Maui Felix – Philippine Spirits

The Sansilmo Bird – Tagalog Translation

admin — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 08:23:42 +0000

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Sa Norte, sa lugar na tinatawag na Lagui, may nakatirang ibon na nagngangalang Apan. Nagmula sa malayong hilagang-silangan si Apan at ang kaniyang uri, ngunit bunsod ng marahas na taglamig sa lupaing iyon, lumipad sila patimog sa lugar na maraming molino.

Isang araw, habang nagpaparaya ang araw sa pagsikat ng buwan, may nasulyapan si Apan na ibong noon niya lamang nakita. Apat na taglamig na ang lumipas mula nang siya ay isilang, at akala niya ay alam na niya ang lahat ng ibong dumarayo sa Lagui. Ang ibong iyon ay hindi susulbot, galansiyang, o maya. Naalala niya roon ang mga ngiwngiw na nangangaso malapit sa sangang pahingahan niya dahil sa mukha at dipa ng mga pakpak niyon, ngunit hanggang doon lamang ang pagkakawangis.

Wala sa mga ibong naisip niya ang may liwanag na parang bituin.

Pagod na si Apan dahil buong araw siyang naghanap ng makakain, subalit hindi iyon naging hadlang upang lumipad siya papalapit sa ibon sa pagnanais niyang makita iyon nang mas mabuti.

Hindi kalakihan ang ibon. Naalala rito ni Apan ang mga pato at saranggola na iniiwasan ng kaniyang uri. Madaling sundan ang ibon kahit sa malayo, na magandang bagay para kay Apan. Ibinuka ng ibon ang mga pakpak nito at dumapo ito sa isang sanga sa malapit.

Nang iangat ng ibon ang mga pakpak nito, nakita ni Apan ang pinagmumulan ng liwanag nito. May bolang nagbabaga sa ilalim ng bawat pakpak ng ibon. Nagtaka si Apan kung paano nangyaring hindi nilalamon ng apoy ang ibon. Binabaan niya ang kaniyang lipad sa pag-aakalang hindi siya makikita ng ibon at dumapo siya sa isang sanga sa ilalim nito.

Tila rebulto ang ibon. Kinilabutan si Apan sa bikas nitong walang-tinag. Naisip niya, “Ano ang gagawin ng ibong ito?”

“Alam kong nariyan ka,” ang sambit ng ibon, sa wakas.

Hindi gumalaw si Apan. Sigurado siyang nakapuwesto siya sa lugar kung saan hindi siya makikita ng ibon.

“Halika’t mag-usap tayo,” ang sabi ng ibon.

Kaya naman, lumipad si Apan upang tumabi sa ibon. Hindi siya sanay nang gising sa gabi at nakakaramdam na siya ng bigat sa kaniyang mga pakpak, ngunit noon lamang siya nakadama ng ganoong kagalakan. Bihirang magkaroon ng pagkakataong makahanap ng bagay na bago at maaari niyang usisain.

Humarap siya sa ibon at nagtanong. “Ano ka?”

Tumawa ang ibon. “Hindi ka nagpapaligoy-ligoy, ano?”

Ibinaba ng ibon ang mga pakpak nito at natakpan ang mga bola ng apoy.

“Tulad mo, isa akong ibon.”

“Wala kang katulad sa mga ibong nakita ko na dati, at apat na taglamig na akong pumupunta rito,” ani Apan.

“Isa akong espesyal na uri ng ibon,” ang tugon nito.

“Bakit ka may apoy sa ilalim ng iyong mga pakpak? Paano nangyaring hindi ka nilalamon nito?”

“Napakamausisa mong ibon,” ang sagot nito. “Bakit mo gustong malaman?”

“Ngayon lamang ako nakakita ng nilalang na lumilipad sa kalangitan nang may taglay na angking karingalan. Nais kitang ikuwento sa iba pang ibon sa aking langkay.”

“O, siya,” ang sabi ng ibon. “Sasabihin ko sa iyo ang aking kuwento. Bago iyon, may tanong ako na dapat mong sagutin.”

“Sige!” ani Apan. “Gagawin ko ang lahat, marinig ko lamang ang iyong kuwento.”

“Ano ang paniniwala mo sa usapin ng kapalaran?”

Nabigla si Apan. Hindi niya inaasahang magbabato ng ganoong klase ng tanong ang ibon. Hindi nag-aabala ang kaniyang uri sa mga dakilang bagay na tulad ng kapalaran. Nalulugod na silang lumipad patungo sa maiinit na lugar at maghanap ng makakain.

Kaya naman, ganito ang isinagot niya:

“Hindi ko alam kung talagang may ganoon. Isang salita ang kapalaran na naglalarawan sa mga bayani at hari, hindi sa abang ibon na gaya ko.”

Tumawa ang ibon. “Pinaniniwalaan mo ba talaga iyan?”

“Oo.”

Tumingin ang ibon kay Apan nang may awa na bakas sa mukha nito. “May kapalarang sinusundan ang bawat nabubuhay na nilalang. Kapag hindi mo iyon tinahak, malaki ang ipinagkakait mo sa iyong sarili.”

“Ikaw naman, ano ang palagay mo sa kapalaran?”

“Maihahalintulad sa hangin ang kapalaran. Maaari itong umihip nang kasinglakas ng unos o kasinghina ng dampi sa iyong balahibo. Hindi ito maaaring tanggihan; may dala itong kinabukasan na kung babalewalain ay maituturing na isang kahangalan.”

Napatahimik si Apan. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang kaniyang isasagot sa ibon.

