Princess Urduja

Pangasinan was a kingdom ruled by King Dalisay who had two

children, a son and a daughter. The king was growing old and his
worry was about which of his children would rule his kingdom upon
his death. He was old and getting older and did not expect to live
long.
Looking at his son, he asked “Son do you think you can rule the
kingdom when I am gone?” Seeing that his son was weak, he went
further. “You know our enemies are strong. They are powerful and
get from you everything that belongs to the kingdom. You and your sister will have to fight and
lead our men to battle and protect the kingdom. Not to do so will mean we will lose
everything.”
The prince was silent but his sister, Princess Urduja was scornful of her brother who lacked the
leadership that she inherited from their father.
Even before they have finished their conversation, a runner had come with the news that the
enemy was at the edge of the kingdom, ready for the attack.
Crying loud and clear, the princess ran to her father and on bended knees, she pleaded, “Father,
let me lead the men in the battle. Only say the word, father, and I promise victory of the
kingdom.”
Looking at his son with a heavy heart, he said yes to Princess Urduja who easily won the battle.
After this first battle, she began training her own army. There were more armies to conquer,
more land and lives to protect. This was just the beginning.
When king Dalisay died, she took over as ruler. She waged many victorious battles against the
kingdom’s enemies. In fact, she was able to extend her kingdom to the areas in Northern Luzon.
Her exploits were known all over Asia. To the advice that she get married so that she could
have a successor to the throne, she could only smile and offer the challenge that she would
marry only the one who beats her in a fair fight.
In addition, because of her victories, she became rich. She was intelligent. She talked with
foreigners to know what lay beyond the seas of her country’s islands. She was good at learning
languages. It is said she could speak Arabic. It was a wonder how this Malayan woman was so
brave, brilliant, and so good at ruling her kingdom.
Source: Helen Ponce de Leon Ladera, et.al. The New Dimensions in Learning English: A Series for Philippine
Secondary Schools.(Manila: Rex Book Store, 2003), 101-102.