ALAMAT NI TUNGKUNG LANGITBy: Roberto Añonuevo

Hindi makapaniwala ang mga tao noon na wala naman talagang langit at lupa. Ako, si Alunsina, at ang asawa kong si Tungkung Langit ang pinagmulan ng lahat ng bagay. Kaming dalawa lamang ang pinag-ugatan ng buhay. Mula sa kaibuturan ng kawalan, itinakda ng aming kasaysayan ang paglitaw ng daigdig ng mga tao.

Nabighani si Tungkung Langit nang una niya akong makita. Katunayan, niligawan niya ako nang napakatagal, sintagal ng pagkakabuo ng tila walang katapusang kalawakan na inyong tinitingala tuwing gabi. At paanong hindi mapaiibig si Tungkung Langit sa akin? Mahahaba’t mala-sutla ang buhok kong itim. Malantik ang aking balakang at balingkinitan ang mahalimuyak na katawan. Higit sa lahat, matalas ang aking isip na tumutugma lamang sa gaya ng isip ni Tungkung Langit.

Kaya sinikap ng aking matipuno’t makapangyarihang kabiyak na dalhin ako doon sa pook na walang humpay ang pag-agos ng dalisay, maligamgam na tubigan. Malimit kong marinig ang saluysoy ng tubig, na siya ko namang sinasabayan sa paghimig ng maririkit na awit. Napapatigalgal si Tungkung Langit tuwing maririnig ang aking tinig. “Alunsina,” aniya, “ikaw ang iibigin ko saan man ako sumapit!” Pinaniwalaan ko ang kaniyang sinambit. At ang malamig na simoy sa paligid ang lalo yatang nagpapainit ng aming dibdib kapag kami’y nagniniig.

Napakasipag ng aking kabiyak. Umaapaw ang pag-ibig niya; at iyon ang aking nadama, nang sikapin niyang itakda ang kaayusan sa daloy ng mga bagay at buhay sa buong kalawakan.

Iniatang niya sa kaniyang balikat ang karaniwang daloy ng hangin, apoy, lupa, at tubig. Samantala’y malimit akong maiwan sa aming tahanan, na siya ko namang kinayamutan. Bagaman inaaliw ko ang sarili sa paghabi ng mga karunungang ipamamana sa aming magiging anak, hindi mawala sa aking kalooban ang pagkainip. Wari ko, napakahaba ang buong maghapon kung naroroon lamang ako’t namimintana sa napakalaki naming bahay.

Madalas akong gumawi sa aming pasigan, at manalamin sa malinaw na tubig habang sinusuklay ang mababangong buhok. Ngunit tuwing tititig ako sa tubig, ang nakikita ko’y hindi ang sarili kundi ang minamahal na si Tungkung Langit.

Sabihin nang natutuhan ko kung paano mabagabag. Ibig kong tulungan ang aking kabiyak sa kaniyang mabibigat na gawain. Halimbawa, kung paano itatakda ang hihip ng hangin. O kung paano mapasisiklab ang apoy sa napakabilis na paraan. O kung paano gagawing malusog ang mga lupain upang mapasupling nang mabilis ang mga pananim. Ngunit ano man ang aking naisin ay hindi ko maisakatuparan. Tumatanggi ang aking mahal. “Dito ka na lamang sa ating tahanan, Alunsina, di ko nais na makita kang nagpapakapagod!”

Tuwing naririnig ko ang gayong payo ni Tungkung Langit, hindi ko mapigil ang maghinanakit. Kaparis ko rin naman siyang bathala, bathala na may angkin ding kapangyarihan at dunong. Tila nagtutukop siya ng mga tainga upang hindi na marinig ang aking pagpupumilit. Nagdulot iyon ng aming pagtatalo. Ibig kong maging makabuluhan ang pag-iral. At ang pag-iral na yaon ang sinasagkaan ng aking pinakamamahal.

Araw-araw, lalong nagiging abala si Tungkung Langit sa kaniyang paggawa ng kung ano-anong bagay. Makikita ko na lamang siyang umaalis sa aming tahanan nang napakaaga, kunot ang noo, at tila laging malayo ang iniisip. Aaluin ko siya at pipisilin naman niya ang aking mga palad . “Mahal kong Alunsina, kapag natapos ko na ang lahat ay wala ka nang hahanapin pa!” At malimit nagbabalik lamang siya kapag malalim na ang gabi.

Sa mga sandaling yaon, hindi ko mapigil ang aking mga luha na pumatak; napapakagat-labi na lamang ako habang may pumipitlag sa aking kalooban.

Dumating ang yugtong nagpaalam ang aking kabiyak. “Alunsina, may mahalaga akong gawaing kailangang matapos,” ani Tungkung Langit. “Huwag mo na akong hintayin ngayong gabi’t maaga kang matulog. Magpahinga ka. Magbabalik din agad ako. . . .” May bahid ng pagmamadali ang tinig ng aking minamahal. Lingid sa kaniya, nagsisimula nang mamuo sa aking kalooban ang matinding paninibugho sa kaniyang ginagawa. Umalis nga si Tungkung Langit at nagtungo kung saan. Subalit pinatititikan ko siya sa dayaray upang mabatid ang kaniyang paroroonan. Ibig ko siyang sundan.

