Sa isang nayon sa Baguio na kung tawagin ay Suyuk, naninirahan ang mga Igorot na pinamumunuan ni Kunto. Si Kunto ay bata pa ngunit siya ang pinakama-lakas at pinakamatapang sa kanilang nayon kaya siya ang ginawang puno ng matatandang pantas.
Ang mga naninirahan sa nayong ito ay namumuhay nang tahimik . Maibigin sila sa kapwa at may takot sila sa kanilang bathala. Taun-taon ay nagdaraos sila ng caᾗao bilang parangal sa kanilang mga anito. Noong panahong iyon, ang mga Igorot ay naniniwala sa iba’t ibang anito.
Kung nagdaraos sila ng caᾗao ay lingguhan ang kanilang handa. Nagpapatay sila ng baboy na iniaalay sa kanilang bathala. Nagsasayawan at nagkakantahan sila.
Isang araw ay nagtungo si Kunto sa gubat upang mamana. Hindi pa siya lubhang nakalalayo nang nakakita siya ng isang uwak. Nakatayo ito sa isang landas na kanyang tinutunton. Karaniwang ang mga ibon sa gubat ay maiilap ngunit ang ibong ito ay kaiba.
Lumakad si Kunto palapit sa ibon ngunit hindi ito tuminag sa pagkakatayo sa gitna ng landas. Nang may iisang dipa na lamang siya mula sa ibon, bigla siyang napatigil.
Tinitigan siyang mainam ng ibon at saka tumango nang tatlong ulit bago lumipad. Matagal na natigilan si Kunto . Bagamat siya’y malakas at matapang, sinagilahan siya ng takot. Hindi niya mawari kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng kanyang nakita.
Hindi na niya ipinagpatuloy ang kanyang pamamana. Siya’y bumalik sa nayon at nakipagkita sa matatandang pantas. Anang isang matanda, “ Marahil ang ibong iyon ay ang sugo ng ating bathala. Ipinaaalaala sa atin na dapat tayong magdaos ng caᾗao.”
Kung gayon, ngayon din ay magdaraos tayo ng caᾗao,” ang pasiya ni Kunto.
Ipinagbigay-alam sa lahat ang caᾗao na gagawin. Lahat ng mamamayan ay kumilos upang ipagdiwang ito sa isang altar sa isang bundok-bundukan. Ang mga babae naman ay naghanda ng masasarap na pagkain.
Nang ang lahat ay nakahanda na, ang mga lalaki ay humuli ng isang baboy. Ang baboy na ito ay siyang iaalay sa kanilang bathala upang mapawi ang galit, kung ito man ay nagagalit sa kanila.
Inilagay ang baboy sa altar na ginawa nila sa itaas ng bundok-bundukan. Anong laking himala ang nangyari! Nakita nilang ang baboy ay napalitan ng isang pagkatanda-tandang lalaki! Ang mukha ay kulay- lupa na sa katandaan at halos hindi na siya makaupo sa kahinaan.Ang mga tao ay natigilan. Nanlaki ang mga mata sa kanilang nakita. Sila’y natakot.
Maya-maya’y nagsalita ang matanda at nagwika nang ganito: “Mga anak magsilapit kayo. Huwag kayong matakot. Dahil sa kayo’y mabuti at may loob sa inyong bathala, gagantimpalaan ko ang inyong kabutihan. Lamang ay sundin ninyo ang lahat ng aking ipagbilin.
“Kumuha kayo ng isang tasang kanin at ilagay ninyo rito sa aking tabi. Pagkatapos sukluban ninyo ako ng isang malaking palayok. Ipagpatuloy ninyo ang inyong caᾗao. Pagkalipas ng tatlong araw, bumalik kayo rito sa pook na ito.
Makikita niyo ang isang punungkahoy, na kahit minsan sa buhay ninyo ay hindi pa ninyo nakikita o makikita magpakailanman. Ang bunga,dahon, at sanga ay maaari ninyong kunin ngunit ang katawan ay huwag ninyong gagalawin. Huwag na huwag ninyong tatagain ang katawan nito.”
Tinupad naman ng mga tao ang ipinagbilin ng matanda.Ipinagpatuloy nila ang kanilang pista. Pagkaraan ng tatlong araw, bumalik sila sa pook na pinag-iwanan sa matanda. Itinaas nila ang palayok at gaya ng sinabi ng matanda, nakita nila ang isang punungkahoy na maliit. Kumikislap ito sa liwanag ng araw-lantay na ginto mula sa ugat hanggang sa kaliit-liitang dahon.
Nagsigawan ang mga tao sa laki ng galak. Si Kunto ang kauna-unahang lumapit sa punungkahoy at pumitas ng isang dahon. Pagkapitas sa dahon ay nagkaroon kaagad ng kapalit ito kayat nag-ibayo ang tuwa sa mga tao. Bawat isa ay pumitas ng dahon.
Sa loob ng maikling panahon, yumaman ang mga taga-Suyuk.Ang dati nilang matahimik na pamumuhay ay napalitan ng pag-iimbutan at inggitan. Ang punungkahoy naman ay patuloy sa pagtaas hanggang sa ang mga dulo nito’y hindi na maabot ng tingin ng mga tao.
Isang araw, anang isang mamamayan, “kay taas-taas na at hindi na natin maabot ang bunga o dahon ng punong-ginto. Mabuti pa ay pagputul-putulin na natin ang mga sanga at dahon nito. Ang puno ay paghahati-hatian natin.”
Kinuha ng mga lalaki ang kanilang mga itak at palakol. Ang iba ay kumuha ng mga sibat. Tinaga nila nang tinaga ang puno at binungkal ang lupa upang lumuwag ang mga ugat.Nang malapit nang mabuwal ang punungkahoy ay kumidlat nang ubod-talim. Kumulog nang ubos-lakas at parang pinagsaklob ang lupa at langit.
Ang punungkahoy ay nabuwal. Nayanig ang lupa at bumuka sa lugar na kinabagsakan ng puno. Isang tinig ang narinig ng mga tao. “ Kayo ay binigyan ng gantimpala sa inyong kabutihan. Ang punong-ginto upang maging mariwasa ang inyong pamumuhay. Sa halip na kayo’y higit na mag-ibigan , kasakiman ang naghari sa inyong mga puso. Hindi ninyo sinunod ang aking ipinagbilin na huwag ninyong sasaktan ang puno. Sa tuwi-tuwina ay inyong nanaisin ang gintong iyan.”
At pagkasabi ng mga katagang ito, sa harap ng mga tao sa Suyuk, ang puno ay nilulon na ng lupang kinabuwalan. Mula nga noon, nagkaroon na ng minang ginto sa Baguio at nakukuha lamang ito sa pamamagitan ng paghukay sa lupa.

