bulan ket kiniddawna iti lolo-na nga isalaysayna kenkuana ti pakaestoriaan daytoy.

Immannugott ti lolona ket sinaklotna ni Mariano iti luppona. Isun ti damo a pannakangngeg ni Mariano ti sao nga ‘Olimaw’  ket kabayatan ti pannakailibayna, imbaga kenkuana ti lolona nga awan ti nakakita iti uleg iti adu a siglo. Natalged ti bulan ken dagiti tattao ti Amianan manipud kadagiti pangana.

Idi dayta.

Kadagiti simmaruno a lawas kasla lallalo nga ngimmisit ti langit iti rabii. Kasla aglemlemmeng dagiti mismo a bituen iti di makita a mangraut. Ti lawag ti bulan ket saan a marikna dagidiay immay a mangnamnama kadagiti lumamiis a sinamarna.

Iti las-ud dagitoy, umaw-aweng iti lapayag ni Mariano amin a balikas ti baket.

“Olimaw.”

Iti panaglabas ti ginggined, naglukat ti higante a rengngat iti asideg ti Simbaan ti Paoay. Yamanpay  ta nailasat ti simbaan iti pannakadadael a napasamak iti dadduma pay nga estruktura, ket nangted kenni Mariano iti gundaway a mapan sadiay tapno agkararag.

Makunkuna a naisadya a naaramid ti simbaan tapno makibagay iti ginggined a mapaspasamak iti Pilipinas. Makita daytoy kadagiti nakadkadlaw a buttress iti aglawlaw ti simbaan

Iti sabali a kanito,agsidsiddaw koma ni Mariano iti arkitektura, ngem iti daytoy a gundaway adda sabali a rason ti kaaddana ditoy.

Siaannad nga immasideg iti higante a regkang a dina ammo no ania ti masarakanna. Minarkaan dagiti opisial ti lugar kas napeggad a disso ken imbagada iti publiko nga umadayoda, nupay saan a nainget a naipatungpal daytoy.

Awan ti tao iti aglawlaw idi intuloy ni Mariano ti panagsukisokna. Iti uneg ti 50 metros nasarakanna ti sapsapulenna. Dakkel a nangisit a siksik a kas kadakkel ti bagina. Simmilap daytoy iti panagdisso ti rimat ti init. Napanganga ni Mariano ket inruarna ti rosariona. Nagkararag tapno kumalma ti nerbiyosna ket iti panagpampanunotna, saannan a nadlaw nga nagdara dagiti dakulapna.

Bayat ti panagtinnag dagiti tedted ti dara iti daga maysa daranudor ti  naggapu iti regkang. Insardeng ni Mariano ti kararagna, nagparintumeng sa inabbonganna ti ulona. Inkidemna dagiti matana ket ninamnamana a bassit laeng daytoy nga aftershock.

Saan a nagbayag ti panagginggined ket idi linuktanna dagiti matana, ti nalamuyot a silnag ti nangpunno iti panagkitana.

Iti sanguananna ket kasla adda maysa a tao, numanpay naabungotan iti lawag. Intudo daytoy ti siksik.

“Aniaka?” sinaludsod ni Mariano.

Imisem ti lalaki ket intudona ti rosario ni Mariano. “Maysaak kadagita,” kinunana.

“Ania ti kayatmo a sawen?”

“Iti napalabas a panawen, maawaganak koma iti naindaklan nga espiritu, wenno uray—”

“Maysa a Dios.”

Immisem ti lalaki ket nagtung-ed.

“Dios met kadi ti Olimaw?”

“Kadagiti dadduma.”

“Adda ditoy saan kadi? Nakulong? Mabalin kadi a maikulong manen?”

Ti lalaki ket kimmita iti langit.“Mabalin,” kinunana.

“Saanto nga agsardeng, di ngata?”

Nagngilangil ti lalaki.

“Ania ti masapul nga aramidek?”

“Ti naaramidmon.” Intudo manen ti lalaki ti rosario.

“Agkararag?”

“Mapanka iti pagtulidan dagiti ulep ket aramidem ti inaramidmo.”

“Agurayka! Ania ti kayatmo a sawen—-”

Ket iti apagdarikmat, nagpukawen  ti lalaki.

Minatmatan ni Mariano ti rosario; namantsaan iti darana. Ammona no sadino ti masapul a papananna, ngem saanna nga ammo no  ania ti rumbeng nga aramidenna.

Kabigatanna, nagtakder ni Mariano iti igid ti rangtay Gilbert. Nayanninaw ti karayan Laoag ti natayengteng a kahel ti umad-adanin a ilelennek ti init. Manipud ditoy makitana ti kabambantayan ti Apayao ken ti baybay dagiti ulep nga agtaytayab iti nagbaetan dagiti pantok.

Inur-urayna ti panagtayengteng ti sipnget, inton rumkuas ti uleg iti nagbaetan dagiti ulep ket pagbalinenna a kasta unay ti kinasipnget ti rabii.

Nagpigerger dagiti ramay ni Mariano nga mangig-iggem ti rosariona.

Bayat ti panaglennek ti init iti baba dagiti bantay, rimmuar daytoy. Marikna ti natan-ok a talugading daytoy, maysa nga ari a dragon nga agtaytayab iti langit iti rabii, nga agsalsala iti nagbaetan dagiti ulep.

Oras nan.

Inrugi ni Mariano ti “‘Amami” a mangnamnama nga adda maaramidanna. Tudoken dagiti natadem a batbato ti rosario dagiti dakulapna bayat ti panangpetpetna kadagiti dakulapna.

Kaskasdi a nagsala ti dragon.

Nagparintumeng ni Mariano. Ania ti pagimbagan ti kararag ditoy? Awan ti mabalin a mangpasardeng iti uleg. Aglalo ti panagmaymaysana.

Kimmita iti bulan ket  nakitana ti sipnget  a nangabbong kadayta. Di agbayag awanton ti mabati, maysanto  laengen  a canvas a nangisit.

Idi kuan, adda nalagipna.

Saan laeng a ni Olimaw ti adda kadagiti sarita ni lolona.

Impukkawna iti nakapigpigsa, “Amman! Saguday! Cabuyaran! Revenador! Anianihan! Bulan!”

“Pangngaasiyo, denggendak!”

Nangrugi a nagparang ti nalamuyot a puraw a silnag iti aglawlawna. Kalpasan ti sumagmamano a kanito, nagparang ti maysa a babai iti sanguananna ket iniggamanna dagiti imana. Apaman nga inaramidna, immimbag dagiti dakulapna.

