JMJ Marist Brothers

Notre Dame of Marbel University

College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

pkm

COURSEPACK
in:
LIT 121
INTRODUCTION TO
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

JMJ Marists Brothers

Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT 1|LIT 121
 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

LESSON 4: BIAG NI LAM-ANG

TUNGKUNG LANGIT AT ALUNSINA
INDARAPATRA AT SULAYMAN
HINILAWOD
SICALAC AND SICAVAY
BANTUGAN
LEGEND OF MOUNT MAYON

Do know how it feels like to hear a song and immediately a person comes in your mind? Or when you smell
a perfume? Or when you go to the mall and pass by a stall? Or when you see a pen?
Yes, it happens, doesn’t it? And when you remember the person, flashbacks of the past, both good and
bad suddenly comes flashing.
And, yes, this is one big hugot.
However, as it is true in real life that a song, a scent reminds us of what used to be, literature likewise has
its own way in making us remember the past.
Hopefully the ones you will read this week will let you know, probably not remember, the Filipinos that we
once were or the Filipinos that we innately are.

At the end of this unit, you should have been able to:
a. knowingly share knowledge of the past through “What Do I Know?”
b. sincerely reflect on pre-colonial literary pieces through “Essayed It All”
c. conscientiously search for more pre-colonial literary pieces through “What More Is
There?”

2|LIT 121
 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

WHAT DO I KNOW?

I believe you have had a chance or two in your life time of hearing old people’s tale of how the world began,
or how the islands of the Philippines was formed. Think deeply of what you heard, and write a short
narration (don’t forget the title, though) of what you remember about it. I can’t wait to read what you know!

CRITERIA POINTS
Content 10
Organization 5
Grammar and mechanics 5
Total 20

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3|LIT 121
 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

BIAG NI LAM-ANG
(Ilocano Epic)

“Biag ni Lam-ang” (Life of Lam-ang) is a pre-Hispanic Ilokano epic the source of which is now
lost I the dim tradition of the past. The epic was very long; written versions of it available
today seem to show that it was close to 300 stanzas. It is believed to be the work of several
posts of different generations, each poet making his own alterations or additions until the 17 th
century when Pedro Bukaneg, Father of Ilocano Poetry, put it down in writing for the first time
(about 1720) in both Ilokano and Spanish. Versions were later written by Canuto and Medina
Ruiz, the Parayno Hermanos, Isabelo de los Reyes, and Leopoldo Yabes. However, the
Bukaneg version seems to be the basis of all other versions. Bukaneg had retouched the
story and put in some Christian material.

Don Juan and his wife Namongan lived in Nalbuan, now part of La Union in the northern part of the
Philippines. They had a son named Lam-ang. Before Lam-ang was born, Don Juan went to the mountains
in order to punish a group of their Igorot enemies. While he was away, his son Lam-ang was born. It took
four people to help Namongan give birth. As soon as the baby boy popped out, he spoke and asked that he
be given the name Lam-ang. He also chose his godparents and asked where his father was.
After nine months of waiting for his father to return, Lam-ang decided he would go look for him.
Namongan thought Lam-ang was up to the challenge but she was sad to let him go. During his exhausting
journey, he decided to rest for a while. He fell asleep and had a dream about his father's head being stuck
on a pole by the Igorot. Lam-ang was furious when he learned what had happened to his father. He rushed
to their village and killed them all, except for one whom he let go so that he could tell other people about
Lam-ang's greatness.
Upon returning to Nalbuan in triumph, he was bathed by women in the Amburayan river. All the fish
died because of the dirt and odor from Lam-ang's body.
There was a young woman named Ines Kannoyan whom Lam-ang wanted to woo. She lived in
Calanutian and he brought along his white rooster and gray dog to visit her. On the way, Lam-ang met his
enemy Sumarang, another suitor of Ines whom he fought and readily defeated.

4|LIT 121
 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

Lam-ang found the house of Ines surrounded by many suitors all of whom were trying to catch her
attention. He had his rooster crow, which caused a nearby house to fall. This made Ines look out. He had
his dog bark and in an instant the fallen house rose up again. The girl's parents witnessed this and called
for him. The rooster expressed the love of Lam-ang. The parents agreed to a marriage with their daughter if
Lam-ang would give them a dowry valued at double their wealth. Lam-ang had no problem fulfilling this
condition and he and Ines were married.
It was a tradition to have a newly married man swim in the river for the rarang fish. Unfortunately,
Lam-ang dove straight into the mouth of the water monster Berkakan. Ines had Marcos get his bones,
which she covered with a piece of cloth. His rooster crowed and his dog barked and slowly the bones
started to move. Back alive, Lam-ang and his wife lived happily ever after with his white rooster and gray
dog.

HINILAWOD
(A Panay Epic)

Hinilawod is the oldest and well-known epic of Panay which belongs to the oral tradition of the
Sulod mountain people living near the headwaters of the river Jalaur (Halawod), Aklan, and
Antique. It is sung in kinaray-a, the language of the Sulod. This epic was recorded by Felipe
Landa Jocano, and anthropologist in Lambunao, Iloilo, in 1964. It has two cycles: first part
deals with Donggon’s amorous exploits; the second part deals with the adventures of
Humadapnon wherein Baranugun plays the leading role.

