*Note this story is in Bahasa Sug

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

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

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

Ampa nakakawa’ siya hambuuk mananagainüp.

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

Iban hangka küdjap da, didtu na aku.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sakali nakabati’ aku.

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

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

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

=————————–=

English Version

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

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

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

And a dreamer it had.

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

And in a flash, I was there.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Then I woke up.

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

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

I wish I did more exciting things.

=—————————————–=

*Bahasa Sug or Tausug is an Austronesian language spoken in the province of Sulu in the Philippines and in the eastern area of the state of Sabah, Malaysia, by the Tausūg people. It is widely spoken in the Sulu Archipelago (Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Basilan), the Zamboanga Peninsula (Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga City), southern Palawan, and Malaysia (eastern Sabah).

Written by Karl Gaverza
Bahasa Sug translation by Benj Bangahan
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Benj Bangahan

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

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

Watercolor by Alexa Garde
Website: www.Lexa.us

*Note this story is in Maguindanaon.

Tatap a kalinian ku i kapedtulik kanu ulan-ulan. Aden su rahasia sa entain sekanin. Papedsigay nin bu su palitan nin sabap sa baraguna? Pembaba i pagedan a kuda nin kanu dunya? Abadi sekanin?

Da den kutika ku a pendalmet a ped su manga kaped a wata, tatap a aden sakit atawa kaped pan a sabapan na di ku kapeliyu. Di ku den mambalasa su mayaw a sigay nu senang, ugaid sa magabi, sa pageletan nu sahaya nu bitun endu su sambel a malemek, su ulan-ulan bu i pakat ku.

Su manga kalukesan na pedtudtul silan sa pabila su ulan-ulan na temelen sa kapagkaaden sa langit, inia nin mana na pembangkit su dunya. Midtatawa aku kanu manga tudtul, ka panun i kapedtelen na ulan-ulan kanu abadi a libet nin? Sekanin su taginep a naaden kanu kabenalan, su panudtul a sampurna sa palitan.

Nan intu, sampay sa mailay ku su singa.

Pembedtuan sekanin sa Arimaonga nu manga kalukesan. Di ku katawan i madtalu ku su badan ku na napenu na gilek. Labi a masela intu pan kanu katig ku a binatang. Endu pegkapetan nin su papedtayan ku a ulan-ulan.

Su waktu na midtegas den, Pidtulikan ku i isa-isa ku a pakat na sinepa nu binatang. Kanu kaped a lalan, su singa na pendalmet sa dalmetan, da katawi a tu den i sabapan na   kabinasa tanu langun.

Labi a nagilekan pan sekanin sa laki. Kagedam ku su penggiginawan nin a mana da den arap kanu kapegkapet lun sa pageletan na baka nu singa. Minebpun aku mulyang sa intu kutika.

“Singa butawani ka su ulan-ulan atawa embangkit su dunya!”

Di ku katawan enduken a minebpun aku edtalu sa intu ugaid na mana sipat ku den, a mana pedtalun.

“Singa butawani ka su ulan-ulan atawa embangkit su dunya!”

Su kaped a manga maginged na minebpun mamung sa laki sa sengal. Su manga kalukesan na pidtanggit nilan su manga tagungu endu manga agung nilan endu su ingel na makasampay sa surga.

“SINGA BUTAWANI KA SU ULAN-ULAN ATAWA EMBANGKIT SU DUNYA!”

Su manga bakelengan nami na linegawan, magan kami den di makaginawa ugaid da kami telen. Di ku sekanin tagaken kanu singa, inia inged na di bun pedtagak sa lekanin.

Kanu kutika a binutawan nu singa su ulan-ulan na su nakalepas a nanggula na mana abadi. Kinapetan nin su takilidan nin endu midsaluman sekanin sa penggulan sa kanu surga.

Endu saki, mapagumbaba a wata pedsukur-sukur kanu Kadenan sabap su isa-isa ku a pakat na kurma bun.

=——————————=

English Version

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

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

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

That is, until I saw the lion.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

————————–————————–————————-

**Maguindanao or Maguindanaon is an Austronesian language spoken by majority of the population of Maguindanao province in the Philippines. It is also spoken by sizable minorities in different parts of Mindanao such as the cities of Zamboanga, Davao, and General Santos, and the provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, as well as Metro Manila. This was the language of the historic Sultanate of Maguindanao, which existed before and during the Spanish colonial period from 1500–1888.

*This story is not “word for word” or “translated literally” since there are English words that has no exact equivalent in Maguindanaon language. It was translated as to how an old Maguindanaon would re-tell the story. But nonetheless, the content and dialogue in the original and the translated version are all the same.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Traslation by Datu Hashim
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Datu Hashim

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

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

*Note this story is in Cebuano

Ang bulan, nahadlok musilak sa iyang kahayag, misibog luyo sa panganod.

Hingpit. Hunahuna ni Sonja. Unta wala pa sila magsugod nga wala ko.

Ang mga yuring tingog sulod sa baluyot nagkakusog, apan wala’y dili masulbad sa usa ka lasking patid.

Nasayod siya nga aduna’y panglamat nga iyang magamit pagpakatulog kanila, gibatokan ugaling kini niya. Kanunayng nagtuo si Sonja nga ang ginagmayng kahadlok makahimo’g mga katingalahan sa panglasa.

Ang alabtanan anaa sa usa ka kakahoyan sa hilit-hilit sa dakbayan. Sukad pa sa mga adlaw sa mga karaang gingharian magkitaay sila ug mag-inambitay sa bangaw. Usa kadto ka makapahimuot nga kasulian nga ang bangaw atol sa adlawng natawhan sa anak sa ulay.

Giguyod ni Sonja ang baluyot ngadto sa suloran sa kakahoyan. Buntagay ang bangaw ug dili siya buot murisgo. Iyang ibilin iyang mga bitiis sulod sa kakahoyan ug magasaulog tibuok gabii.

Ang nagabantay karon sa kakahoyan usa ka mangingilaw, “Layo man ka sa pinuy-anan,” ingon si Sonja.

“Muadto ko’g asa ko sangpita,” tubag niya.

“Unsa’y imong dala?” Giitsa ni Sonja ang baluyot sa tiilan sa higanti.

“Lab-ason.”

“Alang-alang, mao na’y ampay sa imong matang. Naulhi ba ko?”

“Dayon, manananggal, wala pa mi kasugod.”

Nangagho si Sonja sa kahumpay. Ang sinugdanang panumanan mao’y labing maanindot. Iyang gibilin iyang mga bitiis sa haduol nga kahoy ug miusbong paibabaw.

Didto mitipon siya sa panon, nagatulutuliyok ibabaw sa mga kahoy.

Di-maihap nga mga alibadut, abat, kubot, alan, bannog, magkukutud, kalibadut ug uban pang mga kahadlokang manglupad ang nanagpanglihok nga nanag-abay. Sa kawalad-on sa bulanong kahayag aduna lamang sila’y ilang panimuot nga mugabay kanila sa ilang daotanhong sayaw.

Uban niini ang magahob nga hugyaw sa mga yutan-ong dumuduaw sa gabii. Ang bungisngis, kiwig, ug kulukupap, pipila sa daghan, ang nanagpaulos sa ilang mga tingog alang sa kasaulogan.

Ang panumanan natapos samtang ang hari sa mangkukulam mipahaluna sa truno sa mga bukog ug dugo.

Natingala si Sonja kon unsa ka hapsay ang tanan, matag pundok aduna’y kaugalingong luna sa kakahoyan sa pagtigom og unod alang sa bangaw.

