Pangasinan Translation – Philippine Spirits

Anggitay – Pangasinan Translation

admin — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 06:19:27 +0000

*Note this story is in Pangasinan

Manlapu ed eges na dalin binmaleg ak

Onsinag a singa agew ed kabuasan

Diad limam et sasamalen ko iray kamarerwa

Tan mangitonton ed amin a totoo ed kadederal

Anto ak?

“Bangon ka.”

“Anto..? Antoy nagagawa?”

“Mansasalita ka lalamet ed ugip mo.”

Oh, pasensia la. Nayarin alabas lay panaon ko.

“Tinmunda lay uran.”

“Kasin ontan? Maong tan ta pian sa wakas makapanpicture tayo’y masasanting.”

“Iparaan ko la so amin. Iparaan moy sarilim, wala ni pigaran oras na liwawa na agew.”

“Okay la. Abuloyan yo ak a manpales. Komon ta nasumpal tayo la iyan panag-shoot ya aga sagabal so panaon.”

“Oh wow.”

“Anto?”

“Walay rainbow ed beneg mo.”

“Nayarin aliwan ontan lan mauges so panaon.”

Ambetel ya benbenan

Anggapoy peteg a liwawak

Balet agkon balot nabalang

Anto ak?

Binmangon ya ambetebetel so inget to. Satan lamet so kugip to, saray sinag na liwawa, saray otot ya taew ed uma tan say makapataktakot a karutakan a tinmumbok. Impanonot to ed inkasikato a diad apalabas et wala ni ray mas importantin bengatla a kaukolan ton asikasoen.

Sikatoy atagey a manalalagey, a say saklor to et mankirlap ed ambilunget a ungib a panaayaman to. Wala so kayamanan a naromog ed sarayan palandey, tan alaen to so amin a nayarian ton sakbaten.

Anggaman ontan, siansia nin sankanonot to iray agawad apalabas. Nanonotan to so datin ngaran to tan say paraan na panamabli na karakpan to ed sankamakapanyarian a dios. Insamba to so ngaran na Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan tan nilukdaan to so dalin. No aliwan lapud sikato et wala ni so dakep to.

No naala to la so kayamanan to, onaligwas la so amin, tan sikatoy magmaliw lan sigpot lamet. Anggapo lay panaon ya onlabas ed kabilungetan na sayan ungib. Agla la kaukolan ya alagaren so uran pian makapan-anup. Anggapo lay onnengneng ed itsura to tan onnengneng ed ayep a nagmaliw lan sikato.

Diad kaarawi et nanengneng to iray sinag na liwawa. Kayamanan? Say puso to so ngalngali agmakapansiansia. Tinmunda lay uran, balet agto la aalagaren so miasawa ed sikato. Panaon la pian man anap.

Onagos ak ed karakel na danum

Diad Interon Mundo

Agak ni arawi ed pakayari

Ta say pakayari so inkasiak

Anto ak?

Say masnag a dios so onnengneng manlapud katawenan tan oneeyag. Tinmaynan lamet ya agto kaibay. Sikatoy akayurong ed saray lurem na Skyworld tan nanonotan to iray daan a pisusumpa tan saray maimon a dirios.

Ampetang so ngarem ed tiagew sanen agawa itan, say masnag a dios so angiter ed bii na regalo to a masnag a liwawa tan inusar to itan pian magmaliw a singa saray dirios so itsura to. Say mairap-bilay a bii, a mas mabambanday nen say makabat, et lapud inkamapaatagey to et ninonot ton labanan so sakey a diosa. Sikatoy masiswerte, diad sakey a paraan,. No asakitan to la si Ynaguinid et agla mabilay pian apigeren so aderal a bilay to.

Balet ag-itan agawa ed anggan iner.

Siempre, ginawa toy anggad nayarian to. Impawil to ed sikato so kabaleg a nayarian to. Balet ag-itan nalabanan na pakayari na pasakitan to. Say diosa na inkaagum so mapaatagey a singa say pakapanyari to.

Inkamapaatagey. Andi-kakanaan. Inkamapaatagey. Ompan mas dakel so pamparehoan na saray dirios ed saray totoo nen say labay dan aminen.

Komon ta say bii et aglinmasur ed sagradon kiew na diosa.

No agto komon anengneng iray dwende ya akasulong na saray sako na kayamanan.

Komon ta agto la imbaga a sikato so sankaabigan.

Say puso to et naermenan nin siansia. Anggaman ontan, siansia nin agnibales so panangaro to. Iilaloan to a no natulongan ton ompawil ed peteg a kipapasen to et nanengneng to lanlamang a sarag da lay mankakasakey.

Balet agto itan inilaloan. Say masnag a dios so naningongot tan imbulos to so liwawa to diad dalin. Ompan naromog to lanlamang so aanapen to.

Say sipan ko et sakey a kugip

Saray napnapno na eges

Tan kawayangan

Paneknek na maong a linawa

Anto ak?

“Anengneng mo itan?!”

“Inisip ko ya atagtagey itayo la parad saray kabayo?!”

“Sika tayo, Agko amta no antoy gagawaen na satan a bengatla dia.”

“Kasin anengneng mon maong itan?”

“Napaliisan ko, ompan aka-record ak la.”

“Nepeg tayon onalis la, ta agko labay so ompawil no onsabi. Aliwan maong ak ed saray ayayep.”

“Okay, prinsesa. Iisipen ko a wala lay magenap a litrato parad saray editor a pilien da. Mansalat ka la pian makapanakar-akar tayo. Ompan makasabi tayo la antis ya onseselek so agew.”

“Okay, magano ak labat.”

Wala so kayamanan a naromog, balet aliwan satan so aanapen to. Anggapo ed saya so patas. Akin a sikato so nisamba pian mansiansia ed sayan makapataktakot a nengneng to? Say diosa et abebbeba tan mapaatagey. Onagus iray lua ed datin marakdakep a lupa to legan ya oneepas so uran ed dalin.