(photo from http://www.pet365.co.uk/blog/why-do-dogs-wag-their-tails)/

One day the rich man wished to send a magic ring to his daughter, so he called the dog and the cat to him. To the cat he said: “You are very cunning and prudent. You may carry this magic ring to my daughter, but be sure to take very great care of it.” To the dog he said: “You are to go with the cat to take a magic ring to my daughter. Take care not to lose the way, and see that no one molests the cat.” Both animals promised to do their best and set out immediately.

On the way they were obliged to cross a wide and deep river, over which there was no bridge, and as they were unable to find a boat, they determined to swim across it. The dog said to the cat: “Give me the magic ring.” “Oh, no,” replied the cat. “Did you not hear the master say just what each of us had to do?”
“Yes, but you are not very good at swimming, and may lose the ring, while I am strong and can take good care of it,” answered the dog. The cat continued to refuse to disobey its master, until at last the dog threatened to kill it, and it was obliged to intrust the ring to the dog’s keeping.

Then they began to swim across the river, which was so strong that they were about an hour in getting over, so that both became very tired and weak. Just before they came to the other side, the dog dropped the ring into the water, and it was impossible to find it. “Now,” said the cat, “we had better go back home and tell our master that we have lost the ring.” “Yes,” answered the dog, “but I am very much afraid.” So they turned back toward home, but as they drew near the house his fear so overcame him that he ran away and was never seen again.

The master was very much surprised to see the cat back so soon, and asked him, “Where is your companion?” The cat was at first afraid to answer. “Where is the dog?” asked the master again. “Oh, he ran away,” replied the cat. “Ran away?” said the master. “What do you mean? Where is the ring?” “Oh, pardon me, my master,” answered the cat. “Do not be angry, and I will tell you what has happened.

