EPIC OF IBALONG

Forthwith Kadunung described the ancient land and spoke of its first hero, Baltog, a white Aryan, who
had come from Boltavara (Bharata-varsha or India). He planted a linsa patch in Tondol (now in Kamalig)
which, one night, was foraged by a giant wild boar (Tandayag). The furious Baltog chased the Tandayag,
killed it with his bare hands, and hung its enormous jawbones on a talisay tree in front of his house
in Tondol. For this marvelous feat, he was acknowledged chief of the local hunters. The clans
of Panicuason and Asog came over to marvel at the monstrous wild boar in Ibálong.

Next to come was Handyong. With his followers, he fought the monsters of the land. But Oryol, a
wily serpent who appeared as a beautiful maiden with a seductive voice, was one whom Handyong
could not destroy. Meanwhile, Oryol admired Handyong's bravery and gallantry. Because of
this, Oryol helped Handyong clear the region of ferocious beasts until peace came to the whole of the
land.

With Ibálong rid of wild creatures, Handyong turned to making wise laws and planting the land to linsa
and rice. A period of the invention followed: boat, farming tools, weaving looms, claywares, kitchen
utensils, tree houses, and even a syllabary. Together, the people built a society with culture. It was a
golden period in Ibálong when even slaves were respected under the laws of Handyong.

Then came a great flood, freed by Unos, that changed the features of the land. Three volcanoes,
named Hantik, Kulasi, and Isarog erupted simultaneously. Inundations caused lands to sink, from which
Lake Buhi came about, or rise, as in the strip of seacoast in Pasacao, Camarines Sur, and wiped out many
settlements, especially the Dagatnong settlement in the Kalabangan Gulf. The Malbogong Islet formed in
the Bicol River while the Inarihan River altered its course. A lofty mountain sank at Bato, forming a lake.

Despite the calamities, Ibálong grew powerful under Old Chief Handyong, whose constant companion
and good friend, by then, was the young Bantong.

Although given a thousand men to destroy the half man and half beast Rabot, who could change its
enemies into rocks, Bantong slew it single-handedly – to the loud cheers of his thousand warriors that
reverberated throughout the forests and mangroves swamps. Brought to Ligmanan, the corpse
of Rabot was horrible to behold that the Great Handyong himself was shocked at the sight.