Region 4 - Southern Tagalog With 10 provinces in all, Southern Tagalog is the largest and most diverse among all

the regions. This province is also the birthplace of many of the country's heroes and martyrs, and includes some of the most famous tourist attractions. Region 4A consists of CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and Region 4B consists of MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan). Region 4A - CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) Batangas Batangas is known as the birthplace of many leading nationalists in the country, thus many historical attractions are found there including the General Malvar Museum and Library in Santo Tomas, the Apolinario Mabini Shrine in Tanauan and the Jose P. Laurel Memorial Library in Tanauan. Beautiful churches include the Basilica of San Martin de Tours, the Church of Our Lady of Caysasay, Lipa Cathedral, and the Church of San Jose, built in 1788 by Augustinian Friars. Batangas is also home to the Taal Volcano, believed to be the smallest active volcano in the world. Beaches include the Gerthel Hugon, Matabungkay and Nasugbu beaches, while Anilao is best known for its dive spots. Cavite Cavite is the birthplace of General Emilio Aguinaldo. The main attractions include several first class resorts like the Island Cove Resort and Leisure Park. Historical sites include the Aguinaldo Shrine and Museum in Kawit, Andres Bonifacio House in General Trias, Battle of Alapan and Battle of Julian Bridge Markers, Fort San Felipe and the House of Tirona. Churches include the Imus Cathedral, and the Shrines of Our Lady of La Sallette in Silang. Natural sites include Cabag Caves, and Malibedibic and Balite Falls. Laguna Laguna is considered the resort capital of the Philippines for its lakes, hot springs, white water, waterfalls and Mt. Makiling. Among them include Laguna de Bay, Lake Caliraya, Pagsanjan Falls and Hidden Valley. Historical sites include the Rizal Shrine in Calamba. Other points of interest include the National Arts Center in Los Baos that has an auditorium, seminar and convention facilities, a ballet studio and a library. Churches include St. Gregory, Majayjay, San Santiago Apostol, Paete, Mabitac Church and the San Pedro de Alcantara Church, Pakil. Rizal Rizal Province, named after the national hero, Jose Rizal, is known for its large unspoiled forests and impressive views of Metro Manila and Laguna de Bay. It also has a strong

artistic tradition with galleries that include the Rafael Pacheco Finger Painting Gallery, Nemiranda Arthouse Artelier Gallerie, Angono Artist Village and Tiamson and Blanco Art Galleries. Religious sites include the St. Jerome Church and Our Lady of Antipolo Shrine. Another interesting site is a cave in Angono and Binangonan containing petroglyphs carved during the Stone Age. Quezon Quezon Province was named after the late Philippine President Manuel Quezon. Its natural attractions include Mt. Banahaw, Puting Buhangin Beach and Baluti Island. Historical landmarks include shrines of National Heroes Claro M. Recto and Hermano Pule, the San Diego de Alcala Fortress, Alitao Bridge and Quezon Museum in Lucena City. Churches include the St. Michael Archangel Minor, Tayabas and the Church of St. Louis of Toulouse, Lucban. Tagaytay City Tagaytay City is considered the second summer capital in the nation. Foreign and local visitors are especially attracted to the cool air of the highlands and the magnificent view of the Taal Lake and the Taal Volcano, which features a lake within a volcano within a lake within a volcano. It is also the "Center of Spiritual Retreat" with its many convents, seminaries, retreat and seminar houses. Flower and vegetable gardens are also prevalent in Tagaytay. Region 4B - MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) Marinduque Marinduque is known for the Moriones Festival, a passion play about the Roman legionnaire, Longinus, held every Easter. Natural attractions include several quality beaches like Torrijos, Salomague Island, Maniwayan Island, Tres Reyes Islands, Bathala Caves and Molbog Hot Springs. Other attractions include the Boac Cathedral, built in 1656, and the Boac Museum. Local handicrafts include basketware and carved wooden ornaments. Occidental Mindoro Like its counterpart in Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro has large virgin forests and plenty of dive sites and islands. Natural attractions include North Pandan Island, Mangyan Villages, Calawagan freshwater pools and Mt. Iglit, where the tamaraw, a variation of the carabao, is located. Dive spots include Apo Reef, considered one of the best dive spots in the country. White sand beaches include the islands of Ilin and Ambulong.

