Historical Research of the Epic: Ibalon and its Correlation to the

current face of Bicol Region

A Historical Research Paper Presented to

Sir Justin Tamboong

S.Y 2017 – 2018

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

For the 21st Century Literature of the Philippines and of the World
S.Y 2017 – 2018

Presented by:

Reyes, Joslyn Curt A.

Rulida, Lusel C.

Silvano, Martin Hans S.

Villar, Dominique A.

Meñez. Chelsea

Date Submitted:

January 17, 2018

1
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all, we would like to thank God for the wisdom, knowledge, abilities, guidance
and will that he gave us in order to perform and produce this historical research, without
God, we will not be here and will not have the capability to make this historical research.
Second, we would like to thank our supportive and ever loving parents who are giving
us the reason why we are motivated to complete each and every requirement in our
school. Third, we would like to thank the hard-working and very understanding teacher,
Sr. Justin Tamboong who taught us how to write, formulate and complete this historical
research. And lastly, we would like to thank Mr. Marlon Bagas Barrameda Abellonar for
being the interviewee and the one who helped us in understanding the similarities of the
Bicol region and the literary piece.

2
 ‘TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 5
Introduction 5
Rationale 6
Statement of the problem 6
Purpose 6
Importance 7
Scope and Delimitations 7
CHAPTER 2 8
Topography 8
Bicolano 8
History 8
Material Culture 8
Non-Material Culture 9
GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND ECONOMY 9
Definition of Terms 10
CHAPTER 3 11
Research Design 11
Data Collection and Sampling 11
Conceptual Framework 11
CHAPTER 4 12
Information of the literary piece 12
Copy of the literary piece 13-19
Analysis of the Literary Piece 20
Presentation of Gathered information from the interview 20
CHAPTER 5 21
Conclusion 21
Research question and answer 21
Recommendations 22
APPENDICES 23

3
 Abstract
The study is conducted in order to identify the correlation of the socio-cultural-
geographical background of the Bicol region to the Epic: Ibalon. The researchers used
comparative analysis between the two to distinguish the correlation. In order to collect
the information, the researchers used reliable sources from the internet and conducted
an interview from a person from the Bicol region.

4
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Culture is complex as a whole, as culture change overtime because of inventions,

discoveries, diffusion, enculturation and socialization. However, these changes are
small because culture is a sum of a way of life and is adapted from the society and
family. “Culture, language and literature are inseparable” Justin Tamboong (2017), as
language is used in writing or telling literature and culture influence the writer in writing
the literary piece. This is a strong statement that could tell us that there would be a
distinct relationship with the literature in the past with the culture of our generation
today. The ancient epic of Albay was presumably jotted down by Fray Bernardino de
Melendreras de la Trinidad, a Franciscan missionary in Albay in the 19th century.
Afterwards, another fray named Jose Castaño included the said manuscript in a treatise
on the Bicol region in 1895. The researchers believe that the literary piece from Bicol
has a strong correlation with the history of Bicol.

5
 RATIONALE

There is a need to study this in order to find out whether the features of Bicol stated in
the literature in the past has a relationship with the features of Bicol today. It is also to
determine if these features are carefully preserved and passed through time.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study was conducted mainly to determine if there is a resemblance in terms of the
Culture, Traits and Characteristics, Topography, Geographical features, Geology and
Economy of the Bicol stated in the literary piece and the Bicol today. The study also
aims to answer the following questions:

1. How do the characteristics of the characters reflect the traits of the present people of
Bicol?

2. What are the geographical features of the Bicol today were alike with the setting
presented in the literary piece?

3. What are the specific cultures can be reflected from the literary piece that are present
in the present time in the Bicol region?

4. How does the literary piece become the best literary piece suited in representing the
Bicol region?

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study is to trace if there is a relationship with the literature of the
Bicol in the past and the Bicol today. This also aims to show what culture and traditions
in the past were preserved by the people of Bicol until today.

6
 IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY

The study will benefit the people of Bicol and as well as people who study literature in a
way that this study will show the correlation of the literature in the past and the
characteristics of the Bicol today. The study will both help those people understand the
Bicol.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The study was conducted to determine the relationship of the literature of the Bicol in
the past and the Language, Culture, Traits and Characteristics, Topography,
Geographical features, Geology and Economy of the Bicol today.

