The blustering wind doesn’t mellow the hardened barks of trees. Mud darkening upon the wet soil, while the verdant grass remains limp.

A storm passed the forgotten village, consumed by the roaring wind. The day darkens as thunder bellows, rain devours, and lightning strikes. A cacophonous orchestra.

However…tonight, the villagers feared something more.

A shadow flew from the ocean’s depth. A demon.

“Bakunawa!” A choir of screams echoes, weaving with the blustering wind.

The Bakunawa emerged from another realm. A god.

Its serpentine body adorned with marble scales bellows with a roar, moving with grace and destruction as the earth starts to shake and cower. Its strong tail strikes like thunder in the storm, lurking. Its enormous jaw adorned with sharp teeth which only serve the purpose to devour.

Heaven is not safe, and so is the earth. The villagers cower because…even the various moons are not protected.

Every day, the Bakunawa yearns for another moon. Devouring and devouring, an insatiable beast.

Seven moons of the ancient calendar. Seven becomes six, six becomes five until only one remains in the sky.

If no moons are left, who will be next? The villagers, oppressed, don’t know what to do. They thrived for a long time, this is not how they want their story to end.

Children running wild should learn to walk carefree. Their bright future flickers from the danger of the Bakunawa.

Adults walked so children could run, but they couldn’t do anything as they watched the creature eat the moons one…by…one.

They watched the moonlight leave the night sky. Seven becomes six, six becomes five, until only one remains in the sky.

“We need to fight.” With mustered strength, their will ignited. Blazing eyes and hearts, drumming.

From their body bellows a mighty roar, moving with grace and purpose of protection. Their shaking legs strike the hardened mud, leaving their mark on the world.

The adults want to see their children carefree with a moon to observe when life becomes bleak. A moon for their children to see.

As the Bakunawa starts to devour the moon, its throat pulsing with delight. Its intention will succeed, and all it can think of is ‘Mine!’

A ring.

A clang.

A cry.

A cacophonous orchestra.

“Eat us! Eat us!” The common people called out, they need a moon for their children to see. “Eat us! Eat us!” They cried, clanking their metallic pots, pans, and drums.

What they didn’t know, the Bakunawa can’t see but only hear. Yearning for the moons that glow with warm light. Yearning for the warmth it gives. Never knowing that it’s glittering scale can rival the dim shine of moonlight.

The moon trembled as Bakunawa’s jaw slackened.

Hearing the people’s song of metal clangs and beating drums, the Bakunawa left. Emotions of rage, fear, and confusion simmers in the Bakunawa heart. Questioning on what kind of creature can shake both heaven and earth.

The Bakunawa’s large tail rattled as it recoiled to cower from the sound. Hiding, plotting to come back.

“Ang bulan namon sang una, sang una Guin ka-on sang bakunawa Malo-oy ka man, i-uli, i-uli Korona sang amon hari.”

The people sang their tradition, to play the metal pans and drums because the lunar cycle never ends while The Bakunawa still yearns for the moon.

Author’s Note:

The tale of Bakunawa originated from Western Visayas, specifically Hiligaynon—however, many regions within Southern Philippines have different retellings of the Bakunawa, the only thing that is consistent is how to drive the Bakunawa away.

Common English Translation:

Our moon long ago, long ago
Was eaten by the bakunawa
Please have pity, return it, return it
The crown of our king.