Tell me. How do you define evil? 

If we were to ask the majority who believe in Abrahamic laws, evil would be those who do not believe in God. Or at least, their god. In a world full of uncertainties, people would trust what they know, and fear what is new. Perhaps that fear could even be confused with evil. 

That fear leads to persecution. Demonization.

History tells us that the Spaniards brought the notion of salvation to the Philippines. They cured the country of the evil that they call Paganism. But what if I tell you that not even the power of colonization can defeat evil? Yes. The Spaniards failed in their mission of God, Gold, and Glory.

Now, we are in the twenty-first century. We live in a world where people no longer believe in the existence of the supernatural. Ghosts, monsters, and spells simply became myths—stories used to keep children from playing outside after the sun sets. However, what if I tell you that mythology came from reality? And reality still exists today?

Oh, it does.

Just in secret.

January 2026

When the brand new year approaches, people would often wish for blessings and predict how their year may follow. Kris found this Filipino culture hilarious since they would do everything; pray in the church, do tarot readings, and get Feng Shui advice, yet would not even work for what they ought to have. He found that reflective from election results every three years where Filipinos don’t even do research before voting for the most incompetent candidates—even wishing that these individuals would save them from this hell.

Kris scoffed at the thought and swept his jet black wavy hair back and adjusted his long mullet soon after. In the crowded streets of Quiapo, he observed the foolishness of the people surrounding him. They go to church and kneel in front of saints, only to condone “witchcraft” after. Well, to be fair, these tarot readers and other supposed magic users are a hoax, anyway. They feed off the vulnerability of people and gain money from lying. Despite the difference in beliefs, Kris respects Christianity—just not the followers who don’t even practice what they preach, and even weaponize their beliefs to hurt others.

If the place wasn’t so hectic, he would’ve stood out for being a pale man wearing a plaid patadyong skirt with his simple white long sleeve upper garment. Very feminine, right? Well, that’s the point. In reality, Kris is not a simple young adult studying in college.

He’s what you may call… a Babaylan.

Before the Spaniards deemed the aforementioned individuals as demonic witches to spread religious propaganda, the babaylanes were the founders of spiritual healing in early pre-colonial Philippines—specifically around the Visayas region. They possess the power of connecting with the anito, otherwise called spirits. Aside from healing, they were powerful individuals who protected their tribes from war, natural disasters, and other calamities. Most babaylanes are women since femininity deepens a connection with the spirits. However, some of them are male called an Asog. In order to strengthen their powers, they dress in feminine clothes. 

Kris is one of them.

In the modern world, their group still protects people in secrecy. Under the National Commission for Indigenous People (NCIP), a hidden department exists called the Baylanes. It is an organization composed of shamans from all over the country. The Catalonan of the Tagalogs, the Balian of the Bicolanos, the Mumbaki of the Ifugao tribe, and many more. The organization has one goal in mind, and that is to defeat modern evil.

A rumor has been spreading around the area of Quiapo. It is said that dark magic has been rising. And Kris? He was sent there by the organization to investigate.

“Girl, I swear I’m doomed.” A passerby  uttered.

“Stop believing in those things.” Her friend deadpanned.

“But he said that John is cheating on me!”

“Yeah? And he also said that you should buy his spell or something. He’s just scamming you.”

“But I heard everything he says comes true.”

Kris’s ear perked up from the distant conversation. Could it be a clue? He strode his way to the girls. Signaling, “Hey! Wait up!”

The two paused from their steps and Kris caught up with them. He greeted them with a kind smile. Well, as kind as he could give from his permanent poker face. “I couldn’t help but overhear. What were you two talking about?”

The two girls looked at each other, mentally communicating whether or not Kris was a creepy man. However, judging from what he was wearing, they simply assumed that he was gay. Kris could read their expression and almost rolled his eyes. Tsk. Stereotypes.

One of them responded, “Uhm… My friend here went for a love reading and she was almost scammed.”

“I wasn’t! I swear he was legit!”

What a foolish girl. Not many can wield such a power. Only those in the Baylanes can. Well, whatever. Maybe they can help me with this mission. Kris smiled again, “Mind telling me how you’re so sure he’s legit?”

“My friend went to the Mangkukulam once for a love potion, and now she’s engaged to someone she just met!” The foolish girl responded.

Her friend huffed, “No, she just found Bumble.”

“Well, my other friend went to him to curse his ex, and she ended up with herpes!” Kris cringed at what she said.