Amta na masnag a dios so sakey ya aspekto na ayew ya ag-amta na bii. Say diosa na inkaagum so angibulos na balitok ed mata na bii ta pian naynay ton anapen so kayamanan ya agto naromog. Satan so unor a panaginsulto pian lalon onloor so sakit to. Gawaen to so anggaay nayarian to, lapud diad puso to et labalabay ton nakaiba.

“Kasin maong ka?”

“On, balet iisipen kon kaukolan tayon alagaren ya ontunda lay uran.”

“Agko la iilaloan so mapitek a biahe.”

“Tundaan mo lay manreklamo, ta diad sayan biahe et wala ray balibalin litrato tayo.”

“Nengnengen ta pa…. Maong, duga ka, anggan panon et balibali itsurak. Alagar ka, agko nanonotan iyan sakey.”

“Iisipen ko a satan so kabayo. Makapalek, say buek to et singa met la buek mo.”

“Tinawag mo ak ya kabayo?”

“Manrelaks ka. Alagaren tayo ni labat ya onarawi iray lurem pian makaalis tayo la.”

Say pitek so tinmerak ed palandey sanen pinmawil so marikit ed ungib to. Sakey ya agew et nipawil ed sikato so marakdakep ya itsura to insan to ipanengneng ed amin a dirios no anto so peteg a kanepegan to.

=——————-=

English Version

Out of earth’s womb I grow

Glistening like the morning sun

In your hands I poison souls

And lead all men to ruin

What am I?

“Wake up.”

“Wha..? What’s happening?”

“You’re talking in your sleep again.”

“Oh, sorry. Must have been up too late.”

“It stopped raining.”

“Did it? That’s good we can finally take some nice pictures.”

“I’ll get everything set up. Get yourself ready, we still have a few more hours of sunlight.”

“All right. Let me get dressed. Hopefully we can finish this shoot without the weather getting in the way.”

“Oh wow.”

“What?”

“There’s a rainbow behind you.”

“Maybe the weather’s not so bad after all.”

Cold to the touch

I have no true light

Yet I will never be lost

What am I?

She wakes up with a cold sweat. It was that dream again, the flashes of light, the yellow field mice and the wretched ugliness that followed. She reminded herself that it was in the past, there were more important things that needed her attention.

She stood tall, her ivory horn shining bright in the dark cave that housed her. There was treasure to be found in these mountains, and she would take all that she could carry.

Still, flashes of the past crept into her thoughts. She remembered her old name and the way her beauty would inspire love in even the mightiest god. She cursed the name of Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan and spat at the floor. If it wasn’t for her she would still have her beauty.

Once she had her treasure all would be well, she would finally be whole again. No more passing time in the darkness of this cave. No more having to wait after the raindrops for her chance to hunt. No more looking at her reflection and staring into the monster that she had become.

In the distance she could see flashes of light. Treasure? Her heart could barely contain itself. The rain had stopped, but she would not wait for her suitor. It was time to hunt.

I flow in a current

Throughout the world

I am never far from power

For power is what I am

What am I?

The bright god looks down from the heavens and sighs. She has gone without him again. He sits among the clouds of the Skyworld and reminisces about old rivalries and jealous gods.

It had been a warm summer afternoon when it happened, the bright god had given the girl the gift of his prismatic light and she used it to make her beauty rival the gods’. The poor girl, more vain than wise, it was in her hubris that she thought to challenge a goddess. She was lucky, in a way. Had she offended Ynaguinid she would not be alive to pick up the pieces of her broken life.

But that was neither here nor there.

He did his best, of course. He gave her back what beauty he could. But there was no fighting the power of her curse. The goddess of greed was as prideful as she was powerful.

Pride. Vanity. Hubris. Maybe the gods had more in common with mortals than they would like to admit.

If only the girl had not passed by the goddess’ sacred grove.

If only she had not seen the dwarves carrying the sacks of treasure.

If only she had not claimed that she was the fairest.

His heart would still be broken. In the midst of everything his love was still unrequited. He hoped that if he could help her return to her true form she would finally see that they could be together.

But he would not hold out hope for that. The bright god sighed and set loose his light towards the earth. Maybe she would finally find what she was looking for.

My promise is a dream

Of full stomachs

And freedom

A testimony to good faith

What am I?

“Did you see that?!”

“I thought we were too high up for horses?!”

“We are, I don’t know what that thing is doing here.”

“Did you get a good look at it?”

“It was too fast, I think I got it on camera.”

“We should go, I don’t want to be here when it gets back. I’m not good around animals.”

“Alright, princess. I think we have enough shots for the editors to choose from anyway. Get changed and we can start hiking. I think we can make it down before sunset.”

“Fine, I’ll be fast.”

There was treasure to be had, but not what she had been looking for. None of this was fair. Why was she the one that was cursed to stay in this horrible form? The goddess was petty and despicable. Tears flowed from her once-beautiful face as the raindrops pattered on the ground.

The bright god knew one aspect of the curse that the girl did not. The goddess of greed blew gold into the girl’s eyes so that she would forever chase treasure that she could not find. It was a final insult to add to her injury. He would do what he could, for in his heart he longed to have her near.

“Are you good?”

“Yeah, but I think we have to wait for the rain to stop.”

“I’m not looking forward to the muddy trek.”

“Stop complaining, at least we got some good shots out of this trip.”

“Let me see…. Fine, you’re right, at least I look good. Wait, I don’t remember this one.”

“I think that was the horse. Funny, its mane almost looks like your hair.”

“Did you just call me a horse?”

“Relax. Let’s just wait for the clouds to clear and we can get out of here.”

Mud splashed though the mountain as the girl returned to her cave. Someday she would have her beauty back and then she would show all the gods what she truly deserved.

=—————————–=

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

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Nelmar A. Mallari, MDC
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the myth of the Anggitay and the Visayan goddess of greed, Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan.

Anggitay Illustration by Abe Joncel Guevarra Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joncel/

Datu of the Buso – Pangasinan Translation

admin — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 12:33:52 +0000

*Note this story is in Pangasinan

Ambelat so pakalikas to may golungolung ed saray taklay to may priso. Sikatoy inawit da ed basil na kuarto. Nen timmuntong may priso ed palasyo, anta to la a sikatoy pateyen da. Kaambagelan ingen ya ninonot to ni a onla ed syudad na Buso, balet anta to a gloria so akasalalay dia. No atakew to labat kumon iman.

