BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A.

2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES

ST
1 Task Albay at Catanduanes : Gawaing pananaliksik/ manaliksik patungkol sa lalawigan ng
Albay at Catanduanes sa mga sumusunod:

1. Pinagmulan
2. Geograpiya
3. Kasaysayan
4. Ekonomiya
5. Literature
6. Mga kilalang tao/manunulat ng bawat lalawigan.

ALBAY

Ang Albay ay isang lalawigan ng Pilipinas na matatagpuan sa Rehiyon ng Bicol sa Luzon. Ang Lungsod ng Legazpi ang
kabisera nito. Ang lalawigan ay pinalilibutan ng mga lalawigan ng Camarines Sur sa hilaga at Sorsogon sa timog. Sa
hilagang-silangan ay ang Golpo ng Lagonoy patungong Dagat Pilipinas at sa timog-kanluran ay ang Burias Pass.
KASAYSAYAN Ang bulkang Mayon ay may 47 pagsabog sa
kasaysayan; ang una ay sa taong 1616, ang pinakahuli ay
Ang Albay ay isang lalawigan ng Pilipinas na may katamtamang pagbuga ng lava nuong June 2001.
matatagpuan sa Rehiyon ng Bicol sa Luzon. Ang Lungsod Ang pinakamalakas na pagsabog ng bulkang Mayon ay
ng Legazpi ang kabisera nito. Ang lalawigan ay nuong Pebrero 1, 1814. Natabunan ng lava ang bayan
pinalilibutan ng mga lalawigan ng Camarines Sur sa ng Cagsawa at may 1,200 taong namatay. Ang bell
hilaga at Sorsogon sa timog. Sa hilagang-silangan ay ang tower ng simabahan ng bayan ang nakikita na lamang sa
Golpo ng Lagonoypatungong Dagat Pilipinas at sa timog- ibabao ng lupa. Pyroclastic flows, ang mainit na abo ang
kanluran ay ang Burias Pass. nakapatay sa 77 katao, karamihan magsasaka, sa huling
Isa ito sa pinakatanyag na Lugar sa bansa dahil malakas na pagsabog ng Mayon nuong 1993. Sa taong
sa sikat na aktibong bulkan na matatagpuan mismo sa 1984, mahigit 73,000 katao ang pinaalis sa 'danger
Albay, ang Bulkang Mayon. Ito ang pinakamtayog na zones' ayon sa mga scientists ng Philippine Institute of
bulkan sa kabikulan. Ayon sa mga volcanolohigo, isa Volcanology and Seismology, wala naman naulat na may
itong stratovolcano o kompositong bulkan. Ang tila namatay.
simetriko niton kona ay nabuo sa pamamagitan ng Isa pa, mayaman sa turismo ang Albay dahil sa
pagkapatong-patong ng mga daloy ng lahar at lava. natatanging ganda nito. Ang mga palayan at taniman na
Dahil umaabot ng halos 50 beses na ang mga pagsabog nangingibabaw ang ganda. Hindi na kayo
nito sa nakaraang 400 taon, itinuturing itong magdadalawang isip pang hindi puntahan ito. Kung
pinakaaktibong bulkan sa buong bansa. Matatagpuan gusto niyong lakbayin ang Pilipinas, unahin na ang
ito sa isang convergent plate boundary1 sa gitna ng Albay, Bicol.
Platong Eurasian at ng Plato ng Plipinas. Hindi-hindi kayo magsasasawa sa Albay, Bicol.
Kaya Tara na sa Albay
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2
HISTORY
Pre-Hispanic period
Long before the Spaniards arrived, Albay had a thriving
civilization. Formerly called Ibat, and then Libog, Albay
was once ruled by Gat Ibal, an old chief who also
founded the old barangay of Sawangan, now part of the
City of Legazpi. Historian William Henry Scott wrote that
in the local epic called siday entitled "Bingi of Lawan",
an Albay Datu by the name of Dumaraog went to the
Lakanate of Lawan to ask for the hands of Bingi bringing
with him 100 ships. Lawan is a prosperous Lakanate in
Samar. Datu Hadi Iberein came from the Lakanate of
Lawan. He was described by Scott as a “Samar datu by
the name of Iberein was rowed out to a Spanish vessel
anchored in his harbor in 1543 by oarsmen collared in
gold; while wearing on his own person earrings and
chains.”
Spanish colonial period
In July 1569, Luis Enriquez de Guzman, a member of the
expedition led by Maestro de Campo Mateo de Saz and
Captain Martin de Goiti, led a group which crossed from
Burias and Ticao islands and landed on a coastal
settlement called Ibalon in what is now the province of
Sorsogon. From this point another expedition was sent
to explore the interior and founded the town of
Camalig.
In 1573, Juan de Salcedo penetrated the Bicol Peninsula
from the north as far south as Libon, establishing the
settlement of Santiago de Libon. Jose Maria Peñaranda,
a military engineer, was made “corregidor” of the
province on May 14, 1834. He constructed public
buildings and built roads and bridges.
The entire Bicol Peninsula was organized as one
province with two divisions, Camarines in the northwest
and Ibalon in the southeast. In 1636, the two partidos
were separated, and Ibalon became a separate province
with Sorsogon as capital. In the 17th century, Moro
slave raiders from southern Philippines ravaged the
northeastern coastal areas of the province of Albay.
Mayon Volcano, in one of its most violent eruptions,
destroyed the five towns surrounding its base on
February 1, 1814. This eruption forced the town of
Cagsawa to relocate to its present site, Legazpi.
A decree was issued by Governor-General Narciso
Claveria in 1846 separating Masbate, Ticao and Burias
from Albay to form the comandancia of Masbate. Albay
BICOL STUDIES
was then divided into four districts: Iraya, Cordillera or
Tabaco, Sorsogon and Catanduanes.
Philippine revolution
Glicerio Delgado, a condemned insurecto (insurgent),
started revolutionary activities in the province. With a
headquarters in the mountain of Guinobatan town, he
joined the revolutionary government of Albay as a
lieutenant in the infantry.
A unit of the Philippine Militia was then organized by
the Spanish military authorities. Mariano Riosa was
appointed major of the Tabaco Zone, which comprised
all the towns along the seacoast from Albay to Tiwi
while Anacieto Solano was appointed major for the
Iraya Zone, which was made up of the towns from
Daraga to Libon. Each town was organized into sections
of fifty men under the command of a lieutenant.
During the Philippine Revolution on September 22,
1898, the provisional revolutionary government of
Albay was formed with Anacieto Solano as provisional
president. Major General Vito Belarmino, the appointed
military commander, reorganized the Filipino Army in
the province.
American colonial period
The sovereignty of the country was transferred to the
United States after the Treaty of Paris (1898). During
the Philippine–American War, Brigadier General William
August Kobbé headed the expedition that landed at the
ports of Sorsogon, Bulan and Donsol. From there, the
Americans marched to Legazpi and captured it.
Although a civil government was established in Albay on
April 26, 1901, Colonel Harry Hill Bandholtz,
Commanding Officer of the Constabulary in the Bicol
Region, said that General Simeon Ola, with a thousand
men, continued to defy American authority after the
capture of Belarmino in 1901. Ola was later captured
with about six hundred of his men.
World War II
Following the December 12, 1941 Japanese invasion of
Legazpi during the Second World War, the Kimura
Detachment of the Imperial Japanese Army occupied
Albay Province. The region was defended only by the
Philippine Constabulary unit under the command of
Major Francisco Sandico.
During the Japanese Occupation, the military general
headquarters of the Commonwealth Army of the
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2
Philippines remained active from January 3, 1942 to
June 30, 1946, and the 5th Constabulary Regiment of
the Philippine Constabulary was established from
October 28, 1944 to June 30, 1946 and stationed in
Albay. Then came the clearing operations and anti-
Japanese insurgency in the Bicol Peninsula, helped by
the local Bicolano resistance. Some Bicolano guerrilla
groups invaded around the province of Albay during the
Japanese Insurgencies between 1942 and 1944, and
Heograpiya
Igwang sukol na 2,552.6 km² an probinsya kayâ ini ang
ika-26 sa pinakasadit na probinsya sa nasyon.
Namumugtak ini sa Bicol Peninsula asin kabali mayor na
sa sakop kan probinsya an mga isla nin Rapu-Rapu,
Batan (parte kan Rapu-Rapu), Cagraray (parte kan
Bacacay), asin San Miguel (parte kan Syudad nin
Tabaco).
Natatangâ an probinsya kan Camarines Sur sa norte asin
Sorsogon sa sur. Nasa norte-subangan kaini an Golpo
nin Lagonoypasiringon sa Dagat Filipinas asin sa
habagatan-sulnopan an Burias Pass.
Geography
The Mayon Volcano dominates the geography
of Albay.
Albay has a total land area of 2,575.77 square
kilometres (994.51 sq mi), which makes it the 53rd
biggest province. The province is bordered by the
provinces of Camarines Sur to the north and Sorsogon
to the south. To the northeast lies the Lagonoy Gulf,
which separates the province from Catanduanes? To
the southwest of the province is the Burias Pass with
the island of Burias of Masbate province located about
14 kilometres (8.7 mi) offshore.
In 2016, an area of 250,000 hectares (620,000
acres) was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The
Pulitikal
Nababangâ an Albay sa 15 banwaan asin 3 syudad.
Bacacay
 Camalig
 Daraga
 Guinobatan
 Jovellar
 Syudad nin Legazpi
 Libon
 Syudad nin Ligao
 Malilipot
 Malinao
 Manito
BICOL STUDIES
were supported by local Filipino troops under the
Philippine Commonwealth Army and pre-war Philippine
Constabulary 5th Infantry Regiments attacking the
enemy soldiers of the Japanese Imperial Army. In the
aftermath of three years of siege and conflicts, many
Bicolano guerrillas were forced to retreat by the
Japanese around the province before liberation in 1945
by Allied forces.
Albay Biosphere Reserve is home to 182 terrestrial plant
species, of which 46 are endemic to the Philippines. Its
marine waters and coastal area also provide habitat to
five of the world’s seven marine turtle species, as well
as mangrove, sea grass and seaweed ecosystems.
Topography
The province is generally mountainous with scattered
fertile plains and valleys. On the eastern part of the
province is a line of volcanic mountains starting with the
northernmost Malinao in Tiwi, followed by Mount
Masaraga and the free-standing Mayon Volcano.
Separated by the Poliqui Bay is the Pocdol Mountains in
the town of Manito.
The stratovolcano of Mayon standing at around 2,462
metres (8,077 ft), is the highest point of the province. It
is the most famous landform in Albay and in the whole
Bicol Region. This active volcano falls under the
jurisdiction of eight municipalities and cities of Albay:
Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Legazpi City, Ligao City,
Malilipot, Santo Domingo, and Tabaco City.
The western coast of the province is mountainous but
not as prominent as the eastern range with the highest
elevation at around 490 metres (1,610 ft). Among these
mountains are Mount Catburawan in Ligao and Mount
Pantao in Oas.
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES

Ekonomiya
MANILA, Philippines - Ang Bicol (Region V) ang may pinakamabilis na lumalagong ekonomiya sa buong bansa
ngayon. Bunga ng masiglang tourism industry nito, nagtala ang Bicol ng 9.4% na pagsulong nitong nakaraang 2013, ayon
sa pinakabagong ulat ng National Statistics Coordinating Board (NSCB).
Pinuna ni Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, Bicol Regional Development Council (RDC) chair, na bumangon na nga ang
Bicol mula sa matagal na pagkakalugmok nito sa maraming taon dulot ng hagupit ng malakas at mapinsalang mga bagyo.
Sa kalalabas na NSCB report, ang 9.4% na paglago ng Bicol economy nitong 2013 ay pinakamataas sa lahat na 17
rehiyon ng bansa, higit na mataas sa 9.1% na itinala ng Metro Manila o National Capital Region (NCR).
Turismo, ayon kay Salceda ang pangunahing nagtutulak sa mabilis na pagsulong ng Bicol economy.
Pinangungunahan ito ng Albay na nagtala ng nakakalulang 66% paglago. Binalikat din ng Albay ang paglago ng turismo
ng Almasor (Albay - Masbate-Sorsogon) Tourism Alliance na itinatag ni Salceda at nagtala ng 42% noong 2013.
sa pangkalahatan, ipinaliwanag ni Salceda na ang pagsulong ng Bicol economy ay bunga ng malaking
produksiyon ng kuryente mula sa Tiwi at Bacman geothermal plants, mataas na investment sa mga imprastraktura,
pinasiglang retail trade na nasuportahan pa ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program o 4Ps.
Bilang reaksyon sa NSCB report, sinabi ni Salceda na maituturing ngang “phenomenal” ang paglago ng Bicol na
dati ay laging pangalawa o pangatlong pinakamahirap na rehiyon ng bansa dahil halos
Bikol Literature in the Philippines Corridos or metrical romances became the main
reading fare for many years. Translation from Spanish
Bikol is the language of almost 5 million people to Bikol were eagerly awaited that writers switched to
in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines translating for the money it brought them. In time,
Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon that Bikolcorridos were written. The most popular was
constitute the Bikol Region. The Bikol people have a Magamang Pobre (The Poor Father and Son).
writing tradition with roots in its ancient folkways. Still The comedia or moro-moro stayed for a long time.
extant are charm verses exploiting the possibilities of Almost every town boasted of a comedia writer and a
words in folk poems and narratives with mythical theater group. The lavish and pompus comedia that
content, and bound with early historical fragments Juan Alvarez Guerra saw in the 1880s in Albay has been
which form part of the people’s lives. so well described. Count on the Bikol to write protest
Colonization stifled native writing, however. Only comedias – Comedia ni Hadeng Grimaldo sa Reinong
after about two centuries later did the people begin to Irlandaby Sabas Armenta and Drama en Comedia de la
write poems and plays adapted from Biblical stories – Vida Conde Urbano by Juan Miraflor. The first is a
this time in the Spanish writing system. These dramatic
tropes were street presentations during May festivals,
Christmas, Easter and Lent. In 1890, the first Bikol 0deviation from the Moro as villain theme; the second
newspaper An Parabareta (the Newsman) was advocated democracy and favors electing town leaders.
published by Mariano Perfecto, who also established The Commonwealth Period were years of poetic
the first printing press. Imprenta de Nuestra Señora de and dramatic productivity. The zarzuela did not escape
Peñafrancia. In the midst of numerous devotionals and the Bikol’s questioning bent. Asisclo Jimenez’s
religious poems, there appeared two protest plays – Pagkamoot sa Banuang Tinoboan (Love for the Native
“An Pagguiao kan mga pastores can pagcamondag ni Land) demonstrated that national change can be
Jesus duman sa portal sa belen” (The awakening of the affected through armed revolt. Jimenez wrote 25 other
shepherds of Jesus birth) by Mariano Perfecto and zarzuelas in varying themes, mostly social criticism.
“Comedia na dapit sa Dios o magna cahayagan can Crowds would attend the presentations.
pagcamondag ni Jesus” (A play about God or matters By the mid-thirties, shorter plays became the
concerning the birth of Jesus). The first play says that fashion. The new themes were poor vs. rich, laziness vs.
the people accepted the faith but not the Spaniards; the hard work and Rizal and nationalism. Outstanding was
second tries to localize the character Mary, humanize Anti Cristo by Justino Nuyda who wrote of the inevitable
Herodes and make the coronation of Mary an occasion conflict between individual morality and material
of revelry through two comic characters. comfort. This play is still presented today in schools in
the region.
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2
The rawitdawit or narrative poem was a vehicle of
social and political criticism. Personal poems were most
plentiful. The period also produced about twenty
translations of Jose Rizal’s Mi Ultimo Adios to Bikol.
Four poets and their works stand out: Manuel
Fuentebella’s An Pana (The Arrow), Clemente
Alejandria’s Pagaroanggoyong(Perseverance), Eustaquio
Dino’s Balosbalos Sana (Retribution) and Mariano
Goyena’s Hare…Dali (No…Don’t). Great sensitivity and
exquisite images are marks of these poems, reaching up
to lyricism.
The Post-War Period was unproductive. It was the
Cathedral Players of the Ateneo de Naga that sparked
the cultural scene. The students led by Rev. James
Reuter, S.J. translated english plays into Bikol and
delighted the Naga folks with Sunday presentations at
the plaza kiosk. In the rural towns they played in
church patios and plazas. If post-war writing was not as
significant, the Bikol milieu was not encouraging either.
The stories and novels written in the fifties were insipid
and mere narrations; the novels fantastic and
improbable. Writing in the Rainbow journal were
largely cerebral and critical of politics, church and
society. It was the people’s interest in the folk story,
Ibalon, that inspired two musicals the Handyong written
and presented by Orfelina Tuy and Fe Ico, and Ibalon
Opereta written by Jose Calleja Reyes.
Contemporary writing has just began to burst with
creative energy. The writers now possess the courage
to deal with big themes. It began with Francisco
Penones, Jr. who sounded a clarion call in his poem An
Opon sa Ibalon: Kan mahale an Maskara (The Board in
Ibalon When Unmasked). Society, he declared, is the
boar that brought hunger and poverty to the land. For
this poem, Penones received a CCP award. Merlinda C.
Bobis in a masterly poetic drama titled Daragang
Magayon (Beautiful Maiden) overturns the passive
maiden in the legend and makes her decisive to do her
part in changing society. In her poems, Bobis subtly
presents an idealism associated with remembering
one’s childhood, each of them a strong and evocative
protrait only thoughtful, sensitive poet can create. For
this, she merited a Palanca award. Carlos O. Aureus
weaves together theology and philosophy to present
Bikol values and a panorama of Bikol scenes. In ten well-
written stories, a novel and a play, he wins the coveted
Palanca, CCP, Free Press and Graphic literary awards.
The young literary fictionists, Marco Lopez, Alvin Yaban,
Ulysses P. Aureus and Lorenzo D. Paran III are searches
for self, identity and nation.
BICOL STUDIES
The seasoned writers include Luis Cabalquinto,
Gode Calleja and Ruby Alano. The young writers are
Home Life magazine winners Angelica Gonzales,
Honesto Pesimo, Jazmin Llana, Victor Velasco, Nino
Manaog, Xavier Olin and Cynthia Buiza. Emelina G.
Regis has a Palanca Award for her environmental play
Dalawang Mukha ng Kagubatan (Two Faces of the
Forest). Barbara Barquez Ricafrente writes poems and
paints with rage. She is the first novel awardee of the
U.P. Creative Writing Center.
The Bikolano can write memorable and significant
pieces. The native literary tradition has been
resurrected and kept. How to make the people aware
and how to make them read as well and how to multiply
these writings so they can be disseminated have to be
resolved.
LITERATURE
IBALON (Merito B. Espinas)
Simple summary of the epic:
The Epic of Ibalong was sung by an adventurer named
Kadugnong. He was praised because of his skill in
storytelling. He has gone in different places in Bicol and
he told them the mysterious beginning of Bicol and the
adventure of King Handiong and Baltog. Ibalong was
about the adventure of Baltog (the hero of the epic).
Baltog was the son of King Handiong. He was the first
man who arrived in Bicol after the huge flood. He
arrived in Bicol in the cause of finding a place to live
that he and his people may live. King Handiong was the
king of Samar. In Bicol Baltog encounter a Flying
Crocodile and a Giant Boar. He killed the two and
continues his journey. He then encounters a snake with
a head of a lady who lived in the mountain of Asok. He
can't convince the snake to surrender so his father
helped him. They just didn't convince the snake to
surrender but it also helped them to defeat their
enemies. When the Bicol was ready, Baltog sent his
people there. His father and its people immigrate there
also. Baltog and King Handiong teach their people on
how to live there properly and industries, everybody
lived happily and properly because of the teachings of
King Handiong and Balto, and the good relationship
between the rulers and its people.
The Our Lady of Penafrancia (Jose Abias)
The Carolers (Remegio Laguno)
The House of Gambler (Marie! M. Dela Cruz)
Folksong: Sarung Banggi (Potenciano Gregorio Sr.)
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES

Mga Manunulat sa ALBAY

Mariano Perfecto (1853–3 Nobyembre 1913)
Naglingkod na ikaapat na gobernador ng Ambos Camarines, si Mariano Perfecto
(Mar·yá·no Per·fék·to) ay isang prolipikong manunulat at may pambihirang pagkilala
bilang“Ama” ng dalawang panitikan, ng panitikang Bikol at panitikang Hiligaynon.
Ipinanganak sa Ligao, Albay noong1853, si Mariano Perfecto ay naging kilalang
manunulat sa wikang Bikol at Hiligaynon. May nagsasabing isa siyang paring sekular sa Naga at
kailangang ipatapon dahil sa gawaing politikal. Sa Iloilo siya ipinatapon at nagsimula doon
bilang isang maestro sa isang munting paaralan sa Barotac Viejo. Sa Iloilo rin siya nagsimulang magsulat ng mga
kuwentong relihiyoso katulad ng buhay ni San Eustaquio, na kaniyang ibinebenta. Nang manalo diumano si Perfecto sa
lotto, kaniyang ipinalathala ang nasabing akda na naging instrumental sa pagpapatayô niya ng isang libreriya, ang kauna-
unahan sa buong Bisaya at Mindanao. Sinasabing sa Iloilo na rin siya nagkaroon ng sariling pamilya. Noong 1882,
pinalitan niya ang pangalan ng kaniyang tindahan at limbagan sa Libreria Panayana. Noong huling bahagi ng ika-19 siglo,
muli siyang bumalik sa Naga upang mangasiwa sa pagpapatakbo ng imprenta sa Naga, dahil diumano sa alok na rin ng
Obispo ng Nueva Caceres na si Arsenio Campos, isang Agustino. Pinangalanang Imprenta de Nuestra Senora de
Penafrancia ang unang imprenta sa Naga. Sa mga susunod na taon, sinasabing nagpalit-palit ng pangalan ang nasabing
imprenta, mula sa Imprenta de La Sagrada Familia, Imprenta y Libreria Mariana hanggang sa Imprenta La Bicolana de M.
Perfecto. Nagsimula siyang makilala sa wikang Bikol nang itatag niya ang An Parabareta (1899-1900), ang kauna-
unahang peryodiko sa rehiyon.
Bilang isang manunulat ng kaniyang panahon, isa si Perfecto sa kauna-unahang manunulat ng bansa na
maituturing na nagkaroon ng kalinangan sa pagsasalin. Siya ang nagsalin ng Pasyong Henesis sa Bikol at Hiligaynon. Ang
kaniyang Almanaque Bikolnon at ang Almanaque Panayanhon (sa Iloilo) ay naging mga popular na babasahin. Sa
dalawang wikang ito nagsulat si Perfecto ng mga nobena, kartilya, awit at korido, at komedya. Dala ng kaniyang
malawakang impluwensiya bilang manunulat, nanalo siyang gobernador ng Ambos Camarines noong 2 Nobyembre 1909
at naging pinunò ng probinsiya simula 1910 hanggang 1912. Binawian siya ng buhay noong 3 Nobyembre 1913. Marami
sa kaniyang mga sinimulang hakbangin sa pagsusulat at paglalathala sa Bikol man o Hiligaynon, relihiyoso man o sekular
na teksto, ang nanatiling mahalagang mohon sa pag-aaral at pagtataguyod ng
kalinangang Bikol at Hiligaynon. (KSC)

Abdon M. Balde, Jr.

Born in Albay, Bicol, Philippines
September 12, 1946

An award-winning Fillipino novelist. He has written and publis hed short stories, poems
and novels in English, Tagalog and the languages of Bicol. Balde finished a degree in civil
engineering and worked as a construction engineer for thirty -three years, after which he
retired to pursue a career as an author. His writer career bloomed and critics noted his
unique raw talent. He concentrated in writing creative short stories, poems and novels.
He received his first literary award in 2003 and has since continued to win acclaim for his
work.
Today, he is a councilor of the organization Lupon Sa Wika, a member of the National Com mission for Culture and the
Arts (NCCA) and director of the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL; English: Writers' Union of the Philippines).
He and his family currently reside in Casimiro Village, Las Pinas, Metro Manila.
Some of his works:

o 100 Kislap o Mayong

BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES
o Hunyango sa Bato o Mga Pangarap at Pangitain
o Sa Kagubatan ng Isang o Awit ni Kadunong
Lungsod o Sibago

Merlinda Bobis
25 November 1959

She is a contemporary Philippine-Australian writer and academic. Born in Legazpi City, in the
Phillippines province of Albay Written in various genres in both Filipino and English, her work
integrates elements of the traditional culture of the Philippines with modern immigrant
experience. Also a dancer and visual artist, Bobis currently teaches at Wollongong University.
Her play Rita's Lullaby was the winner of the 1998 Awgie for Best Radio Play and the
international Prix Italia of the same year; in 2000 White Turtle won the Steele Rudd Award for the Best Collection of
Australian Short Stories and the 2000 Phillippine National Book Award. Most recently, in 2006, she has received the
Gintong Aklat Award (Golden Book Award, Phillippines) for her novel Banana Heart Summer, from the Book
Development Association of the Philippines.

Bobis won the 2016 Christina Stead Prize for Fiction,

NSW Premier's Literary Awards for her book, Locust Girl: A Lovesong.

Some of her works:

o Rituals: Selected poems, 1985-1990. (1990)

o Summer was a Fast Train without Terminals. (Melbourne: Spinifex, 1998)
o Usaping Ina at Ama
 Kristian Sendon Cordero

(Poet, fiction writer, essayist, translator, filmmaker; Philippines) writes in Fillipino, Bikol and Rinconada, and has
translated Borges, Kafka, Wilde and Rilke to these languages. Two of his most recent poetry collections received the
2014 National Book Awards; his debut collection of poetry in his three respective languages won the Madrigal-Gonzales
Best First Book Award in 2006. He is the deputy director of the Ateneo de Naga University Press. His participation is
courtesy of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES

CATANDUANES

The province, formerly known as “Catanduan,” “Catandognan,” and finally, “Catanduanes,” derived its name from the
“tando” trees which then abound in the Island. In 1573, Juan de Saceldo explored Catanduanes. Later, on January 6,
1576, Fr. Diego de Herrera with nine Augustinians sailed from Acapulco to the Philippines aboard the galleon, “Espiritu
Santo.”
Although it was reported that the galleon was shipwrecked near the coast of Catanduanes in April 1576, the
others claimed that the disaster was caused by bad weather and all the crewmembers perished. Some said that the
survivors were either killed by natives or made servants of a certain “Datu” of the island Catanduanes was once a part of
Ibalon, now Albay. The ecclesiastical mission in the province was controlled by Nueva Caceres. However, in 1582, it was
allotted to four “encomendoeros.
In 1663, Fr. Francisco Colin, SJ. described the inhabitants as noted shipbuilders, without using nails or futtock
timbers
In 1755, the Muslims overran the island, defeated the “alcalde mayor,” and pillaged and burned the towns including
important ecclesiastical and municipal records.
During the Philippine Revolution, the Spaniards left Catanduanes on a motorboat named Josefa on September 18, 1898,
before the arrival of the first Philippine revolutionary troops under Major Estanislao Legazpi
When the Philippine-American war broke out, Brigadier General William A. Kobbe occupied Virac on January 24,
1900.
The island was governed by Japanese Imperial Forces after they occupied Legazpi in 1941. After the liberation of
Bikol region in 1945, including Catanduanes, the United States Armed Forces maintained a military base in Panay island.
On September 26, 1945, Commonwealth Act. No. 687, Catanduanes (a subprovince of Albay) became a separate and
independent province. Under Republic Act No. 159, dated June 26, 1947, the former municipality of Caramoan was
recreated out of the Municipality of Pandan; under R.A. No. 491, dated June 12, 1950, the Municipality of Bagamanoc
was also created.
In the town of Bato, Msgr. Teotimo Pacis, Bishop of Legazpi, declared the Holy Cross of Batalay as a Diocesan
Shrine on April 1, 1973. The cross was said to be the place by Geronimo Galves at the burial site of Fr. Herrera in 1576.

HISTORY
Pre-Spanish period
Bornean datus settled on the island of Panay. Their descendants then migrated throughout the archipelago and became
the first settlers in Catanduanes. The island was not spared from raids of the Moros coming from the island of
Mindanao. Because of these destructive raids, many records of the past were destroyed and lost.
Spanish period
1573 when Juan de Salcedo arrived in Catanduanes hunting for pirates, and conquered the natives. Three years later, a
galleon expedition from Acapulco was shipwrecked near the island and the survivors were either killed or made
servants. The Batalay Church in Bato, just several kilometers from the capital town of Virac, marks that historical event.
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES
Evangelization
The evangelization of the island started twenty years later when the soldiers of Spain, after subjugating the Bicol
mainland, came back with Franciscan missionaries. The missionaries armed with the cross and backed by the sword of
the conquistadors evangelized the entire population without much resistance, after initially converting the southern
tribes.
Christianization
From 1600 to 1857, the colonizers were able to put up nine centers of local governments through the establishment of
parishes: Caramoran (1601); Pandan (1650); Viga (1661); Panganiban (1663); Virac (1775); Bato (1830); and San Andres
(1853). During the early 1950s, Baras was created. Bagamanoc, a thriving municipality during the Spanish period was
reduced to a mere barrio of Viga and later of Panganiban, during the American regime. It formally became a municipality
in 1950 followed by Gigmoto in 1951, and San Miguel in 1952. It was during this period that the island saw its own
development growth. Interlinking roads built and trading centers created.
American period
During the American Regime, some locals refused to recognize the sovereignty of the United States, and most of them
fled to the mountains.[citation needed] The American occupation did not last long. In 1934, the Americans had ceased
control of the island.
World War II
During World War II, Catanduanes was not spared from Japanese invasion. The Japanese erected garrisons in different
parts of the island and heavily fortified it.
Independence Day
Three months after the Philippine independence from the Americans, Catanduanes was finally recognized as a separate
and independent province from Albay through Commonwealth Act No. 687 authored by then Representative Francisco
Perfecto. The independence was approved by Congress on September 26, 1945, signed into law by President Sergio
Osmena, Sr. on October 24, 1945, and took effect on October 26, 1945.
Catanduanes became the sixth province of the Bicol Region with the signing of the Act. Remigio Socito, the last
Lieutenant Governor of Catanduanes was appointed as the first Provincial Governor. When elections were held in 1947,
Alfonso V. Usero became the first elected Governor.
On September 26, 1945, Catanduanes after recognized as a separate and independent province, under Republic Act No.
159, dated June 26, 1947 the municipality of Caramoran was recreated out of the Municipality of Pandan; under R.A. No.
491, dated June 12, 1950, the Municipality of Bagamanoc was also created.