Buot siyang musulay sa lainlaing mga halad ug wala mahibalo og asa mag-una. Ang alimyon sa dugo gikan sa suok sa mga mandurugo nakapalaway kaniya, ang tinagingting sa kulon sa mga pirotso nagtimaila og lab-as nga kabataan, atua’y hugpong sa mga ulo sa saga-ih nga gangkap sa bug-os unod.

Aduna usab ing ‘kinabag-ong’ pag-isip sa mga kinadan-an: Kagumkumong dinuguan nga may pinirito’g ayo nga tinai, tudlo ug kalimutaw ug mga nagauros-uros nga kasingkasing nga may sinalsang utok.

Nagkagutom si Sonja sa matag gutlo ug gipili niya ang dapit tupad kaniya diin ang tigabulak nagbarog. Nagatindog kini atubangan sa talad nga aduna’y dakong tadtaran ug kutsilyo. Mga singgit sa tabang ang nagaaningal sa baluyot likod kaniya nga nakapasadya kang Sonja. Kining unorang pagkalab-as nga hinikay sa tigabulak makaon-kaon gayod unya, gipapili pa ngani niya si Sonja og haing bataa ang iya.

Samtang mitudlo si Sonja sa gamayng babayi, mga lima ka tuig, usa ka kaguliyang ang nagdalugdog duol kaniya.

Ang tigabulak, tataw nga naitok, miingon, “Kinsa’y nagdapit ‘ana dinhi?”

Milupad si Sonja aron tan-awon kon unsa’y nahitabo ug iya dayong nailhan ang mamam, nagasampak sa iyang dalan latas sa bangaw.

Sukad-sukad sa panghitabo mga pila ka bulan niadto, tanan sa mga kahadlokan ang mihanayak pagtago sa bangaw gikan sa mamam, tingali unya og ang kasaulogan mahimong katalagman.

Ang ubang mga higanti ingon sa mangingilaw ug timu-timu namugong-pugong niini, apan ang binuhat di-mapugngan og pagkaon na’y ibayang atubang niini. Dili ngani kini muundang batok sa isigkasapat.

Makita ni Sonja nga isigpangikyas na ang kadaghanan, dala ang ilang bahin sa bangaw uban kanila. Miudyong pa ngani ang usa ka alan labay kaniya, dala ang usa ka gamayng bata.

Kinabuot mao’y nagsugyot kang Sonja nga angay siyang mudalagan og halayo ug madagmit, apan dili niya mapalagiw iyang mata gikan sa talan-awon.

Usa na ka takna sukad ang mamam nagsugod sa iyang pangdagmal. Ang dugoang mga patay nga lawas sa mga bungisngis ug ogro nagdayandayan sa pagpamatay. Kadtong mga nanagpabilin aron bantayan ilang pagkaon nakig-away sa usa ka pildihonong gubat.

Ang mamam wala’y nailhang pag-unong gawas sa kagusla.

Aswang o tawo, gikaon niya kining tanan.

Makita ni Sonja nga aduna’y mga utokang tawo ang nanagpahimulos sa kagubot ug nanagpanalagan alang sa ilang kinabuhi. May mabdos pang babayi ang nakasuot ngadto sa kalasangan samtang nalingag iyang tigdakop nga wakwak.

Wala’y kusog ni panglamat ang makapaundang niini. Ang hari sa mangkukulam nagsugo sa iyang mga babaylan nga manulay pagpahamtang og kasakit sa maong binuhat apan nakapasamot lamang kini sa iyang kagutom. Duha ka mangkukulam ang nahadangat sa ilang kataposan sa dihang gilamoy sila sa mamam og tibuok.

Sa hinagdawan ang mamam mibarog. Wala’y minatay, wala’y bukog aron sa pagtimaan sa agi sa iyang paglabay.

Gipanguha ni Sonja ang mga pinamatay ug mikalagiw ngadto sa iyang mga bitiis, ang iyang tiyan haw-ang sa gabii sa bangaw.

=———————————–=

English Version

The moon, afraid to shine its light, retreated behind the clouds.

Perfect. Sonja thought. I hope they didn’t start without me.

The muffled voices inside the bag were starting to get louder, but nothing a swift kick wouldn’t fix. She knew there was magic that she could use to put them to sleep, she decided against it though. Sonja always thought that a little fear did wonders for flavor.

The meeting spot was in a grove in the outskirts of the city. Since the days of the old kingdoms they would meet and share in the feast. It was an amusing irony that the feast was on the same day as the birth of the virgin’s child.

Sonja dragged the sack to the entrance of the grove. The feast would take all night and she didn’t want to take any risks. She would leave her legs inside the grove and celebrate throughout the night.

Guarding the grove this time was a mangingilaw. “You’re far from home,” Sonja said.
“I go where I am invited,” he replied.

“What did you bring?” Sonja tossed the bag to the giant’s feet.

“Something raw.”

“Of course, that’s what your kind likes. Am I late?”

“Enter, mananaggal, we have not yet started.”

Sonja sighed with relief. The opening ceremony was the best part. She left her legs by a nearby tree and soared upwards.

There she joined the flock, swirling above the trees.

Countless alibadut, abat, kubot, alan, bannog, magkukutud, kalibadut and other flying horrors moved in tandem. Without moonlight they only had their intuition to guide their sinister dance.

Accompanying this was the raucous roar of the terrestrial guests of the night. The bungisngis, kiwig and kulukupap, among many others, lent their voices to the celebration.

The ceremony ended as the king of the mangkukulam took his place on the throne of bones and blood.

Sonja was surprised how orderly everything was, each group had their own space in the grove to gather meat for the feast.

She wanted to try the different offerings and didn’t know where to start. The scent of blood from the mandurugo corner made her salivate, the clang from the pirotso’s pot signaled fresh children, there was a collection of heads by the saga-ih complete with the flesh intact.

There were also more ‘modern’ takes on the classics: Crispy dinuguan with deep fried lamang-loob, finger and eyeball bulalo and sizzling hearts with brain sauce.

Sonja was getting hungrier by the minute and she chose the spot beside her where a tigabulak stood. He was standing in front of a table with a large cutting board and a cleaver. Cries of help were echoing from the sack behind him, filling Sonja with glee. Such fresh meat prepared by a tigabulak would be quite a delicacy, he even let Sonja choose which child.

As Sonja was pointing to a small girl, about five years old, a commotion was thundering near her.

The tigabulak, visibly annoyed, said, “Who invited that here?”

Sonja flew up to see what was happening and she immediately recognized the mamam, pushing its way through the feast.

Ever since the incident many moons ago, all of the horrors decided to hide the feast from the mamam, lest the celebration turn into disaster.

The other giants like the mangingilaw and timu-timu were trying to hold it off, but the creature was unstoppable once food was placed in front of him. It would not even stop against a fellow halimaw.

Sonja could see that most were already trying to escape, taking their share of the feast with them. An alan even darted past her, carrying a small child.

Instinct told Sonja that she should run far and run fast, but she couldn’t take her eyes away from the spectacle.

It had been an hour since the mamam started its rampage. The bloodied corpses of the bungisngis and ogro decorating the slaughter. Those that stayed to guard their food were fighting a losing battle.

The mamam knew no allegiance apart from hunger.

Aswang or human, it ate them all the same.

Sonja could see clever humans taking advantage of the chaos and running for their lives. A pregnant woman even managed to slip into the forest while her wak-wak captor was distracted.

No might or magic could stop it. The king of the mangkukulam had his witches try inflicting pain on the creature but that only seemed to make it even hungrier. Two mangkukulam met their end when the mamam swallowed them whole.

In the aftermath the mamam stood. No corpses, no bones to mark the trail of its passing.

Sonja took in the carnage and fled to her legs, her stomach empty on the night of the feast.

