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

As Luis and his companions journeyed deeper into the forest, they could hear the sounds of battle growing louder. The diwatas were engaged in a fierce conflict, with each side hurling spells and weapons at the other.


Luis and his companions cautiously approached the battlefield, wary of being caught in the crossfire. As they watched, a group of diwatas suddenly rushed towards them, brandishing their weapons.


Luis drew his babaylan powers, creating a shield of energy to protect himself and his friends. The diwatas attacked, their blades clashing against Luis' shield.


A fierce battle ensued, with Luis and his companions fighting against the diwatas. The diwatas were skilled fighters, but Luis was able to use his babaylan powers to counter their attacks.


As the battle raged on, Luis noticed a group of diwatas attempting to flank them. He quickly warned his companions and they shifted their positions to fend off the attack.


In the midst of the chaos, Luis spotted the leader of the opposing diwata faction. He charged towards her, determined to end the conflict once and for all.


The leader was a powerful diwata, with the ability to control the elements. She hurled bolts of lightning and waves of water towards Luis, who dodged and weaved his way towards her.


Luis summoned all of his babaylan powers and launched a powerful blast of energy towards the diwata leader. The blast hit its mark, sending the diwata leader crashing to the ground.


With the leader defeated, the remaining diwatas fled, the battle at an end. Luis and his companions tended to the wounded, and were eventually thanked by the diwatas for their assistance in ending the conflict.


Chapter 14: The War of the Diwatas