*Note this story is in Cebuano

Ang yuta nga iyang gibarugan miawit kaniya sa tanang himaya niini.

Sama na niini sukad pa sa iyang mahinumduman, kung iyang hikapon ang yuta gamit ang iyang panit nga wala’y bisti, mahibal-an niya kung diin ug sa unsang paagi kini mitumaw.

Sa pagkakaron ang iyang mga tiil nahimutang sa isla sa Panay.

Kadiyot lang nga higayon dihang midagayday kaniya ang kaamgo.

Makita niya ang langit nga natabonan sa dagkong mga pako ug ang bantogang bayani nga mitunga alang sa hagit.

Mabati niya ang lanog sa mga pwersa nga naggikan sa duha ka manggugubat.

Madungog niya ang mga lanog nga abot sa lagyong dapit, ang kaisog ug determinasyon sa usa ka bahin ug ang nagsumpaking kasaba sa yawyaw sa pikas.
Masimhot niya ang anghit nga baho sa dugo ngadto sa hangin.

Matilawan niya ang iyang kadaugan. Ang mga sensasyon mas tin-aw niining higayona, halos wala siyay higayon sa pagpahuway. Iyang gigunitan ang yuta sa iyang mga kamot ug naghulat sa laing panan-awon.

Ug ang yuta mitubag sa matang.

Ang bayani ginganlang si Dumalapdap, ang mangtas, si Ayutang.

Nilanat og pito ka buwan ang ilang panagsangka tungod kay daw managsama ra ang ilang gahom ug kusog. Apan nadiskobrehan sa bayani ang kahuyang sa mangtas.

Pinaagi sa iyang sundang nga adunay salamanangka, nga gitawag og Daniwan, iyang giduslak sa tibuok niyang kusog ang ilok ni Ayutang.
Sa dihang nahulog kini, ni-abli ang yuta ug gilamoy ang daw kabog nga mananap.

Aduna’y kabag-ohan sa yuta.

Ang mga bato sa maong dapit naunlod ngadto sa bag-ong naporma nga dagat, apan mitubo sa ibabaw ang duha ka bag-ong isla, simbolo sa kadaugan sa bayani.

Ug sa ingon, dili lang ang isla sa Panay ang nahimugso kon dili lakip sab ang Negros.

Nanghupaw siya ug gipapahuway ang gikapoy niyang hunahuna.

Laing istorya nga nahibal-an, laing adlaw nahuman.

=——————————————-=

English Version

The ground she had trodden on sang to her in all its glory.

It had been like this ever since she could remember, as soon as she touched the earth with her bare skin she would know where and how it came to be.

Today her feet rested on the island of Panay.

It only took a moment for a torrent of senses to come grasping at her.

She could see the sky being covered by gigantic wings and the great hero that came up to the challenge.

She could feel the reverberation of the blows coming from both combatants.

She could hear echoes that reached great distances, of grit and determination on one side and a cacophony of feral gibbering on the other.

She could smell the stench of blood in the air.

She could taste his victory.

The sensations were more vivid this time, barely giving her room to rest. She gripped the soil in her hands and waited for another vision.

And the earth responded in kind.

The hero’s name was Dumalapdap, the monster, Ayutang.

Their fight took seven long months as their power and prowess seemed to be equal. But the hero was able to discover the weakness of the monster.

With his magic dagger called Daniwan, he struck with all his might, the armpit of Ayutang.

When it fell the earth opened and swallowed the bat-like creature whole.

The ground shifted.

The rocks in the area sank into the newly formed sea, but jutting out to the surface were two new islands, a symbol of the hero’s victory.

And thus, it was not only the island of Panay that reached its genesis but also of Negros.

She sighed and laid her weary head to rest.

Another story known, another day finished.

=——————————————–=

*The Cebuano language, alternatively called Cebuan and also often colloquially albeit informally referred to by most of its speakers simply as Bisaya (“Visayan”, not to be confused with other Visayan languages nor Brunei Bisaya language), is an Austronesian regional language spoken in the Philippines by about 21 million people, mostly in Central Visayas, western parts of Eastern Visayas and most parts of Mindanao, most of whom belong to various Visayan ethnolingusitic groups, mainly the Cebuanos. It is the by far the most widely spoken of the Visayan languages, which are in turn part of wider the Philippine languages. The reference to the language as Bisaya is not encouraged anymore by linguists due to the many languages within the Visayan language group that may be confused with the term.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cebuano Translation by Arcy Salvacion
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Arcy Salvacion

Inspired by the The Hinilawod. Clavel (1972)

Ayutang Illustration by Joel Bulagnir

The post Ayutang – Cebuano Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Bantayanon

Ang mga puya, naghinagawhaway samtang nag-istoryahay bahin sa bakunawa.

Gikalisangan nila ang pagsawp sa adlaw, kay amo ini ang takna nga mogawas sya para maghampang.

Ang tanan puya, mobiya kag mosyud ig-abot sang gab-i, kag dili na mobalik pa.

Pero nanu man ining makalisang nga dragon sa kalangitan? Nanu ang iya matoud nga istorya?

Sulti sang iban, sang una nga panahon, may pito ka buwan nga nagdan-ag sa kilumkilom. Sa usa sini nga mga gab-e, may grupo sa mga tawo ang way kukaluoy, mipatay sa utod nga babaye sang bakunawa-ang pawikan. Ang mga naghimo sini nga salaut, wa mobatyag nga sayup ang ila gihimo, kay sa ila pagtuo kung dili nila patyon ang utod nga babaye sang bakunawa nan ang ila isla malunupan,hangtod ini mapapas,  mosidsid sa kaladman sang dagat.

Ang bakunawa dili pa dragon sang hitsura sang una. Hinoun, usa ini ka gwapa kag makadani nga kataw o sirena. Pero sa iya nag-uros-uros nga kalagot nga gusto gayud makabawos, iya giutro ang iya hitsura, kag nahimo siya nga dragon.  Tagsa-tagsa niya nga gipawng ang mga suga sa kagabhion. Unom ka buwan ang nasyud sa iya tyan, pero, nauntat sya sa ikapito.

May mga huhungihong nga nagsiling nga usa ka nagmaskara nga dyosa ang nitardar sa gihimo sang Bakunawa.

Ang nagmaskara nga dyosa kag ang iyang mga sumusunod nagpalanug sang makabungoy nga kasaba nga miabot sa langit. Tungod sa kalanug kag kaalingogngog sini, sa kalit ang bakunawa nakabatyag sang kahadlok. Diin gikan ini nga tingog, ini natingaa.

Sa iya kalisang, ang bakunawa misawom balik sa dagat kag misway sa pag-utro sang iya hitsura, pero alaut lang kay ini dili na mahimo. Siya nagpabilin sa hitsura susama sa dragon, hangtod nga mautro ang iya kinaiya kag moundang na sya sa pagpangita sa buwan. Pero, wa ini mahitabo. Sa pinakauyokan  sa iya kasingkasing, ang bakunawa, nagpanikad gayud nga makabawos. Kag matag gab-e nga makit-an niya ang katapusan nga buwan, moabri ini sa iya higante nga tyan kag motilaw sa tam-is nga kadaugan. Ini padayon niya nga himoun hangtod nga ang mga tawo mismo makaamgo sa ila sayup nga gihimo.