When we reached the bank of the river, the dog asked me to give him the ring. This I refused many times, until at last he threatened to kill me if I did not give it to him, and I was obliged to do so. The river was very hard to cross, and on the way the dog dropped the ring into the water and we could not find it.

I persuaded the dog to come back with me to tell you about it, but on the way he became so frightened that he ran away.”

Then the master made a proclamation to the people, offering a reward to the one who should find his old dog and bring him to him. They could recognize the dog by his being old and having no teeth. The master also declared that when he had found the delinquent he would punish him by cutting off his tail.

He ordered that the dogs all around the world should take part in the search, and so ever since that time, when one dog meets another he always asks: “Are you the old dog who lost the magic ring? If you are, your tail must be cut off.” Then instantly both show their teeth and wag their tails to mean no. Since that time, also, cats have been afraid of water, and will never swim across a river if it can be avoided.

Once upon a time there lived in a small village on the border of a powerful kingdom a poor farmer, who had a son. This son was called a fool by many; but a palmer predicted that Cochinango would some day dine with the king, kiss the princess, marry her, and finally would himself be king.

Cochinango wondered how he could ever marry the princess and himself be king, for he was very poor. One day he heard that the king had summoned all those who would like to attempt to answer the questions of the princess. It was announced that the person who could answer them all without fall should marry her. Cochinango thought that the time had now come for him to try his fortune, so he mounted his ass and rode towards the king’s palace.

On his way Cochinango had to pass through a wide forest. Just at the edge of the wood he met a weary traveller. Cochinango had forgotten to bring buyo with him, so he asked the traveller for some. The traveller said, “I have with me a magic buyo that will answer any question you put to it. If you give me some food, I will give you my buyo.” Cochinango willingly exchanged a part of his provisions for it. Then he rode on.

He came to a stream, where he met an old man leaning on his cane. Seeing that the old man wanted to get on the other side, but was too weak to swim, Cochinango offered to carry him across. In return for his kindness, the old man gave him his cane. “You are very kind, young man,” said he. “Take this cane, which will furnish you with food at any time.” Cochinango thanked the old man, took the cane, and rode on. It is to be known that this old man was the same one who had given him the magic buyo. It was God himself, who had come down on earth to test Cochinango and to reward him for his kindness.

Cochinango had not ridden far when he met a wretched old woman. Out of pity he gave her a centavo, and in return she gave him an empty purse from which he could ask any sum of money he wanted. Cochinango rode on, delighted with his good fortune, when he met God again, this time in the form of a jolly young fellow with a small guitar. He asked Cochinango [277]to exchange his ass for the guitar. At first Cochinango hesitated; but, when he was told that he could make anybody dance by plucking its strings, he readily agreed to exchange.

Cochinango now had to proceed on foot, and it took him two days to reach the gates of the palace. Luckily he arrived on the very day of the guessing-contest. In spite of his mean dress, he was admitted. The princess was much astonished at Cochinango’s appearance, and disgusted by his boldness; but she was even more chagrined when he rightly answered her first question. Yet she denied that his answer was correct. She asked him two more questions, the most difficult that she could think of; but Cochinango, with the help of his magic buyo, answered both. The princess, however, could not admit that his answers were right. She shrunk from the idea of being married to a poor, foolish, lowly-born man. So she asked her father the king to imprison the insolent peasant, which was instantly done.

In the prison Cochinango found many nobles who, like himself, were victims of the guessing-match. Night came, and they were not given any food. The princess wanted to starve them to death. Cochinango told them not to worry; he struck a table with his cane, and instantly choice food appeared. When this was reported to the princess by the guards, she went to the prison and begged Cochinango to give her the cane; but he would not give it up unless she allowed him to kiss her. At last she consented, and went away with the cane, thinking that this was the only way by which she could starve her prisoners. The next day Cochinango asked for a large sum of money from his magic purse. He distributed it among his companions and among the guards, and they had no difficulty in getting food. Again the princess went to the prison, and asked Cochinango for the purse; but he would give it up only on condition that he be allowed to dine with the king. Accordingly he was taken to the king’s table, where he ate with the king and the princess; but he was put in prison again as soon as the dinner was over.

