Anthology of Visayan Folklore
WESTERN VISAYAS
Amomongo and Iput-Iput (The Gorilla and the Firefly)
Every night, Iput-Iput walks, (the firefly) into his friend’s house. When he passed over Amomongo’s house (the gorilla), he asked him: Hey, Iput-Iput, why are you always carrying light? Iput-Iput: Because I’m afraid of mosquitoes.
Ah, cowardly, the gorilla snarl.
I’m not cowardly! the angry response of the firefly.
If you are not cowardly, why do you always have light? the weapon of Amomongo.
I’m carrying light for when mosquitoes approached me and I could see them right away and then to defend myself, the reply Iput-Iput.
Amomongo laughed loudly. The next day, it was early enough to wake up and tell all the neighbors that Iwas-Iput always had light because it was cowardly. The news immediately spread throughout the town.
When it was heard by Firefly, he was angry. He hurried to fly to Amomongo’s house. It was night and the gorilla was asleep, but he lit his light on its face until it woke up. Hey, Gorilla, why are you talking to me cowardly? To prove that I’m not cowardly, I challenge you to a battle. Let’s meet at the plaza on the next Sunday afternoon. The gorilla is asking for drowsiness. Do you have associates?
Nothing! the cry of Iput-Iput. I’m going alone.
Amomongo smiled at Iput-Iput’s name. Not a small insect challenged him with a fight. Firefighter went on. I will wait for you in the plaza next Sunday in the afternoon of the sixth!
Take your friends together because I’m going to join thousands of gorilla that are bigger than me. Amomongo said this to frighten the firefly, which he thought was dejected. But Iput-Iput: I do not need a partner. I’ll come alone! Goodbye!
After the firefight, the gorilla collects his colleagues and informs them of the precise computation. He instructed them to take three rods three times and go to the plaza on the sixth of the next Sunday. His colleagues are excited about it, but they are trained to follow their leader so they promise to go to the assigned time and place. Sunday is coming. Earlier in the afternoon, the huge gorillas had gathered in the plaza but found the firefly waiting for them. Shortly, the church bell sounded as a time of prayer or prayer time. The virus suggested the gorillas to pray first. After praying, Iput-Iput immediately said he was ready. Amomongo ordered his companions to come in. He was first positioned as the leader of them.
I swam over the nose of the gorilla and shakes it. The subsequent gorilla struck the Iput-Iput but soon it was removed so the gorilla hit was Amomongo’s nose that almost died. Iput into the nose of the second gorilla. The third gorilla struck the Iput-Iput but quickly flung it, so he struck the nose of the second to death. Again, Iput-Put the nose of the third gorilla. The fourth gorilla strikes Iput-Iput immediately. Once again, the third gorilla died due to the strength of the fourth nesting ape in the nose. This incident continued until Amomongo was the only survivor of the gorilla that could hardly be lost due to illness. It pleads for me to forgive her, and not kill her. Iput-Iput also forgives him, but since that afternoon, the gorillas have been horrified by the firefly.
Origin of Tungkung-Langit and Alunsina
The Sulod of Central Panay in Western Visayas believed that the universe was divided into three regions: Ibabawnun (upperworld), Pagtung-an (middleworld), and Idadalmunun (underworld).
Ibabawnun was further divided into two–a place ruled and inhabited by the male diwata, and the other by the female diwata.
For the male section, a deity named Tungkung Langit (literally means “pillar of the skies”) was considered the supreme god or the highest-ranking deity. Alunsina, meanwhile, was the most powerful female diwata and the goddess of the eastern skies.
Tungkung Langit, just like Bathala, was assisted by several lesser divinities. Among them were Bangun-bangun, the “deity of universal time who regulated the cosmic movements”; Bahulangkug, the “diwata who changed seasons”; Ribun-linti (or Ribung-linti), the “god of lightning and thunderstorms”; Sumalongson, the “god of the river and seas”; Santonilyo, “deity of good graces”; and the most respected and feared of them all, Munsad Burulakaw.
Alunsina had her own assistants: Muropuro, the “goddess of the spring, rivers, and lakes”; Labing Daut, the “goddess-in-charge of rain-clouds”; and Tibang-Tibang, the goddess whose main responsibility was to maintain the balance in the world and make sure that day and night happened in succession.
Both Pagtung-an (middle world) and the Idadalmunun (underworld) were also ruled by deities. The underworld was under the jurisdiction of its highest ranking deity, Panlinugon, who also happened to be the god of earthquake.