Usa lang ini sa maanindot nga istorya sa higante nga dragon nga aton gitawag nga bakunawa.

Ara’y iban nga mahitungod sa gugma kag pagbiya, pero sa katapusan, nakasentro sa pagpanimawos.

Sang una nga panahon, ang bakunawa nahigugma sa tawhanon nga babaye sa usa sa mga tribu nga nawaa na sara nga anyo. Ang ila paghiusa, napuno sang kasakit, kay wa nauyonon sa mga sakop sa tribu ang ila relasyon. Ang Bakunawa kag ang babaye, sama sa normal nga managtrato, nigahin sang panahon nga magkaupod, sa sini, nilawum pa ang ila gugma sa matag-usa.

Hangtod nga ini nga balita, nahibaw-an sa lider sang tribu.

Ang iya tubag paspas kag makahadlok. Ang byay kag ang kinabuhi nga gipanday sang Bakunawa kag sang babaye nahimong abo. Misinggit ang bakunawa sa langit, nagping-it sa kasakit. Sa nanu nga paagi nga ang tawo nahimo man nga sama sini ka pintas?

Ang bakuna nahagit sa nahitabo, nibukal sa kalagot ang iya dugo kag siya nilupad pasingadto sa langit. Kaonon niya ang pito ka buwan isip bawos sa tanan nga nagpasakit sa ila. Ang una nga unom ka buwan gidali-dali niya, gituyo paglamoy. Pero naurong sya pag-abot sa ikapito nga buwan.

Iya nasugata ang dakung dios nga si Bathala.

Dili takus nga tupngan niya ang gahum sa dakong dios, pero sa gihapon sya nakig-away sa ngan sa panimawos. Sa katapusan, napildi ang Bakunawa, wa siya nilampus sa pagkaon sa ikapito nga buwan. Kag labaw sa tanan, isip silot, gihinginlan siya ni Bathala.

Sara, sa matag eklipse sang buwan ang Bakunawa makadumdum sa iya naagian kaupod ang babaye nga iya gihigugma kag ang kinabuhi nga saw-an unta nila nga duha. Sa matag-gutlo nga iya ini madumduman, sangko sa langit ang iya kaalingit kag ang kagustuhan nga makabawos, pero ara lat, nagtago sa iya kasingkasing ang usa ka pangandoy nga unta mobalik sa mga panahon nga ini malipayon pa.

Istorya ini sang Dyos sang Kamatayan kag sang Lyake nga Buwan.

Gikan sa tumoy sa taas nga bukid sang Sidapa, ang Dyos sang Kamatayon nagtan-aw sa kaanindot sa pito ka buwan. Ang kaanindot sini nga mga binuhat nakadani lat sa iban nga dyos. Ang Dyosa sa Syug modalit sang kanta sa mga Dyos, kag ang Dyos sa Kamatayon nakahibaw nga iya ini kinahanglan tupngan.

Ang Dyos sa Kamatayon nagpakilouy sa mga langgam kag kataw dya ang mga buwak kag aninipot. Misyon nila nga ipaabot ang mensahe sa Dyos sa Kamatayan ngadto sa mga buwan.

Hangtud nga may usay gayud nga nitubag.

Ang batan-on nga buwan nga lyake, interesado kung nanu ang ikadalit sang Dyos sang Kamatayon, nanaug gikan sa langit kag gisugat sya sa damu nga mga gasa  kag mga kanta. Dako ang kalipay sa Dyos sang Kamatayon nga ara gayud sang usa ka Buwan nga nitagad sa iya.

Pero, may nagpahipi nga hulga tungod sa usa ka Bakunawa nga napuyo sa kahiladman sa kadagatan. Ini nga bakunawa sama sa dyos, gamhanan kag kusgan. Nangandoy lat ini nga makaangkon sa Buwan para sa iya kaugalingon nga interes. Pagkanaug sa Batang-Buwan gikan sa langit, gikuha dayun ini nga higayon sang Bakunawa para agawon siya gikan sa Dyos sang Kamatayon. Mituyhakaw ini gikan sa iya gipuy-an ilawom sa dagat kag mikaligaw para lamyum ang Lyake nga Buwan.

Dili ini tugutan sang Dyos sang Kamatayon. Nilupad sya pasingadto sa langit kag gikawhat ang Buwan gikan sa naghuwat nga baba sang Bakunawa.

Pero di gayud magpalupig ang Bakunawa, bisan hangtud sara kay wa pa niya maangkon ang iya gihinamhinaman nga premyo. Sa katapusan, and Dyos sang Kamatayon kag ang Buwan niistar na lang sa igbaw sang bukid nga gitawang nga Madjaas.

Ini usa lang lat sa mga istorya nga gisugilon sa niagi nga katuigan, ang ila gigikanan dili na matugkad tungod sa pagdyagan sang panahon.

Pero aton dumduman:

Kung makakita ka sang Bakunawa nga nipalapit sa iya giapas nga premyo nga Buwan, Singgit! Paghimo sang way makatupong nga kasaba, pun-a ang kalangitan kag ang kagabhion sang sama sa dawdug nga kalanog nga saba kag singgana ang Bakunawa nga dili na gayud niya makuha pa ang iya gihamhinaman nga premyo.

Kay bisan pa man nanu nga panimawos ang iya himoun, dili gayud itugot sang tawo nga  maangkon sang Bakunawa ang katapusan nga Buwan.

=———————————=

English Version

The children speak in hushed tones when they talk of the dragon.

They fear the setting sun for it is then it comes out to play.
And all those children left behind after dark, well… They never return.

But what is the dragon in the night sky? What is its true story?

Some say that once, there were seven moons that lit the twilight. It was on one of these evenings that a group of humans slaughtered the dragon’s sister, the sea turtle. They did not feel at fault, for if they did not kill the dragon’s sister then their island would succumb to the watery depths.

The dragon was not a dragon then, instead it was a beautiful mermaid. For her revenge, she transformed into a dragon and one by one snuffed out the lights in the night. Six moons fell prey to its maw, but the dragon was stopped at the seventh.

Stories say that the masked goddess intervened. The masked goddess and her human followers caused a raucous sound which reached the heavens and it was then the dragon felt fear. Where had this sound come from, it wondered.

The dragon dived into the sea and tried to change its shape to her beautiful form, but alas, it was not to be. The dragon would remain a dragon until it would reach into its better nature and stop its quest for the moons. But that has not come to pass. With every inch of its being the dragon lusts for revenge and each night it sees the last moon in the sky it will open its gigantic maw and taste sweet victory. That is, until the humans do something about it.

That is but one tale of the great dragon. There is another of love and loss, but ultimately of vengeance.

The dragon once fell in love with a human woman of one of the tribes now lost to time. Their union was not without difficulty, as the people of the tribe did not approve of them. The dragon and the woman spent time together, falling deeper in love with each passing moment.
Until the head of the tribe found out.

His response was fast and brutal. The house and the life that the dragon and the woman had built would be reduced to ask. The dragon screamed in pain towards the sky. How could humans be this cruel?

The dragon responded in kind, his anger boiled over and he flew towards the sky. It would eat all the seven moons as vengeance upon all humans. The first six moons he swallowed with dire purpose, but the dragon was stopped when it reached the seventh moon.

