*Note this story is in Aklanon

Sang una hay may isaeang ka dyos nga Gamhanan ro pangaean. Imaw ro makakagahum sa tanan — taga-tao it kabuhi, kahamungayaan, ag pangabuhi-an. Gaistar imaw sa bukid it Daeogdog, kaibahan ro ibang mga dyos. Idto imaw gadumaea ko sang kalibotan — gatao it kabuhi ag gakastigo sa mga gakasaea nga tawo.

Sa ulihi, si Gamhanan hay magapadaea it bunok ag grabi ka init sa mga tawo nga indi magtuman sa anang sugo. Sanda nga indi magtao it maayos nga haead sa anang eungib hay gaba-an gid.

Sang una hay may una nga panigotlo, ay Gamhanan nga pinaeabing alaga. Nag-alagwa imaw patabok it suba nga mat kahayag it dasig. Grabi katahum ro rayang sapat nga uwa it sin-o man nga mangisip nga sakitun da. Isaeang ka rason hay nahadlok sanda sa kaakig ni Gamhanan. Euwas karon, ro huma it panigotlo hay nagatao it kataeagman.

Sa ulihi, ro panigotlo, bilang taga daea it timgas nga ani ag dibwenas, hay magahuma sa pinaka-ulihing bisis bag-o ro pag ugsad it buean. Ro mga tao sa banwa hay gapangalipay mentras gapreparar ko andang haead sa magagahom nga dyos ag sa anang alaga.

Sang una, may kalipay ag kahayag. Ro panigotlo hay wa it inugkabaeaka sa mga tawo na nagapalibot sa bukid it Daeogdog dahil imaw hay pinaeabi ag nagatao it kataeagman.

Sa ulihi, ro matahum nga sapat hay hapatay it isaeang ka pobreng mangangayam nga si Dagasanan. Ro anang puting baeahibo hay may mantsa eon it dugo, tubtub sa katubtuban. Indi eon hibatian ro anang huma nga gakahueogan it bugana ag katuyo-an. Indi eon it uman imaw mag pabat-oe it baha o kahuga-an.

Sang una, may isaeang ka magagamhanang dyos ag anang alaga.

Sa ulihi, ro mga tao hay nagbayad sa andang utang.

=——————————=

English Version

In the beginning, there was the great god Gamhanan, the most powerful of all the gods, the giver of life, security and livelihood. He dwelt with the other gods of his land in Mount Daeogdog, giving life and punishing errant mortals.

In the end, the god Gamhanan would send the rain and drought to those mortals who would defy his will. Those that would not give the proper offerings to his cave dwelling would know the bitter taste of the god’s punishment.

In the beginning, there was the panigotlo, Gamhanan’s favored pet. It dashed across the river like a ray of pure light. So beautiful was this animal that none would dare harm it, not only for fear of Gamhanan’s retribution but also because it could foretell omens with its bleating.

In the end, the panigotlo would have its last bleating before the full moon, being the harbinger of good harvest and fortune. The people of the village would rejoice and prepare for their thanksgiving to the great god and his pet.

In the beginning, there was joy and light. The panigotlo did not have anything to fear from the mortals surrounding Mount Daegdog, for it was favored, and it would foretell favor or misfortune.

In the end, the majestic beast was killed by a lowly hunter named Dagasanan. Its white fur forever stained by blood. Never again would its bleats tell of abundance and purpose, never again would it warn of flood and despair.

In the beginning, there was the great god and his pet.

In the end, the mortals paid their price.

