*Note this story is in Maguindanaon

Sa inia inged a migkasela su tua mama ku, sa apia entain na di kapakayan embitiala sa magabi.

“Kakineg ku pan su uni na guyudan a putaw nin,” pidtalu na tua mama ku.

Kapegkasela a kaped sekanin na bida. Kanu kutika a wata kami pan endu pegumbal kami sa uni sa magabi edtalaguy sekanin sa lekami endu tantu a kena makaingel, di pegumbal sa ingel sa ginawa nin.

Tatap a pedsendit aku sa kapegidsa sa enduken.

Sa nan a inged pebpawang intu sa magabi, pegketengen nin su guyudan a putaw nin. Su guyudan na napenu sa takembangan nu nauna a pimbunu nin.

“Su manga manusia a di mataw papedtelen sa ngali nilan.”

Sa ukit a kinapanudtul nu tua mama sa tudtul, Natawan ku a aden kaped nin a nabunu lu. Da nin embitiala i ped, ugaid isa kutika, sa magabi sa kinatulug nin na kakineg ku sekanin.

“Ernesto, suled ku a Ernesto, tagak ka sekanin.”

Pidtalu nin sa laki na minukit sa walay nilan. Su suled nin na mawalaw endu babal, katig nin na di kalabian. Su kabenal na kangudan na mabagel sa dalem nin.

“Inenggat nin su manginggilek endu binayadan nin i alaga.”

Su Tua mama ku na tatap a pedtalus pantag sa alaga.  Sa panun intu a nganin-nganin a nabayadan pabila naukit intu. Da ku katuntayi i ngin a benal intu sampay sa inipatuntay nin.

“Da bun intu sa lekitanu a su manginggilek kimua bu sa nyawa, ugaid kinua nin su nganin-nganin a su kamatayan bu wagib a pedtalima.”

Su suled ni tua mama ku naawa su nyawa sa intu.

Saguna, Di aku a benal pebparitiaya sa nganin-nganin mana su nyawa endu manginggilek a pegkikineg sa magabi, ugaid kamudian na kinabpatay ni tua mama minebpun su manga uni.

Kakineg ku su manga takembangan a pebpupuka sa kaped sa guyudan nin. Kakineg ku su manga kisek nu manga pimbunu nin, pangeni sa abadi a kapapembutawa. Kakineg ku su ulian a sengka nu tua mama ku, pangeni-pangeni sa kanu nyawa nu suled nin.

“Mapakay, temu saki kua ka.”

Pangenin-ngenin ku na matading den su manga uni. Di ku katawan enduken ka pedtundugen nilan su tua mama ku endu enduken ka pedtundugen aku nilan. Pidtepengan ku a di pamamantag silan, ugaid di ku kagaga.

Uman magabi na labi pegkabagel

=————————-=

English Version

In the town where my lolo was raised, no one was allowed to talk at night.

“I can still hear the sound of its iron cart,” my lolo used to say.

Growing up with him was strange. When we were kids and we would make a sound at night he would run towards us and make sure we were quite, trying not to make noise himself.

I always regretted asking him why.

In that town it traveled at night, pulling its iron cart. The cart was filled with the skulls of its previous victims.

“The ones that didn’t know how to keep their mouths shut.”

The way my lolo told the story, I knew that he had lost
someone to the monster. He never spoke of it much, but sometimes, at night while he was asleep I could hear him.

“Ernesto, my brother Ernesto, leave him alone.”

He told me it passed by their house. His brother was brave and foolish, he thought he was invincible. The truth of youth was strong within him.

“He challenged the monster and paid the price.”

Lolo would always go on about the price. How it was something that was paid when it got its way. I never understood what it really was until he explained.

“It would not matter to us had the monster only taken lives, but it took something that only death should claim.”

My lolo’s brother had lost his soul to it.

Now, I don’t really believe in things like souls and monsters that listen in the night, but after lolo died the sounds began.

I could hear the skulls knocking against each other in its cart. I could hear the screams of its victims, begging for their eternal release. I could hear the last gasp of my lolo, pleading for his brother’s life.

“Please, take me instead.”

I wish the sounds would go away. I don’t know why they followed lolo and why they’re following me. I try to ignore them, but I can’t.

