Tagalog Banats Novels & Stories

The Philippines is one of the Southeast Asian countries that have rich culture even before her husband's descendant conquers. The Binatbatan Festival traces its roots from the abel weaving industry of Vigan that existed even before the Spaniards came to colonize the Philippines. It comes from the word batbat, a pair of bamboo sticks used to separate cotton pods that come from a tall tree called kapas sanglay. The word "kapas" from kapas sanglay means "cotton" in Ilocano.

Hunter Pov "Hunter!" tawag ni Ruyi sa aking pangalan mula sa labas ng kulungang kinaroroonan ko. "I'm sorry kung natagalan kami bago ka namin napuntahan para maitakas. Masyadong mahigpit ang mga nagbabantay na kawal kaya hindi kami makapasok. Ngunit ngayon ay nabawasan ang mga bantay na kawal dahil pinasama ni Keiver sa paghahanap sa mga tagasuporta mo na nakatakas," paliwanag sa akin niya sa akin.

He was surprised that he made his way out to the back door without any pursuers. "Bakit mo kasi ako kinuha hindi naman kita kilala! At bakit mo pinatay ang bantay ko!?" Why did you capture me? And why did you kill my guard? The woman still spoke in Tagalog. Keyller finally understood a few words, like, pinatay and kinuha, which mean, killed and capture. But the rest was blurry for him. He ignored the woman and continued walking while still carrying her and not letting his guard down in case of the enemy's sudden attack.

It wasn't a dream, but a warning from the umalagad. Umalagad are the ancestors of the natives or the 'katutubo' in the local tongue. Some of them were once legendary warriors or rulers of their time. They can also be ordinary beings who marked and had heavy contributions in their town or 'balangay' or even did extraordinary and uncanny things like the 'babaylans' or the 'bunggaitan.'

*** FOOTNOTES (1) Tonta: A colloquial Filipino term that translates to “fool” or “idiot” in English, often used derogatorily to described someone perceived as lacking intelligence or making foolish decisions. The term can vary in tone from playful among friends to more serious depending on context.

Hinubad ko ang nakapatong na cardigan sa katawan at inihagis iyon sa buhanginan bago tuluyang nagtampisaw sa dagat. The water is clean and clear. Halos wala ring alon ng umagang iyon kaya’t mabilis akong nakalangoy sa mas malalim na parte. I was professionally taught how to dive and swim kaya hindi ako takot na sumuong sa kailaliman ng dagat. Pero nang makita ang barrier na nilagay ng beach ay hindi na ako sumubok na lumayo pang tuluyan.

nakayuko kong sabi "And why 'papaliguin pa kita" tang- "Hindi ka ba lalabas p*****a kang manyak hindi na ako bata para paluguan gago ka ba o sadyang may saltik ka lang talaga." inis kong sabi dito at lumapit sa kanya at nakipag titigan ng masama bago takpan ng unan ang mga underwear.

If he doesn't want to eat, I don't care anymore. After a while he spoke, "Saan mo gustong pumunta?” (Where do you want to go?) "Can you speak Tagalog? I feel like I'm in the 18th century and you'll just speak English to me?" I said, annoyed. (Baka gusto mong magtagalog? Feel na feel kong para akong nasa 18th century tapos i-english-in mo lang ako?) He chuckled. “Kung ganoon ay saan mo ninanais pumunta, binibini? Maaari ko bang malaman?” (Where do you wish to go, my lady? May I know?) He even bowed in front of me which made me laugh.

Ilang palitan ng salita ay umalis na ang mga ito. “Kilala mo ba sila, ate?” tanong ng binatilyo sa harapan niya. “Sino ka? Kanina ka pa ate ng ate?” “Si Lancer ‘to, nakalimutan mo na ba ‘ko? Halos isang buwan kitang hinanap. Bigla kang nawala. Nag-alala na ko sa’yo.” “Hi! Istorbohin ko na ang pag-uusap n’yo. Lancer ba kamo?” Tumango ito kay Sir Alvarez. “Ako si PO2 Napoleon Alvarez ng Pampanga.”

- sagot ko Ilang saglit pa ay sumigaw na ang bantay hudyat na tapos na ang dalaw, isa isa ng nagpapaalam ang mga dalaw at parang nauubusan ako ng upos at hinigpitan ko pang mabuti ang pagkakahawak ko kay misis at nagsabing " Ikaw na muna bahala sa mga bata, mag-iingat kayo."