The Lady of the Nightbloom

When brilliance meets community pressure, what blossoms—and what withers? This episode retells the Filipino folk-inspired myth of Evangelina, a prodigious artist who withdraws from the glittering buzz of social expectations. Gifted but suffocated by gossip, envy, and “crab mentality,” Evangelina seeks solace in solitude, only to transform into the nocturnal bloom known as Dama de Noche.

This retelling of the "The Legend of the Flower Dama Noche" is a cultural commentary and a reflection on how modern creatives navigate praise, pressure, and personal peace. This episode explores how talent, communal politics, and the quest for authentic selfhood intertwine—illuminating why some flowers choose to open only after sunset.

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lady of the nightbloom by nathalie de los santos

Evangelina was known as the gifted daughter of a prominent family that had immigrated to a new world. She didn’t study at a prestigious private school, but she excelled effortlessly in arts, academics, and music. At first, her parents wanted her to get married, but soon they saw her destined for greatness in society’s eyes.

As her popularity grew, Evangelina was invited to gatherings, clubs and groups to help organize community events. But in rooms full of people, Evangelina felt an emptiness in these social gatherings. Behind glittering parties, protest posters and curated social media posts lay gossip, envy, and competition. Evangelina lost track of who liked who, and who hated who. If she didn’t take a side, she would hear no end of it. And if she was given an award, while many praised her, she would lose a few friends each time. “I did the same thing as you. It’s because you’re younger,” a colleague once scoffed. Even if the envious stayed in her life, their response to her success was always “If only we could all have what you have.”

She knew these friends wouldn’t be there if she hadn’t any skills or prestige, so she felt the ever present need to keep up. She learnt to never fully talk about what she could do, in case it came across as bragging. When she talked about being proud of her work, her friend said, “How can I compare to you?” and Evangelina felt bad for making her friend feel this way. Evangelina tried to continue the conversation, but the spark had faded from the discussion. Evangelina wanted to connect with people when she shared her inner world. She wanted a good conversation, where two imaginations could connect. But there were so few people who didn’t see her as an ideal or threat or someone to use. And her inner world was very small, a sanctuary of her beliefs. It only became smaller when people made it bigger than what it seemed. Evangelina quickly grew weary of this crab mentality, drained by the constant pressure to participate in social politics.

Yearning for authenticity, she gradually withdrew from public life. She chose to spend her days immersed in books, honing her skills in solitude, embracing her art, writing, and music. Her withdrawal only increased her mystique; her carefully curated social media posts of beautiful paintings and art, insightful essays, and hauntingly beautiful songs became eagerly anticipated events, each drawing admiration from thousands who never truly knew her but adored her from afar. The artists she highlighted alongside her art loved her for understanding their work with the deepest part of her heart and soul.

Each evening, Evangelina sang from her balcony, softly but powerfully, her voice floating gently through the night air. People would gather quietly below, recording snippets and sharing them widely online, touched by the pure emotion in her voice. Though suitors and admirers frequently sought her attention, Evangelina politely declined their advances, preferring the peace she had carved out for herself. 

But her messages flooded with demands to sing in all sorts of venues, from agents wanting her talent for themselves, rather than give her light to the world for free. Even community members, who only wanted her to show up and sing to soothe their hearts, would be offended if she picked one event over the other, showing any preferential treatment to another community member. Understanding this, she declined all requests. Her explanation to each suitor, each community member was: “If I chose one, I’ll cause sorrow to all.” 

Her parents expected her to marry and have children, to one day commit all her time to her family and leave this wheel of the world behind. While this route was a viable exit, Evangelina didn’t want to exist for one person either, and she thought day and night how she could remain free, as her own person, without hurting the people she loved. Evangelina felt guilty for taking up so much space. She stopped posting photos of herself online. Everything tasted like ash, so she also stopped eating. She wanted to play small in order to survive. Hunger became a dull ache in her body and her mind emptied into nothingness. Her art became a mindless motion to pull through. Slowly, her sanctuary was infiltrated with a chorus of external voices and her soul became the size of a grain of sand.