Iti dayta a kanito,  ammonan nga adda iti sanguanan dagiti didiosen.

Nakitana ida nga agtayab nga agturong iti dragon ken inusarda ti nalamuyot a silnag ti bulan a nangbalkot iti daytoy. Ti narungsot nga angin ken panagdaranudor ti gurruod ti nangiduron iti uleg a mangibbet iti bulan.

Natinnag ti uleg iti lubong ket nagkintayeg ti daga. Nagtalinaed ni Mariano ti ayanna ket inurayna ti panagtalna ti aglawlawna.

Pinunno ti lawag ti bulan ti tangatang ket nagdisso iti agyamyaman a rupa ni Mariano.

“Agyamanak,” kinunana iti langit.

Intakderna ti bagina ket inwagsakna ti dadagsen ti napalabas a sumagmamano a lawas manipud kadagiti abagana.

Saan a nabirukan ni Mariano ti rosariona ket iti maminsan, saan daytoy a napateg.

Ammona itan ti agkararag.

*Anianihan ti dios ti apit, Cabuyaran ti diosa ti panangagas, Saguday ti dios ti angin, Revenador ti dios ti gurruod ken kimat, Amman ti dios ti init (ti init ti matana) ket ni Bulan ti dios ti kappia.

=————————————=

English Version

Long ago, as the elders have said, there lived a monster in the North. This great beast was said to be a winged serpent that flew above the clouds. When it moved a huge shadow was cast on the earth giving warning to the people below that danger was looming.

Nothing could hurt the dragon. Its scales could not be pierced by human weapons and only the very foolish, or the very brave would even think of challenging the beast.

Time passed and the beast was seen less and less by the people of the North. It was only through the tales told by the fading generations that its story was kept alive.

No one knew what became of the dragon, and there were even those that whispered that some brave hero had slain it, though it could never be proven.

And so, time passed and people moved on. Centuries brought much change and upheaval to the North. A new faith brought with it temples of stone. Works of steel and wires crisscrossed the land. People grew and multiplied.
Through all of this the dragon remained silent.

Until shocks rocked the North destroying buildings, damaging towns and splitting the earth. Many casualties were reported and it was a tragedy that would stay in people’s minds for years to come.

In the aftermath there were those that believed this event was a warning from the Almighty. A place of worship was shattered and its penitents wrote letters to their Lord begging for forgiveness.

One of these was a young man named Mariano. He stared at the rubble before him and prayed the rosary as he set down a handwritten note pleading for intercession in these trying times.

As he said his 20th Hail Mary, he was startled by a hand that rested on is shoulder. It was that of an old woman that he did not know.

“Hello lola, can I help you?” Mariano asked.

The woman just stared blankly at him.

“Are you lost? Are you here with your family? I can help you look for them.”

Just then the old woman grabbed Mariano’s arm and stared into his eyes.

“It is back,” she said.

“What is back?” Mariano was confused, he didn’t understand anything the old woman was saying.

“The great phantom. The giant spirit. The terror.”

The old woman crumpled into Mariano’s arms. Her breathing was shallow, and her pulse was weak.

Mariano shouted for help and an ambulance was called.
As he listened for her breath, she managed to let out a whisper, “Olimaw.”

The paramedics ushered the old woman into the ambulance and Mariano breathed a sigh of relief. At least it was over.

He grasped his rosary and continued on with his vigil.

A few minutes in he noticed something was different. His fingers felt a different texture. Mariano looked at his rosary and noticed that the smooth beads had been changed to rough, almost rock-like ones. He stared at the rosary and wondered how that could have happened.

In that moment a shadow was cast over him. He looked towards the sky and saw nothing but a group of clouds temporarily blocking the sun.

He wondered about the old woman and what she said.

It took him back to his childhood when his grandparents brought him to the lighthouse at Cape Bojeador.

The sky was a tapestry weaved out of starlight. Mariano had never seen anything like it before. He pointed towards the different constellations and his lolo would tell each of their stories.

At the end of their visit, when it was getting far too late for a six-year-old to stay awake, Mariano pointed towards the moon and asked his lolo to tell him a story.
His lolo obliged and put Mariano on his lap. It was then that Mariano first heard of the word ‘Olimaw’ and as he drifted to sleep, his lolo told him that no one had seen the serpent in centuries. The moon and the people of the North were safe from its jaws.

That was then.

In the weeks that followed the night sky seemed to grow darker. It was as if the very stars were hiding from an unseen predator. The moon’s light was left unfelt by those that had come to expect its cooling rays.

And through it all the words of the old woman ringed in Mariano’s ears.

“Olimaw.”

In the wake of the earthquake a giant fissure opened near Paoay Church. Thankfully the church was spared the damage that had befallen so many other structures, and Mariano took the time to go there to pray.

It was said that the church was specifically made to adapt to the seismic conditions of the Philippines. This was obvious with the striking buttresses around the church.

At any other time, Mariano would have marveled at the architecture, but this time he was here for a reason.
He approached the gigantic fissure with care, not knowing what he was going to find. Officials called the area a safety hazard and had told the public to stay away, though this was not strongly enforced. There were no people around when Mariano went on with his reconnaissance.

50 meters in he found what he was looking for. A large black scale the size of his torso. There was a shine to it when the sunlight hit. Mariano gasped and took out his rosary. He prayed to calm his nerves and he was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t realize his palms were bleeding.

As the droplets of blood fell to the ground a tremor went through the fissure. Mariano stopped his prayers, knelt down and covered his head. He closed his eyes and hoped that this was just a small aftershock.

The tremor didn’t last long and when he opened his eyes a soft glow filled his vision.

Before him was what seemed to be a man, though he was covered in light. He pointed towards the scale.
“What are you?” Mariano asked.

The man smiled and pointed to Mariano’s rosary. “I am one of many,” he said.

“What do you mean?”

“In times long past, I would have been called a great spirit, or even—“

“A god.”

The man smiled and nodded.

“Was the Olimaw a god too?”

“To some.”

“It was here wasn’t it? Trapped? Can it be trapped again?”

The man looked towards the sky. “Maybe,” he said.

“It won’t stop will it?”

The man shook his head.

“What must I do?”

“What you have already done.” The man pointed to the rosary again.

“Pray?”

“Go to where the clouds roll by and do as you have done.”

“Wait! What does that mean—-”

And in an instant the man vanished.