Natunugan ni Tungkung Langit ang aking ginawa. Nagalit siya sa dayaray at ang dayaray ay isinumpa niyang paulit-ulit na hihihip sa dalampasigan upang ipagunita ang pagsunod niya sa nasabing bathala. Samantala, nagdulot din yaon ng mainit na pagtatalo sa panig naming dalawa.

“Ano ba naman ang dapat mong ipanibugho, Alunsina?” asik ni Tungkung Langit sa akin. “Ang ginagawa ko’y para mapabuti ang daloy ng aking mga nilikha sa daigdig ng mga tao!” Napoot ang aking kabiyak sa akin. Nakita ko sa kaniyang mga mata ang paglalagablab, at lumalabas sa kaniyang bibig ang usok ng pagkapoot. Dahil sa nangyari, inagaw niya sa akin ang kapangyarihan ko. Ipinagtabuyan niya ako palabas sa aming tahanan.

Oo, nilisan ko ang aming bahay nang walang taglay na anumang mahalagang bagay. Nang lumabas ako sa pintuan, hindi na muli akong lumingon nang hindi ko makita ang bathalang inibig ko noong una pa man. Hubad ako nang una niyang makita. Hubad di ako nang kami’y maghiwalay.

Alam kong nagkamali ng pasiya si Tungkung Langit na hiwalayan ako. Mula noon, nabalitaan ko na lamang na pinananabikan niya ang paghihintay ko sa kaniya kahit sa gitna ng magdamag; hinahanap niya ang aking maiinit na halik at yakap; pinapangarap niyang muling marinig ang aking matarling na tinig; inaasam-asam niya na muli akong magbabalik sa kaniyang piling sa paniniwalang ibig kong makamit muli ang kapangyarihang inagaw niya sa akin. Ngunit hindi.

Hindi ko kailangan ang aking kapangyarihan kung ang kapangyarihan ay hindi mo rin naman magagamit. Hindi ko kailangan ang kapangyarihan kung magiging katumbas iyon ng pagkabilanggo sa loob ng bahay at paglimot sa sariling pag-iral.

Ipinaabot sa akin ng dayaray ang naganap sa dati naming tahanan ni Tungkung Langit. Sinlamig ng bato ang buong paligid. Pumusyaw ang dating matitingkad na palamuti sa aming bahay. Lumungkot nang lumungkot si Tungkung Langit at laging mainit ang ulo. “Mabuti naman,” sabi ko sa dayaray. “Ngayon, matututo rin si Tungkung Langit na magpahalaga sa kahit na munting bagay.”

Umaalingawngaw ang tinig ni Tungkung Langit at inaamo ako dito sa aking bagong pinaghihimpilan upang ako’y magbalik sa kaniya. Ayoko. Ayoko nang magbalik pa sa kaniya. Kahit malawak ang puwang sa aming pagitan, nadarama ko ang kaniyang paghikbi. Oo, nadarama ko ang kaniyang pighati. Lumipas ang panahon at patuloy niya akong hinanap. Ngunit nanatili siyang bigo.

Ang kaniyang pagkabigo na mapanumbalik ang aking pagmamahal ay higit niyang dinamdam. Nagdulot din yaon sa kaniya upang lalong maging malikhain sa paghahanap. Akala niya’y maaakit ako sa kaniyang gawi. Habang nakasakay sa ulap, naisip niyang lumikha ng malalawak na karagatan upang maging salamin ko. Hindi ba, aniya, mahilig si Alunsina na manalamin sa gilid ng aming sapa? Nababaliw si Tungkung Langit. Hind gayon kababaw ang aking katauhang mabilis maaakit sa karagatan.

Pumaloob din si Tungkung Langit sa daigdig na nilikha niya na laan lamang sa mga tao. Naghasik siya ng mga buto at nagpasupling ng napakaraming halaman, damo, palumpong, baging, at punongkahoy. “Marahil, maiibigan ito ni Alunsina,” ang tila narinig kong sinabi niya. Gayunman, muli siyang nabigo dahil hindi ako nagbalik sa kaniyang piling.

Humanap pa ng mga paraan ang dati kong kabiyak upang paamuin ako. Halimbawa, kinuha niya sa dati naming silid ang mga nilikha kong alahas. Ipinukol niya lahat ang mga alahas sa kalawakan upang masilayan ko. Naging buwan ang dati kong ginintuang suklay; naghunos na mga bituin ang mga hiyas ko’t mutya; at naging araw ang ginawa kong pamutong sa ulo. Kahit ano pa ang gawin ni Tungkung Langit, hindi na muli akong nagbalik sa kaniyang piling.

Namighati siya. At nadama niya kung paanong mamuhay nang mag-isa, gaya lamang ng naganap sa akin dati doon sa aming tirahan. Lumuha nang lumuha si Tungkung Langit, at ang kaniyang pagluha ay nagdulot sa unang pagkakataon ng pag-ulan. Kapag siya’y humahagulgol, nagbubunga yaon ng malalakas na pagkulog at pagkidlat. May panahong tumitindi ang kaniyang pighati, kaya huwag kayong magtaka kung bakit umuulan. Ang mga luha ni Tungkung Langit ang huhugas sa akin, at sa aking kumakawag na supling.

[Hango sa mito ng Hiligaynon at Waray at muling isinalaysay ni Roberto T. Añonuevo]

EPIC OF IBALONG

When the hero Baltog came to the rich land of Ibalon, many monsters still roamed around in its very dark forest. Baltog, born in Baltavara to the brave clan of Lipod, was the first to cultivate the fields in the rich land of Ibalon.

