*Note this story is in Masbatenyo

Permi na ni Arturo nababatian ina na kinasadtu na isturya na kung paano mapapaanad ina na klasi san hayup na tanan na gusto mu iya sususnod nadaw bagan suruguon.

An dapat mo lang na paga himuon kay makuha na dili nya aram an iya na tuloy na dulae na buhik sa ulo, samtang nakasakay sa iya likod na dli ka makita hasta na mag- udong siya sin kakalukso na bagan maabut na niya an langit kag pakadtu sa kabukidan kag hasta sa kadagatan sa kasakit na iya nababatyagan.

Samok- samok na an iya isip, kay tungod sa kinahanglan niya san kuwartakag an iya nalang nabibilin na aram niya himuon na makabulig saiya kay an tikbalang. Pero aram niya man sa sadiri na may dili man maayu na mangyayari saiya kay kabalyu sani kay an iya na buhay. Magkakaigwa sya san sakit, pero nanu paman ba an iya na kinahanglan na kahadlokan? Dati naman sya may sakit na ina batyag, bilang nalang an iya na nga oras kinahanglan na igwa siya san pagahimuon. Kay sa tungod na habo niya mawara siya sa kalibutan na utang an iya nga maibilin kag problema sa iya nga pamilya.

Tumindog si Arturo sa atubang san Puno san danakit kag tinawag niya ini na lumuwas saiya nga balay. Pira man ka oras na nagahulat siya kag iya inparakita didtu sa madulom, napaus nalang siya san kakasiyak. Tapos may bigla nagpakita.

” Hoy buang na tawo, nanu kay adi ka didi,” hunga sani saiya.

“Nagkadi ako para mapapaanad ka nakon.” Sabat man ni Arturo.

Tumawa an tikbalang san grabe sa iya na mga sinabina makaharadlok bation, na miski san-o dili niya pa nabatian sa bilog na buhay niya.

” Damu na san mga tawo an nagtisting na himuon ina saakon pero tanan sinda wara sinewertehan. Kag nanu man an sumulod sa utok mo na naisip mo ako na mapapaanad?”

” Dili na kinahanglan pa na isipon ina kay nanu, Basta kay ako hihimuon ko an akon na gusto.”

“Sige tistengan ta daw an katag mo.”

Linumpatan ni Arturo sa likodan an tikbalang, graben likot sani, kaya nalilisodan siya na makahuyot sa buhok sani. Hapit na makabuhi an mga kamot ni Arturo maayu nalang gani kay nakabalik huyot siya san maayu para dili siya mahulog. Inadumdum niya an iya na pamilya kag aram niya na kinahanglan sya sani. Kaya dili gaud pwede na wara siya san himuon para sainda.

Pira ka sigundo an natapos si Arturo maayus na niya ini na kinabayuhan sa likod samtang inahuyotan an buhok sani sa likod. Binugnot ni Arturo an una na dulae na buhik. Sumiyak-siyak san grabe an tikbalang sa sobra na kasakit, pero dili gihapon umuding si Arturo, dili niya ini inpansin.

“Nanu kay inahimu ninyu ini saakon ha ,tawo?” Kahuna koba mabuot ka.” Nagbilog an boses san tikbalang na makusog-kusog kasabay sani an iya kakalumpat-lumpat.

“Hihimuon ko ini para sa akon na pamilya, Basta dili moko masasabutan.” Ginalaom ni Arturo na mapugongan nya ini hasta sa makuha niya. Kay pagamay- gamay na nagaluya na an iya kusog. Nababatyagan na niya na nagahuros na siya sa likod sani. Kag batyag niya an iya nga dughab na grabe an tulin san pitik sani.

” Nanu aram ninyu na mga tawo sa pamilya? Nasiraan naba kamu san isip.”

“Wara ako pakiaram kung nanu imu paga-isip. Kinahanglan ko na may mahimu ako para sainda ”

“Daw nababahuan kona lapit kana mawara, bilang nala imu nga mga oras didi sa duta. Dili kana madugay, Tama hanu ako?”

Wara magsabay si Arturo. Kay Tama man an isturya san tikbalang, tuna sa tuna may ina dara-dara na siya na sakit, pero Yana dili na ina imporante, an imporante mapaanad niya an tikbalang.

Nabugnot na niya an panduha na dulae na buhik kag amu niya pala napansun wara na gali sinda sa umahan banda na kung Hain an danakit. Dili niya aram kung na sinda banda san kabukidan na indarhan sani san tikbalang, nabigla siya sa tanan na nangyayari dara nalang pod san iya na pagtaka.

” Anna! Reymark! Julia!”

” Naga ayu kaba san bulig sainda?”

“Dili! Nadumduman kolang kung kasin-o ko ini inahimu!”

” Miski sin- o dili ko gaud kamu na tawo maabutan.”

Kag didto medyu nagkunay-kunay an tikbalang san kakalukso kag kakalukot pero dili man ini nagdugay. Napansun ni Arturo na may asu didtu banda sa may danakit.

” Balay ko ina, pero san nag abut kamu,” nababatyagan ni Arturo na may kaurit ini basi sa boses sani. “An gusto ko manla tani pabay- an ninda ako mag-usad, pero nanu inda inhimu pati an balay ko inda pa ginlabutan. Pati an akon pamilya.”

