Going Cerebral

MITOLOHIYANG PILIPINO

“Ang mga ito ay mga cuento lamang na ipinasa mula sa nakaraang panahon, kaya kailangang idiin ng mga guro sa isip ng mga bata na ang mga ito ay gawa-gawa lamang at hindi dapat paniwalaan. Kung hindi, baka akalain ng mga murang isip ng mga batang katutubo na tutuong nangyari ang mga alamat na ito. Kung magka-gayon, maguguluhan sila at magiging mahirap iwasto ang kanilang paniniwala. Kaya ipaliwanag sa kanila kung ano ang gawa-gawang sanaysay, at ipakita sa kanila na kakatwa ang maniwala sa ganitong uri ng hiwaga at kababalaghan… “

  — John Maurice Miller,   Philippine Folklore Stories, 1904

MITOLOHIYA

 Ang mitolohiya ay isang halos magkakabit-kabit na kumpol ng mga tradisyonal na kuwento o mito, mga kwento na binubuo ng isang partikular na relihiyon o paniniwala. Karaniwang tinatalakay ng mga kwentong mito ang mga diyos at nagbibigay ng mga paliwanag hinggil sa mga likas na kaganapan. Halimbawa na ang kung paano nagkaroon ng hangin o mga karagatan. May kaugnayan ang mitolohiya sa alamat.

 Ang mitolohiya  ay karaniwang tumatalakay sa mga katutubong kultura, kaugalian o kapaligiran. Eto ay tumatalakay din sa mga katangiang maganda, tulad ngpagiging matapat, matapang, matulungin, at sa mga katangiang hindi maganda

tulad ng pagiging mapaghiganti, masakim, o mapanumpa, Nguni’t sa banding huli ang kuwento ay kinapupulutan ng aral para sa ikabubuti ng iba.

Sapagkat ang alamat ay karaniwang nagsimula nuong unang panahon at eto ay nagpasalin- salin na sa maraming henerasyon, ang alamat ay pinaniniwalaan ng maraming tao na tutoong naganap dahil sa tagal ng pamamayani nito sa ating panitikan o sa ating kultura.

1. ALAN

  They have wings, and their fingers and toes point backwards.The Alan are said to take drops of menstrual blood, miscarried fetuses, afterbirth, or other reproductive waste and transform them into human children, whom they then raise as their own. They live near springs in extremely fine houses, made of gold and other valuables.

2. AMALANHIG

 Amalanhig are creatures in Visayan mythology, particularly among Hiligaynon speaking  groups. Amalanhig are Aswang who failed to transfer their monstrosity causing them to rise from their graves to kill humans by biting their necks. In order to escape from Amanlanhigs, one runs in zigzag direction since they can only walk in straight direction due to the stiffness of their body. One would also climb trees or high platforms enough to be out of their reach. One would also run into lakes and rivers since Amanlanhigs are scared of deep bodies of water. Amalanhig are depicted as externally identical to humans, though there is an enlargement of the upper canines in most individuals. The Amalanhig is a variant of the vampire native to the  Philippines.

3. AMOMONGO

  The Amomongo is a creature of Philippine Mythology described as hairy , man-sized and ape -like with long nails. The term may have its roots in the Hiligaynon word amó, which means “ape” or “monkey”. Residents of  La Castellana in Negros Occidental  refer to the creature as a “wild monkey” that lives in caves near the foot of Mt. Kanlaon. The creature is said to have attacked  residents of the settlement and disemboweled goats and chickens in the area, for the purpose of eating the entrails.

4. ANGGITAY

  Anggitay is a creature with an upper body of a female human and of a horse from waist down.

They were the Philippine  counterpart for the centuride, the female centaurs. They are also believed to be the female counterpart of Tikbalang.   Sometimes, they are illustrated to have a single horn in the middle of their forehead just like a unicorn. They were usually said to be attracted to precious gemstones, and jewelries. It is believed to be that the Anggitay usually appears when it rains although the sky is clear.

5. ASWANG

An Aswang (or Asuwang) is a mythical creature  in Philippine folklore. The aswang is an inherently evil vampire-like creature and is the subject of a wide variety of myths and stories, the details of which vary greatly. Spanish colonizers noted that the Aswang was the most feared among the mythical creatures of the Philippines, even in the 16th century.

  The myth of the aswang is well known throughout the Philippines, except in the Ilocos region, which is the only region that does not have an equivalent myth.  It is especially popular in the Western Visayan  regions such as Capiz, Iloilo and Antique.

“Aswangs” are often described as a combination of vampire and witch and are almost always female. They are sometimes used as a generic term applied to all types of witches, vampires, manananggals, therianthropes, and monsters in general. Aswang stories and definitions vary greatly from region to region and person to person, so no one particular set of characteristics can be ascribed to the term. However, the term is often used interchangeably with manananggal, which is a particular creature with a specific set of features. They are often portrayed as a monster with wings which flap loudly when she’s far away and quietly when she’s nearer.

6. WAKWAK

  The tiktik or wakwak is known as a type of aswang, a spirit of a deceased aswang or its familiar. As a familiar, it takes the form of a small owl-like bird that is found in the rooftops of residences during nighttime. It emits unique cry that heralds the arrival of its companion. This serves as a warning to the aswang’s victims.

