The Legend of Chocolate Hills

(Ang Alamat ng mga Bundok ng Tsokolate )

(Tagbilaran Bohol – Visayas)

It is said that in the early times, the island of Bohol in the Visayas is a vast mass of dry land. Rice fields tend to crack under the heat of the
sun. During the rainy season, the dusty land turns into a stream of mud. It is only during the rice season that the fields turn into a refreshing
sea of green.

It was one day during the rainy season that two giants came into the land of Bohol. One of them was from the north and the other was
from the south. Not for long, the two giants met eye to eye. The tension between the two rivals filled the air.
"Hey! You ugly giant! Stay away from my land!," said the South Giant. "Leave and look for your own land to conquer!"
"You must be mistaken! I am here first!," answered the North Giant. "If you want, you leave!"
"This cannot be happening!" shouted the South Giant with a stomp. The whole ground shook. Since it has just rained, the ground was
muddy. The giant scooped mud from the ground and threw it on the other giant. The North Giant also scooped and formed his own
balls of mud and threw it back on his opponent.
The battle of the two giants became intense. Balls of mud were thrown back and forth. The townspeople gathered to watch the two
opposing giants. Each one used all of his might to best the other. No one gave up until both of them ran out of energy. Because of the
exhausting duel, both of the two giants fell on the ground and died. What was left of their heated fight were hills of mud from the
thrown mud balls. Since then, the townspeople lived peacefully on their land along the hills.

During the summer seasons, these hills seem like chocolate candies, especially from top view. This is the reason why it became known
as chocolate hills. During the rainy seasons, however, these hills become covered with lush green vegetation.

Translated from Rene Alba's "Mga Alamat Pilipino (Para sa Mag-aaral)", published 1914 by Century Publications.
Panganoron & Magayon’ The Legend of Mayon Volcano
‘
Mayon Volcano allegedly came from the legend of Daragang Magayon and Panganoron love story, which is now making rounds online.Mt. Mayon is one
of the biggest headlines of local news outlets nationwide and several social media pages after showing irregularities causing tremors and
eruptions.Recently, Facebook page “Trending Post” has posted the legend of the Mayon Volcano, which allegedly started on the love story of Daragang
Magayon and Panganoron.

Daragang Magayon (the lovely one) was a beautiful

maiden, the daughter of Makusog (chief of their tribe) was
strolling the river when she suddenly fell into the water and cried
for help.
Luckily, Pangaronon (the proud one) and his bodyguard Amihan
(the cold one) heard her cry and immediately rescued her out of
the water.
Panganoron was quickly attracted by the beauty of Magayon and
the lady had also a feeling for the brave guy who asked the tribe
leader to marry his daughter.

A long ago in a place called Ibalon, there lived a beautiful maiden.

Her name was Daragang Magayon(the beautiful one). She was
the daugther of Makusog(the strong one), chief of the tribe.
One day Daragang Magayon strolled down near the river. While

crossing the river, she stumbled down on a rock and fell quickly in the
water. She was swiftly swept down the stream by the current.
"Help me!, Help me!" she cried. Fortunately her crieS was heard by
Panganoron (the proud one) and his body guard Amihan (the cold
one). Pangaronon jumped into the river and saved Daragang Magayon.
"Thank you for risking yoyr life to save me", she cried. "How can I repay
you? My father is the chief of our tribe. Surely, he will reward your
heroism whatever it takes."

Her beauty immediately captivated Panganoron. He realized that he

finally met the perfect woman for him. At the same time, Daragang
Magayon was attracted to him.
Panganoron asked Makusog's permission to marry Daragang
Magayon. But makusog could not permit them to marry. Tribal law
forbade marriage outside of the clan. As tribe leader he had to enforce the law. Yet, as a father, he wanted to make his daughter happy.
Meanwhile, Patuga (the eruptive one) learned about Panganoron's intention. Patuga was the most ardent suitor of Daragang Magayon.
For years he had been convincing her to marry him, but to no avail.
One night, Patuga and his cohorts kidnapped Makusog. Then, he sent word to Daragang Magayon that her father would die if she did
not marry him. Without a choice, she acceded. Only did Patuga release Makusog. Soon Patuga and Daragang Magayon were wed. But
in the midst of merrymaking, pandemonium broke out when Panganoron and his tribe arrived. Fighting ensued between the two tribes.
In a few minutes, Panganoron fatally struck Patuga. However, during the skirmish, a poisoned arrow shot from nowhere fell on, Daragang
Magayon's breast.
Panganoron rushed to her aid as he kneeled over the dying Daragang Magayon, an enemy hacked his head off.
After the battle, Daragang Magayon was buried and her death was mourned all over the land. Where she was put to rest, a mountain
mysteriously appeared.
This mountain is now known as Mayon. It is said that even death and in another form, she still haunted by the men who loved her. When
Mayon is said to erupt, this is Patuga challenging Panganoron. But when mayon is calmed, Panganoron is embracing her. The tears of
Panganoron are shed as rain at time in his grief.
Until today, many is still delighted by the love story behind the legend of the Mayon Volcano.