GEOGRAPHY
Catanduanes is situated in the easternmost fringe of Luzon: 13.3 to 14.1 degrees north latitudes and between 124.1 and
124.3 degrees east longitudes. The island bounded on the west by the Maqueda Channel, on the south by Lagonoy Gulf,
and on the north and east by the Philippine Sea. Several small islands comprise the province. Its aggregate land area
totals approximately 1,492.16 square kilometres (576.13 sq mi)The coastlines, that stretch to almost 400 km (249 mi),
are jagged with many bays.

The topography of Catanduanes Island is rugged and mountainous, becoming more pronounced towards the central
portion of the island. Less than 10 percent of the land area has a slope gradient under 8 percent, mostly fractured and
narrow strips of plains located along the coastal areas where most of the inhabitants are settled. The highest mountain
peak is in Boctot, located between the municipalities of Virac and San Miguel with an elevation of 803 metres (2,635 ft)
above sea level. It is the premier mountain range with broadly spread old-growth forests and watershed which exerts
widespread influence over its immediate environs that include the municipalities of Virac, Bato, and San Miguel. Other
prominent mountain forms include the ranges: Obi in Caramoran, Cagmasoso in San Andres, and the Summit and
Magsumoso ranges within the Viga and Gigmoto areas.

The lowlands include the Virac Plain, Viga Plain, San Andres Plain and the Bato River Flood Plain. The coastal
municipalities with limited lowland agricultural areas are Pandan and Caramoran. The more extensive lowlands are
found in the southern parts of the province. The largest coastal plain is the contiguous wetlands of Viga, Panganiban and
Bagamanoc over which lies the widest area of rice paddies and nipa mangroves.
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES
The province is mostly rugged and mountainous terrain. Its slope characteristics are 13% gently sloping to undulating,
1% classified rolling to hilly, 2% very hills and mountains, 47% level to very gently sloping, 32% steep hills and
mountainous, and 5% undulating to rolling. Ten of the eleven municipalities of the province is situated along the coastal
fringes, over which locate its mostly fractured plains. The only landlocked municipality is San Miguel with its poblacion
(town center) sitting in a location entirely devoid of flatlands. The majority of the built-up areas occupy zones that are
classified as flat to rolling.
Ekonomiya
Tumaas ng sampong (10) porsiyento ang bilang ng mga turistang dumagsa sa probinsya ng Catanduanes. Ang isla, na
nagmula sa dating bansag nitong “Land of the Howling Winds” dahil sa madalas na pagdaan ng mga bagyo, ngayon ito’y
tinagurian nang “Happy Island” bunsod ng pagiging matatag at masayahin ng mga Catandunganon anumang unos ang
dumating.
Ayon sa naitalang datos ng Philippine Coast Guard Sub Station para sa pantalan ng San Andres, humigit-kumulang 34,000
ang mga pasaherong pumasok sa naturang isla sa buwan lamang ng Abril, 2018. Mas tumaas ng 3,000 o 10% ng
kabuuang bilang kumpara noong Abril, 2017 na nakapagtala ng 31,000 lamang na bilang ng pasahero.
Sa patuloy na pag-angat ng turismo ng isla ng Catanduanes taun-taon, inaasahang malaki ang maitutulong nito sa pag-
angat ng kabuhayan ng mga Catandunganon. Isa rin itong magandang indikasyon ng patuloy na pag-unlad ng ekonomiya
ng probinsya.
Hindi maikakaila na marami talagang magagandang destinasyon ang maaaring puntahan sa CATANDUANES kaya naman
inaasahang darami pa ang pagdagsa ng mga turista. Dito sa bayan ng San Andres, matatagpuan ang makasaysayang
Luyang Cave sa Barangay Lictin, nariyan narin ang Milagrosong Imahe ng Ina ng Batong Paloway sa Barangay Batong
Paloway, Marble Beach sa Barangay Tibang at ang nakakabighaning talon ng Minabaruto sa Barangay Carangag, Kunsad
sa Barangay Datag, Talahid Falls Barangay Cabungahan. Iilan lamang ang mga ito sa mga tanyag na tourist spot ng
munisipalidad.

CATANDUNGAN WRITER’S FIRST BOOK ENDORSED

Emmanuel Barrameda, a two-time Palanca Awardee and a member of Surte

launched his first book, ‘Pwera Bisita’, a collection of short stories that reflects
Catandunganon culture and aims to promote island-literature in Catanduanes. Among the
major supporter of the book launch is Provincial Local Government Unit of Catanduanes
headed Governor Joseph C. Cua who shouldered the venue for the launching at Victor Hall,
Virac Town Center, Virac, Catanduanes, last September 22, 2018.
Won his first Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature last 2014, on 3rd Place
with the short story ‘Nando’, and won 2nd in 2016 with short story ‘Bangkera’.

Adem Nalu Rubio, the president of Surte, a literary homegrown literary group thanked the
governor for his support in the development of local literature in the island.
The local chief executive in his message delivered by Nikko Franco Templonuevo, Assistant
Information Officer, said that it is a privileged for him to support the group and the
launching of the book ‘Pwera Bisita’ in particular given that it is a jargon commonly used in
the ferry( in which Gov. Cua owns), the mode of transportation going out of the province
and going in the province.
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES

Furthermore Governor Cua also encourages writers to write more about Catanduanes for this is a way to
promote the island as a whole.
In a related development, SurTe, bestowed the “gamgam” status to Gov. Joseph B. Cua for showing generous
support to the advocacy of the group, that is the development of Bicol literary writing and appreciation.
“Gamgam” stands for bird that represents the honorary membership conferred by the group to any individual that
shows committed support to the advocacy of promoting the literature of the Bicol and raising the awareness and
sensibilities of Catandunganon towards literary appreciation.
The SurTe group acknowledged that since it started holding activities, the governor shared the same passion by
sponsoring most of its programs.
Its founder-president, Dr. Adem Nalu V. Rubio, recognized how the Local Government Unit through the
governor’s office believed in this kind of advocacy.
“This is pure advocacy that started in 2016 and now we already conducted provincewide workshop and
launched book from our member. This advocacy touches the soft element of our society, our own language, our culture,
our identity. We want kids to love writing our own language”, said Dr. Rubio.
The group also admitted that it has no any better return of investment but were glad that a politician would
dare to embrace the kind of project.
Gov. Cua, however, said how he liked the group because it is an initiative of a selfless civic movement coming
from the community that aims to help the community.
“The contribution to our heritage itself is a return of investment. We need more projects like this that caters the
soft elements of society”, the governor explained.
SurTe stands specifically for the language of del Sur and del Norte or that of the two distinct main languages
present in the island, that is the one with difficult to pronounce “L” sound in southern part of the province and the other
with abound “R” sound, often called also as “bonor” in northern. The literary group has established linkages to other
literary circles in mainland especially recognizing Parasurat Bikolnon, Inc. as its mother organization in the Bicol as way
of its strengthening its advocacy,
Beside from “Gamgam” status for membership, SurTe has also five other ways of granting membership and
status, namely: “Dahon” (leaf), when a dilettante is supporting the group but did not yet undergo selection process;
“Sanga” (branch), a status given to member who passed selection procedures and finished the workshop; “Puon”
(stem), a status given to member who, after completing the workshop, continues to write and comply with the
mandates of the group; “Ugat” (root), the highest status given to member who achieved a remarkable feat in writing at
the same time upholding the goal of SurTe; and “Kadagaan” (soil), refers to the founders and the adviser of SurTe.

NOTABLE PEOPLE
 Carmen Camacho – 1960s Philippine Kundiman Diva
 Bernabe Concepcion – a native of Rizal, Viga. Is a Filipino featherweight boxer.
 Jose Tomas Sanchez – Roman Catholic Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Clergy and Cardinal
Priest from Pandan Philippines
 Shalani Soledad – Politician and TV personality
 Francisco Tatad – former Senator of the Philippines (1992–2001)
 Mike Velarde – Tele-evangelist, Founder and Servant-Leader of El Shaddai DWXI-PPFI
 Salvador A. Rodolfo Sr. – a Filipino soldier who helped liberate the Island Province of Catanduanes in the
Philippines from the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. He was known in Catanduanes as "Phantom"
or the "Man who Never Dies", based on the comic book hero The Phantom created by Lee Falk in 1936.
 Don Trollano – a native from Gigmoto. He is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Rain or Shine
Elasto Painters of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
 Reil Cervantes – a native from Virac. Is a Filipino professional basketball player for Blackwater Elite in
the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He was drafted 9th by Barangay Ginebra Kings in the 2011 PBA
draft.[25] In 2014, he was drafted 2nd overall by Kia Sorento in the 2014 PBA Expansion Draft.[26]
 Leandro I. Verceles - Former Ambassador and Immigration Commissioner. The first Bicolano career diplomat.
 Joseph Santiago – then Congressman for 2 terms 2004 and 2007. He is a former executive of Pilipino
Telephone Corporation. Serves as Commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission, and From
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES
1997 to 1998, he served as team manager of the Mobiline Cellulars professional basketball team in
the Philippine Basketball Association.
 Gina Vera-Perez de Venecia – She is the daughter of the famed star-builder and owner of Sampaguita Pictures,
then Doc Jose Perez and Azucena Vera, President of the said movie production company. She is the wife
of Jose de Venecia, Jr., Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998 and
2001 to 2008.
 John Arcilla – multi-awarded Filipino movie actor and environmentalist.[27]
 Kyla – Filipino R&B singer-songwriter, producer, occasional actress and presenter dubbed as the Philippines'
"Queen of R&B".
 Linda Estrella – a native from Pandan. Is a Filipina actress, one of the players of Sampaguita Pictures.
 Larry Que – was a publisher and journalist killed after he had written an article linking government officials to a
major drug seizure of methamphetamine.
 Dindo Fernando - one of the most respected actors in Philippine cinema, is from Virac
 Noel Cabangon - esteemed guitarist, singer and songwriter, from Panganiban
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES
nd
2 Task Alamat ni Daragang Magayon at Alamat ng Bulkang Mayon
Alamat ni Daragang Magayon and Alamat ng Bulkang Mayon
Mga katanungan:
1. Kilalanin ang mga tauhan sa bawat Alamat at Gawan ito ng Character Profile.
2. Ipaliwanag ang pagkakatulad/ pagkakaiba sa kwento ng bawat Alamat.
3. Kunin ang mga simbolong ginamit/ nabanggit sa 2 Alamat at Iguhit ito at bigyan ng
pagpapakahulugan.