Every night they get louder.

————————–————————–————————–———–

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

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

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

Inspired by the Kuraret legends from La Union

Kuraret Illustration by Leandro Geniston
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Colors by Alexa Garde

Website: Lexa.us

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

*Note this story is in Surigaonon

Waya gajud mawaya sa ako hunahuna adtong panahona.

Sugod pa sa upat katuig nako, pirme na ko sa dagat. Naa na sako dugo an tubig .

Nakakadto nako sa Pantabangan ug Lumot para mamingwit nan Apahap, sa Sugbo

para manguha nan Tikos , sa Mactan para manguha nan Maming. Jauy sab ako

nakuha na 120 cm na Maja – Maja pero lain gajud katong ako nakitan sa una.

Pirmero sa Anilao nako sija nakitan, waya ako kabantay kun uno na klase adto na

isda. Murag dagko sija na Lizard fish, mas dagko pa sa ako nakitan sa una. Kasagaran

sa Lizard fish kay 30cm ra man, inin ako nakitan kay murag 400 cm o mas dako dako

pa.

Pila ka semana nako gihimo ug tiboon an panalubon sa isda na ako kinahanglan,

murag tag ganahan adto sa mga dagkong isda parehas sa Mahi-mahi ug Lapu-lapu.

Kay sa ako pamingwit kada adlaw, pirme nija gajud bangaon an panalubon kun jauy

mabilin gamay rakan. Makitan man gajud nimo na grabe ka talom an ija ngipon.

Murag manginahanglan gajud ko nan mas ligon na pisi.

Buntag sajo nan alas tres kay nimata na ko, ako na tag preparar an panalubon para

sa ija. Bisan bugnaw pa kay sajo pa man sab, naghuyat ako.

Amo gajud ini an ako tagka ganahan sa pamingwit, an pagka hapsay ug pag kalinaw

sa paligid. Murag gikan pagkahuman sa bagjo. Pirme sa ako iistorya ni papa na 90%

kuno sa pamingwit kay ang pag preparar. Dugay pa bago nako adto hinumdumi.

Bago mag paniudto kay nakitan na nako an ija kapay. Nahibayo na ko na amo na

ini,na human na an ako pag preparar. Tag itsa na nako an ija tagkaganahan na

panalubon, tag plastar nako an ako sarili kay hibayo gajud ako na arang ka kusog an

ija pwersa, basin madaya ako. Daan ko pa, nabugto an pisi. Amo na adto an pinaka

ligon sa tanan na pisi na pwede gamiton, tuyo sab kabuyan ako nag preparar pero

tanan hago nako na waya ra.

Usahay ako balikan sa Anilao an mingwitan basin ako na sab adto makitan, pero

waya ako tag pasuyod kay dili kuno pwede, ila ako tag bawalan. Kay jauy kuno

nalumos na mga mangisdaay dapit sa ila pambot.

Grabe gajud adto ka sayang waya nako nakuha, pirme nako isipon adto. Kagana tana

kun ako adto na dakpan kay ako isabak dajun, di gajud ako muhunong.

Bisan kanusa pa, basta dili gajud ako muundang.

Waya ako maka sabot sa ako nakitan pero hibayo gajud ako na delikado adto. Karon

na tuig,sukad sa ako pag balik diri sa Anilao pirme jauy ma lumos.

Jauy mag uyab na turista tag anod murag gikan nag picture picture kay ginunitan pa

nila an ila mga celpon pag kakita sa ila sa baybay. Laong sa mga lokal kay lain an

banga sa ila lawas makalaong ra kaw na aksidente an nahitabo.

Waya pa nagdugay kay nag sunod-sunod na an pagkawaya sa mga surfers.

Karon na simana lima na kabatanon ang nawaya. Laong nan mga lokal kay basta tag

uyan kay magkadako ang bayud jaun man pirme an pag bantajan nan mga surfers.

Kasagaran di na sila makabalik, waya na sab mahibagtan an ila mga lawas. Tanan

resorts nag pahibalo sa tanan tawo na ajaw anay pag kadto sa dagat.

Kada jauy mawaya pirme ako naa didto, didto dapit sa baybay ba. Waya ako

manlimbong pero ako gajud pirme makitan an ila kapay didto dapit kun asa malumos

an mga bata.

