Folktale

The Necklace and the Comb

In the early days, the sky hung low and people could
easily reach the clouds. Inday, a beautiful girl who
was given family heirlooms for her sixteenth
birthday, loved to wear her precious necklace and
comb even while she worked. One day, as she was
husking rice with a mortar and a pestle, she put her
jewelry on a cloud to avoid spoiling them. As she
pounded on the rice with her pestle, one end also
pounded the sky. Before she knew it, the sky went up
high with her heirloom pieces. In time, her comb
became the quarter moon and the beads of her
necklace became the stars.
 Mother Mountain

In one of the islands in Batanes, a widow lived with

her two daughters who only wanted to play the whole
day. The only thing that the mother asked of her
daughters was to have supper ready by the time she got
home from working in the fields. One night, when she
got home and her daughters were nowhere to be seen,
she made dinner herself. When the girls returned and
saw their mother busy in the kitchen, they decided to
play some more. The mother could not take it anymore
and calmly walked away from their house. Though the
girls eventually followed her, it was already too late.
The mother had taken the shape of a mountain, now
called Mount Iraya.

The Monkey and the Turtle

A monkey and a turtle were once friends. One

day, they saw a banana-plant floating on the
water. They decided to split it and planted each
half. Monkey thought the top part was better, so
he planted it and watched in dismay as it died.
Turtle planted the roots and was rewarded with a
fine tree with fruits. But since he could not climb
to get the bananas himself, he asked Monkey to
get it for him.The cunning simian, however, ate
all of the fruits! In retaliation, Turtle put sticks
around the tree and then tricked Monkey to go
down, killing him. Monkey’s friends then tried to exact revenge on Turtle, who
deceived them into throwing him into the lake, his home.
 The Story of the Piña
Pinang was a beautiful but lazy girl. One day, her
mother got sick and asked her to cook food for
them. Having never really done anything around
the house, Pinang refused at first. She finally
relented through her mother’s insistent shouting,
but had trouble finding the ladle. Frustrated,
Pinang’s mother wished a hundred eyes to grow
on her for being so lazy. After this, Pinang was
never seen again. A strange yellow fruit with a
hundred eyes, however, was soon found growing
in their backyard.
The Legend of the Guava
Philippine culture is rich in folklore. One tale I enjoyed
during my childhood was the legend of the guava fruit,
which comes with a moral lesson. A guava tree or fruit is
called bayabas in Tagalog, which is the language of the
Philippines.

The story goes like this:

A long time ago, there's a king who ruled a rich,
prosperous island. He had all the things a king could ever
ask for: the power, the wealth, and all the delicious foods
one could only imagine.The king's name was King
Barabas.
King Barabas is a rude king and overweight, indulging
himself to all the foods available, hesitant to share to
anyone. And his castle is starting to become filthy. He
would spend most of his time sitting and eating with his
bare hands. As he eats, he drips food on the floor and
smile mockingly at the people around him, specially his
servants.
People in the kingdom would approach with requests for his help, but he would always refuse. As
he neglected his kingdom, people started to complain and starve.
After some time, an old hunched-back woman showed up at the castle begging for food while the
king was eating. The old lady asked for food as she was starving.
"Go away! I don't have anything to give. Can't you see I'm eating?" said the king.
"Please, my king," begged the old woman. "I'm asking for anything, anything you could give me
as I am so hungry. Even a little piece of bread or fruit would do."
"Get out at once! You disgust me," the king belittled the old beggar.
The old woman stood up straight, casting aside her stooped posture. "I've heard much about you
and how your kingdom is suffering." The tone of her voice had changed. It was no longer the voice
of a weak, old woman. "I asked for help, and you shoved me away. You have a lot for yourself,
but when I only asked for a little food, you belittled me. You are selfish. No one loves you and no
one will remember you when you are gone!"
And the beggar disappeared.
After a few more days, the king slowly weakened and became sick. No one knows what's wrong
with him. He got weaker and weaker and lost much weight. He looked older than his age. Soon
after that, the king died. As unfortunate and unexpected as it was, no one cried and nobody
showed up at the king's burial. He died alone.
And where the king was buried, his people noticed a strange plant growing, a plant they had never
seen before. The plant soon grew into a tree, which bore rounded fruits that turned yellowish when
ripe.
People also noticed that the fruit seemed to have a crown as it develops, which reminded them
of their selfish, arrogant king. The flesh of the fruit tasted a bit sour, just like the sour personality
of the king towards them.
The people learned to eat the fruit, which helped them with starvation. And because the tree was
from the grave of their King Barabas and it has crown just like their king, they named the tree after
him: barabas, which in time they called bayabas.