When the goddess of the eastern sky Alunsina (also known as Laun Sina, “The Unmarried One”)
reached maidenhood, the king of the gods, Kaptan, decreed that she should marry. All the unmarried gods
of the different domains of the universe tried to win her hand to no avail. She chose to marry a mortal, Datu
Paubari, the mighty ruler of Halawod.
Her decision angered her other suitors. They plotted to bring harm to the newlyweds. A meeting of
the council of gods was called by Maklium-sa-t’wan, god of the plains, where a decision by those present
was made to destroy Halawod by flood.
Alunsina and Paubari escaped harm through the assistance of Suklang Malayon, the goddess and
guardian of happy homes and sister of Alunsina, who learned of the evil plot and warned the two so they
were able to seek refuge on higher ground.
After the flood waters subsided, Paubari and Alunsina returned to the plains secretly. They settled
near the mouth of the Halawod river.

5|LIT 121
 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

Several months later Alunsina became pregnant and told Paubari to prepare the siklot, things
necessary for childbirth. She delivered a set of triplets and summoned the high priest Bungot-Banwa to
perform the rites of the gods of Mount Madya-as (the mountain abode of the gods) to ensure the good
health of the children. The high priest promptly made an altar and burned some alanghiran fronds and a
pinch of kamangyan. When the ceremony was over he opened the windows of the north side of the room
and a cold northernly wind came in and suddenly the three infants were transformed into strong, handsome
young men.
Labaw Donggon, the eldest of the three, asked his mother to prepare his magic cape, hat, belt and
kampilan (sword) for he heard of a place called Handug where a beautiful maiden named Angoy Ginbitinan
lived.
The journey took several days. He walked across plains and valleys, climbed up mountains until he
reached the mouth of the Halawod river. When he finally met the maiden’s father and asked for her hand in
marriage, the father asked him to fight the monster Manalintad as part of his dowry. He went off to confront
the monster and with the help of his magic belt Labaw Donggon killed the monster and to prove his feat he
brought to Angoy Ginbitinan’s father the monster’s tail.
After the wedding, Labaw Donggon proceeded home with his new bride. Along the way they met a
group of young men who told him that they were on their way to Tarambang Burok to win the hand of
Abyang Durunuun, sister of Sumpoy, the lord of the underworld and whose beauty was legendary.
Labaw Donggon and his bride continued on their journey home. The moment they arrived home
Labaw Donggon told his mother to take care of his wife because he is taking another quest, this time he
was going to Tarambang Burok.
Before he can get to the place he has to pass a ridge guarded by a giant named Sikay Padalogdog
who has a hundred arms. The giant would not allow Labaw Donggon to go through without a fight.
However, Sikay Padalogdog was no match to Labaw Donggon’s prowess and skill in fighting so he gave up
and allowed him to continue.
Labaw Donggon won the hand of Abyang Durunuun and also took her home. Before long he went
on another journey, this time it is to Gadlum to ask for the hand of Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata who
is the young bride of Saragnayan, the lord of darkness.
This trip required him to use his biday nga inagta (black boat) on which he sailed across the seas
for many months, went across the region of the clouds, and passed the land of stones until finally he
reached the shores of Tulogmatian which was the seaside fortress of Saragnayan. The moment he set foot
on the ground Saragnayan asked him, “Who are you and why are you here?”
To which he answered, “I am Labaw Donggon, son of Datu Paubari and goddess Alunsina of
Halawod. I came for the beautiful Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata.”

6|LIT 121
 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

Saragnayan laughed. He told Labaw Donggon that what he wished for was impossible to grant
because she was his wife. Labaw Donggon then challenged Saragnayan to a duel saying that whoever
wins will have her.
The challenge was accepted and they started fighting. Labaw Donggon submerged Saragnayan
under water for seven years, but when he let go of him, Saragnayan was still alive. The latter uprooted a
coconut tree and started beating Labaw Donggon with it. He survived the beating but was not able to
surpass the powers of Saragnayan’s pamlang (amulet) and eventually he gave up and was imprisoned by
Saragnayan beneath his house.
Back home Angoy Ginbitinan and Abyang Durunuun both delivered sons. Angoy Ginbitinan’s child
was named Aso Mangga and Abyang Durunuun’s son was called Abyang Baranugon.
Only a few days after they were born, Aso Mangga and Abyang Baranugon embarked to look for
their father. They rode their sailboats through the region of eternal darkness, passed the region of the
clouds and the land of stones, finally reaching Saragnayan’s home. Saragnayan noticed that Abyang
Baranugon’s umbilical cord have not yet been removed, he laughed and told the child to go home to his
mother.
Abyang Baranugon was slighted by the remarks and immediately challenged Saragnayan to a
duel. They fought and Abyang Baranugon defeated Saragnayan and won his father’s freedom.
Labaw Donggon’s defeat and subsequent imprisonment by the Lord of Darkness also angered his
brothers. Humadapnon was so enraged that he swore to the gods of Madya-as that he would wreak
revenge on all of Saragnayan’s kinsmen and followers.
Humadapnon prepared to go to Saragnayan’s domain. He employed the aid of Buyong Matanayon
of Mount Matiula who was well-known for his skill in swordsmanship. For their journey they rode on a
sailboat called biday nga rumba-rumba. They travelled through the region of the clouds, passed by the
region of eternal darkness and ended up at a place called Tarambang Buriraw. In this place was a ridge
called Talagas Kuting-tang where a seductive sorceress named Piganun lived.
Piganun changed herself to a beautiful maiden and captured the heart of Humadapnon. Buyong
Matanayon begged with Humadapnon to leave the place with him but the latter refused. After seven
months passed, Buyong Matanayon remembered that they have brought with them some ginger. One
evening at dinner time Buyong Matanayon threw seven slices of ginger into the fire. When Pinganun
smelled the odor of burning ginger she left the dinner table because sorcerers hated the odor of ginger.
Immediately Buyong Matanayon struck Humadapnon, who became unconscious. He dragged his friend
with him and they were able to escape.
They continued with their trek and everywhere they went they exacted revenge on all of
Saragnayan’s people and relatives. One day they reached a place called Piniling Tubig who was ruled by