Nagpatuloy ang ibon: “May mas malaking kinababahagian ang lahat ng buhay. Sa munting pagbabago sa hangin na bunsod ng pagpagaspas natin sa ating mga pakpak, maaaring makarating ang isang langaw sa lugar na kung hindi dahil doon ay hindi nito pupuntahan. Malinaw na naaapektuhan ang lahat ng buhay bawat araw ng mga puwersang hindi natin lubusang maiintindihan. At kapag napagtanto na natin iyon, dapat tayong sumuko.”

“At ano ang iyong kapalaran?” ang tanong ni Apan.

“Makikita mo mamaya.” Halos tila nakangiti ang ibon. “At dahil narito ka, sasagutin ko ang iyong tanong.”

Muling inangat ng ibon ang mga pakpak nito upang ipakita ang mga bola ng apoy. Nag-alala si Apan na masusunog ang kaniyang balahibo sa lapit niya sa apoy, ngunit nagulat siya sa init na bumalot sa kaniyang katawan at kaibuturan.

“Ito ako,” ang sambit ng ibon.

“Ikaw ang apoy?” Sinubukang unawain ni Apan ang sinasabi sa kaniya ng ibon.

“Ako ay apoy at manlilinlang.”

“Ngunit isa kang ibon. Paano ka naging mga bagay na iyon?”

“Tumingala ka,” ang sabi ng ibon. “Malapit na ang oras.”

“Oras ng ano?”

“Ng ulan.”

Sa sandaling iyon, may naramdaman si Apan na patak ng ulan sa kaniyang ulo. At isa pang patak. At isa pa.

Tila nakalimutan na ng ibon ang pag-uusap nila at pumailalang ito patungo sa mga ulap na may dalang ulan.

Sinubukang sumigaw ni Apan upang itanong sa ibon kung ano ang ibig nitong sabihin.

Natanggap niya ang sagot na hinahanap niya sa anyo ng liwanag na halos makabulag.

Naging apoy ang ibon—isang nag-aalab na bola sa kalangitan. Hindi alam ni Apan kung gaano katagal siyang nakatitig sa bola ng apoy. Pagsapit ng bukang-liwayway, naglaho ang liwanag ng apoy at bumalik na si Apan sa kaniyang langkay.

Nasasabik na siyang ikuwento sa kanila ang ibon.

Gayunpaman, dala niya ang bigat ng mga salitang binitiwan ng ibon.

Nakakulong ba tayo sa ating kapalaran?

=————————————-=

In the North, in a place called Lagui, there lived a bird called Apan. Apan and her kind were from the far northeast, but the harsh winters in that land made them migrate southwards to the land of windmills.

One day, as the sun was giving way to the moon, Apan caught a glimpse of a bird she had never seen before. It had been four winters since she had been hatched and she thought she knew all the birds that came to flock in Lagui. The bird was not a kingfisher, a starling, nor a sparrow. It did remind her of the grass owls that hunted near her perch, with its wingspan and face, but the similarities ended there.

None of those birds ever glowed like starlight.

Apan was tired, having spent the whole day foraging for food. That didn’t stop her from flying towards the bird to sate her curiosity.

The bird was not that large, it reminded Apan of the ducks and kites that her kind avoided. Even from far away the bird could be followed which was convenient for Apan. The bird spread its wings and perched on a nearby branch.
As it lifted its wings up Apan saw the source of its glow. Under each of its wings there was a ball of intense fire. Apan wondered how the fire didn’t consume it. She flew low thinking that the bird would not see her and roosted on a branch under the bird.

It seemed like the bird was a statue. The unmoving countenance of it gave Apan chills. “What would this bird do?” she wondered.

“I know you’re there,” it finally spoke.

Apan did not move. She was sure she was in a place where the bird could not see her.

“Come here and we shall talk,” the bird said.

With that, Apan flew above and rested beside the bird. She was not nocturnal and the hours of night felt heavy upon her wings, but she had never felt such exhilaration. It was rare to find something completely new that she could explore.

She faced the bird and asked, “What are you?”
The bird laughed, “Straight to the point, aren’t you?”
It put its wings down, covering the balls of fire.
“I am, like you, a bird.”

“You are not like any kind of bird I have ever seen, and I have been going here for four winters,” said Apan.
“I am a special kind of bird,” it replied.

“Why do you have fire under your wings? How does it not consume you?”

“You are a very curious bird,” it answered, “why do you want to know?”

“Never have I seen such majesty flying through the skies, I would like to tell the other birds of my flock about you.”
“Very well,” said the bird, “I will tell you my story. But first you must answer a question.”

“Of course!” Apan said, “anything to hear your story.”

“What do you believe about destiny?”

Apan was caught off guard. She had not expected this kind of question from the bird. Her kind did not think of grand things such as destiny, they were content to fly to warm places and find their next meals.

And thus she answered:

“I do not know if it exists. Destiny is a word that describes heroes and kings, not a lowly bird such as I.”

The bird laughed. “Do you truly believe that?”

“Yes, I do.”

The bird looked at Apan with pity, “Every living being has a destiny that they follow. To deny that is to deny yourself.”

“What about you? What do you think about destiny?”

“Destiny is like the wind. It can blow with the wild abandon of a hurricane or the smallest of whispers on your feathers. It cannot be denied, it brings a future that would be foolish to ignore.”

Apan fell silent. She could not find the words to reply to the bird.

The bird continued, “All life is part of something much larger. A brief change in the air caused by the flap of our wings could make it so that a fly would end up where it might never have gone. It is clear that all life is affected every day by forces beyond our comprehension. And once we realize that, we must surrender.”

“And what is your destiny?” Apan asked.

“You will see it later.” The bird almost looked like it was smiling. “And since you are here I will answer your question.”

The bird once again raised its wings so that the balls of fireballs were visible. Apan was worried that her feathers would burn being so close to fire, but she was surprised at the warm glow that washed over her form.

“This is what I am,” said the bird.

“You are the fire?” Apan tried to understand what the bird was trying to tell her.

“I am the fire and a deceiver.”

