Prologue
This is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, places, events, or incidents that resemble real people (living or dead), organizations, or situations are purely coincidental.
This story is my original work. Please do not copy, reproduce, translate, or redistribute any part of it without permission. Unauthorized use is a violation of copyright.
The air is thick with a cacophony of smells – oddly a mixture of earthy and pungent herbs, simmering Caldereta and metallic iron. It’s already quarter to two yet Gorya’s Eatery is still bustling with lunch service. The wooden swivel entrance door creaked as two new groups of diners entered the establishment.
She wondered how the eatery managed these hordes of customers seven days a week. Here she was, already tired and lacking sleep from her office job, she reckoned the food industry must be a different breed of difficulty given the physical demands of cooking and serving hundreds of supernatural and human patrons.
Gorya’s Eatery or simply Gorya’s to many is a beloved food institution in the Lumang Bayan District (Old Town District). For twenty-five years, it has been more than just a place for good food at affordable prices -it is understood as a neutral ground.
Here, the humans, aswang, engkanto, diwata, tikbalang, duwende, kapre, and all kinds of otherworldly beings convene to indulge their hunger and, for some, camaraderie.
She turned her gaze to her boss who was seated across the table from her. It had been eight months since she was hired as an administrative staff but this is the first time she was actually working close with her. She wouldn’t be here if not for the other senior staff, who were too busy and surprised by the sudden decision of their boss to have a late lunch at Gorya’s.
“You! With Madam, quickly!” motioned Mr. Guerero, a very wrinkly two-hundred-year-old nuno sa punso who seemed too busy with something far more urgent than accompanying their madam.
Her boss’s thoughts had been elsewhere since this late morning. She was sitting there, and just staring at the messages on her messaging device, oblivious to her concerned gaze.
Her gaze broke when she sensed an elderly woman - svelte and regal despite her age- approaching from her peripheral vision. Walking beside her was a younger woman who resembled her but had the naivety of youth rather than the wisdom the older woman exuded. She instantly recognized the former as Inang Gorya. Who could miss her? she thought. Her reputation preceded her.
In her heyday, Gloria Maria Cabello, was a well-respected and feared babaylan in the country-and still is, even after retirement. Her forte had always been exorcism -battling the supernatural with ease and command and healing people afflicted by witchcraft and engkanto magic.
It was rumored that she was the child of an illicit love affair between an engkanto chieftain and a female mangtatawas which explained her prowess and ability to withstand blood and elemental magic far better than most humans.
What further cemented Gorya’s name to the Hall of Fame of high-grade babayalans was the fact that the current vice-president herself revealed in an interview, about thirty years ago, that Gorya had once defeated her in a duel. In fact, they had fought three times: the vice-president won the first, Gorya the second, and the third was a draw.
The circumstances behind these duels had remained private between Gorya and the vice-president, adding a layer of mystery and intrigue to them.
The two women stopped their approaches when the sound of a broadcast accent filled the space. She saw both women and the rest of the diners turned their gaze towards the holographic television except her who turned her gaze back to madam and madam who bent her head down further and stared at the table.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the President”, a voice announced.
“Great and noble citizens of the Philippines, good afternoon and a blessing to us all. I am here to personally announce the acquisition of a part of the Forest District to be reclaimed as Bukal ng Buhay Synthetic Food Source Plantation. We are thankful to our Engkanto brothers for foregoing sentimental traditions for this country’s progress. For decades now, our supernatural brethren have been an important building block in establishing this new Philippines – a country of progress and success. I am more than hopeful that more engkantos will soon appreciate and understand the steps we have taken for the country’s food security. I will be forever thankful for their sacrifice and charity. That is all. Thank you and enjoy the rest of your Friday”.
“Mr. President…”, she heard a reporter say before the holographic television was turned off.
She saw madam clinched her fists and she thought she heard her say, “building block...tsk”
Then there was a faint thump of takeaway box placed by Inang Gorya’s granddaughter on the table before hurryingly dashing off to somewhere else. Inang Gorya shook her head in disdain and uttered, “Hopeless, isn’t she? At her age, I was already gearing up for my second duel with the vice-president. At eighteen years old at that! Here’s my granddaughter at twenty-one who only cares for the latest trend and gossip.”
She finally saw the first smile to grace madam’s face for that day, “Give her time Gorya” she said as she raised her head to meet Inang Gorya’s eyes. The restaurateur nodded knowingly, as if she understood and read everything that was going through her madam’s thoughts. “Take the box, it got two of your favorites. It’s in the house.”
“Thanks”. Madam said curtly as she picked up the box and stood to leave the table. She hurriedly did the same and followed her boss who was now walking long strides to the door. Just as the swivel door closed behind her she saw her madam’s black with silver chrome sedan pulled over in front of them. She doesn’t know how exactly Jorge, her madam’s official driver does it, but she was told they won’t need to call on him every time madam needs the car because he is a very strong clairvoyant.
As soon as they’re inside and the car doors closed, her madam lost the illusion magic. Like a wisp of smoke slowly disintegrating midair. Gone was the seventy-year-old looking grandma whose gray hair was tied in a tight bun. Here beside her, was a woman of striking beauty and enchanting charisma. She had a black-blue fine straight hair that reached her bosom and eyes in very light caramel color. The interior of the car suddenly smelled of ylang-ylang. It’s beguiling, soft floral aroma surrounded the interior
“Back to the office then, Madam Vice-President” Jorge said.
Endnotes:
Aswang – in Philippine Folkore, aswang is the umbrella term for vampire-like and shape-shifting humans. Their nature is always depicted as evil. They are also the bloodsuckers and human entrails-eating creatures in the Philippine Pantheon.
Babaylan – In pre-colonial Philippines, the role of Babaylan is an important and prestigious one. They lead the community in spiritual leadership. They are also the healers and the mediary between the living and the gods.
Caldereta – a Spanish influenced dish in the country. Simmered in tomato sauce, goat and beef are the top choice of proteins, with addition of potatoes and carrots. What’s distinct about this dish compared to the other tomato-based dishes in the Philippines, is that it is usually cooked spicy.
Diwata – they are the elves of Philippine folklore. Tall, pale and with pointy ears. They are believed to possess ethereal beauty and immense powers.
Duwende – they are the equivalent of dwarves.
Engkanto – an umbrella term for elemental or nature spirits and possess supernatural abilities. Diwata, duwende, Kapre and Nuno sa punso fall under this category.
Kapre – an unbelievably tall, muscular and hairy tree-dweller – often the Balete tree. He smokes a cigar and can be quite a prankster - known to disorient travelers to make them lose their way. Despite this, he is known to be a guardian of forests and farms.
Nuno sa punso – literally translates to ancestor on the anthill/termite mound. Their size is likened to that of a three-year-old child. They are often depicted as old men with beards and wearing a salakot (rattan, wide-brimmed hat). They are spiteful and known to inflict harm and hexes on humans who caused destruction to their sacred mounds.
Mangtatawas – is a traditional healer expert in the art of Tawas – a diagnostic ritual where molten wax or heated alum is dropped on water to understand or determine the cause of an illness, typically witchcraft or elemental spirits of origin. Eggs, candles, paper and mirrors can also be used.
Tikbalang – a half-man, half-horse demon. It possesses the head of a horse, the arms and body of a human and the hooves of a horse. It is a trickster, often more malevolent than the kapre.
Ylang-ylang – native to the Philippines and Malay Archipelago, its greenish-yellowish flower is very fragrant.