Mamarlang so silew da iramay sulo dimad kuarto, balet anggapoy laban da ed samay apoy a manlalapo diman ed trono. Puro istorya labat so nadngel to may priso nipaakar ed sayan pinalsa, balet iraman a salita et ag makapangiter na hustisya ed sayan makapataktakot ya akayurong ed arapan to.

Manterter so dala ed sangi to may Datu. Akarengel may priso a makapataktakot na tanol – singa pukel a tetemeken. Nimmengneng ed sikato may Datu gamit imay saksakey ton mata a kolor ambalanga. Walay inyesaes to ed lenguahe to, tan abulos may priso ed samay golungolung to. Agto sigurado no antoy nagagawa, balet, no ibase diyad batik na kapalaran ed pinambilay to, aliwan maabig iman.

Naniter ya dalan iramay guardia a Buso tan da pinaulyanan a lukas so puerta. Bimmatik may priso. Agto paulyanan a nabulos iyan pankanawnawa. No sikato et ipapaekal da la, aya so labay da. Balet no aya et sananey, anggano panon et walay tsansa to.

Ngalngali to la nasabi imay sular balet sikatoy naunaan a baleg a apoy.

Say saklor na Datu ya singa garing et mankirlap ed apoy. Inegnaan toy ulo na priso tan ginmapon angan. Mankelaw iray guardia no akin et lanang a pangagalawan to may Datu iray kakanen to, balet ag lara inmesel. Gagawaen na ari so labay to.

————————————–=

English Version

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

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

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

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

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

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

=—————————————=

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Rengel Arconado
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

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

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

Buwaya – Pangasinan Translation

admin — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 08:23:24 +0000

*Note this story is in Pangasinan

“Aya man ya pasen”

Ginawat nen Miguel may narel to tan inmingas na aralem. Baleg ya sira so asingkat to. Labay to kumon ya ipanta may narel to ed arum ya sumisigay, balet makaalagar so panadpasirayew ed arum ya agew.

Sikatoy manggagawa na panangyatang katon agto labay a nagunigon.

“Nono, ipiprisintak iyay narel ko ed sika. Kumon et alaen mo iyay isasaklang ko”.

Nanalagar si Miguel. Kaukolan ton respetoen so tradisyon ya manbantay anggat aman ya pinalsa et nasumpal na kanen imay insaklang to.

Linmabas so sakey oras, insan to anengneng imay kahon. Inaawat da imay insaklang to. Ompawil la iman ya pinalsa ed kaaraleman pian manliket ed panangan to.

Ag to anta nen Miguel no kapigan ginmapo iyan tradisyon. Anggano nen saman ni, lanang to lan nononoten no akin et isasaklang da iray sumisigay so nauna dan erel anggano antoy kabaleg to.

Anta ton say buaya et kaaro da iray aswang tan mamanngan met ya laman na too no akaliknay eras. Balet say simplin takot et ag mapenek a paliwawa ed sayan tradisyon ya panangyatang.

Respeto ya, puro tan simpli. Walay no anto ed saman a buaya a karespe-respeto. Ninonot to no akin et “laki” so tawag da ed saman a buaya.

Nayarin too iman nensaman, ya insamba ya eray dios, tan manaanap na respeto na saray kabyangay boleg to.

Ampano sikatoy espiritu a manliliber-liber tapyan mangiter a dakel a sira ed saramay makanonot ed saray tradisyon.

Nayari met a sikatoy masibeg ya ayep a kaukolan a pakanen antis a mananap a biktimaen ton too.

Tan antoy nipaakar to imay kahon ed beneg to? Diman to labat kaya ikakarga iray biktima to anggad oras la ya panangan to? O wala ni kayay arom ya misteryon akatekep diman?

No anto man iman, maliket si Miguel a aliwan sikato so karga to may kahon, tan mas makakaliket a sikatoy pasempet la.

“Onsipot ak la, Nono. Anggad ontumbok”, inkuan ton maalwar ed ilog.

=——————–=

English Version

“This is the spot.”

Miguel reached for his first catch and breathed deep. It was a large fish, something that he would be proud to show to the other fishermen, but pride could wait another day.

He was performing the panangyatang and he would not be disturbed.

“Nono* I present this catch to you. Please accept my offering.”

Miguel waited, he had to respect the tradition by witnessing it finish eating his catch.

An hour passed, then he saw the box. The offering had been accepted and it would be going back to the depths to enjoy its meal.

Miguel didn’t know when the tradition started. He always wondered why fishermen would give up their first catch, no matter how big.

He knew that the buwaya was a friend to the aswang and partook of human flesh when it was particularly hungry, but simple fear wasn’t enough to explain the panangyatang.

This was respect, pure and simple. There was something about the buwaya that commanded reverence. He thought to the reason why the buwaya was called ‘grandfather’.

Maybe it was human once, cursed by the gods, and it seeks the respect of its descendants.

Maybe it is a wandering spirit bringing a bountiful catch to those that remember the traditions.

Maybe it is a bloodthirsty beast that needs to be fed before it seeks out human prey.

And what of the box on its back? Does it just keep its victims there, until it is time to feed, or is there something more mysterious at work?

Whatever the answers, Miguel was glad not to be in that box, and even gladder that he was on his way home.

“Goodbye nono, until the next time,” he whispered softly to the river.

*Means grandfather or ghost

=———————————–=

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Rengel Arconado
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the buwaya description in El Folk-lore Filipino. Isabelo de los Reyes, trans. Dizon and Peralta-Imson. 1994. (Original Spanish Manuscript Printed 1889)

Buwaya Illustration by Kael Molo of Agla – The Graphic Novel

Agalon Hayopan – Pangasinan Translation

admin — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 04:07:20 +0000

*Note this story is in Pangasinan

“Grrrah,” Inmakis so buwaya.

“Mampainawa ka la, magano lan onsabi so naakan, pian walay naakan tayon dua.” Maaron inkuan na aswang ed alaga to.

