PHILIPPINES
Sister Islands
Stage 3
Story by Gillian M. Encarnacion
Edit by the CLA Editing Team
Illustrated by Farren Febiola
TAGALOG WORDS
Ate [ah-te] / Manang [mah-nang]: older sister
Tatay [tah-tai]: father
Nanay [nah-nai]: mother
Dilis [Di-lis]: Anchovies (small fish)
Patintero [Pah-tin-teh-roh]: slipper game
Isla [Is-lah]: Island
Siesta [see-eh-stah]: afternoon nap
Read this story as if it were one of your dreams.
Prologue
Luz, Minda, and Saya were back. They returned to their islands below. Their feet were buried over an inch in the mud. Their white dresses were no longer white. The sounds of birds and roosters echoed throughout the entire place. Shades of orange, yellow and pink filled the entire sky together with clouds so fluffy like cotton. On the other side of the field were waves making splashing sounds as they came to the shore.
Chapter 1:
The day before my life changed forever
Luz
There were only a few people who lived on this island, so everyone knew one another. There was my mom and dad and two sisters, Saya and Ate-Minda. There were also our neighbors: Nanay-Penang, her sons, and Tatay-Berlot, who lived alone in a house by the sea, often giving us fresh dilis in the morning. Then there were a few families on the opposite side of the lake.
In the middle of our island is a magnificent volcano. Surrounding the volcano is a beautiful clear water lake that separates the volcano from the forests, fields, villages, and sandy beaches.
My sisters and I used to go swimming in the lake all the time when we were kids just to see who could swim the farthest.
Of course, it was always Ate-Minda who did. She was fearless and challenged herself to go deeper every time. Saya and I always chickened out only halfway there. We were afraid that there were monsters who would swallow us alive.
We also had a huge rice field where our parents planted their crops- which looks much smaller now considering how much we’ve all grown. For hours and hours under the burning sun, my parents would work in the field. Good thing Ate-Minda was old enough to lend them a hand. I had to stay at home and babysit since Saya could be a handful sometimes. She’d either get lost in the forest, hurt herself while playing, or bring back home a frog or two and put them on us while we were sleeping. Being the youngest, she was very naughty and playful. She loved to run around in the field and roll around in the mud. She’d ask Ate and me to chase her, but because Ate was always busy helping out Nanay or doing household chores, I’d be the one giving in to her childish desires.
Ate-Minda, on the other hand, can look so intimidating that even Nanay and Tatay were afraid of her, but deep down, she has a heart of gold. I couldn’t have asked for a better Ate. When I was sick, she’d go deep into the forest just to find the herb I needed. When my slipper straps broke during one of our games of patintero, she’d give me hers and play barefoot instead. When Tatay caught this huge fish this one time, Ate, because she’s the eldest, would have the privilege of choosing her part first. Although she liked the stomach part too, she wouldn’t take it so that Saya and I could have it.
Being back here and smelling the sea and Tatay-Berlot’s fresh caught dilis again, having mud on my feet and all over my dress, and watching the beautiful sky turn from orange to blue was quite unreal. Little did I know that this day was the day before my life changed forever.
Chapter 2:
This ain’t no “feast”
Minda
I remember this day so vividly. The sun was about to set, and the tasks for the day were finished. As usual, Saya asked if we could now play. Because it was starting to get dark, Luz had the idea of playing hide-and-seek. Since I was the bravest among these two chicken heads, I volunteered to be the seeker and began counting. Luz and Saya ran as fast as they could, slowly disappearing into the deep forest.
“1,2,3 10! Ready or not, here I come!”
As I began to look for them, the ground began to shake. Although it wasn’t that strong, for the first time in my life, I was scared. I continued to look for them until I noticed a flock of birds flying away in a panic. That was just before a tree branch fell to the ground right before my eyes. I ran. I ran as fast as I could, screaming my sisters’ names. I thought that maybe they had something to do with it.
“Luz! Saya! Where are you? Come out already! This isn’t funny!”
It wasn’t them. It felt like an earthquake - and something else.
I began to choke on the thickness of the air of what smelled like the burning coal Tatay used to cook fish. I thought the village was preparing for a feast, but I was wrong. Suddenly, the air started to get thicker and thicker as small black particles fell slowly from the sky. It was then that I knew for sure - This ain’t no “feast”.
