*Note this story is in Maguindanao

“Edtalu ka makapandag kanu kayu n’ngka” niya kadtalu nu batyukan kanu tam’ng-nu-kayu

“Niya ba su pinaka mapia sa langun a kayu sa dungya” Tig nu tam’ng-nu-kayu. Kasabutan sa mapayag na da d’n kayu sa damakayu a maka lawan pan kanu kanisan nu niya ba a kayu. Su kapiya nu ulak nin amayka mulak amenka man’nang d’n enggu mamangunga d’n. Hmm su kapiya kamut na baow nin dad’n di lun malini mang’bau.

Nakaidsa nu batyukan “Sia men’n ku mga tao? Nginto aden bun ungaya nilan sa man bas a kabedtiyakap ngka ban sa kayu?

“katawan ngka e mga tao.” Niya nakasawal nu tam’ng –nu- kayu. Niya nilan bu bagitungen na mga ginawa nilan. Di d’n mun sila makaapas magetaw  mengka manguwa silan kanu mga unga nu kayu ko.

Ngin d’n a  kadaruwaka”  nakabpasung nu batiyukan

“ namba  manusia dala a benal  mga adat nin” nadtalu nu tam’ng nu-kayu sa malu nin nakadsandag.

Da mauget, na kimegkel su kayu. Nam’layug su batiyukan, uged du tam’ng nu-kayu dala ebpalin siya kanu sapak nu kayu.

“palaguy ka!” niya nakalasis nu batiyukan

Ngini niya ba ganggula?”Nakatagaw su Tame’ng nu kayu

Mga tao! Bedtibpaden nilan kayu nengka”. Betabangan nu batiyuka su tam’ng nu- kayu uged na manaut a benal tam’ng banya sa inaden nu kadenan. Niya pinggula nu batiyukan na makin nin pinangebut su mga tao a bedtibpad kanu kayu, uged na da nilan den magaga ka initalus nilan bun su kabedtibpad nilan kanu kayu.

Palaguy ka pakay! Palaguy ka lu sa mawatan!” nakalalis edsaluman su batiyukan

Salta na gasabutan nu batiyukan  na su pakat nin na di nin a benal tagaken su kayu. Siya kanu tam’ng na  su kayu na lawan pan walai. Dalem kanu uyag-uyag nu kayu  na mga sapak nin a ugat endu ulak nin a  pusong.  Gabaluy a gandital nin su mga lawon nin, endu siya kanu kabegka-uyag nin na siya kanu pageletan nu upis endu unga nin.

Matag bu gadtulikan nu batiyukan su kayu a inudtang , endu umana bu ka pakaulyang na temuga e lu nin sa kinadkalat ginawa kani pakat nin a tam’ng. Su niyaba pinggula nu mga tao kanu namba a gay, na tinanudan nu  entilo a damakayu.

Kanu magabi nin na bedsagkung su mga sengal nu tam’ng siya kanu mga kayu, taman sa taman na magkakalendem nin inya ba pinaka manisan a kayu sa lusod damakayu.

=———————–=

English Version

“So tell me about your tree,” said the bee to the dayamdam.

“Well, it’s the best tree in the world of course!” The dayamdam said proudly. It had known that no other tree in the forest could match the beauty of its tree.  It had beautiful flowers that bloomed in the summer and when it bore fruit! Oh was that sweet smell the most ravishing thing any being had ever smelled.

The bee asked “What of the humans? Do they share your thoughts on the tree?”

“You know how humans are,” the dayamdam replied. Always thinking of themselves. They don’t even ask for permission when gathering fruit from my tree.”

“How rude!” the bee exclaimed.

“These humans don’t have any manners” the dayamdam said haughtily.

Just then, the entire tree shook. The bee flew away to safety, but the dayamdam stayed in the branches of its tree.

“You must run away!” The bee shouted

“What is happening?!” The dayamdam cried out.

“The humans! The humans are cutting your tree.” The bee tried to help the dayamdam but it was too small to carry the creature. The bee still tried to help its friend by stinging the humans as they tried to cut the tree down, but to no avail.

“Run my friend! Run far away!” The bee exclaimed again.

But the bee knew that its friend would never leave the tree. For the dayamdam, the tree was more than just a simple home. The tree was its entire life the branches its veins and the flowers its heart. It would make clothes from the tree’s leaves and spend the entirety of its lifetime in between the bark and the fruit.

The bee stared as the tree was felled by human hands and if it could cry it would shed a tear for his fallen friend. The humans claimed more than one victim that day, and the whole forest would acknowledge that.

That night the trees echoed with the songs of the dayamdam, forever remembering the most beautiful tree in the forest.

=————————–=

*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.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Traslation by Forester SANGGACALA R. ABDULA

Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Forester SANGGACALA R. ABDULA

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

Dayamdam Illustration by Kayla Teodoro
Tumblr: mikaylateodoro.tumblr.com

*Note this story is in Cebuano

Nahimamat nako si Mita duha ka semana ang milabay. Kanunay kong moagi sa samang agianan pagpauli, maglakaw gikan sa estasyon sa MRT, apan niadtong adlawa nakahukom ko nga mosulay sab kog bag-o. Natingala ko nga nakit-an siya sa dalan, natulog siya sa pipila ka hugaw nga mantalaan ug adunay usa ka itoy nga naghigda sa iyang tupad. Dili siya mahimong sobra sa unom ka tuig ang pangidaron. Gipukaw siya sa itoy ug nakita niya ako. Miduol siya nako ug miingon nga “muamin ko” mikuha sa akong kamot paingon sa iyang agtang ug nangita kog ikahatag niya, pero akong bag kay mga sketchbook ug lapis lang ang sulod. Giingnan nako siya nga wala koy mahatag niya unya ug niingon siya “Sige lang, matulog nako!” uban ang masanag nga pahiyom. Nisaad ko niya nga mubalik ko sunod adlaw ug tagaan nako siya ug siya nipahiyom ug nipadangat ug lain na pasalamat kanako.

