The Philippine Declaration of Independence by Ambrosio R. Bautista

 

The proclamation of Philippine Independence. (Image via ManilaDirectory.Net)

 

The Philippine Declaration of Independence (Spanish: Acta de la proclamación de independencia del pueblo Filipino, 'An Act of the Proclamation of the Independence of the Filipino People') was written by Ambrosio R. Bautista, “War Counselor and Special Delegate-Designate” of the revolutionary Philippine government. It was read by Bautista during the proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898. The event took place between four and five in the afternoon at the ancestral home of Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite; which featured the unfurling of the first Philippine flag (sewn in Hong Kong by Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo, and Delfina Herboza) and the playing of the Marcha Filipina Magdalo (composed by Prof. Julian Felipe) by the San Francisco de Malabon Marching Band. This would eventually become the Philippine National Anthem, the Lupang Hinirang (lyrics composed by Prof. Jose I. Palma).

The making of the Philippine flag by Fernando Amorsolo.

Emilio Aguinaldo, leader of the Philippine revolutionary forces, was in exile in Hong Kong after signing the Pact of Biak-na-Bato with Spain in December 1897. Because of the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in December 1897, the Asiatic Squadron of the US Navy, under the command of Commondore George Dewey, abroad the USS Olympia, sailed into Manila Bay and defeated the Spanish navy in the Battle of Manila Bay. Aguinaldo returned home abroad the USS McCullogh in May 1898.

The document declares the independence of the Filipino people from Spain. It lists down the abuses of the Spanish colonial regime starting from the time of the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in 1531. Unfortunately, the Declaration was recognized by neither the United States nor Spain because Spain had ceded the Philippines to the United States through the Treaty of Paris.The Philippines would be a colony of the United States and of Japan, and was eventually granted independence on July 4, 1946.

The Declaration is now housed in the National Library of the Philippines. It is not on public display but can be seen upon request. During the Philippine-American War, about 400,000 documents were seized and sent to the US. These were returned in 1958. Sometime in the 1980's or the 1990's the Declaration was stolen from the National Library, but was returned by a professor from the University of the Philippines in 1994.

 AN ACT OF THE PROCLAMATION OF THE INDEPENDENCE

OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE

Translation by Sulpicio Guevara

In the town of Cavite-Viejo, Province of Cavite, this 12th day of June 1898:

BEFORE ME, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, War Counsellor and Special Delegate designated to proclaim and solemnize this Declaration of Independence by the Dictatorial Government of the Philippines, pursuant to, and by virtue of, a Decree issued by the Engregious Dictator Don Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy,

The undersigned assemblage of military chiefs and others of the army who could not attend, as well as the representatives of the various towns,

Taking into account the fact that the people of this country are already tired of bearing the ominous joke of Spanish domination,

Because of arbitrary arrests and abuses of the Civil Guards [Guardia Civil] who cause deaths in connivance with and even under the express orders of their superior officers who at times would order the shooting of those placed under arrest under the pretext that they attempted to escape in violation of known Rules and Regulations, which abuses were left unpunished, and because of unjust deportations of illustrious Filipinos, especially those decreed by General Blanco at the instigation of the Archbishop and friars interested in keeping them in ignorance for egoistic and selfish ends, which deportations were carried out through processes more execrable than those of the Inquisition which every civilized nation repudiates as a trial without hearing.