Legend of the Firefly

Lovely little creatures, glittering, sparkling, throwing fragments of light in the dark night skies. How did the
fireflies or alitaptap come about?
Once, a long time ago, in the
valley of Pinak in Central Luzon,
one of the islands in the
Philippines. There was a deep
large lake rich with fish. There,
the people of Pinak fished for
their food, and always, there was
plenty for all. Then suddenly, the
big river dried up. In the shallow
mud, there wasn’t a fish to catch.
For months, there were no rains.
Out in the fields, the land turned
dry. The rice-stalks slowly
withered. Everywhere in Pinak,
there was hunger. Night after
night, the people of Pinak prayed hard.

“Dear Bathala,” they would recite together in their small and poorly-built chapel, ” send us rains, give us food
to eat. For the people are starving, and there is want among us!”
Then one black and starless night, the good Bathala answered the prayers of the faithful people of Pinak.
For suddenly up in the dark skies appeared a blaze of gold! A beautiful chariot of gold was zooming thru
the sky. The people started to panic but a big booming voice came from the chariot soothing them with
words.

” I am Bula-hari, and I have come with my wife, Bitu-in. We are sent from the heavens to rule Pinak from now on.
We have come to give you good life!” As Bulan-hari spoke, the black skies burst open. The rain fell in torrents.
Soon the dry fields bloomed again. The large lake rose and once again was filled with fish. The people were
happy once more under the rulership of Bulan-hari.
Soon Bulan-hari and Bitu-in had a daughter. She grew up to be a beautiful maiden. Such long dark hair!
Such lovely eyes under long curling lashes! Her nose was chiselled fine. Her lips like rosebuds. Her skin
was soft and fair like cream. They named her Alitaptap for on her forehead was a bright sparkling star.

All the young, brave handsome men of Pinak fell in love with Alitaptap. They worshipped her beauty. They
sang songs of love beneath her windows. They all sought to win her heart.

But alas! the heart of Alitaptap wasn’t human. She was the daughter of Bulan-hari and Bitu-in, who burst
from the sky and were not of the earth. She had a heart of stone, as cold and as hard as the sparkling star
on her forehead. Alitaptap would never know love.

Then one day, an old woman arrived at the palace. Her hair long and dirty. her clothing tattered and soiled.
Before the king Bulan-hari, Balo-na, the old, wise woman whined in her sharp voice… that she had come
from her dwelling in the mountains to bear the king sad news. The news being that she saw the future in a
dream and it betold of their fate… the warriors of La-ut are coming with their mighty swords to conquer the
land, the only solution is to have a marriage between Alitaptap and one of the young men, so as to have
an heir to win the war.

At once Bulan-hari pleaded with his daughter to choose one of the young men in their village. But how could
the beautiful maiden understand? Alitaptap’s heart of stone merely stood in silence. Bulan-hari gripped his
sword in despair… “Alitapatap!” he bellowed in the quiet palace, “You will follow me, or you will lay dead this
very minute!”
But nothing could stir the lovely young woman’s heart. Bulan-hari blind with anger and fear of the dark
future finally drew his sword. Clang! the steel of his sword’s blade rang in the silence of the big palace. It
hit the star on Alitaptap’s lovely forehead!

