The Story of Bathala

In the beginning of time, there were three powerful gods who

lived in the universe, although they did not know each other.
The three gods were Bathala, the caretaker of the earth, Ulilang
Kaluluwa (Orphaned Spirit), a huge serpent who lived in the
clouds, and Galang Kaluluwa (Wandering Spirit), the winged
god who loves to travel.

Bathala often dreamt of creating humans due to loneliness, but

the empty earth forbids him to do so. One day, while Ulilang
Kaluluwa was visiting the Earth, his favorite place, he met
Bathala. Ulilang Kaluluwa was not pleased for he sees another
god rivaling him, and so challenged Bathala to a fight to decide
who would be the ruler of the universe. After three days and
three nights of fighting, Bathala killed Ulilang Kaluluwa and
burned his remains.

A few years later, Galang Kaluluwa wandered into Bathala’s home. The winged god
was welcomed by Bathala with much kindness and invited him to live in his kingdom.
The two gods became true friends, and they happily spent many years together.

However, Galang Kaluluwa became very ill. Before he died, he instructed Bathala to
bury him on the spot where Ulilang Kaluluwa’s body was burned. Bathala did exactly as
he was told. Out of the grave of the two gods sprouted a coconut tree. Bathala took a
big round nut from the tall tree and husked it. The nut reminded him of the Galang
Kaluluwa’s head, while the leaves reminded him of his friend’s wings. He also noticed
that the trunk was hard and ugly like the body of his enemy, Ulilang Kaluluwa.

Bathala realized that he was ready to create the creatures he wanted with him on earth.
He created the plants, animals, and the first man and woman. Out of the trunk and
leaves of the coconut trees, Bathala built a house for the people. The first people drank
the coconut juice and ate its delicious white meat for food. They used the leaves of the
coconut trees for making mats, hats, and brooms. They also used the fibers of coconut
trunk for making rope and many other things.