Then, Tandayag attacked and destroyed Baltog‘s fields and crops.Tandayag was a monstrous wild boar but the hero Baltog was not afraid. One night, he waited for Tandayag and wrestled with it with all his might. The Tandayag had very long fangs. The earth shook at the Tandayag‘s step. But Baltog was strong and brave. He was able to pin down the monstrous wild boar and tear out its mouth.

Baltog carried the Tandayag and hung it on a talisay tree in front of his house in Tondol. The people celebrated when they learned of the victory of their king Baltog. The clans of Panicuason and Asog came over to marvel at the monstrous wild boar in Ibalon.

At that time the hero Handiong came with a band of warriors to the land of Ibalon. Handiong and his men had to fight thousands of battles, and face many dangers to defeat the monsters. They first fought the one-eyed giants in the land of Ponon. They fought without rest for ten months until all the one-eyed giants were killed.

They went to the lair of the giant flying fishes called Tiburon which had slimy, scaly, and hardy flesh and sawlike teeth that could crush rocks. Handiong and his men did not stop until they vanquished every Tiburon.

They tamed the fierce tamaraws. They drove away the giant Sarimaw which was larger than an elephant and very fierce. They used their spears and arrows to kill all the crocodiles which were bigger than boats. The savage monkeys were frightened and hid when theysaw the rivers and swamps of Ibalon turn red with blood.

Oriol was the hardest to kill. A serpent with a beautiful voice, Oriol could change its image to deceive enemies. Oriol had escaped every trap and disappeared.

All by himself, Handiong looked for Oriol in the heart of the forest. He followed the beautiful voice and was almost enchanted by it in his pursuit. It is said that Oriol admired Handiong‘s bravery and gallantry. Thus, the serpent taught the hero how to conquer the monsters until peace came to the whole Ibalon.

Handiong built a town in Isarog and a season of progress followed. Under Handiong‘s leadership, the people planted rice which they named after him. He built the first boat to ride the waves of Ibalon seas. Because of his good example, inventors came forth from his people. Ginantong made the plow, harrow, and other farming tools. Hablom invented the first loom for weaving abaca clothes. Dinahon, an Aeta, created the stove, cooking pot, earthen jar, and other kitchen utensils. The brilliant Sural thought of the alphabet and started to write on white rock. It was a golden period in Ibalon when even slaves were respected under the laws of Handiong.

But there came the big flood freed by Unos, with earthquakes and the eruption of the volcanoes of Hantik, Kolasi, and Isarog. Rivers dried up and the seas receded. The earth parted, mountains sank, and many towns in Ibalon were destroyed.

Then appeared the giant Rabot. It is a half-man half-beast with terrible powers. Bantong,

Handiong‘s good friend, was ordered to kill the new monster in Ibalon. He took with him a thousand warriors to attack Rabot‘s den. Bantong used his wisdom against Rabot. He did not attack the giant‘s den right away but instead observed Rabot‘s ways. He saw many rocks around the den. They were people turned into rock by Rabot.

He also learned that Rabot loved to sleep. When Rabot slept very soundly, Bantong was able to go near him. The giant died with a single stab by the brave and wise Bantong. Ibalon was at peace once more.

THE THREE HEROES OF IBALON

The epic tells the story of three Bicol heroes. Baltog, a mighty warrior of Batavara, came by chance upon the lush and virginal beauty of Ibalon, extensive in area, rich in soil, and free from typhoons. Ibalon attracted Baltog's men to find a kingdom. In the course of time, Ibalon became prosperous and peaceful. But one day, the peace and prosperity of the land was threatened not by conquering strangers or black men but by a huge man-eating wild boar. The ferocious beast destroyed the crops and killed the people on its path. Vastareas in Ibalon were soon reduced to waste and countless people were either killed or maimed. Baltog stood dumb-founded as he surveyed the depredation wrought on his kingdom. One day, Baltog left his home alone, planning to confront his enemy. Under the cover of night, he went to the muddy field to wait for his enemy. After much waiting, when the moon was bright, the man-eating wild boar came snorting, tearing crops as it went along. Baltog hid under the bushes. When the boar came within his reach, he sprang at it like a panther. Man and beast tumbled to the ground in mortal combat. Fortunately, Baltog was able to pin down the beast land, summoning all his strength, he finally subdued the boar. Baltog’s victory put an end to a terror that had ravished his kingdom for a time. Ibalon, however, saw few years of peace. One day, huge carabaos followed by winged sharks and giant crocodiles rushed to Ibalon. Every mortal was in fright: death and destruction took a heavy toll. The mighty Baltog could no longer defend his kingdom, for the years had sapped his strength. Defenseless, Ibalon had become an easy prey. Luck, however, was still with Ibalon. On that day, Handiong, a mighty warrior of the neighboring kingdom, happened to pass by Ibalon. Apprised of the plight of the people, Handiong came to their rescue. Handiong and his brave seasoned men threw themselves at their stampeding and winging wild enemies. For untold hours, Ibalon saw mortal combat. Blood flowed freely over the land and the streams. One by one the beasts were slain. Before sunset, Handiong and his men emerged the victors. Only one monster escaped Handiong’s mortal wrath; this was Oriol, the serpent who could transform itself into a beautiful woman. Handiong, however, repulsed the advances of the temptress. To save itself from extinction, Oriol struck alliance with Handiong. Through its help, the salimaws or evil spirits of the mountains were routedoubt. This last victory brought to an end the second threat to Ibalon’s peaceful existence. Ibalon, under Handiong’s wise administration, became rich and peaceful again. But Handiong was getting on in years and outside his domain, Rabut, was eyeing his kingdom. This monster was far more terrible, for under its spell, mortals could be changed into stones. Luck again was with Ibalon. Handiong had mighty friend, a young warrior named Bantong. Bantong, in command of a handful of men, trekked one day into the monster’s lair and found the enemy taking its nap. With cat-like agility, Bantong came near his prey and with a mighty stroke delivered mortal blows at the monster’s neck. The wounded monster writhed in agony and in his struggle for breath, the earth shuddered and cracked and the waters of the sea heaved and rolled landward.With the death throes of the monster over, the dust clouds parted and Ibalon underwent great physical change. New islets began to dot the waters near the peninsula; the Inarinan River changed its course; and a dark lakehad replaced the mountain at Bato. Finally, a tall and perfect cone reared its head to lord over the leveled ruins. This perfect cone is now known as the Mayon Volcano.

