PHILIPPINE EPICS

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.
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.”
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 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.
 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 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.