in this issue - WikiPilipinas

T H E O F F I C I A L ZI NE O F WI K I PILIP IN AS.ORG in this issue
N OV EMBER 2 0 0 8
Philippine
Mythical
Creatures
•
Aswang
•
Manananggal
•
Tikbalang
Tiyanak • Kapre • Pugot • Nuno sa Punso • Scariest Places in the Philippines
Ang Babae sa Asotea • Usok • Bedtime Story • Kakila-kilabot na Gabi •
2
NOTESFROMTEAMWIKIPILIPINAS
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3
from the editors
Many enduring tales about untamed spirits,
ghouls, monsters and other supernatural creatures have originated from ancient Philippine
myths and legends. This November, WikiPilipinas
presents the Guide to Philippine Horror issue: a
compilation of articles about mythical creatures,
haunted places, and untold ghost stories. Face
your fears and learn a few tips to battle against
the supernatural. Discover the stories behind
the mysterious sightings. And let stories of love,
life, and death keep you reading until the clock
strikes midnight.
Also featured in this issue are two of Vibal
Foundation’s newest websites: E-Turo and the
Philippine Online Chronicles. E-turo (www.eturo.org) is a resource site for Filipino teachers
and learners that offers accessible educational
materials for free. The Philippine Online Chronicles (www.thepoc.net) is an online publication
that presents the latest in politics, government,
economy, sports, and entertainment from a variety of perspectives.
With this WikiZine, we bring you the pleasure
of reading and knowledge sharing, Together, let
us read more, write more, learn more, and share
more.
There’s no such thing as ghosts. No wandering spirits, no bizarre creatures.
The only thing that makes them real is you. Now the question is…
Can you stop believing?
4
philippine mythical
creatures
hilippine folklore is filled with tales about supernatural creatures. Some of these
P
have been discovered in books while others arise from personal encounters.
Belief in monsters that transform to continuously hunt the living and eat unborn
fetuses generally creates havoc among people. Stories of these mysterious beings
often leave youngsters sleepless and terrified.
There may be no scientific evidence of these creatures; but Filipinos, especially
in the rural areas, firmly believe in their existence. Paranormal events that scientific
professionals can’t explain are sometimes attributed to these creatures. Whether
they exist or not, they still continue to captivate imagination and interest.
aswang
5
T
he aswang is considered the most feared supernatural creature in Philippine mythology. According to popular belief, aswang are shapeshifters who appear as ordinary human beings during the day. At times, they take the guise of animals like cats, dogs, and pigs.
As night falls, they turn into blood sucking monsters who prey on sick people, pregnant
women, and little children.
Myths, legends, and superstitions
especially in rural areas. Aswang are usually
blamed for lost children, unexplained deaths
and other unfortunate incidents.
Local and foreign films have portrayed
aswang in villainous roles, such as Aswang:
A Journey into Myth, a documentary film
about the aswang starring Janice Santos
Valdez; Aswang (1994), a German horror
movie; Aswang (1992), a film by director
Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes; and Shake,
Rattle and Roll 2 (1990), the third episode of
which is entitled Aswang and stars Manilyn
Reynes.
Aside from serving as topics of movies,
stories revolving around aswang also land in
several publications, including books and
newspapers.
Myths pertaining to the existence of aswang
are common both in rural and urban areas
in the Philippines— except in the Ilocos region where no such myth exists. Aswang are
believed to have originated from the Western Visayas, particularly in the provinces of
Iloilo, Capiz, and Antique.
Superstitious Filipinos often attribute
cases of miscarriage, sudden illness, unexplained death and other maladies to aswang.
Stories of aswang are also commonly used
by parents to keep their children home at
night. Likewise, such stories are a common
tabloid sensation.
Appearance and activities
There is a wide variety of stories and beliefs
from different regions that detail the characteristics of aswang. In Philippine folklore,
“aswang” has become a generic term referring to various types of ghastly creatures like
manananggal, mangkukulam, tiyanak, and
werewolves.
Popular stories describe aswang as regular townsfolk employed as common butchers during the daytime. They live in secluded
areas of barrios, usually isolating themselves
from the public, appearing as quiet and shy
individuals. As dusk falls, they transform
into monstrous creatures and feed on unborn fetuses and children, especially their
hearts and livers. They have bloodshot eyes
as a result of staying up late at night searching for victims.
In popular culture
At present, the Filipino belief in aswang
persists. Many still testify to their existence,
For the complete article, visit http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Aswang
5
manananggal
6
T
he manananggal is a ghoul in Philippine mythology that resembles a woman with the
ability to detach the two halves of its body at the waist, with the upper half then sprouting bat-like wings enabling it to fly in search of prey. It feeds on human blood and viscera,
which leads to it being compared to the Western vampire.
Appearance
By day, the manananggal seems to be a normal, attractive woman. At night, especially
midnight or during a full moon, it applies
a special oil on its body while chanting a
prayer. Fangs, claws, and wings sprout, and
the upper half of its body (head, arms and
torso) separates from the lower half (hips
and legs), with its guts hanging out. It has
long, matted hair and big, wild eyes.