“But you are a bird. How can you be both?”

“Look up,” the bird said, “it is almost time.”

“Time for what?”

“For the rain.”

At that moment Apan could feel a raindrop hit her head. And another. And another.

The bird seemed to forget their conversation and flew high towards the rainclouds.

Apan tried to shout at the bird, to ask what it meant.

She received her answer in a luminescence that nearly blinded her.

The bird became fire, a ball of bright flame hanging in the sky. Apan didn’t know how many hours she had spent staring at the ball of fire. Once the morning sun broke through the twilight the light disappeared and Apan made her way back to her flock.

She couldn’t wait to tell them about the bird.

But the bird’s words weighed heavy on her.

Are we only what our destiny is?

————————————————————————–

**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 Maui Felix
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Sansilmo bird legends from Ilocos and “Sansilmo, the Light Deciever.” in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002. and an Interview with Migo Luis (2015)

The Sansilmo Bird Illustration by Alvin Gasga
FB: Art of Alvin

Hukloban – Tagalog Translation

admin — Tue, 26 May 2020 11:17:33 +0000

*Note this story is in Tagalog

‘Yung batang babae sa palengke. Hindi maayos ang pagkakabalot niya sa mga gulay.
‘Yung buntis na sumakay sa pinapara kong taxi. Nagkamali ka, pero hindi ibig sabihin noon ay pagbibigyan na kita.
‘Yung tsuper ng dyip na muntikan nang makasagasa sa ‘kin. Hindi siya nararapat na magmaneho.
‘Yung babaeng sumingit sa pila sa tren. Dahil lang mayroon siyang bag na Louis Vuitton, akala niya puwede na niyang gawin ang kahit anong gusto niya.
‘Yung batang lalaking hindi tumitikom ang bibig. Sumakit ang ulo ko sa kakadaldal niya.
‘Yung tinedyer na umubo sa tabi ko. Malay ko ba kung anong mga sakit ang puwedeng dala niya. Dapat siyang turuan ng magandang asal.
‘Yung sekyu sa istasyon ng tren. Silipin mo na lang ang bag ko nang mabilis tayong matapos. Muntikan na akong maiwan ng tren dahil sa kaniya.
‘Yung nagbebenta ng fishball. Sobrang mahal ng presyuhan niya.
‘Yung batang babaeng ‘yon. Akala niya sa kaniya umiikot ang mundo dahil lang maganda siya. Maghintay ka lang. Mamalasin ka rin balang-araw.
‘Yung mga turista. Akala ba nila ay puwede silang mambastos sa bayan ko? Hindi ko ‘yon papayagan. Malalaman nila na kailangan muna nilang magbigay-galang bago sila galangin.

Ibinaba ng matandang babae ang kaniyang panulat at bumuntong-hininga siya. Talagang nakakapagod ang araw na ito. Sobrang daming taong sumubok sa pasensya niya, at, siyempre, nabigo silang lahat. Tumingin siya sa labas ng kaniyang bintana at inisip niya ang lahat ng pinagdaanan niya para lang makauwi. Baka mas maganda ang araw niya bukas.

‘Yung batang lalaking may alagang aso. Hindi niya kayang kontrolin ang alaga niya, nalawayan tuloy ako.
‘Yung mga batang nagtatatalon sa parke. Hinintay kong may mabagok sa kanila pero walang nangyari.
‘Yung tumatakbo na nakabangga sa akin. Dapat niyang tingnan ang dinaraanan niya.
‘Yung tsuper ng taxi na naghatid sa ‘kin pauwi. Ibinaba niya ang bintana at nanutsot ng babaeng dumaraan. Ang kapal!
‘Yung deliveryman. Sabi niya, darating ang package ko nang alas kuwatro ng hapon at naghintay ako hanggang alas singko. Ang pangit ng serbisyo.

Palala na ito nang palala. Labasan lang dapat ng sama ng loob ang listahan kung saan niya maibubunton ang mga kagustuhan niya nang hindi kinakailangang gamitin ang kaniyang salamangka. Ngunit palagi na lang may mga taong nakakaabala sa kaniya. Mga taong walang laman ang mga ulo ngunit kung makaasta ay tila mas magaling sila. Mga tao na kung makaasta ay tila pag-aari nila ang mundo.

Siyempre, kinamumuhian niya silang lahat, maging ang mga taong walang ginawa sa kaniya. Dahil makakasalamuha niya sila ‘di kalaunan at kakailanganin niyang itikom ang kaniyang kamao para masigurong hindi niya maitataas ang kaniyang daliri. Napalayas na siya sa maraming bayan nang malaman ng mga tao kung ano talaga siya.

Hindi na iyon mangyayari muli. Pangako niya iyon sa kaniyang sarili. Daragdagan niya lang nang daragdagan ang laman ng listahan at mawawala rin katagalan ang kaniyang galit. Kailangang mawala iyon.

‘Yung pusa na gumising sa akin. Tuwing umaga na lang, nang-iistorbo siya.
‘Yung mga hangal kong kapitbahay. Ayaw nilang tumigil sa pang-uusisa sa buhay ko. Hindi ba nila puwedeng tantanan ang isang matandang babae?
‘Yung naglalako ng taho. Ayaw niyang tumigil kakasigaw sa umaga. Masahol na nga na palaging dumadalaw ‘yung pusa, problema ko pati siya.
‘Yung mga misyonaryong may dalang Bibliya—————-

Tama na. Tama na ito. Ni hindi niya kayang malampasan ang umaga nang hindi kumukulo ang dugo niya sa poot. Marahil ay isa itong pahiwatig mula sa nasa ibaba. Kailangan niyang ibalik ang dati niyang pagkatao, kumawala sa gumagapos sa kaniya, at ipaalam sa mga tao na mas mababa sila.