7. SIGBEN

  The sigben  or zegben has been known as another type of aswang, and alternatively, as the kikik’s familiar. Its appearance is said to be similar to the Tasmanian devil, although with spotty fur, wide mouth with large fangs.

8. BALBAL

  Bal-Bal is a monster that steals corpses whether it is in a funeral or grave and feeds on them. It has a strong sense of smell for dead human bodies. It also has claws and teeth sharp enough to rip the clothing of the dead. Since it eats nothing but corpses, it has a foul breath. Once this monster has spotted and eaten the corpse, it will leave the trunk of a banana tree in the coffin creating an illusion of the stolen body to trick people. Bal-Bal was also associated to Aswang which were all flesh eaters. They were classified to one of the most fearful creatures in the Philippiones because of their appearance. They were even described and compared to the vampire  of the western continents

9. BATIBAT

  The Batibat or Bangungot is a vengeful demon found in Ilocano  folklore. These demons were blamed as the cause of the fatal nocturnal disease called bangungot . A batibat takes the form of a huge, old, fat woman that resides in trees. They usually come in contact with humans when the tree that they reside in is felled and made into a support post for a house. This causes them to migrate into holes found in the post. The batibat forbids humans from sleeping near its post. When a person does sleep near it, the batibat transforms to its true form and attacks that person. It sits upon the chest of its victim until he suffocates. To ward off the batibat, one should bite one’s thumb or wiggle one’s toes. In this way, the person will awaken from the nightmare induced by the batibat.

10. BERBEROKA

  The people from Apayao, Abra and Ilocos Norte believe and fear a swamp creature called Berberoka. It lures victims by sucking water in the pond enough for a number fish to come into surface. When the potential victims get attracted to the school of fish, the Berberoka drowns them by hosing water and swallowing them afterwards.

  They have the ability to suck all the water in a swamp or lake. Also, many old folks believed that they use water to attack their enemies. They discharge a large amount of water (just like a fire extinguisher) to their victims until they drown.

11. BUNGISNGIS

  Bungisngis is a one-eyed giant that is found in Philippine folklore. This giant lives in Meluz,Orion,Bataan. Bungisngis is described as a one eyed giant who is always laughing. The literal meaning of the name Bungingis is derived from the Tagalog word ngisi which means “to giggle”.   The Bungisngis has a humanoid shape. It has large teeth which are always showing, and its upper lip covers its face when it is thrown back. Two long tusks project from the side of its mouth. The giant only has one eye, which is found in the middle of its forehead,  but this is compensated by its strong sense of hearing. It has also displays unusual strength.

12. BUSAW

Busaw is a legendary creature that resembles humans in appearance and behavior, raising farm animals and planting root crops. However, its favorite food is human, resulting in scattered human skeletons on the grounds of its dwelling place .   The Busaw was a corpse thief. An evil spirit who looked and behaved like ordinary human beings by day, it listened for sounds of death in the evenings, and dwelled in large trees near cemeteries. It had pointed teeth, hooked nails and a long tongue. Then, spiriting the corpse off after first turning it into a pig, the Busaw would feast on it and even try to feed it to their human neighbors during the day in order to turn them into ghouls like itself. To ward the Busaw off, all corpses should be washed completely with vinegar and strong-smelling herbs. Salt is also a busaw repellent.

13. DALAKETNON

  Dalaketnons were known to be rather beautiful elitists. They have a bit of a coño, a kind of telekinesis as well as corporeal duplication—meaning they could generate tangible, living copies of themselves indefinitely, and their hairs and eyes turn white whenever they power manifests.

  The Dalaketnons were have a normal contact with human but the human didn’t know that they were engkanto. Old folks believed that Dalaketnons can change an ordinary human into creatures like them. They uses a magical black rice to change their victims into a Dalaketnon. It was also believed that they were the mortal enemies of the good engkanto. They were from the royal blood of bad engkantos that served as their ruler. 

14. HANTU

A Hantu demon is a legendary evil spirit or demon in Philippine mythology.They are notorious in the Philippines for allegedly possesing people and driving them insane.This creature is said to have a power to possess people or animals and kill their souls to become the creature that he/she possessed.

15. KAPRE

  Kapre is a Philippine  mythical creature that could be characterized as a tree demon, but with more human characteristics. It is described as being a tall (7 to 9 ft), brown, hairy male with a beard. Kapres are normally described as smoking a big tobacco pipe, whose strong smell would attract human attention.

Kapres are said to dwell in big trees like acacias, mangoes, bamboo and bayan (known in the Philippines as balete). It is also mostly seen sitting under those trees. The Kapre is said to wear the indigenous Northern Philippine loincloth known as bahag, and according to some, often wears a belt which gives the kapre the ability to be invisible to humans. In some versions, the kapre is supposed to hold a magical white stone, a little smaller in size than a quail egg. Should any person happen to obtain this stone, the kapre could grant wishes.