At last Cochinango began to be tired of prison life, so he took up his wonderful guitar and began to play it. No sooner had he touched the strings than his fellow-prisoners and the guards began to dance. As he played his guitar louder and louder, the inmates of the palace heard it, and they too began to dance. He kept on playing throughout the night; and the king, princess, [278]and all got no rest whatsoever. By morning most of them were tired to death. At last the king ordered the guards to open the prison doors and let the prisoners go free; but Cochinango would not stop playing until the king consented to give him the princess in marriage. The princess also at last had to agree to accept Cochinango as her husband, so he stopped playing. The next day they were married with great pomp and ceremony.

Thus the poor, foolish boy was married to a princess. More than once he saved the kingdom from the raiding Moros by playing his guitar; for all his enemies were obliged to dance when they heard the music, and thus they were easily captured or killed. When the king died, Cochinango became his successor, and he and the princess ruled happily for many years.

The folk-tales collected in the Philippines during the years from 1908 to 1914, have not appeared in print before. They are given to the public now in the hope that they will be no mean or uninteresting addition to the volumes of Oriental Märchen already in existence. The Philippine archipelago, from the very nature of its geographical position and its political history, cannot but be a significant field to the student of popular stories. Lying as it does at the very doors of China and Japan, connected as it is ethnically with the Malayan and Indian civilizations, Occidentalized as it has been for three centuries and more, it stands at the junction of East and West. It is therefore from this point of view that these tales have been put into a form convenient for reference. Their importance consists in their relationship to the body of world fiction.

The Sigbin is believed to lurk around at night and victimize people, animals, corpse, and even crops. It sucks blood and eats hearts, bones, and vegetables. The Sigbin may also roam around in the morning light and watch people’s activities. People have been warned not to talk too much about their lives in public whenever a Sigbin has been around and active. It is also known to disturb peace in homes. It has the ability to become invisible to other creatures. It is also known that the Sigbin is more powerful and more active during the holy week. It roams around and victimizes children.

According to old people, some families who have powers of witchcraft have Sigbin as their pets. They use these creatures as weapons of revenge or guards in their houses. They keep the Sigbin in jars filled with fluid made of different blood and hairs of other animals to keep the Sigbin alive. Some believe that it is the Sigbin who gives powers to the one who captures it and makes it a pet.

Though there is hearsay that the Sigbin is not really a monster, but just an undiscovered species, the people of the Philippines hold evidences that the Sigbin is a real and dark creature. It is popular in provinces and is still believed by many town folks. There are several people who have seen it and shadows of it lurking in the night. Others lost their children’s lives and found their heartless bodies in the woods. While others found empty Sigbin jars in houses of executed witches. The footprints of the Sigbin have also been seen by some people.

Depending on region and storyteller, the sigbin resembles either a hornless goat, a reptilian crow, or something vaguely along the lines of the Chupacabra. What is most common with all accounts is that its head hangs between its forelegs which are much shorter than its hindlegs. Whether because of physiology or because it makes the sigbin seem scarier, it is also known to crabwalk backwards. The sigbin also has a long whip-like tail that emit’s a foul stench and two grasshopper-like legs on its neck that enable it to jump far distances. They wander around at night in search of children to devour but they keep the hearts to make amulets. Most stories and sightings originate from the Cebu region. However, although it is some distance away, in 2005 scientists in Borneo discovered a “cat-fox-like carnivore” with hind legs longer than forelegs giving it an awkward gait and physical appearance that somewhat fits many of the descriptions of the sigbin (e.g. long tail, short forearms, can jump far distances, carnivorous). No conclusive evidence has been found yet to link the two together.

There was once a poor farmer who possessed a cow and a carabao. These two animals were his only wealth. Every day he led them to the field to plough. He worked his animals so hard, that they often complained to him; but the cruel master would not even listen to their words. One day the cow, who had grown tired of this kind of life, said to the carabao, “Let us run away from this evil man! Though we are very dirty, he is not willing for us even to take a bath. If we remain here with him, we shall be as ugly and as filthy as pigs. If we run away from him, however, he will have to do his own work, and then we shall be revenged. Hurry up! Let us go!”

The spirit of the carabao was aroused: he jumped with a loud roar, and said, “I too have long been meditating escape, but I hesitated because I was afraid you might not be willing to join me in flight. We are so ill-treated by our cruel master, that God will have pity on us. Come on! Let us go!”

