prehispanic philippine epic poetry that survived the spanish cultural purges

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Centuries before the Spaniards came, the Filipinos already had their
own cultural traditions, folklore, mythologies and epics. There were
substantial writings by early natives that Jesuit historian Fr. Pedro
Chirino noted: "All of the islanders are much given to reading and
writing. And there is hardly a man, much less a woman who did not read
and write." (Relacion de las isles Filipinas-1604)

Stories of epics, done in poetry displayed tremendous vitality, color
and imagination. Tales of love and adventures about native heroes,
endowed with powers from the gods, battle monsters, and triumphs over
formidable armies, rode the wind, traveled in flying shields and
protect the earliest communities of the islands.

Established epic poems of notable quality and length blossomed. And
early historians like Padre Colin, Joaquin Martinez de Zu*** and
Antonio Pigafetta have all attested to the existence of these epics.
There were even reports of a dramatic play given by natives at the
arrival of Don Miguel Lopez de Legaspi in 1565.

Epic poems and songs about the exploits of enchanted folk heroes were
performed during festivities and proper occasions. Most often, these
epic poems (folk epics or ethno-epics) were titled after the names of
the hero involved, except for some which carry traditional titles like
the Kalinga Ullalim; the Sulod Hinilawod; the Maranao Daragen; or the
Bicol Ibalon.

Stories about folk heroes of long ago were described as "Old Time
History" because; they can be used to study the lifestyle and beliefs
of the people who produced them. They were also referred to as "Lost",
because they were soon forgotten by natives influenced heavily by
Spanish and "western" colonization. The famed orientalist, Chauncey
Starkweather , stressed that : "These epic romances are charming poem
in the Malayan literature."

But there are those who perpetuated myths that in the early days of
Spanish intrusion, priests in their zealous rage against paganism
destroyed all existing records, as well as all forms of writing and art
works, regarding ancient Philippine folk heroes. But this is not true.
The colorful and fascinating literature of pre-Hispanic Filipinos are
still here. Giving the new generation, an over view of a heritage that
is an unusual and invaluable source of joy and information. Regarding
the life style, love and aspirations of early Filipinos. It is from
these, wonderful epics, where a Filipino can find his or her national
identity. It is from these that a Filipino can feel heroic, truly
pulsating with splendor of a magnificent and authentic cultural force.


[edit]
(The heroes and the poems)
The Huh-Hud tells about the lives of native Ifugao heroes. The most
notable was about Aliguyon of the village of Gonhandan. Aliguyon was
endowed with supernatural powers and limitless energy. He could travel
long distances without food and rest. He could even arrive at his
destination as perked up as he made his first step. Aliguyon was
invincible in battle; he could catch spears in mid flight and fought
overwhelming combatants. At first, he was obsessed in killing his
father's enemies. But it turns out that his old man had no enemies
and suggested for him to marry a worthy girl instead. One episode tell
about his duel with Pumbakhayon, a warrior of equal strength and
agility from a village called Daligdigan . They fought for about a year
and a half, rested and fought again for another year and a half. Then,
the two reached a compromised deal and Aliguyon married Pumbakhayon's
sister Bugan. Likewise, Pumbakhayon married Aliguyon's sister
Aginaya. The Alim on the other hand, deals with the legends of Ifugao
gods and goddesses. One of them was Punholdayan who lives in "Kabunian"
the Ifugao heaven.This epic had some similarities to that of the
Hindi's Ramayana.