Source: local government of albay, pavillion.

 The Story of the Creation
Bilaan Myth (Mindanao)
In the very beginning there lived a being so large that he cannot be compared with any known thing. His name was
Melu, and when he sat on the clouds, which were his home, he occupied all the space above. His teeth were pure gold,
and because he was very cleanly and continually rubbed himself with his hands, his skin became pure white. The dead
skin which he rubbed off his body was placed on one side in a pile, and by and by this pile became so large that he was
annoyed and set himself to consider what he could do with it.
Finally Melu decided to make the earth; so he worked very hard in putting the dead skin into shape, and when it was
finished he was so pleased with it that he determined to make two beings like himself, though smaller, to live on it.

Taking the remnants of the material left after making the earth he fashioned two men, but just as they were all finished
except their noses, Tau Tana from below the earth appeared and wanted to help him.

Melu did not wish any assistance, and a great argument ensued. Tau Tana finally won his point and made the noses
which he placed on the people upside down. When all was finished, Melu and Tau Tana whipped the forms until they
moved. Then Melu went to his home above the clouds, and Tau Tana returned to his place below the earth.

All went well until one day a great rain came, and the people on the earth nearly drowned from the water which ran off
their heads into their noses. Melu, from his place on the clouds, saw their danger, and he came quickly to earth and
saved their lives by turning their noses the other side up.

The people were very grateful to him, and promised to do anything he should ask of them. Before he left for the sky,
they told him that they were very unhappy living on the great earth all alone, so he told them to save all the hair from
their heads and the dry skin from their bodies and the next time he came he would make them some companions. And
in this way there came to be a great many people on the earth.

Notes by Mabel Cook Cole:

This story is well known among the Bilaan, who are one of the tribes least influenced by the Spaniards, and yet it bears
so many incidents similar to biblical accounts that there is a strong suggestion of Christian influence. It is possible that
these ideas came through the Mohammedan Moro.

Melu is the most powerful of the spirits and the one to whom the people resort in times of danger.

A similar story is found in British North Borneo. See Evans, Journal of Royal Anthropological Institute, 1913, p. 423.

Source: Mabel Cook Cole, Philippine Folk Tales (Chicago: A. C. McClurg and Company, 1916), pp. 139-140.
 The Bontoc Myth of Lumawig The Creation
Igorot
In the beginning there were no people on the earth.

Lumawig, the Great Spirit, came down from the sky and cut many reeds. He divided these into pairs which he placed in
different parts of the world, and then he said to them, "You must speak."

Immediately the reeds became people, and in each place was a man and a woman who could talk, but the language of
each couple differed from that of the others.

Then Lumawig commanded each man and woman to marry, which they did. By and by there were many children, all
speaking the same language as their parents. These, in turn, married and had many children. In this way there came to be
many people on the earth.

Now Lumawig saw that there were several things which the people on the earth needed to use, so he set to work to supply
them. He created salt, and told the inhabitants of one place to boil it down and sell it to their neighbors. But these people
could not understand the directions of the Great Spirit, and the next time he visited them, they had not touched the salt.

Then he took it away from them and gave it to the people of a place called Mayinit. These did as he directed, and because
of this he told them that they should always be owners of the salt, and that the other peoples must buy of them.

Then Lumawig went to the people of Bontoc and told them to get clay and make pots. They got the clay, but they did not
understand the molding, and the jars were not well shaped. Because of their failure, Lumawig told them that they would
always have to buy their jars, and he removed the pottery to Samoki. When he told the people there what to do, they did
just as he said, and their jars were well shaped and beautiful. Then the Great Spirit saw that they were fit owners of the
pottery, and he told them that they should always make many jars to sell.

In this way Lumawig taught the people and brought to them all the things which they now have.

Notes by Mabel Cook Cole:

 Lumawig is the greatest of all spirits and now lives in the sky, though for a time his home was in the Igorot village
of Bontoc. He married a Bontoc girl, and the stones of their house are still to be seen in the village. It was Lumawig
who created the Igorot, and ever since he has taken a great interest in them, teaching them how to overcome the
forces of nature, how to plant, to reap and, in fact, everything that they know. Once each month a ceremony is
held in his honor in a sacred grove, whose trees are believed to have sprung from the graves of his children. Here
prayers are offered for health, good crops, and success in battle. A close resemblance exists between Lumawig of
the Igorot and Kaboniyan of the Tinguian, the former being sometimes called Kambun'yan.
Above all, Lumawig taught the Bontoc people a moral code. Some of the provisions of this code are:

1) A man must not steal.

2) One should not gossip.
3) Men and women must not commit adultery.
4) One must be temperate in eating and in drinking alcoholic drinks.
5) All people must live simple and industrious lives.