Nabuang na siguro ko kay makalaong man ako na an isda ang hinungdan sa

pagkalumos nila. Pero makalaong gajud ako na konektado ini sila.

Murag di na anay ako muuli sa amo, kada adto nako sa dagat kay nagkahamok an

ako makitan na kapay.

Nihunong anay ako sa pag mingwit basin mawaya sab ako parehas sa ila tas way

mutuo sa ako. Pirme nako sila pahinumdoman na delikado na gajud kaliguan an

dagat pero waya na sila mamati sa ako. Tag abrihan na pud nan mga resort an ila

area para sa mga mangaligoay, mamingwitay ug mansisiday kay nanginabuhi man

sab daw sila.

Di gajud ako muhunong, kinahanglan mag bantay gajud an mga tawo.

Kay dili raman gud isa an kapay na ako nakitan, hamok man.

=———————–=

English Version

I still think about the one that got away.

I’ve been fishing since I was four years old. The water’s in my blood. I’ve been to Pantabangan and Lumot to catch Bass, Cebu to catch Tikos, Mactan Island to catch Wrasse and I’ve even managed to catch a 120 cm long Maya-Maya. But none of them compare to this.

I first spotted it off the coast of Anilao. I didn’t know what to make of it. It looked like a large lizardfish, larger than any I had ever seen before. Typically a lizardfish only reaches a maximum of 30 cm but this looked more like a shark that was well over 400 cm, maybe more.

It took me weeks to come up with the amount of bait I needed. It only seemed to like large fish, Mahi-Mahi and Grouper most especially, though I couldn’t be surprised. Every time I fished the bait out of the water there was a giant bite taken out of it. The fish were ripped apart with incredibly sharp jaws. I knew I was going to need a stronger line.

I got up at 3 am and I waited. I strung the bait on my line and I sat in the cold early morning air. This is why I loved fishing. It was about the nice quiet moments, the calm before the storm when you can think about every eventuality that might come your way. My dad always told me that 90% of fishing is preparation. I took too long to learn that lesson.

I saw a glimpse of its fin right after sunrise. I knew the time for preparation was over. I threw some chum near the line. The fish had a taste for blood, I remembered. I braced myself for the inevitable bite and nothing could have prepared me for what happened.

The line was cut. I don’t know how that could be, it was the strongest one I could find on the market, but there it was. 3 months of preparation all for nothing.

I never saw that fish again, though I sometimes take trips to Anilao to see if I could spot it. I wanted to go again this year but the fishing grounds were off limits. A couple of amateur fishermen were found drowned by their boats.

I still dream about that catch. How it would have been amazing to carry it on my shoulders, but I won’t give up.

Tomorrow is another day and maybe someday I will find it.

I don’t understand what I stumbled upon, but I know for a fact it’s more dangerous than people let on. Ever since I returned to Anilao this year to find that fish again more people have been found drowned.

There was the tourist couple who was found by the dock. They looked like they were taking pictures, they were still holding on to their phones when their bodies washed on shore. The bites that appeared on their bodies weren’t like anything the locals had seen before. We were all prepared to say it was a terrible accident.

That was until the surfers started disappearing.

5 young people in total had been reported missing since the start of this week. The rainy season had made the waves enticing to them, and they thought it would be a good chance to try them. For some, it would be the last decision they ever made. The bodies still haven’t been found and the resorts have all issued a warning for people to stay out of the water.

I was there for each of the disappearances. I mean I was by the sea, and I could swear upon my mother’s grave that I saw a glimpse of the fins in the areas where those people disappeared.

I may be crazy to think that some kind of fish has something to do with missing people, but my instinct is shouting in my head. There has to be some connection between them.

I don’t think I’ll make the trip back home, because I keep seeing more and more of the fins around the waters.

I’ve even stopped fishing, I don’t want to end up like those people, and no one will listen to me. I keep trying to warn them, trying to say that the waters are too dangerous for anyone to go in. The resorts wouldn’t listen, they were losing too much money and they reopened the waters for divers and fishermen.

I won’t stop though. These people need to be warned.

There are more than one set of fins.