Had resolved to start a revolution in August 1896 in order to regain the independence and sovereignty of which the people had been deprived by Spain through Governor Miguel Lopez de Legazpi who, continuing the course followed by his predecessor Ferdinand Magellan who landed on the shores of Cebu and occupied said Island by means of a Pact of Friendship with Chief Tupas, although he was killed in the battle that took place in said shores to which battle he was provoked by Chief Kalipulako of Mactan who suspected his evil designs, landed on the Island of Bohol by entering also into a Blood Compact with its Chief Sikatuna, with the purpose of later taking by force the Island of Cebu, and because his successor Tupas did not allow him to occupy it, he went to Manila, the capital, winning likewise the friendship of its Chiefs Soliman and Lakandula, later taking possession of the city and the whole Archipelago in the name of Spain by virtue of an order of King Philip II, and with these historical precedents and because in international law the prescription established by law to legalize the vicious acquisition of private property is not recognized, the legitimacy of such revolution can not be put in doubt which was calmed but not complete stifled by the pacification proposed by Don Pedro A. Paterno with Don Emilio Aguinaldo as President of the Republic established in Biak-na-Bato and accepted by Governor-General Don Fernando Primo De Rivera under terms, both written and oral, among them being a general amnesty for all deported and convicted persons; that by reason of the non-fulfillment of some of the terms, after the destruction of the plaza of Cavite, Don Emilio Aguinaldo returned in order to initiate a new revolution and no sooner had he given the order to rise on the 31st of last month when several towns anticipating the revolution, rose in revolt on the 28th , such that a Spanish contingent of 178 men, between Imus Cavite-Viejo, under the command of major of the Marine Infantry capitulated , the revolutionary movement spreading like wild fire to other towns of Cavite and the other provinces of Bataan, Pampanga, Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna, and Morong, some of them with seaports and such was the success of the victory of our arms, truly marvelous and without equal in the history of colonial revolutions that in the first mentioned province only the Detachments in Naic and Indang remained to surrender; in the second all Detachments had been wiped out; in the third the resistance of the Spanish forces was localized in the town of San Fernando where the greater part of them are concentrated, the remainder in Macabebe, Sexmoan, and Guagua; in the fourth, in the town of Lipa; in the fifth, in the capital and in Calumpit; and in last two remaining provinces, only in there respective capitals, and the city of Manila will soon be besieged by our forces as well as the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Zambales, and some others in the Visayas where the revolution at the time of the pacification and others even before, so that the independence of our country and the revindication of our sovereignty is assured.

And having as witness to the rectitude of our intentions the Supreme Judge of the Universe, and under the protection of our Powerful and Humanitarian Nation, The United States of America, we do hereby proclaim and declare solemnly in the name by authority of the people of these Philippine Islands,

That they are and have the right to be free and independent; that they have ceased to have allegiance to the Crown of Spain; that all political ties between them are should be completely severed and annulled; and that, like other free and independent States, they enjoy the full power to make War and Peace, conclude commercial treaties, enter into alliances, regulate commerce, and do all other acts and things which and Independent State Has right to do,

And imbued with firm confidence in Divine Providence, we hereby mutually bind ourselves to support this Declaration with our lives, our fortunes, and with our sacred possession, our Honor.

We recognize, approve, and ratify, with all the orders emanating from the same, the Dictatorship established by Don Emilio Aguinaldo whom we reverse as the Supreme Head of this Nation, which today begins to have a life of its own, in the conviction that he has been the instrument chosen by God, inspite of his humble origin, to effectuate the redemption of this unfortunate country as foretold by Dr. Don Jose Rizal in his magnificent verses which he composed in his prison cell prior to his execution, liberating it from the Yoke of Spanish domination,

And in punishment for the impunity with which the Government sanctioned the commission of abuses by its officials, and for the unjust execution of Rizal and others who were sacrificed in order to please the insatiable friars in their hydropical thirst for vengeance against and extermination of all those who oppose their Machiavellian ends, trampling upon the Penal Code of these Islands, and of those suspected persons arrested by the Chiefs of Detachments at the instigation of the friars, without any form nor semblance of trial and without any spiritual aid of our sacred Religion; and likewise, and for the same ends, eminent Filipino priest, Doctor Don Jose Burgos, Don Mariano Gomez, and Don Jacinto Zamora were hanged whose innocent blood was shed due to the intrigues of these so-called Religious corporations which made the authorities to believe that the military uprising at the fort of San Felipe in Cavite on the night of January 21, 1872 was instigated by those Filipino martyrs, thereby impeding the execution of the decree- sentence issued by the Council of State in the appeal in the administrative case interposed by the secular clergy against the Royal Orders that directed that the parishes under them within the jurisdiction of this Bishopric be turned over to the Recollects in exchange for those controlled by them in Mindanao which were to be transferred to the Jesuits, thus revoking them completely and ordering the return of those parishes, all of which proceedings are on file with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to which they are sent last month of the year of the issuance of the proper Royal Degree which, in turn, caused the grow of the tree of the liberty in our dear land that grow more and more through the iniquitous measures of oppressions, until the last drop of our chalice of suffering having been drained, the first spark of revolution broke out in Caloocan, spread out to Santa Mesa and continued its course to the adjoining regions of the province were the unequaled heroism of its inhabitants fought a one sided battle against superior forces of General Blanco and General Polavieja for a period of 3 months, without proper arms nor ammunition, except bolos, pointed bamboos, and arrows.

