*Note this story is in Kapampangan

Metung benging alang bulan anyang ikit ke

Itang lalaking tinangis api

Lepitan ke saka ke kitnangan bakit

Lua la bang lungkut den?

O lua lang mua mu?

E ya mekibat

Kontorung mengutang ku

Mas menulu ing api kareng mata na

Karin ku mipaisip

Aisip na kaya nung mengatakutan ko?

Miglawa nang malutu

Dinalumdum ne ing langit

Oneng ali ya pa din mekibat

Bagkus, tinapus naku pa palawut

Oneng kailangan kung abalu

Na ating miyayaliwang lungkut

Na ating miyayaliwang mua

Ampong sigurung miyayaliwang saya

Linawe naku kareng matuling nang mata

A manuling api king gabun

Menangis yang pilang alang anggang panaun

Anggang minaslag ya ing sulu king panakit ku king malawut

King metung iglap, mewala ne

Miglakwan yang malutung lawa

Katunayan na linabas ya

Pangabukas milbalik ku

Ampo keng benging kayari na ning bukas bengi

Bangkanita akutnan ke itang lalaki

Nung bakit ya manangis

=————————————-=

English Version

It was a moonless night when I saw him

The man who cried fire

I went up to him and asked why

Were they tears of sadness?

Or anger?

He did not reply

The more I asked

The more fire fell from his eyes

And I began to wonder

Does he think I am frightened?

By the pool of glittering red

By the darkness of the night sky

He would not give me an answer

And sought to push me away

But I needed to know

There were different kinds of sadness

Different kinds of anger

And maybe even different kinds of joy

He looked at me with his jet black eyes

Pouring flames onto the ground

He wept for several eternities

Until the light broke from the horizon

And in an instant he was gone

With only a puddle of red

As evidence of his passing

Tomorrow I will return

And the night after that

To ask the crying man

What is behind his tears

————————–————————–——————–

Inongok Illustration by Joshua Hamangal
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ishart1228

The post Inongok – Kapampangan Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Kapampangan

Keng balen na ning Igbahay, makatuknang ya ing metung mausisang nilalang. Anyang banwa na ning Guino, 1539, linusub de reng tau ing bale na nitang marok a tau na awsang dang Talagman. Keng baleng ayta ikit do reng makapangilabut na bage. Metung kareng peka-aliwang dili itang uwak na ating tukang kasing taram na ning kutsilyu, ating yang apat a makakabang bitis, kuku, ampong tusuk.

Ngeni, sabi da reng memalen, ining nilalang ayni atin yapang kayabeng metung mas marok a nilalang. Keng sobrang karok ng Talagman, kinalat ing sabi-sabi na metung ya kanung Sigbin. Anyang panaun ayta, paniwalan da na ing Sigbin metung yang tau na magdalang sobrang karokan at kasakitan manibatan keng kayang pisalikutang lugar.

Atin lapang istorya reng memalen na metung kanung aldo atin masikan a lalaking menakit kang Talagman na kasalungsungang gagawang marok a bage anya itang lalaking ayta pinutut ne balugbug i Talagman. Ngeni, kanitang aldong ayta megi neng tradisyun kareng memalen na ning Igbahay, detang taung awsang dang Ibajaos, deng lalaki sadya dong paputut reng karelang kailing balugbug. Ing panyaptang dang ayni paniwalang dang makalakong bisa ketang kasunduwan na nitang Sigbin ampo nitang Espiritu na awsang dang Oag. Ining Oag ayni metung yang nilalang na mamyeng laru na makapamyeng sikanan keng metung a tau para magi yang Sigbin.

Makanita ya karok i Talagman, na mangaman ngeni, reng tau pane dang istorya da nung makananung ing kayang lawe malyari yang makapamyeng kasakitan kareng menakit. Pane de muring istorya nung makananung deng akakit I Talagmang deng karelang kanunuhan na kukwang basyu at didinan neng laru ing kayang katawan. Sinulapo ya keng angin at melakwan ya ing kapitna na ning kayang katawan keng bale.

Ing karokan at katsurang ugali ng Talagman pante ya ketang awsan ng Uac-Uac, ing kayang kaluguran. Ining uwak ah mamyeng disgrasya ayni panwalan de muring mamateng biktima pauli na ning pamanyaksak keng karelang gulut gamit ing mataram ng tuka kabang kukutkut ne ing kayang kuku keng laman na ning tau. Pauli na ning sobrang tula keng pamamanyeng kasakitan kareng tau, sadya lang susulapo kayabe na ning kayang among Sigbin para manintung laman na ning taung karelang pikutkutang kuku.

Ining istoryang ayni dinalan a banwa ne ing milabas, oneng magpanggang ngeni mapali ya parin keng panimanman da reng tau. Patye ikit me ing uac-uac a apat a bitis, mingat ka uling paniguradung kayabe ne at atyu yamu nung lokarin ing kayang amu.

=——————————–=

English Version

In the town of Igbahay, there exists a curious creature. In the year of the Lord, 1539, the people of the town raided the house of an evil man called Talagman. In his house they found many horrors. One most strange was a black crow with a beak as sharp as a knife, four long feet and claws and spines.

Now, it was said by the townsfolk that this creature was the companion of something more malicious. The evil of Talagman was so great that the people of the town whispered that he was a sigbin. In those days, a sigbin was a man who caused great evil and harm from his hiding place.

The townsfolk even tell a story of one day when a strong man caught Talagman in the middle of an evil act and the strong man cut off Talagman’s ear. Now, in those days there was a tradition in the town of Igbahay, whose people are called the Ibajaos, where certain men would have their left ear cut off. This practice was to break the pact that sigben would have with the spirit called oag, the creature that gives the oil which would make a man become a sigben.

Such was the evil of Talagman that, to this day, people would tell stories of how his glance alone would cause harm. They still say of stories where their great-great-great grandparents would see Talagman take a small flask, anoint his body with oil and fly through the air leaving half of his body in his house.

The cruelty and malice of Talagman had his match in the uac-uac, his companion. The misshapen crow would stab victims with its sharp beak and take great pleasure in raking its claws against the flesh of humans. So great was its love of torture that it would fly with its sigben master to find fresh meat that it could dig its claws in.

This story is of hundreds of years past, but always be warned. If you see the uac-uac and its four legs, know that its master will not be far behind.

