Florejun_Flores

Luis, a Filipino-American college student, finds himself mysteriously transported to a strange world after touching an ancient amulet in his grandfather's attic. To his surprise, he wakes up in a forest surrounded by unfamiliar creatures and plants, and soon realizes he has been isekai'd to a realm inspired by the folklore and mythology of the Philippines.

Determined to find a way back home, Luis sets out on a journey through this new world, guided by a talking tarsier named Tito. Along the way, he discovers that he has inherited the powers of a babaylan, a shamaness of the ancient Tagalog people, which allows him to communicate with spirits, heal wounds, and even control the elements.

As Luis navigates through the different regions of the Philippines-inspired world, he encounters various creatures from Philippine mythology, such as the tikbalang, kapre, aswang, and diwata. He also learns about the different cultures and customs of the different ethnic groups in this world, such as the Ifugao, Aeta, and Bicolanos.

However, Luis soon discovers that this world is not without its dangers. A dark force is looming over the land, threatening to destroy everything in its path. With the help of his newfound friends and allies, Luis must gather the strength to face this evil and save the Philippines-inspired world from destruction.

Balikbayan is a story of adventure, magic, and culture, a journey through the rich and diverse folklore and mythology of the Philippines. Will Luis be able to find his way back home, or will he decide to stay and protect this world from harm? The answer lies in his hands.

Balikbayan: A Tale of the Philippines

Luis and Tito continued their journey, following the winding river that cut through the dense jungle. As they walked, they heard the distant sound of drums, growing louder with each step they took. Soon, they came upon a clearing where a group of villagers were gathered around the riverbank, performing a ritual.


Curious, Luis and Tito approached the crowd and asked about the ritual. The villagers explained that they were performing a ceremony to honor the spirit of the river, who had been harmed by humans and was in need of healing.


Suddenly, the ground beneath them began to shake, and the sound of rushing water filled the air. A giant wave surged forth from the river, knocking the villagers off their feet and sweeping them downstream.


Luis and Tito sprang into action, jumping into the water to save the villagers. As they swam against the strong current, they saw the spirit of the river, a beautiful mermaid-like creature, struggling to stay afloat.


Without hesitation, Luis dove deep into the water and swam towards the spirit. She was injured and weak, but Luis knew he had to save her.


As he swam closer, he saw a group of humans attacking the spirit with spears and knives. Angered by their cruelty, Luis summoned his powers as a babaylan and sent a burst of energy towards the attackers, knocking them back.


Luis then pulled the spirit to safety and brought her to the riverbank. Tito tended to her wounds while Luis defended the villagers from any further attacks.


As the sun began to set, the villagers thanked Luis and Tito for their bravery and told them that they had restored balance to the river. The spirit of the river appeared before them, thanking Luis for his kindness and granting him the power to control water.


With their mission accomplished, Luis and Tito continued on their journey, knowing that they had made a difference in the world they found themselves in.


Chapter 11: The Spirit of the River