Siya yadto.

Permiro naay, wara pa ako kabantay na siya baya yadto. Yadto na gabii, may yakit-an ko na di maitsura na bayho ug mga pangil. Yakakita ako nan morag dugo sa kapuwa na tanod ug gisundan nako pasingod sa atop.

Ug ngadto nakita nako ang wakwak.

Yapulihan nan dako na ngisi ang kaina na mga pangil ug ang buhok na yapuno nan pomada ug yakahipay na sa likod, pero pareha da na bayho.

Yhibaw-an nako na Fortunato Leviste kuno iya pangan laong nan mga taga ngadi. Yangampanya baya sa pagka gobernador.

Kung kasayod pa lamang sila.

Yagdako ako na pirmi lang-on na mag-amping basta gabii na, labi na basta masakit kami. May mga nilalang na manlupad basta buwanon, mantugpa sa atop kay kan-on imo mga tinae.

May gilaong yadto ni lola sa ako na storya mahitungod sa inin mga wakwak. Laong niya mga gwapa kuno sila, mga pution ang palis ug mga mata na amo dan makalumay. Gipasidaanan ang mga laki tungod sa ila, kay ang laong sa gud na pakaslan kuno nila ang ila mga biktima tapos mulayas da dayon, di na magpakita balik.

Basin amo sab inin iya gihimo ngadi. Gwapo siya ug mistiso, di gayud malikayan na makatan-aw ang mga babae sa iya bisan hain siya kadto. Maningkamot gayud sila para da lamang makastorya sila sa iya.

Pero may isa gayud ka butang na di ako mahiluna.

Mga babae da sa ang manananggal, ‘di ba?

Madumduman ko ang mga storya.

Mga bae na matunga ang lawas.

Mga bae na amo da nan kagi ang ampak.

Mga bae na dili masumpay ang ubos na parte nan ila lawas basta butngan nan abo, sukaan, o asinan.

Mga babae na tag-as nan dila na mokaon nan tinae sa ila biktima.

Dili.

Hibawo ako kun uno ang ako yakita.

Gatindog siya duha ka dupa ang kalayo sa ako tapos yagkatawa.

Uno kaha iya gihuna-huna. Iya siguro sunod na biktimahon?

Di nako yaon pasagdan na mahitabo.

Labi na kuman na may ako yakita.

Gisundan nako siya pagawas sa pirtahan pasingod sa dan. Masimhotan nako ang baho nan tabako.

Yakit-an niya ako ug mindako ang iya ngisi.

Gilang-an ko siya na hibawo ako kun uno siya ug hibawo ako kung uno ang iya hapit gihimo sa ako. Gilang-an ko siya na dili nako pasagdan na mahitabo yadto utro, na wara nay iya mabiktima.

Mikatawa siya.

Yabuang na kuno ako laong niya.

Sin-oy mutuo sa ako?

Ang pulis?

Ako mga amigo?

Ako pamilya?

Unoy ila mahimo?

Minpanaw siya pasingod sa ako ug gitan-awan ako sa mata. Yanimbarot ako kalawasan.

“Ngadi naay ako,” laong niya “wara pa raba ako kapanihapon.”

Makalaong ako na mintaas ang iya dila, sakto da para maabot ang likod sa ako liog.

Yatumba ako sa lupa, grabe na hilak ko.

Dili.

Dili nako ihatag ang iya gusto.

Hanapon ko kung hain siya gahuya.

Mag-andam ako.

Asin, bumbay, ug kutsilyo.

Tana sakto da ini.

Ginoo ko, paigoa ini.

=———————–=

English Version

It’s him.

At first, I didn’t recognize him. That night, I saw a twisted face and fangs. I saw the blood-red thread and followed it to the roof.

And I saw the monster.

The fangs are replaced by a gleeful smile and the hair is slicked back with too much pomade, but it’s the same face.

I ask around and find out that his name is Fortunato Leviste. He’s in the area trying to get some votes to be the governor.

If only they knew.

Growing up we’d be told to be careful in the night, especially if we were sick. There were creatures that flew through the moonlit sky, ready to land on your roof and feast on your bowels.