Oriental Mindoro Oriental Mindoro is the western part of Mindoro Island, and is largely mountainous and undeveloped with untouched tropical islands and beaches. It is also home to the native Mangyan people. Natural sites include Mt. Halcon, the 4th highest mountain the the country, and Naujan Lake. The most famous site is Puerto Gallera, with its white sand beaches and dive spots. Other attractions include Sabang Beach, Tamaraw Falls, the Marble Cross and the Mangyan Villages. Palawan Palawan is considered the nation's 'Last Frontier' as most of its natural environment has been untouched. Puerto Princessa is known for its subterranean underground river, virgin jungle and beautiful beaches. Coron and El Nido are known for their jagged, limestone cliffs and world-class beaches and dive sites. Tubbataha Reef has the most diverse collection of marine life in the Philippines. Port Barton and the islands of Honda Bay are famous around the world for their white sand beaches. Calauit Island Wildlife Sanctuary has imported non-carnivorous African animals like giraffes, zebras and gazelles. Migratory birds rest in Ursula Island. Tabon Caves are known as the "Cradle of Philippine Civilization" after the discovery of the remains of a 22,000 year old Tabon Man. Palawan also has historical attractions like the remains of Spanish forts at Taytay and Cuyo. Romblon The three major islands in Romblon Province include Romblon, Sibuyan and Tablas. Historical attractions include the twin forts of San Andres and Santiago Hill and the lighthouses at Sabang and Apunan. Natural attractions include Lugbung and Cobrador Islands, Tiamban, Bonbon Beaches, Sibuyan Island, waterfalls such as Dubduban-bita, Mablaran and Lambigang Falls. Adventure sites include Cresta de Gallor Island for divers, and Mt. Guiting-Guiting for climbers. Tablas Island also has attractive sites like the Cajboaya Ruins, the Bitu Falls and the Tinagong Dagat Salt Lake.

Rombloanon Proverbs Most of the collected Rombloanon literature is in the form of proverbs which use metaphorical expression in referring to traditional lore and everyday experience : Ka tawong marahan magpanaw matunok man ay mababaw. Rali, rali marahil mahali. Ka nagpipili ay nakakapili it pasi. Condiin ka matumba didto ka mabangon. Ang tawong may calisdanan, buot guid buligan. Ang kawayan nga tubo, sa langit nagtudlo; kung

Philippine mythology

gumolang kang tumambo, sa duta nakaduko. A person who walk s slowly will have a shallow wound should he step on a thorn. Haste mak es waste. A selective pers on, selects the worst. You stand up where you fall. A person in need heeds help. A bamboo while young always points to heaven, but the moment it gets old, it bows to the lowly earth.

Creation gods

Bathala

Tagbanua mythology From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search The Tagbanua mythology is part of the religious beliefs and superstitions that has shaped the Tagbanua way of life. It shares certain similarities with that of other ethnic groups in the Philippines, such as in the belief in heaven, hell and the human soul. The Tagbanua deities Major gods

Other gods

Bakunawa Kan-Laon Mangindusa

Mythical beings

Mangindusa or Nagabacaban - the highestranking deity who lives in Awan-awan, the region beyond the Langit; the god of the heavens; the punisher of crime; Polo - the benevolent god of the sea; whose help is invoked during the time of illness Sedumunadoc - the god of the earth, whose favor is sought in order to have a good harvest Tabiacoud the god of the underworld in the deep bowels of the earth

Aswang Diwata Duwende Juan Tamad Malakas and Maganda Mambabarang Manananggal Mangkukulam Mariang Makiling Nuno sa punso

Mythical animals

The Diwatas The diwatas control the rain, and they are believed to be the creator of the world and of the human beings.

