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Summary of Heroic Narratives (Philippine Epics and Poetry)

Tuwaang: Bagobo epic

Tuwaang received a message of invitation from the wind saying that he should attend the long waited wedding of the DalagangMonawon. Don't go, Tuwaang, his aunt warned him. I feel that something wrong is going to happen to you there. Don't worry,tiyang. I can take care of myself! he said firmly, determined to go. You don't understand me, Tuwaang. I'm not afraid of anything, tiyang. Right now, all I ever want is to have a glimpse of the beauty of the DalagangMonawon. Tuwaang just shrugged his shoulder and did not listen to his aunt. He insists to go and prepared to attend the grand wedding. He wore the clothes the goddesses made for him. He got the heart-shaped basket that could make the lightning move. He took along with him his sharp spear and shield and the long knife. He rode in the lightning and he soon reached the beautiful boundless plain of Kawkawangan. There, he found a gungutan, a bright colored bird that could talk. The bird wanted to go with him to the grand wedding so he took it along with him. When they reached the town of Monawon, they were politely let into the hall where the wedding would take place. The guests started coming one by one. First to come was the young BinatangPanayangan, then the charming BinatangSumisikatnaAraw. Last to come was the groom, the BinatangSakadna who was with his one hundred well trained men. As soon as he arrived, the groom ordered all his men to drive away the guests who should not be there or those uninvited guests. Insulted, Tuwaang told the groom that they, the guests were all pulangdahon, which meant heroes. In short time, the ceremony started with the guests being offered several precious things that they should top with what they had. Two were left for the groom but the BinatangSakadna admitted that he didn't have a gold flute and a gold guitar to top what were left. Tuwaang came to the quick rescue. With his mysterious breath, he produced a gold flute, guitar and gong. The beautiful bride came out of her room and started offering a bowl containing nganga to every guest. Then she sat beside Tuwaang that put the groom in a very embarrassing situation. The groom felt insulted and degraded. He went out the hall and challenged Tuwaang to a fight. The Bagobo tribe has an epic hero named Tuwaang (Tatuwang), Tuwaang was a brave and strong warrior with various powers. In one story, he rode a lightning to the land of Pinanggayungan and later, met the maiden of the Buhong Sky who was running away from the young man of Pangumanon: A giant with great vigor. Tuwaang and the giant fought but it was an even match. So the giant used his magical powers and threw a flaming bar at the hero. Entwining itself at Tuwaang, our hero escaped this ordeal and used his own magical ability to call the wind to fan the flames and let the giant be engulfed by the flames.

Hinilawod: Adventures of Humadapnon, recounts the story of the exploits of three Sulodnon demigod brothers, LabawDonggon, Humadapnon and Dumalapdap of ancient Panay Hinilawod has four episodes: (1) Pangayaw, which tells the story of the first adventure of LabawDonggon; (2) Tarangban- recounts the hero's adventure in the underworld; (3) Bihag, which is about the captivity of LabawDungon in the hands of Saragnayan, the lord of darkness. (4) Pagbawi- narrates the story how LabawDungon's brothers, Humadapnon and Dumaladap, rescued their brother from captivity in the underworld. When the goddess of the eastern sky Alunsina (also known as LaunSina, The Unmarried One) reached maidenhood, the king of the gods, Kaptan, decreed that she should marry. All the unmarried gods of the different domains of the universe tried to win her hand to no avail. She chose to marry a mortal, Datu Paubari, the mighty ruler of Halawod. Her decision angered her other suitors. They plotted to bring harm to the newlyweds. A meeting of the council of gods was called by Maklium-sa-twan, god of the plains, where a decision by those present was made to destroy Halawod by flood. Alunsina and Paubari escaped harm through the assistance of SuklangMalayon, the goddess and guardian of happy homes and sister of Alunsina, who learned of the evil plot and warned the two so they were able to seek refuge on higher ground. After the flood waters subsided, Paubari and Alunsina returned to the plains secretly. They settled near the mouth of the Halawodriver. Several months later Alunsina became pregnant and told Paubari to prepare the siklot, things necessary for childbirth. She delivered a set of triplets and summoned the high priest BungotBanwa to perform the rites of the gods of Mount Madya-as (the mountain abode of the gods) to ensure the good health of the children. The high priest promptly made an altar and burned some alanghiran fronds and a pinch of kamangyan. When the ceremony was over he opened the windows of the north side of the room and a cold northernly wind came in and suddenly the three infants were transformed into viagrastrong, handsome young men. LabawDonggon, the eldest of the three, asked his mother to prepare his magic cape, hat, belt and kampilan (sword) for he heard of a place called Handug where a beautiful maiden named AngoyGinbitinan lived.

