*Note this story is in Cebuano

Dili na makahulat pa si Chinhok. Karong adlawa ang maong adlaw. Siya nakakita og daku kung itandi sa kasagarang usa ug dili niya mahimong palabyon ang maong higayon. Wala na’y pagbiaybiay, wala na’y pag-insulto. Iyang pamatud-an sa katawhan, labi na sa iyang uyoan, nga siya usa ka tinuod nga mangangayam. Mapakyas ang mga espiritu.

Gipunting niya ang usa. Nilabay ang 2 ka oras nga pag-áyam niini ug nakakita siya’g klarong tira. Pila ka bulan siya naghulat nga maabot kining higayon ug ang iyang kaugmaun sa pangayam mibutyag sa iyang atubangan. Kini dili mahimo niyang masipyat, apan aduna’y lahi nga ideya iyang pana. Pagbuhi niya sa pana, tanan mihunong. Ang mga dahon sa kahoy nga nangahulog nikaging, nihunong ang usa samtang nagtutok sa pana nga wala naglihok.

“Dili matinahuron ang pagkuha sa mga butang nga dili imoha.” Si Chinhok mitalikod ug giatubang sa mga gipanabi nga nagpuyo diri: usa ka pula nga babayi ug puti nga lalaki. Kahibalo siya kinda—o unsa sila. Ang Tahamaling ug ang Mahomanay, mga magbabantay sa mga hayop sa lasang, ug sa pagkakaron, ang iyang mga kabalaka natinuod.

“Unsa atong buhaton ani niya?” ingon ni Tahamaling, iyang tingog malamdag ug makapadasig. “Kinahanglan nato buhaton ang angay buhaton. Nanguha siya nga wala’y gihatag pangbaylo.” Kalma ang Mahomanay, halos wala’y emosyon nga nitubag. Nakadungog si Chinhok ug mga storya mahitungod sa kalipay sa mga Espiritu ug ilang pagtabang sa mga tawo, apan nakahinumdom siya nga kini inig human lamang sa paghalad.

“—-” Dili makatingog si Chinhok. Kahibalo siya unsa iyang nabuhat. Kahibalo pud siya nga wala siya’y mabuhat aron mapasaylo sa mga Espiritu. Nagpakaluoy si Chinhok kang Pamulak Manobo nga himuong paspas ang iyang kamatayon.

Nagpatalinghug ang mga espiritu.

Nakit-an ni Bitil ang lawas sa iyang pag-umangkon mahuman ang 3 ka adlaw nga pagpangita niini. Namatay kini sa kaugalingong pana, makaguol nga kapalaran sa usa ka mangangayam. Kahibalo si Bitil nga imposibleng mapana ni Chinhok iyang kaugalingon, ug nabati niya nga naglagot ang mga espiritu sa pagkawala’y pagtahod sa batan-on.

Naghalad si Bitil og bonga para sa mga espiritu alang timaan sa paghinulsol. Aduna’y mga igsuon si Chinhok ug gusto lamang ni Bitil nga sila makat-on gikan sa sayop ni Chinhok s dili pagpaminaw sa mga espiritu. Ang bukid ug ang lasang kay dili mahimong maangkon sa mga tawo, kini iyang nahibaw-an.

Iyang gialsa ang lawas ni Chinhok ug gisugdan ang paglakaw pabalik sa balangay.

=————————————=

English Version

Chinhok couldn’t wait anymore. Today would be the day. He spotted a larger than usual deer and he couldn’t miss this chance. No more taunts, no more insults. He would prove to everyone, especially his uncle that he was a real hunter. The spirits be damned.

He took aim at the deer. After 2 hours of tracking it, he finally got a clear shot. Months of anticipation boiled down to this moment and his future as a hunter was laid out in front of him. There was no way he could miss this, but his arrow had a different idea. The moment he let loose his arrow, everything stopped. The leaves stood frozen falling from their branches, the deer was silent as it stared at the arrow that didn’t move.

“It isn’t polite to take things that aren’t yours.” Chinhok turned behind him and he was faced with stories from the fireside: A red-skinned woman and a white skinned man. He knew who—or what they were. The Tahamaling and the Mahomanay, guardians of the beasts in the forest, and as of now, his worst nightmares come to life.

“What should we do with this one?” said the Tahamaling, her voice lustrous and soothing. “We must do as we must. He has taken without giving.” The Mahomanay was stoic, almost emotionless as he spoke. Chinhok would hear stories of the spirits being happy and helpful to humans, and then he remembered that was only after the offerings were given.

“—-“ Chinhok’s voice stopped at his throat. He knew what he had done. He also knew there was no way to ask forgiveness from the spirits. Chinhok prayed to Pamulak Manobo that his death would be quick.

The spirits may have listened to that small mercy.

Bitil found his nephew’s body after 3 days of searching. The boy was killed with his own arrow, a sad fate for any hunter. Bitil knew that it was impossible for Chinhok to shoot himself, and he sensed that the spirits were angered at the youth’s indiscretion.

Bitil offered the betel nut that he kept with him to the spirits as a small token of remorse. Chinhok had brothers and Bitil only hoped that they would learn from his failure to listen to the spirits. The mountain and the forest will never belong to people, that much he knew.

He took Chinhok’s body and began the long walk back to the village.

