Mythological Characters

1. Bathala
Origin: Tagalog
Supreme god and grand controller of the universe. A lot of stories about Bathala
have to do with the creation of the world and the Philippine islands. These stories also
pit him against fellow deities such as the snake Ulilang Kaluluwa and goddess of sea
Aman Sinaya.
2. Magwayen
Origin: Visayas
Magwayen is the first goddess of the sea and water. She was created by
Kanlaon to balance Kaptan, the Sky God. Fisherfolk pray to Magwayen for a bountiful
catch to feed their communities or barangays. Though prone to violent outbursts that
results to storms and tsunamis when angered, Magwayen is often depicted to be
relatively levelheaded compared to Kaptan, who is quick-tempered. The Cebuanos
believe she may also be Kaptan’s wife and that she returns to the sea when they
quarrel while in Negros, they believe her to be Kaptan’s rival. The two dueled to see
who will inherit the world Kan-Laon made and this went on for generations until their
children, Lihangin and Lidagat, fell in love.
3-4. Lakapati and Mapulon
Origin: Tagalog
Lakapati and Mapulon may be the kindest god and goddess couple in Tagalog
mythology. While Lakapati, also known as Ikapati, oversees the agricultural life of the
natives, Mapulon is the god of seasons and others also attribute him to be the god of
medicine and good health. What’s interesting about this couple is that Lakapati is
actually a hermaphrodite, being the goddess of fertility as well. S/he is often depicted
with both male and female parts.
It was said that Mapulon pursued Lakapati for a long time, similar to how Filipinos
practice courtship. Their partnership was widely accepted, despite their biological sex
and was said to be symbolic of the egalitarian practices of ancient Tagalogs. Their
union produced a daughter, Anagolay, the goddess of lost things.
5. Apolaki
Origin: Taglog, Pampanga
The sun god and patron of warriors. Apolaki is arguably the counterpart of Mars
in Roman mythology. In Kapampangan mythology, he is comparable to Aring Sinukuan,
god of war and death. Other stories state that he is son of Anagolay and Dumakulem,
and also the brother of Dian Masalanta, the goddess of lovers. There are other sources
that also say he is the son of Bathala himself from a mortal woman.
6-8. Tungkung Langit, Alunsina, at Luyong Kabig
Origin: Visayas, Panay
Another creator and counterpart to the likes of Bathala and Kan-Laon, Tungkung
Langit created order out of chaos. He is industrious and loyal but despite his efforts, his
wife Alunsina, the virgin goddess from the east, accused him of having an affair. They
had a big fight, which caused Alunsina to run away. Tungkung Langit did everything in
his power to bring her back to no avail. He threw her favorite comb into the sky to make
the moon and her jewels became the stars. However, Alunsina never came back and
Tungkung Langit lived alone in the sky. Every time it rains, it is said to be Tungkung
Langit’s tears and that the thunder is his voice, calling Alunsina back.

There is another lesser deity in Panay mythology which also has the name Tungkung
Langit. This lesser deity is known as the Pillar of Heaven. Similar to Atlas, this strong
and mighty god bears the duty to carry the skies upon his shoulders. If he fails, the sky
would fall down and crush the people below. He has a wife named Luyong Kabig, who
lives in the underworld to guard its entrance and prevent undead mortals from entering
its realm.
9. Anitun Tabu

Known to be fickle-minded and arrogant, Anitun Tabu is the goddess of wind

and rain. Ancient Tagalogs often blame her for the occurrence of ambon and
before the colonial period, it was even said that it was lucky to get married
while raining, because Anitun Tabu is happy. (It was only during the Spanish
period that people started to blame rainy sunny days on the marriage of
supernatural beings like tikbalang.)
10. Anagolay
Pre-colonial Tagalogs who were hopelessly looking for their missing stuff prayed to
Anagolay, the goddess of lost things. She was the daughter of two major Tagalog
deities–Ikapati and Mapulon. When she reached the right age, she married the hunter
Dumakulem and gave birth to two more deities: Apolaki and Dian Masalanta, the
ancient gods of sun and lovers, respectively.