Kapres are also said to play pranks on people, frequently making travelers become disoriented and lose their way in the mountains or in the woods. They are also believe to have the ability to confuse people even in their own familiar surroundings; for instance, someone who forgets that they are in their own garden or home is said to have been tricked by a Kapre. Reports of experiencing Kapre enchantment include that of witnessing rustling tree branches, even if the wind is not strong. Some more examples would be hearing loud laughter coming from an unseen being, witnessing lots of smoke from the top of a tree, seeing big fiery eyes during night time from a tree, as well as actually seeing a Kapre walking in forested areas. It is also believed that abundant fireflies in woody areas are the embers from the Kapre’s lit tobacco pipe.

16. KATAW

The Kataw is one of the merfolk in the Philippine mythology. In VIsayan, Kataw was believed to have higher rankings than other water and sea creatures as those of Sirena , Sireno and Siyokoy. It is believed that the Kataws are the reigning rulers of the kingdom Bantay Tubig.

Based on physical features, Kataws, along the Sirena and Sireno, were the Bantay Tubig-creatures that bear likeness to human while Siyokoy are those that resemble water-creatures. Unlike Sirena, they have feet instead of tails but they have gills on their bodies and fins in their arms. These marine creatures disguises into fishermen asking for help. When approached by mortals, the Kataws drown them into the abyss. According to old folks, Kataws have the ability to manipulate and control water-type elements and related forces such as pressure, tides, waves, bubbles and the likes. Also, they can change water to ice.

17. MAMBABARANG

Barang is a Cebuano term taken to mean all forms of malign magic or sorcery. In Tagalog, the word is used to refer to small insects and beetles, especially the fungus beetle. At least one source identifies the specific species of this beetle as Alphitobius laevigatus. These beetles, the size of a common house fly, or other similar insects are said to be employed by Filipino shamans to perform sorcery or witchcraft in order to inflict pain or disease upon a victim.

The mambabarang keeps his beetles in a bottle or a section of bamboo, carefully feeding them ginger  root. When the practitioner decides to employ his dark art, he performs a prayer ritual wherein he whispers instructions and identifies the victim to the beetles. The insects are then set free and to seek out the victim and gain entry into the body via any bodily orifice: the nose, mouth, ears, anus or dermal breaks such as open wounds. The victim will then feel the effects of the invasion through manifestations depending on the area of entry; hemorhoidal if through the anus, ear ache if through the ears and other similar cases. The resulting illness is resistant to conventional medical treatment and only reveals its true nature when the victim succumbs and flying insects issue forth from bodily cavities.

Supertitious folks still attribute certain illnesses or diseases to barang. This most often happens in the provinces, where an herbal doctor, albularyo or a faith healer, a mananmbal or sorhuana (female) / sorhuano (male) treats such diseases. In some rural provincial areas, people completely rely on the albularyo and mananambal for treatment.

18. MANGKUKULAM

Mangkukulam (noun) is a person employing or using Kulam. Kinukulam (noun) is the target of the Kulam. Nakulam (adj.) means someone or something experiencing the effects of the Kulam. Kulamin (verb) means to bewitch or to hex. Ipakulam (verb) to get to be bewitched or hexed. Makulam (verb) means to be able to bewitch or to become bewitched; hexed.

The mangkukulam recites spells and mixes potions. Modern influences has transformed popular perception so that the mangkukulam now also uses the equivalent of a doll. The mangkukulam’s curses is mitigated by finding him/her and giving bribes. 

Kulam in the Philippines is said to be centered on the islands of Siquijor and Talalora Western Samar and the province of Sorsogon, where many of the country’s faith healers reside. Kulam also exists in many of the hinterlands, especially in Samar and Leyte.

  Supertitistious folks still attribute certain illnesses or diseases to kulam. This most often happens in the provinces, where an herbal doctor, albularyo, treats them. In some rural provincial areas, people completely rely on the albularyo for treatment.

19. MANANANGGAL

The manananggal (sometimes confused with the wakwak in some areas by the Filipinos) is a mythical creature of the Philippines. It resembles a Western vampire, in being an evil, man-eating monster or witch. The myth of the manananggal is popular in the Visayan region of the Philippines, especially in the western provinces of Capiz, Iloilo, and Antique. There are varying accounts of the features of a manananggal. Like vampires, Visayan  folklore creatures, and aswangs, manananggals are also said to abhor garlic and salt.  They were also known to avoid daggers, light, vinegar, spices and the tail of a stingray, which can be fashioned as a whip.

20. MINOKAWA

Minokawa is a giant bird that belongs to the dragon family. Early people believed that this creature is so big that it can swallow (or cover) the sun to explain of occurrence of eclipses.

In a Bagobo tale, the Minokawa is a bird as large as an island. Its feathers are those of sharp swords, the eyes reflect like mirrors, its beak and legs are like steel. It lives “outside the sky, at the eastern horizon”.  Minokawa lived “above the sky” because the Visayans believe that there is a cave called “calulundan” above the sky, the entrance covered by blue smoke.

