TIKBALANG

I was at my grandfathers house spending my whole summer vacation with my little sister Trixie. The place is located near a small lake high above the mountains roughly 3 hours walk from the nearest accessible road. My "Lolo" grandfather was a war veteran, a well awarded one with achievements well known to all Military personnel in the country. Some says his skills at combat were exceptional that he took an entire Japanese outpost with around 150 soldiers on his own using only his rifle, a hand gun, two grenades, and his fist. These stories made my "lolo" look tough but in reality he is a calm, peace loving man. After the war, he spent his life living near the lake away from all the busy streets and noises. He made a floating cottage on the lake where he fish and relax.

Some of the neighbors noticed something odd with my "lolo" though. They wonder why my "lolo" would bring napier grass in his place where there are no farm animals to feed on it. They watch as my lolo gathers the napier from a nearby field and brings it home early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Though curious they just let the old man be, maybe he was just experiencing some "old-age problems" they say.

We have always visited our lolo's place every summer and got to know some people living in that place. One who became our close friend was Bitong, he lived just below the mountain where the lake was. He often helps our lolo in buying things in town where he carries them on his carabao sled. In return my lolo would give him a bunch of fish that he caught from the lake.

One day, me and Trixie went strolling around the lake when I noticed some clearing that leads into the woods. I called Trixie but she seems busy with catching tadpoles that she didn't notice my call. I walked through the clearing and went deeper into the woods. Though a bit dark, I can still see the small insects crawling on the floor and up the trees. I usually don't like insects but that time was different, I was mesmerized by the bright colors those insects have and the way they scramble on the forest floor as I come nearer.

Then suddenly I heard a branch broke from a far. I ducked down and move closer to investigate and as I was looking from below the bushes I saw hooves. I found it odd seeing only two hooves when all the animals I know with hooves usually has four. So I looked up and was shocked to see a six-packed abs. "Wow, this animal has been working out" I said to myself jokingly. Then I noticed the human-like torso with a head of a horse.

I know of a creature that matches its appearance, the "Tikbalang"! I slowly crawled backwards making sure it won't notice me when I accidentally crawled over a chickens nest. The hen angrily launched towards me screaming from the top of it's tiny lungs. At that moment I knew the "Tikbalang" already noticed me so I run as fast as I can away from the "Tikbalang" and away from that angry hen.

I can finally see the lake from the clearing and saw Trixie still busy with the tadpoles. I shouted, "Trixie! Run!! There's a Tikbalang chasing me!!!". Trixie looked-up and shouted back, "Nothing is after you kuya". But I knew what I saw so I kept on running until I was at the lake, I grabbed Trixie and head to my grandpa's house.

Inside I ducked for cover, still shaking from the terror that i saw. My lolo asked me what happened ang I told him everything. My lolo then pat my shoulder and carried Trixie to our room.

He then sat down with a smile on his face and started talking.

"What you saw is a real Tikbalang, his name is Undabu and he has been my friend for a very long time."

He told me all about Undabu and how he helped my lolo during the war. Undabu was always by my lolo's side during the war, protecting him against the enemy and launching the attack in the enemy camp. Their bullets, bayonets and samurai swords are no match for the Tikbalang. The enemies crumble to the ground and all its credits went to my lolo. Now I know the true story of how my lolo defeated those enemies against all odds.

Undabu even gave us a lift and sent us home. Now I wonder where could I find napier grass for my new found friend.

-END