ALAMAT NI DARAGANG MAGAYON

Katulad ng lahat ng alamat, nangyari ang kuwentong ito noong unang panahon. Naganap ito sa payapang
rehiyon ng Ibalong, sa maliit na bayan ng Rawis, na pinamumunuan ng makatarungang datung si Makusog. Ang asawa ng
datu na si Dawani ay namatay sa panganganak. Kaya’t nanatiling iisa ang anak ni Datu Makusog—isang anak na babaeng
walang kapares sa kagandahan at kabaitan, si Daragang Magayon. Hindi tuloy nakapagtataka kung bakit dumadayo ang
napakaraming manliligaw mula sa ibang tribu, kabilang na ang nasa malalayong bayan, upang mabihag ang puso ng
dalaga. Ngunit wala ni isa sa mga binatang ito ang nakakuha ng pagtingin ng magandang binibini. Wala, kahit ang makisig
at mapagmataas na si Pagtuga, ang dakilang mangangaso at datu ng Iraga. Kahit pa pinaulanan ni Pagtuga ng mga
handog na ginto, perlas, at iba pang kayamanan ang ama ni Magayon, ay hindi pa rin nito nakuha ang loob ng dalaga.
Isang katangi-tanging binatilyo ang nagpakita sa Rawis: si Ulap, ang tahimik ngunit matapang na anak ni Datu Karilaya ng
Katagalugan. Naglakad siya nang malayo upang makita ng sarili niyang mga mata ang ipinagbuunying kagandahan ni
Daragang Magayon. Ngunit hindi katulad ng ibang manliligaw, nagdahan-dahan si Ulap. Tiniis niya ang magnakaw
lamang ng mga sulyap mula sa malayo habang nagtatampisaw si Daragang Magayon sa ilog ng Yawa.
Pagkatapos ng isang maulang gabi, pumunta ulit si Magayon sa Ilog Yawa upang magtampisaw. Nadulas siya sa
batuhan at nahulog sa malamig na ilog. Dagli-dagling sumaklolo si Ulap at binuhat ang nangangatog na dilag pabalik sa
dalampasigan. Ito ang naging simula ng pag-iibigan ni Daragang Magayon at ni Ulap. Ilang beses pang nagtagpo si Ulap at
si Daragang Magayon. Hanggang sa isang araw, sinundan ni Ulap si Magayon sa pag-uwi. Pagdating sa bahay ni Datu
Makusog, buong lakas nang loob na ibinaon ni Ulap ang kaniyang sibat sa hagdan. Ipinapahiwatig nito ang kaniyang
kagustuhang pakasalan si Magayon. Walang nagawa si Magayon kundi mamula, magpigil ng tawa, at umiwas ng tingin.
Dahil dito, napagtanto ni Datu Makusog na umiibig ang kaniyang nag-iisang anak, kaya’t hindi na siya nagpahayag ng
kahit anong pagtanggi. Tuwang-tuwa si Magayon at si Ulap. Binalak nilang gawin ang kasalan pagkalipas ng isang buwan
upang mabalitaan ni Ulap ang kaniyang mga kababayan, at upang makapaghanda nang husto para sa pagdiriwang.
Mabilis na kumalat ang magandang balita. Nakarating agad ito kay Pagtuga, na namula sa galit.
Nang mangaso si Datu Makusog, dinakip siya ni Pagtuga. Nagpadala si Pagtuga ngmensahe kay Magayon,
nagbabantang papatayin ang kaniyang ama at maghahasik ng digmaan sa kaniyang bayan kung hindi siya pakakasalan.
Sinunod ni Magayon ang kahilingan ni Pagtuga, labag man sa kaniyang kalooban. Agad-agad na inihanda ang kasalan.
Nang malaman ni Ulap ang masaklap na pangyayari, nagmadali siya pabalik ng Rawis kasama ang pinakamagigiting
niyang mandirigma. Kasisimula pa lamang ng seremonya nang dumating sina Ulap. Sa halip na isang pagdiriwang para sa
kasal, isang madugong labanan ang naganap. Napuno ang langit ng mga palaso. Napuno ang hangin ng tunog ng
nagkikiskisang bolo. Nagtuos si Ulap at si Pagtuga, isang labanan para sa kamay ng nag-iisang si Magayon. Nadaig at
napaslang ni Ulap si Pagtuga. Masayang sinalubong ni Magayon si Ulap, akmang yayakapin—nang biglang isang ligaw na
palaso ang tumama sa likod ng dalaga. At habang sapo-sapo ni Ulap ang nag-aagaw-hininga niyang iniibig, bigla siyang
sinibat sa likod ng isang kawal ni Pagtuga. Agad na hinataw ni Datu Makusog ang kawal ng kaniyang minasbad, isang
matalim na bolo.
Pagkatapos ng mabilis na pangyayaring iyon, tumahimik ang lahat ng mandirigma. Tumigil ang digmaan. Sa halip
na marinig ang kasiyahan ng isang pagdiriwang ng kasalan, mga hikbi at hagulgol para sa mga pumanaw ang lumutang sa
hangin. Kahit na halos walang makita dahil sa walang-tigil na pagluha si Datu Makusog, naghukay siya nang naghukay.
Nang matapos, inilibing niya ang kaniyang nag-iisang anak na si Magayon, at ang nag-iisa nitong pag-ibig na si Ulap, nang
magkatabi at magkayakap.
Habang lumilipas ang mga araw, unti-unting tumaas ang lupang pinaglibingan kina Ulap at Magayon.
Tumaas ito nang tumaas, at di nagtagal, sinamahan ito ng pagyanig ng lupa at pagtilapon ng nagbabagang mga bato.
Naniniwala ang mga matatanda na kapag nangyayari ito, ginagalit ni Pagtuga ang bulkan sa mga lumang paniniwala
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES
upang maibalik sa kaniya ang mga kayamanang iniregalo niya kay Magayon—mga regalong inilibing kasama ng dalaga sa
ngayon
May mga araw kung kailan natatakpan ng mga ulap ang tuktok ng bulkan. Sinasabi ng mga matatanda na kapag
nangyayari ito, hinahalikan ni Ulap si Magayon. At kung pagkatapos nito ay marahang dumampi ang ulan sa magiliw na
libis ng bulkan, naniniwala ang mga matatandang lumuluha si Ulap. Pagkatapos ng mahabang panahon ay umigsi na ang
pangalan ni Magayon at nagging Mayong o Mayon. Ngunit hanggang sa kasalukuyan, kahit na maaliwalas ang panahon,
isang anino ng masalimuot na kuwento ng isang natatanging dalaga at ng kaniyang iniibig ang bumabalong sa
magandang bayan ni Daragang Magayon.

Alamat ng Bulkang Mayon – Volcano

Noong unang panahon, may isang babaeng nagngangalang Daragang Magayon. Maraming kalalakihan ang nanliligaw sa
nasabing dalaga sapagkat siya ay maganda at may makinis na kutis. Ayon sa ama ni Magayon na si Rajah Makusog nasa
tamang edad na ang dalaga upang magpakasal kung kaya’t pinapayagan na niya ito kung sakaling magpasya ang dalaga
na makipag-isang dibdib. Ngunit si Magayon ay wala pang napipili mula sa kanyang mga manliligaw. Magpapakasal lang
daw siya sa taong kanyang iniirog.

Isang araw habang naliligo si Magayon sa ilog, siya ay nadulas at nahulog sa malalim na parte nito. Hindi marunong
lumangoy ang dalaga. Mabuti na lamang at nakita siya ni Panganoron at iniligtas ang dalaga. Si Panganoron ay ang
matapang na anak ni Rajah Karilaya. Nangangaso siya noong araw na iyon nang marinig niya ang iyak ni Magayon.
Mabilis na tumalon ang matapang na mandirigma upang iligtas ang dalaga.

Nabighani si Panganoron sa ganda ni Magayon kung kaya’t niligawan niya ang dalaga. Gayundin si Magayon ay napa-ibig
sa matapang na lalakeng nagligtas sa kanya. Di kalaunan ay ipinahayag ang pag-iisang dibdib ng dalawa sa buong
kaharian.

Subalit, si Pagtuga, isang masugid na manliligaw ni Magayon, ay naka-isip ng paraan upang hindi matuloy ang kasal.
Binihag niya ang ama ni Magayon na si Rajah Makusog at hindi raw niya ito pakakawalan kundi papayag si Magayon na
pakasal sa kanya. Dahil mahal ni Magayon ang kanyang ama, wala siyang magawa kundi pumayag sa kondisyon ni
Pagtuga.