The journey took several days. He walked across plains and valleys, climbed up mountains until he reached the mouth of the Halawodriver. When he finally met the maidens father and asked for her hand in marriage, the father asked him to fight the monster Manalintad as part of his dowry. He went off to confront the monster and with the help of his magic belt LabawDonggon killed the monster and to prove his feat he brought to AngoyGinbitinans father the monsters tail. After the wedding, LabawDonggon proceeded home with his new bride. Along the way they met a group of young men who told him that they were on their way to TarambangBurok to win the hand of AbyangDurunuun, sister of Sumpoy, the lord of the underworld and whose beauty was legendary. LabawDonggon and his bride continued on their journey home. The moment they arrived home LabawDonggon told his mother to take care of his wife because he is taking another quest, this time he was going to TarambangBurok. Before he can get to the place he has to pass a ridge guarded by a giant named SikayPadalogdog who has a hundred arms. The giant would not allow LabawDonggon to go through without a fight. However, SikayPadalogdog was no match to LabawDonggons prowess and skill in fighting so he gave up and allowed him to continue. LabawDonggon won the hand of AbyangDurunuun and also took her home. Before long he went on another journey, this time it is to Gadlum to ask for the hand of Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata who is the young bride of Saragnayan, the lord of darkness. This trip required him to use his bidayngainagta (black boat) on which he sailed across the seas for many months, went across the region of the clouds, and passed the land of stones until finally he reached the shores of Tulogmatian which was the seaside fortress of Saragnayan. The moment he set foot on the ground Saragnayan asked him, Who are you and why are you here? To which he answered, I am LabawDonggon, son of Datu Paubari and goddess Alunsina of Halawod. I came for the beautiful Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata. Saragnayan laughed. He told LabawDonggon that what he wished for was impossible to grant because she was his wife. LabawDonggon then challenged Saragnayan to a duel saying that whoever wins will have her. The challenge was accepted and they started fighting. LabawDonggon submerged Saragnayan under water for seven years, but when he let go of him, Saragnayan was still alive. The latter uprooted a coconut tree and started beating LabawDonggon with it. He survived the beating but was not able to surpass the powers of Saragnayanspamlang (amulet) and eventually he gave up and was imprisoned by Saragnayan beneath his house.

Back home AngoyGinbitinan and AbyangDurunuun both delivered sons. AngoyGinbitinans child was named AsoMangga and AbyangDurunuuns son was called AbyangBaranugon. Only a few days after they were born, AsoMangga and AbyangBaranugon embarked to look for their father. They rode their sailboats through the region of eternal darkness, passed the region of the clouds and the land of stones, finally reaching Saragnayans home. Saragnayan noticed that AbyangBaranugons umbilical cord have not yet been removed, he laughed and told the child to go home to his mother. AbyangBaranugon was slighted by the remarks and immediately challenged Saragnayan to a duel. They fought and AbyangBaranugon defeated Saragnayan and won his fathers freedom. LabawDonggons defeat and subsequent imprisonment by the Lord of Darkness also angered his brothers. Humadapnon was so enraged that he swore to the gods of Madya-as that he would wreak revenge on all of Saragnayans kinsmen and followers. Humadapnon prepared to go to Saragnayans domain. He employed the aid of BuyongMatanayon of Mount Matiula who was well-known for his skill in swordsmanship. For their journey they rode on a sailboat called bidaynga rumba-rumba. They travelled through the region of the clouds, passed by the region of eternal darkness and ended up at a place called TarambangBuriraw. In this place was a ridge called TalagasKuting-tang where a seductive sorceress named Piganun lived. Piganun changed herself to a beautiful maiden and captured the heart of Humadapnon. BuyongMatanayon begged with Humadapnon to leave the place with him but the latter refused. After seven months passed, BuyongMatanayon remembered that they have brought with them some ginger. One evening at dinner time BuyongMatanayon threw seven slices of ginger into the fire. When Pinganun smelled the odor of burning ginger she left the dinner table because sorcerers hated the odor of ginger. Immediately BuyongMatanayon struck Humadapnon, who became unconscious. He dragged his friend with him and they were able to escape. They continued with their trek and everywhere they went they exacted revenge on all of Saragnayans people and relatives. One day they reached a place called PinilingTubig who was ruled by Datu UmbawPinaumbaw. There was a big gathering in the village and when they asked what was going on they were told that the datu was giving his daughter for marriage to whoever could remove the huge boulder that rolled from a mountain into the center of the village. Many men tried their luck but no one so far was able to even move the stone. Humadapnon took off his magic cape and used it to lift the stone and threw it back into the mountain. The datu kept his word and Humadapnon married his daughter. During the wedding feast Humadapnon heared about the beauty of the goddess of greed BurigadangPadaSinaklangBulawan from a guest minstrel who sang at the celebration. After the wedding Humadapnon went to seek the hand of the goddess in marriage; along the way he encountered BuyongMakabagting, son of the mighty Datu Balahidyong of Paling Bukid who

