*Note this story is in Kapampangan

“Kailangan tamung magpatuluy,” Pamilitan nakung Manuel a ilabas miya ini oneng kapagal ku na rugung mayap. Pilang oras na kaming magbiyahi ot bala mu ala nang kasigarudwan ing kaligtasan mi bala mu inyang mete ya I Johann.

Mamiliksi ya ing pusu ku, eku balu nung nokarin, pero magmasid ya ini kekatamu. Bala mamyalungan la deng Mantahungal king pamangan da, adadaramdam ming adwang Manuel ing tunug da reng bitis panga susubukan ming magpaynawa.

Matalik neng tatalnan Manuel ing keyang baril, maski makananu yang katni ining bageng ayni, ala yang katumbas king masaleseng pangapwestung bala, pero mas mayap ne ing ligtas kesa king pamagsisi. Likwan nana katang Johann unya ing pamagkamali ay ali na pwedi uli mung king bageng a yan.

Kalibutad nana ning bengi at mitmu ya ing bulan. Mamye yang saup ing sala na at akit miya ing dalan kening kagubatan. Patnubayan na kaming Manuel papunta king baybayin, dakal kuweba king lugar at king metung karin na kami mu magpalipas mangang sumala. Mamagasa ku rugung pagal la deng Mantahungal at munta na la sa jang nokarin.

Akakit ng Manuel nung makananu ku asnang kapagal saka na kami dininang limang minutu para magpaynawa bayu magpatuluy. King puntung ayni, akakit kung makananu ya bababa ing sala ning bulan king gabun siping ning baybayin at migbuntung pangisnawa ku king kaginhawan. Makalwal kaming mabiye keni pangayari ning e gana-gana.

Ene man masakit pantunan ining kuweba. Kayari ning kapitnang oras, king lugud ning sitwasyun mekagawa kaming bala kampu saka kami magpasalamat uling dakal kami pang kagamitan. Mikasundu kaming adwang Manuel na palitan kami king pamagbante, para alertu kami nung sakaling datang lareng Mantahungal at masaguli yamu ing proteksyun.

Yaku ing minunang magbante, asna nang kabayat ining baril karening gamat ku, pero patuluy yamung papatnube I Manuel kekami king kagubatan. Dapat mu kaya ing magpaynawa, magbante ku king palub na ning kuweba, pilan namu namang oras aslag ne din ing aldo, karin mi pa abalu nung makananu na ing gawan.

“Bala mapagal na ka,” pangaramdam ku king metung a babaing menibat king nokarin. Pota a-iisip ke mu ing pakaniti, alang masyadung tau keni, at mapagal nakung mayap para king kalinohan kung misip.

“Ssssh.. oras nana ning pamanudtud,” dimdam kung pasibayu, kakaiba ya ngeni mas maginhawa ya at mulit-mulit ya king kueba.

“Magpaynawa na ka, masalese yamu ing e ganagana,” kanyan, babayat no reng mata ku. Ajang makaramdam kung bage-bage alang pamigkaliwa. Gumising naku mu kaybat.

Sera kuno deng mata ku.

Niting sala ning abak daretsu ya king lupa ku saka ku megising, bala mu masalese naman, ene man meistorbu ing palub saka bala likwan dana kami deng Mantahungal.

Atin metung a problema.

Alayu ne.

=——————-=

English Version

“We need to keep moving,” Manuel tries to encourage me to keep going but I’m too tired. We’ve been running for hours and it doesn’t seem like we’re any safer than when Johann died.

My heart is racing. I don’t know where it is, but I know it’s watching us. The Mantahungal seems to like playing with its food, Manuel and I can hear the sound of its hooves whenever we try to rest.

Manuel holds his shotgun close and no matter how smart this thing is, it won’t be a match for a well-placed bullet, but it’s better to be safe and sorry. We already lost Johann and there’s no way we’re going to make any mistakes with that thing around.

It’s already midnight and the moon is full.  The added light helps us move through the jungle. Manuel’s leading us toward the coast, there are caves in the area and we can stay in one of them for shelter until the morning comes. I hope by then the Mantahungal gets tired and moves on to something else.

Manuel can see how tired I am and he gives us five minutes to rest before we continue. At this point I can see the moonlight settling on the sand at the beach and I breathe a sigh of relief. We’re going to make it out of here alive after all.

The cave wasn’t hard to find. Within half an hour we were able to set up something resembling a camp and thankfully we still had all our supplies. Manuel and I decided on taking turns keeping watch. We would be able to hear the Mantahungal if it entered the cave, making it easier to defend ourselves.

I take the first shift, the shotgun feels heavy in my hands, but Manuel’s been leading us through the jungle for hours. He deserves a break. I take position by the cave entrance and wait. Sunrise should be in a few hours anyway and we can figure out what we’re going to do then.

“You seem tired.” I hear a woman’s voice from somewhere. I’m probably hearing things. This whole are is supposed to be uninhabited. I’m too tired to think clearly anyway.

“Sssshh. It’s time to go to sleep.” I hear the voice again. This time it sounds a lot calmer. I can hear it echoing through the cave.

“Go rest, everything’s all right.” I can feel my eyelids getting heavier. Even if I am hearing things a few minutes won’t make a difference. I’ll just wake up right after.

I close my eyes.

The morning sun hits my face and wakes me up. Everything seems to be okay, the entrance is undisturbed and looks like the Mantahungal left us alone. I decide to wake Manuel up and plan our next move.

There’s only one problem.

He’s gone.

=———————————=

*Note this story is in Waray-Ninorte Samarnon

“Kinahanglan naton magpadayon” gin-aagda ak ni Manuel nga magpadayon  kudi kay pagal naak. May mga pira na hani kaoras am’ pagdinalagan bagan waray la kasayuran kun matatalwas paba  labi dida nga namatay naman si Johann.

