IT’S BEEN 18 years since I wrote “And Pangayaw”, a Palanca-winning sci-fi story in Hiligaynon.
I think you can still access the original Hiligaynon version from my website: www.petersolisnery.com.
It’s been eight years since I made this English translation.
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I’m pretty sure I have serialized the story in Panay News in 2010. But who remembers?
So, in the hope of introducing myself as a versatile fictionist to a new generation of readers, here’s a new serialization of my pretty old story.
It’s almost 20 years old, imagine that!
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I have enjoyed myself writing this story.
Making a strange new universe. Almost a new reality.
But never again have I written something like it.
Because since 2000, I wanted to win writing awards. The Palanca Awards especially.
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Because this story was awarded a third prize only, I felt sci-fi or fantasy has no place at the Palanca.
Maybe, I was right. Maybe, I’m still right.
I stayed away from sci-fi and fantasy; and in the last ten years, I have been winning it big at the Palanca.
I’m virtually there every year. Winning mostly first prizes.
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But I love this story.
So I’m sharing it again.
Who knows, it might inspire you. If not me.
Well, have fun!
Here’s how the story begins:
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Almost suddenly, the sky above Mt. Kirkir turned green. It was a stark greenness that seemed to contrast the lazy blue afternoon of Madlus. The combining colors were surreal, even interesting as the green light warmed up on the shoulders of Kirkir.
But Ubal had not noticed. The stranger continued to gaze at the tongue-like structure that grew out of his chest. “What is this thing?” he wondered aloud.
“That’s an orbis,” Stok smiled, “and you need that to filter the air. Your body has a unique constitution. You can’t survive here in Madlus without an orbis.” Then, Stok pointed to the western sky, “Look!”
Ubal turned to see what Stok saw. The sky changing its color was a glorious scene, and when he finally paid it attention, Ubal felt clean and energized inside. “What is that brightness?”
Again, Stok simply smiled. “That’s Dyuman, the second sun of Madlus. Dyuman considers Mt. Kirkir its home. Come, you need to rest. We will start our search for Wuting tomorrow.”
Ubal nodded. Then, he asked, “Is it just me, or does that light suck the strength out of you?”
Stok shook his head, “You are not imagining things. What you feel is real. But Dyuman is not the only thing that is absorbing your energy. You are being pulled by two kinds of suns, two different forces. You are even fortunate because, at least for now, you cannot see the eye of Sheme from here.”
“Fortunate?”
“Sheme is considered the first sun of Madlus. But you need to cross the hills of Pinggon to see the eye of the blue sun at this time.”
Again, Ubal nodded while Stok continued to explain, “The showdown of the suns here in Madlus is rather fierce. I don’t know if you can survive the display of Sheme, Dyuman, and Pintas. If you do, it would feel like the suns siphon the blood that I transfused to you.”
“Pintas?”
“The third and strongest sun of Madlus. You will get to see it tomorrow morning.”
“Stok, are you human, or greater than human?”
“In this world, Ubal, there is no place for them who are less than great.” (To be continued/PN)
