*Note this story is in Bicol Naga

Kaidto pa man, sunuon ko nang magturúhok ki búlan. Igwáng kun anong mistério saiya. Minaliwanag sana daw siya sa mga taong maninigó sana? Minababa daw sa dagá an saiyang karwahe? Dai daw siyang kasagkuran?

Mayong oportunidád para sako makikáwat sa ibang mga aki sa luwás ta pirmi sana akong may hílang o kun ano pa man na nagkakawsa na magtinir sana sa laog kan hárong. Dai ko maapresyar an makusóg na siráng kan saldang, pero pag banggí, sa táhaw kan liwanag kan mga bitú-on asin suábeng duros, an búlan, iyo sana an sakong kakáwat.

An mga guráng minaistorya na pag an búlan hinali sa táhaw kan kalángitan, iyo na ini an katapusan kan kina’bán. Pigngísihan ko sana ining mga istoryang ini kaidtong mga panahon, ta pánong an búlan mapundó sa daing kasagkurang pagikot ka ini? Siya gíkan sa pangatúrogan dinara pasiring sa realidad, an perpektong tagapagbalangibog kan pag abot kan liwanag.

Iyan, sagkod na mahiling ko an león.

Arimaonga, apod kan mga guráng igdi. Dai ko aram kun panó an nágin reaksyon mánta’ng an sakong bilóg na háwak pinu-pu’ót kan takot. Mas dakúla ini komparádo sa arin man na háyop na áram ko. Asin ini nakapurupot sa sakóng namu’mu’ótan na búlan.

Puminundó an óras, tuminurúhok sa solamenteng kakáwat, mayong maginibo mánta’ng siya kinakakan kan háyop. Sa dai masabótan na rasón, an león nagkákawat, daing pagkaaram na ini na an puwedeng magin kasagkuran kan gabos.

Mas tákot siya komparádo sa sako. Namamati ko na mayo siyang maginibo mánta’ng siya kapót kapót kan león sa saiyang panga. Huminibí ako.

“León butasan mo an búlan o kun dai katapusan na kan kina’bán!”

Dai ko aram kun tano ko nasambítan itong mga tatarámon na ito pero naturálon sa pagmáti’, na garó kaipo ko talaga sindang sabíhon.

“León butasan mo an búlan o kun dai katapusan na kan kina’bán!”

An ibang mga taga-baryo umináyon naman sa pagkuráhaw. An mga guráng iniluwás an saindang tambol asin gong para mas magkusóg an ribók asin makaabot sa kalángitan.

“LEÓN BUTASAN MO AN BÚLAN O KUN DAI KATAPUSAN NA KAN KINA’BÁN!”

An samong halanóhan pá’as, an samong hinángos halos maúbos, alágad dai kami nagpundó. Dai ko siya babáya’an sa león, dai siya babáya’an kan baryo.

An león binutasán siya sa laog kan garó halawigon na panahón. Binutasán siya asin pinadágos an pagbaklay pasiring sa kalángitan.

Asin ako, mapakumbabá’ng aki, nagpasalámat sa mga diós ta an sakóng solamenteng kakáwat,  salbádo.

=——————————–=

English Version

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

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

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

That is, until I saw the lion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

=————————=

*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 Jenly Paz Balaquiao
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jenly Paz Balaquiao

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

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

*Note this story is in Aklanon

Naila gid ako magtinueok sa buean. May ana gid nga misteryo kon ano gid man imaw. Ana baea nga kahayag nga iwag hay para eamang sa mga dapat makakita? Imaw baea hay paadto iya sa kalibutan? Imaw baea hay owa’t katapusan?

Owa gid ako it tyansa nga makahampang sa ibang mga inonga, ginamasakit gid permi o kon amat hay may rason gid nga sa sueod eang ako. Indi ko man madayaw ro kanami it pagbutlak iit adlaw, pero kon sa gabii, sa mga bituon ag sa maeamig nga tiempo, ro buean man lang ro akon amiga. (she)

May istorya ro mga magueang nga kon ro buean kuno hay maduea sa kaeangitan, katapusan eon kuno it kalibutan. Natagbueo ngani ako sa mga istroya ngara kato, nga haman ro buean hay magpundo sa anang owat pundong paghueag? Imaw hay isaeang panamgo nga naging kamatuoran, nga perpektong manugdaea it kahayag.