*The Cebuano language, alternatively called Cebuan and also often colloquially albeit informally referred to by most of its speakers simply as Bisaya (“Visayan”, not to be confused with other Visayan languages nor Brunei Bisaya language), is an Austronesian regional language spoken in the Philippines by about 21 million people, mostly in Central Visayas, western parts of Eastern Visayas and most parts of Mindanao, most of whom belong to various Visayan ethnolingusitic groups, mainly the Cebuanos. It is the by far the most widely spoken of the Visayan languages, which are in turn part of wider the Philippine languages. The reference to the language as Bisaya is not encouraged anymore by linguists due to the many languages within the Visayan language group that may be confused with the term.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cebuano Translation by Francis Triexl Kyle Gobi
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Francis Triexl Kyle Gobi

Inspired by the Mamam description in Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition. Nasayao 2010.

Mamam Illustration by Jesus Miguel Ofalsa

FB: https://www.facebook.com/artsofperdiyo/

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Ang mga sugat at pilat sa kanyang braso ay Isang maliwanag na patunay ng buhay na kanyang tinahak. Hindi alam ng babaing ito kung bakit naging masubgit Ang tadhana sa kanya, kung bakit binigyan sya ng isang asawang malupit at ni hindi nagbibigay ng ano mang suporta para sa kanila anak. Pero sa kabila Ng lahat ng ito ay mas pinili nyang magpatuloy.

Pumapanatag ang kanyang kalooban pag sya ay nasa tabing dagat. Sa may pampang ay may isang malaking bato na nagiging kublihan nya at ng kanyang anak, tuwing sya ay sinasaktan ng kanyang asawa. Dun ay humahalo ang patak ng kanyang mga luha sa alon ng dagat. Wala syang ibang matatakbuhan, ang dagat ang nagdadala ng kapayapaan sa kanya, hindi man nya alam kung hanggang kailan tatagal ang kapayapaang ito.

Mayroon syang tungkulin bilang asawa, ang mahalin at paglingkuran ang lalaking kasama nyang nanumpa sa harap ng dambana. tungkulin sa Isang lalaking sugarol at lassengo, bagama’t mabigat ay tungkulin pa rin. Tanggap ng babae ang kanyang naging kapalaran, ngunit ang mga pilat at sugat ay unti unti nang nanunoot sa kaibuturan ng kanyang buong pagkatao.

Isang Gabi, sumagad ang pananakit ng kanyang Asawa. “Sapat na!” wika ng babae sa kanyang sarili, dagling tinungo ng babae ang dalampasigan, karga ang kanyang anak, mabilis silang nagtago sa malaking bato. Kasabay ng paghagulgol ay pagsusumamo nya sa may hawak ng Tadhana maging ng malawak na karagatan. Iniiyak nya ang kanyang naging Buhay at ang kalupitang sinapit sa kamay ng lalaking itinuring nyang asawa. Ngunit mas naghihinagpis ang kanyang puso dahil hindi nya alam kung anong buhay ang kaya nyang ibigay sa kanyang anak.

Sya ay patuloy na nanangis, Hanggang ang pagtangia na ito ay mayroong nakarinig.

Sa pusod ng karagatan, sa ilalim ng mga alon, ang kanyang pag iyak ay binitbit ng alon tungko sa pandinig ng Dyos ng dagat. Ang Dyos ng dagat ay namangha, ngayon lamang sya nakarinig ng ganitong pagtangis na punong puno ng hinagpis at paghihirap, kaya nagdalang awa sya sa babae at sa anak nito.

Mula sa pinakamalalim na bahagi ng karagatan, umahon ang Dyos ng dagat at hinarap Aang babae. Dagli nya itong pinapili, manatili sa lupa o sumama sa kanya at manirahan sa ilalim ng dagat, kung saan maglalahong lahat ang kanyang kalungkutan.

Dahil alam ng babae na ang pananatili sa lupa ay patuloy nyang malalasap ang lupit ng kanyang asawa, ay dagling pumayag ang babae na sumama na lamang sa ilalim ng dagat. Sa Isang kisapmata ay binago ng Dyos ng dagat ang kanilang anyo, ang mag Ina ay mabilis na naging nilalang ng karagatan.

Ayon sa mga kwento ang babae at ang kanyang anak ay maligaya at malayang nanirang sa ilalim ng dagat, habang buhay, kaisa ng mga alon, hanggang sa dulo ng walang hanggang.

=—————————————=

English Version

The bruises on the woman’s arms were a testament to the life that she led. She did not know why fate had chosen to give her a cruel husband that would not even provide for the needs of her and her child, but she had decided to persevere.

She had always found peace in the beach. By the shore there was a big rock where she would bring her baby after each beating her husband gave. There her tears would join the ocean. There was nowhere else she could run, but the sea afforded her some measure of comfort, for however long that would last.

She had her duty as a wife, a duty to a man who was a gambler and a drunkard, but a duty nonetheless. The woman accepted her fate, but the scars were taking their toll.

One night, too much was enough. To save her life and the life of her child the woman fled to the beach and went by the large rock and cried. She cried to the fates and the oceans. She cried about her life and her scars. But mostly, she cried for her child, for what future would await the poor baby.

She cried until she was heard.

Far beneath the sea, the woman’s cries were carried by the waves to the ears of the god of the sea. He had never heard such a tale of sadness and woe and decided to take pity on the woman and her child.

From the depths of the oceans the god of the sea emerged and faced the woman. He gave her a choice, to stay on land or to go with him, underneath the waves where the woman’s sadness would vanish.

There was no choice to be made. Immediately the woman nodded and the god of the sea transformed the woman and her baby into creatures of the sea.

So it came to pass that the woman who found solace in the sea, was embraced by its ruler, forevermore to be one with the waves and the sea foam, until the end of time.

————————–————————–————————––

*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 Rem Faustino
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Rem Faustino

Inspired by “The Origin of the Duyong.” in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Duyung illustration by Seika Mitsuya
https://www.instagram.com/seikart/

*Note this story is in Tagalog

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

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

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

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

At nakikinig silang lahat.

Halos lahat sila.

Si Jaime ay espesyal na kaso.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Tinatawag mo ba akong sinungaling?”

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

“Ano ang ibig mong sabihin?”

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

Ito ang eksena na nagaganap taon-taon.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Hindi po totoo iyan.”

“Ngayon, bakit mo naman naisip iyan?”

“Nabasa ko po sa internet.”

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

“Sinusubukan niyo po akong ilihis.”

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

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

“Wala naman akong ibang pupuntahan.”

“Hindi po iyan ang nabasa ko.”

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

“Alam ko po kung ano ang cancer.”

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

“Sapat naman po ang naituro sa akin. “

“Ano ba ang sinasabi doon?”

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

“Kakayanin ko ito.”

“Talaga po?”

“Tinatawag mo ba akong sinungaling?”

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

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

“Kahit na ano po.”

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

“Lolo, seryoso po ako.”

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

“Lolo..”

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

“Ipinapangako ko po, lolo.”

“At ipinapangako ko na ako ay magiging maayos.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Sinabi po niya?”

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

“Ang inyo pong bayani?”

“Oo. Hindi ba sinabi ng iyong lolo?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Mukhang naging matindi ang iyong pakikipagsapalaran.”

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

“Tinakbuhan mo ba ang mga guwardiya ng Kamaritaan?”

“Siyempre po naman.”

“Hinamon mo ba ang mga anak ng Ulilangkalulua?”

“Dalawang beses po.”

“Si Ibabasag? Nakausap mo ba siya?”

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

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

“Opo, nabanggit po niya.”

“At paano naman ang–”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Lolo?”

“Ano iyon?”

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

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

“Pero nangyari po talaga iyon?”

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

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

=—————————————-=

English Version

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

Anyone that disagrees might need to have their hearts reexamined.

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

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

And they all listen.