Bakunawa Ekek Kapre Manaul Sarimanok Sigbin Sirena Siyokoy Tikbalang Tiyanak

Mythical heroes

Ama-ron Bernardo Carpio Lam-Ang

Mythical objects

They live where the tree trunks that hold up the Langit ("an infinitely high canopy"), which is the visible celestial region.

Diwata Kat Sidpan - a deity who lives in Sidpan (West) Diwata Kat Libatan - a deity who lives in Babatan (East)

Celestial beings

Bugawasin - the wife of Mangindusa Tungkuyanin - sits on the edge of Langit, with his feet dangling in the vastness of the cosmos and his eyes always cast down toward the earth Tumangkuyun - washes the trunks of the trees that hold up the Langit with blood of Tagbanua who died in epidemics Bulalakaw or Diwata Kat Dibuwat - flying deities who roam the region of the clouds, ready to come to the aid of any Tagbanua needing their help

Other deities

Taliyakad - the watcher who guards the vine bridge called Balugu Anggugru - the "keeper of the fire," who welcomes the soul to the underworld and gives it fire

The Tagbanua spirit world

Awan-Awan - the zenith, or the area beyond Langit; the place where Mangindusa reigns from Langit - the visible celestial region where Tungkuyanin sits from Sidpan - the West; the placewhere Diwata Kat Sidpan lives at Babatan - the East; the place where Diwata Kat Libatan lives at Dibuwat - the skyworld of the Bulalakaw or Diwata Kat Dibuwat (flying deities); the "high" region; the place where souls who died of poisoning and violence roam around Kiyabusan - the place where souls who died of epidemics or sickness go to Basad - the underworld; the place where souls who died of natural death travels to Material world - refers to the environment; where souls who died of evil spirits or environmental causes inhabit

The Tagbanua soul A Tagbanua is believed to have six souls in all. A "true soul" called kiyarulwa, and five secondary souls called the payu. The kiyarulwa is a gift of Mangindusa to a child emerging from the mother's womb, while the other souls appear only during the lambay ritual for the child upon reaching one month or two. Lambay is any ceremony, which is directly addressed to Mangindusa. These other souls are found at the extremities of the hands and feet, and on top of the head. When a person dies the kiyarulwa wanders to four possible destinations. If the cause of death is epidemic or sickness, then the soul

will go to the Kiyabusan, they become known as the salakap. If a person from poisoning or violence the souls goes to inhabit the Dibuwat. Those who died because their souls were caught by the environmental or evil spirits - their soul will transform into biyaladbad and will inhabit the environment. If a person dies of natural death, the souls travels to Basad, the underworld, and becomes the tiladmanin. When a Tagbanua dies, his or her soul remains on earth for seven days, until the kapupusan or rites for the dead are finished. For seven days, the soul lingers on in the grave at daytime, but returns to its former house at night to observe the behavior of those left behind. Basad In the its journey to the underworld, the soul encounters several places. These include:

Kalabagang - the sacred river where souls meets Taliyakad Balugu - the vine bridge

In Basad, the spirits of the dead live a life that mirrors exactly that of the living. But everything is the reverse of what happens in the world of living. As the sun rises on earth, it goes down in Basad or planting time on earth is harvest time in Basad. The Tagbanua rituals Lambay The lambay is held two times a year. It is observed first in January, and involves ritual appears to the deities for days of sunshine and winds that sufficiently dry the forests and prepare them for clearing and planting. A second one is held in May, when the people ask for moderate rains that will make their upland rice grows. There are two rituals, which seeks protection for all Tagbanua wherever they may be, from the feared salakap, the spirits of epidemic, sickness and death. These two rituals are the pagbuyis and the runsay. Pagbuyis The pagbuyis is performed three times a year. The first is in November, and second in December. The third is when the moon can be seen during the daytime, calledmagkaaldawan. Runsay The runsay is described as the most dramatic of all Tagbanua rituals. It is observed only once a year, at nighttime, on the fourth day after the full moon of December. It takes

place on the beach near the mouth of the Aborlan River. The runsay , like the pagbuyis, is held to ask for protection against epidemic. The ritual begins at dusk and ends at dawn. Phases of Runsay There are five distinct phases in the runsay. These include:

