Republic of the Philippines

CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Education
Main Campus, Roxas City
Tel. No. (036) 6214 578 local 118

TRANSLATING AND EDITING OF TEXT

Republic of the Philippines

CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Education
Main Campus, Roxas City
Tel. No. (036) 6214 578 local 118

TRANSLATION OF THE SHORT STORY

"DONATO BUGTOT"
FROM HILIGAYNON TO ENGLISH

PAGE 1

My twin was the first to to come out. His navel was cut, he was beaten by his butt, he was
cleaned, covered with a cloth and he was gave to my mother. Then, the midwife shouted because
of shocked, " Oh, there's another! " and then I came out from the womb of my mother to see this
world.
I was born with a hump on my back, underweight, with an irregular shape of head and as thin as
a match stick. Because of my awful look, the midwife asked my mother if I will be permitted to
live. My mother didn't answer. She cried with grief.
I don't know if the midwife understood that " Silence means yes," but she still tried to give me
life.She cut my navel, beaten my butt, cleaned me, covered me with the cloth, and she gave to
my mother.
When I was 3-day old, I was put into a carton of shoes and I was left in the stairs on the convent
of Father Tino. I was found by Nay Tiling, the main chef. She took good care of me. I was about
to be given by Father Tino to the DSWD; but there was a letter left in the carton where I was
found, that was why the old priest took good care of me instead.
In the" belasyon/lamay" for Father Tino, Nay Tiling said that even though I'm ugly and
hunchback, I still made Father Tino happy. In my mind, just like the puppy of Father Richard.
Nay Tiling took good care of me. We were the same age of her youngest, Bimbim. I didn't know
if Nay Tiling had breastfed me with her big breast but then I felt comfortable to her as if she was
my real mother. when I grew up, I asked her. She did not answer straight. She said, I grew up , in
"suam" and "tsa".
When I was young , I heard Nay Tiling when she scolded Bimbim in the convent's kitchen.
" Don't you dare beat Dondon, he's a blessing to us."
" What? A blessing? He is so ugly and a hunchback! His not suited to his name Donato, it should

be Boogie.. He is a hunchback."
" Bimbim, watch your mouth!"
" But It's true."
" No. You know what's the truth, ha ? If it's not because of Dondon, you will not have toys. For
your understanding, Father Tino lend me much money because of Dondon. If Father Tino bought
you a doll, it's because he wanted to thank us for taking care Dondon. That's why you have to
treat Dondon as your brother."

PAGE 2

I dont want to. He is ugly!

There were a lot of things on Bimbim when we were kids. I was the one who Nay Tilling would
bring with her at home. After those times, she would only bring Bimbim in the convent for us to
play. Bimbim and I would help at the chores in the kitchen, then in the cleaning in the convent.
And whenever accidents happen, she would tell it was my fault. If there were broken glasses and
plates, it was me; if the cooked rice burns, its my fault, if we forgot to bring in the clean laundry,
it is still my fault.
Even though I am mistreated and made fun by Bimbim, I couldn't get mad and hate her. Because
she was my only bestfriend. She was my only playmate, the only one I could talk to at my age.
When Bimbim and Macmac became more than friends, I was the chaperon. It was okay for Nay
Tilling for them to go on a date as long as I was with them.
When they went to the beach, Macmac would tell me Can you stay away, Bogs, Because youre

so ugly youre disrupting the view. And then Bimbim and him would laugh. Bimbim wiould
raise her eyebrow at me and I would know.
When getting some coconut, I would also come with them. I was the one climbing the coconut
tree.
Hey look at that thin hunchback climbing up the tree. . . He is like a gecko. Then Macmac
would laugh out loud.
Sometimes, Bimbim would take sides on me. Dondon is a lot more useful than you?
But who looks Better?
I knew my role in this life; I knew Quasimodo, Esmeralda, and Captain Phoebus. I did read
books and comics.
Bimbim married the good looking Macmac. While I was left in the convent. Before Father Tino
would retire, he said he would give me a job in the convent as a janitor and the bell ringer. I was
already an adolescent, I had watched The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and I have heard the
Kampanerang Kuba by Vilma Santos. I used to being teased, looked down at and made fun of.
When Bimbim and Macmac got married, his approach to me became positive. He even asked me
to become a godfather to their first born whom we named Esmeralda. But he still called me
Bogs, short for bugtot.

PAGE 3
Before Padre Tino passed away, he confessed and told on how he adopted me. He let me read the
letter inside the box, and he gave me a necklace, that according to the letter, It was owned by my
mother named Marita de los Reyes.