Mairap so mananap na ayep ed sarayan agew, amta na totoo a sayan pasen ed katakelan so pasen a panaganen na aswang tan say ayayep to, balet ag-itan makapangigapo ed sikato a mananap na naakan.

“Kaukolan tayo labat so onasingger ed baryo, tan mas onaligwas so amin a bengatla,” Say buwaya so nanngulngul lamet tan pinaseguroan na aswang. “Amtak, makalmo kami na pigaran ugugaw, amtak ya labalabay yo so panangan na saratan.”

Malikeliket ya inmawet so ikol na buwaya; pigay bulan to lan ag-agawa itan.

On, onasingger itayo ed baryo tan manggawa na patit. Naerel tayo iramay manlangoy ed gilig na ilog! Akiulop si aswang ed ayep to diad gilig na ilog.

Sikatoy narasan, tan ontan met so alaga to. Lapud panag-alwar na totoo, mairap so pananap na tagano. Say unor a panangan da et sakey a managsigay a dinmalan ed kaarawi na katakelan. Sikatoy mabisbiskeg tan maruksa, ya ag-itan labalabay na balang sakey ed sikara.

Say aswang et amin a imis balet. Amta to a dakdakel so naala ton ayep. Sikatoy lawas nanmatalek ed biskeg na ayayep to pian narel so tagano ra, agto singa arum ya aswang a mantikyab ed kaliberliber na baryo pian manaktakot ed saray totoo.

Sikatoy sakey ya agalon hayopan, sakey a klase na aswang a mamapabaleg ed saray buwaya pian mananap ya nabuwag da. Mabetbet a babalawen tan tatawagen na arum ya aswang a mangiras iray kapara ran totoo, balet agda amta so irap a kaukolan na sakey pian napabaleg labat so sakey a buwaya manlapud sakey ya iknol.

Nampalner lamet so alaga to tan inmelek. Pigay taon iran nankakasakey tan pinabaleg to iyan buwaya manlapu la’d inkaugaw to. Amta to iray ugali tan ugali to a singa met ed sikato. Sikara so agnibiig. Amta to a no walay kanen to, magmaliw lan mangiras.

“Wadia kami la,” so aswang tan say alaga to so akaalagey ed gilig na ilog.

“Panaon la pian mangala na naakan.”

“Grrrah,” so ebat na alaga to.

=—————————–=

English Version

“Grrrah,” The crocodile groaned.

“Hush now, the food will come by soon, then we will both have something to eat.” The aswang said lovingly to her pet.

Prey was hard to come by these days, the humans knew that this place in the swamp was the hunting ground for the aswang and her pet, but that wasn’t about to stop her from finding a meal.

“We just have to go closer to the village, and then everything will be better,” The crocodile grunted again and the aswang reassured him. “I know, we’ll find some children, I know how much you like the taste of those.”

The crocodile wagged its tail with joy; it had not had that treat in many months.

“Yes, let’s go nearer to the village and set a trap. We can catch the ones swimming by the river!” The aswang walked alongside her pet to the riverbank.

She was hungry, and so was her pet. Due to the human’s caution, food was hard to find. The last meal they both had was a fisherman that strayed too far into the swamp. He was stringy and tough, not a dinner that either of them savored.

The aswang was all smiles though. She knew that prey would be plentiful. She had always relied on the strength of her pet to catch their meals, she was not like the other aswang who would fly around the village terrorizing the humans.

She was an agalon hayopan, a kind of aswang that would raise crocodiles to hunt their prey for them. The other aswang would often jeer and call their kind lazy, but they would never know the hardship one would take just to raise a single crocodile from an egg.

Her pet grumbled again and she laughed. They spent years together and she had raised this one ever since he was a hatchling. She knew his quirks and quips just as well as he knew hers. They were inseparable. She knew that once he had something to eat, he would change back to his lazy self.

“We’re here,” The aswang and her pet stood by the river.

“Time to get some food.”

“Grrrah,” replied her pet.

=——————–=

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Nelmar A. Mallari, MDC
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Agalon Hayopan legend from Bicol: Filipinas Volume 12, Page 53, Filipinas Pub., 2003

Agalon Hayopan Illustration by NightmareSyrup
Tumblr: http://nightmaresyrup.tumblr.com/

Arimaonga – Pangasinan Translation

admin — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 05:08:28 +0000

*Note this story is in Pangasinan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

=———————–=

English Version

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

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

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

That is, until I saw the lion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

————————–————————–————————-

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Dean Alfred Narra
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

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

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

Babaylan – Pangasinan Translation

admin — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 11:19:30 +0000

*Note this story is in Pangasinan

“Natatakot ak.”

“Ag ka natatakot, anako. Gawaën na saray espiritu so kaukolan.”

“Anto’y nagawa’d siyak?”

“Unla tan duwa ëd samay Balete insan taka itilak diman. Unirong ka’d sirong to may kiyëw, tan iyakar ka’d kawalaan ëd tagëy na tawën tan kawalaan ëd dalëm na dalin.

“Akin?”

“Piyan niyanak ka lamët.”

“Nasakitan ak ëd saya?”

“Ag… ag ko la nanonotan. Abayag la lapo’d samay siyak so abinyagan. Balët ag ka natatakot, anako, ipanëngnëng da’d sika so balon mundo.”

“Lapo’d saya katon makakatikyab kayo?”

“On, anako. Atan insan amayamay ni. Nanlapo ak la’d sangkaaralëman na dayat tan diya’d dalëm daray laman a totoo. Akatongtong ko la ray ispiritu ëd sayan mundo tan diya’d untombok. Akalinma ak la’d saray pasën a ag la nanëngnëng lamët na saray totoo. Balët naksawan ak la.”

“Wadya ti la.”

“Dëngël mo ray ispiritu. Igiya da ka ya singa no panon da ak inggiya’d intiron bilay ko.”

“Nanëngnëng taka ni?”

“Siopa’y makaamta no anto’y gabayën na saray ispiritu? Manpatanir ak la, anako, itilak ko ray totook ëd sika.”

“Asikaso yo la, Bai.”

