*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

“Makuwa ko ni sa duha ka minuto. Gamay man lang nga lakat ara nako sa piyak nga building kag kaya ko man makadalagan todo.” Gakabatyagan mo ang kuba-kuba sang dughan mo asta sa tiil, kamot mo gapalanugnaw kag gapalamalhas pati ang karubkub mo nagligad isa ka oras. Gapalanghugot imo batiis tapos nag ginhawa ka dalom para kabuwelo ka dalagan.

“Basi amo na ni ang ulihi ko nga paginhawa.” Sige na buya adrenaline nga gadalgan sa lawas mo. Kada tikang mo feeling mo ikaw na ang pinakadasig nga tawo sa bilog nga kalibutan. Chura mo ga ngisi, “amo na ni” pinsar mo,  “naka abot na ko!” Pila na lang ka tikang imo tuyo.

“Abaw ah” Tingala ka ngaa kadasig to sa iya. Na piyuan mo guid nga maka palagyo ka. Ginatulok ka sang bayi nga gamudlo pula ya nga mata nga daw ga-lubid ang kaladlukan ya nga nawong pag siyagit ya. “Indi!!!” Ang tingok ka utok mo nag siyagit “indi ni dapat matabo!”

Gin bitbit ka sang mga pa.a mo sa piyak nga direksyon, pabalik sa safety ka puno. “Ngaa wala ko nagtinir sa sulod man?” Gina kaon ka kapaminsaron mo nga ga hinulsol ka sa mga disisyon mo. “Ngaa wala ko nagdalagan dalagan man? ” “Ngaa ari ko di sa amo ni nga lugar man?” “Ngaa wala ko namati sang may chansa ko sa una man? ” “Wala untat panabad mga tingog sa ulo mo”

Makita mo na ang puno. “Indi ni sa kalapaw sa mga sanga ya.” Naantiparahan mo nga wala pa lima ka minuto sang nagdalagan ka. Kung wala pa kaabot lima ka minuto ang diperensya subong kag sa kabuhi ko.

“Isa na lang ka tikang kag ara na ko.” Isa na lang ka dalagan kag indi ya na ko madakop. May tiyempo kadali nga duda antis nagdive ka sa dalom sang puno kag nagabalentong sa roots ya. Wala ka gakabatyag sakit tungod sa adrenaline. “Buhi pa ko.” Wala ka untat nga pasalamatan.

Asta gin butang mo na ang kamot mo sa dughan mo. “Wala, wala, waay guid…” Naglupad na paminsaron mo. “Di puwedi nga amo to sa ka dasig.” Gatulo na dugo mo sa mga tudlo mo nga naglambot asta sa bayo mo. “Naka abot ko, dapat nakaluwas ko.”

Sulit sulit mo gina hambal sa kaugalingon mo asta sa nawad.an ka na dugo.

“Dapat nakaluwas ko”. Amo na paminsaron mo antis magsarado mga mata mo, basi ulihi na ni.

=——————————–=

English Version

“I can make it in two minutes. It’s only a few feet to the next building and I can run fast.” You can feel your heartbeat reverberate to your feet, your hands are cold and sweaty and the chill down your spine has been there for the better part of an hour. The muscles in your legs start to tighten and you take one deep breath before starting your sprint.

“This might be the last breath I’ll ever take.” The adrenaline surges through your body. Each step makes you feel like you’re the fastest person in the world. Your face betrays a smile, “This is it!” you think, “I made it!” Your objective is just a few steps away.

“Oh no.” You don’t know how it got there so fast. You were so sure that you were going to outrun it. The woman stares at you with her bulging red eyes and her hideous face twists in a scream. “No!” The voice in your head shouts “It wasn’t supposed to be this way!”

Your legs take you in the opposite direction, back to the relative safety of the tree. “Why didn’t I stay indoors?” The decisions all start coming back to haunt you “Why didn’t I take up running?”, “Why am I in this place?”, “Why didn’t I listen when I had the chance.” The voices in your head won’t stop talking.

The tree is in sight now. “It won’t be able to get past the branches.” You realize it’s been less than five minutes since you started running. Less than five minutes would make the difference between now and the rest of your life.

“One more step and I’m there.” Just one last dash and it won’t be able to grab you. There is a moment of doubt before you lunge under the tree and crash into the roots. You don’t feel much of the pain because of your adrenaline. “I’m still alive.” You’ve never been more grateful.

Until you put your hand to your chest. “No, no, no…” Your mind trails off. “It couldn’t have been that fast.” The blood starts to trickle down your fingers onto the rest of your clothes. “I made it, I’m supposed to be safe.”

You repeat those words in your head until there’s too much blood loss. “I should be safe.” Was what you thought before you closed your eyes. Maybe for the last time.

————————–————————–————————

*The Hiligaynon language, also colloquially referred often by most of its speakers simply as Ilonggo, is an Austronesian regional language spoken in the Philippines by about 9.1 million people, mainly in Western Visayas and SOCCSKSARGEN, most of whom belong to the Visayan ethnic group, mainly the Hiligaynons. It is the second-most widely spoken language and a member of the so-named Visayan language family and is more distantly related to other Philippine languages.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Hiligaynon translation by Urnn Propakarpyo
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Urnn Propakarpyo

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

Abat illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
FB: That Guy With A Pen

The post Abat – Hiligaynon Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

He thought of the kind of person that would be out at 3AM on a Saturday night. Kids partying until the sunrise or office workers finished with the graveyard shift, those were the usual suspects. This passenger was wearing office wear so he assumed the latter.

Rolito opened the door for his latest passenger and waited until he got in. If he didn’t need the money to pay for his daughter’s new baby (Her husband was a good for nothing lout) he would have enjoyed his retirement.

The passenger’s voice was familiar, he had heard it a hundred times before from different people – broken hearts, failures, business deals gone bad – same old, same old.

The drunk grumbled, ”St. Michael’s church.”

At least this one had a destination. Rolito turned right and started going down the avenue.

His passenger was mumbling to himself, Rolito tried to ignore it but his car radio was broken so he had to sit through the soliloquy. He did notice that the drunk was counting his fingers.

1

I’m sorry mom and dad, I lost the scholarship on my own. I should have listened to you and not my friends.

2

I didn’t tell her I took the condom off. And there you were, still so beautiful. Carrying our child – our child.

3

You needed me and I wasn’t there – but she was. She was everything you were and everything I shouldn’t have wanted. Her lips were so soft. So soft.

4

My old friends found me and gave me a pill. I took it to show that I was a part of something, but they all left. They always left. Now I take from those that did nothing but give. And robbed the future of the only one who loved me unconditionally.

5

I had a second chance. Then a third. Then a fourth. I got a job that could sustain us but what did I do? I stole and cheated the one who would look over my indiscretions. He was such a kind man. But kindness never lasted with me.

6

It was dark. I swear to God it was dark. He was only a boy, not much older than our child. I could only drive away. I’m a coward.

