Loud sounds echoed in Panee’s Domain. Walls trembled from the strong reverberations. But this time, it was not from the shockwaves. It was from the gleeful cheerings and celebratory shouts by the Sirenas and Shokoys.
A day had already passed since the bird was slain, but their feast was still at its peak.
With the Inner Water back in its stable condition, the Sirenas swam happily as they enjoyed the returning grace of the Domain.
Camping on the beachside were kids. With amused looks on their faces, the children listened to Gamgam as he narrated the epic battle against the bird.
They were most fascinated by the part wherein Gamgam flew into the sky to strike the bird.
On the bay side, numerous stone tables were aligned along the shoreline. On the tables were varieties of seafood dishes merrily feasted upon by the Sirenas and Shokoys.
“Hey, Triggs! Why don’t you try my Adobong Pusit [Squid Adobo]? I learned this from your kind,” one of the Sirenas offered.
“My Ensaladang Lato [Seaweed Salad] is better. Please try it!”
“No! My Ginataang Alimango [Crab cooked with Coconut Milk] is the best!”
And just like that, Triggs was surrounded by beautiful Sirenas offering him their dishes.
Still stuffed from his last meal, Triggs politely declined the offers, “Uhm, Guys… Your dishes are amazing. But I think I’m still full. Sorry, Hehe.”
One Sirena pulled Triggs closer to her. “Oh come on. You saved us from that creature. We just want to reciprocate what you’ve done for us.”
Another one pulled Triggs. “And besides, with all those tiring battles with the bird, we believe your body needs pampering. So, why don’t you try it, Our Hero…”
After a few more persuasions, Triggs was forced to agree. He tried every dish offered by the Sirenas. He had to munch down everything even though there wasn’t much space left in his stomach.
The Sirenas rejoiced as they cheered on Triggs.
Suddenly,
SLAAAAAP!!!
“GAHAHAHA!! I see! You have made yourself a celebrity here, Man!” Dakula commended Triggs after a friendly slap in the back.
The slap was so strong that it almost made Triggs spit the food in his mouth.
Dakula put his arms around Triggs’s shoulder. “Hey… If you want to hook up with these babes, just tell me and I will share my techniques. GAHA!.”
“Uhm, Thanks?… But I think I don’t need it. Hehe,” Triggs awkwardly declined.
“Playing modest, eh!? I like that, Man! GAHAHA!!”
“Err…..”
Suddenly, another beautiful Sirena stole the spotlight.
Dakula approached the arriving Sirena. “Oh, Laad. It’s been years since my wife Dalipay passed away. I’m still thinking that maybe… you can be my new darling.”
“Again, I’m not interested in you, Dakula.”
“Ouch…” Out of embarrassment, Dakula slowly walked out with a bowed head and a crushed soul.
Laad greeted Triggs, “If it isn’t our new hero! Well, you've truly shown you're worthy of being Paglaom's boyfriend.”
“Uhh… It’s not like that… But thanks…” Triggs answered. “How is she, by the way?”
“She’s fine now. She’s resting in the Room of Majesty.”
“Can we visit her now?”
“Oh! You miss her already?” Laad teased. “Well, I’m here because she asked me to call you. Your friends are also there.”
“Oh. Okay, then…”
…
…
…
The celebration continued inside the Room of Majesty. But unlike that of the outside, the crowd inside was much more organized, and the feast was modest.
Lae was there, chatting with the other Sirenas, while Zaine was just silently observing in the corner. Isha was enjoying every food offered to her by the Sirenas.
Triggs saw Calla sitting on the stone bed, smiling and laughing as she watched the others celebrate.
“Hey, Calla!”
“Oh! Hey, Triggs!” Calla greeted back with her warm smile.
“How are you feeling now?”
“My body is still heavy. But I think I’m fine now.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Thankies!~”
“Oh, Triggs. You’re finally here,” Lae greeted.
“How is it going, Lae?” Triggs replied.
“Well. I talked with the Sirenas to learn more about the bird. It seems they don’t have much knowledge about the creature either. They told me that they just heard stories about it from their great-grandparents.”
“I think I also heard it from someone else,” Triggs said. “That creature should have gone extinct a long time ago.”
Calla explained, “Most of the Sirenas here in the Domain are from the New Generation. Although Sirenas live longer than us humans, it’s still so hard to find older ones alive.”