The star burst! Darkness was everywhere! Until a thousand chips of glitter and light flew around the hall.
Only the shattered pieces of the star on Alitaptap’s forehead lighted the great hall, flickering as though they
were stars with tiny wings.

Alitaptap, the lovely daughter from the heavens lay dead.

And soon, Balo-na’s prediction had come true. Riding in stamping wild horses, the warriors of La-ut came
like the rumble and clashes of lightning and thunder. They killed the people of Pinak, ruined crops, poisoned
the lake. They spread sorrow and destruction everywhere.

When it all ended, the beautiful, peaceful valley of Pinak had turned into an empty and shallow swamp. At
night, there was nothing but darkness. But soon, tiny sparkles of light would flicker and lend glimmers of
brightness in the starless night.

And so, the fireflies came about. Once, a long time ago, they were fragments from the star on the forehead
of Bulan-hari’s daughter, the beautiful Alitaptap.
The Legend of Mayon Volcano (Ang
Alamat ng Bulkang Mayon)
In the town of Daraga, in the province of Albay in the Bicol
Region, lays the most beautiful volcano in the Philippines-
Mayon volcano. Its picturesque view may have been
what inspired the natives to come up with one of the
most exceptional Philippine alamats - the legend of
"Daragang Magayon" of the Bicolanos, or "Dalagang
Maganda" (beautiful maiden) in Tagalog.

Long ago, along the streams of Yawa river lays a kingdom

named Rawis. It is reigned by a very generous and
intelligent king - King Makusog. His only daughter was
called "Daragang Magayon" (beautiful maiden) because of the exceptional beauty that she possesses. Because of
this beauty, all the men in their kingdom, as well as in the neighboring kingdoms, dream to have her heart.

It has been a hobby of Daragang Magayon to secretly take a bath in the Yawa River every morning at the break of
dawn. It was one morning when a traveler from the faraway kingdom of Laguna accidentally saw her secret ritual.
He was a young lad named Ulap (cloud). Upon seeing the beautiful maiden, Ulap was instantly hypnotized by her
beauty.

In the many journeys of Ulap, it was only then that a maiden has successfully captured his heart. Every morning
since then, he would secretly watch behind the bamboo groves as Daragang Magayon takes a bath in the Yawa River.
He was not contented in being a secret admirer so he eventually decided to come out of his hiding place and
introduce himself to the maiden.

Daragang Magayon, startled by this revelation , started to come to her feet and run away, but as fate may have
dictated it, she was tripped by a mossy stone and was about to be drawn away by the river current when Ulap
grabbed her arm. In that instant, she too was hypnotized by the lad's stance and charming eyes that she failed to
turn her back from him and run away.

Not for long, the two became inseparable lovers and their relationship was happily blessed by King Makusog. Ulap
asked permission from his lady love to go home to Laguna and fetch his relatives for the pamamanhikan (prenuptial
get together). He was away for two months.

Meanwhile, the news of the soon-to-be wedding spread like fire in the nearby kingdoms including the Kingdom of
Iraya which is reigned by Patugo. This news enraged him and brought back the pain incurred by Daragang Magayon's
refusal of his love proposal.

He convinced his people to set a battle against the Kingdom of Rawin by telling them that Daragang Magayon's
marriage to a foreign man is an insult to their maleness. They agreed to capture King Makusog and ask for Daragang
Magayon as a ransom.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Rawis is busy in the preparation for the arrival of the people from Laguna. This was used
by Patugo and his army as an opportunity to attack them. The people of Rawis was so stunned by this sudden attack
that the king was effortlessly captured. The festive mood was instantly replaced with doom. Daragang Magayon
offered herself as a ransom for the freedom of his father even if this was against her will. Just then, their expecting
visitors, Ulap and his clan from Laguna, arrived and helped in fighting the enemies. "If you are real men, fight with
men! Do not waste your power in terrorizing ladies and old men!", Ulap exclaimed. With this, the battle heated up
and there was bloodshed. Under the heat of the sun, behind the dusty wind, swords and bolos were ravagely
swished against each other. Daragang Magayon's heart beated outrageously because of the suspense brought about
by the battle. A bloody body fell on the ground, and the maiden's heart skipped a beat thinking that this might be
his lover's. She ran closer and reveled when she saw that instead of Ulap, the lifeless body belongs to Patugo. She
turned around and saw Ulap with his arms wide open. She joyfully ran towards the waiting arms of her lover. As the
two passionately embraced each other, a deadly arrow came flying from one of the enemies and struck their
entwined bodies. The sky was covered with gloom as the two lovers slowly fell on the ground.