7

My life was full of lies, I would do anything to get what I craved. Lie to my love, lie to my friends, lie to myself. Blasphemous things would escape my lips and I didn’t care.

8

You only tried to help me and I called you brother. But the gravity of my world collapsed over you. It was only one drink, but one was too much and never enough. I don’t even know where you are now, but I must live with the fact that I put you there.

9

And in the end, I committed the most terrible sin of all. Taking what only God could take. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.

The whispers continued going from 1 to 9, over and over again. At a certain point the man was shouting. Rolito looked behind him to calm the man down.

And he saw a skeleton in a tattered suit.

He remembered now where he heard the passenger’s voice. He remembered the last time he saw his grandchild’s father, it was the same coat, same tie.

They had reached their destination but the only remnant that Rolito even had a passenger were some tattered rags in the taxi’s back seat.

=——————————-=

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Based on the Siyam-Siyam myth from Iloilo

Illustration by Leandro Geniston

From @Thatguywithapen

The post Siyam-siyam 2 appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Case #GJKM7721

December 12, 1977

Magulo ang loob buong San Aguilar Funeral Home. Tatlong araw bago ang pangyayari, ang punenarya ay kinailangang ilipat dahil sa isang posibleng pagbuga ng gas sa gusali. Ang buong lugar ay hinarangan at walang tao ang pinayagan sa mismong lugar nang mga panahong iyon.

Matapos iangat ang harang, nadiskubre ng mga inspector ang isang nakakahindik na tanawin. Ang lahat ng mga bangkay sa morgue ay nagkalat sa buong lugar. Ayon sa mga naunang teorya, ang salarin ay gumamit ng mga pampasabog sa mga katawan sa hindi pa natutukoy na dahilan. Kung isasalokal ang bawat pagsabog, ang karagdagang pagsisiyasat at mga awtopsiya ay nagpapatunay na ang lahat ng pagsabog ay nagmula sa tiyan ng mga bangkay. Walang nakitang mga bakas ng paputok na ginamit sa pagpapasabog.

Tumagal naman ng ilang araw ang paunang imbestigasyon sapagkat mahirap tukuyin kung sa aling bangkay nabibilang ang ilang bahagi ng katawan na nagkalat roon. Ito ay na naipabatid sa pamilya ng mga biktima at ang punerarya naman ay nahaharap sa isang reklamo dulot ng matinding kapabayaan.

Ang naturang kaso ay tila isang likas na krimen lamang, ngunit ang pagkakakilanlan ng salarin ay hindi pa rin matukoy ng mga imbestigador. Nang makumpleto ang mga autopsy, napag-alaman na ang ilan sa mga bangkay ay may mga marka ng kagat na patungo sa mga buto. Sa pagtingin nila sa listahan, napagtanto ng mga imbestigador na lahat ng mga katawan na may marka ng kagat ay hindi pa na-e-embalsamo.

Tila ba isang hindi matukoy na makapangyarihang nilalang ang hinahanap ng mga pulis. Ang pamamaraan ng krimen ay hindi pa nalalantad ngunit ang mga imbestigador ay tiwala na masusubaybayan nila ang sanhi ng mga karumal-dumal na kilos na ito.

Sa kasalukuyan ay wala pa ring pinaghihinalaang suspek, kaya ang kaso ay nananatili pa ring bukas hanggang ngayon.

=——————————————————-=

English Version

Case # GJKM7721

December 12, 1977

The San Aguilar Funeral Home was in a state of complete disarray. 3 days earlier the funeral home had to be evacuated due to a possible gas leak in the building. The whole area was put under a blockade and no person was allowed within the premises for that period.

After the blockade was lifted, the inspectors discovered a gruesome sight. All the corpses in the morgue were splattered across the area. Preliminary theories were that the perpetrator had used explosives on the bodies for some unknown purpose. It seems as if all the explosions were localized, further investigation and autopsies revealed that the blasts all originated from the stomach area of the corpses. No explosive residue was found.

The preliminary investigation took several days, as it was difficult to ascertain which body parts belonged to which corpse. The families of the victims were informed and the funeral home is now under a suit for gross negligence.

The case does seem criminal in nature, but the profile of the perpetrator eludes the investigators. Once the autopsies were completed it was found that certain bodies had bite marks going all the way into the bones. Looking through the records, the investigators realized that all the bodies with bite marks had yet to be embalmed.

It would seem that the police are dealing with a highly deranged individual. The method of the crime has yet to be discerned but the investigators are confident that they will be able to track down the cause of these heinous acts.

Currently, no suspects have been considered. The case remains open.

=———————————————————–=

*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 Christian GL
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Christian GL

Story inspired by Calag entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971..

Calag Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
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*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

Mabatyagan niya ang ila mga mata nga nagapanit sang iya mga kahuya. Indi man ato ila sala. Ang katahum nga parehas sang iya naga-demanda sang igtalupangod kag ang entablado amo ang lugar kung di-in iya makakas tanan nga mga pakunokuno kag mangin matuodtuod nga espirito nga amo ang ginapalangga sang iya mga tumalambong.

Mga kirab nagabayle sa iya mga panit sa butkon sang nagsugod na ang una nga koro. Ang iban niya na mga upod indi kauyon na matalupangdan, mas gusto nila nga daw gintago sila digto sa Biringan, apang si Amihan gintak-an na sang ila mga pagsulundan nga ginhimo tungod sang kakulba.

Ti-on na para sa ika-tatlo nga bersikulo: “Kung kahibalo ako kung paano ko ikaw ka palangga tani nagpabilin ako. Pero ang tiempo naga-agaw sang tiempo. Nabilin ako nagatan-aw sang nagligad, nagahulat sang palaabuton magsugod.” Naghugyaw ang tumalambong sang nagkanta siya kag iya nadab-ot ang mataas nga G. Daku nga kalipay na halin sa iya boses, wala sang makaguba sang ini nga higayon.

Wala gid luwas lang sang naga ngut-ngut sa iya panit. Nga daan naghalin ini sa likod sang mga nagtambong, ang indi ma sal-an nga hamot sang salamangka sa hangin. Daw nakibot si Amihan sang ini kag siya nagdali-dali sa katapusan sang kanta nga ang banda binudlayan mag lagas sa iya, apang natapos man nila ang kanta.

Nagdali-dali si Amihan pakadto sa iya ilislan nga kuwarto, ang iya kabulig nagasunod man sa iya. Ila na mabati-an ang tumalambong nagapangayo sang dugang nga mga kanta, apang dapat lang sila maghulat. May mga mas importante na bagay nga iya atipanon.

“Ginahulat ko ikaw.” Gin trangkahan ni Amihan ang puwerta. Si Jesa, ang iya kabulig nga dugay na naga-antos maga-antos pa liwat kay wala ginasapak ni Amihan ang pagpanuktok sa puwerta.