Binuksan niya ang pinto at itinaas ang kaniyang kamay nang nakaturo sa kalangitan ang isang daliri.

Magsisimula siya sa pusa hanggang sa matapos niya ang pinakakinamumuhian niya.

=————————————————————-=

English 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 headache.

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.

=——————————————————————————————=

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Maui Felix
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Tagalog Hukloban legends

Diwata Illustration by Kristienne Amante
FB: Creatorivm

IG: @creatorivm_

Siyokoy – Tagalog Translation

admin — Sat, 04 Apr 2020 12:37:40 +0000

*This story is in Tagalog

Iniisip ko pa rin ang nakatakas na huli ko sana.

Apat na taong gulang pa lamang ako ay nangingisda na ako. Nasa dugo ko na ang pangingisda. Nakarating na ako sa Pantabangan at Lumot para manghuli ng Apahap, sa Cebu para manghuli ng Tikos, sa Isla ng Mactan para manghuli ng Mameng at nakahuli pa nga ako ng Maya-Maya na saandaa’t dalawampung sentimetro ang haba. Ngunit hindi maihahambing ang mga ito sa isdang iyon.

Una ko iyong namataan malapit sa baybayin ng Anilao. Hindi ko iyon mawari. Mukha iyong malaking kalaso—mas malaki kaysa sa anumang nakita ko na. Karaniwang hanggang tatlumpung sentimetro lamang lumalaki ang isang kalaso, ngunit ang isang ito ay tila pating na lampas apatnaraang sentimetro, o baka nga mas mahaba pa roon.

Inabot nang ilang linggo bago ko naipon ang sapat na dami ng pain na kailangan ko. Mukhang malaking isda lang ang gusto nito, lalo na ang Dorado at Lapu-Lapu, ngunit hindi na ako nagulat. Sa tuwing iaahon ko sa tubig ang pain, may malaking kagat dito. Nilapa ang isda ng nilalang na may napakalakas na panga. Alam kong mangangailangan ako ng mas matibay na tali.

Bumangon ako ng alas tres ng umaga at naghintay. Isinabit ko ang pain sa pamansing at umupo ako nang dinarama ang malamig na simoy ng hangin sa madaling araw. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit gustong-gusto kong mangisda. Ang tahimik at payapang mga sandali, ang katiwasayan bago ang unos kapag inisip mo ang mga bagay na posibleng mangyari sa iyo. Palaging sinasabi sa akin ng aking ama na ang siyamnapung porsiyento ng pangingisda ay paghahanda. Masyadong matagal bago ko iyon natutunan.

Namataan ko ang palikpik nito pagkasikat ng araw. Batid kong tapos na ang oras ng paghahanda. Naghagis ako ng karne ng isda malapit sa pamansing. Naalala kong mahilig sa dugo ang isdang iyon. Inihanda ko ang sarili ko dahil tiyak na kakagat iyon, ngunit walang paghahandang sasapat sa nangyari.

Naputol ang tali. Hindi ko alam kung paano iyon nangyari, dahil ang ginamit kong tali ang pinakamatibay na nakita ko sa palengke, ngunit naputol pa rin iyon. Tatlong buwang paghahanda para sa wala.

Hindi ko na muling nakita ang isdang iyon, ngunit dumarayo ako sa Anilao paminsan-minsan para subukang masilayan iyon. Gusto kong muling bumisita ngayong taon ngunit ipinagbabawal ang pagpalaot sa pook-isdaan. May ilang bagitong mangingisda na natagpuang nalunod malapit sa kanilang mga bangka.

Iniisip ko pa rin ang huli sana na iyon, kung gaano sana kasarap sa pakiramdam na mabuhat iyon sa aking mga balikat. Ngunit hindi ako susuko.

Panibagong araw bukas. Marahil ay matatagpuan ko rin iyon balang araw.

Hindi ko naiintindihan kung ano ang natunghayan ko, ngunit alam kong mas mapanganib ito kaysa sa sinasabi ng mga tao. Mula noong bumalik ako sa Anilao ngayong taon para muling hanapin ang isdang iyon, mas maraming tao na ang natagpuang nalunod.

Mayroong magkasintahang turista na natagpuan sa may pantalan. Mukhang kumukuha sila ng mga litrato; hawak pa rin nila ang kanilang mga telepono noong inagos papunta sa dalampasigan ang kanilang mga labi. Ngayon lang nakakita ang mga tagaroon ng mga sugat tulad ng mga kagat na nasa kanilang mga katawan. Nakahanda kaming lahat na sabihing napakasamang aksidente nito.

Hanggang nagsimulang mawala ang mga surfer.

Limang kabataan sa kabuuan ang naiulat na nawawala mula noong umpisa ng linggong ito. Naakit sila sa mga along dala ng maulang panahon, at naisip nila na magandang pagkakataon ito para subukan ang mga along iyon. Para sa ilan, ito ang huling desisyong ginawa nila. Hindi pa rin natatagpuan ang mga katawan at naglabas na ng babala ang lahat ng resort na nagbabawal sa mga tao na pumunta sa tubig.

Naroon ako noong nangyari ang lahat ng pagkawala. Ibig kong sabihin, malapit ako noon sa dagat, at isinusumpa ko sa puntod ng aking ina na nasilayan ko ang mga palikpik sa mga pook kung saan naglaho ang mga taong iyon.

Maaaring nahihibang na ako para isiping mayroong kakaibang uri ng isda na may kinalaman sa mga nawawalang tao, ngunit ayaw mawala sa isip ko ng hinalang ito. Mayroong kaugnayan sa isa’t isa ang mga ito.

Mukhang hindi ako makakauwi, dahil parami nang parami ang nakikita kong ganoong palikpik sa dagat.

