MOVIE ANALYSIS

of
SAYAW KAN TULONG BULOD
Cultural Elements Social Elements Political Elements
1. Use of symbolism 1. Social group (the people 1. Political organizations
2. Language used (Bicol- of Ibalon) 2. Political relations
Legazpi) 2. Social statuses given 3. Political norms
3. Beliefs (rituals) presented 3. Roles and rights in the 4. Political structure
4. Values shown community 5. Political ideology
5. Artifacts presented 4. Power and sanction
6. Norms or behaviour seen (having respective
7. Laws, mores, and leaders
folkways 5. Territoriality (Bicol was
8. Religious representations divided into different
(many Gods and deities) colonies and governed
9. Customs and traditions by Datus)
shown
10. Cognitive elements
(hunting and dealing with
difficult times)

Summary:
Through the years, there have already been many versions of the Istorya kan Tulong Bulod
(Story of the three mountains) that has been told by many generations, including today. In 2013, the
provincial government of Albay, together with the city government of Legazpi presented Abdon Balde
Jr.'s Daragang Magayon sa Sayaw kan Tulong Bulod (Dance of the three mountains) stage play held at
the Albay Astrodome. However, the script of the stage play/theatrical play was somehow different from
the mainstream versions of the stories.

The play starts in the land of Ibalon or Ibalong (also referred to as the Bicol peninsula), with the
Baliana (priestess) doing a dance ritual with the background song telling the story of how the three
maidens were born. Datu Makusog (his name meaning ‘strong’) of Rawis and his wife Dawani (or
Diwani) met and married, and she gave birth to three daughters, each having their own unique beauty
and speciality. The Eldest was named Masaraga, and according to the legend, was the one favoured by
Gugurang. She was of short stature, a brown beauty, strong willed, industrious, and prayed to the gods
often. She wanted to learn the knowledge and secrets of the gods so Ibalon could prosper more. The
second and middle child was named Malinao, favoured by the sea God, Magindang. She was lithe and
soft spoken and of a different beauty and character. She had light skin and was forbidden to go out of
their abode. The youngest of the three was named Magayon – Mayon for short. She may have been the
youngest and most beautiful, but she was proud and moody. Some even said that she was blessed with
having golden-copper skin and copper colored hair. In the play, the womb of Dawani was depicted as
large flower bud wherein the three (already fully grown women) stepped out of. They danced together
with the people of Rawis, their parents, and the Baliana (still telling the story through dance).

The next part after the dance, was when the people have gathered together very happily only
to be interrupted by the Deity Aswang, his daughter Oriol (or Oryol) who is a serpent, and another
creature, Yasaw, who is said to be a mini version of an Aswang. They wanted to wreck and give havoc to
Rawis, thus summoned the Deity Bakunawa, a sea serpent, and maybe even likewise eat the moon
(according to legend; and is believed to cause the solar eclipse). The people were furious and scared,
rushing everywhere just to avoid or escape the gigantic Bakunawa. Suddenly, Datu Makusog shouted for
them to keep calm. He let them remember that Gugurang (supreme Deity) was always there to help
them, and the people agreed. Baliana, together with the Ibalon people, then proceeded to do the Halya
(or Hale’a), a ritual done during the full moon in honour of the Gugurang to continue to ward off the
Bakunawa. After the dance ritual, light came back to the land and the moon went back into sight,
signalling that they have succeeded in banishing Bakunawa. After that, an important announce was
made by Datu Makusog stating that the Eldest daughter, Masaraga, has come of age and was ready to
be wed. But Oragon, a Rawis native, stated that another Datu was conquering lands and has already
counquered the neighboring land, Datu Pagtuga (his name means ‘eruption’) of Iraga. Though, Datu
Makusog was never bothered by the news. He believed that the land of Rawis was doing well, with
plentiful harvest and the like. With this, he suggested that there be done another ritual (an offering) in
honor of Gugurang, to thank him for making Rawis a bountiful land and bestowing such gifts among
them. Thereafter, a dance would be held, that would be led by the three sisters, in which he named ‘ An
sayaw nin buhay’ (the dance of life). Everyone rejoiced and the word was sent to everyone, as said by
the proud parents, Datu Makusog and Dawani.

While everyone was preparing, the next scene showed the creature Yasaw lurking in the woods,
when a deer suddenly came across. After the right timing, Yasaw jumped out from behind the deer and
caught it, killed it, shifted, and became the deer that was killed. Although, at some moment, he too, was
also killed by Oragon, who was only there to hunt for a wild animal that would be offered, cooked and
eaten for the feast. Aswang and Oriol saw what happened and was completely devastated. Aswang said
that a blood price would be paid for what Oragon did. Oriol seconded this, promising death to Mayon,
Malinao and Masaraga as revenge for the death of Yasaw. But Oragon did not know as he had not heard
what the two said and continued and carried his hunt over to where Datu Makusog and Dawani met
him. At first the Datu was pleased to know Oragon hunted an animal to offer but was fretted when
Oragon laid the dead animal, only to be revealed that was actually Yasaw as confirmed by Datu
Makusog. The two, along with Dawani became worried thinking it might be a bad omen or a sign that
something bad would happen. Yet, everything was set aside and the ritual pushed through, again with
the Baliana leading it. Afterwards, the sayaw nin buhay was performed by the sisters. Though, before
the dance even ended, Oragon briefly interrupted to say that Datu Pagtuga has come to visit, along with
his trusty companion, Linog (his name meaning ‘earthquake’). Datu Makusog was very happy with the
Datu’s visit. He took this as an opportunity to introduce Masaraga to Pagtuga, hoping to betrothed the
two. But, Pagtuga took notice of Mayon and was immediately captivated by her beauty. He proceeded
to seeing the beauty of Mayon, never taking notice again of Masaraga. This led her confused, and also
made Mayon feel akward at the same time (she was being comforted by Malinao as well). The dance
continued and Masaraga tried to make Pagtuga notice her, but his eyes were only focused on Mayon. He
followed her throughout the rest of the dance which angered Mayon, resulting him to get pushed by
her. Linog stood in between the two, and he and Pagtuga were restrained by the others to prevent any
fight that would happen. The two left as soon as possible.