One quiet night, overwhelmed by the demands and expectations from others despite her attempts to distance herself, Evangelina realized she was tired of testing the limits of her mind, and filling her days with restless busywork. She longed to spend more time with her divine creators. Evangelina whispered a heartfelt wish to Bathala himself: “Let my legacy live in the hearts of others without losing myself in their storms. Let me exist gently, cherished from afar but untouched by their chaos.”

In a flash of fire, she disappeared without a trace. In the place where she often stood, singing beneath the moonlight, a lush plant sprouted rapidly. It bloomed into delicate, fragrant white flowers that only opened after sunset, their fragrance spreading peace and gentle sleep to all nearby. Her parents wept over her disappearance, and the townspeople mourned her loss. They named the flowers “Dama de Noche”, a flower that would grant sleep to the restless, allowing anxious folks to be at ease in their darkest hours. Evangelina remained forever beloved, remembered fondly as the elusive talent who had chosen peace and solitude over the noise and turmoil of the world.

Warrior Spirit Through Sacred Kali and Mayari

Imee Dalton (she/her) understands what it’s like to walk the world as someone disconnected from her roots. She has been dedicated to her own healing and remembrance journey for decades. Known as “the Mayari Moon”, Imee is a kali instructor, content creator and one of the hosts of the Babaylan Bruha Book Club Podcast. She lives on the ancestral lands of the mound builders that are the Hopewell and Adena. I interview her today on the podcast!

Seven years ago, she started training in kali, a Filipino martial art (FMA). Since then, it has ignited a passion within her to help others like herself to start to gain the confidence they need to walk the world without fear, remembering their truest selves. Kali is an ancient martial art form from the Philippines, that involves bamboo sticks, swords, knives and empty hand techniques. Kali, arnis, and escrima are different names for the practice of Filipino Martial Arts.

What Imee offers in her kali circles has been given to her by her guides, ancestors and the Tagalog and Kapampangan goddess of the moon, Mayari. Imee uses the energy of kali to heal from colonial trauma. She asks her students to sit with their shadow and confront where colonization still lives within them. Her book club podcast focuses on Filipinx spiritual books which are also inclusive of diverse spiritual practices across cultures, world history and lived experiences.

“I started practicing kali 7 years ago. My partner, who is half Filipino, had been training for a few years already. He kept asking me to join the gym where he was training FMA, saying I'd really like it. At the time, physical hobbies weren't my thing, so I kept declining his invitations,” Imee recollects. “Finally, on a whim, I decided to come to the FMA gym. I fell in love immediately. Once I picked up kali sticks, I never put them down."

The first step of decolonization is remembering who you are and to look to the past so you can move into the future. One life lesson I learned in joining Imee’s class is not to leave half of yourself at the door. There is a constant you across all energies, from the ages of your life and to the shapes of your body. The exploration of solar and lunar practices in her class set me on this unique path of healing.

“One of my main inspirations is Mayari. Looking back, both the moon and the lunar goddess have always been on the edges of my life calling to me,” says Imee. “It wasn't until I started training in kali that I stumbled across Mayari's story. She was a moon goddess who looked like me and had kali sticks like me! The representation healed something in me from childhood. With her being the goddess of the moon and a warrior, it called to a deep place in me that felt disempowered and disconnected.”

In a modern tale, the Tagalog worshiped Mayari, who had two sisters, Hanan, the goddess of the morning, and Tala, goddess of the stars. They were daughters of the supreme god, Bathala. Mayari also had a brother named Apo Laki, the god of the sun and war. He is a part of Tagalog, Pangasinan and Kapampangan mythology. In a Kapampangan myth, Mayari fought against her brother for equal rulership over the world. During the battle, Apo Laki strikes Mayari and blinds her in one eye. He immediately regrets his violence upon his sister and the two rule equally together. Mayari rules the night and her brother rules the day.

Bathala, Bathalismo and the Infinite God

Let’s uncover the ancient tale of Infinito Dios, the Infinite God. Bathala is the supreme deity in Tagalog mythology, but he was turned into ‘God’ when the Spanish came. One story that has endured is the story behind the Bathalismo, the Infinite God, who refused to be baptized. 

Please read 'Back from the Crocodile's Belly'. The essay I reference is: "Bathala is Anting-Anting or why Bathala Hides inside the Stone by Nenita Pambid Domingo".