Tumigil pa nga ako sa pangingisda. Ayokong matulad sa mga taong iyon, at walang makikinig sa akin. Patuloy kong sinusubukang balaan sila, sinusubukang sabihin na masyadong mapanganib ang dagat para suungin ng kahit na sino. Hindi makikinig ang mga resort; masyadong malaki na ang nalugi sa kanila kaya muli nilang pinayagang pumalaot ang mga maninisid at mangingisda.

Gayunpaman, hindi ako titigil. Kailangang mabalaan ang mga taong ito.

Hindi lang iisa ang pares ng mga palikpik.

=——————————————–=

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.

=———————————————=

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Maui Felix
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

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

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

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

Tigabulak – Tagalog Translation

admin — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 12:06:05 +0000

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Paborito niya ang Kapaskuhan; napakaraming batang walang kamalay-malay at madaling magtiwala.

Tulad na lang ni Jonah. Nalingat lang ang kaniyang mga magulang nang ilang minuto, nagpagala-gala na siya sa mall hanggang may nakasalubong siyang mabait na matandang lalaki na may dalang sako.

Tanong ng bata, “Ikaw ba si Santa Claus?” at sagot naman ng matanda, “Oo naman! Gusto mo ba ng regalo?”

Agad na sumilip si Jonah sa sako sa kasabikan niyang makakuha ng bagong laruan. Ni hindi niya naramdaman ang hampas sa likod ng kaniyang ulo. Masyadong mahilig sa mga materyal na bagay ang mga bata sa panahon ngayon, sayang naman kung hindi sasamantalahin.

Ibang kuwento si Lualhati. Wala nang mas babait pa sa batang ito na biyaya sa kahit na sinong magulang. Palagi niyang inaalagaan ang mga nakababata niyang kapatid.

Matapang na bata rin siya; kinuha niya ang atensyon ng matandang lalaki para makatakas ang nakababata niyang kapatid. Siyempre, wala pa rin siyang panama sa matanda, kaya naisilid pa rin siya sa sako.

Nariyan din si Flordeliza, matapobreng bata. Hindi siya makikipag-usap kahit kanino maliban na lamang kung sa tingin niya ay bibigyan siya nito ng mga kendi.

Ginamit iyon ng matandang lalaki na patibong para pumunta siya sa isang maliit na eskinita. Bago pa siya makasigaw, naisilid na siya sa sako, kasama ng iba pang bata.

Palaging nakayuko si Rizalino. Ipinapaubaya ng kaniyang mga magulang sa teknolohiya ang mahihirap na bahagi ng pagpapalaki sa mga bata.

Tuwang-tuwa siya noong nagkaroon siya ng tablet. Gumugugol siya ng maraming oras sa panonood ng mga cartoon na may matitingkad na kulay o paglalaro ng panibagong nakakabagot na video game. Tila nasa screen na iyon ang buong mundo niya.

Wala siyang kaalam-alam na may mga nangyayari sa labas ng kaniyang screen, tulad ng isang sobrang tandang lalaki na may dalang sako na nasa likuran niya at unti-unting lumalapit sa kaniya.

At, panghuli, si Amor, isang batang talagang maraming problema. Nagpapagala-gala siya sa siyudad dahil ayaw na niyang marinig ang walang katapusang sigawan ng kaniyang mga magulang.

Kung nakinig lang siya sa kanila, maaaring narinig niya ang paalala nila na huwag siyang makikipag-usap sa mga taong hindi niya kilala, ngunit napakatigas ng ulo ng mga bata kung minsan. Akala nila, alam na nila ang lahat. Hanggang mapatunayang mali ang lahat ng inaakala nila.

Tiningnan ng matandang lalaki ang kaniyang listahan at tiniyak niya na sapat na ang nakuha niya para sa kaniyang espesyal na putahe. Kailangang may matira siya na maibebenta sa palengke. ‘Kapaskuhan ngayon,’ paalala niya sa sarili. Mayroon pang ibang pagkakataon. Kailangan niya lang maghintay.

Nararamdaman niyang may gumagalaw sa loob ng sako. Masyado pang maaga para magsimulang magising ang mga bata. Dinala ng matandang lalaki ang bunga ng kaniyang pagsisikap sa munting kubo niya sa kabundukan, malayo sa siyudad.

Hindi ito ganito kadali dati. Hindi siya makakakuha dati ng ganito karaming bata sa loob ng napakaikling panahon.

Nagbalik-tanaw siya noong pangarap pa lamang ng mga negosyante ang mga nagtataasang gusali, at punong-puno pa ng puno’t halaman ang kalupaan.

Noong mga panahong iyon, naghihintay pa siya hanggang may maligaw na bata sa kakahuyan. Tuluyang maglalaho ang batang iyon. Darayo ang mga magulang at magtatanong sila tulad ng isang nag-aalalang ama o ina:

“Nakita n’yo ba ang anak na babae namin?” “Napadaan ba siya sa kubo n’yo?” “Puwede ba ninyo kaming tulungang hanapin siya?”

Ngingiti siya at magpapaabot ng taos na pakikiramay. Walang maghihinala na may kinalaman ang isang matanda at mahinang lolo sa pagkawala ng ilang bata. Nakakatawa ang ideyang iyon.

Tumawa siya hanggang makauwi.

Masalimuot ang silid sa loob ng kubo. Nagpaparamihan ang mga bahid ng dugo at pakalat-kalat na biyas.

Inilapag ng matandang lalaki ang sako at bumuwal palabas ang limang maliit na tao. May kaunting pagkilos, ngunit alam niyang mayroon pang ilang minuto bago sila magkamalay.

Kinuha niya ang paborito niyang kutsilyo at naghanda siya para sa unang taga. Pinakamalapit ang batang babae na si Lualhati. Naisip ng matandang lalaki na masarap gamitin ang kaniyang dugo para sa dinuguan.