————————–————————–————————–

*Aklanon (Akeanon), also known as Bisaya/Binisaya nga Aklanon/Inaklanon or simply Aklan, is an Austronesian language of the Bisayan subgroup spoken by the Aklanon people in the province of Aklan on the island of Panay in the Philippines. Its unique feature among other Bisayan languages is the close-mid back unrounded vowel [ɤ] occurring as part of diphthongs and traditionally written with the letter ⟨Ee⟩ such as in the autonyms Akean and Akeanon. However, this phoneme is also present in other but geographically scattered and distant Philippine languages, namely Itbayat, Isneg, Manobo, Samal and Sagada.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Aklanon Translation by Chi Payba-Suarez
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Chi Payba-Suarez

Inspired by the Panigotlo description in ‘A Legend of Aklan’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Panigotlo Illustration by Julius Advincula
IG: https://www.instagram.com/subhelic

The post Panigotlo – Aklanon Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Ilocano

Idi un-una na adda maysa a naimatangan a diyos nga agnagan iti Gamhanan, makuna nga isu ‘ti kapigsaan a parsua, mangted ti biag, seguridad ken pagbiagan. Agnanaed kadwa daguiti naduma pay nga diyos sadi maaw-awagan nga Bantay Deogdog, mangmangted iti biag kasta met iti parikot a kas pannusa kadaguiti managbasol.

Ni Gamhanan ngarod ket maiturong na ti napipigsa nga duto ken kasta met iti kagaw ken panagringat ti daga ‘diay sidong ti siasinuman a mortal nga haan sumurot kenkuana.

Daguita haan nga mangted iti datun sadi kweba nga pagnaedan na, napait a pannusa maipaay kadakuada.

Kasta met sadi un-una na, adda agnagan iti Panigotlo, napateg a taraken ni Gamhanan. Bumallasiw ti karayan a kas lawag ti kinapartak na. Napintas nga animal nga awan mangayat mangdangran, ha’n nga gapo ti unget ken panangibales ni Gamhanan nu di ket kaya na mangipadtoka ti parmata babaen ti panagngaretnget na.

Nadanun iti naudi  nga panagngaretnget ngarud ni Panigotlo, bago dumteng iti kabus, kas mangiwaragawag ti naimbag nga apit ken gasat. Daguiti tattao ket naragsak a nagsagana iti datun a kas panagyaman ken naimatangan a diyos ken tarakenna.

Idi rug-rugi naragsak ken nasiglat. Ni Panigotlo haan nga mabuteg kadaguiti parsua a agnanaed sadiay aglawlaw ti Bantay Deogdog, ta isu ket kaykayat da, ta isu mangipadto gasat ken daksanggasat.

Ket idi maysa nga aldaw napateg a dinguen ket napatay ti maysa a mangnganup nga agnagan iti Dagasanan. Tay puraw nga dutdot na, dara ket agnanayunen nga naimantsa. Ket agnanayon metten nga haanen agngaretnget nga mangiparmata iti rang-ay ken gandat, haanen nga mamakdaar wenno agsenial iti layos ken leddaang.

Idi un-una ket adda naimatangan nga diyos ken taraken na.

Kamaudianan na tattao inya nagbanagan na.

=—————————=

English Version

In the beginning, there was the great god Gamhanan, the most powerful of all the gods, the giver of life, security and livelihood. He dwelt with the other gods of his land in Mount Daeogdog, giving life and punishing errant mortals.

In the end, the god Gamhanan would send the rain and drought to those mortals who would defy his will. Those that would not give the proper offerings to his cave dwelling would know the bitter taste of the god’s punishment.

In the beginning, there was the panigotlo, Gamhanan’s favored pet. It dashed across the river like a ray of pure light. So beautiful was this animal that none would dare harm it, not only for fear of Gamhanan’s retribution but also because it could foretell omens with its bleating.

In the end, the panigotlo would have its last bleating before the full moon, being the harbinger of good harvest and fortune. The people of the village would rejoice and prepare for their thanksgiving to the great god and his pet.

In the beginning, there was joy and light. The panigotlo did not have anything to fear from the mortals surrounding Mount Daegdog, for it was favored, and it would foretell favor or misfortune.

In the end, the majestic beast was killed by a lowly hunter named Dagasanan. Its white fur forever stained by blood. Never again would its bleats tell of abundance and purpose, never again would it warn of flood and despair.

In the beginning, there was the great god and his pet.

In the end, the mortals paid their price.