Well, most of them do.

Jaime is a special case.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Are you calling me a liar?”

“Well I’m not calling you a truther.”

“What does that even mean?!”

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

This scene played itself year after year.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“No you’re not.”

“Now why do you think that?”

“I read it on the internet.”

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

“You’re trying to distract me.”

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

“Please don’t leave me lolo.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“That’s not what I read.”

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

“I know what cancer is.”

“The internet can’t teach you everything.”

“It taught me enough.”

“So what does it say?”

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

“I will.”

“Really?”

“Are you calling me a liar?”

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

“Promise me you’ll do me one thing.”

“Anything.”

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

“Lolo I’m being serious.”

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

“Lolo..”

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

“I promise lolo.”

“And I promise I’ll be alright.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Ummm..ahhh,” he managed to say.

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

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

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

“He did?”

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

“Your hero?”

“Yes, didn’t your lolo tell you?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Did you run from the guards of Kamaritaan?”

“Of course.”

“Did you challenge the children of Ulilangkalulua?”

“Twice.”

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

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

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

“Yes, she mentioned that.”

“And what about—–“

“Lolo, please just eat the root.”

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

“I think I know enough about that time.”

“Oh the stories I could tell.”

“Tell them at the next family reunion.”

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

“Lolo?”

“What is it?”

“I’m sorry I called you a liar.”

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

“But they did happen?”

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

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

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

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

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

*Note this story is in Hiligaynon

“Lakat diri, ari diri!” Si Jason nagadalagan sa lampas sa babaw sang bungyod. Nabatyagan ni Nick ang iya kasing-kasing nga daw malupok. Indi gid man siya ang pinaka-mabukod nga bata kag indi siya kauyon nga padumdumon sang ini, apang amo gid ini ang pierme nagakahitabo kag si Jason iya labing maayo nga abyan gani ang mapilitan magbuhat sang mga bag-o nga butang daw bahin na sang iya kabuhi.

Nabudlayan gid si Nick sang mga ulihi nga metro pasaka sa bungyod kag naghigda siya sang nakadab-ot na siya sa babaw. Si Jason ara man lang sa tupad niya, nagapamangkot kung okey lang siya, pero sa ini nga tion nakunyag siya nga patanawon si Nick sa dalum sang bungyod. “Ano gid ang tigas dira nga ginpalakat mo ako pila ka bungyod kag….” Amo ato ang pagkakita ni Nick.

May sementeryo sa dalum, pero indi ordinaryo nga sementeryo. Pila ka dosena, basi ginatos pa nga kalabera sang karabaw daw gin lapta sa tiilan sang bungyod. “Okey ah, ensakto ka, grabe gid man ini gali, “ hutik ni Nick. “Siling ko gid sa imo ih,” sabat ni Jason, “Pero wala mo pa nakita ang pinaka-tigas nga parte.”

Gindala siya ni Jason sa kalasangan sang mga kalabera. Nadiparahan ni Nick nga ang mga tul-an indi kumpleto, may mga bahin sang mga kalabera nga wala na, laban ang mga bahin sa likod, pamatyag ni Nick nga indi ini maayo nga magsigue pa sila lakat sa sementeryo sang mga kalabera sang karabaw, pero may salig man siya kay Jason kag laban-laban sa maayo man lang ang nagakahitabo sa punta. Laban-laban.

“Hipos ka lang, ari diri ang alagyan, “ hutik ni Jason sa iya. “Tu-od bala?” Ginatan-aw ni Nick ang daw bukid sang bato nga gusto ni Jason ila taklason. “Siling ko sa imo hipos lang bala, basi ma pukawan mo pa siya.” Gintakpan ni Jason ang baba ni Nick sang iya kamot, “Seryoso ko bala.”

Gulpi lang nag-uyog ang duta. Ginkaptan ni Jason ang butkon ni Nick kag iya siya ginbutong pakadto sa dalum sang isa ka kahoy. “Nano ‘to man?!” Nagasalasala na si Nick. May ginatudlo si Jason sa babaw kag nakita ni Nick kung ano ang nagpa-uyog sang duta. Makakululba. Mas ta-as pa sang sa mga kahoy kag may boses nga daw dagu-ob.

“Indi niya kita makita kung ari lang ‘ta sa dalum sang kahoy, mahulat lang ‘ta asta matulugan siya liwat,” siling ni Jason. “May dala man ako nga pagkaon.”

Nanghayhay si Nick. Amo lang ‘ni pierme nagakatabo kung upod si Jason.

=————————————————————–=

English Version

“Come on it’s over here!” Jason was running over the hill. Nick felt his heart almost burst. He wasn’t the most athletic child and he didn’t like being reminded of that fact, but this was always how it went and Jason was his best friend so being pushed to do new things was a fact of life.

Nick struggled up the last few steps of the hill and he dropped as soon as he reached the top. Jason was by his side as always, asking if he was okay, but this time he was more exited to get Nick to look below the hill. “What could be so cool that you made me walk through a bunch of hills and—–“ Then Nick saw it.

It was a graveyard, but not by any normal standards. Dozens, maybe hundreds of carabao skeletons were scattered around the foot of the hill. “Okay, you were right, this is really cool,” Nick whispered. “Told you so,” Jason replied, “But you haven’t seen the coolest part.”

Jason led them though the skeletal forest. Nick noticed that the bones were never complete, there were giant chunks of them missing, mostly from the back, he didn’t think this was a good idea, but he trusted Jason and that always worked out fine. Mostly.

“Be very quiet. It’s through here,” Jason whispered. “Seriously?” Nick was looking at the rock face Jason wanted them to climb. “I said be quiet, you don’t want to wake it up.” Jason clamped his hand over Nick’s mouth. “I’m dead serious.”

Suddenly the ground shook. Jason grabbed Nick’s arm and he dragged him under a nearby tree. “What was that?!” Nick was starting to get frantic. Jason pointed upwards and Nick saw the cause. It was terrifying. It towered over the trees and it roared with a voice like thunder.

“It won’t see us from under this tree, we should wait until it goes back to sleep again,” Jason said. “I brought food.”

Nick sighed. Stuff like this always happened with Jason.

=———————————————————–=

*The Hiligaynon language, also colloquially referred often by most of its speakers simply as Ilonggo, is an Austronesian regional language spoken in the Philippines by about 9.1 million people, mainly in Western Visayas and SOCCSKSARGEN, most of whom belong to the Visayan ethnic group, mainly the Hiligaynons. It is the second-most widely spoken language and a member of the so-named Visayan language family and is more distantly related to other Philippine languages.

Written by Karl Gaverza

Hiligaynon translation by Stephen A. Matti

Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Translation Copyright © Stephen A. Matti

Inspired by the Bungisngis entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971. and in 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang. Samar. 2015

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

*Note this story is in Cebuano

Lumsan ka nila sa wala’y pagduha-duha. Ing-ana sila ka mangtas.

Gitakuban ni Marabi ang iyang mga dunggan arun di mabati ang yawyaw sa iyang apohan. Gihunahuna niya ang mga buwak ug kong unsa sila ka-anyag. Ang maong katahum dili makapasakit niya.

Gigunitan sa iyang apohan ang iya mga kamot ug gisultihan siyang maminaw. Sakto na siya sa pangidarun arun masubayan sa sugilanon kabahin sa sapa ug kinahanglan siya’ng maminaw gusto man niya o dili.

Wala’y gisulti si Marabi.

Ni-usab og subay ang iyang apohan sa sugilananon. Ang sapa sa Tanjay lugar kung asa ka makalulinghayaw apan ana-ay rason nganung wala’y gustong magdugay didto kung mo-abot na ang kangit-ngit.

Puno sa pagsupak nga nihangad si Marabi sa iyang apohan. Apan di masukod ang iyang ka-anyag.