=———————————————=

Surigaonon is a Philippine regional language spoken by Surigaonon people in the province of Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Sur, and some portions of Agusan del Norte especially the towns near the Mainit Lake, Agusan del Sur and Davao Oriental.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Surigaonon Translation provided by Ara Conza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Ara Conza

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

Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
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Watercolor by Mykie Concepcion
Tumblr: http://mykieconcepcion.tumblr.com/

The post Siyokoy – Surigaonon Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

July 17, 1961, ganap na ala-una ng hapon, nawala ang isang grupo ng mga kabataan at mga guro sa Orang National Park. Masusi ang paggalugad ng mga Ranger sa lugar na umabot nang ilang oras bago mahinatnan ang nangyari sa nawawalang pangkat.

Ang sana ay masaya at ordinaryong field trip, at paggawa ng sanaysay sa naging karanasan ay nauwi sa malagim na trahedya.

Tatlong nakatatanda ang nagbabantay sa pangkat ng mga kabataan. Unang nakita ng mga Ranger ang katawan ng isa sa mga guro. Ayon sa pagsusuri, marahil pananakal ang ikinamatay ng biktima. Hindi pa natutukoy ang sanhi nito ngunit may katibayan ng matinding pananakal sa kanyang leeg at galos mula rito. Walang tinamong pinsala ang ibang bahagi ng katawan nito. Tila namatay din ang guro sa pagitan ng ilang minuto.

Sa mas mabusising pagsisiyasat, nakita ang mga malalambot na hibla ng buhok sa leeg ng biktima na magsisilbing palatandaang iniwan ng salarin sa iba pang biktima.

Natagpuan ang lahat ng mga biktima sa iisang lugar, sa kakahuyan na puno ng *bagras. Bakas sa bawat biktima ang pinsalang tinamo ng unang katawan na nakita sa imbestigasyon. Ang lahat ng mga biktima ay mayroong pahiwatig ng pagkabigti. At sa lahat ng katawan, muling nakita ang mga malalambot na hibla ng buhok sa kanilang leeg. Ang mga kabataang biktima ay natagpuang may mga bali at galos ngunit natamo matapos silang mamatay. Batay sa autopsya, minuto lamang ang pagitan ng pagkamatay ng mga biktima.

Limang batang babae, siyam na batang lalaki, at tatlong babaeng guro. 17 na buhay ang naputol sa kakahuyan ng bagras.

Habang nagpapatuloy ang imbestigasyon, isinara ang liwasan at matiyagang sinuri ang bawat papalabas na sasakyan. Ngunit sa kabila nito, hindi natagpuan ang kagamitan, o sa halip, bahagi ng katawan na ginamit sa pagpaslang. Wala sa mga bumisita sa liwasan ang tumugma sa mga hibla ng buhok na natagpuan sa mga biktima.

Hanggang sa ngayon, nananatiling bukas at hindi nalulutas pagkamatay ng grupo.

*Bagras – rainbow eucalyptus

=—————————————=

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.

————————–————————–———————

*Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a quarter of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by the majority. Its standardized form, officially named Filipino, is the national language of the Philippines, and is one of two official languages alongside English.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Mathew Juganas
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Mathew Juganas

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

Ikugan Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
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The post Ikugan – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

Sa tion lamang sang full moon ukon bilog nga bulan lamang makikit-an ang lunar eclipse kag kung magaagi ini sa anino sang aton kalibutan.

Sa tatlo nga eclipse, ang full moon gid ang pinakamatahum kag indi basta basta malimtan. Makit-an gid naton ini kung ang bilog gid nga bulan maga-agi sa umbral shadow sang kalibutan. Trenta y cinco porsyento lamang ang tyansa nga magatabo ang lunar eclipse kag pilang beses lang gid naton makita sa isa ka tuig.

Sa tion sang total lunar eclipse kaabot gihapon ang silak sang adlaw sa bulan apang indi galing direkta. Maagi danay ang silak sang adlaw sa atmospera sang kalibutan bag-o ma-separar ang pinaka-asul sini nga kasanag bag-o mangin kulay dalag ukon kahil– ang kolor sang adlaw. Ang pula nga suga nga ini ay nagalain ang direksyon kung ini mag-agi sa atmospera sang kalibutan kag kung ginaiwagan ang bulan. Muni ang rason kung ngaman ginatawag ang ‘Lunar Eclipse’ bilang ‘Blood Moon’ ukon dugo nga bulan.