“Sinmiplog so dagëm nën inmirong imay bii diya’d lëksab a Balete. Binmayag lapo’d pigan agëw angga’d pigaran simba ya ag inmalis imay ugaw. Maamta iramay apadalan ëd sikato ya ag pibabalian so panagdalëpdëp to. Nën sinmabi so sampot a labin mangitër a balon palbangon, inmalagëy sikato insan marëën a nampasalamat ëd saray ispiritu.

Anëngnëng na balon mata to so akaamot a mundon akapalibër ëd bilay to nën saman. Ag to la ninonot so ungngiriyët.

Walay kimëyën ton nëpëg a sumpalën.

=————————-=

English Version

“I’m scared.”

“You don’t need to be, child. The spirits will do as they will.”

“What will happen to me?”

“We will both go to the Balete tree and I will leave you there. You will sit underneath the tree and be taken to the Skyworld and the Lower World.”

“Why?”

“To be reborn.”

“Will it hurt?”

“I…. don’t remember. It has been so long since I went through my initiation. Don’t be scared child, they will let you see a new world.”

“Is that why you can fly?”

“Yes, child. That and much more. I have been to the depths of the sea and inside the bodies of humans. I have spoken to the spirits in this world and the next. I have traveled to places that no human will ever see again. And I am tired.”

“We are here.”

“Listen to the spirits. They will guide you as they have guided me all my life.”

“Will I see you again?”

“Who knows what the spirits will allow? Goodbye child, I leave my people to you.”

“Goodbye, Lola.”

The winds buffeted the girl as she sat beneath the Balete tree. The days stretched into weeks and she did not move a single inch. Those that passed by knew better than to interrupt her journey. When the last night finally gave way to a new dawn she stood up and quietly thanked the spirits.

Her new eyes finally saw the invisible world that surrounded her old life. She did not think to smile.

She had work that needed to be done.

————————–————————–————————–—–

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Dean Alfred Narra
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Baylan initiation ritual as described in The Soul Book. Demetrio & Cordero-Fernando 1991.

Babaylan Illustration by emirajuju
IG: https://www.instagram.com/emirajuju/

Watercolor by Catherine Chiu
FB: Wildling Child
IG: https://www.instagram.com/wildlingchild/

Kapre – Pangasinan Translation

admin — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 08:10:17 +0000

*Note this story is in Pangasinan

Walay pangyayari ya abuten toy taon no polyanan mo.

Say oras walay tutomboken balet anggapolay makalampas sed takot aya so naaral ko pigaran taonlay apalabas.

Wad ja agkoanta ya emostra no antoyala.

Biglaan ya wadtan agko namalayan andi andi biglaan la.

Nanunutan kolay mapmaples ya kaloskos ya aray bulong walay maermen ya elek ya sakey ya laki balet angob ya tabako.

Agko nalingwanan ya atagey walay kaya tod kaatagey oparatan ya totoo.

Mansusupsop ya asewek ed sigarilyo akin balet manniningning ed siyak.

Abalang-abala manpepesak ked kaabay ya palandey ipamagak sigoradong naalak na ani umpisaak ya unirong dimad silong ya sengeg ya balete piyano makasilong.

Abangon nak ya wadtanla nan ningningan kami parang pigaran agiw ya bagay anggad binetag toy kaermenan.

“Kumusta, inararo taka.”

Nakakarengil lak la ya tungtongan pano napelag so puso ray bibii aray kapre.

Nanunutan koy istoryay sakey ya bii ngarantoy juana lanang ya tutomboken ya kapre mansalat ya itsurato para manobya sya.

Pinutokan day bala ng paltog ya kapulisan nen aningning da balet sakey lan sengeg na punte nawalay abot na nanlapod balay paltog.

Agtoka maligtas tay balay paltog agko anta no antoy nayari.

Taloran salita para mabaldado ed takot unaakis ya ibabagag so ebat ko.

“Agtaka inaro, agku anta no sopaya.”

Antolay itsura toyay kapre say mangibabaga amin ya nakabatan ko ya nasasakitan ko aya so mas ansakited utik ya mangalay paltog.

Nansopsop siya uli ng sigarilyo at umimiss.

“Nakabatan mo no anto ak et.”

Bigla na angapo dimad singeg na keyew.

Walay kakalbang nangyayari na duga siya.

Lumampas laytaon ya agko inasahan ya tumboken to ak ya anyani agko inasahan ya magkaaro kami mas subrapa sa kaaro.

Ayay bilay natnoy pangarap ya agga natutoloy atay natnoy surpresa.

Wadtan so kapre kada magoloy pusok kada di kami makapantalosay familyak.

Wadtanla nen abalang so anakkong panguloan nen bimmaleg iray anakko ya maksil.

Ipapaningning toy presensya to ya melmelag ya.

=—————————=

English Version

There are moments that stretch into years if you let them. Time has many masters, but none more potent than fear, this I learned many years ago.

It….He… I don’t know how to describe whatever it was. It just suddenly appeared before me, no, not suddenly. I remember the sound of rushing leaves, the soft laughter of a man and the smell of tobacco. I could never forget it.

He was tall, taller than any human had any right to be. He took a puff from his cigar and just stared at me.

I’m getting ahead of myself. I was doing chores in the field next to the forest, drying the laundry and making sure that the harvest would be ready when I sat under the Balete tree for some shade.

I woke up and he was there. We stared at each other for what felt like days, until he broke the silence.

“Hello, I love you.”

I had heard stories of the Kapre falling in love with human women before. I even remember a story of a girl named Juana who was stalked by her Kapre and the creature even changed form to be that of her lover. It was shot at by police officers but when they looked at the creature they only found a tall banana tree with bullet holes.

Bullets couldn’t save me now, I didn’t know what could. Three simple words were all that it took to paralyze me with fear and I cried as I said my reply.

“I don’t love you, I don’t even know who you are.”

The look on the Kapre’s face told me all I needed to know. I had hurt it. Far more than if I had taken a gun and shot it.
He took another drag out of his cigar and smiled.

“You will know me, and you will love me.”

Then, he vanished into his tree.