————————–————————–————————–

*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 Jerraine Ruth
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jerraine Ruth

Inspired by the Panigotlo description in ‘A Legend of Aklan’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Panigotlo Illustration by Julius Advincula
IG: https://www.instagram.com/subhelic

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*Note this story is in Waray

Sa una kay yaon ginoo nga si Gamhanan, an pinaka-makusog sa ngatanan nga mga ginoo, an taga-hatag sa kinabuhi, seguridad, ngan pangangabuhian. Nakaistar siya upod an iba nga mga ginoo sa Bukid Daeogdog, sira an nahatag kinabuhi ngan nahatag silot san mga mortal.

Sa urhi kay mahatag si Gamhanan uran ngan grabe nga kahubasan sa mga mortal nga dire masunod sa kanya karuyagon. An mga dire mahatag sin tuhay nga halad sa kanya kuyba nga iristaran kay maaram sa dire maupay nga mahitatabo sa kanra tungod sa ginoo.

Sa una kay mayaon paborito nga binuhi si Gamhanan, and Panigotlo. Natabok ngani sa salog kay mali manla inagi nga hayag. Maupay gud in inga hayop nga bisan sin-o dire magbubuhat sin maraot niya, diri la tungod sa kahadlok kan Gamhanan kundi kahadok liwat sa puyde mahitabo sa kanra nga kadimalasan pinaagi sa kanya haya.

Sa urhi kay mahaya an panigotlo bago an bug-os nga bulan, kay siya an tagadara san kaupayan sap ag ani ngan kayamanan. Maglilipay an mga tawo ngan magtitima para sa kanra pagpasalamat sa dako nga ginoo ngan sa kanya binuhi.

Sa una kay may kalipayan ngan kahayag. Waray dapat ikahadok an panigotlo sa mga katawhan nga ada sa palibot sa Bukid san Daegdog, kay pinaura siya, ngan siya an nakakahibaro kun masuswertehan o kun didimalason an sayo ngatawo.

Sa urhi kay napatay ine nga halangdanon nga hayopan sa sayo nga angangayam nga nagngangaran Dagasanan. An kanya busag nga barahibo kay napuno san dugo. An kanya haya kay dire na makakasugad sa pagkarangya ngan tumong, ngan dire nalat makakasugad kun yaon tiarabot nga baha ngan pagka langiob.

Sa una kay yaon maupay nga ginoo ngan kanya binuhi.

Sa urhi kay ginabaydan san mga mortal an kanra nahimo.

=————————————————————-=

In the beginning, there was the great god Gamhanan, the most powerful of all the gods, the giver of life, security and livelihood. He dwelt with the other gods of his land in Mount Daeogdog, giving life and punishing errant mortals.

In the end, the god Gamhanan would send the rain and drought to those mortals who would defy his will. Those that would not give the proper offerings to his cave dwelling would know the bitter taste of the god’s punishment.

In the beginning, there was the panigotlo, Gamhanan’s favored pet. It dashed across the river like a ray of pure light. So beautiful was this animal that none would dare harm it, not only for fear of Gamhanan’s retribution but also because it could foretell omens with its bleating.

In the end, the panigotlo would have its last bleating before the full moon, being the harbinger of good harvest and fortune. The people of the village would rejoice and prepare for their thanksgiving to the great god and his pet.

In the beginning, there was joy and light. The panigotlo did not have anything to fear from the mortals surrounding Mount Daegdog, for it was favored, and it would foretell favor or misfortune.

In the end, the majestic beast was killed by a lowly hunter named Dagasanan. Its white fur forever stained by blood. Never again would its bleats tell of abundance and purpose, never again would it warn of flood and despair.

In the beginning, there was the great god and his pet.

In the end, the mortals paid their price.

=—————————————————————————-=

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Waray translation by Jmee Juanerio
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jmee Juanerio

Inspired by the Panigotlo description in ‘A Legend of Aklan’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Panigotlo Illustration by Julius Advincula
IG: https://www.instagram.com/subhelic

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

*Not this story is in Bicol Naga

Sa kapino’nan igwang makakamhan na diyos na si Gamhanan, siya an pinaka-makapangyarihan sa gabos na mga diyos, an tagapagtao nin buhay, kapinsaran, asin hanapbuhay. Naka-istar siya kaibanan an ibang mga diyos sa bukid kan Daeogdog, kun saen siya nagtatao nin buhay asin nagkakastigo nin mga parasala na mga tawo.