When they thought everything was over, the Creature Banog, a winged monster, came flying in
to scoop down and captured Masaraga, then flew high. When they were high enough, Banog dropped
Masaraga, leading to her death. Aswang and Oryol came in and were delighted to see that Banog had
succeeded and brought over the lifeless Masaraga. The two proceeded on chanting ‘ Tigbak na’ or
‘Already Dead’ and even mocked the words of Dawani on her statement ‘Masaraga was ready to be
wed’, and changed it to ‘Masaraga was ready to be dead’. The comedic part of the play was actually this
part in which Aswang told Oryol to carry and bury the body of Masaraga because if left there, it would
smell. But Oryol didn’t want to, so she made a bet that whoever was the beautiful one, would be
carrying the dead Masaraga. Aswang was hesistant at first, but Oryol had persuaded him, saying he is of
course, is the beautiful one. Athough, they carried the body together, because she insisted that she was
also beautiful. After burying Masaraga, a mountain appeared in where she was buried. This shocked
Aswang and Oryol and they cried out in disbelief.

Meanwhile, back in Rawis, Datu Pagtuga came back with Linog and was welcomed by Datu
Makusog. He brought with him many baskets filled pearls dived from the deep sea, and as many gold as
Linog could carry, since thought that he could win over Mayon's heart with riches. Mayon came over
along with her mother, Dawani but was still unamused by the fact that Pagtuga wants to marry her and
proudly rejected him. This angered Pagtuga and again immediately left with Linog causing Datu Makusog
to rebuke Mayon over her actions and behaviour, but Mayon, who was pissed off as well, walked out
angrily at the presence of both her parents. Magayon went to the river Yawa to ease off her anger. But
Oryol was waiting for her, and had made sure that the stones were slippery, so that she would slip and
drown. As planned, Mayon came and and slipped into the river where she almost drowned, if not for
Gino (prince) Panganoron who saved her. Mayon got scared and uneasy at first, but was also captured
by the handsomeness and gentleness of Panganoron. The two danced and then fell in love with each
other. Oryol saw what had happened and cried out in dismay of her failure. But she knew she had to kill
one of the sisters next, so before Mayon and Pagtuga could leave, she disguised herself as the late
Masaraga. Mayon, upon seeing came to believe that she was actually her, and was very happy and
delighted that she saw her sister alive and well, and even introduced Panganoron to her. She likewise
called Malinao and stated that Masaraga was alive and she too, believed and was deceived by Oryol. As
the lovers left, Oryol took her chance. She

pleaded Malinao into going into the shallow river, but as soon as Malinao noticed they were getting into
the deeper part of it, Malinao stated that she is not used to going to the deeper end because she was
afraid of the waves, and pleaded that they would just stay at the shallow parts. Oryol, pissed by
Malinao’s continuous pleading, blew her cover and choked her, finally drowning her as she was engulfed
by the waves. From where Malinao drowned, a mountain again appeared in its midst, just like what
happened to Masaraga, shocking Oryol in disbelief.

Going back to Rawis, the people were continuously talking about the death of Malinao, and
Dawani was saddened and filled with sorrow upon knowing the death of her second child. She was
comforted by Mayon and the Baliana and then, Datu Makusog and also, Oragon. For the meantime,
somewhere in the forest, Oryol thought of another plan to kill Magayon. She implanted evil thoughts on
Datu Pagtuga's head stating that Mayon already loves another man and there was only one way for
Mayon to agree to marry him. Oryol stated that Datu Pagtuga would abduct Datu Makusog and threaten
Mayon telling her that he will kill her father and wage war if she refuse to marry him. The proceeded
with the plan and succeeded, leaving a heartbroken Dawani in despair. Mayon and Ulap have heard of
this, and though it was against her will and her heart, she agreed. Ulap was furious, and promised to
take over Pagtuga for Mayon and stand by and protect her.

It was the day of the wedding, and a ceremony took place, revealing a still grief-stricken Mayon
that she was about to marry the man she loathed. But before the wedding could even reach the middle
part, Ulap and his men arrived and rained arrows over Pagtuga and his men. A great battle instead of a
wedding feast took place. Ulap was able to defeat Pagtuga in the end, and Mayon jubilantly ran over to
her beloved, but as soon as she was about to hold him, an arrow struck them from behind, killing the
two.

The people cried out in grief and then men went ahead and buried the two young lovers
together. After being buried, another mountain (the third and the last), a majestic one, appeared at the
burial place. Interrupting the grief and sorrow, as if it could not get any worse, Aswang, together with
the band of other Aswangs came in bringing destructing over the mourning people. Just then, as soon as
the Aswangs were able to devour them, the spirits of the three sisters (depicted as tall ladies wearing
green, depicting the mountains), helped them and finally defeating Aswang and his constituents. Mayon,
Malinao and Masaraga, joined in to dance with the people of Rawis after a successful battle against the
evil Deity and rejoicing as well. This marked the end of the stage play and the end of the story of the
three mountains.