=——————-=

*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 Jane Danielle Fabula
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jane Danielle Fabula

Story inspired by Mahomanay description in The Maiden of the Buhog Sky. Manuel (1958) in Philippine Folk Literature:The Epics. Eugenio. 2001. And Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Tahamaling Illustration by Laura Katigbak
FB: Rabbit Heart
IG: https://www.instagram.com/rabbitheartart/

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

Nabatian mo ang mga tingog nila nga ginatawag ang imo ngalan kag napayuhum ka tungod diri. Sa imo huna-huna, isa na naman ini ka gab-i sa syudad nga puno sing kasadya. Wala ikaw makadumdom kung sa diin ukon kung san-o mo sila nakilala, apang indi na ina importante sa imo, kay napun-an ka na sing kalipay. Kaupod sa ila, nagapangasadya man ang imo tagipusuon, kag nagasanag kag nagatahum pa guid ang imo nga kalibutan.

Katahum. Katahum sa ila. Kag manggaranon. Ini nga mga tawo halos indi mapatihan nga matuod. Daw ginaganyat ka kung magtulok ka sa manami nila nga mga mata. Daw indi ka pa guid magtandog sa ila mga maanyag nga panapton tungod sa kahadlok nga basi maguba ang tahi kag tela. Nagasidlak ang ila mga bayo kung maiguan sing kasanag nga daw huna-hunaon mo nga human ang mga ini sa bulawan. Basi amo man gid.

Sini nga gab-i, gindala ka nila sa lain nga lugar. Sa isa ka house party, siling nila. Apang paglab-ot didto, indi ini anggid sa mga party nga nakita mo sang-una. Regal, malapad, maluho, ni indi mo mabal-an kung ano nga mga tinaga ang makalaragway sa dalayawon nga sitwasyon sa sulod.

Ang kasadyahan napun-an sing mga magwapa kag magwapo nga mga tawo, apang makatilingala. Wala sing may naghambal nga isa ato gali ka costume party. Madamo sa ila ang nakapanapton kaangay sang mga bruha kag aswang, indi kaangay sa imo ginsuob. Wala man nagakabalaka ang imo bag-o nga mga abyan kag nagahambal lang nga ang importante yara ka upod sa ila.

Gintagaan ka nila sing mga pagkaon. Mayara sing itom nga kan-on, ugaling bal-an mo kung ano ang mas maayo. Mayara sila sing tanan nga mga managmi nga kagamiton, pati na ang mga managmi nga droga. Ginkaon mo man ini nga wala sing pagduwa-duwa. Naiguan ka na sing epekto. Imo nabatyagan nga nagailis ang itsura sang imo mga upod, ang ila mga buhok kag mata nagaputi. Nabatyagan mo man nga ikaw nagalutaw na, nga daw ginahakwat ikaw halin sa salog. Ang musika nagatudo man nga nagatudo.

Ginlantaw mo ang imo relo. Alas-dos na sing aga. Ginhuna-huna mo nga kinahanglan mo na magpauli. Magpauli sa imo normal, makasulum-od nga kabuhi, upod sang imo normal kag makasulum-od nga mga abyan. Ugaling wala ka na sing labot subong, imo napanumdom nga indi naman malain kung indi ka magpauli.

Indi mo na gusto magpauli.

Kay daw indi mo na man mahimo.

=——————————=

English Version

You hear their voices calling your name and you smile. Another night of fun out in the city, you think. You don’t remember where you met them or when that was, but it doesn’t matter, all you know is the thrill. How it makes your heart beat when you’re with them, how the world is somehow open and beautiful again.

Beautiful. They’re so beautiful. And rich. These people are almost too good to be true. They have eyes that just captivate you within a second of looking at them. You’re almost afraid to touch their clothes, like touching them might destroy the delicate fabric. They so brightly in the light you almost think they might be made of gold. Maybe they are.

Tonight they take you somewhere different. They say it’s a house party. When you arrive it’s unlike any house you’ve ever seen before. Regal, spacious, luxurious, you can’t even find the words to describe how amazing it is just to be inside.

The party is filled with equally beautiful people, but also some strange ones. No one told you it would be a costume party. So many people dressed as witches and aswang that you feel underdressed at this occasion. Your new friends don’t mind though, they say it’s so great to have you here.

They offer you some food, it looks like some kind of black rice, but you know better. They have all the best things, including the best drugs. You eat it without a second thought. The high is amazing. You feel things start to change and move around you. Everyone seems to be changing, their hair and eyes turning white. You can feel yourself floating, like you’re being lifted off the floor. The music feels like it’s getting louder.

You look at your watch. It’s 2am. Getting late. You know you have to get home. Have to go back to your normal, boring life, with your normal, boring friends. But somehow you don’t care anymore, it doesn’t seem like a bad idea to stay.

You never want to go home.

You don’t think you can.

=—————————=

*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 Nicole Ponsoy
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Nicole Ponsoy

Story inspired by the Dalaketnon entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos.

Illustration and Watercolor by Laura Katigbak
FB: Rabbit Heart
IG: https://www.instagram.com/rabbitheartart/

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

Gintulok ni Manang Paula ang sulat nga gin bilin ni Lolo Ambo sa iya. Gusto nya man irespeto ang kagustuhan ni Lolo Ambo, mabudlay ang pangabuhi subong. Indi nya man gusto tani pero kinahanglang gid nga ibaligya ang duta para magamit ang kwarta nga malikom sap ag saylo sa iban nga lugar para sa maayo nga bwas damlag sang iya pamilya. Nagklakat pakadto sa puno sang balete sip aula nga gatindog sa punta sang talamnan. Wala suga ang mga sanga subong. Wala nya mabal-an kuna ang mga tawo nga ga puyo sa puno mahalin man parehos sa ila.