Sa katapos-taposan, nagtatao si Gamhanan nin pag-uran o pagtingating sa mga tawo segun sa pagtubod o pagbalga ninda sa kabu’tan niya. Sa mga dae makakapagtao nin tamang pag-atang sa saiyang kuwebang istaran, makakanamit sinda nin malaen na pagkastigo hali sa diyos.

Siring man sa kapino’nan yaon an Panigotlo, an paboritong ataman ni Gamhanan. Minakuripas ini pabalyo nin salog na garo lang sinag nin purong liwanag. Daeng sisay man ang nagporbar na magkulog sa magayunon na hayop bako lang huli ta sa pagkatakot sa pagkastigo ni Gamhanan, kundi huli man sa igwa ining huni na nagtatao nin maraot na signos.

Sa pagtatapos nagtatao an Panigotlo nin sarong huring huni bago an kabilugan kan bulan na nagtatao nin senyales nin magayon na ani o swerte. Sa siring na pangyayari, nagkakasibot an mga tawo sa pag-andam para sa sarong kaogmahan asin pasasalamat para sa diyos asin sa ataman kaini.

Sa kapinu’nan igwa nin kaogmahan asin pagliliwanag. Daeng kaipohan na matakot an Panigotlo sa mga tawo sa palibot kan bukid kan Daeogdog huli ta pinangagaladan ini bilang tagapagtao nin swerte o nin kadimalasan.

Sa bandang huri ginadan an magayunon na hayop nin sarong pobreng para-ayam na nagngagarang Dagasanan. Nadogtaan na nin dugo an saiyang mapution na balukag. Dae na nongka ini matao nin paghuni sa pagtao ning pagsagana, dae na nongka ini makakapagtao nin anunsyo nin pagbaha o pagtios.

Sa kapino’nan yaon an diyos asin an saiyang ataman.

Sa kahuri-hurihan an mga tao an nagbayad sa saindang gibo.

=————————————————-=

English Version

In the beginning, there was the great god Gamhanan, the most powerful of all the gods, the giver of life, security and livelihood. He dwelt with the other gods of his land in Mount Daeogdog, giving life and punishing errant mortals.

In the end, the god Gamhanan would send the rain and drought to those mortals who would defy his will. Those that would not give the proper offerings to his cave dwelling would know the bitter taste of the god’s punishment.

In the beginning, there was the panigotlo, Gamhanan’s favored pet. It dashed across the river like a ray of pure light. So beautiful was this animal that none would dare harm it, not only for fear of Gamhanan’s retribution but also because it could foretell omens with its bleating.

In the end, the panigotlo would have its last bleating before the full moon, being the harbinger of good harvest and fortune. The people of the village would rejoice and prepare for their thanksgiving to the great god and his pet.

In the beginning, there was joy and light. The panigotlo did not have anything to fear from the mortals surrounding Mount Daegdog, for it was favored, and it would foretell favor or misfortune.

In the end, the majestic beast was killed by a lowly hunter named Dagasanan. Its white fur forever stained by blood. Never again would its bleats tell of abundance and purpose, never again would it warn of flood and despair.

In the beginning, there was the great god and his pet.

In the end, the mortals paid their price.

=————————————————–=

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Bicol Translation by Willie Villar
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Willie Villar

Inspired by the Panigotlo description in ‘A Legend of Aklan’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Panigotlo Illustration by Julius Advincula
IG: https://www.instagram.com/subhelic

The post Panigotlo – Bicol Naga Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Ibanag

Ta gafu na, naggian yuri dakal a dios a si Gamhanan, i makapangwa ta ngamin a dios, i manolay, manaron anna manangngal ta ngamin a totolay. Kavulun na danuri karuan nga dios ira na pappatulan na, nga maggian ta vukik na Daeogdog. Ta paggian na turi, pinanolay na, anna pinagarulian na i totolay, nu nakaliwa ira.