In his way was the great god, Bathala.

The dragon could not hope to match the power of the great god, but it fought for its revenge. In the end the dragon did not succeed in eating the last moon and was banished by Bathala.

And in each eclipse of the moon the dragon remembers the life it once led, with the woman that it loved and the home that it built. Vengeance fills it, but there is also a deep longing to return to the times it had been happy.
And yet other stories abound.

There is the tale of the god of death and his husband.
From his mountain top Sidapa, the god of death admired from afar the beauty of the seven moons. The beauty of these lunar beings infatuated the other gods as well. The goddess of tides would sing to the bright gods and the god of death knew he had to match them.

The god of death pleaded with the birds and mermaids, with the flowers and the fireflies. Each would send word of the god of death’s message to the moons.

Until one responded.

The young boy-moon, Bulan, curious about what the god of death could offer, came down from the heavens and was met with a shower of gifts and songs. The god of death rejoiced that one of the moons had come down.
But there was the danger of the dragon. The dragon was a god of the deep and wanted to take the moons for itself. Once the boy-moon descended from the heavens the dragon saw its chance. It lifted itself up from its ocean dwelling and flew towards Bulan with the intent to devour the boy-moon.

The death god would not allow this and flew towards the boy-moon and snatched him from the dragon’s jaws.
The dragon would not have its prize, not then at least. And the death god and the boy-moon lived together at the top of the mountain Madjaas.

This is a tale told too often and is said to be fevered ramblings, their source lost to time.

These are but some of the stories of the dragon, and there are many more that are scattered throughout the islands.
But remember:

When you see the dragon close to its prize, scream. Make noise like there never was before, fill the night sky with man-made thunder and tell the dragon it will not get its prize.

For no matter what revenge it seeks, humanity will never surrender the final moon to the dragon.

————————–————————–———————–

*The Bantayanon language is the regional language of the Bantayan islands in the Philippines. It is a part of the Bisayan language family and is closely related to Waray and Hiligaynon. There are three dialects of Bantayanon, based in the three municipalities that comprise the island group: Binantayanun (in Bantayan), Linawisanun (in Madridejos), and Sinantapihanun (in Santa Fe), the most idiosyncratic of the three. There are also significant dialectal differences between the speech patterns of those that live in the town centers and those that live outside of the more rural areas of the islands.

Inspired by the different Bakunawa myths https://www.aswangproject.com/bakunawa/

Bakunawa Illustration by Felix Pabalinski
IG: @Elironpabalinas

The post Bakunawa 6 – Bantayanon Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

The post Baua Webcomic appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Maguindanaon.

Tatap a kalinian ku i kapedtulik kanu ulan-ulan. Aden su rahasia sa entain sekanin. Papedsigay nin bu su palitan nin sabap sa baraguna? Pembaba i pagedan a kuda nin kanu dunya? Abadi sekanin?

Da den kutika ku a pendalmet a ped su manga kaped a wata, tatap a aden sakit atawa kaped pan a sabapan na di ku kapeliyu. Di ku den mambalasa su mayaw a sigay nu senang, ugaid sa magabi, sa pageletan nu sahaya nu bitun endu su sambel a malemek, su ulan-ulan bu i pakat ku.

Su manga kalukesan na pedtudtul silan sa pabila su ulan-ulan na temelen sa kapagkaaden sa langit, inia nin mana na pembangkit su dunya. Midtatawa aku kanu manga tudtul, ka panun i kapedtelen na ulan-ulan kanu abadi a libet nin? Sekanin su taginep a naaden kanu kabenalan, su panudtul a sampurna sa palitan.

Nan intu, sampay sa mailay ku su singa.

Pembedtuan sekanin sa Arimaonga nu manga kalukesan. Di ku katawan i madtalu ku su badan ku na napenu na gilek. Labi a masela intu pan kanu katig ku a binatang. Endu pegkapetan nin su papedtayan ku a ulan-ulan.

Su waktu na midtegas den, Pidtulikan ku i isa-isa ku a pakat na sinepa nu binatang. Kanu kaped a lalan, su singa na pendalmet sa dalmetan, da katawi a tu den i sabapan na   kabinasa tanu langun.

Labi a nagilekan pan sekanin sa laki. Kagedam ku su penggiginawan nin a mana da den arap kanu kapegkapet lun sa pageletan na baka nu singa. Minebpun aku mulyang sa intu kutika.

“Singa butawani ka su ulan-ulan atawa embangkit su dunya!”

Di ku katawan enduken a minebpun aku edtalu sa intu ugaid na mana sipat ku den, a mana pedtalun.

“Singa butawani ka su ulan-ulan atawa embangkit su dunya!”

Su kaped a manga maginged na minebpun mamung sa laki sa sengal. Su manga kalukesan na pidtanggit nilan su manga tagungu endu manga agung nilan endu su ingel na makasampay sa surga.

“SINGA BUTAWANI KA SU ULAN-ULAN ATAWA EMBANGKIT SU DUNYA!”

Su manga bakelengan nami na linegawan, magan kami den di makaginawa ugaid da kami telen. Di ku sekanin tagaken kanu singa, inia inged na di bun pedtagak sa lekanin.

Kanu kutika a binutawan nu singa su ulan-ulan na su nakalepas a nanggula na mana abadi. Kinapetan nin su takilidan nin endu midsaluman sekanin sa penggulan sa kanu surga.

Endu saki, mapagumbaba a wata pedsukur-sukur kanu Kadenan sabap su isa-isa ku a pakat na kurma bun.

=——————————=

English Version

I have always liked staring at the moon. There’s just the mystery of what she is. Does she shine her light only on the worthy? Is she dressed by the stars? Is she eternal?

There was never a chance for me to play with the other children, there was always some sickness or another that kept me indoors. I could never appreciate the sun’s harsh rays, but in the night, among the starlight and the gentle breeze, my only friend was the moon.

The elders tell stories that if the moon were to cease being in the sky, the world would end. I laughed at those stories once upon a time, for how could the moon ever stop her perpetual cycle? She was the dream made into reality, the perfect harbinger of light.

That is, until I saw the lion.

It was called the Arimaonga by the elders. I didn’t know how to react as terror filled my entire body. It was larger than I thought any animal could ever be. And it was clutching my beloved moon.

Time froze then, I stared helplessly as my only friend was being devoured by the beast. In some perverse way, the lion was playing a game, not knowing that it may just be the doom of us all.

She was more scared than I was. I could feel her hopelessness as she was clutched between the jaws of the lion. I started crying then.

“Lion release the moon or the world will come to an end!”

I don’t know why I started saying those words but it felt natural, like they needed to be said.

“Lion release the moon or the world will come to an end!”

The other villagers stared joining me in the chant. The elders brought out their drums and gongs to make the noises reach the heavens.

“LION RELEASE THE MOON OR THE WORLD WILL COME TO AN END!”

Our throats were hoarse, our breath almost gone but we did not stop. I will not abandon her to the lion, this village will not abandon her.

The lion finally released the moon after what seemed like an eternity. She clutched her sides and resumed her track along the heavens.

And I, a humble child thanked the gods that my only friend was safe.

