In the region of the skyworld, there lived a long time ago, a lovely Maguindanao goddess named Sitli Paramisuli. This goddess was the daughter of the great Sharif Awilya, one of the original inhabitants of paradise who was left in Madinat, Mindanao, when the angels moved the ethereal garden to Mecca.
Paramisuli married an unknown god by whom she had two children:Tabunuay and Mamalu.
One day, Paramisuli suddenly became ill. Before she died, she instructed her sons to bury her comb underneath the window of their heavenly home. This the sons obediently did. Three days after burial, Tabunuay and Mamalu noticed a tender plant growing on top of the grave. They tended the plant in deference to their departed mother's last wish. The plant grew to be tall, gracefull bamboo. As years passed, the bamboo shoots grew into tree. soon there was a group of lovely trees swaying gracefully with the wind
One day Tabunaway and Mamalu went to the graveyard to visit their mother's tomb. They noticed that the Bamboo had grown more shoots and that one had grown over the grave. Mamalu took his knife and started cutting the trees. He was able to cut all the bamboos except one large tree growing in the middle of the tomb.
Since it was already late in the afternoon, Tabunuway called to Mamalu. "Finish your work and we will go home.But before you leave cut that tree. It is not good to leave your work uncompleted. It will bring our fish corral badluck. Mamalu obediently cut the trees and he found a girl inside the severed node. They blow had wounded the girl's finger and blood oozed from it. Mamalu dressed the wound and brought the girl to his brother. Tabunuway told Mamalu to adopt the child as his own because he was not so busy himself. The two gods named the girl Putri Tunina because they thought she was their mother who came back to life.
About this time a mortal man named Kabungsuwan came to live in Mindanao. One day he met Tabunuway fishing there. Tabunuway brought Kabungsuwan to his brother,MAmalu. The latter introduced the newcomer to lovely Putri. Kabungsuwan, stuck by the beauty of the maiden asked to marry her. The two gods consented and the young man married Putri.
Out of the union of Kabunsuwan and putri Tunina came three daughters. The first daughter was named Mamuranda, she married PULWA, the dark lord of Bwayan. The second was called Milagandi, and she married the fair skinned Malang-sa-Ingud. The third daughter was Putri Batitla and she married an unknown man. From the union of these three beautiful maidens came the Maguindanao group, as well as the rest of the mankind.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
BIRTH OF LUMAUWIG
LUMAUWIG Kabunian, the powerful god, descended to earth shortly after the flood wasover. While wandering across the lowlands, he met and fell in lovewith a beautiful young woman named Bugan. It was a universal law of theskyworld, however, that mortals could not marry gods. But Kabunian wasvery much in love with Bugan. He thought of ways by which hecould give meaning to his desires. Eventually, he changed himself to ahandsome young man and wooed the young mountain lass. Several months offervent courtship brought results--- Bugan accepted the love of thegreat god and they got married. Bugan bore Kabunian three children. The eldest was Kabigat, a handsomeboy. The second was a girl whom they called Daungen. When the thirdchild came, Kabunian was
preparing to return to the Upperworld. Hecould not stay in human form and live on earht forever. This grievedpoor Bugan who did not suspect that she had married a god. Kabunian wanted to take their children along with him to theUpperworld, but Bugan objected to his plan Now that he would be leavingher, she said, she needed the children to comfort her in the eveningand to help her work on the fields. At last, after a lengthydiscussion, they agreed to divide their children. Kabigat remained withhis mother and Daungen went with her father. The problem of custody over the third child came up. Neither couldagree that the ther would take care of the younget boy. For a while thewhole problem remained unsettled. Later they agreed to divide the childas they had done with their other chidren. Kabunian used his power andsupplied the missing parts of the halved infant. His share of
the boybecame a girl and he called her Bangan while Bugan's share became a boyand she named him Lumauwig. Lumauwig grew to be a mighty warrior ( infact, some mountain groups worshipped him as their principal god ) ,and Bangan became the goddess of the skyworld. On the other hand,Kabigat married his sister Daungen and they became the parents of allthe mountain peoples. BROTHERS OF INUDE There lived in the Ifugaoland so many years ago two brothers, Wigan andIhik, and their sister Bugan. Bugan was so beautiful that many suitorscame to win her hand. However, her borthers were so selfish that theyforced her to refuse all of them. The act made the girl very unhappy.She found out later that what her brothers were telling her about hersuitors were not true! Looking down form the sky, Kabunian saw how these brothers madetheir sister
miserable. So he went down to earth to test the youngwoman's heart and to put and end to her brother's selfishness. Hechanged himself into an ugly, leprous man and went down to the village.Then he courted the beautiful damsel. The girl accepted him withoutmuch ado because she saw an honest man behind the sores and ugliness.Her decision to marry Kabunian disappointed her brothers. They laughedat her. "Why don't you use your eyes?" roared one of her brothers."Take a good look and tell us what you see in your lover's face." "Hadn't she better wash her eyes before she opens them?"joined the brothers. They both burst in an uproarious laughter. The ridicule of these two brothers only deepened Bugan's love. Shemarried the disguised Kabunian. One day the men of the village went out to the forest to check whethertheir prepared sacrifices were