“Ginkawat mo ang akon ideya.” siling ni Bukad sa iya dala ang pagmudlo sang mata. Ang hamot sang mga matam-is nga bulak nagapalibot sa iya ilislan. Nadumduman ni Amihan kung diin naghalin ang ngalan ni Bukad, kung paano ang mga espirito mag biyahe kag maga-untat sa mga hardin sang bulak para maglapta sang dala sang mga bahu sang ini sa bukid.

Wala gid nanamian si Amihan sang hamot sang mga bulak.

“Indi mo mapanag-iyahan ang isa ka ideya.” siling ni Amihan samtang ginpalayo niya ang buhok sa iya mata. Gintipon niya tanan nga kaakig sa iya lawas kag ini ginpakita niya kay Bukad.

“Akon ato kag ginkawat mo!” Nagpalapit si Bukad. Mga makusog kag bayolente nga hangin naghampak sa mga pader sang kuwarto.

Nagpanguy-ab si Amihan kag nagyuhum sa iya kaaway.

“Untat na sa mga ini nga hampang. Kabalo man kita nga duwa nga indi ikaw makusog para magbato sa akon.” May hangin nga nagsulod sa kuwarto kag nag angot sa butkon ni Bukad. Mga espirito parehas kay Bukad wala nagadugo nga daw mga tawo, apang ang hangin nga nagadalagan sa sulod sang iya lawas nag-awas sa iya pilas.

Si Bukad nagkadlaw kag nabatyagan ni Amihan iya panit nga daw nagabiti-biti. May ara sang bag-o sa hangin, isa ka madaan nga butang.

“Indi ako maghalin diri asta makuha ko ang akon!” Nagpaguwa si Bukad sang isa ka hiyas kag ini iya gintudlo sa kay Amihan.

“Di-in mo ina ginkuha?” Kabalo si Amihan kung ano ang ginpaguwa ni Bukad, hiyas na may gahum, hiyas nga may bantay. Indi mahimo nga si Bukid may kusog maka-agaw sang hiyas halin sa bantay, kag indi man siya kabalo kung paano ma usar ang gahom sang hiyas.

Subong nagalutaw na sila nga duwa, ang mabaskog nga hangin sa kuwarto makatabon sang mga siyagit ni Jesa.

Sa puwersa sang ini nga hangin, wala nag-atras si Amihan. Siya ang naghalin sa ila pungsod kag nagkadto sa lugar sang mga tawo, mga mortal. Siya ang nagliwat sang lawas niya bilang isa ka madaku nga artista nga may pagdayaw sang milyones. Siya ang may karapatan nga dayawon.

Ang mga mata ni Bukad naga-inggat, parehas sang inggat sang hiyas. Madamol ang bahu sang mga bulak, si Amihan daw masuka sa ini nga bahu.

“Ikaw ang nagpabilin sa Biringan!” singgit ni Amihan sa babaw sang hangin.

“Mahalin na ako tani, apang wala ako gintugtan.” Balik sabat ni Bukad.

“Imo ina problema! Ikaw ang nagasunod sa kung ano ang ila ginpahimo sa imo!” Nagpangusog si Amihan sang iya lawas kontra sa daw bagyo nga hangin nga halin kay Bukad.

“Imo na salabton sa lawas mo!” siling ni Amihan samtang nagapalapit na siya sa hiyas. Gin-unat niya iya kamot kag gindab-ot ang naga inggat nga bola. “Ginhimo ko ang indi nimo mahimo, ginpamati-an ko lawas ko! Madugay ang ti-on kung ginahulat ang mo ang ti-on!”

Nabatyagan ni Amihan ang gahum sang hiyas nagalatay sa iya mga ugat. Mabatyagan ang kusog ni Bukad nga amo man nagalatay sa naga-inggat nga bola. Madaku kag makusog ang kahisa, mga kasakit nga si Amihan wala sang oras nga talupangdon. Iya ang iya kabuhi. Iya ini nga ti-on.

Ang gahum ni Bukad ara sa pagpalapnag sang matam-is nga bahu sang tig-ilinit, apang si Amihan amo ang puwersa sang bagyo. Nagdulot ang iya panulok sa mata ni Bukad nga may mantsa na sang luha kag iya ini gintulok nga may kaluoy.

“Indi gid man ini imo bisan san-o pa.”

Ang kamot ni Jesa nagsalakit sang panuktok. May mga beynte-sinko minutos na nga naglabay kag ang mga tumalambong nagapangayo pa nga si Amihan magkanta liwat. Si Amihan may mga pinasahi nga batasan pero ang pagpahulat sang iya mga humalangad indi isa sang ini.

Kag ang gahud nga halin sa kuwarto nga iya ilislan labaw pa sa sound system. Daw iya ginahungod nga indi sila mabati-an sang kalibutan sa guwa.

Si Jesa ginabayaran sang maayo agod nga wala sang problema ang mga palaguwaon ni Amihan kag dala na ang ini nga gab-i. Ang mga humalangad makabati sang tingog ni Amihan liwat bisan iya pa butungon sa buhok ang artista pakadto sa entablado.

Si Jesa nangusog kag iya ginsipa ang puwerta. Nahulog ang puwerta kag iya na kita ang kuwarto sa sulod nga daw nalukpan sang granada. May lipong nga babayi sa tunga sang kuwarto kag si Amihan nagatindog lang sa iya tupad.

“Ma’am…ang mga tumalambong nagahulat…”

“Gusto pa ako nila mag guwa liwat? Sigue, kay-uhon ko lang ini.”

Si Jesa nagtan-aw lang nga ginpudyot ni Amihan ang nagainggat nga bola halin sa kamot sang babayi kag iya ini ginbutang sa iya bulsa.

“Abi buligi ako kag himusa ang akon kuwarto. Ginbisita ako sang isa ko ka amiga.”

Ginpahigad ni Amihan si Jesa kag naglakat balik sa entablado, iya ginakanta na ang mga liriko.

“Hmmmmm mmmm….Nagatan-aw ako sa nagligad. Hmmmm…nagahulat sang akon palaabuton mag sugod…”

=—————————————————–=

English Version

She could feel their eyes peel the insecurities off her skin. It wasn’t their fault, of course. Beauty such as hers demanded attention and the stage was where she could shed all pretenses and be the genuine soul that her beloved audience could adore.

Sparks danced around her bare arms as she started the first chorus. The others of her kind didn’t want too much attention to be brought upon themselves, they would rather stay locked away in Biringan, but Amihan had enough of their rules made out of fear.

It was time for the third verse: “If I knew how much I loved you I would have stayed. But time takes too much time. I’m left looking at the past, waiting for my future to begin.” The crowd cheered as she belted the high G. It was sonic ecstasy, nothing could ruin this moment.

Nothing except what was pricking at her skin. It came from across the audience, the unmistakable scent of magic in the air. Amihan was caught off guard and rushed through the bridge, the band struggled to catch up but they managed to finish the song.

Amihan dashed to her dressing room, her assistant not too far behind. Already they could hear the audience demanding an encore, they would have to wait. There were more important matters that she had to attend to.