“Pasensya gid… gpangayo ako sang pasaylo sa inyo…” ga amat amat tulo ang luha ni Manang Paula. “Nag promisa si Lolo Ambo nga wala sang may matabo sa inyo Puno… kag gin hinyo nya kami nga padayunon ang ina nga promisa… pero kinanglan ko pili-on kun ano ang maka paayo sa akon pamilya…. Gamasakit si Lila… indi kami ikasarang magbakal sang iya bulong… si Roberto asta subong wala sang ubra… Nanay ako… kinanglan ko mag paminsar kun ano ang maka paayo sa akon pamilya….” Gin pahiran ni Manang Paula ang iya luha… “Tani mapatawad ninyo ako….”

Ang bilog nga bulang ga lutwa lang sa kalangitan… naglapaw na ang pila ka oras… wala sang may naghulag… wala may natabo… makabulungol ang mahipos nga kagab-ihon…. Wala sang kun ano nga senyales… kun nabaitian sang mga tag lugar ang tingog ni Manang Paula… wala si Manang Paula kabalo kun ano ang masunod… pero sya padayon nga galaom nga may ihambal sila sa iya… biskan ano lang….

Naghulat sya sa dalom puno asta mag aga… kag nagpuli sa ila balay… naghimos sang mga gamit….

Pagkatapos sa tatlo ka bulan… ginatulok ni Manang Paula ang iya kabataan… nakabatyag sya sa sang kalipay nga subong nya lang nabatyagan…. Gahampang si Lila upod ang iya mga pakaisa… nadumduman nya nga daw haluson indi kalakat ang iya bata sang ara sya sa opsital… nagpasalamat sya sa Ginoo kag gin kuha ang dyaryo kag nagbasa…

Sa ulo sang mga balita nakabutang: ‘Mga tawo nag protesta batok sa pag develop sang duta sa isa ka nayon’ wala na sya natingala sa mga amo ni nga balita… ang kompaniya gina akusran nga nag hatag sang payola sa mga opisyal sang nayon para indi sila maistorbo sa pag guba sang mga puno… pero sa litrato nmay nakita si Manang Paula… nga gulpi nag pugong sa iya pag ginhawa!

Isa ka maanyag nga bata nga naka bayo pula ang lider sang mga ga pamatok… gina balabagan nila ang bull dozer!

Napangisi si Manang Paula… kabalo man gali sila ipakigbato ang ila balay….

=——————–=

English Version

Manang Paula looked at the letter that Lolo Ambo left her. As much as she wanted to respect his wishes, times were hard. She had to sell the land to have enough money to move where it would be a better future for her family. Paula walked to the Balete tree in the edge of the field. There weren’t any lights in the branches tonight. She didn’t know if that meant the people in the tree were going to leave as well.

“I’m sorry.” The tears were starting to swell up in Paula’s eyes. “I know that Lolo Ambo promised that nothing would happen to your tree, and he asked all of us to keep that promise alive, but I have to choose what’s best for my family. Lila is sick and we can’t even afford her medicine anymore. Roberto can’t find a job. I… I am a mother and I need to give my children the life they deserve.” Paula wiped away the tears from her cheek, “Please forgive me.”

The moon was still in the night sky. Hours passed and nothing happened. There was no sign, nothing to tell Paula that the people in the tree heard her. She didn’t know what to expect, but she had hoped that they would tell her something. Anything.

She waited by the tree until morning and afterwards, she went to her house and started packing.

Three months later, Manang Paula was looking at her children and she was happy for the first time in a long while. Lila was running around playing with her cousins. Manang Paula remembered how weak her little girl looked in the hospital bed and she said a soft prayer of thanksgiving. She sat down and started her morning tradition of reading the newspaper.

The headline read “Protesters Rally New Development” which wasn’t surprising; the construction company had been accused of bribing the local officials so they could ignore the environmental destruction they were causing, but a certain picture almost made Manang Paula jump out of her seat.

It was of a beautiful girl in red leading the protestors against a bulldozer.

Manang Paula smiled. They could take care of themselves after all.

=———————–=

*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 Maximilian De Angel Zurbito
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Maximilian De Angel Zurbito

Inspired by ‘The Fairy of Balete Tree’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Mariang Ilaya Illustration by Laura Katigbak
FB: Rabbit Heart
IG: https://www.instagram.com/rabbitheartart/

*Note this story is in Bicol Naga

Tighiling ni Manay Paul an surat na tigwalat ni Lolo Ambo saiya. Gusto niya mang respetuhon an mga kagustuhan ni Lolo Ambo, masakit. Kaipuhan niyang ipabakal an daga para may kwarta sinda maglipat sa ibang lugar para sa kinabukasan kan saiyang pamilya. Naglakaw si Paula sa kahoy nin Balate sa may boundary kan uma. Mayong ilaw sa mga sanga ngunyan na banggi. Dae niya sigurado kun an ibig sabihun kaini na kung mahali man an mga tao sa kahoy.

“Sorry.” Nagdadakol na an mga luha sa mata ni Paula. “Aram ko na pinangako ni Lolo Ambo na mayong mangyayri sa saindong kahoy asin pinakiulay niya na gibuhon mi an pangakong ito, pero kaipuhan kong pilion an ikakarahay kan sakong pamilya. May makulog si Lila, dae mi kaya mabakal an saiyang bulong. Si Roberto, dae makahanap trabaho. Ako…ako ang ina, kaipuhan kong itao sa sakuyang mga aki an magayon na buhay sainda.” Tigpunasan ni Paula an saiyang mga luha, “Patawadon nindo ako.”