Ta korianan na, iparattal nuri Gamhanan i uran, anna tattang na bilak turi ta totolay nga ari tu makimoray sa. Danuri totolay nga ari tu nangitabba o nangitunnak ta atang ta gib o silong nga paggianan na, ay makasissim ta rakay na panagaruli na.

Ta gafu na, naggian gapa yuri panigotlo, i ayam nga tattangngalan ni Gamhanan. Makwa nuri ayam nga mappalaju kagitta na silagab o kil-kila nu makkaso ta bannag. Ta nepallo a kemmemmi na nga innan, ay awat-tu ta makakwa nga tagannan yuri ayam. Ari tu megafu laman yaw ta assing na totolay ta pangibalo ni Gamhanan, nu ari gapa ta pakawayya nuri ayam nga mallavvun nu dumattal i malas o suerte gafu ta pagumme na.

Ta korianan na, yuri urian nga pagumme nuri panigotlo ay maginna ta nage na pattanganayun o pagenteru na vulan, gafu ta yayya i mangisenyas ta pange na mapippia nga paggatab anna suerte. Megafu taw, magayaya danuri totolay ta ili. Kunnud, mapparan ira ta pappabalo ra turi ta dakal a dios tuange ta ayam na nga tangngalan na.

Ta gafu na, egga i pagayaya anna nawak. Awat-tu ikassing nuri panigotlo ta totolay ira nga maggian ta levu na vukik na Daegdog, megafu ta daya-rayawad-da yayya ta pakapangwa na nga mallavvun nu dumattal i suerte onu malas.

Ta korianan na, yuri marattan anna makemmemmi tu innan nga ayam ay napatay na tadday nga mennunung nga minangnganu. Yuri duddu na nga furaw ay maffuga-fugab nga nabbalin tu uzzin megafu ta daga na. Maffuga-fugab ngana yayya nga ari tu magumme tapenu mangisenyas ta dattal na guray anna kapianan onu alum, vurung anna appennanama.

Ta gafu na, naggian yuri dakal a dios anna yuri ayam na.
Ta korianan na, napaggang yuri totolay megafu turi ta
kiningwa ra.

English Version

In the beginning, there was the great god Gamhanan, the most powerful of all the gods, the giver of life, security and livelihood. He dwelt with the other gods of his land in Mount Daeogdog, giving life and punishing errant mortals.

In the end, the god Gamhanan would send the rain and drought to those mortals who would defy his will. Those that would not give the proper offerings to his cave dwelling would know the bitter taste of the god’s punishment.

In the beginning, there was the panigotlo, Gamhanan’s favored pet. It dashed across the river like a ray of pure light. So beautiful was this animal that none would dare harm it, not only for fear of Gamhanan’s retribution but also because it could foretell omens with its bleating.

In the end, the panigotlo would have its last bleating before the full moon, being the harbinger of good harvest and fortune. The people of the village would rejoice and prepare for their thanksgiving to the great god and his pet.

In the beginning, there was joy and light. The panigotlo did not have anything to fear from the mortals surrounding Mount Daegdog, for it was favored, and it would foretell favor or misfortune.

In the end, the majestic beast was killed by a lowly hunter named Dagasanan. Its white fur forever stained by blood. Never again would its bleats tell of abundance and purpose, never again would it warn of flood and despair.

In the beginning, there was the great god and his pet.

In the end, the mortals paid their price.