My lola told me a story once about these monsters. She said they were beautiful, with ivory-white skin and alluring eyes. Men were warned against this beauty though, for it was said that they marry their victims and flee, never to be seen again.

Maybe he’s doing the same here. He’s handsome and mestizo, charming every woman in the room. They’re practically falling over themselves to have a conversation with him.

But one thing keeps nagging me.

Mananaggal are only female, right?

I think back to all the stories.

Women that remove the upper half of their bodies.

Women with batlike wings.

Women that can’t reconnect their lower parts if it’s covered with ash, vinegar or salt.

Women with a threadlike tongue that sucks the bowels of their victims and feast on them.

No.

I know what I saw.

He’s standing four feet away from me and laughing.

I wonder what he’s thinking about. His next victim perhaps?

I won’t let that happen.

Not after what I’ve seen.

I follow him out the door into the street. The smell of tobacco cloyingly lingers on my nose.

He sees me and his smile widens.

Then I tell him I know what he is and I know what he tried to do to me. I tell him I won’t let that happen, that there would be no more victims.

And then he laughs.

He tells me I’m just a hysterical girl.

Who would believe me?

The police?

My friends?

My family?

What could they do?

He walks by me and looks me in the eye. Fear rolls down my spine.

“I’m going to go ahead,” he says “I haven’t had dinner.”

I could feel his tongue get longer, long enough to reach the back of my neck.

I fall to the ground, tears streaming down my face.

No.

I won’t give him the satisfaction.

I find out where he’s staying.

And prepare.

Salt, garlic and a knife.

I hope this is enough.

Please God, let this be enough.

=—————————=

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

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

Story inspired by the Iqui description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Iqui Illustration by Michael Sean B. Talavera
IG: @maykelshan
Deviantart: https://www.deviantart.com/isaneleach13

*Note this poem is in Tandaganon

“Gahanap pa gihapon ako sa iya

Sa kalasangan

Sa kapatagan

Ngadto sa langit

Tapad sa tumoy nan kalibutan

Sa mga kabatohan

Ug mga bulalakaw

Gahuna-huna ako

Kung hain na kaha siya kuman

Wara pa gihapon ako kasayod

Sa iya ngan

Pila ka mga panahon ang minlabay

Pero hibawo ako na yaon da siya

Mabati-an ko ang iya mga hunghung

Sa mga kapun-an ug mga suba

Mabati nako ang iya ginhawa

Sa baho nan mga buwak

Sa kadugay sa mga katuigan

Yaanad ako mabuhi

Na wara

Makita ko da siya pagbalik

Sa pagbuswak nan kalasangan

Sa hilak sa mga mananap

Ug mangayo

Nan iya kapasayloan”

=————————-=

“I still look for her

In the forests

In empty fields

Through the sky

Beside the horizon

On barren rocks

And falling stars

I wonder where

She could be now

I still don’t know

Her name

Time has passed

But I know she is there

I can hear her whisper

In the trees and the rivers

I can feel her breath

In the scent of flowers

For these long years

I have learned to live

Without

I will see her again

In the bloom of the forest

In the cries of beasts

And ask

For her forgiveness”

=————————————=

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

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

Inspired by the Idlivun description in Philippine Folk Literature:The Epics. Eugenio. 2001.

Idlivun Illustration by Florence Alcantara
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cozdeam/

*Note this story is in Tandaganon

“Pag-andam kamo, kinahanglan nato mupanaw adeser musubang ang adlaw.”

Gipukaw ako ni Papa sa dayawi na damgo. Naglupad kuno ako sa ibabaw sa mga bukid ug ngadto sa kakahoyan na amo da nan superhero. Pero ang mga damgo pirmi yaoy kahumanan, kinahanglan na sab magsukakod sa bag-o na adlaw. Gisugdan nako sa pagpamahaw ug pag-andam sa ako mga gamitonon kuman na adlaw.  Nangasangit na isab ang ako mga kamot sa pukot. Gikasakitan na isab ako ni Papa kay arang kuno nako ka lamya. Haod kahapon.