Moreover, we confer upon our famous Dictator Don Emilio Aguinaldo all the powers necessary to enable him to discharge the duties of Government, including the prerogatives of granting pardon and amnesty,

And lastly, it was results unanimously that this Nation, already free and independent as of this day, must used the same flag which up to now is being used, whose designed and colored are found described in the attached drawing, the white triangle signifying the distinctive emblem of the famous Society of the "Katipunan" which by means of its blood compact inspired the masses to rise in revolution; the tree stars, signifying the three principal Islands of these Archipelago - Luzon, Mindanao, and Panay where the revolutionary movement started; the sun representing the gigantic step made by the son of the country along the path of Progress and Civilization; the eight rays, signifying the eight provinces - Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna, and Batangas - which declares themselves in a state of war as soon as the first revolt was initiated; and the colors of Blue, Red, and White, commemorating the flag of the United States of America, as a manifestation of our profound gratitude towards this Great Nation for its disinterested protection which it lent us and continues lending us.

And holding up this flag of ours, I present it to the gentlemen here assembled:

Don Segundo Arellano

Don Tiburcio del Rosario

Don Sergio Matias

Don Agapito Zialcita

Don Flaviano Alonzo

Don Mariano Legazpi

Don José Turiano Santiago y Acosta

Don Aurelio Tolentino

Don Felix Ferrer

Don Felipe Buencamino

Don Fernando Canon Faustino

Don Anastacio Pinzun

Don Timoteo Bernabe

Don Flaviano Rodriguez

Don Gavino Masancay

Don Narciso Mayuga

Don Gregorio Villa

Don Luis Perez Tagle

Don Canuto Celestino

Don Marcos Jocson

Don Martin de los Reyes

Don Ciriaco Bausa

Don Manuel Santos

Don Mariano Toribio

Don Gabriel Reyes

Don Hugo Lim

Don Emiliano Lim

Don Fausto Tinorio

Don Rosendo Simon

Don Leon Tanjanque

Don Gregorio Bonifacio

Don Manuel Salafranca

Don Simon Villareal

Don Calixto Lara

Don Buenaventura Toribio

Don Zacarias Fajardo

Don Florencio Manalo

Don Ramon Gana

Don Marcelino Gomez

Don Valentin Polintan

Don Felix Polintan

Don Evaristo Dimalanta

Don Gregorio Alvarez

Don Sabas de Guzman

Don Esteban Francisco

Don Guido Yaptinchay

Don Mariano Rianzares Bautista

Don Francisco Arambulo

Don Antonio Gonzales

Don Juan Arevalo

Don Ramon Delfino

Don Honorio Tiongco

Don Francisco del Rosario

Don Epifanio Saguil

Don Ladislao Afable José

Don Sixto Roldan

Don Luis de Lara

Don Marcelo Basa

Don José Medina

Don Epifanio Crisia

Don Pastor Lopez de Leon

Don Mariano de los Santos

Don Santiago Garcia

Don Claudio Tria Tirona

Don Estanislao Tria Tirona Don Daniel Tria Tirona

Don Andrés Tria Tirona

Don Carlos Tria Tirona

Don Sulpicio P. Antony

Don Epitacio Asunción

Don Catalino Ramon

Don Juan Bordador

Don José del Rosario

Don Proceso Pulido

Don José Maria del Rosario

Don Ramon Magcamco

Don Antonio Calingo

Don Pedro Mendiola

Don Estanislao Calingo

Don Numeriano Castillo

Don Federico Tomacruz

Don Teodoro Yatco

Don Ladislao Diwa,

 Who solemnly swear to recognize and defend it unto the last drop of their blood.

In witness thereof, I certify that this Act of Declaration of Independence was signed by me and by all those here assembled including the only foreigner [extranjero] who attended those proceedings, a citizen of the U.S.A., Mr. L.M. Johnson, a Colonel of Artillery.

Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista
War Counselor and Special Delegate-Designate  

 What is believed to be the original Philippine flag, used in the proclamation of independence.

Bowaon and Totoon (Falsehood and Truth)--Waray Folktale

 An aerial view of the San Juanico Bridge; with the Leyte part on the bottom of the picture and the Samar portion on top. (Image from Skyscrapercity.com)

Bowaon at Totoon—Falsehood and Truth—is a folktale from Samar and Leyte. Spanning between the two islands in the eastern Visayas is the San Juanico Bridge, the longest (over-water) bridge in the Philippines. It is 2.16 kilometers or 1.34 miles (7,200 feet) long and a height of 41 meters or 131 feet. It crosses the scenic San Juanico strait between Samar and Leyte.