Mariano stared at the rosary, stained with his blood. He knew where he had to go, but not what he had to do.

The next afternoon Mariano stood at the edge of the Gilbert bridge. The Laoag river reflected the dark orange of the impending sunset. From here he could see the Apayao mountain range and the sea of clouds that floated between the peaks.

He waited for dusk to settle in, when the serpent would burst through the clouds and make the night just that much darker.

Mariano’s fingers quivered has they tried to grasp his rosary.

As the sun nestled itself below the mountains, it emerged. It had a certain sense of majesty about it, a regal dragon swooping across the night sky, dancing in between the clouds.

It was time.

Mariano started with an ‘Our Father’ hoping that it might do something. The sharp stones of his rosary were digging into his palms as he clenched his fists.

Still the dragon danced.

Mariano fell on his knees. What good was prayer here? There was no way to stop the serpent. Not when he was alone.

He looked to the moon and saw that darkness was covering it. Soon there would be nothing left, only a canvas of black.

And then he remembered.

The Olimaw was not the only being in his lolo’s stories.

He shouted at the top of his lungs, “Amman! Saguday! Cabuyaran! Revenador! Anianihan! Bulan!”

“Please, hear me!”

A soft white glow started to appear around him. After a few moments a woman appeared in front of him and grasped his hands. As soon as she did his bloody palms healed.

In that instant he knew he was in the presence of the gods.

He saw them fly towards the dragon and use the soft glow of the moon to envelop it. A fierce gust of wind and peals of thunder led the serpent to release its grip on the moon.

The serpent fell towards the earth and the land shook. Mariano held his ground and waited until he was sure it was over.

Moonlight filled the sky and settled on Mariano’s grateful face.

“Thank you,” he said to the sky.

He picked himself back up and shrugged the weight of the past few weeks off his shoulders. Mariano couldn’t find his rosary and for once it didn’t matter.

He knew now how to pray.

——————————————————

*Anianihan is the god of the harvest, Cabuyaran is the goddess of healing, Saguday is the god of wind, Revenador is the god of thunder and lightning, Amman is the god of the sun (the sun is his eye) and Bulan is the god of peace.

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Ilocano translation by Maria Jesusa Villaruz
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Maria Jesusa Villaruz

Story inspired by the Oilmaw description in
Gelade, George P. I993. Ilokano-English dictionary. Quezon City, Philippines: CICM Missionaries, Inc.

Olimaw Illustration by Manuel Liwanag
FB: Meowinism
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*Note this story is in Ilocano

Idi un-unana a panawen, adda nataengan nga agassawa nga saan a maaddaan iti anak. Kada rabii, itag-ay da ti kararagda iti langit agingga a naammuan ti babai isun ket masikogen. Idi maipasngay ti anakda, napalalo ti kinapintas daytoy ket naidir-i dagiti nagannak,” Awanen ti napimpintas pay ngem ti anak ta. Uray daytay kapintasan a tumawo ket saan a maidilig iti anak ta.”

Intayab ti angin dagiti balikasda iti nasipnget a kabakiran ken kadagiti kangangatuan nga ulep agingga a nakadanon dagitoy iti lapayag dagiti tumawo nga agnanaed iti maysa a narabaw a bubon, saan unay nga adayo iti pagtaengan dagiti agassawa.

Saan nga impagarup dagiti agassawa a daydiay naisawang da ket rubroban na ti panagapal dagiti espiritu. Napagnunumuan dagiti espiritu nga masapul nga bayadan ti ubing dagiti naisasao ti nagannak na.

Dagitoy a tumawo ket naanos kas iti kina-agnanayonda.. Naimatangan da ti panagdakkel ken ad-adda nga ipipintas ti ubing.  Uray dagiti adda iti adayo a lugar ket nadamagda ti maipapan iti ubing ken ti awan agpaiduma a kinapintas daytoy.

Kimmaro ti panagilem dagitoy a tumawo. Nangngeg da dagiti senyales a maibugas iti samiweng dagiti billit.

“ Isu ti init nga agpangato iti law-ang. Mabendisyona nga agnanayon dagiti masagid ti lawagna.”

“ Saan a maartapan dagiti amin a sabsabong iti lubong ti kinaraniagna.”

“Nagtaud kadagiti matana dagiti rimat ti kinaagnanayon. Awan ti makakitakit iti imatangna.”

“Saan nga masarmingan ti danum ti pudno nga daeg na.”

Ita, dagiti maudi a balikas ket nangted ti nauneg a sugat iti kaunggan dagiti espiritu nga aggigian iti narabaw a bubon. Para kaniada, nasagraduan unay ti danum ket ti pangibbet iti kasdiay a sasao ket mangparnuay ti pungtot.

Iti maika-sangapulo ket lima nga tawen ti panagkasangay ti balasitang, inrussuat dagiti espiritu ti panggep da.

Iti dayta a rabii, rimmuar ti balasitang idi makaturogen ti pamilya na, ket linagip na ti kinasangsangayan dayta nga aldaw. Adu ti naawat na a sagut manipud kadagiti agraraem kaniana- narimat nga al-alahas ken nakaayayat a balitok. Imbilangna dagiti init ken bulan kas tulnek laeng  nga mangsilnag iti pigura na.

Nasinga ti panaglaglagipna  gapu iti maysa a samiweng a  kasla mangay-ayab kaniana.  Saan na a malappedan ti kinapintas dayta nga uni ket rinuggian na ti nagna a nangsurot iti gubbuayan daytoy.

Iti bubon, nagsusupiat dagiti espiritu.

“Ilemmes tayo dayta nga nakasur-suron nga kattubo. Bassit la a minutos, ket malpasto aminen; satayto ipatulod ti nabulok a bangkayna kadagiti dadduma nga tattao tapno mabuyada no kasano a talaga ti kinapintas daytoy a prinsesa.”

“Saan! Rumbeng nga maikkan ti dusa nga atiddog ken in-inut. Iti unos  ti sangapulo ket lima nga tawen, inibturan tayo dagiti insulto iti langa tayo. Kayatko nga agsagaba met kas kadatayo.

Naglalaban ken nagpipinnasagid dagiti espiritu, ngem awan latta ti naurnos da a katulagan.

Agingga a maysa a timek ti naguni manipud iti uneg ti bubon. “Kakabsatko a tamawo, dagitoy patangan tayo maipanggep iti dusa ken panangparigat ket saan na masebseban ti pungtot tayo. Immanamong dagiti tattao  nga awan ti makaasping ti pintas daydiay a balasitang. Masapul a paneknekan tayo a nagbiddut da.