7|LIT 121
 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

Datu Umbaw Pinaumbaw. There was a big gathering in the village and when they asked what was going on
they were told that the datu was giving his daughter for marriage to whoever could remove the huge
boulder that rolled from a mountain into the center of the village. Many men tried their luck but no one so far
was able to even move the stone.
Humadapnon took off his magic cape and used it to lift the stone and threw it back into the
mountain. The datu kept his word and Humadapnon married his daughter. During the wedding feast
Humadapnon heared about the beauty of the goddess of greed Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan from
a guest minstrel who sang at the celebration.
After the wedding Humadapnon went to seek the hand of the goddess in marriage. Along the way
he encountered Buyong Makabagting, son of the mighty Datu Balahidyong of Paling Bukid who was also
travelling with the same purpose in mind. Upon learning of Humadapnon’s intent, Buyong Makabagting
challenged him to a duel. They fought and Buyong Makabagting was no match to Humadapnon’s strength
and skill. The fight ended when Buyong Makabagting surrendered and even promised to aid Humadapnon
in his quest. Humadapnon married the goddess and brought her home.
Meanwhile, right after Humadapnon left to seek Saragnayan’s followers and relatives his brother
Dumalapdap left for Burutlakan-ka-adlaw where the maiden Lubay-Lubyok Hanginun si Mahuyokhuyokon
lived. For the trip he brought along Dumasig, the most powerful wrestler in Madya-as.
Several months later they came to a place called Tarambuan-ka-banwa where they encountered
the two-headed monster Balanakon who guarded a narrow ridge leading to the place where the maiden
lived.
With the aid of Dumasig, Dumalapdap killed Balanakon. However, upon approaching the gate of
the palace where the maiden lived he was confronted by Uyutang, a bat-like monster with sharp poisonous
claws. There ensued a bloody battle between the Dumalapdap and the monster. They fought for seven
months and their skill and prowess seemed to be equal. But on the seventh month, Dumalapdap was able
to grab on to Uyutang’s ankle and broke it. Then he took his iwang daniwan (magic dagger) and stabbed
Uyutang under the armpit. Uyutang cried out so loud that the ridge where they were fighting broke into two
and there was an earthquake. Half of the ridge became the island of Buglas (Negros) and the other
became the island of Panay.
Dumalapdap married Lubay-Lubyok Hanginun si Mahuyokhuyokan and then took her home. Datu
Paubari was very happy when he was reunited with his three sons and he prepared a feast in their honor.
After the celebration, the three brothers left for different parts of the world. Labaw Donggon went to the
north, Humadapnon went south, Dumalapdap to the west and Datu Paubari remained in the east.

8|LIT 121
 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

TUNGKUNG LANGIT AT ALUNSINA

(Panay-Visayan Myth)

Tungkung Langit and Alunsina (Panay-Visayan) One of the stories about the creation of the world,
which the old people of Panay, especially those living near the mountains, do not tire relating, tells that in
the beginning there was no sky or earth—only a bottomless deep and a world of mist. Everything was
shapeless and formless—the earth, the sky, the sea and the air were almost mixed up. In a word, there
was confusion.
Then from the depth of this formless void, there appeared two gods, Tungkung Langit and
Alunsina. Just where these two deities came from, it was known. However, it was related that Tungkung
Langit had fallen in love with Alunsina; and after so many years of courtship, they got married and had their
abode in the highest realm of the ethereal space, where the water was constantly warm and the breeze
was forever cool. It was in this place where order and regularity first took place.
Tungkung Langit was an industrious, loving and kind god whose chief concern was how to impose
order over the whole confused set-up of things. He assumed responsibility for the regular cosmic
movement. On the other hand, Alunsina was a lazy, jealous and selfish goddess whose only work was to
sit by the window of their heavenly home and amuse herself with her pointless thoughts. Sometimes, she
would go down the house, sit down by a pool near their doorsteps, and comb her long, jet-black hair all day
long.
One day Tungkung Langit told his wife that he would be away from home for some time to put an
end to the chaotic disturbances in the flow of time and in the position of things. However, despite this
purpose Alunsina sent the breeze to spy on Tungkung Langit. This made the latter very angry upon
knowing about it.
Immediately after his return from his trip, he called this act to her attention, saying that it was
ungodly of her to be jealous, there being no other creature living in the world except the two of them. This
reproach was resented by Alunsina and a quarrel between them followed.
Tungkung Langit lost his temper. In his rage, he divested his wife of powers and drove her away.
He did not know where Alunsina went; she merely disappeared.
Several days after Alunsina had left, Tungkung Langit felt very lonely. He realized what he had
done. Somehow, it was too late to even be sorry about the whole matter. The whole place, once vibrant
with Alunsina’s sweet voice, suddenly became cold and desolate. In the morning when he woke up, he
9|LIT 121
 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

