*Note this story is in Tagalog

“Hindi mo ‘to makukuha hangga’t ‘di ka bumabalik sa katinuan,” iyan ang sinabi ni Mimi nang kunin niya ang susi ko.

Pilit kong sinasabi sa kanila na ayos lang ako at kaya kong magmaneho kahit pa nakainom. Isa pa, sampung minuto lang din ang layo ng bahay ko kaya hindi ako maaaksidente. Pero ayaw nilang makinig. May parte sa akin na nagpapasalamat dahil may mga kaibigan akong gaya nila, pero mas naiinis ako ngayon dahil kailangan kong maglakad pauwi sa kalaliman ng gabi.

Nagpresenta sina Jherick at Deng na samahan akong maglakad ilang kanto ang layo sa bahay ko, pero dahil sa kalasingan ay sinabi kong layuan nila ako. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganito ako, hindi ko dapat itinataboy ang mga kaibigan ko lalo na ngayon.

Mula nang maghiwalay kami ni Grace, puro paglalasing na ang inaatupag ko at pinagtatabuyan ang sino mang magtatangkang kausapin ako. Hindi nawala ang suporta sa akin ng mga kaibigan ko pero heto ako at sinisira ang pagkakaibigan namin. Hindi ako karapat-dapat sa kanila.

Lalo na kay Mimi, ang pinakamamahal kong si Mimi.

Sa gilid ng mata ko ay nakita ko ulit siya, mukhang hindi ganoon kalakas ang tama ko. Pinagmamasdan ng babaeng nakaitim ang lahat ng kamalasan ko, kakatwang karanasan na sana kung hindi lang sobrang nakakaasar.

“Masaya ka na ba? Natutuwa ka bang makita na miserable ako ngayon?”

Ang multo ay nakatayo lang sa ilalim ng poste ng ilaw, hindi gumagalaw. Hindi na ako umaasang gagalaw siya. Mula nang maghiwalay kami ni Grace ay lagi ko na siyang nakikita tuwing hatinggabi, nakatayo lang sa ilalim ng poste ng ilaw.

Dahil sa kalasingan ay basta-basta na lang akong tumakbo sa kaniya habang umiiyak.

“Bakit kailangan niya akong iwan?”

Hinablot ko ang itim niyang bestida kaya napaatras siya. Iyon ang unang reaksyon na nakita ko sa kaniya. Bigla rin akong napaatras at tila nawala ang kalasingan nang makitang umangat ang dulo ng mahaba niyang buhok.

Ano bang iniisip ko? Kahit anong nilalang pa ito ay siguradong mapanganib ito. Napabalik ako sa katinuan at tumakbo nang mabilis. Malayo-layo na rin ang tinakbo ko nang mapansin kong hindi niya ako sinusundan.

Nakatayo lang siya roon at nakatingin sa akin.

Hindi na mahalaga kung ano pa siya, may mas importanteng bagay akong kailangang isipin. Nakauwi ako at mabilis na nakatulog. Napaginipan ko ang mga babae sa buhay ko.

Si Mimi. Si Grace. Ang babaeng nakaitim.

Lahat sila ay pinipilit kong abutin pero sobrang layo nila.

Ginising ako ng alarm ko at naramdaman kong parang binibiyak ang ulo ko dahil sa hangover. Nagpunta ako sa banyo para maghilamos at biglang naalalang na kay Mimi pa rin ang susi ko.

Ayos na rin, may dahilan ako para kausapin siya.

Lumabas ako ng bahay at halos mapasigaw ako. Napatid ako sa sintas ng sapatos ko kaya bumagsak ako sa lupa.

Nandoon pa rin ang babaeng nakaitim.

Mukhang hindi siya umalis sa puwesto niya. Pagkatapos ng nangyari kagabi, wala na akong balak lapitan siya ulit. Iniwasan ko siyang tignan at sumakay na sa dyip papunta sa bahay ni Mimi.

Pinindot ko ang doorbell ng bahay ni Mimi at nagpalinga-linga. Sinusundan ako ng babaeng nakaitim. Isang kalye ang layo niya sa akin at nakatingin lang sa direksyon ko. Wala akong pakialam kung ano ang gusto niya, may mas mahalagang bagay na kailangan kong harapin.

Kailangang malaman ni Mimi ang nararamdaman ko para sa kaniya.

Bumukas ang pinto at sinalubong ako ng malambot na kamay at matamis na ngiti ni Mimi.

“Mukhang may hindi na lasing, a,” sabi niya. Iligtas ako nawa ng diyos sa mga ngiti niya.

“Mimi, puwede ba tayong mag-usap?”

“Kung tungkol sa susi mo, binigay ko kay Jherick. Pupuntahan ka niya sa bahay mo mamayang tanghali.”

“Hindi iyon. Puwede ba akong pumasok?” Nagsimula nang magpawis ang mga palad ko at nahihirapan akong huminga, pero wala nang atrasan ‘to.

“Oo naman, ano ba ‘yon?” Dinala niya ako sa tahimik na parte ng bahay nila. Doon ay sinabi ko sa kaniya ang lahat.

Kung paanong wala pa akong nakikilalang babae na gaya niya. Kung paanong kahit kami pa noon ni Grace ay hindi ko maiwasang isipin na baka sakaling puwedeng maging kami. At ngayon na pareho kaming single ay baka puwede naming subukan.

Nabigla siya pero mukhang hindi nagulat.

“May boyfriend na ako, Ron.”

Sa sandali ring iyon ay tila gumuho ang mundo ko. Sinabi ko sa kaniya na ayos lang at kalimutan na lang niya ang sinabi ko.

“Sana maging masaya kayong dalawa,” sabi ko sa pagitan ng pag-iyak.

“Si Jherick.”

Parang sinaksak ang puso ko. Hindi pa ba sapat na hindi magiging kami ang babaeng mahal ko, at kailangang best friend ko pa ang mahalin niya? Sobra naman yata ‘yon.

Nagmamadali akong lumabas ng bahay nang hindi lumilingon. Nakarating ako sa isang tahimik na eskinita at hinayaan ang sarili ko na umiyak. Nakita ko ulit siya.

Ang babaeng nakaitim.

Siguro ay napanood niya ang lahat. Sige lang, maglibang lang siya sa panonood. Ito na ang buhay ko ngayon, isa akong wasak na pusong sinusubukang maging tao.

Hindi. Hindi dapat ganito ang kahinatnan ng lahat.

Tumayo ako at inipon ang natitirang lakas ng loob para bumalik at kausapin si Mimi. Baka may puwede akong sabihin para magbago ang isip niya. Baka may paraan para magsama kami.

Nagmamadali akong tumawid sa kalsada papunta sa bahay nila Mimi.

Kung naging mas maingat lang ako ay baka napansin ko ang kotse na papalapit sa akin.

Ang huli kong nakita ay ang babaeng nakaitim, nakangiti ito sa akin.

=———————————-=

English Version

“You’re not going to get these back until you’re sober,” that’s what Mimi said as she took my keys.

I keep telling them I’m okay, I’ve driven under worse conditions anyway, besides my house is just 10 minutes away, there’s no way I could get into an accident. They don’t listen and a small part of me is thankful I have friends like those, but a bigger part of me is annoyed that he has to walk home in the middle of the night.

Jherick and Deng offer to walk me a few blocks to my house but the drunk in me tells them to back off, though in a more explicit way. I don’t know why I’m like this, I shouldn’t be pushing my friends away especially now.

Ever since Grace and I broke up all I’ve been doing is drinking and being a complete ass to anyone that tried to talk to me. Everyone’s been so supportive and they don’t deserve a guy like me fighting off their friendship.

Especially Mimi, sweet, beautiful Mimi.

Out of the corner of my eye I see her again. I guess I’m just that drunk. The lady in black watching over all my misfortune, it would be poetic if it wasn’t so damn annoying.

“Are you happy now?! Do you enjoy watching me suffer?!”
The apparition stands still under the light post, unmoving. I didn’t expect anything more. Ever since my breakup I’ve been seeing her late at night, always under some sort of lamp post.
This time I’m too drunk to care, I run up to her with tears in my eyes.

“Why did she have to leave me?!”

I grab her black dress and she steps back. The first reaction I’ve ever gotten from her. Suddenly her long hair stands on end. I instinctively back away and in that moment I sober up.
What was I thinking? Whatever this is can’t be friendly. I gather my senses and run as far away as I possibly can. I manage to get a running start before I notice that I’m not being followed.

She’s just standing there looking at me.

Whatever she is it doesn’t matter. I have more important things to think about. I head home and fall asleep dreaming of the women in my life.

Mimi. Grace. The Woman in Black.

All of them form into one figure that I try to reach, but she’s so far away.

My alarm rings and my head is splitting from the hangover. I go to the bathroom to wash my face and remember that Mimi still has my keys.

At least I’ll have a reason to talk to her.

I walk outside my house and almost shout. I trip on my own shoelaces and fall to the ground.

The woman in black is still there.

She doesn’t seem to be moving and after last night I don’t think I’ll be confronting her anytime soon. I avoid looking at her and make my way to the jeep to go to Mimi’s house.

I ring Mimi’s doorbell and look around. The lady in black is following me. She’s a street away and staring in my direction. I don’t know what she wants but right now there are more pressing matters.

Mimi needs to know how I feel about her.

She opens the door, her gentle hands and radiant smile greeting me.

“Well it looks like someone finally got up,” she says. God save me from that smile.

“Mimi, can we talk?”

“If it’s about your keys I gave them to Jherick. He’s supposed to drop them by your house at lunch time.”

“No it’s not about that. Can I go in?” My palms start to sweat and it gets hard to breathe, but it’s too late to go back now.
“Of course, what is it?” She leads us to a quiet place in their house and I tell her everything.

How I’ve never met any girl as amazing as her. How even when I was with Grace I would think about her and wonder what if. How now that we’re both single maybe we could give it a chance.

She looks shocked but not surprised.

“Ron, I’m seeing someone.”

And in that moment my universe collapsed. I tell her it’s fine, to just not mention it anymore.

“I hope you two are happy,” I manage to say in between my tears.

“It’s Jherick.”

A shooting pain goes through my heart. It wasn’t enough that the girl I loved couldn’t be with me, but her together with my best friend? It was almost too much.

I rush out of the house without looking back. I find a quiet alleyway to let my tears loose and I see her.

The lady in black.

She was probably watching the whole time. Well she can enjoy the show. This is my life now, a broken heart trying to be a man.

No. This can’t be how it ends.

I stand and muster all the courage I have to go back and talk to Mimi. Maybe I can say something that would change her mind. There has to be a way we could be together.
I rush through the streets to her house.

Maybe if I was more careful I would have seen the car coming towards me.

The last thing I see is the lady in black, smiling.

————————–————————–————————-

*Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a quarter of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by the majority. Its standardized form, officially named Filipino, is the national language of the Philippines, and is one of two official languages alongside English.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Raquel Jacinto Pombo
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Raquel Jacinto Pombo

Inspired by a story told by Harold Juab

Illustration by likhatsining

Deviant Art: https://likhatsining.deviantart.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likhatsining/

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Umalingawngaw ang boses ni Neni mula sa pasilyo.

“Alberto, oras na para matulog!”

Gulat ang bumungad kay Neni nang silipin niya ang silid ni Alberto. Akma nang nakatalukbong si Alberto sa kanyang higaan.

Nakababagabag at nakakapanibago ang panghihina at kawalan ng kasiglahan ni Alberto na siyang ikinababahala ni Neni. Bukod pa rito ang pag-aalala niya sa pagkapuyat ni Alberto.

“Matutulog na ako!”, sambit ni Alberto sa kanyang tinig na kinulob ng kumot.

Walang nagawa si Neni kung hindi ang patayin ang ilaw at sabihan si Alberto na matulog nang mahimbing.

“Bukas ay pupunta tayo sa liwasan, ayos ba ‘yon sa’yo?”, pahabol ni Neni kay Alberto.

Hindi ito binigyan ng tugon ni Alberto.

“Oras na para matulog, Neni!”, ang tanging naging sagot nito.