“Ania ti kayatmo ngarud nga aramiden mi?”

“Makitayonto.”

Nagtakder ti balasang iti abay ti bubon. Ammona no ania ti mapaspasamak ti bagina ngem saan na nga makontrol daytoy.

Manipud iti bubon, rimsua ti maysa a napintas a babai. Ammo iti puso ti balasang a maysa a datdatlag daytoy a babai, kas iti pannakaestorya ti apongna a lakay.

“Pangngaasim ta palusposannak,” impakaasi ti balasang.

“Adda nadagsen unay a basol ti pamilyam kadagiti espiritu.”

“Ania ti kayat mo a sawen?Awan ti inaramidmi a pakadangran da.”

“Saan kadi a pudno nga inwarwaragawag  dagiti tattao iti kabangibang a lugar a napinpintas ka ngem dagiti espiritu?”

“Wen, ngem ang-angaw laeng daydiay. Agpas-pasaw da laeng.”

“Ti pagarupek ket saan. Kas met ti inaramid mo.”

“Awan ti imbagbagak!”

“Kasta kadi? Ngem ania ti napasamak iti panagkasangay mo?”

“Awan ti napasamak!”

“Ania ti imbagam kalpasan a naawat mo dagidi sagutmo?

“Awan. Ang-angaw ko laeng!”

“ Ania. Ti. Imbagam?”

Nagayus ti lua iti pingping ti balasang.

“Imbagak a siak laeng ti napateg. Nga awan ti naparsua, awan ti espiritu, awan ti uray maysa a didiosen a makaartap ti pintas nga adda kaniak.

“ Tinupraam ti rupa dagiti espiritu. Awan ti makaartap ti kinapintas nga adda kadakami. Maysaka laeng a tao, ken saan nakam to a pulos na makapada.

Nagulimek ti balasang. Nariknana ti panagkapsut ti engkantasyon a mangigawgawid kaniana, ngem imbes nga agtaray, sinangona ti espiritu.

“Saan mo nga ammo ti ibagbagam.Sika nga maag a baka! Saan mo kadi nga ammo no kasano ti kinapintasko wenno awan kadi ti matam? Maaramid mo ti kaykayatmo kaniak, ngem kanayon, kankanayonto nga maammuam  a napimpintas daytoy a tao ngem ti aniaman a tumawo!”

“Maituredmo ti di mangrespeto.”

“Saan. Ibagbagak laeng ti kinapudno. Malaglagipdanto a siak ti kapipintasan iti daytoy a  lugar ken iti sabsabali pay, ngem dayta rupam, awan man la ti agka-interes a kadaywan a tao.

“Maag a balasang! Ngem mabalin nga husto ka. Napinpintas ka nga amang ngem ti panangipagarupko kenka. Ngem adda ammok a wagas tapno ibaga dagiti tattao ken espiritu nga dagiti tumawo ti kapipintasan iti daytoy nga pagturayan ken iti sabali pay.”

“Ania ti aramidem kaniak?”

“Makitam to… kabsat a babai.”

Adu a tawen a pinadas ti agassawa a biroken ti balasangda agingga a ti pannakasair ti pusoda ti nangdadael iti nakapsuten a bagida. Saan a nasungbatan dagiti kararagda ket nagtutuokda gapu iti saem ti panagpukaw ti anakda  agingga iti panungpalan da. Naitabonda iti asideg ti pagtaenganda, kadagiti tanem nga awan markana.

Kuna ti dadduma a nalmes ti balasitang iti karayan a saan unay nga adayo ket makita ti al-aliana nga agdaldaliasat kadagiti naliday a daldalan.

Kuna ti dadduma a maysa kadagiti nagarem ti nangitaray kenkuana iti adayo a daga , ket sadiay isu itan ti reyna, kontento a mangusar kadagiti aldawna a mangiranud iti kinapintasna kadagiti iturayanna.

Ngem adda dagiti mamakdaar a maiparit ti mapmapan iti naiputputong a bubon iti asideg ti kabakiran. Kunada a dagiti napintas nga espiritu ti agtataeng dita.. Adda dagiti di mangikankano kadagita a pakdaar ta kunada met a maysa kadagita nga espiritu ti kapipintasan a parsua iti amin a pagturayan. Dagidiay addaan iti sentido komon, ipangagda dagitoy a pakdaar ngem kadagidiay awanan iti rasrasunen, awan ti manglapped kadakuada a mangsirpat uray ti apagdarikmat iti kinapintasna.

============================

English Version

Once there was an old couple who had a difficult time conceiving. Every night they lifted their prayers to heaven until one day the woman found herself pregnant. When their child was born, she was of such profound beauty that her parents exclaimed, “There are none more beautiful than our daughter. Even the fairest tomawo could not compare to her!”

The wind carried their words through the somber forests and lofty clouds until they settled on the ears of those that tamawo that dwelt in a shallow well a fair distance from the couple’s house.

It never crossed the couple’s mind that an exclamation such as that could inflame the envy of those spirits. The spirits agreed that the child would pay for her parent’s words.

These tomawo were as patient as they were eternal. They watched as the child matured, growing even more beautiful. Even those from far-off lands knew of the girl and her unsurpassed loveliness.

The spirits grew even more embittered. They could hear the signs carried in the melodies of the songbirds:

“She is the sun ascending from the horizon. Those who are touched by her light are blessed forever.”

“All the flowers in the world cannot match her radiance.”

“In her eyes are the flickers of the infinite. No one can resist her gaze.”

“Mere water cannot reflect her true elegance.”

Now those last words cut a deep wound in the spirits’ pride for they dwelt in a shallow well. To them, water was so sacred that to even utter that statement would invoke their wrath.

On the girl’s fifteenth birthday the spirits began their plot.

That night, after her family had gone to sleep, the girl sat outside and reflected on how amazing the day was. She had received gifts from many suitors, dazzling jewels and breathtaking gold. She felt that the sun and moon were mere dots that served to light her figure.

Her rumination was interrupted by a sweet harmony, beckoning her near. She could not resist the sound’s charm and started walking to its source.

In the well the spirits bickered.
“We should drown that irritating upstart. A few minutes and it will all be over, then we can send her bloated corpse to the other humans to show just how pretty this ‘princess’ actually is.”