The couple Paiburong and Bulawanon led other deities in keeping the middleworld in perfect order. They were helped by their five children, among them were Layang Sukla, goddess of beauty; Surangaun, god of the sea; and Tugang Tubig, god of rivers, streams, and lakes.
An origin myth from Panay suggests that Tungkung Langit and Alunsina, the chief gods of the upperworld, were actually married and settled down in heaven. The story, which was part of the old myths and legends compiled by anthropologist F. Landa Jocano in 1971, traced the origin of the world and celestial bodies.
After marrying Alunsina, Tungkung Langit worked non-stop to put an order in the confusing and still-shapeless world. He was described as a “loving, hard-working god,” while his wife a “lazy, jealous, and selfish goddess.”
One day, as Tungkung Langit left their home in the skyworld to perform his duties, Alunsina ordered the breeze to follow and spy on her husband. When Tungkung Langit found out about it, a long argument ensued. The fight became so serious and hurtful that Alunsina decided to leave her husband, never to be seen again.
Luyong Baybay
Goddess of the Tides
The deity who controls the rising and falling of the tides. Her name Luyong Baybay is translated as “She who was born from the Sea” and was worshipped by ancient Visayan fishing villages especially in the island of Panay. One myth recounting her birth, states that she rose from Lidagat’s hair when she died and assumed her role as a sea goddess, while other say she is a daughter of Maklium sa Tubig who was a Panayanon sea god, and the rest tells us she is a sister to the 3 beautiful goddesses of the earth and a niece of Panlinugon. Another myth says that Luyong Baybay is very much infatuated with the Moon Deity, Libulan, that whenever he gets close to earth, the tides rise up because she is trying to get close to him. Luyong Baybay is also believed to have married a fire spirit or demigod named Paigrab and they had a daughter together named Magsauladung Biday, a mythical wise woman who lives near the beach and helps the fishermen in need of divine instructions to get a great catch. Luyong Baybay is also believed to be a causer of accidents at sea, fishermen who don’t properly treat her domain with respect especially when fishing find themselves a target of her watery wrath, capsizing their boat in a whim. Fishermen were advised to always give something back to the goddess as thanksgiving for a great catch (usually pieces of fresh red meat). There is also a folktale that says on nights of the full moon, Luyong Baybay would come up to shore and take the form of a lonely, young woman in need and she would seduce men back to her domain to stay with her for eternity. It was also believed that Luyong Baybay also knows the directions of mythical places like Gadlum (the land of darkness) the domain of Saragnayan, the god of darkness and his bride or Burutlakan-ka-adlaw which is the hidden realm of Lubay Lubyok Mahanginun si Mahuyokhuyokan, which in some tales were her brother-in-law and sister respectively.
Unfortunately for Luyong Baybay, her worship diminished following the Spanish invasion. Most Visayans went on to become Catholics and their belief on her started to disappear, and are replaced instead by venerations to the Mother of Good Voyage, Nuestra Seniora dela Buen Viaje, an aspect of the Virgin Mary who protects sailors and fishermen from calamities of the sea. Luyong Baybay however remains in the memory of the Visayan elders, and aslong as these wonderful stories of old is passed down from generation to generation, she will always stay alive in the hearts of the Visayan people.
EASTERN VISAYAS
The Hawk and the Hen
A hawk flying about in the sky one day decided that he would like to marry a hen whom he often saw on earth. He flew down and searched until he found her, and then asked her to become his wife. She at once gave her consent on the condition that he would wait until she could grow wings like his, so that she might also fly high. The hawk agreed to this and flew away, after giving her a ring as an engagement present and telling her to take good care of it.
The hen was very proud of the ring and placed it around her neck. The next day, however, she met the cock who looked at her in astonishment and said: “Where did you get that ring ? Do you not know that you promised to be my wife ? You must not wear the ring of anyone else. Throw it away.” And the hen threw away the beautiful ring.
Not long after this the hawk came down bringing beautiful feathers to dress the hen. When she saw him coming she was frightened and ran to hide behind the door, but the hawk called to her to come and see the beautiful dress he had brought her.
The hen came out, and the hawk at once saw that the ring was gone.
“Where is the ring I gave you?” he asked. “Why do you not wear it?”
The hen was frightened and ashamed to tell the truth so she answered:
“Oh, sir, yesterday when I was walking in the garden, I met a large snake and he frightened me so that I ran as fast as I could to the house. Then I missed the ring and I searched everywhere but could not find it.”