Maliwanag an bulan sa madiklom na langit. Oras na an nakaagi asin mayong nangyari. Mayong senyas, mayong senyas na pwede magsabi na nadangog kan mga tao sa kahoy an saiyang sinabi. Dae niya aram kung ano ang pwede mangyari pero sana may sabihon sinda saiya ning dawa ano. Kung anuman.

Naghalat siya hanggang aga asin pagkatapos, naglaog siya sa saiyang harong, nagpuon nang mag-impake.

Tulong bulan na an nakaagi, tigmamasdan ni Manay Paula an saiyang mga aki, ngunyan nanaman lang siya naugma ni arog kaini sa kahaluyan nin panahon. Nagdadalgan si Lila kaiba an saiyang mga pinsan. Nagirumduman ni Manay Paula kung gano kaluya ang itsura kan aking babae sa ospital asin nagsabi sya nin pangadyi ning pasasalamat na maluhay sana. Nagtukaw siya asin pinunan niyang gibuhon an tradisyon niyang pagkakaaga-an magbasa nin diyaryo.

An headline, “Bagong Kaganapan Sa Rali Kan Mga Nagpoprotesta” na mayo mang pinagbago; naakusahan nin korapsyon an kumpanyang nagpapatugdok kaiba an mga lokal na opisyales para dae na ninda pansinun an kararatan na dulot kaini sa kapaligiran, pero may sarong letrato na halos nagpatindog ki Paula sa saiyang pagkatukaw.

Letrato in ikan sarong magayon na aking babae na nakapula habang nanginginutan sa mga nagpoprotesta laban sa bulldozer.

Nagngirit si Manay Paula. Kaya man pala ninda an saindang mga sadiri.

=——————=

Engilsh Version

Manang Paula looked at the letter that Lolo Ambo left her. As much as she wanted to respect his wishes, times were hard. She had to sell the land to have enough money to move where it would be a better future for her family. Paula walked to the Balete tree in the edge of the field. There weren’t any lights in the branches tonight. She didn’t know if that meant the people in the tree were going toleave as well.

“I’m sorry.” The tears were starting to swell up in Paula’s eyes. “I know that Lolo Ambo promised that nothing would happen to your tree, and he asked all of us to keep that promise alive, but I have to choose what’s best for my family. Lila is sick and we can’t even afford her medicine anymore. Roberto can’t find a job. I… I am a mother and I need to give my children the life they deserve.”

Paula wiped away the tears from her cheek, “Please forgive me.

The moon was still in the night sky. Hours passed and nothing happened. There was no sign, nothing to tell Paula that the people in the tree heard her. She didn’t know what to expect, but she had hoped that they would tell her something. Anything.

She waited by the tree until morning and afterwards, she went to her house and started packing.

Three months later, Manang Paula was looking at her children and she was happy for the first time in a long while. Lila was running around playing with her cousins, Manang Paula remembered how weak her little girl looked in the hospital bed and she said a soft prayer of thanksgiving. She sat down and started her morning tradition of reading the newspaper.

The headline read “Protesters Rally New Development” which wasn’t surprising; the construction company had been accused of bribing the local officials so they could ignore the environmental destruction they were causing, but a certain picture almost made Manang Paula jump out of her seat.

It was of a beautiful girl in red leading the protesters against a bulldozer.

Manang Paula smiled. They could take care of themselves after all.

————————–————————–————————–

*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 Angela Arnante
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Angela Arnante

Inspired by ‘The Fairy of Balete Tree’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Mariang Ilaya Illustration by Laura Katigbak
FB: Rabbit Heart
IG: https://www.instagram.com/rabbitheartart/

*Note this story is in Cebuano

Gitan-aw ni Manang Paula ang sulat na gibilin ni Lolo Ambo para sa iyaha. Gusto kaayo niya nga tahuron ang mga pangandoy niini, apan lisod kaayo ang panahon. Gikinahanglan nga ibaligya niya ang yuta para lamang nga naay nindot nga kaugmaon ang iyang pamilya. Milakaw si Paula paingon sa punoan sa Balete sa daplin sa uma.Walay bisan unsang suga sa sanga karong gabii. Wala siya masayod kon nagpasabot ba kini nga ang mga tawo sa kahoy mobiya na usab.

“Pasayloa ko”. Nagsugod na og dagayday ang mga luha sa mata ni Paula. “Kabalo ko nga nanumpa si Lolo Ambo na walay mahitabo sa imong kahoy, ug siya mihangyo kanamong tanan sa pagtuman sa iyang saad, pero kinahanglan nako nga pilion kung unsay mas maayo para sa akong pamilya. Nagsakit si Lila og dili na jud namo kaya pa bayaran ang iyang mga tambal. Si Roberto dili makakita ug trabaho. Ako…Ako usa ka inahan ug kinahanglan nako nga ihatag ang kinabuhi nga angay nilang mabatunan.” Gitrapuhan ni Paula ang mga luha sa iyang aping. “Palihug pasayloa ko.”

Ang bulan anaa pa sa kalangitan sa kagabhion. Ning labay ang mga oras pero walay nahitabo. Walay bisan unsang timailhan, walay makasulti kang Paula nga ang mga tawo sa kahoy nakadungog kaniya.Wala siya masayud kon unsay mahitabo, apan naglaum siya nga aduna silay isulti kaniya. Bisan unsa.

Gatagad siya sa punoan hangtod ning buntag ug pagkahuman, ning uli sa ilang balay ug nagsugod na siya ug pamutos.