“No! We should make her punishment long and slow. For fifteen years we had to endure those insults that were thrown at our own beauty. I want to her to suffer as we have.”

The spirits fought and threw taunts at each other, but they were still no closer to an agreement.

Until one voice reverberated through the well.
“My tamawo sisters, all this talk of pain and suffering will not sate our resentment. The humans agreed that there was no spirit that could ever be as beautiful as this girl. We must prove them wrong.”

“What would you have us do then?”

“You shall see.”

The girl stood beside the well. She was fully aware of what her body was doing, but she could not control it.

From the well rose a beautiful woman. In her heart the girl new that the woman was a supernatural like her grandfather would tell of in his stories.

“Please let me go,” the girl begged.
“Your family has committed a grave sin against the spirits.”

“What do you mean? We’ve done nothing to harm you.”

“Is it not true that the humans across this land and others have proclaimed you as more beautiful than the spirits?”
“Yes but that was just a joke, they were exaggerating.”

“I don’t think they were. Or you were, for that matter.”

“I didn’t say anything!”

“Oh really? Then what happened at your party?”

“Nothing happened!”

“What did you say after you received your gifts?”
“Nothing! It was just a joke!”

“What. Did. You. Say.”

Tears welled out down the girl’s cheeks.

“I said that I was the only thing that mattered. That no being, not a person, not a spirit, not even a god could ever reach the beauty I have.”

“You spit in the face of the spirits. There are none that hold beauty such as we do. You are nothing but a human and you will never equal us.”

The girl grew silent. She could feel the spell that kept her still fade away, but instead of running she faced the spirit.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about! You stupid cow! Do you know how gorgeous I am or do you not have eyes! You can do what you want with me, but you will always, ALWAYS, know that this human is more beautiful than any tomawo will ever be!”

“You dare throw disrespect?!”

“No, I am just telling the truth. I will be remembered as the greatest beauty in this land and others, while your stupid face can’t even interest a normal person!”

“Foolish girl. But you may be right. You are beautiful, more than I care to admit. I do know one way to have humans and spirits alike say that the tamawo are more beautiful than anything  in this realm and others.”

“What are you going to do to me?”

“You shall see…. Sister.”

The couple spent years trying to find their daughter until their heartbreak took a toll on their frail bodies. Their prayers were unanswered and they were tormented with the pain of loss until the end. They were buried near their home, in unmarked graves.

Some say the girl drowned in a river not too far away and her ghost could be seen roaming lonely paths.

Others say that one of her suitors carried her to a far-off land where she is now queen, content to spend her days sharing her beauty with her subjects.

But there are those that warn against going to an isolated well near the forest. They say that beautiful spirits make it their home. There are those that ignore those warnings for it is also said that one of those spirits is the most beautiful being in all the realms. Those with common sense would heed these warnings but for those without logic, nothing will stop them from seeing a glimpse of her beauty.

*Tomawo are beautiful spirits like the engkanto.

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Ilocano translation by Maria Jesusa Villaruz
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Maria Jesusa Villaruz

Inspired by the Manbukay description in The Remnants of the Great Ilonggo Nation. Sebastian Sta. Cruz Serag. 1997.

Manbukay illustration by Gabrielle Solera

IG: @gbsolera

*Note this story is in Ilocano

Kumitkita kaniak ti tagtagainep babaen ti sangagasut a matana ket agtalinaedak a nagyelo iti pagiddaak.

Diak ammo no ania ti kayatna, ngem diak pagarupen nga adda kaipapanan dayta a pannakadangran. Magna ti parsua nga umasideg kaniak ket bayat a kitkitaek ti agkir-in a bagina, maawatakon kamaudiananna. Saan lang nga tagtagainep iti tagtagainep. Maysa dayta a pakdaar.

Ti daligmata (diak ammo no kasano nga ammok ti naganna, nagtubo laeng iti ulok) ket padpadasenna nga ibaga kaniak a kasapulak a pasardengen ti pannakapasamak ti ginggined.

“Kasano nga aramidek dayta?” sinaludsodko kadagiti daligmata. Nagtungtung-ed manen kaniak, ket ammok. Masapul a mapanak iti lugar a nakaipasngayan dagiti ginggined. Masapul a kiddawek kadakuada nga agtalinaedda a sitatalna. “Apay a siak? Dimteng ti sungbat iti saludsodko iti layus dagiti pampanunot. Agbibiag ti daligmata kadagiti tagtagainep, ket mabalinna laeng ti aggaraw iti dayta a sakup.

Saanna a pulos a makapan iti pisikal a lubong, uray pay ti pagtaengan dagiti ginggined ken bagyo no awan ti agar-arapaap iti sibayna.

Ket maysa nga agar-arapaap ti adda kenkuana.

Saan a kas iti napeggad ti panagdaliasat a kas iti impagarupko. Adda iti panunotko ti daligmata a mangibagbaga a kasapulak laeng ti agarapaap nga addaak sadiay ket nasayaat ti panangiturongna kaniak. Imbagana kaniak nga arapaapko ti lubong, ngem saan a kas iti ammok. Nagsao dayta maipapan iti horizon, ti pannakabingay ti daga ken ti lubong dagiti natay ken dagiti ngiwat dagiti parsua nga agnanaed sadiay. Dagiti ladawan dagiti uleg a nabalkot iti intero a lubong, nga iggem ti naindaklan a dios a ni Magbabaya, ti nagpusipos iti ulok. Natagtagainepko ti horizon, dagiti uleg, ti Magbabaya. Inar-arapaapko ti lugar a nakaipasngayan dagiti ginggined. Inar-arapaapko ti daga dagiti angin ken bagyo.

Ket iti apagbiit, addanak sadiay.

“Hello mortal.” Maysa a babai a timek ti nangkablaaw kaniak. “Tunggal makitami ti naasiyo a Mangilala gagangay nga adda pakainaiganna iti dayta.”  Simmungbat ti timek ti lalaki. Naamirisko a kitkitaek ti ulo ti dua a higante nga uleg, a tunggal maysa ket dakdakkel ngem iti skyscraper. Mabutengak koma, ngem ti kinadayag dagitoy a dua ti mangparikna kaniak iti kasta unay a panagsiddaaw. Natalged ti riknak iti imatangda.

Induronnak ti daligmata manipud iti likudak ket nalagipko no apay nga addaak sadiay. “Dakkel nga Uleg…” Diak ammo no kasano a tamingen ida, ngem impagarupko a saan a makadangran ti panangipakita iti panagraem. Imbagak kadakuada ti maipapan iti bang-arko, ti higante a ginggined a nangrisut iti siudadko ken nangburak iti pagtaengak.