May usad pa na bibilin na dulae na buhik. An pagahuyot nya sa buhok san tikbalang kay inbalhin nya sa may liog banda kay dili sya masyado nakakapugong maayu.

” Pamilya ko yana an mas importante,”

Nadumduman ni Arturo na an inda balay nakabaligya na kay para nakabayad sa mga  bulong kag gasto sa pagkaospital niya, kag paano si Reymark kag Julia nagbalhin san eskwelahan dahil man saiya.

Inpiyung niya an iya nga mata kag nanghuyot san maayu sa tikbalang.

Hanalapit na mag maaga, nagapakita na gamay an sikat san adlaw kag dili makatuod siya na nakadugay siya sa likod san tikbalang. Nagaluya naman ini sa kakapoy, naghinat na an iya napagahiwag kag dili na gaud malikot-likot parehu sa una.

San pawa na gaud an adlaw napaingkod ini tungod sakakapoy sa atubang san danakit. Kinita sani si Arturo, na huyot na sani an tulo na dulae na buhik

“Nahimu mo,”

Napahuyot si Arturo sa iya nga dughab, nababatyagan niya naga piot ini sa kasakit hasta iya likod pakadtu sa iya nga liog. Nagatulin an iya napaga ginhawa pati iya nga ulo naga Gaan na.

Nagkuot siya sa iya nga bulsa kag inluwas niya an isad na piktyur.

“Luwasa sinda”

” Sige akon Ikaw pagasunodon.”

Tungod sana bigla na nawara an tikbalang.  Naabutan na san sirak san adlaw si Arturo. Kag makikita mo man saiya nga bayhun na malipayun na siya tungod sa nahimu na niya an iya na handom.

“Salamat”.

=————————–=

Arturo had heard the stories before. How the creatures could be tamed to become your loyal servants.

All he had to do was snatch the three golden hairs at the top of its head and then stay on its back until it was done jumping into the sky and going over the mountains and seas, easier said than done.

He was desperate, he needed money and he knew that the tikbalang could help him. He also knew that they would not forget him if he failed. They brought sickness, but what did he need to fear? He was already sick, time was slipping away from him and he needed something to hold on to. He didn’t want to leave his family behind with debt and regret.

Arturo stood in front of the Balete tree and called the creature out. It had been hours staring in the dark, his throat almost raw from shouting, but then he saw a figure.

“Foolish human, why have you come here,” the figure said.

“I am here to tame you,” was Arturo’s reply.

A wild laughter erupted from the creature, like nothing Arturo had ever heard before.

“Many humans have tried and failed. What makes you think you will be the one to tame me?”

“It doesn’t matter what I think, only what I will do.”

“Very well then.”

Arturo launched himself at the tikbalang, its chaotic movement challenging his grip. Arturo arms seemed to be failing him, but he held on. He thought about his family and how they needed him. He would not let them down.

Arturo managed to position himself holding the creature by the mane.

He picked the first golden hair. The tikblang screamed in pain, but Arturo didn’t mind it.

“Why are you doing this, human? I thought we were forgotten by your kind.” The creature’s wild movements matched the tone of its voice.

“I’m doing this for my family, something you will never understand.” Arturo hoped his strength would last, already he felt like he was slipping. He could feel his heart beating through his chest.

“What do humans know of family? All your kind does is destroy.”

“I don’t care what you think. I have to leave something behind for them.”

“I thought I smelled the stench of death upon you. You don’t have long do you, human?”

Arturo didn’t answer. Since the diagnosis, his whole life was defined by his sickness, today that didn’t matter. Nothing did except taming the tikbalang.

He picked the second hair and saw that they weren’t in the field with the Balete tree anymore. He didn’t recognize the mountain that the creature had taken them to, and he shook off the curiosity.

“Anna! Reymark! Julia!”

“Asking for help, human?”

“I’m remembering who I’m doing this for!”

“I will never understand creatures like you.” The creature calmed down just a bit, long enough for Arturo to look at the burnt husk of what he thought was a balete tree.

“That used to be my home, that is, until your kind came along” Arturo could sense the disgust in the tikbalang’s voice “All I wanted was to be left alone, but they took my home. My family.”

There was still one more hair left. The tikblanag’s mane didn’t give him a lot of traction, and he held tight against the creature’s neck.

“My family is all that matters.” Arturo remembered how they had to sell their house to pay for the medical bills, how Reymark and Julia had to transfer school because of him. He closed his eyes and gripped against the tikbalang.

The rising sun was visible in the distance and Arturo was surprised he lasted hours on the tikbalang’s back. The creature was getting tired, its movements slower and less erratic.

As the sun rose the tikbalang fell exhausted in front of its Balete tree. It looked at Arturo, now holding its three golden hairs.

“You have won.”

Arturo clutched at his chest; he could feel the pressure building up in his heart, spreading to his back and neck. His breaths were rapid, and his head felt light.

He reached into his pocket and took out a photo.

“….save them.”

“I will obey.”

With that, the tikbalang disappeared. Sunlight rested on Arturo, his face showing a look of contentment. He allowed himself one last smile.

“Thank you.”