Rosa Mistika

Once upon a time, there was an old woman named Magda, who lived in a barrio in Bulacan. She was very wealthy. She had no husband or children to pass on her wealth, and her time was coming.

Indeed, her illness became worse. She sent for all the best doctors in the land, but despite the fortune she spent, none could cure her. After some time, she decided to call upon Pari Garcia, and confess her sins to the church. Her sins were serious and unpardonable. Pari Garcia and Tandang Magda took a lengthy amount of time to go over her confession.

Pari Garcia returned one day with a crystal box, inside the box was a mystical rose. He said, if God had pardoned her sins, the rose would appear fresh. When she looked inside, it appeared dull. Even as she confessed more and more of her crimes, it remained dull. Pari Garcia and her concluded they should put a sign on her door, in which her neighbors could read how she cheated them when she sold rice to them. Despite this display of honesty and the ire of her neighbors, the rose still remained dull in the box.

Pari Garcia then suggested she buy a new pot and stove, and for firewood, she would have to burn the most expensive silks she could buy. Tandang Magda demurred this would cost her everything, but Pari Garcia had no other solution. Tandang Magda did as he asked, and after countless times buying silks, she had to sell her home. She even had to ask the new owners to burn the silks for her.

She asked God for his forgiveness through Pari Garcia, but Pari Garcia said he could not give it to her. Downtrodden and weeping, she asked God directly. And lo and behold, the rose became fresh! Tandang Magda lived for a while longer, but no longer was rich. Charitable and kind people helped her through the last years of her life.

The Black Ant

There once lived a boy named Ernani. He was so small that other boys did not want to play with him. Even his family members did not want to play with Ernani because he was an odd boy. He was quiet and kept to himself. Ernani preferred being alone.

One activity his siblings liked doing was crushing ants. Ernani watched in disdain at this. One black ant passed him and he stroked its back instead. “I will not harm you! How can others be so careless and take so many lives as they play?”

The black ant didn’t scuttle away. Ernani looked at it, “On you go, I didn’t kill you.”

 “I’m very grateful you didn’t, Ernani.”

Ernani jumped, “You spoke!”

“You can hear me because you have a gift. Everyone thinks you’re weird, but I know you’re a good child.”

Ernani and the ant became playmates. Even if his family made fun of him, Ernani went out to play with his black ant every day. One day, Ernani’s father fell ill. A doctor came to their house, who told their mother that the father would die.

Ernani wept in the garden and the ant asked him what’s wrong. Ernani explained that his father would die. 

The ant pondered for a moment then asked, “Bring me a spoon, Ernani.” The child did so, and the ant sat on its tip. “On the tip of this spoon, I’ve left liquid that will help your father. Go to him.”

Ernani went into his father’s room. His mother told him to leave, but Ernani did not listen. He put the spoon into his father’s mouth, and his father sat up as if he woke from a dream. He was back to his health, and no longer bed-ridden. His family asked what he had done, but because Ernani was strange, he did not speak.

In the future, the queen became very sick. Ernani and the ant adventured to her realm and cured her. His family was rewarded a place as workers in their palace, and him and his siblings were sent to school. His life was made better by the kindness of the little black ant.

The Golden Pump

There were two boys, Nilo and Liko. Their mother died after the youngest, Liko was born. Shortly after, their father died as well. Nilo and Liko only had each other, and became very close.

They tended a farm, in which they grew many vegetables and beautiful flowers. Many people bought their produce. However, their farm work was hard because they had to get water from a faraway river. They had an old pump on their land, but it no longer worked.

One day, Liko was coming from the river with two pails of water, when he heard barking. He glanced around for the source but did not see anything. It stopped eventually. Liko went to rest under a tree, and the barking resumed. He pushed through the bushes and found a dog that was injured. Poor dog, Liko thought. He washed its wounds, tore pieces of his clothes and wrapped its wounds. The dog licked his hands in thanks. Liko turned to leave, but the dog said to him, “Can I have some water? I’m very thirsty.”

Liko jumped, in shock. The dog asked again. So Liko gave him some of his water.

The dog wagged its tail and smiled at Liko, “You are a kind boy. I shall give you a gift. You must tell no one, absolutely no one.” Liko agreed, and the dog explained, “Use the old pump at your home each night and your gift shall come forth.”