[edit]
Mindanao Epic Poetry
The people of Mindanao had rich literatures that exist only in their
minds and memories. Only recently that these epic poetries were put in
writing, so these can be studied by the public. Locally called
"Darangan", these epic poetries were similar to those of that Homer's
Illiad and Odyssey The Darangan tells of the sentimental and romantic
adventures of noble warriors, one of them, is about a warrior-prince
called Bantugan.. Prince Bantugan was the brother of the chieftain of a
village called Bembaran. Bantugan owned a magic shield, was protectedby
devine spirits called "Tonongs" and was capable of rising from the
dead. Once his enemies attacked Bembaran, thinking he was dead. In the
nick of time, Bantugan's soul was recovered and he saved the village.
There is also an episode, where Prince Bantugan was on a quest and
fought his enemies with his magic Kampilan (Native sword). Soon, he got
tired and fell on to the water. A crocodile delivered him to his
enemies, but he regained his strength, escaped his captors, and
commands an oar less ship and won the battle. There were also
"Darangan epic poetries that relates stories of wars about abducted
princesses. Just like the chronicles of the Trojan War. The Darangan is
one of the oldest and longest Philippine Epic poetries. Several nights
were needed to recite the twenty five beautiful chapters. The Darangan,
sung in it's original, possessed a sustained beauty and dignity, it
might be studied for it's esthetic values alone.




[edit]
Maranaw Epic Poetry
The Maranaw people have their own heroic epic, Indarapatra and
Sulayaman. It tells about the heroic exploits of Emperor Indarapatra of
the kingdom of Mantapuli: The emperor had a magic spear, which he can
use like a boomerang. There was a huge monster, terrorizing his kingdom
and he killed it in defense. Frank Lewis Milton published and English
translation of the epic through "The Philippine Magazine in 1929.
These are some of the lines that shows the beauty and vividness of the
epic:

The Flight of the Magic Spear - (Aliguyon)
Far above the sun set clouds,
In an arch of flaming splendor,
Aliguyon cleft the sky,
And fell upon a summit,
Of angry Budmatutun;
And thunder crashed,
And rumbled,
Through the sullen hills,
And the mighty mountain split,
Throwing high a horrid vomit,
Of burning rocks.
And the tortured land,
Rocked and trembled.
[edit]
Ilocano Epic Poetry
The Ilocanos had their own, pre-Hispanic epic. Believed to be the work
of many poets from various generations, the epic is called Biag ni
Lam-Ang. (Life of Lam-Ang.) For the first time, the father of Ilocano
poetry named Pedro Bukaneg put down the epic poem in writing around
1640. The hero, Lam-Ang could talk immediately after birth. He picked
his own name, chose his own sponsor and asked for his father's
presence. Barely 9 months old, Lam-Ang fought against the headhunters
who killed his father. He was also eaten by a sea monster, but was
reborn from his retrieved bones. He also journeyed to get the beautiful
Ines Kannoyan accompanied by his pets; a rooster and a dog. (This
reminds us of an old Japanese tale titled Momotaro the Peach boy.) Ines
Kannoyan's place was filled with suitors, Lam-Ang's rooster flap
it's wings and the long house toppled. This amazed every body,
especially Ines. Then, Lam-Ang's dog barks and the long house rose to
it's former. Lam-Ang gave Ines two golden ships filled with
treasures, and then he married her.

[edit]
Bicol Epic Poetry
From the Bicol province comes the Ibalon. The Ibalon relates the
mystical origins of the first man and the first woman of Aslon and
Ibalon, which are current provinces of Camarines, Albay, Sorsogon,
Catanduanes and Masbate. Hiandong, one of the heroes of Ibalon (The
others are Baltog and Bantong) was a great leader of warriors. He
fought against a giant Cyclops for ten months, defeated the winged
Tiburon and the fierce Sarimao and won over the seductive serpent Oriol
before starting a village. His Village prospered and soon, others
invented the plough, harrow and other farming implements. Events in
this epic also had a flood story similar to that of the Biblical
Genesis.

[edit]
Visayan Epic Poetries
The Maragtas Chronicles of Panay is a history of rulers of the island
from the time of the Ten Malay Datus (rulers) that settled from Borneo.