Origin
Stories about manananggal (meaning “one
who can remove”) originate in the island
provinces of the Visayas like Capiz, Iloilo,
and Antique. There are also similar stories
about these creatures in the neighboring
countries of Indonesia and Malaysia.
its lower half in a safe place to keep it from
being discovered while the upper half is at
large. Many believe that sprinkling salt,
ashes or crushed garlic on top of the lower
half of its body would cause it to burn. Thus
unable to rejoin with its lower body, the manananggal must remain out until it is eventually killed by the rays of the rising sun.
Garlic cloves and onions hung around doors
and windows are said to keep mananaggal at
bay. Ashes and ginger are also said to repel
them.
Activities
Like the aswang, the manananggal isolates
itself from the townsfolk, residing on mountainsides or in deep woods. During the day,
it lives among people, searching out prospective prey. Its usual targets are pregnant
women and children. At night, it flies to the
roof of its victim’s house and looks for holes
where it can insert its long, thin, proboscislike tongue. With this tongue, it is able to
suck the blood of sleeping people, and even
pierce a pregnant woman’s belly to feed on
the fetus inside. The victim usually dies as a
result. In some stories, a manananggal trails
and kills its victim, devouring the heart and
inner organs.
Countermeasures and antidotes
When the manananggal’s upper body is
detached, the lower body is vulnerable. Because of this, the mananaggal tries to hide
For the complete article, visit http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Manananggal
6
tikbalang
7
T
he tikbalang is a half-man, half-horse creature in Philippine mythology. It is known
as the local counterpart of the centaur in Greek mythology. It is commonly described
as a tall, bony, humanoid creature with disproportionately long limbs, such that its knees
tower over its head when it squats.
Habitat and behavior
Like the kapre, tikbalang are also known
to inhabit mountains and forests (particularly big trees like the balete) or swamps.
They usually take human form. They scare
travelers and lead them astray. When targeting someone, the tikbalang mimics the appearance, voice and mannerisms of someone close to the person, such as a friend
or relative. Thus, the victim is tricked into
following the disguised creature to an unfamiliar place or going around in circles until
he ends up getting lost, possibly never to be
seen again.
Countermeasures and
superstitions
One can supposedly counter the tricks of
the tikbalang by wearing one’s shirt inside
out. Another countermeasure is to verbally
ask permission to pass by or to simply refrain from making too much noise while in
the woods so as not to offend or disturb the
tikbalang.
According to folk beliefs, a tikbalang
has sharp spines on its mane. The three
thickest of these spines have special powers
that can be used as anting-anting (talisman)
to keep the tikbalang as a servant. To acquire these, a person must first learn how to
tame the creature by tying a specially-made
cord around its neck while riding on its back
until the tikbalang is finally defeated.
A common Filipino expression says
that when there is a sudden downpour on
a sunny day, a tikbalang is getting married.
Tikbalang take baths only during the full
moon. Moreover, some people say tikbalang were once beautiful women who have
grown old.
For the complete article, visit http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Tikbalang
7
tiyanak
8
T
he tiyanak (also known as patianak) is a creature in Philippine mythology that resembles a human infant. It is said that a miscarried or aborted fetus, or a baby who
dies without being baptized, becomes a tiyanak. Evil spirits use the infant’s body to attack
victims, eating their inner organs and drinking their blood.
Appearance and behavior
* Tianak (1953) - The first movie tackling the
tiyanak theme. Filmed in black and white, it
starred Nena Cardenas, Rosa del Rosario,
Ramon D’Salva and Pedro Faustino.
During the day a tiyanak might appear to
be an ordinary baby. By night, however, it
grows sharp teeth, long fingernails, and
black and hairy skin.
It lures its victims by imitating the cries
of an abandoned baby. Anyone who makes
the mistake of approaching or picking up
the “baby” is attacked. Aside from slashing
victims, the tiyanak also delights in leading
travelers astray or in kidnapping children.
In some instances, it is said that once given
the chance to suck milk from the breast of a
mother, the tiyanak will drain all her blood.
* Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko - ABSCBN fantaserye series which in its 10th
episode featured the tiyanak. Starring Matt
Evans, Juliana Palermo and Denise Joaquin
in guest roles.
Types
* The mantianak is described as a baby with
a long beard. Pregnant women who hear its
cries end up having a miscarriage.
* The muntianak is a baby who died in the
womb. It lives in the forest and terrorizes
people.
Popular culture
Tiyanak have appeared in various movies
and television shows.
* Tiyanak (2007) - Directed by Mark Reyes
starring Rica Peralejo, Mark Herras, and
Jennylyn Mercado. In this version, tiyanak
are featured in three forms—those that
thrive on land, water and air.
* Tiyanak (1988) - Popularly called “Ang
Anak ni Janice”, Janice de Belen being the
lead character who portrays the mother of
the monster baby. Also starring Lotlot de
Leon, Ramon Christopher, Mary Walter,
Carmina Villaroel, and Smokey Manaloto.
Directed by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes.
