Ifugao epic poetry

The Hud-Hud is about the life and heroism of the native Ifugao. The most
prominent and well admired native Ifugao is Aliguyon of the Gohandan tribe.
Aliguyon possessed strange power and strength. He had the ability to travel to far
away places without the need to rest, eat or sleep. He could also arrive in a place,
after a long journey without feeling tired. Aliguyon had never been beaten in any
fight or battle. He could catch and face any weapon from the air, and he could
defeat his avenging foes. In the beginning, Aliguyon only wanted to kill the
enemies of his father. But after learning that his father didn't have enemies,
Aliguyon was advised by his father to just use his strength and power to win a
female rightful to become his wife and companion in life. One extraordinary event
in Aliguyon's life was his duel against Pumbakhayon, a warrior who had the same
fighting strength and skills as Aliguyon. Pumbakhayon was from a nearby tribe
called Daligdigan. Aliguyon and Pumbakhayon had a duel that lasted a year and a
half. After a brief intermission, the two resumed their fight which lasted for
another year and a half. Eventually, both men realized that they will not be able to
beat each other. Therefore, they made a simple arrangement. Aliguyon agreed to
marry Bugan, a sister of Pumbakhayon. While Pumbakhayon married Aginaya, a
sister of Aliguyon. The arrangement unified the tribes of Gohandan and
Daligdigan. Here ended the story of the Hud-Hud epic.

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.

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 Iliad 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 Bumbaran. Bantugan owned a magic shield, was protectedby
divine 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.
Visayan epic poetry
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 Bukid" of Negros 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 Iloilo,
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/engkantada. Finally, he found and won the love of
Nagmalitong Yawa.