*Note this story is in Tagalog

May isang bata na ngalan ay Edgardo. Siya ay maliit at tahimik, at mas nainin niyang magbasa ng atlat kaysa makipaglaro sa ibang mga bata. Ang mga libro ay xahirap makarating sa munting mabundok na komunidad at nanyang pinapahalagahan and mga panahong pupunta siya sa siyudad, pinapanood din niya ang kanyang ama sa pagpapalit ng ginto galing sa minahan para sa salapi at pambili sa gustong niyang mga libro.

Isang draw siya ay nilapitan ni Faustino, batting lalaki na madalas siyang iniiwasan. Ibang bagay ang pagiging iba, ngunit kung making iba sa komunidad na may higit kumulang sa isang daan na tao. Nakaramdam si Egardo na para bang nasa mata siya ng pagkilatis sa kanya.

“Maaari bang umupo rito?” Ang tanong ni Faustino sa kanya.

“Oo, wala naman pipigil sa iyo,” Ang sagot ni Edgardo.

“Narinig mo ba kung ano ang nangyari?” Sinubukan ni Faustino tumingin sa kanyang mata pero mas  nangibabaw ang pagyuko niya at tinignan ang kanyang pahila  na paglakad ng paa.

“Hindi ba lahat?” Sinabi ni Edgardo habang hindi niya inaalis ang kayang mata mula sa pahina na kanyang binabasa.

“Kasama si Veronica ay tattle na sila simula noong Pebrero.” Umupo sa tabi niya si Faustino.

Hindi na bago kung may kabataang nawawala sa bundok. Kahit saan ay may panganib. Isang saglit ng pagkawala ng pagiging mapagmasid sa paligid ay lubos na mapanganib. Ang mga minahan ay nakakabahala rin. Madalas ang kanilang ama o kapatıd ay hindi na bumabalik. Ang kumpanya ng minahan ay magpapadala ng pakikiramay sa pagpanaw- kung ano man ang halaga nito.

“Sabi naman naman na kinukuha na lamang ang anak.” Saad ni Faustino, muli, sinubukan ngunit bigo niyang tignan ang kanyang mata.

Binaba ni Edgardo ang kanyang aklat at sumagot naman, “Sino ang may nais na cumula ng mga bata? Kung para ito sa pera maaaring naman sila magpadala ng sulat? Maulan na panahon, ang mga tao ay naglalakbay sa bundok at hindi na bumabalik. Ganun yun.”

“Hindi.”Nilagay ni Faustino ang kanyang kamay sa balikat ni Edgardo. “Ito ay iba sa ganyang pangyayari, kutob ko ito. Dapat tayong magkasama. Tinanong sila Melinda, Pepito at Belen. Maaari namin subaybayan kung ano man ang mangyari sa amin.

“Ligtas ka sa amin,” Nakangiting sabi ni Faustino. Sumimagot si Edgardo. “Kung sabi mo.”

Hindi ito ang unang pagkakataon na may nagpangako ng ganito. Naisip niya ang kanyang nakatatandang kapatid. Mga gabing pumunta sila sa kweba ng magkasama para maghanap ng mga ginto. Noong isang pagkakataon na hindi siya maingat. Mga bagay na nangyari at hayaan na maganap. Isang gabi si Edgardo ay nakarinig ng bulong ng ibang bata.

“Edgardo—— psssst——— gising, ito ay importante,” sabi ng boses. Lumipas ang ilang minuto kay Edgardo bago bumalik sa realidad. Makatotohanan ang kanyang panaginip: isang bahay na puno ng mga aklat para sa kanya. Malinaw ang kanyang panaginip at nangako na isang araw ito ay magkakatotoo.

“Belen?!”

“Sshhhhhh- huwag mo hayaan na may makarinig sa iyo.” Tinakpan ni Belen ang bibig ni Edgardo. “Anong ginagawa mo rito?” Sabi niya sa pamamagitan ng paguusap gamit ang mga daliri  sa senyales.

“Ito ay si Faustino.” Nag-aalala na mukha ni Belen. “Siya ay nawawala.”

“Sigurado ka ba?” Mas tahimik si Edgardo sa pagkakataon na ito, “baka lumabas lamang para maglakad?”

“Kalagitnaan na ng gabi! Wala pa siya sa kanyang bahay. Sumama ka sa akin. Nasa likod ng isang malaking puno na malapit sa bahay ni Faustino si Pepito at Melinda. Kailangan natin siyang hanapin.”

Kinuskos ni Edgardo ang kanyang mga mata at humikab ulit. “Sige, baka nga naman.” Nandoon si Melinda at Pepito sa lugar na sinabi ni Belen kung saan dapat sila matagpuan, ang mga alitaptap sa puno ay nakakatakot sa pakiramdam.

“Sa tingin ko ay nakakita ako ng bakas.” Saad ni Pepito. “May mga bakas papunta sa kweba malapit sa burol.

Napangiwi lahat ng bata. Ang mga kweba na malapit sa minahan ay mapanganib sa mga matanda, lalo naman sa apat na batang nakagrupo. “Kailangan na natin umalis,” sabi ni Belen, “Gagawin ko rin ang parehas para sa amin.”

“Ano ang dapat nating gawin kapag nahanap na natin siya? Meron dapat na maging responsable sa mga pagkawala nila. Paano natin lalaban ito?” Sambit ni Melinda na malapit nang umiyak.

“Hindi natin kailangan kalabanin ito, kailangan mahanap si Faustino at maibalik natin dito, kung saan ligtas,” sabi ni Pepito.

Tumingin sila sa isa’t isa at naghawak kamay. Ang bawat isa ay may solusyon na mahanap ang kanilang kaibigan si Edgardo hanggang maaari. Siya ay nagagalak sa kanyan panaginip.

Sinundan nila ang bakas sa abot ng kanilang makakaya, matuklap man ang kanilang mga balat mula sa mga bato at ugat ng halaman. Noong malapit na silang maabot ang pagkapagod, narating naman nila ang kanilang destinasyon, isang kakaibang kweba na pasukan sa mga maraming lagusan at maaaring hindi na sila makabalik.

Pinamunuan ni Belen ang grupo. Siya ay kumuha ng lampara mula sa kanyang magulang at isang beses ay naisama na rin siya ng kanyang mga kapatid sa kweba. Hindi sa pamumuno ang kanyang lakas, ngunit dapat niyang siguraduhin na meron gagabay sa iba. Kailangan niya itong gawin para kay Faustino.

Si Melinda ang nauna.

Hindi niya kailangan sumigaw. Isang beses na si Belen ang nagsinag ng lampara sa entrada ng ibang lagusan at sa sumunod, noonf tumawag siya ng mga pangalan ng kanyang kasama. Hindi siya natakot sa katahimikan ngunit na pagkakataon na ito, hindi malilimutan sa buong buhay niya.

Sinikap ni Pedro na manatili sa paglalakbay. Naghawak kamay silang lahat at naramdaman ni Belen nanginginig ang kanyang kamay. Sinubukan nitong pakalmahin siya.

“Magiging maayos din ang lahat. Mahahanap natin silang pareho, pangako ko ito.” Sinubukang hindi umiyak ni Pepito habang tumango, ngunit nangibabaw ang kanyang takot.

“Hindi!” Sigaw niya. “Kailangan nating umuwi!”