2 Philippine Fable Stories

1. Why Dogs Wag Their Tails?
A rich man in a certain town once owned a dog and a cat, both of which were
very useful to him. The dog had served his master for many years and had become so
old that he had lost his teeth and was unable to fight anymore, but he was a good guide
and companion to the cat who was strong and cunning.

The master had a daughter who was attending school at a convent some distance from
home, and very often he sent the dog and the cat with presents to the girl.
One day he called the faithful animals and bade them carry a magic ring to his
daughter.

“You are strong and brave,” he said to the cat. “You may carry the ring, but you must be
careful not to drop it.”

And to the dog he said, “You must go with the cat to guide her and keep her from harm.”

They promised to do their best, and started out. All went well until they came to a river.
As there was neither bridge nor boat, there was no way to cross but to swim.

“Let me take the magic ring,” said the dog as they were about to plunge into the water.

“Oh, no,” replied the cat, “the master gave it to me to carry.”

“But you cannot swim well,” argued the dog. “I am strong and can take good care of it.”

The cat refused to give up the ring until finally the dog threatened to bite her, and then
she reluctantly gave it to him.

The river was wide and the water so swift that they grew very tired, and just before they
reached the opposite bank the dog dropped the ring. They searched carefully, but could
not find it anywhere, and after a while they turned back to tell their master of the sad
loss. Just before reaching the house, however, the dog was so overcome with fear that
he turned and ran away and never was seen again.

The cat went on alone, and when the master saw her coming he called out to know why
she had returned so soon and what had become of her companion. The poor cat was
frightened, but as well as she could she explained how the ring had been lost and how
the dog had run away.

On hearing her story the master was very angry, and commanded that all his people
should search for the dog, and that it should be punished by having its tail cut off.

He also ordered that all the dogs in the world should join in the search, and ever since
when one dog meets another he says, “Are you the old dog that lost the magic ring? If
so, your tail must be cut off.” Then immediately each shows his teeth and wags his tail
to prove that he is not the guilty one.

Since then, too, cats have been afraid of water and will not swim across a river if they
can avoid it.
Philippine Epic Story
Kudaman (Palawan)
By the river Tabungan is a spring, which is the abode of an evil spirit. Tuwan
Putli, accompanied by her cousin Ambaynan, goes there to fish. As they are about to
leave, Tuwan Putli sees a river lobster with golden pincers. Ambaynan waits for her, but
Tuwan Putli disappears. There is blood in her fish basket. Ambaynan goes home and
reports the incident.

Tuwan Putli’s father, orders her husband (and son-in-law) Muta-Muta to search
for her, but the man disobeys. Muta-Muta finds help in the person of the Young Man of
the Clouds. It is agreed that if the Young Man of the Clouds can find Tuwan Putli, she
will be his. With the help of a crocodile, the Young Man of the Clouds finds a fragment
of Tuwan Putli’s toenail nestled inside a molar of an old crocodile. The old crocodile had
accidentally eaten Tuwan Putli. Retrieving the nail, he sees Muta-Muta who tells him to
bring home the nail fragment. The young man puts the nail inside the golden chest. In
the afternoon, Tuwan Putli’s voice is heard inside the chest, pleading to be let out. The
chest breaks open like a bamboo, filling the house with golden light. Tuwan Putli
emerges and asks for a betel nut. Learning that the young man has recued her, she
consents to live with him.

Soon the Young Man falls in love with the Lady of the Sea-Beings, the wife of
Kudaman. The Young Man wins her love, forcing his wife, Tuwan Putli to leave him.
Kudaman decides to bring the Lady of the Sea-Beings to her father Surutan Tamparan,
the Sultan of the Seacoast. On his journey back aboard Linggisan, the Purple Heron,
Kudaman meets Tuwan Putli and offers her a betel nut. She accepts, and she becomes
his "puun" or principal wife. When Surutan Tamparan discovers that his daughter has
left Kudaman for the Young Man of the Clouds, he beheads her at the place called
Scissors of the World. But she emerges from the ordeal lovelier than ever.

