MARAGTAS EPIC STORY

The Maragtas is a work by Pedro Alcantara Monteclaro titled (in English translation)
History of Panay from the first inhabitants and the Bornean immigrants from which are
descended to the arrival of the Spaniards. The work is in mixed Hiligaynon and Kinaray-
languages in Iloilo in 1907. It is an original work based on written and oral sources
available to the author.

The Maragtas is an original work by the author, based on written and oral sources
available to him. In particular, the author makes no claim that the work or contains a
transcription of particular prehispanic documents. The work consists of a publisher's
introduction by Salvador Laguda, a Forward by the author, six chapters, and an epilog.

1 - The first chapter describes the former customs, clothes, dialect, heredity,
organization, etc. of the Aetas of Panay, with special mention of Marikudo, son of old
Chief Polpulan;

2 - The second chapter begins a narrative of the ten datus flight from Borneo and the
tyranny of Datu Makatunaw there, and their purchase of the island of Panay from
Marikudo;

3 - The third chapter tells of the romance of Sumakwel, Kapinangan and her lover
Gurung-garung;

4 - The fourth chapter concludes the tale of the ten datus, telling of their political
arrangements and their circumnavigation of the island;

5 - The fifth chapter describes language, commerce, clothing, customs, marriages,

funerals, mourning habits, cockfighting, timekeeping techniques, calendars, and
personal characteristics;

6 - The sixth and final chapter gives a list of Spanish officials between 1637 and 1808;

X - The epilog contains a few eighteenth-century dates.

Maragtas Summary

The Maragtas Chronicles of Panay is a history of rulers of the island from the time of the Ten Malay Datus
(rulers) that settled from Borneo. The "Legend of the Ten Datus (chieftains)" narrates about the forefathers of
the Filipinos and the story of ten Bornean chieftains who escaped the cruel regime of Sultan Makatunaw.
Datu Puti along with other nine chieftains plans to leave Borneo. Riding their native boats, they ventured into
the night and across the wide ocean. At first, the ten rulers and their families were afraid that they might perish
in the middle of the sea. Soon, they have reached the islands of Panay and befriended with the natives called
Aetas. The Aetas are quite friendly and decides to sell a piece of their land to the ten chieftains. The chieftains
gave the Aetas leader, Marikudo a golden Salakot (Native head piece) After this; the chieftains and Aetas lived
in peace and harmony. The Haraya is another epic poem from Panay. It is a collection of rules of conduct told in
the form of heroic tales. The "Hari sa Bukid" of Negros is a mythical epic of Kanlaon (Kan comes from a
Persian word "Khan" meaning "King" and "Laon" from a Malay word meaning "Ancient.") and "Hinilawod" an
epic poem made by the early inhabitants of Iloilo, Aklan and Antique also from Panay. The hero of Hinilawod,
“Humadapnon” was of divine ancestry. He had super natural powers and guardian spirits to protect him. His
most exciting adventure was his search for Nagmalitong Yawa: A beautiful maiden whom he saw in his dream.
He boarded his golden boat, sailed amidst dangerous seas, and was captured by an enchantress/engkantada.
Finally, he found and won the love of Nagmalitong Yawa.