“Daytoy ti pagtaengan dagiti ginggined, bassit a tao.” Simmungbat ti timek ti lalaki. “Mapataud dagiti panagkintayeg no aggarawtay”. Insungbat ti timek ti babai. “Dagiti garawmi pagtalinaedenda a naigalut ti lubong.”Kinuna ti timek ti lalaki. “Ania ti serserbitayo no awanen ti lubong?” sinaludsod ti timek ti babai.

“No mapasamak ti bang-arko, awanen ti lubongko. Mabalin a bassit a paset dayta ti intero a daga, ngem dayta a bassit a paset ti intero a lubongko. Dayta a siudad ket napateg kaniak a kas iti kinapateg dagiti kontinente kenka.” Ti kadi sungbatko.

“Naturedka.” Kinuna ti timek ti babai. “Awan pay ti mortal a nakasarita kadakami buyogen ti kasta a kinaprangka.” Insungbat ti timek ti lalaki. “Kaaduan a mortal ikagkagumaandatayo nga allilawen dagiti kabusorda.” Simmungbat ti timek ti babai. “Maawaten daytoy a panagbalbaliw.” Insungbat ti timek ti lalaki. “Naikkankami iti annongen a mangtaginayon iti lubong iti lugarna.” Kinuna ti timek ti babai. “Tapno saan a matnag ti daga.” Insungbat ti timek ti lalaki. “Ngem ania ti pagimbagan dayta no madadael ti maysa a lubong iti uneg ti lubong?” sinaludsod ti timek ti babai.

“Aramidenmi ti kiddawenyo. Agtalinaedkami a natalna tapno agtalinaed a nasayaat ti lubongmo.” Nagkaykaysa a simmungbat dagiti Intumbangol. “Inka itan, mortal. Ti pagtaengan dagiti ginggined ket saan a lugar a pagnaedan ti kitayo.”

Inkagumaak ti agyaman kadakuada, ngem nangrugin nga agtaytayab ti napigsa nga angin. Pinidutnak ket dandani diak makaanges. Naranggas unay dagiti bagyo isu nga impagarupko a mapigpisiak.  Nagpukkawak.

Kalpasanna, nariingak.

Naguni ti alarmko. Alas 7 ti bigatin. Ammok a maladawak iti klase no diak agdardaras. Nakaam-amak koma ti trapiko ita, kas iti inaldaw. Nagngangaak ket inkagumaak a lagipen dagiti tagtagainepko. Panagkunak adda uleg ken maysa a bunggoy dagiti mata a mangmatmatmat kaniak, ngem diak malagip ti adu a napalabas dayta.

Napigpigsa pay ti panaguni ti backup alarm-ko ngem iti immuna. Ipasimudaagna ti panangrugi ti talaga nga atiddog ​​nga aldaw.

Sapay koma ta ad-adu pay dagiti makapagagar nga inaramidko.

=————————-=

English Version

The dream stares at me with its hundred eyes and I stay frozen on my bed.

I don’t know what it wants, but I don’t think it means any harm. The creature walks over to me and as I stare at its blinking body, I finally understand. The nightmare wasn’t a nightmare at all. It was a warning. The daligmata (I don’t know how I know its name, it just popped in my head) was trying to tell me I needed to stop the earthquake from happening.

“How do I do that?” I asked the daligmata. It stared at me again, and I knew. I had to go to the place where earthquakes were born. I had to ask them to stay still. “Why me?” The answer to my question came in a flood of thoughts. The daligmata lives in dreams, and it can only move in that realm. It could never go in the physical world, much less the home of earthquakes and storms if it didn’t have a dreamer by its side.

And a dreamer it had.

The journey wasn’t as perilous as I imagined it to be. The daligmata was in my thoughts saying I only need to dream to be there and it guided me well. It told me to dream of the world, but not as I knew it. It spoke of the horizon, the split between the earth and the underworld and the mouths of the creatures that lived there. Images of the snakes wrapped around the world, held up by the great god Magbabaya, swirled in my head. I dreamt of the horizon, of the snakes, of Magbabaya. I dreamt of the place where earthquakes were born. I dreamt of the land of the winds and storms.

And in a flash, I was there.

“Hello mortal.” A feminine voice greeted me. “Whenever we see your kind Mangilala* usually has something to do with it.” A male voice answered back. I realized I was staring at the heads of two gigantic snakes, each bigger than a skyscraper. I would have been scared, but the majesty of the two was making me feel so much awe. I felt safe in their presence.

The daligmata nudged me from behind and I remembered why I was there. “Great Serpents…” I didn’t know how to address them, but I figured showing respect wouldn’t hurt. I told them about the nightmare I had, the giant earthquake that ripped through my city and shattered my home.

“This is the home of earthquakes, little human.” The male voice answered. “The shakes are caused when we move.” The female voice replied. “Our movements keep the world tethered.” Said the male voice. “What use are we if the world is gone?” The female voice asked.

“If my nightmare happens, my world would be gone. It may be a small part of the entire earth, but that tiny bit is my whole world. That city is as important to me as the continents are to you.” Was my answer.

“You are brave.” The female voice said. “No mortal has ever spoken to us with such candor.” The male voice replied. “Most mortals try to trick us into destroying their enemies.” The female voice answered. “This is a welcome change.” The male voice replied. “We are tasked to keep the world in place.” The female voice said. “To keep the earth from falling away.” The male voice replied. “But what good is that if a world within the world is broken?” The female voice asked.

“We will do as you ask. We will stay still so your world may be kept intact.” The Intumbangol replied in unison. “Go now, mortal. The home of earthquakes is no place for your kind to be.”

I tried to thank them, but a strong wind started blowing. It picked me up and I almost couldn’t breathe. The gusts were so violent I thought I was being ripped apart. I screamed.

Then I woke up.

My alarm was going off. It was 7 AM. I knew I would be late for class if I didn’t hurry. The traffic would be terrible today, like every day. I yawned and tried to remember the dreams I had. I think there was a snake and a bunch of eyes looking at me, but I couldn’t recall much past that.

My backup alarm rang even louder than the first one. It signaled the start of a really long day.

I wish I did more exciting things.