21. NUNO SA PUNSO The Nuno is described to be a small old man with a long beard, and differs from a duwende or dwarf of Philippine folklore. The duwende is a playful hobgoblin who shows himself to children, while the Nuno is a goblin easily angered and will do harm to those who damage or disturb his mound. If an invader destroys the Nuno’s home by kicking it, the offender’s foot would become swollen. Nuno sa punso are also believed to inhabit places such as underneath large rocks, trees, riverbanks, caves, or a backyard.

Nunos have the ability to curse trespassers. A curse may include the following:

• Swelling or pain on any part of the body

• Vomiting of blood

• Urinating black liquid

• Excessive hair growth on the back

  In order for a Nuno to successfully curse a person, the trespasser must come in close proximity of the Nuno. If the trespasser is within range, the Nuno can spit on any part of the trespasser’s body. The trespasser will then experience aches or soreness on the affected part of the body, such as stomach  pains, swollen genitals (after urinating on the mound), or swollen feet (after kicking the mound).

There is a common belief that if modern medicine is unable to cure a particular illness, the ailment may be due to a Nuno’s curse. The victim is brought to an albularyo, a Philippine practitioner of traditional medicine. The albularyo will perform a ceremony known as tawas. During this process, a piece of a candle is melted and the molten wax poured onto a disc or spoon. The molten wax is in turn poured into water. The image formed on the water will then be interpreted by the albularyo. The image aids in determining the cause of the patient’s illness and where the curse actually happened.

22. PUGOT

The Pugot  can assume various shapes such as hogs, dogs or even as humans. However, it usually appears as a black, gigantic headless being. The creature usually resides in dark places or deserted houses. However, they especially like living in trees such as the duhat,  santol , and tamarind.

  Aside from its shapeshifting abilities, the pugot can also move at great speeds, feeding on snakes and insects that it finds among the trees. It feeds by thrusting food through its neck stump.

Although terrifying, the pugot is relatively harmless. However, the creature is fond of women’s underwear and steals them while they are being dried on a clothesline.

23. SARANGAY

Sarangay is a creature resembling a bull with a huge muscular body and a jewel attached to its ears. They are illustrated to be half bull and half man.

  According to old folklore, Sarangays have a jewel or a precious gemstone in their ears that they are protecting. Those who try to steal it from them will be killed mercilessly. It was also said that when a Sarangay gets angry, its nose emits smoke.

24. SIRENA

The Sirena is a creature of Philippine mythology and is said to be living under the sea. It is the Philippine version of a mermaid. The Sirena is a mythological aquatic creature with the head and torso of human female and the tail of a fish. The male version of a Sirena is called a Sireno. Sometimes it is also paired with Siyokoy. The Sirena is an engkanto which is classified as one of the Bantay Tubig or the guardians of water. In addition to the Sirena, other examples of Bantay Tubig are Sireno, siyokoy, kataw and Ugkoy. Bantay Tubig are part fish, part human water-dwelling engkantos which are the Filipino counterpart of the English merfolk.

It is also said that the Sirena has a very beautiful and enchanting voice that can attract and hypnotize males, especially fishermen. A Sirena would sometimes sing to sailors and enchant them, distracting them from their work and causing them to walk off the deck or cause shipwrecks. They would sing with enchanting voices while hiding among the rocks by the shore. When the men hear their song they are hypnotized and the Sirena can abduct them. Some old folk traditions claim that the Sirena carry its victims under the sea and offer them to their water deities. Other stories claim that the Sirena squeezes the life out of drowning men while trying to rescue them.

Sirena may tease and attract human males with their spellbinding songs; but reports of Sirena grabbing the seemingly hypnotized humans and drowning them or taking them under water may only be isolated cases. Either the tempted human had tried to chase the Sirena deep into the water until he drowned or he had a heart attack upon seeing such an engkanto and plunged literally into the water to his death.

Dugongs, sea turtles, and small cetaceans such as dolphins usually accompany Sirena.

25. SYOKOY

The Siyokoy (Syokoy) are creatures in Philippine Mythology which were members of Bantay Tubig (merfolk). They are usually illustrated as green-skinned humanoids that have scaly body coverings, webbed hands and feet, having fins on several parts of their bodies.

26. TIGMAMANOKAN

Philippine Mythology the Tigmamanukan  was believed by the Tagalog  to be an omen bird. The roots of the word tigmamanukan can be traced to the word “manuk” or “manok.” Today, this word means “Chicken”, but in Pre colonial Philippines   it meant, more generally, any bird, lizard or snake that crossed one’s path as an omen. Such encounters were called salubong.

In at least one telling of the Filipino creation myth, it was the Tigmamanukan that was responsible for opening the bamboo that let out the first man and first woman.

27. TIKBALANG

Tikbalang (also written as Tigbalang, Tigbalan, or Tikbalan) is a creature of Philippine folklore said to lurk in the mountains and forests of the Philippines. It is generally described as a tall, bony humanoid creature with disproportionately long limbs, to the point that its knees reach above its head when it squats down. It has the head and feet of an animal, most commonly a horse. It is sometimes believed to be a transformation of an aborted fetus which has been sent to earth from limbo.