 

Bowaon and Totoon

Once upon a time, there were two friends, Bowaon and Totoon. They couldn’t find work so they decided to go away from their place to look for their fortune somewhere. They brought with them some rice and then they mounted their horses. As they went on, they got hungry. From a distance, they saw a coral reef. They got off their horses and headed for the reef to catch some fish. They caught schools of fish but these were very tiny. Totoon forgot his hunger. He returned the fish he caught to the reef. Bowaon got angry. “How will we able to eat?” he scolded Totoon. “Never mind Bowaon, they are so tiny; they will still grow bigger,” Totoon replied.

They rode on their horses again. After a distance, they saw a dead man. Totoon asked Bowaon to stop so they could bury the body. But Bowaon got angry, “Are you out of mind? If somebody sees us, he’ll think we killed him.” “But we should show mercy. There is a way of finding the truth. Well, if you won’t help me, then I will bury him by myself. You may go onward if you please. I’ll follow later,” said Totoon.

Bowaon went ahead while Totoon dug a grave for the body. Then he carried the dead person and buried him. He prayed over it then went on his journey. Bowaon could not bear to leave him so he returned for Totoon. They therefore, set out together again. Trotting along, they heard babies crying. They went towards the direction of the sounds. They found hungry baby eagles in a nest.

“Let’s stop for a while and feed the eagles,” suggested Totoon. Then Bowaon saw that Totoon was going to kill his horse. “Are you foolish? When they grow up they’ll prey on you. Let’s go on, we’re already delayed,” Bowaon said. “Don’t mind me. I pity these baby eagles. Anyway, no debt goes unpaid. Go ahead, I’ll just follow.”

“If you go on with your silly ideas, I’ll not give you a ride,” threatened Bowaon.

“Then I’ll walk,” decided Totoon. “Even if I go slowly, I’ll still reach my destination.”

After killing his horse, he fed the eagles. When they feel asleep, Totoon left. Bowaon again returned to give Totoon a ride. Far ahead, they sighted a palace. “Let’s go,” suggested Bowaon. “Let’s ask the king for work.”

They knocked at the palace door. They were told to enter, but since it was late, they were not granted any audience with the king. They slept in the palace. “You see,” taunted Bowaon, “if you did not delay our trip, we should’ve been able to eat. You are the cause of all this.” They went to sleep nevertheless since they were so tired from their journey.

After a while, Totoon heard someone calling his name. “Rise, Totoon, and listen: In the morning, when the king calls you for breakfast, don’t eat at once. On the table you’ll see a pen and some cooking utensils. Sit near the pen, and your future will be bright. Don’t be surprised. I am the dead person whom you have buried. I have come back to pay you back the favor you showed me.” Everything went silent and Totoon feel asleep again.

In the morning, the two friends were called for breakfast by the king. As he was told the night before, he saw the pen and some cooking utensils on the table. Bowaon sat down and just as soon began eating.

“You, Totoon, will become my secretary; while you, Bowaon, will become my cook,” announced the king.

At first, Bowaon was glad with his work for it meant plenty of food. He would not go hungry. But as time went on, he began to envy Totoon for the latter was not fatigued much. He thought of smearing the name of his friend.

One day, Bowaon went to the king to report that he heard Totoon say that the latter would be able to find the ring the king lost within three days and that the reward will be marriage to the princess. Of course, the king got angry for he did not say anything like that. He had Totoon summoned to his hall. Totoon protested the accusation but the angry king would not listen to him.

“Go, look for the ring then and if you find it you will have the princess for a reward but, if you fail you will lose your head,” announced the king.

Totoon did not say anything. He got a paddle and rode far out to the sea. There, he cried because of his fate. No longer after, he heard a voice. It was a fish asking him why he as crying. Totoon unburdened his problem. After listening, the fish dived deep into the sea. When it surfaced, many fishes came up with it, each one with a ring in its snout. Totoon looked among the rings. The king’s ring was not there. The fishes dived again. When they came up, they were bringing the king’s ring. Totoon thanked the fish.

Don’t mention it,” said the fish. Actually we are only paying the favor you showed us before when you threw us back into the reef.” Then they left.