For the complete article, visit http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Tiyanak
8
kapre
9
T
he kapre is a Philippine mythical creature with the appearance of an unnaturally tall,
long-legged, black and hairy man, that sits in big trees and smokes. It is often seen waiting for people as they walk down a path, to scare and cast spells on them. It enjoys drinking,
smoking, and gambling. It has also been described as being similar to the North American
“bigfoot,” but with more human characteristics.
Etymology
* The kapre indulges in human vices such as
drinking, gambling and smoking.
* Kapre are said to be harmless if not provoked, and can be kind creatures if not offended or taken for granted.
* One must ask permission (“tabi-tabi po”)
when passing by big trees, so as not to offend
the kapre.
The term kapre was derived from the Spanish word kapfre, a term the Spaniards used
to refer to Moors, and from the Arabic kaffir, a non-believer of Islam. Early Arabs used
it to refer to the non-Muslim Dravidians,
and the term was later brought to the Philippines by the Spanish conquistadors who had
previous contact with the Moors.
Habitat
Kapre are said to live in large trees or in
abandoned houses or ruins. It is believed
that they appear only at night. They are
commonly seen sitting atop a tree, usually
an acacia, bamboo, narra, banyan (known
locally as balete) or mango tree, while smoking a trunk-sized cigar that never burns out.
Sometimes they can be seen sitting unmindfully under those trees as well.
Most consider them as just a figment
of the imagination, but a growing number
of people especially in the countryside have
reported sightings of these mythological
beasts.
Appearance
A kapre is usually described as a tall (seven
to nine feet), brown or sometimes black and
hairy man with a beard, wearing a bahag
with a band that goes around the waist. They
have big eyes, sharp teeth, long fingernails
and huge trunk-like legs. They smoke big
tobacco pipes, whose strong smell attracts
human attention.
Superstitions
* A glowing ember means the presence of a
kapre in a mischievous mood.
For the complete article, visit http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Kapre
9
pugot
10
T
he pugot or “decapitated one” is a black, gigantic, headless creature popular in the
myths of the Ilocos region. It dwells in dark places, abandoned houses and trees. In particular, pugot prefer to inhabit the duhat (Eugenia cumini), santol (Sandoricum koetjape),
and tamarind trees.
Abilities
ing such through the hollow base of their
neck. They are also said to have a particular
fetish for women’s lingerie.
Pugot are shapeshifters. According to popular belief, pugot have the ability to transform
into various shapes such as dogs, hogs, and
humans in an instant. They also have the
ability to become invisible from victims
and to move at great speeds. In some cases,
pugot may cause insanity to the person who
sees them.
Pugot are relatively harmless compared
to other Philippine mythical creatures. They
usually feed on snakes and insects by thrust-
Popular culture
In the Ifugao myth Tulud Nimputul:
The Self-Beheaded, the human hero encounters a pugot. He feeds the creature with
chicken meat mixed with blood. This creature was also featured in an episode of ABSCBN’s fantaserye series Si Pedro Penduko at
ang mga Engkantao.
For the complete article, visit http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Pugot
10
T
nuno sa punso
he nuno sa punso, also known as duwende, is a dwarf-like creature in Philippine mythology.
Characteristics
The worst punishment a nuno can enact is
The actual size of the nuno is disputed. possession. This would cause the victim to
Some claim that it is invisible to the human act as though insane and possibly hurt himeye, while others claim it is about the size of self or others.
a small insect. Its appearance is that of an
old man. The word “nuno” is also how old
relatives or great-grandparents are referred
to in certain dialects.
Habitat
The nuno lives in an anthill called a punso.
It will harm those who disturb or damage its
punso. If someone were to trample or kick
the nuno’s home, the offender’s foot would
swell.
Nuno sa punso are also found in other
places, such as under large rocks or trees,
along riverbanks, inside caves, or even in
people’s backyards.
Abilities
Nuno have the ability to curse trespassers.
It is said that people who purposely trample
around in tall grassy areas or urinate on
suspected nuno anthills in order to display
dominance over the nuno are likely to become victims of curses. A curse may induce
the following symptoms:
* Swelling or pain in any part of the body
* Vomiting blood
* Urinating black liquid
* Excessive hair growth on the back
If the trespasser is within range, the nuno
can spit at him. The effects of the curse are
localized to where the spit lands on the person’s body. For example, if the nuno decides
to spit at the trespasser’s stomach, he will
have stomach problems; if it spits on the elbow, he will have elbow joint pains, or possibly have his arm fall off.
For the complete article, visit http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Nuno_sa_Punso
11
cariest
Places
Scariest Places
in the
Philippines
in the
Philippines
T
here are certain places in the world
whose mere mention invokes fear and
shuddering. They are what everyone calls
“haunted”—locations that are said to be frequented by ghosts, ghouls, and other supernatural creatures.
We can never attest to the authenticity
of the stories surrounding these places, as
the claims are just word-of-mouth and subjective. Nevertheless, these tales can at least
inform one where to not get lost next time.
Following are some places considered
as among the spookiest spots in the Philippines.