Ruyon kato, asta sa kahit-an ko ro liyon.

Ginatawag ra nga Arimaonga it mga magueang. Owa ako kasayud kon ano ro akong mangin reaksiyon sa kahadlok nga iya gid sa akong eawas. Mas mabahoe gid ra sa ginapinu-ino ko nga alinman nga sapat. Ag ginabuoe nana ro akon nga nailing buean.

Nagpundo rayon do oras, ginatueok ko nga owa gid it tsansang makabulig sa akong amigang ginakaon it kaeagkong sapat. Pero sa sapat ngara, ro liyon ngara hay nakahampang-hampang eang, owa kasayud nga raya hay maeain ag katapusan eon namon tanan. Sobra god ro kahadlok it buean ngara kaysa sa akon. Batyag ko ro anang kahimtangan nga kaeoeooy samtang sa baba it liyon. Nag-umpisa rayun ako it tangis.

“Buhian it liyon ro buean o kon mangin katapusan eon it kalibutan!”

“Liyon, buhii ro buean o mangin katapusan eon it kalibutan!”

Owa ako kasayud haman nag umpisa ako it hambae ko mga haeambaeon ngato pero nabatyagan kong sakto man, nga kinahang ean gid nga hamabeon.

“Buhian it liyon ro buean o kon mangin katapusan eon it kalibutan!”

Ro iba nga mga kasimanwa ko hay nagsunod man kakon it singgit. Ro mga magueang hay nagpaguwa eon it mga tamboe ag gangsa agud makaabot sa eangit ro sangag.

“Buhian it liyon ro buean o kon mangin katapusan eon it kalibutan!”

Among tutunlan hay sagaesae eon, among ginhawa hay haeos maduea eon pero owa gid kami nagpundo. Indi ko imaw pag-aywanan sa liyon, ro mga tawo iya indi imaw pag-aywanan.

Sa katapusan, binuhian man ko liyon ro buean bangud madya owa gid it katapusan ro gakinatabo. Binuhian imaw ag nagbalik eon sa kaeangitan. Ag ako, isaeang ka but-anon nga onga hay nagpasaeamat sa ginuo bangud ro akon nga amiga hay maeayo eon sa kaeainan.

=———————————=

English Version

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

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

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

That is, until I saw the lion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

————————–————————–————————-

*Aklanon (Akeanon), also known as Bisaya/Binisaya nga Aklanon/Inaklanon or simply Aklan, is an Austronesian language of the Bisayan subgroup spoken by the Aklanon people in the province of Aklan on the island of Panay in the Philippines. Its unique feature among other Bisayan languages is the close-mid back unrounded vowel [ɤ] occurring as part of diphthongs and traditionally written with the letter ⟨Ee⟩ such as in the autonyms Akean and Akeanon. However, this phoneme is also present in other but geographically scattered and distant Philippine languages, namely Itbayat, Isneg, Manobo, Samal and Sagada.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Aklanon Translation by Lari Sabangan
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Lari Sabangan

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

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

*Note this story is in Bahasa Sug

Asal dayng angay mabaya’ sadja aku magdüngdüng ha bulan. Awn tüüd kagalib-galiban sin kajari niya. Magpasi’nag siya sin sahaya niya tudju sadja pa awn katimbulan? Magbaba’ baha’ pa dunya in karita’ niya? Tattap in kaawn niya?

Wayruun pārsartaan ku magpanayam iban kaibanan kabata’an, awn sadja sakit atawa sabab dugaing magpatalungku’ kākü’ ha lawm bāy. Di’ ku karihilan karudduhan in parat sin süga, sagawa’ ha rüwm, in hambuuk-buuk bagay ku amu in bulan, duun ha kasamuwahan sin sawa-bituun iban düpüy hangin.