Mao kana kung giunsa nako pag-adto dinhi kada adlaw. Kanunay kong naniguro nga dunay makaon si Mita sa dili pa ko mopauli sa balay ug siya walay lain mapadangat gawas sa pahiyom. Gipangutana nako siya kon nganong nag-inusara siya ug unsay nahitabo sa iyang mga ginikanan, ug giingnan ko niya nga wala siya mahibalo. Kanunay siyang nagpuyo sa dalan, apan para niya wala lang ang tanan, kanunay siyang makasalig sa kaayo sa mga estranghero nga mudangat ug tabang kaniya.

Karon gipangutana nako siya kung igo ba ang pagpakilimos alang kaniya, kung naa ba siya makaon sa matag adlaw. Gisultihan ko ni Mita nga naay mga higayon nga moagi lang ang mga tawo, kasagaran nila magpaharung-ingnon na wala sila kakita niya ug mao nay makapaguol niya usahay, apan anaa kanunay ang iyang manggigiyang anghel nga motabang kaniya.

Gisultihan ko niya nga adunay kanunay nga mabination nga anghel nga magbilin sa iyang mga bulak matag oras nga siya matulog. Nalingaw si Mita sa ilang kaanyag, apan dihay mga adlaw nga wala siyay makaon. Giingnan ko niya nga lami sila sa tam-is nga prutas, sama sa mangga. Murag gikumot ang akong kasingkasing pagkadungog niana, sa akong hunahuna dili ingon niini ang mga butang, kinahanglan nga wala’y kinabuhi nga sama ingon niini. Gihatagan nako siyag pagkaon sa Jollibee nga gi take out ug giingnan nga makigkita ko niya ugma. Ang pagpasalamat ni Mita kanako. Ang kanunay moabut uban sa usa ka dako nga pahiyom. Sa akong paminaw dili nako kini makalimtan.

Ang sunod nga adlaw walay pulos. Nagbaktas ko pauli sa pagsalop sa adlaw ug dihay polis nga mibabag sa dapit sa dalan diin didto si Mita. Wala ko maghunahuna nga mihunong ko sa paghilak sa akong pagkadungog sa balita. Siya naningkamot sa pagluwas sa iyang itoy ug giduso kini gikan sa dalan sa usa ka taksi. Wala niya kini nahimo. Ang polis nangutana kon nakaila ba ko niya ug nangutana kung nakaila ba ko sa iyang mga ginikanan. Gipauga nako ang akong mga luha ug gisultihan siya sa akong mahimo, apan wala kaayoy gipahibalo kanako si Mita.

Nagpabilin ko sa eskina sulod sa pipila ka oras. Kadto ang pinakagamay nga akong mahimo para niya. Ang iyang lugar nanimaho gihapon sama sa mga bulak, ug ako nag-ampo alang kaniya samtang ako didto.

Gitan-aw nako sa katapusan ang lugar nga akong nahimamat niya ug nakita nako nga adunay mga bulak didto. Kahibalo ko nga dili nako makalimtan ang babaye nga nagpahiyom. Naa pay laing nakaila niya kay naa koy nadunggan nga tingog nga nagtawag sa iyang ngalan sa layo. Gisulti nako ang akong katapusang panamilit ug milakaw pauli sa balay.

=————————

English Version

I met Mita two weeks ago. I would always take the same route going home, walking from the MRT station, but that day I decided that I might as well try something new. I was surprised to find her on the street, she was sleeping on some dirty newspapers and  there was a puppy lying next to her. She couldn’t have been more than six years old. The puppy woke her up and she saw me. She walked up to me and said “mano po” taking my hand to her forehead and I tried to find something to give her, but my bag only had my sketchbooks and pencils. I told her that I couldn’t give her anything then and she said “Ok po, have a good night po!” with a radiant smile. I promised her that I would be back and give her something the next day and she smiled and gave me another thank you.

That’s how I ended up going here every day. I always make sure Mita has something to eat before I go back home and she’s nothing but smiles. I asked her why she was alone and what happened to her parents, and she told me she didn’t know. She had always lived her life on the street, but that didn’t matter to her, she could always count on the kindness of strangers to help her.

Today I asked her if begging was enough for her, if she had something to eat every day. Mita told me that there were times when people just walked by, they always pretended not to see her and that would make her sad sometimes, but there was always her guardian angel to help her.

She told me there would always be this kind angel that left her flowers every time she slept. Mita enjoyed how pretty they were, but there were those days when she had nothing to eat. She told me they tasted like sweet fruits, like a mango. My heart broke a little after hearing that, I don’t think this is the way things should be, no one’s life should be like this. I gave her some Jollibee take out and told her I’d see her tomorrow. Mita’s “Thank you Ate.” Always came with a giant smile. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.

The next day was senseless. I was walking home at sunset and there was a policeman blocking off the area of the street where Mita was. I don’t think I stopped crying as I heard the news. She was trying to save her puppy and pushed it out of the way of a taxi. She didn’t make it. The policeman asked if I knew her and asked if I knew her parents. I dried my tears and told him what I could, but there wasn’t much that Mita let me know.