Liko walked away excited, but as he was almost home, he regretted not telling the dog he had to tell his brother this secret. Liko went to the pump and used it, and a gold bar dropped into his pail. The same happened the second day. Liko wanted to tell his brother, but he could not. Maybe he could keep the secret longer.

On the third day, his brother Nilo noticed Liko wasn’t talking to him much.

“Are you okay?” Nilo asked, “I can go fetch water if you’re not feeling well.” 

“I’m okay,” Liko replied, but still felt guilt-stricken.

When Liko tried to pump and it produced more gold, he thought of how to tell his brother about where this came from. Or if he tried to sell it, he knew he would be asked questions. How could he do anything with this gold if he couldn’t tell others?

He went to his brother with the pail full of gold and explained everything to Nilo, and how the old pump now produced gold. Nilo went to the pail, but it was filled with water instead. Liko saw the dog’s words were true.

“No Liko, this is even better!” Nilo ran to the pump and from it water gushed forth instead. “This is better than gold, Liko!”

Nilo and Liko were able to gather water for the crops much easier, and lived together in prosperity.

The Duplo and the Balagtasan

The duplo is a debate in verse. Those who planned to do the duplo did a lot of practice in the rice fields or resting under the tree. The participants usually searched for verses from nearby towns, and gave up their fighting roosters or dumalagas in exchange for verses. 

The duplo was held during the prayers said for the dead. It was also held during the first anniversary of the death of a person. The widow or survivors of the deceased would usually invite some young ladies and gentlemen from their barrio or neighboring ones to perform the duplo.

The male participants were called belyako, female were belyaka, and there was a king called hari, who acted as a judge who announced punishments to those who made mistakes.

The duplo would follow this format. They would say the Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, then, it would go something like this:

King: Ready?

All: Ready!

King: Ladies and gentlemen, the elders and youth who are here now, I greet you one and all, at the start of the duplo game

The kingdom has a rose in its garden which in the morning and afternoon is often sprinkled, with holy water that cures the sick because of its extraordinary smell.

The garden is fenced with strong iron railings, and an iron gate is at the entrance, that rose aforementioned disappeared and was lost, its said the belyakos stole it 

Belyako: we didn’t steal it

King: who did

Belyako: the king did

And so forth. If you’d like to read the entire passage, you can find it in the lecture of Teodoro E. Gener, Institute of National Language, Manila, Philippines, March 29, 1944.

The Balagtasan is a modified form of the duplo. It is a poetic joust between two poets. The first balagtasan was held on April 6, 1924, at the Instituto de Mujeres, a school for young women located on the Tayuman Street in Manila. The two poet combatants were Jose Corazon de Jesus and Florentino T. Collantes, two young poets then. The former represented Paroparo, Butterfy, and the latter, Bubuyog (Bee). The question was “Which one does the kampupot (name of flower) like better: the butterfly or bee?” Each poet gave his argument clothed in beautiful words and phrases much to the delight of the listeners.

You can find the full script from another lecture of Tedoro e. Gener which was in June, 1948.

Here is a section. You can see it in its original language as I will post screenshots.

The bee:

Nevertheless, Butterfly, you should realize

That even at the start

You have never been loved;

The kerchief with which she covered you

You yourself declared was tainted with poison

To that the butterfly responded:

That was a wrong premise I kept in my heart,

For my thoughts were kept off the truth

I realize it was really not poison

Instead on that kerchief was love’s potion

The Legend of the Straight Dike in the Rice Field

There was a beautiful maiden who lived in San Mateo. Many men came from across the land in hopes to win her hand in marriage. Her response to the many proposals was that she was too young but she would think about it.

Some men retrieved water for her bath from the batis nearby. Others would offer katmon for her gugo as shampoo. Men came with their sickles to help during planting season. Her response was, “Why do you all this hard work? I won’t be able to repay you for your favours.”

Years passed, suitors dropped out of the race and her mother and friends would ask her when she would get married. Her answer was always, “Whenever God wills it.”

One day, there was only one suitor left and he asked her what would prove his love for her. He said he would do anything, even die for her.