7
 CHAPTER 2
Review of Related Articles

Topography

The region mostly consists of mountains and hills. It has a lot of stunning places
around the area. It is surrounded by a lot of rivers, lakes, waterfall, spring, mountains,
caves and especially the volcano.

Bicolano

Bicolanos are brave and patriotic, they were not afraid to fight against the
Spaniards, though they are described as amiable, gentle, temperate and religious by
the Spaniards.

History

Based from the epic “Ibalong” Bicolano are formerly called “Ibalong or ibalnog”
which is believed to came from the ruler of Sawangan(now legaspi). It means “the
people of Ibal” later, it was shortened to Ibalon but it was also replaced to Bicol which
originally came from “bikod” which refers to the principal river of that area.

Archaeological diggings and accidental findings revealed that Bicol mainland was
a rich storehouse of ceramic artifacts and the burial jars.

Efforts of Augustinian and Franciscan Spanish missionaries were the cause of

Spanish Influence in Bicol. Through them, the annual first of the Virgin of Peñafrancia
was started.

Bicolanos partake in the national resistance against the American and Japanese
colonization with Simeon Ola and Governor Wenceslas Q. Vinson, their leaders.

Material Culture

Bicolanos used light materials for their houses to suit the tropical climate. Light
and western style clothes are mainly used now, similar to the Filipino in urban center.

Fishing, mining, copra and making various items from abaca are important
industries. Coconut and Abaca Ara just two of their main products, it is generally done
by hand. “The Bicol river basin or rice granary provide the peasants rice, corn, and root

8
crops for food and small cash surplus when crops evade the dreaded frequently
typhoons.

In terms of their food, it is nutritious. They almost always use coconut milk in their
dishes. Dinuguan is their special meat dish. They are not extraordinarily fond of hot and
peppery foods except for those who live in Rinconada.

Non-Material Culture

They consider close family ties and religiosity are important traits for survival in
the typhoon-prone area. Pamalay, Pantomina, and Tingkisan are some of their
persisting traditional practices. They strongly believe in God, soul, life after death and
even on spiritual beings such as manananggal, duwende and such. They also observe
annual rituals like Pabasa, tanggal, Fiestas and Flores dear mayo.

Their value system shows the influence of Spanish religious doctrines and
American materialism combined with their tradition animistic beliefs. It is a multicultural
system which evolved through time to adapt and accommodate the realities of the
erratic regional climatic conditions in a varied geographical area. Heroic traits reflect
traits such as kindness, determination to fight evil spirits, resourcefulness and courage.
Such traits can be gleaned from folktales that abound, “Sarong Bangui” is the most
known. Folk Song comes in different forms such as awit, sinamlampati, panayokyok,
panambitan, Harold, pag-omaw, rawit-dawit and children’s song and chants.

GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND ECONOMY

Comprising of large amount of rich lands, numerous hills, and active volcanoes, Bicol
Region is located in the southernmost part of Luzon in the Philippines. It has a total land
area of about 18,054 km2 or 6970 sq. miles. More than half of the land is considered
alienable and disposable while the remaining areas are public forests. Most known
provinces in the region are Catanduanes and Masbate, considered as insular provinces
of east and south, Albay and Sorsogon, two of the peninsular provinces.

The region is bounded by Pacific Ocean in the east and Ragay Gulf to the west. This
geographical location of Bicol makes it prone to extreme typhoons; especially that it is
part of Pacific Ring of Fire. Bicol is also considered as highly volcanic and called
“Volcanic Arc or Chain”

The most active volcano in the region and country is Mayon, popular for its perfect
coned shape. Also, Bulusan Volcano is located in the region.

Agriculture is the livelihood of the most citizens of Bicol. Their top crops are coconuts,
abaca, coffee, banana, and jackfruits. Rice is part of their seasonal crops. Fishing is

9
also common in their economy as some of their markets are supplying fishes in place
like Metro Manila. Mining, handicrafts, and jewelry are also part of their industry.

