Mythically Speaking

CEBU, Philippines - Way before the spotlight was on science and empirical reasoning, the people back then relied on myths and legends to explain many of the earth’s complexities. This temporarily quenched man’s urge to fully understand and comprehend the world around him. Human beings are innately curious and aside from being a great way to while away the time, myths became an object of fascination that back then, was already close to being treated as religion.

Although the Philippines may be predominantly Catholic, this is not to say that Filipinos have completely let go of their belief on myths that have been passed down from generation to generation. In fact, Philippine mythology has been passed down like a treasured family heirloom even until today, most especially in the rural areas.

However, unlike the Greek and Roman myths, Philippine mythology is lesser known to the younger generation, many of whom were only exposed to the Western myths. Unknown to many, Philippine mythology contains its own informal pantheon of gods and goddesses, and even its own slew of epic heroes whose stories can very well match that of Odysseus and Achilles—given the right treatment and flair for storytelling.

Here are my top picks if you’re itching to explore mythology the Pinoy way:

Ulahingan

This is one of my personal favorites because its epics exist in a nexus. Elena Maquiso, author of “Ulahingan: An Epic of Southern Philippines” likens the entire epic to a bamboo which is made up of various smaller shoots, which are the chapters or parts that make up the entire story but which are complete in themselves. The Ulahingan comes from one of the most interesting tribes in Southern Philippines, the Manobos. More than an interesting take on Manobo culture, the Ulahingan whisks us off into an epic journey into immortality, into worlds and unfamiliar terrains that are both fantastical and real all at once. A tapestry of timeless themes like power, faith, adventure, and suffering, the Ulahingan takes us back to a time of irate sultans, swashbuckling young heroes, and an adventure beyond comprehension.

Darangan

Darangan is one of the oldest and longest of Philippine epics and is one of the most enthralling and fasci-nating. Darangan is a comp-licated tale about the lives of the Maranao nobles and the complexities brought about by love and the discovery of one’s true destiny. One of the Darangan’s best loved epics is the story of Bantugan, the warrior prince of Bumbaran whose struggle in the name of love takes him from death and back just when his foes have thought that they have already gotten the best of him.

Hinilawod

Hinilawod is a tale of enchantment set amidst the crystal blue waters and the pristine shores of Panay island in the Visayas. It chronicles the adventures of Humadapnon, who is aided by the diwatas or fairies in his quest to rescue the beautiful Nagmalitong Yawa despite being caught in the clutches of an evil enchantress.

The Philippines is actually a treasure trove of myths and epics that are simply waiting to be relished and enjoyed. Talk about going back to one’s roots.