Muni ang ila tawag.

Tistingan ninyo ipaguha ang inyo nga ‘telescope’ samtang Blood Moon para makit-an ninyo sa inyo kaugalingon. Obserbahi ang mga bitoon kung paano ini maghulag kung paano magpalayo sa aton panan-awan samtang may eclipse. Diri, mas makit-an gid naton ang pagkapula sang iwag asta sa indi na gid kita makalingad sa pagtulok diri.

Daw sa ‘deja vu’ ukon hitabo nga daw natapos na. Nga daw natabo na ini sa imo sadto sa pila na ka-beses. Kululbaan kag makatilindog balahibo ang pamatyagan kapin pa gid sa imo likod. Abi mo kung ano na, gali “eclipse” ma lang.

Pero halong lang, indi gid pagdirekta ang “telescope” sa “Blood Moon” kung indi ka gusto nga may makit-an ka sa pagtalikod mo.

=————————-=

English Version

English Version

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

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

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

Or so they say.

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

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

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

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

You might see something looking back.

*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 Trisha Delfin
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Trisha DelfinTrisha Delfin

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

Laho Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
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Watercolor by Nicole Chiu
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*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
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The post Ikugan – Kapampangan Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this poem is in Ilocano

Maysa a kuko manipud kenni Tara, agay-ay-ayam idiay paraangan,
Dua a kuko manipud kenni Kevin, napukaw iti kasipngetan,
Tallo a kuko manipud kenni Leo, nabati idiay pagtaengan,
Uppat a kuko manipud kenni Audrey, nasinga iti pagtawagan,
Lima a kuko manipud kenni Habi, rimuar a mapan mangan,
Innem a kuko manipud kenni Mike, tumartaray idiay dalan,
Pito a kuko manipud kenni Denise, agsapsapul iti aso,
Walo a kuko manipud kenni Migz, matmaturog a kasla troso,
Siam a kuko manipud kenni Camille, nakasubsob ti rupana iti libro,
Sangapulo a kuko manipud kenni Erik, saan a makaperreng iti adayo,
Adu pay a kuko para iti Kumao, dagiti met koma ubbing ket agridam
Ta masapul a padaraendaka no ramananda ti kinaawan namnamam.

=————————=

English Version

One fingernail from Tara, playing in the park

Two fingernails from Kevin, caught after dark

Three fingernails from Leo, left home alone

Four fingernails from Audrey, distracted by her phone

Five fingernails from Habi, going out to eat

Six fingernails from Mike, running down the street

Seven fingernails from Denise, looking for her dog

Eight fingernails from Migs, sleeping like a log

Nine fingernails from Camille, her face buried in a book

Ten fingernails from Erik, who didn’t think to look

More fingernails for the Kumao, and children beware

It takes them to bleed you and taste your despair

————————–————————–————————–—–

*Ilocano is the third most-spoken local language of the Philippines.An Austronesian language, it is related to such languages as Malay (Indonesian and Malaysian), Tetum, Chamorro, Fijian, Maori, Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, Paiwan and Malagasy. It is closely related to some of the other Austronesian languages of Northern Luzon, and has slight mutual intelligibility with the Balangao language and the eastern dialects of the Bontoc language.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Ilocano translation by Deo M. Ramos
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Deo M. Ramos

Inspired by Kumao entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Kumao Illustration by Leandro Geniston
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Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
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*Note this story is in Tagalog

Mahigpit ang kapit ng mga kadena sa pulso ng bilanggong ito. Dinala siya sa isang bagong silid. Sa simula pa lang ng pag-apak niya sa palasyo, alam na niyang hindi maganda ang kahahantungan ng mga pangyayari. Napakahangal din naman kung tutuusin ang pagpunta sa lalawigan ng Buso, pero gagawin niya ito para sa kadakilaan – kung nagawa lang niyang nakawin iyon.

Nakakasilaw ang liyab ng mga sulo, ngunit natatabunan ito ng alab mula sa trono. Marami nang narinig na kwento ang bilanggo tungkol sa nilalang na ito, pero wala pa ito sa kalingkingan ng kilabot na makikita sa harapan niya.