“I thought Sirenas age similarly to humans?” Lae asked.
“Yup! They age like us, but they should be able to live for hundreds of years. Unfortunately, because of the continuous destruction of the ocean, it’s really rare for them now to live that long.”
“I get it…” Lae murmured.
“But it’s still really weird for that birdie to come to this Island,” Calla commented.
“We already concluded that the bird was eating the Bangus like fuel to restore its Magical Energy. But it’s true - it’s strange to see that kind of creature in this place,” Triggs said.
“Well, didn’t Lola Vega explain it already? We’re heading into a new age, so expect more strange things like this to happen,” Lae replied.
Calla also agreed.
Someone walked in to join their conversation, “My, my… Why do you youngsters look so serious? You should be celebrating your victory.”
“Mama Hamis!”
“Oh, my Paglaom. I’m still sad that you’re already leaving later. I was hoping to spend more time with my baby girl.”
“Uhm… I still don’t know if I should go,” Calla replied. “The Domain hasn’t fully recovered yet. There are still many things that need to be done.”
“My, my……”
“Don’t worry. We’ll take it from here, Paglaom,” Batbat butted in the conversation.
Ikos also joined in, “For the second time, you helped us again, Paglaom. We believe it’s time to repay you, and one way to do that is not to place everything on your shoulder.”
The other Sirenas also agreed. Calla was touched.
Laad praised Calla, “Restoring this place to its serenity, and now saving us again from impending doom. What can we say? You really are our Paglaom*.”
Calla was becoming teary-eyed. “Awwww… Don’t say it like I did it myself. You were also there; I couldn’t have done it without you, guys!”
“But still, you’re truly a gift from Panee. This place won’t be a paradise for Sirenas without you. We really are thankful,” Hamis added.
“You’re making me cry, Mama! Huhu…” Calla hugged Hamis as she cried like a child.
“Oh, my sweet baby. You really are a big girl now,” Hamis uttered as she embraced Calla.
“KRAAAAAA~”
“Of course, Lady Isha! Why would we forget you? Without you, Paglaom won’t reach this place. Hehe,” Laad said while petting Isha.
“Wait. Did I hear it right?” Triggs uttered.
“Mmm-hmm! Tita Laad told me that it was Isha who brought me to the beach,” Calla replied. “At first, I didn’t believe it too. But knowing Isha now, she's always proving to me that she’s one extraordinary turtle!”
“KRAAAAA~”
“Wow. Just wow…” Triggs’ reaction.
Joyful smiles and laughter filled the room as they partook in the heartwarming scene.
“Mmm… Mmm…” Bonging walked through the crowd of Sirenas. She approached Lae and without saying a word, she placed her palm on the lady’s chest.
The Sirenas were surprised. But in a glorious way.
Curious, Triggs asked. “What is she doing?”
“She’s giving a name to her,” a Sirena replied.
“A name?”
“Yes! Lola Bonging was the one who assigned names to all of us. It was believed that our names came from Panee, Herself.”
Triggs was amazed. He asked Calla, “Is that true, Calla?”
“Mmm-hmm! Lola Bonging is like Lola Vega, but she can only communicate with Ate Panee. And unlike Lola Vega, Panee only communicates with Lola Bonging through vague visions.”
“I see…”
After a while, Bonging finally started speaking.
“Mmm…… ‘Magayon’.”
Everyone gasped out of surprise.
Bonging went to Zaine after that. She did the same thing to the young man.
“Mmm…… ‘Maribok’.”
After hearing the name, some of the Sirenas were baffled, while some giggled.
It was Triggs’ turn. Bonging slowly put her palm on Triggs’ chest. She bowed her head and closed her eyes.
Everyone waited in excitement.
“Mmm……… Mmm…………”
It was taking her longer than usual. Bonging assessed Triggs deeply.
“Mmm……….. You’re strange, kid……”
Triggs was perplexed by the assessment.
“Mmm… You have many questions in your heart. Panee, Herself, can’t answer them as they have laws to follow. It is your destiny to know thyself,” Bonging stated.
The explanation made Triggs more confused.
Silence filled the room as the Sirenas looked at each other with shocked faces.
“But she left me with a name……. ‘Makakamhan’.”
…
…
…
“Hello, Kuya Otto! Have you been waiting for us?” Calla greeted. “Sorry if it took us a while.”