————————–————————–———————–

*The Bukidnon god of temptation

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Ilocano translation by Princess Jaselle
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Princess Jaselle

Inspired by the Intumbangol description in The Soul Book. Demetrio, Cordero-Fernando &Zialcita 1991. And the Daligmata descriptions in Songs and Gifts at the Frontier : Person and Exchange in the Agusan Manobo Possession Ritual. Buenconsejo. 2002. & 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang. Samar. 2015.

Intumbangol Illustration by Nadine Cabe
Tumblr: http://nadinecabe.tumblr.com/

Watercolor by Alexa Garde
Website: www.Lexa.us

*Note this poem is in Ilocano

Malagip ko tay kimat

Ti ayamuom ti nakset a kudil

Ti naraniag a panaggilap

Ket naimatangak

Tay buwaya

Nga nangtakaw tay bagik

Innala ti para iti bagbaggi na

Nga namagsisina ti lasag ko

Tay imuco

Nga innala da kanyak

Sada ingkabil iti likudak

A pinangputed da toy kararuak

Tay tanem ko nga agserbi a baro a balay ko

Dagiti ramot nga nangsarabo Kanyak

Ti taraon da ket toy kararruak

Ket nagbalinnak met a mesa

A kas sanga ken bulbullong

Haan nak a matagikua

Kadagiti natadem a paslep mo

Toy balay ko ket permanente

Haan met a pisyen ida

Saan nga ta kaykayyat u laeng

Ibaga yu ti kararag u

Kantaen ‘yu dagita kanya u

Nalasatak ti kimat

Nalasatak ti buwaya

Nalasatak ti imuco

Isalakan ka.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I will survive you

————————–————————–————————––

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

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

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

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

Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
FB: Wildling Child
IG: https://www.instagram.com/wildlingchild/

*Note this story is in Ilocano / Ilokano

Natalna nga banbantay ni Gonzalo ti pagtaengan da. Maysa isuna nga bulldog, nayanak nga natibker ken natangsit nga aso. Linikaw na man maminsanen ti pagtaengan tapno masigurado na nga natalna ti bigat da.

“Agalwad ka!” Ngangani naipati leb tay ubing nga bassit, imbag langenen ta napartak nga naiposisyon ni Gonzalo ken diay bag nga nalaka na lang nga nagaw at.

“Naglaing ka nga talaga !” Awit awit na tay rosas nga kolor nga bag na, napan nagturong ni Lila diay kusina. Ni Gonzalo sumasaruno met kanyana tapno siguraduen nga awan mapasamak nga madi  ken Lila.

Natalna nga nalpas ti pannangan da ti pammigat. Naimasan la unay ni Lila ti nangan ti pammigat na nga champorado. Ken ni Gonzalo nasdaaw tay pammigat na, ta adda laok na nga hotdog diay makan na, ” ni nasyaat sa tay riing na atoy baket” nakuna na.

Ngem ita nga aldaw sabali ti panagrikna na. Kas  idi kalman han nga makauray ni Lila diay dakkel nga kiaw nga balay. Haan nga makatalna tay ubing, inarakop na ni Gonzalo  san to nagpukkaw  ” mapan tayo diay parke!”

Manen, kagura la unay ni Gonzalo ti rumuar.  Agpayso nga makawalay , makataray taray , ngem madanagan la unay ni Gonzalo ti aksidente wenno didigra nga mabalin mapasamak kanyada gapu ti panagwalay da. Kinita ni Gonzalo niLila ken naginsasangit.

“Agtalna ka man, mapan tay lang diay parke!”  Pinadpadas ni Lila nga ikabit tay galot ni Gonzalo ngem han na maipan. Imbag laengen ta singmangpet tay baket , ket intarimaan na diay galot ni Gonzalo, idi nakasagana dan napan da diay parke’n.

Ngem uray asideg da pay lang diay balay da madanaganen ni Gonzalo, kasta la unay ti panaka alerto na. Adda maangot na nga madi, ngem haan na mailadawan no anya nga klase ti angot na. ” Gonzalo agtalna ka man, sumardeng ka nga agtaol! Han ka man mangbutbuteng.” Haan da pinapati tay ballaag ni Gonzalo, ngem ni Gonzalo agnanayon latta nga naka alerto.

Marikna na, adda nabangsit nga angin nga mangsursurot kanyada. No makita na la kuma.

Diay pagtugawan binilin tay baket ni Lila, ” haan ka nga umad adayo, agay ayam ka ngem ditoy ka lang asideg ko, diay nalaka ka lang nga makita.” Nag wen isuna ti ulo na ken nagisem , ni Gonzalo ammo nan nga attidog man daytoy nga aldaw para kanyana. Ket tay baket inruwar na tay bassit nga kahon nga agsilaw silaw sana rinugyanan ti nagay ayam. Masid daawan la unay ni Gonzalo no anya daydiay nga banag, naminsan pinadas na nga nginal ngal daytoy, ngem na ungtan lang isuna. Anya la kadi unay daydiay nga banagen? Apay han ko mabalin nga ay ayamen?

Agkat katawa nga nagtaray ni Lila nga agturong diay pagay ayaman nga pagpagalisan. Adda latta tay madi nga angot didiay hangin, masursuron ni Gonzalo’n no ayan na ti pag gapgapwan na. Awan sabali nga maaramidan nan no saan ket abantay nga nalaing kenni Lila ken aguray.

Aguray nga malpas agay ayam diay pagpa galisan. Aguray nga malpas nga maki ay ayam ti tago taguan kadagiti ka ay ayam na. Ken aguray nga  malpas da a mangan ti meryenda da.

Adu met ti saba sabali nga aso diay parke kaday diay nga aldaw, ket ammo ni Gonzalo nga maangot da met diay maang angot na. Masiddaawan latta dagidiay tattaon no apay nga natalna tay taraken da nga aso’n. Haan da ammo nga tay taraken da adda marikna da nga didigra nga haan da makita.

“Ayan mo?” Haan nga makatalna tay panunot ni Gonzalo no ayan na tay palemlemmengan tay maang angot na.

“Lila! Agawid tayo’n!” Pukkaw tay baket. Rumab rabii gayam’en.  Panag kuna met ni Gonzalo natalna ti lubong dan no agawid dan, ngem saan, ta diay mangring ringgor nga angot nga birbiruken na, simmurot kanyada.

Aglut luto ti adobo nga pangmalem da Lila ken tay baket. Nariribok ni Gonzalo kaday diay angot ti adobo, haan na maangot tay birbiruken nan. Ngem ammo na ti rumbeng nga aramiden nan, agbantay isuna diay kusina. Ammo na ti obligasyon na, isuna ti ulo, isuna ti protektor da.

