*Note this story is in Masbatenyo

Batyag ko an matugnaw na bakal na nakadikit saakon na panit.

” Nagtuna an tanan mga alas singko san kagab- ehun. Dili man gayod madugay an naging kanam sa bakestbolan kaya naka uli man dayun ako san atab lalo na kay nagtugon si mama na mag- uli gaud san atab. Kaya nag dali- Dali man ako Pauli. Miski maghinay lang an boses nababatian ko gihapon ini kag aram ko na adi lang gaud sa halapit an nagatunog. Naglingi- lingi ako, paglingi ko sa tuo nakita ko an puno san santol kag didtu ko naaraman na didtu gaud nagahali an nagatunog kag adtu siya.

” Wak …wak….wak..”

Makaburungol na sa talinga an boses san aswang kag bigla nalang ako nakabalik saakon nga sadiri san nabatian ko naan boses ninda lola kag Lolo. ” Pag an huni gani san aswang graben tuda big sabihun sana huruharayo ina siya saimu pero maghimat ka kung an huni naman sana kay graben hinay kay ada lang ina sa halapit.” Nanugnaw na ako gaud sadtu sa sobra na kahadlok san pagsulod ko sa balay.

Nagdali- Dali ako dalagan pakadtu sa kusina para magkuha san kutsilyo, na magaan lang sa kamot paggamiton kay aram ko na gaud kung nanu an dapat pagahimuon sa mga oras na ini. In tago ko sa akon short an kutsilyu, kag umingkod ako sa katakin ni mama samtang nagahulat na magpakita an aswang na may huruhalaba na dila.

Naghinulat ako pira ka oras.

Nahuman an tryanta minutos sa pagabantay ko. Tryanta minutos ma. An in about bago ako magkadtu sa labas kag inkita didtu banda sa may santol kung adtu gihapon siya

Pero nawara na gali.

=——————————=

English Version

I could feel the cold steel of the knife pressing against my skin.

It started at 5:30 pm. The basketball game didn’t take too long and my mom wanted me home early so I rushed home as soon as I could. The sound was faint, but very distinct. I looked towards my right and when I saw the santol tree I knew exactly what it was.

“Wak….wak…..wak….”

The sound rang in my ears and suddenly I was hit with my grandparents voices, “If the wakwak sound is loud then that means the creature is far, but be careful if the voice is soft, for that means it is very near.” My blood ran cold the moment I entered the house.

The santol tree was right above the bedroom of my parents, so I knew I had to see if there was anything there that the wakwak might want. When I saw my pregnant mother watching TV, that’s when I knew. The fight had begun.

I raced to the kitchen to get a knife, it felt light in my hand, probably because I was sure of what I had to do. I hid the knife in my shorts, and sat next to my mother, waiting for the moment the monster would let loose its red tongue.

I waited.

I waited.

It was 30 minutes that I stayed on guard. 30 minutes until I ventured outside to the santol tree to hear if the voice persisted.

I waited and it was gone.

To this day, I’d like to think the creature sensed that I was ready for a fight and that my mother wouldn’t be easy prey. But there are still shivers down my spine every time I look at that santol tree, half expecting to hear a soft falsetto of

“Wak…..wak…..wak….”

=———————=

*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 a story told by Ian Quirante

Wak-wak Illustration by Ian Quirante
FB: Ian Quirante Illustrations

*Note this story is in Kapampangan

Aramdaman ke ing marimlang kutsilyu na papakat da keng kakung balat.

Meg-umpisang alas singku ning kaugtuwan. Mabilis yamung meyari ing pyalung a basketball, anya pebalikan na nakeng making maranun, anya mamirapal kung minuli keng peka agyu kung bilis.

Eya masyadong malino itang tunug, mayna yamu, pero eku antindyan.. balamu aliwa.. linawe ku keng kakung Kayli at anyang ikit ke ing tanaman a santol, balu kune nung nanu ne ita.