Definition of terms

Culture- Culture is what a certain society is practicing; it involves the norms, tradition
and belief.

Language- Language is a way of communication.

Invention- Invention is the innovation of human through creativity and imagination.

Discoveries- Discoveries are the act of learning something.

Diffusion- Diffusion is the innovative idea or concept which is spread by members of

the society.

Enculturation- Enculturation is a process by which an individual learns traditional

content of culture and acquires its practice and values.

Socialization- Socialization is a process of learning and adapting of cultures of others

through exposure and experience to their culture.

Rector- A priest or minister who is in charge of a church or parish; university or school

10
 CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY

Research Design

This study is a qualitative research. “Qualitative research is concerned with

understanding “(Nursing.utah.edu). Historical research was the research design used in
this study; it is used to gather and asses data that may help the researchers to
understand the history or the happening in the past. In addition, it was also used to
study the historical background of Bicol region and relate it to the literature of the region.

Data Collection and Sampling

The researches gather the data by finding and interviewing a person that is from the
Bicol region and knows a lot from the literary piece and also the things in the Bicol
region. In addition to the gathered information from the interviewee, the researchers
also conducted gathering of data from reliable sources in the internet to relate the
literature from the past to the present time.

Conceptual Framework

Research about
Finding of the the literary piece Interview of a
literary piece that Formulation of
and information person from Bicol
can represent the Hypothesis
about the Bicol Region
region of Bicol Region

Comparative Analysis
Checking of the
about the socio-
interpretation and
cultural-geographical
correlation to the
background of the
hypothesis
region and literary text

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 CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS AND THE LITERARY
PIECE

Information of the Literary Piece

Title: Ibalong (Epic)

Author: The said manuscript was translated by Fr. Jose Castaño (Philippine Studies vol.
16, no.2 (1968): 318-347)

Where: The Epic is from the Bicol Region

When: It was said that the translation was found in the year 1896 in an account titled
“Archivo del Bibliofilo Filipino, Volume I. (Philippine Studies vol. 16, no.2 (1968): 318-
347)

Copy of the Literary Piece and the English translation:

IBALONG EPIC (SPANISH) IBALONG EPIC (ENGLISH)

ILING ILING

Cuenta, Cadugñung la historia Cadungung, kindly narrate to us,

Delos tiempos de Handiong Historic times of great Handyong,
Con esa lira de plate Sing with your lyre of silver tone
Dulce encanto de Aslon. The sweet enchantment of Aslong.

Que solo cantar tu puedes For only you can put in song
Tanta belleza y primor Such beauty and renown that bring
Tantos ocultos misterios The mysteries that now enshroud
Como encierra esta region This glorious land of long ago.

Canta, y dinos su reyes Sing, then, and tell us of its kings,

La prosapia y valor Their proud past and their valiant role
La guerra, que sostuvieron In war which they fought snake Oryol
Hasta vencer a la Oriol. Until they had defeated and its fall.