I was finally able to get out of that smoke-filled forest and to the beach where I saw Saya hopelessly running around, trying to avoid the cracks. She was very terrified of the smoke and huge waves coming at her in opposite directions. I ran over to calm her down. “What is happening? Why is this happening? This can’t be happening! Where is Ate-Luz!” Saya exclaimed in a panic. “Calm down, Saya. This will pass. Our parents will find us. They’ll have Luz with them when they do. Everything will be all right!” I assured her. At that moment, I tried to look strong, for Saya’s sake at least - but deep down, I was horrified.
Some of the villagers started to make their way out of the forest, yet there was still no sign of Luz and our parents. Someone started shouting that the volcano is active and is now shooting out ash. Tatay-Berlot was already begging us to come on board his boat and leave the island with him, while it was still safe. So, I carried Saya into Tatay-Berlot’s boat. But, I couldn’t leave my parents and Luz. I ran back to the island to look for them. “Ate, no! Please don’t leave me!” Saya screamed, crying. But I went back knowing she was safe and that Tatay-Berlot would take good care of her.
I was midway into the forest. Still, no sign of Luz and my parents. I was making my way through all the smoke and cracks but then everything went black. And that was the last I remember being on the island.
Chapter 3:
My heart was in pieces
Saya
What Ate-Minda didn’t know was that everything went black because I threw a coconut shell at the back of her head. The island was falling apart. The lava was flowing faster than ever. The air was so thick and smelled of rotten eggs that it was almost impossible to breathe. There was no way she could make it out of there alive. Neither could Ate-Luz and my parents. I couldn’t lose them all. I knew Ate-Minda would die trying to find them and I just couldn’t let that happen. I was left with no other choice than to drag her into the boat, even if that went against her own will. Of course, with the help of Tatay-Berlot.
“So that was you!”
Minda said while pinching my ear.
We then sailed for what felt like years. Ate-Minda started to wake up. She’d been murmuring the words “I’ll come back for you” over and over again like a broken record. I told her that she fainted, and we had no choice but to bring her with us. She looked at me with so much hatred. But she was here. She was alive. And I still had a sister.
We came across many islands formed from the lava of the volcanic eruption. We settled down and began to start our new lives. Still in shock and distraught by what happened, Ate-Minda could not easily let it go. Sometimes I’d hear her crying herself to sleep. I always thought that I was probably too young back then and didn’t really get to know Ate-Luz and my parents, but my heart was in pieces I couldn’t quite put together. For Ate-Minda, the separation was even more painful.
But, after many harvest seasons came and went, the pain slowly became more bearable, and our hearts started to mend. There were multiple gatherings here and there, night and day.
“I personally loved planning get-togethers.
I don’t want to brag...but I was definitely the life of the party.”
“You definitely were,” Ate-Minda replied.
It was almost sunset. Ate-Minda and I found ourselves looking over the horizon, catching up and talking about life.
“I think I can see myself settling down here. The people are nice and cheerful. The beaches and the sunsets are beautiful. But, most importantly, I have you. What more could I possibly ask for? It’s you and me, Ate-Minda,” I said, hoping she’d feel the same way. “I know. The people seem to really love it when you’re around too…” Ate-Minda replied. Then there was silence.
“Hey, you know I’ll always be here for you...you know that right?” she assured me. Suddenly, the mood started to change. “But I made a promise to myself that I’d go back for Luz and I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t make good on that promise.” I already saw this coming. Of course.
What was I even thinking? She would never settle down knowing Ate-Luz could still be out there. She would have to see with her own eyes that Luz had died. “Go. Just go,” were the words that came out of my mouth without even thinking for a second of what that meant. She looked at me in complete shock. It’s like she’d never expect those words to come from me. “I mean it Ate, I’ll be fine.” I was on a roll that day, feeling so confident about myself when deep down- I was crumbling into pieces.
I watched yet again
another depressing sunset
as Ate-Minda sailed away.
Chapter 4:
All eyes were on me
Minda
I couldn’t believe she said that. I couldn’t believe she actually let me go just like that. I raised her well, that’s for sure. But I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt a bit. She seemed all too confident in having me gone. I know, I know, it’s me who wanted to leave- it’s me who wanted to go back for Luz. It was me who left.
The next day came, and I was out in the deep sea, hoping to return to our previous home when suddenly, the winds started to get stronger and the waves higher. I was riding on the waves as best I could, but water kept coming in. I thought that this was it for me when, sure enough, a flash of lightning struck the tip of my boat, knocking me into the water.
Calmness.
Shadows.
The sound of gushing waves.
Murmurs from a distance.
“Am I in...in….Heaven?”
I thought to myself.
“Sa panan-aw mo, diin siya gikan?” (Where do you think she came from?)
