Ibong Adarna, also known as The Adarna Bird,[1] is an early 19th-century Filipino epic poem that

centers around a magical bird of the same name. During the Spanish era, the longer form of the
story's title was Korido at Buhay na Pinagdaanan ng Tatlong Prinsipeng Magkakapatid na anak
ni Haring Fernando at ni Reyna Valeriana sa Kahariang Berbanya ("Corrido and Life Lived by
the Three Princes, children of King Fernando and Queen Valeriana in the Kingdom of Berbania").
Some researchers suggest that the tale may have been influenced by similar European stories.
The narrative focuses on the lives of King Fernando, Queen Valeriana, and their three sons: Don
Pedro, Diego, and Juan. Upon learning of their father's incurable illness, the three princes embark on
a quest to find the legendary Adarna bird, whose healing powers can save their father. The prince
who successfully brings back the bird will inherit the throne.
While the story is commonly attributed to the Tagalog poet José de la Cruz or "Huseng Sisiw," the
actual authorship remains unproven. Contrary to popular belief perpetuated on online platforms such
as Facebook and Wikipedia, Ibong Adarna was not brought to the Philippines by Miguel López de
Legazpi, as was the case with other European stories. According to Eulogio Balan Rodriguez,
Assistant Director of the National Library in 1893, the tale is of Pre-Spanish origin and represents
indigenous Philippine literature. However, it does bear some influences from 19th-century European
romances, which infuse it with a medieval chivalry atmosphere. It holds a comparable status, or
possibly even parallels, with the world-renowned Arabian Nights' Entertainments, a book included in
the reading materials of both public and private schools.[2][page needed]
Ibong Adarna is included in the curriculum for Junior High School students and Grade 7 students in
the Philippines.

Plot[edit]
King Fernando and Queen Valeriana of the Kingdom of Berbania have three sons: Don Pedro, Don
Diego, and Don Juan. King Fernando falls ill after a dream in which he sees Don Juan being
murdered. Desperate for a cure, he sends Don Pedro to find the Ibong Adarna, a magical bird known
for its healing songs. Don Pedro embarks on a journey and eventually encounters the bird, but it
sings seven songs that lull him to sleep, turning him into stone.
Next, Don Diego is sent on the same mission and suffers a similar fate. Three years later, Don Juan
sets out on his quest and meets an old hermit who warns him about the bird's enchantments. The
hermit provides him with a knife and dayap lemons to stay awake during the bird's songs.[3] He also
gives him a golden rope to capture the bird and a bucket of water to revive his petrified brothers.
Don Juan successfully captures the Ibong Adarna, restores his brothers, and heads back to the
palace. However, Don Pedro and Don Diego grow envious and beat Don Juan, leaving him
unconscious on the road. They deceive the king, claiming they don't know what happened to Don
Juan but that the bird awaits its true captor. Don Juan eventually recovers and forgives his brothers.
As a punishment, Don Pedro and Don Diego are tasked with guarding the bird for three hours each
day. Don Pedro plots revenge and convinces Don Diego to trick Don Juan into thinking the bird
escaped under his watch. Don Juan sets off to find the bird before the king discovers its absence.
When the truth is revealed, Don Pedro and Don Diego are banished but spared due to Don Juan's
forgiveness.
Don Juan continues his journey with the Ibong Adarna and his brothers, finding refuge on Mt.
Armenia. They come across a well, and while exploring it, Don Juan discovers two enchanted
palaces. Inside, he rescues Princess Juana and Princess Leonora from a giant and a seven-headed
serpent, respectively. However, his brothers betray him by letting go of the rope while he descends,
causing him to fall to the bottom of the well.
Don Pedro marries Princess Juana, and Don Diego plans to marry Princess Leonora after a seven-
year delay. Don Juan survives with the help of an enchanted ring and sets out to find his way back to
the Kingdom. With the guidance of an eagle, he reaches the Kingdom of Reino de Los Cristales.
There, he encounters a crystal lake where three princesses bathe. Don Juan steals a dress
belonging to one of the princesses and falls in love with her. They flee the pursuing king but are
separated when Don Juan leaves her to make preparations for their entry into the Berbanian
Kingdom.
Back in the Berbanian Kingdom, Don Juan forgets his love for the princess from Reino de Los
Cristales and becomes infatuated with Princess Leonora. However, when Doña Maria, the pilgrim
princess, arrives, Don Juan realizes his mistake. Doña Maria uses her talisman to create a dance
depicting their past experiences, reminding Don Juan of his betrayal. Don Juan returns Princess
Leonora and the kingdom to Don Pedro and reunites with Doña Maria. They return to Reino de Los
Cristales, where they are crowned as king and queen, bringing joy to the mourning kingdom.
The tale ends with Don Juan and Doña Maria's coronation, symbolizing their reunion and the
restoration of happiness in Reino de Los Cristales.