Baguio City – Diplomat Hotel, Teacher’s Camp, Philippine Military Academy
The City of Pines is not just about cold
weather and strawberries; it seems to be the
place for a whole lot of paranormal activity
too. Some of the best known haunted sites
are found here. There is the Diplomat Hotel,
Residents in the area claim to have heard
screaming and howling even during the
daytime. Former hotel employees even say
that there are headless ghosts walking the
halls carrying their heads on platters.
At Teacher’s Camp, a popular venue
for company meetings and school seminars,
visitors claim to have heard mysterious
voices and seen weird shadows. Legend has
it that the camp, constructed as a tent-city
for teachers during the American Occupation, was built on an old battleground for
Baguio’s indigenous citizens. It seems that
some of the warriors who lost their lives
have never left.
And lastly, in the Philippine Military
Academy, phantom platoons are said to be
heard marching on the grounds. The ghost
of a uniformed man appears too.
Balete Drive
Balete Drive, a street in New Manila, Quezon City, gained fame during the ‘80s be-
an abandoned structure in Dominican Hill
that allegedly saw the beheading of nuns
and priests during the Second World War.
cause of a certain lady dressed in white who
was reported to hail cabs, ride for a while,
then mysteriously disappear. Legend has
12
s
13
it that this woman was a rape victim unceremoniously dumped on the street. It didn’t
help that Balete Drive was poorly lit and
lined with numerous balete trees, which in
myth are homes to supernatural creatures.
They say that the whole story was just a
fabrication, but people avoid driving there
anyway.
Manila Film Center
The Manila Film Center was erected during the Marcos regime as a venue for a
film festival to be attended by international
movie stars. During construction, an accident happened—the upper floor collapsed,
sending the workers down into the freshly
laid concrete below, burying them alive.
It was a tragedy; but with the deadline for
the venue’s construction looming, Imelda
Marcos allegedly instructed that the buried
victims be left unearthed, and just covered
with another layer of concrete. Thus begins
the urban legend of the Manila Film Center,
whose walls are said to “talk.” Because there
are really people inside them.
it is also situated at the foot of the mysterious Mount Makiling, a spooky, supernatural
combination. There are sightings of Philippine mythical creatures like the kapre. There
are bridges that seem to take forever to cross
at night. And there is the infamous Baker
Hall, another former Japanese war camp
where ghosts of garroted prisoners are said
to appear all the time.
UP Los Baños
Probably all campuses and universities, especially those that have seen and survived
the Second World War, are claimed to be
Clark Air Base – Clark Air Base Hospital,
Home Plate Canteen, Clark Museum
Clark Air Base, being an American settlement, experienced some major bombing from the Japanese during the Second
World War. One such case reportedly happened during Christmas of 1941—an air
raid that caused the death of merrymakers
inside the Home Plate canteen, who were
then celebrating Christmas. The souls apparently have not lost their party spirit, as
early morning joggers have reported hearing party music and excited talk inside even
when the building is obviously empty.
Other paranormal activities are reported in the camp. In the abandoned Clark Air
Base Hospital, for instance, apparitions and
mysterious voices are common occurrences.
Violent spirits have rendered the area off
limits to everyone. And in Clark Museum,
haunted. However, the Los Baños campus
of the University of the Philippines seems to
outdo all, for not only had it seen the war,
the ghost of a serviceman who committed suicide still haunts the place where he
hanged himself.
For the complete article, visit http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Haunted_Places_in_the_Philippines
Ang babae
sa asotea
May mga pangyayaring hindi ganap na
mabigyang paliwanag ngunit nangyayari
para sa isang dahilan. May mga krimeng
nabibigyan lamang ng hustisya matapos
maganap ang isang kababalaghan.
N
akita ni Vina ang sarili sa gitna ng
isang pusikit na karimlan. Dinala siya
ng mga paa hanggang sa asotea. Pumunit
ang malakas na tili ni Vina sa nakita-isang babae ang umiiyak na nakasalampak
sa tabi ng isang lumang baul. Naaagnas na
ang katawan ng babae. Suot ay lumanglumang damit pangkasal.
Pagmulat ng mga mata ni Vina ay
nakahiga na siya sa sariling silid. Sinalubong niya ang mga mata ni Joel. “Aano ang nangyari? Paano ako napunta
rito?”magkakasunod ang kanyang mga
tanong. “Nanaginip ka na naman kagabi. Inabutan kitang walang malay tao sa
asotea,” kaswal na sagot ng lalaki habang
nag-iinat ng katawan. “Kailangan ka na talagang magpatingin sa doktor.”
“ Wala akong sakit, Joel. Totoo ang
mga sinasabi ko. Ilang ulit ko nang napapanaginipan ang babaing iyon-kalansay na halos.
Nakakatakot ang
itsura.
Umiiyak.
Gabi-gabi
niya
akong dinadalaw sa panaginip ko.”
Napa-
Tingnan ang artikulo sa
http://fil.wikipilipinas.org/index.
php?title=Ang_Babae_sa_Asotea
hagulgol na siya nang tuluyan. Parang
walang anumang tumayo si Joel sa
kinauupuan. “Magpahinga ka na. Mamayang hapon ang schedule natin kay
Dr. Licos.”