————————–————————–————————-

**Maguindanao or Maguindanaon is an Austronesian language spoken by majority of the population of Maguindanao province in the Philippines. It is also spoken by sizable minorities in different parts of Mindanao such as the cities of Zamboanga, Davao, and General Santos, and the provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, as well as Metro Manila. This was the language of the historic Sultanate of Maguindanao, which existed before and during the Spanish colonial period from 1500–1888.

*This story is not “word for word” or “translated literally” since there are English words that has no exact equivalent in Maguindanaon language. It was translated as to how an old Maguindanaon would re-tell the story. But nonetheless, the content and dialogue in the original and the translated version are all the same.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Traslation by Datu Hashim
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Datu Hashim

Inspired by the Arimaonga description in Philippine Folk Literature: The Myths. Eugenio. 2001.

Arimaonga illustration by Lou Pineda
IG: https://www.instagram.com/blacknivalis/

The post Arimaonga – Maguindanaon Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Noon unang panahon, ang isla ng Negros ay pinamumunuan ng isang mapayapa’t mabuting haring nagngangalang Laon.

Isang araw, bumuhos ang napakalakas na ulan. Umapaw ang mga ilog, at di kalauna’y bumaha nang abot-leeg. Lumapit ang mga tao sa kanilang hari upang humingi ng tulong.

Nagpatawag ng pagpupulong si Haring Laon. Iminungkahi niyang gumawa sila ng bundok ng lupa na di matitinag o malulubog ng anumang baha. Sumigaw ang mga tao, “Wala tayong kagamitan!” Iwinagayway ng hari ang kanyang panyo. Mula sa kawalan ay lumitaw ang pala at asarol. Hindi pa rin nakontento ang mga tao. “Paano tayo gagawa ng bundok nang walang mga bato?” Pumadyak si Haring Laon at muli ay lumitaw ang mga bato.

Nagtulung-tulong ang mga tao upang makabuo ng bundok na umabot nang anim na libong talampakan ang taas. Doon sila nanatili hanggang sa humupa ang baha.

Tila mapaya ang lahat hanggang sa isang umaga nang magising ang hari sa isang kaguluhan. Isang higanteng ahas na may pitong ulo ang papalapit sa bayan. Takot na takot ang mga tao sa pulang mga mata at umuusok nitong ilong. Sa gabi, bumubuga ng apoy ay ahas na siyang pumapatay sa mga tanim at hayop sa bayan.

Nauubos na ang pag-asa ng mga tao hanggang sa isang araw ay dumating ang isang binatang nagngangalang Kan. Sinabi niya kay Haring Laon na papatayin niya ang ahas. Tuwang tuwa naman ang hari sa pangakong ito ni Kan.

Sinabi ni Haring Laon na bibigyan niya ng pabuyang kayamanan si Kan kung matatalo niya ang ahas. Ipinangako din ni Haring Laon ang kamay ng kanyang anak na dalaga upang ipakasal kay Kan.

Si Kan ay hindi ordinaryong tao. Alam niya ang wika ng mga hayop at ibon. Nang dumating ang araw ng sagupaan, dumulog si Kan sa mga ito upang tulungan siya. Kinagat ng mga hayop ang katawan ng ahas at tinuka naman ng mga ibon ang mga mata nito. Nang nalingat ang ahas ay pinutol ni Kan ang pitong ulo nito.

Inihandog ni Kan ang pitong ulo ng ahas kay Haring Laon. Ayon sa kanyang pangako, pinaulanan ng kayamanan si Kan at ipinakasal sa kanya ang anak na dalaga ng hari.

Noong mamatay si Haring Laon, pinalitan siya ni Kan bilang hari ng bayan. Ang bundok na ipinatayo ni Haring Laon ay nananatili pa rin, at tinawag itong Kanlaon bilang pag-alala sa kabayanihan ng binata at kabutihan ng hari.

“At dito natin tatapusin ang kwento.”

Isinara ni Lola Anding ang libro at pinanood ang kanyang mga apo hanggang sa makatulog sila. Ang paborito niyang si Rhai ay laging nagtatanong. Sa yari niya ay magiging iskolar ito balang araw. Umasa si Lola Anding na abutan niya pa ang araw na iyon.

Nagnilay-nilay siya sa istoryang ikinuwento niya sa mga bata. Ang alamat ng Bundok Kanlaon ay isang nakahahangang kwento! Isang binatang nakikipaglaban sa mga higanteng ahas, isang haring may taglay na mahika, ang kanyang bayan na kayang magtayo ng bundok, mga hayop at ibon na tumutulong sa pagpuksa ng kalaban—lahat nang ito’y nagbigay ng kinang sa mga mata ng kanyang mga apo.

Inisip niya kung anong aral ang napulot ng bawat bata sa kwento. Si Rhai, siyempre, ay ginambala ang kanyang pagbabasa upang magtanong. “Bakit may kakaibang kapangyarihan ang hari? Bakit kaya ni Kan ang makipag-usap sa mga hayop? Gaano katagal binuo ng mga tao ang bundok?”

Ang kanyang katalinuhan ay maliwanag sa kanyang mga tanong. Inisip ni Lola Anding kung mapupunan ba ni Rhai ng kanyang imahinasyon ang sarili niyang mga tanong.

Si Faye naman ay natakot sa kwento. Yakap-yakap niya ang kanyang laruang buwaya habang inaarte ni Lola Anding ang pagpatay ni Kan sa ahas. Kaawa-awang bata. Gusto niya lang namang maging magkaibigan ang lahat. “Kung kayang makipag-usap ni Kan sa mga hayop, bakit hindi na lamang niya kinausap ang ahas upang paalisin ito?” tanong ni Faye.

Sinagot naman siya ni Fernando, “Ang ahas ay masama at dapat lamang siyang turuan ng leksyon!” Iwinasiwas ni Fernando ang kanyang laruang espada at napabuntong-hininga na lamang si Lola Anding. Isang araw ay makakasakit ang batang ito at ang laruan niya. Ang simpleng pag-iisip ni Fernando ay isang hiwaga. Inisip ni Lola Anding kung gaano katagal makikita ni Fernando ang mundo mula sa inosente niyang mga mata. Napailing na lamang si Lola Anding, “Marapat lamang sa mga bata ang kanilang kamusmusan,” bulong niya sa kanyang sarili.

Kinumutan niya ang mga bata at isa-isang hinalikan sa noo. Sa kanilang mga panaginip ay haharapin nila ang kani-kanilang bersyon ng ahas—o sa kaso ni Faye ay makipagkaibigan sa kanila.

Ngumiti si Lola Anding. Naalala niya ang unang beses na narinig niya ang alamat mula sa kanyang lolo. Noong mga panahong iyon ay walang ibang pagkakaabalahan kaya’t sabik na sabik siya sa mga kwentong ito.

At ano naman ang nakuha niya mula sa mga ito?

“Sa buhay ay marami kang haharaping mga ahas, at matatalo mo sila sa pamamagitan ng iyong sariling kakayahan. Gamitin mo ang anumang tinataglay mo sa pagharap sa pagsubok at ika’y gagantimpalaan sa huli.”

Pinanghawakan ni Lola Anding ang aral na ito at hindi kailanman kinalimutan kung ano ang kanyang ipinaglalaban.

At sulit nga ba ito?

Muli niyang tiningnan ang natutulog niyang mga apo at siya’y tumango.