The two animals at once set out, running as fast as they could, always trying to avoid any human beings. When they came to a river, the cow said, “We are very dirty. Let us take a bath before we go on! The water of this river is so clean and clear, that we shall soon be as clean as we were before our contemptible master got hold of us.”

The carabao answered, “We would better run a little farther, for perhaps our master is already in pursuit of us. Besides, [411]we are very tired now, and I have been told that to take a bath when one is tired injures the health.”

“Don’t believe that!” returned the cow. “Our bodies are so big, that we do not need to fear sickness.”

At last the carabao was persuaded by the arguments of the cow; and he said, “All right! Let us take off our clothes before we go into the water!”

The two animals then stripped themselves of all their clothes, then they plunged into the deep, cool river. They had been in the water less than an hour, however, when they saw their master coming after them with a big stick in his hand. They ran up to where their clothes were; but in their haste the carabao put on the cow’s clothes, and the cow got the carabao’s. As soon as they were dressed, they continued their mad flight; and as their master was very tired, he had to give up the chase and return home disappointed.

Since the carabao was larger than the cow, the skin on the cow’s neck has been loose ever since, because the two friends were separated and could never exchange clothes again. And likewise the skin on the carabao’s neck has been tight ever since these two animals made their mistake in dressing.

Noong unang panahon daw ay may isang mayamang Palawenyo na kilala sa pagiging usurero. Siya si Kablan na lagi nang gusuing patubuan ang lahat ng kapitbahay na nangingisda sa kanilang komunidad. Sa sobrang pagpapatubo sa perang ipinapautang, galit ng galit ang mga mangingisdang hindi makapalag sa kaswapangan ng kanilang kababayan. Sapagkat baon sa hirap ang lahat, napipilitan silang maging sunod-sunuran sa napakatakaw na mangangalakal.

Tanging si Kablan ang may tindahan sa kanilang komunidad. Binabarat niya ang mga paninda sa siyudad. Ipinagbibili niya ang mga ito na may mataas na patong sa mga pobreng mangingisda. Hindi sila maka-angal sa di makatarungang pagpapautang.
Mahusay na mahusay na kumita ng pera si Kablan. Madali ka nitong bibigyan ng paninda kung may sarili kang bangkang paghahanguhan ng mga huling isda sa karagatan. Mas malaki ang bangka mas malaki ang huli. Mas malaki ang huli mas malaki marami rin ang panindang maipapautang sa iyo ng ngingising ngising negosyante.

Isang magdadapit-hapon, habang nagpapasasa si Kablan sa marangyang sa kanyang bahay.