Matagal na ang kakatwang pangyayaring iyon. Una niyang nakita
ang babae sa asotea isang gabing
umuulan. Nang nilapitan niya ito
ay parang bulang naglaho. Naging palaisipan kay Vina kung
ano ang mensahe ng naturang babae sa kanya. At lagi
na, sa tuwing babanggitin
niya ang bagay na iyon sa
asawa ay binabalewala
ito ng lalaki.
Biyudo si Joel
nang
mapangasawa niya. Ayon
sa impormasyong
nakarating sa kanya, nagpakamatay
daw ang una nitong asawa. Pero
iba ang sabi ng
kanyang matalik na kaibigan.
“Hindi
ako
naniniwalang
nagpakamatay si Divina.
Kaya kung
ako ikaw, gumawa ka ng
sarili mong
imbestigasyon.”
15
Pinag-isipan niya ang huling sinabi ng
kaibigan.
Iyon ang unang gabing hindi siya
nanaginip. Iyon din ang unang pagkakataong lakas-loob niyang pinuntahan ang
silid na mahigpit ipinagbabawal ni Joel na
pasukin niya.
Hindi nagkamali si Vina. Sa loob ng
silid na nababalutan ng isang libo at isang
hiwaga ay may kababalaghang bumulaga
sa kanya: isang lumang baul.
May nginig sa bawat hakbang ni Vina
nang lapitan niya ang baul at unti-unting
buksan iyon. Maliwanag ang mga ebidensiyang tumambad sa kanyang harapan-mga clippings ng isang nakatagong lihim.
Lahat ng mga lumabas na balita tungkol sa
mahiwagang kamatayan ng unang asawa
ni Joel. Ang lumalabas na impormasyon
ay ang mala-bangungot na katotohanang
may nagtulak kay Divina kaya nahulog ito
mula sa asotea.
“Matigas ang ulo mo, Vina,” binulabog siya ng galit na tinig ni Joel. “Hindi mo
dapat pinakikialaman ang gamit ko!”
“Dahil natatakot kang malaman ko ang totoo? Limang milyon ang insurance ni Divina. Kaya pinatay mo siya, hindi ba?” Halo
ang takot at poot sa tinig ni Vina.
Ngumisi si Joel. “Mali. Pinatay ko
siya dahil maingay ang bibig niya.
Ayoko ng babaing maingay.
Kaya ikaw ang isusunod
kong patatahimikin!”
Bago pa nakatakbo
si Vina ay nakita niya ang pagbabago ng
anyo ni Joel. Tila nahintakutan ito. Paatras.
Nang lingunin niya ang direksyong tinitingnan nito ay nakita niya ang babae sa
kanyang panaginip. Naaagnas na bangkay.
May talim sa mga mata. Palapit kay Joel!
Tumakbo si Joel hanggang sa umabot
sa asotea. “Pinatay na kita! Patay ka na!”
sigaw nito. Ngunit nagpatuloy sa paglapit
kay Joel ang babae hanggang sa nasukol na
nito si Joel. Napapikit si Vina nang makitang tumalon mula sa asotea ang kanyang
asawa.
Pagkuwan, parang walang anumang
nangyari, naupo ang babae sa naroong silya. Tila kuntentong-kuntento. Umihip ang
mahalumigmig na hangin at banayad
na tinangay ang ilang hibla ng
buhok ng babae sa asotea…
Wakas
Usok
Ang tunay na pagmamahal daw ay tumatawid
hanggang sa dako pa roon. Maging kamatayan
man ay sinasabing hindi magiging hadlang
upang magpatuloy ang isang pag-ibig.
Waring tumalon ang kanyang puso! Hindi kayang tanggapin ng kanyang utak na pumunta pa ng New York ang kanyang tatay para
lamang siya igawa ng kapeng barako! Noon
niya natanaw sa ibabaw ng kanyang dining table ang umuusok pang thermos ng tila ba bago
pa lamang kalulutong kape. Nagpalinga-linga
si Connie! “Tatay…?”
Tumunog ang doorbell. Nang pagbuksan
niya iyon ay ang masayahing mukha ng kanyang landlady ang bumungad sa kanya. “Happy
birthday, Connie! Naku, ang bango naman ng
amoy ng kape! Nagkita ba kayo ng bisita mo?”
pagbati nito.
“Bisita po?” namamangha niyang baliktanong. Nakangiting sumagot ang kanyang
kausap. “Oo, isang matandang lalaki. Naku,
siya siguro ang gumawa ng kape, ano? Baka nga
tatay mo, kamukha mo, e. Nakita ko siyang pumasok sa kusina. Nananabako pala siya, ano?”
Siyangapala, dinalhan kita ng donuts. Bagay
‘yan sa kape mo.” Pag-alis ng kanyang landlady ay mabilis niyang tinawagan ang kanyang
kapatid sa Pilipinas. Iba ang uri ng kaba na
bumundol sa kanyang dibdib. “Kuya, nandito
ang Tatay! Iginawa niya ako ng masarap na
kape. Pero wala siya dito sa bahay. Ano ba ang
sabi niya? May pupuntahan ba siyang kakilala
dito?” sunod-sunod na tanong ng di- magkandatutong si Connie.