Ning labay ang tulo ka bulan, nagtan-aw si Manang Paula sa iyang mga anak ug nalipay siya pag-usab sa unang higayon sa dugay nga panahon. Si Lila nagdagan-dagan sa palibot kauban ang iyang mga eg-agaw. Nahinumduman ni Manang Paula kung unsa kaluya ang iyang anak nga babae samtang ga-higda sa higdaanan sa ospital ug siya misulti og hinay nga pag-ampo sa pagpasalamat. Milingkod siya ug gisugdan ang iyang tradisyon sa buntag sa pagbasa sa mantalaan.

Ang ulohan mabasa nga “Protesters Rally New Development” nga dili ikatingala; ang construction company gipasanginlan nga nanghiphip sa lokal nga mga opisyal aron dili nila mabalewala ang pagkaguba sa kinaiyahan nga ilang gipahinabo, apan usa ka hulagway ang hapit nakalukso si Manang Paula sa iyang gilingkoran.

Kini usa ka maanyag nga babaye nga naka-pula ang nanguna sa mga nagprotesta batok sa usa ka bulldozer.

Mipahiyom si Manang Paula. Mahimo nilang atimanon ang ilang kaugalingon human sa tanan.

=——————————–=

English Version

Manang Paula looked at the letter that Lolo Ambo left her. As much as she wanted to respect his wishes, times were hard. She had to sell the land to have enough money to move where it would be a better future for her family. Paula walked to the Balete tree in the edge of the field. There weren’t any lights in the branches tonight. She didn’t know if that meant the people in the tree were going toleave as well.

“I’m sorry.” The tears were starting to swell up in Paula’s eyes. “I know that Lolo Ambo promised that nothing would happen to your tree, and he asked all of us to keep that promise alive, but I have to choose what’s best for my family. Lila is sick and we can’t even afford her medicine anymore. Roberto can’t find a job. I… I am a mother and I need to give my children the life they deserve.”

Paula wiped away the tears from her cheek, “Please forgive me.”

The moon was still in the night sky. Hours passed and nothing happened. There was no sign, nothing to tell Paula that the people in the tree heard her. She didn’t know what to expect, but she had hoped that they would tell her something. Anything.

She waited by the tree until morning and afterwards, she went to her house and started packing.

Three months later, Manang Paula was looking at her children and she was happy for the first time in a long while. Lila was running around playing with her cousins, Manang Paula remembered how weak her little girl looked in the hospital bed and she said a soft prayer of thanksgiving. She sat down and started her morning tradition of reading the newspaper.

The headline read “Protesters Rally New Development” which wasn’t surprising; the construction company had been accused of bribing the local officials so they could ignore the environmental destruction they were causing, but a certain picture almost made Manang Paula jump out of her seat.

It was of a beautiful girl in red leading the protesters against a bulldozer.

Manang Paula smiled. They could take care of themselves after all.

————————–————————–————————–

*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 Cherry Joy Abamonga
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Cherry Joy Abamonga

Inspired by ‘The Fairy of Balete Tree’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Mariang Ilaya Illustration by Laura Katigbak
FB: Rabbit Heart
IG: https://www.instagram.com/rabbitheartart/

*Note this story is in Tagalog

May bago akong kaibigan.

Ang pangalan niya ay Aura. Bata siya na katulad ko, pero hindi ko siya nakita sa kapitbahayan namin noon.

Naisip ko na kakaiba na lagi siyang may dalang payong, tapos isinama niya akong lumipad na gamit ito. Napakasaya ang nangyari!

Sinabi niya sa akin na pwede kaming maglaro sa bahay niya at dinala niya ako sa isang malaking bato. Akala ko nagbibiro lang siya, pero nang hawakan niya ang bato, naging isang malaking palasyo ito. Sobrang nagulat ako!

Noong aalis na ako, binigyan niya ako ng madaming barya na pilak at pinilit niya akong ipangako na hindi ko sasabihin kung saan ko iyon nakuha sa kahit kanino. Sinabi niya na siya ay isang enki… enko…. engkantada at may mga masasamang mangyayari sa akin kapag nagsabi ako ng tungkol sa kanya.

Itinago ko ang mga barya sa ilalim ng aking kama, pero hindi ko inisip na iyon ay maganda. Magmula noon, nagkasakit si Lola at pumunta na sa langit. Si Kuya ay nabangga ng kotse at nasa ospital ngayon. Binabantayan siya ni Mama pero tingin ko ay nagkakasakit na din siya.

Gusto kong sabihin kay Papa ang tungkol kay Aura at baka may ginawa siya, pero nadidinig ko ang huni ng hangin at ang tunog ng payong niya sa labas ng aking bintana kapag gabi.

Nadidinig ko siyang tumatawa.

Hindi ako naniniwalang mabuti siyang kaibigan.

=———————————————=
English Version

I made a new friend.

Her name was Aura, she was a kid just like me but I never saw her around the neighborhood before.
I thought it was strange that she always carried an umbrella around, but then she took me flying with it. It was so much fun!

She told me we could play in her house and she took me to this big rock. I thought she was joking but when she touched it, it turned into a big palace. I was so surprised!

When I was about to leave she gave me so many silver coins and she made me promise not to tell anyone where I got them. She told me she was an enki-… enko…. engkantada and that bad things would happen to me if I told on her.
I kept the coins under my bed but I don’t think they were good coins. Since then, Lola got sick and went to heaven. Kuya had a car crash and now he’s in the hospital. Mama’s with him but I think she’s getting sick too.

I want to tell Papa about Aura and that maybe she did something, but every night I can hear the sound of the wind and her umbrella outside my window.
I can hear her laughing.