would find himself alone; and in the afternoon when he came home, he would feel the same loneliness
creeping deep in his heart because there was no one to meet him at the doorstep or soothe the aching
muscles of his arms.
For months, Tungkung Langit lived in utter desolation. He could not find Alunsina, try hard as he
would. And so, in desperation, he decided to do something in order to forget his sorrows. For months and
months he thought. His mind seemed pointless; his heart weary and sick. But he must do something about
his lonely world.
One day, while he was sailing across the regions of the clouds, a thought came to him. He would
make the sea and the earth, and the sea and the earth suddenly appeared. However, the somber sight of
the lonely sea and the barren land irritated him, so he came down to earth and planted the ground with
trees and flowers. Then he took his wife’s treasure jewels and scattered them in the sky hoping that when
Alunsina would see them she might be induced to return home. The goddess’ necklace became the stars,
her comb the mood, and her crown the sun. However, despite all these, Alunsina did not come back.
Up to this time, the old folk say Tungkung Langit lives alone in his palace in the skies. Sometimes,
he would cry out his pent-up emotion and his tears would fall down upon the earth. The people in Panay
today say that rain is Tungkung Langit’s tears. Incidentally, when it thunders hard, the old folk also say that
it is Tungkung Langit sobbing, calling for his beloved Alunsina to come back—entreating her so hard that
his voice reverberates across the fields and country sides .

INDARAPATRA AT SULAYMAN
(Maranao Epic)
It was Najeed M. Saleeby who wrote down the story of “Indarapatra at Sulayman” in “A History of
Sulu” in 1908.
This epic of Indarapatra at Sulayman contains the story of the deeds and adventures of the
heroic Emperor of Indarapatra of the Kingdom of Mantapuli. He was the greatest of all monarchs
of that western empire. He had a magic spear which he could cause to fly from and return to his
hand. By this spear, he caused the volcano Bud Matutum to explode in one final eruption and to
cease to be a threat to his kindom. The scene of the stories contained in the epic is supposed to
be the region now included within the territory of Cotabato.

Indarapatra at Sulayman A long, long time ago, Mindanao was covered with water, and the sea
covers all the lowlands so that nothing could be seen but the mountains jutting from it. There were many
people living in the country and all the highlands were dotted with villages and settlements. For many years

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 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

the people prospered, living in peace and contentment. Suddenly there appeared in the land four horrible
monsters which, in short time has devoured every human being they could find.
Kurita, a terrible creature with many limbs, lived partly on the land and partly on sea, but its favorite
haunt was the mountain where the rattan palm grew; and here it brought utter destruction on every living
thing. The second monster, Tarabusaw, an ugly creature in the form of a man, lived on Mt. Matutum, and
far and wide from that place he devoured the people, laying waste the land. The third, an enormous bird
called Pah, was so large that, when on the wing, it covered the sun and brought darkness to the earth. Its
egg was as large as a house. Mt. Bita was its haunt; and there the only people who escaped its voracity
were those who hid in the mountain caves. The fourth monster was also a dreadful bird, having seven
heads and the power to see in all directions at the same time. Mt. Gurayan was its home and like the
others, it wrought havoc to its region.
So great was the death and destruction caused by these terrible creatures that at length, the news
spread even to the most distant lands - and all nations grieved to hear the sad fate of Mindanao.
Now far across the sea, in the land of the golden sunset, was a city so great that to look at its many
people would injure the eyes of men. When tidings of these great disasters reached this distant city, the
heart of King Indarapatra was filled with compassion, and he called his brother, Sulayman, and begged him
to save the land of Mindanao from the monsters.
Sulayman listened to the story and as heard it, was moved with pity. "I will go", zeal and
enthusiasm adding to his strength, "and the land shall be avenged," said he. King Indarapatra, proud of his
brother's courage, gave him a ring and a sword as he wished him success and safety. Then he placed a
young sapling by his window and said to Sulayman "By this tree I shall know your fate from the hour you
depart from here, for if you live, it will live; but if you die, it will die also."
So Sulayman departed for Mindanao, and he neither waded nor used a boat, but went through the
air and landed on the mountain where the rattan grew. There he stood on the summit and gazed about on
all sides. He looked on the land and the villages, but he could see no living thing. And he was very
sorrowful and cried out: "Alas, how pitiful and dreadful is this devastation."
No sooner had Sulayman uttered those words than the whole mountain began to move and then
shook. Suddenly out of the ground came the horrible creature Kurita. It sprng at the man and sank its claws
at his flesh. But, Sulayman, knowing at once that this was the scourge of the land, drew his sword and cut
Kurita to pieces.
Encouraged by his first success, Sulayman went on to Mt. Matutum, where conditions were even
worse. As he stood on the heights viewing the great devastation, there was a noise in the forest and a
movement in the trees. With a loud yell, Tarabusaw forth leaped. For the moment they looked at each
other, neither showing any sign of fear. Then Tarabusaw used all his powers to try to devour Sulayman,

