Philippine Literature

Philippine literature is the literature associated with the Philippines and includes the legends of
prehistory, and the colonial legacy of the Philippines. Most of the notable literature of the
Philippines was written during the Spanish period and the first half of the 20th century in
Spanish language.
Biag ni Lam-ang (Ilocano Epic Story)
The theme of the epic revolves around the bravery and courage of the main character portrayed
by Lam-ang, who was gifted with speech as early as his day of birth, who embarked on a series
of adventures which culminated in his heroic death and subsequent resurrection.
This series of adventures started with his search for his lost father who was murdered by the
head-hunting Igorots in the Igorot country. While on his way, he met a certain Sumarang, whose
name connotes obstruction, who tried to dissuade him from proceeding and who taunted him into
a fight. The fight that ensued proved fatal to Sumarang as he was blown “three kingdoms” away
with a spear pierced through his stomach. This encounter led to another when he met a nine-
headed serpent who, like Sumarang earlier tried to dissuade him from going any further. The
serpent having been ignored challenged him into a fight which cost the serpent its heads.
Lam-ang went on until he found it necessary to rest and take a short nap. While asleep, he
dreamed of his father’s head being an object of festivities among the Igorots. He immediately
arose and continued his journey until he found the Igorots indeed feasting over his father’s head.
He asked the Igorots why they killed his father, but the Igorots instead advised him to go home if
he did not want to suffer the same fate which his father suffered. This was accompanied by a
challenge to a fight, despite their obvious numerical superiority. But Lam-ang, armed with
supernatural powers, handily defeated them, giving the last surviving Igorot a slow painful death
by cutting his hands and his ears and finally carving out his eyes to show his anger for what they
had done to his father.
Satisfied with his revenge, he went home. At home, he thought of taking a swim in the Cordan
River with the company of Cannoyan and her lady-friends. So he proceeded to Cannoyan’s place
in the town of Calanutian, disregarding her mother’s advice to the contrary. On his way, he met a
woman and named Saridandan, whose name suggests that she was a woman of ill repute. He
resisted her blandishments, for his feeling for Cannoyan was far greater for anyone to take.
When he reached Cannoyan’s house, he found a multitude of suitors futilely vying for her hand.
With the help of his pets - the cock and the dog - he was able to catch Cannoyan’s attention. He
asked her to go with him to the river along with her lady-friends. She acceded. While washing
himself in the river, the river swelled, and the shrimps, fishes and other creatures in the river
were agitated for the dirt washed from his body was too much. As they were about to leave the
river, Lam-ang noticed a giant crocodile. He dove back into the water and engaged with the
creature in a fierce fight until the creature was subdued. He brought it ashore and instructed the
ladies to pull its teeth to serve as amulets against danger during journeys.
Back at Cannoyan’s house, he was confronted by her parents with an inquiry as to what his real
intention was. He had to set aside his alibi that he went there to ask Cannoyan and her friends to
accompany him to the river, and told them, through his spokesman - the cock - that he came to
ask for Cannoyan’s hand in marriage. He was told that if he desired to marry Cannoyan, he must
first be able to match their wealth, for which he willingly complied. Having satisfied her parents,
he went home to his mother and enjoined her and his townspeople to attend his wedding which
was to take place in Cannoyan’s town.
The wedding was elaborate, an event that involved practically everyone in town. There were
fireworks, musical band, and display of attractive items like the glasses, the mirror, the slippers,
clothes and nice food. After the wedding, Lam-ang’s party plus his wife and her town mates
went back to their town of Nalbuan, where festivities were resumed. The guests expressed a
desire to taste a delicacy made of rarang fish.
Lam-ang was obliged to go to the sea and catch the fish. Before going, however, his rooster
warned that something unpleasant was bound to happen. This warning proved true, as Lam-ang
was swallowed by a big bercacan, or shark-like fish. Cannoyan mourned and for a while she
thought there was no way to retrieve her lost husband. But the rooster indicated that if only all
the bones could be gathered back, Lam-ang could be brought to life again.
She then enlisted the aid of a certain diver named Marcus, who was ready to come to her aid to
look for the bones. When all Lam-ang’s bones were gathered, the rooster crowed and the bones
moved. The dog barked, and Lam-ang arose and was finally resurrected. Cannoyan embraced
him. For his deep appreciation for the help of his pets - the cock and the dog - and of Marcus the
diver, he promised that each other would get his or its due reward. And they lived happily ever
after.

Lam-ang has an amazing qualities that certainly Filipino people have. (3points each)
1. Describe lam ang. What is his dominant character?
2. Bravery. Being brave to face the difficulties of life as we live.
3. Identify the character trait of lam ang that is valued by Filipinos up to the present time.
4. Describe traits of the characters that are realistic. What are not.
5. Point out the common character of the village people. Is it true to both men and
women, young and old alike?