“I’ve been waiting for you.” Amihan locked the door behind her. Jesa, her long suffering assistant would have to suffer a little longer as Amihan ignored the pounding on the door.
“You stole my idea.” Bukad stared her down. The smell of sweet summer flowers surrounded the dressing room. Amihan remembered where Bukad’s name came from, how the spirit’s would travel and stop by the flowerbeds to scatter their scent through the mountains.

Amihan always hated the smell of flowers.

“You can’t own an idea.” Amihan pushed away her hair from her eyes. She collected every shred of contempt in her body and directed it towards Bukad.

“It was mine and you took it!” The girl moved forward. Violent winds started to crash through the dressing room.

Amihan yawned and shot a smile at her rival.

“Stop with the parlor tricks. We both know you’re not strong enough to challenge me.” A streak of wind shot through the room and connected with Bukad’s arm. Spirits such as they did not bleed like humans, but the air that coursed through her leaked from her wound.

Bukad started to laugh and Amihan felt her skin crackle. There was something new in the air, something old.

“I won’t leave here until I get what is mine!” Bukad took out a small jewel and pointed it towards Amihan.

“Where did you get that!?” Amihan knew what it was, a jewel of power fiercely guarded by the bantay. There was no way Bukad would have been strong enough to fight one, let alone know how to channel her magic through the jewel.

They were both floating now., the winds in the room loud and violent enough to drown out even Jesa’s shouts.

Even against the onslaught Amihan would not back down. She was the one that ran away from their city and went to the human lands. She was the one that remade herself into an icon that was adored by millions. She was the one that deserved to be adored.

Bukad’s eyes started to glow with an unearthly light, the same color as the jewel. The smell of flowers was thick, Amihan almost felt like vomiting from the stench.

“You were the one that stayed in Biringan!” Amihan shouted through the gale.

“I was going to leave, but they wouldn’t let me!” Bukad answered back.

“That’s you’re problem! You were the one that let them tell you what to do!” Amihan braced herself against the small hurricane coming from Bukad. She felt the wind cut against her flesh, but the pain didn’t matter. “You were the one who let your dreams die!”

“No! It’s your fault! I told you my plan! How I would go to the human lands and use my magic to make them love me! You stole my life!” Tears were streaming down Bukad’s face as her winds strengthened.

“Take responsibility for what you did!” Amihan inched closer to the jewel. She stretched out her arms and put her hands around the glowing orb. “I did what you couldn’t do! I listened to myself! Time takes too much time!”

Amihan felt the power of the jewel coursing through her veins. She also felt Bukad through the power of the jewel. There was so much envy, so much pain that Amihan had no time for. This was her life. This was her moment.

Bukad’s power lay in the scattering of the sweet summer scent, but Amihan’s was the force of the typhoon. She stared into Bukad’s tear stained eyes and gave one last look of pity.
“This was never yours to begin with.”

=—————————————————————=

Jesa’s hands were painful from beating against the door. It had already been 25 minutes and the audience still demanded an encore. Amihan had certain peculiarities, but she would never leave a crowd waiting.

And the noise coming from her dressing room seemed to be the speakers turned to full. It was as if she was purposely trying to avoid the world.

Jesa was paid very well to make sure things were running smoothly and tonight would be no exception. The audience would get their encore even if Jesa had to drag her by the hair.

Jesa mustered all her might and kicked the door. It fell unceremoniously and Jesa stared into a dressing room that looked like it was struck by a bomb. There was an unconscious girl in the middle of the room and Amihan was just standing there, staring at her.

“Ma’am… The audience…”

“Oh, they still want an encore? Alright let me just get this.”
Jesa watched as Amihan took a small glowing object from the girl’s hand and put it in her pocket.

“Be a dear and have this cleaned up. I had a visit from an old friend.”

Amihan brushed Jesa aside and walked towards the stage, practicing the lyrics to her encore.

“Hmmm mmm…. Looking at the past. Hmmmm…. Waitingfor my future to begin…”

=—————————————————————=

*The Hiligaynon language, also colloquially referred often by most of its speakers simply as Ilonggo, is an Austronesian regional language spoken in the Philippines by about 9.1 million people, mainly in Western Visayas and SOCCSKSARGEN, most of whom belong to the Visayan ethnic group, mainly the Hiligaynons. It is the second-most widely spoken language and a member of the so-named Visayan language family and is more distantly related to other Philippine languages.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Hiligaynon translation by Stephen A. Matti

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Stephen A. Matti

Inspired by the Digkusanon legends from Western Visayas

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

Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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I woke up again, my screams reverberate through the halls.

Sister Ella was the first to come to me, that poor woman has been with me through all my terrors.

I can’t let them know where I came from.

She takes out a rosary and we begin to pray, and in that moment, calm washes through me like a gentle wave.

I can’t thank them enough for taking me in. Not many would trust a stranger that washed up on their shores, but to the sisters it didn’t matter.

I was a soul that needed saving.

The next day was like any other, I would help do chores around the convent, do my daily meditation and try to adjust to my new life.

Reading scripture was my favorite part, even before stepping foot in the convent books were my escape. They were the only things that mattered to me in the end.

The sisters told me I would find solace in prayer. They didn’t see what I saw, how human failings would drown out even the best of people.

I shake my head and try to forget the past.

This is my life now.

Or so I thought.

There were times when we would read and discuss scripture and philosophy together. That day we discussed the seven sins. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking at the mere thought of them.

Sister Adeline saw my discomfort and called for a break. She sat next to me and asked me if I was alright.

The warm heat from my tears was all the answer she needed.

She and I excused ourselves and went to a quieter place.

She asked me if I had considered confession, that maybe that catharsis would make me feel better.

I calmly shook my head and told her she wouldn’t understand. Not with what I had been through.

She nodded her head and smiled. She wouldn’t presume to know that, but she asked me to put my feelings into words. I agreed.

It was the wind.

We were ignorant.

We didn’t listen.

Until the blackness rolled through the land.

Until…..

I paused for a moment to let my tears out.

In the silence, sister asked me, what did I mean by “we”?

I stood up and left. Stupid. I almost told her about where I came from.

In the weeks that followed the night terrors subsided, I could get through some days without screaming at all.

The days spent in the convent were some of the best of my life.

But I know it wouldn’t last.

The dreams were there even without the terrors.

To go back to the island of my birth, and make amends.

Were the dreams my penance?
I needed to go back to my old home.

I gathered what meager belongings I had and left a note with only one word.

Polobulac

I took a boat and saw for myself what happened to the island of flowers.

7 black rocks stood testament to a fallen people.

As I go closer, I can hear their mixed murmurs.

Torment. Devouring.

Warning. Condemnation.

Desire. Avoidance.

Death.

I stepped on what remained of the island, the last daughter of ash and sin.

The memories came back, harsh and jagged.

The seven voices.

The seven pillars of flame.

The day the sun was hidden behind a curtain of blackness.

The tempest.