The "Legend of the Ten Datus (chieftains)" narrates about the
forefathers of the Filipinos and the story of ten Bornean chieftains
who escaped the cruel regime of Sultan Makatunaw. Datu Puti along with
other nine chieftains plans to leave Borneo. Riding their native boats,
they ventured into the night and across the wide ocean. At first, the
ten rulers and their families were afraid that they might perish in the
middle of the sea. Soon, they have reached the islands of Panay and
befriended with the natives called Aetas. The Aetas are quite friendly
and decides to sell a piece of their land to the ten chieftains. The
chieftains gave the Aetas leader, Marikudo a golden Salakot (Native
head piece) After this; the chieftains and Aetas lived in peace and
harmony.

The Haraya is another epic poem from Panay. It is a collection of rules
of conduct told in the form of heroic tales. The "Hari sa Bukit" of
Negros island is a mythical epic of Kanlaon (Kan comes from a Persian
word "Khan" meaning "King" and "Laon" from a Malay word meaning
"Ancient.") and "Hinilawod" an epic poem made by the early inhabitants
of Ilo-Ilo, Aklan and Antique also from Panay.

The hero of Hinilawod, "Humadapnon" was of divine ancestry. He had
super natural powers and guardian spirits to protect him. His most
exciting adventure was his search for Nagmalitong Yawa: A beautiful
maiden whom he saw in his dream. He boarded his golden boat, sailed
amidst dangerous seas, and was captured by an enchantress. Finally, he
found and won the love of Nagmalitong Yawa.

[edit]
Bagobo Epic Poetry
The Bagobo tribe has an epic hero named Tuwaang (Tatuwang) Tuwaang was
a brave and strong warrior with various powers. In one story, he rode a
lightning to the land of Pinanggayungan and later, met the maiden of
the Buhong Sky who was running away from the young man of Pangumanon: A
giant with great vigor. Tuwaang and the giant fought but it was an even
match. So the giant used his magical powers and threw a flaming bar at
the hero. Entwining itself at Tuwaang, our hero escaped this ordead and
used his own magical ability to call the wind to fan the flames and let
the giant be engulfed by the flames.
Other Epic Poetries

Dr. Jose Panganiban, in his book on Philippine literature mentioned
that "Old Folks" in the Batangas area which anciently covered part of
the Rizal province up to Morong, all of Laguna, Batangas, Quezon ,
Marinduque and the Mindoro Priovince, mentioned an epic that their
elders used to chant but can't remember. These are not definite
stories. Only war songs and war dances accompanied with music on the
"Kulintang". The "Kulintang", it should be noted, is a native "Tom-Tom"
consists of a bamboo reed with "strings" raised up from its own fibers.
Josue Soncuya mentions the epic that Dr. Jose Panganiban calls
"Kumintang", in Chapter XIX of the Boletin dela Sociedad
Historico-Geografica de Filipinas.

There was a tale around the 14th Century: King Soledan sent his sons
Bagtas, manduquit and Likyaw of the house of Madjapahit to mai and
Lusong which were then, part of the kingdom of Lontok. The conquest of
the northern territories through singing and dancing of warriors form
the integral part of the "Kumintang."

Other Epic poems being written and chanted are:

The Sud-Sud of the Tagbanuas from Palawan The Dagoy, also from Palawan
The Parang Sabil of the Sulo Muslims The Ulagingen and Selch of the
Manobos The Panglima Munggona and Jikiri of the Tausugs The kalinga
Banna Bidian of the Ibaloys The Sulod labaw Denggen ...and, Agyu of
Bukidnon.

Eulogio B. Rodriguez, former director of the Philippine National
Library said that "Anonymous vernacular writers of past ages had no
thought of bringing glory to their own, but labored with the central
idea of transmitting to prosperity in a concrete and permanent form,
the great mass of Philippine legends which was only preserved by word
of mouth...With their work as corner stone, later writers have been
gradually adding block by block to the literary edifice to approximate
something similar to a national literature of our own."

When the late American Noble Prize winner William Faulkner visited the
Philippines, he was impressed by our epic poems. He stated that:

"The Filipinos have their

.

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