“Mukadto kita kuman na adlaw sa langob.”

Yatinga ako. Maglikay sa pirmi sila Papa ug iban na mga mananagat na mukadto dapit sa langob. Laong nila kay delikado kuno ngadto dapit kay dili matagna ang tubig. Pero hibawo ako na wara sa isab amo lain na mahimo. Yagkagamay na ang amo kuha ug wara ako kahibawo kung hangtod kanus-a kami mabuhi sa pagpanagat. Lang-on ko dakan siguro si Papa na maghanap ako nan trabaho sa syudad. Mas madayaw pa yaon kaysa maghuna-huna kung sakto da ba ang amo kuha para makakaon kami.

“Pag-amping ug ayaw gayud pagkadto sa hayag.”

Amo yaon ang pasidaan na amo ilaong adeser kami molarga sa dagat. Wara gayud ako kasayod kung unoy buot ipasabot nan yaon pero dayaw siya pirmi pamation. Murag kada adlaw nako yaon mabatian hangtod sa yaon na ako sa saktong edad para managat. Nigan-ay ang mga pukot kuman, ilhanan na yadugangan ang ako kusog. Pwede na siguro ako makapanarbaho sa construction site ngadto sa syudad.

“Sampungi ang imo mga talinga!”

Yasawan ako sa pagsinggit ni Papa. Inday nanga tagtabunan niya ang iya mga talinga. Dayawi ang kanta. Amo da nan may mga anghel na gakanta sa ako palibot. Gan-ay ang ako pamati, abri ang ako huna-huna sa kalibutan. Gusto nako mukadto sa kung uno man galling yaon yagkanta nan dayawi.

“Ayaw pagsawom sa tubig!”

Amo bagan yadton laong ni Papa, pero dili nako mabati kadayaw. Gibira niya ang ako kamot pabalik pero kinahanglan nako hanapon kung sin-o ang gakanta. Hunungan na dapat niya yaon, ang pagpugong sa ako pirmaminti. Wara siya kasayod kung uno na kalisud ang umaabot. Wara nay bilin ngadi. Dili sa pirmi muhatag nan isda ang dagat, hain pa. Kinahanglan namo mukadto sa lugar na yaon makalaom kami.

“Ang hayag! Ayaw pagkadto sa hayag!”

Yakita ko na sila kuman, dayawi sila. May gahunghong sa ako na mokadto ilawom nan tubig. Wara kasabot si Papa. Tiguwang na siya para makita ang ako yakita. Mokadto ako kay para mahilwas kami tanan. Makakwarta na ako ug mapakaon na nan sakto ang ako pamilya. Makita da ni Papa. Makita da nila tanan.

=————————-=

English Version

“Get ready, we have to leave before sunrise.”

Papa woke me up from a nice dream. I was flying over the mountains and going through the woods like a superhero. But dreams always have to end, now it’s time to face another day. I start my routine, grabbing a meal and preparing all the supplies for the day. My hands got tangled in the nets again and Papa scolded me for being slow. Just like yesterday.

“We’re going by the cove today.”

That was strange. Papa and all the older fishermen would always avoid going near the cove. They say it’s dangerous since the current is unpredictable in that area. But I know we don’t really have much of a choice. The catch of the day has been getting smaller and smaller and I don’t know how long we can live off the ocean. I think I’m going to tell Papa that I should go to the city to find work. It’s better than wondering if we can catch enough fish to feed ourselves.

“Be careful and make sure you don’t follow the lights.”

It’s the warning that we fisherman say before we go out on the water. I don’t know what it’s supposed to mean but it’s always comforting to hear.  I think I’ve heard it every day since I was old enough to be on a boat. The nets seem lighter today, a sign that I’m getting stronger. Maybe I can find work in a construction site in the city.

“Cover your ears!”

Papa’s shout scared me. I don’t know why he was covering his ears. The music was so beautiful. It was like a chorus of angels floating all around me. I feel so free, so in touch with the world. I want to go to whatever’s making such a beautiful sound.

“Don’t go in the water!”