Pupungas-pungas pang humikab si Alberto sakay ng kanyang lumilipad na kabayo. Napupuno ng ulap na singputi ng bigas at singlambot ng bulak ang himpapawid na binabaybay ni Alberto kasama ang kanyang kabayong may pakpak.

Sariwa pa sa kanyang isip at animo’y parang kahapon lamang nang hilingin ng isa sa mga prinsesa ng Kahangian* ang kanyang tulong na talunin ang mga hukbo ng mananakop.

Alam ni Alberto na hindi niya kakayaning tumanggi. Isa lamang ang kanyang sagot sa tuwinang tatawag ang paglalakbay.

Ngunit sa dulo ng kanyang isip, hinihiling ni Alberto na magwakas ang kanyang paglalakbay. Pagkat alam niyang hindi mapasasakamay ang tagumpay sa kanyang palad habang nagpapatuloy ang walang katapusang paglusob ng mga ibon.

Ang mga ibong kanyang sinasagupa ay hindi pangkaraniwan.

Animo’y mga payong na sumusuyod sa kaulapan ng Kahangian ang mga ibong kanyang hinaharap. Ibinahagi ng Prinsesa kay Alberto na dati rati ay hindi nanggagambala ang mga ibon subalit, marahil, mayroong nangyari sa mga ibon upang sila ay maging mapaminsala. Ikinatatakot ng Prinsesa na simula pa lamang ito ng pagsalakay ng mga ibon sa kanyang kaharian.

Ginugol ni Alberto at ng kanyang kabayo ang mga nakaraang linggo para lamang itaboy mula sa kaharian ang mga ibon. Ninais man ng Prinsesa na gamitan ng dahas ang mga ibon, hindi maatim ni Alberto na saktan ang mga ito.

Matapos itaboy ni Alberto ang panibagong lipon ng mga ibon ay ipinatawag siya ng Prinsesa sa silid nito.

“Nararapat na nating wakasan ang panganib ng mga ibon”, ani ng Prinsesa. Walang silbi ang pagtaboy sa mga ibon kung patuloy lamang silang manunumbalik at manggagambala sa kaharian.

Upang matupad ang kanyang hangarin ay ipinagkaloob ng Prinsesa ang isang sisidlan kay Alberto at ipinagutos ang katapusan ng hari ng mga ibon.

Hiwaga ang bumalot kay Alebrto sa kanyang pagbukas sa kahon. Nasilayan niya ang isang espada at nagulat nang makitang nakaukit ang pangalan niya sa talim nito. Dama niya sa kanyang kamay ang bigat ng kalis ngunit mas dumadagan sa kanyang dibdib ang masidhing pagsalungat sa nais ng Prinsesa. Nagbunga ang kanyang damdamin sa pagtingin sa Prinsesa at pag-iling sa kautusang iniatang nito.

Hindi niya susundin ang utos ng Prinsesa. Hindi karasahan ang sagot, hindi para sa kanya.

Lumisan siyang hindi tangan ang sisidlan na handog ng Prinsesa at nagtungo sa kanyang kabayo.

Matatapos ang panggagambala ng mga ibon, subalit, sa kanyang pamamaraan.

Napangiti ang kabayo ni Alberto. Nasanay na ang kabayo na angkinin ang kanyang mga saloobin ngunit natatangi ang araw na ito.

Lubos niyang ipinagmamalaki ang pagpapasiya ni Alberto na manindigan sa nararapat. Hindi gumagamit ng dahas ang mga ibon, kung tutuusin ay panggagambala nga lamang ang tanging dulot ng mga ito sa kaharian.

Sa pagsuyod nila sa kaulapan, ipinamalas ng kabayo ang kanyang makakaya sa paglipad. Kung anong husay niya sa lupa ay lubhang kabaliktaran ang kanyang paglipad. Sakay si Alberto ay bumulusok sila sa animo’y pader na pagtitipon ng mga ibon. Kinailangang ibuga ni Alberto ang mga balahibong kanyang nahigop ngunit sa kalaunan ay narating din nila ang pugad ng Hari ng mga Ibon.

Magalang na tumungo ang Kabayo ni Alberto sa Hari ng mga Ibon. Kabayo mang maituturing, siya ay may bahagi rin ng ibon, at may mga patakarang hindi dapat suwayin upang hindi matamo ang galit ng ibang mga ibon.

Dambuhala ang Hari ng mga Ibon. Sapat ang laki nito upang matakpan ang sinag ng araw. Masusing sinipat ng Hari si Alberto at ang kanyang kabayo.

“Ano ang inyong ngalan, at ano ang inyong pakay sa aking kaharian?”, sambit ng Hari.

Nanatiling nakagapos sa lupa ang paningin ng Kabayo sa pagtungo nito nang marinig ang tugon ni Alberto.

“Ano ang dahilan ng paglusob ninyo sa aming kaharian?”, ang sagot ni Alberto.

“Paglusob? Wala akong nilulusob, tao. Nais ko lamang maibalik sa akin kung ano ang akin.”

Halos magdikit ang kilay ni Alberto sa pagkunot nito sa nagging tugon ng Hari ng mga Ibon.

“Subalit ang sabi ng Prinsesa ay nilulusob mo ang kanyang kaharian!”

“Ang iyong tinutukoy na “Prinsesa” ang siya mismong nagsimula ng kaguluhang ito. Siya at ang kanyang kaharian ang nagnakaw sa aking putong! Ang tanging pakay lamang ng aking mga kapwa ibon sa kanyang kaharian ay mabawi ang aking putong!”

“Ngunit palagi niyang sinasab-“

Bumungad sa mukha ni Alberto ang pinakamalaking tuka na kanyang namasdan sa kanyang buhay.

Tiningnan ng Hari ng mga Ibon si Alberto, mata sa mata, at sinabing, “Marami na akong nasagap tungkol sa iyo, Manlalakbay. Tanyag ang iyong ngalan at ang iyong bentohangin sa lupaing ito.”

“Hindi ko nais na kalabanin ka o ang kaharian ng iyong prinsesa. Ang tanging hiling ko lamang ay maibalik sa akin ang aking putong. Mangyari ito at ipinapangako ko sa iyo, hindi na gagambalain ng mga ibon ang inyong kaharian.”

Naglapat ang paningin ni Alberto at ng kanyang Kabayo. Sabay silang tumango sa sinambit ng Hari ng mga Ibon.

Minamasdan ng Prinsesa ang kanyang wangis sa salamin habang humahagod ang suklay na gamit ng kanyang mga alalay sa kanyang buhok. Nanlilisik ang kanyang mata sa salamin sa hindi inaasahang pagtanggi ni Alberto sa kanyang handog.

Ngunit anuman ang naging desisyon ni Alberto, wala itong kahalagahan. Sa pamamagitan lamang ng mayuming pagkuskos ng kanyang pilikmata at pagpatak ng kanyang luha ay maa-akit ang Manlalakaybay at susunod sa kanyang hiling.

Inutusan niya ang kanyang mga alipin na lumisan. Tumungo siya sa nakatagong lagusan sa kanyang silid. Sa loob nito ay nakatago ang kanyang pinakaiingatan at pinakatatanging yaman.

Ang pinakanakapupukaw na putong sa lahat ng Kahangian!

Gawa ang putong sa gintong pinanday pa sa pugon ni Ginton at napupuno ng mga kristal na animo’y bulalakaw sa pagkinang.

“Ang pinakamagandang putong para sa pinakamagandang prinsesa sa Kahangian!”, kanyang naisip.

Malalim ang kanyang paghanga sa putong nang biglang umaligunggong ang nagngangalit na tinig ng isang lalaki.

“SI-NU-NGA-LING!”, sigaw ni Alberto na pumutok sa silid ng Prinsesa.

Sa gulat ng Prinsesa ay halos mabitawan niya ang kanyang korona. Wala sa kanyang isip ang mabilis na pagbalik ng Manlalakbay.

“Ubod ka ng sinungaling!”, singhal ni Alberto.

“Mabuti na lamang ay naandito ka! Nilusob ako ng mga ibon at sinubukang magnakaw sa akin!”

Dalubhasang pinatulo ng Prinsesa ang kanyang luha. Walang bayani ang hindi lumuhod sa kanyang pagtangis at sa kanyang isip, walang laban ang Manlalakbay sa kanyang yumi.

“Hindi sa iyo ang putong na iyan!”, tugon ni Alberto habang siya at ang kanyang Kabayo ay unti-unting lumalapit sa prinsesa.

“SI-NU-NGA-LING!”, galit na hinablot ni Alberto ang putong mula sa kamay ng nagpapa-awang Prinsesa at maagaop na sumibat mula sa silid.

“Mga kawal! ‘Wag n’yo silang hayaang makatakas!”

Sinubukan ng mga kawal na habulin ang Manlalakbay at kanyang kabayo ngunit hindi maihahambing kanilang bilis sa liksing tumalo sa mga lumilipad na ulupong na nagbabantay sa libingan ni Ulilangkalulua. Animo’y mga pagong ang mga kawal kung ihahambing sa bilis ng dalawa.

“Kailanma’y hindi ka na makapapasok sa kahariang ito!”, galit na sigaw ng Prinsesa sa landas ng mga ulap na tinahak ni Alberto at ng kanyang kabayo.

“Pagsisihan mo ito at ipinapangako kong tutugisin ka namin!”

Sa pagtakas ni Alberto at ng kanyang Kabayo ay maingat siyang pinalibutan ng mga ibon. Hindi maikubli ang kanilang ligaya sa muling pagbabalik ng kanilang putong.

“Ginawa mong mortal na kaaway ang Prinsesa at kanyang kaharian sa iyong naging pasya”, sambit ng Hari ng mga Ibon kay Alberto habang papalapit ang Manlalakbay sa kanyang trono.

“Oo.”, maikling tugon ni Alberto.

“Mula ngayon ay asahan mo ang tulong ng mga ibon, saan man at kailan man mo ito kailanganin.”

“Maraming salamat.”

Nakangiting nagkatinginan si Alberto at ang kanyang mahiwagang Kabayo. Niyakap ni Alberto ang kanyang Kabayo na tinugunan naman nito sa paghalinghing. Nakatatak sa kanilang isip ang paninindigan sa tama at katarungan, kahit pa nangangahulugan ito ng pagharap sa mga makapangyarihang kalaban.

“Pagod na ako, Neni!”

“Sige, Alberto, pwede ka nang matulog pero kailangan mo munang linisin ang mga krayola mo.”

“Okay.”

Gumising nang maaga si Alberto at maliksi pang naghanda para sa almusal. Nababahala pa rin si Neni sa pagkapuyat ni Alberto ngunit walang puyat na hindi malulunasan ng mahimbing na pag-idlip.

Tinulungan ni Neni si Alberto na linisin ang kanyang mga pangkulay ngunit nagtataka si Neni sa patuloy na pagguhit ni Alberto sa mga larawang animo’y mukhang payong.

“Neni! Tingnan mo itong ibon!”, sambit ni Alberto habang ipinapakita ang kanyang iginuhit na mas malaki pa kumpara sa iba pa niyang nagawa.

“Ang galing mong gumuhit! Maglinis na tayo para makatulog ka na, ha?”

“Sige!”

*Kahangian – ang ikalimang salop sa kalawakan

“Alberto it’s time for bed!” Neni shouted from the hallway. She checked Alberto’s bedroom and was surprised to find him already under the covers.

She had noticed that he was less energetic than usual and she was worried that he wasn’t sleeping well.

“Neni I’m going to sleep!” Alberto said from under his blanket.
There wasn’t much she could do. Neni switched the lights off and told Alberto to have good dreams.

“I’ll see you in the morning. We’ll go to the park tomorrow okay?” She said as she walked out of his room.

“Neni! Time to sleep!” was Alberto’s reply.

Alberto yawned as he rode his winged steed through the clouds. It felt like only yesterday when one of the princesses of Kahangian*asked Alberto and his horse to stave off an invasion.

Alberto knew he couldn’t say no. When adventure calls he only had one answer.

But Alberto wished this adventure would end soon. Victory seemed out of reach as the endless onslaught of birds came wave after wave.

These were no ordinary birds. They flew like umbrellas along the clouds of Kahangian. The princess told Alberto that the birds would usually keep to themselves, but something must have happened to rile them up. She was afraid that this was only the beginning of a larger assault on her realm.