Nagdudagan  ak kasing-kasing. Diri ko aram kun hain iton, kudi aram ko nga nag – ininaw iton sa amon. Malan kinaruruyagan  siton Mantahungal pagdinugyatan  iya pagkaon, nababati namon ni Manuel an tunog  san iya mga kulo sa kada paglalarang namon sin pagpahuway.

Hugot kaupay an kakapot ni Manuel san iya pusil bisan nano sin kabatid sini nga butang, diri ini matugbang san bala nga maupay an kabutang, kudi mas maupay nala nga matalwas kay nga magbasol. Nawara na si Johann ngan diri na gud matugot  nga makaghimo na liwat sin kapakyasan.

Katutnga na san kagab-ihon ngan kadayaw an bulan. An hayag sini nagbulig sa amon pakadto sa kagurangan. Ginpakadto kami ni Manuel san baybayon, didto mayda sin mga lungib nga pwede namon pahuwayan nga masisirungan ngadto pag-abot san kaagahon. Kunta umabat man sin kapaglanan iton Mantahungal ngan pumakadto sin lain nga dapit.

Sayod si Manuel kun ano an ak kapaglanan ngan gintagan ak niya sin Lima ka minutos pagpahuway antes kami magdayon. Sini nga takna naiimod ko na an hayag san bulan na natugdon sa baras sa baybayon ngan nagginhawa ak sin halarom. Makakagawas kita dinhi nga buhi pa gihapon.

Masayonay la hanapon an lungib. Sa sulod sin tunga kaoras nakapanginano na kami sin kampo ngan suwerte  gudla nga aada pa tanan na amon kinahanglanon nga higamit. Nagkahampang si Manuel ug ako nga magsaliwanay kami pagbantay. Para mas mas masayon nga madepensahan an amon kalugaringon kun sudlon kami siton Mantahungal sa lungib.

Ako an una nga maturno, nabubug-atan akon kamot siton pusil, kudi kay si Manuel an nag giya sa amon sa kagurangan sin pira ka oras. Buot la nga siya naman an pumahuway.  Pinmwesto ak sa atubangan siton sada san lungib ngan naghinulat. Sa pira la ka oras in masirang na an adlaw ngan dida namon mababaroan kun nano an sunod nga amon  pagbubuhaton..

“Malan rudal ka.” Nababati ko in tingog sin babaye gikan sa kun diin. Tingali hunahuna ko la. Ini nga dapit in waray ‘unta nalastar. Pagal naak sin tuda para makapanumdom sin maupay.

“Sssshh. Oras na para kumaturog.” Nababati ko na liwat an tingog. Sini nga takna, mas murayaw na ini. Nababati ko ini nga naharantiyaw sa bug-os nga lungib.

“Pahuwayi, waray na kabarak-an.” Naaaraman ko nga nagigirik-irik an akon mga mata san bug-at. Bisan pa ak nahihingagaw tungod san ak mga nababati, diri gihapon makadahig in pira ka minuto. Mahihigamata manta ak dayon.

Ginpiyong ko ak mata.

An adlaw nga suba natama sa akon kahimo ngan nagpapabugtaw sa akon. Malan maupay man an tanan, waray nagbag-o san sada ngan bagan ginbayaan na kami san Mantahungal. Ginbuot ko nga pukawon si Manuel ngan planohon   an masunod nga bubuhaton .

Mayaon usa nga problema.

Waray na siya.

=————————-=

English Version

“We need to keep moving,” Manuel tries to encourage me to keep going but I’m too tired. We’ve been running for hours and it doesn’t seem like we’re any safer than when Johann died.

My heart is racing. I don’t know where it is, but I know it’s watching us. The Mantahungal seems to like playing with its food, Manuel and I can hear the sound of its hooves whenever we try to rest.

Manuel holds his shotgun close and no matter how smart this thing is, it won’t be a match for a well-placed bullet, but it’s better to be safe and sorry. We already lost Johann and there’s no way we’re going to make any mistakes with that thing around.

It’s already midnight and the moon is full.  The added light helps us move through the jungle. Manuel’s leading us toward the coast, there are caves in the area and we can stay in one of them for shelter until the morning comes. I hope by then the Mantahungal gets tired and moves on to something else.

Manuel can see how tired I am and he gives us five minutes to rest before we continue. At this point I can see the moonlight settling on the sand at the beach and I breathe a sigh of relief. We’re going to make it out of here alive after all.

The cave wasn’t hard to find. Within half an hour we were able to set up something resembling a camp and thankfully we still had all our supplies. Manuel and I decided on taking turns keeping watch. We would be able to hear the Mantahungal if it entered the cave, making it easier to defend ourselves.

I take the first shift, the shotgun feels heavy in my hands, but Manuel’s been leading us through the jungle for hours. He deserves a break. I take position by the cave entrance and wait. Sunrise should be in a few hours anyway and we can figure out what we’re going to do then.

“You seem tired.” I hear a woman’s voice from somewhere. I’m probably hearing things. This whole are is supposed to be uninhabited. I’m too tired to think clearly anyway.

“Sssshh. It’s time to go to sleep.” I hear the voice again. This time it sounds a lot calmer. I can hear it echoing through the cave.

“Go rest, everything’s all right.” I can feel my eyelids getting heavier. Even if I am hearing things a few minutes won’t make a difference. I’ll just wake up right after.

I close my eyes.

The morning sun hits my face and wakes me up. Everything seems to be okay, the entrance is undisturbed and looks like the Mantahungal left us alone. I decide to wake Manuel up and plan our next move.

There’s only one problem.

He’s gone.