“Oo naman,” bulong niya sa kanyang sarili.

=———————————–=

English Version

Long ago, the island of Negros was ruled by a peaceful and kind-hearted king by the name of Laon.

One day heavy rains fell. The river overflowed and as time went on the water became neck-deep. The people went to their king to ask for aid.

Laon called for a meeting. He said that they should build a mound of earth that would overcome any flood. The people shouted, “We have no tools!” and the king waved his handkerchief and a spade and heavy hoe appeared. Still there was discontent. “How can we build this mound without stones?!” and Laon stomped his feet and stones magically appeared.

Together the people built a mound that reached six thousand feet above sea level. It was there that they took refuge until the water went away.

Everything seemed to be alright until one morning a great commotion woke the king from his sleep. A giant serpent with seven heads was approaching the village. Its red eyes and smoking nose frightened the villagers. At night, the snake would breathe fire damaging crops and killing the animals around the village.

It seemed impossible to challenge the serpent until one day a young man named Kan appeared. He told king Laon that he would kill the snake and the king was glad.

Laon said that he would reward Kan with riches and the hand of his beautiful daughter if Kan was successful in ridding the village of the serpent.

Kan was no ordinary man. He knew the languages of the birds and the beasts. And when it came time to fight the serpent he called on them for aid. The beasts bit the serpent’s body and the birds pecked its eyes. They gave Kan enough of an opening and the youth sliced off the serpent’s heads.

With the snake dead, Kan presented the seven heads to king Laon. There he was showered with riches and married the daughter of the king.

When king Laon died Kan became the king of the tribe. The mound that saved the villagers from the flood remains, called Kanlaon in memory of the brave youth and the kind king.

“And there we end our story.”

Loala Anding closed the book and watched her grandchildren fall asleep. Rhai was her favorite, always asking questions. He would probably be a scholar in the future. Lola Anding hoped that she would live to see that.

She reflected on the tale she told the children. The legend of Mount Kanlaon, such a romantic story! A brave youth fighting off giant serpents, a magical king and his village building a mountain, birds and beasts helping to fight off evil, all these things made her grandchildren’s eyes light up with wonder.
She wondered what each child would take from the story.

Rhai, of course, interrupted her a few times and asked her why things were the way they were. “Why did the king have magic?” “Why was Kan able to speak the languages of the animals?” “How long did the people take to build the mound?”
His inquisitive spirit was so evident in his questions, she wondered if he would fill in the blanks with his own imagination.

Now Faye was afraid of the story, she clutched her stuffed crocodile tight while Lola acted out the part of cutting up the serpent’s heads. Poor girl, she just wanted everyone to be friends. She asked, “If Kan could speak to animals, why couldn’t he speak to the serpent to go and leave everyone alone?”

Fernando shot back at her with his usual wit, “The serpent was evil and evil things need to be dealt with!” He swung his toy sword around and Lola Anding sighed. One day he would poke an eye out with that thing. His single mindedness was a sight to see. She wondered how long he would view the world in black and white. She shook her head, “The child deserves his innocence,” she whispered to herself.

She tucked them all in and gave them a kiss goodnight. They were off to fight their own serpents in their dreams, or in Faye’s case make friends with them.

Lola Anding smiled. She remembered the first time she heard this story from her own grandfather. In those days entertainment was hard to come by and she looked forward to these stories with an open mind.

And what did she get from it?

“In life you will fight serpents, and you will have to overcome them with your gifts. Use what you were given to face your challenges and you will be rewarded.”

She took those words to heart and never forgot what she fought for.

And was it worth it?

She looked at her sleeping grandchildren and gave a slight nod.

“Of course it was,” she whispered to herself.

*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 Dana Garcia
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Dana Garcia

Adapted from The Legend of Mt. Canlaon in Negros Oriental and Siquijor Island Legends, Beliefs and Folkways. Aldecoa-Rodriguez. 2000.

Kan’s Serpent Illustration by Paul Medalla
FB: Apolonio Draws
IG: instagram.com/apolonio.draws/
artstation: artstation.com/zerobreed

The post Kan’s Serpent – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Nagsimula ang mundo sa wala.

Naghari ang lumbay sa lupang tubig lamang ang nanatiling matatag sa paglipas ng panahon.

Sa gitna ng mundo ay mayroong hukay na kung saan narito ang higanteng alimango na si Gaki. Siya ang tagapangasiwa ng Dakilang Diyos na si Lumawig. Dito umaagos ang tubig patungo kay Gaki.

Mayroong mga nilalang noon na nag-iiwan ng marka sa mukha ng mundo. Naglakbay sila sa mundo upang maghanap ng mga hayop. Dahil walang katangian ang kanilang kapaligiran, nawala sila sa direksyon ng kanilang paligid sapagkat walang mga marka ang gumagabay sa kanila.

Nagdulot ito ng kanilang pagsigaw at ito’y nakagambala sa tulog ni Lumawig.

Hindi ito maaari.

Nagalit si Lumawig sa ingay ng mga nilalang. Para sa kaniyang mga mata, hindi sila nababagay sa mundo. Nanaginip siya ng panibagong mga nilalang, isang henerasyon na magmamana ng mas magandang mundo.

Dahil dito, tinawag niya si Gaki. Inutusan niya ang higanteng alimango na saksakin ang hukay gamit ang kaniyang katawan. Nais ni Lumawig na linisin ang mundo sa pamamagitan ng baha.

At mula sa baha, dalawang bundok ang lumitaw: Polis at Calawitan.

Mabilis ang pagbaha, walang tao ang nakaligtas sa delubyong ito. Mula sa pagbaha, dalawang katawan ang binuhat ni Lumawig, isang lalaki na nagngangalang Gatan, na kung saan siya’y inilagay sa taas ng Bundok Polis at ang babae na si Bangan, na kung saan inilagay naman siya sa taas ng Bundok Calawitan.

Kinagabihan, nagising si Gatan at nahanap niya ang sarili sa hindi pamilyar na lugar. Sinubukan niyang alalaahanin kung paano siya napunta sa sitwasyong ito, ngunit kahit anong gawin niya, lahat ng kaniyang alaala ay nawala. Nakatuon lamang siya sa kumikislap na ilaw sa daan, isang senyales na mayroon pang nilalang ang narito.

Naghintay siya hanggang madaling araw.

Habang naghahanap ng pagkain si Gatan, nakakita siya ng lumulutang na balsa. Sa kanang bahagi nito’y mayroong aso, samantalang sa kaliwang bahagi naman nito ay mayroong tandang.

Para kay Gatan, ito’y senyales mula sa mga Diyos kaya’t siya’y tumungo sa daan ng ilaw na kaniyang nakita.

Mahalagang tulong ang kaniyang mga kasamang hayop. Kapag masyadong tumagilid ang balsa sa kanang direksyon, tatahol ang aso upang maayos ni Gatan ang kanilang direksyon. Kapag tumagilid naman ang balsa sa kaliwang bahagi, titilaok ang tandang at aaysuin muli ni Gatan ang kanilang direksyon.

Hindi niya alam na ang kaniyang mga kasama ay mga biyaya ng Diyos na si Lumawig at kahit hindi niya alam, hindi na ito mahalaga.

Nakarating si Gatan sa baybayin ng Bundok Calawitan.

