The Suludnon, also known as the Panay Bukidnon or Pan-ayanon, are a culturally indigenous Visayan group of people who reside in the Capiz-Lambunao mountainous area and the Antique-Iloilo mountain area of Panay in the Visayan islands of the Philippines. They are one of the two only culturally indigenous group of Visayan language-speakers in the Western Visayas, along with the, Halawodnon of Lambunao and Calinog, Iloilo and Iraynon-Bukidnon of Antique. Also, they are part of the wider Visayan ethnolinguistic group, who constitute the largest Filipino ethnolinguistic group.
This is a synopsis of Hinilawod II and continues the Adventures of Humadapnon recorded by F. Landa Jocano in 1955-56. On these differences between various tellings of the Sugidanon (epics of Panay), Jocano explains, “There is no doubt that there are now many versions of the “Hinilawod.” There were already many versions during the time that I was recording the adventures of Humadapnon. In the Tagarnghin area alone, there were twenty chanters. I had chosen Hugan-an because, as other chanters said, she’s the one who could narrate the entire series.”
“Another word of caution to younger researchers: the Sulod were (perhaps still are) very secretive, especially in areas having to do with their religious beliefs and rituals. While they appear at the surface to be very accommodating, there are parts of their lifeways that are not revealed easily to outsiders. Some chanters improvise their slant of the story. They skip important portions or forget them altogether; others add to make the narratives more elaborate.”
This synopsis has been posted as supplemental material for a comparative study done regarding multi-headed beings in Philippine Myth and Epics. A connecting thread is often the Hindu epic Ramayana, the Story of Rama, about a prince and his long hero’s journey. Ramayana is one of the world’s great epics. It began in India and spread among many countries throughout Asia. Its text is a major thread in the culture, religion, history, and literature of millions. Through its study, teachers come to understand how people lived and what they believed and valued. As the story became embedded into the culture of Southeast Asian countries, each created its own version reflecting the culture’s specific values and beliefs. As a result, there are literally hundreds of versions of the story of Rama throughout Asia, especially Southeast Asia.
Illustration by Mike Lombo Jr. (Tales from our Malay Past)
ADVENTURES OF HUMADAPNON
In his dream Humadapnon was told by his spirit friends, Taghoy and Duwindi, that in a village by the mouth of Halawod river, somewhere in the west-central coast of Panay lives a beautiful woman named Nagmalitong Yawa. Humadapnon was the chieftain of the Sulod. His domain was at the headwaters of Panay river.
Thrilled by this news, Humadapnon went to look for the woman. On his way, he encountered difficulties and indescribable hardships. In one incident, his golden boat was driven by some unknown power into an unmoving sea, the color of which looked like human blood. It took the crew seven months to cross the unmoving deep.
From this unmoving sea, Humadapnon’s boat was again blown by a strong wind into a channel near the mouth of a river called Saruma. There were two moving islands close to this channel which crashed against each other at intervals. There was no other way except between these opening and closing rocks. With the help of his spirit friends, however, Humadapnon was able to escape harm.
On and on Humadapnon and his crew sailed until they reached an enchanted island called Tarangban. This was an island-cave inhabited by beautiful women. Enticed by the charms of Ginmayunan, who entreated him to pass by, Humadapnon moored his boat near the island and paid the women a visit. In the cave he was bewitched and imprisoned by the women for seven years.
Humadapnon was freed from the charms of Ginmayunan by Nagmalitung Yawa, the woman he was looking for. Nagmalitung Yawa was brought to the scene by the Taghoy and the Duwindi. At first, Nagmalitung Yawa declined to come but the spirits threatened to withdraw their supernatural support during her time of need. Coerced the maiden went.
With the help of Duwindi and Taghoy, Nagmalitung Yawa changed herself into a man and assumed the name of Buyung Sunmasakay. After liberating Humadapnon from the cave, Sunmasakay performed a ritual which removed the charms of Ginmayunan on Humadapnon. The handsome face of Humadapnon captured the heart of the disguised Nagmalitong Yawa. Instead of returning as Sunmasakay she transformed herself to her former self. She was so beautiful that Humadapnon wanted her instead of Kinangay sa Bulan, the woman his parents wanted him to marry.
Humadapnon asked Nagmalitong Yawa’s hand in marriage. However, she answered that she could not do anything until she had the permission of her parents. Humadapnon accompanied her back to Halawod. Along the way, Humadapnon encountered all kinds of difficulties, including conquering Buyung Paglambuhan, lord of an island-fortress in the middle of the sea. He always came out victorious nevertheless. They reached Halawod and Humadapnon married Nagmalitong Yawa.
