Hudhud hi Aliguyon

( Ifugao )
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.
Aliguyon and Pumbakhayon became good friends, as peace between their villages
flourished. When the time came for Aliguyon to choose a mate, he chose Pumbakhayons
youngest sister, Bugan, who was little more than a baby. He took Bugan into his
household and cared for her until she grew to be most beautiful. Pumbakhayon, in his
turn, took for his wife Aliguyons younger sister, Aginaya. The two couples became
wealthy and respected in all of Ifugao.