Muta-Muta, Tuwan Putli’s first husband, and his brother, the Datu of Ligayan,
visit Kudaman to offer a blood compact. Kudaman reminds Muta-Muta that Tuwan Putli
is now his wife. Having become blood brothers, Muta-Muta asks to stay in Kudaman’s
place. Kudaman agrees, and he has a big house built. Kudaman gathers his relatives
and friends and offers to host a big feast of "tabad" rice beer.

Kudaman goes on a journey to look for beautiful garments for Tuwan Putli whom
he entrusts to Muta-Muta. Riding on Linggisan, his pet bird, Kudaman travels for seven
years. The Lady of the Wild Green Pigeon falls in love with him. The attraction is
mutual, so Kudaman promises to return for her. Reaching the house of the Sultan of the
Seacoast, Kudaman buys the garments he wants. His former wife expresses renewed
yearning for him and his bird, so she is transported to Kudaman’s house, where she is
welcomed by Tuwan Putli as sister and co-wife. As he has promised, Kudaman passes
by the place of the Lady of the Wild Green Pigeon on his way back. He asks for betel
nut, and she offers him her betel nut container. When she agrees to come with him, he
puts her inside betel container for safekeeping. Tuwan Putli meets him with the news
that the Lady of the Sea-Beings has come. Kudaman shows her what he has brought
home: a new sister.

Kudaman goes on another journey, entrusting the two women to his principal
wife. He encounters the Lady of the Ginnu Tree, who is gripped with admiration for his
magnificent bird. Kudaman obtains her, as he did the Lady of the Wild Green Pigeon,
but the Lady of the Ginnu Tree makes it clear to the other women that she has no desire
to win the hero away from them, and that she has come with him only because she
loves his bird.

Having put up his new "kalongbanwa" or big house, Kudaman wishes to offer a
celebration in honor of Ampu, the Master of the Rice. Muta-Muta, Datu Ligayan, and the
four "linamin" or ladies are in agreement. He lays his hands over the mouths of the jars
of tabad, and right away, the rice beer ferments. Muta-Muta and Datu Ligayan play their
gongs, for this is the music beloved of the Master of the Rice, who bestows sweetness
and fragrance to the rice beer. Clad in wondrous garments and ornaments of gold,
Kudaman’s four wives dance the "tarok", and they prepare the betel chew for their
guests. The Young Man of the Clouds hears the music from the feast, and he hastens
to join Kudaman. But far away, the dreaded Ilanun also hear the gongs, and they decide
to test the mettle of Kudaman and get his wives. Informed through a dream, Kudaman
orders the gong music to stop. He does not want violence, for it is an affront against
Ampu, the Supreme Master, who is also Nagsalad, the Weaver of the World. He is the
picture of calmness as he awaits the Ilanun’s arrival, chewing betel as he sits. He invites
the Ilanun to come to the house, but they harshly reject the offer

Muta-Muta loses his restraint and attacks. The Young Man of the Clouds joins
him. The leader of the Ilanun and the Young Man of the Clouds duel in the heavens for
seven years. Moved by Young Man’s spirirt, Kudaman joins the fray. He entrusts to his
grieving wives a bouquet of basil flowers whose wilting or blossoming will signal his
state. The ladies plead that Linggasan watch over its master; the bird itself is anguished
over Kudaman’s decision to fight. Up in the clouds, astride of a ray of sunlight,
Kudaman merely observes at first. But when the Young Man of the Clouds falls, he
comes to the Young Man’s rescue and puts the Young Man inside his betel container.
Then he confronts the Ilanun leader, Apo Tugbu. A battle between them lasts for many
years, taking them to several levels of the worlds. Finally Kudaman wins. The Ilanun are
wiped out.