Nagpunta ang dalaga sa lugar ni Pagtuga upang ibigay ang sarili upang pakawalan nito ang kanyang ama. Napag-alaman
ni Panganoron ang ginawa ni Magayon. Tinipon nito ang kanyang mga matatapang na mandirigma upang iligtas ang
mag-ama laban kay Pagtuga.

Isang malaking digmaan ang naganap sa pagitan ng dalawang kampo. Nanaig si Panganoron laban kay Pagtuga at
napatay niya ito. Noong makita ni Magayon na napatay ng kanyang kasintahan ang kalaban ay dali-dali itong tumakbo
patungo kay Panganoron. Ngunit bago pa man magkalapit ang dalawa ay isang ligaw nasibat ang tumusok sa likod ni
Magayon. Habang bumagsak si Magayon ay tinaga naman sa likod si Panganoron ng mandirigma ni Pagtuga. Nakita ni
Rajah Makusog ang nangyari. Sinundan nito ang taong pumatay kay Panganoron at pinaslang ito.

Nang matapos ang digmaan, iniuwi ng rajah ang walang buhay na katawan nila Magayon at Panganoron. Humukay ito at
inilibing na magkasama ang magkasintahan.

Ilang araw ang lumipas ng mapansin ng mga taong bayan na ang libingan ay tumaas. Lumaki ang libingan at ang lupa ay
naghugis apa. Tinawag ito ng mga taong bayan ng Mayon mula sa kanilang magandang prinsesang si Magayon. Kung
minsan maririnig ang Mayon na dumadagundong at lumilindol, ayon sa mga tao ito ang patunay ng pagmamahalan nila
Magayon at Panganoron.
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES
MGA TAUHAN

Alamant ng Bulkang Magayon Alamat ng Daragang Magayon

Daragang Magayon – the beautiful lady from the Datu Makusog Isang mapagmahal na ama sa
Kabikulan and the love interest of Panganoron and kanyang nag-iisang anak. Handa niyang ibigay ang
Paratuga. Her grave was believed to be in the place lahat sa kanyang dalaga para sa ikaliligaya nito.
where Mount Mayon has risen. Pinapahalagahan at iginagalang niya ang mga
nagiging desisyon ng kanyang anak. -Patungkol ito sa
Panganoron – the love interest of Daragang Magayon, a wagas na pag-iibigan, pagkainggit, pagkagalit, at
tagalog warrior, which means their love affair, is pagkapoot.
prohibited.
Daragang Magayon Kaisa-isang anak ni Datu
Pagtuga – a rich but celfish native in Kabikolan who aims
Makusog. Walang makapapantay sa taglay nitong
to win Daragang Magayon’s heart. kagandahan at kabaitan. Pihikan siya sa pagpili ng
Rajah Makusog – the chief of the village and the loving kanyang magiging kasintahan. Handa niyang isuko at
father of Daragang Makusog who was abducted by isakripisyo ang kanyang mga kaligayahan mailigtas
Paratuga so that the damsel will niya lamang ang kanyang ama sa kapahamakan.

Ulap Magiting ngunit tahimik na mandirigma.

Naglakbay magmula sa katagalugan masilayan
lamang ang kagandahan ni Daragang Magayon.
Handa niyang ipaglaban ang kanyang iniibig huwag
lamang ito mawala sa kanyang piling.

Pagtuga/Paratuga Isang magiting ngunit

mapagmataas na Datu ng Iraga Inaakala niyang ang
kayamanan ang batayan ng pagmamahal upang
makuha niya ang loob ni Daragang Magayon. Hindi
siya marunong tumanggap ng pagkabigo at
pagkatalo.

Alamat ng Daragang Pagkapareho: Alamat ng Bulkang Mayon

Magayon
 Pangalan ng mga tauhan  Nang matapos ang
 Kung saan  Nagmula sa bicol digmaan, iniuwi ng
nagkaroon ng  Kwento ng Pag-iibigan ni Daragang rajah ang walang
digmaan dun na Magayon at Panganoron buhay na katawan
 Inilibing na magkatabi ang
rin naghukay at nila Magayon at
magkasintahan
nilibing ni Datu Panganoron.
 Magkaparehong alamat tungkol sa
Makusog, ang pinagmulan
magkasintahan  Nagkaroon ng labanan si Panganoron
at Pagtuga
 Binihag and Ama ni Daragang
Magayon
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES

Ito'y naghatid ng saya, lungkot, inis at panghihinayang.

Ating simulan sa ama ni Daragang Magayon na handang magsakripisyo para sakanyang pinakamamahal na anak. Ang
pagmamahal ng isang magulang ay hindi matutumbasan nino man. Ang magulang ay handang mamatay para sa
kasiyahan at kalayaan ng kanilang anak.
Pangalawa ay ang pagsasakripisyo at pagsasantabi ng sariling kaligayahan para sa kaligtasan ng mahal natin sa buhay.
Halimbawa na dito ay ang pagiibigang Daragang Magayon at ni Panganurom. Alam naman natin na kapag
nagmamahalan ang dalawang tao kahit kamatayan ang dumating hinding hindi pa rin maglalaho. Dahil katawan
lamang ang namamatay ngunit ang pag-ibig ay nanatiling buhay at dalisay.
Ang pag-iibigang dalisay, totoo at matapat ay isang pagiibigang walang sino man ang makakaputol. Ang pagibig na
katulad sa pagiibigan nina Darang Magayon at Panganoron ay nakakabighani. Naging patunay ito kung hanggang saan
kayang magsakripisyo ng tao para sa kanyang minamahal.
Sa pagmamahalan, kailangan ay dalawa, dalawang taong nagmamahalan, dalawang nagsisikap at dalawang
lumalaban. Hindi ito nasusukat ng oras, edad, itsura o kasarian dahil ang pag-ibig lagyan man natin ng limitasyon, ito
ay hindi mapipigilan. Ito ay masarap, masaya at isa sa mga bumubuo ng ating pagkatao ngunit tulad ng ibang bagay,
ito rin ay nangangailangan ng pasensya, pagsisiskap at sakripisyo. Magdudulot ito ng lungkot, sakit at hinagpis ngunit
upang maipaglaban ito, nararapat lamang na mangibabaw ang katatagan ng pagmamahalan na siya ring
magpapatunay na ang pagmamahalan ay walang hanggan.
Iniiwan din ang aral na pagmahal mo, ipaglaban mo. Na ang salitang “Namomotan Ta Ka” na ang ibig sabihin ay
Mahal kita ay hindi basta-basta ibinibigay kahit kanino. Tulad na lamang ng ginawa ni Paratuga. Binibili niya ang
pagmamahal at hindi ito pinagsisikapan. Dahil ang totoong pagmamahal ay hindi dapat nabubulag ng kayamanang
ibinibigay upang makuha lamang ang ating pagmamahal. Ito ay totoong walang kapantay na kayamanan.
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES

3rd Task:
Paksa: Epiko ng Bikol
Gawain:
1. Kilalanin ang mga akda? May salin ng Ibalong at Ibigay ang LIFE MAP nito.
2. Alamin ang mga detalyeng nakapaloob sa kasaysayan o pagkakalikha ng Ibalong
3. Ibigay ang perspektibong panlipunan ng Ibalong
4. Ilahad ang mga kahirapan/ hadlang sa pag-unlad ng mga sinaunang Bikolano.
5. Kilalanin ang mga sinaunang bulkan sa Rehiyon V.
IBALON
Kilala ang Bicol sa kanilang matandang epiko na Ibalon na isinalaysay ng isang makatang manlalakbay na si
Cadugnung na isinalin Fr. Jose Castaño. Ang nasabing epiko ay nalathala sa Madrid sa tulong ni Wenceslao Retana.
Ibalon o Ibalnon ang naging tawag ng mga Español sa sinaunang lupain ng mga Bicolano. Naging batayan nito
ang mga “ibal” o “ibay” na kauna-unahang pangalan ng tangway ng Bicol. Salitang pinaikli ang “ibal” ng Ibalyo na
nangangahulugan na naging tawiran mula sa Visaya patungo sa kabilang ibayo sa dakong Timog Luzon.
Binubuo ng sampung saknong na may tig-4 na linya o talutod. May sukat na lalabindalawahin. May dalawang
bahagi ang epiko. Naglalaman ng kahilingan ni Iling (isang ibong laganap sa kabikulan at kung inaalagaan ay madaling
turuang bumigkas ng ilang salita) kay Cadugnung na awitin ang mga pangyayaring magpakilala sa kabayanihan ni
Handyong.
Ang ikalawang bahagi naman ay ang awit ni Cadugnung na naglalaman ng mga pangyayaring naganap noong
matagal na panahon.
Sa pagsisimula ng epiko, si Baltog ang kauna-unahang lalaking nakarating sa Kabikulan buhat sa lupain ng
Botavara. Dahil sa mayamang lupain ng Bicol at sa likas nitong kagandahan, naakit si Baltog. Isang gabi, tinambangan ni
Baltog ang baboy-ramo. Sinaksak niya ang mabangis na hayop sa pamamagitan ng kanyang sibat. Pagkatapos ay
sinunggaban niya ang mga panga at binali ang buto. Isinabit ni Baltog ang dalawang panga sa puno ng Talisay. Labis na
humanga ang mga mangangasong buhat sa ibang lugar nang kanilang makilala at makita ang pangit at panga ng baboy-
ramo gayundin ang panga nitong nakausli. Ang baboy-ramong ito ay buhat daw sa bundok ng Lingyon at tinatawag na
Tandayag.
Dahil sa ipinamalas ni Baltog na pambihirang lakas kaya’t kinilala siyang pinuno ng pook na Ibalon. Naging
mabuti siyang pinuno. Binigyan niya ng katarungan ang lahat ng kanyang nasasakupan.
Matapos ang panahon ng kapayapaan at kasaganaan, naghari naman sa buong Ibalon ang lagim at kapinsalaan
dahil sa poot ng mga dambuhalang tulad ng mga pating na may pakpak, kalabaw na lumilipad at higanteng buwaya.
Nalungkot si Baltog dahil siya ay matanda na at hindi na niya kayang ipagtanggol ang kanyang mga nasasakupan.
Hindi nagtagal, isang batang-batang mandirigma ang nagngangalang Handyong ang dumating sa Ibalon. Nang marinig
niya ang karaingan ng mga tao ay muli siyang naging tagapagligtas. Naging matagumpay naman siya sa paglipol ng mga
dambuhala. Hinikayat ni Baltog si Handyong na magkaroon ng isang pangkat ng mga mandirigma upang tumulong sa
paglipol ng mababangis na dambuhala. Kaya’t mula noon si Handyong naman ang humaliling bayani ng epiko.
Nakalaban din at napatay ni Handyong si Ponong nang bigla itong lumusob sa kanila. Isa rin itong dambuhala na
iisa ang mata at tatlo ang bibig. Ito ay napatay ni Handyong. Ang labanan ay umabot ng sampung buwan. Ang pating na
may pakpak at Simarong kalabaw na lumilipad ay nalipol lahat. Ang mabangis na “Sarimaw” ay itinaboy sa bundok ng
Kolasi. Ngunit isa pang dambuhala ang nakaligtas sa kamay ni Handyong. Siya’y si Oryol, isang tusong ahas na
nakukuhang maging isang anyo ng kaakit-akit na babae at ang tinig ay parang sirena. Ang mapanlinlang na serpyente ay
nagtatangkang gayumahin si Handyong. Sa kabila ng pang-aakit na ginawa kay Handyong, pinatunayan ni Oryol na hindi
niya mapapasuko si Handyong, kaya’t naghandog siya ng tulong upang mapuksa ang mga dambuhalang buwaya sa ilog
Bicol. Pagkatapos ng labanan, ang ilog Bicol ay namula sa dugo ng mga buwaya. Nasaksihan ng ilang orang-utang ang
labanang ito at sila’y nasindak.
Nang malipol ang mga dambuhala sa pook, namahinga si Handyong. Mula noon siya’y
nagpatuloy sa pamamahala sa kanyang mga kababayan nang buong tapat at katalinuhan. Sa
kanyang pagpapahinga siya’y nagtanim ng gabi ang laman ay kasinlaki ng pansol. Nagtanim
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES
din siya ng isang uri ng palay na nagtataglay ng kanyang pangalan. Lalo siyang napamahal sa
kanyang mga sakop nang nahikayat niya nang buong lugod ang mga mamamayan upang
gumawa ng mga kapaki-pakinabang na kasangkapan sa ikakabuti ng lipi.
Binanggit din sa epiko na si Handyong ang kauna-unahang gumawa ng bangkang
naglayag sa ilog Bicol na si Cuinantong. Lalong naging kahanga-hanga si Cuinantong nang
magdagdag siya ng timon at layag sa bangkang gianwa niya. Ginawa rin ni Cuinantong ang
araro, suyod, pagalong, singkaw, gulok, asarol at salop. Ang iba pang nagsigawa ng
kasangkapan ay si Hablom na tumuklas ng habihan, ang unanong si Dinahon naman ang
lumikha ng tapayan, kalan, palayok at iba pa. Si Surat naman ang gumawa ng ABAKADA at
inukit sa batong libon.
Inilalarawan din sa epiko ang bahay nina Handyong na kung tawagin ay “moog”
sapagkat ito’y nakasalalay sa punongkahoy. Alinsunod sa epiko sila’y tumatahan sa itaas ng
punungkahoy upang maiwasan ang labis na init at maligtas ang mga sarili sa insekto’t hayop na
naglipana sa pook. Ibinigay ni Handyong ang batas na makatarungan na magpapahintulot na
manirahan nang sama-sama ang alipin at umaalipin nang may karangalan at katiwasayan sa
pamilya.
Sa gitna ng kapayapaang naghahari sa lupain ay nagkaroon ng isang delubyo. Ang
baha ay kagagawan ni Inos. Isang nakasisisndak na bagyo na may kasamang malakas na ulan
ang nasabing delubyo. Pagkatapos ng delubyo, isang tangway ang lumitaw na ngayon ay
tinatawag na Pasacao. Nagbago rin ang takbo ng agos ng ilog Inarihan. Ang epiko ay
nagwakas sa kasaysayan ni Bantong, isang batang-batang kaibigan ni Handyong na lagi niyang
kasa-kasama. Sa panahong iyon, ang katahimikan ng Ibalon ay muling binulabog ni Rabut,
isang dambuhalang kalahating tao at kalahating hayop ang katawan. Siya’y isang
mangkukulam at nagagawa niyang bato ang sinuman.
Isang araw, kasalukuyang bumabaha, nagtungo si Bantong kasama ang kanyang mga
tauhan sa yungib at sinalakay si Rabut samantalang ito’y natutulog. Tinaga ni Bantong ang
tulog na dambuhala. Namilipit sa sakit sa Rabut at umalingawngaw ang kanyang tinig sa buong
bayan.
Dinala ni Bantong ang bangkay ni Rabut sa Libnaman. Ipinakita niya kay Handyong ang
dambuhala at hindi siya makapaniwala sa kapangitan ni Rabut. Dito nagwakas ang salin ni Fr.
Jose Castaño:
Nangako si Cadugnung na ipagpapatuloy niya ang kuwento sa ibang araw. Subalit
maaaring hindi na naisalin ang iba pang bahagi ng epiko o kaya hindi na natapos kung kaya’t
nananatiling walang karugtong ang epiko.
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES

EPIKO NG BIKOL
(IBALONG)

Merito Espinas
Siya tapos sa kolehiyo, A.B. sa Pilosopiya, M.A. sa Ingles (Meritissimus) asin Ph.D. Siya an 1965 Bipradas
Palchaudhuri fellow kan Unibersidad kan Calcutta sa India. Nagin man siyang profesor nin pilosopiya,
comparative religion, literatura, speech asin Ingles, sa humanidades asin sa syensya sosyal.

Nagtokdo siya nin Oriental Philosophy sa Graduate School kan Unibersidad kan Sto Tomas asin nagin sarong
beses paratokdo sa Unibersidad kan Nueva Caceres sa syudad kan Naga. Sa Aquinas na Unibersidad kan
Legazpi kinaptan niya bilang pamayo, sa magkairibang panahon, an Departamento sa Ingles, Literatura asin
Speech, sa Departamento kan Syensya Sosyal, kan Humanidades asin Behavioral Sciences, asin nagin man
siyang Assistant Dean kan Graduate School. Sa Bicol University, nagin siyang dean kan College of Arts and
Sciences.

Dakulon pa man siyang mga sinurat na nalagda' sa mga magasin, msa pang-iskolar na journal, sa mga
peryodiko asin mga libro na an tinotokar iyo an sa pilosopiya, literatura, relihiyon, kultura asin Ingles.

Komo dakul an saiyang pinagkakainteresan, nag'adal man siya sa mga bagay-bagay na supernormal, mga
istoryang banwaan, sa historya asin kultura, sa arkeolohiya asin siring man sa kapalibutan asin sa mga isyung
ekolohiko.

Kan 1983, nagin siyang editor Kan Bikol Voices Anthology [1] na an mga napapalaman mga artikulo tinokda' kan
mga Bikolanong parasurat.
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES
History
The full-length narrative is presumably jotted down by Fray Bernardino de Melendreras de la Trinidad (1815-
1867),[1] a Franciscan missionary in Guinobatan, Albay, when he got acquainted with an errant Bicolano bard referred to
in the epic as Kadunung. It was put afterward into Spanish by Melendreras in Ibal, a 400-age manuscript in verse on the
ancient customs of the Indios of Albay.
The 60-stanza portion was later included in a treatise on the Bicol region by Fray Jose Castaño in 1895. However, no
credit was given to Melendreras by Castaño in the work, and so students of the Ibalong have since presumed that it was
recorded and translated by Castaño himself.
The full English translation of the Ibalong was first published in the Far Eastern University Faculty
Journal, Manila by Merito B. Espinas.[1]
Luis G. Dato, a Bicolano poet laureate translated the epic into English from the Spanish version of Fray Jose Castaño