————————–————————–————————–

Inspired by “The Legend of the Sigbin.” Pavon (1838-1839) in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Uac-uac Illustration by NightmareSyrup
Tumblr: http://nightmaresyrup.tumblr.com/

The post Uac-uac – Kapampangan Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Kapampangan

Case # KGMJ4852

Ating mengabating a anak anyang July 17, 1961, ala una na ning ugtu. Miglawe la reng Rangers king Orang National Park oneng pilang oras na ing milabas bayu da abalu nung nanu ing milyari karela.

Dapat normal a field trip yamu naman ita. Pipilang gradeschool titser ampong estudyante a papuntang park para gawang paper tungkul king park. Atin lang abeng atlung bante detang anak.

Itang mumunang bangke, metung ya karetang titser. Balamu mete ya king sakal. E pa balu nung nanu ing kemate na oneng ating pruebang mete ya dail king “violent compression on the neck as well as presence of bruising.” Balamu pilan mung minutu ing kemate na oneng ala naman meg-aliwa king itsura na o king katawan.

Detang mitagan, ikit dala ketang metung tanaman. Ketang “rainbow eucalyptus grove”. Balang metung, atin lang pasa kalupa na nitang minunang bangke a atin pasa a balamu sekal. Atin din buak-buak a ikit da king batal da. Linto naman king post-mortem, atin lang balamu pile o “fracture” detang anak. Sabi king Autopsy, pilang minute mu, mete la agad deng biktima.

Suma total, disisyete la deng mete. Siyam anak a lalaki, limang anak a babai, ampong atlung babaing titser.

Ni-lock-down de ing park saka dala ininspeksyun deng egana-ganang kotse a lulwal oneng ala lang ikit na magpatune na atin ginamit ”murder weapon”. Alang migtugma a buak kareng bangke saka kareng “visitors” a linub king park.

Angga ngeni, ali ya pa din “solved” in kasu.

=—————————————–=

English Version

Case # KGMJ4852

The children went missing July 17, 1961 at about 1pm. Rangers searched the Orang National Park for hours before they discovered what had happened to them.

It was supposed to be a routine field trip, a bunch of grade schoolers and their teachers going through a park and making papers about it after. The children were lead by 3 chaperons.

The first body was of one of the teachers, she looked like she had died from strangulation. The cause was unknown, but there was evidence of violent compression on the neck as well as presence of bruising. It seemed that death was within minutes with no disfiguring physical findings. Strands of soft hair were found on the victims neck, mirroring later findings.

The rest of the victims were found all in the same place, a rainbow eucalyptus grove. Each victim had the same marks as the first body and all showing signs of strangulation, with the presence of the hair on their necks. The child victims show fractures and bruising that were found to be postmortem. Autopsy showed the times of death of all the victims were within minutes of each other.

In total there were 17 victims. 9 boys, 5 girls and 3 female teachers.

The park was put on lockdown and all exiting vehicles were searched but nothing was ever found that would match the presumed murder weapon. No hairs that matched the ones found were present on any of the other park visitors.

The case remains unsolved to this day.

————————–————————–———————

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

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

The post Ikugan – Kapampangan Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Kapampangan

Aramdaman ke ing marimlang kutsilyu na papakat da keng kakung balat.

Meg-umpisang alas singku ning kaugtuwan. Mabilis yamung meyari ing pyalung a basketball, anya pebalikan na nakeng making maranun, anya mamirapal kung minuli keng peka agyu kung bilis.

Eya masyadong malino itang tunug, mayna yamu, pero eku antindyan.. balamu aliwa.. linawe ku keng kakung Kayli at anyang ikit ke ing tanaman a santol, balu kune nung nanu ne ita.

“Wak…wak…wak…”
Paulit ulit ya itang tunug na dadagungdung keng kakung balugbug na balamu daramdaman kula suwala reng kakung ingkung at apu. “Patye ing tunug masikan ya, ing buri ng sabyan nita ing wakwak malawut ya, pero dapat nakang mingat panga ing tunug bagya bagya yang mimina, kasi ing buri ng sabyan kanita malapit nemu kanta keka.” Mengarimla ku buong katawan kanitang mekalub naku bale.

Ing santol na atyu keng tapat dang kwartu dina maku, balu kung posibling atyu ya Karin itang wakwak. Anyang ikit ke ing kakung mabuktut a inda na manalbeng TV, kanita ku abalu. Megsimula ne ing laban.

Sigidu kung memulayi papunta keng kusina para kumang kutsilyu, ayneng kayan keng kakung gamat, siguru uling sigurado ku keng kakung gawan. Selikut ke ing kutsilyu keng kakung syort, at linukluk ku keng siping ng maku, manenaya kung ustung oras na panga pepakit ne ning halimaw itang kayang malutung dila.
Manenaya ku..
Manenaya ku.

Kapitnang oras ku ring megbante. Kapitnang oras bayu ku linwal papunta ketang santol para pakiramdaman itang tunug.

Menenaya kupa kayi mewala ne itang tunug.

Manggaman ngeni, buri kunang isipan na aramdaman na ning alimaw na apag-adyan ku pamaglaban at ene agyung abiktima ing kakung inda. Pero keng aliwang banda, mangatakutan ku parin pag lalawe ku ketang santol, balamu atin ku paring daramdaman a mayna pero matinis na tunog.
“Wak….wak….wak…..”

=——————–=

English Version

I could feel the cold steel of the knife pressing against my skin.

It started at 5:30 pm. The basketball game didn’t take too long and my mom wanted me home early so I rushed home as soon as I could. The sound was faint, but very distinct. I looked towards my right and when I saw the santol tree I knew exactly what it was.

“Wak….wak…..wak….”

The sound rang in my ears and suddenly I was hit with my grandparents voices, “If the wakwak sound is loud then that means the creature is far, but be careful if the voice is soft, for that means it is very near.” My blood ran cold the moment I entered the house.

The santol tree was right above the bedroom of my parents, so I knew I had to see if there was anything there that the wakwak might want. When I saw my pregnant mother watching TV, that’s when I knew. The fight had begun.

I raced to the kitchen to get a knife, it felt light in my hand,
probably because I was sure of what I had to do. I hid the knife in my shorts, and sat next to my mother, waiting for the moment the monster would let loose its red tongue.

I waited.

I waited.

It was 30 minutes that I stayed on guard. 30 minutes until I ventured outside to the santol tree to hear if the voice persisted.

I waited and it was gone.

To this day, I’d like to think the creature sensed that I was ready for a fight and that my mother wouldn’t be easy prey. But there are still shivers down my spine every time I look at that santol tree, half expecting to hear a soft falsetto of

“Wak…..wak…..wak….”