She said, “No, not that. Tomorrow I will join the salubong procession. When I go down from my home, I would like to walk on a pilapil that is hard, has no mud and no wet grass. It should also go straight to the road which leads to San Mateo, for I shall wear my new pair of shoes. Can you do it?” 

He agreed, and she went to bed at ease. The next day, she woke and saw the very straight pilapil. “The time for me to marry has come,” she said, seeing the pilapil.

When she dressed up and got ready to walk on the pilapil, she asked where he was. A villager said that he must have been working all night, because the villagers found him at the end of the pilapil face down, with an unlighted candle in his hand, dead.

The Legend of the Flower Dama de Noche

Evangelina was the clever daughter of a wealthy family in the town of Mabulak in Bulacan. Evangelina studied at a convent school until she was eighteen. She had mastered all her arts and education, and her family wanted her to experience practical living.

Though she made many friends and was part of the social elite, she could not be bothered by the dramas of the people her age. Boys chasing after the prettiest girls only. The unloved girls hid behind fake smiles, while at every given moment, they talked poorly of everyone they knew. Evangelina decided to stay home and learn about the world through books and art.

Every evening she would sing upon her balcony, old and new tunes she learnt in her solitude, and in passing at the town square. Many suitors came to listen beneath her window, her voice providing warmth to their souls. Many proposals came her way but she refused them. She said if she chose one, she’d cause sorrow to all.

One night, instead of singing, Evangelina prayed to Bathala. She did not want to exist for one person, but for all to cherish her memory and happiness, even if it meant that she would not longer exist as herself. Bathala heard the girl’s prayer and in a flash of fire, she disappeared.

Her parents wept over her disappearance, but in her place grew a plant. When it bloomed, it was a big plant with many flowers. They were only fragrant during the night and would lull those around in a deep slumber. They called these flowers dama de noche.

The Nuno sa Punso

Once upon a time, a couple had three children: a girl and two boys. Maria, Juan and Jose. The three children helped their mother with household chores. The boys sometimes helped their father in getting firewood from the forest.

The house had a yard with several plants and trees. There was a big kalyos tree and under the tree was a punso or hillock. People believed that inside a punso was an old man, who when angry, cursed those who caused his anger. 

It was on the way of the path of the forest. So when the family needed to go to the river or wash their clothes or gather firewood, they would always say “Sir, may I please pass?” with their arms stretched forward.

The family never caused the ire of the nuno. Their neighbors however did! One did not believe this, and took some leaves near the tree by the punso. He also urinated near it. When he got home, he became very ill and the following day he was found unconscious. His thighs were very big and he was barely breathing. Another man took leaves from the area without asking the nuno’s permission. He lost his way back and could not find home, not until he turned his clothes he was wearing inside out. Upon returning home, he asked the nuno for forgiveness. 

One day, the couple’s son Jose went missing. They searched and could not find him, the entire town joined in to help them. They created a procession with lighted candles around the punso. They prayed, led by the elders. After this group prayer, they went back to the couple’s house. They saw Jose fast asleep under the stairs. He woke up very thirsty and tired. He related what happened to him.

He had gathered some alagaw leaves, Jose ran after a firefly. He reached the nearby kalyos tree and the firefly turned into an old man with flowing white hair and a long beard. The man asked him if he wanted to go to a place with toys and food. He went with the old man. They walked together hand in hand, to a beautiful field of flowers. The old man took him to a great palace made out of clothes, where Jose ate and ate for days.

The old man told him that there were many nuno sa punso who were sent by Bathala to watch over and protect forests from people and their lack of regard towards the natural world. The people were destroying so many valuable things in the forest. The nunos were sent to punish those who take thoughtlessly from nature.

At this moment, he heard the word “BLESSING!” shouted and the man took him back to the forest. Jose watched the procession, and followed the lights of the candles. His companion told him to rest and when he awoke, he was back home.

Jose lived up to a good, old age. He could always hear the exclaim “Blessing!” coming from the ground beneath him.

PRINCE IGMIDIO AND PRINCESS CLORIANA

Princess Cloriana was the only child of King Grimaldo of Grand Cairo. Whenever her father would hunt, she would join them as she was a skilled markswoman. Each time, she would help with the hunt, and King Grimaldo’s men knew to trust her.