Dinos tambien por tu vida Do tell us also all about

La historia del viejo Asog The life of the old Asog,

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 La del joven Masaraga,
La del vetusto Isarog.
Que tu fuiste el tierno vate
El mas dulce seductor
De cuantas vieron el lago
Que a la Tacay sepulto.
Canta, pues antentos todos
A tu hermosa narracion
Sentados aqui nos tienes
A la sombra de un daod.
KADUNGUNG
Oid pues, hijos del Bicol.
Dijo Cadugῆung veluz,
Los hechos del viejo suelo
Patria hermosa de Handiong.
Es el Bicol una tierra
Llana, feraz, de aluvion;
Del mundo la mas hermosa,
La mas rica en produccion.
BALTOG – THE FIRST BICOL HERO
Fue Baltog el primer hombre
Que esta tierra habito.
Oriundo de Botavara,
De la raza de Lipod.
Al Bicol llego siguiendo
Un jabali muy feroz,
Que sus sembrados de linza
Una noche destruyo.
Cuando le tuvo acostado
Al suelo tiro en lanzon,
Y con sus brazos herculeos
Las quijadas le partio.
Cada quijada tenfa
Una vara de largor
Y los colmillos dos tercios
De la asta de su lanzon.
Al volver a sus Estados
Las dos quijadas colgo
De un talisay gigantesco
Of the still young Masaraga,
And ancient moss-covered Isarog.
As tender bard enticing high
Seducer sweetest that is why
Among those who had seen the lake
In which was buried Fair Takay
Then, sing to us now you are free
We shall listen to lovely song attentively
Out in the shade, right where we sit,
Here underneath the Dao Tree.
KADUNGUNG
You Sons of Bicol, listen then,
Responded quickly Cadungung,
To the great deeds in this old clime,
This beautiful land of king Handyong.
The Kabikolan is a realm
With fertile fields of wide plains,
Fairest in the World, that nature gives,
The richest in what planting yields.
BALTOG – THE FIRST BICOL HERO
Baltog was the first hero known
Who pioneered this lovely place,
He was of Botavara land
His birth Lipod, which was his race.
Arriving Bicol he did scour
Because of great fiercest boar
Destroyed his linsa plants one night
And he pursued it furiously.
Baltog then downed the hunted game
Without his thrown lance, he just came
When he had cornered it, in combat fair
Herculean arms he broke its jaws.
Both arms extended was the length
Of every jawbone in its stance
Believed at once its curling tusks
Two thirds length of his mighty lance.
Returning home from hunting spree
He hung the jawbones on a tree,
A big talisay there it would be
13
 En su casa de Tundol. Near Tondol house for all to see.

A los viejos cazadores Old hunters then, did praises sing

Causaron admiracion In honor of their Great Baltog king
Estos trofeos gloriosos To see such wonders chase could bring
De su rey el gran Baltog. For glorious trophies to people bring.

Fueron a verios las tribus People of Panikwason and Asog tribe

De Panicuason y Asog; Arrived to view enormous hog
Y dejeron que, en sus dias Said in their days saw not a boar
No hubo jabali mayor. As big as that killed by Baltog.

Le llamaron Tandaya They called it the Tandayag boar

De los montes de Ligñon Of Lingyon Hill there its fold
Por su exacto parecido Because its likeness exactly told
Con el monstruo Behemot. The Behemot monster bold.

HANDYONG ARRIVAL HANDYONG ARRIVAL

Despues de este vino al Bicol Soon after this to Bicol came

Con gueteros Handiong, The grand Handyong, with warriors band
Quien de monstruos la comarca Resolved to destroy their very stand
En poco tiempo limpio. All monstrous creatures of the land.

Batallas para extingirlos To wipe them, battles fought galore

Mil y mil el empeño Handyong whom truly they adore,
De todos siempre saliendo In all the thousand victory he fought
Con aires de vencedor. Against all monsters they conquer.

Los monoculos trifauces Three-throated beast with just one eye

Que havitaban en Ponon Had made inhabit Ponong’s dryland
En diez lunas sin descanso For ten restless months they attacked
Por completo destruyo. Till he had destroyed and all did die.

Los alados tiburones The winged sharks that ploughed the deep,
Y el bufalo cimarron Carabaos roamed in their wild style
Que por los montes volaban Cavorting happily in mountainsides
En menos tiempo amanso. He did imprint his taming marks.

Los buayas colosales All the gigantic crocodiles

Como los balotos de hoy, The size of bancas of today
Y los fieros sarimaos Fierce Sarimaos with their wiles
Al Colasi destierro. To Culasi exiled away.

Las serpientes, que tenian The serpents whose voice did enthrall
Cual de serena la voz, Like the siren’s tempting call,
Del Hantic en la caverna In Hantic’s wide cavernous hall
Para siempre sepulto, Oriol Forever they were buried all.

ORIOL ORIOL

14
 Pero no pudo vencer, However, he could not defeat
Por la mas maña que se dio Even to used cunning and deceit
A la culebra sagu Against the snake’s sagacious wit
Conocida por la Oriol. The most elusive one, name Oryol.

Esta culebra sabia More learned and wiser than Handyong

Mas que el famoso Handiong Whose fascinating eye, lovelier to see
Y a sus ojos fascinaba As if it were a sweet gesture
Con afable seduccion. Beckoning him seductively.