During the wedding feast, Dumalapdap was attracted to Huyung Adlaw, daughter of one of the guests, Nabalansang Sukla, ruler of the Upperworld. Dumalapdap asked Humadapnon to help him win the girl and to talk to her parents. Humadapnon, at first refused his brother’s request. But Dumalapdap reminded him that when he (Humadapnon) was in trouble he was loyal to him throughout.
Yielding to his entreaties, Humadapnon accompanied his brother to win Huyung Adlaw. They were away for seven years. During this time, Matan-ayon gave the hand of Nagmalitong Yawa to Buyung Sumagulung, son of Mamang Paglambuhan (different from the giant which Humadapnon killed along the way), headman of an island fortress located somewhere beyond the mouth of Halawod river.
A big crowd was gathered in the house of Matan-ayon and Labaw Donggon to attend the wedding ceremony. When the rite was about to be performed, Humadapnon and Dumalapdap returned. Humadapnon blew his horn to notify Nagmalitong of his arrival. This created deep concern among the people who have gathered in the house of Labaw Donggon.
Some men met them at the shore and informed the brothers about the sad news. On knowing the treacherous act of Matan-ayon and Sumagulung, Humadapnon and Humalapdap killed all the guests present in the house of Labaw Donggon. They also killed Sumagulung.
In his anger, Humadapnon confronted Nagmalitong Yawa about her infidelity. He refused to listen to the woman’s explanation. The latter told him that it was her mother who arranged the wedding and that she had nothing to do with it. But it was in vain.
Without saying a word, Humadapnon stabbed his wife with his poisoned knife. Later, Humadapnon’s conscience bothered him. His spirit friends informed him that really Nagmalitong Yawa was not at fault and that he did a very unjust act. It was his mother-in-law who was at fault because she was the one who arranged the marriage.
Remorsefully, Humadapnon persuaded his sister, Labing Anyag, to resuscitate the dead Nagmalitung Yawa. This Labing Anyag gladly did. Coming to life again, Nagmalitong Yawa ran away from Humadapnon. She could not face him because of her previous mistakes. Humadapnon followed her.
The woman went down to the Underworld, passing through the channel guarded by an eight-headed snake named Sikay Pedalogdog, the region ruled by her uncle, Panlinugun, lord of the earthquake. Humadapnon fought the eight-headed snake and conquered it.
From the underworld, Nagmalitong Yawa fled to the upperworld, the domain of her grandmother, Laun Sina. Humadapnon followed her there, too. Reaching the middle space, between the Upperworld and the Middleworld, a sturdy young man, riding on the shoulders of the wind, came to the scene and abducted the fleeing Nagmalitong Yawa.
Humadapnon challenged the man. They fought for seven years in an equally matched duel. Both handled their arms very skillfully. No one seemed to win over the other. From above, Laun Sina watched the contest. After several years she got tired watching the two men so she descended from her ethereal throne and settled the case.
During the settlement, it was found out that the man was Amarotha, Humadapnon’s brother who died immediately after birth. Because she was alone in the Upperworld, Laun Sina brought Amarotha with her to her abode. There she resuscitated him and brought him up until he became a full-grown man.
In order to do justice to the two young men, Laun Sina decreed that the body of Nagmalitong Yawa be divided into two. This was carried out and each man—Humadapnon and Amarotha—took his own share of the body which Laun Sina brought back to life.
Humadapnon brought his wife to Panay and ruled the island for centuries.
SOURCES:
Epic of Central Panay 2: Hinilawod, Adventures of Humadapnon, Chanted by Hugan-an, Translated by F. Landa Jocano,Punlad Research House, Inc (2000)
Outline of Philippine Mythology, F. Landa Jocano, Centro Escolar University (1969)
Jordan Clark is a Canadian born descendant of Scottish immigrants living on the homelands of the Lekwungen speaking peoples. His interest in Philippine myth and folklore began in 2004. Finding it difficult to track down resources on the topic, he founded The Aswang Project in 2006. Shortly after, he embarked on a 5 year journey, along with producing partner Cheryl Anne del Rosario, to make the 2011 feature length documentary THE ASWANG PHENOMENON – an exploration of the aswang myth and its effects on Philippine society. In 2015 he directed “The Creatures of Philippine Mythology” web-series, which features 3 folkloric beings from the Philippines – the TIKBALANG, KAPRE and BAKUNAWA. Episodes are available to watch on YouTube. Jordan recently oversaw the editing for the English language release of Ferdinand Blumentritt’s DICCIONARIO MITOLÓGICO DE FILIPINAS (Dictionary of Philippine Mythology) and is working on two more releases with fellow creators scheduled for release later this year. When his nose isn’t in a book, he spends time with his amazing Filipina wife of 20 years and their smart and wonderful teenaged daughter.
