EPIC of IBALONG

When the hero Baltog came to the rich land of Ibalon, many monsters still roamed around in its very dark
forest. Baltog, born in Baltavara to the brave clan of Lipod, was the first to cultivate the fields in
the rich land of Ibalon. Then, Tandayag attacked and destroyed Baltog‘s fields and crops.

Tandayag was a monstrous wild boar but the hero Baltog was not afraid. One night, he waited
for Tandayag and wrestled with it with all his might. The Tandayag had very long fangs. The
earth shook at the Tandayag‘s step.

But Baltog was strong and brave. He was able to pin down the monstrous wild boar and tear out its
mouth. Baltog carried the Tandayag and hung it on a talisay tree in front of his house in Tondol.
The people celebrated when they learned of the victory of their king Baltog.

The clans of Panicuason and Asog came over to marvel at the monstrous wild boar in Ibalon. At
that time the hero Handiong came with a band of warriors to the land of Ibalon.

Handiong and his men had to fight thousands of battles, and face many dangers to defeat the
monsters. They first fought the one-eyed giants in the land of Ponon. They fought without rest
for ten months until all the one-eyed giants were killed. They went to the lair of the giant flying
fishes called Tiburon which had slimy, scaly, and hardyflesh and sawlike teeth that could crush
rocks. Handiong and his men did not stop until they vanquished every Tiburon.

They tamed the fierce tamaraws. They drove away the giant Sarimaw which was larger than an elephant and
very fierce. They used their spears and arrows to kill all the crocodiles which were bigger than
boats. The savage monkeys were frightened and hid when they saw the rivers and swamps of Ibalon
turn red with blood. 7 Oriol was the hardest to kill. A serpent with a beautiful voice, Oriol could change its image
to deceive enemies. Oriol had escaped every trap and disappeared.8 All by himself, Handiong
looked for Oriol in the heart of the forest. He followed the beautiful voice and was almost enchanted
by it in his pursuit. It is said that Oriol admired Handiong‘s bravery and gallantry. Thus, the serpent taught the hero
how to conquer the monsters until peace came to the whole Ibalon.9 Handiong built a town in Isarog and
a season of progress followed. Under Handiong‘s leadership, the people planted rice which they named
after him. He built the first boat to ride the waves of Ibalon seas. Because of his good example, inventors
came forth from his people. Ginantong made the plow, harrow, and other farming tools. Hablom invented
the first loom for weaving abaca clothes. Dinahon, an Aeta, created the stove, cooking pot, earthen jar,
and other kitchen utensils. The brilliant Sural thought of the alphabet and started to write on
white rock. It was a golden period in Ibalon wheneven slaves were respected under the laws of
Handiong.10 But there came the big flood freed by Unos, with earthquakes and the eruption of the volcanoes of
Hantik, Kolasi, and Isarog. Rivers dried up and the seas receded. The earth parted,mountains
sank, and many towns in Ibalon were destroyed.11 Then appeared the giant Rabot, half-man half-beast,
with terrible powers.
Bantong, Handiong‘s good friend, was ordered to kill the new monster in Ibalon. He took
 with him a thousand warriors to attack Rabot‘s den. Bantong used his wisdom against Rabot. He did not attack
thegiant‘s den right away but instead observed Rabot‘s ways. He saw many rocks around the den.

They were people turned into rock by Rabot.13 He also learned that Rabot loved to sleep. When Rabot
slept very soundly, Bantong was ableto go near him. The giant died with a single stab by the brave and
wise Bantong. Ibalon was at peaceonce more.

The Three Heroes of Ibalon

The epic tells the story of three Bicol heroes. Baltog, a mighty warrior of Batavara, came by
chance upon the lush and virginal beauty of Ibalon. Extensive in area, rich in soil, and free from
typhoons. Ibalon attracted Baltog's men to found a kingdom. In the course of time, Ibalon
became prosperous and peaceful. But one day, the peace and prosperity of the land was
threatened not by conquering strangers or black men but by a huge man-eating wild boar. The
ferocious beast destroyed the crops and killed the people on its path. Vast areas in Ibalon were
soon reduced to waste and countless people were either killed or maimed. Baltog stood dumb-
founded as he surveyed the depredation wrought on his kingdom. One day, Baltog left his home
alone, planning to confront his enemy. Under the cover of night, he went to the muddy field
to wait for his enemy. Under the cover of night, he went to the muddy field to wait for his
enemy. After much waiting, when the moon was bright, the man-eating wild boar came snorting,
tearing crops as it went along. Baltog hid under the bushes. When the boar came within his
reach, he sprang at it like a panther. Man and beast tumbled to the ground in mortal combat.
Fortunately, Baltog was able to pin down the beast land, summoning all his strength, he finally
subdued the boar.

Baltog’s victory put an end to a terror that had ravished his kingdom for a time. Ibalon, however,
saw few years of peace. One day, huge carabaos followed by winged sharks and giant crocodiles
rushed to Ibalon. Every mortal was infright: death and destruction took a heavy toll. The mighty
Baltog could no longer defend his kingdom, for the years had sapped his strength. Defenseless,
Ibalon had become an easy prey. Luck, however, was still with Ibalon. On that day, Handiong, a
mighty warrior of the neighboring kingdom, happened to pass by Ibalon. Apprised of the plight
of the people, Handiong came to their rescue. Handiong and his brave seasoned men threw
themselves at their stampeding and winging wild enemies. For untold hours, Ibalon saw mortal
combat. Blood flowed freely over the land and the streams. One by one the beasts were slain.
Before sunset, Handiong and his men emerged the victors. Only one monster escaped
Handiong’s mortal wrath; this was Oriol, the serpent who could transform itself into a beautiful
woman. Handiong, however, repulsed the advances of the temptress. To save itself from
extinction, Oriol struck alliance with Handiong. Through its help, the salimaws or evil spirits of
the mountains were route doubt. This last victory brought to an end the second threat to Ibalon’s
peaceful existence. Ibalon, under Handiong’s wise administration, became rich and peaceful
again. But Handiong was getting on in years and outside his domain, Rabut, was eyeing his
kingdom. This monster was far more terrible, for under its spell, mortals could be changed into
stones. Luck again was with Ibalon. Handiong had mighty friend, a young warrior named
Bantong. Bantong, in command of a handful of men, trekked one day into the monster’s lair and
found the enemy taking its nap. With cat-like agility, Bantong came near his prey and with
amighty stroke delivered mortal blows at the
monster’s neck. The wounded monster writhed in agony and in his struggle for breath, the earth
shuddered and cracked and the waters of the sea heaved and rolled landward. With the
death throes of the monster over, the dust clouds parted and Ibalon underwent great physical
change. New islets began to dot the waters near the peninsula; the Inarinan River changed its
course; and a dark lake had replaced the mountain at Bato. Finally, a tall and perfect cone reared
its head to lord over the leveled ruins. This perfect cone is now known as the Mayon Volcano.