May pumapatak na dugo mula sa bibig ng Datu. Nakarinig ang bilanggo ng nakakangalisag na tunog at bumaling ang pulang mata ng Datu sa kaniya. Hindi niya naintindihan ang winika nito, pero pinalaya ang bilanggo sa pagkakakadena. Kung ano man ang nangyayari, sa dami ng kamalasan niya, alam niyang hindi maganda ang kahihinantnan nito.

Ang mga bantay ng Buso ay nagbigay daan sa kaniya, at iniwang bukas ang pintuan. Tumakbo ang bilanggo. Hindi niya papalampasin ang pagkakataong ito. Baka pinapakawalan siya ng mga bantay, kung hindi naman ay sayang pa rin ang pagkakataon niyang makatakas.

Makakalabas na sana siya tungong patyo, ngunit bigla siyang nilamon ng malalaking apoy.

Nag-aapoy ang mga sungay ng Datu. Sinakmal nito ang ulo ng bilanggo at saka sinimulang pagpiyestahan. Isang palaisipan sa mga bantay kung bakit hilig ng Datu na paglaruan mga pagkain nito, pero pinipili nilang manahimik. Nasusunod palagi ang gusto ng isang Maharlika.

=———————=

English Version

The chains felt heavy on the prisoner’s wrists. He was led into a new room. The prisoner knew that he was already dead the moment he stepped in the palace. It was foolish of him to even consider going to the city of the buso, but he knew glory was on the line. If only he had managed to steal it.

The torches in the room were burning brightly, but they were dwarfed by the blaze radiating from the throne. The prisoner had only heard stories about this creature, but those words could not do justice to the horror that sat before him.

Blood dripped from the Datu’s mouth. The prisoner heard a sickening crunch and the Datu stared at him with its one red eye. It mumbled something in its language and the prisoner’s chains were set loose. He wasn’t sure what was happening, but, with his luck, it wasn’t something good.

The buso guards gave way and left the doorway open. The prisoner ran. He wasn’t going to let his chance go to waste. If they were letting him go then this was what they wanted, if this was something else then he would at least have a chance.

He almost got to the courtyard before a large flame overtook him.

The Datu’s ivory horn pulsed with flame. It grabbed the prisoner’s head and started eating. The guards wondered why the Datu always played with his food, but they kept silent.

Royalty does what it will.

————————–————————–————————-

*Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a quarter of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by the majority. Its standardized form, officially named Filipino, is the national language of the Philippines, and is one of two official languages alongside English.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Jillianne Santos
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Jillianne Santos

Inspired by the Datu of the Buso in ‘Adventures of Tuglay’ reprinted in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Datu of the Buso Illustration by Leandro Geniston from Aklat ng mga Anito
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*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

Wala — Tu-o — Talikod — Atubang

Lantawa ang pagsaot kag paghulag, ang iya li-og nagabukal-bukal . Ang pugot nagahulag sa kapatagan

nga madasig kag manaya-naya pareho sang kilat. Ang saot sini makabihag kag makawiwili, apang masobra pa sa  pagka-tarso ang yara sa iya panghulag.

Baboy talunon — pispis — man-og — ido

Ang pugot indi bal-anon nga nagabag-o sang porma, nagailis sa pinakaordinaryo nga sahi sang sapat. Ginasundan sini ang iya pagsaot, ang pagki-ay sang lawas sini nagalaragway sang imahe sang mahika kag kag kalikasan.

Ang transpormasyon naghatag laragway sa kanta sang kagulangan, kag sa mga nagapuyo diri.

Wala — Baboy talunon — Tu-o — Man-og

Wala ini sang baba, apang mabatyagan mo ang iya harakhak. Ang pugot isa ka tarso nga sahi, nagikan sa mahika kag katingalahan. Nagabalik ini sa iya matuod nga porma, pabalik sa mga sapat kag maski tawo. Ang pagbukal sang iya li-og nagadungan sa ritmo sang iya saot.

Atubang — Talikod — Tu-o — Wala

Nagbalik na ini sa iya orihinal nga porma, ang iya saot magatapos na. Madamo pa sang kinahanglan pamatyagan sa iya panghulag, nagasugid ini sang dalagku pa nga pagdiskubre. Mga istorya sang mga higante nga kanibal, kag makatilingala nga manggad, mga katalagman nga indi mapatihan kag perpekto nga premyo.