The king rejoiced that the ring had been found. He held a banquet. Now, Bowaon had plenty of work again. He did not like it. In the banquet, the king announced the forthcoming marriage of Totoon and the princess. Bowaon was very angry. There would be much work ahead. He thought of a plan to thwart the wedding. But it did not succeed.

After the wedding, Bowaon went to the king. “Your majesty,” he said. “I heard Totoon say that on the third day, the princess will give birth.”

The king got mad. He once more summoned Totoon. “Do you mean to say that you had an affair with the princess even before you got married? You scoundrel! But since you’re already my child, I can’t do anything. However, do what you’ve said---that the princess will give birth three days from now. If not, you’ll surely lose your head.”

Totoon cried in despair. The princess comforted him by saying she’d talk with her father, but he couldn’t be calmed. After a while, an eagle came. “Don’t cry, Totoon,” she began. “This time I’ll help you in payment for help you extended my children. Get a midwife and talk to her. I’ll bring you a newly-born child.” Then the eagle flew away.

When she came back, she had an infant, still dripping with blood. In the bedroom, the midwife acted as if there really was a delivery. When the king awoke he heard the ones of an infant. He was amazed that the princess did give birth. He forgot his anger. “It must be a miracle,” he muttered. 

Sicalay and Sicavay - Central Visayas creation myth

 (Image from XiaoChua.Net)

The story of Sicalac and Sicavay is a central Visayan myth explaining the origin of the first man. The following story is taken from the book, The Philippine Islands, 1493-1503, Vol. V., 1582-1583, edited by Emma Helen Blair. It is an account of various Spanish explorers on the geography of the Philippines and the various mythological stories they encountered. Sicalac and Sicavay is a story among the Pintados, who are described as fair-skinned people whose males decorate their whole body with tattoos. These lived in the islands of central Visayas (Cebu, Bohol, Leyte).

The story also explains the origin of the islands Cebu and Samar, the origin of concubinage, and the origin of stealing.

The people of the coast, who are called the Yligueynes [Hiligaynons, or the Ilonggos], believe that heaven and earth had no beginning, and that there were two gods, one called Captan and the other Maguayen. They believe that the land breeze and the sea breeze were married; and that the land breeze brought forth a reed, which was planted by the god Captan. When the reed grew, it broke into two sections, which became a man and a woman. To the man they gave the name of Sicalac, and that is the reason why men from that time on have been called lalac [lalaki, man]; the woman they called Sicavay, and thenceforth women have been called babayes [babae, woman]. 

One day the man asked the woman to marry him, for there were no other people in the world; but she refused, saying that they were brother and sister, born of the same reed, with only one knot between them; and that she would not marry him, since he was her brother. Finally they agreed to ask advice from the tunnies [tuna fishes] of the sea, and from the doves of the air; they also went to the earthquake, who said that it was necessary for them to marry, so that the world might be peopled. They married, and called their first son Sibo [Cebu]; then a daughter was born to them, and they gave her the name of Samar. This brother and sister also had a daughter, called Lupluban. She married Pandaguan, a son of the first pair, and had a son called Anoranor. 

Pandaguan was the first to invent a net for fishing at sea; and, the first time when he used it, he caught a shark and brought it on shore, thinking that it would not die. But the shark died when brought ashore; and Pandaguan, when he saw this, began to mourn and weep over it—complaining against the gods for having allowed the shark to die, when no one had died before that time. It is said that the god Captan, on hearing this, sent the flies to ascertain who the dead one was; but, as the flies did not dare to go, Captan sent the weevil, who brought back the news of the shark’s death. The god Captan was displeased at these obsequies to a fish. He and Maguayen made a thunderbolt, with which they killed Pandaguan; he remained thirty days in the infernal regions, at the end of which time the gods took pity upon him, brought him back to life, and returned him to the world. 

While Pandaguan was dead, his wife Lubluban became the concubine of a man called Maracoyrun; and these people say that at that time concubinage began in the world. When Pandaguan returned, he did not find his wife at home, because she had been invited by her friend to feast upon a pig that he had stolen; and the natives say that this was the first theft committed in the world. Pandaguan sent his son for Lubluban, but she refused to go home, saying that the dead do not return to the world. At this answer Pandaguan became angry, and returned to the infernal regions. The people believe that, if his wife had obeyed his summons, and he had not gone back at that time, all the dead would return to life. 