Alberto and his horse spent the last few weeks rerouting the birds away from the kingdom. As much as the princess wanted him to use force, Alberto could not bring himself to harm the birds.

After redirecting the latest wave of birds Alberto was summoned to the princess’ chambers.

She told him that it was time to end this. Redirecting the birds was a waste of time if they just kept coming back. She gave Alberto a box and told him to go to the king of the birds and slay him.

Alberto opened the box and was surprised to find a sword with his name engraved on it. It felt heavy in his hands and he looked at the princess and shook his head.

He would not do as she asked. Violence wasn’t the answer, at least not to him. He left the box in the princess’ chambers and went to his horse.

This would end, but on his terms.

Alberto’s horse smiled. As a horse he was used to keeping his opinions to himself but today he couldn’t help it.
He was proud that he made the right choice in Alberto. The birds weren’t violent, at most they were a nuisance to the princess’ kingdom.

They flew through the clouds with as much grace as the horse could muster. As adept as he was with galloping, the horse was clumsy with his wings. They barreled through the surge of birds ahead of them, Alberto had to spit out a few feathers, but eventually they came upon the roost of the king of birds.

Alberto’s horse bowed his head. As much as he was a horse, he was also part bird, and there were certain rules that you had to follow to make sure the other birds wouldn’t get mad at you.
The king of birds was enormous, his large frame almost blacking out the sun. He took one look at Alberto and his horse and said, “Who are you and why are you here?!”

Alberto’s horse was still looking at the ground when he heard Alberto answer.

“Why you attack the kingdom?”

“Strange human, I attack nothing. I am just trying to get back what belongs to me.”

Alberto’s brow creased in confusion.

“But princess said you attack!”

“The princess was the one that started this. She and her kingdom stole my crown! I’ve been sending my birds to her kingdom to get it back.”

“But princess said—-“

The king of birds whirled around and put his beak up to Alberto’s face.

“I’ve heard of you, human. You and your bentohangin have made quite a name for yourselves in this realm. And I am asking you, please, get my crown back and I will tell my birds to stop.”

Alberto looked at his horse and they nodded in unison.

The princess stared at her mirror as her servants brushed her hair. She had not calculated that the human would reject her gift, but no matter. A few bats of her eyelashes and some tears would certainly do the job the next time.

She bade her servants to leave her alone and walked to a hidden door in her chambers. In it was a chest and in that chest was her prize.

It was the most beautiful headpiece in all of Kahangian, inlaid with fallen stars and made from gold straight from Ginton’s forges. Such beauty should only belong to her, the fairest princess in the clouds.

“L—-I—-A—-R!” Alberto’s voice rang through the princess’ chambers.

The princess managed to catch the crown as it fell through her fingers. She had not expected the human to be back so soon.
“You’re a liar!” Alberto shouted again.

“I’m so glad you’re here! The birds have been trying to steal from me!” It was time for the tears. The princess was familiar with this tactic, many heroes had fallen for her charms and this one would be no different.

“That’s not your crown!” Alberto and his horse moved towards the princess.

“This is my father’s! The birds are jealous of its beauty and keep trying to take it from me, but you won’t let them will you? Please help me!” Tears were flowing down her cheeks as she looked into Alberto’s eyes.

“L—–I—–A—–R!” Alberto grabbed the crown from the princess and ran towards his horse.

“Guards! Get them!”

Alberto and his horse were experts and running away. The guards tried to catch up to the pair but once you’ve escaped from the flying serpents guarding Ulilankalulua’s grave everything seems like a turtle in comparison.

“You are not welcome here!” The princess shouted through the clouds, “We will hunt you down!”

The birds flocked Alberto and his horse. They were overjoyed at the sight of the crown and accompanied them to their king’s throne.

“You have made yourself an enemy of the princess’ kingdom.” The king of birds said to Alberto.

“Yes.”

“Thank you, know that the kingdom of birds will help you, whenever you will need it.”

“Yes.”

Alberto looked at his horse and smiled. Alberto’s horse hugged his companion and neighed. They knew they made the right choice, even if it meant making a powerful enemy.

“Neni! I’m tired!”

“Okay Alberto, you can take a nap soon. Let’s clean up your crayons okay?”

“Okay.”

Today Alberto woke up early and even got ready for breakfast in time. Neni was still worried that he wasn’t getting enough sleep but that was nothing a good nap couldn’t fix.

She helped him clear his crayons and wondered why he kept drawing umbrellas.

“Neni! Bird!” He showed a drawing that was like the other umbrellas but bigger than the rest.

“It looks great Alberto! Let’s clean up and you can take a nap, okay?”

“Okay!”

Continued from the Bentohangin’s tale

*Kahangian is the fifth layer of the universe

*Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a quarter of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by the majority. Its standardized form, officially named Filipino, is the national language of the Philippines, and is one of two official languages alongside English.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Mathew Juganas
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Mathew Juganas

Inspired by the Hubot description in The Soul Book. Demetrio & Cordero-Fernando 1991.

Hubot Illustration by Edrian Paolo T. Baydo

Color by Alexa Garde
Website: Lexa.us

*Note this story is in Tagalog

“Isang beses pa! Yan na lang ang maibibigay ko sayo bago kita tanggalin sa trabaho!” Kumalabog ang pinto nang isara at naiwan si Josh na nag-iisip kung paano niya maaayos ang sitwasyon.

Apat na buwan na bangungot sa trabaho niyang logistics ang nakikipagtitigan sa kaniya. Wala nang magagawa pang paraan para maayos pa ang problema matapos ang mga problema, o pananabotahe gaya ng laging pinapaliwanag ni Josh sa boss niya. Masyadong maraming pangyayari ang nagtutugma para mauwi ito sa ganito.

Nagkaroon ng landslide noong unang buwan na nakaabala sa kalsada. Tatlong linggo silang pinahirapan at naantala dahil sa paglilinis ng kalsada sa napakamahal na halaga. Malapit nang ma-overbudget ang project.

Ilang linggo matapos ang insidenteng yon, nanakaw ang mga trak at walang makapagturo kung sino ang may kagagawan. Walang saysay ang pagpapataas ng seguridad dahil patuloy lang na nangyayari ang pagkawala at lalo lang tumataas ang gastos. Isang bagay ang masisi sa ginawang kasalanan ngunit alam ni Josh na ginawa niya ang lahat ng tama. May tao sa likod ng mga ito, pinaninindigan niya to.

Naghintay si Josh sa construction site. Alam niyang baliw na ang tingin sa kaniya ng mga tauhan niyia, ngunit wala na siyang pakialam lalo ngayon na sigurado siya sa ginagawa niya. Mabigat ang camera sa kamay niya, matigas ang ulo niya pero hindi siya inutil. Napahamak na siya sa trabaho niya, hindi na niya hahayaang lumala pa ito. Kahit na anong ebidensya ng pananabotahe ay sapat na para malinis ang pangalan niya.

Alas dos na ng madaling araw nang may maamoy siyang usok. Ito na ang pagkakataon niya; may nagbabalak na magsimula ng sunog sa compound.  Tumakbo siya patungo sa pinanggagalingan ng amoy habang nakahanda ang camera niya.

Tatlong araw ang nakalipas, itinapon ng boss ni Josh ang mga gamit nito sa basurahan. “Sayang.” Kailanman ay hindi inisip ng boss ni Josh na siya ay duwag ngunit may mga paraan talaga ang mga tao para madismaya ka. “Tumakbo na siguro yon dahil sa sobrang dami ng dapat gawin,” sinabi niya ito kahit wala siyang kausap. “Ngayon, kailangan kong imisin ang mga problema niya.”

The last thing that was left was Josh’s camera. His boss looked through the pictures and saw nothing but tree trunks. “Useless,” He said as he tossed it in the trash.

Ang tangi lang na natira sa gamit ni Josh ay ang camera niya. Tiningnan niya ang mga pictures at wala siyang ibang nakita kundi mga punong kahoy. “walang kwenta” at tinapon ang camera sa basurahan.

=————————————–

English Version

“One more chance! That’s all I’m giving you before you’re fired!” The door slammed shut and Josh was left wondering how he could salvage the situation.

Four months of logistical nightmares were staring him in the face. There was no way the development could be completed after the setbacks, or sabotage as Josh kept trying to convince his boss. Too many coincidences were happening for it to be anything else.

The first month a landslide happened, completely cutting off the road. 3 painstaking weeks of clearing the rocks had to be done at a very expensive cost. The project was already dangerously close to becoming over budget and that tipped the scales.

A few weeks later whole trucks were being stolen and no one could find the culprit. Increasing the security was useless since it just kept happening and more money was being spent. Josh couldn’t handle it anymore. It was one thing to be blamed for your own mistakes, but he knew he did everything right. There was someone behind this, there had to be.

Josh waited at the construction site. He knew his workers were thinking he was crazy, but he couldn’t care about that, not when he had work to be done. The camera felt heavy in his hands, he was stubborn, but he wasn’t stupid. His job was already at risk, he wasn’t going to take chances on his life. Any evidence of sabotage would be enough to clear him of any fault.

It was about 2 AM when he smelled smoke. He knew this was his chance; someone was trying to set the compound on fire. He ran towards the acrid smell with his camera ready.

Three days later his boss tossed the remains of Josh’s belongings in the garbage. “What a waste.” The man never thought that Josh would be a coward, but people had a way of disappointing you. “He probably ran away because it was too much responsibility,” he said to no one in particular “Now I have to clean up his mess.”

The last thing that was left was Josh’s camera. His boss looked through the pictures and saw nothing but tree trunks. “Useless,” He said as he tossed it in the trash.

=——————————=

*Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a quarter of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by the majority. Its standardized form, officially named Filipino, is the national language of the Philippines, and is one of two official languages alongside English.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Reina Mikee
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Reina Mikee

Inspired by the Aniani entry in Myth Museum. Medina. 2015.

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

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Ang lahat ng tao ay nangangailangan ng mga kuwento sa kanilang buhay. Dahil doon, sila ay nagiging mas tao.

Ang sino man na tututol ay baka nangangailangan na muling magsiyasat ng kanilang mga puso.

Iyon ang sinasabi ng lolo ni Jaime sa lahat, o kahit sino na nakikinig.

Mahal siya talaga ng kanyang pamilya. Sa bawat pagtitipon ng angkan, nilalapitan niya ang kanyang mga apo at sinasabihan ng mga nakamamanghang kuwento.

At nakikinig silang lahat.

Halos lahat sila.

Si Jaime ay espesyal na kaso.

Kung titingnang maigi, si Jaime ay ang tipo ng bata na may mga magulang na masyadong abala sa mga bagay na importante sa mga matanda kaya nakakalimutan nila na may kasama silang bata sa bahay.

Nakuha ni Jaime ang kanyang unang tablet noong siya ay apat na taon at ang una niyang cellphone noong siya ay pitong taon. Ang plano na binili ng kanyang mga magulang para sa datos ng internet ay walang limitasyon at inisip nila na ito ang pagkakaabalahan ni Jaime hanggang malimutan niya na siya ay mag-isa.

Nagkamali sila, tulad ng karamihan sa mga magulang na may nag-iisang anak. Kung tutuusin, hindi man lang nila sinubukang paganahin ang kahit na ano– lahat ay bago.

Naupo si Jaime sa harap ng kanyang lolo at bahagyang nakinig sa kanyang mga kuwento.

Bago pa man matapos ang kuwento, sumabat si Jaime. “Hindi po iyan totoo!”

Napatingin ang lahat ng mga pinsan niya sa kanya at batid sa kanilang mga mukha na sanay na sila. Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na ginambala niya ang kuwentuhan at alam nila na hindi ito ang huli.

Napabuntong-hininga ang lolo ni Jaime. “Ano na naman ngayon?,” tanong niya na nakangiti.

“Wala naman po talagang Engkanto– gawa-gawa lang po iyan!,” sabi ni Jaime.

“Paano mo naman nalaman?,” sagot ng kanyang lolo.

“Nabasa ko po sa internet!” Dahil ang pagbabasa ng mga bagay sa internet ang ginagawa kapag mayroon kang tablet at datos na walang limitasyon.

“Totoo naman iyan. Nanunumpa ako sa ngalan ng aking ina,” masayang sagot ng lolo ni Jaime.