The hawk looked sharply at the hen, and he knew that she was deceiving him. Then he said to her:
“I did not believe that you could behave so badly. When you have found the ring I will come down again and make you my wife. But as a punishment for breaking your promise, you must always scratch the ground to look for the ring. And every chicken of yours that I find, I shall snatch away.”
Creation of the Moon and the Sun
Thousands of years ago, there was no land, sun, moon, or stars, and the world was only a great sea of water, above which stretched the sky. The water was the kingdom of the goddess Maguayan, and the sky was ruled by the great god, Kaptan.
Maguayan had a daughter called Lidagat, the sea, and Kaptan had a son known as Lihangin, the wind. The gods agreed to the marriage of their children, so the sea became the bride of the wind.
A daughter and three sons were born to them.
Likalibutan had a body of rock and was strong and brave; Liadlao was formed of gold and was always happy; Libulan was made of copper and was weak and timid; and the beautiful Lisuga had a body of pure silver and was sweet and gentle. Their parents were very fond of them, and nothing was wanting to make them happy.
After a time Lihangin died and left the control of the winds to his eldest son Likalibutan. The faithful wife Lidagat soon followed her husband, and the children, now grown up, were left without father or mother. However, their grandparents, Kaptan and Maguayan, took care of them and guarded them from all evil.
After some time, Likalibutan, proud of his power over the winds, resolved to gain more power, and asked his brothers to join him in an attack on Kaptan in the sky above. They refused at first, but when Likalibutan became angry with them, the amiable Liadlao, not wishing to offend his brother, agreed to help. Then together they induced the timid Libulan to join in the plan.
When all was ready, the three brothers rushed at the sky, but they could not beat down the gates of steel that guarded the entrance. Likalibutan let loose the strongest winds and blew the bars in every direction. The brothers rushed into the opening, but were met by the angry god Kaptan. So terrible did he look that they turned and ran in terror, but Kaptan, furious at the destruction of his gates, sent three bolts of lightning after them.
The first struck the copper Libulan and melted him into a ball. The second struck the golden Liadlao and he too was melted. The third bolt struck Likalibutan and his rocky body broke into many pieces and fell into the sea. So huge was he that parts of his body stuck out above the water and became what is known as land.
In the meantime the gentle Lisuga had missed her brothers and started to look for them. She went toward the sky, but as she approached the broken gates, Kaptan, blind with anger, struck her too with lightning, and her silver body broke into thousands of pieces.
Kaptan then came down from the sky and tore the sea apart, calling on Maguayan to come to him and accusing her of ordering the attack on the sky. Soon Maguayan appeared and answered that she knew nothing of the plot as she had been asleep deep in the sea. After some time, she succeeded in calming the angry Kaptan. Together they wept at the loss of their grandchildren, especially the gentle and beautiful Lisuga, but even with their powers, they could not restore the dead back to life. However, they gave to each body a beautiful light that will shine forever.
And so it was the golden Liadlao who became the sun and the copper Libulan, the moon, while Lisuga’s pieces of silver were turned into the stars of heaven. To wicked Likalibutan, the gods gave no light, but resolved to make his body support a new race of people. So Kaptan gave Maguayan a seed and she planted it on one of the islands.
Soon a bamboo tree grew up, and from the hollow of one of its branches, a man and a woman came out. The man’s name was Sikalak and the woman was called Sikabay. They were the parents of the human race. Their first child was a son whom they called Libo; afterwards they had a daughter who was known as Saman. Pandaguan, the youngest son, was very clever and invented a trap to catch fish. The very first thing he caught was a huge shark. When he brought it to land, it looked so great and fierce that he thought it was surely a god, and he at once ordered his people to worship it. Soon all gathered around and began to sing and pray to the shark. Suddenly the sky and sea opened, and the gods came out and ordered Pandaguan to throw the shark back into the sea and to worship none, but them.
All were afraid except Pandaguan. He grew very bold and answered that the shark was as big as the gods, and that since he had been able to overpower it he would also be able to conquer the gods. Then Kaptan, hearing this, struck Pandaguan with a small lightning bolt, for he did not wish to kill him but merely to teach him a lesson. Then he and Maguayan decided to punish these people by scattering them over the earth, so they carried some to one land and some to another. Many children were afterwards born, and thus the earth became inhabited in all parts. Pandaguan did not die. After lying on the ground for thirty days he regained his strength, but his body was blackened from the lightning, and his descendants became the dark-skinned tribe, the Negritos. As punishment, his eldest son, Aryon, was taken north where the cold took away his senses. While Libo and Saman were carried south, where the hot sun scorched their bodies. A son of Saman and a daughter of Sikalak were carried east, where the land at first was so lacking in food that they were compelled to eat clay.