=—————————–=

*Waray is the fifth-most-spoken native regional language of the Philippines, native to Eastern Visayas. It is the native language of the Waray people and second language of the Abaknon people of Capul, Northern Samar and some Cebuano-speaking peoples of eastern and southern parts of Leyte island. It is the third most spoken language among the Visayan languages, only behind Hiligaynon and Cebuano.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Waray translation by Angelica Cardenas
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Angelica Cardenas

Story inspired by ‘The Fairy and the Fisherman’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Bulalacao Illustration by Nadine Cabe

Watercolor by Mykie Concepcion

*Note this story is in Bicol Naga

“Unfair ini” an hibi ni Sasha ay nag-echo sa kakahuyan. Tighiling niya an siyang letrato kaiba an saiyang mahal sa buhay. Ex-love, tigkorek niya an sadiri. Dae sya makapaniwala sa nangyari, kung papano nadurog an saiyang puso asin kung papano niya ini ibabalik.

Alas tres nin maagahon, aram niya na an saiyang pamilya ay nahahadit na saiya pero mayo siyang pake. An siyang kulog, iyo sana an totoo sa saiyang buhay asin dae niya aram kung papanohon ini. Puro kasinungalingan sana an gabis niyang sinabi? Pantasiya sana an mga oras na ibahan sinda? O takot lamang siyang tanggapon na dae man talaga sya namomotan saiya?

Dae niya kaya, habo niyang isipon an bagay n aini. Gusto niya na lang magkamang sa sarong labot asin Magadan. Mayo naming tada para saiya. At least sa mundong ini. Iniisip niya na mas maray para sa gabos kung tapuson niya na an buhay niya.

Dae napansin ni Sasha an ambon na namumuo sa kataed niya. Dae niya pati na narisa na mayo na siya sa kakahuyan. Nagbabagong anyo an ambon habang siya naghihibi. Luhay-luhay sanang may nabuong hugis nin babae habang pinapatahan an sadiri sa tahaw nin kakulgan.

“Aram mo, dae siya nararapat saimo.” Nagtingala si Sasha asin may nahiling siyang magayon na babae na garo nabuo hale sa ambon nin kagubatan. Kadaklan siguro mahuhmaling sa kababalaghan na ini pero sabi ni Sasha, na may halong pait sa saiyang boses, “Pabayaan moa ko. Dae moa ram kung ano sinasabi mo.”

“Sa hiling ko mas dakol ang aram ko kaysa saimo.” An aparisyo ay nagluwa ning kapidaso nin tela, “Uni, punasa mo luha mo.”

“Pano mo nasabi?” Kinua man sana ni Sasha an kapidasong tela. Dae niya aram kun siisay o ano ito. Baka multo, baka guni-guni, pero mayo na siyang pakiram. Dawa gadanon pa siya kaini, mapapamray pa an saeyang pagmati. Mayo na siyang boot para aramon.

“Hali na ako diyan,” sabi kan babae habang nakahiling kay Sasha pero mate ni Sasha na garo lagpas an paghiling kaini saiya. “An minamahal ko sa buhay ay namoot sa sakuyang tugang na babae.”

“Sako, winalat ako, pinalit sako an bestfriend ko.” Dae bisto ni Sasha kung siisya ni pero ngunyan garo mate niya na pamilyar an ispiritu.

“Dae.” Sigurado an ispirirtu sa saiyang pagkasabi, namate nanaman ni Sasha an pagkadurog kan sarong parte kan saiyang puso. “Pero padagos ka pa  man giraray.”

“Pinano mo magpadagos kun sobrang kulog?” Mahigpit an pagkakapot ni Sasha sa tela asin napaluha nanaman siya.

“Iyo ta bako yan an katapusan.” Kinaputan kan babae an saiyang kamot asin nahiling ni Sasha an pagkamakulog sa saiyang mga mata. “Permeng may ibang katapusan, dawa ika pa magsurat.”

Naglaho na sana an babae asin nawalat nanaman nin solo si Sasha.

=—————————–=

English Version

“It’s not fair,” Sasha’s sobs echoed through the forest. She looked straight into the picture of her and her love. Ex-love, she corrected herself. She couldn’t believe what had happened, how her hear broke into a million little shards and how she didn’t think she could put them back together again.

It was 3am, she knew that her family would be worried about her, but she didn’t care. Her pain wasthe only real thing in her life now and she didn’t know how to deal with it. Was everything he said a lie? Was all the time they spent together a fantasy? Was she just afraid to face the truth that he was never in love with her?

She couldn’t, didn’t want to think about any of this. She just wanted to crawl into a hole and die. There wasn’t anything left for her. Not in this world anyway. She thought it would be best for everyone if she just ended it all.

Sasha didn’t notice the fog build up next to her. She probably didn’t even realize she was in the forest anymore. The dew and the mist were changing next to her, in between her tears. The softly formed into a woman’s form, all while she was seeking comfort in the pain she held close to her.

“He isn’t worth it you know.” Sasha looked up from her hands and she saw a beautiful woman, almost formed out of the mist of the forest. Most people would marvel at this supernatural wonder, but Sasha just held a hint of bitterness in her voice as she said, “Leave me alone. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I think I know more than you know.” The apparition brought out a piece of cloth, “Here, this should dry your tears.”

“How would you know?” Sasha took the cloth anyway. She didn’t know who—or what this was. Maybe a ghost, maybe a hallucination, but she didn’t care. Even if this thing came to kill her, it would be a welcome relief from what she was feeling. She couldn’t find the will to care anymore.

“I’ve been there,” the woman was now looking at her, though it seemed to Sasha that she was looking through her. “The love of my life fell in love with my sister.”