Nagpasyang kumilos ang bata noong itinaas ng matanda ang kutsilyo para sa pagtaga. Tumama ang sakong ng bata sa sikmura ng matandang lalaki, na dahilan para tumumba ang matanda at mapasigaw sa sakit.

“Takbo!”

Dagliang bumalik ang ulirat ng apat pang bata at mabilis silang tumungo sa pinto. Nahablot ng matanda ang binti ng isa sa mga batang lalaki, ngunit kinagat siya sa kamay ng batang ito kaya napabitaw siya.

Pinanood ng matandang lalaki ang pagtakas ng mga bata sa kaniyang kubo. Hindi na siya nag-abalang habulin sila; magiging matigas at makunat ang karne nila dahil sa kanilang pagtakbo.

Kumuha siya ng silya at umupo. Kailangan niyang mas mag-ingat sa susunod.

Tumanaw ang matandang lalaki sa labas ng kaniyang bintana. Tumitig siya sa mga nagtataasang gusali sa malayo.

Hindi mauubusan ng mga bata, at subok na ang pasensya niya.

Dahil kung iisipin, matagal na matagal na niya itong ginagawa.

=——————————————————————————-=

English Version

He loved the holiday season, there were so many children, so naïve and trusting.

Take Jonah for example, his parents let him out of their sight for only a few minutes. He wandered off in the mall and happened upon a nice old man carrying a sack.

He asked, “Are you Santa Claus?” and the man replied “Of course I am! Would you like a present?”

Jonah immediately peered into the sack, such was the boy’s excitement in getting a new toy. He didn’t even feel the blow to the back of his head. Kids these days were so materialistic, it would be such a shame if someone took advantage of that.

Lualhati was a different story. She was the most well behaved girl any parent could ask for. She spent her days looking after her little siblings.

She was such a brave girl too, distracting the old man long enough for her little brother to run away. She was no match for him of course, and into the sack she went.

Then there was the girl, Flordeliza, such a snobby little brat. She wouldn’t talk to anyone unless she thought they could give her sweets.

The old man used that to lure her into a nice little alleyway. Before she could even think to scream she was in the sack, along with the other children.

Rizalino always had his head down. His parents believed in letting technology do the brunt of the work when it came to raising children.

He was so proud when he got his tablet, he would spend hours and hours watching his brightly colored cartoons or playing another mind numbing video game. It was as if that screen was his entire world.

He never realized that there were things happening beyond his screen, like a very old man and a sack creeping up behind him.

And finally came Amor, a very troubled child. She would wander around the city because she didn’t feel like listening to her parents getting into a shouting match for the hundredth time.

If she listened to them she might have heard them say ‘Never talk to strangers’, but children can be so stubborn. They always think they know everything. That is, until everything proves them wrong.

The old man checked his list and made sure he had enough for his special recipe, he needed to have some left over to sell to the market, ‘It’s the holidays’ he reminded himself. There would be other chances, he just had to wait.

He could feel the movement coming from the sack. The children were starting to wake up, it was much too soon for that. The old man took the fruits of his labor, far away from the city to his little kubo in the mountains.

It wasn’t always like this, of course. In the old days he would never be able to get this many children in such a short amount of time.

He thought back to when the concrete jungles were a glimmer of inspiration in the eyes of the tycoons, and a sea of green dominated the landscape.

In those times he would have to wait for the odd child to wander into the woods, never to be heard from again. Their parents would come by and ask all the questions a concerned parent needed to ask:

“Have you seen our little girl?” “Did they walk by your kubo?” “Will you help us look for them?”

He would smile and say a few remorseful words. No one would ever think that an old, venerable lolo could have anything to do with the disappearances of a few children. The very thought was laughable.

And he laughed all the way home.

The room inside the kubo was pure chaos. Scarlet stains and misplaced limbs were fighting a battle for supremacy.

The old man put the sack down and five small figures came tumbling out. There was some slight movement, but he knew they wouldn’t regain consciousness for a few more minutes.

He grabbed his lucky cleaver and readied himself for the first chop. The girl, Lualhati, was closest. The old man thought that her blood would make for good dinuguan.

As he raised his knife, she decided to strike. The heel of her foot hit the old man’s stomach, he collapsed to the ground, letting out a scream of pain.

“Everyone run!”

In that instant the four other children woke from their stupor and made for the door. The old man managed to grab the leg of one of the boys, but he bit his hand and the old man lost his grip.

The old man watched as the children fled his kubo. He didn’t bother chasing them, all that running would make their meat tough and stringy.

He pulled up a chair and sat down. He would have to be more careful next time.

The old man glanced outside his window and stared at the tall buildings in the distance.

There would always be more children, and he was nothing if not patient.

After all, he had been doing this for a very, very long time.

=——————————————————————-=

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Maui Felix
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Tagalog Tigabulak legends

Tigabulak Illustration by Glendford Lumbao

IG: @glendlumbao

Behance: https://www.behance.net/glendfordlumbao

The Sirena of Tanjay River – Tagalog Translation

admin — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 06:16:17 +0000

*Note this story is in Tagalog

niya ito, labag man ito sa kaniyang kalooban.

Walang sinabi si Marabi.

Sinubukan ulit ng matanda na isalaysay ang kuwento. Mukhang magandang magsaya sa ilog ng Tanjay, ngunit mayroong dahilan kung bakit walang gustong maiwan nang mag-isa sa piling ng kadiliman.

Tumingin si Marabi sa kaniyang lolo nang may panghahamon sa kaniyang mukha. Pero napakaganda niya.

Hindi ka dapat magtiwala sa kagandahan. Iyon ang ginagamit niya para akitin ka.

Tila nainsulto si Marabi, na para bang minamaliit siya dahil isa siyang bata. Hindi ako naniniwala sa inyo.

