*Note this story is in Bicol-Naga
“Uyan na naman sinda.” Binutong ni Tanya an bado kan saiyang Ate. “Dapat tang papunduhon sinda.”
“Dae mo problemahon yan, mayo man sindang kinukulugan na dawa sisay. Tsaka pirming sinasabi ni Lola na ang mga yan dae nagkukua ning mas dakol sa kaipuhan ninda.” Nagkaway si Layla sa pag agi kan mga saradit na nilalang. “Nahiling mo na? Pwede mo man sinda maging barkada kung tataan mo lang sinda ning pagkakataon.”
“Dae ko man giraray naiisip na tamang ideya an bayaan sinda na magkua ning bagas,” sabi ni Tanya. Pighakbot nya ang saro sa mga ini asin itinungod sa mukha kan Ate nya. “Ano bagang pangangaipo ninda sa bagas? Pigkakakan ba ninda yan?”
“Tanya, ibaba mo yan.” Hinablot ni Layla ang garo manikang nilalang hali sa kamot kang saiyang tugang. “Pasensya na po, aki pa po kaya sya.” Nagtungod si Layla sa saiyang tugang. “Maghagad kang dispensa sainda.”
“Tano ko gigibuhon yan? Nagiikit sindang bagas ta sa tungod ta pa,” madunong na taram ni Tanya.
“Gusto mo talagang mahiling sain ninda pigdadara yang mga bagas?” seryosong nakahiling si Layla sa saiyang tugang.
Natakot si Tanya. Dae nya pa nahiling ang Ate nya na naghiling saiya ning arog kaidto, pero mas nangibabaw saiya ang pagkamausisa.
“Iyo,” simbag ni Tanya.
Nagsunod ang magtugang sa grupo ning mga ugaw pasiring sa kagubatan asin pasakat sa bulod. Kaipuhan nindang mglakaw ning kaskas, saradit ang mga ugaw pero maririkas sinda. Pinirit ni Tanya na dae magkimat ta naghahandal siyang baad sinda mawara. Dae ngsisibot si Layla, yaon lang siya pirang metro sa likod kan tugang nya.
Natapos ang lakaw ning mga ugaw sa may sementeryo na dae karayuan sa bayan. Pigmasdan ni Tanya habang piglalaag ninda ang kada pidaso ning bagas sa tungod ning puntod hanggang sinda matapos. Tapos, kada sarong ugaw naglakaw parayo, pasiring sa kagubatan.
Naghiling si Tanya sa saiyang tugang, pirang minuto bago nya narealisar kung haen siya. “Puntod baga iyan ni Lola,” ang nasabi nya pakatapos ang pirang minutong katrangkiluhan.
“Kabarkada ni Lola sinda.” Nakangirit na sabi ni Layla.
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English Version
“They’re at it again.” Tanya grabbed her sister’s dress. “We should stop them.”
“Don’t worry about it, they’re not hurting anyone. Besides, lola always said these ones never take more than they need.” Layla waved as the small creatures walked by. “See? They can be friendly if you give them a chance.”
“I still don’t think it’s a good idea to just let them take the rice,” Tanya said. She grabbed one of the things and held it to her face. “What do they even need the rice for? Do they eat it?”
“Tanya! Put it down.” Layla grabbed the doll-like being from her sister’s hands. “I’m sorry, she’s young.” Layla turned to her sister. “Apologize to them.”
“Why should I? They’re stealing our rice right in front of us,” Tanya said adamantly.
“Do you really want to see where these things take the rice?” Layla looked at her sister sternly.
Tanya was scared. She had never seen her sister look that way, but her curiosity got the better of her. “Yes” was Tanya’s reply.
The sisters followed the group of ugaw through the forest and up the hills. They had to walk fast, the ugaw were small, but they were also swift. Tanya forced herself to not blink because she was afraid that they might disappear. Layla did not rush, she stayed a few steps behind her sister.
The ugaw ended their journey at the cemetery, which wasn’t far from the town. Tanya watched them set each grain of rice in front of a grave until they were all finished. Then, each ugaw walked away, heading towards the forest.
Tanya looked at her sister, it took her a moment before she realized where she was. “That’s lola’s grave,” she managed to say after a few minutes of silence.
“They were her friends.” Layla smiled.
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*Central Bicol, commonly called Bicol Naga, is the most-spoken language in the Bicol Region of southern Luzon, Philippines. It is spoken in the northern and western part of Camarines Sur, second congressional district of Camarines Norte, eastern part of Albay, northeastern part of Sorsogon, San Pascual town in Masbate, and southwestern part of Catanduanes. Central Bicol speakers can be found in all provinces of Bicol and it is a majority language in Camarines Sur.
Written by Karl Gaverza
Translation by Monmon Nietes
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Translation Copyright © Monmon Nietes
Story inspired by Ugaw description in Myth Museum. Medina. 2015.
Watercolor by Tara Singson
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