“Hindi po iyan totoo, at sigurado po ako!”

Samantala, abala sa panonood ang ibang mga apo sa nangyayari.  Ito ang paborito nilang bahagi tuwing oras ng kuwentuhan. Ang pagtatalo ni Jaime at ng kanyang lolo ay halos abutin ng buong maghapon, at nakalilibang ito na pagmasdan.

“Totoo iyan! Ako ay dinala sa puno ng balete at nakarating sa kaharian ng mga engkanto!”

Matindi ang iling ni Jaime. “Wala pong lugar na ganyan! Hindi po iyan makikita sa Google Maps!”

Abogado ang lolo ni Jaime sa dati niyang buhay at hindi siya papayag na talunin ng isang bata na wala pa halos siyam na taong gulang.

“Kung nakinig ka lang sana sa aking kuwento, malalaman mo na ang kaharian ng mga engkanto ay hindi matatagpuan ng teknolohiya ng tao.”

“Hindi ko po kailangang pakinggan ang kuwento ninyo kasi alam ko po na iyon ay gawa-gawa lang.”

“Tinatawag mo ba akong sinungaling?”

“Hindi ko naman po sinabi na nagsasabi po kayo ng totoo.”

“Ano ang ibig mong sabihin?”

Ipinagpatuloy nila ito hanggang umabot na ng hapunan (at minsan kahit naghahapunan, ang adobo ni Lola Anding ay hindi kayang patigilin ang kanilang pagtatalo).

Ito ang eksena na nagaganap taon-taon.

Hanggang umabot ang taon na naging malubha ang karamdaman ng kanyang lolo kaya hindi na niya kayang magkuwento, at ang mga tiyuhin at mga tiyahin niya ay pabulong na pinag-uusapan ang kalagayan ng kanyang lolo.

Hindi malaman ni Jaime ang kanyang gagawin. Walang nagturo sa kanya kung paano ilabas ang kanyang galit, kaya kinuha niya ang kanyang tablet at cellphone para subukang takasan ang mundo.

Hindi naisip ng kanyang mga magulang na may problema siya, dahil ang mga tinedyer ay kilala sa pagiging bihasa sa pagmukmok.

Si Jaime ay nagmukmok at nagpatugtog ng malakas na musika para subukang ibsan ang kanyang nararamdaman, pero wala itong naitulong sa kanya.

Hindi niya pinasukan ang ilang klase niya para mabisita ang kanyang lolo sa ospital, dahil sa kabila ng kanilang mga pagtatalo ay mahal na mahal niya ito.

“Magiging maayos din ang lagay ko,” sabi ng kanyang lolo habang nakapikit.

“Hindi po totoo iyan.”

“Ngayon, bakit mo naman naisip iyan?”

“Nabasa ko po sa internet.”

“Lagi ko sa iyong sinasabi na huwag mong isubsob ang ulo mo sa iyong mga gadyet. Napakalawak ng mundong sisiyasatin kapag tumingin ka pataas.”

“Sinusubukan niyo po akong ilihis.”

“Mahaba ang oras na inilalaan mo sa iyong cellphone at patuloy ka pa ring mapagmasid.”

“Pakiusap, huwag niyo po akong iiwan, lolo.”

“Wala naman akong ibang pupuntahan.”

“Hindi po iyan ang nabasa ko.”

“Ang buhay ay higit pa sa mga salita, apo.”

“Alam ko po kung ano ang cancer.”

“Hindi kayang ituro ng internet ang lahat ng bagay.”

“Sapat naman po ang naituro sa akin. “

“Ano ba ang sinasabi doon?”

“Na baka hindi na po kayo makakalabas dito ng buhay.”

“Kakayanin ko ito.”

“Talaga po?”

“Tinatawag mo ba akong sinungaling?”

“L..Lolo…” Nagsimulang umagos ang luha sa mukha ni Jaime.

“Ipangako mo sa akin na may gagawin kang isang bagay.”

“Kahit na ano po.”

“Pumunta ka sa puno ng balete sa aking likod-bahay at panoorin ang mga bituin.”

“Lolo, seryoso po ako.”

“Seryoso din naman ako. Panahon na para matuto ka ng mga bagay na hindi kayang ituro ng internet.”

“Lolo..”

“Nangangako ka ba?” Tinitigan siya ng kanyang lolo na kayang gunawin ang salitang ‘hindi’.

“Ipinapangako ko po, lolo.”

“At ipinapangako ko na ako ay magiging maayos.”

Ang mga ilaw sa loob ng kuwarto ng ospital ay umandap-andap habang papasok ang mga magulang ni Jaime. Hindi nila alam kung ano ang gagawin sa isang bata na tumakas sa kanyang klase para makita ang kanyang lolo, kaya’t ginawa nila ang sa tingin nila ay tama at kinuha ang kanyang mga gadyet.

Wala nang pakialam si Jaime. Mayroon siyang pangako na kailangang tuparin.

Binigyan ni Lola Anding ng tsaa si Jaime para maging komportable ang kanyang pamamalagi. Noong nagpakita si Jaime sa harap ng pintuan ng kanyang lola, hindi niya alam ang kanyang sasabihin, pero hindi na niya kailangan. Tila palaging alam ng mga lola ang iyong iniisip. Napangiti ang kanyang lola habang sinasabi, “Magdala ka ng jacket. Baka lumamig sa labas.”

Pinasalamatan ni Jaime ang kanyang lola at naupo sa ilalim ng puno. Malalim na ang gabi, pero alam naman ng lahat na ang mga tinedyer ay bihasa sa pananatiling gising sa magdamag. Pakiramdam niya ay nakahubad siya dahil wala siyang dalang cellphone. Sinubukan niya na lamang alalahanin ang sinabi ng kanyang lolo.

Panahon na para matuto ka ng mga bagay na hindi kayang ituro ng internet.

Ano nga ba ang alam niya? Ang kanyang cellphone ay luma at de-pindot pa.  Alam ni Jaime na ang lahat ng kailangan niyang malaman ay mahahanap naman niya sa internet.

Malayo sa siyudad ang bahay ng lolo ni Jaime. Hindi sanay si Jaime sa mga kumukutitap na liwanag mula sa madilim na kalangitan.

Gusto niya sanang samahan siya ng kanyang musikang puno ng galit, pero ang nadidinig niya lang ay ang kaluskos ng mga dahon at ang paminsan-minsang pagkokak ng palaka.

Isinandal ni Jaime ang ulo niya sa mga paikot na ugat ng puno ng balete at siya ay pumikit.

Nang dumilat siya, may isang dalaga na nakatayo sa kanyang harapan. Kumikinang siya sa kadiliman. Wala pang nakita si Jaime na kasingganda niya at bumilis ang pintig ng kanyang puso. Sa mga ganitong pagkakataon, nakatutulong na may kumpiyansa at tiwala sa sarili, pero sa kasamaang-palad ay parehong wala kay Jaime ang mga iyon.

“Ummm..ahhh,” ang tangi niyang nasambit.

“Marahil ay ikaw si Jaime. Inaasahan namin ang iyong pagdating,“ sabi ng magandang dalaga.

“Paumahin po?” Nananaginip naman si Jaime noon, tulad ng lahat, pero wala pa siyang naging panaginip na parang totoo. Kinurot niya ang kanyang sarili para magising at nang hindi tumalab, tiningnan niyang muli ang dalaga.

“Huwag kang matakot. Nasabi sa amin ng iyong lolo na ikaw ay dadating.”

“Sinabi po niya?”

“Sinabi niya talaga iyon, at lubos ang aming kagalakan na makilala sa wakas ang apo ng aming bayani.”

“Ang inyo pong bayani?”

“Oo. Hindi ba sinabi ng iyong lolo?”

Sa pagkakataong iyon, naalala niya ang lahat. Ang mga kwentong naipon ng madaming taon ay bigla niyang naisip. Mayroong kuwento ang kanyang lolo na kumain daw siya ng itim na kanin sa mundo ng mga engkanto pero nagawa niyang makipagtawaran para siya ay makauwi nang ibigay niya ang kaunting laruang pera sa kanyang bulsa, o ang kuwento kung saan nakipagsundo daw ang mga engkanto sa kanya para ilayo ang Bakunawa ng sa gayon ay makapagsayaw sila sa ilalim ng liwanag ng buwan.

“Ibig niyo po bang sabihin ay totoo ang lahat ng iyon?” Si Jaime ay naguluhan.

“Lahat ng iyon at higit pa. Ngayon, kunin mo ang aking kamay.  May ibibigay akong natatangi sa iyo.”

Sinunod ni Jaime ang iniutos sa kanya. Hindi pa rin siya sigurado kung nananaginip lang siya, pero wala siyang dahilan para manlaban. Gusto niyang lubos na malaman ang mga kuwento ng kanyang lolo.

“Dala mo na ba?” Palaging gusto ng kanyang lolo na diretso agad sa usapan.

“Opo, dala ko po,” sagot ni Jaime sa boses na tulad ng isang nangangailangan nang umidlip.

“Mukhang naging matindi ang iyong pakikipagsapalaran.”

“Hindi niyo po alam kahit kalahati nun.. o baka alam po ninyo.”

“Tinakbuhan mo ba ang mga guwardiya ng Kamaritaan?”

“Siyempre po naman.”

“Hinamon mo ba ang mga anak ng Ulilangkalulua?”

“Dalawang beses po.”

“Si Ibabasag? Nakausap mo ba siya?”

“Ipinahahatid po niya ang kanyang pagmamahal at pinapasabi po niya na ‘salamat’.”

“Alam mo ba na isang beses ay tinulungan ko siyang magsilang ng dalawampung anak?”

“Opo, nabanggit po niya.”

“At paano naman ang–”

“Lolo, kung maaari po sana ay kainin niyo na po ang ugat.”

“Kayo talagang mga kabataan ngayon, palagi na lang umiiwas sa mga usapan. Alam mo ba noong panahon ko–”

“Sa tingin ko po ay sapat na ang nalalaman ko tungkol sa panahon na iyon.”

“Oh, ang mga kuwento na puwede kong sabihin.”

“Sabihin po ninyo ang mga iyan sa susunod na pagtitipon ng ating angkan.”

“Bakit kailangan pang mag-antay? Kumuha ka ng silya at makinig ka sa matandang lalaki.”

“Lolo?”

“Ano iyon?”

“Ipagpaumanhin po ninyo na tinawag ko po kayong sinungaling.”

“Huwag na. May mga bagay akong nagawa na kahit ako ay hindi makapaniwala.”

“Pero nangyari po talaga iyon?”

Napangiti ang lolo ni Jaime at sumenyas na siya ay maupo sa kanyang tabi.

“Sa palagay ko ay oras na para sa isa na namang kuwento.”

English Version

Everyone needs stories in their lives. It’s what makes them more human.

Anyone that disagrees might need to have their hearts reexamined.

That’s what Jaime’s lolo tells everyone, or at least everyone that listens.

His family loves him, of course. Every reunion he goes around to all of his grandchildren and tells them wonderful stories.
And they all listen.

Well, most of them do.

Jaime is a special case.

See, Jaime is the type of child whose parents spend too much time doing important adult things that they forget that they have a child at home.

Jaime got his first tablet at the age of four and his first cellphone at seven. His parents bought an unlimited data package and in their heads they thought that it would keep Jaime busy long enough to forget he was alone.

They were wrong, as most parents are when they have an only child. See they haven’t tested anything out yet, everything’s brand new.

And so Jaime sits in front of his lolo half-listening to his stories.
Even before the story ends Jaime interjects, “That’s not true!”
His cousins all look at him with the same resigned face. This isn’t the first time he’s interrupted a story and they know it won’t be the last.

Jaime’s lolo sighs, “What is it this time?” he says with a smile.

“There’s no such thing as an Engkanto, they’re made-up!” Jaime says.

“How do you know that?” his lolo replies.

“I read it on the internet!” because reading things on the internet is what you do when you have a tablet and unlimited data.

“Well it’s true, I swear on my mother,” Jaime’s lolo’s beamed.
“It can’t be true, and I know for sure!”