Sinubukan ni Edgardo sa abot ng kanyang makakaya na pakalmahin siya.” Pepito, kailangan nating manatiling magkasama, ito lamang ang tanging paraan para maka-alis dito!”

Hindi siya nakinig, tinulak niya si Edgardo palayo sa kanya at tumakbo sa kadiliman.

Ang katahimikan ay nagpabigat ng pakiramdam sa dalawang naiiwan.

“Ang tanga ko para isipin na gagana nitong plano.” Nagsimulang bumigat ang paghinga ni Belen at kanyang binaba ang hawak na lampara. “Dapat tayong manatiling magkakasama. Ngayon hindi lamang si Faustino. Lubusang humihingi ako ng patawad. Patawad Melinda, at Pepito! Kailangan nating bumalik, siguro kung sinabi natin sa ating pamilya na pupunta tayo dito at pwede nating hanapin silang lahat. Mahahanap natin sila.” Kinuha ni Edgardo ang lampara at sinabi, “sumama kayo sa akin”.

Walang pagpipilian si Belen kung hindi sumunod sa kanyang bagong kaibigan. Ang ilaw sa lampara ay unti unting naglalaho at ang landas na tinatahak ay mas dumudulas sa daanan. Sinubukan niyang humawak sa pader para maging balanse, ngunit nalaman niyang mamasa-masa din pala. Nakita na rin niya kung ano man iyon noong binigay ni Edgardo ang lampara.

Kulay pula sa kahit saang lugar. Namantsahan ang kanyang mga kamay at damit pati na rin ang mga tumutulo mula sa kisame.

“Hindi ko maitindihan—-” Sinubukang sabihin ni Belen.

Ngunit may panibagong ilaw na tanglaw ni Edgardo, nagbigay liwanag sa isang nilalang na may dalang mabigat na supot ng ginto.

“Dapat kang nakinig sa kanila. Kung nakinig ka maaaring si Faustino lamang.”

“Ako—-Ako—-” Naparalisa si Belen, sinibukan niyang sumigaw habang dinala siya nitong nilalang sa malalim na bahagi ng lagusan.

Noong sumikat na ang araw kay Edgardo habang naglilinis ng kanyang sarili sa ilog, napag-isipan niya:

“Nais kong malaman kung ilang libro ang aking maaaring makuha  sa pamamagitan nito.”

=————————-=

English Version

There was once a child named Edgardo. He was small and quiet and preferred to read books instead of playing with the other children. Books were hard to get in his small mountain community and he treasured the moments when he would go to the city, watch his father exchange the gold they mined for money and buy the books he wanted.

One day he was approached by Faustino, a boy who would usually avoid him. It was one thing to be different, but to be different in a community of a few hundred people made Edgardo feel like he was under a microscope.

“Can I sit here?” Faustino asked him.

“Sure, no one’s stopping you,” Edgardo replied.

“Did you hear about what happened?” Faustino tried to look him in the eye but only succeeded at putting his head down and staring at his shuffling feet.

“Didn’t everyone?” Edgardo said without moving his eyes away from the page he was reading.

“With Veronica that makes 3 since February.” Faustino sat beside him.

It wasn’t uncommon for children to go missing up in the mountains. Danger was everywhere. One moment of absentmindedness could cost you dearly.

The mines were also an issue. Too often their fathers or brothers would just not come home and the mining companies would send their condolences – for whatever that was worth.

“They say someone is taking the children away.” Faustino, again, tried and failed to look him in the eye.

Edgardo put down his book and replied, “Who would possibly want to take the children? If it was for money then wouldn’t they have sent a note? It’s rainy season, people walk around the mountain and don’t come back. Just leave it be.”

“No.” Faustino put his hands on Edgardo’s shoulders. “This is different from that, I can feel it. We have to stick together. I asked Melinda, Pepito and Belen. The five of us can watch what happens with each other.”

“You’ll be safe with us,” Faustino says with a smile.

Edgardo frowns. “If you say so.”

This wasn’t the first time someone made that promise. He thought back to his elder brother. Those nights when they went to the caves together to find gold for themselves. That one time he wasn’t careful. Things would happen and you just had to let them be.

One night Edgardo was awakened by the whispers of another child.

“Edgardo —- psssst —— wake up, it’s important,” the voice said.

It took a few minutes for Edgardo to snap back into reality. The dream that he had was so vivid: a house filled with books all to himself. He was lucid in his dream and he swore that one day it would come true.

“Belen?!”

“Sshhhhhh—don’t let anyone hear you.” She put her hand over his mouth.

“What are you doing here?” he managed to say through her fingers.

“It’s Faustino.” Her face was grim. “He’s missing.”

“Are you sure?” Edgardo was quieter this time, “maybe he just went out for a walk?”

“It’s the middle of the night! He’s not in his house. Come with me. Pepito and Melinda are by the big tree near Faustino’s house. We need to find him.”

Edgardo rubbed his eyes and yawned again. “Fine, might as well.”

Melinda and Pepito were where Belen said they would be, the fireflies giving the tree an eerie aura.

“I think I found a trail,” Pepito said. “There are footprints leading to the caves over by the hills.”

The children all grimaced. Those caves were near the mines and they were dangerous enough for adults, much less a group of four children.

“We have to go,” Belen said, “he’d do the same for us.”

“What are we going to do when we find him? There must be something responsible for the disappearances. How do we fight it?” Melinda was close to tears.

“We don’t need to fight it, we just have to find Faustino and bring him back here, where it’s safe,” Pepito said.

They all looked at each other and put their hands together.

Each had a resolve to find their friend, Edgardo less so. He was still enraptured by his dream.

They followed the trail as best as they could, scraping their skins against the rocks and the roots. And as soon as they were about to fall from exhaustion, they reached their destination, a nondescript cave that they knew was an entrance to a network of tunnels they might not return from.

Belen lead the group. She had taken a lamp from her parents and her siblings had taken her to the caves once. Leadership was not her strength, but she had to make sure the others had a guide. She had to do it, for Faustino.

Melinda was the first.

She didn’t even scream. One moment Belen was shining the lamp on the entrance to another tunnel and the next, when she called out for the names of her companions. She had never feared silence until that moment, it was one she would remember for the rest of her life.

Pepito tried to stay the course. They all held hands and Belen could feel his shaking. She tried to console him.

“It will be alright. We’ll find both of them, I promise.”

Pepito tried to hold back tears as he nodded, yet fear had overtaken him.

“No!” He shouted. “We have to go back home!”

Edgardo tried his best to hold him down.

“Pepito, we have to stay together, it’s the only way we can make it out of here!”

He didn’t listen, he pushed Edgardo off him and ran into the darkness.

The silence weighed heavy on the remaining two.

“I was so stupid to think this would work.” Belen’s breath started to become rapid and she put the lantern down. “We should have stayed together. Now it’s not just Faustino. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry Melinda, Pepito! We have to go back, maybe if we tell our families they can go here and we can all search for them. We’ll find them. We have to find them.”

Edgardo took the lantern and said, “come with me”.

Belen had no other choice but to follow her new friend.

The light from the lantern was slowly fading and the path was getting more slippery as they went along. She tried to grab the wall to balance, but she found that it was damp as well.

She finally saw what it was when Edgardo handed her the lantern.

It was red everywhere. It stained her hands and clothes and drops fell from the ceiling.

“I don’t understand—-” Belen tried to say.

