Abril Contest Week#2__A Night of Terror__No Trespassing

(Photo: Illustration of Anay Gabakya during full moon)

During the olden times, our elders would warn us not to roam during nightfall because spirits of the underworld will roam the earth at dusk. Of course, we obey them for fear of facing the wrath of the bad spirits.

It is said that they were once the angels of God but because of their extra powers than any normal human beings, they wanted to be more than God so the story goes. Because of this, they were thrown into the darkness on the four corners of the hemisphere hence they were called the Fallen Angels. Some fell on the rivers, to the dense forest, over the hills and under the trees, the rocks. They were said to bring bad luck and harm to the people who happens to bump on them.

Way back in 1979, my boyfriend aboard his ship and went home to their province. He told me something about the mystery of the thick trees not far from their house. The place had huge trees, specifically the Acacia trees that had sprawled branches as far as it goes, aged by decades of existence. The place was bought from the owners of the land during the Spanish Era. They were the Spanish Encomienderos.

Actually, under the trees was a vast coffee plantation wherein hundreds of coffee trees grew. It was off limits to the public. Only then that the gates are opened during the harvest season. During harvest time, they were allowed to cut down old dead branches only. When the forest bird begin to make a sound, it means that it’s already three O’clock in the afternoon. It also served as a warning to the harvesters to gather what they have harvested and be off at exactly 4:O’Clock in the afternoon. It was an automatic impulse from each worker without uttering any words but they knew the urgency of it all, their hurried steps spoke of being home before sundown.

Shadows under the Moonlight

One night, one of the laborers had another plan. He was a stranger looking for work. He planned to do pick more coffee beans for himself and sell it to a middle buyer. It was full moon. Huge shadows engulfed the area that it added to the eerie feeling of the man. He could see some shadows at the far end. But they were not branches because the two shadows were moving and facing towards the moon, the hair rising and spreading wide as if rejoicing as the moonlight illuminated their faces. Faces! He said. He silently crawled, forgetting about his basketful of coffee beans.

Anay nga ga-bakya (A female pig in wooden sandals)

He saw two images of huge animals resembling that of a huge pig like couples strolling under the moonlight with wooden sandals! They were digging on something as if enjoying a hearty meal. The man’s knees wavered, he wanted to shout but couldn’t shout … He wanted to run but couldn’t move at all. Then a bat dived over his head. It was then that he was able to shout. The couple looked at his direction at stared at him so intently. He ran as fast as he could.

He arrived at his friend’s house with so much terror on his face. He was so pale and told them what happened at the plantation. The couple just stared at each other without saying anything but rather they sent him a sign language for him to keep silent. They began to hung garlics around the place, throw some salt outside and put a glass of water on the doors and windows. They did not sleep all night. The sound of the night bird seemed so angry uttering a Kweeeee Kweee sound. It is said that the bat was used by the evil spirits to look for their prey at night. They call it Kurukutok in Hilonggo or tiktik in Cebuano dialects.

The following day, the neighbors came and they talked over a cup of their favorite native brewed coffee in hush. They too, heard the sound of the angry bat. They knew what it was and who the couple was.

They see to it that their kids are safely inside their respective house especially at night. They warned the stranger not to do it again or else he will be up for something including his family. The angry bird visited them at midnight until daybreak as if wanting to capture him alive. The stranger was sleepless for about a week. The neighbors voluntarily gave him some amount for him to go back where he came from and never return for his safety.

Who Are They?

They knew who the couple were but they couldn’t accuse them for being what they were because they had no proof and they were helpful towards their neighbors. They said that you only eat what they offer and do not touch any food that has not been given to you on their own free will because it is their “food”.

When my bf then hubby, went home to their place for good, I heard the same hearsays of such stories. Well, all we need to do is be safe at night and tell the kids not to be late or else they will encounter the ‘couples’ along the way especially during full moon. It was effective:)

Thank you for reading my story and thank you to the sponsors of this community.

Till then,

@Sarimanok