I don’t think she’s a very good friend.

=————————————————————=

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Nadinig mo ang kanilang boses na tinatawag ang iyong pangalan at ikaw ay napangiti. Naisip mong ito ay isa na namang gabi ng kasiyahan sa labas ng siyudad. Hindi mo na maalala kung saan mo sila nakilala o kung kailan nangyari iyon, pero hindi na mahalaga, dahil ang alam mo lang ay ang kasabikan – kung paano tumibok ang iyong puso kapag kasama mo sila, at kung paano ang mundo ay tila bukas at maganda muli.

Maganda. Sila ay napakaganda… at mayaman. Sila ay halos sobrang ganda para maging totoo. Mayroon silang mga mata na kaya kang akitin sa loob ng segundo na ito ay iyong tingnan. Halos takot kang hawakan ang kanilang damit – na parang masisira kapag hinawakan mo ang maselang tela. Lumiliwanag sila sa ilaw at tingin mo ay parang gawa sila sa ginto. Baka nga totoo.

Ngayon gabi, dinala ka nila sa ibang lugar. Sinabi nila na may pagdiriwang sa bahay. Sa iyong pagdating, hindi mo maihalintulad ang bahay sa mga nakita mo noon. Ito ay marilag, napakalaki, at mamahalin. Hindi mo lubos na maisip ang akmang salita para ilarawan ang iyong paghanga na nakapasok ka sa loob.

Puno ang pagdiriwang ng mga kahalintulad nila ang kagandahan, pero may ilan din na kakaiba ang anyo. Walang nagsabi sa iyo na ito ay isang pagtitipon kung saan ang mga kasali ay nakabihis ng nakakatakot na kasuotan. Nakararami ang nagbihis bilang mangkukulam o aswang, kaya pakiramdam mo ay hindi akma ang iyong kasuotan para sa okasyon. Hindi naman ito inalintana ng iyong mga bagong kaibigan. Sinabi nila na napakahalaga na ikaw ay nakarating.

Binigyan ka nila ng pagkain na parang isang uri ng itim na kanin, pero mas alam mo kung ano iyon.  Nasa kanila ang pinakamagagandang bagay, pati pinakamagandang mga droga. Kumain ka ng walang pag-aatubili. Ang lakas ng iyong tama ay kamangha-mangha. Naramdaman mo na nagsisimulang magbago at gumalaw ang iyong kapaligiran. Ang lahat ng tao ay parang nagbabago – ang kanilang mga buhok at mga mata ay nagiging kulay puti. Ikaw ay nakaramdam ng paglutang – parang ikaw ay inaangat mula sa sahig. Ang tugtugin ay tila lalong lumalakas.

Tumingin ka sa iyong relo. Alas-dos na ng umaga. Masyado ka nang ginabi. Alam mong dapat ka nang umuwi. Kailangan mo nang bumalik sa karaniwan at nakakasawang buhay na kasama ang iyong karaniwan at nakasasawang mga kaibigan. Kahit papaano ay wala ka na ding pakialam. Mukhang hindi masamang isipin na manatili na lamang.

Ayaw mo nang umuwi ng bahay.

Tingin mo ay hindi mo na ito magagawa.

=——————————————————————=

English Version

You hear their voices calling your name and you smile. Another night of fun out in the city, you think. You don’t remember where you met them or when that was, but it doesn’t matter, all you know is the thrill. How it makes your heart beat when you’re with them, how the world is somehow open and beautiful again.

Beautiful. They’re so beautiful. And rich. These people are almost too good to be true. They have eyes that just captivate you within a second of looking at them. You’re almost afraid to touch their clothes, like touching them might destroy the delicate fabric. They shine so brightly in the light you almost think they might be made of gold. Maybe they are.

Tonight they take you somewhere different. They say it’s a house party. When you arrive it’s unlike any house you’ve ever seen before. Regal, spacious, luxurious, you can’t even find the words to describe how amazing it is just to be inside.

The party is filled with equally beautiful people, but also some strange ones. No one told you it would be a costume party. So many people dressed as witches and aswang that you feel under-dressed at this occasion. Your new friends don’t mind though, they say it’s so great to have you here.

They offer you some food, it looks like some kind of black rice, but you know better. They have all the best things, including the best drugs. You eat it without a second thought. The high is amazing. You feel things start to change and move around you. Everyone seems to be changing, their hair and eyes turning white. You can feel yourself floating, like you’re being lifted off the floor. The music feels like it’s getting louder.

You look at your watch. It’s 2am. Getting late. You know you have to get home. Have to go back to your normal, boring life, with your normal, boring friends. But somehow you don’t care anymore, it doesn’t seem like a bad idea to stay.

You never want to go home.

You don’t think you can.

=——————————————–=

Story inspired by the Dalaketnon entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos.

Illustration and Watercolor by Laura Katigbak
FB: Rabbit Heart
IG: https://www.instagram.com/rabbitheartart/

*Note this story is in Karay-a / Kinaray-a

Nagtórok táy Manang Paula sa sulat nga tugyan ni Lolo Ambo kana. Luyag man daad nana nga tahaon ang mga handum ni Lolo na, túman gid tana ka budlay ang panag-on. Kinahanglan gid nana nga ibaligyâ ang lupâ agod to makabuul tana it igô nga kwarta agod to makasaylo tana sa diin nga may dyan it mayad nga sum-an ang anang pamilya. Nag pánaw táy Paula paagto sa kahoy kang Balete sa binit kang làtàgón. Warâ gid it iwag sa mga sangá kadyang gabii. Warâ tana it hinalung-ong kon buut hambalon kabáy ka rian malumbos run man ang mga tawo rudto sa kahoy.