In manga kamāasan magpamayta’ sūy-sūy bang in bulan dümühüng mangduuni ha langit, in dunya matigallam na.  Kimatawa aku ha manga sūy-sūy yadtu nakaminsan hambuuk waktu malugay na, karna’ biya’ diin kahündüng niya sin pagtingkal niya salāma-lāma? Siya in hambuuk tagainup nahinang kamattanan, amu in pangūhanan tubus sin sahaya.

Amu sa yadtu, sahingga pa kiyakita’an ku in singa.

Pagtawagün siya Arimawnga sin kamāasan. Di’ aku makaingat manghibal-hibal pagka in kaumāgaran ku nanghipu’an na ha katilingkal pamaranan ku. Labi siya malagkü’ dayng sin naangan-angan ku lagkü’ maabut sin hambuuk sattuwa. Ampa giyügünggüngan niya in bulan kalasahan ku.

Natahammul in waktu, wala’ nakahibal. Ha kalahi baran ku wayruun makatabang, nangli’gat aku imatud sin sā’bu  hiyahabhab sin binatang in bagay ku hambuuk-buuk. Ha pangaagihi hinang ajājil, nagpananayam-panayam in singa, wayruun pangingat sin manjari ini mahinang kadal  tübtüban namü’ katān.

Labi siya miyuga’ dayng kākü’. Kananaman ku in kawayhaddamatün niya  sā’bu siya giyügünggüngan  sin sungad sin singa. Timagna’ na aku timangis sin waktu yadtu.

“Singa, luwa’an in bulan, bang dī’, in dunya matigallam na!”

Di’ ku kaingatan mahi ta’ ku kiyabissara in manga kabtangan yadtu, sagawa’ niyanam ku bilang hambuuk kaamulahi, sapantun kalagihan hipamūng.

“Singa, luwa’an in bulan, bang dī’, in dunya matigallam na!”

In manga kaibanan tau ha lūngan timagna’ na limamud kākü’ ha pagbalik-balik sin pangayu’-ngayu’ namü’. In manga kamāasan  nagguwa’ na sin manga gandang nila iban agung supāya maparatüng in hibuk namü’ pa kalangitan.

“SINGA, LUWA’AN  IN BULAN, BANG DĪ’, IN DUNYA MATIGALLAM NA!”

In lawm liüg namü’ pagas na, in napas namü’ itungan bugtu’ na, sagawa’ wala’ kami himüngka’. Di’ ku siya pasāran duun ha singa. Di’ siya pasāran sin lūngan ini.

Ha hinapusan biyutawanan da sin singa in bulan pagpuas sin lugay sapantun  kakakkalan. Giyünggüngan sin bulan in manga kīd niya ampa niya liyaus in pagtingkal niya ha kalangitan.

Iban in aku, hambuuk bata’ mapatikuppu’un, nanarang-sukul ha manga katuhanan sin in bagay ku nasalamat da.

=——————————–=

English Version

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

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

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

That is, until I saw the lion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

————————–————————–————————-

*Bahasa Sug or Tausug is an Austronesian language spoken in the province of Sulu in the Philippines and in the eastern area of the state of Sabah, Malaysia, by the Tausūg people. It is widely spoken in the Sulu Archipelago (Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Basilan), the Zamboanga Peninsula (Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga City), southern Palawan, and Malaysia (eastern Sabah).

Written by Karl Gaverza
Bahasa Sug translation by Benj Bangahan
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Benj Bangahan

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

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

*Note this story is in Pangasinan

Laba-labay kon talagan linlinggisën so bulan. Wala imay mistëryo ya no anto sikato. Isisinag to labat kasi so liwawa to ëd saray makanëpëgan? Unlëlëksab kasi’d mundo so karwahe to? Andi-anggaan kasi so kiwawala to?

Ag ko balot agawaan so migalaw ëd arom a ugugaw, lapo’d walan lanang so anton sakit o di no arom ni ran nagagawa kanian ag ak makakapaway. Ag ko mët nagagabayan so maruksan silëw na agëw, balët no labi, kaiba ray kirëm na bituën tan mapalnan dagëm, say bulan so saksakëy kon kaaro.

Ibabaga da ray mamasikën ya ta no nabalang so bulan ëd tawën, nasumpal mët lay mundo. Inëlëkan ko labat nën saman iman a tongtong, ta panon ton untonda so andi-anggaan a tëlék na bulan? Sikato so kogip a nanmanmaliwan tuwa, say perpekton manangiyabawag na liwawa.