ropitious to the deities or not. The sunwas half-way when they reached a place called Inude, a small stonyclearing on the mountaintop. Everybody was tired and thirsty. But therewas no spring or brook at which they could quench their thirst. In that partly was Kabunian and one of his brothers-in-law, Ihik. Ihik wasvery thirsty and, still carrying the resentment over what heconsidered his sister's disobedience to their wishes, he turned toKabunian and told him to make water flow out of the stones. "If you are as great and noble as my sister says you are," Ihiksaidmockingly as he faced the disguised Kabunian, "then perform a miracle.Be somebody---you can act Kabunian himself and make water flow out ofthis rock." Without saying a word, Kabunian took his spear and thrust it againstthe rock. The weapon pierced the stone and to the astonishment of
all,water flowed out. Ihik hastened to drink but Kabunian brushed him aside. "You wait," the god said, "let us observe the custom ofgiving priority to our elders, You, Ihik, being the youngest in the group drinklast." And so the older men of the group drank first. When it was Ihik'sturn, Kabunian kicked him in the stomach and said, "You stay here and drinkas much water as you can take ." Instantly, the man turned into stoneand water passed through his mouth and flowed out of his anus. Thusended the selfish man who ridiculed the great god. LUMAUWIG AND MITURA Years went by Lumauwig, son of Kabunian and his mortal wife, Bugan, grewup to be a handsome, dashing young man. Kabunian was pleased and he gave his sonextraordinary powers. He also entrusted to him the patronship of the warriors.One day Lumauwig's presence was invoked by the
chief of one of the villagesin Mountain Province. Despite his mother's objection because there was somuch work to do in the fields, the god-hero took his spear and headed for thevillages. On his way, he saw a young and beautiful daughter of a Kankanaychieftain, The lovely lady was playing with her friends by the bank of thebrook. Lumauwig, struck by the dazzling beauty of the maiden, changed himselfinto a handsome mortal, and approached the party. But the women, upon seeinghim, ran away. It was prohibited by the local custom in those days for anunmarried woman to look into the eyes of a man, especially stranger. Lumauwig stopped the young woman. "Don't go away fair one,"he said. "I will not harm you. Here, let us chew betel and you tell me youename." The beauty of the stranger standing before her dazzled the eyes of thegirl. Her fear vanished, and, amazingly, she fell in love with
him. "Myname is Mitura," she mumbled nervously. She kept looking at the young manand Lumauwig knew that his charm worked. Without hesitation he asked Mitura tomarry him. Mitura's father did not object when Lumauwig sought the hand ofthe girl in marriage. Lumauwig, however, did not find happiness with his mortal wife. Therewere many things that they did not have in common. Mitura turned out to be ajealous. nagging wife. One day, Lumauwig told her that he would be away for sometime. The sturdy god of the warriors did not tell his wife who he was, and thisstarted the whole trouble. After a fortnight's absence, Mitura became suspicious. Thoughts ofanother woman preyed on her mind and she went to spy on her husband. This madethe great Lumauwig very angry, and when he came they quarreled. The great god ofthe warriors swore by Mount Pulog never to live on earth again. But before
hedeparted, he took with him their child. Mitura became very lonely, miserable anddespondent! She wept and wept and Lumauwig despite his anger, took pity on her.He placed their child out in the sky every night for Mitura to see. The childbecame the mooon. DESCENT OF DAUNGEN Daungen, daughter of Kabunian by Bugan, was taken by her father to thesky, where she became the goddess of rainbow. While wandering along the regionof the clouds one day, she saw down in the valley a young man, Lawigan, workingin his field very hard. Lawigan was an orphan. His parents had died when he was still a very youngchild and since then he lived alone. He tended the ricefield which his parentshad left to him. Added to this hardship, no one in the village was willing tohelp poor Lawigan though he had begged them. Changing herself into a mortal woman, Daungen came down to
earth. Thenwith the craftiness of a real woman, she proceeded with her plans. First sheclothed herself with a tapis, a jacket and a blanket; then she made beads out ofthe sand and placed them around her head. She looked beautiful and attractive ina woman's attire. Her second scheme consisted in acting like a stranger. She approached thehandsome mountain youth and asked him which way to get to a certain villagecalled Bauko. Lawigan, unaware of the scheme, directed her. After a whilehowever, Daungen returned to the young man, saying that she had not found herway. And since it was already late in the afternoon, she asked Lawigan if shecould spend the night in his bauwi. Knowing that she was in a situation where his hospitality was at stake,Lawigan searched his mind for a good reason to refuse her accommodation. At lasthe could confronted her. "I am sorry, lady, but I have not stored