Mil lazos Handiong le puso Handyong bound it a thousand ways

Y de todo se burlo, It only scoffed and mocked around
Los nudos desenredando With its crowned sagacity
Con sagacidad mayor. It always untied the knots.

Con palabaras seductoras With seducing words, he was told

Muchas veces le engaño, So many times Handyong was fooled
Que en eso de fingimientos That in pretending she was called
Era gran maestra Oriol. Oryol, the great teacher of deceit.

Cuantas veces por el bosque How many times without a rest,

Sin descanso la siguio He searched her in to the woods,
Creyendo de la serena He thought that what had lured him on
En la seductora voz! Believing the voice of a siren there!

Los trabajos del gran Hercules, The task of renowned Hercules,

Las conquistas que gano, The gains that gave immortal seat
Todo hubiera fracasado Could have been failures and defeat
Por la influencia de Oriol. If interfered like creature such Oryol.

Peromera inscontante, But inconsistent in its act

Ella mismo ayudo Oryol itself did help Handyong
Para vencera a los monstruos To all the monsters must conquer
Que infestaban la region. That have infested the Bicol land.

Luchaban con las buayas Together they fought victoriously

Brazo a brazo, y vencedor Against the giant crocodiles they won
De combates tan tremendos After the battles and onslaught
Sin menoscabo salio. No scratchy wounds to him was wrought.

Los pongos y orangutangs The pongos and orangutans

La miraban con horror, Watching the fight filled with horror stung,
Porque las aguas del Bicol With color due to crocodiles blood
Con su sangre coloro. He tinged the Bicol River red.

Eran monos pendencieros Those wild monkeys which were

De conocida valor troublesome,
Pero el gigante los hizo Whose valor was widely spread,
Retirarse al Isarog. The huge Handyong drove all away
To Isarog’s mountainous dome.

PEACEFUL PURSUITS PEACEFUL PURSUITS

15
 Y libre ya de alimañas
Quedando asi la region
En dar leves a su pueblo
Como suno interes penso.
Handiong y sus compañeros
Plantaron con un bolod
Linzas, que dieron sus frutas
Tan grandes como un pansol.
Tambien en un sitio bajo
Sembraron el rico arroz
Que Handiong largos siglos
El sobrenombre llevo.
Hizo la primera canoa
Que por el Bicol surco;
Menos el timon y vela
Que fueron por Guinantong.
Este invento los arados,
El piene y el pagolon,
La ganta y otras medidas,
El sacal, bolo y lando.
Los telares y argadillos
Fueron obra de Hablom,
Quien con asombra de todos
Un dia al rey presento.
Invento la gorgoreta,
Coron, calan, y paso
Y otros varios utensiles
El pigmeo Dinahon.
El alfabeto fue Sural,
Quien curioso combino,
Grabandola en piedra Libon,
Que pulimento Gapon.
Hicieron ciudad y casas
En disegual proporcion,
En las ramas suspendiendolas
Del banasi y camagon.
Que eran tantos los insectos,
Tan excesivo calor,
Que solo en el moog podian
Pasar el rigor del sol.
Now that the land set free at last
With no more beasts of prey to kill,
He established better people laws
To serve his people interest and will.
Handyong’s companions to his call
They planted linsa on a hill,
Producing tuber roots and all
The giant size of a pansol.
Then also in a lowland site
They sowed along rich-yielding rice
That many centuries along
Known by the nickname Hinandyong.
Handyong the first to build a boat
To Bicol River navigate on high
Except its rudder and its sail
Kimantong’s doing and supply
Besides he invented the plow,
The harrow and the roll in tow,
The ganta, other measures, too,
The bolo, hoe, and yoke for cow.
They say that the loom and bobbins
Hablom one day worked hard to make,
To the surprise of everyone,
To king Handyong he gave away.
The earthen jar, pot, bowl and stove,
And utensils I can’t recall
The pygmy called Dinahong
Had invented all the workmanship.
Surath had mystically combined* (*Sanskrit –
“perfectly combined”)
Carve in stone the exotic suratin
Encountered in place called Libon
Then, was polished later by Gapon.
They built a houses with city zone
Unequal proportion of various sizes
And hanging branches they were prone
Of trees banasi, and kamagong.
With swarmiing insects all around
And with the burning sun to beat,
16