But another light glowed by Edgardo, illuminating a creature carrying a hefty bag of gold.

“You should have listened to them. If you did maybe it would have just been Faustino.”

“I—-I—-” Belen was paralyzed, she tried to scream as the creature carried her deeper into the tunnel.

And as the daylight shined on Edgardo as he cleaned himself in the river, he thought:

“I wonder how many books I can get with this.”

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

Sagay Illustration by Christian Bitao

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The post Sagay – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

“Sa gitna ng isla, may mga kakaibang nilalang na gumagawa ng mga nakakakilabot na bagay.  Malalaman mo kung ano sila kahit mukhang tao sila, dahil ang itim na bilog ng kanilang mga mata ay hindi tulad ng karaniwang tao, kundi mga makitid na hiwa, tulad sa mga pusa.  Kumikislap din ang kanilang mga mata na parang may sumasayaw na apoy sa loob.

Ang kanilang pangunahing pagkain ay lamang-loob ng mga bangkay, hindi kinakailangang sariwa. Nakita ko itong mga nilalang na pinunit ang tiyan ng sariwang bangkay at mabangis na kinagat at pinunit ang laman, tulad ng mga hayop na labis ang gutom.

Kapag mababa ang suplay ng mga bangkay, doon pinakamapanganib ang mga nilalang. Pupunta sila sa talahiban at magta-trance, pagkatapos, ang kanilang astral na katawan ay lilipad palayo. Itong kakaibang mahika ay wala sa anumang nakita ko noon, kahit sa lahat ng paglalakbay ko.

Ang astral na anyo nitong mga nilalang ay pumapasok sa mga bahay ng walang kamalay-malay na mga biktima at biglang sasalakay sa kanila. Tinatanggal ang kanilang lamang-loob na tulad ng bagong aning bangkay, pinapawi ang kanilang gutom para sa laman ng buhay.  Maririnig sila, ang tunog ay tulad ng pag-ungol ng tao, at mas malakas ito kapag mas malayo sila sa kanilang biktima.

Napansin ko ang pagwisik ng katas ng kalamansi sa mga kamamatay lang, na ang sabi sa akin ay para pigilan ang mga nilalang sa pagpasok sa mga libingan.

Binalaan ako na kapag marinig ko ang pag-ungol, o makita ang pagkislap ng kanilang mga mata, kailangan kong kumaripas ng takbo papalayo, ang alternatibo ay labanan sila at ang tanging sandata na sinabi sa akin na mabisa ay isang kris na pinahiran ng katas ng kalamansi.

Itong nilalang ay tulad ng iba pang hayop sa mga isla, kumakain ng lamang-loob ng mga bangkay at lumilipad sa gilid ng kanilang mga biktima. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mangyayari kapag nakita ko ang isa sa personal, bagaman umaasa ako para sa kapakanan ng aking pananaliksik, ang aking mga maikling talaan ay mapapanatili.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ginagawa ko ito, kung bakit patuloy kong inilalagay ang aking sarili sa harapan ng panganib upang maitala itong mga kakaibang nilalang. Batid ko ang hindi pagsang-ayon ng aking pamilya sa parehong pamamaraan at pagsasaliksik ko, ngunit kinakailangang malaman ang mga bagay na ito. Dapat mayroong paraan para balaan ang mga tao tungkol sa mga panganib nitong mga isla, kahit maging kapalit ang aking kaluluwa.”

—- Mula sa mga maikling talaan ni Mari Bas

=—————————–=

English Version

In the center of the island, strange creatures go about their horrible ways. You can tell what they are even if they look human, as their pupils are not round like regular folk, but are narrow slits, much like those of felines. Their eyes also flash as if dancing flames can be seen inside them.

Their main diet consists of the entrails of corpses, not necessarily fresh. I have seen these creatures rip apart the stomach of a fresh corpse and savagely bite and tear through the flesh like ravenous scavengers.

When the supply of corpses is low, that is when these beings are the most dangerous. They will go into the tall grass and fall into a trance, then, their astral bodies fly away. This strange magic is nothing like I’ve ever seen before, even in all of my travels.

These creatures’ astral forms would go into the houses of unsuspecting victims and pounce on them. Gutting their entrails like a newly harvested corpse, satiating their hunger for living flesh. They can be heard, the sound is like human moaning, it is louder the farther they are from their victim.
I have noticed that lime juice is sprinkled on the newly dead, which I have been told is a ward against the creatures from entering the graves.

I have been warned if I hear the moaning, or see the flickering of their eyes, I must run away with much haste, the alternative would be to fight them off and the only weapon that I have been told is effective is a kris rubbed with lime juice.

This creature is much like the other scavengers of the islands, feasting on the innards of corpses and flying to the side of their victims. I do not know what will happen when I find one in person, though I hope for the sake of my research, my notes survive.

I do not know why I do this, why I keep putting myself in harm’s way to record these strange beings. I have noted my family’s disapproval of both my methods and my research, but these things have to see the light of day. There must be something to warn the people of the dangers of these islands, even if it may cost me my very soul.

—- From the notes of Mari Bas

————————–————————–————————–—

Inspired by the Berbalang legends from Cagayan Sulu.

Berbalang Illustration by Ysa Peñas
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The post Berbalang – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this poem is in Tagalog

Dito kung saan kami tumigil

Dito kung saan kami magsisimula

Ang Muya

Ang Bayi-bayi

Ang pangalan niya ay Amburukay

Itinatago niya ang kaniyang mga dalaga

Itinatago niya dila sa kaniyang Tore

Ang Muya

Ang Bayi-bayi

Kung sino man ang makakukuha ng kaniyang tuos

Ng kaniyang gintong bulbol

Ay mapakakasalan siya,

Taghoy, ang duwende

Ang espiritung-gabay

Ng Labaw Donggon

Ay nagsabing ayusin niya

Ang sira niyang bidya

Tanging ang tuos

Ng Muya

Ng Bayi-Bayi

Kinuha niya

Alam niyang hindi ito sa tuos

Ng Muya

Ng Bayi-bayi

Ang kaniyang dapat pakasalan

Amburukay

Noong araw ng itinakdang kasal

Ang kaniyang tahanan

Ang tahanan ng lalaki

Ay ibinigay sa Muya

Sa Bayi-bayi

Umiyak ang Labaw Donggon

Hindi ang Muya

Hindi ang Bayi-bayi

Hindi ko siya mapakakasalan

Amburukay

Ito ang kaniyang binukot

Ang kaniyang tinatagong mga dalaga

Ang mga anak niyang babae

Natuwa ang Labaw Donggon

Kung saan kami huminto

Dito kami matatapos

=——————————-=-

English Version

Where we all pause
Here shall we begin

The Muwa
The Bayi-bayi
Her name, Amburukay
She hides her kept maidens
Hides them in her tower

The Muwa
The Bayi-bayi
Whoever gets her tuos*
Her golden pubic hair
Will marry her

Taghoy, the duwende
The spirit guide
Of Labaw Donggon
Tells him to fix
His broken bidya

With only the tuos
Of the Muwa
Of the Bayi-bayi
He takes it

He knows not of the tuos
Of the Muwa
Of the Bayi-bayi
He must marry
Amburukay

The wedding day
His house
The house of the groom
Is brought to the Muwa
To the Bayi-bayi

Labaw Donggon cries in despair
Not the Muwa
Not the Bayi-bayi
I cannot marry her

Amburukay
Is not there
It is her binukot
Her kept maidens
Her adopted daughters
Labaw Donggon rejoices

Where we all pause
Here shall we end

————————–————————–———————

*A tuos is a sacred vow or pledge. (This is in reference to the story wherein anyone that gets Amburukay’s golden pubic hair must marry her, as was the sacred magical binding contract of her parents)

*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 (In the style of a Sugidanon [Epic] of Panay)

Translation by Gabriela Baron
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Gabriela Baron

Story adapted from Amburukay: Sugidanon (Epics) of Panay. Caballero & Caballero-Castor translation by Magos. 2015.