On their way home, Kudaman and the Young Man of the Clouds pass by the
house of Limbuhanan, the hero’s first cousin. They meet the Lady of the Agoho Tree,
Limbuhanan’s wife. The couple apologize to Kudaman for having gotten married without
notifying him. The Young Man of the Clouds relates the war he and Kudaman have just
been through. The Lady of the Agoho Tree offers to accompany the two back home.

Muta-Muta, Datu Ligayan, and the four wives are overjoyed when Kudaman
arrives. The interrupted feast resumes. A jural discussion is held, regarding harmonious
relationship in marriage, the duties of relatives, and other points of the "adat" or custom
law. Among the guest are the Datu and Lady of the Edge of the World, the Datu and
Lady of the Surrounding Worlds, the Datu and Lady of Median Space, the Chief Judge
Pinagsaran and his wife, the Lady of the Atmosphere. The Sultan of the Seacoast
arrives with his seven wives, and he is offered the first sip of the tabad. The merriment
lasts for three days, but no violence or rowdiness occurs. Kudaman finds himself in a
state of stupor. His being is transported, it seems, to another universe, and the heavens
have been cindered by his drunkenness. But he is brought back to consciousness, and,
seeing the face of the Lady of the Hooks, he proposes to marry her. Revived, Kudaman
chews betel and spits at the dead army of the Ilanun. They are resurrected, and they
surrender their weapons as a sign of compact.

Earlier, during the start of the feast, an old conflict over Tuwan Putli between
Kudaman and the Chief Judge Pinagsaran took place. The Lady of the Luray Tree, wife
of Pinagsaran, proposed that Tuwan Putli be cut in two so that the two men could each
have half of her. Kudaman takes a blade and slices her. Each half of her becomes a
lovelier Tuwan Putli. The Sultan of the Seacoast takes his leave, and the others follow
suit, but not before everyone has agreed that there must be another feast in the future.

The rest of the epic contains episodes about Kudaman’s odysseys to distant
lands and visitations of friends and relatives, during which great feasts are held. In one
of his drunken revelries, having gulped down 180 jars of "tabad", Kudaman plummets
into the navel of the world and wrestles with himself. In his drunken state, he meets the
Lady of the Young Men, who fans his face to bring him back to his senses and offers
him betel chew. She becomes his fifth wife. Riding his heron to the ends of the world,
Kudaman wins his other wives who are all uniformly described as falling into a swoon at
the sight of his magnificent bird. They are the Lady of the Sandbar, who leaves her
husband to go with the hero; the Lady of the Last Level of the Universe; the Lady of the
Oil of the World; the Lady of the Maiden Space, also married; and the Lady of the
Hooks, to whom he had earlier proposed.

"Kudaman" ends with a final celebration of Kudaman’s marriage to ten women.

At the same time, the Young Man of the Clouds takes the sultan’s seventh daughter in
marriage, and the dowry he gives is a river which begins from the skies and flows
beside the Sultan’s house, while "macopa" tree and a pomelo tree bear fruit the whole
year round.
Philippine Legends
Why Fishes have Scales?
A farmer and his wife were blessed with a beautiful baby girl. They pampered her and
refused to let her do any farm work. They showered her with attention. Too much
attention.
She grew up into a beautiful maiden. And she knew it. That's why she would often go to
the clear streams to admire her own beauty.

One day, the king of the crabs saw her by the side of the stream, and he approached
her saying he wanted to be her friend.

She found him ugly and told him she did not want to be friends with such a horrid-
looking creature. So he jumped on her face and made several painful scratches.

She splashed some water on her wounds, but these hardened into scales. To top it off,
the king crab placed a spell on her and turned her into a fish filled with scales.