“Pasayloha ako.” Naghurubag ang mga luhâ sa mga masluk ni Paula. “Man-an man nakun nga nag-saad táy Lolo Ambo nga warâ it matabô nga sayud sa inyo kahoy, kag nagpangabáy pa tana kanamun tanan nga iparig-unon ang saad nga ran, páy kinahanglan ko pillion ang labíng mayad sa akun pamilya. May balatian táy Lila kag indî run tamun makabàtas magbayad kang anang bulung. Indî man táy Roberto kasagap kang paramugunan. Sa… sangka iloy ako kag kinahanglan ko itugrô sa akun mga batâ ang kabuhî nga takus kananda.” Pinanas ni Paula ang mga luhâ sa bagiing na, “Patawada gid ako.”

Rudyan pa angod ang bulan sa kalangitan. Naglubas ang mga taknâ kag warâ may natabô. Warâ gid it pamaan, warâ gid it may makuon káy Paula nga namatî kana ang mga tawo sa kahoy. Warâ tana ka maan kon ano anang lauman, páy nagsarig tana nga may ihambal sanda kana. Bisan ano man.

Naghulat tana sa kahoy tubtob sa kaagahon kag sa madason, nag-agto tana sa anang balay kag nagsugod it pangbagtong.

Kang lumigad ang tatlo ka bulan, nagatorok táy Manang Paula sa anang mga kabataan kag nalipay gid tana makadalî kutub sa mabúhay nga tion. Nagadalagan táy Lila imaw kang anang mga pakaisa, nadumduman ni Manang Paula kon ano ka pígaw kon sulngon ang anang indáy nga nga gabatáng sa baratangán sa hospital kag naghambal tana it mahinay nga pangamuyô kang pagpasalamat. Nagpungkô tana kag nagsugod kang anang kinabatasan tagsa aga nga among pag basá kang pèríodiko.

Mabasahan sa headline na kadya “Ang Bag-ong Pag-uswag kang Pagrally kang mga Manugprotesta” nga bukun man it makatiringala, ang Construction Company ginpabangdan nga ginasudyot nanda sa mga local official nga pasapayan lamang nanda ang pagrangga sa palibot nga sanda tanda man ang nagahimô, páy máy ma-id-id nga dágway ang nagpatumbô kay Manang Paula sa anang purungkoan.

Tungud rian sa sangka maambung nga bahi nga nakapula nga naga pang-ulo sa mga nagaprotesta bátok sa sangka bulldozer.

Nagyuhum táy Manang Paula. Kon sa bagay, maámlìgan man nanda andang kaugalingon.

=———————————————————————-=

English Version

Manang Paula looked at the letter that Lolo Ambo left her. As much as she wanted to respect his wishes, times were hard. She had to sell the land to have enough money to move where it would be a better future for her family. Paula walked to the Balete tree in the edge of the field. There weren’t any lights in the branches tonight. She didn’t know if that meant the people in the tree were going toleave as well.

“I’m sorry.” The tears were starting to swell up in Paula’s eyes. “I know that Lolo Ambo promised that nothing would happen to your tree, and he asked all of us to keep that promise alive, but I have to choose what’s best for my family. Lila is sick and we can’t even afford her medicine anymore. Roberto can’t find a job. I… I am a mother and I need to give my children the life they deserve.”

Paula wiped away the tears from her cheek, “Please forgive me.”

The moon was still in the night sky. Hours passed and nothing happened. There was no sign, nothing to tell Paula that the people in the tree heard her. She didn’t know what to expect, but she had hoped that they would tell her something. Anything.

She waited by the tree until morning and afterwards, she went to her house and started packing.

Three months later, Manang Paula was looking at her children and she was happy for the first time in a long while. Lila was running around playing with her cousins, Manang Paula remembered how weak her little girl looked in the hospital bed and she said a soft prayer of thanksgiving. She sat down and started her morning tradition of reading the newspaper.

The headline read “Protesters Rally New Development” which wasn’t surprising; the construction company had been accused of bribing the local officials so they could ignore the environmental destruction they were causing, but a certain picture almost made Manang Paula jump out of her seat.

It was of a beautiful girl in red leading the protesters against a bulldozer.

Manang Paula smiled. They could take care of themselves after all.

=———————————————————–=

*The Karay-a language, or Kinaray-a is an Austronesian regional language spoken by the Karay-a people, mainly in Antique in the Philippines, Iloilo and other provinces on the island of Panay, as well as portions of the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. It is one of the Visayan languages, mainly along with Aklanon/Malaynon, Capiznon and Hiligaynon. As of 2015, there is an estimated 1,200,000 speakers of Kinaray-a with almost half of them are from Antique and Iloilo provinces.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by En

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © En

Inspired by ‘The Fairy of Balete Tree’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Mariang Ilaya Illustration by Laura Katigbak
FB: Rabbit Heart
IG: https://www.instagram.com/rabbitheartart/

*Note This Story is in Kapampangan

Atin kung bayung kaluguran.

Aura ing lagyu na. Anak yang kaparehu ku pero eke dating akakit queng banda kekami. Pane yang magdalang payung agyang nokarin ya munta. Pero tiki na kung sinulapo. Asnang makatula.

Sinabi na pwede kaming mamyalung queng bale da kaybat tiki na ku queng maragul a batu. Bala kusa mamiru ya mu, pero anyang telnan ne ing batu, meging yang maragul a palasyo. Mebigla ku!