INDARAPATRA AT SULAYMAN

Si Indarapatra ay ang matapang na hari ng Mantapuli. Nabalitaan niya ang malimit na pananalakay ng mga dambuhalang ibon at mababangis na hayop sa ibang panig ng Mindanao. Labis niyang ikinalungkot ang mga nangyayaring ito sa mga naninirahan sa labas ng kaharian ng Mantapuli.

Ipinatawag ni Indarapatra ang kanyang kapatid na si Sulayman, isang matapang na kawal. Inutusan ni Indarapatra si Sulayman upang puksain ang mga ibon at hayop na namiminsala sa mga tao. Agad na sumunod si Sulayman. Bago umalis si Sulayman, nagtanim si Indarapatra ng halaman sa may durungawan. Aniya kay Sulayman, “Sa pamamagitan ng halamang ito ay malalaman ko ang nangyari sa iyo. Kapag namatay ang halamang ito, nangangahuluang ikaw ay namatay.”

Sumakay si Sulayman sa hangin. Narating niya ang Kabilalan. Wala siyang nakitang tao. Walang anu-ano ay nayanig ang lupa. Dumating ang halimaw na si Kurita. Matagal at madugo ang paglalaban ni Sulayman at ni Kurita. Sa wakas, napatay rin ni Sulayman si Kurita, sa tulong ng kanyang kris.

Nagtungo naman si Sulayman sa Matutum. Kanyang hinanap ang halimaw na kumakain ng tao na kilala sa tawag na Tarabusaw. Hinagupit ng hinagupit ni Sulayman si Tarabusaw sa pamamagitan ng punongkahoy. Nang nanlalata na si Tarabusaw ay saka ito sinaksak ni Sulayman ng kanyang espada.

Pumunta si Sulayman sa Bundok ng Bita. Wala rin siyang makitang tao. Ang iba ay nakain na ng mga halimaw at ang natirang iba ay nasa taguan. Luminga-linga pa si Sulayman nang biglang magdilim pagkat dumating ang dambuhalang ibong Pah. Si Sulayman ang nais dagitin ng ibon. Mabilis at ubos lakas na tinaga ito ni Sulayman. Bumagsak at namatay ang Pah. Sa kasamaang palad nabagsakan ng pakpak ng ibon si Sulayman na siya niyang ikinamatay.

Samantala, ang halaman ni Sulayman sa Mantapuli ay laging pinagmamasdan ni Indarapatra. Napansin niiyang nanlata ang halaman at alam niyang namatay na si Sulayman.

Hinanap ni Indarapatra ang kanyang kapatid. Nagpunta siya sa Kabalalan at nakita niya ang kalansay ni Tarabusaw. Alam niyang napatay ito ng kapatid niya. Ipinagpatuloy ni Indarapatra ang paghahanap niya kay Sulayman. Narating niya ang bundok ng Bita. Nakita niya ang patay na ibong Pah. Inangat ni Indarapatra ang pakpak ng ibon at nakita ang bangkay ni Sulayman. Nanangis si Indarapatra at nagdasal upang pabaliking muli ang buhay ni Sulayman. Sa di kalayua’y may nakita siiyang banga ng tubig. Winisikan niya ng tubig ang bangkay at muling nabuhay si Sulayman. Parang nagising lamang ito mula sa mahimbing na pagtulog. Nagyakap ang magkapatid dahil sa malaking katuwaan.

Pinauwi na ni Indarapatra si Sulayman. Nagtuloy pa si Indarapatra sa Bundok Gurayu. Dito’y wala rin siyang natagpuang tao. Nakita niya ang kinatatakutang ibon na may pitong ulo. Sa tulong ng kanyang engkantadong sibat na si juris pakal ay madali niyang napatay ang ibon.