was also travelling with the same purpose in mind. Upon learning of Humadapnons intent, BuyongMakabagting challenged him to a duel. They fought and BuyongMakabagting was no match to Humadapnons strength and skill. The fight ended when BuyongMakabagting surrendered and even promised to aid Humadapnon in his quest. Humadapnon married the goddess and brought her home. Meanwhile, right after Humadapnon left to seek Saragnayans followers and relatives his brother Dumalapdap left for Burutlakan-ka-adlaw where the maiden LubayLubyokHanginunsiMahuyokhuyokon lived. For the trip he brought along Dumasig, the most powerful wrestler in Madya-as. Several months later they came to a place called Tarambuan-ka-banwa where they encountered the two-headed monster Balanakon who guarded a narrow ridge leading to the place where the maiden lived. With the aid of Dumasig, Dumalapdap killed Balanakon. levitra buy. However, upon approaching the gate of the palace where the maiden lived he was confronted by Uyutang, a batlike monster with sharp poisonous claws. There ensued a bloody battle between the Dumalapdap and the monster. They fought for seven months and their skill and prowess seemed to be equal. But on the seventh month, Dumalapdap was able to grab on to Uyutangs ankle and broke it. Then he took his iwangdaniwan (magic dagger) and stabbed Uyutang under the armpit. Uyutang cried out so loud that the ridge where they were fighting broke into two and there was an earthquake. Half of the ridge became the island of Buglas (Negros) and the other became the island of Panay. Dumalapdap married Lubay-LubyokHanginunsiMahuyokhuyokan and then took her home. Datu Paubari was very happy when he was reunited with his three sons and he prepared a feast in their honor. After the celebration, the three brothers left for different parts of the world. LabawDonggon went to the north, Humadapnon went south, Dumalapdap to the west and Datu Paubari remained in the east.

Darangan: Maranao Epic

The people of Mindanao had rich literatures that exist only in their minds and memories. Locally called "Darangan", these epic poetries were similar to those of that Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. The Darangan tells of the sentimental and romantic adventures of noble warriors, one of them, is about a warrior-prince called Bantugan.. Prince Bantugan was the brother of the chieftain of a village called Bumbaran. Bantugan owned a magic shield, was protected by divine spirits called "Tonongs" and was capable of rising from the dead. Once his enemies attacked Bembaran, thinking he was dead. In the nick of time, Bantugan's soul was recovered and he saved the village.

There is also an episode, where Prince Bantugan was on a quest and fought his enemies with his magic Kampilan (Native sword). Soon, he got tired and fell on to the water. A crocodile delivered him to his enemies, but he regained his strength, escaped his captors, and commands an oar less ship and won the battle. There were also "Darangan epic poetries that relates stories of wars about abducted princesses. Just like the chronicles of the Trojan War. The Darangan is one of the oldest and longest Philippine Epic poetries. Several nights were needed to recite the twenty five beautiful chapters. The Darangan, sung in its original, possessed a sustained beauty and dignity; it might be studied for its esthetic values alone.

Hudhud: Ifugao Epic


In the mountainous regions of Northern Luzon, a hudhud is a long tale sung during special occasions. This particular long tale is sung during harvest. A favorite topic of the hudhud is a folk hero named Aliguyon, a brave warrior. Once upon a time, in a village called Hannanga, a boy was born to the couple named Amtalao and Dumulao. He was called Aliguyon. He was an intelligent, eager young man who wanted to learn many things, and indeed, he learned many useful things, from the stories and teachings of his father. He learned how to fight well and chant a few magic spells. Even as a child, he was a leader, for the other children of his village looked up to him with awe. Upon leaving childhood, Aliguyon betook himself to gather forces to fight against his fathers enemy, who was Pangaiwan of the village of Daligdigan. But his challenge was not answered personally by Pangaiwan. Instead, he faced Pangaiwans fierce son, Pumbakhayon. Pumbakhayon was just as skilled in the arts of war and magic as Aliguyon. The two of them battled each other for three years, and neither of them showed signs of defeat.

Their battle was a tedious one, and it has been said that they both used only one spear! Aliguyon had thrown a spear to his opponent at the start of their match, but the fair Pumbakhayon had caught it deftly with one hand. And then Pumbakhayon threw the spear back to Aliguyon, who picked it just as neatly from the air.

At length Aliguyon and Pumbakhayon came to respect each other, and then eventually they came to admire each others talents. Their fighting stopped suddenly. Between the two of them they drafted a peace treaty between Hannanga and Daligdigan, which their peoples readily agreed to. It was fine to behold two majestic warriors finally side by side.

Indaraptra and Soliman: Maguidanao Epic

A tale about an emperor of the Kingdom IndarapatraMantapuli. He is intelligent, kind and brave. And had a spear that after thrown to his enemies wouldflown back returning to his hand.And he had killed one of the giant monster found in Mindanao ocean. Emperor Indarapatra asked for help with Solaiman to save the Kingdom of the four plagues were, Kurita, animal feet andmany a meal she had just five people, with Tarabusaw, peopleseem to be devouring a man, the Pha, the birds because of itslaki'ynakapagpapadilim mountain and the monster that Kurayan,another bird with seven heads. Sulayman accepted the role. Indarapatra plant was put intoWindows and when it withered meaning that killed the prince. One by one killed the monster, but when he saved the wings of thelast monster he crushed it and he died. Withered by the plant and realized what happened to PrinceIndarapatraSulayman. He visited and prayed with devotion to God.Resurrected the hero. A beautiful young woman in the nakabihagSulayman rescued by his heart.

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