Source: Mabel Cook Cole, Philippine Folk Tales (Chicago: A. C. McClurg and Company, 1916), pp. 99-101.
SOURCE: Carmencita Cawed, The Culture of the Bontoc Igorot ( 1972)
 Hudhud:
Aliguyon(An Ifugao Harvest Song)
(Epic of the Ifugao)

Aliguyon, a long time ago, was born in the village of Hannanga. His father was Amtalao; his mother was
Dumulao. When he was a little boy, his father used to tell him the stories of his own adventures, in love and in
war. His father also taught him the use of the spear and shield. Aliguyon learned quickly.

When he was old enough, his father made him a top. He taught Aliguyon how to spin it, and how to break the
tops of his playmates. His father also taught him how to cut "runo" spears and fight with them.

Aliguyon, listening to the war prayers of the tribe, also learned to say the magic words of the native priests and
priestesses. In time, he became the undisputed leader of the children of his tribe.

When he reached adolescence, he gathered his comrades and led them in a fight against the enemy of his father,
Pangaiwan of Daligdigan. In Daligdigan, however, he faced, not his father’s enemy, but the son. Pumbakhayon
was as spirited and lusty as Aliguyon, so the fight lasted three years, with no end in sight or any sign of defeat
on the part of either group. Through the protracted warfare, the heroes learned to admire each other’s abilities.
Their fight finally ended in a peace pact made in Daligdigan, in the home of Pumbakhayon, and at the instance
of old Pangaiwan, Pumbakhayon’s father.

During the conclusion of the peace pact, Aliguyon saw and courted the youngest of the beautiful sisters of
Pumbakhayon, Bugan. Aliguyon brought his bride, a mere child, to his home in Hannanga, where Bugan grew
up into a beautiful woman. Then Pumbakhayon went to Hannanga to witness his sister’s formal marriage to
Aliguyon. Aliguyon and Bugan had many children, and both became prosperous and beloved of the people of
Hannanga…

Pumbakhayon, later courted Aliguyon’s sister and brought her to his father’s home in Daligdigan. There they
were happily married and became prosperous.

The term "Hudhud" of the Ifugaos, in general, refers to narratives that are chanted or sung by tribal poets of
Ifugao on special occasions (that which is sung on the death of a rich or prominent person, that which is sung
when the ancestral bones are dug out to be blessed, and that which is sung during the harvest). The harvest
songs are woven around a central motif – the life of Aliguyon and Bugan.

Source: https://www.kapitbisig.com/philippines/english-version-of-epics-mga-epiko-hudhud-hi-aliguyon-
an-ifugao-harvest-song_1180.html
 The Life of Lam-ang
(An Ilokano Epic)

(An Ilokano Epic)

Namongan gives birth to Lam-ang, a baby of incredible strength and courage. The boy asks his mother about his
father's whereabouts and learns that he has gone to fight the Igorot. Lam-ang arms himself with charms and
decides to look for his father. From a dream, he learns that his father Don Juan Panganiban had been killed by
the Igorot. Later, Lam-ang finds the Igorot in a "sagang", a feast celebrating a successful headhunting expedition.
His father's head is displayed in the feast. Lam-ang slays them all with his spear and mutilates the last among
them.

When Lam-ang returns home, 99 maidens wash his hair in the river. For his shampoo, he burns so much rice
straw that the communities near the river are alarmed by smoke. The dirt from his hair kills all the fish in the
river. He then kills a crocodile and carries it on his shoulder ashore amidst the applause of his companions.

Lam-ang hears of a beautiful maiden named Ines Cannoyan, daughter of the richest man of the town of
Kalanutian. He tells his mother of his desire to court the maiden. Although his mother discourages him, he goes
anyway, dressed in gold and accompanied by his pet rooster and white dog. The giant Sumarang blocks his way
and belittles him. Lam-ang defeats him in a duel and hurls him nine hills away. Later, Sarindadan tries to seduce
him, but Lam-ang rejects her advances.

Reaching Kalanutian, he impresses Ines with his magic. His rooster crows and topples a small outhouse. His dog
barks and the outhouse is rebuilt. Ines invites him to the house where the rooster acts as Lam-ang's
spokesperson. Ines' parents ask for a bride price, which Lam-ang agrees to give. Lam-ang returns home to
prepare for the wedding and the presents. He and his townfolk sail on two golden ships to Kalanutian where
Lam-ang and Ines have a Catholic wedding. The townspeople board the two ships to Nalbuan, Lam-ang's
birthplace, to continue the celebration.

After the celebration, Lam-ang agrees to hunt "rarang" a shellfish. He is swallowed by the giant fish "berkakang"
as he has dreamt so. However, a diver recovers his bones. The pet rooster flaps its wings and resurrects Lam-
ang. Lam-ang rewards the diver and lives happily with his wife and pets.

The Iloko Biag ni Lam-ang is the oldest recorded Philippine folk epic and the only complete epic from the
Christian Filipino groups. A relatively short epic with 977 lines.