“Mine left me for my best friend.” Sasha didn’t know who this was, but now she sensed a kindred spirit. “Does it get any easier?” She didn’t know what to ask, but she knew that she wanted to keep talking.

“No.” The spirit was firm in her voice, Sasha felt a piece of her heart break again. “But you keep going anyway.”

“How can you when it hurts so much?” Sasha gripped the cloth in her hands and felt the tears start to come again.

“Because it’s never the end.” The woman held her hands this time and Sasha could see the sincerity in her eyes. “There’s always another ending, even if you have to write it yourself.”

With that, the woman vanished and Sasha was left alone again.

————————–————————–————————–—-

*Central Bicol, commonly called Bicol Naga, is the most-spoken language in the Bicol Region of southern Luzon, Philippines. It is spoken in the northern and western part of Camarines Sur, second congressional district of Camarines Norte, eastern part of Albay, northeastern part of Sorsogon, San Pascual town in Masbate, and southwestern part of Catanduanes. Central Bicol speakers can be found in all provinces of Bicol and it is a majority language in Camarines Sur.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Bicol Translation by Angela Arnante
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Angela Arnante

Story inspired by ‘Mariang Binokong’ in Negros Oriental and Siquijor Island Legends, Beliefs and Folkways. Aldecoa-Rodriguez. 2000.

Mariang Binokong Illustration by Nadine Cabe
Tumblr: http://nadinecabe.tumblr.com/

*Note this story is in Bahasa Sug

In tagainüp nangdüngdüngi kākü’ sin giyatusan mata niya ampa in aku amura in kapamanhüd ku ha kulangan ku.

Di’ ku kaingatan bang unu in kabaya’an niya, malayngkan di’ ku mapikil manga awn maksud niya kamudāratan. In mahaluk timikang harap mawn kākü’ iban sā’bu ku diyürüngdüngan in baran niya magpillaw-pillaw, kiyahātihan ku ra mayan. In pangdamat bükün mattan pangdamat. Hambuuk sadja pamānda’. In daligmata (Di’ ku kaingatan bang biya’ diin in kaingat ku sin ngān, simaygpat sadja pa lawm-uw ku) simusulay namayta’ kākü’ kalagihan ku pa’gangan in pagdatüng sin linug.

“Biya’ diin in kaagi ha yan?” Iyasubu ku in daligmata. Diyüngdüngan aku nagbalik, ampa kiyaingatan ku. Kalagihan ku madtu pa pag-aawnan ha manga linug. Subay ku sila kabayta’an manattapi wayruun kuhibal. “Mahi ta’ aku?” In sambung ha pangasubu ku dimatüng biya’ sahubbu ha pikilan ku. In daligmata himühüla’ ha lawm tagainüp, ampa makakuhibal sadja bang duun ha lawm hüla’-pārkawasahan. Wayrapat niya makakadtu pa kadunyahan sin manga baranan, labi wayrapat pa duruunan sin manga linug iban manga hunus bang  niya ri’ maparuun ha kīd niya in hambuuk mananagainüp.

Ampa nakakawa’ siya hambuuk mananagainüp.

In pagkadtu bükün sibu’ in anib iban sin ha napasandung ku. In daligmata, ha pikilan ku, nagpamayta’ sadja amura kalagihan ku in managainüp supāya aku makakadtu, ampa kiyahidāyatan aku marayaw. Biyayta’an aku papanagainüpün sin dunya, sagawa’ bükün biya’ sin kiyaingatan ku. Nagbissara siya pasal  siring-langit, in pagbü’lak sin dunya iban sin nārka’ iban sin manga simud sin manga mahaluk  himühüla’ didtu. Salupa sin manga hās nanglilibüri ha dunya, tiyatayak sin sangat-lagkü’ tuhan Magbabaya, nanglīgütan ha lawm uw ku. Tiyagainüp ku in siring-langit iban manga hās ni Magbabaya. Tiyagainüp ku in hüla’  amu in piyagpaawnan ha manga linug. Tiyagainüp ku in lupa’ sin manga hangin iban sin manga hunus.

Iban hangka küdjap da, didtu na aku.

“Uwya’ mānusiya’ magkamatay”. Nangasip kākü’ in tingüg babai. “Makakita’-makakita’ kami sin  pihak mu awn sadja pārsugpatan niya pa kahinangan ni Mangilala.” Hambuuk tingüg üsüg in simambung. Kiyahantapan ku sin imaatud aku ha manga uw sin duwa hās kalap-lagkü’, kaniya-kaniya labi malagkü’ dayng ha gibayan-dakula’ sangat-taas. Apit sa yadtu ku muga’, sagawa’ in kabassaran sin duwa nagpanananam kākü’ katahammulan labi-labihan.  Nimanam aku kasalamatan ha panghādiri nila.

Sīkmu’ aku sin daligmata dayng ha ulihan hangkan kiyatümtüman ku mahi aku miyadtu. “Manga Hās Salaggü’-laggü’…” Wala’ ku kiyaingatan bang biya’ diin in panawag kanila, sagawa’ nakira ku in pagpakita’ pag-addat di’  makamula. Biyayta’an ku sila sin pangdamat ku, in linug landu’ küsüg nangjuljana’ ha dāira ku iban nanglarak ha bāy ku.

“Amu ini in hüla’an sin manga linug, mānusiya’ asibi’,” Simambung in tingüg üsüg. “In pagjügjüg maawn bang kami humibal.”  In tingüg babai simambung. “In panghibal-hibal namü makahüküt ha dunya.” Laung sin tingüg üsüg. “Unu in kapunnyahan namü’ bang in dunya matigallam na?” Nangasubu in tingüg babai.