Amburukay Illustration by Patmai De Vera
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The post Amburukay – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Sa kaibuturan ito’y naghihintay.

Hindi lahat ay alam ang kaniyang kuwento, ngunit marami ang nakaaalam kung anong klase ito.

Ang moon-eaters.

Ang mga celestial na halimaw.

Ang leon. Ang alimango. Ang higante. Ang ibon. Ang ahas.

Ang dragon.

Lahat sila ay dumaan sa pating, at ibinaba ito sa kalaliman na tinatawag nitong tahanan.

Mayroon bang isang kuwentong dapat sabihin?

O lagi lang itong nandiyan?

Maaaring gutom ang nagtutulak sa hayop, tulad ng halimaw, tulad ng alakdan. Ano pa ang magiging biktima ng pating kundi ang init ng isang buwan?

Maaari rin itong paglaruan, tulad ng leon. Ang buwan ay isang higanteng orb na pumupukaw sa atensyon ng halimaw. Ano pang elemento ang maaaring makaakit sa pating?

Maaaring ito ay galit, tulad ng alimango. Ang pating

ba ay supling ng araw at buwan? Nangangahulugan ba ito ng kabayaran laban sa mana mula sa mga magulang nito na hindi nito alam?

Maaaring ito ay paghihiganti, tulad ng higante. Ang pating ba ay isang mortal na nilalang? Nagdulot ba ito ng galit sa mga diyos? Ano ang nangyari dito na inilipat ito sa kalaliman ng dagat?

Maaaring ito ay kadiliman, tulad ng ibon. Kapag nakumpleto ng pating ang kaniyang gawain at ang mundo ay nahulog sa anino, ano na ang susunod na kakainin nito?

Maaaring bahagi ito ng nature niya, tulad ng ahas. Sa pag-iral ng mundo, bahagi ba ito ng pag-ikot?

At nariyan ang kuwento ng dragon.

Bawat nilalang ay alam ang kuwento nito.

Ang pitong buwan. Ang diyos Bathala.

Ang gahaman na dragon.

Ang pating ay naghihintay, hanggang sa iba ay mamatay, sa mga tunog ng sangkatauhan.

May isang kuwento sa pinaniniwalaan kong totoo.

Ang mga celestial na nilalang, na tinatawag na moon eaters, ay bahagi lahat ng mundo. Bawat isa ay may kanya-kanyang dahilan para kainin ang buwan o ang mga buwan.

At doon nakatira ang pating.

Ang pinakamahinang nilalang, bigo itong makuha ang midnight orb.

Ulit.

Ulit.

At ulit.

Alam na nito ang kabiguan at hindi na susubok muli, hanggang sa malaman nitong matagumpay niyang makukuha at premyo.

Sa tahanan nito sa kalaliman ay nagkukunwari. Alam nitong hindi magiging kasinglakas ng iba, hindi kasing galit, hindi kasing gahaman.

Ang poot nito ay mas tumindi, hindi poot sa iba, kung di poot sa sarili nito.

Bakit pa ito inilagay sa mundo kung magiging hindi siya kasinglakas ng iba?

Sa tubig ikinukubli nito ang kaniyang mga luha.

At naghihintay.

Hanggang sa gumabi.

=——————————=

English Version

In the depths it waits.

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

The moon-eaters.

The celestial beasts.

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

The dragon.

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

Is there a tale to tell?

Or has it always been there?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then there is the tale of the dragon.

Every being knows its story.

The 7 moons. The god Bathala.

The greedy dragon.

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

There is one tale which I believe to be true.

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

And it was there that the shark resided.

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

Again.

Again.

And again.

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

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

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

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

The water hides its tears.

And it waits.

Until the night.

=——————————————————=

*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 Gabriela Baron
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Gabriela Baron

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

Baconaua Illustration by Benedict Jose Villarante

The post Baconaua – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Ito ang huling gabi ng taon at hindi pa rin tinatantanan si Danica ng ulan. Ang tunog ng kaniyang nanginginig na mga ngipin ay humahalo sa tunog ng mga patak ng ulan.

Niyakap niya ang kaniyang mga binti at paa upang damhin ang huling init na maibibigay ng kaniyang katawan.

Ang tsinelas na ibinigay ng kaniyang ina ay masyadong malaki kaya’t nalaglag ang mga ito habang siya ay tumatakbo para sumilong.

Napansin ni Danica na ang isang pares ay nahulog sa kanal at ang isa naman ay tila nawala sa madilim na kalye.

Kaya’t si Danica ay mag-isa sa lamig at mamasa-masa na nakahawak sa sampaguita malapit sa kaniyang dibdib.

Ito ay isa sa mga mababagal na araw na halos kakaunti lang ang mga sasakyang dumaraan at ni hindi pa siya nakabebenta ng isang tangkay ng sampasuita. Wala rin sinuman ang nagbigay sa kaniya ng piso.

Inilawan ng kidlat ang kalangitan at ang batang babae ay umatras sa isang sulok. Hindi siya naglakas-loob na umuwi dahil para sa kaniya, tiyak na magagalit ang kaniyang ama dahil wala siyang napagbentahan.

Tiyak na malamig na rin sa kanilang bahay dahil malamang pinasok na ito ng malakas na hangin at marahil nagyeyelo na rin ang kaniyang kwarto.

Ang kaniyang maliliit na kamay ang nanginginig na. Nilapit niya sa kaniya ang kaniyang mga bulaklak at nilanghap ang samyo n g mga ito.

Si Danica ay palaging nakatatagpo ng ginhawa sa amoy ng mga bulaklak, ipinaaalala umano ng mga ito na mayroon pa ring magagandang bagay sa mundo, kung mayroon lamang nagmamalasakit na tumingin.

Ang mga ilaw sa kalsada ay nagbibigay-anino na naglalaro sa harap ng mga mata ni Danica. Napansin niyang sa kaniyang tabi ay isang tindahan ng muwebles. Napuno naman ng kidlat ang kalye at sa isang maikling segundo ay natanaw na niya ang tindahan.

May isang mesa at sa ibabaw nito ay isang mantel. Nakapalibot dito ang magagandang plato, baso, kutsara’t tinidor na yari sa pilak. Ang mga ito ang nakapaligid sa litson.

Nakatitig kay Danica ang baboy at sa tingin niya’y nakikita niya itong nakangiti.

Nabasag ng kulog ang pagtititigang iyon.

Nagsiumula namang tumulo ang ulan sa bubong at ang mga patak ng ulan ay naghalo sa kaniyang mga luha.