One day, Princess Cloriana was distracted by a lovely flower hanging from a branch of a tree. It shifted colours before her, and before she knew it, she was left behind. She knew the way back by heart, but lions came out of the woods. Princess Cloriana took down the beasts with ease, but she tired after the battle, and rested beneath the trees. Unfortunately, Turkish soldiers passed by and captured her while she lay asleep. They took her to the palace of their emperor. When Emperor Mahomento saw the fair princess, he immediately fell in love with her. But she spurned him, so the emperor slapped her and ordered the guards to throw her into the dungeon. While captive, Princess Cloriana prayed to the Virgin Mary.

Emperor Mahomento visited Cloriana. He offered her two choices: to be his queen or suffer more hardships. Cloriana bravely replied that she would not have him as a husband. Her reply angered the emperor, so much that he ordered the guards to put Cloriana in a large box, lock it and throw it into the sea. Cloriana prayed to the Virgin Mary as they tossed her to the ocean.

A miracle happened: her box was not tossed violently by the waves, nor did she hunger for seventeen months. The box washed up on the shores of the Asturias. The wild animals brought her each a welcoming gift: each had a flower in their mouths. She hesitated to accept the one offered by the snake, which made the snake sad. Seeing this, she took the gift. Inside its flower was an enchanted amulet. The animals guided her to Mount Floresta, where the Princess reigned as queen of all the animals.

On the mountain, the rosal plant had three flowers which changed on certain days. It was red on Mondays, black on Tuesdays, and white on Wednesday. On Fridays the plant would die and come to life again the day after. 

Back in Grand Cairo, King Grimaldo had all of his kingdom searching for Cloriana. The king offered her hand in marriage to the man who found her and brought her home. Prince Igmidio of Aragon heard about the news, and later that night had a dream of the princess holding three flowers. He fell in love with her in the dream, and her spirit self told him where she was. Cloriana had the same dream, though she only thought of it as a dream; he took it as a call to adventure.

The Prince rode off to Mount Floresta. He met an old man who told him to bless all the wild animals he encountered. He gave the Prince a magic string which could make the wild animals obey his command. Each of Cloriana’s subjects grew defensive of the prince, but with the string, he calmed their anxiety of his arrival.

He found the Princess in a flower bed. He loved her so but wanted to see if she could love him regardless of who he was. He pretended to be a shepherd’s boy from her kingdom. Having not spoken to humans in a while, Princess Cloriana asked him about her family, her home and how he came here. He answered that they were all well, her home was still prosperous and her father had asked all men to search for her. He said that he heard the call, and despite who he was, wanted to help her. Cloriana was touched by this and gave him an embrace, “I will marry any man who was clever and brave enough to find me.”

Smiling behind his disguise, the Prince took her back to her father’s kingdom. Her father was overjoyed, but turned the Prince away, not knowing who he truly was. Each night, the Prince would climb up the walls, to one tall tree and climb his way down the other side to see her. She would greet him with an embrace and kiss, professing her love to him. She wanted to escape back to her Mountain where she was Queen, and she could do anything without her father’s approval. One day the King found them together and threw the Prince into the dungeon.

Cloriana visited him in his cell and devised a plan to escape. They could go back to her domain on Mount Floresta, and he could be her King there. He objected to this, wanting to preserve her honour and not have this story end in scandal. Unsure, Cloriana remembered the amulet the snake had given her and placed it into the Prince’s hands. He broke the bars of the cell with the amulet, and promised to return soon.

Right after the Prince escaped, Grand Cairo was attacked by warriors and the princess was taken prisoner. The head, General Celem, expressed his great love for the princess, but she refused im. They then took her onto a stage to behead her. Prince Igmidio swooped in, in his full grandeur and robes of a prince and with his army, and saved her from her captors. Together they were married, and lived happily ever after.

How the Town of Marikina Got Its Name

A long time ago, there were few houses in the town of Marikina. They were all made of bamboo and cogon grass. The people were a nomadic folk, looking for places where they could plant camote, rice, corn and vegetables, and where they could raise livestock. There were few who stayed permanently.

One of the families gave birth to a lovely daughter. She was admired by everybody who knew her, and her kindness attracted all.