“Bang in pangdamat ku dumatüng, in dunya ku malawa’ na. Kalu baha’ tibahagi’an asibi’ da sin katiluagan dunya, sagawa’ in tibahagi’an manahut yadtu amu in kalunlunan dunya ku. In dāira yadtu hangka sibu’ in hālga’ kākü’ iban sin hālga’ sin manga ginlupa’an-langkus kaniyu.” Amu yadtu in sambung ku.

“Maisüg kaw.” Laung sin tingüg babai. “Wayruun pa mānusiya’ nakabissara kāmü’ iban katulusan.” Simambung in tingüg üsüg. “Kamataüran sin mānusiya’ pagsulayan kami dupangün hipalanggana’ in manga banta nila.” Namissara in tingüg babai. “Hambuuk ini  pamindahi  tatayma’ün.” Simambung in tingüg üsüg. “Naraak kami magpatütüg sin dunya ha kiyabübütangan.” Naglapal in tingüg babai. “Pa’gahan in pagtigallam sin dunya.” Simambung in tingüg üsüg. “Sagawa’ unu in hikarayaw bang matüpük in hambuuk dunya ha lawm sin dunya?” Nangasubu in tingüg babai.

“Hinangün namü’ biya’ sin piyangayu’ niyu. Tumattap kami wayruun hibal supāya in dunya niyu  kumakkal tibuuk.” In manga Intumbangul nagdüra’  simambung. “Kadtu na kaw, mānusiya’. In hüla’an sin manga linug bükün duruunan sin biya’ sin kajinis  mu.”

Simulay aku magsukul kanila, sagawa’ timagna’ na in hangin maküsüg dimüpüy. Diyā aku ampa itungan di’ aku makanapas.  In düpüy landu’ makajuljana’ pangannal ku biya’ aku sin pīrīt.  Nakapamahit aku.

Sakali nakabati’ aku.

In jāman-magbabanda’ ku kimatingüg. Lisag pitu na sin mahinaat.  Kiyaingatan ku makaikul aku pa iskul bang aku wala’ imüws. In pagsūkbanyul sin sasakatan adlaw ini makabuga’, biya’ sin dayng angay adlaw. Nangiyaban aku iban siyulayan ku tiyümtüm in panagainüp ku. Ha kira ku mataüd hās iban tiyumpukan mata imaatud kākü’, sagawa’ di’ ku na katümtüman puas ha yadtu.

In hambuuk pa jāman-babanda’ ku hikaruwa miyagting labi pa matanug dayng sin nakauna. Siminyal na sin panagna’an sin adlaw mataud ligap.

Naangan-angan ku bang aku nakahinang labi mataüd barāpa makaraüg-küwg.

=————————–=

English Version

The dream stares at me with its hundred eyes and I stay frozen on my bed.

I don’t know what it wants, but I don’t think it means any harm. The creature walks over to me and as I stare at its blinking body, I finally understand. The nightmare wasn’t a nightmare at all. It was a warning. The daligmata (I don’t know how I know its name, it just popped in my head) was trying to tell me I needed to stop the earthquake from happening.

“How do I do that?” I asked the daligmata. It stared at me again, and I knew. I had to go to the place where earthquakes were born. I had to ask them to stay still. “Why me?” The answer to my question came in a flood of thoughts. The daligmata lives in dreams, and it can only move in that realm. It could never go in the physical world, much less the home of earthquakes and storms if it didn’t have a dreamer by its side.

And a dreamer it had.

The journey wasn’t as perilous as I imagined it to be. The daligmata was in my thoughts saying I only need to dream to be there and it guided me well. It told me to dream of the world, but not as I knew it. It spoke of the horizon, the split between the earth and the underworld and the mouths of the creatures that lived there. Images of the snakes wrapped around the world, held up by the great god Magbabaya, swirled in my head. I dreamt of the horizon, of the snakes, of Magbabaya. I dreamt of the place where earthquakes were born. I dreamt of the land of the winds and storms.

And in a flash, I was there.

“Hello mortal.” A feminine voice greeted me. “Whenever we see your kind Mangilala usually has something to do with it.” A male voice answered back. I realized I was staring at the heads of two gigantic snakes, each bigger than a skyscraper. I would have been scared, but the majesty of the two was making me feel so much awe. I felt safe in their presence.

The daligmata nudged me from behind and I remembered why I was there. “Great Serpents…” I didn’t know how to address them, but I figured showing respect wouldn’t hurt. I told them about the nightmare I had, the giant earthquake that ripped through my city and shattered my home.

“This is the home of earthquakes, little human.” The male voice answered. “The shakes are caused when we move.” The female voice replied. “Our movements keep the world tethered.” Said the male voice. “What use are we if the world is gone?” The female voice asked.

“If my nightmare happens, my world would be gone. It may be a small part of the entire earth, but that tiny bit is my whole world. That city is as important to me as the continents are to you.” Was my answer.

“You are brave.” The female voice said. “No mortal has ever spoken to us with such candor.” The male voice replied. “Most mortals try to trick us into destroying their enemies.” The female voice answered. “This is a welcome change.” The male voice replied. “We are tasked to keep the world in place.” The female voice said. “To keep the earth from falling away.” The male voice replied. “But what good is that if a world within the world is broken?” The female voice asked.

“We will do as you ask. We will stay still so your world may be kept intact.” The Intumbangol replied in unison. “Go now, mortal. The home of earthquakes is no place for your kind to be.”

I tried to thank them, but a strong wind started blowing. It picked me up and I almost couldn’t breathe. The gusts were so violent I thought I was being ripped apart. I screamed.

Then I woke up.

My alarm was going off. It was 7 AM. I knew I would be late for class if I didn’t hurry. The traffic would be terrible today, like every day. I yawned and tried to remember the dreams I had. I think there was a snake and a bunch of eyes looking at me, but I couldn’t recall much past that.