PERSPECTIVE SOCIETY
The Ibálong is an invaluable piece of literature that marks the spontaneous record of the ancient Bicol's early struggle
for principle, survival, and growth. It commemorates the Bicolano people's resilience against the typhoons that annually
beset their region.] It stresses the humble accomplishments and peaceful pursuits of the early Bicolanos, including the
implementation of just laws.
Among other pursuits is the cultivation of upland and lowland crops, the construction of dwellings on tall trees, the
creation of the first boat in the region, the making of utensils, tools, and wares, but most importantly, the invention of
writing. The epic depicts the transition of the ancient Bicolanos from the hunting stage to the agricultural stage, from
the nomadic state to the settled life.
The Ibalong teaches about courage, of how a simple act can bring about positive change. The heroes made use of this
courage to lead the community out of chaos without any regard for self-glorification. This gives evidence of good
leadership. All three heroes were foreigners and not pure inhabitants of the Ibalong. This poses an argument that the
locals had to depend on foreign abilities and leadership before they were able to obtain progress.
Also portrayed in the epic is the concept of social class, of slaves and masters. However, this did not hinder the growth
of the community because the classes respected each other.
The Ibalong stresses the humble accomplishments and peaceful pursuits of the early Bicolanos. It is unlikely that the
ancient Bicolanos had worshiped idols. Nothing is mentioned about gods in the epic except perhaps in passing, Onos, the
god of floodwaters.
The very survival of these pre-Hispanic legends is direct proof of the vitality of Bicol culture. Folk history or not, this epic
is valuable for it enabled the Bicolanos of today to gain valuable insights into the misty past of their land and their
ancestors.
The epic is celebrated through street performances and floats on Ibalong Festival in Legazpi City, Bicol region since
1992.This is celebrated in Legazpi City during the month of August. The Ibalong festival features the various characters
from the epic while celebrating through song and dance. It is also performed in theaters like Tanghalang
Pilipino's Ibalong the Musical by Rody Vera.
OBSTACLES ENCOUNTERED
1. The obstacle of the giant wild boar that foraged Baltog's linsa crop: Even as Baltog slew this wild boar in a
celebrated combat episode in the epic, this still could have awakened his potential for the hunt, inducing him
into becoming a part-time hunter himself.
2. The second obstacle was Oryol, who tried to keep Handyong from ridding the land of ferocious wild beasts.
3. The third obstacle took the form of natural catastrophes: the sweeping deluge, the violent and simultaneous
eruption of three volcanoes, etc.
4. The fourth obstacle was the half-man and half-beast Rabot who led a lot, and by whose magic turned to stone
all those who fought him.
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES
VOLCANOES IN IBALONG
Aslong: Meaning "faintly visible", was famous for its tales of sweet enchantment in the glorious days of long ago.
Presently, almost nothing is left of it but a few ridges around a shallowing crater. [1]
Asog: Meaning "with only one testicle", it refers to the effeminate black priests of Aswang's devil-cult that had its
center in the wilds of this volcano during Bicol's epic age. It may also refer to a priest dressed like a woman. Asog is
now called Mount Iriga.[1]
Hantik: A big species of ants, the hantiks, gave Hantik its name. The ants are believed to have inhabited this
mountain's Kalupnitan Caves, where Handyong drove and buried alive the wily, sweet-voiced serpents that
masqueraded as lovely maidens.[1]
Isarog: From the word isaro meaning "put together", Isarog was the rugged volcano where the angonglood of
the Bikol River forests fled to escape the wrath of Handyong. [1]
Masaraga: Masaraga is believed to have been where the Sarimao had their cave. The name comes from the
intensifier ma and saga, meaning "a brilliant flame" or "glaring".
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES
th
4 Task: Tauhan Na bumobuo sa Ibalong
Gawain:
1. Isa –isahin ang mga tauhan at nilalang na nabanggit sa Ibalong at Ilarawan ang mga ito.
2. Ibigay ang kaibahan, katangian ng Ibalong sa iba pang mga epiko sa bansa na iyo ng nabasa,
batay sa mga sumusunod na mga aspekto: Spiritual, Moral at Kultural.

LEADING CHARACTERS
Many accomplishments and advances made by the ancient Bikols were credited to various characters mentioned in
the epic.[1]
Baltog: Baltog was the first white man or tawong-lipod to come to Bicol. Born in India (although India is called
"Boltavara" in the epic) to the brave clan of Lipod, he introduced agriculture to Bicol by planting linsa or apay, which
was a characteristic of early Indian colonizers. He slew the Tandayag Boar in a bone-wracking combat.[1]
Bantong: Bantong was a brave and cunning young warrior who single-handedly killed the half-man and half-wild
beast Rabot, although Handyong had given him 1,000 warriors to help him do it. [1]
Dinahong: Dinahong, meaning "wrapped with leaves", is the original Bicolano potter who was believed to have
been an Agta (Negrito) or pygmy. He helped the people learn cooking, making pots called coron, stoves, earthen
jars, and other kitchen utensils.[1]
Ginantong: Ginantong made the plow, harrow, and other farming tools.[3]
Hablom: Hablom, from the verb hablon meaning “to weave”, was the inventor of the first weaving loom and bobbins
in the Bicol region, especially for weaving abaca clothes.[1]
Handyong: The central figure in the epic is Handyong. He came to Bicol with his followers after Baltog, and came to
be the most famous of the tawong-lipod. He cleared the land of predatory monsters, inspired inventions,
reintroduced agriculture, built tree-houses where anitos or idols were kept called moog, and set up a code of laws,
establishing a golden age in his day.[1] He is also known to have built the first boat and developed rice cultivation in
flooded areas.[10]
Kimantong: Kimantong is attributed to have been the first Bicolano to fashion the rudder called timon, the sail
called layag, the plow called arado, the harrow called surod, the ganta and other measures, the roller, the yoke,
the bolo, and the hoe. A baranggay called Kimantong is found in Daraga, Albay.[1]
Sural: Sural, or surat, meaning “to write” or “letter” was the first Bicolano to have thought of a syllabary. He carved it
on a white rock-slab from Libong, which Gapon later polished. [1]
Takay: Takay was a lovely maiden who, according to legend, drowned during the great flood in the epic. Takay is
believed to have become the water hyacinth in what is now Lake Bato. [1]

BEAST
Wild Carabaos: Wild carabaos were not yet domesticated for farm work back then. They freely roamed the
mountains in the early days. Handyong was able to domesticate the big-bodied beasts "in a short while".[1]
Giant Crocodile: Also called buaya, Handyong defeated the giant crocodiles in combat. Handyong was assisted
by Oryol in killing many of them, which lead tinged the Bicol River red with blood. The survivors were banished,
along with Sarimao, to Mount Kulasi.[1]

MONSTERS
Long before Spaniards arrived in Bicol and introduced Christianity, the Bicolanos already believed in gods and
supernatural beings. The epic-fragment contains many of the supernatural faith and religion that the ancient Bicols
had, among them are supernatural creatures.[1]
Angongolood: The Angongolood lurked along shadowy riversides. They were hideous apes that transformed their
victims into trees surprising them in a tight embrace.[1]
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES
Buring: The Buring was a one-eyed, three-throated creature which inhabited the swampy wastes of Ponong.[1]
Rabot: Rabot was a ferocious half-human half-monster that could turn people into the rock by magic. Rabot is ugly,
a liar, and had a loud voice. Bantong slew the monster using his bolo.[1]
Sarimao: The Sarimao were avenging monsters that were brutally fierce, ugly, and ruinous. They went after
evildoers, usually to those with hidden guilt, who could not be brought to justice. Handyong exiled the Sarimao to
Mount Kulasi. Their human equivalents are believed to be those who take the law into their own hands, who have
suffered injustice.[1]
Serpents: The serpents were probably related to Oryol, a serpent with a beautiful voice and could change its image
to deceive enemies. Handyong sealed all the serpents inside a huge cave in Mount Hantik. [1]
Tandayag Boar: The word tandayag means “giant”, meaning that it could be any living being that had grown very
old and enormous. In the epic, Tandayag was the boar slew by Baltog. [1]
Tiburon: The Tiburon were giant flying fishes which had slimy, scaly, and hardy flesh and saw-like teeth that could
crush rocks. Handiong and his men did not stop until they vanquished every Tiburon. [3]
Winged sharks: The winged sharks mentioned were not really winged sharks but rather manta rays that would
sometimes pop out of the water like flying bats. These monsters were soon restrained by Handyong to keep waters
safe for his followers.[1]
Moog: Moogs are treehouses where the ancient Bicols' lived and kept anitos and idols.[1]
Dagatnong settlement: In the epic, the Dagatnong settlement was said to have been swept away by the Great
Flood. The Dagatnong were the black pygmies who swelt on seacoasts, opposite of the Agta who lived in the
highlands. The Dagatnong originally came from Kotmong.[1]
BEDURAL, CHRISTINE MAE A. 2BSMT2 BICOL STUDIES
Spiritual:
Binibigyang-diin ng Ibalong ang mapagpakumbabang mga nagawa at mapayapang mga hangarin ng mga unang
Bicolanos. Kung ikukupara ang epiko sa iba, makikita na ang mga sinaunang Bicolanos ay hindi gaanong sumamba sa
mga idolo, imbes ay ginamit nila ang kanilang sariling lakas upang mapagtagumpayan ang kanilang mga pagsubok na
hinarap. Base sa Ibalong, walang nabanggit na diyos maliban na lamang kay Onos, ang diyos ng ulan.

Kung ipapakita ang kaibahan nito sa ibang epiko base sa spiritual na aspeto, makikita na malaki ang kaibahan ng mga
mamamayan na Bicolano sa mga dayuhang mamamayan. Kung sa iba ay nakatuon sila sa pagbibigay ng atensyon sa
kanilang idolo, ang epiko ng Ibalong ay nagpapakita ng katapangan ng mga Bicolano na walang inaasahang tulong mula
sa nakakaitaas. Isa itong pagpapatunay sa lakas ng loob ng mga mamamayan ng Bicol.

Moral:
Itinuturo ng Ibalong ang tungkol sa katapangan, kung paano ang isang simpleng pagkilos ay maaaring magdulot
ng positibong pagbabago sa bayan. Ginamit ng mga bayani ang katapangan na ito upang mailabas ang kaguluhan sa
pamayanan nang walang pagsasaalang-alang sa pagluwalhati sa sarili. Nagbibigay ito ng katibayan ng mabuting
pamumuno. Gayunpaman, lahat ng tatlong bayani ay mga dayuhan at hindi purong mga naninirahan sa Ibalong. Hindi
katulad ng ibang epiko mula sa ibang pulo, ito ay nagpapakita ng isang argumento na ang mga lokal ay kailangang umasa
sa mga dayuhang kakayahan at pamumuno bago sila makakuha ng pag-unlad.

Ang epiko ay naglalarawan ng paglipat ng mga sinaunang Bicolanos mula sa yugto ng pangangaso hanggang sa yugto ng
agrikultura, mula sa estado ng nomadiko hanggang sa naayos na buhay. Karamihan sa mga epiko mula sa ibang bayan ay
nagpapakita lamang ng kabayanihan ng bida, samantalang ang Ibalong ay isang kwento na nagpapakita ng balanse ng
pokus mula sa mga tauhan hanggang sa lugar ng pangyayari.

Kultural:
Ang Ibalong ay isang napakahalagang piraso ng panitikan na nagpapakita ng maagang pakikibaka ng sinaunang
Bicol para sa prinsipyo, kaligtasan, at paglaki. Ginugunita nito ang pagiging matatag ng mamamayan ng Bicolano laban sa
mga bagyo na taun-taon na bumabagabag sa kanilang rehiyon. Binibigyang-diin nito ang mapagpakumbabang mga
nagawa at mapayapang hangarin ng mga unang Bicolanos, kasama na ang pagpapatupad ng mga makatarungang batas.