Garalgal ang tinig na sumagot sa kabilang
linya. “Connie… h’wag ka sanang mabibigla. Si
Tatay… wala na si Tatay. Inatake siya kanina.
Pero kagabi pa niya pinasabing tawagan ka
namin at batiin ng happy birthday….”
K
ung may isang bagay man na walang katapusang pinagtatalunan ng mag-amang
Connie at mang Jose, ito ay ang hindi pagkaawat ng huli sa pagkahumaling sa tabako. Minsan pa nga ay nasabi ng kanyang ama na kung
mamamatay man siya at mabubuhay na muli,
hindi pa rin niya ipagpapalit sa kahit anong
uri ng yaman ang pag-ibig nito sa kanyang tabako.
Isang taon na si Connie sa New York.
Dito siya pinalad na magkatrabaho matapos
makapasa sa board at makakuha ng lisensiya
sa pagiging nurse. Ito rin ang unang taon niya
na magseselebra ng kanyang ika-28 kaarawan
na malayo sa kanyang mga mahal sa buhay.
“Happy birthday, Connie!” bungad-pambati ng kanyang malapit na kaibigan at Pilipina
ring si Shasta. “Saan ang celebration?” kasunod
na tanong nito matapos humalik sa pisngi ni
Connie. Matamlay niyang sinagot ang tanong
na iyon. “Salamat, ha? Sa bahay lang ako. Wala
naman akong hilig na gumimik. Magsisimba
muna ako bago umuwi.”
Hindi talaga siya masaya. Kahit na anong
pilit niyang sumaya ay lubhang naging maramot ang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. Nami-miss
niya kasi ang kanyang mga kapatid lalo na ang
kanyang biyudong ama. Malapit siya sa kanyang tatay Jose. Higit niyang nami-miss ang
sarap nitong magluto lalo na ng paborito niyang nilasing na hipon. At ang kapeng barako
na mismong tatay niya ang gumagawa. Pag
may problema sila, kapeng barako ang pinagsasaluhan nilang mag-ama. Ngayon, higit kaysa dati ay ramdam niya ang pangungulila sa
mga yakap at pagbibiro ng kanyang tatay.
Gabi na siya nakauwi sa tinutuluyang
boarding house. Tulad ng dati, hungkag at
malamig ang kabuuan ng kanyang flat. Solo
siyang naninirahan dito matapos na umuwi ng
Pilipinas ang flatmate niyang si Donna. Ngunit
kakaiba ng gabing iyon, sinalubong si Connie
ng dalawang pamilyar na amoy: amoy ng kapeng barako na nakikipaligsahan sa amoy ng
paboritong tabako ng kanyang tatay Jose.
Wakas
Tingnan ang artikulo sa http://fil.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Kape%2C_Tabako_at_si_Tatay
16
17
Bedtime Story
May kasabihan na habang nabubuhay pa ang
isang minamahal ay dapat na samantalahin
na ang pagkakataong sabihin ang mga salitang “ I love you.” Tunay na maikli lamang
ang oras natin sa mundo kaya nararapat na
gugulin ang kapirasong panahon sa paglalaan
ng pagmamahal at pagbibigay ng atensyon sa
mga taong nangangailangan sa atin.
ni Cinderella?”
Nang umagang iyon ay kinausap ni Josephine ang asawa. “Magbakasyon kaya tayo,
Dan? Wala na tayong panahon sa sarili nating pamilya. Lalo na kay Camille.” Sinulyapan
ni Dan ang asawa. Abalang-abala ang isip niya
sa ihahandang presentation para sa umagang
iyon. Nasa biyahe sila patungo sa kani-kanilang opisina. “Sige. Itapat natin sa summer vacation ni Camille sa school. Nagi-guilty na nga
ako sa anak natin. Pareho tayong laging subsob
sa trabaho.” Sa narinig ay natuwa si Josephine.
Mas naging excited siya para sa anak kapag
nalaman nitong magbabakasyon silang tatlo.
“Mamaya, pag-uwi natin ay susurpresahin ko
si Camille,” may ngiti sa mga labing tugon ni
Josephine sa kausap.
Alas dos ng hapon nang tumunog ang
cellphone ni Josephine. May garalgal sa tinig ng
nasa kabilang linya. “Ma’m, n-nandito po ako
sa ospital. Si Camille po kasi…” Hindi na halos narinig pa ni Josephine ang ibang sinabi ni
yaya Tes. Nawalan siya ng malay tao.
Nang muli niyang idilat ang mga mata ay nakita niya si Dan na halos ay mugto na ang mga
mata. Ilang ulit siyang tila sinaksak ng balaraw
sa dibdib nang malaman ang katotohanang patay na si Camille. Lasing ang drayber ng truck
na bumangga sa school bus ng bata nang pauwi
na ito.
Gabi. Magkatabing nakaupo sa gilid
ng kama sina Dan at Josephine. Sabay napaangat ang kanilang paningin nang bumukas
ang pinto ng kanilang silid kasunod ang pagihip ng malamig na simoy ng hangin. Kinagat
ni Josephine ang kanyang mga labi upang hindi mapahagulgol.