Aman man, angga’d nën anëngnëng ko may leon.

Tatawagën a Arimaonga na saray mamasikën. Ag ko amta’y naliknak nën napapano’y takot so intiron laman ko. Balëg ni nën say pakanonot kon anggaan na ibalëgan na saray ayëp. Tan to lalakapën natan so kaarok a bulan.

Singa tinmonda’y oras ëd saman, anggapo lay nagawaan kon ninëngnëng labat lan aakmonën na ayëp imay bulan. Singa matalandit a migagalaw imay leon, anggapo’d nonot to ya sarag a ipatëy na amin na totoo so gagawaën to.

Mas antakot imay bulan nën say siyak. Naliliknak so kailaloan to’d kawalaan ëd këtkët na leon. Insan ak inmakis.

“Ibulos mo tay bulan, leon, o dino nasumpal so mundo!”

Ag ko amta akin ët nibagak so iraman a salita, singa aliknak labat, singa kaukolan kon iëyag.”

“Ibulos mo tay bulan, leon, o dino nasumpal so mundo!”

Inibaan da ak na saray arom a totoo ëd panag-ëyag. Impaway na mamasikën iray tambol tan gangsa pian manggaway ingal a onsabi anggad tawën.

“Ibulos mo tay bulan, leon, o dino nasumpal so mundo!”

Apagas la ray tëngër mi, ag kami la makaëngas balët ag kami tinmonda. Ag ko itilak imay bulan ëd samay leon, ag itilak na sayan balëy so bulan.

Tinaynan na leon imay bulan kasumpal na singa ag-ontotondan nagagawa. Ginmilig imay bulan insan tinmuloy ya tinumbok to so dalan palibër ëd tawën.

Insan siyak, aban ugaw, nampasalamat ëd saray diyos a ag apeligro so kaarok.

=———————–=

English Version

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

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

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

That is, until I saw the lion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

————————–————————–————————-

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

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Dean Alfred Narra
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright ©Dean Alfred Narra

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

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

*Note this story is in Maguindanaon.

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

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

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

Nan intu, sampay sa mailay ku su singa.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

=——————————=

English Version

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

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

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

That is, until I saw the lion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

————————–————————–————————-

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

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

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

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

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

*Note this story is in Kinaray-a

Mayad man nga nars si Clarissa. Sa pagkamatuod, tana ang pinakamatandus kag dedikado nga nars sa tanan. Ugaring may mga hinuringhuring nga mabatian parte kana. Ang tanan abi nga pasyente nga ana gintatap, nagkaramatay. Indi na man sala ang mga hitabo pero pirmi lang may kon ano nga nagakatabo.

Pareho lang kay Mr. Pasamba, apendicitis man lang to sakit na kag nangin madinarag-un man gani ang operasyon, magluwas sa gamay nga inpeksyon nga pwede man mabulong ka antibiotic. Pero kang masunod nga mga semana, nagkumplikado dya kag wara na run masarangan ang ana ginabatyag hasta tana nga nabugtuan ka ginhawa.

Maathag nga nabatian ni Clarrisa ang mga paglibak kana.  “Tana kara nagpatay!” “Nagtawag lagi sanda sa morge kang naman-an nga tana ang nars.” “Sangka biktima liwan ni Clarrisa nga sinumpa.” Pero wara sa kilag ni Clarissa. Naman-an na nga kon magpakanubo lang tana kag himuon na lang ka husto ang ana obra, wara ti matabo nga malain kana.

Mas run gid ang parte kay Mrs. Bengzon. Karwa ka beses nga sala ang paglantaw ka doctor sa sakit na. Nagpangluya run dya sa mga wara nagakaigo kag indi kinahanglanun nga mga pagbulong. Nasapwan run lang nga patay run sa anang katre sangka aga. Si Clarissa man ang nakasapo.

Wara ti may nakita nga ebidensya ukon kamalamalahan sa autopsy. Wara ti sarabtun si Clarrisa sa kamatayun kang ana mga pasyente. Kag andut abi nga manabat tana? Natabuan na lang ang tanan. Wara lang tana pirmi sa husto nga lugar kag husto nga panahon.