anyfod." "You don't have to worry," Daungen told him. "Go andgather fuel." When Lawigan left, the goddess produced some palay from hermagic bag and pounded the grains. Then she cooked the rice and together theyate. While they were thus eating, Daungen made known to Lawigan her intentionto help him in his fields. Reluctant at first because he knew he could notafoord a farmhand, Lawigan consented later. Daungen immediatelywent to work andmade the fields ready for planting before midnight. Since it was tabooed foryoung men to sleep under the same roof with an unmarried woman Lawigan went tothe men's dormitory to sleep that night. And Daungen slept in his housealone. This affair continued for several months until the designing goddesssucceeded in inducing the mountain youth to fall in love with her. Lawiganceased sleeping at the men's dormitory several weeks later. A few
monthspassed. Daungen conceived and gave birth to a pretty baby girl. They named herIngalayan. With the birth of the child, the goddess felt that her mission wasaccomplished and when Ingalayan was a little older, she decided to return to theskyworld. Besides she wanted to teach the man a lesson: Lawigan had grown toodependent on her to work in the fields! One afternoon Daungen did not return home. Lawigan told his daughter tolook for her mother. Ingalayan scoured the fields and the neighboring hillsides.But there was no sign of Daungen. The girl was on her way home when she saw abundle of clothes beside the brook. She knew it was her mother's. Sheimmediately went home and told her father. Lawigan wept bitterly because hethought his wife had been abducted by the headhunters. He went to the brook andto his surprise, the rainbow spoke to him. "Grieve no more, Lawigan, for I am safe. I am
not a mortal woman asyou thought. I am a goddess--Daungen of the skyworld -- and I changed myself toa woman because of my compassion over your helplessness. Now that Ingalayan isgrown up, she can take care of you. Let her take a husband so that you will havesomeone to help you in the fields." Then the rainbow vanished. Lawigan wenthome very lonely but wiser than before.
preparing to return to the Upperworld. Hecould not stay in human form and live on earht forever. This grievedpoor Bugan who did not suspect that she had married a god. Kabunian wanted to take their children along with him to theUpperworld, but Bugan objected to his plan Now that he would be leavingher, she said, she needed the children to comfort her in the eveningand to help her work on the fields. At last, after a lengthydiscussion, they agreed to divide their children. Kabigat remained withhis mother and Daungen went with her father. The problem of custody over the third child came up. Neither couldagree that the ther would take care of the younget boy. For a while thewhole problem remained unsettled. Later they agreed to divide the childas they had done with their other chidren. Kabunian used his power andsupplied the missing parts of the halved infant. His share of
the boybecame a girl and he called her Bangan while Bugan's share became a boyand she named him Lumauwig. Lumauwig grew to be a mighty warrior ( infact, some mountain groups worshipped him as their principal god ) ,and Bangan became the goddess of the skyworld. On the other hand,Kabigat married his sister Daungen and they became the parents of allthe mountain peoples. BROTHERS OF INUDE There lived in the Ifugaoland so many years ago two brothers, Wigan andIhik, and their sister Bugan. Bugan was so beautiful that many suitorscame to win her hand. However, her borthers were so selfish that theyforced her to refuse all of them. The act made the girl very unhappy.She found out later that what her brothers were telling her about hersuitors were not true! Looking down form the sky, Kabunian saw how these brothers madetheir sister
miserable. So he went down to earth to test the youngwoman's heart and to put and end to her brother's selfishness. Hechanged himself into an ugly, leprous man and went down to the village.Then he courted the beautiful damsel. The girl accepted him withoutmuch ado because she saw an honest man behind the sores and ugliness.Her decision to marry Kabunian disappointed her brothers. They laughedat her. "Why don't you use your eyes?" roared one of her brothers."Take a good look and tell us what you see in your lover's face." "Hadn't she better wash her eyes before she opens them?"joined the brothers. They both burst in an uproarious laughter. The ridicule of these two brothers only deepened Bugan's love. Shemarried the disguised Kabunian. One day the men of the village went out to the forest to check whethertheir prepared sacrifices were
ropitious to the deities or not. The sunwas half-way when they reached a place called Inude, a small stonyclearing on the mountaintop. Everybody was tired and thirsty. But therewas no spring or brook at which they could quench their thirst. In that partly was Kabunian and one of his brothers-in-law, Ihik. Ihik wasvery thirsty and, still carrying the resentment over what heconsidered his sister's disobedience to their wishes, he turned toKabunian and told him to make water flow out of the stones. "If you are as great and noble as my sister says you are," Ihiksaidmockingly as he faced the disguised Kabunian, "then perform a miracle.Be somebody---you can act Kabunian himself and make water flow out ofthis rock." Without saying a word, Kabunian took his spear and thrust it againstthe rock. The weapon pierced the stone and to the astonishment of
all,water flowed out. Ihik hastened to drink but Kabunian brushed him aside. "You wait," the god said, "let us observe the custom ofgiving priority to our elders, You, Ihik, being the youngest in the group drinklast." And so the older men of the group drank first. When it was Ihik'sturn, Kabunian kicked him in the stomach and said, "You stay here and drinkas much water as you can take ." Instantly, the man turned into stoneand water passed through his mouth and flowed out of his anus. Thusended the selfish man who ridiculed the great god. LUMAUWIG AND MITURA Years went by Lumauwig, son of Kabunian and his mortal wife, Bugan, grewup to be a handsome, dashing young man. Kabunian was pleased and he gave his sonextraordinary powers. He also entrusted to him the patronship of the warriors.One day Lumauwig's presence was invoked by the