The whole Kingdom of Rawis grieved upon their loss. King Makusog proclaimed that the two shall be buried together
since it is not right to separate what death has united as one.

As they say, true love is hard to bury. Like a strong current, it will eventually struggle and resurface. Daragang
Magayon's love is as such. It is said that because of the strong love of Daragang Magayon for Ulap, her grave
mounted into a towering mass of volcano as if an emblem of her undying love. Raging lava even came out of it as a
symbol of her overflowing affection. This volcano which surfaced from the grave of Daragang Magayon is now known
as the Mayon volcano. Daragang Magayon is what they claim as the Mayon.

They say that if you want to see the best of Mt. Mayon, you should wake up very early in the morning just about the
crack of dawn. By then, you will see clearly the perfect shape of the volcano but as the time passes, clouds will then
cover the slopes from the view. These clouds are represented by the jealous Ulap who is not comfortable with the
numerous eyes laying upon his beloved Magayon.
 THE LEGEND OF MALAKAS AND MAGANDA
(ENGLISH VERSION OF “ANG ALAMAT NI MALAKAS
AT MAGANDA”
A long time ago, the house of God was a fathomless vast of emptiness.

He was saddened because he can’t see nor hear anything.

The sun rose, bright as a gold and the heavens were embellished with clear blue skies. In a distance the
full moon peeked amidst the darkness with thousands of sparkling and twinkling stars.

God gracefully lifted His powerful hands and in just a snap, the earth was created. Trees and grasses
sprouted from the lands and fragrant flowers came into bloom.

Oceans waved and surged; rivers outrageously flowed. Birds flew freely in the skies and they rest to sing
for a while.

God then created the world. It was such a beautiful and pleasure paradise to behold!

One day, the king of birds flew and explored the wild blue yonder.He proudly spread his sturdy massive
wings and flew to the forest.

From a distance, he saw a lofty bamboo bending from its waist as a gentle blow of wind touched it.

He hurried through the bamboo and stopped for a short rest.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

He felt a resounding knock coming from the tall bamboo. He was sure he heard a voice!

“Set me free, o, stalwart king of birds!”, was the plead. “Peck harder! I can’t breathe. It’s a confinement!”

“It might be a trap!”, the bird thought. After a while, a lizard crawled up to the bamboo. The starving bird
tried to grab the crawling lizard.

He hardly pecked the bamboo in his attempt to catch the lizard.

All of a sudden, the tall bamboo broke. To the bird’s surprise, a handsome man emerged from the bamboo.

“Thanks, O, great king of the birds! My name is Malakas. Please continue pecking the bamboo. Release
my partner with your grace and power!”

Once again, the bird pecked the bamboo.

A modest and beautiful woman came out from the bamboo. “She is my wife. Her name is Maganda. You
freed us, O, King of the birds! You must live with us forever!”

“I can’t”, replied the bird. “I am but one bird and my home is the immense blue skies. I travel with the wind.
My wings were intended for flight. But, I would always sing for you. Even if when I’m gone, my nestlings
would also sing for you. With their rhythmic voices, they would sing the song I sang for the both of you!”

“Come! Ride in my massive wings. I would bring you to the Land of the Morning. There you must live and
stay!”