Wala — Tu-o — Wala — Tu-o

Ang pag-uya-uya sang pugot nagapatulog sa imo. Ang imo ulo puno sang mga posibilidad nga ikaw mangin bagani.

Sa kaagahun, ini madula, balik sa mga kakahuyan nga ginaistaran sini, apang sa karon magasaot lamang. Nagabukal-bukal ang li-og kadungan sang ritmo sini. Magabaylo ini sang porma kaangay sang mga sahi sa kagulangan, kag dayon ikaw magabugtaw.

===—————————————-===

English Version

Left – Right – Back – Forth

See it dance and move, as its neck-stump froths and bubbles. The headless one moves through the field as swift and as graceful as lightning. Its dance captivates and entertains, yet there is more than mere mischief in its movements.

Boar – Bird – Snake – Dog

The headless one seamlessly changes shape, transforming into the most mundane of beasts. It still follows its dance, the rhythmic swaying of its bodies call forth images of magic and nature. The transformations give insight to the song of the forest, and those that live in it.

Left – Boar – Right – Snake

It has no mouth but its laughter can be felt. The headless one is a playful creature, a being made of magic and wonder. It shifts from its true form back into those of animals and even of humans. The bubbling of its neck-stump seems to follow the rhythm of its dance.

Back – Forth – Right – Left

It shifts to its true form, the dance about to come to an end. There is more to feel than just the wonder of its movements, it foretells great adventure to be found: A tale of cannibalistic giants and wondrous treasure, of unimaginable danger and perfect rewards.

Left – Right – Left –Right

The swaying of the headless one leads you to sleep. Your head is filled with the possibilities of the hero you could become. In the morning, it will be gone, back to the trees it calls its home, but for now it will dance. Its neck-stump will bubble and froth to its own rhythm. It will change shape to the denizens of the forest, and then you will awaken.

To seize your destiny.

————————–————————–————————–—

*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 Pauline Brooks Dalisay
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Pauline Brooks Dalisay

Story inspired by Awan-ulo-na entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Awan-ulo-na Illustration by Leandro Geniston fromAklat ng mga Anito
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*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga

Bagong inagihan na daga, raraot na masetas. dugo. Hali ito digdi.

Duwang bulan na an nakaagi puon kang nag-ekpedisyon. Duwang bulan asin mayong nakuang marhay kundi saralang impormasyon, mayong laog na kagubutan asin mayong padudumanan na lakaw, pero ngunyan may pagkakataon na madakop ito. An bagong dakulang mammal species, pinakaenot na arog kadto an nadiskubre sa laog kan sanggatos na taon, magiging sikat kami.

Garo kabaliwan nin tulong tawo an paghahanap kaini pero gabos ini para sa funding asin dae ako nagrereklamo, marhay si Johann sa pag-survey asin aram na maray ni Manuel an lugar kaya marahay an samong kalagayan.

“Baka mas marhay na subukan ta man an ibang lugar sa may gilid kang dagat ta baka yaon ito duman.” Nadangog kong sinabi ni Manuel sa harayo.

“Dae ko aram kung okay yan, hababa man grade ko perme sa Marine Science.” Nagsabi nanaman si Johann kan saro sa mga baduy niyang jokes. Pero okay lang para dae boring ang paghahanap kaya pinabayaan ko na sana.

Naghiling ako sa palibot asin pigmasidan ko an destruksyon na winalat kaidtong hayop na ito asin dae ko masabutan. Garo ini herbivore, garo man sana normal nab aka, pero an saiyang hiru-hiro garo halos nangangakan. An sadit na usa ay garo halos marunot kan darakulan ngipon na garo tingo. Siguro napasala an mga local ti baad ini ay sarong klase ning mabangis na elepante na pwedeng magkaag sako sa cover nin magazine. Tigtago ko muna an sakuyang excitement asin pinagirumduman ko ang sakuynag sadiri na dae muna magselebrar. Kaipuhan kong maghalat.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGH” Nadangong ko ang kurahaw ni Johann hali sa likod kasunong kang lagatob nin bitis ning garo kabayo.