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 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

who fought back. For a long time, the battle continued, until at last, the monster fell exhausted to the
ground and Sulayman killed him with his sword.
The next place visited by Sulayman was Mt. Bita. Here havoc was present everywhere, and though
he passed by many homes, he saw that not a single soul was left. As he walked, sudden darkness fell over
the land, startling him. As he looked toward the sky he beheaded a great bird that swooped upon him.
Immediately he struck, and the bird fell dead at his feet; but the wing fell on Sulayman and he was crushed.
Now at this very time King Indarapatra was sitting at his window, and looking out he saw the little
tree wither and dry up.
"Alas!" he cried, "my brother is dead" and he wept bitterly. Then although he was very sad, he was
filled with a desire for revenge. Putting on his sword and belt, he started for Mindanao, in search for his
brother.
He, too, traveled through the air with great speed until he came to the mountain where the rattan
grew. There he looked about, awed at the great destruction, and when she saw the bones of Kurita he
knew that his brother had been there. He went on till he came to Matutum, and when he saw the bones of
Tarabusaw, he knew that this, too, was the work of Sulayman.
Still searching for his brother, he arrived at Mt. Bita, where the dead bird lay on the ground, and
when he lifted the severed wing he beheld the bones of Sulayman with his sword biy his side. His grief now
so overwhelmed Indarapatra that he wept for some time. Upon looking up, he beheld a small jar of water by
his side. This, he knew had been sent from the heaven, and he poured the water over the bones, and
Sulayman, came to life again. They greeted each other and talked animatedly for great length of time.
Sulayman declared that he had not been dead but asleep, and their hearts were full of joy.
After some time Sulayman returned his distant home, but Indarapatra continued his journey to Mt.
Gurayan where killed the dreadful bird with the seven heads. After these monsters had all been killed,
peace and safety had been restored to the land: Indarapatra began searching everywhere to see if some of
the people who hid in the earth were still alive.
One day, in the course of his search, he caught sight of a beautiful woman at a distance. When he
hastened toward her she disappeared through a hole in the ground where she stood. Disappointed and
tried, he sat down on a rock to rest when, looking about, he saw near him a pot uncooked rice with a big
fire on the ground in front of it. This revived him and he proceeded to cook the rice. As he did so, however,
he heard someone laugh nearby, and turning he beheld an old woman watching him. As he greeted her,
she drew near and talked to him while he ate the rice.
Of all the people in the land, the woman told him, only few were left, and they hid in a cave in the
ground from whence they never ventured to come out. As for herself and her old husband, she went on,

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 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

they had hidden in a hollow tree, and this they had never dared to leave until Sulayman killed the voracious
bird Pah.
At Indarapatra's request, the old woman led him to one such cave. There he met the headmen with
his family and some people. They all gathered about the stranger, asking many questions, for this was the
first time they had heard about the death of the monsters. When they found out what Indarapatra had done
for them, the headman gave his daughter to him in marriage, and she proved to be beautiful girl whom
Indarapatra had seen at the mouth of the cave.
Then the people all came out of their hiding places and returned to their homes where they lived in
peace and happiness. And the sea withdrew from the land and gave the lowlands to the people.

BANTUGAN
(Epic of the Maranaos)

Before the Spaniards occupied the island of Mindanao, there lived in the valley of the Rio Grande a
very strong man, Bantugan, whose father was the brother of the earthquake and thunder.

Now the Sultan of the Island had a beautiful daughter whom Bantugan wished to marry, but the
home of the Sultan was far off, and whoever went to carry Bantugan's proposal would have a long and
hazardous journey. All the head men consulted together regarding who should be sent, and at last it was
decided that Bantugan's own son, Balatama, was the one to go. Balatama was young but he was strong
and brave, and when the arms of his father were given him to wear on the long journey his heart swelled
with pride. More than once on the way, however, his courage was tried, and only the thought of his brave
father gave him strength to proceed.
Once he came to a wooden fence which surrounded a stone in the form of a man, and as it was
directly in his path he drew his fighting knife to cut down the fence. Immediately the air became as black as
night and stones rained down as large as houses. This made Balatama cry, but he protected himself with
his father's shield and prayed, calling on the winds from the homeland until they came and cleared the air
again.