“Wak…wak…wak…”
Paulit ulit ya itang tunug na dadagungdung keng kakung balugbug na balamu daramdaman kula suwala reng kakung ingkung at apu. “Patye ing tunug masikan ya, ing buri ng sabyan nita ing wakwak malawut ya, pero dapat nakang mingat panga ing tunug bagya bagya yang mimina, kasi ing buri ng sabyan kanita malapit nemu kanta keka.” Mengarimla ku buong katawan kanitang mekalub naku bale.

Ing santol na atyu keng tapat dang kwartu dina maku, balu kung posibling atyu ya Karin itang wakwak. Anyang ikit ke ing kakung mabuktut a inda na manalbeng TV, kanita ku abalu. Megsimula ne ing laban.

Sigidu kung memulayi papunta keng kusina para kumang kutsilyu, ayneng kayan keng kakung gamat, siguru uling sigurado ku keng kakung gawan. Selikut ke ing kutsilyu keng kakung syort, at linukluk ku keng siping ng maku, manenaya kung ustung oras na panga pepakit ne ning halimaw itang kayang malutung dila.
Manenaya ku..
Manenaya ku.

Kapitnang oras ku ring megbante. Kapitnang oras bayu ku linwal papunta ketang santol para pakiramdaman itang tunug.

Menenaya kupa kayi mewala ne itang tunug.

Manggaman ngeni, buri kunang isipan na aramdaman na ning alimaw na apag-adyan ku pamaglaban at ene agyung abiktima ing kakung inda. Pero keng aliwang banda, mangatakutan ku parin pag lalawe ku ketang santol, balamu atin ku paring daramdaman a mayna pero matinis na tunog.
“Wak….wak….wak…..”

=——————–=

English Version

I could feel the cold steel of the knife pressing against my skin.

It started at 5:30 pm. The basketball game didn’t take too long and my mom wanted me home early so I rushed home as soon as I could. The sound was faint, but very distinct. I looked towards my right and when I saw the santol tree I knew exactly what it was.

“Wak….wak…..wak….”

The sound rang in my ears and suddenly I was hit with my grandparents voices, “If the wakwak sound is loud then that means the creature is far, but be careful if the voice is soft, for that means it is very near.” My blood ran cold the moment I entered the house.

The santol tree was right above the bedroom of my parents, so I knew I had to see if there was anything there that the wakwak might want. When I saw my pregnant mother watching TV, that’s when I knew. The fight had begun.

I raced to the kitchen to get a knife, it felt light in my hand,
probably because I was sure of what I had to do. I hid the knife in my shorts, and sat next to my mother, waiting for the moment the monster would let loose its red tongue.

I waited.

I waited.

It was 30 minutes that I stayed on guard. 30 minutes until I ventured outside to the santol tree to hear if the voice persisted.

I waited and it was gone.

To this day, I’d like to think the creature sensed that I was ready for a fight and that my mother wouldn’t be easy prey. But there are still shivers down my spine every time I look at that santol tree, half expecting to hear a soft falsetto of

“Wak…..wak…..wak….”

=——————————————=

Inspired by a story told by Ian Quirante

Wak-wak Illustration by Ian Quirante
FB: Ian Quirante Illustrations

IG: https://www.instagram.com/iq_artworks/

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Nararamdaman ko ang malamig na kutsilyo na nakadiin sa aking balat.

Nagsimula ito ng ika-5:30 ng hapon. Natapos kaagad ang laro ng basketball at nagmamadali ako dahil pinapauwi ako ng maaga ng aking nanay. Mayroon akong naririnig na mahinang tunog pero parang nakikilala ko ito. Tumingin ako sa aking kanan at sa puno ng santol nalaman ko ng tuluyan kung ano ito.

“Wak….wak….wak….”

Nagtagal ang tunog nito sa aking tenga at biglang naalala ko ang payo ng aking lolo’t lola, “Malayo ang Wak-wak kapag maingay ito, pero mag-alala ka kapag humina ang tunog nito, ibig sabihin malapit lang ito sa iyo.” Nanlamig ang buong katawan ko habang papasok ako sa bahay.