=——————————————=

Inspired by a story told by Ian Quirante

Wak-wak Illustration by Ian Quirante
FB: Ian Quirante Illustrations

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

The post Wakwak (Cagayan de Oro) – Kapampangan Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Kapampangan

Ginulis la reng pisi ning sala king alapaap niyang bengi, ala lang  bulad a magmasid king panalbeng pareung kakatwa ampong karaniwan: ing metung a sapni na babai ning sala ning bulan ampong sapni ning tau, makalukluk miarapan. Linapit la ring alipatpat banta makiramdam.

“ Ikit da ka napun. “

“Tutu? “

“Teterak ka king lalam na ning sala ning bulan. “

“ E ku isipan na ating manalbe. “

“ Maibug ku nang akalingwan nung makananu ka kalagu. “

“Ali mu gagawan ini. “

“ Kikislap ka kareng bulan, gagalo king kapamilatan ning sala. Buri da ka pakisabyan, oneng penandit, ala na ka. “

“ Mibalik na ku dapat. “

“ Makanian mu rin ing sinabi mu kaku kanita. “

“ Ining tutu kanita ampong ngeni, pamagkamali ya ini. “

“ Sabyan mu mu kaku. Sulit ya ba?”

“ Sulit ing nanu? “

“ Ika ampong aku. “

“….”

“ Lawen mu ku, makisabi ku. Mipagtipanan tamu king metung at metung na maging tutu tamu.

“ Malwat na panaun na ita. “

“ Oneng agaganaka me pa. “

“…”

“ Makisabi ku. “

“ Wa. “

“E mu buring sabyan. Ali mu agaganaka nung makananu ing kanita? Ika mu ampung aku. “

“Tutu bang bulag na ka at ali mu akakit ing malalalyari? Ali ya malyaring  isundu ing makantini. “

“ Mikalugud tamu. “

“ Mamamate ka kanita. “

“…”

“ E mu ku lalaweng makanyan. Makantini mu talaga. Nung malsinta ya ing metung kekami kareng kalupa yu-“

“ Mapupus ya ini. “

“ Mapupupus ya parati. “

“ Malyaring keni ka pa? Diyang saguli mu? “

“ Agyu ke ita. “

Ginulis ya ing sala ibat kareng adwa. Balu da reng alipatpat na dimdam ning sapni ning sala ning bulan ing karelang  pamakiramdam, oneng ala lang pakialam. Sinulapo la king banua ampong tinerak ing karelang sulu, sasabyan ing kesaysayan na ning pangawala ampong lugud kareng ninumang mamye panawun makiramdam.

=———————=

English Version

English Version

Wisps of light streaked through the night sky, standing silent witness to a sight both strange and not: a daughter of moonlight and a son of man sitting across from each other. Curiosity filled the fireflies and they flew closer to the pair to hear.

“I saw you yesterday.”

“Did you?”

“You were dancing in the moonlight.”

“I didn’t think anyone was watching.”

“I almost forgot how beautiful you were.”

“Don’t do this.”

“You were flickering between the moonbeams, moving through the light. I wanted to say hello, but in a moment, you were gone.”

“I needed to go back.”

“That’s what you told me before.”

“It was as true then as it is now. This was a mistake.”

“Just tell me one thing. Was it worth it?”

“Was it worth what?”

“You and me?”

“….”

“Look at me, please. We promised each other that we’d be honest.”

“That was a long time ago.”

“But you still remember.”

“…”

“Please?”

“Yes. It was.”

“You can’t mean that. Don’t you remember how things were? It was just you and me—“

“Are you so blind that you couldn’t see what was happening? There was no way things could have continued.”

“We were in love.”

“You were dying.”

“…”

“Don’t look at me like that. It’s the way things are. If one of us falls in love with one of you—“

“It will end.”

“It always ends.”

“Could you stay, just for a little while?”

“I can do that.”

Light streaked from the direction of the pair. The fireflies knew that the daughter of moonlight heard them eavesdropping, but they didn’t care. They flew to the skies and danced with their lights, telling a story of loss and love to anyone that would take the time to hear it.

=————————————–=

Inspired by the Engkanto description in Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition. Nasayao 2010.

Engkanto Illustration by Pia BMorante

The post Engkanto – Kapampangan Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Kapampangan

Malyari na kang tukyan ning metung a bengi ning kasiyan.

Apulung banwa bayu ne abalu ing aral a ita. Makapadurot la ding bengi na kareng marakal a sulu ampo king libutad da ring aliwang tau.

Buri ne ing pakiramdam na ning tugtug a didiretso king buu nang katawan. Buri nang makakilalang aliwang tau, kapana-panabik ang malilyari. Ating inuman a ena balung bigkasan ing lagyu ampong batuin a ena apanenayang ayalala. Ing biye na dudurut kareng kasiyan at imbitado egana-ganang tau.

Kabira, bigla nang apanamdaman.

Misalikut ya ing impeksyon at banwa-banwa bayu la linwal ding senyales. Meging normal ing pamaglagnat, kaybat mapagal ya anggang alang aliwang rason. At ating bukul.

Sabi da ring doctor paralan ne ning katawan na para lumaban king impeksyon. Ating bengi a manalangin ya a sana sikanan da pa ing pamaglaban da.

E ya mimisip, ita ing sasayan da ring aliwa anyang abalu da. Kayari da ring mangasakit a milyari, tinuknang meng magkwentu tungkul karin, baski kareng pamilya ampong kaluguran na. Ikit na kung pakananu meg-aliwa ang lwe da kaya ibat king pamaglawe da king lagu na, pero ngeni?

Ini na ing bien a ngeni.

Ding antiretrovials ilang dapat a magligtas kay, pero ala lang masyadong arapat. Pebagalan damu ing pamagkalat na ning virus king katawan nab anta kumabye yang normal, o kalupa king normal.

Ala neng aliwang buri nung e mibalik king dati nang bie, kareng madalumdum a bengi ampong matinging ilig, kareng akakayabeng malbeng pamagluwal na ning aldo a e na naman kakilala. Pero tututwa ne at araramdaman na na ing pamagluwal na ning bayat na ning pamagsisi.

E ya pakulung king kayang pamagsisi.

Kumabye ya pa. Anggang pilan pang tag0init ing lumabas, mamag-asa ya pa king kayang bukas, manenaya.

Manenaya para kaya.

Megbakasyun ya king obra na, bala da nga dahil king Maleldo. Isip da manakit lang litrato na king dayat, miminum mayumung inuman ampong kera-kera king lalam na ning aldo.

Pero e kalupa ning panayan da a pamagpaynawa ing tutu nang misyon.

Menigaral ya, ating miyaliwang kwentu na lulwal ya iti potang mantun yang marakal pang biktima, kayanakan a gagamitan na pusu para gawang agimat.

