In one of the islands of Rapu-rapu group of island, we encountered this giant primate. The said island was uninhabited by man but monkeys, deer and warthogs were abundant.We rode a sailboat called batil in going to that island which is four hours travel on slow moving cargo sailboat called batil. This boat was made of hardwood with outrigger made of bamboo poles and has sail made of canvass. I inherited this boat from my grandfather.We carried food provision good for one week consumption. We also carried rifles with telescopic site. We carried sacks of salts in order to preserved our catch.
On the first day we killed a dozen warthogs.At the beach that night, we salted the meat of the animals and hung it on a single tree. We feasted on the meat that night by grilling it on fire. We knew that the aroma of the grilled meat wafted throughout the island. We also drank wine as we feasted that night.
At midnight as were about to sleep in each of our hammocks that were attached to the trees, we heard the rushing of the trees and we heard loud stumps on the ground. We became attentive and we prepared our guns pointing it at the source of the sound.
Then suddenly a hairy giant emerged from the dark confines of the woods. It was taller than a coconut tree so out of fear we hid among the bushes. Then the giant saw the raw meat that was hung on the tree. He grabbed it and devoured it right away. After he finished eating the whole carcass of a warthog he grabbed another two carcass and then left the tree. He was going after the burning bonfire by the beach. It kicked deluge of sand on the bonfire before heading back again toward the forest.
What we had seen was a giant gorilla that we thought that never existed on the island.
Early at dawn we sailed toward home.
From the oral account of Pepito Bubano of Albay.
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