1st phase - the building of the bangkaran or banglay, a 3.6m ceremonial raft 2nd phase - the panawag, invocation to the spirits of the dead and the nine deities who rode the kawa on the sea; the burning of incense on the kadiyangatop the bangkaran; prayers by the rituals leader; lighting of the candle and offering of ritual foods to the deities 3rd phase - the second call to the deities to partake of the food, which the signal for the children to dive into the mound of food on the raft, and eat as much as they can; and the cleaning up and repair of the raft. 4th phase - the third invocation to the nine deities, followed by the individual family offerings represented by a woman; the tying of the chicken to the platform and the lighting of candles beside it; the hoisting of the raft towards the sea; the re-lighting of candles blown out by the wind; the throwing of a pinch of rice to the sea; and the voyage seaward of the bankaran. 5th phase - includes group singing and dancing after the raft has disappeared

Pagdiwata At the center of the diwata rituals is the babaylan, who has the responsibility of selecting the areas for a new clearing, placating the spirits of the surroundings, providing magical charms for hunters and fishers, and curing all kinds of ailments. While any adult can invoke the spirits of the dead in other Tagbanua rituals, only thebabaylan can summon them in the pagdiwata. Bilang The bilang ceremony is the all-important ritual for the dead. It takes place after the rice harvest, a time when tabad becomes plentiful. Every family is expected to host one or more bilang rituals. The bilang rituals begin with the rite of divination, to determine which among the spirit relatives has caused a person's illness. This makes use of the babaylan, who performs the brief rite of panawag near the grave of the dead relative by making offerings of the betel quids and ceremonial cigarettes, and promises tabad should the ill become well. The celebrants together with the offerings prepare a jar of tabad with sipping reeds. The bilang ceremony involves the paurut (invocation) of as many spirit relatives as possible through incantation, and the burning of the parina (incense) whose pleasant smells attract the deities and spirits of the dead. The gongs are played as the paurut is being performed, and their music is an added incentive for the spirit to descend on the gathering. After the ritual offering of the articles have been laid out on the mat, the food is distributed to the children first, and then to the

guests; then the bilang mat is removed. The communal drinking of tabad through the reed straws follows, a very festive social event that lasts through the night.

Jama Mapun The Jama Mapun or literally people of Mapun, occupy the island of Cagayan de Sulu in southwestern Philippines. They call their island Tana (land) Mapun and their language, Pullum Mapun. The Jama Mapun are closely related to the Samal, and they are often referred as to the Samal Cagayan by the Tausog of Sulu or as the Samal Cagayan by the Tausog of Sulu or as the Badjao or Orang Cagayan by the coastal Muslim of Borneo (Casino 1976:8). Related to the Samal are the Yakan, the Badjao, and the Jema Mapun. The Jama Mapun can also be found in the islands of Bugsuk, and the small island in between. Cagayan de Sulu municipality today consists of a main island and eight isletsKinapusan, Pambelikan, Bisu Bintut, Bohan, Manda, Bulisuan, Muligi, and Mambahenan. In 1970, the Jama Mapun were estimated to be around 25000 (Casino 1976:12) Some fatures of the main island of Cagayan de Sulu which stand out are the two freshwater lakesErnestine and Singuwagand a crater bayJurata Baywhich lie at the southern end of the Banga range. The two lakes are found to be 10 m above sea level. Near the center of the island lies the hill Tabulian which is 300 m above sea level.