Meanwhile, all the other grandchildren were busy watching the spectacle. This was their favorite part of story time. Lolo and Jaime’s arguments could last all day and there were nothing if not entertaining.

“It’s true! I was taken to the balete tree and went to the realm of the engkanto!”

Jaime shakes his head vigorously. “There’s no such place! It’s not even on Google Maps!”

Lolo was a lawyer in a past life and there was no way he would lose to someone barely nine years old.

“If you had listened to my story you would know that their realm cannot be found by human technology.”

“I don’t need to listen to your story to know it’s made up.”
“Are you calling me a liar?”

“Well I’m not calling you a truther.”

“What does that even mean?!”

And on they went until it was time for dinner (and sometimes even during dinner, even Lola Anding’s Adobo couldn’t stop their arguments).

This scene played itself year after year.

That is, until one year when lolo was too sick to tell his story and the titos and titas talked about lolo in hushed sounds.
Jaime didn’t know what to do. No one had ever taught him how to let his anger out, so he took his tablet and his phone and tried to run away from the world.

His parents didn’t think there was anything wrong with him, after all teenagers are known to be masters at sulking.
So Jaime sulked and played loud music to try to make sense of his feelings, but none of it helped.

He would cut his classes to visit lolo in the hospital, because no matter how much they argued Jaime loved his lolo very much.

“I’m going to be fine,” his lolo would say through closed eyes.
“No you’re not.”

“Now why do you think that?”

“I read it on the internet.”

“I keep saying that you should stop hiding your head in your gadgets. There’s a whole world to explore if you look up.”
“You’re trying to distract me.”

“All that time on your phone and you’re still so observant.”
“Please don’t leave me lolo.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“That’s not what I read.”

“Life is lived in more than words, my boy.”

“I know what cancer is.”

“The internet can’t teach you everything.”

“It taught me enough.”

“So what does it say?”

“That you might not make it out of here alive.”

“I will.”

“Really?”

“Are you calling me a liar?”

“I..Lolo..” tears were starting to stream down Jaime’s face.

“Promise me you’ll do me one thing.”

“Anything.”

“Go to the balete tree in my backyard and watch the stars.”
“Lolo I’m being serious.”

“So am I. It’s time that you learned there are some things the internet can’t teach you.”

“Lolo..”

“Do you promise?” Lolo looked at him with a gaze that disintegrated the word ‘no’.

“I promise lolo.”

“And I promise I’ll be alright.”

The fluorescent lights in the hospital room flickered as Jaime’s parents entered the room. They didn’t know how to deal with a child that skipped school to see his grandfather, so they did what they thought was sensible and took away his gadgets.
Jaime didn’t mind. He had a promise to fulfill.

Lola Anding gave Jaime some tea to help him settle in. When he showed up at her door he didn’t know what to say, but he didn’t need to. Lolas always seem to know what you’re thinking and she gave a smile as she said, “Bring a jacket, it might get cold outside.”

Jaime thanked her and sat under the tree. It was late, but as everyone knows teenagers are masters of staying up through the night. He felt naked without his phone and tried to think of what his lolo said.

It’s time you learned something the internet can’t teach you.
What did he know? His phone still had buttons. Jaime knew everything that you ever need to know was on the internet.
Lolo’s house was far outside the city and Jaime wasn’t used to seeing so many shimmering lights in the night sky.

He wished he had his angry music to keep him company, but there was just the sound of rustling leaves and the occasional croak from a frog.

Jaime rested his head against the winding roots of the balete tree and closed his eyes.

When he opened them again a woman was standing in front of him. She glowed in the darkness, he had never seen anyone as beautiful as her before and his heart skipped a few beats. In these situations it paid off to have confidence and sureness, unfortunately Jaime had neither.

“Ummm..ahhh,” he managed to say.

“You must be Jaime, we’ve been expecting you,” the beautiful woman said.

“Excuse me?” Jaime had dreams before, everyone has, but he had never been in one so real. He pinched himself to try go back to the waking world and when that didn’t work he looked at the woman again.

“Don’t be frightened, your lolo told us you were coming.”

“He did?”

“Of course he did, and it is such a pleasure finally meeting our hero’s grandchild.”

“Your hero?”

“Yes, didn’t your lolo tell you?”

And in that moment it all came back to him. Years of stories rushing their way into his head. There was the one where lolo said he ate the black rice in the world of engkantos but managed to bargain his way out with some play money he had in his pocket, or the one where the engkanto hired him to keep the Bakunawa away so that they could have their moonlight dances.

“Do you mean all of it was true?” Jaime was bewildered.
“All that and more. Now, take my hand, we have something special for you.”

Jaime did as he was told. He still wasn’t sure if this was a dream, but there was no point in fighting. He wanted to know more about his lolo’s stories.

“So do you have it?” Lolo always wanted to get to the point.

“I do,” Jaime said in the voice of someone that really needed to take a nap.

“You sound like you’ve had quite the adventure.”

“You don’t know the half of it.. or maybe you do.”

“Did you run from the guards of Kamaritaan?”

“Of course.”

“Did you challenge the children of Ulilangkalulua?”

“Twice.”

“How about Ibabasag? Did you talk to her?”

“She sends her love and told me to tell you ‘thank you’”

“Did you know I helped her deliver 20 children one time?”

“Yes, she mentioned that.”

“And what about—–“

“Lolo, please just eat the root.”

“You young people these days, always trying to avoid conversation. You know back in my time—”

“I think I know enough about that time.”

“Oh the stories I could tell.”

“Tell them at the next family reunion.”

“Why wait? Grab that chair and listen to an old man.”

“Lolo?”

“What is it?”

“I’m sorry I called you a liar.”

“Don’t be, some of the things I did I don’t even believe myself.”

“But they did happen?”

Lolo gives Jaime a wry smile and motions to the seat beside him.

“I think it’s time for another story.”

Inspired by the Engkanto description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

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

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Sa lahat ng mga nilalang mula sa Kanluran ng Visayas, ang bagat ang pinakakakaiba.

Ang mga bagat ay may kakayahang magpalit-anyo, maaari silang maging kasindak-sindak na hayop na may malaking sukat (karaniwan ay ang mga maaamong uri) o iba pang nakatatakot na pangitain gaya ng paglutang ng kandila o ng ataul.

Mararamdaman sila sa mga mapanglaw na lugar. Hindi na kakaiba na makita sila kung kabilugan ng buwan o kung madilim ang langit sa gabi matapos ang kaunting patak ng ulan.

Kalimitan, sila ay di mapaminsala, gaya ng nabanggit sa itaas na anyo ng mga alagang hayop. Ngunit huwag magpakakampante dahil may mga ilan ring dapat na alalahanin.

May mga bagat na alaga ng ilang kagila-gilalas na nilalang at kung makakaalitan mo ang mga ito ay paggagantihan ka ng mga bagat para sa kanilang amo.

Nagiging delikado rin ang mga bagat sa mga pagkakataon na sila ay masasaktan.

May nagsasabi rin na ang ilang mga aswang ay ginagaya ang anyo ng mga bagat. Kadalasang nakatayo ang mga ito nang ang buhok ay nakatirik at ang mukha ay sadyang nakakatakot, habang ang mata nito ay nakatingin lang sa harapan.

Now it has to be noted about bagat and aswang. In some cases, there are bagat that are aswang and in others there are aswang that take the form of the bagat. There is a strange relationship that I wish I had more time to study, but that will have to wait for a future time.

Kailangan tandaan ang tungkol sa bagat at aswang. May mga pagkakataon na may mga bagat na asawang at may mga aswang na ginagaya ang anyo ng mga bagat. May kakaibang relasyon ito na sana ay may mas oras pa ako para pag-aral, ngunit kailangan muna itong maipagpaliban.

Those that encounter true bagat should know that they are prone to terrifying lone travelers. Some bagat may even chase or wrestle their scared quarry. If one is wrestled this way then the victim should bite the bagat’s thumb hard until it yields and begs to be freed.

Sa mga nakatagpo na ng totoong bagat ay alam nila na karaniwan itong nananakot ng mga nag-iisang manlalakbay. May ilang bagat na nanghahabol o nakikipagbuno sa mga takot na dayo. Kung makipagbuno ang bagat, dapat na gawin ng biktima ay kagatin ang hinlalaki ng bagat hanggang sa huminto ito at magmakaawa na palayain na siya.

May ilan ring kwento na nagsasabing naduduwag o humihinto ang bagat sa pamamagitan ng pagbati rito na parang kakilala. Sa ganitong paraan, nalilito ang nilalang kaya nahihirapan itong gumawa ng kilos.

May narinig akong kwento kung saan nag-anyong malaking aso ang isang bagat at hinarang ang mga manlalakbay na dumaraan sa pook nito isang gabi. Wala namang napahamak sa pagkakaalam ko at di rin nagtagal, umalis na rin ang ang bagat at naghanap na ng bagong lugar na paglalagiman.

Pagkatapos ng lahat, hindi ko pa rin alam kung ano ang itsura o anyo ng totoong bagat at baka hindi ko na talaga malaman pa dahil aalis na ako sa Mindanao ngayong linggo.

Ano man ang mangyari, mag-ingat sana ang mga makatatagpo ng bagat.

Walang nakakaalam sa gagayahin at gagamitin nitong anyo.

Sana lang ay yung hindi kakaiba.

-Mula sa sulat ni Mari Bas

=——————————–=
English Version

Among the creatures from Western Visayas, the bagat is most peculiar.

The bagat are shapeshifters in the common nomenclature, changing between monstrous animals of huge proportions (mostly those of the domesticated variety) or other frightful apparitions such as floating candles or coffins.

They haunt lonely trails. It is not uncommon for them to be sighted when the moon is full or if it is completely dark after a light drizzle in the evening.

Normally, they are harmless, assuming the aforementioned form of domesticated animals. But one must not let their guard down as there are special considerations to note.

There are bagat that are pets of other supernatural creatures and if you cross these creatures then the bagat will have no choice but to retaliate for their masters.

What is common in most cases is that the bagat is very dangerous when harmed.

It is also said that some aswang take on one of the forms of a bagat. These are often encountered walking with their hair standing on end and their faces a terrifying sight, with the creature’s eyes staring ahead.

Now it has to be noted about bagat and aswang. In some cases, there are bagat that are aswang and in others there are aswang that take the form of the bagat. There is a strange relationship that I wish I had more time to study, but that will have to wait for a future time.

Those that encounter true bagat should know that they are prone to terrifying lone travelers. Some bagat may even chase or wrestle their scared quarry. If one is wrestled this way then the victim should bite the bagat’s thumb hard until it yields and begs to be freed.

There are also tales of discouraging the bagat by greeting them as if they were someone familiar. This presumably confuses the spirit, making it hard for it to react.

I have heard of a strange situation wherein a bagat took the form of a large dog and waylaid travelers walking its path at night. There were no casualties that I am aware of and eventually the bagat moved on, looking for another place to haunt.

Throughout all of this I still do not know what the true form of the bagat is, and I may never know as I leave for Mindanao this week.

Whatever happens I wish luck to those that encounter the bagat.

You never know what form it will take.

Pray it is a familiar one.

-From the notes of Mari Bas

=———————————————–=

*Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a quarter of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by the majority. Its standardized form, officially named Filipino, is the national language of the Philippines, and is one of two official languages alongside English.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Translation by Reina Mikee
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Reina Mikee

Story inspired by the Bagat description in  The Encyclopedia of Philippine Folk Beliefs and Customs Vol. 1 , F.R. Demetrio S.J., Xavier University, 1990

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

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Siya iyon.

Hindi ako maaaring magkamali. Nakita ko siya nang gabing iyon, ang pangil niya at ang kulubot niyang mukha. Ang mga patak ng dugo, nakita ko at sinundan ko iyon hanggang sa bubong.

Halimaw ang nakita ko.

Nakangiti siya na nakalabas ang mga pangil na ang buhok ay naka-pomada pero siya talaga iyon.

Fortunato Leviste ang pangalan niya ayon sa mga napagtanungan ko. Nandito siya para makapangampanya sa pagtakbo niya sa pagka-Gobernador.

Kung alam lang nila.

Natatandaan ko noong mga bata kami. Lumaki akong palaging pinag-iingat sa gabi lalo na kung may sakit dahil sa mga nilalang na lumilipad na handang bumaba sa bubong at pagpiyestahan ang bituka ng magiging biktima.

Kwento pa ng Lola ko noon, maganda raw ang mga halimaw, mapuputi at may mapang-akit na mga mata. Kaya’t pinag-iingat rin ang mga kalalakihan dahil ayon sa mga kwento, pinakakasalan ng mga ito ang biktima nila, pagkatapos ay lilipad at hindi na muling magpapakita.

Marahil ay ganoon din sya, magandang lalake at mestiso, kaakit-akit rin sa mga kababaihan. Karamihan ay nagkakandarapang makausap siya.

Pero isa lang ang ipinagtataka ko.

Hindi ba’t babae lang ang mga manananggal?

Binabalikan ko ang mga kwento noon.

Babae na natatanggal ang kalahati ng katawan

Babaeng may pakpak na tulad ng sa paniki

Babaeng hindi na makababalik sa kanilang kalahating katawan kapag nilagyan ito ng abo, suka at asin.

Babaeng may mala-sinulid na dila na sumisipsip sa bituka ng kanilang biktima.

Pero hindi.

Alam ko ang nakita ko.

Nakatayo siya sa di kalayuan sa akin at tumatawa.

Ano kayang iniisip niya. Siguro ‘yong susunod niyang biktima?

Hindi ko hahayaang mangyari iyon.

Matapos ang mga nakita ko.

Sinundan ko siya papalabas sa kalsada. Naaamoy ko ang usok ng kaniyang Tabako.

Nakita niya ako at ngumiti.

Sinabi ko sa kaniya na alam ko kung ano siya at kung anong nais niyang gawin sa akin. Sinabi kong hindi ko hahayaang mangyari iyon at wala nang magiging biktima pa.

Tumawa lang siya.

Naghihisterikal lang daw ako.

Sinong maniniwala sa akin?

Ang mga pulis?

Mga kaibigan ko?

Pamilya ko?

Lumapit siya sa akin at tinitigan ako at nagsimula akong kilabutan.

“Tutuloy na ako,” and sabi niya, “hindi pa ako naghahapunan”

Parang naramdaman ko ang paghaba ng kaniyang dila na hanggang sa may leeg ko

Umiiyak akong bumagsak sa sahig.

Hindi.

Hindi maaaring hayaan ko na lang siya.

Natunton ko na ang kaniyang lungga.

At ito. Asin, suka at kutsilyo.

Sana’y sapat na ito.

Diyos ko, sana…

=——————————————–=

English Version

It’s him.

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

And I saw the monster.

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

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

If only they knew.

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

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

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

But one thing keeps nagging me.

Mananaggal are only female, right?

I think back to all the stories.

Women that remove the upper half of their bodies.

Women with batlike wings.

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

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

No.

I know what I saw.

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

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

I won’t let that happen.

Not after what I’ve seen.

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

He sees me and his smile widens.

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

And then he laughs.

He tells me I’m just a hysterical girl.

Who would believe me?

The police?

My friends?

My family?

What could they do?

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

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

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

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

No.

I won’t give him the satisfaction.

I find out where he’s staying.

And prepare.

Salt, garlic and a knife.

I hope this is enough.

Please God, let this be enough.

=——————————————-=

*The Iqui is also known as Ikki / Ike

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

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

*Note this story is in Tagalog

May bago akong kaibigan.

Ang pangalan niya ay Aura. Bata siya na katulad ko, pero hindi ko siya nakita sa kapitbahayan namin noon.

Naisip ko na kakaiba na lagi siyang may dalang payong, tapos isinama niya akong lumipad na gamit ito. Napakasaya ang nangyari!

Sinabi niya sa akin na pwede kaming maglaro sa bahay niya at dinala niya ako sa isang malaking bato. Akala ko nagbibiro lang siya, pero nang hawakan niya ang bato, naging isang malaking palasyo ito. Sobrang nagulat ako!

Noong aalis na ako, binigyan niya ako ng madaming barya na pilak at pinilit niya akong ipangako na hindi ko sasabihin kung saan ko iyon nakuha sa kahit kanino. Sinabi niya na siya ay isang enki… enko…. engkantada at may mga masasamang mangyayari sa akin kapag nagsabi ako ng tungkol sa kanya.

Itinago ko ang mga barya sa ilalim ng aking kama, pero hindi ko inisip na iyon ay maganda. Magmula noon, nagkasakit si Lola at pumunta na sa langit. Si Kuya ay nabangga ng kotse at nasa ospital ngayon. Binabantayan siya ni Mama pero tingin ko ay nagkakasakit na din siya.

Gusto kong sabihin kay Papa ang tungkol kay Aura at baka may ginawa siya, pero nadidinig ko ang huni ng hangin at ang tunog ng payong niya sa labas ng aking bintana kapag gabi.

Nadidinig ko siyang tumatawa.

Hindi ako naniniwalang mabuti siyang kaibigan.

=———————————————=
English Version

I made a new friend.

Her name was Aura, she was a kid just like me but I never saw her around the neighborhood before.
I thought it was strange that she always carried an umbrella around, but then she took me flying with it. It was so much fun!

She told me we could play in her house and she took me to this big rock. I thought she was joking but when she touched it, it turned into a big palace. I was so surprised!

When I was about to leave she gave me so many silver coins and she made me promise not to tell anyone where I got them. She told me she was an enki-… enko…. engkantada and that bad things would happen to me if I told on her.
I kept the coins under my bed but I don’t think they were good coins. Since then, Lola got sick and went to heaven. Kuya had a car crash and now he’s in the hospital. Mama’s with him but I think she’s getting sick too.

I want to tell Papa about Aura and that maybe she did something, but every night I can hear the sound of the wind and her umbrella outside my window.
I can hear her laughing.

I don’t think she’s a very good friend.

=————————————————————=

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Ang lahat ng tao ay nangangailangan ng mga kuwento sa kanilang buhay. Dahil doon, sila ay nagiging mas tao.

Ang sino man na tututol ay baka nangangailangan na muling magsiyasat ng kanilang mga puso.

Iyon ang sinasabi ng lolo ni Jaime sa lahat, o kahit sino na nakikinig.

Mahal siya talaga ng kanyang pamilya. Sa bawat pagtitipon ng angkan, nilalapitan niya ang kanyang mga apo at sinasabihan ng mga nakamamanghang kuwento.

At nakikinig silang lahat.

Halos lahat sila.

Si Jaime ay espesyal na kaso.

Kung titingnang maigi, si Jaime ay ang tipo ng bata na may mga magulang na masyadong abala sa mga bagay na importante sa mga matanda kaya nakakalimutan nila na may kasama silang bata sa bahay.

Nakuha ni Jaime ang kanyang unang tablet noong siya ay apat na taon at ang una niyang cellphone noong siya ay pitong taon. Ang plano na binili ng kanyang mga magulang para sa datos ng internet ay walang limitasyon at inisip nila na ito ang pagkakaabalahan ni Jaime hanggang malimutan niya na siya ay mag-isa.

Nagkamali sila, tulad ng karamihan sa mga magulang na may nag-iisang anak. Kung tutuusin, hindi man lang nila sinubukang paganahin ang kahit na ano– lahat ay bago.

Naupo si Jaime sa harap ng kanyang lolo at bahagyang nakinig sa kanyang mga kuwento.

Bago pa man matapos ang kuwento, sumabat si Jaime. “Hindi po iyan totoo!”

Napatingin ang lahat ng mga pinsan niya sa kanya at batid sa kanilang mga mukha na sanay na sila. Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na ginambala niya ang kuwentuhan at alam nila na hindi ito ang huli.

Napabuntong-hininga ang lolo ni Jaime. “Ano na naman ngayon?,” tanong niya na nakangiti.

“Wala naman po talagang Engkanto– gawa-gawa lang po iyan!,” sabi ni Jaime.

“Paano mo naman nalaman?,” sagot ng kanyang lolo.

“Nabasa ko po sa internet!” Dahil ang pagbabasa ng mga bagay sa internet ang ginagawa kapag mayroon kang tablet at datos na walang limitasyon.

“Totoo naman iyan. Nanunumpa ako sa ngalan ng aking ina,” masayang sagot ng lolo ni Jaime.

“Hindi po iyan totoo, at sigurado po ako!”

Samantala, abala sa panonood ang ibang mga apo sa nangyayari.  Ito ang paborito nilang bahagi tuwing oras ng kuwentuhan. Ang pagtatalo ni Jaime at ng kanyang lolo ay halos abutin ng buong maghapon, at nakalilibang ito na pagmasdan.

“Totoo iyan! Ako ay dinala sa puno ng balete at nakarating sa kaharian ng mga engkanto!”

Matindi ang iling ni Jaime. “Wala pong lugar na ganyan! Hindi po iyan makikita sa Google Maps!”

Abogado ang lolo ni Jaime sa dati niyang buhay at hindi siya papayag na talunin ng isang bata na wala pa halos siyam na taong gulang.

“Kung nakinig ka lang sana sa aking kuwento, malalaman mo na ang kaharian ng mga engkanto ay hindi matatagpuan ng teknolohiya ng tao.”

“Hindi ko po kailangang pakinggan ang kuwento ninyo kasi alam ko po na iyon ay gawa-gawa lang.”

“Tinatawag mo ba akong sinungaling?”

“Hindi ko naman po sinabi na nagsasabi po kayo ng totoo.”

“Ano ang ibig mong sabihin?”

Ipinagpatuloy nila ito hanggang umabot na ng hapunan (at minsan kahit naghahapunan, ang adobo ni Lola Anding ay hindi kayang patigilin ang kanilang pagtatalo).

Ito ang eksena na nagaganap taon-taon.

Hanggang umabot ang taon na naging malubha ang karamdaman ng kanyang lolo kaya hindi na niya kayang magkuwento, at ang mga tiyuhin at mga tiyahin niya ay pabulong na pinag-uusapan ang kalagayan ng kanyang lolo.

Hindi malaman ni Jaime ang kanyang gagawin. Walang nagturo sa kanya kung paano ilabas ang kanyang galit, kaya kinuha niya ang kanyang tablet at cellphone para subukang takasan ang mundo.

Hindi naisip ng kanyang mga magulang na may problema siya, dahil ang mga tinedyer ay kilala sa pagiging bihasa sa pagmukmok.

Si Jaime ay nagmukmok at nagpatugtog ng malakas na musika para subukang ibsan ang kanyang nararamdaman, pero wala itong naitulong sa kanya.

Hindi niya pinasukan ang ilang klase niya para mabisita ang kanyang lolo sa ospital, dahil sa kabila ng kanilang mga pagtatalo ay mahal na mahal niya ito.

“Magiging maayos din ang lagay ko,” sabi ng kanyang lolo habang nakapikit.

“Hindi po totoo iyan.”

“Ngayon, bakit mo naman naisip iyan?”

“Nabasa ko po sa internet.”

“Lagi ko sa iyong sinasabi na huwag mong isubsob ang ulo mo sa iyong mga gadyet. Napakalawak ng mundong sisiyasatin kapag tumingin ka pataas.”

“Sinusubukan niyo po akong ilihis.”

“Mahaba ang oras na inilalaan mo sa iyong cellphone at patuloy ka pa ring mapagmasid.”

“Pakiusap, huwag niyo po akong iiwan, lolo.”

“Wala naman akong ibang pupuntahan.”

“Hindi po iyan ang nabasa ko.”

“Ang buhay ay higit pa sa mga salita, apo.”

“Alam ko po kung ano ang cancer.”

“Hindi kayang ituro ng internet ang lahat ng bagay.”

“Sapat naman po ang naituro sa akin. “

“Ano ba ang sinasabi doon?”

“Na baka hindi na po kayo makakalabas dito ng buhay.”

“Kakayanin ko ito.”

“Talaga po?”

“Tinatawag mo ba akong sinungaling?”

“L..Lolo…” Nagsimulang umagos ang luha sa mukha ni Jaime.

“Ipangako mo sa akin na may gagawin kang isang bagay.”

“Kahit na ano po.”

“Pumunta ka sa puno ng balete sa aking likod-bahay at panoorin ang mga bituin.”

“Lolo, seryoso po ako.”

“Seryoso din naman ako. Panahon na para matuto ka ng mga bagay na hindi kayang ituro ng internet.”

“Lolo..”

“Nangangako ka ba?” Tinitigan siya ng kanyang lolo na kayang gunawin ang salitang ‘hindi’.

“Ipinapangako ko po, lolo.”

“At ipinapangako ko na ako ay magiging maayos.”

Ang mga ilaw sa loob ng kuwarto ng ospital ay umandap-andap habang papasok ang mga magulang ni Jaime. Hindi nila alam kung ano ang gagawin sa isang bata na tumakas sa kanyang klase para makita ang kanyang lolo, kaya’t ginawa nila ang sa tingin nila ay tama at kinuha ang kanyang mga gadyet.

Wala nang pakialam si Jaime. Mayroon siyang pangako na kailangang tuparin.

——————————————————————————————————————————————

Binigyan ni Lola Anding ng tsaa si Jaime para maging komportable ang kanyang pamamalagi. Noong nagpakita si Jaime sa harap ng pintuan ng kanyang lola, hindi niya alam ang kanyang sasabihin, pero hindi na niya kailangan. Tila palaging alam ng mga lola ang iyong iniisip. Napangiti ang kanyang lola habang sinasabi, “Magdala ka ng jacket. Baka lumamig sa labas.”

Pinasalamatan ni Jaime ang kanyang lola at naupo sa ilalim ng puno. Malalim na ang gabi, pero alam naman ng lahat na ang mga tinedyer ay bihasa sa pananatiling gising sa magdamag. Pakiramdam niya ay nakahubad siya dahil wala siyang dalang cellphone. Sinubukan niya na lamang alalahanin ang sinabi ng kanyang lolo.

Panahon na para matuto ka ng mga bagay na hindi kayang ituro ng internet.

Ano nga ba ang alam niya? Ang kanyang cellphone ay luma at de-pindot pa.  Alam ni Jaime na ang lahat ng kailangan niyang malaman ay mahahanap naman niya sa internet.

Malayo sa siyudad ang bahay ng lolo ni Jaime. Hindi sanay si Jaime sa mga kumukutitap na liwanag mula sa madilim na kalangitan.

Gusto niya sanang samahan siya ng kanyang musikang puno ng galit, pero ang nadidinig niya lang ay ang kaluskos ng mga dahon at ang paminsan-minsang pagkokak ng palaka.

Isinandal ni Jaime ang ulo niya sa mga paikot na ugat ng puno ng balete at siya ay pumikit.

Nang dumilat siya, may isang dalaga na nakatayo sa kanyang harapan. Kumikinang siya sa kadiliman. Wala pang nakita si Jaime na kasingganda niya at bumilis ang pintig ng kanyang puso. Sa mga ganitong pagkakataon, nakatutulong na may kumpiyansa at tiwala sa sarili, pero sa kasamaang-palad ay parehong wala kay Jaime ang mga iyon.

“Ummm..ahhh,” ang tangi niyang nasambit.

“Marahil ay ikaw si Jaime. Inaasahan namin ang iyong pagdating,“ sabi ng magandang dalaga.

“Paumahin po?” Nananaginip naman si Jaime noon, tulad ng lahat, pero wala pa siyang naging panaginip na parang totoo. Kinurot niya ang kanyang sarili para magising at nang hindi tumalab, tiningnan niyang muli ang dalaga.

“Huwag kang matakot. Nasabi sa amin ng iyong lolo na ikaw ay dadating.”

“Sinabi po niya?”

“Sinabi niya talaga iyon, at lubos ang aming kagalakan na makilala sa wakas ang apo ng aming bayani.”

“Ang inyo pong bayani?”

“Oo. Hindi ba sinabi ng iyong lolo?”

Sa pagkakataong iyon, naalala niya ang lahat. Ang mga kwentong naipon ng madaming taon ay bigla niyang naisip. Mayroong kuwento ang kanyang lolo na kumain daw siya ng itim na kanin sa mundo ng mga engkanto pero nagawa niyang makipagtawaran para siya ay makauwi nang ibigay niya ang kaunting laruang pera sa kanyang bulsa, o ang kuwento kung saan nakipagsundo daw ang mga engkanto sa kanya para ilayo ang Bakunawa ng sa gayon ay makapagsayaw sila sa ilalim ng liwanag ng buwan.

“Ibig niyo po bang sabihin ay totoo ang lahat ng iyon?” Si Jaime ay naguluhan.

“Lahat ng iyon at higit pa. Ngayon, kunin mo ang aking kamay.  May ibibigay akong natatangi sa iyo.”

Sinunod ni Jaime ang iniutos sa kanya. Hindi pa rin siya sigurado kung nananaginip lang siya, pero wala siyang dahilan para manlaban. Gusto niyang lubos na malaman ang mga kuwento ng kanyang lolo.

———————————————————————————————————————————-

“Dala mo na ba?” Palaging gusto ng kanyang lolo na diretso agad sa usapan.

“Opo, dala ko po,” sagot ni Jaime sa boses na tulad ng isang nangangailangan nang umidlip.

“Mukhang naging matindi ang iyong pakikipagsapalaran.”

“Hindi niyo po alam kahit kalahati nun.. o baka alam po ninyo.”

“Tinakbuhan mo ba ang mga guwardiya ng Kamaritaan?”

“Siyempre po naman.”

“Hinamon mo ba ang mga anak ng Ulilangkalulua?”

“Dalawang beses po.”

“Si Ibabasag? Nakausap mo ba siya?”

“Ipinahahatid po niya ang kanyang pagmamahal at pinapasabi po niya na ‘salamat’.”

“Alam mo ba na isang beses ay tinulungan ko siyang magsilang ng dalawampung anak?”

“Opo, nabanggit po niya.”

“At paano naman ang–”

“Lolo, kung maaari po sana ay kainin niyo na po ang ugat.”

“Kayo talagang mga kabataan ngayon, palagi na lang umiiwas sa mga usapan. Alam mo ba noong panahon ko–”

“Sa tingin ko po ay sapat na ang nalalaman ko tungkol sa panahon na iyon.”

“Oh, ang mga kuwento na puwede kong sabihin.”

“Sabihin po ninyo ang mga iyan sa susunod na pagtitipon ng ating angkan.”

“Bakit kailangan pang mag-antay? Kumuha ka ng silya at makinig ka sa matandang lalaki.”

“Lolo?”

“Ano iyon?”

“Ipagpaumanhin po ninyo na tinawag ko po kayong sinungaling.”

“Huwag na. May mga bagay akong nagawa na kahit ako ay hindi makapaniwala.”

“Pero nangyari po talaga iyon?”

Napangiti ang lolo ni Jaime at sumenyas na siya ay maupo sa kanyang tabi.

“Sa palagay ko ay oras na para sa isa na namang kuwento.”

=—————————————-=

English Version

Everyone needs stories in their lives. It’s what makes them more human.

Anyone that disagrees might need to have their hearts reexamined.

That’s what Jaime’s lolo tells everyone, or at least everyone that listens.

His family loves him, of course. Every reunion he goes around to all of his grandchildren and tells them wonderful stories.

And they all listen.

Well, most of them do.

Jaime is a special case.

See, Jaime is the type of child whose parents spend too much time doing important adult things that they forget that they have a child at home.

Jaime got his first tablet at the age of four and his first cellphone at seven. His parents bought an unlimited data package and in their heads they thought that it would keep Jaime busy long enough to forget he was alone.

They were wrong, as most parents are when they have an only child. See they haven’t tested anything out yet, everything’s brand new.

And so Jaime sits in front of his lolo half-listening to his stories.

Even before the story ends Jaime interjects, “That’s not true!”

His cousins all look at him with the same resigned face. This isn’t the first time he’s interrupted a story and they know it won’t be the last.

Jaime’s lolo sighs, “What is it this time?” he says with a smile.

“There’s no such thing as an Engkanto, they’re made-up!” Jaime says.

“How do you know that?” his lolo replies.

“I read it on the internet!” because reading things on the internet is what you do when you have a tablet and unlimited data.

“Well it’s true, I swear on my mother,” Jaime’s lolo’s beamed.

“It can’t be true, and I know for sure!”

Meanwhile, all the other grandchildren were busy watching the spectacle. This was their favorite part of story time. Lolo and Jaime’s arguments could last all day and there were nothing if not entertaining.

“It’s true! I was taken to the balete tree and went to the realm of the engkanto!”

Jaime shakes his head vigorously. “There’s no such place! It’s not even on Google Maps!”

Lolo was a lawyer in a past life and there was no way he would lose to someone barely nine years old.

“If you had listened to my story you would know that their realm cannot be found by human technology.”

“I don’t need to listen to your story to know it’s made up.”

“Are you calling me a liar?”

“Well I’m not calling you a truther.”

“What does that even mean?!”

And on they went until it was time for dinner (and sometimes even during dinner, even Lola Anding’s Adobo couldn’t stop their arguments).

This scene played itself year after year.

That is, until one year when lolo was too sick to tell his story and the titos and titas talked about lolo in hushed sounds.

Jaime didn’t know what to do. No one had ever taught him how to let his anger out, so he took his tablet and his phone and tried to run away from the world.

His parents didn’t think there was anything wrong with him, after all teenagers are known to be masters at sulking.

So Jaime sulked and played loud music to try to make sense of his feelings, but none of it helped.

He would cut his classes to visit lolo in the hospital, because no matter how much they argued Jaime loved his lolo very much.

“I’m going to be fine,” his lolo would say through closed eyes.

“No you’re not.”

“Now why do you think that?”

“I read it on the internet.”

“I keep saying that you should stop hiding your head in your gadgets. There’s a whole world to explore if you look up.”

“You’re trying to distract me.”

“All that time on your phone and you’re still so observant.”

“Please don’t leave me lolo.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“That’s not what I read.”

“Life is lived in more than words, my boy.”

“I know what cancer is.”

“The internet can’t teach you everything.”

“It taught me enough.”

“So what does it say?”

“That you might not make it out of here alive.”

“I will.”

“Really?”

“Are you calling me a liar?”

“I..Lolo..” tears were starting to stream down Jaime’s face.

“Promise me you’ll do me one thing.”

“Anything.”

“Go to the balete tree in my backyard and watch the stars.”

“Lolo I’m being serious.”

“So am I. It’s time that you learned there are some things the internet can’t teach you.”

“Lolo..”

“Do you promise?” Lolo looked at him with a gaze that disintegrated the word ‘no’.

“I promise lolo.”

“And I promise I’ll be alright.”

The fluorescent lights in the hospital room flickered as Jaime’s parents entered the room. They didn’t know how to deal with a child that skipped school to see his grandfather, so they did what they thought was sensible and took away his gadgets.

Jaime didn’t mind. He had a promise to fulfill.

——————————————————————————————————————————————

Lola Anding gave Jaime some tea to help him settle in. When he showed up at her door he didn’t know what to say, but he didn’t need to. Lolas always seem to know what you’re thinking and she gave a smile as she said, “Bring a jacket, it might get cold outside.”

Jaime thanked her and sat under the tree. It was late, but as everyone knows teenagers are masters of staying up through the night. He felt naked without his phone and tried to think of what his lolo said.

It’s time you learned something the internet can’t teach you.

What did he know? His phone still had buttons. Jaime knew everything that you ever need to know was on the internet.

Lolo’s house was far outside the city and Jaime wasn’t used to seeing so many shimmering lights in the night sky.

He wished he had his angry music to keep him company, but there was just the sound of rustling leaves and the occasional croak from a frog.

Jaime rested his head against the winding roots of the balete tree and closed his eyes.

When he opened them again a woman was standing in front of him. She glowed in the darkness, he had never seen anyone as beautiful as her before and his heart skipped a few beats. In these situations it paid off to have confidence and sureness, unfortunately Jaime had neither.

“Ummm..ahhh,” he managed to say.

“You must be Jaime, we’ve been expecting you,” the beautiful woman said.

“Excuse me?” Jaime had dreams before, everyone has, but he had never been in one so real. He pinched himself to try go back to the waking world and when that didn’t work he looked at the woman again.

“Don’t be frightened, your lolo told us you were coming.”

“He did?”

“Of course he did, and it is such a pleasure finally meeting our hero’s grandchild.”

“Your hero?”

“Yes, didn’t your lolo tell you?”

And in that moment it all came back to him. Years of stories rushing their way into his head. There was the one where lolo said he ate the black rice in the world of engkantos but managed to bargain his way out with some play money he had in his pocket, or the one where the engkanto hired him to keep the Bakunawa away so that they could have their moonlight dances.

“Do you mean all of it was true?” Jaime was bewildered.

“All that and more. Now, take my hand, we have something special for you.”

Jaime did as he was told. He still wasn’t sure if this was a dream, but there was no point in fighting. He wanted to know more about his lolo’s stories.

———————————————————————————————————————————-

“So do you have it?” Lolo always wanted to get to the point.

“I do,” Jaime said in the voice of someone that really needed to take a nap.

“You sound like you’ve had quite the adventure.”

“You don’t know the half of it.. or maybe you do.”

“Did you run from the guards of Kamaritaan?”

“Of course.”

“Did you challenge the children of Ulilangkalulua?”

“Twice.”

“How about Ibabasag? Did you talk to her?”

“She sends her love and told me to tell you ‘thank you’”

“Did you know I helped her deliver 20 children one time?”

“Yes, she mentioned that.”

“And what about—–“

“Lolo, please just eat the root.”

“You young people these days, always trying to avoid conversation. You know back in my time—”

“I think I know enough about that time.”

“Oh the stories I could tell.”

“Tell them at the next family reunion.”

“Why wait? Grab that chair and listen to an old man.”

“Lolo?”

“What is it?”

“I’m sorry I called you a liar.”

“Don’t be, some of the things I did I don’t even believe myself.”

“But they did happen?”

Lolo gives Jaime a wry smile and motions to the seat beside him.

“I think it’s time for another story.”

—————————————————————————————————————————–

Inspired by the Engkanto description in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

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

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Matindi ang sikat ng haring araw sa kalangitan, ngunit hindi papapigil ang dalawang magkaibigan na ipahinga ang kanilang mga pakpak sa isang puno at malugod na batiin ang isa’t-isa.

Ang isa ay nakatakas sa pagkakakulong mula sa isang malayong kaharian at isa naman ay nakalaya bungad sa kapatawaran ng kanyang hari. Naging mahirap at masalimuot ang kanilang mga paglalakbay subalit nagpapasalamat sila  dahil kasama nila ang isa’t-isa.

“Kaibigan, sabihin mo sa akin ang iyong kuwento,” pakiusap ng dakilang ibon.

“Nagsimula lahat noong nagpalipas ako ng gabi sa puno ng Piedras Platas, tulad ng madalas kong ginagawa.”

“Ang iyong puno ng brilyante?”

“Siyang tunay. Tulad ng dati, sinimulan kong awitin ang isa sa aking pitong kanta ng dumating ang dapit-hapon. Subalit sa pagkakataong natapos ko ang ika-pitong awitin, hindi ko napansin na may tao sa ilalim at hindi sinasadyang nahulugan ko siya ng aking dumi.

“At naging bato siya.”

“Oo, naging bato siya. May ibang tao na hindi alam kung ano ang sinusuong nila. Nung sumunod na araw, isa na namang tao ang nakatulog sa ilalim ng puno. Hindi ko pa alam ng pagkakataong iyon na magkapatid sila.”

“Anong nangyari pagkatapos?”

“Hinuli ako habang mahimbing ang tulog ko. Nanatili gising ang taong dumakip sa akin habang kumakanta ako at iniiwasan niya ang mga dumi ko. Naibalik niya ang mga kapatid niya mula sa pagiging bato subalit hindi nila ito kinatuwa. Bagkus ay ginapos nila ito kahit siya ang nagpalaya sa kanila at dinala ako sa kanilang hari.”

“Hindi mawari talaga ang kasakiman ng mga tao.”

“Nang mga sandaling iyon, hindi ko mapagaling ang hari sapagkat kakanta lang ako kapag bumalik ang tunay na dumakip sa akin. At kinalaunan ay nagbalik ‘nga siya. Nagsimula akong umawit at lumabas ang katotohanan tungkol sa kataksilang ginawa ng kanyang mga kapatid. Napalayas sana sa kaharian ang mga taksil niyang kapatid kung hindi lang sa kapatawarang ginawad niya sa kanila.”

“Hango sa sinabi mo, para siyang wala muwang sa mga bagay-bagay.”

“Pagkatapos nun, maayos ang naging pakikitungo nila sa akin. Subalit inasam ko iwagayway ang aking mga pakpak at makalipad muli sa kalangitan. Nakita ko ang pagkakataong ito nang pinalaya ako ng isa sa mga magkakapatid. Pasubali ko ay pakana ito para palabasing hangal ang mabuting niyang kapatid, pero ito ay aking haka-haka lang.”

“Isang kakaibang pagsubok ang iyong naranasan kaibigan.”

“Sang-ayon ako, isang natatanging pakikipagsapalaran, gaya ng marami na siyang pupunan sa ating mga sandali ng habambuhay. Minsan darating sila sa atin at wala tayong magagawa sa bagay na ito. Ang aking pagkakabihag ang nagturo sa akin na pahalagahan ang kalayaang tinatamasa ko ngayon.”

“Tulad ng inaasahan sa iyo kaibigan, may taglay na karunungan ang iyong mga salita.”

Lumubog na ang haring araw habang pinagpatuloy ng dalawang dakilang ibon ang kanilang usapan. Habang patuloy na kumakagat ang dilim ng gabi, kapansin-pansin ang kakaibang kislap sa kanilang mga balahibo dulot ng mga liwanag ng mga bituin.

=——————————————

English Version

The sun shone with an unforgiving glare, but this did not stop the two friends from resting their wings upon a tree and greeting each other warmly.

One had just fled from captivity in a faraway kingdom while the other had sought forgiveness from their king. It had been an exceptionally challenging time in the lives of both these great birds, but they were thankful for each other’s company.

“Tell me your story, old friend,” the great bird, Sumayang Galura, requested.

“It started when I was spending the night on the Piedras Platas, as I always do.”

“Your tree of diamond?”

“The very same. As the sun was setting, I began to sing the first of my seven songs, when I had finished with the seventh, I did not realize that there was a human below me and my droppings had fallen on him.”

“He then turned to stone”

“That he did. Some humans just don’t realize what they get themselves into. The next day the same thing happened with another human that fell asleep at the foot of my tree, I didn’t know they were brothers then.”

“What happened then?”

“The human’s other brother came forth and captured me while I slept. He stayed awake during my songs and avoided my droppings until I fell asleep. He turned his brothers back from stone, but they did not appreciate their freedom. They beat the brother that freed them and took me to their king.”

“Will the cruelty of humans never cease?”

“I would not sing my song to heal the king until my true captor returned, and he did. I sang and my song revealed the duplicity of the two brothers, they would have been banished if not for the forgiveness of the brother that freed them.”

“He sounds like a naïve human.”

“After that, I was not treated badly, but I yearned to stretch my wings and fly through the sky once again. I had this opportunity when one of the brothers just released me. I think it was to frame the good brother as a fool, but that is just my guess.”

“It seems you have had a great ordeal, old friend.”

“I have had an adventure, as what fills most of our lifetimes. Sometimes they come to us and we do not have any choice in the matter. My captivity has only made me more grateful for the freedom I now possess.”

“Wise words, I would expect no less from you.”

The sun set as the two great birds continued their conversation. The star’s light gave their feathers a brilliant glow as they talked late into the night.

=——————————————————————0

Inspired by Ibong Adarna

Adarna Illustration and Watercolor by Franz Lim

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Nadinig mo ang kanilang boses na tinatawag ang iyong pangalan at ikaw ay napangiti. Naisip mong ito ay isa na namang gabi ng kasiyahan sa labas ng siyudad. Hindi mo na maalala kung saan mo sila nakilala o kung kailan nangyari iyon, pero hindi na mahalaga, dahil ang alam mo lang ay ang kasabikan – kung paano tumibok ang iyong puso kapag kasama mo sila, at kung paano ang mundo ay tila bukas at maganda muli.

Maganda. Sila ay napakaganda… at mayaman. Sila ay halos sobrang ganda para maging totoo. Mayroon silang mga mata na kaya kang akitin sa loob ng segundo na ito ay iyong tingnan. Halos takot kang hawakan ang kanilang damit – na parang masisira kapag hinawakan mo ang maselang tela. Lumiliwanag sila sa ilaw at tingin mo ay parang gawa sila sa ginto. Baka nga totoo.

Ngayon gabi, dinala ka nila sa ibang lugar. Sinabi nila na may pagdiriwang sa bahay. Sa iyong pagdating, hindi mo maihalintulad ang bahay sa mga nakita mo noon. Ito ay marilag, napakalaki, at mamahalin. Hindi mo lubos na maisip ang akmang salita para ilarawan ang iyong paghanga na nakapasok ka sa loob.

Puno ang pagdiriwang ng mga kahalintulad nila ang kagandahan, pero may ilan din na kakaiba ang anyo. Walang nagsabi sa iyo na ito ay isang pagtitipon kung saan ang mga kasali ay nakabihis ng nakakatakot na kasuotan. Nakararami ang nagbihis bilang mangkukulam o aswang, kaya pakiramdam mo ay hindi akma ang iyong kasuotan para sa okasyon. Hindi naman ito inalintana ng iyong mga bagong kaibigan. Sinabi nila na napakahalaga na ikaw ay nakarating.

Binigyan ka nila ng pagkain na parang isang uri ng itim na kanin, pero mas alam mo kung ano iyon.  Nasa kanila ang pinakamagagandang bagay, pati pinakamagandang mga droga. Kumain ka ng walang pag-aatubili. Ang lakas ng iyong tama ay kamangha-mangha. Naramdaman mo na nagsisimulang magbago at gumalaw ang iyong kapaligiran. Ang lahat ng tao ay parang nagbabago – ang kanilang mga buhok at mga mata ay nagiging kulay puti. Ikaw ay nakaramdam ng paglutang – parang ikaw ay inaangat mula sa sahig. Ang tugtugin ay tila lalong lumalakas.

Tumingin ka sa iyong relo. Alas-dos na ng umaga. Masyado ka nang ginabi. Alam mong dapat ka nang umuwi. Kailangan mo nang bumalik sa karaniwan at nakakasawang buhay na kasama ang iyong karaniwan at nakasasawang mga kaibigan. Kahit papaano ay wala ka na ding pakialam. Mukhang hindi masamang isipin na manatili na lamang.

Ayaw mo nang umuwi ng bahay.

Tingin mo ay hindi mo na ito magagawa.

=——————————————————————=

English Version

You hear their voices calling your name and you smile. Another night of fun out in the city, you think. You don’t remember where you met them or when that was, but it doesn’t matter, all you know is the thrill. How it makes your heart beat when you’re with them, how the world is somehow open and beautiful again.

Beautiful. They’re so beautiful. And rich. These people are almost too good to be true. They have eyes that just captivate you within a second of looking at them. You’re almost afraid to touch their clothes, like touching them might destroy the delicate fabric. They shine so brightly in the light you almost think they might be made of gold. Maybe they are.

Tonight they take you somewhere different. They say it’s a house party. When you arrive it’s unlike any house you’ve ever seen before. Regal, spacious, luxurious, you can’t even find the words to describe how amazing it is just to be inside.

The party is filled with equally beautiful people, but also some strange ones. No one told you it would be a costume party. So many people dressed as witches and aswang that you feel under-dressed at this occasion. Your new friends don’t mind though, they say it’s so great to have you here.

They offer you some food, it looks like some kind of black rice, but you know better. They have all the best things, including the best drugs. You eat it without a second thought. The high is amazing. You feel things start to change and move around you. Everyone seems to be changing, their hair and eyes turning white. You can feel yourself floating, like you’re being lifted off the floor. The music feels like it’s getting louder.

You look at your watch. It’s 2am. Getting late. You know you have to get home. Have to go back to your normal, boring life, with your normal, boring friends. But somehow you don’t care anymore, it doesn’t seem like a bad idea to stay.

You never want to go home.

You don’t think you can.

=——————————————–=

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

Illustration and Watercolor by Laura Katigbak
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