My backup alarm rang even louder than the first one. It signaled the start of a really long day.

I wish I did more exciting things.

=—————————————–=

*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 Intumbangol description in The Soul Book. Demetrio, Cordero-Fernando &Zialcita 1991. And the Daligmata descriptions in Songs and Gifts at the Frontier : Person and Exchange in the Agusan Manobo Possession Ritual. Buenconsejo. 2002. & 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang. Samar. 2015.

Intumbangol Illustration by Nadine Cabe
Tumblr: http://nadinecabe.tumblr.com/

Watercolor by Alexa Garde
Website: www.Lexa.us

*Note this story is in Ilocano

Kumitkita kaniak ti tagtagainep babaen ti sangagasut a matana ket agtalinaedak a nagyelo iti pagiddaak.

Diak ammo no ania ti kayatna, ngem diak pagarupen nga adda kaipapanan dayta a pannakadangran. Magna ti parsua nga umasideg kaniak ket bayat a kitkitaek ti agkir-in a bagina, maawatakon kamaudiananna. Saan lang nga tagtagainep iti tagtagainep. Maysa dayta a pakdaar.

Ti daligmata (diak ammo no kasano nga ammok ti naganna, nagtubo laeng iti ulok) ket padpadasenna nga ibaga kaniak a kasapulak a pasardengen ti pannakapasamak ti ginggined.

“Kasano nga aramidek dayta?” sinaludsodko kadagiti daligmata. Nagtungtung-ed manen kaniak, ket ammok. Masapul a mapanak iti lugar a nakaipasngayan dagiti ginggined. Masapul a kiddawek kadakuada nga agtalinaedda a sitatalna. “Apay a siak? Dimteng ti sungbat iti saludsodko iti layus dagiti pampanunot. Agbibiag ti daligmata kadagiti tagtagainep, ket mabalinna laeng ti aggaraw iti dayta a sakup.

Saanna a pulos a makapan iti pisikal a lubong, uray pay ti pagtaengan dagiti ginggined ken bagyo no awan ti agar-arapaap iti sibayna.

Ket maysa nga agar-arapaap ti adda kenkuana.

Saan a kas iti napeggad ti panagdaliasat a kas iti impagarupko. Adda iti panunotko ti daligmata a mangibagbaga a kasapulak laeng ti agarapaap nga addaak sadiay ket nasayaat ti panangiturongna kaniak. Imbagana kaniak nga arapaapko ti lubong, ngem saan a kas iti ammok. Nagsao dayta maipapan iti horizon, ti pannakabingay ti daga ken ti lubong dagiti natay ken dagiti ngiwat dagiti parsua nga agnanaed sadiay. Dagiti ladawan dagiti uleg a nabalkot iti intero a lubong, nga iggem ti naindaklan a dios a ni Magbabaya, ti nagpusipos iti ulok. Natagtagainepko ti horizon, dagiti uleg, ti Magbabaya. Inar-arapaapko ti lugar a nakaipasngayan dagiti ginggined. Inar-arapaapko ti daga dagiti angin ken bagyo.

Ket iti apagbiit, addanak sadiay.

“Hello mortal.” Maysa a babai a timek ti nangkablaaw kaniak. “Tunggal makitami ti naasiyo a Mangilala gagangay nga adda pakainaiganna iti dayta.”  Simmungbat ti timek ti lalaki. Naamirisko a kitkitaek ti ulo ti dua a higante nga uleg, a tunggal maysa ket dakdakkel ngem iti skyscraper. Mabutengak koma, ngem ti kinadayag dagitoy a dua ti mangparikna kaniak iti kasta unay a panagsiddaaw. Natalged ti riknak iti imatangda.

Induronnak ti daligmata manipud iti likudak ket nalagipko no apay nga addaak sadiay. “Dakkel nga Uleg…” Diak ammo no kasano a tamingen ida, ngem impagarupko a saan a makadangran ti panangipakita iti panagraem. Imbagak kadakuada ti maipapan iti bang-arko, ti higante a ginggined a nangrisut iti siudadko ken nangburak iti pagtaengak.

“Daytoy ti pagtaengan dagiti ginggined, bassit a tao.” Simmungbat ti timek ti lalaki. “Mapataud dagiti panagkintayeg no aggarawtay”. Insungbat ti timek ti babai. “Dagiti garawmi pagtalinaedenda a naigalut ti lubong.”Kinuna ti timek ti lalaki. “Ania ti serserbitayo no awanen ti lubong?” sinaludsod ti timek ti babai.

“No mapasamak ti bang-arko, awanen ti lubongko. Mabalin a bassit a paset dayta ti intero a daga, ngem dayta a bassit a paset ti intero a lubongko. Dayta a siudad ket napateg kaniak a kas iti kinapateg dagiti kontinente kenka.” Ti kadi sungbatko.

“Naturedka.” Kinuna ti timek ti babai. “Awan pay ti mortal a nakasarita kadakami buyogen ti kasta a kinaprangka.” Insungbat ti timek ti lalaki. “Kaaduan a mortal ikagkagumaandatayo nga allilawen dagiti kabusorda.” Simmungbat ti timek ti babai. “Maawaten daytoy a panagbalbaliw.” Insungbat ti timek ti lalaki. “Naikkankami iti annongen a mangtaginayon iti lubong iti lugarna.” Kinuna ti timek ti babai. “Tapno saan a matnag ti daga.” Insungbat ti timek ti lalaki. “Ngem ania ti pagimbagan dayta no madadael ti maysa a lubong iti uneg ti lubong?” sinaludsod ti timek ti babai.