I fall on my knees and let myself be consumed by the remnants of their power.

No matter where I was, they would find me.

But now it would be on my own terms.

Thank you, sisters.

I shall now find my rest.

=———————————————————————=

Story inspired by:

THE FALL OF POLOBULAC. http://www.sacred-texts.com/asia/pfs/pfs13.htm

*This is a tale from Panay. It probably originated with the Spanish fathers, who wished to impress the doctrine of the Seven Deadly Sins on the natives. The islands are just off Iloilo.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverz

The Seven Sins Illustration by Abe Joncel Guevarra
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008285862780

IG: @abe.art.ph

The post The Seven Sins appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Isang araw may matandang mag-asawa na nahihirapan magkaroon ng anak. Nagdarasal sila tuwing gabi hanggang sa maipanganak ang kanilang anak na babae. Natuwa ang nanay nito at sinabi na may galak, “Wala ng mas gaganda sa aking anak. Kailanman hindi maihahambing sa kaniya ang pinakamagandang tomawo!”

Dinala ng hangin ang kaniyang mga sinabi, dumaan ito sa madilim na kagubatan at sa kaulapan hanggang sa umabot ito sa pandinig ng mga tomawo na naninirahan sa balon na may kalapitan lang sa bahay ng mag-asawa.

Hindi man lang nila naisip ang maaaring mangyari dahil sa sinabi nila tungkol sa mga espirito. Kaya ngayon, napagkasunduan ng mga tomawo na kunin ang pinakamamahal nilang anak bilang kabayaran sa kanilang kasalanan.

Ang mga tomawo ay walang kamatayan. Nasubaybayan nila ang paglaki ng maliit na bata at gayon din ang taglay nitong ganda. Kahit ang mga taong naninirahan sa kalayuan ay kilala ang isang babaeng kamahal-mahal.

Mas lalong naiingit ang mga tomawo dahil sa mga kinakanta ng mga ibon sa paligid:

“Siya ay isang bukang-liwayway. Kung sino man ang mahaplusan ng kaniyang liwanag ay pagpapalain magpakailanman.”

“Masusulyapan mo sa kaniyang mga mata ang walang hanggan. Walang makakatiis sa kaniyang titig.”

“Hindi masasalamin ng tubig ang taglay niyang kagandahan.”

Mas lalong sumiklab ang galit ng mga tomawo sa huling linyang iyon, dahil para sa kanila banal ang tubig at isang kabastusan ang pagpapahayag ng ganoong bagay.

Kaya pagsapit ng ikalabinlimang kaarawan nito, nagsimula nang kumilos ang mga espirito.

Nang gabing iyon, tulog na ang mag-asawa, at ang anak nila ay nasa labas natutuwa sa kinalabasan ng kaniyang kaarawan. Nakatanggap siya ng maraming regalo mula sa kaniyang mga manliligaw, kumikinang mga alahas at ginto. Pakiramdam niya na sumasang-ayon sa gusto niya ang lahat.

Ang pagmumuni-muni ay naudlot ng isang magandang tunog na papalapit sa kaniya. Hindi niya matiis na huwag itong pansinin at naglakad siya para hanapin ito.

Nag-uusap ang mga tomawo sa balon.

“Kailangan natin siyang lunurin, at pagkatapos ipapadala natin ang kaniyang bangkay sa mga magulang niya. Tingnan nila kung gaano kaganda ang kanilang ‘prinsesa’.”

“Hindi! Kailangan natin silang parusahan ng matagal at mabagal. Sa loob ng labinlimang taon tinitiis natin ang pang-aasar nila na kumupas na ang ating kagandahan. Gusto kong maramdaman niya ang ating pagdurusa.”

Nag-aaway ang mga tomawo at nagkukutyaan sa isa’t isa, pero hindi pa sila nagkakasundo sa kung ano ang gagawin nila.

Hanggang sa may isang boses na nangibabaw.

“Aking mga kapatid na tomawo, hindi sasapat ang pagpapahirap sa nararamdaman nating galit. Naniniwala ang mga tao na wala ng mas gaganda sa kanilang anak. Kailangan nating patunayan na nagkakamali sila.

“Ano ang gusto mong gawin natin?”

“Makikita mo.”

Nakatayo ang babae sa tabi ng balon. Alam niya kung ano ang ginagawa ng kaniyang katawan, pero hindi niya ito maigalaw.

Lumabas ang isang magandang babae sa bibig ng balon. Alam ng batang babae na may kakaiba sa nakikita niya katulad ng mga kuwento sa kaniya ng kaniyang lolo.

“Nakikiusap ako, pakawalan mo na ako.” nagmamakaawa ang batang babae.

“Nakagawa ng malaking kasalanan ang mga magulang mo sa mga tomawo.”

“Ano ang ibig mong sabihin? Wala kaming ginawang masama sa inyo.”

“Hindi ba totoo na sinabi ng mga tao na ikaw ang pinakamaganda sa lupaing ito. Kung saan natatalo mo pa ang tomawo sa kagandahan?”

“Oo pero biro lang iyon, labis-labis lang sila magsalita.”

“Sa tingin ko hindi. At kasama ka na rin doon.”

“Wala akong sinasabing kahit ano!”

“Talaga? Ano yung nangyari pagkatapos ng iyong kaarawan?”

“Walang nangyari!”

“Ano yung sinabi mo pagkatapos mong matanggap ang iyong mga regalo?”

“Wala! Nagbibiro lang ako!”

“Ano. Ang. Sinabi. Mo.”

Dumadaloy ang luha ng batang babae sa kaniyang mga pisngi.

“Sinabi ko na ako lang ang mahalaga. Na wala ng ibang nilalang, tao, espirito, o diyos ang makakaabot sa taglay kong kagandahan.”

“Isa kang kabastusan sa harapan ng mga espirito. Wala ng mas tatapat sa ganda na taglay namin. Isa kang tao lamang at kailanman hindi ka magiging kapantay namin.”

Napatahimik siya. Nararamdaman niya na humihina na ang kapangyarihan nila sa kaniya, pero sa halip na tumakbo hinarap niya ang espirito.

“Hindi mo alam kung ano tinutukoy mo! Bobo ka! Hindi mo ba alam kung gaano ako kaganda o wala kang mata! Kahit ano puwede mong gawin sa akin, pero lagi mong tatandaan, na ang taong ito ay mas maganda sa kahit sino sa inyo!

“Nambabastos ka talaga?!”

“Hindi, sinasabi ko lang ang totoo. Makikilala ako bilang pinakamagandang tao sa lupaing ito, habang ang iyong walang kuwentang mukha kailanman ay walang magkakagusto!”

“Pasaway kang bata ka. Pero baka tama ka nga. Paulit-ulit mong sinasabi na maganda ka kahit na wala na akong pakialam. Ang alam ko lang magkakasundo ang mga tao at mga espirito na ang tomawo ang mas maganda kaysa sa kahit anong bagay sa lupaing ito.”