Nowadays, if you happen to look into clear streams, you'll find scaly fish swimming and
moving in a strange manner. They quickly jerk away when they sometimes see their
reflection which reminds them of the "beauty" they lost long ago.

The Legend of the Guava

A long time ago, there's a king who ruled a rich, prosperous island. He had all the
things a king could ever ask for: the power, the wealth, and all the delicious foods one
could only imagine.The king's name was King Barabas.

King Barabas is a rude king and overweight, indulging himself to all the foods
available, hesitant to share to anyone. And his castle is starting to become filthy. He
would spend most of his time sitting and eating with his bare hands. As he eats, he
drips food on the floor and smile mockingly at the people around him, specially his
servants.

People in the kingdom would approach with requests for his help, but he would
always refuse. As he neglected his kingdom, people started to complain and starve.

After some time, an old hunched-back woman showed up at the castle begging for
food while the king was eating. The old lady asked for food as she was starving.

"Go away! I don't have anything to give. Can't you see I'm eating?" said the king.
 "Please, my king," begged the old woman. "I'm asking for anything, anything you
could give me as I am so hungry. Even a little piece of bread or fruit would do."

"Get out at once! You disgust me," the king belittled the old beggar.

The old woman stood up straight, casting aside her stooped posture. "I've heard
much about you and how your kingdom is suffering." The tone of her voice had
changed. It was no longer the voice of a weak, old woman. "I asked for help, and you
shoved me away. You have a lot for yourself, but when I only asked for a little food, you
belittled me. You are selfish. No one loves you and no one will remember you when you
are gone!"

And the beggar disappeared.

After a few more days, the king slowly weakened and became sick. No one knows
what's wrong with him. He got weaker and weaker and lost much weight. He looked
older than his age. Soon after that, the king died. As unfortunate and unexpected as it
was, no one cried and nobody showed up at the king's burial. He died alone.

And where the king was buried, his people noticed a strange plant growing, a plant
they had never seen before. The plant soon grew into a tree, which bore rounded fruits
that turned yellowish when ripe.

People also noticed that the fruit seemed to have a crown as it develops, which
reminded them of their selfish, arrogant king. The flesh of the fruit tasted a bit sour, just
like the sour personality of the king towards them.

The people learned to eat the fruit, which helped them with starvation. And because
the tree was from the grave of their King Barabas and it has crown just like their king,
they named the tree after him: barabas, which in time they called bayabas.

The fruit is still called, as to this day, bayabas.

And although the guava may have came from the rude, selfish King Barabas, guava
fruit is one of the fruits that offers many health benefits when consumed, the fruit is a
good source of vitamin C. The leaves are made into tea and treats many diseases as
well from a simple toothache, to treating diarrhea, lowering blood sugar, and many
more. And it is used amongst young boys after their circumcision in the Philippines.

Or maybe it's the way of the late king to make up for the wrongdoings he did?
The Legend of the Firefly
Lovely little creatures, glittering, sparkling, throwing fragments of light in the dark night
skies. How did the fireflies or alitaptap come about?

Once, a long time ago, in the valley of Pinak in Central Luzon, one of the islands in the
Philippines. There was a deep large lake rich with fish. There, the people of Pinak
fished for their food, and always, there was plenty for all. Then suddenly, the big river
dried up. In the shallow mud, there wasn’t a fish to catch. For months, there were no
rains. Out in the fields, the land turned dry. The rice-stalks slowly withered. Everywhere
in Pinak, there was hunger. Night after night, the people of Pinak prayed hard.

“Dear Bathala,” they would recite together in their small and poorly-built chapel, ” send
us rains, give us food to eat. For the people are starving, and there is want among us!”

Then one black and starless night, the good Bathala answered the prayers of the faithful
people of Pinak. For suddenly up in the dark skies appeared a blaze of gold! A beautiful
chariot of gold was zooming thru the sky. The people started to panic but a big booming
voice came from the chariot soothing them with words.