Dama nila kapwa ang maliliit na hakbang
at ang tunog ng tsinelas. Papalapit sa kanila.
Huminto sa mismo nilang harapan. Nalaglag
sa paanan ni Josephine ang teddy bear ni Camille, marumi at putikan. Gumapang ang
kilabot. Tandang-tanda nilang yakap ni Camille ang paborito nitong teddy bear sa loob
ng kabaong nito. Nagmamadaling kinuha ni
Dan ang storybook ni Cinderella sa katabing
mesa. Agad na binuklat. Madamot ang tinig na
naglagos sa kanyang lalamunan.
I
sang inhinyero si Dan at mataas ang katungkulan sa kumpanyang pinapasukan.
Ang kanyang asawa, si Josephine, ay isang pediatrician at gaya ni Dan ay alipin din ng kanyang propesyon. Anim na taong gulang ang
kanilang anak na si Camille na halos ay lumaki
na sa pag-aaruga ng kanyang yaya Tes.
Palagi na, sabik ang batang si Camille sa
atensyon ng kanyang mga magulang. Tuwing
gabi ay pumapasok ito sa silid ng mag-asawa
upang maglambing. Kilik nito sa dibdib ang
paboritong teddy bear. “Story time, Mommy.
Bangon ka na,” pangungulit nito sa ina. Pinilit
idilat ni Josephine ang namimigat na talukap
ng mga mata. “Pagod pa si Mommy, eh. Gusto
ko pang magpahinga. Si Daddy mo na lang,
ha?”
Sumibi ang bata. Sanay na siya sa ganoon. Sa tuwing maglalambing siya sa kanyang Mommy ay ipapasa siya nito sa kanyang
Daddy. “ Daddy, basahan mo na po ako ng storybook kasi pagod pa si Mommy.” Ibinaba ni
Dan ang hawak na lapis at ginusot ang buhok
ng anak. “ Go to yaya Tes, Baby. May tinatapos
pa si Daddy.”
Nagpalipat-lipat ng tingin si Camille sa
mga magulang. Sa murang isip ay hindi niya
maunawaan kung bakit salat siya sa atensyon
ng kanyang mommy at daddy. Muli ay nalungkot siya. Lagi na lang si yaya Tes ang nagbabasa
sa kanya ng storybook. Mabuti pa si yaya Tes,
hindi nauubusan ng panahon sa kanya.
“Yaya…” basag ang tinig na yumapos ang
mumunting mga kamay ni Camille sa baywang
ng tanging taong kakampi niya. Inihinto ni Tes
ang paghuhugas ng mga plato.
Dumukwang upang hagkan ang alaga. “…
yes, baby ko?” Iniabot ng bata ang hawak na
storybook. Naunawaan ng kanyang yaya ang
pangungulila ng bata. “ Halika, dun tayo sa
room mo. Ano ba ang gusto mong basahin ko
sa iyo? Yung tungkol sa nawawalang sandalyas
Wakas
Tingnan ang artikulo sa http://fil.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Bedtime_Story
17
18
Kakilakilabot
na gabi
Totoo bang nagbabalik ang kaluluwa ng isang
yumao na? Sino nga ba ang makapagsasabi
kung ano ang tunay na dahilan kung bakit
may mga kaluluwang dala-dala hanggang
sa kanilang hukay ang paghahangad na manatiling nakikipag-ugnayan sa kanilang mga
mahal na naiwan sa daigdig ng mga mortal?
Ang kasagutan ay naganap sa loob lamang
ng isang gabi… isang kakilakilabot na gabi.
ako mangangamoy-bawang habang nagluluto,” bulong niya sa sarili habang ang isang
kamay ay akmang magbubukas sa refrigerator. Nang maya-maya ay may naulinigan siyang maliliit na hakbang na tila tumatakbo
palapit sa kanya. “ Kathy?” inakala niyang
kay Kathy, ang anim na taong gulang niyang
anak, nagmumula ang mumunting tunog ng
tsinelas.
Ngunit pag-angat niya ng paningin
ay natuklasan niyang nag-iisa siya. Mula sa
bintana ay natanaw niya ang mga nakasarang bintana ng kalapit-bahay na wala pang
nakatira. Umiling-iling si Diana sa kanyang
maling akala. Nasulyapan niya ang orasan sa
dingding kaya minadali niya ang ginagawa.
Inihanda ang mga rekado ng iluluto. Nagpabaga ng uling. Naghain ng tatlong plato sa
mesa. Naging abalang-abala na siya at mayamaya lamang ay hinihiwa na nang maliliit
ang nalutong liempo matapos gumawa ng
suka, toyo at kalamansing sawsawan. Muli,
kumunot ang noo ni Diana nang may mapuna. Nang sulyapan niya ang mesa ay apat
ang nakahaing plato gayung tatlo lamang
ang inihanda niya kanina!