Thereupon Balatama encountered a great snake 148 in the road, and it inquired his errand. When
told, the snake said:
"You cannot go on, for I am guard of this road and no one can pass."
The animal made a move to seize him, but with one stroke of his fighting knife the boy cut the
snake into two pieces, one of which he threw into the sea and the other into the mountains.
After many days the weary lad came to a high rock in the road, which glistened in the sunlight.
From the top he could look down into the city for which he was bound. It was a splendid place with ten

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 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

harbors. Standing out from the other houses was one of crystal and another of pure gold. Encouraged by
this sight he went on, but though it seemed but a short distance, it was some time before he at last stood at
the gate of the town.
It was not long after this, however, before Balatama had made known his errand to the Sultan, and
that monarch, turning to his courtiers, said: "You, my friends, decide whether or not I shall give the hand of
my daughter to Bantugan in marriage."
The courtiers slowly shook their heads and began to offer objections.
Said one, "I do not see how Bantugan can marry the Sultan's daughter because the first gift must
be a figure of a man or woman in pure gold."
"Well," said the son of Bantugan, "I am here to learn what you want and to say whether or not it
can be given."
Then a second man spoke: "You must give a great yard with a floor of gold, which must be three
feet thick."
"All this can be given," answered the boy.
And the sister of the Princess said: "The gifts must be as many as the blades of grass in our city."
"It shall be granted," said Balatama.
"You must give a bridge built of stone to cross the great river," said one.
And another: "A ship of stone you must give, and you must change into gold all the cocoanuts and
leaves in the Sultan's grove."
"All this can be done," said Balatama.
"My uncles will give all save the statue of gold, and that I shall give myself. But first I must go to my
father's town to secure it."
At this they were angry and declared that he had made sport of them and unless he produced the
statue at once they would kill him.
"If I give you the statue now," said he, "there will come dreadful storms, rain, and darkness."
But they only laughed at him and insisted on having the statue, so he reached in his helmet and
drew it forth. Immediately the earth began to quake. A great storm arose, and stones as large as houses
rained until the Sultan called to Balatama to put back the statue lest they all be killed.
"You would not believe what I told you," said the boy; "and now I am going to let the storm
continue."
But the Sultan begged him and promised that Bantugan might marry his daughter with no other
gifts at all save the statue of gold. Balatama put back the statue into his helmet, and the air became calm
again to the great relief of the Sultan and his courtiers. Then Balatama prepared to return home, promising
that Bantugan would come in three months for the wedding.
All went well with the boy on the way home until he came to the fence surrounding the stone in the
form of a man, and there he was detained and compelled to remain four months.
Now about this time a Spanish general heard that Bantugan was preparing to marry the Sultan's
daughter, whom he determined to wed himself. A great expedition was prepared, and he with all his

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Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

brothers embarked on his large warship which was followed by ten thousand other ships. They went to the
Sultan's city, and their number was so great that they filled the harbor, frightening the people greatly.
Then the General's brother disembarked and came to the house of the Sultan. He demanded the
Princess for the General, saying that if the request were refused, the fleet would destroy the city and all its
people. The Sultan and his courtiers were so frightened that they decided to give his daughter to the
General, the next full moon being the date set for the wedding.
In the meantime Bantugan had been preparing everything for the marriage which he expected to
take place at the appointed time. But as the days went by and Balatama did not return, they became
alarmed, fearing he was dead. After three months had passed, Bantugan prepared a great expedition to go
in search of his son, and the great warship was decorated with flags of gold.
As they came in sight of the Sultan's city, they saw the Spanish fleet in the harbor, and one of his
brothers advised Bantugan not to enter until the Spaniards left. They then brought their ship to anchor. But
all were disappointed that they could not go farther, and one said, "Why do we not go on? Even if the
blades of grass turn into Spaniards we need not fear." Another said: "Why do we fear? Even if the cannon-
balls come like rain, we can always fight." Finally some wanted to return to their homes and Bantugan said:
"No, let us seek my son. Even though we must enter the harbor where the Spaniards are, let us continue
our search." So at his command the anchors were lifted, and they sailed into the harbor where the Spanish
fleet lay.
Now at this very time the Spanish general and his brother were with the Sultan, intending to call
upon the Princess. As the brother talked with one of the sisters of the Princess they moved toward the
window, and looking down they saw Bantugan's ships entering the harbor. They could not tell whose flags
the ships bore. Neither could the Sultan when he was called. Then he sent his brother to bring his father
who was a very old man, to see if he could tell. The father was kept in a little dark room by himself that he
might not get hurt, and the Sultan said to his brother:
"If he is so bent with age that he cannot see, talk, or walk, tickle him in the ribs and that will make
him young again; and, my Brother, carry him here yourself lest one of the slaves should let him fall and he
should hurt himself."
So the old man was brought, and when he looked out upon the ships he saw that the flags were
those of the father of Bantugan who had been a great friend of his in his youth. And he told them that he
and Bantugan's father years ago had made a contract that their children and children's children should
intermarry, and now since the Sultan had promised his daughter to two people, he foresaw that great
trouble would come to the land. Then the Sultan said to the General:
"Here are two claimants to my daughter's hand. Go aboard your ships and you and Bantugan
make war on each other, and the victor shall have my daughter."
So the Spaniards opened fire upon Bantugan, and for three days the earth was so covered with
smoke from the battle that neither could see his enemy. Then the Spanish general said:
"I cannot see Bantugan or the fleet anywhere, so let us go and claim the Princess."
But the Sultan said: "We must wait until the smoke rises to make sure that Bantugan is gone."