I stayed at the corner for a few hours. It was the least I could do for her. Her spot still smelled like flowers and I said a prayer for her while I was there.

I took one last look at the place that I met her and saw there were flowers there. I know that I won’t be able to forget the girl with that smile. Someone else must have known her because I could hear a voice calling her name in the distance. I said my last goodbye and walked back home.

=———————–=

*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 Kien B. Mayorga

Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Kien B. Mayorga

Inspired by the Kamanan Daplak entry in Myth Museum. Medina. 2015.

Kamanan Daplak Illustration by Kayla Teodoro
Tumblr: mikaylateodoro.tumblr.com

*Note this story is in Tandaganon

Yakila nako si Mita yadton miaging duha ka semana. Pareha da na ruta permi ang ako agihan pauli, magbaktas gikan sa MRT, pero yakadesisyon ako yadto na adlaw na maglahi na sab nan agihan. Yakuratan ako nan yakita ko siya sa kilid karsada, yaon siya yaturog sa mga dyaryo na arang ka lipai tapos yaoy tapad niya na tukoy. Dili da bagan molapas nan 6 anyos iya edad. Gimata siya nan tukoy ug yakit-an niya ako. Minduol siya sa ako ug milaong “mano po” ug gikuha ako kamot para idapat sa iya agtang ug ako sab yaghanap nan mahatag garo nako sa iya, pero mga sketchbook ug lapis da sa ang luon nan ako bag. Laong ko na way ako mahatag sa iya yadto na panahon ug milaong sab siya na “Ok da, maayong gabii!” samtang gangisi. Yagsaad ako sa iya na balikan ug hatagan ko da siya sa sunod adlaw tapos gapasalamat na sab siya utro.

Amo yaon ang hinungdan nanga sa sige ako balik-balik ngadi kada adlaw. Sigurohon ko gayud na makakaon siya adeser ako muuli sa amo bahay ug way gayud kasudlan ang iya kalipay. Tagpangutana ko siya kung nanga sa siya dasakan isa ug unoy yahitabo sa iya mga ginikanan, iya da sab laong kay wara siya kasayod. Sukad sa una sa karsada na siya gahuya, pero way kaso sa iya, magsalig dakan gayud siya sa kabuotan nan mga tao sa iya.

Kuman na adlaw yangutana ako sa iya kun sakto da ba ang pagpanlimos niya, kung may iya da ba makaon sa adlaw-adlaw. Laong ni Mita na may mga higayon kuno na labay-labayan da siya nan mga tao, murag wara nila siya kit-i ug maguol kuno siya usahay pag ing-anaon siya, pero yaoy kuno iya guardian angel na mutabang sa iya.

Laong pa niya na yaon kunoy buotan na manulunda na maghatag pirmi nan buwak pag maturog siya. Ganahan si Mita kay gwapa ang mga buwak, pero may mga adlaw na waray gayud iya makaon. Laong niya sa ako na ang lasa kuno murag tam-is na prutas, amo dan manga. Murag gikumot ang ako kasing-kasing pagkabati nako yadto, dili dapat ing-ani iya kahimtang, waray dapat makasinati nan haod ini. Gihatagan ko siya nan ako paga-take-out sa Jollibee ug laong ko na magkita da kami silom. Permi yaon si Mita ngisihi basta maglaong nan “Salamat, ate.” Di nako yaon makalimtan.

Wara ako kasabot nan ako gibati pagkasunod adlaw. Ang adlaw misawop na nan pagbaktas nako pauli ug yaoy mga pulis na giatngan ang lugar kun hain dapit si Mita gapwesto. Murag wara bagan hunong ang ako paghilak pagkabati ko nan balita. Iya gisalbar ang iya tukoy na haput maligsi nan taxi. Wara na siya. Yangutana ang pulis kung yakakila ako sa iya ug kung hibawo ako kung hain ang iya mga ginikanan. Gitrapohan nako ako luha ug gilaong ang kutob sa ako yahibaw-an, pero gamay da sab ang ako yahibaw-an kang Mita.

Yagpundo ako sa kilid nan pila ka oras. Amo da sab ang ako mahimo sa iya. Yanimaho pa gihapon nan mga buwak ang iya pwesto ug giampo ko siya samtang yaon pa ako ngadto.

Gitan-aw nako sa makausa ang lugar kun hain ko siya una yakita ug yakita ko na may mga buwak ngadto. Hibawo ako na dili ko gayud malimtam yadto na bata ug ang iya ngisi. May yakakila sab siguro sa iya kay may ako sa yabatian na yagtawag sa iya ngan ngadto sa layo. Yagsanghid ako na mukadto na ug minpanaw pauli.

=———————————=

English Version

I met Mita two weeks ago. I would always take the same route going home, walking from the MRT station, but that day I decided that I might as well try something new. I was surprised to find her on the street, she was sleeping on some dirty newspapers and  there was a puppy lying next to her. She couldn’t have been more than six years old. The puppy woke her up and she saw me. She walked up to me and said “mano po” taking my hand to her forehead and I tried to find something to give her, but my bag only had my sketchbooks and pencils. I told her that I couldn’t give her anything then and she said “Ok po, have a good night po!” with a radiant smile. I promised her that I would be back and give her something the next day and she smiled and gave me another thank you.

That’s how I ended up going here every day. I always make sure Mita has something to eat before I go back home and she’s nothing but smiles. I asked her why she was alone and what happened to her parents, and she told me she didn’t know. She had always lived her life on the street, but that didn’t matter to her, she could always count on the kindness of strangers to help her.

