Kumang and Pait (Draft)

and

An Ata-Manobo Fable as told by

BIA HERMENIA MAITEM

Illustrated by PRECIOUS JADE ASUMBRADO

Published by the CITY GOVERNMENT OF TAGUM through the Tagum City Historical and Cultural Center ISSN XXX-XXX-XXX-XXX The copyright of this story solely belongs to the Ata-Manobo Tribe of Tagum, with rights to publish being granted to the City Government of Tagum through the Tagum City Historical and Cultural Center.

All Rights Reserved. The reproduction of this book, especially by the academic community not only in Tagum but also those beyond the city’s territory, is highly encouraged. However, a Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) is needed to be secured through formal writing to the City Historical and Cultural Office.

Executive Adviser Mayor Allan L. Rellon, DPA, PhD Executive Editor Xylee Labastida Palomata Managing Editor Louie Bryan M. Lapat Art Director Victor Augustus Dumaguing Researchers and Transcribers Marife Candia, Charity Lagunsad-Dumandan, Cherry Rose Valenzuela, Keith Alejo, Lethemae Uquiab, Arlyn Lagunsad Podcast Supplement provided by the Tagum City Information Office Guest Story Illustrator Precious Jade Asumbrado Kumang and Pait, an Ata-Manobo Fable, was graciously told

by Bia Hermenia Maitem.

Digitally published March 21, 2021 Tagum City, Philippines as part of the Oman-Oman Series Project

OMAN OMAN THE OMAN-OMAN SERIES PROJECT

and

An Ata-Manobo Fable as told by

BIA HERMENIA MAITEM

Translated by XYLEE LABASTIDA-PALOMATA Illustrated by PRECIOUS JADE ASUMBRADO

With Voice Narration by MAYOR ALLAN L. RELLON

There was once a Kumang that thrived along the shallow parts of the Mesolong River. One day while the Kumang was walking along, a Pa-it was lurking behind a big rock near the shore.

“What are you doing there?” asked the Kumang.

“I was washed ashore by the strong current and can’t seem to go back but I am hiding here from a man I saw who was trying to have some catch with his bubu and spear,” replied Pa-it.

“Oh well, have you been there long?” the curious Kumang asked. “I have been here for a while now. In fact, I am getting hungry,” was Pa-it’s shy reply.

“Well then, you can hide in my home while I look around for something that the two of us can share.” the Kumang said while showing Pa-it the way to his home.

Pa-it, not fully trusting his new-found friend but realizing that he doesn’t have a choice went to Kumang’s place.

While waiting for Kumang to come back, a lot of thoughts came to Pa-it’s mind.

“What if Kumang is trying to trap me so it can eat me for dinner? The crab has sharp pincers ready to pierce me when he likes!”

“What if Kumang is friends with that man and this is all a ruse?” were some of the doubts that came to mind.

After some time, consumed with his not so-good thoughts about Kumang, Pa-it ventured out and in doing so was caught by the man with the bubu and spear.

Kumang, bringing some food for him and his friend, excitedly went home but found that Pa-it was not around anymore.

The crab went out looking for his new friend and saw that Pa-it was already inside the trap.

“Kumang, I regret not listening to you and trusting you. If only I have believed the goodness that I saw in you, I wouldn’t be caught in this trap,” Pa-it sadly lamented.

THE END

OMAN OMAN THE OMAN-OMAN SERIES PROJECT

The Oman-Oman Series Project as a brainchild of the Tagum City Historical and Cultural Center aims to publicize the long-forgotten and often-neglected Oman-oman, or Stories, of the Cultural Communities of Tagum. The Project also aims to promote the love for reading especially among Tagumenyo children. Published monthly, the children’s storybook is supplemented with a recorded podcast with a guest storyteller each month, giving both the children and teachers an interactive way of listening to the different oman-oman of the tribes.

Scan this QR Code above to listen to this story on Spotify narrated by MAYOR ALLAN L. RELLON

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OMAN OMAN THE OMAN-OMAN SERIES PROJECT

GU E ST

BIA HERMENIA MAITEM currently leads the Ata-Manobo Tribe in Tagum. She is recognized as a Cultural Master in various fields, most notably in visual arts, culinary arts, performing arts, and traditional healing.

A self-proclaimed incurable romantic with an unquenchable thirst for serendipitous journeys, XYLEE LABASTIDAPALOMATA is a voracious reader. A staunch ally of the cultural communities of Tagum, she currently heads the City Historical and Cultural Office.

LI ST

PRECIOUS JADE ASUMBRADO is a student from Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

She wakes up everyday for her adoration to the humanities and dedication to the arts.

One of the things that MAYOR ALLAN RELLON looks forward in doing to end the day is to read bedtime stories to his children. Despite his busy schedule as Mayor of Tagum, he squeezes quality time for reading for his beloved kids.

OMAN OMAN THE OMAN-OMAN SERIES PROJECT