“O ano, tanda may problema ka ba?”
“Na…nagugutom ako. Maaari po bang makahingi ng sobra sa hapunan ninyo?”
“Aba oo,iyon lang pala,” makunot-noong sagot ni Kablan. ” Pero sa isang kondisyon, kailangang bayaran mo. Pagkain ko katapat ng pera mo. Basta may tutubuin ako, lahat ay areglado. Kung wala kang pera ay umalis ka na diyan at baka hindi ako makapagpigil sa iyo.”
“Maawa kayo,ginoo. Hindi niniyo madadala sa hukay ang yaman ninyo.”
“Aba, makulit ang matandang ito! Lumayas ka rito! Doon ka sumisid sa dagat. Tiyak na may isda kang mahuhuli! Sige, layas!layas!” pinagtulakan ni Kablan ang kaawa-awang matanda na napasubsub sa tarangkahan ng malaking bahay.
Sa tulong ng mga batang nagsilapit, ang matanda ay nakatindig. Napansin ng mga paslit ang nagniningning na baston ng matanda. Nagpasama ang matanda sa bahay-bahay at magbibitak-bitak daw ang lupa sa kapaligiran. Matapos magbabala ay itinaas ng matanda ang kanyang baston. Namangha ang lahat ng magdilim ang langit at gumuhit ang matatalim na kidlat.
Sa pagpanhik ng matanda sa burol ay bumuhos ang malakas na ulan, at yumanig ang lupa. Sa matinding takot ay nagsunuran ang mga mangingisda sa di nila nakikilalang matanda.
Hindi natinag si Kablan sa loob ng kanyang tindahan. Tuwang-tuwa pa siyang humalakhak. Nakikini-kinita niya na nag paghugos ng mga mangingisda. Tiyak daw na bibili sila ng mga paninda niya. Naglalaro sa isip niya na ngayon napakalakas ng ulan lalo siyang magtataas ng presyo. Ipapautang niya ang lahat ng pagkain at damit na bulto-bultong nakaimbak sa kanyang lalo pang pinalaking bodega.
Sa paghihiyang ginawa ni Kablan, gumanti ang pobreng matanda sa pagsasabing, “Tulad ng takot na itinanim mo usurero, sa lahat ng nangangailangan sa oras ng kagipitan, magiging isda ka rin na katatakutan ng lahat sa karagatan.”
Sa muling pagtaas ng tungkod ng matanda, lalong dumagundong ang mga kulog at tumalim ang mga kidlat.
Tulad ng sinabi nito, ang ulan ay hindi na huminto pa. Sa itaas ng burol, tanaw na tanaw ng lahat na nagdududmaling lumabas si Kablan sa tindahan. Nanginginig ito sa sobrang takot. Papanhik din sana siya sa tuktok ng burol subalit naabot siya ng rumaragasang tubig-ulan na lalong nagpalalim sa dagat-dagatan.
Ang mahagway na katawan ni Kablan ay naging mahabang isda na may matulis na nguso at matatalim na ngiping parang kakain kaninuman.
Nang balingan ng tingin ang matanda ay wala na ito sa kanyang kinatatayuan. Nawala itong parang bula.
Magmula noon nakilala na sa Palawan ang pating. Ito ay pinangalanang Hari ng Karagatan na walang takot kaninuman. Laging kinatatakutan si Kablan sa pagiging usurero sa Palawan. Ang pating naman ay lagi ring kinasisindakan sa kabangisan.

When the world was young, in a faraway town, there were two families who were fighting for the right to govern the people. Both families were rich and powerful, which is why nobody would back down in the struggle to claim power over the town. These were the tribes of Datu Dinaganda and Datu Manoo.

The Dinaganda family had an only daughter named Marikit. The girl is loved by their servants because she is kind-hearted and helpful. She is also beautiful and cheerful which is why a lot of men wooed her to be their wife.

Meanwhile, the Manoo family also boasts of their eldest son, Maksil. He is a true warrior, being strong and brave. Many women as well as men admire Maksil for his characteristics.

One time, while Maksil was in the woods hunting, he spotted the beautiful Marikit by the falls. Maksil instantly fell in love with her. He introduced himself to the lady. Soon after, the two became a couple and were inseparable.

The two lovers had to keep their relationship a secret; they coming from families who were mortal enemies. They would sneak from their families to meet clandestinely.

One day while Marikit sneaked out of their house to meet Maksil, her father Datu Dinaganda, had her followed by a trusted servant. After seeing the lovers together, the servant rushed back to the Datu and reported what he saw.

Datu Dinaganda was angered by what he learned. He scolded Marikit and forbade her to see Maksil. But the girl was determined to continue the relationship. She devised a plan to meet up Maksil. She would ask him to take her away from their warring families.

Marikit asked her trusted servant to give Maksil her letter. He agreed to meet her in their usual meeting place.

That night when the two met up, the lovers promised that they would not let anyone get in the way of their love. However, unknown to them, they were both followed by their families.

Their fathers tried to separate the two but Maksil would not let them without a fight. He took out his machete and promised to strike anybody who would go near them.

The two were able to run away from the crowd and managed to hide themselves under a big tree. They repeated their promise to stay together. Suddenly, they realized that the only way to keep this promise is if they took away their lives together. Then their families could no longer do anything to separate them.

The lovers had already decided and they killed themselves while holding on to each other’s hands.

While the lovers were pledging their love to each other, the gods and goddesses had heard what they had promised to each other. They admired their pledge for each other. They were sorry that the lovers had to resort to death just so they could be together. Because of that, the gods and goddesses decided to make the lovers into birds so that they will have a chance to be together.

The birds were then called lovebirds. Just as the two had promised not to separate from each other, lovebirds cannot be separated from each other or else they would die from extreme loneliness.