chief of one of the villagesin Mountain Province. Despite his mother's objection because there was somuch work to do in the fields, the god-hero took his spear and headed for thevillages. On his way, he saw a young and beautiful daughter of a Kankanaychieftain, The lovely lady was playing with her friends by the bank of thebrook. Lumauwig, struck by the dazzling beauty of the maiden, changed himselfinto a handsome mortal, and approached the party. But the women, upon seeinghim, ran away. It was prohibited by the local custom in those days for anunmarried woman to look into the eyes of a man, especially stranger. Lumauwig stopped the young woman. "Don't go away fair one,"he said. "I will not harm you. Here, let us chew betel and you tell me youename." The beauty of the stranger standing before her dazzled the eyes of thegirl. Her fear vanished, and, amazingly, she fell in love with
him. "Myname is Mitura," she mumbled nervously. She kept looking at the young manand Lumauwig knew that his charm worked. Without hesitation he asked Mitura tomarry him. Mitura's father did not object when Lumauwig sought the hand ofthe girl in marriage. Lumauwig, however, did not find happiness with his mortal wife. Therewere many things that they did not have in common. Mitura turned out to be ajealous. nagging wife. One day, Lumauwig told her that he would be away for sometime. The sturdy god of the warriors did not tell his wife who he was, and thisstarted the whole trouble. After a fortnight's absence, Mitura became suspicious. Thoughts ofanother woman preyed on her mind and she went to spy on her husband. This madethe great Lumauwig very angry, and when he came they quarreled. The great god ofthe warriors swore by Mount Pulog never to live on earth again. But before
hedeparted, he took with him their child. Mitura became very lonely, miserable anddespondent! She wept and wept and Lumauwig despite his anger, took pity on her.He placed their child out in the sky every night for Mitura to see. The childbecame the mooon. DESCENT OF DAUNGEN Daungen, daughter of Kabunian by Bugan, was taken by her father to thesky, where she became the goddess of rainbow. While wandering along the regionof the clouds one day, she saw down in the valley a young man, Lawigan, workingin his field very hard. Lawigan was an orphan. His parents had died when he was still a very youngchild and since then he lived alone. He tended the ricefield which his parentshad left to him. Added to this hardship, no one in the village was willing tohelp poor Lawigan though he had begged them. Changing herself into a mortal woman, Daungen came down to
earth. Thenwith the craftiness of a real woman, she proceeded with her plans. First sheclothed herself with a tapis, a jacket and a blanket; then she made beads out ofthe sand and placed them around her head. She looked beautiful and attractive ina woman's attire. Her second scheme consisted in acting like a stranger. She approached thehandsome mountain youth and asked him which way to get to a certain villagecalled Bauko. Lawigan, unaware of the scheme, directed her. After a whilehowever, Daungen returned to the young man, saying that she had not found herway. And since it was already late in the afternoon, she asked Lawigan if shecould spend the night in his bauwi. Knowing that she was in a situation where his hospitality was at stake,Lawigan searched his mind for a good reason to refuse her accommodation. At lasthe could confronted her. "I am sorry, lady, but I have not stored
anyfod." "You don't have to worry," Daungen told him. "Go andgather fuel." When Lawigan left, the goddess produced some palay from hermagic bag and pounded the grains. Then she cooked the rice and together theyate. While they were thus eating, Daungen made known to Lawigan her intentionto help him in his fields. Reluctant at first because he knew he could notafoord a farmhand, Lawigan consented later. Daungen immediatelywent to work andmade the fields ready for planting before midnight. Since it was tabooed foryoung men to sleep under the same roof with an unmarried woman Lawigan went tothe men's dormitory to sleep that night. And Daungen slept in his housealone. This affair continued for several months until the designing goddesssucceeded in inducing the mountain youth to fall in love with her. Lawiganceased sleeping at the men's dormitory several weeks later. A few
monthspassed. Daungen conceived and gave birth to a pretty baby girl. They named herIngalayan. With the birth of the child, the goddess felt that her mission wasaccomplished and when Ingalayan was a little older, she decided to return to theskyworld. Besides she wanted to teach the man a lesson: Lawigan had grown toodependent on her to work in the fields! One afternoon Daungen did not return home. Lawigan told his daughter tolook for her mother. Ingalayan scoured the fields and the neighboring hillsides.But there was no sign of Daungen. The girl was on her way home when she saw abundle of clothes beside the brook. She knew it was her mother's. Sheimmediately went home and told her father. Lawigan wept bitterly because hethought his wife had been abducted by the headhunters. He went to the brook andto his surprise, the rainbow spoke to him. "Grieve no more, Lawigan, for I am safe. I am
not a mortal woman asyou thought. I am a goddess--Daungen of the skyworld -- and I changed myself toa woman because of my compassion over your helplessness. Now that Ingalayan isgrown up, she can take care of you. Let her take a husband so that you will havesomeone to help you in the fields." Then the rainbow vanished. Lawigan wenthome very lonely but wiser than before.