Tikbalangs are said to scare travelers and lead them astray. Tikbalangs play tricks on travelers such that they keep on returning to an arbitrary path no matter how far he goes or where he turns. Supposedly this is counteracted by wearing one’s shirt inside out. Another countermeasure is to ask permission out loud to pass by or, not to produce too much noise while in the woods in order not to offend or disturb the tikbalang.

A superstition popular with the

 Tagalog of Rizal Province is that Tikbalangs are benevolent guardians of elemental kingdoms. They are usually found standing at the foot of large trees looking around for anyone who dare to bestow malignancy on their kingdom’s territory.

  A common saying has it that rain from a clear sky means may kinakasal na tikbalang.( “a tikbalang is getting married”.) This was most likely derived from a similar Spanish proverb that claimed a witch was getting married when there was rain on a sunny day.

28. DIWATA

Diwata, engkatada (from Spanish: encantada, “enchantress, charmed”) or engkanto  (from Spanish: encanto, ”spell, incantation, charm”) are fairies, nymphs, goddesses or enchanted persons who are believed to guard natural creations such as forests, seas, mountains, land and air.  Diwatas are said to reside in large trees, such as acacia  and balete. They are the guardian sprits of nature, bringing blessings or curses upon those who do good or harm to the forests and mountains. One famous diwata is Maria Makiling, guardian of Mount Makiling in Laguna province. Engkanto (sometimes spelled Encanto) is an umbrella term for most supernatural beings. The common connotation is that they are fairies who reside primarily in the forests and the sea. They can also be called encantado (male) or encantada (female).

 29. SANTELMO

St. Elmo’s Fire have ranged from a ghostly dancing flame to natural fireworks. It usually is of a blue or bluish-white colour attached to fixed, grounded conductors and has a lifetime of minutes. The flame is heatless and non-consuming, occasionally accompanied by a hissing sound. These latter properties prove the myths of spiritual presence. Santelmo is a fireball that flies around the forest. It chases its victims and kills them by setting them ablaze with flames.

  NOONG simula ng daigdig, wala pang lupa. Ang dagat lamang at ang langit ang naruruon, at sa pagitan nila ay isang tigmamanokan. Walang tigil ang lipad ng tigmamanokan at dumating ang isang araw nang napagod siya. Matagal siyang humanap ng malalapagan subalit walang nakita kaya naisip niyang galitin ang dagat.

  Sa poot ng dagat, pinaghahagis niya ng tubig ang tigmamanokan hanggang umabot sa langit ang taas ng mga alon. Nagimbal naman ang langit at, upang mapahupa ang mga alon, binagsakan ng maraming bato ang dagat. Sa dami ng bato, nagtumpok-tumpok ito at nabuo ang iba’t ibang pulo sa ibabaw ng dagat. Sa wakas, tumigil ang talon ng mga alon.

  Inutos ng langit sa ibon na lumapag sa isa sa mga pulo at duon mag-pugad. At huwag nang gambalain ang dagat at ang langit. Mula nuon, tahimik na namuhay ang lawin, at iba pang mga ibon, sa mga pulo sa pagitan ng dagat at langit. 

NANGYARI naman na mag-asawa nuon ang hangin dagat at ang hangin lupa, at may anak sila, si kawayan. Isang araw, lumulutang si kawayan sa tabi ng dagat nang nabangga niya ang paa ng tigmamanokan. Nagulat, nasaktan at nagalit, pinagtutuka ng tigmamanokan ang kawayan hanggang nabiyak ito. Kagilagilalas, lumitaw sa isang piraso ang isang lalaki, si Malakas. Sa kabilang bahagi, lumabas naman ang isang babae, si Maganda. Sila ang dalawang Unang Tao sa daigdig.

IPINATAWAG naman ng lindol ang lahat ng ibon at isda upang pag-usapan kung ano ang dapat gawin sa dalawang  tao. Ipinasiya nila na dapat mag-asawa sina Malakas at Maganda. Nangyari nga ito at marami silang naging mga anak, na pinagmulan ng iba’t ibang tao sa daigdig ngayon. Pagtagal, nayamot ang mag-asawang Malakas at Maganda sa dami ng kanilang mga tamad at walang-pakinabang na mga anak. Nais nilang palayasin lahat subalit hindi nila alam kung saan itatapon ang mga ito kaya nagtiyaga na lamang ang mag-asawa.

 Dumami pa uli nang dumami ang mga anak sa paglipas ng panahon at nangyari na hindi na nakaranas ng tahimik sina Malakas at Maganda. Isang araw, hindi na nakatiis si Malakas at, dampot ang isang bakawan, pinagha-hataw ang mga bata. Takbuhan sa takot ang mga anak at nagtago sa iba’t ibang lugar. Ang iba ang nagtago sa mga silid ng bahay, ang iba ay sumingit sa mga dingding. Ang iba ay nagkubli sa mga kalan sa kusina. Ang ibang anak ay tumakas sa labas, habang ilan ay tuluyang lumayas sa dagat. Sa ganitong paraan, nagka-iba-iba ang mga tao na kumalat sa daigdig. Ang mga nagtago sa mga silid ang naging mga pinuno sa mga pulo. Ang mga sumingit sa dingding ang naging mga alipin. Ang mga nagkubli sa mga kalan ay naging mga negro. Ang mga tumakas sa labas ang naging mga malaya. Pagkaraan ng maraming taon, ang mga anak ng lumayas sa dagat ay bumalik, at sila ay mga maputing tao, ang mga dayuhan.