The strange part was he was right. Years had passed and I expected to be stalked by a monster, I had never expected that it… he… would become my friend, and then something more.

Life is full of expectations that are never met; it is even more full of surprises.

The Kapre was there through every broken heart, every fight with my family. He was there when I lost my first child, and when my other children grew to be strong.

He would show his presence in the small ways, a shower of stone outside my house, the smell of his cigar wafting on the wind, but I always knew he was there. A silent protector.

In return I would never let anyone harm his home, the Balete tree was as much my home as it was his. I spent countless nights, watching the stars with him watching over me.

And here I sit, 80 summers have passed through my life and I am under the Balete tree with my love.

“I know you, and I have loved you.”

————————–————————–————————–———

Written by Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Kapre Myths and description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Kapre Illustration by Abe Joncel Guevarra
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joncel/

Baconaua 2 – Pangasinan Translation

admin — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 07:28:39 +0000

*Note this story is in Pangasinan

Diad kaaralman et manaalagar itan.

Aliwan amin so makaamta ed istorya to, anggaman nayarin amta itan na arum.

Saray manag-aka’y bulan .

Saray ayep ed tawen.

Say leon. Say alakdan. Say alama. Say higante. Say manok. Say uleg.

Say dragon.

Dadalanan dan amin so pating, ipepelag da ya ed kaaralman na dayat ya tatawagin ton abung.

Wala kasi’y istoryan naibaga?

Odino wala la itan ed gapo?

Nayarin say eras so mamapakiwas ed sayan ayep, a singa say alakdan. Anto ni so arum a naakan na pating noag say petang na onlelereg a bulán ?

Nayarin para met itan ed galaw a singa say leon. Say bulán et sakey a balbaleg a globo a makapatenyeg ed imano na ayep, a mamapalikdo ed sikato. Anto ni ray arum ya elementon makapabilib ed pating?

Nayarin pasnok itan, a singa say alama. Kasin say pating anak na agew tan bulán ? Kasin mankabaliksan itan na panamales ed tawir na atateng ya agton balot akabat?

Ompan sikatoy ombawi, a singa samay higante. Kasin say pating datin sakey ya mortal? Naala to kasi so pasnok na saray dios? Anto so agawa to a sengegan na inkapelag to ed madanum a kaaralman?

Nayarin kabilungetan itan, a singa say manok. No asumpal la na pating so kimey to tan say mundo so nalner la, anto so ontumbok a kanen to?

Nayarin kabiangan itan na kalikasan, a singa say uleg. Diad kagagawa na mundo na palsa, kasin kabiangan itan na sikulo?

Insan wala met so istorya nipaakar ed dragon.

Amta na kada pinalsa so istorya to.

Say pitoran bulán . Say dios a si Bathala.

Say maagum a dragon.

Say pating manaalagar, anggad saray arum natumba la, ed saray boses na katooan.

Wala so sakey ya istorya a panisiaan kon tua.

Saray pinalsa ed tawen, a tatawagen a manag-aka’y bulan, amin kabiangan na mundo. Balang sakey et walaan na mismon rason no akin irelen toy bulán , odino saray bulán pian magmaliw a mas susto.

Tan ditan so panaayaman na pating.

Say sankakapuyan ed grupo et ag-akaerel na orbita ed pegley-labi.

Lamet.

Tan lamet.

Amta to so impakatalo tan agto la salien lamet, anggad amta to a sikatoy matalongaring a mangala ed premyo to.

Diad ayaman to ed kaaralem na dayat, sikatoy manseseet. Amta to a sikatoy agbalot magmaliw a mabiskeg a singa saray arum, aliwan masibeg, aliwan narasan a kapara da.

Say pambubusol to so ombabaleg, aliwan sumpad arum a pinalsa, noagta kontra ed gawa to’n díli .

Akin a niletneg itan ed sayan dalin pian magmaliw labat a unor a pasen?

Iyaamot na danum iray lua to.

Tan manalagar itan.

Anggad sayan labi.

=————————————-=

English Version

In the depths it waits.

Not many know its story, though others may know of its kind.

The moon-eaters.

The celestial beasts.

The lion. The scorpion. The crab. The giant. The bird. The snake.

The dragon.

They all pass over the shark, relegating it to the depths it calls home.

Is there a tale to tell?

Or has it always been there?

It may be hunger that drives the beast, like the scorpion. What other prey will the shark have if not the warmth of the waning moon?

It may also be for play, like the lion. The moon is a giant orb that catches the beast’s attention, captivating it. What other element could enthrall the shark?

It may be anger, like the crab. Is the shark the offspring of the sun and moon. Does it mean retribution against the inheritance from the parents it never knew?

It may be revenge, like the giant. Was the shark ever a mortal being? Did it incur the wrath of the gods? What happened to it that relegated it to the watery abyss?

It may be darkness, like the bird. When the shark completes its task and the world is plunged into shadow, what will it eat next?

It may be a part of nature, like the snake. In the machinations of the natural world, is it part of the cycle?

Then there is the tale of the dragon.

Every being knows its story.

The 7 moons. The god Bathala.

The greedy dragon.

The shark lies in wait, until the others have fallen, to the sounds of humanity.

There is one tale which I believe to be true.

The celestial beings, called the moon eaters, are all part of the world. Each having their own reason to capture the moon, or moons to be more precise.

And it was there that the shark resided.

The weakest of the pack, it failed to capture the midnight orb.

Again.

And again.

It had known failure and would not try again, not until it knew it could successfully take its prize.

In its home in the deep it connives. It knows it will never be as strong as the others, not as angry, not as hungry.

Its hatred multiplies, not against the other beings, but against itself.

Why was it put on this earth if only to be last place?

The water hides its tears.

And it waits.

Until the night.

=——————————————————=

Written by Karl Gaverza

Edited by Lennox Martinez Licuanan

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

Baconaua Illustration by Benedict Jose Villarante

Instagram: @bentoillus
Twitter: @bentoillus
Facebook Page: Bento Illustrations (Bento Illustrations)

Hari sa Bukid – Pangasinan Translation

admin — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 04:07:14 +0000

Alikas nën Anselmo ya manggiwgiw so lima to nën intanëm to so pilimiron bukël. Amta to ya ag labay na hari na palandëy so gagawaën to, natataktakot mët diad nagawad sikato. Balët, balëg so nagamoran ëd saman. No makpël labat iray managtanëm, sarag dan nisabi ëd tagëy na palandëy so tabakon itatanëm da.