Noong bata pa ang mundo, sa isang bayan ay may isang dalawang makangayarihang angkan ang nag-aaway kung sino ang mas karapat-dapat na mamuno sa taong bayan. Parehas na makapangarihan ang bawat pamilya kung kaya’t hindi sila magkasundo. Ito ay ang angkan nila Datu Dinaganda at Datu Manoo.

Ang angkan ng mga Dinaganda ay may nag-iisang anak na dalaga na nagngangalang Marikit. Ang dalaga ay maganda at mabait. Mahal siya ng kanilang nasasakupan sapagkat siya ay matulungin at masayahin. Marami ring mga kalalakihan ang nanliligaw kay Marikit.

Samantalang sa angkan naman ng mga Manoo, pinagmamalaki nila ang kanilang panganay na anak na si Maksil. Ang binata ay makisig at matapang. Siya ay isang tunay na mandirigma. Dahil sa mga katangiang ito, maraming babae at maging mga lalaki ang humahanga kay Maksil.

Isang araw nang nangangaso ang magiting na binata ay nakita niya sa may talon ang magandang dalaga. Nagustuhan ni Maksil si Marikit kaya’t nilapitan niya ito at nagpakilala. Matapos noon ay hindi na nilubayan ng lalaki ang babae. Hindi naglaon naging magkasintahan ang dalawa.

Ngunit dahil nga sa mortal na magkaaway ang kani-kanilang angkan, sila ay palihim na nagkikita sa kung saan una silang nagkakilala.

Isang araw, pinasundan ni Datu Dinaganda si Marikit sa isang alipin. Nakita ng alipin na ang dalaga ay nakikipagtagpo sa anak ng mortal nilang kaaway. Isinumbong ng alipin si Marikit sa kanyang ama.

Nagalit si Datu Dinaganda at pinagbawalan ang dalaga na makipagkita sa kasintahan. Ngunit hindi papipigil ang dalaga sa kanyang nararamdaman para sa binata. Nag-isip ito ng plano upang makatakas sa palasyo at makipagkita sa iniirog upang yayain itong lumayo sa kanilang nag-aaway na angkan.

Isang tapat na alipin ni Marikit ang lihim na nagbigay ng mensahe kay Maksil upang makipagkita sa dalaga sa dati nilang tagpuan. Pumayag ang binata.

Nang gabing magkita ang magkasintahan, sila ay nagsumpaan na walang sino man ang makapaghihiwalay sa kanila. Subalit lingid sa kanilang kaalaman ay sinundan silang parehas ng kanilang mga angkan.

Pilit silang pinaglalayo sa isa’t isa ngunit nagpumiglas ang dalawa. Inilabas ni Maksil ang kanyang sandata at naghamon sa sino man ang lalapit.

Nang nakatakbo at nakapagtago ang dalawa mula sa mga humabol sa kanila. Inulit nila ang sumpaan na wala nang makapaghihiwalay sa kanila.Napag-isipan nila na ang tanging paraan upang hindi sila mapaglalayo ay kung parehas na silang walang buhay. Sa gayon wala nang magagawa ang kani-kanilang angkan.

Sa oras ding iyon ay kinitil ng magkasintahan ang kanilang buhay habang magkahawak pa rin sa isa’t isa.

Narinig ng mga diyosa ang sumpaan ng dalawa. Humanga ang mga ito sa kanilang pagmamahalan at nanghinayang na hindi nabigyan ng pagkakataon ang dalawa na magsama. Dahil dito, ginawa nilang munting mga loro ang magsing-irog.

Tulad ng sumpaan ng dalawa, ang mga munting loro (lovebirds) ay hindi puwedeng paghiwalayin kung hindi mamamatay ang mga ito dahil sa lungkot na mawala ang kasintahan.

3
Tungkung Langit was an industrious, loving, and kind
god whose chief concern was how to impose order over the
whole confused set-up of things. He assumed responsibility for the regular cosmic
movement. On the other hand, Alunsina was a lazy, jealous, and selfish goddess whose
only work was to sit by the window of their heavenly home, and amuse herself with her
pointless thoughts. Sometimes, she would go down from the house, sit down by a pool
near their doorstep and comb her long, jet-black hair all day long.