The Hinilawod, the Epic from Panay

Hinilawod is the epic from Panay, a triangle-shaped island in the western Visayas. It means ‘Tales from the Mouth of the Halawod River’. The epic is composed of 28,000 verses and takes three days to recite. The story is passed on by mouth from generation to generation; and each story teller would modify the story in one degree or another.

The epic was “discovered” in 1955 by famed anthropologist F. Landa Jocano as he was traveling the hinterlands of his homeland of Panay with two colleagues in order to collect native songs and stories. They met an old man named Ulang Udig, who sang them parts of the story. In the following year, Jocano returned with a radio technician from Central Philippine University, Iloilo, to record the story on tape. However when they returned in 1957, Ulang Udig refused to cooperate. Jocano was introduced to a mountain singer named Hugan-an. It took three weeks to record her retelling of the 30-hour epic poem.

Hinilawod tells the story of the adventures of the three sons of a goddess named Alusina and a mortal named Datu Paubari. The names of their children are Labaw Dongon, Humadapnon, and Dumalapdap. Their adventures are similar to the journeys of Odysseus in The Odyssey by Homer (also featured in this blog).

The Story Alunsina and Datu Paubari

Kaptan, the king of the Gods, decreed that the beautiful Alunsina (also called Laun Sina, 'The Unmarried One') marry upon reaching her maidenhood. Though all the unmarried gods from every corner of the universe tried to win her hand in marriage, she chose to marry a mortal, Datu Paubari, ruler of the Halawod.

Angered by Alunsina's decision, her suitors conspired to harm the newlywed couple. Maklium-sa-t'wan, the god of the plains, called a council meeting of the gods. The council decided to destroy the couple's home, Halawod, by flood. Fortunately for Alunsina and her husband, her sister Suklang Malayon (goddess and guardian of happy homes) discovered the evil plot and warned them of it. Before the flood, the new couple sought refuge on a higher ground and escaped the gods' wrath undetected. They returned to the plains and settled near the mouth of the Halawod River after the flood has subsided and lived in secrecy.

After several months, Alunsina became pregnant with triplets. The couple was ecstatic and Datu Paubari prepared the things needed for childbirth including the siklot. When the triplets were born, the couple called them Labaw Dongon, Humadapnon and Dumalapdap.

Immediately after giving birth, Alunsina summoned the high priest Bungot-Banwa to perform the rites of the gods of the Mount Madya-as to ensure that the triplets will have good health. During the ritual, Bungot-Banwa burned some alanghiran fronds and a pinch of kamangyan [incense] in an altar that he made himself. He opened the windows of the north side of the room after the ceremony and in came a cold wind that transformed the infants into strong, handsome young men.

The adventures of Labaw Donggon

When he reached adulthood, Labaw Donggon, the eldest of the triplets, decided to go on a quest to find himself a wife. He heard of the beauty of Angoy Ginbitinan of Handug and wanted her for a wife. He asked his mother to prepare the things he will need for the journey—a magic cape, hat and belt, and kampilan (sword).

The journey to Handug took several days. Labaw Donggon had to pass by plains, valleys and mountains to get there. When he finally arrived, he asked for an audience with Angoy Ginbitinan's father and asked for her hand in marriage. The father agreed in one condition: Labaw Donggon must kill the monster Manalintad as part of his dowry. Labaw Donggon agreed and went away to confront the monster. With the help of his magic belt, he was able to kill the Manalintad. He cut off the tail of the monster and brought it back to Handug as a proof of his victory. Angoy Gibintinan's father was satisfied with the proof and allowed Labaw Donggon to marry his daughter. After the wedding, Labaw Donggon and his new bride started their journey back to his home. 

Along the way, they met a group of young men who were on their way to Tarambang Burok to win the hand of Abyang Durunuun, sister of Sumpoy, the lord of the underworld. According to these young men, Abyang Durunuun has beauty that equals no other. Labaw Donggon and Angoy Gibintinan continued on their journey. Upon reaching home, Labaw Donggon asked his mother to take care of his new wife and told her that he will be going on another quest. This time he will be going to Tarambang Burok and vie for the hand of the beautiful Abyang Durunuun.

On his way to Tarambang Burok, Labaw Donggon had an encounter with the giant Sikay Padalogdog. This giant had a hundred arms and he won't let the young demi god pass without a fight. And fight they did. In the end, the hundred-armed giant admitted defeat and allowed the Labaw Donggon to pass the ridge.