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 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

When the smoke rose, the ships of Bantugan were apparently unharmed and the Sultan said:
"Bantugan has surely won, for his fleet is uninjured while yours is badly damaged. You have lost."
"No," said the General, "we will fight it out on dry land."
So they both landed their troops and their cannon, and a great fight took place, and soon the
ground was covered with dead bodies. And the Sultan commanded them to stop, as the women and
children in the city were being killed by the cannon-balls, but the General said:
"If you give your daughter to Bantugan we shall fight forever or until we die."
Then the Sultan sent for Bantugan and said:
"We must deceive the Spaniard in order to get him to go away. Let us tell him that neither of you
will marry my daughter, then after he has gone, we shall have the wedding."
Bantugan agreed to this, and word was sent to the Spaniards that the fighting must cease since
many women and children were being killed. So it was agreed between the Spaniard and Bantugan that
neither of them should marry the Princess. Then they both sailed away to their homes.
Bantugan soon returned, however, and married the Princess, and on the way back to his home
they found his son and took him with them. For about a week the Spanish general sailed toward his home
and then he, too, turned about to go back, planning to take the Princess by force. When he found that she
had already been carried away by Bantugan, his wrath knew no bounds. He destroyed the Sultan, his city,
and all its people. And then he sailed away to prepare a great expedition with which he should utterly
destroy Bantugan and his country as well.
One morning Bantugan looked out and saw at the mouth of the Rio Grande the enormous fleet of
the Spaniards whose numbers were so great that in no direction could the horizon be seen. His heart sank
within him, for he knew that he and his country were doomed.
Though he could not hope to win in a fight against such great numbers, he called his headmen
together and said:
"My Brothers, the Christian dogs have come to destroy the land. We cannot successfully oppose
them, but in the defense of the fatherland we can die."
So the great warship was again prepared, and all the soldiers of Islam embarked, and then with
Bantugan standing at the bow they sailed forth to meet their fate.
The fighting was fast and furious, but soon the great warship of Bantugan filled with water until at
last it sank, drawing with it hundreds of the Spanish ships. And then a strange thing happened. At the very
spot where Bantugan's warship sank, there arose from the sea a great island which you can see today not
far from the mouth of the Rio Grande. It is covered with bongo palms, and deep within its mountains live
Bantugan and his warriors. A Moro sailboat passing this island is always scanned by Bantugan's watchers,
and if it contains women such as he admires, they are snatched from their seats and carried deep into the
heart of the mountain. For this reason Moro women fear even to sail near the island of Bongos.
When the wife of Bantugan saw that her husband was no more and that his warship had been
destroyed, she gathered together the remaining warriors and set forth herself to avenge him. In a few hours
her ship was also sunk, and in the place where it sank there arose the mountain of Timaco.

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Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

On this thickly wooded island are found white monkeys, the servants of the Princess, who still lives
in the center of the mountain. On a quiet day high up on the mountain side one can hear the chanting and
singing of the waiting-girls of the wife of Bantugan.

THE LEGEND OF MAYON VOLCANO

(From a popular Albay story retold by Teresita E. Erastain)

In the olden days there lived in Ibalon a lovely maiden named Daragang Magayon. She was the
daughter of Rajah Makusog of Rawis and Dawani, who died shortly after Magyon’s birth.
Daragang Magayon’s beauty attracted many suitors from different tribes. Among them was the
haughty Pagtuga, the great hunter and powerful chieftain from Iriga, who courted her by lavishing her father
fabulous gifts.
But Daragang Magayon did not leave Pagtuga. She had given her heart to Panganoron, the brave
son of Rajah Karilaya of the far-off Tagalog region. He had saved her from death in the river one morning.
She had gone to bathe in the Yawa River which was swollen after a night of heavy rain. Balancing herself
on a stone, she slipped and fell into the water. She did not know how to swin, and she would have been
carried away by the swift current had Panganoron not come to her rescue. He happened to be passing by,
and when he heard the maiden’s frantic cry for help, he plunged into the river. In an instant, he was at her
side. Then he tenderly carried the frightened girl to dry land.
Not long after, he spoke to her of his love. Daragang Magayon shyly admitted that she had also
fallen in love with him. This gave the youth courage to thrust his spear at the foot of the stairs at Rajah
Makusog’s house.
Realizing that his daughter loved the young man and wishing only happiness for her, Makusog
gave the couple his blessing. With great joy, Panganoron left for home to prepare for the wedding.
The news of the approaching wedding reached Pagtuga’s ears on time. He was very angry. And he
thought of a way to prevent the marriage. On day, when Rajah Makusog went to the mountains to hunt,
Pagtuga waylaid him and took him captive.
“I will set you free only if you give me Magayon for a wife,” Pagtuga told Makusog.
“The answer is not mine to give. Ask Magayon herself,” said the Rajah.
And so Daragang Magayon was brought before Pagtuga told that Makusog would be put to death if
she refused to be Pagtuga’s bride, she tearfully consented to marry him.
“We shall be married in seven days,” said Pagtuga. And he ordered his people to prepare for the
wedding.

