Saturday, July 24, 2010

GET YOUR GOD/GODDESS HERE

Atty Pao Chikiamco (the man behind Rocket Kapre) has compiled a very useful and quite exhaustive reference list of local gods and goddesses from various tribal pantheons. The complete list is here

While Tungkung Langit and Apo Malayari are my go-to head honchos for sheer recognizability and resonating use (hey, there's something to be said about shamans still invoking their names in rituals as a "by your leave") there's some truly interesting stuff in Pao's dictionary of the divine. 

Check these out:
Busao – Bukidnon – God of Calamity. The deity most feared by the Bukidnon. (Outline of Philippine Mythology)

Fun Lalang – T’boli – God of Baldness. 

Malimbung – Bagobo –  Goddess who made men crave for sexual satisfaction. (The Soul Book)

And my fave:
Mebuyan / Moibulan – Bagobo – Goddess of the Underworld. (NCCA) Daughter of Tuglay and Tuglibong. Sister of Lumawig, she refused to ascend to heaven with him. Instead, she drilled into the earth with her mortar, while tossing rice into it to symbolize that from then on, people would die and descend to her in Gimokudan rather than ascend to heaven. When she shakes a lemon tree someone on earth dies, an old person if the fruit that falls is ripe, a young person if the fruit is green. Mebuyan is ugly, her whole body covered with nipples, but she uses these to care for the dead babies. (A Structural Study of Bagobo Myths and Rites)


If you find your mind blown by any of the divinities listed and are inspired to write a story about it you can also submit it to Pao, who's looking for shorts for his "Alternative Alamat "compilation. Details for submission are here.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

NOTS AT NATIONAL AND POWERBOOKS

News of the Shaman (Four Novellas of Horror) is now available from Visprint at selected National Bookstore and Powerbooks branches and all Pandayan Bookstores. Thanks to Joey for the heads up and getting a book.

You can also order online from National's site and have it shipped to you. Also check out Visprint Enterprises' site for more details.

"Open up to the shaman now. Experience awe" ~ from the Introduction by Carljoe Javier

Sunday, July 4, 2010

ASSAULT ON 55 MAGINHAWA

At Bookay Ukay Libruhan's 2nd Year Anniversary Party circa July 3, 2010. Gonzo Army with Annoy (Ian Mardigrass and Inconnu Ictu). Here there be sonic tigers.

Thanks to Dan and all the filthy beasts for letting us play!


Vid by Dianne Cuaresma