Ang puno ng santol ay nasa taas lamang ng tulugan ng aking mga magulang, kaya kailangan ko agad tingnan kung ano ang pinag-iinteresan ng Wak-wak. Noong nakita kong buntis yung nanay ko at nanonood siya ng TV, iyon yung puntong naintindihan ko ang lahat. Nagsimula na ang laban.

Tumakbo ako sa kusina para kumuha ng kutsilyo, magaan ito nang hinawakan ko, marahil ito ay sa kadahilanan na alam ko ang kinakailangan kong gawin. Tinago ko ito sa aking shorts, tumabi ako sa aking nanay, at naghihintay kung sakaling sumugod ang halimaw at ilabas ang pulang dila nito.

Naghintay ako nang naghintay.

Tatlumpong minuto akong nakabantay. Tatlumpong minuto rin bago ako lumabas para pakinggan kung nag-iingay pa rin ito.

Naghihintay ako pero wala akong naririnig.

Hanggang sa araw na ito, iniisip ko na baka naramdaman ng Wak-wak na handa akong lumaban at hindi agad mabibiktima ang aking nanay. Pero hanggang ngayon ako ay kinakabahan tuwing ako ay titingin sa puno ng santol, na baka may marinig ako na

“Wak….wak….wak….”

=————————————————————————-=

English version

I could feel the cold steel of the knife pressing against my skin.

It started at 5:30 pm. The basketball game didn’t take too long and my mom wanted me home early so I rushed home as soon as I could. The sound was faint, but very distinct. I looked towards my right and when I saw the santol tree I knew exactly what it was.

“Wak….wak…..wak….”

The sound rang in my ears and suddenly I was hit with my grandparents voices, “If the wakwak sound is loud then that means the creature is far, but be careful if the voice is soft, for that means it is very near.” My blood ran cold the moment I entered the house.

The santol tree was right above the bedroom of my parents, so I knew I had to see if there was anything there that the wakwak might want. When I saw my pregnant mother watching TV, that’s when I knew. The fight had begun.

I raced to the kitchen to get a knife, it felt light in my hand,
probably because I was sure of what I had to do. I hid the knife in my shorts, and sat next to my mother, waiting for the moment the monster would let loose its red tongue.

I waited.

I waited.

It was 30 minutes that I stayed on guard. 30 minutes until I ventured outside to the santol tree to hear if the voice persisted.

I waited and it was gone.

To this day, I’d like to think the creature sensed that I was ready for a fight and that my mother wouldn’t be easy prey. But there are still shivers down my spine every time I look at that santol tree, half expecting to hear a soft falsetto of

“Wak…..wak…..wak….”

=——————————————=

*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 Emman Bernardino
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Emman Bernardino

Inspired by a story told by Ian Quirante

Wak-wak Illustration by Ian Quirante
FB: Ian Quirante Illustrations

IG: https://www.instagram.com/iq_artworks/

*This story is in Bicol-Naga

“Bako’ man dipisil an buhay kan sarong partera.” sabi ni Carina sa saiyang sadiri. Pigbisita niya an saiyang pang-apat na pasyente ngonian na semana. An babae disinuebe anyos pa sana’ asin nag-aandam na sa pagpangaki kan saindang matua. Kalmado lang na nakikipag-olay si Carina asin pinapakampante an babae. Dipisil nanggad magpa-aki sa mga matua, dakol an mga katakutan an saindang naiisip, pero aram ni Carina an saiyang gigibuhon. Nagin partera na siya sa laog nin labing sarong dekada asin pano’ na nin kumpiyansa an saiyang mga pigtataram huli sa dakol na eksperyensiya. “Magigin maray an gabos, uya man ko digdi.”

Kinua niya an maimbong na mga tuwalya asin ibinugtak sa likod kan babae. “Magigin komportable ka kaini labing pighahalat tang magluwas an aki.” Pagpapakampante niya sa babae. “Maku’dos na ko?” kalmado na an babae. Nagngisi si Carina, “Dae pa, maghalat pa kitang kadikit. Ta’no ta dae mo ngona ko istoryahan manongod sa agom mo?”