“Nah! It’s okay,” Otto replied. “Monty took care of the bird. It’s in the Base now.”
“Nice!”
They were now on the beach of Matukad Island, ready to depart.
“Are you ready to go home now?” Otto asked.
“I think so…” Calla answered.
Suddenly, they heard splashings of water.
“Ate Paglaom! Ate Magayon! Kuya Maribok! Kuya Triggs!” It was Gamgam.
The team approached Gamgam on the shore.
“Why are you here, Gamgam?” Calla asked.
“I just want to thank all of you, guys! Thanks for helping us, Sirenas!”
“No need to mention it, Gamgam. Besides! You also helped us defeat that bird!” Triggs said.
“Yeah! You were so cool right there!” Calla added.
“Really!? Well… I promise to continue helping the Sirenas!”
“You really are a great kid, Gamgam.”
“Well then… They might be looking for you. You should go back now, Gamgam.”
“Yes, Ate Paglaom! But please, promise to visit us again soon. We don’t want to wait another year to see you again.”
“Okay, Gamgam. I promise!”
“Yes!!” Gamgam exclaimed. “See you, guys!”
“See you!!”
Gamgam returned to the sea.
“Aww… I’m going to miss this place again,” Calla mumbled. Then she had an idea. “Hmm… Now that we’re still here. Why don’t we go to the town and buy some souvenirs?”
Lae was reluctant. “But, I have classes tomorrow…”
“Oh come on, Lae! It’s still early. We still have time to wander around.” Otto said.
“KRAAAAA~”
“See? Even the turtle agrees.”
“Hmph!! You’re just saying that. But really… you just want to buy something in particular. Eh, Kuya Otto?”
“Ah… Eh… Okay, you got me! Hehe. This region is known for its Sili Beer*. I was just hoping to buy some in the souvenir shops.”
“Well…… Okay! I guess staying for a while won’t do any harm.” Lae finally agreed.
“Yey!!! Thank you, Magayon!! I mean, Lae! Hehe.” Calla cheered.
…
“OPERBA!”
The team used a Portal to go to the town proper. They wandered off as they visited every shop they could find.
Later on, as they strolled along the road, they saw a barber chatting with his customer. The team overheard their conversation,
“A Sirena? Swimming in the air? Get off with that Kwentong Barbero* of yours!” the customer said to the barber.
“Nah. I just heard it from Pareng* Bogart. He said he saw it himself,” the barber replied.
“I know that place is mysterious. But a Sirena fighting a Monster Bird? That sounds bullshit!”
Abruptly, Triggs went in to join their conversation.
“I saw it too!” Triggs uttered.
“Huh?”
“I saw it with my own eyes! The way the Sirena jumped from the ocean to attack the bird! Though, it did look more like a Shokoy than a Sirena to me. That Shokoy crushed that bird!”
“You heard it. Even this kid saw it too…”
The customer was getting convinced. “Wow…”
Lae pulled Triggs away from the barber. “Triggs!? What do you think you’re doing!?”
“I just thought their conversation was fun. So I joined them. Hehe.”
Lae sighed. “I guess this detour really is a bad idea. I think we should go now.”
The team finally decided to leave.
As they walked out of the place, a fulfilling smile formed on Triggs’ face. He, then, whispered to the air, “You heard that, Gamgam? You’re a legend now.”
-TERMINOLOGIES-
*Paglaom - it is a word from the Bikolano Dialect (a dialect from the Bicol Region in the Philippines). In English, Paglaom means ‘Hope’.
*Sili Beer - ‘Sili” means ‘Chili’. Literally, Sili Beer is a Beer with Chili.
*Pareng - Short for ‘Kumpare’. It is a Filipino term used by older generations to call a close friend. Typically a male friend.
Additional info:
*Kwentong Barbero - Literally translates to ‘Story of a Barber’. Barbers in the Philippines usually tell stories to kill the silence whenever they are cutting the hair of their customers.
However, most of these stories have questionable authenticities and are only narrated for entertainment. Thus, the term ‘Kwentong Barbero’ has a negative connotation in the Philippines. Because of that, most of these stories are often not taken seriously.
Luckily, Triggs was there to testify to the story. Thus making the story a legend rather than a ‘Kwentong Barbero’.