Ayaw salig sa katahum. Anha ka niya danihun.

Mura’g na-insulto si Marabi sa pag-am-am kaniya nga mura’g bata. Di ako motu-o nimo.

Nasagmuyo ang nawng sa iyang apohan sa iyang gisulti. Nganung di man ka kasabot nga gibuhat ko kani arun mapanalipdan ka sa katalagman.

Ubos gayud og pagtan-aw ang iyang apohan kang Marabi. Siya nalang ang nahabilin sa iyang kinabuhi sa dihang mamatay ang iyang mga ginakanan. Nangandoy siyang unta ana-a pa’y laing taw sa iyang pamilya.

Gitamay niya siya.

Paminaw, ipasalig mo lang nako nga dili ka mo-adto sa sapa nga mag inusara?

Mao ra? Sige. Isa-ad ko kana.

Nibarog siya ug nilakaw.

Igo na lang gihilot sa iyang apohan ang kilid sa iyong ulo ug nagpanghupaw. Basi’g kining bata-a maoy rason sa kamatayun niya puhon.

Gisugat sa matahum nga talan-awun sa sapa si Marabi. Naa’y mga katawhan nga nag piknik daplin sa sapa.

Nanghupaw siya ug naghuwat sa kahapunon.

Naghuwat siya hangtud sa nanghipos og nanglakaw ang kina-awihang taw.

Naghuwat siya hangtud siya nag inusara.

Ug kong mao man.

Daplin sa sapa, sa repleksyon sa mga bitoon nakita niya siya.

Wala na gipangutana ni Marabi ang iyang pangalan, basin ug wala sad. Ang nahibaw-an lang niya kay siya ang pinakamaanyag nga babaye nga iyang nakit-an.

Niginhawa siya ug lawum ug nitikang og ginagmay padulong kaniya.

Gisinyasan siya sa babaye nga modu-ol. Kumusta matahum kong pinalangga, ginahisgutan ba ko nimo?

Namugnaw si Marabi. Nahibaw siya, siyempre makahibaw siya. Makahibalo ang mga sama niya kung istoryahan sila, mao na ang pulong sa iyang apohan.

Nipahiyom ang babaye. Wala na kana’y bili. Naningkamot sa pagsuway ang imong apohan di ba? Apan kahibalo ta kong unsa gayud ang imong gusto.

Nilakang siya padulong niya ug gihikap ang iyang panit.

Bugnaw ug basa kini apan sa paghikap niya mura kini’g susama sa pinakahumok nga seda nga adunay gamay nga kainit.

Gusto ni Marabi nga mabati kini hangtod sa hangtod.

Ali pinanga ko. Manayaw kita.

Milanog sa iyang utokan ang maong panghunahuna.

Hangtod sa hangtod.

Pahawa diha Idla!

Nikatawa ang batang babaye samtang nag balanse sa iyang kaugalingon sa mga kabatu-an sa sapa.Wala siya makasabot nganung di siya sugtan magduwa, kakapoy ba.

Di ko mosugot nga imo nangbuhaton! Balik nganhi!

Paminaw sa imong inahan.

Hapit madalin-as sa bato si Idla. Nitungha ang usa ka estranghero, usa ka tiguwang. Puwa ug naghubag ang iyang mga mata nga mura siya’g bag-oha’y nga naghilak.

Nganu mang maminaw siya sa mga dagko. Ang ila ra man kay di ko paduwa-on.

Ganahan siya’g kaayuhan alang ka niya .

Unsa-on man nimo pagkahibalo na.

Mao na ang akong gusto para niya.

Nahilom si Idla ug nagkasabot. Mao ni siya, ang apohan sa batang nawagtang.

Pasaylo-a ko, mo adto nako sa akong inahan.

Palihug lakaw. Ug hinudumi, peligroso ang sapa.

Timan-an ko na lolo.

Maayong naglaktaw ang batang babaye taliwala sa mga kabato-an sa sapa, nagpa-ingun sa iyang inahan.

Ug ang apohan nilantaw sa sapa, nag-gunit sa iyang sundang. Karung gabhi-ona humnon niya ang tanan.

Makalisang nga nilabay ang tanan.

Nahinunduman ni Marabi ang puwa nga kolor. Nakita niya ang iyang kaugalingon nga nag sayaw sayaw kauban ang usa ka maanyag nga babaye ilawm sa sapa ug ang palasyo nga ginama sa bulawan. Malipayun siya atung higayona.

Taod-taod, sa kahayag sa adlaw nitin-aw ang tanan. Nahinumduman niya katong naglingkod ug naghuwat siya sa iyang apohan sa ilang balay.

Nakita niya ang babaye sa iyang atubangan, nagsayaw sayaw sa di masuta nga kanta. Ang iyang kamot ana-a sa iyang hawak. Nagtuyok tuyok sila hangtud nga iyang nadungan siya.

Ang tingog sa iyang apohan.

Ni-adtong higayona, naputol ang lamat ug nibutho kong unsa gayud ang naa sa iyang palibot. Nagpabiling maanyag ang babaye apan mangtas siyang tan-aw ilawm sa kahayag sa mga bitoon. Nitag-as ang iyang mga kuko, niha-it ang iyang mga ngipon ug nangkalkag ang iyang buhok tungod sa tubig.

Nisyagit ang babye ug nitudlo padulong sa ibabaw. Sa kahayag sa buwan nakita ni Marabi ang sidlak sa tumoy sa sundang sa iyang apohan, naghapak hapak sa tubig porma’g kuros.

Wala’y laing nadungan si Marabi sa iyang apohon kun dili ang pagbalik balik og pagtawag sa iyang ngalan.

Uli na Marabi.

Balik na.

Sa kalit, iyang gidu-ot palayo ang babaye ug nilangoy padulong sa babaw. Nilantaw siya pagbalik sa kahadlok nga masundan sa babaye.

Apan wala siya maglihok nga sama siya gihiktan sa iyang gikahimutangan. Nakahibalo si Marabi nga binuhatan ni sa iyang apohan apan wala siya masayod og gi-unsa.

Nibutho siya ibabaw sa tubig ug nihangos og hangin.

Buhi ka. Salamat Hesus nga buhi ka.

Paspas ang iyang pag-ginhawa ug nisuway sa pagbarog.

Lolo, palihug, Naa ko sa ilawm sa sapa ug ana-ay babaye didto ug—

Kahibalo ko inday. Ug akong siguraduhon nga dili naka niya mapasakitan pagbalik.

Unsa imong pasabot?

Nidu-ol ang iyang apohan sa sapa ug ni layat.

Nisyagit si Marabi alang sa iyang apohan. Wala na siya’y laing gihandum pa kun dili ang iyang mga gakos.

Apan mao man kini ang kinabuhi.

Dili na mobalik pa ang iyang apohan. Dili sama niya.

Ug sa ubos sa kainit sa adlaw nihilak siya, nangandoy nga unta naminaw siya sa iyang mga sugilanon.

=————————————————–=

English Version

They’ll drown you without a second thought. That’s just the kind of monsters that they are.

Marabi brought her hands to her ears and shuts out the noise from her lolo. She thinks about flowers and how beautiful they are. Something that beautiful could never hurt her.

Her lolo grabs her hands and tells her to listen. She is old enough now to be told the story of the river and he will make her listen whether she wants to or not.

Marabi says nothing.

Her lolo tries again. The Tanjay river might seem like a place to have your fun, but there is a reason no one wants to be left alone in the darkness.

Marabi looks up defiantly at her lolo. But she’s so beautiful.
You mustn’t trust beauty. That’s how she lures you in.
Marabi looks insulted, as if she’s being talked down to because she’s a child. I don’t believe you.