Bako ining tama. Papanong dae mi ini nadangog. Ibinangga kan hayop na ito si Johann sa kahoy asin nabanga an saiyang hawak habang tigngunguya kaini an saiyang braso. Nahihiling ko na ngunyan an saiyang buong hawak. Mabalahibong balat, mga dakulang pangil, dae ko aram kung garo ini baka o ano. Pero siguradong nagkakan ini nin karne. Asin mapanganib.

Luhay-luhay akong nagrayo, para dae mapansin kan hayop na marikas an hiro, pero bigla na sana akong nagpundo sa paglakaw. Pigbutasan kan hayop an braso kang sakuyang amigo asin luhay-luhay na naglakaw paduman sako. Nakahiling in isa sakuyang mata asin mayo pa akong nahiling nin mata na arog kaini sa mga hayop. Garo ini tao. Pighiling ako kaining hayop asin garo ini nakangirit sako.

Binadil ni Manuel an hayop gamit an shotgun asin nagrayo man ini pero takot pa girarary ako. Dae ka maihahanda kan eskwelahan sa arog kadtong kabangisan. Nagdalagan siya sakuya para aramon kung okay lang ako pero sa hiling ko dae ko kaya.

“Kaipuhan tang maghali bago ini magbalik.” Kinakabahan na ako asin iyo na sana ito an sakuyang nakayang sabihon.

“Dae na ito mabalik, na-shock ka lang.” Pinapakalma ako ni Manuel.

“Dae mo naiintindihan.” An sakuyang boses ay nanginginig na, masakitun mabuo an mga tataramon pero kaipuhan syang ma-warningan.

“Sa hiling ko tighahanting kita.”

==————————————-==

English Version

Fresh tracks, broken shrubs, blood. It’s been through here.

Two months since we started the expedition. Two months and nothing but false leads, empty forests and aimless treks, but now we have the chance to catch it. A new large mammal species, the first of its kind discovered this century, we’ll all be famous.

A team of 3 trying to find this thing seems crazy, but it’s all our funding could get us and I’m not complaining, Johann’s good at surveys and Manuel knows the area pretty well so we’ve been in good shape.

“Maybe we should try the areas around the coast, it might be by the seaside.” I hear Manuel say from a distance.

“I don’t know about that, my grade in Marine Science was always below C-Level.” Johann says another one of his terrible puns, but it helps clear the boredom of another day of tracking so I let it pass.

I look around and survey the destruction the thing left in its path and it just doesn’t make sense. It looks like an herbivore, just like a normal cow, but its behavior is almost predatory. Small deer were crushed by large teeth and what almost looks like tusks. Maybe the locals were mistaken and this may be a kind of aggressive elephant… that may get me a lot of magazine covers. I shrug off my excitement and remind myself not to count my chickens before they hatch. I need to be patient.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGH” I hear Johann’s scream from behind me followed by the thumping of hooves.

No. This isn’t right. How could we not have heard it. The thing smashes Johann into a tree and breaks him in half before chewing on his arm. I can see it now, in full flesh. Hairy, rough skin, giant fangs that are like tusks, I can’t tell if it’s bovine or something else. But it’s definitely a meat eater. And hostile.

I slowly move away, trying not to alarm the animal with fast movement, but I stop dead in my tracks. The thing calmly dropped my friend’s arm and walked towards me, calmly. It looked me in the eye and I swear its eyes weren’t like anything I’ve ever seen an animal possess. It was almost human. The thing looked me over and it was almost like it was smiling at me.

Manuel fired a few rounds from his shotgun and it scared the beast away, but I was still shaken. A lecture hall can never prepare you for that kind of savagery. He rushes to my side and tries to see if I’m okay, but I don’t think I can be.

“We need to leave before it comes back.” My voice is shaking and it’s the only thing I can manage to say.

“It’s not going to come back, you’re just in shock.” Manuel tries to reassure me.

“You don’t understand.” My voice is trembling now, it’s hard to me to form the words, but he needs to be warned.

“I think it’s hunting us.”

————————–————————–———————–

*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

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

Mantahungal illustration by Leandro Geniston fromAklat ng mga Anito
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*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
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