” I am Bula-hari, and I have come with my wife, Bitu-in. We are sent from the heavens to
rule Pinak from now on. We have come to give you good life!” As Bulan-hari spoke, the
black skies burst open. The rain fell in torrents. Soon the dry fields bloomed again. The
large lake rose and once again was filled with fish. The people were happy once more
under the rulership of Bulan-hari.

Soon Bulan-hari and Bitu-in had a daughter. She grew up to be a beautiful maiden.
Such long dark hair! Such lovely eyes under long curling lashes! Her nose was chiselled
fine. Her lips like rosebuds. Her skin was soft and fair like cream. They named her
Alitaptap for on her forehead was a bright sparkling star.

All the young, brave handsome men of Pinak fell in love with Alitaptap. They
worshipped her beauty. They sang songs of love beneath her windows. They all sought
to win her heart.

But alas! the heart of Alitaptap wasn’t human. She was the daughter of Bulan-hari and
Bitu-in, who burst from the sky and were not of the earth. She had a heart of stone, as
cold and as hard as the sparkling star on her forehead. Alitaptap would never know
love.

Then one day, an old woman arrived at the palace. Her hair long and dirty. her clothing
tattered and soiled. Before the king Bulan-hari, Balo-na, the old, wise woman whined in
her sharp voice… that she had come from her dwelling in the mountains to bear the
king sad news. The news being that she saw the future in a dream and it betold of their
fate… the warriors of La-ut are coming with their mighty swords to conquer the land, the
only solution is to have a marriage between Alitaptap and one of the young men, so as
to have an heir to win the war.

At once Bulan-hari pleaded with his daughter to choose one of the young men in their
village. But how could the beautiful maiden understand? Alitaptap’s heart of stone
merely stood in silence. Bulan-hari gripped his sword in despair… “ Alitapatap!” he
bellowed in the quiet palace, “You will follow me, or you will lay dead this very minute!”

But nothing could stir the lovely young woman’s heart. Bulan-hari blind with anger and
fear of the dark future finally drew his sword. Clang! the steel of his sword’s blade rang
in the silence of the big palace. It hit the star on Alitaptap’s lovely forehead!

The star burst! Darkness was everywhere! Until a thousand chips of glitter and light flew
around the hall. Only the shattered pieces of the star on Alitaptap’s forehead lighted the
great hall, flickering as though they were stars with tiny wings.

Alitaptap, the lovely daughter from the heavens lay dead.

And soon, Balo-na’s prediction had come true. Riding in stamping wild horses, the
warriors of La-ut came like the rumble and clashes of lightning and thunder. They killed
the people of Pinak, ruined crops, poisoned the lake. They spread sorrow and
destruction everywhere.

When it all ended, the beautiful, peaceful valley of Pinak had turned into an empty and
shallow swamp. At night, there was nothing but darkness. But soon, tiny sparkles of
light would flicker and lend glimmers of brightness in the starless night.

And so, the fireflies came about. Once, a long time ago, they were fragments from the
star on the forehead of Bulan-hari’s daughter, the beautiful Alitaptap.
The Legend of the Makahiya
Long time ago, there was a couple in Barangay Masagana (Pampanga today) who
wanted a daughter. Their wish was granted and the wife gave birth to a baby girl. They
called her Maria. Maria was very beautiful but very shy that she wouldn't go out from
their house.

Weeks later, Spaniards came to their town. The Spaniards were very cruel that they
get everything they wanted. They rob houses and kill everyone who gets in their way
and who refuses to give what they wanted.

The couple was very frightened to lose their daughter so, they hid Maria in the
bushes so the Spaniards couldn't find her.

After the Spaniards left their town, the couple tried to look for Maria but they couldn't
find her even in the bushes where they hid her, instead they found a little plant that is
very sensitive that when you touch it, it would immediately close.

So they thought it was their daughter, Maria. They called the plant "Makahiya" that
means "touch me not," like their daughter who was very shy.