 Nuong unang panahon, may dalawang  bathala na namamahay sa langit, si Kaptan at si Maguayan. Napa-ibig si Kaptan kay Maguayan at sila ay nag-asawa. Isang araw, tulad sa nangyayari sa mga mag-asawa pagkatapos ng unang pagsasama, nag-away si Kaptan at si Maguayan. Sa bugso ng galit ni Kaptan, pinalayas niya ang kanyang asawa. Malaki ang paghihinagpis na umalis si Maguayan.

Nang wala na ang diyosa, ang diyos na Kaptan ay inabot ng lumbay. Nabagabag siya ng kamaliang ipinataw niya sa kanyang asawa. Subalit huli na upang humingi siya ng patawad. Hinalughog niya ang buong kalangitan, subalit hindi niya natagpuan si Maguayan. Tulad sa usok naglaho ang diyosa.  Upang mahupa ang kanyang lumbay, ang namimighating diyos ay lumikha ng daigdig at nagtanim ng kawayan sa halaman na pinangalanang Kahilwayan. Nagtanim din siya ng palay, mais at tubo. Sa lahat ng mga tanim, ang kawayan ang unang umusbong. Tumubo itong maganda puno na malambot ang mga sanga at mga dahon na parang balahibong kumakaway sa daloy ng hangin.

Nang makita ang ganda ng kanyang nilikha, napuno ng ligaya ang kaluoban ni Kaptan. “Ah,” buntong hininga niya, “kung narito lamang si Maguayan, malulugod siyang masdan itong magandang tanawin sa gitna ng simoy ng hangin at kiskisan ng mga dahon!” Patuloy ang pagtubo ng kawayan.            Ang halamanan ay lalong gumaganda araw-araw. Isang dapit-hapon, habang si Kaptan ay nanunuod ng kaway-kaway ng mga dahon sa simoy ng hangin, isang sapantaha ang nabuo sa kanyang isip at, bago pa niya namalayan kung ano ang nangyayari, binulong na niya sa kanyang sarili, “Lilikha ako ng mga mag-aalaga nitong mga halaman.”

Agad-agad, ang kawayan ay nahati sa dalawang kabiyak. Mula sa isang bahagi, lumitaw ang unang tao. Pinangalan ni Kaptan ang tao ng Sikalak, pangalang nangangahulugan “ang matipunong nilikha.” At mula nga nuon, ang mga katulad ni Sikalak ay tinawag na lalak, o sa palayaw na lalaki.” Pagkatapos, mula sa kabilang bahagi ng biyak na kawayan lumitaw ang pangalawang nilikha. Bininyagan siya ng diyos ng Sikabay, pangalang ibig sabihin ay “katulong ng nilalang na malakas.” Mula nuon, ang kanyang mga katulad ay tinawag na sibabaye o babaye, sa palayaw.

                                Magkasama, ang dalawang nilikha ay nagtanim sa halamanan at inalagaan ang mga pananim. Sa kabilang dako, si Kaptan ay nagpunta sa malayo upang hanapin si Maguayan. Isang araw, pagka-alis ng diyos, niyaya ni Sikalak si Sikabay na magpakasal sa kanya. Subalit ang babae ay tumanggi. “Hindi ba magkapatid tayo?” pinagalitan niya ang lalaki. “Tutuo ang sinabi mo. Subalit walang ibang tao dito sa halamanan,” nangatwiran si Sikalak. “At kailangan natin ang mga anak na tutulong mag-alaga dito sa napaka-laking lupa para sa ating panginoon.”

                                Hindi natinag ang babae. “Alam ko,” sagot niya, “subalit ikay ay aking kapatid. Kapwa tayo isinilang sa iisang puno ng kawayan, at kaisa-isang biyas ang nagkabit sa ating dalawa.” Pagtagal-tagal, matapos ng mahabang pagtatalo, humingi sila ng payo sa mga isda sa dagat, at sa mga ibon sa himpapawid. Ipinayo ng mga isda at ng mga ibon na magpakasal sila. Hindi pa rin nahimok, sumangguni si Sikabay sa lindol, na sang-ayon din sa kanilang pag-aasawa. “Kailangang mag-asawa kayo,” sabi ng lindol, “upang magka-tao sa daigdig.”

                                Kaya nag-asawa sina Sikalak at Sikabay. Ang una nilang anak ay isang lalaki, na pinangalanan nilang Sibu. Pagkatapos, nagka-anak sila ng isang babae, na tinawag nilang Samar.

LIBU-LIBONG taon sa nakaraan, nuong wala pang araw o buwan, o mga bituwin, walang lupa - ang daigdig ay natatakpan ng dilim at malawak na dagat. At sa itaas, ng taklob ng langit. Ang makapangyarihang Kaptan ang hari sa langit, samantalang ang tubig ay kaharian ni Maguayan. May anak na babae si Maguayan, ang ngalan ay Lidagat. Lalaki ang anak ni Kaptan, si Lihangin.