Today I asked her if begging was enough for her, if she had something to eat every day. Mita told me that there were times when people just walked by, they always pretended not to see her and that would make her sad sometimes, but there was always her guardian angel to help her.

She told me there would always be this kind angel that left her flowers every time she slept. Mita enjoyed how pretty they were, but there were those days when she had nothing to eat. She told me they tasted like sweet fruits, like a mango. My heart broke a little after hearing that, I don’t think this is the way things should be, no one’s life should be like this. I gave her some Jollibee take out and told her I’d see her tomorrow. Mita’s “Thank you Ate.” Always came with a giant smile. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.

The next day was senseless. I was walking home at sunset and there was a policeman blocking off the area of the street where Mita was. I don’t think I stopped crying as I heard the news. She was trying to save her puppy and pushed it out of the way of a taxi. She didn’t make it. The policeman asked if I knew her and asked if I knew her parents. I dried my tears and told him what I could, but there wasn’t much that Mita let me know.

I stayed at the corner for a few hours. It was the least I could do for her. Her spot still smelled like flowers and I said a prayer for her while I was there.

I took one last look at the place that I met her and saw there were flowers there. I know that I won’t be able to forget the girl with that smile. Someone else must have known her because I could hear a voice calling her name in the distance. I said my last goodbye and walked back home.

=————————-=

*Tandaganon (also called Tinandag, Naturalis, Tagon-on) is a closely related variety of Surigaonon spoken in the central Surigao del Sur municipalities of Tandag City, San Miguel, Tago, Bayabas, Cagwait, Marihatag, San Agustin, and most of Lianga. It can be classified as a separate language or alternatively as a southern variety of Surigaonon. There are about 100,000 speakers.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Tandaganon Translation by Mark Anthony Ramos
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Mark Anthony Ramos

Inspired by the Kamanan Daplak entry in Myth Museum. Medina. 2015.

Kamanan Daplak Illustration by Kayla Teodoro
Tumblr: mikaylateodoro.tumblr.com

*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga

“Taramá sakuyà an dapít sa saimong kahoy,” taramon kan bubuyog sa dayamdam.

“Iyo man saná bagá an pinaka-urog na kahoy sa bílog na kinâban!” hawhaw kan dayamdam. Aram kaini na mayong ibang kahoy sa kadlagan an makakatupong sa gayon kan saiyang kahoy. Igwa ining magagayon na burak na minabukad pag tig-init asin pag minabunga! Aw, an mahamis na hamot kaiyan an pinakamakangangalas na bagay na mapaparong nin sisay man na linalang.

An bubuyog naghapot, “Nya, si mga tawo? Siring man an saindang kaisipan dapít sa kahoy?”

“Aram mo man bagá si mga tawo,” simbag kan dayamdam. “Sadiri saná parati an iniisip. Dai nganì sinda nagpapaaram kun makua nin mga bunga sa sakuyang kahoy.”

“Kabaraglâ!” bulyaw kan bubuyog.

“Ining mga tawo, mayo nin ano man na marhay na gawì,” taramon kan dayamdam na may kapalangkawan.

Mayong ano ano pa, nagyugyog an bílog na kahoy. Naglayog pasiring sa ligtas na lugar an bubuyog, alagad nagpawalat an dayamdam sa mga sanga kan saiyang kahoy.

“Dulág na!” Nagkurahaw an bubuyog.

“Ano an nangyayari?!” Kurahaw man kan dayamdam.

“An mga tawo! Pigpupurutol kan mga tawo an kahoy!” Naghinguang tabangan kan bubuyog an dayamdam, alagad ta sadit man saná ini, dai kayang darhon an linalang. Naghingua giraray an bubuyog na tabangan an saiyang amigo sa pagkakakagat sa mga tawo mantang naghihingua man sindang putulon an kahoy, alagad mayo nin nangyari.

“Dalágan na, amigo! Dalágan na parayò!” kurahaw giraray kan bubuyog.

Alagad aram na kan bubuyog na dai babayaan kan saiyang katuod an kahoy. Para sa dayamdam, an kahoy bakô saná sarong simpleng haróng. An kahoy iyo an saiyang bílog na buhay, an mga sanga iyo an saiyang mga ugat, asin an mga burak iyo an saiyang puso. An mga dahon kan kahoy an ginigibo niyang gubing, asin nakatagama an bílog kan saiyang buhay sa ultanan kan bakbak asin kan bunga.

Hiniling kan bubuyog mantang nagkaturumba an mga puno sa kamot kan mga tawo, asin kun makakahibi saná ini, mahibi ini para sa saiyang puminiyong na amigo. Dakol pa sa sarô an pigbiktima kan mga tawo kan aldaw na ito, asin minidbid ito kan bílog na kadlagan.

Kan bangging ito, uminalingawngaw an mga kanta kan dayamdam, daing kasagkudan na pagigirumdumon an kahoy sa kadlagan na pinaka-urog sa gayon.

=————————=

English Version

“So tell me about your tree,” said the bee to the dayamdam.

“Well, it’s the best tree in the world of course!” The dayamdam said proudly. It had known that no other tree in the forest could match the beauty of its tree.  It had beautiful flowers that bloomed in the summer and when it bore fruit! Oh was that sweet smell the most ravishing thing any being had ever smelled.

The bee asked “What of the humans? Do they share your thoughts on the tree?”