How the Rice was Discovered
Many years ago food was very abundant. People did not have to work in the fields. They did not have to plant crops either. All they did when they were hungry was to gather edible roots and fruits of the trees. The rivers were also full of shrimps, snails and fishes.
In the Western Bisayas, there lived a man named Siguinhon and his wife, Tiguinlan. They were childless for many years. So they used to wander about the mountainsides.
Finally, Taguinlan became pregnant. This made it difficult for her to travel up and down the mountains. Siguinhon decide to stay put. He went out one day to look fo an ideal site.
Strange events took place at this time. The hillsides became dry. Rain failed to come in spite of the prayers which people made to their anitos and offerings they gave to their ancestral spirits.
This drought continued for several months. Even the streams became very shallow and the spring dry. Many plants died. Edible roots and fruits became scarce.
When Tiguinlan gave birth, food was very hard to find. But since the nursing mother needs more food in order to nourish the baby, there was no other recourse but for Siguinhon to look for food. He departed one morning. He climbed mountains, explored the forest, and followed the rivers. But he could not find anything to eat.
This search led him to the highest peak of the mountain. Here, he found some tall grass growing. He had not seen these plants before. And when he came very near, he found them heavy with grains.
When he stepped forward to touch the grain, the plants spoke to him.
"Take us home with you. Then removed the husks, from our grains. Boil the clean grains and eat them."
Siguinhon was afraid. However the plants assured him that there was nothing to be afraid of. They were merely trying to help his nourishing baby.
The young man did as he was told.
When he reached home, he told Tiguinlan about his luck. Together they removed the grains from the stalks and pounded these on the top of the big stone. Thus husks were removed. This done, they cooked the clean grains.
The cooked grains were good to eat. It was a satisfying meal the couple had. After eating they rested. While they were lying down, Siguinhon said to his wife.
" Perhaps it would be better if I gather some more grains and plant them here."
Tiguinlan thought it was a good idea. So they prepared to go. As they were about to depart, the grains spoke to them.
" As soon as you have enough of us, clean the hillside before sowing it."
Siguinhon and Tiguinlan answered favorably. They agreed to clean the hillside, In fact they volunteered to re-direct the flow of the spring nearby.
The couple departed to look for more grains from the stalks.. Then they cleaned the hillsides and sowed their seeds.
At this time, their baby was already big. He started to talk. One day, as Tiguinlan and Siguinhon prepared dinner, the baby crawled towards the kitchen. The sweet odor of the cooked grains attracted the child. He started saying "pa-ay,pa-ay."
Because Tiguinlan and Siguinhon had no name for the sweet-smelling grains, they called them "paray", a modification of what the child said. Actually the term means "good-spirit."
In the Western Bisayas, there lived a man named Siguinhon and his wife, Tiguinlan. They were childless for many years. So they used to wander about the mountainsides.
Finally, Taguinlan became pregnant. This made it difficult for her to travel up and down the mountains. Siguinhon decide to stay put. He went out one day to look fo an ideal site.
Strange events took place at this time. The hillsides became dry. Rain failed to come in spite of the prayers which people made to their anitos and offerings they gave to their ancestral spirits.
This drought continued for several months. Even the streams became very shallow and the spring dry. Many plants died. Edible roots and fruits became scarce.
When Tiguinlan gave birth, food was very hard to find. But since the nursing mother needs more food in order to nourish the baby, there was no other recourse but for Siguinhon to look for food. He departed one morning. He climbed mountains, explored the forest, and followed the rivers. But he could not find anything to eat.
This search led him to the highest peak of the mountain. Here, he found some tall grass growing. He had not seen these plants before. And when he came very near, he found them heavy with grains.
When he stepped forward to touch the grain, the plants spoke to him.
"Take us home with you. Then removed the husks, from our grains. Boil the clean grains and eat them."
Siguinhon was afraid. However the plants assured him that there was nothing to be afraid of. They were merely trying to help his nourishing baby.
The young man did as he was told.
When he reached home, he told Tiguinlan about his luck. Together they removed the grains from the stalks and pounded these on the top of the big stone. Thus husks were removed. This done, they cooked the clean grains.
The cooked grains were good to eat. It was a satisfying meal the couple had. After eating they rested. While they were lying down, Siguinhon said to his wife.
" Perhaps it would be better if I gather some more grains and plant them here."
Tiguinlan thought it was a good idea. So they prepared to go. As they were about to depart, the grains spoke to them.
" As soon as you have enough of us, clean the hillside before sowing it."
Siguinhon and Tiguinlan answered favorably. They agreed to clean the hillside, In fact they volunteered to re-direct the flow of the spring nearby.
The couple departed to look for more grains from the stalks.. Then they cleaned the hillsides and sowed their seeds.
At this time, their baby was already big. He started to talk. One day, as Tiguinlan and Siguinhon prepared dinner, the baby crawled towards the kitchen. The sweet odor of the cooked grains attracted the child. He started saying "pa-ay,pa-ay."