Labaw Donggon won the hand of the legendary Abyang Durunuun and also took her home to his mother. Thereafter, the demigod went on third quest to Gadlum. This time the object of his desire is Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata, the young bride of the lord of darkness, Saragnayan.

Aboard his biday nga inagta (black boat), Labaw Donggon sailed across many seas on his way Gadlum. He also traveled across the region of the clouds and the land of stones before he found himself at the shores of Tulogmatian, the seaside fortress of Saragnayan. Upon setting foot on the shore, Saragnayan asked who he was and his business. When Labaw Donggon expressed his desire to have Saragnayan's young wife, the lord of darkness just laughed and told him it's impossible. The young demigod then challenged the Saragnayan to a duel for the hand of the beautiful Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata. The duel lasted for years. Labaw Donggon held Saragnayan's head underwater for seven years but the lord of the darkness still lived. With the help of his pamlang (amulet), Saragnayan defeated Labaw Donggon and imprisoned him beneath his house. 

Meanwhile, Labaw Donggon's two wives gave birth to a son each. Angoy Ginbitinan called her child Aso Mangga while Abyang Durunuun called her son Abyang Baranugon. Both sons went in search of their father a few days after they were born. They arrived in Tulogmatian and asked Saragnayan to free their father. Saragnayan told Abyang Baranugon to go home to his mother when he noticed that the young lad still has an umbilical cord. The young lad took offense and challenged the lord of the darkness to a duel.

Saragnayan accepted the challenge and fought with Abyang Baranugon. The lord of darkness was no match for the strength of Abyang Baranugon and was defeated in the process. Abyang Baranugon earned the freedom of his father and took him home.

The adventures of Humadapnon

Meanwhile, the defeat of Labaw Donggon in the hands of Saragnayan and his subsequent imprisonment angered his brothers Humadapnon and Dumalapdap. Humadapnon swore to the gods of Madya-as and vowed that he would seek revenge on all of Saragnayan's kinsmen and followers. He then embarked on a journey to Saragnayan's. He took with him a man known for his exceptional swordsmanship, Buyong Matanayon of Mount Matiula. Together they traveled the same path that Labaw Donggon took.

The two ended up at a place called Tarambang Buriraw. Here lives a seductive sorceress called Piganun. The sorceress changed herself into a very beautiful maiden and captured the heart of Humadapnon. No matter what Buyong Matanayon did, Humadapnon would not leave Tarambang Buriraw.

After seven months of staying in Tarambang Buriraw, Buyong Matanayon remembered that they brought some ginger with them. He thought of a plan to break Piganun's spell over his friend. One evening, at dinner, Buyong Matanayon threw seven slices of ginger into the fire. Upon smelling the burning ginger, Piganun ran away from the room. Buyong Matanayon struck Humadapnon in the head, which rendered the latter unconscious. He then dragged his body away from the place and managed to escape.

They continued with their trek and exacted revenge on all of Saragnayan's family and friend. They eventually found themselves in a place called Piniling Tubig. There was a big gathering when they arrived in the village because the ruler of the land, Datu Umbaw Pinaumbaw, was giving away the hand of his daughter in marriage to anyone who can remove the huge boulder that rolled off the mountain to the center of the village. No one has succeeded. Humadapnon rose to the challenge and took off his magic cape. He then used it to lift the huge boulder off the center of the village and hurled it back to the mountain. Datu Umbaw Pinaumbaw honored his word and gave his daughter's hand in marriage to Humadapnon. The two were married and a big feast was held. During the wedding feast, a guest minstrel sang and paid tribute to the beauty of Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan, the goddess of greed. Enchanted with the story, Humadapnon started on a quest to seek the goddess' hand in marriage.

He met Buyong Makabagting, son of the Datu Balahidyong of Paling Bukid, who was also hoping to win the hand of Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan. The two fought in a duel and Humadapnon emerged victorious. The defeated Buyong Makabagting helped Humadapnon in his quest. Humadapnon eventually married the goddess of greed and brought her home to his mother.

The adventures of Dumalapdap

Shortly after Humadapnon left their home to seek revenge on Saragnayan's family and followers, Dumalapdap embarked on a quest of his own. He decided go to Burutlakan-ka-adlaw and marry the maiden Lubay-Lubyok Hanginun si Mahuyokhuyokon. With him was Dumasig, the most powerful wrestler in Madya-as. After several months of traveling, the two warriors came face to face with a two headed monster called Balanakon. The monster guarded the ridge that led to the place where the maiden lived. They managed to kill the monster but were confronted with another kind of monster when they reached the gate of the palace where the maiden lived. Called Uyutang, the monster was similar to a bat with sharp, poisonous claws.