“You know how humans are,” the dayamdam replied. Always thinking of themselves. They don’t even ask for permission when gathering fruit from my tree.”

“How rude!” the bee exclaimed.

“These humans don’t have any manners” the dayamdam said haughtily.

Just then, the entire tree shook. The bee flew away to safety, but the dayamdam stayed in the branches of its tree.

“You must run away!” The bee shouted

“What is happening?!” The dayamdam cried out.

“The humans! The humans are cutting your tree.” The bee tried to help the dayamdam but it was too small to carry the creature. The bee still tried to help its friend by stinging the humans as they tried to cut the tree down, but to no avail.

“Run my friend! Run far away!” The bee exclaimed again.

But the bee knew that its friend would never leave the tree. For the dayamdam, the tree was more than just a simple home. The tree was its entire life the branches its veins and the flowers its heart. It would make clothes from the tree’s leaves and spend the entirety of its lifetime in between the bark and the fruit.

The bee stared as the tree was felled by human hands and if it could cry it would shed a tear for his fallen friend. The humans claimed more than one victim that day, and the whole forest would acknowledge that.

That night the trees echoed with the songs of the dayamdam, forever remembering the most beautiful tree in the forest.

=———————–=

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Bicol Translation by Jeremiah Cordial
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jeremiah Cordial

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

Dayamdam Illustration by Kayla Teodoro
Tumblr: mikaylateodoro.tumblr.com

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

Nakilala ko si Mita sang nagligad nga duha ka semana. Lain ang pirmi ko ginaagihan maglakat papuli halin sa estasyon sang MRT, pero sang adlaw nga ato ginpili ko nga magtilaw sang bag-o nga butang. Nakibot ako sang nakita ko sia sa kalsada, nagatulog sa daan nga mga diario kag may tutoy nga nagahigda sa ingud nia. Indi mahimu nga magtaas sa anum ka tuig ang iya nga edad. Ginpukaw sia sang tutoy kag nakita nia ako. Naglakat sia palapit sa akon kag naghambal “mano po” samtang ginkuha ang akon kamot kag ginpalapit sa agtang nia. Nangita ako sang mahimo ko nga ihatag sa iya apang mga sketchbook kag lapis lang ang unod sang bag ko. Ginhambalan ko sia nga wala ako sang mahatag sa iya, kag nagsabat sia nga “Okay, po. Maayong gab-i, po!” nga may nagabanaag nga ngirit. Nagsaad ako sa iya nga magabalik ako agud may mahatag sa iya sa masunod nga adlaw, gani nagngirit sia kag nagpasalamat liwat.

Amu ina ang rason kon ngaa pirmi na ako gakadto diri. Ginasigurado ko nga may makaon si Mita bag-o ako magpuli kag puro lamang ngirit ang ara sa iya guya. Ginpamangkot ko kon ngaa nagaisahanon sia kag kon ano ang natabo sa mga ginikanan niya, kag nagsabat sia sa akon nga wala sia nakahibalo. Bilog nia nga kabuhi ara na sia sa kalsada, apang wala lang ini sa iya. Makasalig sia sa kabuot sang mga dumuluong sa iya.

Ginpamangkot ko sia kon kaigo man ang mga limos nga nagakabaton niya, kon may pagkaon man sia para sa adlaw-adlaw. Nagsiling si Mita nga may mga tion nga ginalabayan lang sia sang mga tawo kag pirmi sila nagapakuno-kuno nga wala nila sia nagakakita, gani nasubuan sia, apang ara pirmi ang iya anghel de la guardia agud magbulig sa iya.

Ginsugiran nia ako nga may ara sang mabuot nga anghel nga pirmi nagabilin sang mga bulak para sa iya kada magtulog sia. Ginakalipay ni Mita ang katahum sang mga ini, apang ara gid ang mga adlaw nga wala sia sang kalan-on. Hambal nia sa akon daw matam-is nga mga prutas ang sabor sang mga ini, daw paho. Naglitik ang tagipusuon ko sang nabatian ko ato. Nagapati ako nga indi dapat amu sini ang mga butang. Wala dapat sang nagakabuhi nga kasubong sini. Ginhatagan ko sia sang Jollibee takeout kag ginhambalan ko sia nga makitaay kami bwas. Ang “Salamat, ate” ni Mita pirmi may kaupod nga hanggud nga ngirit. Sa banta ko indi ko gid ina malimtan.

Makabuluang ang nagsunod nga aldaw. Kasisidmon na kag nagalakat ako papuli sang may pulis nga nagaharang sa bahin sang kalsada kon diin dampi nagaplastar si Mita. Pamatyag ko daw wala tahaw ang akon pagtangis sang nabatian ko ang balita. Luwason nia kon tani ang iya tutoy nga gin tulod nia palayo sa alagyan sang taxi. Wala sia nakaluwas. Ginpamangkot ako sang pulis kon kilala ko sia kag ang iya mga ginikanan. Gintrapuhan ko ang akon mga luha kag ginhambal sa iya ang tanan ko nga nahibaluan, apang wala man sang madamo nga nasugid si Mita sa akon.

Nagpabilin ako sa hilit sang pila ka oras. Amo lang ini ang mahimu ko para sa iya. Nagapaninghamot nga daw mga bulak ang iya ginplastaran. Nangamuyo ako sang ara ako didto.

