SUMMARY:

HINILAWOD recounts the story of the exploits of three Sulodnon demogid brothers, Labaw Donggon,
Humadapnon and Dumalapdap of ancient Panay.

Kaptan, the king of the Gods, decreed that the beautiful Alunsina (also called Laun Sina, the Unmarried
One) marry upon reaching her maidenhood. Though all the unmarried gods from every corner of the
universe tried to win her hand in marriage, she chose to marry a mortal, Datu Paubari, ruler of the
Halawod.

Aboard his biday nga inagta (black boat), Labaw Donggon sailed across many seas on his way Gadium.
He also traveled across the region of the clouds and the land of stones before he found himself at the
shores of Tulogmatian, the seaside fortress of Saragnayan. Upon setting foot on the shore, Saragnayan
asked who he was and his business. When Labaw Donggon expressed his desire to have Saragnayan’s
young wife the lord of darkness just laughed and told him it’s impossible. The young demi god then
challenged the Saragnayan to a duel for the hand of the beautiful Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata.
The duel lasted for years. Labaw Donggon held Saragnayan’s head underwater for seven years but the
lord of the darkness still lived. With help of his pamlang (amulet), Saragnayan defeated Labaw Donggon
and imprisoned him beneath his house. Meanwhile, Labaw Donggon’s two wives gave birth to a son
each. Angoy Ginbitnian called her child Aso Mangga while Abyang Durunuun called her son Abyang
Baranugon. Both sons went in search of their father a few days after they were born. They arrived in
Tulogmatian and asked Saragnayan to free their father. Saragnayan told Abyang
 The story of hinilawod

ANALYSIS:

HINILAWOD is an epic poem written by the early inhabitants of a place

called SULOD in Central Panay.

The word HINILAWOD means tales from the mouth of the HALAWOD
RIVER.

HINILAWOD recounts the story of the exploits of three Sulodnon demogid

brothers, Labaw Donggon, Humadapnon and Dumalapdap of ancient Panay. It would
take about three days to perform the epic in its original form. Thus, making it as
one of the longest epics.

HINILAWOD is not just a literary piece but also a source of information

about culture, religion and rituals of the ancient people of SULOD; showing us that
ancient Filipinos believed in the “sacred”, in the importance of family honor and in
personal courage and dignity.

This is a tale of love and adventure about the native heroes, endowed with
powers from the gods battled monsters, and triumphed over formidable armies,
rode the wind, traveled in flying shields and protected the earliest communities of
the islands.