Binukay so dalin insan inkotkot so bukël.

Aman a labi, akogip nën Anselmo so hari. Wala rad katakëlan, mankaarapan. Amitlon tinapik na hari so dalin, insan taloran mëlanting a too so pinmaway diman. Inmësaës so hari balët ag to narëngël nën Anselmo, kasumpal to, binmatik iray mëlanting papaway na katakëlan.

Atilak si Anselmo tan imay hari, balët singa ag nanënëngnëng na hari so lakin natatakot. Tinapik lalamët na hari so dalin na amitlo tan mas amayamay so pinmaway iran mëlanting. Mankëlaw si Anselmo katon tinumbok to iramay mëlanting pian nëngnëngën no antoy gagawaën da.

Nën asabi to so sampot na katakëlan, inmangës sikato ëd samay apatnagan to, adasig so tanëm a tabako anggad nasabi na pakanëngnëng to. Natan labat akanëngnëng sikato na unman a karakël a tabako. Okupadon mantatanëm na mas amayamay nin tabako iramay mëlanting. Binilang nën Anselmo so nilasos a mëlanting a mankikimëy ëd saman a dalin.

Inëmbënan to may sakëy ya mëlanting insan to tinëpët no antoy gagawaën da. “Siyempre, para ya ëd hari,” balikas to may mëlanting, “kaukulaan na hari so tabako pian makasigarilyo.” Binmëneg may mëlanting ëd si Alselmo tan man-ëlëk ëd kaambagëlan na tëpët to.

Diman tinmunda so pankokogip to, ëd samay mëlanting tan samay tanëm a tabako. Manparok so puso nën Anselmo, karuman to labat intanëm imay pilimiron bukël, balët nononotën to la no antoy nagawan dusa ëd sikato.

Pigan agëw ya nan-gonigon sikato, nodnonotën ton ëkalën la may bukël a intanëm to. Ag makarëën so kanonotan to diad dusan onsabid sikato.

Siansia ni, anggapoy nagagawa. Onsasabi ni agëw tan nababalang ni so bulan kaibad labi. Mankukukaok ni so lalong ëd parehon oras inagëw-agëw, tan unbubuna nin siansia iray tabako diad Kanlaon.

Ag binmayag, naimano na arom ya linmampas lad golis so pantatanëman nën Anselmo. Binmalëg so maagom dan mata ëd naalan yaman, katon inawit da mët iray gawa dan bukël na tabako insan nantanëm diad pantatanëman nën Anselmo.

Balët, anggapo nin siansia so agawa. Apanoy tabako so entiron Kanlaon.

Wala ray arom a nampasakbay ëd saray managtanëm. “Nonot yo no antoy imbaga na hari! No dia tayo nantanëm, alaën to so entiron tabako insan to sigarilyoën ya amin!”

Balët anggapoy undëdëngël ëd panangasi da. Anggad maong a too ët napëpërëng ëd yaman.

Diad labi, wala ray nandaragop palibër ëd sakëy ya pool tan man-iistorya nipaakar ëd hari na palandëy. Ta no akin ët walay pakapanyari to ëd mundo balët pinili to so man-ayam kaiba ray totoo nën say man-olëy ëd sikara.

Ninonot da may nën binilin ira na hari ya ag ira mantatanëm diad lampas na linyan impagolis to ëd saray mëlanting palibër tan asinggër ëd tapëw na palandëy. Pantotongtongan da may agëw ya tinmaynan so hari. No panonto may akis na saray totoo nën impaamta man na hari.

“Say bilin ko labat ët ag kayo mantatanëm diad lampas to may golis ëd tagëy, no ag yo ya inonor, alaën kon amin so tabako insan anggapo mët la so balon unboyag diad gilig a palandëy anggad ag ko nasusumpal ya sigarilyoën man ya amin.” Tinapik tan inlukas na hari so dalin, insan abalang sikatod palandëy.

Intoor na totoo imay sipan da balët, siyempre, tinmunda ëd si Anselmo.

Anggano nid amin lan agawa, nantanëm nin siansia sikato na amayamay ya tabako. Anonotan to may kogip to, imay panlabay to na say pasol to ët singa may unman mët ëd hari, onsasabi anggad sampot a pakanengneng.

Kayari na pigan taon ët alingwanan lay totoo so hari na palandëy anggad samay sipan da ëd sikato.

Atanëman lay tabako so entiron palandëy na Kanlaon insan yinmaman la ray totoo lapod saray naaani da.

Anggad saray simplin too ët mikakasakëy ëd saray magarbon pistan gagawaën da. Singa anggapo so makapampatunda ëd panagselebra na totoo diad nala dan balon yaman.

Balët, tinmunda nën linmukas so dalin insan amawil imay hari na palandëy.

Unaan ya tinmaynan si Anselmo. Nalilikna toy giwgiw anggad pukë-pukël to, amta to ya sinmabi la so agëw na pambayaran ton amin so ginawa to. Ag mët la linmingaw sikato nën maplës a binmatik palëksab na palandëy.

Makapaërmen ya nëngnëngen so sinmublay. Nën saman a napnoy tabako, natan ët anggapo la so tanëm a nanëngnëng ëd Kanlaon. Ag makapanisia iray managtanëm ya unman labat kapëlës a nabalang iray tanëm da, alingwanan da lay tuan pakapanyari na hari.

Marëndëën so totoo, singa amta da lay nagawa. Kabëbëkta, sinmabog ëd dagëm so tapëw na palandëy ya nan-gaway abot a napnoy pool tan asëwëk.

Alabas lan maong so nagagawa ya ag mët la nanyarian na anggad say sangkamakpëlan ëd sikara. Nanlumbaan iray totoo ëd amin na direksiyon, natatakot ëd sanok na hari.