Padayon lang si Clarissa sa ana trabaho.  Wara na ginasapak ang mga paglibak kag mga hinuringhurig parte kana. Basta ginahimo na lang ka husto ang ana obra, wara gid ti problema.

Hasta nga may hitabo kay Ms. Villamor. Wara gid nag-andam si Clarrisa, nadakpan tana kang sangka nars sa ana matuod nga itsura sa ibabaw kang nagatagumatayun nga pasyente. Nagsala si Clarissa gani tinapos na dya.

Indi kamaan kon paano na ipaathag ang natabo sa darwa ka biktima. Nakapinsar tana ka mayad nga paagi.  Mainarte tana. “Haraguy! Sa kaluoy na kay Ms. Villamor, ginpatay na dya! Ugaring wara siguro kadara ang ana konsensiya gani ginkutul na man ang ana kabuhi!” Ginplastar na ang tanan nga nagakaigo nga ebidensiya. Wara nabuhayan, ginpatihan tana ka hospital.

Gani si Clarrisa nga sinumpa nangabuhi sa ana ngaran. Ang ana mga pasyente may mga misteryoso giyapon nga hitabo nga naangut sa anda kamatayun. Pero para kay Clarissa mga kadimalasun lang ria.

Mayad tana nga nars nga nagaobra ka insakto. Amo lang ra ang dapat maman-an ka hospital.

=———————————————-=

English Version

Clarissa wasn’t a bad nurse, in fact she tried harder than anyone in the hospital, but there would always be the whispers. You see, every patient under her care eventually expired. Not that any of those incidents were directly her fault, there was always just something that went wrong.

Take Mr. Pasamba. It was an ordinary case of appendicitis. The operation went well except for a small infection that should have been able to be cleared by antibiotics. In the next few weeks complications from the infection were too much for him to handle, until eventually he passed away.

Clarissa could hear the talk from behind her back. “She’s the one that did it.”, “They called the morgue once they knew it was her.”, “Another victim of Clarissa the cursed.”, yet Clarissa was unscathed. She knew that as long as she kept her head down and did her job correctly she would be fine.

That was more than anyone could say for Mrs. Bengzon. She had been misdiagnosed twice and was weak from all the unnecessary treatments. She was found dead one morning in her hospital bed. Clarissa was the one who found her.

There was never any evidence of foul play, at least none that an autopsy could find. Clarissa was never held liable for any of the deaths of the patients under her care, and why should she? She was just always in the wrong place at the wrong time.

So Clarissa went on with her work, ignoring all the whispers. As long as she did her job, she would be okay.

That is, until the small incident with Ms. Villamor. Clarisse wasn’t careful and another nurse caught her in her true form, over the soon to be deceased body of her patient. Clarisse panicked and subdued the other nurse.

She didn’t know how she was going to be able to explain two victims, but then she had an idea.

Clarisse put on a show, “How terrible, the nurse felt so guilty euthanizing Ms. Villamor that she took her own life.” She had put all the necessary evidence in its place, and it didn’t take too long before the hospital believed her story.

So Clarisse the cursed followed through on her name, the patients she had still had mysterious circumstances attached to their deaths but that was just bad luck.

She was a good nurse that did her job. That’s all the hospital needed to know.

=————————————-=

*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 Maaram

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Maaram

Inspired by the Aswang na Gala legends

Aswang na Gala illustration by Lou Pineda
IG: https://www.instagram.com/blacknivalis

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Hindi pabayang nars si Clarissa; sa katotohanan, mas masikap siya kaysa sa sinuman sa ospital, pero hindi maiiwasang magkaroon ng bulong-bulungan. Ito ay dahil bawat pasyenteng nasasailalim sa pangangalaga niya ay ‘di kalaunang namamatay. Hindi sa direktang kasalanan niya ang anuman sa mga insidenteng iyon, palagi lang talagang nagkakaroon ng problema.

