KRUHAY

My great grandmother, Sotera Ranggas, was a sorana (maaram/baylan, or shaman) from Patnongon, Antique,
contrary to the prevailing understanding of the word "Kruhay" as a similar to "Mabuhay," I would like to have
this notion corrected. The truth is, the original word "Kruhay" is an invocation to call the spirits of nature, the
spirit of dead ancestors and the companion spirit of the self to join in the process of rituals such as "Batak-
Dungan," [uplifting of the companion spirit or "dungan" (not the personal spirit or "kalag") of the person
especially when a person is sickly or misfortunate], "Pukan" [permission to cut trees], "Padaga" [ritual blessing
for the house, thanksgiving to the spirits of the household, etc.], and many other related rituals. It goes this
way - "Kruhay, mga kalag! Dali kamo! Batuna amun nga mga halad!, Kruhay, ang dungan ni (name of a
person)! Dali dya kag batuna amun nga mga kinuyang! Kruhay! Kruhay! Kruhay!" [Come thee, spirits! Come
here! Accept our offerings! Come thee, companion spirit of (name of person)! Come here and accept our
offerings!] -It is not said in a jovial manner during the rituals, rather it is said in casual tone alike to calling
chickens. Similarly, "buti-buti" [popped palay seeds that looks like pop-corn] is spread all over the place of
ritual why chanting kruhay repeatedly until all the prepared popped-rice has been thrown to the grounds. "Buti-
buti" is deemed as food of the spirits. Sticky rice cooked with sugar and coconut oil wrapped on banana
leaves, and chicken blood are the other offerings. A metal (usually a coin or a bolo) is also present in the ritual
as metal serves as "pasiling" (guiding light) for the spirits. "Kamangyan" or incense is lit as it attracts the spirits
to come as well. The modern usage of "Kruhay" which is equated to "Mabuhay" in Tagalog is derived from the
usage of of the word in the Binirayan Festival, a modern day celebration of Antiqueo unity and the Karay-a
identity. The Binirayan Festival was first celebrated in 1974 as a brainchild of former Gov. Evelio B. Javier, who
is now an icon of Antiqueo identity due to assassination in February 11, 1986. Nevertheless, the usage of the
word "Kruhay" by Castillon really makes his piece extra powerful. I suppose, forgive me for my beliefs, the
word itself invokes the spirits whenever this piece is sung... The narrative within the lyrics of the song, the
Maragtas, is utterly another story and would not have enough space here to be discussed (conflicting views
and interpretations, proving and disproving, etc.) My personal stand regarding the Maragtas - it is an ongoing
project and I believe, time will come, that the truth behind it will be unleashed and all who said (usually non-
local people from the academe) that the Maragtas is a hoax will soon beg to be forgiven. This piece by
Castillon, encapsulates everything that is truly Antiqueo and Karay-a from the language (Kinaray-a), our
historicity, our "phantom" history, our struggles, our social condition as a people. However, I just do not know
what to say about why Castillon said the Ati people are happy regarding their displacement to the mountains.
(This song is about the legend of maragtas that tells the arrival of ten exiled bornean datus (lords) at the island of
panay, sailing from borneo with a fleet of balangays (ships). friendly contact with the native ati tribe was made,
with the bornean datus ultimately purchasing the land of panay from marikudo, the chief of the atis, for a price of
golden salakot (hat) and golden/pearl necklace called manangyad.)
Jocelynang Baliwag
This song is officially known as Musica de Legitimo Kundiman Proceddente del Campo Insurecto (Music of
the Legitimate Kundiman that Proceeds from the Insurgents Camp) was composed in 1898 at Baliwag,
Bulacan. A patriotic song in the guise of a hymn of courtship, its lyrics is dedicated to one Josefa Pepita
Tiongson y Lara, a beautiful lady from Baliwag. It earned the title, Kundiman of the Revolution, as it was the
most popular among the revolutionaries during the late 1890s.

LYRICS OF JOCELYNANG BALIUAG

P Pinopoong sinta, niring calolowa
Nacacawangis moy mabangong sampaga
Dalisay sa linis, dakila sa ganda
Matimyas na bucal ng madlang ligaya.

E Edeng maligayang kinaloclocan

Ng galak at tuwang catamis-tamisan
Hada cang maningning na ang matunghayay
Masamyong bulaclac agad sumisical.

P Pinananaligan niring aking dibdib

Na sa paglalayag sa dagat ng sakit
Di mo babayaang malunod sa hapis
Sa pagcabagabag coy icaw ang sasagip.

I Icaw na nga ang lunas sa aking dalita

Tanging magliligtas sa niluha-luha
Bunying binibining sinucuang cusa
Niring catawohang nangayupapa.

T Tanggapin ang aking wagas na pag-ibig

Marubdob na ningas na taglay sa dibdib
Sa buhay na itoy walang nilalangit
Cung hindi ikaw lamang, ilaw niring isip.

A At sa cawacasay ang kapamanhikan

Tumbasan mo yaring pagsintang dalisay
Alalahanin mong cung di cahabagan
Iyong lalasunin ang aba cong buhay..

PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM AND LIBRARY

2/F Kalayaan Hall, Malacaang J.P. Laurel Street, San Miguel, Manila
Contact Number (63-2) 784 4286 loc. 4649/4945
Email: pml@malacanang.gov.ph
malacanangmuseum@gmail.com