Hinanap niya ang mga tao. May nakita siyang isang magandang dalaga na kumukuha ng tubig sa sapa. Mabilis naman itong nakapagtago. Isang matandang babae ang lumabas sa taguan at nakipag-usap kay Indarapatra. Ipinagsama ng matandang babae si Indarapatra sa yungib na pinagtataguan ng lahat ng tao sa pook na iyon. Ibinalita ni Indarapatra ang mga pakikilaban nilang dalawa ni Sulayman sa mga halimaw at dambuhalang ibon. Sinabi rin niyang maaari na silang lumabas sa kanilang pinagtataguan. Sa laki ng pasasalamat ng buong tribu, ipinakasal kay Indarapatra ang anak ng hari, ang magandang babae na nakita ni Indarapatra sa batisan.

ANG TATLONG KATAUHAN NI MARIA LABOBy: Abelardo Gajarion

1. Mula nang naging malaganap ang militarisasyon sa kanayunan naging magulo na ang probinsiya ng Sorsogon. Walang masaganang ani ang mga magsasaka't mangingisda. Maraming maliliit na negosyo ang nagsara. Hindi makapasok sa eskwelahan ang mga bata. Halos hindi na nga makalabas ng bahay ang mga tao. Lahat ay naghihintay na lamang na mabagsakan ng isang bomba, para sabay-sabay na mamatay. Maliban kay Maria Labo.

Malapit sa paanan ng bundok, malayo sa kabayanan, nakatira sa maliit na bahay na yari sa cogon at kawayan ang mag-asawang Maria at Ermin Labo. Mayroon silang dalawang anak, sina Pablo at Rosalinda. Si Ermin ay isang magsasaka habang si Maria naman ang naglalako ng mga ani sa kabayanan.

Mula nang mawalan ng ani ang kanilang gulayan, ipinasya ni Maria na sumama sa kaibigang naghahanap ng domestic helper papuntang Espanya. Naisip niyang mas marami ang kanyang kikitain sa pagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa kaysa sa paglalako ng gulay na hindi na nga niya nagagawa dahil sa kaguluhan sa kanilang bayan.

Isinangla nila ang kanilang lupang sakahan at ang kinatatayuan ng kanilang bahay para pambayad sa kanyang placement fee. Pagkalipas ng tatlong buwan, lumipad na si Maria papuntang Espanya.

2. Sa isang lumang mansion, sa isang bayan na malayung-malayo sa siyudad napadpad si Maria. Bumaba siya mula sa isang kakarag-karag na bus sa tapat ng isang malaki at lumang-lumang gate na bakal. Napupuluputan ito ng mga gumagapang na halaman. Ayon sa agency na nagpadala sa kanya, isang matandang lalaki at isang katiwala na lang ang nakatira sa mansion na kanyang pagtatrabahuhan.

Pumasok siya sa gate na bahagyang nakabukas. Tanaw niya mula sa kinatatayuan ang kulay ang mansion. Bago makarating roon, kinailangan munang maglakad ni Maria ng halos dalawang kilometro. Maalikabok ang daan na nililinyahan ng malalaking puno sa magkabilang tabi.

Pagdating sa tapat ng mansion, nagulat pa si Maria nang makitang halos tatlong beses na mas matangkad sa kanya ang pintuang gawa sa matigas na kahoy na may mga ukit-ukit na ubas at mga bulaklak. Gawa sa bato ang buong mansion. Napansin niyang halos hanggang tuhod na niya ang mga damo sa bakuran. Halos mapuno na rin ng mga gumagapang na halaman ang kanang bahagi nga mansion.

Kumatok siya gamit ang bilog na bakal na nakasabit mula sa sabitan na hugis ulo ng leon. Luminga-linga siya, nagbabakasakaling may tao siyang makikita, ngunit walang sumalubong sa kanya. Matapos ang halos limang minutong paghihintay, kusang bumukas ang pinto. Bumukas ito nang mabagal na mabagal at gumawa ito ng nakakarindi at nakakangilong ingay na parang bang matagal na itong nakasara at noon lamang nabuksan. Wala siyang makitang tao sa loob sa kanyang pagpasok.

Hindi niya nakita ang matandang lalaki na kanina pa siya taimtim na tinititigan mula pa lang nang pumasok siya sa gate at maglakad patungo sa bahay.

“Hola, como estas?” bati sa kanya ng isang lalaki mula sa kaliwang bahagi ng mansion.

Napaigtad si Maria sa gulat. Hindi niya inasahang lalabas na lang bigla ang isang lalaking may magarang-magarang kasuotan.

“Soy Eduardo. Que te llamas?”

Hindi alam ni Maria ang isasagot.

“Comprendes Espanol?”

Umiling-iling na lamang si Maria. Kung hindi man wala, katiting lamang ang kanyang nalalaman sa wikang Espanyol. Tinitigan muna siya ng lalaki bago nagpumilit magsalita ng Ingles.

“Follow. Follow.”

Si Eduardo ang katiwala ng mansion. Matagal-tagal na rin siyang naninilbihan doon. Nagbabalak na siyang umalis, ngunit hindi niya iyon magawa hangga't hindi pa niya napipili ang tamang babaeng mag-aalaga sa kanyang amo.

Inabot sila ng kalahating araw para lamang libutin ang buong mansion. Inisa-isa nila ang bawat kwarto. At sa bawat kwarto ipinaliwanag ni Eduardo ang mga takdang gawain ni Maria. Pautal-utal na Ingles ang ginamit ni Eduardo, maging iyon ay hindi gaanong naintindihan ni Maria.

“Tienes hambre? E, are you, e, starved?”