Sinarili ni Diana ang mga tanong hanggang sa sumapit ang gabi. Aywan kung bakit
kakaiba ang kanyang nararamdaman. Bumangon siya upang puntahan ang silid ni
Kathy. Narinig niyang may kausap ito. Untiunti… dahan-dahan, itinulak niya ang pinto. “Kathy...?” may garalgal sa kanyang tinig
nang makita si Kathy na nakaupo sa kama,
may dalawang manikin na nasa kandungan
nito.
Niyakap niya ang anak. “Kathy, bakit
hindi ka pa natutulog? Gabi na, a! Bukas ka
na maglaro, ha?” May kislap ang mga matang sumagot ang bata. “Ka-
A
ng malaki at mayabong na puno ng
mangga sa harapan ng kulay puting
bungalow ang unang umagaw ng pansin
ni Diana. Kalilipat lamang nila sa kanilang bagong bahay. Mula sa kinatatayuan
ay sumilay ang isang maaliwalas na ngiti.
Sinundan ng kanyang mga mata ang maluwang na bakuran na natatamnan ng iba’t
ibang halamang namumulaklak. Hinaplos
ang kanyang puso ng isang di-matingkalang
pananabik.
“Ano ang ulam natin mamayang tanghalian?” ang tinig ng asawa ang gumambala
sa kanyang pag-iisip. “At para sa dessert,
gusto ko ng minatamis na saging na saba
na nagsu-swimming sa gatas at yelo, ha?”
Nakangiting sumagot si Diana. “Maggagata
po ako ng alimasag saka mag-iihaw ng liempo. Huwag mo akong sisihin pag hindi ka
na makagulapay sa busog, pagkakain mo.”
Binigyan niya ng isang matamis na halik sa
pisngi si Bart bago
humakbang ang mga
paa upang pumasok
na sa loob ng bahay.
Malamig
ang
hanging sumalubong
kay Diana sa kusina.
“Presko dito, hindi
18
19
kaalis lang po ni Yeyet, eh! Sabi ko nga
dito na siya matulog kasi wala akong
kasama sa room.”
Sinawata ni Diana ang kilabot na gumapang sa kanyang balat. “Sino si…
Yeyet?” sumunod na tanong. “Friend ko
po. Umuwi na siya pagdating mo.”
Kinaumagahan ay may kababalaghan
na namang naganap sa loob ng bahay.
Nawala ang kaliwang pares ng tsinelas ni Diana at nakita niya ito sa ibabaw ng tokador.
Nang umidlip siya at magising ng bandang
hapon ay may tatlong rosas na kulay puti sa
kanyang paanan. At may imaginary friend
si Kathy na siyang dahilan ng matunog na
halakhak nito sa buong maghapon.
Hanggang sa ipasiya niyang kausapin
ang asawa tungkol sa isang maselang paksa.
“May… may gusto sana akong ipagtapat
sa iyo. Ngunit humihingi muna ako ng kapatawaran dahil sa ginawa kong paglilihim,”
pambungad ni Diana kay Bart ng gabing
iyon. Ginagap ng lalaki ang nanlalamig na
palad ng asawa. “Makikinig ako.”
Nagsimulang pumatak ang mga luha
ni Diana. “…bago tayo ikinasal, may naging
boyfriend ako at nang malaman niyang bbuntis ako ay… ay tinakbuhan niya ang responsibilidad niya sa akin. Magulo ang utak
ko non, Bart… kaya… kaya ipinalaglag ko
ang bata. K-kung nabuhay siya, marahil ay
sampung taong gulang na siya ngayon.”
Nakita ni Diana ang pang-unawa sa
mga mata ni Bart. “Kung kapatawaran ko
ang hinihingi mo ay iginagawad ko na iyon,
Diana… ang iniiisip ko lang sa ngayon ay
ang tungkol kay Yeyet na kalaro ni Kathy.
Hindi kaya ang anak mong namatay at si
Yeyet ay iisa? Hindi kaya nasasabik si Yeyet
sa kanyang kapatid?”
Napahagulgol si Diana. “Iyon din ang pakiramdam ko, Bart. Anak ko si Yeyet. At
nanghihingi siya ng kahit kaunting pagmamahal mula sa kanyang kapatid.”
Lumamig ang
hangin at niyakap
nito ang kabuuan ni Diana. Mula sa pintuan ay tumambad ang anino ng isang batang babae
na may hawak na manika. Humigpit ang
kapit ni Diana sa mga palad ni Bart. “Diana,
humingi ka ng kapatawaran sa iyong anak.”
Lumuhod si Diana at pumikit. Alam niya,
nadarama niya sa puso niya na ito nga ang
sanggol na walang awa niyang pinatay. Nakikiamot lamang ito ng atensyon at pagmamahal mula sa kanila. “Anak, patawad. Patawarin mo ako…” impit na wika ni Diana.
“ Pero matagal ko nang pinagdusahan ang
kasalanan ko sa ‘yo.”
Nang muli niyang imulat ang mga
mata ay nakita niyang kumakaway ang anino palayo. At alam niya, pinatawad na siya
nito. Ibinulong ito ng hangin gaya ng isang
halik na dumampi sa kanyang mga pisngi.
Wakas
Tingnan ang artikulo sa http://fil.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Isang_Gabi..._Isang_Kakila-kilabot_na_Gabi
20
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