Nagkasundo ang dalawang diyos na mag-asawa ang mga anak nila kaya nagsama ang hangin at dagat. Nagka-anak sila ng 3 lalaki at isang babae, si Lisuga, hubog sa lantay na pilak ( pura plata, pure silver), mahinhin at mayumi. Ang mga lalaki ay si Likalibutan, buong bato, malakas at matapang, si Liadlao, lantay na ginto at laging masaya, at si Libulan, buong tanso, mahina at kimi. Mahal silang lahat ng mga magulang at pinalaki sila sa ligaya. Dumating ang panahon, namatay si Lihangin. Si Likalibutan, ang panganay, ang nagmana ng pagka-hari sa hangin.

Hindi nagtagal, si Lidagat man ay namatay. Naiwang ulila ang mga anak kaya inaruga sila ng mga lolo, sina Kaptan at Maguayan, at iniligtas sa anumang panganib. Paglaki, nawili si Likalibutan sa minanang pagka-hari sa hangin, at hinangad niyang palakihin pang lalo ang kanyang kapangyarihan. Hinimok niya ang dalawang kapatid na lalaki na sumabwat sa kanyang pag-agaw sa lakas ng lolo, si Kaptan. Tumanggi muna ang 2 kapatid subalit nagalit si Likalibutan kaya pumayag na rin si Liadlao upang mapahinahon ang kapatid.

Magkatulong, madali nilang napilit ang kiming kapatid, si Libulan. Naghanda sila at biglang sinugod ang langit subalit hindi nila naibagsak ang nakaharang na pintong bakal. Pinawalan ni Likalibutan ang pinaka-malakas niyang hangin at giniba ng ipu-ipo ang pintong bakal. Lumusob ang 3 magka-kapatid subalit hinarap sila ng puot na puot na Kaptan. Natakot ang 3 at mabilis na tumalilis subalit ipinahagad sila sa kidlat ni Kaptan. Ang kiming Libulan ang unang tinamaan, natunaw at naging bilog na bola. Sunod tinamaan at natunaw ang ginintuang Liadlao.

Nang tamaan ng kidlat si Likalibutan, nagka-pira-piraso ang kanyang katawang bato at kalat-kalat na bumagsak sa dagat. Napaka-laki ng katawan ni Likalibutan kaya ang tipak-tipak na bato ay usli sa dagat at naging mga pulo. Samantala, ang mayuming Lisuga ay nalumbay at hinanap ang mga kapatid, walang malay na nagka-digmaan, at puot na puot ang kanyang lolo. Papalapit pa lamang siya sa langit nang nalingatan si Kaptan at, bago nakapag-pigil, pinukol din ng kidlat. Nadurog si Lisuga sa libu-libong piraso ng pilak.

Sukdulan pa rin ang galit, lumundag sa dagat si Kaptan at sumisid upang sabakan si Maguayan na akala niya ay kasabwat sa paglusob. Subalit mabilis na lumitaw si Maguayan at nangatwirang wala siyang kinalaman sa nangyari, sapagkat natutulog siya nuon sa kalaliman ng dagat. Napahinahon din niya sa wakas si Kaptan, at magka-akbay silang nagluksa sa pagkamatay ng mga apo, lalo na ang maganda at mahinhing Lisuga. Sinubok nilang ibalik ang buhay ang mga apo subalit hindi abot ng kanilang kapangyarihan, kaya pinatawan na lamang nila ng liwanag na kikinang habang panahon.

Sa gayon, ang ginintuang katawan ni Liadlao ay naging araw (sol, sun), ang kiming Libulan ang naging buwan (luna, moon), at si Lisuga ay naging libu-libong bituwin sa langit. Ang buhong na Likalibutan ay hindi binigyan ng liwanag at hindi inangat sa langit. Ipinasiya ng lolo na gamitin ang kanyang pira-pirasong bangkay bilang sibulan ng ibang uri ng tao.

Naglabas ng buto si Kaptan at itinanim sa isang pulo na dating bahagi ni Likalibutan. Dinilig ito lagi ni Maguayan at hindi nagtagal, tumubo ang isang puno ng kawayan. Mula sa isang biyas (node) nito, lumabas ang isang lalaki, si Sikalak, at isang babae, si Sikabay. Sila ang magulang at ninuno ng lahat ng tao sa daigdig.

Si Lumawig ang pinaka-makapangyarihan sa lahat ng mga ‘diyos.’ Sa langit siya nakatira ngayon, subalit may isang panahon nuong nakaraan nang tumira siya sa Bontoc, isang nayon ng Igorot, at nag-asawa ng isang dalagang Bontoc. Ang mga bato ng kanilang bahay ay nakikita sa nayon hanggang ngayon.