Y leyes mando muy justas
Sobre la vida y honor
A los que todos sujetos
Estaban sin distincion.
Todos su puesto guardaban,
El esclavo y el señor,
Respetando los derechos
De prosapia y sucesion.
THE DELUGE
THE DELUGE
Hubo entonces un diluvio
Promovido por el Onos,
Que el aspecto de esta tierra
Por completo trastorno.
Reventaron los volcanes
Hantic, Colasi, Isarog,
Y al mismo tiempo sentiose
Un espantoso temblor.
Fue tanta sacudida,
Que el mar en seco dejo
El istmo de Pasacao
Del modo que se ve hoy.
Separo del continente
La isleta de Malbogon
Donde moran las sibilas
Llamadas Hilan, Lariong.
El caudaloso Inarihan
Su curso el Este torcio,
Pues, antes del cataclismo,
Desaguaba por Ponon.
En Bato se hundio un gran monte
Y en su sitio aparecio
El lago, hoy alimenta
Con su pesca a Ibalon.
Del golfo de Calabagñan
Desaparecio Dagatnon,
De donde eran los Dumagat
Que habitaron en Cotmon.
THE YOUNG BANTONG
Its only at the moog seat
Where they could go to bear the heat.
The laws and orders just made for all,
Upon their life and honor laid
He said equality to all the subjects
No distinction made both high and low.
In what position to him endowed
The slave and master truly showed
Respect for rights of heritage
And of succession as bestowed.
Then came a deluge on the land
Caused by the Onos force of old
So that the features of this earth
Were completely changed to behold.
Volcanoes Hantik, Isarog,
Culasi also burst so quick
And was felt simultaneously
The whole ground quake convulsively.
So mighty was the jolting sway
To its bottom the sea gave way
Effecting isthmus in the fray
At Pasacao as seen today.
A torn part of the mainland formed
The islet known as Malbogong
Inhabited by witches strong
The so-called Hilang and Laryong.
The waters flow of Inarihan
Its course due East ran up all wrong,
So that before this cataclysm
Flowed to Ponong, where set the sun.
In Bato a big mountain sank
That generated water tank
A lake came up which now supplies
Fish consumption by Ibalong folks.
From the gulf of Calabangan
Where all Dagatnong has-been wiped out
From which had come the Dumagat
Who had inhabited Cotmong.
17

Fue este reino poderoso *
En los tiempos de Bantong,
Compañero inseparable
Del aguerrido Handiong.
Le mando alli con mil hombres
Para a matar a Rabot,
Medio hombre y media fiera,
Hechicero embaucador.
Todos lo que alli abordaron
Antes de esta expedicion
En piedras convertieron
El encanto de Rabot.
Bantong supo que este mago* (mago-magician;
magi-wizard tantrik;
Era un grande dormilon, vivo-smart; wise-sabio)
Haciendolo asi de dia (Bantong known-supo;
since-que;
Sin ninguna precaucion. This one**-este; magi-
mago) **pronoun
THE DEATH OF RABOT
Alla llevo sus soldados
En un dia de aluvion,
Y antes que el despertara
De un tajo lo dividio.
Asi y todo daba gritos
Con tan estentorea voz
Que lo oyeron de los mangles
De bognad y camagon.
Le llevaron a Libmanan
Do fue a verle el gran Handiong
Y ante su vista asustado
Por largo tiempo quedo.
Pues jamas el hubo visto
Un viviente tan atroz
De figura tan horrible
Ni de mas tremenda voz.
Aqui suspendio Cadugñung
Su primera narracion
Dejando para otro dia
De continuarla occasion.
THE YOUNG BANTONG
Soon this kingdom grew powerful
To golden era of Young Mantong
Who was a faithful Prince companion
Of battle-wary Old Handyong.
Handyong gave him a thousand men
To kill Rabot to rid this land
Who was half-human and half-beast,
Magician, liar, that plagued the land.
All the brave men, traveled in quest
Who dared to near its lair at least
Had turned at once to solid stones
By the sheer magic of the beast.
Being magi, Mantong had rightly guessed
That this Rabot observed heavily slept
Without precaution lay along
And that it did this all day long.
THE DEATH OF RABOT
One floody day, watched by his men,
Mantong did go, his job to do,
Before the waking time was due
One stoke cut Rabot into two.
From the bold shout warriors of Mantong
Rose a loud dying cries so taut
That rang throughout the mangrove swamps,
The bunga, kamagong, no doubt.
The corpse was brought to Ligmanan
Where it was seen by great Handyong
Truly shocked him very terribly
That remained in him for long.
For surely he had never seen
A more atrocious living thing
Horrible form which caused a sting
And voice much louder than its ring.
And here Cadungung did stay
The first part of his ancient lay
To leave a continuation way
18
 The occasion of another day.