Early in the morning one day, she decided to take a stroll around the place. She saw a pool with very clear water with a small waterfall. She dove in and swam to sit underneath the waterfall. The stream of water massaged her shoulders, and where it met her neck. She lowered her head in enjoyment, listening to the burble of the waterfall above her. She moved away from the falls and sat listening to the sweet songs of birds. She watched them hop and drink from the pool. A breeze cooled her skin and she watched the leaves dance above her. What a wonderful place! When she rose, she hoisted herself up on a wide, smooth stone and saw her reflection in the pool. She admired parts of herself that were beautiful, but noticed bits of herself she did not love. She had a white head under her lovely, bright eyes. And she wished for her chin to be a little bit more shapely. And how she longed for her long, slender legs to be smaller.

But she heard a voice call, “Marikit na!” which means “you are already beautiful!”

Unbeknownst to her, a man had watched her playing in the pool, admiring her beauty. The echo of his affirmation filled the mountains and the trees of the place. Other men heard the echo and repeated after it. Marikina became the name of this place.

Hinilawod - Part 6 - The Adventures of Humadapnon Part 2

Humadapnon was the chieftain of Sulod. His domain was at the headwaters of the Panay River.

In a dream, Humadapnon was visited by his spirit friends, Taghoy and Duwindi. They walked through a grassy path, through the jungle, and deep, deep into the green. In the ruins of a forested open air catherdal, his spirit guides told him that in a village in the west-central coast of Panay lived a beautiful goddess named Nagmalingtong Yawa. This is the same goddess from earlier in our tale, the widow of the late lord Saragnayon.

When Humadapnon awoke from this dream, he embarked on his adventure. He rode on his golden boat, and while the skies were clear, and his crew’s spirits were high, a strong wind brought them into an unmoving, red sea. The red was much like blood, and it took months to cross the unmoving deep. Just as they were able to make some movement, the boat was again blown by a strong wind into a channel near the mouth of a river called Saruma. At first the waters seemed calm and serene, but in a matter of seconds, the two land masses to his left and right came crashing towards each other. Humadapnon and his men found a cliff with a seaside cave and hid in there for the first crash. They sat in wait, observing the chaotic crashing to see if there was a rhyme or reason, to make sense of the intervals. It seemed like they had a minute between each crash. Humadapnon’s men were afraid to continue, but Humadapnon believed his spirit guides would keep him safe. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in, feeling the energy of the waters around him. He directed his crew to each crack and each cave that would provide shelter as they went down the dangerous river.

They hit clear water soon, and they sailed on, and on. They encountered an enchanted island called Tarangban. This was an island inhabited by beautiful women. Humadapnon noticed a beautiful human named Ginmayunan upon the shore, and as any man who’s been at sea with a bunch of other dudes too long, he set sail towards Ginmayunan. Ginmayunan welcomed them, and the men paid the women a visit in their caves. Unsurprisingly, Humadapnon was bewitched and imprisoned for seven years. I wonder if these magical women also practiced death by snuu-snuu if these men went out of line. (Yes, that is a Futurama reference)

Humadapnon was freed from his lady captives by Nagmalitung Yawa. See, at first Nagmalitung Yawa was like nope when she saw his predicament, but Taghoy and the Duwindi were like you better come, or we’ll block and ghost you spiritually. And Nagmalitung Yawa was in a low place, considering her previous husband, who she really loved, was beaten to death by humans. But Humadapnon’s two guides coerced her and she went because she didn’t want to be ghosted by these guides for whatever reason.

Nagmalitong Yawa disguised herself as a man and assumed the name of Buyung Sunmasakay. Ginmayunan welcomed her to the island like the others, and Sunmasakay agreed to follow her. Ginmayunan thought Sunmasakay was so handsome, so she took him quickly to the cave. The women in the cave tried to cast their spells upon Sunmasakay, who was immune to their surprise. To them, Sunmasakay was truly a beautiful god. Sunmasakay demanded they release Humadapnon and the women obliged.