An pakikipag-istoryahan sarong dakulang tabang na mapakalma an ina asin matibay si Carina sa bagay na ini. Nakipagtanan an babaye asin nag-iba sa saiyang agom sa lugar na idto. Dae pabor an saiyang mga magurang sa pag-iba niya sa lalake na agom niya. An saiyang agom naghahanap nin trabaho asin makalipas nin pirang bulan nagdesisyon na ini na magsapalaran duman sa siyudad na makahanap nin maski anong trabaho. Pigpipinsaran kan babae na mauli na ini otro semana kaya maboblay an babae na mayo an saiyang agom sa pagpangaki niya. “Sus! Pirmi na yan nangyayari sa mga agom na lalaki.” sabay ngirit ni Carina. nguminirit na man lang an babae, an pagpapangirit pirming nakakadaog sa pagkatakot.

Aram ni Carina na saro ining dipisil na pagpangaki, asin pirang oras pa an malipas bago an mismong pangangaki. “Maray sanang naipreparar ko na an gabos na kaipuhan.” sabi niya sa saiyang sadiri. Maray na baya an pirming preparado.

Paghaloy-haloy may kun anong basa ang nagturo sa abaga ni Carina asin nagpundo madali an saiyang paghangos. Nagngisi siya, dae siya pwedeng magpahiling sa babae nin dawa kadikit na pagkatakot, dipisil na nanggad an pangangaki maski mayo kaini.

Napahing-hing nin pagmuda si Carina sa pagkalingaw niya na magdara nin lukban. Nawalat niya gayod idto sa traymobil sa pagpasiring niya digdi sa harong kan babae. “Mayong magiginibo kun pagpara-isipon ko pa idto.” isip niya. Igwa man siyang pinapanasan na kawayan sa saiyang bag. Maray man giraray an pirming paseguro.

“Sige, igwa ngon’na kitang gigibuhon kaya ipirong mo ngo’na an mga mata mo ha?” Mas matagas na an boses ni Carina pero an eksperyensiya niya mas nanginginotan. “Ta’no, igwa ning problema?” May takot na sa boses kan babae.

“Ay mayo man. Igwa lang akong pesteng kaipuhan na alawon.” Ipinirong ni Carina an mga mata kan babae, maray sana nganing pirmi lang ining nakahiling ki Carina sa bilog na banggi. “Maray pa na istoryahan mo na lang giraray ako ning manungod sa agom mo. Halawig pa an banggi ta digdi.”

=—————————————————–

English Version

Inspired by the Wak-wak entry in Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Ramos. 1971.

Wak-wak (Surigao) Illustration and Watercolor by Nightmaresyrup

IG: @nightmaresyrup
Tumblr: http://nightmaresyrup.tumblr.com/

*Note this story is in Tagalog

Case #MGKJ88891

Tinawag ang mga barangay tanod dahil sa sunod-sunod na reklamo sa mabangis na hayop na umaaligid at umaatake sa mga taong nasa paligid. Tumagal ng dalawang linggo ang mga pag-atake, buong gabi, at parami nang parami ang nabibiktima. Ang limang insidente ay ang mga sumusunod:

Martes, Marso 2, 1976 — Naglalakad si Ma. Mapeso pauwi mula sa kaniyang paaralan nang makarinig siya na may lumilipad sa itaas. Inilarawan ng bata ang nilalang na may mahabang pakpak katulad sa paniki, nagawan niya ng paraan para siya ay makatakas, pero nagtamo siya ng mga gasgas at sugat.

Huwebes, Marso 11, 1976 — Lasing si Jun Tesero pagkatapos niyang manggaling sa isang pagdiriwang. Namataan siya sa gilid ng puno malapit-lapit sa bahay ng kaniyang kapatid na si Monica. Hindi maalala ng biktima kung ano ang sumalakay sa kaniya, pero mayroong mahahabang itim na buhok na natagpuan sa kaniyang buong katawan.

Lunes, Marso 15, 1976 — Hindi nakita ni Boy Calizo ang hayop na umatake sa kaniya dahil madilim ang daan. Nagreklamo ang biktima dahil sa mga kagat niya sa balikat at kaliwang braso.