“Ano yung gagawin mo sa akin?”

“Makikita mo….Kapatid.”

Ilang taong hinahanap ng mag-asawa ang kanilang anak hanggang sa namatay sila dulot ng kalungkutan. Hindi nasagot ang kanilang dalangin at nagdurusa sila hanggang sa kamatayan. Inilibing sila ng walang puntod malapit sa kanilang bahay.

May sabi-sabi na nalunod ang batang babae sa kalapit na ilog at makikita pa rin ang kaniyang kaluluwa na naglilibot mag-isa.

Ang sabi naman ng iba na sumama siya sa isa niyang manliligaw at isa na siyang reyna sa malayong kaharian. Kung saan doon ay payapa ang kaniyang buhay at patuloy na pinapalaganap ang kaniyang kagandahan.

Pero mayroon namang mga taong nagpapakalat ng babala sa balon malapit sa kagubatan. Ang sabi nila may mga magagandang espiritong nakatira doon. May mga taong hindi pinapansin ang mga babala dahil may mga kuwento na mayroong isang magandang espirito na nangingibabaw sa lahat. Ang mga taong may isip ay hindi susuway sa mga babala, pero mayroong mga tao hindi magpapatigil para lamang masilayan ang kaniyang kagandahan.

=———————————————–=

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.

*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 Emman Bernardino
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Emman Bernardino

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

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

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

Sa gamay nga sitio sang Tinamnan Gabe, may ara isa ka kweba tupad sang humayan sang nagtaliwan nga Kapitan Colas Jumawan.

Madamo nga mga istorya ang ini nga kweba, hambal sang iban ini gina puy-an sang madamo nga enkanto. Mag ala una sang hapon, ang mga tawo maga balita nga may nakita sila tatlo matatahum nga mga babayi naga pungko sa bato sa ibabaw sang kweba kag sa isa lang ka pagpisok, magadula sila sa sulod sang kweba.

Isa ka adlaw, ang mayor nga naga istar sa humayan, isa ka lalaki nga pangalan ay Eyo ginatawag sa piyak nga parte sang humayan. Ginpawala an lang ni Eyo ang tawag, pero gasigi lang ini. Nag talikod sha kag na kibot sang makita ang is aka matahum na lalaki nga gatindog sa piyak nga bahin sang humayan.

Hambal sang lalaki, “Makadto kita sa Candanay kay may nakuha to nga madaku nga balyena.” Sabat ni Eyo nga indi sya kalakat kay sako gid sya. Nadula dayun ang lalaki, nga daw wala da sya kagina.

Sadto sa Candanay ang balyena gina parte-parte na. Ang lalaki ato didto, nagakuha sang iya parte kay siya ginkilala nga miyembro sang mga tinawo sang mga mangingisda, nadismaya ang isa sa mga tinawo sang ang iya parte nadula lang sang wala namu.

Ang lalaki dayun nagkadto sa balay ni Eyo kag gin istorya kun paano nangakig ang matuod nga tag-iya sang parte kay wala sang may maka eksplikar kun sin o nagkuha sang iya parte. Gin agda niya si Eyo nga magkadto sa iya balay para sa panyapon, pero nangindi si Eyo.

Pagkadasun nga aga, ang mga ga istar sa humayan nakakita ang mga matatahum nga mga babayi samtang nagapamala sang karne ka balyena sa bato sa ibabaw lang gid sang kweba.

Indi ma-inchindihan ni Eyo kun nga a nagka interesado ang lalaki sa iya. May iban pa man nga mga naga istar sa humayan nga pwede niya ma istorbo, pero indi niya pag lubayan sang lalaki si Eyo

Kada adlaw, gina imbitahan sang lalaki si Eyo nga mag upod sa iya sa ekskursyon ukon mag paambit sang pagkaon halin sa iya pero indi mag upod si Eyo sa lalaki.

Mabati-an ni Eyo ang tingog sang iya lola sa likod sang iya hunahuna, “Indi ka mag upod sa mga engkantado, indi ka magpaambit sang pagkaon halin sa ila. Indi ka na makahalin sa ila dominyo sa walay katapusan.”

Ginpati ni Eyo ang maalamon nga mga tinaga sa iya lola kag wala niya ginsapak ang gusto sang lalaki. Kun makita niya ang tatlo ka matatahum nga mga babayi lapit sa kweba, wala niya ginatulok, kay kabalo siya nga indi sila matuod nga mortal nga tawo.

Ginapanghambalan niya ang iban nga mga nagapuyo parti sa lalaki kaso wala nila nakita ang lalaki kapareho kay Eyo. Ginapanum dum ni Eyo nga sya nasumpa. May mga engkanto nga maga interesar sa mga espisipiko nga mga tawo, sa kadam-an, daku ni nga oportunidad kay ang mga engkanto magahatag sa ila sang mga managmi nga regalo nga ila gusto, pero sa iban, malain ini nga sumpa kay ginahampangan lang sila sang mga engkanto asta matak-an na sila sa ila hampang.

Gina konsiderar ni Eyo nga swerte siya, ginapabay-an siya sang engkanto nga lalaki kun I hambal ya, pero may kakulba permi sa sulod sang iya tagipusu-on.

Paano kun magdesisyon sila nga mag untat sang ila hampang?

Ano dayun ang matabo?

English Version

In the small sitio of Tinamnan Gabe, there is a deep cave next to the rice field of the late Capitan Colas Jumawan.

There were many stories about this cave, some would say that it was home to many enchanted creatures. At one o’ clock in the afternoon people would report that they saw three beautiful girls sitting on a rock just above the cave and, in a blink of an eye, they would disappear into the cave.

One day, the principal tenant of the rice field, a man named Eyo was called by someone on the opposite side of the rice field. Eyo ignored the calls, but they were insistent. He turned around and was shocked to see a handsome gentleman standing on the opposite side of the field.

The gentleman said, “We should go to Candanay because there is a big whale that was just caught.” Eyo replied that he could not go because he was very busy. The gentleman then disappeared, as if he was never there.

All the way in Candanay the whale was being portioned. The gentleman was there, getting his share as he was identified as a member of the crew of fishermen, much to the dismay of one of the actual crewman who had his share seemingly vanish.

The gentleman then went to the house of Eyo and related the story of how the true owner of the share got angry because no one could explain who had gotten his share. He invited Eyo to come to his house for supper, but Eyo declined.

The following morning, tenants of the rice field could see beautiful girls drying whale meat on a rock just above the cave.

Eyo couldn’t understand why the gentleman had taken such an interest in him. Surely there were other tenants in the field that he could go and bother, but the gentleman would not leave Eyo alone.

Day after day, the gentleman would invite Eyo to go with him on an excursion or ask him to share a meal, but Eyo would not go with the gentleman.

Eyo would hear the voice of his lola in the back of his head, “Do not go with the enchanted people, do not share a meal with them. You will be trapped forever in their realm.”