Malakas and Maganda reached the land of green islands. It shone with the brightness of golden sun. The
whole land was a vast of glistening pearls of the east!
There, in the Land of the Morning, Malakas and Maganda lived together – the first parents of the Filipino
race.
 The Legend of the Chocolate Hills
Once upon a time in the province of Bohol, there was an extensive,
vast land however it was too dry. There's plenty of cracks on the
land during summer. You will really sweat it out when you passed
by the area. But during the rainy season, it is very muddy and
definitely your toes will sink when barefooted. However, during the
farming season, the surrounding is cozy and the province is full of
greens.

According to the elders in the province, one day there were two giants
who came on both ends of the island. One came from the far south
and the other from the north. The residents feared that the two will meet. So temporarily left the local area.
Unfortunately as expected, the two giants met.

"What are you doing in my realm!" It's my property you must leave, "said the angry giant from the south." Find a
place that you will occupy. "

" Oh !, I think I was the first one here so this area belongs to me! "answer by the angry giant from the north." You
should be the one who must go! "

" No, it can't ! This area belongs to me! " the Giants from South trample and shook the place like an earthquake.

" Not possible! "a stronger trample from the Giants of the North.

At that time of their argument, a heavy rain just ended so the land where they stand is muddy. One of the giants made
a circle of mud in his hands and throw it to his rival. But the other one also responds and also made a large round of
mud and he also threw it to his enemy. They kept on without stopping hitting each other with mud balls . Until the
two are very tired, they run out of energy and losses of their breath. The two giants fell down lifeless. Many from the
townspeople witnessed this once in a lifetime event.

The one that caught the eyes of the people are the giant-like balls of clay that were used by the giants during the stone
throwing.

After the incident, the people return to their homes. Their lives were peaceful and abundant.Because of the
mountainous hills made by the giants that look like chocolate, were also beneficial as their plantations, this is the
origin of the Chocolate Hills.

Sitsiritsit Lyrics

Sitsiritsit, alibangbang
Paruparong Bukid Lyrics Salaginto at salagubang
Ang babae sa lansangan
Kung gumiri'y parang tandang

Santo Niño sa Pandakan

Magtanim Ay 'Di Biro Lyrics O Ilaw Lyrics
Magtanim ay di biro
Maghapong nakayuko
O, Ilaw
Di naman makatayo sa gabing madilim
Di naman makaupo Wangis mo'y
bituin sa langit
Braso ko'y namamanhid Santa Clarang Pinong-pino
Baywang ko'y nangangawit. O, tanglaw Santa Clarang pinung-pino
Binti ko'y namimintig Ang hiling ko po ay tupdin niyo
Sa pagkababad sa tubig. sa gabing tahimik
Pagdating ko po sa Obando
Larawan mo Neneng Magsasayaw ako ng pandanggo
Sa umagang paggising nagbigay pasakit
Ang lahat iisipin Aruray!
Kung saan may patanim Tindig at magbangon abarinding!
May masarap na pagkain.
sa pagkagupiling ang pangako ay tutuparin!
Sa pagkakatulog
Braso ko'y namamanhid Santa Clarang pinong-pino,
na lubhang mahimbing
Baywang ko'y nangangawit. Ako po ay bigyan mo
Binti ko'y namimintig Ng asawang labintatlo
Sa pagkababad sa tubig. Buksan ang bintana
at ako'y dungawin Sa gastos ay walang reklamo!
Halina, halina, mga kaliyag, Nang mapagtanto mo O Ilaw Lyrics
Tayo'y magsipag-unat-unat. ang tunay kong
Magpanibago tayo ng lakas
Para sa araw ng bukas pagdaing
Para sa araw ng bukas!
 The Ibalon
(Bikol Region)
A long time ago, there was a rich land called
Ibalong. 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. Upon knowing this, Baltog decided to look
for this boar with all his courage and patiend. 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. Though the Tandayag had
very long fangs, he was able to pin down the
monstrous, wild boar and break apart its very big
ja
wbones. With this, Tandayag fell and died.

After this fight, 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.

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 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 hardes to kill. Having a beautiful voice, Oryaol
could change its image to deceive its enemies. To capture it, Handyong tried different ways. But Oryol escaped every
one of it and disappeared.

