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 were on a mission to find the Tadhana Tree, which was said to have the power to grant wishes. They had heard about it from a group of travelers who had passed through their village a few weeks ago. The travelers had spoken of its location being hidden deep in the forest and guarded by powerful spirits.


As they trekked through the dense jungle, they encountered various creatures and obstacles. The forest seemed to grow thicker and more treacherous the further they went, with vines and thorns snatching at their clothes and sharp rocks tripping them up.


Tito, with his sharp senses and keen intuition, led the way. Luis followed closely behind, clutching his babaylan staff for support. The forest grew darker and more foreboding as they pressed on, with the sounds of mysterious creatures echoing around them.


After hours of wandering, they stumbled upon a clearing in the forest. In the center stood the Tadhana Tree, towering above them and radiating a powerful aura. Its trunk was wide and gnarled, with intricate carvings etched into the bark.


Luis and Tito approached the tree cautiously, sensing a strong presence nearby. Suddenly, they were surrounded by a group of fierce-looking diwatas, their eyes glowing with a menacing light. The diwatas were known to be protective of the Tadhana Tree, and they were not happy to see strangers in their territory.


Tito quickly stepped forward, holding up his hands in a gesture of peace. He spoke softly in the diwatas' language, explaining their purpose and asking for permission to approach the tree.


The diwatas eyed them warily for a few moments before nodding in agreement. Tito motioned for Luis to follow him as they walked towards the tree. As they got closer, they could see that the carvings on the tree were symbols of ancient magic, each one representing a different wish that could be granted.


Luis reached out and touched the trunk of the tree, feeling a jolt of energy surge through his body. He closed his eyes and focused on his deepest desire, his heart beating faster with anticipation.


Suddenly, a bright light enveloped him, and he felt himself being lifted off the ground. When the light faded, he found himself holding a small, intricately carved figurine in his hand. It was a representation of his wish, and he felt a sense of joy and contentment wash over him.


Tito smiled, patting Luis on the back. "Let's go," he said, and they turned to leave the clearing. As they walked away, Luis looked back at the Tadhana Tree, feeling grateful for the opportunity to make his wish come true. He knew that he would never forget this moment and the magical world of the Philippines-inspired world.


Chapter 13: The Tadhana Tree