Mabilis na nainis ang kaniyang lolo at kitang-kita ito sa mukha ng matanda. Bakit hindi mo maintindihan na ginagawa ko ito para protektahan ka?

Hindi na bagong maliitin si Marabi ng kaniyang lolo. Noong namatay ang mga magulang niya, ang lolo na lamang niya ang natitira niyang kadugo. Sana ay mas marami pa siyang kamag-anak.

Kinasusuklaman niya ang kaniyang lolo.

Puwede bang ipangako mo na lang sa akin na hindi ka pupunta sa ilog nang mag-isa?

‘Yun lang ba? Sige. Pangako.

Tumayo siya at umalis.

Hinilot ng matanda ang kaniyang sentido. Napabuntong-hininga siya. Mamamatay siya dahil sa batang iyon.

Mapayapa at nakakahalina ang ilog na palikaw-likaw na sumalubong kay Marabi. May mga tao ngayon na nagkakainan sa tabing-ilog.

Napabuntong-hininga siya at naghintay hanggang lumipat ng puwesto ang araw sa kalangitan.

Naghintay siya hanggang magligpit at umalis ang mga nalalabing tao.

Naghintay siya hanggang mag-isa na lamang siya.

Nga ba?

Malapit sa pampang ng ilog, naroon ang babae. Naaaninagan siya ng liwanag na mula sa mga bituin.

Hindi kailanman hiningi ni Marabi ang kaniyang pangalan. Marahil ay wala siya nito. Ang alam lang ni Marabi ay siya ang pinakamagandang babaeng nakita niya.

Napasinghap siya at lumapit nang ilang hakbang.

Sumenyas ang babae kay Marabi na mas lumapit pa. Aking magandang alaga, pinag-uusapan n’yo ba ako?

Nanikip ang lalamunan ni Marabi. Alam niya ‘yon, siyempre. Malalaman ng uri niya kung pinag-uusapan sila, iyon ang sabi sa kaniya ng lolo niya.

Ngumiti ang babae. Ayos lang iyon. Sinubukan ng lolo mo ang lahat ng makakaya niya, hindi ba? Ngunit alam nating dalawa ang kagustuhan ng puso mo.

Naglakad papalapit si Marabi at hinawakan niya ang balat ng babae.

Dapat ay malamig at basa ito dahil nasa ilog siya, ngunit tila ito ang pinakamakinis na sutla, na may kaunting init.

Ibig ni Marabi na maramdaman ito habambuhay.

Halika, aking alaga. Magsayaw tayo.

Paulit-ulit itong naisip ni Marabi.

Habambuhay.

Idla! Lumayo ka riyan.

Tumawa ang batang babae habang nagbabalanse siya sa mga bato sa ilog, nang lubhang nag-iingat para hindi mahulog. Hindi niya naiintindihan kung bakit hindi siya pinapayagang maglaro ng matatanda, at kung bakit ganoon ang buhay.

Hindi ‘yan puwede! Bumalik ka rito ngayon din!

Makinig ka sa nanay mo.

Muntikan nang madulas sa bato si Idla. May dumating na matandang lalaki na hindi niya kilala. Mapula at maga ang kaniyang mga mata, na para bang kani-kanina lamang ay umiiyak siya.

Bakit ko po ba kailangang makinig sa matatanda? Palagi lamang nila akong pinagbabawalang maglaro.

Gusto niya lamang ang makabubuti para sa iyo.

Paano po ninyo iyon nalaman?

Ang makabubuti lang din para sa kaniya ang hinangad ko.

Napatahimik si Idla. Naiintindihan na niya ang nangyayari. Ito ang lolo ng nawawalang batang babae.

Pasensya na po, pupuntahan ko na po ang nanay ko.

Mabuti pa nga. At tandaan mo, mapanganib ang ilog na ito.

Opo, lolo.

Maliksing nagtatalon ang batang babae sa mga bato sa ilog, papunta sa kaniyang ina.

Tumitig ang lolo sa ilog hawak ang kaniyang bolo. Sapat na dapat ito para ngayong gabi.

Malabo ang mga pangyayari.

Kulay pula, iyon ang naaalala ni Marabi. Tanda rin niyang sumasayaw siya kasama ang magandang babae sa ilalim ng ilog, sa isang palasyong yari sa ginto. Masaya siya noon.

‘Di katagalan, sa kaniyang pagsisisi, nahimasmasan siya. Nakaupo siya sa bahay habang hinihintay ang kaniyang lolo, nang mabilis na bumalik ang mga alaala.

Nakita niya ang babae sa harap niya na sumasayaw sa himig ng awiting doon niya lamang napakinggan. Nakahawak ang babae sa baywang ni Marabi. Nagpaikot-ikot sila hanggang marinig niya iyon.

Ang boses ng kaniyang lolo.

Dagliang bumalik ang ulirat niya at namulat siya sa katotohanan. May taglay pa ring kagandahan ang babae, ngunit mabagsik ito sa ilalim ng liwanag ng mga bituin. Mahaba ang kaniyang mga kuko, matulis ang kaniyang mga ngipin at nagsisipulupot sa tubig ang kaniyang buhok.

Suminghal ang babae at tumuro paitaas. Maliwanag ang buwan at naaninag ni Marabi ang bolo ng lolo niya na inihahampas sa tubig para bumuo ng krus.

Habang nangyayari ito, ang naririnig lamang ni Marabi ay ang paulit-ulit na pagtawag sa kaniyang pangalan.

Umuwi ka na, Marabi.

Umuwi ka na.

Agad siyang lumayo sa babae at lumangoy paahon ng ilog. Sa pangambang baka siya ay sundan nito, lumingon siya sa likod.

Hindi makakilos ang babae, wari ba’y nakagapos siya. Batid ni Marabi na dahil ito sa ginawa ng kaniyang lolo, ngunit kung paano iyon nagawa ay hindi niya alam.