I think that’s what papa said, but I didn’t hear him so well. He tried to pull me back by the arm but I need to go find the singer of this wonderful song. He needs to stop doing that, always holding me back. He doesn’t know how hard it’s going to be in the future. We don’t have anything left here. The sea isn’t going to keep giving us fish, not anymore. We need to go somewhere else somewhere where we can hope.

“The lights! Don’t follow the lights!”

I can see them now, they’re so beautiful. The glow under the water is calling me. Papa doesn’t understand. He’s too old to see the future. Not like I can. I’ll follow the light and it will save us all. I can make enough money to feed our family. He’ll see. They’ll all see.

=————————=

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

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

Story inspired by Kataw/Catao entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Kataw Illustration by Leandro Genisto from Aklat ng mga Anito
FB: That Guy With A Pen

Watercolor by Mykie Concepcion
Tumblr: http://mykieconcepcion.tumblr.com/

*Note this story is in Tandaganon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

=———————————=

English Version

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

=————————-=

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

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

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

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

*Note this story is in Tandaganon

1. Ang bae sa palengke. Wara niya tadonga pagputos ang mga gulay.
2. Ang bae na buntis na yangilog nan ako gipara na taxi. Dili nako kinahanglan morespeto sa imo tungod kay nakasa kaw.
3. Ang driver sa jeep na hapit makaligis sa ako. Way iya karapatan mag-drive.
4. Yadton bae na misingit sa pila sa tren. Pagtoo siguro niya na mahimo na niya tanan niya gusto kay naka-Luois Vuitton siya na bag.
5. Yadton bata na dili muhunong abay storya. Galabad ako ō sa iya kasaba.
6. Yadton ulitawo(boy)/daga(girl) sa ako tapad na min-ubo. Wara kita masayod kung uno na mga sakit ang yaon sa iya.
7. Ang guard sa train station. Di dakan tan-awon dayon ang luon nan ako bag para mahuman na. Tungod sa iya hapit ako mabiyaan nan tren.
8. Ang gatinda nan fishball. Kamahali nan iya baligya, sobraan da.
9. Yadton bae. Pagtuo niya na siya ang tag-iya nan kalibutan kay tungod gwapa siya. Tan-awon ta da sa, makita da nimo puhon uno imo gihanap.
10. Yadton mga turista. Katoo nila na pwede sila magbinastos sa amo lugar? Di ako musugot. Dapat masayod sila na respetohon sila kung may ila respeto.

Gibutang nan tiguwang ang iya ballpen ug min-ginhawa nan lawom. Kapoy kuman na adlaw, daghay tao na gusto muhurot sa iya pasensya, pero, syempre, sila tanan wara kahimo. Mingtan-aw siya sa gawas nan iya bintana ug gihuna-huna kung uno na sab kaha ang mga mahitabo pabalik sa ila bahay. Basin silom arang-arang na.

11. Yadton bata na may ido. Gilaway-lawayan ako kay di niya masagda iya mananap.
12. Yadton mga tampalasan na ga-ambak-ambak sa park. Gahuwat gayud ako na may isa na mabuk-an nan ulo sa ila pero wara mahitabo.
13. Yadton ga-jogging na yakabangga sa ako. Dapat mag-tan-aw siya sa iya agihan.
14. Yadton taxi driver na gahatod sa ako pauli. Ginaog niya iya bintana tapos yanitsit sa bae na minlabay. Way Batasan!
15. Yadton man-dileveray. Laong nila muabot ang package nan a las 4 pero gahinuwaton ako taman a las 5. Way klaro na serbisyo.

Yagkalala na. Ang lista kay dapat outlet da, isa ka paagi para ipagawas ang iya mga gusto ipagawas ug nan dili siya mugamit nan magic. Pero kada adlaw dakan na may iya makasumpaki. Mga tao na katoo nila mas hibawo pa sila bisan way gayud sud ang ila utok, mga tao na pagtoo nila na sila ang tag-iya nan kalibutan.

May iya kalagot sa ila tanan, syempre, bisan yadton mga tao na way labot. Kay madugay, magkasakop da sa sab gihapon sila ug magpugong na sab siya sa iya gibati para da lamang way gubot. Kapila na siya gipalayas sa mga tao kay tungod yahibawo sila kung uno gayud siya.