Miyerkules, Marso 17, 1976 — Narinig ang sigaw ni Melody Refol sa buong daan nang may sumugod sa kaniya. Ayon sa mga nakakita, ang hayop ay may kalakihan at nagtataglay ng itim na balahibo. Sa kabutihang-palad nailigtas siya ng mga nakasaksi hanggang sa lumipad papalayo ang nilalang.

Huwebes, Marso 18, 1976 — Ang biktima ay si Roberto Diangson, malaki ang natamo niyang sugat mula sa pagkakalusob sa kaniya. Naglalakad siya nang ika-9 ng gabi. Nakarinig ang biktima ng kakaibang tunog, natakot, at nakita niyang lumilipad ang hayop. Kahawig nito ang isang malaking paniki. Sinabi niya na sinugod siya ng nilalang na ito at tinumba siya sa lupa. Paulit-ulit na sinusubukan ng biktima na harangan ang mga kalmot, pero mahaba ang mga kuko nito na bumabaon sa kaniyang balat. Umabot kinabukasan ang sugat niya sa leeg dahil sinubukan siyang sakalin nito. Sumigaw si Roberto sa susunod na bahay at nang lumabas ang mga naninirahan dito, nawala bigla ang hayop.

Nagkakaisa ang pahayag ng mga biktima sa nakita nilang nilalang at si Melody Refol lang ang may saksi na nagpapalakas sa kaniyang kuwento.Ang iba pang mga kaso ay maaaring maipaliwanag ng isang malaking paniki, pero hindi ito sinang-ayunan ng mga biktima. Ang kanilang katwiran ay walang kakayahan ang isang paniki na kumilos ng ganoon.

May mga balita pa ng mga pag-atake sa lugar na iyon, na may parehas na paglalarawan sa hayop sa mga taong 1977, 1979, 1981, at 1983.

=—————————————————————————-=

Case # MGKJ88891

The barangay police were called in after a series of complaints of a wild animal appearing in the area and attacking bystanders. The attacks all happened within the span of two weeks, all at nighttime, and with increasing frequency. All in all five incidents were reported as follows.

Tuesday, March 2, 1976 – Ma. Mapeso was walking home from school when she heard something flyingoverhead. The girl described the creature as having long wings like those of a bat, she managed to run away from it, but not without sustaining minor cuts and bruises.

Thursday, March 11, 1976 – After coming back from a party Jun Tesoro was inebriated. He was found beside a tree very close to his home by his sister, Monica. The victim could not remember what it was that attacked him, but long, black hairs were found all over his body.

Monday, March 15, 1976 – Boy Calizo was not able to see the animal attack him, as he said it was very dark along the street. The victim complained of bite marks all over his shoulder area and left arm.

Wednesday, March 17, 1976 – Melody Refol’s screams were heard by most of the street when she was being attacked. Eyewitness accounts say that the animal was large and had black fur. Fortunately bystanders were able to assist her and the animal flew away .

Thursday, March 18, 1976 – The victim, Roberto Diangson, had the most extensive account of his attack. He was taking a walk at 9 o clock in the evening. The victim heard a strange sound and was frightened, he saw the animal hover. It resembled a giant bat. He said that the creature then attacked him and wrestled him to the ground. The victim repeatedly tried to fend off the attack, but the animal’s long nails kept digging into his skin. The animal had tried choking him and the marks were still visible on his neck the following morning. He shouted for help at a nearby house and when the occupants arrived, the animal had disappeared.

All victims had similar versions of the creature that attacked them and only Melody Refol had eyewitnesses to corroborate her story. The other cases could be explained by a larger than normal bat, but the victims disagree with that theory. They said that no bat would be able to attack them in that manner.

Subsequent attacks have been reported in the same area, with similar descriptions of the animal in 1977, 1979, 1981 and 1983.

=————————————————————————=

*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 Emman Bernardino
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Emman Bernardino

Inspired by ‘Encounter with a Wakwak.’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.

Wak-wak (Aklan) Illustration by Ysa Peñas
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