And so the world came to be made and people.
John Maurice Miller. (2016). VISAYAN Origin Myth: Creation of the Sun and Moon. Retrieved from
https://www.aswangproject.com/visayan-origin-myth/
Kasaraysarayan sa Silgan
He is believed by the Visayans to be the god whom all the rivers of the archipelago follow. He dictates how each river should flow and on what direction. In some Visayan communities he is known as Sumalongson and that he also controls the lakes and the estuarines that lead to the sea. In Panay, it was believed in the olden days that this particular deity lives in Tinagong Dagat lake in Lambunao, a fresh water lake which contains allsorts of freshwater fishes that the locals of the community depended on for livelihood and food. There was also a legend that in the early days, the mythical “goldfish”, a fish which was made of pure gold and would sometimes leave it’s golden scales on the lake floor, was a pet of this river deity and killing or capturing this mythical animal would incur his wrath. The ancient visayans would offer gifts and foods to this river god for safe passage while travelling his waters, making sure they do not disturb his peace while traversing the waterways. The ancient Visayans also believed that this god’s true form is the river itself, and that he was one of the deities blessed with the power of shapeshifting and that polluting or throwing away garbage on the riverbank would make this deity angry, causing flashfloods to happen with enough force to wipe an entire barangay out.
However when the Spanish took over the Visayan region, his worship decreased and people soon start to forget about this river deity, and instead opted to convert and worship God of the Catholic faith. Kasaraysarayan sa Silgan now only exists in the mind of Visayan storytellers who still remembers the mythical tales of deities in heroes by heart passed on from the elder generations of yore, when the world was young and every plant, land and life form was revered and treated with utmost respect.
source: vizayanmyths.blogspot.com/2013/05/
CENTRAL VISAYAS
Legend of Kanlaon
A Visayan God Who Smokes Tobacco
One day, a group of enthusiastic farmers reached the top of the mountain and were greeted by Kan-Laon. Humbled by his presence, one of the tobacco famers asked for the deity’s permission to use a part of the land to plant their crops. Kan-Laon, in a happy and good mood, gave his consent with the condition that they will not plant near his house. He drew a line around the mountain top to show the perimeter to the farmers. They complied and went on to farm the land.
Days came and everything was in order. Kan-Laon needed to leave his home to meditate. Before setting off, he reminded the farmers again about the line, warned them not to cross the border, and then disappeared.
Several years passed, the farmers were still following Kan-Laon’s rule. Their crops continued to grow and thrive until there were no longer unprohibited areas. Not knowing when Kan-Laon will be coming back from his meditation, a brave tobacco farmer dared to plant his crop beyond the border. The rest of the farmers were dismayed and was mad at him for not following Kan-Laon’s rule. A few days went by and nothing happened to the farmer who went beyond the line. With this news, the farmer exclaimed to the others that Kan-Laon might have looked for other places and has no plans of coming back. Other farmers then joined him in planting tobacco beyond the border. They continued to plant tobacco for years until Kan-Laon returned unexpectedly.
Kan-Laon was disappointed to see that his home is now a tobacco plantation. He was so angry that with just a silent gesture of his finger, the tobacco crops all dried up and were bundled together right beside him.
The scared farmers knelt and begged for forgiveness. Kan-Laon accepted their apology. Then, the farmers asked for another chance to plant their crops on the mountain. He agreed with the condition that the farmers can only plant again once he finish smoking the tobacco bundles. In the blink of an eye, a crater appeared at the area where he drew the line. Kan-Laon went inside the crater with the bundles of tobacco, never to be seen again.
source: https://www.choosephilippines.com/go/mountains-and-volcanoes/3829/active-volcano-visayas-kanlaon/
Hinilawod Epic
Labaw Donggon, the eldest of the three, asked his mother to prepare his magiccape, hat, belt and kampilan for he heard of a place called Handug where abeautiful maiden named Angoy Ginbitinan lived.
Labaw Donggon proceeded home with his new bride.
The giant would not allow Labaw Donggon to go through without a fight.
Labaw Donggon won the hand of Abyang Durunuun and also took her home.
The moment he set foot on the ground Saragnayan asked him, “Who are youand why are you here?” To which he answered, “I am Labaw Donggon, son ofDatu Paubari and goddess Alunsina of Halawod. I came for the beautifulMalitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata.” Saragnayan laughed.
Labaw Donggon then challenged Saragnayan to a duel saying that whoeverwins will have her.
Labaw Donggon submerged Saragnayan under water for seven years, but whenhe let go of him, Saragnayan was still alive.
The latter uprooted a coconut tree and started beating Labaw Donggon with it.
He survived the beating but was not able to surpass the powers ofSaragnayan’s pamlang and eventually he gave up and was imprisoned bySaragnayan beneath his house.
They rode their sailboats through the region of eternal darkness, passed theregion of the clouds and the land of stones, finally reaching Saragnayan’s home.
Labaw Donggon’s defeat and subsequent imprisonment by the Lord of Darknessalso angered his brothers.
Humadapnon was so enraged that he swore to the gods of Madya-as that hewould wreak revenge on all of Saragnayan’s kinsmen and followers.
Humadapnon prepared to go to Saragnayan’s domain.
Right after Humadapnon left to seek Saragnayan’s followers and relatives hisbrother Dumalapdap left for Burutlakan-ka-adlaw where the maiden Lubay-Lubyok Hanginun si Mahuyokhuyokon lived.
Labaw Donggon went to the north, Humadapnon went south, Dumalapdap tothe west and Datu Paubari remained in the east.
source: https://twenty1stcenturyliterature.wordpress.com/2017/12/17/summary-of-hinilawod/
Tikum Kadlum
At the house.
One day, Bulawanon engaged the help of Tikum Kadlum, a hunting dog with the gift of sensing the spirits, in cooking rice for his husband Paiburong and his brother Dumaraog who will be going hunting. When the rice was cooked, the brothers ate fast. Then, while Bulawanon packed the betel nut for her husband, Paiburong and Dumaraog dressed themselves, with Dumaraog suggesting they match their sashes and belts, since he is his brother’s loyal protector. To complete their hunting preparations, the two brought out their long-bladed sharp knives, shields, spears, and lances from their gold chest and wall hanger. When everything is set, Paiburong bade goodbye to his wife, Bulawanon, who reminded her husband to be careful as he might meet in the forest one named Makabagting, who is accompanied by a man-eating woman called Muwa. Makabagting is a nobleman and a warrior who is widely known as having tasted human flesh. Paiburong went out of his house, and he heard a sound. It warned him of some bad luck ahead. He ignored the omen and called for Tikum Kadlum, and the three headed to the forest as planned.
At the forest.
The brothers reached the hunting grounds in the forest. Nothing was heard by either of them but the incessant barks of Tikum Kadlum. The brothers were wondering what was the dog seeing. Paiburong and Dumaraog wielded their weapons and rushed to where Tikum Kadlum was, only to find out that there was nothing in his midst except the Buriraw, a golden bamboo tree, which he kept looking up to. Paiburong declared that he will cut down the bamboo tree because Tikum Kadlum appears like a fool gazing up to its tip where the burugsak or the golden bell is tied, and he would not leave it and even incessantly circles the same. Dumaraog stopped his brother and reminded him that he was warned of a bad luck earlier but still Paiburong can never be held back. Paiburong cut the Buriraw and there was a series of bursting sounds. The burugsak attached to the window of Makabagting sounded off.
Makabagting has awaken.
Makabagting, whose chest measures seven stretches of one’s thumb and pointfinger, got angry. His Muwa was also awakened and declared that she will shred into pieces the culprit who cut down Makabagting’s buriraw. Makabagting explained that the Buriraw tied with a burugsak has a tuos or sacred promise to his ancestors Makalikbo and Luon-luon, so that whoever cuts it or bends it shall exchange it with his life. The Muwa repeated what Makabagting has just explained. This revelation made Paiburong tremble with fear, and Makabagting reached for Paiburong. Dumaraog interrupted, apologized and pleaded for mercy. He insisted that they have no knowledge that the Buriraw tied with a burugsak has a tuos.
In lieu of Paiburong’s life.
Makabagting, whose chest measures seven stretches of one’s thumb and pointfinger, felt mercy towards Paiburong and decided to spare him his life. Then the Muwa declared that in return, Paiburong should offer his two daughters as payment. Right there and then, Paiburong and Makabagting agreed as to the month when the latter will come back for his daughters and the former can take the cut Buriraw home with him as he has exchanged it already with his daughters. Makabagting and the Muwa left for their home. Dumalaog hurried up Paiburong in completely cutting down the Buriraw which he has exchanged with his daughters. And thereafter, the latter called for Tikum Kadlum.
Back to the house.
Paiburong climbed up the steps of his house with a heavy heart. Bulawanon suspected that something was wrong and started to ask questions. Dumaraog made Bulawanon sit down first. He then narrated that “Tikum Kadlum was barking incessantly towards the tip of the Buriraw and even encircled the same as if he hears a Binanog or an eagle-immitating dance and Paiburong decided to cut down the same and bursting sounds from the bell attached to Makabagting’s window were heard and it turned out that the Buriraw has a tuos because Makabagting inherited the same from his ancestors. Not long after, Makabagting arrived together with his Muwa. Paiburong pleaded for mercy. Makabagting spared his life but he has to give him their daughters.” Upon hearing the story, Bulawanon weeped and asked Paiburong why he did not challenge Makabagting when he is the courageous one and why he did not offer his life when he is already old anyway and finally, why he allowed her two cherished daughters to be taken in exchange.
The time has come.
The marked day of the month when Makabagting had to come for Matan-ayon and Suranggaon, the two daughters of Paiburong and Bulawanon, had finally arrived. Bulawanon was thinking of ways to spare her daughters from being taken away. She bathed her daughters with Tagom, a plant with blue violet dye and placed them by the stove. Bulawanon bathed her maidservant and slave, and dressed them with beautiful clothes and let them lay down in the hammock. Then the Muwa and Makabagting arrived. Makabagting looked for the daughters whom Paiburong had exchanged with his Buriraw. Bulawanon, hiding her grin, pointed at the hammocks where her maidservant and slave were. Makabagting would not believe that they were her daughters. Bulawanon challenged him to look around the rooms to verify whether she keeps her daughters. Makabagting caught a big housefly and the Muwa tied it with her hair and the fly glided around and the Muwa told the fly to look for the daughters of Bulawanon. The Uwa declared that whoever the fly land to, they are the daughters of Bulawanon. And the huge housefly landed on Matan-ayon first and then to Suranggaon who were situated on the side of the dirty kitchen. Buluwanon pleaded to spare her daughters as she could not live without them. Paiburong comforted Buluwanon and explained that he could not do anything as their fates were already written on their palms. The Muwa left and Makabagting left carrying Matan-ayon and Suranggaon on his neck and shoulder.
Inside the enchanted cave.
Makabagting arrived home with Matan-ayon and Suranggaon and he instructed his Muwa sister named Amburukay to boil water in a kawa or giant wok in order to cook them. Instead, Amburukay welcomed the two maidens and she placed the two on her breast, and then, she told her elder brother that she will keep them in the house and make them as her binukot or well-kept maidens. She told Makabagting that she will hide them inside the golden chamber inside the enchanted cave.
Amburukay’s motherly instinct.
Amburukay paced back and forth since she could not contain her joy for having her two daughters. She bathed them in the kawa and dressed them elaborately with her own clothes. She also decorated them with all of her accessories. She made them stand, place their hands on both waists, and walk while swaying their hips. She then stared at them and followed them with her eyes; she has nothing bad to say about them. They are all perfect for her. The two will be her playthings.
Amburukay’s Tu-os.
She made a tu-os on the two maidens. Amburukay pledged that whoever can get or take hold of her golden pubic hair which she inherited from Luon-luon, he will pay it with his life, but if he is a good-looking man, he will be the two maiden’s husband. Then, she kept Matan-ayon and Suranggaon inside the locked golden chamber inside her cave.
Amburukay leaves the enchanted cave.
She would always check on the two binukot Matan-ayon and Suranggaon inside the golden chamber inside her cave everyday. She derived joy in looking at them. She would always feed them and make them sleep on her two laps. In some days, Amburukay would request the two maidens to take the lice off her head by the window. Amburukay would then contemplate about the future of her two daughters. She forbade Makabagting to get inside the chamber where she keeps them because he might fall in love with her binukot. Amburukay told Makabagting about her tu-os. She weeped upon thinking about the future of her two daughters and her wish to go back to the forest. She said that whoever has the fate of having her daughters as his wives will have pride in them. According to Amburukay, she will just return to the forest because she is not used to sleep in a room and when she is in the woods, she would just gather snails and turtles. But whenever she will be called for, she will come like rain drops by the porch.
source: http://footandfire.blogspot.com/2016/02/tikum-kadlum-enchanted-dog-first-of-ten.html
21st Literature 