Halimbawa, si G. Pasamba. Isa iyong ordinaryong kaso ng appendicitis. Naging matagumpay ang operasyon maliban sa isang maliit na impeksyong magagamot dapat ng mga antibiotic. Sa mga sumunod na linggo, hindi niya na kinaya ang mga komplikasyong dulot ng impeksyon, hanggang sa pumanaw siya pagkalaon.

Naririnig ni Clarissa ang mga usapan kapag hindi siya nakatingin. “Siya ang may kasalanan.”, “Tumawag agad sila sa morge nang malaman pa lang nilang siya ang nakatoka.”, “Isa na namang biktima ni Clarissa na may sumpa.” Pero hindi nagpadaig si Clarissa. Alam niyang kung mananahimik lang siya at gagawin niya nang maayos ang kanyang trabaho, hindi siya mapapahamak.

Hindi ganoon kasimple ang naging sitwasyon ni Gng. Bengzon. Dalawang beses siyang nabigyan ng maling diyagnosis, at naging mahina siya mula sa mga hindi kinakailangang paggamot. Isang umaga, natagpuan siyang pumanaw na sa kanyang kama sa ospital. Si Clarissa ang unang nakakita sa kanya.

Hindi kailanman nagkaroon ng ebidensya ng ‘di-wastong gawain, iyon ay, walang anumang matatagpuan mula sa autopsy. Hindi kailanman pinanagot si Clarissa para sa alinman sa mga pagkamatay ng mga pasyenteng nasailalim sa pangangalaga niya, at bakit naman iyon gagawin? Palagi lang talaga siyang nasa maling lugar sa maling pagkakataon.

Kaya nagpatuloy si Clarissa sa kanyang trabaho at hindi niya pinansin ang mga bulong-bulungan. Kung patuloy niyang gagawin ang kanyang trabaho, hindi siya mapapahamak.

Hanggang sa mangyari ang maliit na insidente kaugnay ni Gng. Villamor. Hindi naging maingat si Clarissa at nakita siya ng isa pang nars sa kanyang tunay na anyo, habang nakayuko sa ibabaw ng katawan ng kanyang pasyenteng malapit nang mamatay. Nagitla si Clarissa at sinugod niya ang nars na iyon.

Hindi niya alam kung paano niya ipapaliwanag ang dalawang biktima, pero bigla siyang nakaisip ng ideya.

Nagpanggap at umarte si Clarissa, “Nakakakilabot, sa sobrang pagkakonsiyensya niya sa pag-euthanize kay Gng. Villamor, nagpakamatay siya.” Nailagay niya na ang lahat ng kinakailangang ebidensya sa dapat paglagyan ng mga ito, at hindi nagtagal bago paniwalaan ng ospital ang kanyang kuwento.

Kaya naman, pinanindigan ni Clarissa na may sumpa ang kanyang palayaw, kataka-taka pa rin ang sitwasyong nakapalibot sa pagkamatay ng kanyang mga pasyente, pero kamalasan lang iyon.

Isa siyang mabuting nars na gumagawa ng kanyang trabaho. Iyon lang ang kailangang malaman ng ospital.

=————————————————————–=

English Version

Clarissa wasn’t a bad nurse, in fact she tried harder than anyone in the hospital, but there would always be the whispers. You see, every patient under her care eventually expired. Not that any of those incidents were directly her fault, there was always just something that went wrong.

Take Mr. Pasamba. It was an ordinary case of appendicitis. The operation went well except for a small infection that should have been able to be cleared by antibiotics. In the next few weeks complications from the infection were too much for him to handle, until eventually he passed away.

Clarissa could hear the talk from behind her back. “She’s the one that did it.”, “They called the morgue once they knew it was her.”, “Another victim of Clarissa the cursed.”, yet Clarissa was unscathed. She knew that as long as she kept her head down and did her job correctly she would be fine.

That was more than anyone could say for Mrs. Bengzon. She had been misdiagnosed twice and was weak from all the unnecessary treatments. She was found dead one morning in her hospital bed. Clarissa was the one who found her.

There was never any evidence of foul play, at least none that an autopsy could find. Clarissa was never held liable for any of the deaths of the patients under her care, and why should she? She was just always in the wrong place at the wrong time.

So Clarissa went on with her work, ignoring all the whispers. As long as she did her job, she would be okay.