4
One day Tungkung Langit told his wife that he would be away from home for
sometime to put an end to the chaotic disturbances in the flow of time and in the
position of things. The jealous Alunsina, however, sent the sea breeze to spy on
Tungkung Langit. This made the latter very angry upon knowing about it.

5
Immediately after his return from the trip, he called this act to her attention
saying that it was ungodly of her to be jealous, there being no other creature living in the
world except the two of them. This reproach was resented by Alunsina, and a quarrel
between them followed.
6
Tungkung Langit lost his temper. In this rage, he divested his wife of powers and
drove her away. No one knew where Alunsina went; she merely disappeared.
7
Several days after Alunsina left, however, Tungkung Langit felt very lonely. He
realized what he had done. Somehow, it was too late even to be sorry about the whole
matter. The whole place once vibrant with Alunsina‘s sweet voice, suddenly became
cold and desolate. In the morning, when he woke up he would find himself alone and in
the afternoon when he came home, he would feel the same loneliness creeping deep in
his heart because there was no one to meet him at the doorstep or soothe the aching
muscles of his arms.

8
For months, Tungkung Langit lived in utter desolation. He could not find
Alunsina, try hard as he would. And so, in his desperation, he decided to do something
in order to forget his sorrows. For months and months he thought. His mind seemed
pointless, his heart, weary, and sick. But he must have to do something about his
loneliness.
9
One day, while he was sailing across the regions of the clouds, a thought came
to him. He would make a big basin of water below the sky so that he can see the image
of his wife, if she were just somewhere in the regions above. And lo! The sea appeared.
However, Alunsina was never seen.
10
After a long time, the somber sight of the lonely sea irritated Tungkung Langit.
So he came down to the Middleworld and created the land; then he planted this with
grasses, trees, and flowers. He took his wife‘s treasured jewels and scattered them in
the sky, hoping that when Alunsina would see them she might be induced to return
home. The goddess‘ necklace became the stars, her comb the moon, and her crown the
sun. However, despite all these Alunsina did not come back.
11
And up to this time, the folks in Panay say that Tungkung Langit is alone in his
palace in the skies. Sometimes, he would cry out of his pent-up emotions and his tears
would fall down upon the earth. The people say that rain is Tungkung Langit‘s tears and
that is why in some localities in the island of Panay, the first rain in May is received with
much rejoicing and sacrifice. Incidentally, when it thunders hard, the old folks also say
that it is Tungkung Langit sobbing, calling for his beloved Alunsina to come back –
entreating her so hard that his voice thunders across the fields and countryside.

1
According to Maranaw folklore, this world was created by a great Being. It is not known, however, who exactly is this great Being. Or how many days it took him to
create this world.

2
This world is divided into seven layers. The earth has also seven layers. Each layer is inhabited by a different kind of being. The uppermost layer, for example, is the place we
are inhabiting. The second layer is being inhabited by dwarfs. These dwarfs are short, plump, and long-haired. They are locally known as Karibanga. The Karibanga are said to
possess magical powers. They are usually
invisible to the human eye. The third layer of the earth which is found under the sea or lake is inhabited by nymphs. These nymphs also possess certain magical powers. It is
stated in the story of Rajah Indarapatra that he met and fell in love with the princessnymph with whom he had a child.

3
The sky also consists of seven layers. Each layer has a door which is guarded
day and night by huge mythical birds called garoda. The seventh layer of the sky is the seat of heaven which is also divided into seven layers. Every layer in the sky is
inhabited by angels. Maranaws believe that angels do not need food. They all possess wings with which they fly.

4
Heaven which is found on the seventh layer of the sky is where good people‘s
spirits go after death. Saints are assigned to the seventh layer while persons who
―barely made it‖ are confined to the lower most layer which is found at the bottom of
heaven.

5
It is in heaven where we find the tree-of-life. On
each leaf of the tree-of-life is written the name of every
person living on earth. As soon as a leaf ripens or dries
and falls, the person whose name it carries also dies.
6
The soul of every person is found in tightly
covered jars kept in one section of heaven. This
particular section of heaven is closely guarded by a
monster with a thousand eyes, named Walo. Walo, in
addition to his thousand eyes, has also eight hairy
heads. The epic Darangan speaks of Madale,
Bantugan‘s brother and, Mabaning, Husband of
Lawanen, entering this section and retrieving the soul
of Bantugan.