Si Lumawig ang lumikha sa Igorot, at mula nuon, lagi na niyang inalagaan ang mga ito, tinuruan kung paano malabanan ang mga panganib sa kalikasan, kung paano magtanim, mag-ani at, katunayan, lahat ng alam ng mga Igorot ngayon. Buwan-buwan, pinaparangalan siya sa isang pagdiriwang sa banal (sagrado, holy) na kumpol ng mga puno. Sa paniwala ng mga Bontoc, ang mga puno ay tumubo sa ibabaw ng mga libingan ng mga anak ni Lumawig. Sa buwanang pagdiriwang, nagdarasal ang mga tao na maligtas sa sakit, mag-ani ng maraming pagkain, at magtagumpay sa bakbakan.

NUONG simula, walang tao sa daigdig. Si Lumawig, ang pinaka-makapangyarihang diwa (espiritu, god ), ay bumaba mula sa langit at pumutol ng maraming yantok (cañas, reeds). Siya ang diyos ng araw at patron ng mga sunadalo at mandirigma ng mga sinaunang Pilipino. Pinaghiwa-hiwalay niya ang mga ito nang tig-2 bago ikinalat sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng daigdig. Tapos, inutusan niya ang mga ito.

  “Magsalita kayong lahat!”  Walang kaabog-abog, ang mga yantok ay naging mga tao, - naging isang babae at isang lalaki ang bawat tig-2 ikinalat sa daigdig. At lahat sila ay nagsimulang magsalita subalit magka-kaiba ang kanilang mga wika. “Mag-asawa kayong lahat!” Ito ang sunod na utos ni Lumawig. Sumunod ang mga bagong tao at pagkaraan ng panahon, maraming mga anak ang isinilang. Pagtagal pa, nag-asawa-asawa rin ang mga anak kaya lalong dumami ang mga tao sa daigdig. Lahat ay nagsalita ng wika ng kanilang mga magulang kaya magka-kaiba ang usap-usapan sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng daigdig.Napansin ni Lumawig na may mga kailangan ang mga tao, at lumapag siya muli sa lupa upang magbigay ng biyaya.

Dumating ang panahon na ang mga taong nilikha ni Lumawig ay nagkaroon ng sigalot at di pagkakaunawaan. Nagkaroon ng digmaan at marami ang namatay sa mga pangyayaring ito. Naisip ni Lumawig na kailangan ng pigilan ang pangyayaring ito kayat siya ay lumikha ng nilalang na siyang maghahatid ng kapayapaan sa buong Ifugao.

Dito isinilang si Aliguyon siya ay matalino at masipag matuto ng iba’t ibang bagay. Bata pa lamang ay natuto na siya kung paano makipagdigma nang mahusay, at paano umawit ng mga mahiwagang mahika. Kaya kahit nuong bata pa, tiningala na siya bilang pinuno, at hanga ang mga tao sa kanya. Nang mag-binata si Aliguyon, ipinasiya niyang sagupain si Panga-iwan, ang pinuno ng tribong kanilang kaaway, sa nayon ng Daligdigan.

Subalit ang sumagot sa kanyang hamon ay ang mabangis na anak ni Panga-iwan, si Pumbakhayon, marunong ng hiwaga at bihasa rin sa bakbakan tulad ni Aliguyon. Hindi naaling, pinukol ni Aliguyon ng sibat si Pumbakhayon. Kasing bilis ng kidlat, umiktad si Pumbakhayon upang iwasan ang sibat at, kagila-gilalas, sinalo sa hangin ang sibat ng isa niyang kamay! Wala pang isang kurap ng mata, binaligtad ni Pumbakhayon ang sibat at hinagis pabalik kay Aliguyon. Umiwas din si Aliguyon at sinalo rin ng isang kamay sa hangin ang humahagibis na sibat. Binaliktad din niya at ipinukol uli kay Pumbakhayon.

Pabalik-balik at walang tigil, naghagisan at nagsaluhan ng sibat si Aliguyon at Pumbakhayon hanggang umabot ng tatlong taon, hindi pa rin tumigil ang bakbakan, at walang nagpakita ng pagod o pagsuko. Subalit sa bangis at dahas ng kanilang paghahamok, kapwa sila humanga sa giting at husay ng kalaban, at pagkaraan ng tatlong  taong bakbakan, natuto silang igalang ang isa’t isa at nahinto, sa wakas, ang digmaan. Nag-usap at nagkasundo sila ng payapa ng kanilang nayon ng Hannanga at Daligdigan. Buong lugod na sumang-ayon lahat ng tao sa dalawang nayon, at ipinagdiwang nila ang kampihan ng dalawang bayani.

Sa paglawak ng katahimikan, umunlad ang dalawang nayon. Naging matalik na magkaibigan sina Aliguyon at Pumbakhayon. Nang sapat na ang gulang ni Aliguyon, pinili niyang asawa si Bugan, ang batang-batang kapatid na babae ni Pumbakhayon. Inalagaan niya sa bahay si Bugan hanggang lumaki itong napaka-gandang dalaga.
Ang pilining asawa naman ni Pumbakhayon ay ang kapatid na babae ni Aliguyon, si Aginaya. Ang dalawang pamilya nila ay yumaman at iginalang ng lahat sa Ifugao. Dahil dito natuwa si Lumawig dahil muling nanumbalik ang kapayapaan sa puso ng kanyang mga nilikha.