Western Visayas

PROVINCE CAPITAL
Aklan Kalibo
Antique San Jose
Capiz Roxas City
Guimaras Jordan
Iloilo Iloilo City
Negros Occidental Bacolod City

Mararison Island
Guimaras Island
Boracay
Kanlaon Volcano
Western Visayas
LITERATURE
PANAY VISAYAN
MYTH
Once of the stories about the creation of the world,
which the old people of Panay, especially to those living
near to the mountains, do not tire relating, tells that in the
beginning there was no sky or earth - only a bottomless
deep and in 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 no confusion.
Then from the depth of this formless void, there
appeared two gods, Tungkung Langit "Pillar of the Sky" and
Alusina "The unmarried One". Just when these two deities came
from, it was not known. However, it was related that Tungkung
Langit had fallen in love with Alusina; and after so many years
of courtship, they got married and had their abode in the
highest realm of ethereal space, where the water was constantly
warm and 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, Alusina was
a lazy, jealous and selfish goddess whose only work was to sit
by the window of their heavenly home and assume herself with
her pointless thoughts. Sometimes, she would go down the
house, sit down by a pool near their doorstep, and comb her
long jet-black hair all day long.
One day, Tungkung Langit told his wife that he
would be way from home for sometimes 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 to her attention, saying 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
Alusina and a quarrel between them followed. Tungkung
Langit loose his temper. In his range, he divested his wife of
powers and drove her away. He did not know where Alusina
went; she merely disappeared.

Several days after Alusina had left, Tungkung Langit felt
very lonely. He realized what he had done. Somehow, it was
too late even to be sorry about the whole matter. The whole
place, once vibrant with Alusina's sweet voice, suddenly became
cold and desolate. In the morning when he woke up, he would
find himself alone; and in the afternoon when he became home,
he would feel the same loneliness creeping deep in his heart
because there was no 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 Alusina, 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 region of the
clouds, a thought came to him. He would make the sea and the
earth appeared. However, the somber sights 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 treasured jewels and scattered them into the sky hoping
that when Alusina would see them she might be induced to
return home. The goddess' necklace became the stars, her comb
the moon and her crown the sun. However, despite all these,
Alusina did not came back.

Up to this time, the old folk says 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 when its thunder hard, the old
also folk say that it is Tungkung Langit sobbing, calling for his
beloved alusina to come back, entreating her so hard that his
voice reverberates across the fields and countryside.

In Sulod mountains, there were goddesses living there. One of them was Alunsina, a diwata of
eastern seas and her husband was Datu Paubari. One day, Alunsina gave birth to triplets, namely:
Labaw Donggon, Humadapnon, and Dumalapdap. All were giants endowed with superhuman
strengths. To appease their hearts, the elder Labaw Donggon sailed first to look for the woman of
his dreams, Anggoy Ginbitinan. To win, Anggoy Ginbitinan, his first wife, Donggon had to
vanquish Manaluntad, a monster. To win Anggoy Doroonan, his second wife, he had to kill a
hydra-headed giant named Sikay Padalogdog. And to win his last love, Malitung Yawa,
sinagmaling diwata, he had to fight Saragnayen, the Lord of Darkness. He then fought
Saragnayan for many years but he failed because Saragnayan is immortal, his life is in the pigs
body. Labaw Donggon was defeated and languished in the pigpen in the kitchen for many years.
Labaw Donggons freedom was not, however, effected by himself
but by two children who were capable of performing
superhuman feats. They were also Aso Mangga, son of Donggon
to Ginbitinan, and Buyung Baranugan, his son to Doroonon.
They were able to kill Saragnayan though eating the heart of the
pig where Sragnayans life stuck. At last Labaw Donggon was
saved by his two sons and he gave a cry so mighty that the
branches snapped and great trees were ripped apart.

The second part begins when Humadapnon searches for a beautiful woman in his
dreams, named Tubigon Daligan-Umis Kuyam-isan, a binukot cage who lives in a
golden tower surrounded with bamboo thickets. When Humadapnons brother
Dumalapdap learns of this he insists on accompanying him. After a few days of
travel, they reach the river Mabkad, ruled by two datus named Mamang
Mangalayo, the prince, and Mamang Dumadalong Dagat, the supreme ruler. They
fight them, but Dumadalong Dgat then engages Humadapnon in a battle in the air
which lasts for several days. Humadapnon weakens and ask for help. Buyung
Baranugun, Humadapnons cousin, thinking that Humadapnon was in trouble,
rushes to the scene of the battle. With the help of their ancestors in heaven,
Baranugun defeats Dumadakong Dagat.
They encounter so many battles on their way, and they pass by caves
inhabited by fairies. Humadapnon is seduced and decides to stay for a
while. Later, he is transformed into a witch and is imprisoned by the
fairies. Dumalapdap asks for help from his mother to rescue
Humadapnon. All of the binukot respond, but only Nagmalitung Yawa
alone succeeds in opening the gates stone closure. She kills all the fairies
with a bolo. She also kills Humadapnon and would have left him dead
had Ginbinitan not insisted that she brings him back to life. Humadapnon
revived, they all board the biday and sail home by the Halawod River.
They celebrate the wedding of Nagmalitung Yawa and Humadapnon.
With no more rids to conquer, and with the information
of the islands of Panay and Negros, the newly formed
land is appointed to the brother. Labaw Donggon is made
by their parents the ruler of Irong-irong (Iloilo);
Humadapnon, the king of Hantik (Antique); and
Dumalapdap, the overlord of Aklan Region. Alunsina and
Paubari live in Madyaas mountain.

Pirmi lang gapasirong pay basa man dyapon.
Always sheltered but still wet
- Mouth / Labi

Kung hikapon ara pay kung balikdon nadula.
When touched its there, but when you look, it vanished
- Ears / Tainga

Ini sa may liog pay wala sing ulo,may lawas pay wala sing busong.
It has neck but no head,it has body but no belly.
- Bottle / Bote
Dandansoy, I'd like to leave you,
I'm going back home to Payao.
Though if you yearn for me,
Just look towards Payao.

Dandansoy, if you follow me,
Don't bring even water.
Though if you get thirsty,
Dig a well along the way.


Nunnery, where's the priest?
City Hall, where's justice?
Here is Dansoy, charged
Charged with falling in love.

Your handkerchief and my handkerchief
Bring them here, as I'll tie them together
For if they interweave
May you be my husband, I your wife.

Si Pilemon, si Pilemon namasol sa kadagatan.
Nakakuha, nakakuha og isdang tambasakan.
Gibaligya, gibaligya sa merkadong guba
Ang halin pulos kura, ang halin pulos kura,
Igo lang ipanuba.

Born November 5, 1913 in Malinao, Aklan
Pen names; Isaias Topacio Domingo, Basilio, Crisostomo de la
Cruz, and J.D. Ibarra
Masters degree in hydraulics from the State University of Iowa
Dean of engineering of the Laguna College in San Pablo City.
Editor of The Vigil of Freedom magazine