Ngayon taon, ang Pasko ay malungkot at hindi masaya. Napakahirap ng sitwasyon ni Danica; nawalan ng trabaho sa pabrika ang kaniyang ama at nahumaling ito sa alak para lunurin ang mga problema. Ang kaniyang ina naman ay sinubukang maghanap ng trabaho sa pamamagitan ng paglilinis, pero hindi sapat ang kaniyang kinikita para matugunan ang kanilang mga pangangailangan.

At ang kaniyang lola Fatima, ang tanging taong nagmahal sa kaniya, ay pumanaw na rin. May anong kirot sa dibdib ni Danica na hindi na napawi mula noon.

Isa na namang kidlat ang tumama, inilawan nito ang kalye, at sinagot ng langit ang kaniyang hiling. Nagliwanag ulit ang kalye at sa gitna ng liwanag na iyon ay ang kaniyang lola Fatima, nangniningning at may mga ngiting pumawi sa kirot na nasa dibdib ni Danica.

“Lola!” iyak ni Danica, “Isama mo na ko sa iyo!” Alam niyang ang kaniyang lola ay mawawala rin pag tumama ulit ang isang kidlat. Tumigil ang hininga ni Danica habang ginigimbal ng mga kulog ang mga bintana sa paligid niya.

Ngunit hindi nawala si lola Fatima. Napaligiran siya ng mga naggagandahang engkanto, porselanang puti ang kanilang mga balat at kalmado ang mga mukha. Kinawayan nila si Danica at ngumiti naman ito pabalik.

At lahat sila, ang mga engkanto at si lola Fatima ay iniabot ang mga bisig kay Danica, na para bang hinihikayat siyang sumama sa kanila. Tumayo si Danica at naglakad papalapit sa kaniyang lola. Nais niyang maramdaman ulit ang mga init ng yakap nito, habang binabalewala ang malakas na ulan at ang lamig.

Muling tumama ang kidlat sa huling pagkakataon at naglaho si Danica sa isang iglap.

Ang iba, sinasabing siyang naglayas, mas ginustong mamuhay sa kalye kesa sa sariling bahay. Mayroon namang mga nagsasabing pinatira siya ng isang mayamang lalaki sa bahay nito at itinuturing na siyang anak.

Sa isang kuwento naman, nakatagpo si Danica ng kapayapaan sa piling ng mga engkanto kung saan ligtas siya at kapiling ang kaniyang lola.

=—————————-=

English Version

It was the last evening of the year and the rain still wouldn’t leave Danica alone. The sound of her chattering teeth joined the raindrops in a melancholy symphony. She huddled against her bare legs and naked feet to lure the last bit of warmth her body could give.

The hand me down slippers that her mother gave were much too big and they had fallen off while she ran for shelter. Danica noticed that one of them fell into the gutter and the other seemingly disappeared in the dark street.

So there Danica was, alone in the cold and damp, clutching her sampaguita flowers close to her chest. It was a slow day, not many cars were about and she hadn’t sold a single string of sampaguitas. No one had given her so much as a peso.

The lightning lit up the sky and the poor girl retreated into her corner. She didn’t dare go home, for she had sold nothing and her father would surely be angry with her. At home it was cold as well since the winds would surely come violently through here window and leave her room wet and freezing.

Her small hands were shivering. She held her flowers close and breathed in their scent. Danica always found comfort in the smell of flowers, they reminded her that there were still beautiful things in the world, if one cared to look.

The streetlights cast shadows that played in front of Danica’s eyes. She noticed that across her was a furniture shop. The lightning filled the street and for a brief second she could see into the store.

There was a table and on it was a lily white tablecloth. Beautiful silverware sat there surrounding a whole roast lechon. The pig was staring right at her and she thought she could see it smiling.

The spell of the scene broke as the thunder rang in Danica’s ears.

The roof above her began to leak and the raindrops mixed with her tears.

This year, Christmas was more somber than happy. It had been a difficult time; her father had lost his job in the factory and began to drink his problems away. Her mother tried to find work as a cleaning lady, but she wasn’t able to make enough for all their needs.

And lola Fatima, the only person who had loved her, was now no more. There was a pain in Danica’s heart that never went away after that.

Another bolt of lightning struck near, illuminating the street. Thousands of small lights danced in the air, and wonderful colors played in front of her. The little girl reached out and tried to grab them, but the light disappeared and once again, she was left alone.

She looked to the sky and waited for the lightning to come, and the sky answered her prayer. It was again light and in that radiance stood lola Fatima, so bright and lovely, with a smile that made the hurt in Danica’s heart leave.

“Lola!” The child cried out. “Please let me come with you!” She knew that her grandmother would disappear as soon as the thunder came rolling in, just like the floating lights. Danica’s breath stopped as thunder shook the windows around her.
But Lola Fatima did not disappear. She was surrounded by beautiful creatures, their skin porcelain white and their faces calm. They waved at Danica and she smiled back.

And all of them, the creatures and Lola Fatima stretched out their arms to the girl as if beckoning her to come. Danica stood up and walked to her lola. She wanted most to just feel warm again, to ignore the rain and the cold and be with someone that loved her.

The lightning struck one final time and Danica disappeared with the flash of light.

Some say that she ran away, preferring a life on the streets to her own home life. Others say a rich man found her and gave her a home and that she lives with him now as his adopted daughter.

Still one story persists, one where the girl finally finds peace in a heaven filled with beautiful faeries where she is finally safe and warm in the embrace of her lola.

————————–————————–————————–—

*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 Gabriela Baron
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Gabriela Baron

Story inspired by the Faeries of Niza description in Tuwan Nahuda. Narrated by Muham Julasman. in Voices from Sulu A Collection of Tausug Oral Traditions. Rixhon. 2010.

The Faeries of Niza Illustration by emirajuju
IG: https://www.instagram.com/emirajuju/

The post The Faeries of Niza – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story in in Tagalog

Day 5

Hindi ko pa rin alam kung anong nangyayari. Sabi nila maaari naman akong umalis kahit kailan ko gusto, pero sa tuwing susubukan kong lumabas, hindi ako makagalaw. Para bang itinutulak ako palayo ng isang pwersa. Sinubukan kong magmakaawa para paalisin ako, ngunit isa pala yung isang pagkakamali. Sinabi kong may pamilya ako at gusto ko na silang makita ulit, ngunit sa tingin ko wala silang pakialam. Sinabi nilang kinain ko ang itim na kanin at ayon sa utos, kailangan kong manatili kasama sila. Habambuhay.

Day 14

Ngayon alam ko na kung bakit itinayo nila ang mansyong ito. Hindi lang ako ang tanging taong andito, ang iba, sa tingin ko mas matagal nang nananatili rito. Parang wala nang kaluluwa ang kanilang mga mata at hindi na sila halos nagsasalita maliban na lang kung tutugon sila sa mga utos ng aming mga amo Tinanong ko ang isa sa kanila kung gaano na siya katagal dito sinabi niyang “taon na” bago siya nagsimulang umiyak. Pero parang hindi makatwiran, kaedad ko rin silang lahat.

Day 25

Nagdala sila ng bagong bilanggo, sa pagkakataong ito ay isang maliit na bata. Naisip ko na baka ang bata ang isa rin sa kanila, maputi ang kanyang balat at buhok at para bang siya ay kumikinang, ngunit sinipa siya ng aming mga amo papunta sa hukay at pinagbuhat ng bato katulad ng ginagawa namin. kakausapin ko siya kapag pinagpahinga na kami ng aming mga amo.