Hindi alam ni Maria kung ano ang isasagot kaya tumango na lang siya. Nahalata ni Eduardo na hindi naintindihan ng kanyang kausap ang sinabi niya. Doon niya nalaman na natagpuan na niya ang babaeng matagal na niyang hinahanap.

“Senor Gustavo wants to ... e, hablar ... e, speak to you ...”

Tatlong buwan na ring nagtatrabaho sa mansion si Maria, ngunit hirap na hirap pa rin silang magkaintindihan at magkausap. Mas madali na lang para sa kanila ang magsenyasan.

Sa loob ng tatlong buwang iyon, dalawang beses pa lang nakakapasok si Maria sa kwarto ng among si Gustavo. Sabi ni Eduardo, sa pautal-utal na tagpi-tagping kwento, si Gustavo ay matagal nang may karamdaman. Maselan ang kalagayan nito kaya hindi pwedeng makita ng maraming tao.

Noong unang pagkakataon na nakapasok si Maria sa kwarto ni Gustavo halos hindi rin sila nagkita. Ipinakilala lang siya ni Eduardo, ngunit doon lamang sila nakatayo sa pintuan.

Madilim ang bahagi ng kama kung saan nakaratay si Gustavo kaya hindi halos naaninag ni Maria ang mukha ng matandang lalaki.

Nang ikalawang pagkakataon, nakapasok at nakalapit na si Maria kay Gustavo. Kinuha niya ang arinola sa tabi ng kama ng amo. Kulu-kulubot na ang balat nito. Manipis na manipis na ang maputing buhok sa ulo. Halos puti na lahat ang mga mata nito. Bago siya umalis tinanong si Maria ni Gustavo. Mahinang-mahina ang boses nito, halos hindi na marinig ni Maria.

“Are you Filipina?”

Tumango si Maria, naintindihan niya ang tanging tanong na itinanong sa kanya ng amo.

“A, opo, si, si, Senor Gustavo. I am Filipina.”

Nagtataka si Maria. Iniisip niya ang mga posibleng dahilan kung bakit siya pinatawag ni Gustavo gayong nariyan naman si Eduardo para ibigay anuman ang pangangailangan ng amo. Iniwan niya ang nililinis sa kusina para pumunta sa kwarto ng amo. Bago makalabas ng kusina, pinaalalahanan pa siya ni Eduardo.

“Maria, nunca, e, do not go out of the room if Senor Gustavo, e, is not asleep yet.”

Marahang kumatok saka pumasok si Maria sa kwarto ni Gustavo. Lumapit siya sa matanda. Sinenyasan siya nitong lumapit. Tila may ibubulong ang kanyang amo. Dahan-dahan niyang inilapit ang kanyang mukha sa mukha ni Gustavo.

Kabadong-kabado si Maria. Hindi man lang niya nahulaan na ang pagpasok niyang iyon ay ang kanyang huli. Dahil paglabas niya, hindi na siya ang dati.

3. Malaki ang nagbago sa pamilya ni Maria simula nang bumalik siya galing Espanya. Dalawang buwan na rin ang nakakaraan mula nang bumalik siya sa bayan nila sa Sorsogon.

Inggit na inggit ang mga tao nang dumating siya. Apat na buwan lang siyang namalagi sa Espanya, ngunit marami siyang dala-dalang pasalubong. Marami siyang dalang mamahaling mga plato, kubyertos, at kandelabra. Nabawi nila agad ang lupang isinangla at nakapagpagawa sila ng bagong bahay.

Ngunit, ang ipinagtataka ng lahat ay kung bakit ni hindi man lang nila makita si Maria na lumabas ng bahay. Lagi silang nag-aabang na luluwas sa bayan si Maria ngunit hindi man lang nila ito matiyempuhan.

Gayon din si Ermin at ang kanyang mga anak. Takang-taka sila sa panlalamig ni Maria sa kanila. Hindi ito gaanong nagsasalita bagamat nananatili pa rin itong maasikaso at mapagbigay. Kapag gabi, sa kama, naririnig ni Ermin ang impit nitong pag-iyak. Kapag hinahawakan siya ni Ermin para aluhin napapaso ito dahil sa sobrang lamig ng kanyang katawan. Para siyang yelo sa lamig. Kinukumutan siya ni Ermin at niyayakap, ngunit pakiramdam nito para lamang itong yumayakap sa hangin.

Minsan, isang hatinggabi, napabalikwas si Ermin nang marining niyang pumapalahaw sa bintana si Maria. Nang magmulat siya't hinanap ang asawa nagulat siya nang makitang duguan ang katawan ni Maria. Laslas ang leeg nito at sumisirit mula doon ang napakaraming dugo. Hindi siya nagpahalatang gising bagama't takot na takot na siya. Nakita niyang tumagos sa pader ang katawan ni Maria. Nangilabot siya. Nagkunwari siyang tulog nang lapitan siya ng kanyang asawa. Alam niyang nilapitan siya nito at tinitigan ang kanyang mukha. Naaamoy ni Ermin ang lansa ng dugo at ang amoy ng naaagnas na katawan. Ipinagdasal niyang sana panaginip lang ang lahat. At kung binabangungot man siya, sana magising na siya, at sana normal pa rin ang lahat.

Paggising niya kinabukasan, wala si Maria sa kanyang tabi. Hinanap niya ito sa buong kabahayan ngunit hindi niya ito nakita. Tinanong niya ang kanyang mga anak kung nakita nila si Maria ngunit hindi nila ito nakita simula ng nakaraang gabi.