Di na yadto mautro. Amoy iya laong sa iya kaugalingon. Paglista da lamang permi kay mawara da lagi kadugayan ang kalagot. Kinahanglan niya ini pahunungon.

16. An iring na minpukaw sa ako. Kada adlaw dakan.
17. Ang ako mga way buot na silingan. Di manhunong abay hilabot sa ako kinabuhi. Dili pwede pasagdan dakan nila inin tiguwang ngadi?
18. Yadton yamaligya nan taho. Kalabad abay singgit sa buntag. Yadi pa sab an iring ngadi, isa pa sab ini.
19. Yadton mga misyonaryo na may mga da na bibliya—————-

Sakto na. Sakto na yadto. Gaaligotgot na siya sa kalagot wara pa gani halos gasugod ang adlaw. Basin amo na ini ang ilhanan, Kinahanglan na niya magpakatinood, ipakita sa mga tao ang ila lugar.

Giabrihan niya ang pirtahan ug gitaas ang iya kamot, isa ka tudlo sa langit.

Gisugdan niya sa iring.

=—————————————=

Enlighsh Version

1. The girl at the market. She didn’t pack the vegetables right.
2. The pregnant woman that took the taxi I was hailing. Just because you made a mistake doesn’t mean I have to bow to you.
3. The jeepney driver that almost ran me over. He doesn’t deserve to drive.
4. That woman that cut the line at the train. She thinks that just because she has a Louis Vuitton bag that she can do what she wants.
5. That little boy that wouldn’t stop talking. His incessant yapping gave me a he
6. That teenager that coughed beside me. Who knows what kind of diseases he might have. Someone should teach him manners.
7. The security guard at the train station. Just look through my bag and be done with it. Because of him I nearly missed my train.
8. The fishball vendor. His prices were robbery, plain and simple.
9. That girl. Thinking she can own the world because she’s beautiful. Wait and see, one day you’ll get what’s coming to you.
10. Those tourists. Thinking that they can be rude in my town? I will not let that happen. They need to know that respect begets respect.

The old woman put her pen down and sighed. Today was so tiring, there were so many people that tested her patience, and, of course, all of them had failed. She gazed outside her window and imagined all the things that she had to go through just to get back home. Maybe tomorrow would be better.

11. That boy with the dog. He couldn’t keep his animal under control and it slobbered all over me.
12. Those brats that were jumping around at the park. I waited for the moment one of them would crack their skulls but it never came.
13. That jogger that bumped into me. She should look where she’s going.
14. The taxi driver that brought me home. He rolled down the window and catcalled a woman passing by. The nerve of him!
15. The deliveryman. They said my package would arrive at 4pm and I waited until 5. Such shoddy service.

It was getting worse. The list was supposed to be an outlet, one way where she could sublimate her desires and release them without resorting to her magic. But day in and day out there were those that got in her way. Those that thought they knew better even if there wasn’t anything inside their heads, those that thought the world belonged to them.

She hated all of them, of course, even the ones that did nothing to her. Because eventually, they would cross her path and she would have to ball her hand into a fist to make sure she didn’t raise her finger. She had been chased out of many towns when the people found out what she was.

It wouldn’t happen again. That’s what she promised herself. Just keep adding to the list and all the anger would eventually stop. She needed it to stop.

16. That cat that woke me up. Every single morning it’s there.
17. My stupid neighbors. They won’t stop snooping into my life. Can’t they just leave an old woman alone?
18. The taho vendor. He won’t stop shouting in the morning. Bad enough the cat is there, I have to deal with him too.
19. Those Bible bearing missionaries—————-

Enough. It was enough. She couldn’t even make it though the morning without boiling over in rage. Maybe this was a sign from down below. She needed to be herself again, to let loose and make the humans know their place.

She opened the door and raised her hand, one finger to the sky.

She’d start with the cat and work her way up from there.

=———————=

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

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

Inspired by the Tagalog Hukloban legends

Diwata Illustration by Kristienne Amante
FB: Creatorivm

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