“Langyaw ba siya?”
(Is she a foreigner?)
“Ngano naa siya diri sa atoa?”
(Why is she on our land?)
“Giunsa niya pag-abot dinhi?”
(How did she get here?)
“Buhi ba na?”
(Is she alive?)
“Unsay buhaton namo sa iyaha?”
(What do we do with her?)
I heard the people surrounding me conversing amongst themselves, in a language I did not understand. As I slowly opened my eyes, a familiar face, covering the bright sun, looking like he had a halo on the back of his head like he was God or something, seemed to be examining my face. Shocked and scared, I jolted up in defense mode.
“Who are you? Where am I?” I asked.
“You’re in the South,” someone answered. It was a guy. He seemed to be the one in charge around here. “How did you get here?” He asked.
I was a little bit confused. “I'm not in...in Heaven? Wait, I’m not dead?”
The man let out a slight smile. “You’re still alive. I see you had a rough journey. You look exhausted. Why don’t you get some rest, and we’ll talk about things tomorrow. How does that sound?”
I wasn’t quite sure if he could be trusted yet. But I was indeed worn out and could use some rest. The man led me to a small hut made of bamboo, tied together by tree strings and coconut leaves. It felt quite like home. Despite being worried about the strange guy who might be lurking around outside my hut, I fell into a deep sleep.
---
The next day came, and I woke up to the sound of roosters. I took a peek out of the hut and noticed the villagers were gathering together by the beach. I noticed the guy from yesterday signaling me to come over and join them. As I got there, all eyes were on me- watching me like a hawk. The man started speaking in a language I couldn’t quite understand. Now, all eyes were on him.
“Kagahapon, usa ka katingad-an nga babaye ang na padpad sa among baybayon. Dili kami sigurado kung giunsa niya pag abot dinhi ug kung kinsa siya. Apan, hunahuna namo nga wala siyay sala ug mianhi siya dinhi nga malinawon. Atoa siyang dawaton ug ipa bati sa iyaha na dawat nato siya”
(Yesterday, a strange woman washed up on our shores. We’re not quite sure how she got here and who she is. But, we do think she is innocent and came here in peace.
Let’s all give her a warm welcome and make her feel at home.)
What in the world is he saying? I thought.
Everyone began to clap and turned their attention back at me. For what reason, I didn’t exactly know. I just put on a smile and nodded my head. After the gathering, the man approached me.
“Hi, I’m Felipe. Sorry I didn’t introduce myself sooner.”
“That’s alright, I’m...uh..Alon,” I lied. I was in a foreign place and didn’t know if I could trust anyone.
“I just introduced you to everyone a while ago. That was our local language back there, so you might’ve been a bit confused, sorry about that, Manang.”
“Manang?”
“Oh sorry, I thought you were older than me.” “Oh, Ate.”
“Ah, right. Ate. Come! I’ll show you around.”
Chapter 5:
Maybe we could help each other
Minda
As we were walking by the shore, Felipe said not many could make it through the tough waters. He said that storms happened often, and the waves always flipped over their ships. The sun began to set, and Felipe took me back to my hut. I couldn’t sleep at all that night. I knew I needed to leave the island, but how? How was I supposed to get past those high waves? Then again, it wouldn’t hurt to try…
As soon as the sun came up, I got on the nearest boat I could find and set sail. So far, so good. The waters seemed to be calm, until suddenly...thunder started to roar. The wind began getting stronger and the waves were getting higher and higher. My boat, yet again, capsized in the sea. Considering I wasn’t that far off shore, I swam as fast as I could before another huge wave could eat me alive. But then, out of nowhere, a tree branch showed up, like a gift from the Heavens. I grabbed it and it pulled me towards the shore. On the other end was Felipe.
“I don’t want to say this but -”
“Don’t say I told you so.”
“I told you so.”
“I had to see it for myself.”
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Felipe just smiled back as he fixed the rope attached to the tree branch. “Come, I made some dinner.”
As we got to his hut, there were freshly caught shrimp, tuna, and crabs, all of my favorites, laid out on a huge banana leaf.
“Please, sit,” Felipe said.
“Thank you.”
I couldn’t help myself, but asked,
“Do you really eat this much on your own?”
Felipe smiled. “Thought you’d want some. I came looking for you in your hut, only to find out that you were trying to get yourself killed.” Felipe said as he handed me an entire crab.
“You know…you remind me of someone.” Felipe changed the topic.
“Really, who?”
“Some girl who saved my life back when I was living in the North.”
