*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.
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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.
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*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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