Biag ni Lam-ang (English: "The Life of Lam-ang") is an epic poem of the Ilocano people from

the Ilocos region of the Philippines influenced from the

Indian Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharta from the era of Indianized 7th century kingdom
of Srivijaya and earlier period. Recited and written in the original Ilocano, the poem is believed[by
whom?]
to be a composite work of various poets who passed it on through the generations, and was first
transcribed around 1640 by a blind Ilocano bard named Pedro Bucaneg.

Contents
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1Initial plot

2Literary structure

3Ending

4Death and subsequent rebirth

5Film adaptation

6See also

7References

8External links

Initial plot[edit]
Lam-ang is an extraordinary being, manifesting when he begins to speak in his early years, thus
enabling him to choose his own name. His adventures begin when his father, Don Juan, set out for a
battle but never returned. At barely nine months, Lam-ang goes to search for Don Juan in the
highlands where the latter was said to have gone. Aware that her child was a blessed, exceptional
creature, his mother Namongan allows him to go. Lam-ang then goes off in search of his father,
leaving his grieving mother behind.
He sees his father beheaded and the head put on a spike. While the headhunters are celebrating, in
his anger, he challenges all of them to a duel. The headhunters throw spears at him, but he just
catches it and throws it back to them. He defeats the headhunters, kills them all and takes his
father's head down to the plains.

Literary structure[edit]
Prologue: The Birth of Lam-ang (lines 5-108)

Quest for Father (lines 109-370)

Preparation (lines 109-192)

Obstacle: Burican (lines 193-261)

 Triumph (lines 262-315)

Return to Home (lines 315-370)

Quest for Wife (lines 455-1300)

Preparation (lines 455-586)

Obstacles: Sumarang and Saridandan (lines 587-724)

Wedding Banquet (lines 725-1286)

Return to Home (lines 725-1286)

Epilogue: The Death and Restoration of the Hero (lines 1301-1477) [1]
Biag ni Lam-ang, though dominated by action and tragedy, nonetheless contained
some comedic points. An example is the scene in which Lam-ang was on his way home. He passes
by a river (identified by some[who?] as the Amburayan River, the biggest river in Ilocos) and decides to
have a dip. The dirt and blood that came off from his body causes the death of the river's fish, crabs,
and shrimp. As he is bathing, some of the maidens who were present at the river gladly attend to
him.

Ending[edit]
Upon arriving home, Lam-ang decides to court his love interest, Ines Kannoyan who lives in
Calanutian (Kanluit). [2] Despite his mothers disapproval, he follows his heart and set off again on
another journey to his love. He faces one of Ines suitors and various monsters, but again is able to
vanquish them with ease. Aiding him are his magical pets, a cat (in other versions,no cat),a dog, and
a rooster. The bird flaps its wings and a house toppled over. This feat amazes everyone present,
especially Ines. Then, Lam-angs dog barks and the house rose up. Invited to lunch with the family of
Ines, Lam-ang impresses her parents with his wealth and upon returning, he gives the family two
golden ships.m

Death and subsequent rebirth[edit]

After his death due to being eaten by a huge fish, Lam-ang's bones are recovered and he is
resurrected with the help of his magical pets. Ines is ordered by the rooster to wrap the bones with
her tapis while the hen flapped its wings and the dog growled. In an instant, Lam-ang is happily
reunited with his wife.

Film adaptation[edit]
In 2012, a film adaptation of the story of Lam-ang was made. Called "Lam-Ang", the film starred
actors Rocco Nacino and Rochelle Pangilinan. It was originally intended to be a TV series, but it was
later decided to turn it into a film adaptation by Gabriel Lorenzo Quizon instead. [citation needed]