I did not stop my tears from falling for Padre Tino, he was the most christian person that Ive
known. His last advice to me, was like from seven last words- Love them especially those who
despise you.
I did not find my real mother. I did not even know if De los Reyes was her surname when she
got married or when she was in her maidenhood. I was no t even longing for her.
And, last year, when Novena de Aguinaldo started, while I am cleaning the church, a woman was
approaching, she was in her 40s, she had the looks, and somewhat a high-profile. She asked
about Padre Tino, and when she saw the necklace that I was wearing, she asked about me.
She attended the Misa de Gallo for 9 days. In my mind, she was asking something this
Christmas.
After the Mass of the birth, she was looking for me at the convent. She said that she was my
mother. I didn't startle. I was not even bothered. I was like a rock; stricken by lightning. And
became a rock.
She invited me to have Christmas at the city. I refused. For what? She begged, she even knelled
in front of me, until I decided to accept his invitation.
Father Richard allowed me.
We went to Sarabia hotel for our lunch, but we didnt eat something there. I was in awe of the
hotel, but I didnt act like I was nervous and amazed.
She ordered iced tea. I preferred to have coke, but I didn't know why I ordered iced tea too.
When she ordered food, I ordered the same as hers. Because I was not familiar with the menu.
"Padre Tino named you as Donato. Such a nice name."

" Donato de los Reyes."

Mrs. De los Reyes was surprised. She sipped the ice tea. She didnt say something for a minute.
She was like waiting for the ice tea to melt. The glass sweatened.

PAGE 4
It was like she was waiting for me to speak so I told her what Father Tino said about my name.
Donatello was derived from Italian word which means a gift. He said I am a gift of God.
Mrs. De los Reyes smiled. How are you? You have really grew up.
Last September, I turned twenty four.
She nodded. She knew. Of course, she knew.
Forgive me, Don. I was only eighteen that time, I know nothing of what am I doing. The
midwife said you have a defect, youll die after couple of days. She said your face has defects,
according to her,it will be better if youll not suffer anymore. But youre alive.
Youre alive but a hunchback, have defected head, short, and as thin as a match. No matter how
much I eat, I did not get fat. No matter how Nay Tiling massage my head, its still irregular in
shape. I think I am cursed. An ugly hunchback. Like a pounded ginger! The food is already
served. Beef stroganoff said the waiter. Careful, the plate is hot.
Mrs. De los Reyes tears started to fell down.
If you are my mother, then whos my father?
Sorry, Don. Youre not given a chance to know him. Ten years ago, Danny got into an accident.
He know nothing about you.
I gulped with what I have heard.
Before I gave birth, your father and I quarreled. I went to my Tita in Barotac Nuevo and hide
there until I gave birth. Then I left you in Dumangas church becausebecause
She sobbed, cant utter any word. And I pity her for that.
Because I cant endure seeing you in your state.
You cant accept my appearance!

The midwife said youll die at any moment.

But Im alive!
She said if you live, youll just suffer.
Shes not God. And youre not too.
Im sorry, Don. But I know youll just suffer if you are at your fathers side. I know Danny. He
likes good looking people. He cant accept you if he knew that you have defects.

PAGE 5

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PAGE 7
Have been in a band, vice and drugs. Jed always complains to me that I dont love him. He said
he never felt love from me.
But you choose him more than me.
Ive had nervous breakdown after I gave you to church.
In my mind, you left me and not gave me!
They said post-partum depression. But they never knew the conscience I felt inside. How I
wanted to touch Jed. I cant hug him. How I wanted not to see him. Its you Im thinking about

when I see him. And then I feel bad. Its so heavy, so painful. Im missing you.
In my thought, then why dont you come back to me?
I havent go back to Dumangas. I was afraid. What if you have not live again? And if ever you
have live, what am I going to do? What would Danny say? Our family might fell apart. Jed is
teenager when Danny died. I feel pity that he cant accept you. But now Jed needs you. I dont
want to lose him too. I already lost Danny. I lost you when I left you to Padre Timo.
I want to see Jed.
Jed Belvis was being praised by the group to utter a speech whenever theyre memorizing the
words masculine arms, long legs, strong shoulders, thin waistline, porcelain-like skin. Jeds face
looks like an angel. His nose is pointed, curve and long eyelashes, tantalizing eyes, kissable lips,
smooth face, no pimples, no acne.
Hes not flat, or not equal or having a flat nose like me. Hes not hunchback, not very thin or like
a lizard being teased to me. I somehow understand why Mrs. Delos Reyes chose him over me.
Youll be the one to donate kidney for me? I heard a mocking tone from Jed. How much does
my mom cost to pay you?
It is my will to give you my other kidney.
Why? What kind of acting is that? We have money.
Jed is rude. I want it so bad to admit to him the truth that we are twins. But Mrs. Delos Reyes
beseeched and stopped me from doing so. She said Jed might go wild if ever he will know the
truth that he has a twin.

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PAGE 9
But if you try to look back, I was not killed by my twin in the dark womb of our mother wherein
I was fragile to be flattened and to be shattered. Rather, he gave me the chance to live. He gave
me the chance to live!