Nakalabas at nakaahon si Marabi sa ilog. Suminghap siya sa hangin.

Buhay ka. Salamat sa Diyos at buhay ka.

Binawi niya ang naubos na hangin at sinubukan niyang tumayo.

Lolo! Nasa ilalim ako ng ilog at naroon ang babae at—

Alam ko, iha, alam ko. At sisiguraduhin kong hindi ka na niya muling masasaktan.

Ano po’ng ibig ninyong sabihin?!

Pumunta sa pampang ng ilog ang lolo niya at lumusong sa tubig.

Pasigaw na tinawag ni Marabi ang kaniyang lolo. Wala siyang ibang gusto kundi ang mayakap siya.

Ngunit ganoon ang buhay.

Hindi na babalik ang lolo niya. Hindi katulad ng nangyari sa kaniya.

Sa kaniyang pagsisisi, umiyak siya, habang iniisip na sana ay nakinig siya sa mga kuwento ng kaniyang lolo.

=—————————————————=

English version

They’ll drown you without a second thought. That’s just the kind of monsters that they are.

Marabi brought her hands to her ears and shuts out the noise from her lolo. She thinks about flowers and how beautiful they are. Something that beautiful could never hurt her.

Her lolo grabs her hands and tells her to listen. She is old enough now to be told the story of the river and he will make her listen whether she wants to or not.

Marabi says nothing.

Her lolo tries again. The Tanjay river might seem like a place to have your fun, but there is a reason no one wants to be left alone in the darkness.

Marabi looks up defiantly at her lolo. But she’s so beautiful.
You mustn’t trust beauty. That’s how she lures you in.
Marabi looks insulted, as if she’s being talked down to because she’s a child. I don’t believe you.

In an instant her lolo’s face is twisted with annoyance. Why can’t you understand that I’m doing this to protect you?
It’s just like her lolo to condescend to Marabi. After her parents died he was all she had left. She wished she had more.
She despises him.

Look, just promise me you won’t go to the river alone?

Is that it? Fine. I promise.

She gets up and leaves.

Her lolo rubs his temples and sighs. Someday that girl will be the death of him.

The winding river greets Marabi with quiet charm. Today there were people out having picnics by the riverside.

She sighed and waited until the sun travelled across the sky.
She waited until the last few people packed up their things and left.

She waited until she was alone.

Or was she?

By the river bank, reflected in the starlight was her.
Marabi never asked what her name was, maybe she didn’t have one. All Marabi knew was that she was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen.

She gasped and took a few steps forward.

The woman beckoned Marabi to come closer. Hello there my pretty pet, have you been talking about me?

Marabi felt a lump in her throat. She knew, of course she knew. Her kind would know if they were being talked about, that’s what her lolo told her.

The woman smiled. It’s no matter. Your lolo tries as hard as he can doesn’t he? But we both know where your heart lies.
Marabi took a few steps forward and touched the woman’s skin.

It should have felt cold and damp from the river, but at her touch it was like the smoothest silk with a hint of warmth.
Marabi wished she could feel it forever.

Come now my pet. Let us dance.

The thought echoed in Marabi’s head.

Forever.

Idla! Get away from there.

The young girl laughs as she balances on the river rocks, being extra careful not to fall in. She doesn’t understand why the adults won’t let her play, and such is life.

I won’t have you doing that! Now get back here!

You should listen to your mother.

Idla almost slips off the rock. A stranger appears, an old man. His eyes are red and puffy, as if he had been crying recently.
Why should I listen to the grownups? All they do is tell me not to play.

She only wants what’s best for you.

How do you know that?

It’s what I wanted for her.

In that moment a quiet understanding fell over Idla. This was him, the lolo of the girl that went missing.

I’m sorry, I’ll go to my mother.

Please do. And remember, this river is dangerous.
I will lolo.

The girl gracefully skips among the river rocks, bounding towards her mother.

And the lolo stares at the river, holding his bolo. Tonight it would have to be enough.

It passes in a daze.

Marabi remembers the color red. She sees herself dancing with the beautiful woman in the bottom of the river, in a palace made of gold. She was happy then.

It is only later, in the harsh light of day that things come into focus. Sitting at home waiting for her lolo the recollections come flooding back.

She sees the woman in front of her, dancing to an unknown song. He hands are on Marabi’s waist. They spin around until she hears him.

Her lolo’s voice.

In that moment the spell is broken and she sees things for the way they are. The woman’s beauty remains, but it is cruel in the starlight. Her nails have grown, her teeth have sharpened and her hair coils violently in the water.

The woman screams and points towards the surface. Through the moonlight Marabi can see the glint of her lolo’s bolo cutting the water in a cross shape.

Throughout all of this Marabi hears only her name, over and over.

Come home Marabi.

Come home.

In an instant she pushes away from the woman and swims towards the surface. She is afraid that she will be followed, and she looks behind.

The woman remains unmoved as if chained to her position. Marabi knows that this is her lolo’s doing, but she doesn’t know how.

Marabi breaks the river’s surface and gasps for air.
You’re alive. Thank Jesus you’re alive.

She hungrily devours more life-giving air and she tries to stand.

Lolo! Please, I was underwater and the woman was there and—

I know iha, I know. And I will make sure she never hurts you again.

What do you mean?!

Her lolo goes by the riverside and dives in.

Marabi screams for her lolo. She wants nothing more than to be in his embrace.

But such is the way life is.

Her lolo is not coming back. Not like she did.

And in the harsh light of day she cries, wishing that she had listened to his stories.

*Tanjay River is located in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental

Written by Karl Gaverza

Based on The Mermaid of Tanjay River. Historcal Data of Tanjay, Negros Oriental. in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Illustration by Brylle Infante Patiu
Instagram: @bryllepatiu.dwg