In an instant her lolo’s face is twisted with annoyance. Why can’t you understand that I’m doing this to protect you?
It’s just like her lolo to condescend to Marabi. After her parents died he was all she had left. She wished she had more.
She despises him.

Look, just promise me you won’t go to the river alone?

Is that it? Fine. I promise.

She gets up and leaves.

Her lolo rubs his temples and sighs. Someday that girl will be the death of him.

The winding river greets Marabi with quiet charm. Today there were people out having picnics by the riverside.

She sighed and waited until the sun travelled across the sky.
She waited until the last few people packed up their things and left.

She waited until she was alone.

Or was she?

By the river bank, reflected in the starlight was her.
Marabi never asked what her name was, maybe she didn’t have one. All Marabi knew was that she was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen.

She gasped and took a few steps forward.

The woman beckoned Marabi to come closer. Hello there my pretty pet, have you been talking about me?

Marabi felt a lump in her throat. She knew, of course she knew. Her kind would know if they were being talked about, that’s what her lolo told her.

The woman smiled. It’s no matter. Your lolo tries as hard as he can doesn’t he? But we both know where your heart lies.
Marabi took a few steps forward and touched the woman’s skin.

It should have felt cold and damp from the river, but at her touch it was like the smoothest silk with a hint of warmth.
Marabi wished she could feel it forever.

Come now my pet. Let us dance.

The thought echoed in Marabi’s head.

Forever.

Idla! Get away from there.

The young girl laughs as she balances on the river rocks, being extra careful not to fall in. She doesn’t understand why the adults won’t let her play, and such is life.

I won’t have you doing that! Now get back here!

You should listen to your mother.

Idla almost slips off the rock. A stranger appears, an old man. His eyes are red and puffy, as if he had been crying recently.
Why should I listen to the grownups? All they do is tell me not to play.

She only wants what’s best for you.

How do you know that?

It’s what I wanted for her.

In that moment a quiet understanding fell over Idla. This was him, the lolo of the girl that went missing.

I’m sorry, I’ll go to my mother.

Please do. And remember, this river is dangerous.
I will lolo.

The girl gracefully skips among the river rocks, bounding towards her mother.

And the lolo stares at the river, holding his bolo. Tonight it would have to be enough.

It passes in a daze.

Marabi remembers the color red. She sees herself dancing with the beautiful woman in the bottom of the river, in a palace made of gold. She was happy then.

It is only later, in the harsh light of day that things come into focus. Sitting at home waiting for her lolo the recollections come flooding back.

She sees the woman in front of her, dancing to an unknown song. He hands are on Marabi’s waist. They spin around until she hears him.

Her lolo’s voice.

In that moment the spell is broken and she sees things for the way they are. The woman’s beauty remains, but it is cruel in the starlight. Her nails have grown, her teeth have sharpened and her hair coils violently in the water.

The woman screams and points towards the surface. Through the moonlight Marabi can see the glint of her lolo’s bolo cutting the water in a cross shape.

Throughout all of this Marabi hears only her name, over and over.

Come home Marabi.

Come home.

In an instant she pushes away from the woman and swims towards the surface. She is afraid that she will be followed, and she looks behind.

The woman remains unmoved as if chained to her position. Marabi knows that this is her lolo’s doing, but she doesn’t know how.

Marabi breaks the river’s surface and gasps for air.
You’re alive. Thank Jesus you’re alive.

She hungrily devours more life-giving air and she tries to stand.

Lolo! Please, I was underwater and the woman was there and—

I know iha, I know. And I will make sure she never hurts you again.

What do you mean?!

Her lolo goes by the riverside and dives in.

Marabi screams for her lolo. She wants nothing more than to be in his embrace.

But such is the way life is.

Her lolo is not coming back. Not like she did.

And in the harsh light of day she cries, wishing that she had listened to his stories.

*The Cebuano language, alternatively called Cebuan and also often colloquially albeit informally referred to by most of its speakers simply as Bisaya (“Visayan”, not to be confused with other Visayan languages nor Brunei Bisaya language), is an Austronesian regional language spoken in the Philippines by about 21 million people, mostly in Central Visayas, western parts of Eastern Visayas and most parts of Mindanao, most of whom belong to various Visayan ethnolingusitic groups, mainly the Cebuanos. It is the by far the most widely spoken of the Visayan languages, which are in turn part of wider the Philippine languages. The reference to the language as Bisaya is not encouraged anymore by linguists due to the many languages within the Visayan language group that may be confused with the term. The Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino, the official regulating body of Philippine languages, spells the name of the language as Sebwano.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Cebuano Translation by Esperanza Bonifacio
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Esperanza Bonifacio

Based on The Mermaid of Tanjay River. Historcal Data of Tanjay, Negros Oriental. in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Illustration by Brylle Infante Patiu
Instagram: @bryllepatiu.dwg

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Hindi naging madali ang negosasyon, subalit paglaon, makakakita ka ng mga sinusundang pamamaraan kung paano maiisagawa ng tama ang pagba-baratilyo. Natuto ako ng bagay na ito mula sa isang matalinong dwende na nakilala ko maraming taon na ang nakalipas habang nililinis ko ang bukid ng aking kapatid. Pinagkalooban niya ako ng apat na mahahalagang aral. Mga aralin na mahalagang gunitain sa dahilang ipinatawag ako ng datu upang magtaboy ng galit na espiritu mula sa isang puno na nais niyang putulin. Ang buhay ng albularyo ay hindi naging kapanabik-panabik ngunit kapag hiningi ng pagkakataon, wala kang masyadong pagpipilian.

Ang dapat malaman sa unang aral ay kung paano mo bukas palad na papakitunguhan ang iyong susunod na layunin. Maiibigay lang ang tiwala kung ito ay una mong i-aalok, lalo na kung ikaw ang nangangailangan nito. Sa ganitong pamamaraan, nauunawaan ko kung anong klaseng espiritu ang aking kakaharapin. Isang magandang halimbawa nito ay ang kwento mula sa aking kinalakihang bayan. Kung saan, dito nagmula ang unang espiritu na nakasalamuha ko.

Noong una, tahimik ang puno ng mga ilang sandali. Subalit kinalaunan, sinaway ako at ipinabatid na nagsasayang lang ako ng panahon. Nararamdaman ko ang mapusok na panunuya na nagmumula sa mga dahon, ang Magtitima. Nang mga sandaling iyon, napagtanto ko na hindi magiging madali ang lahat.

Huminga ako ng malalim at naalala ang ikalawang aral. Mahalaga na maunawaan mo ang tuntunin mo. Nabigyan ako ng disenteng alok mula sa datu bagaman hindi ko alam kung sasapat ito. Sa pagkakaalam ko, kailangan ng datu na putulin ang puno sapagkat magtatayo siya ng isang bahay. Masusi kong pinag-aralan ang hinggil sa bagay na ito, ang nais na alok ng ganitong klaseng espiritu ay puting manok na may kasamang basi, isang alak na gawa sa palay.

Ang pangatlong aral ay, laging ikaw ang gumawa ng unang alok. Karaniwan na sa ibang mga albularyo na maghintay, nagbabaka-sakaling makakuha ng impormasyon mula sa espiritu bago sila gumawa ng kahit na anong kasunduan. Pero tinuruan ako ng duwende ng ibang pamamaraan. Ikaw dapat ang maunang magtakda sa patutunguhan ng pagpapalitan. Kaya nagsimula ako sa mababang tawad muna, nag-alay ako ng ilang supot ng bigas.