=———————=

*Masbateño or Minasbate is a Bicol-Visayan language spoken by more than 600,000 people, primarily in the province of Masbate in the Philippines. It is very close to Capiznon, Hiligaynon/Ilonggo and Waray-Waray, all three spoken in Visayas. It is considered a Bisakol language, meaning a language intermediate between Visayan languages and Bicolano languages.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Masbatenyo Translation by Angel Papilosa
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Angel Papilosa

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

Tikbalang Illustration by Ysa Penas

*Note this story is in Tagalog

APOYKAMATAYANHILAKBOTAPOYAPOYAPOY

Nagsisigaw ang kabayo sa hangin. Alam na niya kung ano ang paparating pero wala pang kamalay-malay ang kanyang sakay. Sinubukan ng sakay na pakalmahin ang hayop pero hindi ito gumana. Kumaripas ng takbo ang kabayo papaloob ng kagubatan at ang kanyang sakay ay kumapit ng mahigpit.

KAMATAYANDUGOSAKITAPOY

Mas malakas na ngayon ang mga sigaw. Ang kabayo ay nakaramdam na ITO ay malapit na. ITO ang pinaka kinatatakutan ng kanilang uri sa lahat. Sinubukan ng kabayo na hanapin ang daan palabas ng kagubatan, na hindi alintana ang bigat sa kanyang likod. Naramdaman ng kabayo na papalapit na ang  mga yabag at naamoy na ang usok, kaya bumilis ang tibok ng kanyang puso.

APOYKAMATAYANDUGOAPOYDUGO

Hindi ito ordinaryong Tikbalang. ITO ay hindi ang sakim na Anggitay, ang patagong Tuwung, ang  matulin na Bawa, o ang tusong Tayho. Alam ng kabayo kung ano ito batay sa nananalaytay niyang dugo – ang likas na pakiramdam na ipinasa ng kanilang uri sa bawat henerasyon.

HILAKBOTSAKITAPOYAPOYAPOY

Bumagal ang pagtakbo ng kabayo. Nahulog ang kanyang sakay – maaaring patay o wala siyang malay. Masyadong takot ang kabayo sa paparating na titingin. Iniwan ng tapat na kabayo ang kanyang amo. Mas malakas ang kanyang pangamba kaysa sa kanilang pinagsamahan.

APOYSAKITKAMATAYAN

Hindi man lang lumingon ang kabayo habang taranta ito sa muling pagtakbo.
=———————————————-=

English Version

FIREDEATHTERRORFIREFIREFIRE

The horse screams in the air. It knows what’s coming but his rider is oblivious. The rider tries to calm his beast down but it doesn’t work. The horse darts through the forest thrashing wildly and his rider hangs on for dear life.

DEATHBLOODSICKNESSFIRE

The screams are louder this time. The horse can sense that IT is near. IT that their kind fear above all. The horse tries to find some path out of the forest, not even thinking about the weight on its back. The horse can feel the hoofbeats come nearer, it can smell the smoke, and its heart beats faster.

FIREDEATHBLOODFIREBLOOD

This is no ordinary Tikbalang. IT is not the greedy Anggitay, the stealthy Tuwung, the fleet Bawa or the cunning Tayho. The horse knows this in its blood, the animal instinct passed down from generations of its kind.

TERRORSICKNESSFIREFIREFIRE

The horse slows down to a gallop. His rider falls off him, maybe dead, maybe unconscious. The horse is too afraid of what will come to check. The loyal steed leaves its master. Primal fear is stronger than their bond.

FIRESICKNESSDEATHFIRE

The horse doesn’t even look back as it resumes its frenetic run.

The fire is near.

=——————————=

Inspired by the Binangenang entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Binangenang Illustration by Leandro Geniston fromAklat ng mga Anito
FB: That Guy With A Pen

*Note this story is in Tagalog

“Lintil” sabi ni Jomar habang nakatingin sa ilog. Nakita niya ang dating kaaway mula sa kalayuan.

Hindi kayang itago ng kaniyang mahabang buhok ang mukha nito kay Jomar. Ilang beses niyang pinapaalala sa sarili na kahit ano pa man ang mukha nito, isa pa rin siyang demonyo.

Kinuha na ni Jomar ang kaniyang lambat sa ilog at nilapag ito sa bangka. Ang pagbebenta lang ng ueang* ang pinagkakakitaan niya at tuwing nababaling ang kaniyang paningin, kukuhanin ng demonyo ang lahat ng kaniyang napangisda. Nangangarap na lang siya na sana buhay pa ang kaniyang lolo para maturuan siya kung paano harapin ang ganoong klaseng nilalang. Naisa-isa na ang mga mahal niya sa buhay dahil panahon kaya kailangan niya itong harapin mag-isa.

Nakaupo siya sa kaniyang bangka at nag-iisip kung ano ang gagawin niya ngayon. Hindi niya kayang makipag-unahan dahil mayroon siyang binubuhat. Alam ni Jomar na hindi siya kayang habulin nito sa ilog, kaya kailangan niyang mag-isip kung ano ang gagawin niya: Delikado sumugod sa rumaragasang ilog dahil masisira ang bangka niya sa matutulis na bato, at ang isa namang pwede niyang gawin ay lilituhin niya ito para siya makatakas. Hindi niya nagustuhan ang mga naisip na plano.

Lumipas ang isang oras pagkatapos makita ni Jomar ang nilalang at matagal na rin siyang nakabilad sa araw. Kinikilabutan siya dahil napansin niya na hindi gumagalaw ang demonyo simula nang nakita niya ito. Kailangan niya nang pumunta sa ilog para mauwi niya ang kaniyang napangisda.

Dinaan niya ang bangka pababa sa ilog. Tinangay siya ng rumaragasang tubig at kinailangan ang buong lakas niya para iwasan ang mga tumatalsik na bato at malalakas na agos. Hindi nagtagal nakaabot din siya sa kaniyang pupuntahan, pero ang ginahawang naramdahan ay bigla ring humupa.

Dahil mayroon siyang nasisilayan sa tabing-ilog.

Isa na namang demonyo.

=————————————————–=

English Version

“Linti!” Jomar looked across the river and saw his old nemesis. He could see its face beneath the long hair and he had to remind himself that, no matter what it looked like, it was still a demon.

Jomar fished his net out of the river onto his boat. Selling ueang* was has only source of income and every time he would let his guard down one of these demons would steal his catch and leave him with nothing. He wished his lolo was still alive to tell him how to deal with these creatures, but time took its toll on the people that he loved and he was left alone with his problems as always.

He sat in his boat and wondered what he would do this time. There was no chance of outrunning the demon, not while he was carrying this heavy a load. Jomar knew that the demon couldn’t follow you through a river, and he had to make a choice: Going through the river could be dangerous, the current ran fast and there was a chance that he would end up dashed against the rocks, on the other hand he could take his chances distracting the demon and then making a break for it. Neither of those choices seemed appealing to him.

I had been an hour since Jomar had first seen the demon and his skin was cooked from the heat of the sun. The demon hadn’t moved a single inch and its impassive features sent shivers down Jomar’s spine. It was time to decide, and Jomar knew that the river would be his best bet at surviving and keeping his catch.

He steered the boat down the river and held on for his life. The rapids were violent and it took all his strength to guide his craft through the winding stones and dangerous waters. It didn’t take long to reach his destination, but the relief he felt didn’t last long.

A figure was waiting along the riverbank.

Another demon.

————————–————————–————————–

*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.

*Ueang is freshwater shrimp

Story inspired by the Bawa description in ‘The Myths of the Philippines’. Gaverza. 2014.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Translation by Emman Bernardino
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Emman Bernardino

Bawa Illustration by Nica Mapeso

*Note this story is in Bicol
Ali sa sinapupunan nin daga ako minatalubo Naga-kintab arog nin araw sa maagahonSa saimong kamot lilason ko an mga kalag Asin tiga-dara an mga tawo sa karaotanAno ako?

Ali sa sinapupunan nin daga ako minatalubo Naga-kintab arog nin araw sa maagahonSa saimong kamot lilason ko an mga kalag Asin tiga-dara an mga tawo sa karaotanAno ako?

“Mata na.”

“Anong..? Anong nangyayari?”

“Nagtataram ka nanaman kan turog ka pa.”

“Ah, pasensya na tabi. Nagpamatanga garo ako kasubanggi.”

“Nagpundo na baga su uran.”

“Nagpundo na? Maray yan ta nganing makakuha na kita nin mga maray na litrato.”

“Ma-ayos na ako. Ika mag-taga-ayos ka naman ta igwa pa kitang diit na oras nin liwanag.”

“Sige. Masanli muna ako. Sana man lamang matapos ta na ining shooting na dae tigaantala nin uran.”

“Oh wow.”

“Nyata?”

“May budlangaw sa likod mo.”

“Siguro bako man nanggad maraot ang panahon ngunyan.”

Malipot sa pakiramdamWara akong tunay na liwanagUgaring dae ako mawawaraAno ako? Na-gimata siyang daplusunon. Su pangiturugan niya nanaman kaya tungkol sa mga laad, su mga dilaw na kino asin su kakanusang maraot-raot. Tig-paalala niya sa sadiri niya na aloy na ito, mas dakul pang mga bagay an kailangan kan saiyang atensyon.

Alangkawon ang saiyang tindog, an saiyang garing na sungay maliwanagon an kintab sa kadikluman kan kwebang tiga-istaran niya. May mga yamang maiiling sa mga bulod na ini, asin kukuwaon niya gabos na kaya niyang dar’hon.

Ugaring may mga kislap man gilayon kan nakaagi na na dae naa-ali sa saiyang isip. Narurumduman niya an saiyang lumang pangaran asin kun pano an saiyang gayon nakakaapod kan iling maski kan mga pinakamakukusog na diyos. Tig-basang-basang niya ang pangaran ni Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan asin naglustab sa salog. Siguro kun bako dahil saiya, yaon pa garo ang gayon niya.

Pagnakuha niya na an saiyang kayamanan, magiging marhay na gabos. Mabalik na siya liwat sa dati niyang itsura. Dae na kailangan magpara-tambay sa kadikluman kan saiyang kweba. Dae na kailangan magpara-alat mag-uraw para makadakop nin mga hayop na makakaon. Dae na kailangan magpara-iling sa saiyang sadiring repleksyon asin marumduman na saro na palan siyang halimaw.

Sa kaarayuan, may nailing siyang kislap nin mga liwanag. Kayamanan? Dae kakayanun kan puso nya an kaugmahan niya. Nag-uraw na, ugaring dae na siya maalat sa saiyang manliligaw. Ta oras niya na para maghanap nin pagkaon.

Minasabay ako sa agosSa bilog na kinabanDae ako arayo sa kapangyarihanTa ako nanggad ang kapangyarihanAno ako?

An maliwanag na diyos nag-dungaw ali sa langit asin nag-himutok. Mamundo siya ta nagluwas nanaman su tig-liligawan niya na dae siya kaiba. Nakatukaw siya sa mga panginoron sa Mundong Itaas asin tiga-rumdom an mga nakaagawang selosong diyos.

Marahayrahay na hapon nin tag-init kan nangyari ito, an maliwanag na diyos tig-ta’wanan an babae nin kapangyarihang gamiton an saiyang prismatikong ilaw asin ginamit ini kan babae imbis masapawan an gayon nin mga diyosa. Ang kaherak na babaeng ini, mas dakol pa an kasakiman kaysa sa kadunungan, sa saiyang ka-ambugan naisipang kalabanon an sarong diyosa. Maswerte pa ngani siya, maski purupano. Ta kun si Ynaguinid an kinalaban niya, dae na siya mabubuhay para kwaon an mga napasang pidaso kan saiyang miserableng buhay.

Ugaring bako man iyan digdi o duman.

Ginibo kan maliwanag na diyos an gabos, syempre. Tig-tao niya liwat an saiyang kagayunan sa abot kan makakaya niya. Ugaring dae kayang madaog kan saiyang kapangyarihan ang sumpa kan babae. An diyosa nin ka-agasan may ugaling dae nagpapatawad ta arog kaito an saiyang kayang gibuhon.
Ka-itaasan kan iling. Kasakiman. Ka-ambugan. An mga diyos mas may pagkaparehas pa sa mga tawo kaysa sa pagtaram ninda nin totoo.

Kun dae sana luminampas an babaeng ini sa banal na gubat nin diyosa.
Kun dae niya sana nailing an mga dwendeng burubitbit an mga kayamanan.
Kun dae niya sana tig-ambog na siya an pinakamagayon.

Dae kuta mararaot an saiyang puso. Dawa ano pang mangyari, an saiyang pagpadaba sa babaeng uto, dae man giraray nasuklian. Nag-aasa man gilayon siya na kung matabangan niyang maibwelta an tunay na anyo kan babae, maiiling niya na an nararamdaman niya para saiya.

Ugaring dae niya kakaputan an saiyang pag-asa na arog kaito kaaloy. Naghimutok an maliwanag na diyos asin padikit-dikit binutasan ang saiyang ilaw paduman sa kinaban. Baka mailing niya na nanggad kun ano an tiga-hanap niya.

An sakuyang pangako sarong pangituruganNa may kabasoganAsin katiwasayanSarong testimonya sa maray na pagtiwala Ano ako?
“Nailing mo uto?!”

“Una ko baga ataason na kita para makailing pa king mga kabayo?!”

“Iyo baga, dae ko sana aram kun nyata yaon yan digdi.”

“Tig-iling mong maray?”

“Masyado siyang makaskas, kaso garo nakuha ko man sa kamera.”

“Mag-ali na kita ta abo kong maabutan kita pag nag-balik pa uto. Dae kaya ako sanay sa mga hayop.”

“Oh sige na. Bati prinsesahun ka pa. Sapat naman garo ining mga nakuha ta para pagpilian kan mga editor. Mag-palit ka na tapos mababa na kita. Makakaabot man garo kita bago mag-banggi.”

“Sige, madali lang ako.”

Igwa kutang makukuwang kayamanan, ugaring bako ito su tig-paparahanap niya. Madayaon man ini gabos. Nyata siya pa an tig-sumpa sa makanusong anyong ini? Su diyosa ngani magayunon kaso makauyam man. Nagbulos an saiyang luha sa dati niyang makinisong pandok habang sunod-sunod an tagiting nagtatagdo sa daga.

Aram kan maliwanag na diyos an sarong igwa sa sumpa na dae aram kan babae. Kinaganang ginto kan diyosa nin ka-agasan an mata kan babae imbis pirmi niyang pagparahanapon an kayamanang dae niya makukuwa maski nuarin. Saro ito sa natadang insulto saiya para madagdagan an sumpa niya. Gigibuhon man kan maliwanag na diyos an gabos, ta sa saiyang puso nagpapara-antabay siya sa saiyang presensya.

“Ayos ka na?”

“Iyo, pero mas maray kung alaton ta na lang na mag-uraw.”

“Abo ko lamang mag-agi sa madugi.”

“Dae ka na magpara-reklamo. Maray ngani ta may nakuha kitang mga magayong litrato.”

“Pailing daw…. Iyo, tama ka, maray ngani ta magayon an itsura ko jan. Alat, dae ko marumduman ining saro.”

“’Yan garo su kabayo. Makaulok lamang ta magkaparehas ang buhok nindo.”

“Tiga-apod mo akong kabayo?”

“Alo daw jan. Alaton ta na sanang mag-uraw-uraw an langit tapos maali na kita.”

Duminarusdos an dugi sa bulod sa pag-uli kan babae sa kweba niya. Sarong aldaw, mababalik man sana an saiyang gayon asin ipapailing niya sa gabos na mga diyos kun ano an nararapat para saiya.

English Version

Out of earth’s womb I grow
Glistening like the morning sun
In your hands I poison souls
And lead all men to ruin
What am I?

“Wake up.”

“Wha..? What’s happening?”

“You’re talking in your sleep again.”

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

“It stopped raining.”

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

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

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

“Oh wow.”

“What?”

“There’s a rainbow behind you.”

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

Cold to the touch
I have no true light
Yet I will never be lost
What am I?

She wakes up with a cold sweat. It was that dream again, the flashes of light, the yellow field mice and the wretched ugliness that followed. She reminded herself that it was in the past, there were more important things that needed her attention.
She stood tall, her ivory horn shining bright in the dark cave that housed her. There was treasure to be found in these mountains, and she would take all that she could carry.

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

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

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

I flow in a current
Throughout the world
I am never far from power
For power is what I am
What am I?

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

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

But that was neither here nor there.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My promise is a dream
Of full stomachs
And freedom
A testimony to good faith
What am I?

“Did you see that?!”

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

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

“Did you get a good look at it?”

“It was too fast, I think I got it on camera.”
“We should go, I don’t want to be here when it gets back. I’m not good around animals.”

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

“Fine, I’ll be fast.”

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

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

“Are you good?”

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

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

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

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

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

“Did you just call me a horse?”

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

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

————————–————————–————————

The Bikol languages or Bicolano languages are a group of Central Philippine languages spoken mostly in the Bicol Peninsula in the island of Luzon, the neighboring island province of Catanduanes and the island of Burias in Masbate. There is a dialect continuum between the Visayan languages and the Bikol languages; the two together are called the Bisakol languages.

The Tabaco-Legazpi-Sorsogon (TLS) dialect is spoken in the eastern coast of Albay and the northeastern part of Sorsogon. TLS is the dialect that has been most influenced by the Inland Bikol languages. 

Written by Karl Gaverza
Translation by Jeremiah Cordial
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Jeremiah Cordial

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

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

Out of earth’s womb I grow
Glistening like the morning sun
In your hands I poison souls
And lead all men to ruin
What am I?

“Wake up.”

“Wha..? What’s happening?”

“You’re talking in your sleep again.”

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

“It stopped raining.”

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

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

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

“Oh wow.”

“What?”

“There’s a rainbow behind you.”

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

Cold to the touch
I have no true light
Yet I will never be lost
What am I?

She wakes up with a cold sweat. It was that dream again, the flashes of light, the yellow field mice and the wretched ugliness that followed. She reminded herself that it was in the past, there were more important things that needed her attention.
She stood tall, her ivory horn shining bright in the dark cave that housed her. There was treasure to be found in these mountains, and she would take all that she could carry.

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

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

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

I flow in a current
Throughout the world
I am never far from power
For power is what I am
What am I?

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

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

But that was neither here nor there.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My promise is a dream
Of full stomachs
And freedom
A testimony to good faith
What am I?

“Did you see that?!”

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

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

“Did you get a good look at it?”

“It was too fast, I think I got it on camera.”
“We should go, I don’t want to be here when it gets back. I’m not good around animals.”

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

“Fine, I’ll be fast.”

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

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

“Are you good?”

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

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

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

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

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

“Did you just call me a horse?”

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

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

————————–————————–————————

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

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

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

*Note this story is in Bisaya

Nakadungóg to sa úna si Túro og mgá estórya, unsáon pagpánton ádtong nilalánga áron himóong lunodpátay nga alagád.

Ang buháton lámang maó ang paghúlbot sa tutuló ka bulawón nga buhók sa punôpunô ning mananápa úg pagpabíling ángkas sa bukóbukó niíni hángtod makalayát na ní sa kawanángan tabók sa kabuntóran úg kaláwran – butáng nga sayón lámang sa púlong úg dílì sa búhat.

Nanginahánglan kaáyo siyá. Nanginahánglan siyá og salapî úg nasáyod siyáng makatábang níya ang tikbaláng. Nasáyod sab siyá nga kon dílì siyá magmalampóson, dílì siyá niíni hikalímtan lámang – hinùnóa tagáan síya og balatían. Apán únsa pa may íyang kahadlókan? Masakitón na siyáng dáan. Nagkaút-ot na ang íyang panahón. Nagkinahánglan síya og makulapyótan. Dílì síya búot biyáan ang íyang bánay nga putós sa útang úg pagmáhay.

Mibaróg si Túro atúbang sa gákit úg gisámpit níya ang nilaláng. Pipilá ka táknà siyáng naglántaw lámang sa kangítngit. Daw naúghan na og láway ang íyang tutúnlan og sinyágit. Apán mibúthò ang usá ka nilaláng.

“Búang nga kalibotánon, únsay giánhi mó,” mátod sa nilaláng
Nía kó sa pagpánton nímo,” ang tubág ni Túro ».
Nangagákhak sa gáhob nga katáwa ang nilaláng, sa gáhob nga katawaháng áto pa níya nadungóg.

“Dághan nang misuláy úg nangapákyas lámang. Ngáno uróy malahî ka níla úg mapánton kó nímo?” “Waláy báli ang gituhóan kó, maóy may báli ang buháton kó.”

“Aw, maó man kahâ.”

(Dihâdihâ) giásdang ni Túro ang tikbaláng. Naglisód siyá og kupót niíni, saráng ní kalihóg. Gihawóy na ang íyang mgá búkton. Apán walâ níya ní buhíi. Maóy gihúnàhúnà níya ang íyang bánay. Síya lámay ílang gisaligán. Dílì níya silá pakyáson.”

Gihúlbot níya ang únang bulawóng buhók. Mitiyábaw sa kasakít ang tikbaláng. Apán walâ manubalíng si Túro. Gihúlbot níya ang ikaduháng bulawóng buhók úg walâ na diáy silá sa may gákit. Walâ na níya túod ang kabuntórang díin siyá ron dagíta sa tikbaláng. Giwákli níya ang kaíkag pagsáyod. (Walâ siyá magpalíngla.)

Dúna pay ikatulóng bulawóng buhók. Dánlog kaáyo manggúnit sa lambúngay sa tikbaláng, mikulápyot lámang júd siyá og tamán sa tangkúgò niíni.

Nalántaw níya nga mibánagbánag na ang gindaílan. Walâ níya himatíkdi ní dahomá nakalúngtad siyá pag-ángkas sa bukóbukó sa tikbaláng og pipilá ka táknà. Gikapóy na ang maóng nilaláng, nagkaluyá na níng molíhok úg nagkawalâ na ang pagkalihóg.

Sámtang namidlísiw ang sidlakán, nalúsnò ang tikbaláng sa atubángan júd sa gákit niíning gipúy-an. Miyangád ní kang Túro ang nagkupót rón sa tutuló níya ka bulawóng buhok.

(Namúlong.)

“Nagmadaógon ká.”

English Version

Arturo had heard the stories before. How the creatures could be tamed to become your loyal servants.

All he had to do was snatch the three golden hairs at the top of its head and then stay on its back until it was done jumping into the sky and going over the mountains and seas, easier said than done.

He was desperate, he needed money and he knew that the tikbalang could help him. He also knew that they would not forget him if he failed. They brought sickness, but what did he need to fear? He was already sick, time was slipping away from him and he needed something to hold on to. He didn’t want to leave his family behind with debt and regret.

Arturo stood in front of the Balete tree and called the creature out. It had been hours staring in the dark, his throat almost raw from shouting, but then he saw a figure.

“Foolish human, why have you come here,” the figure said.
“I am here to tame you,” was Arturo’s reply.

A wild laughter erupted from the creature, like nothing Arturo had ever heard before.

“Many humans have tried and failed. What makes you think you will be the one to tame me?”

“It doesn’t matter what I think, only what I will do.”

“Very well then.”

Arturo launched himself at the tikbalang, its chaotic movement challenging his grip. Arturo arms seemed to be failing him, but he held on. He thought about his family and how they always relied on him. He would not let them down.

He picked the first golden hair. The tikblang screamed in pain, but Arturo didn’t mind it. He picked the second and saw that they weren’t in the field with the Balete tree anymore. He didn’t recognize the mountain that the creature had taken them to, and he shook off the curiosity.

There was still one more hair left. The tikblanag’s mane didn’t give him a lot of traction, and he held tight against the creature’s neck.

The rising sun was visible in the distance and Arturo was surprised he lasted hours on the tikbalang’s back. The creature was getting tired, its movements slower and less erratic.

As the sun rose in the distance the tikbalang fell exhausted in front of its Balete tree. It looked at Arturo, now holding its three golden hairs.

“You have won.”

*Visayan (Bisaya or Binisaya) is a group of languages of the Philippines that are related to Tagalog and Bikol, all three of which are part of the Central Philippine languages. Most Visayan languages are spoken in the whole Visayas section of the country, but they are also spoken in the Bicol Region (particularly in Masbate), islands south of Luzon, such as those that make up Romblon, most of the areas of Mindanao and the province of Sulu located southwest of Mindanao. Some residents of Metro Manila also speak Visayan.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Translation by Joseph Vincent (Josefwintzent) M. Libot
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Joseph Vincent (Josefwintzent) M. Libot

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

Tikbalang Illustration by Leandro Geniston

Arturo had heard the stories before. How the creatures could be tamed to become your loyal servants.

All he had to do was snatch the three golden hairs at the top of its head and then stay on its back until it was done jumping into the sky and going over the mountains and seas, easier said than done.

He was desperate, he needed money and he knew that the tikbalang could help him. He also knew that they would not forget him if he failed. They brought sickness, but what did he need to fear? He was already sick, time was slipping away from him and he needed something to hold on to. He didn’t want to leave his family behind with debt and regret.

Arturo stood in front of the Balete tree and called the creature out. It had been hours staring in the dark, his throat almost raw from shouting, but then he saw a figure.

“Foolish human, why have you come here,” the figure said.
“I am here to tame you,” was Arturo’s reply.

A wild laughter erupted from the creature, like nothing Arturo had ever heard before.

“Many humans have tried and failed. What makes you think you will be the one to tame me?”

“It doesn’t matter what I think, only what I will do.”

“Very well then.”

Arturo launched himself at the tikbalang, its chaotic movement challenging his grip. Arturo arms seemed to be failing him, but he held on. He thought about his family and how they needed him. He would not let them down.