Ikinuwento ng kanyang dalawang anak na nanaginip silang nakita nila ang kanilang ina na umiiyak sa kwarto nila. Duguan ang buong katawan nito. Laslas ang leeg at sumisirit ang dugo mula dito. Nilapitan sila at hinalikan ng kanilang ina, tapos paggising nila, walang anumang bakas na nagpunta nga roon si Maria.

Kinilabutan si Ermin. Pare-pareho nilang nakita si Maria ng nakaraang gabi sa pare-parehong sitwasyong. Takang-taka pa rin siya kung saan naroon ang kanyang asawa. At habang tumatagal lalo siyang kinakabahan sa mga bagay na maaari niyang matuklasan.

Mag-aalas siyete ng gabi, wala pa rin si Maria, nang biglang may kumatok sa kanilang pintuan. Dali-daling tumayo si Ermin para pagbuksan ang pinto. Inaasahan niyang si Maria na iyon. Ngunit, nang kanyang pagbuksan, bumungad sa kanya ang dalawang lalaking dayuhan.

Ang dalawang lalaki ay mula sa Spanish Embassy. Ibinalita nila na noong isang araw. natagpuan ang bangkay ni Maria Labo na naaagnas sa ilalim ng kama ng amo nito sa Espanya. Ang among si Gustavo ay dating magaling na doktor na nabaliw dahil iniwan ng kanyang Filipinang asawa.

Nasa mental hospital na si Gustavo habang ang katiwala naman nitong si Eduardo ay nakulong sa pagtatakip sa krimen ng kanyang amo.

Hindi makuhang magsalita ni Ermin. Tiningnan niya ang buong kabahayan, inisip niya kung paanong patay na si Maria nang mahigit dalawang buwan, gayong dala-dala pa niya ang mga pera't kagamitan na nakikita niya sa paligid ng bahay. Hindi siya naniwala sa dalawang lalaki. Pinaalis niya ang mga ito at pinagsisigawan.

Hinintay niya si Maria. Inisip niyang nagbakasyon lang ito sa kung saan at babalik na rin pagtagal-tagal. Hinintay niya nang hinintay ang kanyang asawa. Pagkalipas ng isang linggo dumating si Maria, ngunit, isa nang naaagnas na bangkay. 

Maria Labo is from the province of Capiz. Maria Labo had a happy family. She had a kind and loving husband and one son. Maria Labo decided to work abroad for the sake of her family. She had a good employer, who treated her well, but she did not know that her employer was a vampire. During the months she was employed, Maria was a combination maid and caregiver to her employer. The employer of Maria would always provide her with half-cooked liver to eat.

After months of working for him, Maria began to feel sick. She did not know that she had ingested some blood of her vampire employer. Due to her unknown illness, Maria decided to return home to the Philippines to live with her family.

The husband of Maria was a police officer. One day, after the husband returned home from work, Maria told her husband that she had already prepared dinner. Upon which time the husband of Maria sat down to the table and asked Maria, “Where is our son?“ To which Maria replied, “Our son is right there!“ The husband of Maria did not know what she meant. He was unaware that the meat he had eaten that day was in fact their son!

Upon opening the refrigerator box, he was shocked to see the head of their son in the refrigerator. The husband of Maria was so angry; he picked up a big knife and slashed the face of Maria. Maria had big scar on her face, which is why she was called”Maria Labo”.

From that day on, Maria would stalk or hunt in many different locations within the Philippines, but her husband continued to hunt for Maria because he wanted to kill her. Whenever Maria was known to be in any place within the Philippines, all or the people tried to find and kill her to save their own children. From those days till the present, the Filipino people gave Maria the nickname of the “Aswang”, meaning Queen of the Vampires.

JUAN WEARING A MONKEY’S SKIN

This Filipino story was recorded in English based on a Kapampangan (Pampango, from the province of Pampanga) version in the early 20th century. There is also a Bicolano (Bikulano, from Bicol) version of this story.

Once upon a time there was a couple which was childless at first. The father was very anxious to have a son to inherit his property: so he went to the church daily, and prayed God to give him a child, but in vain. One day, in his great disappointment, the man exclaimed without thinking, “O great God! Let me have a son, even if it is in the form of a monkey!” and only a few days later his wife gave birth to a monkey. The father was so much mortified that he wanted to kill his son; but finally his better reason prevailed, and he spared the child. He said to himself, “It is my fault, I know; but I uttered that invocation without thinking.” So, instead of putting the monkey to death, the couple just hid it from visitors; and whenever any one asked for the child, they merely answered, “Oh, he died long ago.”

The time came when the monkey grew to be old enough to marry. He went to his father, and said, “Give me your blessing, father, for I am going away to look for a wife.” The father was only too glad to be freed from this obnoxious son, so he immediately gave him his blessing. Before letting him go, however, the father said to the monkey, “You must never come back again to our house.”

“Very well, I will not,” said the monkey.The monkey then left his father’s house, and went to find his fortune. One night he

dreamed that there was a castle in the midst of the sea, and that in this castle dwelt a princess of unspeakable beauty. The princess had been put there so that no one might discover her existence. The monkey, who had been baptized two days after his birth and was named Juan, immediately repaired to the palace of the king. There he posted a letter which read as follows: “I, Juan, know that your Majesty has a daughter.”