Ginhimo ko ang katapusan nga pagtulok sa lugar kon diin kami nagkilalahay kag nakita ko nga ara didto ang mga bulak. Nahibaluan ko nga indi ko malimtan ato nga bata kag ang iya nga ngirit. Basi may ara man iban nga nakakilala sa iya kay nakabati ako sang tingug sa malayo nga bahin nga nagtawag sa pangalan nia. Ginhatag ko ang ulihi ko nga pagpaalam kag nagpanaw papuli.

=———————————=

English Version

I met Mita two weeks ago. I would always take the same route going home, walking from the MRT station, but that day I decided that I might as well try something new. I was surprised to find her on the street, she was sleeping on some dirty newspapers and there was a puppy lying next to her. She couldn’t have been more than six years old. The puppy woke her up and she saw me. She walked up to me and said “mano po”, taking my hand to her forehead and I tried to find something to give her, but my bag only had my sketchbooks and pencils. I told her that I couldn’t give her anything then and she said “Ok po, have a good night po!” with a radiant smile. I promised her that I would be back and give her something the next day and she smiled and gave me another thank you.

That’s how I ended up going here every day. I always make sure Mita has something to eat before I go back home and she’s nothing but smiles. I asked her why she was alone and what happened to her parents, and she told me she didn’t know. She had always lived her life on the street, but that didn’t matter to her, she could always count on the kindness of strangers to help her.

Today I asked her if begging was enough for her, if she had something to eat every day. Mita told me that there were times when people just walked by, they always pretended not to see her and that would make her sad sometimes, but there was always her guardian angel to help her.

She told me there would always be this kind angel that left her flowers every time she slept. Mita enjoyed how pretty they were, but there were those days when she had nothing to eat. She told me they tasted like sweet fruits, like a mango. My heart broke a little after hearing that, I don’t think this is the way things should be, no one’s life should be like this. I gave her some Jollibee take out and told her I’d see her tomorrow. Mita’s “Thank you Ate.” Always came with a giant smile. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.

The next day was senseless. I was walking home at sunset and there was a policeman blocking off the area of the street where Mita was. I don’t think I stopped crying as I heard the news. She was trying to save her puppy and pushed it out of the way of a taxi. She didn’t make it. The policeman asked if I knew her and asked if I knew her parents. I dried my tears and told him what I could, but there wasn’t much that Mita let me know.

I stayed at the corner for a few hours. It was the least I could do for her. Her spot still smelled like flowers and I said a prayer for her while I was there.

I took one last look at the place that I met her and saw there were flowers there. I know that I won’t be able to forget the girl with that smile. Someone else must have known her because I could hear a voice calling her name in the distance. I said my last goodbye and walked back home with tears in my eyes.
————————–————————–————————–

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Hiligaynon translation by Paul Aries Valera
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Paul Aries Valera

Inspired by the Kamanan Daplak entry in Myth Museum. Medina. 2015.

Kamanan Daplak Illustration by Kayla Teodoro
Tumblr: mikaylateodoro.tumblr.com

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*Note this story is in Cebuano

“Busa suginli ko kabahin sa imong kahoy,” miingon ang buyog sa Dayamdam.

“Buyno, kini ang labing maayo nga kahoy sa kalibutan alangan!” Magarbohon nga mitubag ang Dayamdam. Nasayod ang kadagdahan nga walay kahoy sa kalasangan ang mutombas sa katahom ni’ng kahoya. Aduna kini’y nindot nga mga bulak nga namulak sa ting-init ug kung mamunga! Pagkatam-is ug baho nga labing makapalipay nga butang sa bisan kinsang nakapanimaho.

Nangutana ang buyog, “Unsa sa mga tawu? Gipakigbahin ba nila imong mga hunahuna sa kahoy?”

“Nahibalo naka kung unsa ang mga tawu,” and Dayamdam mitubag. Kanunay naghuna-huna sa kaugalingon. Dili man galing mangayo ug pagtugot kung manguha ug bunga sa akong kahoy.”

“Pagkadinul-anan!” Misinggit ang buyog.

“Kining mga tawu walay pamatasan” sa mapagmahitas-ong tubag sa Dayamdam.

Niadtong panahona, ang tibuok nga kahoy miuyog. Ang buyog milupad paingun sa luwas nga dapit, apan ang Dayamdam nagpabilin sa mga sanga sa kahoy.

“Kinahanglan kang mudagan!” singgit sa buyog.

“Unsa’y nahitabo?!” pagtuaw sa Dayamdam.

“Ang mga tawu! Ang mga tawu giputol imong kahoy.” Misuway pagtabang ang buyog sa Dayamdam apan gamay kaayo kini aron mubitbit sa linalang. Padayon gihapon ang buyog sa pagtabang sa iyahang higala pinaagi sa pag-ikos sa mga tawu kinsa misuway pagputol sa kahoy, apan walay kapuslanan.

“Dagan higala! Dagan palayo!” ang buyog misinggit.

“Apan nasayod ang buyog nga dili mubiya ang iyahang higala sa kahoy. Alang sa Dayamdam, ang kahoy labaw pa sa usa ka puluy-anan. Ang kahoy sa kinatibuk-an niini nga misanga sa mga ugat ug mga buwak sa kasingkasing niini. Mamahimong makabuhat ug mga sinina gikan sa mga dahon sa kahoy ug mogahin sa tibuok niyang kinabuhi sa taliwala sa panit ug sa bunga.

Ang buyog mitutok samtang ang kahoy giputol sa mga kamot sa tawo ug kung mahimo pa kini muhilak, hagbay ra kini mihilak alang sa iyahang higala. Ang mga tawu miangkon ug labaw pa sa usa ka biktima matag-adlaw, ug ang tibuok kalasangan giila kini.