Nakita niya na mayroong hukay na nagbabaga. Sa tabi ng hukay na ito ay mayroong sinturon at palda ng isang babae. Hinanap ni Gatan ang babae at noong makita niya siya, nagdulot ito ng kaniyang pagka-dismaya. Muling bumalik ang kaniyang mga alaala.

Siya ang kaniyang babaeng kapatid, si Bangan.

Tumingin sila sa isa’t isa at hindi nila alam ang gagawin. Siguradong hindi sila maaaring magtalik dahil sila’y magkapatid.

Ngunit binigay ng Diyos na si Lumawig ang biyaya. Silang dalawa lamang ang natitirang mga nilalang sa mundo at responsibilidad nilang lumikha ng panibagong henerasyon upang patuloy na umunlad ang mundo.

Inutusan ni Lumawig si Gaki na lumabas mula sa hukay at tanggaling ang butas nito. Sa pag-urong ng mga tubig ay lumitaw ang mundo ng mga burol, lambak, bundok, at mga ilog. Hindi na namayani ang lumbay ‘pagkat ito’y bagong simula.

Bilang biyaya sa mga bagong nilalang ng mundo, kumuha ng buhol na balbas si Lumawig mula sa kaniyang mukha at ikinalat ito sa buong mundo. Mula rito, lumikha ito ng mga halaman na laganap sa ating mundo.

At ito na ang mundong kilala natin sa kasalukuyan.

=————————————————=

English Version

The earth began with nothing.

Desolation ruled the land with only the waters that stood testament to the passing of time.

In the center of the world was a pit where the giant crab Gaki stayed, overseer of the great god Lumawig. The flowing waters raced here, draining towards Gaki.

There were people then that dotted the face of the earth. Nomads by nature, they traveled around the concave surface of the earth, hunting animals. Because their environment was featureless, they would lose track of their surroundings, becoming lost for there were no landmarks to guide them.

They resorted to shouting, and that disturbed Lumawig’s slumber.

That would not do.

Lumawig became angry at the noisy humans, in his eyes they were unfit for the world. He dreamed of new humans, a generation that would inherit a more beautiful world.

To that end he called upon Gaki. He ordered the giant crab to plug the pit with its body. Lumawig wanted to purify the earth with the ensuing flood.

And out of the flood, two mountains rose: Polis and Calawitan.

The flooding was swift, no human had survived the deluge. From the flood waters Lumawig lifted two bodies, a male named Gatan, which he placed on top of mount Polis and a female, Bangan, which he placed on top of Mount Calawitan.

The night chill awakened Gatan and he found himself in unfamiliar surroundings. Try as he might he could not remember what had happened to him, all memory wiped from his mind. He could only focus on a flickering light that twinkled in the distance, a sure sign that there was another living being.

He waited until dawn.

While Gatan was searching for food, he found a raft floating. On the right side of the raft was a dog while on the left was a rooster.

Gatan took this as a sign from the gods and headed towards the direction of the light that he saw.

His animal companions were of invaluable help. Whenever the raft went too much to the right the dog barked and Gatan corrected their course and when the raft swept to the left the rooster would crow and Gatan again charted their course.

He did not know that his companions were gifts of the god, Lumawig, and even if he did know, it wouldn’t have mattered.

Gatan landed on the shore of Mount Calawitan.

He saw that there was a pit filled with live embers. On sticks beside the pit were a belt and a woman’s skirt. Gatan searched the area to find the woman and when he saw her he was dismayed. Memories came flooding back.

It was his sister, Bangan.

They locked eyes and did not know what to do. Surely they could not copulate as they were brother and sister.

But the god Lumawig gave his blessing. They were the only two humans left on earth and had the responsibility of creating a new generation to flourish among the lands.

Lumawig ordered Gaki to crawl out of the pit and unplug the hole. The receding waters gave rise to a world of hills and valleys, mountains and rivers. No more did desolation reign, for this was a new beginning.

As a gift to the new peoples of the earth Lumawig took from his face a knot of beard and scattered it throughout the earth. This knot transformed into what are now plants, populating the earth.

And it was thus the world as we know it came into being.

*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 Christine Autor
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Christine Autor

Adapted from the legend of Gaki and Lumawig from the Bontok Igorot found in The Soul Book. Demetrio & Cordero-Fernando 1991.

Gaki Illustration by Daniel Decena
Instagram: @thepenslinger

Color by Patricia Pria
Instagram: @meowtricia_

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

*Note this story is in Pangasinan

Diad kaaralman et manaalagar itan.

Aliwan amin so makaamta ed istorya to, anggaman nayarin amta itan na arum.

Saray manag-aka’y bulan .

Saray ayep ed tawen.

Say leon. Say alakdan. Say alama. Say higante. Say manok. Say uleg.

Say dragon.

Dadalanan dan amin so pating, ipepelag da ya ed kaaralman na dayat ya tatawagin ton abung.

Wala kasi’y istoryan naibaga?

Odino wala la itan ed gapo?

Nayarin say eras so mamapakiwas ed sayan ayep, a singa say alakdan. Anto ni so arum a naakan na pating noag say petang na onlelereg a bulán ?

Nayarin para met itan ed galaw a singa say leon. Say bulán et sakey a balbaleg a globo a makapatenyeg ed imano na ayep, a mamapalikdo ed sikato. Anto ni ray arum ya elementon makapabilib ed pating?

Nayarin pasnok itan, a singa say alama. Kasin say pating anak na agew tan bulán ? Kasin mankabaliksan itan na panamales ed tawir na atateng ya agton balot akabat?

Ompan sikatoy ombawi, a singa samay higante. Kasin say pating datin sakey ya mortal? Naala to kasi so pasnok na saray dios? Anto so agawa to a sengegan na inkapelag to ed madanum a kaaralman?

Nayarin kabilungetan itan, a singa say manok. No asumpal la na pating so kimey to tan say mundo so nalner la, anto so ontumbok a kanen to?

Nayarin kabiangan itan na kalikasan, a singa say uleg. Diad kagagawa na mundo na palsa, kasin kabiangan itan na sikulo?

Insan wala met so istorya nipaakar ed dragon.

Amta na kada pinalsa so istorya to.

Say pitoran bulán . Say dios a si Bathala.

Say maagum a dragon.

Say pating manaalagar, anggad saray arum natumba la, ed saray boses na katooan.

Wala so sakey ya istorya a panisiaan kon tua.

Saray pinalsa ed tawen, a tatawagen a manag-aka’y bulan, amin kabiangan na mundo. Balang sakey et walaan na mismon rason no akin irelen toy bulán , odino saray bulán pian magmaliw a mas susto.

Tan ditan so panaayaman na pating.

Say sankakapuyan ed grupo et ag-akaerel na orbita ed pegley-labi.

Lamet.

Lamet.

Tan lamet.

Amta to so impakatalo tan agto la salien lamet, anggad amta to a sikatoy matalongaring a mangala ed premyo to.

Diad ayaman to ed kaaralem na dayat, sikatoy manseseet. Amta to a sikatoy agbalot magmaliw a mabiskeg a singa saray arum, aliwan masibeg, aliwan narasan a kapara da.

Say pambubusol to so ombabaleg, aliwan sumpad arum a pinalsa, noagta kontra ed gawa to’n díli .