That is, until the small incident with Ms. Villamor. Clarisse wasn’t careful and another nurse caught her in her true form, over the soon to be deceased body of her patient. Clarisse panicked and subdued the other nurse.

She didn’t know how she was going to be able to explain two victims, but then she had an idea.

Clarisse put on a show, “How terrible, the nurse felt so guilty euthanizing Ms. Villamor that she took her own life.” She had put all the necessary evidence in its place, and it didn’t take too long before the hospital believed her story.

So Clarisse the cursed followed through on her name, the patients she had still had mysterious circumstances attached to their deaths but that was just bad luck.

She was a good nurse that did her job. That’s all the hospital needed to know.

=——————————————————————————-=

*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 Dyanne A
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Dyanne A

Inspired by the Aswang legends

Aswang na Gala illustration by Lou Pineda
IG: https://www.instagram.com/blacknivalis

*Note this story is in Cuyonon

Mangalok nga Aligpotagan (Cuyonon)

Beken maraet nga nars si Clarissa, sa kamatodan ngani tana pa ang mas agaprosigir sa ospital nga dia, apang indi enged madora ang mga aniani. Moro’ na, ang tanang pasyinti nga ingeepetan na agakarapatay obos. Kaleba, beken da dato anang kasalanan, piro mi maibara lamang baya nga natatabo.

Alimbawa ren lamang si Mr Pasamba. Ordinariong appendicitis da lamang dato. Maayad ang ingboat nga opirasion poira lamang sa maiteng impiksion nga maririmidioan pa andan i’ antibayotiks. Sa mga agdarasong dominggo, indi na ren nasarangan ang mga komplikasion nga risolta i’ ang impiksion, nga mamang agbogto sa anang kaboi.
Nababati ni Clarissa ang mga aniani sa anang likod. “Wi, tana ang agboat i’ dan.” “Ingtawagan nandang lagi ang morgue datong masapoan nanda nga tana ang magaawid sa pasyinti.” “Bagong bikitima ni Clarissa nga ingsompa.” Piro ara naiwan si Clarissa. Naelaman na nga basta akakeb tana lamang ig boboaten na’ mayad anang obra ara tana ren i’ problima.

Mas pang agrake ang aniani sa natabo ki Mrs Bengzon. Karwa tana ren nadiagnose ig maroya ren tenged sa mga ara polos nga mga treatment. Isarang timprano, nakita tanang patay den sa anang katri sa ospital. Si Clarissa ang akadiskobri sa natabo.

Ara enged ibidinsia i’ foul play, ara makita ang autopsy. Ara ra ibasola si Clarissa tenged sa pagkamatay i’ anang mga pasyinti, ayamo manda? Akaton da lamang nga doto tana sa maling logar ig sa maling oras.

Animan agpadayon den lamang obra si Clarissa, ingpabayan na ren ang mga aniani tenged kanana. Basta boboaten na anang obra, ara tana’ problima.

Lamang, mi natabong insidinti ki Ms Villamor. Ara iaamblig si Clarissa animan nadakep tana i’ ang isarang nars sa anang matod nga porma, nga akasampaw sa anang tagomatayen deng pasyinti. Akaignek si Clarissa ig ingsopil na ang nars.

Indi na maelaman kong marasano iiksplikar kong ayamo mi darwang biktima, apang mi golping agsot nga idiya sa anang barot.

Agboat-boat i’ iksina si Clarissa, “Aroy, agbegat ingan ang leba i’ ang nars datong i-euthanise na si Ms Villamor. Ang nars ana, agpaneget.” Ingpametang na ang tanang imo-imo nga mga ibidinsia sa logar, ig ingparetan tana ra i’ ang ospital.

Clarissa nga Ingsompa den ang anang bansag. Mi mistirio pa rang agakapolit sa kamatayen i’ anang mga pasyinti piro kamalasan da lamang sigoro dato.

Maayad tana nga klasi’ nars. Ingboboat na’ mayad anang obra. Dato lamang ang dapat nga maelaman i’ ang ospital.