HISTORY History and legends suggest that Cagayan de Sulu was visited by Arab tradermissionaries as early as the 13th century. The Jama Mapun considered he Arabs as belonging to a higher culture, and hence, conversion to Islam was equated to cultural advancement (Casino 1976:117). From the 15th century onwards, the principal Muslim groups were regrouped into larger collections. The

Maguindanao, Maranao and Sanngil were oriented towards the Maguindanao sultanate, while the Tausug, Samal, Badjao, Yakan, Molbog, Palawon, and the Jama Mapun were more oriented to the Sulu sultanate. This geopolitical setup helped shape the economic and political instiutions of the Jama Mapun. For instance the Sulu sultanate can be said to have consisted of three concentric circles each representing a political category. The innermost circle belonged to theTausug frm which the nobility came. The middle circle belonged to the Tausug from which the nobility came. The middle circle was dominated by the Samal speakers, and the outer circle by the non-Muslim traditionalist who were regarded as uncivilizied slaves. The Jama Mapun, being a Samal people, belonged to the second circle. Although not part of the nobility, the Jama Mapun developed their own version of the local gentry or notables who had atteined prestige through wealth or sociopolitical position (Casino 1976:11, 27-28). With political and economic ties more oriented towards the Sulu sultanate, the history of the Jama Mapun during the Spanish era can be told in terms of the hostility between the Spanish colonial government and the Sulu sultanate. The Sulu sultanate. The Sulu sultanate escaped colonial dominance at the onset of Spanish rule, for total conquest was not a goal of early colonial policies. In the mid-19th century, the colonial government south to conquer the Muslim sultanates, especialy that of Sulu. By then the british and the Dutch were extending their influence over the Southeast Asian world, and the Spaniards felt they had to secure their rapidly deteriorating empire. Spanish authorities explained their new policy as a reaction to the piratical activities of the Samal group. Thus, the Spaniards launched their campaign of 1851 to devastate the Samal settlement of Tungkil as well as to punish the Sulu sultanate. The campaign ended in 1876 when the Spaniards launched an offensive against the Sulu sultanate to finally settle the issue of Spanish sovereignty over Sulu. In 1878 the beleaguered sultan, Jama ul-Azam, entered into a peace treaty with the Spaniards. The treaty made Sulu a protectorate of Spain, but guaranteed the sultanate autonomy over internal matters and commercial activities (Majul 1973:283-299). When the Americans came, they intruded to the core of the Jama Mapun political system. Guns were confiscated and slavery, the source of Jama Mapun power and prestige, was abolished. Villages and districts were reduced to the status of barrios; headmen and chiefs became mere barrio captains.

Ambahan Antoon Postma

1. Ako mana manrigsan sa may panayo pinggan sa may tupas balian ako ud nakarigsan tinambong bahayawan sinag-uli batangan I would like to take a bath, scoop the water with a plate, wash the hair with lemon juice; but I could not take a bath, because the river is dammed with a lot of sturdy trunks!

2. Anong si kanaw bulan sinmalag na rantawan kabaon lugod ginan salkag mabalaw diman no ga tayo di ngaran kang way iunyawidan palalay ngatay huytan buhok ngatay wawidan unhunon sab araw man tida ti kanaw bulan tida kuramo diman may bantod pag paday-an may ratag pagrun-ugan may ili pag- alikdan Look! The moon so full and bright, shining in front of the house! How can you explain to me, that the rays are soft and cool? If a man like us he were, I would hold him by the hand! Seize the hair to keep him back! Grasp the clothes and make him stay! But how could I manage that! It is the moon in the sky! The full moon staining so bright going down beyond the hills disappearing from the plain, out of sight beyond the rocks.

Antoon Postma Antoon Postma is a Dutch anthropologist who has married into and lives among the Hanun'o, a Mangyan sub-tribe in Mindoro, Philippines. He is best known for being the first to decipher the Laguna Copperplate Inscription, and for documenting the Hanun'o script, paving the way for its preservation. he was invited in several talks all over the Philippines, one of which is his talk to the University of San Carlos at the Buttenburch Auditorium attended by several students including the Explorers Club last 2008 attended by Jeffrey "Ken" Ecarma

Project in Literature
Submitted by: Jethrode R. Vistar Bsn III-D Submitted to: Nathaniel Gido