————————–————————–————————–

*The Ibanag language (also Ybanag or Ibanak) is spoken by up to 500,000 speakers, most particularly by the Ibanag people, in the Philippines, in the northeastern provinces of Isabela and Cagayan, especially in Tuguegarao, Solana, Abulug, Cabagan, and Ilagan and with overseas immigrants in countries located in the Middle East, United Kingdom and the United States. Most of the speakers can also speak Ilocano, the lingua franca of northern Luzon island. The name Ibanag comes from the prefix “I” which means “people of”, and “bannag”, meaning river. It is closely related to Gaddang, Itawis, Agta, Atta, Yogad, Isneg, and Malaweg.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Translation by Jake Calubāquib Coballes
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jake Calubāquib Coballes

Inspired by the Panigotlo description in ‘A Legend of Aklan’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Panigotlo Illustration by Julius Advincula
IG: https://www.instagram.com/subhelic

The post Panigotlo – Ibanag Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

They own the land of tooth and green
Forever there and yet unseen

Trampled underneath the feet
Of those that worship Wall Street

How the times where did they go?
When the world knew what they know

All the colors of the sky
Were in a child’s lullaby

But alas time falls apart
In the beating of their hearts

Their silent wishes go unheard
Carried by the chirping of the birds

Each tree when cut
Is a nail put

In the coffin of their kind
Out of sight and out of mind

For what is green does not glisten
To those who won’t listen

In the song of the riverside
In the things that will never hide

The beauty of the virgin lands
Sadly now in their hands

But hope is hope to those that hear
And in all that will not fear

To keep the forest in with its owners
Time is now the only donor

Keep the natural world alive
For in it we will all survive

————————–————————–————————

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Tamyaw entry in 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang. Samar. 2015.

Tamyaw Illustration by Julius Advincula
IG: https://www.instagram.com/subhelic

The post Tamyaw appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

In the beginning, there was the great god Gamhanan, the most powerful of all the gods, the giver of life, security and livelihood. He dwelt with the other gods of his land in Mount Daeogdog, giving life and punishing errant mortals.

In the end, the god Gamhanan would send the rain and drought to those mortals who would defy his will. Those that would not give the proper offerings to his cave dwelling would know the bitter taste of the god’s punishment.

In the beginning, there was the panigotlo, Gamhanan’s favored pet. It dashed across the river like a ray of pure light. So beautiful was this animal that none would dare harm it, not only for fear of Gamhanan’s retribution but also because it could foretell omens with its bleating.

In the end, the panigotlo would have its last bleating before the full moon, being the harbinger of good harvest and fortune. The people of the village would rejoice and prepare for their thanksgiving to the great god and his pet.

In the beginning, there was joy and light. The panigotlo did not have anything to fear from the mortals surrounding Mount Daegdog, for it was favored, and it would foretell favor or misfortune.

In the end, the majestic beast was killed by a lowly hunter named Dagasanan. Its white fur forever stained by blood. Never again would its bleats tell of abundance and purpose, never again would it warn of flood and despair.

In the beginning, there was the great god and his pet.

In the end, the mortals paid their price.

————————–————————–————————–

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Panigotlo description in ‘A Legend of Aklan’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Panigotlo Illustration by Julius Advincula
IG: https://www.instagram.com/subhelic

The post Panigotlo appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

Why are you smiling?

Think about it. Why is it that when an animal bares its teeth, it always seems threatening, yet when a person does the same action, we call it a smile?

Smile.

A word synonymous with laughter and joy, a word brimming with pictures of children and happiness, a word that we take for granted. Do you ever think about how many muscles it takes to smile? At least 10, 10 muscles to signify that a person is feeling happy.

Now imagine if you had to hold that smile.

How long would it take before your face started to hurt? How long before your mouth starts to cramp up and you feel excruciating pain?

Strangely enough, the smile evolved from what scientists call the ‘fear expression’ – bared teeth, flattened ears and a tight throat, an expression that happens when an animal feels trapped and threatened but physically can’t escape.

You see, smiles are taken for granted. They aren’t all happy rainbows and blue skies. Smiles are still signals of danger.

Would you trust a stranger with a smile?

When you go in the forest remember this. Remember the sign of danger, remember the pain of a smile, for there is one that will be hiding in the bushes, waiting.

Waiting for the moment it can share its smile.

————————–————————–———————-

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

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

Tago-Ngirit Illustration by Julius Advincula
IG: https://www.instagram.com/subhelic

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