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.
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 cmae 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.
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. 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. So, he waited. When Rabot
was already sleeping very soundly, Bantong came hear him. He cut the giant into two whith his very sharp bolo and
without any struggle, Rabot died. So Ibalong was at peace once more.
 Tulalang Slays the Dragon
(of the Ilianen Manobo of North Central Cotabato)

After a long time, Tulalang partook of his lunch of betel nut chew. Being an immortal, Tulalang had no
need for food and only chewed betelnut. When he had finished chewing, Tulalang began to get ready.
He rose and slowly approached his golden clothes trunk and carefully selected the clothes that he
would put on. He dressed slowly and painstakingly until he was fully clothed.
He next put on his "tengkulu"-turban and wrapped it around his head. The edge of the turban was
decorated with little bells that tinkled when Tulalang moved his head. It was also decorated with
embroidery done by Tulalang's only sister who had worked on it in the pitch darkness of the night,
working only by the light of her radiant beauty.

Tulalang next put on the rest of his armor – his warrior vest, a breastplate, his Belarew-dagger which
he tied to his waist and his Hinepuan-dagger which he wore on the left side. He fastened his daggers
to his waist by tying the string around his waist ten times and knotting it nine times. He then sat down
on his golden throne and gestured to his shield hanging on the wall and to a spear stuck into the wall.
They came to him. He dusted off the shield and slowly shook the handle of the spear. The tinkling of
the spear was heard from afar, everywhere, and it was heard by the spirit-guardian of animals, who
called out to other spirits for assistance that Tulalang would not live any longer because he made her
miserable and disturbed her on purpose.
As Tulalang stood up and got ready to go on his journey, he heard the call of a dove considered as a
bad omen. The dove's call was repeated but Tulalang did not heed the omen. He decided that he
would not stop his journey, but he pondered on how he could avert the evil that would come of it. He
wished that the harm that would come from ignoring the warning of the dove would fall on him alone
and not on the innocent people of his kingdom.

He went back to his seat and occupied himself with his hobby of weaving ornamental knee bands. One
sunny day, the skies darkened and Tulalang heard a rushing sound. A gigantic eagle had alighted. This
monster of an eagle, with its golden beak and dagger-like talons frightened everyone and brought
much harm to the people. The eagle hooked Tulalang by his turban and began to light him up, but it
could not lift him high because he was very heavy. Meanwhile, Tulalang prepared himself for battle.
He grabbed the eagle by its feet and tightening his hold, he held the eagle high in the air and dashed
it against the rocks again and again until it died. After a while, however, he decided to restore the
eagle to life. The newly resuscitated eagle licked Tulalang's palm as a sign of surrender and declared
itself his slave. The eagle said that it would guard Tulalang's house and warn him of any impending
danger.
Many days later, Tulalang was warned by the eagle of the approach of two big bands of robbers, one
from upstream and the other from downstream. A chief of the bandits summoned Tulalang,
challenging him to a fight. Tulalang first partook of his betel chew and then got ready to fight. He
gestured to his shield hanging on the wall and to his spear leaning against the wall and, armed with
these, he made his way towards the doorway and out into the yard. He saw the two groups
of bandits waiting. He announced that he would fight with the group from the downstream region first.
He fought fiercely, but no matter how hard he struck them, his spear left no wounds. He could not
pierce any of his opponents. Soon he was outnumbered and overpowered.
Riddles

Bangka
Wala sa langit, wala sa lupa
Kung tumakbo ay patihaya.

Kabaong
Binili ko nang di nagustuhan
Ginamit ko nang di ko nalalaman

Bahay
Sa umaga ay nagtataboy
Sa gabi ay nag-aampon

Banig
Kung gabi ay malapad
Kung araw ay matangkad.

Kung gabi'y dagat

Sa araw ay bumbong

Sapatos
Dala mo, dala ka
Dala ka pa ng iyong dala.