Because Tiguinlan and Siguinhon had no name for the sweet-smelling grains, they called them "paray", a modification of what the child said. Actually the term means "good-spirit."
Why the Mango Fruit is Shaped Like a Heart
In one of the villages of Kalibo, Aklan province, there lived a long time ago, a man named Daeogdog. His temper was as violent as thunder (daeogdog). But Daeogdog married a sweet, kind, and ubderstanding woman, Mabuot. They had a lovely daughter, Aganhon, who was as beautiful as the dawn.
Years passed and Aganhon grew up to be more beautiful than ever. Suitors from afar came to ask for her hand. Among these,Daeogdog chose a man named Maeogpig who also had an uncontrollable temper. Aganhon pleaded on her knees not to be forced to marry Maeopig. Even Mabuot shed tears to soften the heart of her husband.
"No," burst he, "She must marry Maeogpig."
The date of the marriage was set. Maeogpig danced with joy at having won the hand of lovely Aganhon. But Aganhon wept. For days, she imprisoned herself inside the house.
The wedding day came. Daeogdog's house was crowded with guests. The ceremonies were about to start, but where was Aganhon? She was not in her room. She was not in the village.
Her body was found near a spring ,lifeless, a dagger buried in her breast. Daeogdog locked himself up in his house and tore his hair in despair.
The night after her burial, Aganhon's ghost appeared to her father. It bade him go down by the spring in the morning, for he would find a tree with heart-shaped fruits.
"Take these fruits in remembrance of me whose heart you have broken."
Next morning, Daeogdog ran to the spring pointed by the spirit. True enough, befor him stood a sturdy tree and from its branches hung several heart-shaped fruits. But no one dared eat of its fruits till a brave man plucked one and ate it with relish.
daeogdog, now very sorry, told the people to plant the seed of the tree, as a reminder to all fathers never to force their children against their will.
The people did as they were told. And soon many trees grew in the village. The trees bore heart-shaped fruits which the people named Mango, meaning heart-shaped.
Years passed and Aganhon grew up to be more beautiful than ever. Suitors from afar came to ask for her hand. Among these,Daeogdog chose a man named Maeogpig who also had an uncontrollable temper. Aganhon pleaded on her knees not to be forced to marry Maeopig. Even Mabuot shed tears to soften the heart of her husband.
"No," burst he, "She must marry Maeogpig."
The date of the marriage was set. Maeogpig danced with joy at having won the hand of lovely Aganhon. But Aganhon wept. For days, she imprisoned herself inside the house.
The wedding day came. Daeogdog's house was crowded with guests. The ceremonies were about to start, but where was Aganhon? She was not in her room. She was not in the village.
Her body was found near a spring ,lifeless, a dagger buried in her breast. Daeogdog locked himself up in his house and tore his hair in despair.
The night after her burial, Aganhon's ghost appeared to her father. It bade him go down by the spring in the morning, for he would find a tree with heart-shaped fruits.
"Take these fruits in remembrance of me whose heart you have broken."
Next morning, Daeogdog ran to the spring pointed by the spirit. True enough, befor him stood a sturdy tree and from its branches hung several heart-shaped fruits. But no one dared eat of its fruits till a brave man plucked one and ate it with relish.
daeogdog, now very sorry, told the people to plant the seed of the tree, as a reminder to all fathers never to force their children against their will.
The people did as they were told. And soon many trees grew in the village. The trees bore heart-shaped fruits which the people named Mango, meaning heart-shaped.
Origin Of the Makupa
Many, many years ago, a very religious group of people lived in a small village of Samtoy in the Ilocos coast. They were devoted to their departed ancestors and to the gods of their forefathers. They always prayed and offered proper sacrifices to the spirits of the hills and mountains.
Because of this religiousness, the gods of the heavens and the spirits of the mountain showered them with prosperity. Everybody became rich.
The people in the neighboring villages were envious of their good fortune. So they spied on them, hoping to know the source of the Samtoyan's prosperity.
After several months of watching, the envious neighbors found that whenever the people of Samtoy needed something, they simply rang a big gong. It was believed that this instrument, which had a bat-like shape, was given to them by the great mountain spirit, Apo Bolinayen.
The envious neighbors decided to steal the big gong. They banded together and prepared to attack the people of Samtoy.
Before they could do this, however, the people of Samtoy learned of the plot. So they carried the gong out of the village and hit it near the edge of the forest.
Then they returned and prepared to resist the planned attack on them. Many persons were killed in the battle which followed. Among those who perished was the man who burried the gong.
The people of Samtoy defended their village bravely. When the attackers knew that they were not a match for the defenders they fled. They were not able to capture the gong.
After the battle, the people of Samtoy gathered in the village. They asked for the men who went out to hide the gong. However, they were all dead. No one could locate the gong anymore.
For the first time since the villagers could remember, their fields were very dry. Their crops failed. They prayed hard for the rain but it did not come. They could no longer communicate with the great mountain god, Apo Bolinayen.
One day, a small boy went to the forest to look for edible roots. However, he did not find any. But he did not give up. He looked and looked . Finally, he became very hungry. So he started picking the fruits of the trees which he passed by.