Niadtong gabhiuna ang mga kahoy naglanog-lanog sa mga awit sa Dayamdam, sa walay katapusan nga paghinumdom sa labing matahum nga kahoy sa lasang.

English Version

“So tell me about your tree,” said the bee to the dayamdam.

“Well, it’s the best tree in the world of course!” The dayamdam said proudly. It had known that no other tree in the forest could match the beauty of its tree. It had beautiful flowers that bloomed in the summer and when it bore fruit! Oh was the sweet smell the most ravishing thing any being had ever smelled.

The bee asked “What of the humans? Do they share your thoughts on the tree?”

“You know how humans are,” the dayamdam replied. “Always thinking of themselves. They don’t even ask for permission when gathering fruit from my tree.”

“How rude!” the bee exclaimed.

“These humans don’t have any manners” the dayamdam said haughtily.

Just then, the entire tree shook. The bee flew away to safety, but the dayamdam stayed in the branches of its tree.

“You must run away!” The bee shouted

“What is happening?!” The dayamdam cried out.

“The humans! The humans are cutting your tree.” The bee tried to help the dayamdam but it was too small to carry the creature. The bee still tried to help its friend by stinging the humans as they tried to cut the tree down, but to no avail.

“Run my friend! Run far away!” The bee exclaimed again.

But the bee knew that its friend would never leave the tree. For the dayamdam, the tree was more than just a simple home. The tree was its entire life the branches its veins and the flowers its heart. It would make clothes from the tree’s leaves and spend the entirety of its lifetime in between the bark and the fruit.

The bee stared as the tree was felled by human hands and if it could cry it would shed a tear for its fallen friend. The humans claimed more than one victim that day, and the whole forest would acknowledge that.

That night the trees echoed with the songs of the dayamdam, forever remembering the most beautiful tree in the forest.

————————–————————–——————–

*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. The Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino, the official regulating body of Philippine languages, spells the name of the language as Sebwano.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cebuano Translation by Dominic G. Quilantang
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Dominic G. Quilantang

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

Dayamdam Illustration by Kayla Teodoro
Tumblr: mikaylateodoro.tumblr.com

*Note this story is in Tagalog

“Kwentuhan mo naman ako tungkol sa puno mo,” ang sabi ng bubuyog sa dayamdam.

“Ito lang naman ang pinakamagandang puno sa buong mundo!” Pagmamalaki ng dayamdam. Alam nito na walang ibang puno sa kagubatang iyon ang makapapantay sa kagandahan ng kanyang puno. Mayroon itong maririkit na bulaklak na namumukadkad tuwing tag-araw. At kapag namunga ito, ay! Ang matamis na amoy nito ang pinaka-kapuri-puring bagay na naamoy ng sinuman.

Nagtanong ang bubuyog, “At ano sa mga tao? Gano’n din ba ang kanilang mga saloobin tungkol sa puno?”

“Alam mo naman ang mga tao,” sagot ng dayamdam. “Laging sarili ang iniisip. Ni hindi nga nagpapaalam kapag kumukuha ng prutas mula sa puno ko.”

“Ang sama naman!” sigaw ng bubuyog.

“Walang modo ‘tong mga taong ‘to.” Mapanghamak na sabi ng dayamdam.

Nang maglaon, biglang nanginig ang buong puno. Lumipad ang bubuyog patungo sa kaligtasan, subalit nanatili ang dayamdam sa mga sanga ng kanyang puno.

“Umalis ka na riyan!” sigaw ng bubuyog.

“Ano’ng nangyayari?!” sigaw ng dayamdam.

“Ang mga tao! Pinuputol ng mga tao ang iyong puno!” Sinubukang tulungan ng bubuyog ang dayamdam pero napakaliit nito upang buhatin ang nilalang. Pinilit pa ring makatulong ng bubuyog sa pamamagitan ng pagkagat sa mga tao samantalang pinuputol nila ang puno, ngunit hindi ito naging sapat.

“Tumakbo ka na, kaibigan! Tumakbo ka nang malayo!” Sigaw ulit ng bubuyog.

Subalit alam ng bubuyog na hindi iiwan ng kaibigan niya ang puno. Dahil para sa dayamdam, ang punong iyon ay higit pa sa isang simpleng bahay. Ang punong iyon ang buong buhay niya – ang mga sanga ang kanyang mga ugat at ang mga bulaklak ang kanyang puso. Gumagawa ito ng damit mula sa mga dahon ng puno at gugulin ang buong buhay nito sa pagitan ng katawan ng puno at bunga nito.

Nakatingin lamang ang bubuyog sa punong pinatumba ng mga kamay ng mga tao, at kung ito man ay makaiiyak, iiyak ito para sa natumbang kaibigan. Umangkin ng mas marami sa isang biktima ang mga tao nang araw na iyon, at kikilalanin ng kagubatan iyon.

Nang gabing iyon, umalingawngaw sa mga puno ang mga kanta ng dayamdam, inaalalang parati ang pinakamagandang puno sa kagubatan.

————————–————————–————————–——–

English Version

“So tell me about your tree,” said the bee to the dayamdam.

“Well, it’s the best tree in the world of course!” The dayamdam said proudly. It had known that no other tree in the forest could match the beauty of its tree. It had beautiful flowers that bloomed in the summer and when it bore fruit! Oh was the sweet smell the most ravishing thing any being had ever smelled.

The bee asked “What of the humans? Do they share your thoughts on the tree?”

“You know how humans are,” the dayamdam replied. “Always thinking of themselves. They don’t even ask for permission when gathering fruit from my tree.”

“How rude!” the bee exclaimed.

“These humans don’t have any manners” the dayamdam said haughtily.

Just then, the entire tree shook. The bee flew away to safety, but the dayamdam stayed in the branches of its tree.

“You must run away!” The bee shouted

“What is happening?!” The dayamdam cried out.

“The humans! The humans are cutting your tree.” The bee tried to help the dayamdam but it was too small to carry the creature. The bee still tried to help its friend by stinging the humans as they tried to cut the tree down, but to no avail.

“Run my friend! Run far away!” The bee exclaimed again.

But the bee knew that its friend would never leave the tree. For the dayamdam, the tree was more than just a simple home. The tree was its entire life the branches its veins and the flowers its heart. It would make clothes from the tree’s leaves and spend the entirety of its lifetime in between the bark and the fruit.

The bee stared as the tree was felled by human hands and if it could cry it would shed a tear for its fallen friend. The humans claimed more than one victim that day, and the whole forest would acknowledge that.

That night the trees echoed with the songs of the dayamdam, forever remembering the most beautiful tree in the forest.

————————–————————–——————–

Written by Karl Gaverza
Tagalog translation by Catherine Britania
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Catherine Britania

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

Dayamdam Illustration by Kayla Teodoro
Tumblr: mikaylateodoro.tumblr.com

“So tell me about your tree,” said the bee to the dayamdam.

“Well, it’s the best tree in the world of course!” The dayamdam said proudly. It had known that no other tree in the forest could match the beauty of its tree. It had beautiful flowers that bloomed in the summer and when it bore fruit! Oh was the sweet smell the most ravishing thing any being had ever smelled.

The bee asked “What of the humans? Do they share your thoughts on the tree?”

“You know how humans are,” the dayamdam replied. “Always thinking of themselves. They don’t even ask for permission when gathering fruit from my tree.”

“How rude!” the bee exclaimed.

“These humans don’t have any manners” the dayamdam said haughtily.

Just then, the entire tree shook. The bee flew away to safety, but the dayamdam stayed in the branches of its tree.

“You must run away!” The bee shouted

“What is happening?!” The dayamdam cried out.

“The humans! The humans are cutting your tree.” The bee tried to help the dayamdam but it was too small to carry the creature. The bee still tried to help its friend by stinging the humans as they tried to cut the tree down, but to no avail.

“Run my friend! Run far away!” The bee exclaimed again.

But the bee knew that its friend would never leave the tree. For the dayamdam, the tree was more than just a simple home. The tree was its entire life, the branches its veins and the flowers its heart. It would make clothes from the tree’s leaves and spend the entirety of its lifetime in between the bark and the fruit.

The bee stared as the tree was felled by human hands and if it could cry it would shed a tear for its fallen friend. The humans claimed more than one victim that day, and the whole forest would acknowledge that.

That night the trees echoed with the songs of the dayamdam, forever remembering the most beautiful tree in the forest.

————————–————————–——————–

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

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

Dayamdam Illustration by Kayla Teodoro
Tumblr: mikaylateodoro.tumblr.com

I met Mita two weeks ago. I would always take the same route going home, walking from the MRT station, but that day I decided that I might as well try something new. I was surprised to find her on the street, she was sleeping on some dirty newspapers and there was a puppy lying next to her. She couldn’t have been more than six years old. The puppy woke her up and she saw me. She walked up to me and said “mano po”, taking my hand to her forehead and I tried to find something to give her, but my bag only had my sketchbooks and pencils. I told her that I couldn’t give her anything then and she said “Ok po, have a good night po!” with a radiant smile. I promised her that I would be back and give her something the next day and she smiled and gave me another thank you.

That’s how I ended up going here every day. I always make sure Mita has something to eat before I go back home and she’s nothing but smiles. I asked her why she was alone and what happened to her parents, and she told me she didn’t know. She had always lived her life on the street, but that didn’t matter to her, she could always count on the kindness of strangers to help her.

Today I asked her if begging was enough for her, if she had something to eat every day. Mita told me that there were times when people just walked by, they always pretended not to see her and that would make her sad sometimes, but there was always her guardian angel to help her.

She told me there would always be this kind angel that left her flowers every time she slept. Mita enjoyed how pretty they were, but there were those days when she had nothing to eat. She told me they tasted like sweet fruits, like a mango. My heart broke a little after hearing that, I don’t think this is the way things should be, no one’s life should be like this. I gave her some Jollibee take out and told her I’d see her tomorrow. Mita’s “Thank you Ate.” Always came with a giant smile. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.

The next day was senseless. I was walking home at sunset and there was a policeman blocking off the area of the street where Mita was. I don’t think I stopped crying as I heard the news. She was trying to save her puppy and pushed it out of the way of a taxi. She didn’t make it. The policeman asked if I knew her and asked if I knew her parents. I dried my tears and told him what I could, but there wasn’t much that Mita let me know.

I stayed at the corner for a few hours. It was the least I could do for her. Her spot still smelled like flowers and I said a prayer for her while I was there.

I took one last look at the place that I met her and saw there were flowers there. I know that I won’t be able to forget the girl with that smile. Someone else must have known her because I could hear a voice calling her name in the distance. I said my last goodbye and walked back home with tears in my eyes.
————————–————————–————————–
Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Kamanan Daplak entry in Myth Museum. Medina. 2015.

Kamanan Daplak Illustration by Kayla Teodoro
Tumblr: mikaylateodoro.tumblr.com