Dumalapdap fought with the Uyutang for seven months. He was able to defeat the monster when he grabbed its ankle and broke it. Then he took his iwang daniwan (magic dagger) and struck Uyutang under the armpit. The monster howled in pain, causing an earthquake that broke the ridge they were fighting in into two. Half of the ridge became an island that is known today as Negros, while the other half became Panay.

With the monster Uyutang dead, Lubay-Lubyok Hanginun si Mahuyokhuyokan was free to marry Dumalapdap. He brought her home and was reunited with his family. Datu Paubari celebrated the return of his three sons with a very big feast. His sons left for different parts of the world after the feast. Labaw Donggon ventured north, Humadapnon went south, and Dumalapdap embarked to the west. Datu Parubari was left to rule in the east.

The quest of Humadapnon continues

Humdapnon was visited by his spirit friends Taghoy and Duwindi in his dream and told him of lovely maiden who lived in a village by the mouth of the Halawod River. The demigod left his dominion to look for the maiden named Nagmalitong Yawa. He brought with him a boatful of crew. Humadapnon and his men safely traversed through a sea the color of human blood with the help of his spirit friends. They landed on an island that was inhabited by beautiful women and headed by the sorceress Ginmayunan. For seven years, Humadapnon and his crew were imprisoned in the island until Nagmalitong Yawa helped them escape by disguising as a boy. Humadapnon and Nagmalitong Yawa were married soon after in Halawod. During the wedding feast, Humadapnon's brother, Dumalapdap fell in love with Huyung Adlaw and asked his brother to help him talk to the parents of the maiden. Humadapnon left his new wife and accompanied his brother to the Upperworld where Huyung Adlaw lived.

It took the brothers seven years to come back from their journey to the Upperworld. They arrived just in time for the ceremony that will have Nagmalitong Yawa married to Buyung Sumagulung, an island fortress ruler, in a ceremony. The brothers were enraged and killed all the guests and the groom. Humadapnon also stabbed his wife because the treachery only to feel remorse later on. He asked his spirit friends and found out that his wife only agreed to marry Buyung Sumagulung because her mother, Matan-ayon, convinced her that Humadapnon is not coming back.

Upon learning of this, Humadapnon asked his sister, Labing Anyag, to use her powers to bring Nagmalitong Yawa back to life. Seeing how remorseful he is, Labing Anyag agreed. However, Nagmalitong Yawa was so ashamed of agreeing to marry Buyung Sumagulung that she ran away to the underworld and sought the protection of her uncle Panlinugun, who is lord of the earthquake.

Humadapnon had to kill an eight-headed snake in his pursuit of Nagmalitong Yawa. Then he had to duel with a young man who spirited his wife away. The duel ended when Alunsina intervened and revealed that the young man is also her son, Amarotha. This son died during childbirth and was brought back from the dead to keep Alunsina company. Alunsina decided that both Humadapnon and Amarotha deserved a piece of Nagmalitong Yawa so she cut the girl in half and gave a piece each to her sons. Each half turned into a whole live person. Humadapnon brought his wife back to Panay.

R E F E R E N C E S

Sir G is highly indebted to Hinilawod.Wordpress.Com for the story of the Hinilawod, plus the history and the beautiful pictures. The pictures are from the play produced by the University of Western Visayas.

"Hinilawod". Wikipedia. Accessed: August 12, 2013 from <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinilawod>.

 "Hinilawod: The tales of Halawod river (A Visayan epic)". (September 2011). Akopito.Weebly.Com. Accessed: September 23, 2013 from <http://akopito.weebly.com/1/post/2011/11/hinilawod-the-tales-of-halawod-river-a-visayan-epic.html>

"Hinilawod: Adventures of Humadapnon". (September 1, 2005). NasaDuloNgDila.Blogspot.Com. Accessed: September 23, 2013 from <http://nasadulongdila.blogspot.com/2005_09_01_nasadulongdila_archive.html>

Langit-Luistro, Kaye. (August 17, 2011). "Must attend: Hinilawod the Musicale at the CCP this September". KayeLangit-Luistro.Blogspot.Com. Accessed; September 23, 2013 from <http://kayelangit-luistro.blogspot.com/2011/08/must-attend-hinilawod-musicale-at-ccp.html>.