Nagsimula nang maglaro sa aking palad ang Magtitima sapagkat alintana ang pagkaka-insulto nito. Ito ang tamang pagkakataon upang isagawa ang ika-apat na aral: bigyan mo sila ng paniniwalang sila ang nakakalamang. Kahit sinong bumubili ay nais maramdaman na nagkaroon sila ng magandang alok. Samakatuwid, urong-sulong ang panghihimok ko. Gusto ng espiritu ng pinaka magarang ginto at mga alahas, at mabilis kong ihihingi ng tawad sapagkat walang ganung kahalagang ambag sa kaha ng datu. Sa halip, i-aalok ko ang ilang mamahaling bato at isang pamanang punyal.

Maraming panahon at oras ang ginugugol ng ganitong uri ng negosasyon. Mahalaga na hindi ipaalala sa espiritu na nakikipag-usap siya sa isang hamak na mortal, kaya sinisugarado ko na hindi niya mapapansin na ako ay pinagpapawisan. Pagkatapos ng waring walang katapusan na tawaran ng alay at panalangin, sa wakas ay sumang-ayon siya sa kasunduan ng limang puting manok at pitong bote ng basi.

Ngumiti ako at ipinabatid na ang datu ay mag-aalay ng isang pagdaraos bilang pag-alaala sa kabaitan ng makapangyarihang espiritu, isang bagay na buong pusong tinanggap ng Magtitima. Sinabi ko sa espiritu na maaari siyang lumipat sa ibang puno malapit sa  ilog, na kung saan mas malaki ng di-hamak kaysa sa ibang puno sa kagubatan. Bagama’t hindi na nagpaalam, walang paglagyan ang lingas ng espiritu kaya daglian itong umalis.

Tumingin ako sa mga bituin at napagtanto na kalahating-araw na pala ang nakalipas mula nang nakipag-usap ako sa espiritu. Sininop ko ang aking mga gamit at tutungo sa tahanan ng datu na may dalang magandang balita, umaasa na makakakuha ng konting bagay kapalit ng abala. Datapuwa’t sa gaya kong albularyo, hindi kami humihingi ng kung ano mang kapalit bagkus, tumatanggap lang kami.

Ang buhay ng albularyo ay hindi naging kapanabik-panabik ngunit kapag hiningi ng pagkakataon, wala kang masyadong pagpipilian.

=————————————–=

English Version

Negotiations are never easy, but eventually you see patterns in the way the bargains are done. I learned this from a savvy dwende I met a few years ago while clearing out a part of my brother’s farm. He gave me four very important lessons. Lessons that I must recall today because a datu has contracted me to move an angry spirit away from a tree he intends to cut. The life of an albularyo is never glamorous, but when you are called, there is little choice.

The first lesson is to approach your target with an open hand. Trust must first be offered before it is given, especially when you are asking for it. This also gives me an opening to see just what kind of spirit I’m dealing with. I open with a story about my hometown and the first spirit I ever spoke to. The tree is quiet for a while before it scolds me for wasting its time. I can sense the prideful scorn emanating from the leaves. A Magtitima. I soon realize this isn’t going to be easy.

I take a deep breath and remember the second lesson. It always pays to know what your terms are. I was given a modest offering from the datu, but I don’t know if it will be enough. The datu needs the tree to be cut down to build a new house that much I know. At least I did my research, the preferred offering of this spirit is a white chicken served with basi, a rice wine.

Lesson number three is to always make the first offer. Most other albularyos would wait, trying to see how much information they could get out of the spirit before making any sort of deal, but the dwede told me a different tactic. You have to set the stage, I give a low bid of a few bags of rice to start with.

The Magtitima is insulted and plays right into my hands. The fourth lesson now comes into play: always make them think they have the advantage. Every buyer wants to feel they got a good deal, so I start the back and forth. The spirit demands only the best gold and jewels and I apologize for the lacking resources in the datu’s coffers. I counter with some precious stones and an heirloom kris.

The negotiation takes hours of time and effort. A spirit must never be reminded that he is conversing with a mortal so I make sure he doesn’t see me sweat. After what seems like an eternity haggling offerings and prayers I finally bargain him down to five white chickens and seven bottles of basi.

I smile and tell him the datu will offer a celebration in commemoration of the powerful spirit’s great generosity, something that the Magtitima agrees to wholeheartedly. I tell the spirit that it can move to another tree by the river, one that is bigger than the other trees in the forest. The spirit’s pride is too much to contain and it moves there immediately, not even saying a word of goodbye.

I look up at the stars and realize it’s been more than half a day since I started talking to the spirit. I pack up my things and head to the datu’s house with the good news, hoping that I can get something for my troubles. An albularyo can never demand payment, only accept it.

The life of an albularyo is never glamorous, but when you are called, there is little choice.

=——————————————————=

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

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

*Note this story is in Bicol-Legazpi

Mga gagamiton:

Sundang – Ginagamit ini para maitao an pinal na atake pagkatapos makadakop nin aswang.

Ikòg-pagì – Ini ginagamit tanganing an aswang dai makahiro. Nagdadara ini nin sobrang kulog pag ini nakatama sa sainda.

Suwa – Sarong pangontra tanganing makasigurong dai ka masasaklot. Ini nakapagabat sa sarong tawo.

Abo – Ginagamit para ibudbud sa kabanga kan lawas kan aswang en kaso ini magbanga sa duwa. Sinda dai makakasulit sa kabanga nindang lawas kun ini nabubudbudan na nin abo.

Gabon/Sambong/Bukadkad/Subsob/Lakad-Bulan(Blumea Balsamefera) – Ang tinanom na ini ginagamit man na pangontra sa aswang. Magpudo nin bagong dahon kaini asin ilaag sa saindong mga bulsa.

Bawang – An parong kaini dai kayang tagalon nin mga aswang. Magdara kaini sa gabos na oras.

Asin – An gamit kaini parehas kan paggamit sa abo. Puwede man ining gamiton tanganing proteksyonan an mga lugar na puwedeng tuyuhun o dumanun nin mga aswang.

Mga Pangontra – Mga benditadong gamit, holy water asin mga anting-anting, gabos ini  epektibong pangontra sa mga aswang asin iba pang nilalang nin kadikluman. Marhay na makipaghilingan muna sa padi bago an gabos.

An mga ritwal:

An aswang o asbo pupuwedeng madakop sa pagpakarhay nin tulong dakulang gapo. Ini gibuhun na pabilog arog kan piglulutuan. Pag namati na an ‘kak kak’ kaini, magpangadyi kan Minatubod. Oras na makaabot duman sa parte kan pangadyi kun sain ipinako na sa krus si Kristo, magkua nin saro sa mga gapo asin ini gamiton pamukmok sa sarong pako diretso sa daga. An aswang iyo mabulosok paibaba asin matugdon sa tulong gapo kun sain puwede na ining gadanon.

An sumpa kan pagiging aswang puwedeng mahali sa sarong tawo. Ini sa paagi kan ritwal na kinakaipuhan nin dayap asin tubig. Ini iinomun asin an nag-inom kaipohan bitayon nin pabaliktad tanganing maisùka ninda an garo bayong na nilalang. Pag ini nailuwa na, kaipohan ining gadanon asin piridasohun.

Pagiromdom:

Gamiton an mga pangontra tanganing an mga aswang dai makagamit kan saindang mga orasyon. Gamiton an ikòg-pagì tanganing dai sinda makahiro dangan tigbason an saindang payo gamit an sundang.

Makukumpirma kun an tawo ‘inaswang’ sa paggibo kan ‘ritwal sa bunay’. Sa ritwal na ini, pag nahiling an markang garo mata asin dugo sa bunay iyo an patotoo na pig-aasawang an sarong tawo.

An mga ilusyon sa pagkaun puwedeng mahali kun ini papagaan nin suwa. An isira arog kan sinigang, magiging mangkò na pano nin murò asin dugo nin tawo.