Aman a labi, nankogip si Anselmo.

Makapal ya asëwëk so pinmatnag ëd arap nën Anselmo. Inmukok sikato anggad anëngnëng to may hari ya masisisgarilyo na tabako. Tinmalimukor sikato san kinmërëw na perdona.

Balët ag lalamët naimano na hari si Anselmo. Amitlon tinapik na hari so dalin insan pinmaway iray mëlanting. Nan-awit iramay mëlanting na tabakon iyarom dimad samay sigarilyoën na hari.

Apaliberay asëwëk so palandëy na unsësëlëk anggad saray lëtak. Singa puwersan manpapairap. Alikas nën Anselmo ya singa natëtërak so pagëw to lapod samay amayamay ya nasusungap ton asëwëk.

Insan abangon sikato.

Linmipas iray taon tan wala la ray totoon pinmawil ëd palandëy. Nanlëtnëg iray purok dia rad diking to, balët anggapo lay masibëg odino siopan ambagël a mantanëm na tabako diad palandëy.

Anggapoy makaamta no anto lay nanmaliwa ëd Anselmo, ibabaga na arom ya inawit na hari sikato pian naitdan na niduduman dusa. Ibabaga da ray arom balët ya linmad arawi sikato ta babatikan toy sanok na hari.

Balët ag la bali, amta da ray totoo ya kapila mët iran nan-gaway aliwa. Anggapo so naitanëm ëd Kanlaon diad saray onsublay na henerasyon.

Anggapo anggad ag naupot na hari imay tabako to.

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English Version

Anselmo felt his hands quiver as he planted the first seed. He knew what he was doing was against the wishes of the king of the mountain, and he was fearful of the price. Yet, there was so much to gain. Tobacco plants could stretch until the mountaintop if only the farmers had enough backbone to take the leap.

The earth was parted and the seed buried.

That night he dreamt of the king. They were in a forest facing each other. The king tapped the ground three times and small men sprang from the earth. The king said something Anselmo couldn’t hear and the small men ran towards the edges of the forest.

Anselmo and the king were left alone, but it seemed that the king couldn’t see the scared man. The king tapped the ground three more times and even more small men appeared. Alfonso was curious so this time he followed the small men to see what they were doing.

As he reached the end of the forest he gasped at the sight, rows of tobacco plants that extended towards the horizon. He had never seen so many tobacco plants. The small men were busy planting even more tobacco. Anselmo counted hundreds, no thousands of small men toiling in the fields.

He grabbed one of the small men and asked what they were doing. “Why this is for the king, of course,” said the small man, “the king needs his tobacco to smoke.” The small man then turned his back on Anselmo snickering at such a stupid question.

The dream ended there, with the small man and the tobacco plant. Anselmo’s heart was pounding, it was yesterday when he planted the first seed and he wondered what his punishment would be.

He agonized for days, wondering if he should take back the seed he planted. His mind raced for months about what his punishment would be.

Still, nothing happened. The sun still rose and the moon faded into the night. The roosters crowed at the same time every day and the tobacco plants grew around Kanlaon as they always have.

Soon, others noticed that Anselmo was planting above the line. Their eyes grew greedy with the promise of gold and they too took tobacco seeds and planted where Anselmo did.
And again, nothing happened. Kanlaon was filled to the brim with tobacco.

There were those that tried to warn the farmers. “Remember what the king said! If we plant here then he would carry all the tobacco away and smoke it all!”

Their cries fell on deaf ears. Money blinds even the most humble of men.

In the night there would be those that huddled around campfires and told the story of the king of the mountain. How he had absolute power over the earth, but sought to live alongside humans rather than rule over them.

They recounted how he had asked the people not to plant above a certain line that he had ordered his small men to draw around the mountain near the top. They told of the day when the king left. How the people shed tears at the kings pronouncement.

“I only ask that you will not plant above the line, if you do I will take all the tobacco away and no more shall grow along the mountainside until I have smoked it all.” The king tapped the ground and opened the earth, disappearing into the mountain.
The people kept their promise until Anselmo, of course.

Throughout all this he planted more tobacco. He remembered the dream, how he wished that his fields would look like the king’s, stretching until the horizon.

Years passed and the people forgot about the king of the mountain and their promise to him.

The mountain of Kanlaon was covered entirely by tobacco plants and the people grew rich and fat from their harvests.
Even the most humble of the people joined in the lavish fiestas that were held. It seemed like nothing could stop their celebrations of the people’s newfound wealth.

That is, until the earth opened and the king of the mountain returned.

Anselmo was the first to flee. He could feel the rumble in his bones and he knew the day of reckoning had come. He didn’t even look back as made a dash for the foot of the mountain.
It was a terrible sight to behold. Once filled with tobacco, Kanlaon was now bare. The farmers could not believe that their crops had disappeared so easily, but they had forgotten the true power of the king.

There was silence among the people, as if they knew what was about to happen. Suddenly the mountaintop exploded into the air, creating a crater filled with smoke and fire.

This was too much for even the bravest of them. The people fled in all directions, fearful of the king’s wrath.

That night Anselmo dreamed.

A thick cloud of smoke appeared before Anselmo. He coughed until he saw the king smoking tobacco. He went down on his knees and asked for forgiveness.

Again, the king did not notice his presence. He tapped the ground three times and small men appeared. The small men then brought more tobacco for the king to smoke.

Smoke filled the mountain, filling each crevice. It was an oppressive force. Anselmo felt his chest about to explode from inhaling so much smoke.

Then he awoke.

Years passed by and there were those that returned to the mountain. They set up their villages along the sides, but no one was brave or foolish enough to grow tobacco on the mountain.

No one knows what became of Anselmo, some say the king stole him away for special punishment. Others say that he moved far away, trying to escape the king’s wrath.

It does not matter, for the people know they are complicit in his crime. Nothing will be planted on Kanlaon for generations.

Not until the king is done smoking his tobacco.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Story adapted from THE TOBACCO OF HARISABOQUED http://www.sacred-texts.com/asia/pfs/pfs03.htm

Hari sa Bukid Illustration by Camille Chua
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