Analysis of the Literary Piece

The literary piece is an ancient epic that long existed before the manuscript and
translation came. The literary piece showed that the people in the past were brave,
caring, helpful and smart as they bravely fought the monsters for the safety of the
people with smart decisions and strategies. The place were described were specific
enough to identify that it shows specific places where we can see that it is from the Bicol
region. The places were rivers, rice fields, mountains and forests, caves and especially
the volcano. The culture or way of life that was present in the literary piece was mainly
the planting of crops and fishing, also it showed a close ties with family by showing that
the warriors will do anything for their community and family.

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 Presentation of Gathered information from the interview

Questionnaire:

1. How do the characteristics of the character of the literary piece become similar to
the characteristics of the people in your place?
2. How similar is the culture of the characters in the literary piece to the culture of
the present people in Bicol in the present time?
3. Do the geographical features present in the literary piece are same with the
geographical features you see in your place?

Answers:

1. The characteristics of the characters of the literary piece become similar to each
other because they both show courageousness, fearlessness, and being
constant.
2. They are same in almost all ways; it is just that today is more modern in a way
that it has technology.
3. Yes, I see those features present in the literary piece in our region.

CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Conclusion

Based from the articles, interview and the information extracted from the literary piece,
the literary piece has a strong correlation to the present characteristics of the Bicol
region in the present time. There were many evidences that there is a correlation
between the two such as the characteristics of the characters in the literary piece and
the characteristics of the people in Bicol in the present time, the culture was also a
critical part where the way of life in the literary piece is also reflected in the present time

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in Bicol and lastly, the geographical features that are present in the literary piece were
specific enough to relate to the real geographical features of the Bicol region.

Research Questions:

1. How do the characteristics of the characters reflect the traits of the present
people of Bicol?
2. What are the geographical features of the Bicol today were alike with the setting
presented in the literary piece?
3. What are the specific cultures can be reflected from the literary piece that is
present in the present time in the Bicol region?
4. How does the literary piece become the best literary piece suited in representing
the Bicol region?

Answers:

1. The characteristics of the characters reflect the characteristics of the Bicolanos

today in a way that they both showed the characteristics of being brave, smart,
amiable, gentle and caring for others.
2. The geographical features present in both literary piece and the real
geographical features are the water bodies, mountains, caves, forest and the
volcano.
3. The culture reflected were the presence of strong bond between family
members, being helpful to others, and especially being brave enough to face the
problems and come up with smart solutions.
4. This literature become the best literary piece suited in representing the Bicol
region because the literary piece can be used as reference in understanding the
Bicol in almost every aspect in their socio-cultural background.

Recommendations:

Based from the findings and conclusion, the researchers strongly believe that the
following will be useful for the reader and especially the people of the Bicol region.

1. Maximize the use of the literary piece through education, we strongly recommend
that this literary piece should be used in classes especially in English or Filipino
subject to promote the literary piece.
2. Use social media in promoting the literary piece.

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 APPENDICES
Reference:

https://www.aswangproject.com/ibalong-epic/

http://philippinestudies.net/ojs/index.php/ps/article/view/2240/4328

http://ncca.gov.ph/subcommissions/subcommission-on-cultural-communities-and-traditional-arts-
sccta/central-cultural-communities/the-bicolanos/

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