Puwedeng mag-tablada sa aswang an saiyang gibo. Ini kun lalatiguhun o makulugan sa lawas sa anoman na paagi ang saiyang inaswang, siya an makakamati kan kulog kaini.

An listahan na ini bako halaba asin en punto sa kun pano magdakop nin aswang. Kadakul man na iba pang mga ritwal asin pangontra an pupuwedeng gamiton panlaban sa mga nilalang nin kadikluman.

Bantayan man lugod nin Kagurangnan an saimong paglakaw.

Dios Mabalos.

=——————————————————=

English Version

Equipment:
Bolo – used to give a final blow after incapacitating the aswang.
Stingray Tail – used to incapacitate the aswang. Causes great pain to them.
Kalamansi – A ward to ensure that the aswang cannot pick you up. It weighs them down.
Ashes – Used to sprinkle on the aswang’s body if they self-segment. Aswang cannot reattach if ashes are scattered on their other half. 
Gabon/Sambong/Bukadkad/Subsob (Blumea Balsamefera) – This plant is used to ward off aswang. Pick it fresh and keep it in your pocket.
Garlic – Aswang cannot stand the smell of garlic. Keep some with you at all times.
Salt – Used in the same way as ashes. Can also be used to ward certain places away from aswang.
Wards – Blessed objects, holy water anting-anting are all useful to keep away the monsters. Make sure to see a priest beforehand.

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Hinabol ni Limbas ang kanyang huli sa karaniwang niyang bilis. Mayroon siyang pinanghahawakan na reputasyon na walang nakakatakas sa kanyang mga pana, at hindi siya papayag na ito ang maging una. Akala ng baboy damo ay makakatakas siya sa pamamagitan ng pagtakbo pababa sa matarik na burol, pero masyadong alam ni Limbas ang kagubatan, at mayroon siyang madadaanan para mahabol ang baboy damo sa maikling oras.

Tumakbo siya sa pamilyar na daanan hanggang sa siya ay nagulimihanan. Ang madalas niyang puntahan na daanan ay nagbago ang itsura, kaya siya ay nalito sa sarili niyang kagubatan.

“Naliligaw ka ba, estranghero?,” tanong ng isang lalaki na may mahabang balbas. Halos madaling naisip ni Limbas na hindi tao ang kanyang kausap. Mayroong hindi mapagkakailang awra ang lalaki na nakapalibot sa kanya. Ito ay engkanto, pero palakaibigan siya, naisip in Limbas.

“Kamusta po kayo, engkanto?,” tanong ni Limbas. “Mukhang ako po ay naligaw sa inyong kaharian.”

“Ah, kilala mo ang mga tulad ko. Hindi ako aasa ng mas mababa mula sa dakilang Limbas– ang batikang mangangaso. Gusto kong imbitahan ka sa aking tirahan.”

“Salamat po sa iyong kabutihan, pero bakit po ninyo ako iniimbita? Sigurado po ako na wala kayong interes sa isang abang tao na tulad ko.”

“Diyan ka nagkakamali, kaibigan. Napapanood kita habang ikaw ay nangangaso at ito ay nagbibigay ng matinding  kaaliwan dito sa amin. Ang iyong bilis at lakas habang hinahabol ang iyong huli ay parang isang sayaw, at nais kitang pasalamatan sa pagpapamalas ng iyong galing.”

Nabigla si Limbas. Ang alam lang niya ay kailangan niyang tanggapin ang imbitasyon ng enkanto. Ang mga kuwento na kanyang naalala ay nagpapayo na kailangan niyang palubagin ang mga ispirito, at huwag gawing kaaway ang kahit sino sa kanila.

Ang bahay ng engkanto ay nababalot ng karingalan.  Hindi pa siya nakakita ng mga hayop na puro kulay puti, o isang plantasyon ng kakaw na napakalawak.

Ang pinakamangha-mangha ay ang karwahe ng engkanto. Ito ay hinihila ng dalawang puting kabayo na kayang dalhin ka sa kahit saan sa Luzon. Sa tuwing sumasama siya sa pinupuntahan ng engkanto, lagi siyang binibigyan nito ng pabuya.

“Kailangan mong tandaan na halikan ang kamay ng iyong mga magulang sa tuwing bibigyan mo sila ng mga regalo,” sabi ng enkanto. “Kung hindi mo ito gagawin, ang mga dala mong mga regalo ay magbabago ang anyo.”

Sinunod ni Limbas ang bawat bilin sa kanya at bumalik sa kanyang mga magulang kada ikapitong araw. Sa bawat uwi niya sa kanilang tahanan, lagi siyang may ibang regalo na ibinibigay.

“Kaibigan, ibigay mo itong mga gintong bola bilang kasunod mong regalo sa iyong mga magulang,” sabi ng engkanto at binigay kay Limbas ang makikinang na bagay.

“Salamat po, kaibigang engkanto. Sigurado po ako na mamamangha sila sa kagandahan ng mga ito.”

Sa kasabikan ni Limbas, nakalimutan niya ang ibinilin ng engkanto. Hindi niya hinalikan ang kamay ng kanyang mga magulang bago ibigay ang mga regalo.

Nagbago ang anyo ng mga gintong bola at naging mga bunga ng puno ng anahaw.

Pinanood ng engkanto ang mga nangyari at siya ay napailing. “Kailan kaya matututo ang mga tao na makinig?,” malungkot niyang sabi.

=——————————————=

English Version

Limbas was chasing his quarry with his usual swiftness, he had a reputation to uphold that no prey of his could escape his arrows, and he wasn’t about to let this one be the first. The boar thought it could evade him by running down the steep hill, but Limbas knew this forest well, there was a path that would let him catch up to the boar in little time.

He ran through familiar ground until he was confused. The path that he had taken so many times before had changed, he could not get his bearings in his own forest.

“Are you lost there stranger?” A bearded man asked. Almost immediately, Limbas knew that he was not human. There was an unmistakable aura around him, this was an engkanto, though a friendly one, Limbas thought.

“Hello, engkanto,” Limbas replied, “I am lost in what seems to be your realm.”

“Ahh, you know of my kind. I would expect no less from the great Limbas, the famed hunter. I would like to invite you to my house.”

“I thank you for your kindness, but why are you inviting me? Surely you have no interest in a lowly human such as myself?”

“That is where you are wrong, my friend. I have watched you hunt and it is great entertainment for my kind, your swiftness and strength when chasing your prey is like a dance, and I would like to thank you for showing me your prowess.”

Limbas was taken aback, all that he knew was he should accept the engkanto’s invitation. All the stories he could remember reminded him to appease the spirits, not make enemies out of them.
The house of the engkanto was bathed in magnificence. He had never seen animals that were all white in color, nor a cacao plantation that was so vast.

The most wondrous thing there was the engkanto’s carriage. It was pulled by two white horses and could take one anywhere in Luzon. Each time he would accompany the engkanto on one of his trips, he was given a reward.

“You must remember to kiss the hands of your parents before giving them gifts,” the engkanto said, “If you do not do this, the gifts you possess will not be the same.”

Limbas followed the instructions to the letter, returning to his parents after seven-day periods. Each time he came home, he had a different gift to give.

“My friend, have these golden balls, as your next gifts to your parents,” the engkanto gave Limbas the shiny objects.

“Thank you, friend engkanto, I am sure they would marvel at these beauties.”

Yet, excited as he was, Limbas forgot the instruction of the engkanto. He did not kiss their hands before giving them the gifts.

The golden balls changed into the fruits of the anahaw tree.

The engkanto, watching all of this transpire, shook his head. “When will these humans ever learn to listen?” he said sadly.

=————————————————-=

Adapted from ‘Banahaw’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Engkanto (Tagalog) Illustration by Ysa Peñas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonechitect/