AGAD, JERIANNE GAIL R. GEC106-17.

MYTHS FROM LUZON

THE CREATION (AN IGOROT STORY) AND WHY THE SUN SHINES MORE
BRIGHTLY THAN THE MOON (A TAGALOG MYTH)

The Igorot myth of creation narrates Lumawig, the Great Spirit, fashioning people
from reeds, distributing them worldwide, each pair speaking a different language. Through
marriages and generations, a common language emerged. Lumawig introduced
necessities like salt and pottery, guiding different communities in their utilization. Those
who followed his guidance were rewarded with ownership of these resources.

Why the Sun Shines More Brightly Than the Moon (A Tagalog Myth), This Tagalog
myth tells of a fairy with two daughters, Araw and Buwan. Araw was kind while Buwan
was cruel. When God rewarded Araw with a brilliant diamond, Buwan, envious, stole a
diamond from God, but it wasn’t as radiant. In response, God cast both sisters into the
sea and flung their diamonds into the sky, where Araw's larger, brighter diamond became
the sun, and Buwan’s smaller one became the moon.

Both myths involve divine figures shaping existence or celestial bodies. Lumawig
and God play pivotal roles in creating or distributing elements crucial for humanity.
Marriage and subsequent generations are central to both narratives, resulting in
communities or celestial bodies we recognize today. However, the means of creation and
the nature of divine intervention differ significantly. The Igorot myth focuses on the gradual
development of civilization through guidance and instruction, where success or failure in
following divine guidance determines ownership of resources. In contrast, the Tagalog
myth highlights a conflict between envy and righteousness, resulting in a punishment that
transforms the protagonists into celestial bodies, emphasizing the consequences of
jealousy and disobedience.

Both myths reflect cultural values, illustrating the importance of obedience,

kindness, and the consequences of envy. Yet, they present these themes through distinct
narratives, one centered on societal progress and guidance, while the other emphasizes
celestial punishment and the origins of natural phenomena.
LEGENDS
THE STORY OF PRINCESS URDUJA (A PANGASINAN LEGEND) AND THE FOUR
ASUANGS OF CAPIZ

The Story of Princess Urduja (A Pangasinan Legend), This legend narrates the life
of Princess Urduja, a skilled warrior and ruler in ancient Pangasinan, emphasizing her
prowess, intelligence, and virtue. She maintained an unmarried status as suitors feared
being defeated by her in combat. Despite this, she ruled wisely, fostering cultural
exchange and exhibiting hospitality. When encountering an Arab traveler who declined
her hospitality due to religious beliefs, she showcased her sophistication, knowledge, and
benevolence, challenging misconceptions about her people while expressing an interest
in foreign lands.

The Four Asuangs of Capiz, In this Capiz legend, sailors seeking refuge on the
island encounter a widow and her three daughters, who extend exceptional hospitality.
Suspicions arise when one sailor notices a fork shaped like a human hand, prompting
investigation. They discover the lower halves of the women's bodies, severed from their
upper halves. In a panic, the sailors defile the lower halves, causing distress to the
daughters. The captain, moved by their plight, helps reunite the halves, preventing the
impending death of the daughters. However, the sailors who committed the act are
pursued by the transformed daughters, demanding marriage as atonement. Ultimately,
the sailors marry the asuangs and find contentment in Capiz.

Both legends involve powerful women. Princess Urduja demonstrates strength,

intelligence, and cultural diplomacy as a ruler. The daughters in the Asuang legend exhibit
hospitality but are revealed to be supernatural beings. Hospitality plays a significant role
in both stories, showcasing the interaction between travelers and local inhabitants.
Princess Urduja's tale focuses on leadership, cultural exchange, and challenging
stereotypes through intellectual discourse. In contrast, the Asuang legend highlights
supernatural elements, transformations, and the consequences of disrespectful actions.
While Urduja’s story emphasizes diplomacy and sophistication, the Asuang legend delves
into the consequences of human behavior and the interplay between mortals and
supernatural entities. Both legends reflect aspects of Filipino culture, but one emphasizes
a historical figure's leadership and diplomacy, while the other portrays supernatural
creatures and the repercussions of human actions in a folklore setting.
FOLKTALES
PILANDOK AND SABANDAR (A MARANAO TRICKSTER TALE) AND THE
CAMANCHILE AND THE PASSION (A FABLE)

Pilandok and Sabandar (Maranao Folktale), This Maranao folktale narrates

Pilandok's encounter with Sabandar, seeking revenge for the harm done to Prince
Sumusong-sa-Alongan. Pilandok, known for his cleverness, deceives Sabandar by
claiming to be a different Pilandok and guards a queen's special belt. He tricks Sabandar
into giving up all his possessions in exchange for trying on the belt, eventually escaping
with Sabandar's wealth. Sabandar, left with nothing but a sleeping python, dies when the
startled python coils around him after he tries to wear it.

The Camanchile and the Passion (A Fable), This fable tells the story of the
Camanchile tree desiring fragrant flowers like other trees to attract travelers. The vine,
Passion, offers to climb the tree and adorn its crown with beautiful flowers. As Passion
grows and covers the tree's crown with its flowers, Camanchile realizes it's being
smothered and pleads for Passion to leave. Despite Camanchile's plea, Passion refuses
to detach, ultimately leading to Camanchile's demise.

Both stories feature characters who desire something they lack. Pilandok wants to
trick and benefit from Sabandar's possessions, while Camanchile desires beautiful
flowers like other trees. In both tales, a character enters into an arrangement with another
that leads to adverse consequences. Pilandok's tale focuses on wit and deception,
showcasing Pilandok's ability to outsmart Sabandar and escape unscathed, whereas the
fable of Camanchile and Passion highlights the consequences of blind ambition and
unwillingness to relinquish control. Pilandok's story emphasizes cunning and quick
thinking, while the fable illustrates the dangers of greed and ignoring warnings.

Both tales deliver moral lessons—Pilandok's story emphasizes the consequences

of deceit, while the fable of Camanchile and Passion warns against unchecked ambition
and selfishness. The former centers on trickery, while the latter emphasizes the dangers
of clinging onto something at the expense of others.