Arturo managed to position himself holding the creature by the mane.

He picked the first golden hair. The tikblang screamed in pain, but Arturo didn’t mind it.

“Why are you doing this, human? I thought we were forgotten by your kind.” The creature’s wild movements matched the tone of its voice.

“I’m doing this for my family, something you will never understand.” Arturo hoped his strength would last, already he felt like he was slipping. He could feel his heart beating through his chest.

“What do humans know of family? All your kind does is destroy.”

“I don’t care what you think. I have to leave something behind for them.”

“I thought I smelled the stench of death upon you. You don’t have long do you, human?”

Arturo didn’t answer. Since the diagnosis, his whole life was defined by his sickness, today that didn’t matter. Nothing did except taming the tikbalang.

He picked the second hair and saw that they weren’t in the field with the Balete tree anymore. He didn’t recognize the mountain that the creature had taken them to, and he shook off the curiosity.

“Anna! Reymark! Julia!”

“Asking for help, human?”

“I’m remembering who I’m doing this for!”

“I will never understand creatures like you.” The creature calmed down just a bit, long enough for Arturo to look at the burnt husk of what he thought was a balete tree.

“That used to be my home, that is, until your kind came along” Arturo could sense the disgust in the tikbalang’s voice “All I wanted was to be left alone, but they took my home. My family.”

There was still one more hair left. The tikblanag’s mane didn’t give him a lot of traction, and he held tight against the creature’s neck.

“My family is all that matters.” Arturo remembered how they had to sell their house to pay for the medical bills, how Reymark and Julia had to transfer school because of him. He closed his eyes and gripped against the tikbalang.

The rising sun was visible in the distance and Arturo was surprised he lasted hours on the tikbalang’s back.

The creature was getting tired, its movements slower and less erratic.

As the sun rose the tikbalang fell exhausted in front of its Balete tree. It looked at Arturo, now holding its three golden hairs.

“You have won.”

Arturo clutched at his chest; he could feel the pressure building up in his heart, spreading to his back and neck. His breaths were rapid, and his head felt light.

He reached into his pocket and took out a photo.

“….save them.”

“I will obey.”

With that, the tikbalang disappeared. Sunlight rested on Arturo, his face showing a look of contentment. He allowed himself one last smile.

“Thank you.”

————————–————————–——————

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

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

Tikbalang Illustration by Leandro Geniston

“Linti!” Jomar looked across the river and saw his old nemesis. He could see its face beneath the long hair and he had to remind himself that, no matter what it looked like, it was still a demon.

Jomar fished his net out of the river onto his boat. Selling ueang* was has only source of income and every time he would let his guard down one of these demons would steal his catch and leave him with nothing. He wished his lolo was still alive to tell him how to deal with these creatures, but time took its toll on the people that he loved and he was left alone with his problems as always.

He sat in his boat and wondered what he would do this time. There was no chance of outrunning the demon, not while he was carrying this heavy a load. Jomar knew that the demon couldn’t follow you through a river, and he had to make a choice: Going through the river could be dangerous, the current ran fast and there was a chance that he would end up dashed against the rocks, on the other hand he could take his chances distracting the demon and then making a break for it. Neither of those choices seemed appealing to him.

I had been an hour since Jomar had first seen the demon and his skin was cooked from the heat of the sun. The demon hadn’t moved a single inch and its impassive features sent shivers down Jomar’s spine. It was time to decide, and Jomar knew that the river would be his best bet at surviving and keeping his catch.

He steered the boat down the river and held on for his life. The rapids were violent and it took all his strength to guide his craft through the winding stones and dangerous waters. It didn’t take long to reach his destination, but the relief he felt didn’t last long.

A figure was waiting along the riverbank.

Another demon.

————————–————————–————————–

*Ueang is freshwater shrimp

Story inspired by the Bawa description in ‘The Myths of the Philippines’. Gaverza. 2015.
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Bawa Illustration by Nica Mapeso

FIREDEATHTERRORFIREFIREFIRE

The horse screams in the air. It knows what’s coming but his rider is oblivious. The rider tries to calm his beast down but it doesn’t work. The horse darts through the forest thrashing wildly and his rider hangs on for dear life.

DEATHBLOODSICKNESSFIRE

The screams are louder this time. The horse can sense that IT is near. IT that their kind fear above all. The horse tries to find some path out of the forest, not even thinking about the weight on its back. The horse can feel the hoofbeats come nearer, it can smell the smoke, and its heart beats faster.

FIREDEATHBLOODFIREBLOOD

This is no ordinary Tikbalang. IT is not the greedy Anggitay, the stealthy Tuwung, the fleet Bawa or the cunning Tayho. The horse knows this in its blood, the animal instinct passed down from generations of its kind.

TERRORSICKNESSFIREFIREFIRE

The horse slows down to a gallop. His rider falls off him, maybe dead, maybe unconscious. The horse is too afraid of what will come to check. The loyal steed leaves its master. Primal fear is stronger than their bond.

FIRESICKNESSDEATHFIRE

The horse doesn’t even look back as it resumes its frenetic run.

The fire is near.

————————–————————–——————

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Inspired by the Binangenang entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Binangenang Illustration by Leandro Geniston fromAklat ng mga Anito
FB: That Guy With A Pen