A Craft of Immortality

Often called the Pearl of the Orient Seas, the Philippines is a perfect blend of the Eastern and Western tradition. Its strategic confinement between seas adds to its prestige. The Filipinos, its inhabitants, aside from being hospitable and patient, love a good and enchanting story—and with no exception to such is mythology.

There were many accounts on how things came to be and how people dominated the world. Early folks attribute their joys and misery to the deeds of the gods and goddesses who abide beyond the sky’s horizons. They believe the latter to intervene with the lives of earth-dwellers either by bringing them prosperity that is owed to their faith, or by punishing them against their evil deeds.

Cordillera’s Unsung Treasury

Most people in the lowlands could only associate the Cordillera with ethnic tribes and rituals, nipa huts, woven clothings, lengua de gato, peanut brittles and the like. Little do they know that the Mountain Provinces also possess rich and diverse treasures of literary mythologies preserved by the indigenous folks. Such collection of mythical stories not only remains as part of literature, but a fragment of the highlanders’ way of living. It is an appreciation for the gods who bestowed upon them the bounty which the mountainous terrains of the region hold.

The Ifugaos and many other groups in the Cordillera call their highest ranking deity Kabunian. The Ifugao’s principal god did have other gods assisting him in his divine works. Among these lesser divinities are: Makalun, messenger of the gods; Bakayauwan andMuntundug, spirits of the mountains; Halupi, spirits of remembrance; Hipag, god of war; Libligayu, who spears livers of their victims; Binudbud, who checks on men’s appetite during feasts; and Tayaban, the god of death who wanders at night disguised as a firefly.

Renewing the World

In the beginning, the great god of Mountain Province, descended to earth, and gathered a bundle of reeds. He broke them into several halves and scattered them all over the world. He commanded the bundles to speak, and there emerged people who spoke in different languages. These people became the parents of the different races of the world today.

Our early forebearers also have corresponding version of the great flood during which Noah lived in the Bible. The people flourished and filled the earth’s surface. However, they grew to be arrogant and boastful of their riches. Kabunian was displeased that he decided to cast upon the sinful a great flood, with which only his two faithful favorites would survive—Wigan and Bugan. He warned the two, to go to Mount Amuyao as the great god opened the gates of the sea and in rushed waters. Because they were the only people left, the two married and had two children, Kalimonganand Mangotngot who also married each other.

Food has become scarce due to their growing numbers. But while searching for food, Kalimongan saw two rice plants growing in a pond of stagnant water on a mountaintop. He thought of doing something to stop the flow of water so he could cultivate grains on the mountain side. From his idea brought forth the building of the legendary rice terraces.

And the Gods Walked the Earth

After the flood, not only was the world re-peopled; it was also often visited by the deities. Disguised as a handsome man,Kabunian went to earth and fell in love with a beautiful young woman named Bugan. The two became couples despite the universal rule that mortals could not marry gods. Their love bore three children.

Soon after, Kabunian prepared for his return to the Upperworld since he could not stay in human form and live on earth forever.This saddened Bugan very much. The children were thus divided among them. Kabigat being the eldest son remained with his mother to help her till their land; Daungen went with her father. The third offspring was halved between the couple; with Kabunianusing his power to supply the child’s missing parts. His share of the body became a girl whom he called Bangan (goddess of the sky) while Bugan’s share became Lumauwig who grew up as a skilled warrior. Some tribal groups even consider Lumauwig as the most superior of all gods.

Years crept by and Lumauwig grew to be a handsome lad with whom Kabunian bestowed extraordinary powers. He fell in love with a mortal named Mitura and their love bore a child. It turned out however that Mitura was a jealous wife. This angeredLumauwig that he swore by Mount Pulog he will never live on earth again. Mitura then became very lonesome. Lumauwig took pity, thus he placed their child every night in the sky for Mitura to see. This child became the moon.

Legends of Yesterday

Another account relates how Kabunian masqueraded as a mortal to test the selfish Ihik. He punished Ihik by turning him into a stone. A further myth tells us of the epic tale of Aliguyon’s dexterity.

Scenery of Mt. Kabunian, named after Cordillera's highest diety
From kellyaustria.com

There are also these three alamat. One about the origin of Baguio’s Bridal Falls. While Maribelen and her lover were running away from his father’s warriors on the night of her arranged wedding, her bridal veil was caught by the thick foliage of a shrub. The Falls was believed to have emerged from Maribelen’s veil after her death. The other alamat relates about why Abra has so many hills. Such hills were believed to be the stones used by the villagers to kill the beautiful Abag. The third story recounts how the pine tree came about.

It was said to have suddenly sprouted from the burial place of a gentle girl suffering from a severe skin disease.

The Sad Truth: The Fate of the Gods

It is enthralling to note the admirable creativity of our forefathers especially of the natives in the Cordillera. Much of all the mythologies today had been passed down for many centuries. It is however poignant that while many stories have been preserved and still present today, more than double the number of these stories had already been washed out by time. The youth’s degenerating interest to local literature and the unreliable passing of such through word of mouth are some contributing factors to the dissipation of such literary works.

However, the authorities did a diminutive work in preventing such great losses. There has something to be changed from within the mindset of people who patronize the stories of foreigners. Ironically, something went wrong with the Philippines’ perfect blend of Oriental and Western cultures. Honestly, we cannot wait for the time that even Philippine literature itself will eventually be termed as ‘endangered’, by allowing ourselves to be dominated by the Zeus and the Greek gods of Mount Olympus.

If such stories are gone, what else could we pass on to generations after us? What fairy tales and bedtime stories can we share that can truly define our being Filipinos better yet Cordillerans? Will our poor deities achieve the immortal status? No longer will the human fate rely on gods, but theirs on us.

Source: Outline of Philippine Mythology

By F. Landa Jocano

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