In the middle of the forest he was attracted to a big tree with juicy fruits. The fruits looked like tiny gongs. He gathered so many of them and went home. When he reached the village , the people became curious about the fruits. These reminded them of the gong which they lost. So they asked the boy.
The boy led them to the place where he gathered the fruits. When the people saw the tree with many red, juicy fruits, one of them exclaimed : " Makupa"- meaning, the tree with many gongs. The men dug around and under the tree carefully. They suspected that the gong might be burried underneath.
When they reached the hard layer of soil under the roots of the tree, they found the gong. It was intact beneath the center-root of the tree. The people shouted with joy. They danced around the tree.
A big, joyous crowd of men followed the gong as this was carried back to the village. Then they put it back on the platform where it was hung before.
After an appropriate ceremony, the headman of the village stepped forward and struck the gong. Its sweet, clear sound reverberated across the hills and fields. Everyone in the village came and joined the celebration. Soon the dark clouds formed in the sky. Rain came in due time, thus ending the drought. The fields became green once more. The trees bore flowers and the crops grew.
The grateful people planted the strange tree and there after called Makupa.
Because of this religiousness, the gods of the heavens and the spirits of the mountain showered them with prosperity. Everybody became rich.
The people in the neighboring villages were envious of their good fortune. So they spied on them, hoping to know the source of the Samtoyan's prosperity.
After several months of watching, the envious neighbors found that whenever the people of Samtoy needed something, they simply rang a big gong. It was believed that this instrument, which had a bat-like shape, was given to them by the great mountain spirit, Apo Bolinayen.
The envious neighbors decided to steal the big gong. They banded together and prepared to attack the people of Samtoy.
Before they could do this, however, the people of Samtoy learned of the plot. So they carried the gong out of the village and hit it near the edge of the forest.
Then they returned and prepared to resist the planned attack on them. Many persons were killed in the battle which followed. Among those who perished was the man who burried the gong.
The people of Samtoy defended their village bravely. When the attackers knew that they were not a match for the defenders they fled. They were not able to capture the gong.
After the battle, the people of Samtoy gathered in the village. They asked for the men who went out to hide the gong. However, they were all dead. No one could locate the gong anymore.
For the first time since the villagers could remember, their fields were very dry. Their crops failed. They prayed hard for the rain but it did not come. They could no longer communicate with the great mountain god, Apo Bolinayen.
One day, a small boy went to the forest to look for edible roots. However, he did not find any. But he did not give up. He looked and looked . Finally, he became very hungry. So he started picking the fruits of the trees which he passed by.
In the middle of the forest he was attracted to a big tree with juicy fruits. The fruits looked like tiny gongs. He gathered so many of them and went home. When he reached the village , the people became curious about the fruits. These reminded them of the gong which they lost. So they asked the boy.
The boy led them to the place where he gathered the fruits. When the people saw the tree with many red, juicy fruits, one of them exclaimed : " Makupa"- meaning, the tree with many gongs. The men dug around and under the tree carefully. They suspected that the gong might be burried underneath.
When they reached the hard layer of soil under the roots of the tree, they found the gong. It was intact beneath the center-root of the tree. The people shouted with joy. They danced around the tree.
A big, joyous crowd of men followed the gong as this was carried back to the village. Then they put it back on the platform where it was hung before.
After an appropriate ceremony, the headman of the village stepped forward and struck the gong. Its sweet, clear sound reverberated across the hills and fields. Everyone in the village came and joined the celebration. Soon the dark clouds formed in the sky. Rain came in due time, thus ending the drought. The fields became green once more. The trees bore flowers and the crops grew.
The grateful people planted the strange tree and there after called Makupa.
Origin Of Sampaloc
There once lived in one of the barrios of Lipa, Batangas, a man named Timo. He was a very religious man. He never failed to observe his religious obligations or to do his spiritual duties.
Every harvest time Timo held thanksgiving celebration for the gods of the sky, and, during lean months , he performed appropriate ceremonies to please the divinities of the forest, rivers, and hills .
Because of this , Bathala , the highest ranking deity of the sky , took a liking for Timo. He showered him with graces. He made Timo's fields yield more than enough. In fact, Timo was given everything he wished.
In due time, Timo became the richest man in the village. He was able to acquire large tracts of land which he planted crops. His granaries were always filled with cereals. His stove was never cold, his table never empty of good food.
Everyone in the village, including those from the neighboring sitios, came to Timo for food during famines. And they never left the house without sufficient food to last them till the hard times were over.
However, it did not take long when selfishness crept into Timo's heart. His wealth gave him power and influence throughut the land , and that made him boastful, arrogant, and irreverent. Soon he began forgetting his obligations to the gods of the sky.
This angered Bathala. As punishment, the great god did not let the rain fall. The fields soon became dry. The plants withered from the lack of water and the work animals died of hunger. The people became frantic. They made sacrifices and gave offerings to the divinities of the sky, the forests, and the hills. But no rain came. Famine raged over the land.