“Aramidenmi ti kiddawenyo. Agtalinaedkami a natalna tapno agtalinaed a nasayaat ti lubongmo.” Nagkaykaysa a simmungbat dagiti Intumbangol. “Inka itan, mortal. Ti pagtaengan dagiti ginggined ket saan a lugar a pagnaedan ti kitayo.”

Inkagumaak ti agyaman kadakuada, ngem nangrugin nga agtaytayab ti napigsa nga angin. Pinidutnak ket dandani diak makaanges. Naranggas unay dagiti bagyo isu nga impagarupko a mapigpisiak.  Nagpukkawak.

Kalpasanna, nariingak.

Naguni ti alarmko. Alas 7 ti bigatin. Ammok a maladawak iti klase no diak agdardaras. Nakaam-amak koma ti trapiko ita, kas iti inaldaw. Nagngangaak ket inkagumaak a lagipen dagiti tagtagainepko. Panagkunak adda uleg ken maysa a bunggoy dagiti mata a mangmatmatmat kaniak, ngem diak malagip ti adu a napalabas dayta.

Napigpigsa pay ti panaguni ti backup alarm-ko ngem iti immuna. Ipasimudaagna ti panangrugi ti talaga nga atiddog ​​nga aldaw.

Sapay koma ta ad-adu pay dagiti makapagagar nga inaramidko.

=————————-=

English Version

The dream stares at me with its hundred eyes and I stay frozen on my bed.

I don’t know what it wants, but I don’t think it means any harm. The creature walks over to me and as I stare at its blinking body, I finally understand. The nightmare wasn’t a nightmare at all. It was a warning. The daligmata (I don’t know how I know its name, it just popped in my head) was trying to tell me I needed to stop the earthquake from happening.

“How do I do that?” I asked the daligmata. It stared at me again, and I knew. I had to go to the place where earthquakes were born. I had to ask them to stay still. “Why me?” The answer to my question came in a flood of thoughts. The daligmata lives in dreams, and it can only move in that realm. It could never go in the physical world, much less the home of earthquakes and storms if it didn’t have a dreamer by its side.

And a dreamer it had.

The journey wasn’t as perilous as I imagined it to be. The daligmata was in my thoughts saying I only need to dream to be there and it guided me well. It told me to dream of the world, but not as I knew it. It spoke of the horizon, the split between the earth and the underworld and the mouths of the creatures that lived there. Images of the snakes wrapped around the world, held up by the great god Magbabaya, swirled in my head. I dreamt of the horizon, of the snakes, of Magbabaya. I dreamt of the place where earthquakes were born. I dreamt of the land of the winds and storms.

And in a flash, I was there.

“Hello mortal.” A feminine voice greeted me. “Whenever we see your kind Mangilala* usually has something to do with it.” A male voice answered back. I realized I was staring at the heads of two gigantic snakes, each bigger than a skyscraper. I would have been scared, but the majesty of the two was making me feel so much awe. I felt safe in their presence.

The daligmata nudged me from behind and I remembered why I was there. “Great Serpents…” I didn’t know how to address them, but I figured showing respect wouldn’t hurt. I told them about the nightmare I had, the giant earthquake that ripped through my city and shattered my home.

“This is the home of earthquakes, little human.” The male voice answered. “The shakes are caused when we move.” The female voice replied. “Our movements keep the world tethered.” Said the male voice. “What use are we if the world is gone?” The female voice asked.

“If my nightmare happens, my world would be gone. It may be a small part of the entire earth, but that tiny bit is my whole world. That city is as important to me as the continents are to you.” Was my answer.

“You are brave.” The female voice said. “No mortal has ever spoken to us with such candor.” The male voice replied. “Most mortals try to trick us into destroying their enemies.” The female voice answered. “This is a welcome change.” The male voice replied. “We are tasked to keep the world in place.” The female voice said. “To keep the earth from falling away.” The male voice replied. “But what good is that if a world within the world is broken?” The female voice asked.

“We will do as you ask. We will stay still so your world may be kept intact.” The Intumbangol replied in unison. “Go now, mortal. The home of earthquakes is no place for your kind to be.”

I tried to thank them, but a strong wind started blowing. It picked me up and I almost couldn’t breathe. The gusts were so violent I thought I was being ripped apart. I screamed.

Then I woke up.

My alarm was going off. It was 7 AM. I knew I would be late for class if I didn’t hurry. The traffic would be terrible today, like every day. I yawned and tried to remember the dreams I had. I think there was a snake and a bunch of eyes looking at me, but I couldn’t recall much past that.

My backup alarm rang even louder than the first one. It signaled the start of a really long day.

I wish I did more exciting things.

————————–————————–———————–

*The Bukidnon god of temptation

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

Written by Karl Gaverza
Ilocano translation by Princess Jaselle
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Princess Jaselle

Inspired by the Intumbangol description in The Soul Book. Demetrio, Cordero-Fernando &Zialcita 1991. And the Daligmata descriptions in Songs and Gifts at the Frontier : Person and Exchange in the Agusan Manobo Possession Ritual. Buenconsejo. 2002. & 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang. Samar. 2015.

Intumbangol Illustration by Nadine Cabe
Tumblr: http://nadinecabe.tumblr.com/

Watercolor by Alexa Garde
Website: www.Lexa.us

In the Land of Dreams Part 2

The dream stares at me with its hundred eyes and I stay frozen on my bed.

I don’t know what it wants, but I don’t think it means any harm. The creature walks over to me and as I stare at its blinking body, I finally understand. The nightmare wasn’t a nightmare at all. It was a warning. The daligmata (I don’t know how I know its name, it just popped in my head) was trying to tell me I needed to stop the earthquake from happening.

“How do I do that?” I asked the daligmata. It stared at me again, and I knew. I had to go to the place where earthquakes were born. I had to ask them to stay still. “Why me?” The answer to my question came in a flood of thoughts. The daligmata lives in dreams, and it can only move in that realm. It could never go in the physical world, much less the home of earthquakes and storms if it didn’t have a dreamer by its side.