Day 26

Hindi ko alam kung paano ko pa nabibilang ang mga araw. Walang araw rito, ang tanging ilaw lang ay mula sa apoy sa loob ng mansyon. Ang sabi ni Cirilo ay dahil ang masamang engkanto ay sanay na sa dilim, ito ang nagpapanatili sa kanilang mga alagang aswang na masaya. Cirilo ang pangalan ng batang bilanggo, sabi rin niya na ganun ang kanyang itsura dahil ang kanyang ama ay isang engkanto, isa sa mga mabubuting engkanto. Sinabi rin niyang dinala sila ng nanay nila para tumira sa kanyang tatay bago ito pumanaw, kusang-loob naglakbay ang kanyang nanay sa puno ng Balete, hindi tulad ng karamihan sa mga tao.

Day ???

Nandito pa rin kami ni Cirilo, gumagawa ng mansyon para sa aming mga amo. Hindi ko na alam kung ilang araw na ang lumipas, kung buwan o mga taon na. Sa palagay ko tinutulungan ako ni Cirilo para hindi maging katulad ng ibang bilanggo dito, siguro dahil meron akong kausap. Malakas siyang bata, ni minsan ay hindi niya kinibo ang aming mga amo, siguro malamang ito ang dahilan bakit galit sila sa kanya. Lagi siyang nakatingin sa dilim. Marahil may hinihintay siya.

=———————————=

English Version

Day 5

I still don’t know what’s happening. They say I can leave any time I want, but whenever I try and go out the door, I can’t move. It’s like I’m being pushed away by some force. I tried begging my hosts to let me go, that this is some sort of mistake. That I have a family and I want to see them again, but I don’t think they care. They told me that I ate the black rice and by the “rules” I have to stay with them. Forever.

Day 14

Now I know how they built this mansion. I’m not the only human they have here, but the others, I think they’ve been here longer than I have. Their eyes seem dead and they barely talk except to acknowledge orders from the masters. I asked one of them how long she’d been here and she said ‘years’ before she started crying. But that doesn’t make sense, they’re all still my age.

Day 25

They brought in a new prisoner, this time it’s a small child. I thought that the child might be one of them, he had white skin and white hair and he seemed to glow, but the masters kicked him to the pit and made him lift rocks like the rest of us. I’ll go talk to him when the masters let us rest.

Day 26

I don’t even know how I’m counting the days. There’s no sun here at all, the only lights are from the fires inside the mansion. Cirilo says it’s because it’s because the bad engkanto are used to living in the dark, it keeps their Aswang pets happy. That’s the kid’s name, Cirilo, he says that he looks the way he does because his father was an engkanto. One of the good ones, or so he says. He tells me that his mother took them to live with his father before she died, she willingly took the trip through the Balete tree, unlike most humans.

Day ???

Cirilo and I are still here, still stuck building a new wing of the mansion for the masters. I don’t know how many days I’ve been here, it may be months, even years. I think being around Cirilo stops me from ending up like the others, maybe it’s because I have someone to talk to. The kid’s strong though, he’s never once flinched at the masters, maybe it’s why they hate them so much. He’s always looking out into the dark. Maybe he’s waiting for something.

————————–————————–————————––

Story Continued from the Dalaketnon’s Tale

*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 Gabriela Baron
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Gabriela Baron

Story inspired by Albino description in Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition. Nasayao. 2010.

Albino Illustration and Watercolor by Sam Despi
Website: http://samdespi.com/
IG: @samdespi

The post Albino – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Isa itong magandang lugar para manalangin. Ang mga salita ng kaniyang mga magulang ay umalingawngaw sa puso ni Alfonso.

Sa unang pagkakataon na sinabi ng kaniyang mga magulang na sila ay pupunta ng La Union, naisip na ni Alfonso ang mga itatanong niya sa surfing instructor.

Ngunit hindi niya inaasahan ang mga batong walang laman sa isang lumang simbahan.

Sa paglipas ng mga taon, sila ay nagbigay ng isang uri ng kaginhawaan.

Anuman ang mangyari sa kaniyang buhay, nandoon lamang ang mg bato. Nandoon sana siya.

Naalala ni Alfonso ang unang beses nang makita niya ang pari.

Nakita niya ito sa gilid ng kaniyang mga mata. Ginagalugad niya noon ang mga guho at tinitingnan kung sino pa ang ibang naroroon.

Nagtawag siya ng isang kaibigan at nakakita siya ng isang multo.

Tumatangis, tumakbo siya papunta sa kaniyang mga magulang at sinabi sa kanila ang kaniyang nakita.

Pareho ang kanilang naging sagot — “Ipanalangin mo siya.”

Alas-otso na ng gabi, tatlong oras buhat nang dumating si Alfonso sa simbahan. Muli siyang nanigarilyo at inalala ang nakaraan.

Tinangka niyang alamin lahat ng tungkol sa pari, ang mga alamat patungkol sa pugot na ulo, ngunit wala siyang napala.

Walang nakaaalam kung paano siya napugutan ng ulo. “Pero mahalaga pa ba ito?” naisip niya.

Sumagi ang isa na namang repleksyon sa isip niya. “Ang salitang ‘nawala’ ay nangangahulugang alam mo kung saan ka papunta, hindi mo lang alam paano makarating doon.” Hindi siya makahanap ng iba pang salitang makapagpapaliwanag ng sitwasyon niya.

Hindi siya nagkaroon ng anumang layunin na maaari niyang habulinl

Alas-nuebe na at sa wakas nagpakita na rin ang pari, nag-iikot-ikot sa mga pinagpalang bato.

At sinimulan na ni Alfonso:

Ama namin sa langit

Sa Iyo namin matatagpuan ang kaligtasan

Ang mga kaluluwa ay gumagala

At itinatangis ko sa Iyo

Para sa mga nawawalan ng pag-asa

Para sa mga nawawalan ng pag-ibig

Ikaw nawa ang maging lahat ng bagay

Sa lahat ng tao

Upang mailigtas Mo sila

Itaas mo ang Iyong mga kamay

Palayain mo ang aming mga kaluluwa

Pakawalan mo kami sa aming mga tanikala

Linisin mo kami mula sa aming mga nakaraan

Gamutin mo ang aming mga sugat

Upang kami ay umasa sa hinaharap

Ito ay nangyayari lamang sa pamamagitan ng Iyong biyaya

Sa pangalan Mo

Na nagliligtas sa amin

Amen

Inulit-ulit ito ni Alfonso nang walang tigil hanggang sa tumulo ang kaniyang mga luha sa mga bato/

Alam niya na naroon pa rin ang pari sa susunod.

Alam niya na hindi ito patatawarin.

Ngunit naniniwala siya sa kapangyarihan ng panalangin.

Mula sa isang ligaw na kaluluwa papunta sa isa pa.

=———————————–=

English Version

It’s a good place to pray. His parent’s words rang hollow in Alfonso’s heart.

The first time his parents said they were going to La Union Alfonso had already thought of the questions he would ask the surfing instructor.

He didn’t expect the empty stones of an old church.

Through the years they became a sort of comfort. No matter what happened in his life, the stones would be there. He would be there.

Alfonso remembers the first time he saw the priest.

It was out the corner of his eye. He was exploring the ruins and wanted to know who else was there.

He called out for a friend and he found a phantasm.