“That’s simply because they didn’t practice safe sex!” Her friend rebutted.

“Well, I still believe it. Besides, he seemed legit when he melted that thick block of salt thing and confirmed my suspicions that John was a cheater-”

“Wait.” Kris’s head lifted up while cutting her off when he heard about the salt. “Did you say salt?”

“Yeah, why?”

He bit his lower lip—deep in thought. Salt? That’s not something a supernatural larper would use. He looked around the crowded place, trying to sense any number of energy from a possible threat. That salt was probably Tawas. Fake shamans wouldn’t know to use that. They usually use candle wax instead.

“Tell me, where is that mangkukulam?”

The girl looked towards her right and pointed, “Right behind the Quiapo church.”

“Thanks.” Then, Kris sprinted. Could this be the threat assigned to me? I don’t know. I can’t sense any strong energy.

Kris lifted up his skirt as he stepped into the dark alley. It stank of spoiled trash, and the floor was puddled up and muddy from the earlier rain. Eventually, he found himself on the doorsteps of a tiny shack. It seemed unused and definitely disheveled. On the top side of the door hung a chipped and smudged up wooden poster saying, ‘Love readings, potions, spells, and predictions for only 100PHP!!!’

It was tacky.

Meanwhile, behind the said door sat Yani who was performing a prediction for a young male customer.

He placed three sacred items on the velvet top of the table. Despite not needing to, he moved his arms around in a dramatic manner to make the latter feel like his magic or whatever was a tad bit more believable. “I can feel it… THE FUTURE! I can see it coming!” He voiced out with a deep yet loud tone. Absolutely unnecessary for such a procedure. One might wonder how he doesn’t get embarrassed from what he was doing. However, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about when he’s wearing an oversized My Chemical Romance hoodie that hides his eyes—helping his curtain bangs conceal his face even more.

“What does it say?” The young male asked.

“It says… I see… I SEE A ZERO!”

“What?!” The latter exclaimed in fear. His exams were coming up.

“I sense… a red. A red set of numbers!” Yani clutched on his hoodie, tugging it down to cover up until his mouth while he swayed around as though he was possessed. 

Again, unnecessary. He definitely did not need to do that for a spell. He was just too dramatic.

“What do I need to do?!” The latter hit the table frantically. Yani smirked behind the hoodie. There, a chance. A chance to get richer!

“You must buy this spell.” He said in a dark and serious voice. 

“How much is it?”

“Three hundred pesos.” 

The latter raised an eyebrow. “That’s too expensive, man.”

“Two hundred.” 

“What? You bargain? Are you even legit? That’s still too expensive.”

“Fine, a hundred and fifty. That’s final.”

“Hell yeah!” The latter took the potion and dropped the money on the table.

Kris, who was waiting outside, saw the boy get out with the bottle in hand. He analyzed it. It has power, yeah… But definitely weak. And the bottle? Poorly done. Whatever. At least this is just an easy extermination.

Yani took off his hood and began laughing to himself as he fanned the cash of his gains for the day. “I can finally go to the MCR concert in November!” 

But then, he heard a pattern of footsteps approaching as the door opened once more. “Sorry! It’s already 10PM, I’m closed for busine-!”

Without even being able to blink, Yani felt himself toppled down on the ground. “What the-”

“Spirits, guide me in exterminating this evil.” The pale-looking man began chanting. Before Yani could get away from his grip, he felt stuck when he saw the latter’s hazel eyes form a tint of red.  “Conducting Bugaw.”

“Let him lose his powers. Let him lose his memories.” Kris kept chanting as he slowly pulled a short bamboo stick from his pocket. Then, he began slamming it on the concrete floor. A normal stick would sound vain. However, the smack from his sounded striking—like a loud bang after multiple streaks of lightning.

“AH! Stop it, that hurts!” Yani covered his ears shut—feeling a migraine from each strike. What is going on? Who is this person?!

“Don’t worry. After this, you won’t remember a thing.”

Kris was about to land the last bang. But, Yani was taller and bigger than he was. Hence, with all strength gathered, Yani pushed Kris across the tight room—making the smaller one clutch his back in pain.

“Like hell I’d let you do that!” The taller man ran to the door. Then, went back. “Oof, I almost forgot my goodies.” He took his cash from the table first. And now, he finally began running—leaving Kris on the floor like a beautiful mess in agony.