Naturally the king was very angry to have his secret discovered. He immediately sent soldiers to look for Juan. Juan was soon found, and brought to the palace. The king said to him, “How do you know that I have a daughter? If you can bring her here, I will give her to you for a wife. If not, however, your head shall be cut off from your body.”

“O your Majesty!” said Juan, “I am sure that I can find her and bring her here. I am willing to lose my head if within three days I fail to fulfill my promise.” After he had said this, Juan withdrew, and sadly went out to look for the hidden princess.

As he was walking along the road, he heard the cry of a bird. He looked up, and saw a bird caught between two boughs so that it could not escape. The bird said to him, “O monkey, if you will but release me, I will give you all I have.”

“Oh, no!” said the monkey. “I am very hungry, and would much rather eat you.” “If you will but spare my life,” said the bird, “I will give you anything you want.”“On one condition only will I set you free,” said the monkey. “You must procure for me

the ring of the princess who lives in the midst of the sea.”“Oh, that’s an easy thing to do,” said the bird. So the monkey climbed the tree and set the

bird free.The bird immediately flew to the island in the sea, where fortunately it found the princess

refreshing herself in her garden. The princess was so charmed with the song of the bird, that she looked up, and said, “O little bird! If you will only promise to live with me, I will give you anything you want.”

“All right,” said the bird. “Give me your ring, and I will forever live with you.” The princess held up the ring; and the bird suddenly snatched it and flew away with it. It gave the ring to the monkey, who was, of course, delighted to get it.

Now the monkey jogged along the road until finally he saw three witches. He approached them, and said to them, “You are the very beings for whom I have spent the whole day looking. God has sent me here from heaven to punish you for your evil doings toward innocent persons. So I must eat you up.”

Now, witches are said to be afraid of ill-looking persons, although they themselves are the ugliest beings in the world. So these three were terribly frightened by the monkey’s threat, and said, “O sir! Spare our lives and we will do anything for you!”

“Very well, I will spare you if you can execute my order. From this shore you must build a bridge which leads to the middle of the sea, where the castle of the princess is situated.”

“That shall be speedily done,” replied the witches; and they at once gathered leaves, which they put on their backs. Then they plunged into the water. Immediately after them a bridge was built. Thus the monkey was now able to go to the castle. Here he found the princess. She was very much surprised to see this evil-looking animal before her; but she was much more frightened when the monkey showed her the ring which the bird had given him, and claimed her for his wife. “It is the will of God that you should go with me,” said the monkey, after the princess had shown great repugnance towards him. “You either have to go with me or perish.” Thinking it was useless to attempt to resist such a mighty foe, the princess finally yielded.

The monkey led her to the king’s palace, and presented her before her parents; but no sooner had the king and queen seen their daughter in the power of the beast, than they swooned. When they had recovered, they said simultaneously, “Go away at once, and never come back here again, you girl of infamous taste! Who are you? You are not the princess we left in the castle. You are of villain’s blood, and the very air which you exhale does suffocate us. So with no more ado depart at once!”

The princess implored her father to have pity, saying that it was the will of God that she should be the monkey’s wife. “Perhaps I have been enchanted by him, for I am powerless to oppose him.” But all her remonstrance was in vain. The king shut his ears against any deceitful or flattering words that might fall from the lips of his faithless and disobedient daughter. Seeing that the king was obstinate, the couple turned their backs on the palace, and decided to find a more hospitable home. So the monkey now took his wife to a neighboring mountain, and here they settled.

One day the monkey noticed that the princess was very sad and pale. He said to her, “Why are you so sad and unhappy, my darling? What is the matter?”

“Nothing. I am just sorry to have only a monkey for my husband. I become sad when I think of my past happiness.”

“I am not a monkey, my dear. I am a real man, born of human parents. Didn’t you know that I was baptized by the priest, and that my name is Juan?” As the princess would not believe him, the monkey went to a neighboring hut and there cast off his disguise (balit cayu). He at once returned to the princess. She was amazed to see a sparkling youth of not more than twenty years of age—nay, a prince—kneeling before her. “I can no longer keep you in ignorance,” he said. “I am your husband, Juan.”

“Oh, no! I cannot believe you. Don’t try to deceive me! My husband is a monkey; but, with all his defects, I still cling to him and love him. Please go away at once, lest my husband find you here! He will be jealous, and may kill us both.”

“Oh, no! my darling, I am your husband, Juan. I only disguised myself as a monkey.” But still the princess would not believe him. At last she said to him, “If you are my real

husband, you must give me a proof of the fact.” So Juan [we shall hereafter call him by this name] took her to the place where he had cast off his monkey-skin. The princess was now convinced, and said to herself, “After all, I was not wrong in the belief I have entertained from the beginning,—that it was the will of God that I should marry this monkey, this man.”

Juan and the princess now agreed to go back to the palace and tell the story. So they went. As soon as the king and queen saw the couple, they were very much surprised; but to

remove their doubt, Juan immediately related to the king all that had happened. Thus the king and queen were finally reconciled to the at first hated couple. Juan and his wife succeeded to the throne on the death of the king, and lived peacefully and happily during their reign.

The story is now ended. Thus we see that God compensated the father and mother of Juan for their religious zeal by giving them a son, but punished them for not being content with what He gave them by taking the son away from them again, for Juan never recognized his parents.