"In the ... North? Oh! No wonder you can speak my language. I didn’t know you were from the North! How did you end up here?”
“Actually, I was looking for some people who meant a lot to this girl- the one I told you about earlier…the one who saved my life…”
“Ahh…”
“Yeah, but I got caught up in a storm, same as you. I was never able to find them…”
“Maybe we could help each other.”
“I’d like that.”
I smiled. “By the way, I -” I was about to tell him my real name but...I kind of liked my new identity. “This crab is really good!” is what I ended up saying.
“Well, that's odd,” Luz says. “What is?” I replied.
“Felipe...Feli...ah-Felipe! How could I not have noticed sooner!” Luz could tell Saya and I were so confused.
“I practically raised Felipe. I never made it out off the island in time with you guys because of that kid, who’s apparently now all grown up, got stuck under a stupid tree branch, and I couldn’t leave him there,”
Luz explained.
“And that kid wa- was…” I stuttered.
“Yes, Felipe!” Luz exclaimed.
“Wait...so if he made it out alive...then you….” Saya stuttered, trying to put the pieces together.
“Then I did too,” said Luz.
Chapter 6:
A kid was stuck under a tree branch
Luz
“Y-you m-m-made it...?”
Saya said in utter disbelief.
She ran to me and gave me a tight squeeze. I noticed Ate-Minda almost breaking into tears too. I signaled her to come in and join the hug, but she just sat there, in complete shock- or maybe guilt.
“I went back for you! I...I...I went back to look for you! I cou-couldn’t find you!” Ate-Minda said as she stuttered on her words. “If only Saya hadn’t hit me on my head...”
But I cut her off before she finished that sentence.
I couldn’t possibly imagine how bad she felt.
“It’s not your fault, Ate,” I said calmly, signaling her to come over again.
You always carried the responsibility to keep us sisters safe, even when we were little.
"But this wasn’t on you Ate, please don’t blame yourself," I assured Ate-Minda.
Minda gave a gentle smile.
"You see that day I saw you guys waiting by the beach. I was about to go to you until I heard a kid scream for help."
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A kid, just about our age, was stuck under a tree branch and couldn’t get out.
I just couldn’t leave him there, so I stayed to help him. By the time I got him out of there and ran to the beach, the villagers were already far out, and I couldn’t see Tatay-Berlot’s boat anymore.
A few other villagers and I were still left on that island, and the lava was just a few meters away.
I noticed an old boat hidden in the bushes. We used that to leave the island and were able to get away just in time.
"But where were you all this time? Why didn’t you follow us?” Minda asked.
We lost track of the boats that sailed ahead. We remained at sea for days and weeks, or maybe even months. But the wind miraculously started to carry our boat in the direction back to our island. The lava, too, formed new islands and we started to rebuild our village and begin new lives.
“I wanted to find you guys so bad, but I couldn’t leave them.
There were children like Felipe and village elderly who needed care.”
“Don’t be sorry. Of course, we understand!” Minda replied in tears.
Saya once again hugged me so tightly, I could hardly breathe.
One day, I was looking for Felipe to help me pick out some coconuts, but I couldn’t find him anywhere. I went back home to see if he was taking his afternoon siesta, only to find a note on the table.
He left to find you guys and bring you back. That was the last time I saw him.
"What about n-nanay and tatay…?"
Minda looked at me like she already knew the answer but just wanted confirmation.
I shook my head, and said, “We lost them that day. I couldn’t save them.”
Then Saya smiled and said, “It’s okay! We can visit them later tonight, it’s fine!”
Epilogue
Their feet were no longer buried over an inch in the mud. Their white dresses were as white as snow. The sounds of birds and roosters no longer echoed through the entire place. Shades of orange, yellow and pink that filled up the sky were now all white, and waves were no longer rushing into the shore.
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***
Over the years, hamlets grew into villages. Villages transformed into small towns. Small towns became cities, spreading into megacities like modern-day Manila. It was amazing to see how they’ve grown and developed over the years. Luz, Saya, and Minda would go down from time to time to keep the peace and secretly guide the people. They tell their tale in people’s dreams. That’s how their stories lived forever.
During the drought season, it would rain enough for farmers’ crops to grow. When fishermen were stuck at sea, waves would begin pushing them back to where they came from. Because of that, rumors of miracles started to spread among the villages. People in the North believed it to be Luz still watching over them. People in the middle believed it to be Saya trying to make them happy by making their rice fields prosper. And people in the South believed it to be Minda, calming the waves so people could go in and out of the islands.
THE END