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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You never know what form it will take.

Pray it is a familiar one.

-From the notes of Mari Bas

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Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

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

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

Her back aches, her feet are sore and she just went to the bathroom for the third time this past hour, but through it all she had never been more thankful for the pain.

It was the seventh month of her pregnancy and Clara was on bedrest. Her husband, Angelo, had taken the day off work and was busy making her breakfast.

By the bedside the phone rang.

“Hello?”

It was the raspy voice of a woman, unfamiliar to Clara.

“Hello, this is Clara Campos, who is this?”

“Is this the pregnant woman that lives on Zaragosa street?”

“Who is this? How did you get this number?”

“Do not go outside your house! You’re in terrible danger!”

“Is this a prank call?! It’s not funny!”

“It’s for your baby! You have to listen to me!”

Clara should have put the phone down. She should have ignored whoever it was on the phone and continued on with her day. But things change when you’re about to become a mother. No matter how crazy things might seem, if there’s even the tiniest chance of helping your baby, you do it. No questions asked.

“What are you talking about?” Clara’s tone was sharp. “What does this have to do with my baby.”

“Listen to me!” There was a pause and, in the silence, Clara could feel her heartbeat echo in her bones.

“It comes in the night. Once you hear the sounds coming, head for cover. Keep a knife and kalamansi around you to protect yourself from its evil. Do not think that just because you are in your home you are safe. It can creep in through unseen corners and open windows and it will come for your baby!”

“What is it? What will come for my baby?!”

There was another long pause and Clara felt the anticipation seep into her skin, making it tingle.

“The tiktik will come for you. Be prepared.”

And the line went dead.

It was a few minutes before Angelo came in and gave Clara breakfast in bed. He noticed the look on her face and asked,

“What’s wrong sweetheart? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“It’s nothing. Nothing at all.”

She didn’t know why she lied to her husband. Part of her was ashamed for thinking that a crazy phone call had any effect on her, but she noticed that she was holding her stomach tight.

“It comes in the night.”

“What was that sweetheart?”

“Nothing, Gelo, just thinking about something.”

“Well don’t think too much. Worrying can’t be good for the baby.”

“Yes, of course. I’ll try not to stress myself out. Thank you for breakfast.”

“Now go eat, I’ll clean up in the kitchen.”

“Okay babe.”

Clara could feel her appetite slipping away, but she fought through it. She needed to think of the baby.

It was the only thing that mattered.

That night, Clara drifted off into a dream.

She was in her bedroom and Angelo was nowhere to be seen. She could hear a soft sound throughout the room.

Tik-Tik-Tik-Tik

There was something wrong in the air, an aura of heaviness that permeated the entire room. She looked around to see if there was anything she could use to defend herself, something that would make her feel safe.

By her bedside there was a knife and she grabbed it readily before anything could happen.

Minutes passed, maybe hours and Clara sat alert on her bed, waiting.

Her eyelids felt heavy and tiredness enveloped her body, but she would not move from her position. And in the darkness, she could notice something moving.

It was a thin, red line, almost like a ribbon. It twisted around her leg and she could feel it like ice coursing through her veins.

She took the knife and slashed at the red line and was greeted with an inhuman scream, a loud, guttural ululation that didn’t belong in this world.

And then she saw it. It was as if a bird and a man had been twisted together in some Frankenstein like abomination. Drops of red were falling from its mouth and its eyes burned with fury.

And then she awoke.

Her pillow was soaked with a cold sweat and Angelo asked her if she was okay. Clara brushed it off, saying it was just the pregnancy and hopefully she would brush it off and get more rest later.

She got up and said she was going to get a glass of water, telling Angelo she could get it herself this time.

Clara went to the kitchen and grabbed the first knife she saw and remembered, if there’s even a slightest chance, you take it.

No matter how crazy it may seem.

Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza

Story inspired by the Tiktik descriptions from Western Visayas

Tiktik Illustration by Ian Sagun
FB: Ian Sagun Art​
Instagram: @iansagunart

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