Linawe ne ing aku a atyu ing gulut anng saken. Tinuknang neng galo pilan nang oras ing milabas at mekaramdam yang pamagsisi. Nanu wari talaga ing buri nang gawan?

Leko na ita king isip na. Ali ne pasibayung magpatakda king metung a bage. Kailangan ing pipilang sakripisyo banta asiguru nang apantun ne ing premyu na.

Alang mikibalu king itsura na nini. Ating kwentu na lupa yang kambing a alang sagu ampong asong lalakad pagulut. Ating aliwa na lupa ya kanung pusa a balamu demonyong ating matuling a balat. Atin pang alamat a sasabing atin yang katawang balamu uwak a ating pakpak ampong bitis a balamu king tipaklung a gagamitan na banta makalundag ya.

Ing bau namu ini na ing tatawling bageng makasaup kaya.

Kingwa ne ing saku saka ya menenaya king marangle anggang bengi. Bisa yang sindi, pero pota mitakutan ya king asuk ing nilalang at e ne isugal ita.

Telan ne king salu na ing baril saka ya tahimik a linukluk. Mapilang oras, megsimula yang ginalo ing sako, pero e ne pinsin.

Mitutundu ne anyang atin yang ikit a matuling a bageng gagalo papunta kaya. Asneng kabilis, mas mabilis kesa king aisip na.

Miras ya king sako saka ne binwat king kayang tuktuk. Masikan ya itis aka ne linawe.

Misalubung la reng mata da saka ne tinas ing baril.

Apat a pakbung mewala ne ing nilalang. E ya mint akeni banta mu muling alang dadalan. Memulayi ya papunta keang pintalan na ning ulimaw. Menakit yang matuling a balamu danum king gabun.

Mituran ya anyang memaril ya. Sinaluk ya king gamat na saka ne inum.

Mapayit ya lasa ampong makapanyuka.

Lalasa yang katimawan.

=————————–=
English Version

A night of fun can follow you forever.

It took her 10 years to learn that lesson. Her nights were spent bathed in lights and surrounded by strangers.

She loved the rush of the music as it spread through her body. She loved the new people, the exciting scenes. There were drinks she couldn’t pronounce and stars she couldn’t wait to remember. Her life was a party and everyone was invited.
But then she started to feel it.

The infection hid itself well, years would pass before the real signs showed. Fevers would be a normal occurrence, she would feel tired every day without reason. And there were the bumps.
The doctors told her that it was her body fighting against the infection. There were nights where she prayed they would fight harder.

She didn’t think, that’s what most people assumed when they found out. After enough bad experiences she stopped talking about it, even to her family and friends. It was the way they looked at her that changed, people used to see her for the beauty that she was, but now?

Now this was her life.

Antiretrovirals, they were supposedly her savior, but they could never quite come down from the cross. All they did was slow the progress of the virus in her body, she could live a normal life, or as close to normal as possible.

There was nothing more she wanted than to run back to her old life, of dark nights and wild passions, of finding the stranger that she would watch the sunrise with. But she was getting old and she could feel the weight of regrets keeping her close to the ground.

She would not be a prisoner of her regret.

There was still the rest of her life she needed to live. No matter how many summers passed over her, she still had hope that the future was there, waiting.

Waiting just for her.

She took a leave from work for vacation, everyone assumed it was because of the Holy Week. They expected to see pictures of her by a beach, sipping on a sweet drink and lazing in the sun.

But her true mission was far removed from the leisure and luxury that others had come to expect.

She did her research, there were tales that it went out of hiding during that time to look for more victims, children whose hearts it would make into an amulet.

She stared at the sack in the back of her car. It had stopped moving hours ago and she felt a pang of guilt. Was this really what she wanted to do?

She chased away those thoughts. She would not be defined by one thing, not anymore. Certain sacrifices would have to be made to ensure that she would find her prize.

No one knew what it looked like. There were stories of hornless goats and dogs that walked backwards. There were other tales of cat like demons with black skin. There was even a legend of a crow like body with wings and grasshopper like legs that it used to leap.

All she knew was that it was the last thing that could help her.
She took the sack and waited in the field until night fell. Her body craved cigarettes, but smoke might scare the creature off and she wouldn’t take that chance.

She held the gun close to her chest and sat silently. The bag started to rustle after a few hours, but she ignored it.

Her eyes were heavy when she spotted a large black spot moving towards her. It was fast, faster than she expected.
It reached the sack and carried it in its mouth. The creature was strong and stared at her.

Their eyes met and she raised the gun.

Four shots and the creature was gone. She couldn’t have come this far just to be left with nothing. She ran to where the beast was and spotted a small pool of black liquid on the ground.

One of her shots hit it. Her heart raced as she knelt to the liquid. She took some in her hands and swallowed.

It tasted of bitterness and bile.

It tasted of freedom.

*There are Urban Legends that state that the blood of a Sigbin can cure HIV/AIDS.

Inspired by the Sigbin myths

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

The post Sigbin – Kapampangan Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Kapampangan

“Alberto, matudtud naka!”, anang Neni anyang linawe ni i Alberto king kwartu na. Mebigla ya makakera ne pala.

Apansin na medyu matamle ya. Pigaganakan na pota ali na ne na naman matudtud masalese.

“Opu!.Matudtud naku pu!” Pakibat nang Albertu a makaulas na.

Yapin na ita. Pete na neng Neni ing sulu kaybat neng sebyanang matudtud ne i Alberto.

“Bukas munta tamu park, ne?” Anang Neni kalwal nang pasbul.

“Matudtud ta na puuuuu!” Pakibat nang Alberto.

———————————————————————————————————————————– “Manuyab ya pa i Alberto kabang makasake ya king kabayu nang de pakpak susulapo kareng ulap. Balamu mo napun mu milyari itang anyang minsang mekisabi ya itang metung prinsesa ning Kahangian a ali na ne pa ituluy itang metung pamaglusub na.

Balu nang Alberto, ali ya makaali patse ating pamipagsapalaran.

Oneng ngeni, buri nang Alberto, mayari na ing pamipagsapalaran a ita.Balamu malabug nang manyabut king alang aggang pamaglusub da reng ayup.

Ali la ordinaryung ayup deni. Balamu payung lang susula-sulapo kareng ulang ning Kahangian. Ana ning prisesa kang Alberto, madalas ali no man bubulad ampong manablas deng ayup oneng ngeni sinapak nala. Pigaganakan na ning prinsesa, ini pa ing umpisa ning mas madagul a pamaglusub king kaarian da.

Pilang domingu nala ding tatabi Alberto, kayabe ning kabayu na, deng ayup palawut king kaarian. Agyang buri na ning prinsesa a gumamit yang puersa i Alberto, ena la agyung panasakitan deng  ayup.

Kayari na ning pekatawling kumpul ning ayup, pepaawus ne ning prinsesa i Alberto king kwartu na.

Kailangan na neng yarian Alberto ini. Sayang king oras ing gagawan nang Albertong pamanabi kareng ayup nung magbalik la din naman. Dininan neng kaun i Alberto at sebyanan neng munta king ari da reng ayup para paten ne.

Biklat neng Alberto ing kaun at mebigla ya anyang akit na na espada ya ing makalage a makaukit ing keyang lagyu. Mabayat yang lub linawe king prinsesa saka ya miniling.

Ali na agyu ing pagawa na. Ali solusyun ing pamanasakit para kaya. Likwan ne ing kaun king kwartu na ning prinsesa saka ya sinake kabayu na.

Mituknang mu ing egana-ganang ini nung masunud yamu buri i Alberto.

———————————————————————————————————————————–Tiniman ya ing kabayu nang Alberto. Uling kabayu ne mu, mesane neng ali sasabing pilubluban na oneng ngeni, ali ne mekabata.

Masaya iya na ustu ya ing desisyun nang Alberto. Ali no man manakit deng ayup. Istorbu la deng ayup king kaarian ning prinsesa oneng angga mu karin.

Sinulagpo lang adwa ning kabayu na kareng ulap angga king agyu na ning kabayu na. Nung nanu ya kagaling ing kabayu na king pamanlundag, makanita neman kapalpak kareng pakpak na. Pabusbus a  sinugud kareng ayup, mekapangan ya pang pipilang bulbul ayup i Alberto, agga king atupan de ing ari da reng ayup.

Dinuku ya ing kabayu nang Alberto. Agyang kabayu ya, atin ya pa din dayang ayup at kailangan nang tuki kareng aliwang batus-ayup bangkanita ali de kamuan deng aliwang ayup.

Asneng karagul ing ari da reng ayup. King kadagul na, mitatakpan ne alus ing aldo king katawan na. Linawe ne ning ari da reng ayup i Alberto ampo ing kabayu na saka na sinabi, “Ninu ikayu? Ampong nanung gagawan yu keni?”

Makaduku ya pa din ing kabayu anyang dimdam neng mekibat i Alberto.

“Bakit ye pu lulusuban ing kaarian?”, anang Alberto.

“Nanung buri mung sabyan?! Ala kung lulusuban! Panikwanan ku mung misubli ya ing kakung pibandian!”

Melukut ya kanuan i Alberto king pangalitu na.

“Oneng sabi na pu ning prinsesa kaku, ikayu pu ining linusub!”

“Iya ing minuna aliwa yaku! Penako ne ing kakung korona! Kaya kula papuntalan deng kakung alagad bangkanita akwa ke ita!”

“Oneng ana pu ning prinsesa –”

Dirutan ne ning ari da reng ayup i Alberto saka ne lege ing tuktuk na king lupa na.

“Abalitan da naka. Ika ampo ning kabayu mung de pakpak. Malwat da na kayung daramdaman kening kaarian a ini. Ngeni, makisabi kung mayap, isubli ye ing kakung korona. Patse milyari ita, metung mung amanu ku, tuknang na la reng alagad ku.”

Linawe ya ing Alberto king kabayu na at sabe lang tinangu.

———————————————————————————————————————————–Makalawe ya ing prinsesa king salamin kabang susuklen de reng alagad ing buak na. Ali na isip-isipang tanggian ne ning metung tawu ing keyang regalu. Siguru king susunud, ditak pang lua, ala nang makatanggi king regalu na.

Sebyanan na lang lumwal deng keyang alagad. Linub ya king metung sikretung pasbul. Keng kilub ning kwartu, metung a baul. At king kilub ning baul, metung a premyu a pakiingatan na.

Pekamasanting yang korona king buung Kahangian. Atin yang bala makaburdang batuin ibat king langit. Gintung inaseru nang Ginton. Atin yan kasantingan a bage king pekamalagung prinsesa kareng ulap.

“Malaram!”, Gulisak nang Alberto king kwartu na ning prinsesa.

Memigsu yang menakbag ing korona king bigla na. Ali na isipan a mibalik ya agad ing tawung tinubud na.

“Malaram ka!”, anang ginulisak pasibayu.

“Katnamu atyu naka! Atyu la deng ayup nandin keni buri deng kunan ing korona kaku!”, ana ning prinsesa sabe atin ginilid lua king mata na. Ali mu minsang ginana ya ing makanining palusut na ning prinsesa. Nung ginana ya dati, gumana ya din ngeni.

“Ali me bandi yan!”, Anang Alberto kabang linapit la ning abayu na king prinsesa.

“Ali ya kaku pero ken yang tatang ku ini! Maiinggit lamu deng ayup kanaku kaya buri deng kuanan kanaku ini. Ali mu naman paburen ita, ali? Saupan mu ku,” Ngeni, manulu na ing lua king pisngi na kabang lalen ne i Alberto king mata.

“Malaram!”, anang Alberto kaybat neng dinaklut ing korona saka sinake kabayu na.

“Dakpan ye yan!”, Ana ning prinsesa ka reng guardya na.

Sibukan de pang tagalan i Alberto oneng mekalagpas nala kareng susulapong ubingan a makabante king puntud nang Ulilangkalulua. Patse milagpas naka karin, mengari nakang pagong a ali milako king bale mu.

“Ali naka makabalik keni kapilan man!”, gulisak na ning prinsesa kareng ulap. “Pantunan daka tandanan mu yan!”

“Dinumug de reng ayup di Alberto ampo ning kabayu na. Metula lang mayap a tatalnan neng Alberto ing korona ning ari da.”

“Kapate na naka ning kaarian ning prinsesa mu,” Ana ning ari da reng ayup.

“Wa pin pu.”

“Salamat keka. Manibat ngeni asaan mung saupan naka ning kaarian da reng ayup nung sakaling kailangan mu.”

“Salamat pu.”

Makatiman yang linaweng i Alberto king kabayu na. Kinawul neng Alberto ing kabayu na at saka neman mekibat ing kabayu na. Balu da na ustu ya ing desisyun a gewa da agyang ngening atin nalang kapate madagul.

“Atsing Neni, mapagal naku pu!”

“Oh, sige, Alberto. Miglip naka pa. Ligpit mula deng kinalat mung crayola, ne?”

“Opu.”

Ngening aldo, maranun yang tinikdo i Alberto ampong mig-almusal. Migaganaka ya pa din i Neni na eya mekatudtud masalese i Alberto oneng balu na na makabawi neman king tudtud nung miglip ya.

Sinopan neng ligpit deng Crayola nang Alberto. Magtaka ya mu pin nung bakit payung ing pane nang do-drawing.

“Atsing Neni, ayup, oh!” anang Alberto kabang papakit ne ing ayup a dinrowing na lupang payung. Mas maragul yamu pin kareng aliwang payung.

“Ay! Kasanting na naman niyaaaaan! Oh, tara na, ne? Magligpit ta na saka naka matudtud, ne?”

“Opu!”

English Version

“Alberto it’s time for bed!” Neni shouted from the hallway. She checked Alberto’s bedroom and was surprised to find him already under the covers.

She had noticed that he was less energetic than usual and she was worried that he wasn’t sleeping well.

“Neni I’m going to sleep!” Alberto said from under his blanket.
There wasn’t much she could do. Neni switched the lights off and told Alberto to have good dreams.

“I’ll see you in the morning. We’ll go to the park tomorrow okay?” She said as she walked out of his room.

“Neni! Time to sleep!” was Alberto’s reply.

Alberto yawned as he rode his winged steed through the clouds. It felt like only yesterday when one of the princesses of Kahangian*asked Alberto and his horse to stave off an invasion.

Alberto knew he couldn’t say no. When adventure calls he only had one answer.

But Alberto wished this adventure would end soon. Victory seemed out of reach as the endless onslaught of birds came wave after wave.

These were no ordinary birds. They flew like umbrellas along the clouds of Kahangian. The princess told Alberto that the birds would usually keep to themselves, but something must have happened to rile them up. She was afraid that this was only the beginning of a larger assault on her realm.

Alberto and his horse spent the last few weeks rerouting the birds away from the kingdom. As much as the princess wanted him to use force, Alberto could not bring himself to harm the birds.

After redirecting the latest wave of birds Alberto was summoned to the princess’ chambers.

She told him that it was time to end this. Redirecting the birds was a waste of time if they just kept coming back. She gave Alberto a box and told him to go to the king of the birds and slay him.

Alberto opened the box and was surprised to find a sword with his name engraved on it. It felt heavy in his hands and he looked at the princess and shook his head.

He would not do as she asked. Violence wasn’t the answer, at least not to him. He left the box in the princess’ chambers and went to his horse.

This would end, but on his terms.

Alberto’s horse smiled. As a horse he was used to keeping his opinions to himself but today he couldn’t help it.
He was proud that he made the right choice in Alberto. The birds weren’t violent, at most they were a nuisance to the princess’ kingdom.

They flew through the clouds with as much grace as the horse could muster. As adept as he was with galloping, the horse was clumsy with his wings. They barreled through the surge of birds ahead of them, Alberto had to spit out a few feathers, but eventually they came upon the roost of the king of birds.

Alberto’s horse bowed his head. As much as he was a horse, he was also part bird, and there were certain rules that you had to follow to make sure the other birds wouldn’t get mad at you.
The king of birds was enormous, his large frame almost blacking out the sun. He took one look at Alberto and his horse and said, “Who are you and why are you here?!”

Alberto’s horse was still looking at the ground when he heard Alberto answer.

“Why you attack the kingdom?”

“Strange human, I attack nothing. I am just trying to get back what belongs to me.”

Alberto’s brow creased in confusion.

“But princess said you attack!”

“The princess was the one that started this. She and her kingdom stole my crown! I’ve been sending my birds to her kingdom to get it back.”

“But princess said—-“

The king of birds whirled around and put his beak up to Alberto’s face.

“I’ve heard of you, human. You and your bentohangin have made quite a name for yourselves in this realm. And I am asking you, please, get my crown back and I will tell my birds to stop.”

Alberto looked at his horse and they nodded in unison.

The princess stared at her mirror as her servants brushed her hair. She had not calculated that the human would reject her gift, but no matter. A few bats of her eyelashes and some tears would certainly do the job the next time.

She bade her servants to leave her alone and walked to a hidden door in her chambers. In it was a chest and in that chest was her prize.

It was the most beautiful headpiece in all of Kahangian, inlaid with fallen stars and made from gold straight from Ginton’s forges. Such beauty should only belong to her, the fairest princess in the clouds.

“L—-I—-A—-R!” Alberto’s voice rang through the princess’ chambers.

The princess managed to catch the crown as it fell through her fingers. She had not expected the human to be back so soon.
“You’re a liar!” Alberto shouted again.

“I’m so glad you’re here! The birds have been trying to steal from me!” It was time for the tears. The princess was familiar with this tactic, many heroes had fallen for her charms and this one would be no different.

“That’s not your crown!” Alberto and his horse moved towards the princess.

“This is my father’s! The birds are jealous of its beauty and keep trying to take it from me, but you won’t let them will you? Please help me!” Tears were flowing down her cheeks as she looked into Alberto’s eyes.

“L—–I—–A—–R!” Alberto grabbed the crown from the princess and ran towards his horse.

“Guards! Get them!”

Alberto and his horse were experts and running away. The guards tried to catch up to the pair but once you’ve escaped from the flying serpents guarding Ulilankalulua’s grave everything seems like a turtle in comparison.

“You are not welcome here!” The princess shouted through the clouds, “We will hunt you down!”

The birds flocked Alberto and his horse. They were overjoyed at the sight of the crown and accompanied them to their king’s throne.

“You have made yourself an enemy of the princess’ kingdom.” The king of birds said to Alberto.

“Yes.”

“Thank you, know that the kingdom of birds will help you, whenever you will need it.”

“Yes.”

Alberto looked at his horse and smiled. Alberto’s horse hugged his companion and neighed. They knew they made the right choice, even if it meant making a powerful enemy.

“Neni! I’m tired!”

“Okay Alberto, you can take a nap soon. Let’s clean up your crayons okay?”

“Okay.”

Today Alberto woke up early and even got ready for breakfast in time. Neni was still worried that he wasn’t getting enough sleep but that was nothing a good nap couldn’t fix.

She helped him clear his crayons and wondered why he kept drawing umbrellas.

“Neni! Bird!” He showed a drawing that was like the other umbrellas but bigger than the rest.

“It looks great Alberto! Let’s clean up and you can take a nap, okay?”

“Okay!”

Continued from the Bentohangin’s tale

*Kahangian is the fifth layer of the universe

Inspired by the Hubot description in The Soul Book. Demetrio & Cordero-Fernando 1991.

Hubot Illustration by Edrian Paolo T. Baydo

Color by Alexa Garde
Website: Lexa.us

The post Hubot – Kapampangan Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Kapamapangan

“Aren no nanaman.” Dimput ng Tanya ing malan na ning kaputul ng babai. “Dapat talang patuknangan.”

“Eka migaganaka, ela man mangayi ren. Metung pa, sabi da ng apu ela kanu kukwang labis keng karelang kailangan.” Kinawe yang gamat i Layla anyang ating dinalang malating nilalang keng kayang harapan. “Oh, lawen muna, sabi kuna keka puwede mulang akaluguran nung dinan mong pagkakataon.”

“keng kakung palage, e parin masanting na paburen talang kukunan dala reng kekatamung abias.” ing amanu ng Tanya. Dinamput yang metung at tepat ne ini keng kayang lupa. “nanan de wari inga bias? Mamangan la wari mu nmn?”

“Tanya! Baba mo ren!” Simsam ng Layla itang balamu manikang nilalang ketang gamat na ning kayang kaputul. “ Pagpasensyan yune, anak yapa kasi” Linawe ya I Layla keng kayang kaputul. “Manyad kang Upaya.”

“Ot manyad kung Upaya? Bara-bara deng kukunan ing kekatamung abias,” mimwang sabi ng Tanya.”

“Buri muba talagang akit nung nokarin do talaga dadala denga bias?” Seryoso ya lawe I Layla keng kayang kapatad. Makeramdam yang ditak a karug I Tanya. Yapin ing mumunang beses na ikit ne ing kayang Atyi na seryoso. Manggaman, menaig parin kaya ing kaburyan ng abalu ing katututwan. “Sige” ing amanu na. Tikyan de deng mikapatad reng ugaw ketang masukal gubat at paakyat a bunduk. Kailangan dang lumakad a mabilis uling hanggang mangalati la reng ugaw, mabilis noman.

Eya talaga kinurap i Tanya uling tatakut ya na milako la keng karelang panimanman ing karelang tutukyan. Bagya-bagya lang nilakad I Layla kabang atyu ya keng kayang kagulutan ing kayang kapatad.  Keng e malawut a semeteryo, Karin la tinuknang meglakad deng ugaw. Pekalawen nalang Tanya nung makananu dong pekasamasan deng ugaw retang abias keng tapat na ning pilibingan hangang mayari la.  Metung metung lang meko reng ugaw tyaka la minta keng direksyon na ning gubat. Linawe ya I Tanya keng kayang atyi.

Anyang mumuna ala yang kabalubalu tapos apagtantu nung nokaring lugar ya atyu. “Saguli, libingan neng apu ini ah” Bagya yang metahimik. “Kaluguran tala” Minayli ya I Layla.

=————————————-=

English Version

“They’re at it again.” Tanya grabbed her sister’s dress. “We should stop them.”

“Don’t worry about it, they’re not hurting anyone. Besides, lola always said these ones never take more than they need.” Layla waved as the small creatures walked by. “See? They can be friendly if you give them a chance.”

“I still don’t think it’s a good idea to just let them take the rice,” Tanya said. She grabbed one of the things and held it to her face. “What do they even need the rice for? Do they eat it?”

“Tanya! Put it down.” Layla grabbed the doll-like being from her sister’s hands. “I’m sorry, she’s young.” Layla turned to her sister. “Apologize to them.”

“Why should I? They’re stealing our rice right in front of us,” Tanya said adamantly.

“Do you really want to see where these things take the rice?” Layla looked at her sister sternly.

Tanya was scared. She had never seen her sister look that way, but her curiosity got the better of her. “Yes” was Tanya’s reply.

The sisters followed the group of ugaw through the forest and up the hills. They had to walk fast, the ugaw were small, but they were also swift. Tanya forced herself to not blink because she was afraid that they might disappear. Layla did not rush, she stayed a few steps behind her sister.

The ugaw ended their journey at the cemetery, which wasn’t far from the town. Tanya watched them set each grain of rice in front of a grave until they were all finished. Then, each ugaw walked away, heading towards the forest.

Tanya looked at her sister, it took her a moment before she realized where she was. “That’s lola’s grave,” she managed to say after a few minutes of silence.

“They were her friends.” Layla smiled.

————————–————————–————————–—

Story inspired by Ugaw description in Myth Museum. Medina. 2015.

Watercolor by Tara Singson
IG: https://www.instagram.com/tarabell93/

The post Ugaw – Kapampangan Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Kapampangan

“kinang kinang ya aslag

ing cabilugan na ning bulan

Ini na ing caorasan

Ing caorasan ning pamangulam”

Caung neng caung quing cucu y Aileen cabang cucua yang panulu ibat quing babo mantil. Dimput ne at inakmul at aliya man minum danum. Maluat ne ring malagnat at mangaligkig, at alub na namu salese ne. Marakal ya pa cailangang gawang obra, oneng ali mu pala obra ing manenaya caya.

“Tunggal tunggal

Tucyan mu ing delanan na

at tipunan mu ing gab-bun

para alaya ni metung mang bakas”

Mengurenta ne, at miganaca ne ing atchi ng Aileen. Minawus ne ospital oneng manenaya la pa murin. Malulunus neng manakit i achi na quing panamdaman na, ala ya muring acarapat nung ali manenaya at mangadi na datang ne ing ambulancia.

“Bubucal na ing danum

isamut mu na ing gab-bun

ditac namung panawun

at mibalic ne quing abu”

Milaco ne pangisnawa ampong pulsu y Aileen. Micarugan ne ing medic quing capali na katawan. Manyicsic ing pali careng gwantes cabang pipilitan neng pacabyayan pasibayu. Balang pwersa da reng gamat quing salu na macicintal ya quing bubucal nang catawan. Mipapawas neng marimla at mangalgal ne quing pagal ing macalunus a medic.

“Ini na ing tawling gab-bun

magigisan na at lalangi

camate na ning api

mapatlud ne ing alti”

‘Mepapa ya uling lalaban ya careng matwa na’ ana ning apu cabang timan timan ya.

=———————-=

English Version

“The moon is full
The moon is bright
The time is now
To feed my spite”

Aileen coughed. She grabbed another pill from her bedside and swallowed it without any water. It had been a few days since her fever started and she hoped it would be gone by now. There was so much work she still had to do.

“Walk in her footsteps
One at a time
Gather the dirt
A victimless crime”

40 degrees. Aileen’s sister was worried. She called the hospital but the waiting was torture. She could see her baby sister cry out in pain and there was nothing she could do about it. She prayed that the ambulance would be there soon.