Tears in his eyes, he ran to his parents and told them what he saw.

Their answer was always the same – ‘Pray for him’

It is 8PM, 3 hours since Alfonso arrived at the church. He takes another drag on his cigarette and remembers better times.

He tried to find out everything about the priest, of course, digging through urban legends about the headless specter and finding nothing of note.

No one knows why he lost his head. ‘But does it matter?’ he thought.

Another drag, another reflection. ‘The word ‘lost’ implies that you know your destination and you just don’t know how to get there.’ He couldn’t find another word to explain his situation.

He never had a goal he could chase.

9PM and the priest finally shows up, making his rounds through the once-blessed stones.

And Alfonso begins:

Heavenly Father

In You we find salvation

Souls wander

And I cry to you

For those that are hopeless

To those that do not know love

You become all things

To all people

That you may save them

Lift Your hands

Set our souls free

Undo our chains

Cleanse us of the past

Heal our scars

That we may look forward

It happens only through your grace

In your name

Who saves us

Amen

He repeats this without pause and Alfonso’s tears fall on the stones below.

He knows that the priest will still be there the next time.

He knows that he won’t be forgiven.

But he trusts in the power of prayer.

From one lost soul to another.

=====—————————————

*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 Gabriela Baron
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Gabriela Baron

Inspired by The Headless Priest of Pindangan Ruins urban legends

The Headless Priest of Pindangan Ruins Illustration by Kring Demetrio
IG: www.instagram.com/thekringles
FB: facebook.com/thedrawerkring

The post The Headless Priest of Pindangan Ruins – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

July 17, 1961, ganap na ala-una ng hapon, nawala ang isang grupo ng mga kabataan at mga guro sa Orang National Park. Masusi ang paggalugad ng mga Ranger sa lugar na umabot nang ilang oras bago mahinatnan ang nangyari sa nawawalang pangkat.

Ang sana ay masaya at ordinaryong field trip, at paggawa ng sanaysay sa naging karanasan ay nauwi sa malagim na trahedya.

Tatlong nakatatanda ang nagbabantay sa pangkat ng mga kabataan. Unang nakita ng mga Ranger ang katawan ng isa sa mga guro. Ayon sa pagsusuri, marahil pananakal ang ikinamatay ng biktima. Hindi pa natutukoy ang sanhi nito ngunit may katibayan ng matinding pananakal sa kanyang leeg at galos mula rito. Walang tinamong pinsala ang ibang bahagi ng katawan nito. Tila namatay din ang guro sa pagitan ng ilang minuto.

Sa mas mabusising pagsisiyasat, nakita ang mga malalambot na hibla ng buhok sa leeg ng biktima na magsisilbing palatandaang iniwan ng salarin sa iba pang biktima.

Natagpuan ang lahat ng mga biktima sa iisang lugar, sa kakahuyan na puno ng *bagras. Bakas sa bawat biktima ang pinsalang tinamo ng unang katawan na nakita sa imbestigasyon. Ang lahat ng mga biktima ay mayroong pahiwatig ng pagkabigti. At sa lahat ng katawan, muling nakita ang mga malalambot na hibla ng buhok sa kanilang leeg. Ang mga kabataang biktima ay natagpuang may mga bali at galos ngunit natamo matapos silang mamatay. Batay sa autopsya, minuto lamang ang pagitan ng pagkamatay ng mga biktima.

Limang batang babae, siyam na batang lalaki, at tatlong babaeng guro. 17 na buhay ang naputol sa kakahuyan ng bagras.

Habang nagpapatuloy ang imbestigasyon, isinara ang liwasan at matiyagang sinuri ang bawat papalabas na sasakyan. Ngunit sa kabila nito, hindi natagpuan ang kagamitan, o sa halip, bahagi ng katawan na ginamit sa pagpaslang. Wala sa mga bumisita sa liwasan ang tumugma sa mga hibla ng buhok na natagpuan sa mga biktima.

Hanggang sa ngayon, nananatiling bukas at hindi nalulutas pagkamatay ng grupo.

*Bagras – rainbow eucalyptus

=—————————————=

English Version

Case # KGMJ4852

The children went missing July 17, 1961 at about 1pm. Rangers searched the Orang National Park for hours before they discovered what had happened to them.

It was supposed to be a routine field trip, a bunch of grade schoolers and their teachers going through a park and making papers about it after. The children were lead by 3 chaperons.

The first body was of one of the teachers, she looked like she had died from strangulation. The cause was unknown, but there was evidence of violent compression on the neck as well as presence of bruising. It seemed that death was within minutes with no disfiguring physical findings. Strands of soft hair were found on the victims neck, mirroring later findings.

The rest of the victims were found all in the same place, a rainbow eucalyptus grove. Each victim had the same marks as the first body and all showing signs of strangulation, with the presence of the hair on their necks. The child victims show fractures and bruising that were found to be postmortem. Autopsy showed the times of death of all the victims were within minutes of each other.

In total there were 17 victims. 9 boys, 5 girls and 3 female teachers.

The park was put on lockdown and all exiting vehicles were searched but nothing was ever found that would match the presumed murder weapon. No hairs that matched the ones found were present on any of the other park visitors.

The case remains unsolved to this day.

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*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

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

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

The post Ikugan – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this poem is in Tagalog

Ang mga mata niya’y tila kumikinang na impyerno

At nang ang dila niya’y magsalita, nabalot ito ng 30 pirasong pilak

Sinulasok ng usok ang aking sentido

Nakita ko ang usok sa kung ano ito

Nararapat lamang akong magpaalam

Nararapat lamang akong magalit

At ang aking panghihinayang

O Diyos, sana ibinigay ko na lang noon iyon

Ang mga yabag niya’y unti-unting nilisan ang pinto

Ito na kaya ang sagot na hinahanap ko?

Upang sumayaw ang mga salita ko sa pahina

Upang maibigay ang buong puso ko sa bawat letra

Ang silid ay umalingawngaw sa sigaw

Habang ibinibigay ko ang sagot ko

Masyadong mataas ang presyo

At hindi ko matatanggap ito

“Oo”
Dahil ang pahina ay ang aking buhay

Ang tinta ng aking dugo

Ang mga salita ng aking kaluluwa

At dito ako nagsusulat

Sa gitna ng takipsilim

Naghihintay na kalampagin ang kampana

Aangkinin nito ang premyo

Para lang mahanap

Ang wala

Dahil ang pahina ang aking canvas

Ang tinta ang aking dugo

At ang mga titik

Ang aking kaluluwa

Sa tuwing magniniig ang panulat at papel

Ibinibigay ko ang kapiraso ng aking sarili

Na alam kong hindi ko na mababawi

Ibinibigay ko ito nang libre

Sa mga matang naghahanap

Bilang isang sulyap sa aking pagkatao

Ibinibigay ko ito nang libre

Sa mga may nais

Upang ihiwalay ang tabing ng buhay

Hindi na nito makukuha ang premyo

Dahil nakuha mo na

— Ang huling akda ng makatang si “Jillian”

=————————–=

English Version

Its eyes were a glistening inferno
And its tongue spoke, covered with 30 pieces of silver
The smoke choked my senses
The smoke made me see it for what it was

It deserved my goodbye
It deserved my anger
And my regret
I wish to God I gave it then

Its footsteps nearly left the door
Could this be the answer I was looking for
To make my words dance on the page
To make my heart pour into every letter

The room rang with screams
As I gave my answer
The price was too high
The price was unacceptable

“Yes”
For the page was my life
The ink my blood
The words my spirit

And here I write
In my twilight hours
Waiting to strike the bell

It would claim its prize
Only to find
Nothing

For the page is my canvas
And the ink my blood
And the letters
My soul

Each time the pen touched paper
I give a small part of myself
That I will never get back

I give it freely
To the eyes that seek
A glimpse into my being

I give it freely
To those that wish
To part the veil of life

It will never claim its prize
For you already have

-The last work of the poet “Jillian”

————————–————————–———————

*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 Gabriela Baron
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Gabriela Baron

Inspired by ‘Landas de Diablo’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

The Devil (The Bargainer) Illustration by Jam Trinidad
FB: Jam-core

Watercolor by Yanna Gemora
FB: Yannami

The post The Devil (The Bargainer) – Tagalog Translation appeared first on Philippine Spirits.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Ilang taon na akong hindi nakapunta sa bahaging ito ng kagubatan.