————————–————————–———————-

English Back Translation

Clarissa wasn’t a bad nurse, in fact she tried harder than anyone in the hospital, but whispers won’t fade away. You see, every patient under her care eventually expired. Maybe it’s not entirely her fault, but there was always just something that went wrong.

Clarissa could hear the whispering behind her back. “She’s the one that did it.” “They called the morgue once they knew it was her.” “Another victim of Clarissa the cursed.” Yet Clarissa was unscathed. She knew that as long as she kept her head down and did her job correctly she wouldn’t have a problem.

The whispering multiplied when something happened to Mrs Bengzon. She had been misdiagnosed twice and was weak from all the unnecessary treatments. She was found dead one morning in her hospital bed. Clarissa was the one who found her.

There was never any evidence of foul play, at least none that an autopsy could find. Clarissa was never held liable for any of the deaths of the patients under her care, and why should she? She was just always in the wrong place at the wrong time.

So Clarissa went on with her work, ignoring all the whispers. As long as she did her job, she wouldn’t have a problem.

That is, until the small incident with Ms. Villamor. Clarissa wasn’t careful and another nurse caught her in her true form, over the soon to be deceased form of her patient. Clarisse panicked and subdued the other nurse.

She didn’t know how she was going to be able to explain two victims, but then she had an idea.

Clarissa put on a show, “How terrible, the nurse felt so guilty euthanizing Ms. Villamor that she took her own life.” She had put all the necessary evidence in its place, and it didn’t take too long before the hospital believed her story.

So Clarissa the cursed followed through on her name, the patients she had still had mysterious circumstances attached to their deaths but that was just bad luck.

She was a good nurse. She did her job well. That’s all the hospital needed to know.

————————–————————–————————-

*Cuyonon is a regional Visayan language spoken on the coast of Palawan, and the Cuyo Islands in the Philippines.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cuyonon Translation provided by Ryan D. Ibañez and Elyn Grace Bagalay
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Ryan D. Ibañez and Elyn Grace Bagalay

Inspired by the Aswang na Gala legends from Eastern Visayas

Aswang na Gala illustration by Lou Pineda
IG: https://www.instagram.com/blacknivalis/

Clarissa wasn’t a bad nurse, in fact she tried harder than anyone in the hospital, but there would always be the whispers. You see, every patient under her care eventually expired. Not that any of those incidents were directly her fault, there was always just something that went wrong.

Take Mr. Pasamba. It was an ordinary case of appendicitis. The operation went well except for a small infection that should have been able to be cleared by antibiotics. In the next few weeks complications from the infection were too much for him to handle, until eventually he passed away.

Clarissa could hear the talk from behind her back. “She’s the one that did it.”, “They called the morgue once they knew it was her.”, “Another victim of Clarissa the cursed.”, yet Clarissa was unscathed. She knew that as long as she kept her head down and did her job correctly she would be fine.

That was more than anyone could say for Mrs. Bengzon. She had been misdiagnosed twice and was weak from all the unnecessary treatments. She was found dead one morning in her hospital bed. Clarissa was the one who found her.

There was never any evidence of foul play, at least none that an autopsy could find. Clarissa was never held liable for any of the deaths of the patients under her care, and why should she? She was just always in the wrong place at the wrong time.

So Clarissa went on with her work, ignoring all the whispers. As long as she did her job, she would be okay.

That is, until the small incident with Ms. Villamor. Clarisse wasn’t careful and another nurse caught her in her true form, over the soon to be deceased body of her patient. Clarisse panicked and subdued the other nurse.

She didn’t know how she was going to be able to explain two victims, but then she had an idea.

Clarisse put on a show, “How terrible, the nurse felt so guilty euthanizing Ms. Villamor that she took her own life.” She had put all the necessary evidence in its place, and it didn’t take too long before the hospital believed her story.

So Clarisse the cursed followed through on her name, the patients she had still had mysterious circumstances attached to their deaths but that was just bad luck.

She was a good nurse that did her job. That’s all the hospital needed to know.

————————–————————–————————–——

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Aswang na Gala legends

Aswang na Gala illustration by Lou Pineda
IG: https://www.instagram.com/blacknivalis

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

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

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

That is, until I saw the lion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

————————–————————–————————-

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

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

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