TAGAYUN, MARIA GRACIELA MAQUEMA 2-BSA1
IBALON EPIC FROM BICOL
Narrator: A long time ago, there was a rich land called Ibalong. Located at the southeastern of Luzon (Bicol Region) the hero Baltog, who came from Botavora of the brave clan of Lipod, came to this land when many monsters were still roaming in its very dark forests. He decided to stay and was the first to cultivate its field and to plant them with gabi.
Then one night….
(A monstrous, wild boar known as Tandayag saw these field and destroyed the crops).
Tandayag (Boar): what a great field! Full of Gabi. I think I going to eat all of this, I’m hungry!
Baltog: what a mess? What happened to my field? I will kill who ever made this.
Narrator: Upon knowing this, Baltog decided to look for this boar with all his courage and patient. At last, as soon as he saw it, he fearlessly wrestled with it, with all his might. Baltog was unafraid. He was strong and brave.
Baltog: well, well, well you! Hungry boar that destroyed my field…..
Tandayag: oh! So you were the owner of that field which made me so happy last night J
Baltog: you will pay for what you’ve did! I will kill you!
(Though the Tandayag had very long fangs, he was able to pin down the monstrous, wild boar and break apart its very big jawbones. With this, Tandayag fell and died).
After the fight…..
Narrator: Baltog went to his house in Tondol, carrying the Tandaya'g broken bones. Then he hung it on a talisay tree in front of his house. Upon learning of the victory of their Chief Baltog, the people prepared a feast and celebrated. The very big jawbones of the dead boar became an attraction for everyone. Thus, came the tribes of Panikwason and Asog to marvel it.
Baltog: These broken bones came from a monstrous boar that destroyed my field! I killed it because I don’t want that the mess that had happened to field will to happen once again.
People: (applauded for what Baltog said) we shall celebrate for the heroism of Baltog!
Narrator: The second hero who came to the land of Ibalong was Handyong. Together with his men, he had to fight thousands of battles, and face many dangers to defeat the monster. As warriors, they first fought the one-eyed monster with the tree necks in the land of Ponong. For ten months, they fought without rest. And they never stopped fighting until all these monsters were killed. Handyong and his men made their next attack against the giant flying sharks called Triburon which had hardly flesh and sawlike teeth that could crush rocks. They continued fighting until the defeat of the last Triburon. They also tamed the wild carabaos. They even drove away the giant and very fierce Sarimao which had very sharp fingernails. And using their spears and arrows, they killed all the crocodiles which were as big as boats. With all these killings, the rivers and swamps of Ibalong turned red with blood. It was at this time that the savage monkeys became frightened and hid themselves. Among the enemies of Handyong and his men, the serpent Oryol was the hardest to kill. Having a beautiful voice, Oryol could change its image to deceive its enemies.
Men of Handyong: I think we’ll take hard time to kill Oryol! Because of its undeniably beautiful voice!
Handyong: we’ll tried every different ways that I know just to capture Oryol, but he can still escaped and everyone of it disappeared.
Men of Handyong: we’ll quit for this time! We don’t think we can still help you. We don’t want to risk our lives just for nothing!
Narrator: So alone and unafraid, Handyong decide to look for Oryol in the heart of the forest. He followed the beautiful voice and was almost enchanted by it in his pursuit. Days and nights passed until Oryol came to admire Handyong's bravery and gallantry. Then the serpent helped the hero to conquer monsters, thus restoring peace to the entire Ibalong.
Oryol: what a brave man!
Handyong: when will you stop ruining our lives? You know you had a great voice that enchanted me if you will use it in a nice way you can help me save the Ibalong J
Oryol; I admire you for your bravery hands up with you! Because of that I will try to help you defeat other monster and protect the Ibalong!
Handyong: really? That’s great!
Narrator: In one the areas of Ibalong called Ligmanan, Handyong built a town. Under his leadership and his laws, slaves and masters were treated equally. The people planted rice and because of their high regard of him they named this rice after him. He built the first boat to ride the waves of Ibalong's seas. Through his good example, his people became inspired and came up with their own inventions. There was Kimantong who made the plow, harrow and other farming tools. Hablom who invented the first loom for weaving abaca clothes, Dinahongm an Agta, who created the stove, cooking pot, earthen jar and other kitchen utensils, and Sural who brilliantly thought of syllabary and started to write on a marble rock. This was a golden period in Ibalong.
(Then suddenly, there came a big flood caused by Unos, with terrifying earthquakes. The volcanoes of Hantik, Kulasi and Isarog erupted. Rivers changed their direction and the seas waves rolled high. Destruction was everywhere. Soon, the earth parted, mountains sank, a lake was formed, and many towns in Ibalong were ruined).
Narrator: Then appeared the giant Rabot, half-man and half-beast, with awesome and terrifying powers.
People were asking who will fight against Rabot. So Bantong, the third hero was called. He was a good friend of Handyong. He was ordered to kill the new monster on Ibalong.
People: Bantong, your one of the good friend of Handyong. We need your help just to save the Ibalong Land.
Bantong: I know that it is my obligation to serve you all! Now it’s my turn to save my people and my land J
Narrator: To do this, he took with him a thousand warriors to attack Rabot's den. But using his wisdom against Rabot, he did not attack the giant right away. He first observed Rabot's ways. Looking around the giant's den, he discovered that there were many rocks surrounding it, and these were the people who were turned into rocks by Rabot. Bantong also learned that Rabot loved to sleep during the day and stayed awake at night.
Bantong: now I know what your weakness is!
(So, he waited. When Rabot was already sleeping very soundly, Bantong came hear him. He cut the giant into two with his very sharp bolo and without any struggle, Rabot died. So Ibalong was at peace once more).