Hindi na magmula noong nangyari ang…

Gumagalaw ang lupa habang binubuo ng tagapagsilbi ang katawan nito. Sinabi sa akin na maraming engkanto ang gumagamit nitong mga elemental na nilalang bilang mga bantay at sa tuwing nakakakita ako ng isa, inilalapit ko ang aking rosaryo at iniintindi ang babala.

Itong bahagi ng probinsiya ay nagtataglay ng mga mahahalagang alaala para sa akin.

Naalala ko noong una ko siyang nakilala, napakagwapo niya, tulad ng kanyang uri.

Dinala niya ako sa kanyang mundo at wala akong naranasan na ganoong kaligayahan noon, o kailanman.

Hindi nga lang ako simpleng kabataan. Alam ko ang mga kuwento—kung paano ang pagkain ng itim na bigas sa kanilang lugar ay magkukulong sa akin doon magpakailanman o kung paano ang pagdarasal sa nag-iisang Diyos ay magpapawala ng kanilang mahika.

Masyado akong maraming nalalaman, at napakakaunti din.

Pagkatapos, ako ay umibig.

Isang batang-isip na pagkakamali.

Kapag ang engkanto ay umibig sa tao, magsisimula itong magpakita ng pisikal na kaanyuan. Ang taong biktima (o dapat bang sabihing iniibig?) ay magkakasakit. Kapag nanligaw ang engkanto, unti-unting humihina ang katawan ng tao, hanggang sa puntong mawalan siya ng malay

Sinasabing kung ang taong iniibig ng engkanto ay namatay, ang ibig sabihin nito ay  tumawid na siya sa mundo ng engkanto.

Mas malugod kong tinanggap ang kamatayan kung siya ang katabi ko.

Kami lang, magkasama.

Pero natakot ako. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin kaya ang likas kong reaksiyon ay magdasal.

Dahil doon, ang mahika ng kanilang kaharian ay nawala.

Ang tanging alaala ng kanyang mundo, ang bato-bato, ay tumingin sa akin. Ang mukha nitong hindi gumagalaw ay tila nakaukit ang bahid ng kalungkutan.

Tila kabaliwan na mag-iwan ng bulaklak sa isang alaala, ngunit nandito ako.

Siya iyon. Palaging siya iyon. Hindi ko kayang makasama ang sinuman pagkatapos ng mga araw ng pag-ibig at panganib na kasama ang engkanto.

Ang mga hindi nagtagumpay kong relasyon ay patunay ng pag-ibig na iyon.

Michael, Jaime, Simon, James…

Patuloy ang listahan.

Kailanman ay hindi nila matutumbasan ang karanasan ko sa kanya.

Kung kaya, itinapon ko ang aking rosaryo, isinuot ang aking pinakamagandang damit, at nagtungo sa kagubatan.

Nandoon ang bato-bato, ang piping saksi sa aking pagkatalo.

Nagsimula akong pumasok sa kuweba. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat asahan. Isinigaw ko ang kanyang pangalan.

At pagkatapos, wala.

Ilang oras kong sinubukan na hanapin ang daan papasok sa kanyang mundo. Namaga na ang aking lalamunan, duguan ang mga kamao, lahat para sa pagkakataong masilayan ang nawala kong pag-ibig.

Hindi pa ako nakaramdam ng ganitong katinding pag-iisa.

Pagkatapos ng ilang oras, kinulayan ng araw ang kagubatan ng pula at alam kong oras na para umalis.

Nagtataka pa rin ako

Iniisip niya pa kaya ako?

Ibig bang sabihin na hindi na niya ako iniibig dahil ako ay malusog pa?

Bakit hindi niya ako bigyan ng isa pang pagkakataon?

Alam ko na ang daang papasok sa kanyang mundo ay nandoon pa din sa kuweba.

Kung hindi, bakit nandoon pa din ang bato-bato?

Babalik ako, sa ilalim ng liwanag ng bilog na buwan.

Kasama ang mga dasal at agimat.

Kailanman ay hindi ko susukuan ang aking pag-ibig.

=————————–=

English Version

I haven’t been in this part of the forest in years.

Not since what happened with…

The ground moves as the servant builds its body. I was told that many engkanto use these elemental creatures as guards and every time I chance upon one, I take my rosary close and heed the warning.

This part of the province holds so many dear memories for me.

I think back at the time I first met him, he was too beautiful, as his kind always was.

He took me to his world and I had never had such pleasure before, or since.

I was no mere youth though, I knew the stories, about how eating black rice in their domain would trap me there forever or how praying to the one God would dissipate their magic.

I knew too much, and also too little.

Then I fell in love.

Such a childish mistake.

When an engkanto falls in love with a human, it will start to show physically. The human victim (or should I say lover?) will fall ill. When an engkanto courts, the human’s body becomes progressively weaker, up to the point of the human becoming unconscious.

It is said that if the subject of the engkanto’s love dies then that means he has crossed over to the engkanto’s world.

I would have welcomed death had he been by my side.

Only us, together.

But I was scared. I didn’t know what to do so by instinct I prayed.

And thus, the magic of their realm disappeared.

The only remnant of his world, the bato-bato, looked at me. Its unmoving face etched with what looked to be a twinge of sadness.

It seems crazy to leave a flower on a memory, yet here I am.

It was him, it was always him. I could never be with anyone after spending the days of love and danger with the engkanto.

My failed relationships are a testament to that love.

Michael, Jaime, Simon, James…

The list goes on.

They could never come close to giving me what I had with him.

And so, I tossed my rosary, wore my best clothes and ventured into the forest.

The Bato-bato was there, a silent witness to my lost cause.

I take the first steps into the cave. I didn’t know what to expect. I shouted his name.

And then, nothing.

I spent hours trying to look for an entrance o his world. My throat was sore, my knuckles bloody, all for the chance to see a glimpse of the lover I lost.

I had never felt so alone.

After a few hours the sun painted the forest red and I knew it was time to go.

I still wonder:

Does he think of me?

Is the fact that I’m healthy means that he stopped loving me?

Why won’t he give me another chance?

I know the portal to his world is still there by the cave.

If it wasn’t why was the bato-bato there?

I will return, by the light of the full moon.

With incantations and agimats.

I will never surrender my love.

=———————————–=

Story inspired by the Engkanto Myths

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

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