Akin a niletneg itan ed sayan dalin pian magmaliw labat a unor a pasen?

Iyaamot na danum iray lua to.

Tan manalagar itan.

Anggad sayan labi.

=————————————-=

English Version

In the depths it waits.

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

The moon-eaters.

The celestial beasts.

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

The dragon.

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

Is there a tale to tell?

Or has it always been there?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then there is the tale of the dragon.

Every being knows its story.

The 7 moons. The god Bathala.

The greedy dragon.

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

There is one tale which I believe to be true.

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

And it was there that the shark resided.

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

Again.

Again.

And again.

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

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

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

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

The water hides its tears.

And it waits.

Until the night.

=——————————————————=

*Pangasinan (Salitan Pangasinan) – sometimes called Pangasinense is one of the major languages of the Philippines. It is the language spoken in the province of Pangasinan, on the west-central seaboard of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, the northern portion of Tarlac and southwestern La Union, most of whom belong to the Pangasinan ethnic group. Pangasinan is also understood in some municipalities in Benguet, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, and by the Aeta or Aeta of Zambales.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Carlo Rivera
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright ©Carlo Rivera

Edited by Lennox Martinez Licuanan

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

Baconaua Illustration by Benedict Jose Villarante

Instagram: @bentoillus
Twitter: @bentoillus
Facebook Page: Bento Illustrations (Bento Illustrations)

The post Baconaua 2 – Pangasinan Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

In the depths it waits.

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

The moon-eaters.

The celestial beasts.

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

The dragon.

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

Is there a tale to tell?

Or has it always been there?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then there is the tale of the dragon.

Every being knows its story.

The 7 moons. The god Bathala.

The greedy dragon.

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

There is one tale which I believe to be true.

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

And it was there that the shark resided.

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

Again.

Again.

And again.

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

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

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

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

The water hides its tears.

And it waits.

Until the night.

=——————————————————=

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

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

Baconaua Illustration by Benedict Jose Villarante

The post Baconaua appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Pangasinan

Say Lunar Eclipse o duyog so nagagawa tano say bulan et immakual ya binmeneg ed mundo tan nasisindagan to.

Say taloran klase na Lunar Eclipse et apasakey la sikato moy talos ton amin may Total Lunar Eclipse Say sanka bali-balian ton nia aya so nagagawa no say entero lay bulan ya undadalan et napasimaran na “UMBRAL” ed mundo.  Walay 35% o trentay sinko porsyento ed samay eclipse so magmaliw lan Total Lunar Eclipse Saray Lunar Eclipse et nagagawaed maminpiga ed sakey taon kada walay.

Total Lunar Eclipse so nayarin makasabi so daiset ya liwawa na agew ed bulan. Say liwawa’y agew et kaokolan ni ya ononan ondalan Earth’s athmosphere o dino kaliber-liber na mundo tan piano nasagap toy kolor ya asul ya liwawa’y mangititilak ya puron kulay na ambalanga o dino kasileng na kahel .  Say amabalangan liwawa so onloob ed Earth’s athmosphere tan manpapakislap ed bulan. Lapud dia kanian aya so Total Lunar Eclipse ya ingngaran day ‘Blood Moon’.

Kuanda…

Ipaway moy telescope mo kapagno walay ‘Blood Moon’ piano nanengneng na duaran matam.  Sikato yay kuanda Nanenengneng  mon singa ongagalaw ya manarawi ray bituwen no wala yay eclipse .Say igagalaw na liwawa singa mankislap tan manandi no walay  nakena.

No maswerte ka nayarin naneng-neng moy angkekelag a pirason kolor na kahel tan duyaw na liwawa ya ongagalaw ya singa baleg ya tanda  nagnenengneng mon singa napipildit ed (zigzag) manliko-likon pattern ya asingger la ed bulan.

No ongapo la eclipse nanenengneng moy tanda na liwawa ya ontonda ya aga ongagalaw legan na walay eclipse.  Nane-nenneng moy ambalangan liwawa ya pabaleg lan pabaleg anggad agono la nayarian ya pa-arawin neng-nengen makakalikna ya singa kay “de javu” maminpiga-pigan beses mon apalabas.

Mankelaw kan nataktakot tan nanonotan mo aya so makapalek ya liknaan lapud eclipse labat tan

=—————————————————–=

English Version

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

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

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

Or so they say.

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

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

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

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

You might see something looking back.

=————————————————=

*Pangasinan (Salitan Pangasinan) – sometimes called Pangasinense is one of the major languages of the Philippines. It is the language spoken in the province of Pangasinan, on the west-central seaboard of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, the northern portion of Tarlac and southwestern La Union, most of whom belong to the Pangasinan ethnic group. Pangasinan is also understood in some municipalities in Benguet, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, and by the Aeta or Aeta of Zambales.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by poypoypalaboy
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © poypoypalaboy

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

Laho Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
FB: That Guy With A Pen

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

The post Laho – Pangasinan Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Waray

Tinmutok ako ha iya makaharadlok nga mga mata

Ngan nangurog

Sayop ada ini

Lugaring urhi na

Urhi-urhian na hin duro

“Kay ano ka aanhi?” ginhiram niya an iya kutsilyo

Ginlanat ko an akon ginhawa katima,

Sinmandig ako han kamatuoran

“Sumati ako Apoy, paunan-o matatapos an kalibutan?”

“Damo an baton hito nga pakiana, idoy,

Sugad kadamo han mga bituon ha kalangitan.”

Ginpakurog han iya halaba nga ngirit an akon kaunoran

Gin-ukab han iya mga mata an akon kalag.

“Karaotan la an dara han baton hito ngada ha imo.”
“Oo,” baton ko “Lugaring kinahanglan ko mahibaro.”

“Ada, hala,” nga laong niya

Tinmukdaw hiya ngan ginmawas han kwarto

Nag-ininaw-inaw la anay ako palibot

Han makangingirhat nga mga butang

Nga nagsasasrang ha iya payag;

Mga tudlo ngan mga bungo ngan dirudilain la

Nga mga parte han lawas hin damo nga mga binuhat

Nga waray ko na isipa pa

Linmingkod ako ngan ak’ gintutukan an kutsilyo nga biniyaan

Nga ha akon ino-ino, kun ibabaligya ini,

Mamahal an balor ha merkado

Pananglitan paraon la an pula hini nga mga dum-it.

Binmalik an babayi

Nga may dara nga us’ ka makaong nga tubig

Ngan naglalaga nga bato

“Kay ano mo karuyag mahibaro?”

Pakiana niya

“Diri na importante,” baton ko

“Balitaw?

Ano nga mga sekreto an imo tinatago?”
“Sige na gad, Apoy, batona an akon pakiana.”

Ginkuha niya an iya kutsilyo

Ngan ginhiwa niya an iya palad,

Iya ginpaturo an dugo didto han tubig

An naglalaga nga bato iya ginpaligid

Ngan an duason-asul hini nga lamrag

Nagbitad hin mga lambong ha bug-os nga kwarto

“Nakikit-an ko na,” nga laong niya

Human hin haros waray kataposan nga kahilom

“Ano an imo nakikit-an Apoy?”

“May ada ko nakikita nga dadako nga kalawas,

Dadako pa hin bis’ ano nga puro.