“Heat up the pot
Mix in the earth
She won’t suffer long
For whatever that’s worth”

No breath sounds or pulse coming from the patient. The EMT was worried. He had never seen a fever this high before, it was as if the patient was burning up from the inside. He could feel the heat through his gloves while he was giving CPR. Each compression felt like he was pressing his hands against a hot iron, but he couldn’t stop now, he had to do what he could.

“The last of the dirt
Broken and dry
One final lick of flame
And thus she will die”

The old woman smiled. This would teach that ungrateful girl what happens when you don’t respect your elders.

————————–————————–————————–—-

Inspired by the Mangangamod description in Myth Museum. Medina. 2015.

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

The post Mangangamod – Kapampangan Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Kapampangan

Penalben ne pang meko keng Palasyu ning Malacañang ing pekatalwing saken. Balu ng Mister Brown na dapat yang manenayang kapitangan bengi para agawa na ing kayang tradisyun, at deng bayu keng palasyu buring buri da pa naman ing magpalakwan kayabe da deng dati ng atiyu. Minitit ya pang misan keng kayang tabaku at lebulan ne ing asuk a minyalungan keng kayang dila. Payari na ing selebrasyun.

Linakad ya keng pasilyu ning palasyu at inawus na la deng lagyu da reng matwang multu. Mipadalan ya keng opisina ning Presidenti at ikit na karin deng magpulung a lalaki na balik-balik maglakad. Lapin deni deng makalunus na kaladwang mekulung manibat anyang Gerang Hapon. Ala yang akarapat I Mr. Brown nune tangung basti karela, miye respetu at malawus ya keng lakad na.

Keng pamanlakad na ikit ne ing pekamumunang menuknangan keng palasyu. Linwal neng Mister Brown ing metung pang tabaku keng bulsa na at siniklod ne ing buntuk na at mamye respetu kaya. Bista mang tau ya mu iti, at kapilan man e mamye paggalang ing metung a imortal a Kapreng kalupa na, aliwa ya pa mu rin ing asta ng Mister Brown. Uling ikit na nung makananu la mitas at mibaba deng mangayap mangobyernu at traydor na mengadapat mayap at ali ustu keng bansa.

Panakit ng Mister Brown mas meragul la deng kwartu at pasilyu ning palasyu. Mas sane ya kareng mangalating sukad kanitang mengalabasan a banwa. Aganaka ne pa ing pamagobra na gewa ning dating First Lady para mibalik ya keng mayap ing lugar a iti. Balamu kapilan na pa daramdaman deng sigla da reng lakbang ning kayang anak a babai, at mebayat la anyang sinubli yang misan at dalaga ne.

Meyli ya I Mister Brown keng aganaka na. Matutula ya ustung dakal bage ing mababayu, dapot mas dakal pa rin ing kalupa na ning dati.

Pagtakan na pin nanu mong pamagbayu ing gawan da keng bale ng ini, uling mangalagu at mayap naman ing egana-gana maliban keng Gerang Hapon. Dakal nemang sukulan ing palasyu. At balu na naring Mister Brown ing aske da deng dating mangupaan. Dapot pakiramdam na, masyadu lang merakal ngeni deng istatwa na gawa keng ivory ing makatalakad.

Miras ya rin i Mister Brown keng kayang pupuntalan. Madalumdum, at deng makasabit atlung chandelier misusulwanan la keng kayang tabakung sisindi. Tunggal-tunggal na lang gaganakan deng alalabasang mangaragul a litratung pakasabit.

Ing mumunang Presidenti ning Commonwealth at anyang mibalik ya iti. Ing metung naman ing awsan dang traydor. Ing metung ing minuna keng Bayung Republika. Ing menalakaran keng pamagserbisyu keng kilwal ning bansa. Itang agad mete at ing pinalit kayang masyas a buntuk. Ing amanwan dang “Poor boy from Lubao”. Ing lalaking makamalutu at ing babaing maka dilo. Ing sundalu. Ing artista. Deng adwang anak na migdala kareng lagyu da pabalik kening matwang palasyu.

Miras ing lawe ng Mister Brown keng bayung litratu na makasabit kasiping da deng datian.  Metung na namang kapalyaryan. “Nanu kayang kasaysayan ing misulat keni?” ing kutang na keng keyang sarili. Nanu pa man ing malyari keng aldo bukas, atiyu pa rin i Mister Brown para akit na iti.

Ini ing agawa na para keng kayang tuknangan a iti.

=————————-=

English version

He watched the last car leave Malacañang Palace. Mr. Brown knew he had to wait until later that night to do his tradition, the new ones always attracted those that wanted to stay behind. He took another puff of his cigar and let the smoke linger on his tongue. The festivities would be over soon.

He stepped through the halls of the Palace, calling the names of old ghosts. He passed by the Executive office and saw a group of men roaming aimlessly. The poor souls were trapped here since the Great War. There was nothing he could do but give a courteous nod and keep walking.

On his way he saw the first to make his home in the palace. He put out his cigar as a sign of respect and bowed his head. The man was human and in normal circumstances a Kapre would never condescend to a mortal being, but Mr. Brown was different. He had seen the rise and fall of statesmen and traitors alike. They made the country what it was, for good or ill.

The halls seemed bigger. He was still used to the smaller spaces in the years past. He remembered the first lady that managed to bring the building back to life. The footsteps of her daughter still echoed through the halls, though they were much heavier when she returned as a woman.

Mr. Brown smiled. He always took comfort when the more things changed the more they stayed the same.

He did wonder what changes the new one would bring to his home, though anything would be better than what happened in the Great War. Mr. Brown had enough of prisons. He also had enough of the style of one of the former tenants, he thought the ivory statues were just a bit too much.

Mr. Brown finally reached his destination. The three chandeliers were dull in the darkness, but his cigar gave him the light he needed. He passed by each portrait and remembered each one as he went by.

The first of the commonwealth and the one who restored it. The one called a traitor. The first of the new republic. The father of foreign service. The one who left too soon and the austere head that replaced him. The poor boy from Lubao. The man in red and the woman in yellow. The soldier. The actor. The two children who carried their names back to their old home.

Mr. Brown looked at the new portrait on the wall. It was one of possibility. “What history would be written because of this one?” he asked himself. Whatever the future held Mr. Brown would be there to see it through.

He owed his home at least that much.

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Inspired by the Mr. Brown myths.

Mr. Brown Illustration by Leandro Geniston fromAklat ng mga Anito
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