“Lila umuna ka nga manganen, rumuar nak pay lang biit, mangan ka nga nalaing, ibusem ta labay mo.”  Rimwar tay baket nga awit awit na manen tay bassit nga kahon nga agsilaw silaw.  Ammo ni Gonzalo daytoyen,pumanaw manen sunan.

” Adda sabali ditoy! Apay haan mo maangot?” Taol ni Gonzalo, ngem haan met  isuna maawatan tay baket. Panagkuna na mabisin lang tay tarakena, tapno agtalna inserbian na ti makan.

Ngem awan pay gan ganas na nga mangan. Maang angot na latta tay nabangsit  nga angin. Nadennaan ti agong nan tay makaringgor nga angin nga maang angot na. Sigurado ni Gonzalo ag gap gapo tay angot diay kwarto ni Lila. Pinartakan na nga rimwar diay kusina tapno suroten tay maang angot na.

Haan nga ekspektaren ni Gonzalo tay nakita na. Dakkel ken natayag, atir tirter tay tengged nan ti sobra katayag na. Agkuskusilap dagita dadakkel nga kiaw nga mata na kayana, naka nga-nga tay ngiwat na,agpaparang dagitay natatadem nga pangil na.

Ngem natibker ni Gonzalo, situtured nga niraut na tay nakabutbuteng nga ayup. Sipipigsa nga kinagat ni Gonzalo tay tengnged   ti ayup ket nagbuteng daytoy ken ni Gonzalo. Nakita ti ayup diay tawa, didiay timmaray tay ayup. Uray kasanu kaddakel na tay ayup takrot met gayam ti panag puspuso na.

Ka daydiay nga rabii nagpapatangan ti karkaruba tay nakaskasdaaw nga kiblaaw nga nang ngeg da di madama ti pangmalem da. Kunada maysa lang daydiay nga naiyaw awan nga ayup, diay dadduma imbaga da adda lang simmabog nga tubo.

Ngem uray anya pay iti kuna da ti napasamak, ni Gonzalo mayat ken natalna ti lubong nan. Naimas ti turog na, diay baba ti katre ni Lila.

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English Version

Gonzalo surveyed his domain with the quiet dignity that was unique to his breed. He was a bulldog, born to be resolute and courageous. He took one more lap around the house to make sure everything was in order for the morning.

“Watch out!” Lila almost tripped over herself. Gonzalo deftly dodged the slight frame of the kindergartener and positioned himself and her bag just within reach.

“Good boy!” She grabbed her rose-colored backpack and headed to the kitchen. Gonzalo trailed behind her to make sure she didn’t fall again.

Breakfast passed without incident. Lila enjoyed her champorado with the kind of gusto a child gets when they realize that they’re having chocolate for a meal. Gonzalo noshed on his kibble and was surprised to find hotdogs mixed in with his food. “The lady must still be in a good mood,” he thought.

Today was different and Gonzalo put himself on guard for anything suspicious. Lila didn’t wait for the big yellow house like she did yesterday. Instead, she hugged Gonzalo and shouted “We’re going to the park!”

Outside; Gonzalo always hated going outside, sure there was the daily walk and the occasional chase around the nearby streets, but there was a sense of danger that surrounded the outside. He looked at Lila and whimpered.

“Silly doggie! Let’s go to the park!” Lila tried clumsily to attach the walking harness onto Gonzalo but it was no use. The lady stepped in and fixed it up and she, Gonzalo and Lila were all set to go to the park.

It was only a short distance from the house and Gonzalo grew increasingly more cautious. There was a strange smell that he could not place. “Stop barking doggie, don’t be scary!”
Gonzalo’s warnings were dismissed, but he was on high alert.
Something was out there, if he could only figure it out.

The lady set Lila and Gonzalo next to a bench. “Don’t go too far, always be somewhere I can see you.” Lila nodded and smiled like she was supposed to and Gonzalo knew that this was going to be a long day. The lady had already took out her small light-box and started playing with it. Gonzalo didn’t know what the appeal was, he had once gotten scolded for chewing it up. If he couldn’t play with it what was the point?

Lila ran towards the slide, laughing along the way. The strange smell was still in the air, almost mocking Gonzalo with its mystery. He kept a keen eye on Lila, and waited.

He waited as Lila went down the slide. He waited as she played hide and seek with the other neighbor children. He waited as they all had some snacks.

There were many dogs in the park that day and Gonzalo knew that they smelled it too. The humans would sit and wonder why their dogs were so well behaved, completely unaware of the looming danger.

“Where are you?” His mind raced through the possibilities.

Suddenly the Lady shouted “Lila! Time to go home!” the sun was already setting, thick beams of orange light were peeking through the clouds.

If Gonzalo thought that going home would ease his worries, he was mistaken. The smell had followed them from the park.

The lady and Lila were getting ready for dinner now, the scent of adobo failing to mask what kept the bulldog’s hair on end. He stationed himself by the kitchen, he knew what his duty was and he would not shy away from it.

They were his pack and he was their protector.

“Lila, I’m just going to step out for a few minutes. Be a good girl and eat your dinner.” The lady takes her light-box and her fingers race. Gonzalo had seen this before, it meant that the lady would be out for a while.

“There’s something here! Can’t you smell it?!” His barks fell on deaf ears. The lady thought he was hungry so she gave him some food and left the kitchen.

Gonzalo didn’t have any appetite, he was too focused on the smell. His nose had picked up the scent coming from Lila’s room. There was no hesitation as the dog bolted out of the kitchen and raced towards the smell.

It was bigger than Gonzalo expected, it was so tall that it had to crouch to fit in the room. Its long neck twisted around and a large, yellow eye greeted him with a menacing glare. The mouth opened to reveal rows of pointed fangs.

Brave was the bulldog as he lunged to the monstrous creature before him. The creature recoiled in terror as the hound bit it right in the neck. It spotted the window and ran. As big as it was, it had a coward’s heart.

That night the neighbors discussed the strange sound they heard around dinnertime. Most say it was a wild animal that somehow got into the village, others think it was a burst pipe.

Whatever the answer, the night yielded to a tired Gonzalo sleeping at the foot of Lila’s bed, dreaming the dreams of a very good dog.

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Ilocano translation by Anonymous
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Anonymous

Inspired by the Tigbanua entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Tigbanua Illustration by Jowee Aguinaldo