The people in the village flocked to Timo's house and begged him to give them food. Timo refused them, saying that the food he had stored was hardly enough for his family.
One day a young man came to Timo's door. He was ragged and weak. His lips were parched from the thirst and his limbs were trembling from starvation. He begged for a cup of water and a handful of rice.
Seeing the man, Timo got angry. He told him to go away. The stranger pleaded. In exasperation, Timo banged the door in front of him. But the man knocked again and moaned for food.
In his anger, Timo struck the young man's face. " Go way," he shouted. " You ought to be ashamed of yourself. You are young and strong and yet you beg for food. Go away and so you can eat."
"You don't have to strike me," the stranger said weakly. " How can I work whem I'm starved? You should remember that you were once a poor and a starving man yourself."
The man's words shamed Timo. He repented for what he had done. To make up for this mistake, he invited the man in. However, the stranger declined the invitation saying: " Ba't mo ako sinampal bago inalok?" ( Why did you hit me before inviting me in?) Then the stranger turned and walk away.
When the young man left, Timo returned to the kitchen. He was surprised to find that the food he was preparing was gone. He ran down to his granaries. The rice and corn had disappeared, and, in their stead, he saw strange-looking fruits. In his curiosity, he broke one of them and tasted it. It was very sour.
As he squirmed from the sourness of the fruit, Timo remembered what the stranger said. he knew then that the young man was the angered Bathala who came down to test him.It was too late for repentance! In his desperation, he threw the fruits out of the window. Then he went away without letting the villagers know where he was going.
Weeks passed. One day, the people saw a beautiful plant growning outside of Timo's window. When it bore fruits, these were sour. The people then called the tree sampaloc- the sour tree of selfishness.
Every harvest time Timo held thanksgiving celebration for the gods of the sky, and, during lean months , he performed appropriate ceremonies to please the divinities of the forest, rivers, and hills .
Because of this , Bathala , the highest ranking deity of the sky , took a liking for Timo. He showered him with graces. He made Timo's fields yield more than enough. In fact, Timo was given everything he wished.
In due time, Timo became the richest man in the village. He was able to acquire large tracts of land which he planted crops. His granaries were always filled with cereals. His stove was never cold, his table never empty of good food.
Everyone in the village, including those from the neighboring sitios, came to Timo for food during famines. And they never left the house without sufficient food to last them till the hard times were over.
However, it did not take long when selfishness crept into Timo's heart. His wealth gave him power and influence throughut the land , and that made him boastful, arrogant, and irreverent. Soon he began forgetting his obligations to the gods of the sky.
This angered Bathala. As punishment, the great god did not let the rain fall. The fields soon became dry. The plants withered from the lack of water and the work animals died of hunger. The people became frantic. They made sacrifices and gave offerings to the divinities of the sky, the forests, and the hills. But no rain came. Famine raged over the land.
The people in the village flocked to Timo's house and begged him to give them food. Timo refused them, saying that the food he had stored was hardly enough for his family.
One day a young man came to Timo's door. He was ragged and weak. His lips were parched from the thirst and his limbs were trembling from starvation. He begged for a cup of water and a handful of rice.
Seeing the man, Timo got angry. He told him to go away. The stranger pleaded. In exasperation, Timo banged the door in front of him. But the man knocked again and moaned for food.
In his anger, Timo struck the young man's face. " Go way," he shouted. " You ought to be ashamed of yourself. You are young and strong and yet you beg for food. Go away and so you can eat."
"You don't have to strike me," the stranger said weakly. " How can I work whem I'm starved? You should remember that you were once a poor and a starving man yourself."
The man's words shamed Timo. He repented for what he had done. To make up for this mistake, he invited the man in. However, the stranger declined the invitation saying: " Ba't mo ako sinampal bago inalok?" ( Why did you hit me before inviting me in?) Then the stranger turned and walk away.
When the young man left, Timo returned to the kitchen. He was surprised to find that the food he was preparing was gone. He ran down to his granaries. The rice and corn had disappeared, and, in their stead, he saw strange-looking fruits. In his curiosity, he broke one of them and tasted it. It was very sour.
As he squirmed from the sourness of the fruit, Timo remembered what the stranger said. he knew then that the young man was the angered Bathala who came down to test him.It was too late for repentance! In his desperation, he threw the fruits out of the window. Then he went away without letting the villagers know where he was going.
Weeks passed. One day, the people saw a beautiful plant growning outside of Timo's window. When it bore fruits, these were sour. The people then called the tree sampaloc- the sour tree of selfishness.
THE LEGEND OF THE SEA HORSE
A long time ago, there lived in Cavite two baeutiful horses. These horses were the pets of the sea lord, Amanikable.
One day they were grazing near the seashore. They were enjoying the warmth of the morning sun.
Suddenly, they heard the barkings of dogs. They loooked around. From a distance they saw a group of men running toward them.
The two horses became alarmed. "Are they
One day they were grazing near the seashore. They were enjoying the warmth of the morning sun.
Suddenly, they heard the barkings of dogs. They loooked around. From a distance they saw a group of men running toward them.
The two horses became alarmed. "Are they
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