Eyo heeded his lola’s wise words and ignored the gentleman’s wishes. When he would see the three beautiful women near the front of the cave, he would avoid looking at them, for he knew that they were not as human as they seemed.

He would tell the other tenants about the gentleman, but they did not see him as Eyo did. Eyo began to think that he was cursed, and in a way he was. There are some enchanted beings that take interest in specific humans, for many, this would be a great blessing for the enchanted beings would give lavish gifts upon their chosen, but for others it was a terrible curse where the enchanted beings would toy with their victim until they got bored of their games.

Eyo considered himself lucky, the enchanted gentleman would leave him alone if he asked, but there was always that hint of fear deep in his heart.

What if they decided to stop playing?

What would happen then?

The post The Engkanto of Tinamnan Gabe – Hiligaynon Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

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.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

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

The post Manbukay appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

There was once a fisherman and his daughter in the province of Hinigaran. The fisherman was known as one of the best throughout the province.

The fisherman doted on his daughter and didn’t want to her to live the life that he did.

He would always say, “Leticia, once we get enough money saved, you can go to school and be free from this life.”

But Leticia would reply, “’Tay, I want to help you. I love going out to the sea. Sometimes when I listen to the waves, I can hear mama’s voice.”

That only made the fisherman feel grief. Leticia’s heart was with the waters and he knew all too well how that could end in disaster.

How it did end in disaster.

He pledged every single day to protect his daughter and on those long journeys on their boat he wished most of all that she would finally see the sea for what it was.

One day the father woke up with a terrible cough.

“’Tay you have a fever. You can’t go out to the waters today,” Leticia said. “Get some rest and I can go get the catch today.”

“No! I forbid that!” The fisherman tried to stand tall but his legs were weak.

“You’re in no condition to forbid anything.” Leticia laid her father on his bed. “I’m going to get us a big catch and you just stay here.”

“You’re too young! You can’t handle the boat by yourself!”

Leticia just smiled. “Of course I can, I learned from the best.”

She shut the door and stepped out to prepare her boat.

Leticia’s skin was tingling. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t nervous. After all, her father was right. This would be the first time she was going to go fish by herself.

She took a deep breath and took in the salty air.

The sea could be cruel.

The sea could kind.

She just had to know how to navigate its disposition.

And she would. She couldn’t face her father if she couldn’t.

If there was anything left of her, that is.

It was sundown and the fisherman stared out into the water.

He rubbed his temples, but that provided no relief.

He had been by the seaside since noon, praying that he could hold her in his arms.

And he hoped that God would grant his plea this time.

As the first stars started to light the night sky, he couldn’t help but notice.

The tide was rising.

Leticia closed her eyes.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Why did I think I could do this alone?

It was so simple. Go out to sea, get a catch, go back. Somewhere in the middle her boat wandered and here she was, lost out at sea.

Her last chance was to try to navigate by the stars, but she knew very little about it. Her father would always take them home right before the sun set and her only practice were games they used to play to get her to sleep.

No — the thought rang in her head.

I will not let the sea win. It won’t claim me like it did—-

It wasn’t time to think about that. She shrugged off that memory and went back to the task at hand.

Leticia made her plan and set out, taking a direction that was fueled by hope and desperation.

It may have been near the Hinigaran river, maybe near Confesion, but she wasn’t sure.

She kept on her course.

And the water burst with wonder.

A giant *Lapu-lapu shot out of the sea completely filling Leticia’s view.

It crashed beside her boat and dragged it below the depths.

Leticia tried to scream for help as water filled her lungs.

I’m sorry ‘Tay, she thought, as the darkness enveloped her.

The fisherman dreamt of his grandmother.

It was a Sunday morning. He was maybe 6 years old and walking to the church in his best shirt and pants.

“Why do we have to go to church?” he would always ask with his hands in his pockets.

“We go because it protects us,” she replied

“I hit my elbow on a rock and it hurt! It didn’t protect me then!” he said with the certainty that only a child would know.

“Not in that way, mijo.”

“Then what?”

“A long time ago there were very bad people that would come to our town. They took away friends, brothers, mothers and daughters. It was something that we all were afraid of, every day of our lives. One day they went to this same church and found a bell, right there in that tower.”

“But the tower’s empty!”

“Mijo, let me finish my story. They took the bell and put it on their boat. By some great power the bell became heavier and heavier until the boat could not carry its weight. They tossed the bell in to the sea and the once calm sea became outraged. Its waters whipped into a violent frenzy, dragging them to the depths of the sea, never to be seen.”

“Did that really happen, or do you just want me to go to church?”

“Hay mijo, one day you’ll learn that prayer can split the sea.”

Leticia couldn’t believe what was happening.

She could somehow breathe underwater. The sea looked so much more different from the bottom. The starlight pierced through the waves and glistened on the sand. Surrounding her were broken ships, some rotting from age, others relatively new, hers among them.

It would have been beautiful if it wasn’t so terrifying.

The Lapu-lapu’s eye twitched (or was that a trick of the light?). She could feel its gaze on every pore of her skin, digging to her core.

WELCOME TO MY KINGDOM

It spoke. Of course it did.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

“I’m sorry… great…fish…I only wanted to go home.”

WHERE IS YOUR HOME?

“It’s by the bay, near the church.”

The Lapu-lapu stared, unmoving. Leticia became uncomfortable and became the first to break the silence.
“Can you help me get home?”

IMPUDENCE! SUCH AUDACITY TO ASK A FAVOR FROM THE KING

“I’m sorry, I just want to see my father.. I just…. Please.”

Her tears mixed with the saltwater, covering her face with a bitter warmth.

TELL ME YOUR STORY

“My…what?”

HOW IS IT THAT YOU CAME TO BE HERE

“I…My name is Leticia Gallaga. I live with my father by the bay. We make our living catching fish. Today my father got sick and I thought I could go to the sea and get the catch by myself. I sailed too far out to sea and lost my bearings. I didn’t know where to go. I waited until it was dark and I thought I could use the stars to guide me home, but I didn’t know enough and you burst out of the water and I got pulled underwater and the next thing I know I’m here, in front of you and… I couldn’t..”

COULDN’T?

“I couldn’t handle the sea.”

NO HUMAN CAN

“Yes we could! We only need to learn how to grasp its complexities. To mold it into our own. To make sure it never hurts anyone again.”

THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH LIFETIMES THAT COULD MAKE THAT A REALITY

“No! No… It’s not true!”

LOOK AROUND YOU, THIS IS THE FATE OF ALL THOSE THAT THINK THEY COULD MAKE THE SEA THEIRS

“…..”

DO NOT DESPAIR, GREATER HUMANS THAN YOU HAVE TRIED AND FAILED

“Why are you talking to me? Just drown me like all the rest.”