And a dreamer it had.

The journey wasn’t as perilous as I imagined it to be. The daligmata was in my thoughts saying I only need to dream to be there and it guided me well. It told me to dream of the world, but not as I knew it. It spoke of the horizon, the split between the earth and the underworld and the mouths of the creatures that lived there. Images of the snakes wrapped around the world, held up by the great god Magbabaya, swirled in my head. I dreamt of the horizon, of the snakes, of Magbabaya. I dreamt of the place where earthquakes were born. I dreamt of the land of the winds and storms.

And in a flash, I was there.

“Hello mortal.” A feminine voice greeted me. “Whenever we see your kind Mangilala* usually has something to do with it.” A male voice answered back. I realized I was staring at the heads of two gigantic snakes, each bigger than a skyscraper. I would have been scared, but the majesty of the two was making me feel so much awe. I felt safe in their presence.

The daligmata nudged me from behind and I remembered why I was there. “Great Serpents…” I didn’t know how to address them, but I figured showing respect wouldn’t hurt. I told them about the nightmare I had, the giant earthquake that ripped through my city and shattered my home.

“This is the home of earthquakes, little human.” The male voice answered. “The shakes are caused when we move.” The female voice replied. “Our movements keep the world tethered.” Said the male voice. “What use are we if the world is gone?” The female voice asked.

“If my nightmare happens, my world would be gone. It may be a small part of the entire earth, but that tiny bit is my whole world. That city is as important to me as the continents are to you.” Was my answer.

“You are brave.” The female voice said. “No mortal has ever spoken to us with such candor.” The male voice replied. “Most mortals try to trick us into destroying their enemies.” The female voice answered. “This is a welcome change.” The male voice replied. “We are tasked to keep the world in place.” The female voice said. “To keep the earth from falling away.” The male voice replied. “But what good is that if a world within the world is broken?” The female voice asked.

“We will do as you ask. We will stay still so your world may be kept intact.” The Intumbangol replied in unison. “Go now, mortal. The home of earthquakes is no place for your kind to be.”

I tried to thank them, but a strong wind started blowing. It picked me up and I almost couldn’t breathe. The gusts were so violent I thought I was being ripped apart. I screamed.

Then I woke up.

My alarm was going off. It was 7 AM. I knew I would be late for class if I didn’t hurry. The traffic would be terrible today, like every day. I yawned and tried to remember the dreams I had. I think there was a snake and a bunch of eyes looking at me, but I couldn’t recall much past that.

My backup alarm rang even louder than the first one. It signaled the start of a really long day.

I wish I did more exciting things.

————————–————————–———————–

*The Bukidnon god of temptation

Continued from the Daligmata’s Tale

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Intumbangol description in The Soul Book. Demetrio, Cordero-Fernando &Zialcita 1991. And the Daligmata descriptions in Songs and Gifts at the Frontier : Person and Exchange in the Agusan Manobo Possession Ritual. Buenconsejo. 2002. & 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang. Samar. 2015.

Intumbangol Illustration by Nadine Cabe
Tumblr: http://nadinecabe.tumblr.com/

Watercolor by Alexa Garde
Website: www.Lexa.us

A Failed Expedition Part 2

“We need to keep moving,” Manuel tries to encourage me to keep going but I’m too tired. We’ve been running for hours and it doesn’t seem like we’re any safer than when Johann died.

My heart is racing. The Mantahungal seems to like playing with its food, Manuel and I can hear the sound of its hooves whenever we try to rest. I don’t know where it is, but I know it’s watching us.

Manuel holds his shotgun close and no matter how smart this thing is, it won’t be a match for a well-placed bullet, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. We already lost Johann and there’s no way we’re going to make any mistakes with that thing around.

It’s already midnight and the moon is full. The added light helps us move through the jungle. Manuel’s leading us toward the coast, there are caves in the area and we can stay in one of them for shelter until the morning comes. I hope by then the Mantahungal gets tired and moves on to something else.

Manuel can see how tired I am and he gives us five minutes to rest before we continue. At this point I can see the moonlight settling on the sand at the beach and I breathe a sigh of relief. We’re going to make it out of here alive after all.

The cave wasn’t hard to find. Within half an hour we were able to set up something resembling a camp and thankfully we still had all our supplies. Manuel and I decided on taking turns keeping watch. We would be able to hear the Mantahungal if it entered the cave, making it easier to defend ourselves.

I take the first shift, the shotgun feels heavy in my hands, but Manuel’s been leading us through the jungle for hours. He deserves a break. I take position by the cave entrance and wait. Sunrise should be in a few hours anyway and we can figure out what we’re going to do then.

“You seem tired.” I hear a woman’s voice from somewhere. I’m probably hearing things. This whole are is supposed to be uninhabited. I’m too tired to think clearly anyway.

“Sssshh. It’s time to go to sleep.” I hear the voice again. This time it sounds a lot calmer. I can hear it echoing through the cave.

“Go rest, everything’s all right.” I can feel my eyelids getting heavier. Even if I am hearing things, a few minutes won’t make a difference. I’ll just wake up right after.

I close my eyes.

The morning sun hits my face and wakes me up. Everything seems to be okay, the entrance is undisturbed and looks like the Mantahungal left us alone. I decide to wake Manuel up and plan our next move.

There’s only one problem.

He’s gone.

————————–————————–————————–—–

Story continued from the Mantahungal’s Tale

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Story inspired by ‘The Fairy and the Fisherman’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Bulalacao Illustration by Nadine Cabe
Tumblr: http://nadinecabe.tumblr.com/

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