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Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

Learning of this sudden turn of events, Panganoron abandoned his own wedding preparations and
hastily returned to Rawis with his brave warriors. In the battle that ensued, Panganoron slew Pagtuga. But
while Magayon was rushing joyously to meet her beloved, a stray arrow caught her at the back. As
Panganoron held the dying maiden in his arms, he was struck dead by a spear hurled by Linog, Pagtuga’s
henchman. Seeing this, Makusog rushed at Linog and killed him with his minasbad.
Thus, what would have been a joyful occasion became a day of mourning as the people buried
their dead. Rajah Makusog himself dug the grave where he tenderly laid the bodies of the lovers.
Days after, the people saw the grave arise. As it grew higher, eventually assuming the form of
peerless cone, it was attended by muffed rumblings and quakes. Then it spewed out red-hot boulders from
its crater. Even now, it does so from time to time. Old folks explain the phenomenon as Pagtuga, aided by
Linog, agitating the volcano to retrieve his gifts, which, following an ancient custom, were buried with
Magayon.
On certain days, when the tip of the volcano is shrouded in mist and cloud, the old folks say that
Panganoron is kissing Magayon. When afterwards rain trickles down the mountain slopes, they say that the
raindrops are Pangaronon’s tears as he cries over his lost love.
The volcano’s name has since he shortened to Mayon. Its majestic shape lords over the lovely
countryside of Albay.

SICALAC AND SICAVAY

(A Visayan Creation Myth)

In the beginning there were two gods, Captain and Maguayan. They created the earth and all living
things. Once Captan planted a bamboo in a garden. The plant grew into a tall tree that swayed gracefully in
the breeze. Then, one day it broke into two sections, and out stepped a man and a woman. To the man, the
gods gave the name Sicalac, and that is why men have been called lalaki. The woman they called Sicavay,
and thenceforth women have been called babae.
After some time, the man asked the woman to marry him for there were no people in the world.
Sicavay was reluctant in accepting his proposal, however, saying that they were brother and sister born of
the same reed. Eventually, they agreed to seek the advice of the tunas of the sea and doves of the air.
They also consulted the earthquake, who told them that it was necessary for them to fill the earth with
people. And so they became husband and wife.
Soon after, they had a son whom they called Sibu. A daughter who was born to them next was
named Samar. Sibu and Samar married and had a daughter, Luplupan. She married Pandaguan, the
second son of the first couple, Sicalac and Sicavay. They had a son whom they name Anoranor.
Pandaguan was first to invent the fishing net. The first time he used it, he caught a shark and
brought ashore, thinking that it would not die, but the shark did not survive for long out of water. Great was
Pandaguan’s grief. He cried out loudly to the gods, blaming them for letting his plaything die when no one

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Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

had ever died before. It is said that the god Captan, weary after his day’s work, sent the flies to find out why
Pandaguan was making such a loud lamentation. But the flies refused to obey him, saying that they were
busy storing honey. For this disobediences, they were condemned to scavenge among filthy and rotten
things from then on.
Captain them sent the weevil, who brought the news of the shark’s death. Pandaguan’s behaviour
greatly displeased Captain. He and Maguayan made a thunderbolt with which they struck Pandaguan
dead. The young man stayed in the infernal regions for thirty days, at the end of which time the gods took
pity on him, brought him back to life, and returned to the world.
While Pandaguan was away, his wife Luplupan became the concubine of Maracoyrun. People say
that the practice of concubinage then started with Luplupan.
When Pandaguan returned home, he did not find his wife there. She had been invited by
Maracoyrun to feast upon a pig which he had stolen. People say that this was the first theft committed in
the world.
Pandaguan then sent Anoranor to fetch his mother, but she only laughed at her son and refused to
go home, saying that the dead never returns to the world. At this answer, Pandaguan became angry and
went back to the infernal regions, vowing never to return to the world. The old folks say that had Luplupan
obeyed Pandaguan’s summons, and had he not gone back to the infernal regions, all the dead would have
come back to life.

ESSAYED IT ALL
Answer the following questions using 3-5 sentences as necessary.
CRITERIA POINTS
Content (Relation to Question) 3
Organization 1
Grammar 1
Total 5

1. What 3 Filipino values are underscored in the preceding literary pieces? Mention the title and explain
how you came to reflect on in.

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 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

2. If you were to compare yourself to any one of the characters in the preceding literary pieces, which one
are you closer to?

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3. What do the literary pieces have to say about how we ought to live and how we ought to deal with our
problems, such as CoVid -19 and corruption, as a country?

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4. What do these literary have to say about our forefathers?

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 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

5. Compare and contrast the epics in the preceding literary pieces through a Venn Diagram.

6. Through a table, describe how women are portrayed in the preceding literary pieces.

7. Through a table, describe how men are portrayed in the preceding literary pieces.

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Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

WHAT MORE IS THERE?

Research for at least one epic, myth, legend, and creation story. Attach them in this document. Answer this
question: What can I do in order to live out the values stipulated in these literary pieces as a Filipino?
CRITERIA POINTS
Content 10
Organization 2
Grammar and Mechanics 3
Literary Pieces 10
Total 25

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 JMJ Marist Brothers
Notre Dame of Marbel University
College of Arts and Sciences
LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT
City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

References:
Lacia, F.C., Fabella,M.G, and Libunao, L.L. (2008). The literatures of the Philippines (Revised Ed.). Quezon

City: Philippines. Rex Book Store, Inc.

Patron, I.Y. (2002). Interactive reading, responding to, and writing about Philippine literature. Quezon City:

Philippines. Great Books Trading.

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