May ada ko nakikit-an nga mga barahibo

Hinimo hin mga espada

Ngan an puthaw hini nga mga kulo

Nakikit-an ko an akon kalugaringon

Dida han iya mga mata”

Nagtikalamrag an asul nga laga

Nga nagbak-ad pa hin duroy kamakarimadima

Nga mga lambong ha amon palibot

“Ano an may ada, Apoy?”

“Tikang ini ha iya yungib nga binabantayan hin asul nga aso

Ngan naghuhulat ini

Didto ha kasidsiran ha sinirangan.”

Nahimo nga itom an tubig dida han makaong

Nakit-an ko an tubig nga mabangis an pagtabsik

“Nakikit-an ko an katapusan han mga adlaw,”

Lain na an iya tingog

Daw gurang na hin duro

Daw kasisidman

“Aw, karuyag ngay-an hito nga diyo nga tawo

Mahibaro paunan-o matatapos an nga tanan?”

Nga laong han iya bag-o nga tingog

“Oo Apoy, kinahanglan ko mahibaro.”

“Kun asya man, kitaa!”

Tinmudlok hiya ha tubig

Matin-aw na ini

Ngan nakit-an ko an akon kahimo

Lugaring diri, diri la an akon kahimo

Nakit-an ko an iya nakit-an

Nakit-an ko an adlaw ngan an bulan

Ngan ginlalam-oy han kasisidman

Nakit-an ko an kagutom

Nga diri ug diri matatagbaw

Nagtinuok ako

Pakahibaro ko nga an kalibutan

Diri magkakaada hin paglaom

Dida hiton kataposan

Naghalo an akon mga luha ngan an tubig

Ngan binmalik an kaitom

“Diri gad ito mahihimo nga sugad iton katapusan,” siring ko

“Siring ko pa ha imo nga karaotan la

An dara ha imo han baton.”

Naliwat na an iya tingog

Yana, puno na ini hin kaluoy

“Ginbaton ko na an imo pakiana idoy,

Yana batona ako.
Kay ano nga karuyag mo mahibaro?”

Nagtapo an amon mga siplat

Ngan kamatuoran la an akon nayakan

“Karuyag ko mahibaro

Kun san-o ko ngahaw hiya makikit-an”

“Hin-o?” Pakiana han babayi

“An akon hinigugma, an akon kinabuhi,”
Akon baton

“Ginsidngan man gud ako hin usa

Nga parupareho ha imo

Nga makikit-an ko hiya

Dida hiton katapusan hit kalibutan

Asya nga maghuhulat ako

Hasta umulpot an higayon

Nga makikit-an ko ngahaw hiya”

“Lurong ka!”
Tinmigbas an iya mga pulong ha akon kalag

“Natatapos an mga kalibutan kada adlaw

Sigurado ka ba nga an imo ginbibiling

Diri an imo kalugaringon nga katapusan?”

“Diri ako maaram, Apoy.”
Nagtinuok na liwat ako

Ngan an akon mga luha nahulog didto han tubig

Nakit-an ko na an katapusan nga mas matin-aw

Kun paunan-o han tusak hini gindakop an bulan ngan adlaw

Kun paunan-o ini ka waray panginlabot han kinabuhi han tawo

Ginpasalamatan ko an lagas nga babayi ngan linmakat ako

Samtang hiya nag-iino-ino

Lugaring waray pa ako makakaulpot ha may ganghaan

Sinmiring hiya

“Ayaw lanata an katapusan, idoy.

Kasubo la an may ada hito nga aragian.”

“Maaram ako, Apoy.”

Waray na hiya iba pa nga ginbungat

Dida han akon paglakat

Ngan ginputos ko an akon kabido

Ha akon kabug-osan

Ngan naghinumdom

Han mga barahibo

Han ginsalaming nga mga mata

Han malinguon nga mga kulo

Ngan hinmiyom

Kay nakit-an ko an katapusan

Ngan dida han katapusan

Nakit-an ko hiya

=———————————————————=

English Version

She sat before me, wrapped in grey smoke.
Her red painted lips pursing into a small smile
A knife was set on the table before us
I stared in her cold eyes and shuddered
Maybe this was a mistake
But it was too late now
Far, too late
“Why are you here?” she fondled the knife
I caught my breath and leaned on the truth
“Tell me, lola, how will the world end?”

“That question has many answers, iho,
As many as there are stars in the sky.”
Her wide smile tensed my muscles
Her eyes dug into my soul
“The answer will only bring ruin.”
“Yes,” I replied “but still I must know.”

“Very well then,” she said
She stood up and left the room
And I took a moment to look around
The grotesque trophies littered her hovel
Fingers and skulls and parts of other creatures
I dare not imagine
I sat down and stared at the knife left behind
It would have fetched a fair price in any market
If the red stains were removed

The woman came back
With a bowl of water
And a glowing stone
“Why do you want to know?”
She asked
“It is not important,” I replied
“Oh, isn’t it?
What secrets do you keep from yourself?”
“Please lola, answer my question.”

She took the knife
And cut her hand
Letting drops of blood trickle into the water
The glowing stone was set to the side
And its pale blue light cast shadows around the room
“I can see it,” she said after an eternity of silence
“What do you see lola?”

“I see its giant frame, larger than any island.
I see its feathers made of swords
And its iron claws
I see myself in its eyes”
The blue glow was brighter now
Casting even more violent shadows around us
“What is it, lola?”

“It comes from its cave guarded by blue smoke
And lies in wait
In the eastern horizon.”
The water in the bowl turned black
I could see the liquid splash violently
“I see the end of days,”
She spoke with a different voice now
Something old
Something dark

“So the little human wishes to know
How it will all end?” She said in her new voice
“Yes lola, I need to know.”
“Then look!”
She pointed to the water
The liquid was clear now
And I could see my reflection
But no, not just my reflection

I saw what she saw
I saw the sun and the moon
Consumed by darkness
I saw the hunger
That would never be satisfied
I cried then
To know that the world
Would know no hope
Not in the end

My tears mixed with the water
And it the blackness returned
“It can’t end that way,” I said
“I told you the answer would only bring your ruin.”
Her voice changed again
Now filled with pity

“I answered your question iho,
Now answer mine.
Why do you want to know?”

Our eyes met
And I could only say the truth
“I want to know when I
Will see her again”

“Who?” The woman asked
“My love, my life,” I replied
I was told by one like you
That I will see her
When the world ends

So I wait
Until that moment
When I can see her
“Fool that you are!”
Her words cut into my soul

“Worlds end every day
Are you sure it is not your end that you seek?”
“I do not know, lola.”
I started to cry again
And my tears dropped into the water

I could see the end more clearly now
How its beak ensnared the sun and moon
How it cared so little for the lives of man

I thanked the old woman and left her
To her thoughts
But before I reached the door
She said
“Do not chase the end, iho.
There is only sorrow in that path.”

“I know, lola.”
She said nothing else as I left
And I wrapped my sorrow
Around me

And remember
The feathers
The mirrored eyes
The treacherous claws
And smile

For I saw the end
And in the end
I saw her

=————————————————–=

*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 Hiyom Labon Buhi
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Hiyom Labon Buhi

Illustration by Harv Heinrich
FB: Harvibore

Inspired by the Minokawa description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

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