Anyang palako na ku, dininan na kung dakal a baryang pilak. Pero pepag sumpa nakung ali ku panyabyan agyang kaninu. Sinabi na kaku metung yang enki-… enko… engkantada at ating matsurang malyari kaku agyang penyabi ku kareng aliwa. Sininop ko la reng barya lalam ning kakung pagkeran. Aisip ku e la mayap a barya.

Manibat kanita, mesakit ne i apu ku tapos minta yang banua. Me-aksidente ya i koyang ku queng saken na atsu ya ospital ngeni. Kayabe ne i ma ku pero balu ku matsura ya naman panamdaman.

Buri kung sabyan kang tatang ku ing tungkul kang Aura na palage ku iya ing makigawa. Pero bengi-bengi daramdaman ke ing lawiswis ning angin tapus akakit ke ing payung na queng tulid awang. Daramdaman ku mu rin ing ayli na.

Palage ku e ya mayap kaluguran.

=—————————————————-

English Version

*Note this story is in Tagalog

“Gusto ko talagang akyatin ang bundok na ‘yon!”

“Hindi. Hindi dapat.”

“Hindi mo ‘ko kailangang tratuhin na para bang lagi akong bata!”

“Kailangan, lalo na kapag parang bata ka naman talaga umasta.”

“Walang matinding dahilan para hindi ako umakyat.”

“Nando’n siya. Sapat nang dahilan ‘yon para manatili ka dito.”

“Hindi ‘yan dahilan. Ni hindi nga totoo ang alinman sa mga kuwento tungkol sa kanya.”

“Hindi mahalaga kung ga’no katotoo ang mga usap-usapan. Nando’n siya at hindi natin siya gagambalain.”

“Pakinggan mo nga ang sarili mo! Natatakot ka sa isang tsismis!”

“Hindi lang siya isang tsismis at marami ka pang ‘di nalalaman.”

“Katulad ng?”

“Bakit siya tumigil?”

“Alam mo naman ang kuwento.”

“Bakit niya itinigil ang pamamahagi ng ginto sa mga mahihirap?”

“Talaga bang tinatanong mo sa’kin ‘yan?”

“Bakit?”

“Dahil naging sakim ang mga tao. Pinaghuhukay nila ang kanyang hardin upang nakawin ang mga tanim niyang luya na nagbabago-anyo at nagiging ginto.”

“Bakit siya tumigil?”

“Gaya nga nang sabi ko, lumabis ang pagnanais ng mga tao. Teka, ano bang kinalaman nito sa—“

“Bakit siya tumigil!”

“….”

“Dahil binigo natin siya. Binigo natin ang bundok. Higit pa sa simpleng kuwento ng kasakiman ang kuwento niya, dahil kailanman’y ‘di naging simple ang kasakiman. Sasairin nito ang pinakamahuhusay na bagay, hanggang sa wala nang matira ni isa. Ang kuwento niya ay paalala sa ating lahat na walang hinihinging kapalit ang bundok. Magbibigay ito nang magbibigay hanggang sa maghangad tayo ng higit pa sa dapat nating hangarin.”

“Gusto ko lang naman tumanaw mula sa tukok—“

“Tapos, ano? Kumuha ng mga litrato? I-post online para makita ng lahat?

“Oo, pero—“

“Pero, ano? Sandali lang na panahon at susunod ang mga tao sa’yo. Ga’no pa katagal hanggang sa sila na mismo ang umakyat sa tuktok, umapak sa lupa, wumasak sa mga damo, at kumuha ng mga mag bagay na hindi naman sa kanila?”

“….”

“Tinatrato kitang bata dahil ni minsa’y di mo naintindihan ang aral ng kanyang kuwento.”

“Na binigo natin siya?”

“Na binigo natin ang bundok.”

————————–————————–————————–—–

English Version

“I want to go up the mountain!”

“No, you really don’t.”

“You can’t keep treating me like a child!”

“I can if that’s how you’re acting.”

“You still haven’t given me a good reason why I shouldn’t go up.”

“She is up there. That is all the reason there needs to be.”

“That’s not a reason. Those stories aren’t even real.”

“It doesn’t matter how real the stories are. She is there and we will not disturb her.”

“Listen to yourself! You’re scared of a story.”

“There is more to the story than just Her.”

“And what is that?”

“Why did she stop?”

“You know the story.”

“Why did she stop giving gold to the poor?”

“I can’t believe you’re asking—“

“Why?”

“Because the people got greedy. They dug up her garden because a ginger root from her turned into gold.”

“Why did she stop?”

“Like I said, they got greedy, what does this have to do with—“

“Why did she stop!?”

“….”

“Because we failed her. Because we failed the mountain. There is more to Her story than simple human greed, because greed isn’t simple. It finds the most brilliant solutions to take until there’s nothing left. Her story reminds us that the mountain wants for nothing. It will give until we decide to take more than we can hold.”

“I just want to see the summit—“

“And what then? Take a few pictures? Post it online so that people can see?”

“Yes, but—“

“How long will it take until people decide to follow your lead and go up the mountain themselves? How long until their feet trample on the earth and the grass? Until they take what was never theirs?”

“…..”

“I treat you like a child because you haven’t learned her lesson.”

“That we failed her?”

“That we failed the mountain.”

————————–————————–————————–—

Written by Karl Gaverza
Tagalog Translation by Alpine Moldez
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Alpine Moldez

Inspired by Mariang Makiling in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Mariang Makiling Illustration by Laura Katigbak
FB: Rabbit Heart
IG: https://www.instagram.com/rabbitheartart/