I WILL NOT, AS IS MY ROYAL PREROGATIVE. BUT KNOW THIS:

THE SEA IS CRUEL, THE SEA IS KIND

YOU ARE IN A CURRENT STRONGER THAN YOU WILL EVER BE

YOUR FIGHT WILL ONLY PULL OTHERS DOWN WITH YOU

SWIM WITH IT AND YOU WILL FIND YOUR WAY

As the king ended, numerous fishes sped around Leticia creating a whirlpool.

The last thing Leticia could remember as she was swept away was a giant, white bell, solid on the sea floor.

And the king watched his subjects carry the girl to her home, content in answering an old prayer.

The fisherman awoke to find his daughter next to him with a full net of fish.

He cried out and held her tight.

“Leticia! I thought I lost you forever!”

“I know ‘Tay. It’s okay, I’m back now.”

They held each other for many eternities, both refusing to end their embrace. But Leticia knew that she had to do the first act.

“’Tay. I need to talk to you.”

“I forbid it! If anything, this should have taught you how dangerous this life could be. I won’t lose you again! You are not going back to the sea! Not with me or anyone else!”

“Okay.”

“I—-what?”
“I won’t go back on the boat. I can go in town and find work there, maybe save enough money so I can go back to school.”

“How…why..?”

“It’s nothing ‘Tay. I guess what you’ve said sunk in.”

“But you love the sea.”

“And it will always be in my heart. But things change. I have to swim in other waters.”

“Is that really what you want?”

She gave a slight smile. If it would mean that she wouldn’t lose her father to the sea then she would do anything.

“Yes ‘Tay, now let’s get these fish inside and clean them.”

The fisherman stood flabbergasted at their conversation. His prayer was answered, but not in the way that he expected.

Leticia never told her father what happened that fateful day and he learned to stop asking.

It was between her and the sea.

*Grouper

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the tale ‘The White Bell’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

The King of the Bell Kingdom Illustration by Art of EDOY

The post The King of the Bell Kingdom appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

TOK – TOK – TOK

Nagyuhom si Lana

Nahibalu-an nya nga ang tunog magadala sa iya sang isa naman ka dulot.

Isa pa lamang ka semana ang nagligad sang sya makabaton kag karon iya napanumdum kun ano naman ayhan ang sa sulod sini nga kaha.

Basi dugang pa gid ayhan nga mga rubi kag perlas ang sa iya huna-huna. Ang iya likum nga manugdayaw pareho lang sa iban apang may ara sang manami nga moda.

Ang mga kaha napuno man sang mga binalaybay nga ginsulat lang gid para sa iya nga nagahatag gid sang tuman pasahi nga balatyagon nga ma-igpat pa sa mga malahalon nga bato.

Maskin maka-isa wala pa gid makita ni Lana ang lalaki nga nagahatag sa iya sang mga butang nga ini nga tuman kakatingalahan, apang iya nabatyagan nga sila ka-angid sa luyag.

Ginbuksan niya ang ganhaan kag gnkuha ang pinutos nga yara tiilin niya.

Mas mabug-at ini sang sa mga naha-una nga iya nabaton, kag ang kalangkag sa pagbukad nagpuno kay Lana.

Sang iya mabukaran, sa sulod may ara sang mga tumpok sang bulawan nga mga alahas: mga pulseras kag mga kolintas kag sa tunga may nagabana-ag nga singsing nga napunihan sang diamante.

Iya ginkuha ang isa ka sulat sa idalom sang singsing kag may nakasulat, “Pakigkita-i ako sa guwa”
Ang iya kasing kasing daw sa nag-untat.

Iya na makita ang lalaki sang iya mga damgo. 
Ang mga tiil ni Lana daw sa nag-ungot sa salog, wala sya kaaman sang iya kaugalingon sa mga matabo, wala man lang sya gani sang bayo nga maayo, apang indi yadto mga upang.

Naghulat sya sang madugay sa pag-abot sang tion nga ini, di nya mapasaylo ang iya kaugalingon kun iya ini paligarun.

Ini kapareho sang isa sa iya mga libro, ang mga hitabo kun sa diin iya na makilala ang iya nga hinigugma sa kabuhi kun sa diin sila madala sa kakunlunyag sang paghigugma kag katingalahan
Kag karon, iya ginahanduraw ang ang ila buas damiag, nga kun ano ini.

Sa iya panghunahuna, iya makita ang mga kadagatan kag ang mga putukputukan sang kabukiran nga ila nakadtuan, mangin ang mga palaligban nga iya nahibalu-an nga ila masalapu-an.

Iya na hunahuna ang madako nga balay nga ila pagapuy-an, ang iya masinadyahon nga pamilya kun sa diin sila magatigulang sang magka-upod. Iya gin kuha ang singsing sa kaha kag iya nga ginsuksuk sa iya singsingan; tuman kaanyag ini sa kahapunanon nga sanag sang adlaw.

Nagdalagan si Lana pagwa kag sya may nasandadan. May nabati-an sya nga matunog nga matinis nga tiyabaw sa iya likod kag iya nakita ang isa ka masyado kagamay nga tigulang nga lalaki nga may ara sang malaba nga bigote kag tukod nga nagatangla sa iya. 

Nagtulukay sila sa mga mata sang isa kag isa, kag ang lalaki nagsiling “Panamyaw akon palangga”

———————————————–

–TOK –TOK– TOK–

Lana smiled. She knew that the sound meant that she would be getting another present. It had only been a week since the last box and she wondered what was inside it this time. More rubies and pearls, she thought. Her secret admirer was never original, but it seemed he had expensive tastes. The boxes would also be filled with a poem just for her which made her feel more special than the glittering stones. Lana had never met the man responsible for her wonderful gifts, but she sensed that they were kindred spirits.

She opened the door and took the package from her doorstep. It was heavier than the other ones, and Lana couldn’t wait and tore it open. Inside there were piles of gold jewelry: bracelets, necklaces and in the middle, there was a gleaming ring embedded with a diamond. She grabbed the letter underneath the ring and it read “MEET ME OUTSIDE.”

Her heart almost stopped. She was finally going to meet the man of her dreams. Lana felt like her legs were stuck to the floor, she wasn’t prepared for any of this, she didn’t even have a good dress ready but that didn’t matter. She had waited so long for this
moment, she couldn’t forgive herself if she would just let it pass.

This was just like one of her books, the great moment when she would meet the love of her life and they would be swept away in the thrills of passion and wonder.

She dreamed of her future, what it would be. In her mind she could see the oceans and peaks they would travel to, the trials she knew they would face. She thought of a big house, a wonderful family and growing old together. She took the ring from the box and put it on; it was beautiful in the afternoon sunlight.

Lana ran outside and tripped on something. She heard a loud yelp from behind her and saw a very small old man with a long beard and a staff looking up at her. They looked into each other’s eyes and he said “Hello my love.”

————————–————————–————————––

Written by Karl Gaverza
Hiligaynon Translation by Sani Duremdes
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Sani Duremdes

Story inspired by the Nuno sa Punso legends

Watercolor by Tara Singson

IG: https://www.instagram.com/tarabell93/

The post Nuno sa Punso – Hiligaynon Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.