After liberating Humadapnon from the cave, Sunmasakay performed a ritual which removed their charms they casted on Humadapnon. He rose from his binds in his prison, and went to clean his disheveled self. He cleaned his teeth with a vegetable husk, and was careful to clean behind his ears. Beneath his long dark hair, Nagmalitong Yawa saw the handsome face of Humadapnon. She fell in love with him, and just as they were to board his golden boat, a shimmer of light danced across Sunmasakay’s body. His square chin turned pointed, and his bald head grew a full head of hair, and before them all, she became her true form. Nagmalitong Yawa was so beautiful that Humadapnon fell in love instantly. He asked her for her hand in marriage.

Nagmalitong Yawa answered that she could not do anything until she had the permission of her parents. Humadapnon accompanied her back to Halawod. They encountered Buyung Paglambuhan, lord of the island-fortress in the middle of the sea. Nagmalitong Yawa disguised herself again as a man and sailed into Buyung Paglambuhan’s waters in a small fishing boat. She took some of Humadapnon’s men with her, but hid them in her crates, and wove magic illusions above them making them appear as crabs. Buyung Paglambuhan shot arrows and his men waved their swords in what Nagmalitong Yawa could only interpret as surrender. As they descended upon the small boat, Nagmalitong Yawa drew her sword and fought with the men. Her illusions vanished, and the men hiding in the crates came out to help her fight. She giggled, because she didn’t think you could crab in these parts! Humadapnon joined the battle, swooping in aboard his golden boat, raining arrows upon Buyung Paglambuhan. As his men launched the aerial attack, Humadapnon leapt onto Buyung Paglambuhan’s boat and the men’s swords danced. Humadapnon emerged victorious in the battle, and they were able to sail back home unharassed. They reached Halawod and Humadapnon married Nagmalitong Yawa.

During the wedding feast, Dumalapdap was attracted to Huyung Adlaw, daughter of one of the rulers of the Upperworld. Dumalapdap asked Humadapnon to help him win the girl. Humadapnon refused his brother’s request. But Dumalapdap reminded him that when he was in trouble, he had helped him. After a small squabble, Humadapnon accompanied his brother to win Huyung Adlaw. Their adventure took seven years.

Seven years is a long time, so Matan-ayon gave the hand of Nagmalitong Yawa to Buyung Sumagulung. Conveniently, Humadapnon and Dumalapdap returned just as she was about to be wed. Humadapnon blew his horn to notify Nagmalitong Yawa of his arrival.

Some men met them at the shore and informed the brothers about the wedding. On knowing this, Humadapnon and Dumalapdap 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. But her words only made him angrier, even if she insisted it was her mother in law’s idea and gave him a logical and thorough explanation. Without saying a word, Humadapnon stabbed his wife with his poisoned knife. Which is not how you solve marital problems man! When he wasn’t an angry jerk, Humadapnon’s conscience bothered him. His spirit guides came to him and it was at this moment, he knew he effed up.

Remorsefully, Humadapnon persuaded his sister, Labing Anyang, to resuscitate the dead Nagmalitung Yawa. When Labing Anyang revived her, Nagmalitong Yawa ran away from Humadapnon. The tale says she could not face him because of her previous mistakes, but I’m also sure it has something to do with being stabbed to death by your husband while you were trying to reason with him. Humadapnon, of course, followed her.

She went down to the underworld, passing through the channel guarded by an eight-headed snake, the region ruled by her uncle, Panlinugun, lord of the earthquake. Humadapnon had to fight this beast, because let’s not make this pursuit for him easy.

From the underworld, Nagmalitong Yawa fled to the upper world, the domain of her grandmother, Laun Sina. Reaching the middle space between the Upper World and Middle World, Nagmalitong Yawa noticed a handsome young man riding on the shoulders of the wind. How he did this, was he had a long cloth above him, attached by thin rope and he bound his body to that rope. The cloth had lines that symbolized grass, the sky, the sun and moon. He looked like he was having a lot of fun. She stared in wonder. He swooped down and let her in on the fun, though she let out a gasp and wanted to be put down immediately, but he didn’t let her go.

Humadapnon challenged this stranger, and they fought for seven years. They were equally matched, kind of like having a 1-1 score on FIFA, and you keep hitting replay because you need to beat this damn kid online. From above, Laun Sina was watching, and eventually, she got bored of watching this. She descended from her ethereal throne and settled the case.

The man was Amarotha, Humadapnon’s brother who died upon birth. Laun Sina explained that she had brought Amarotha with her to the Upperworld, and resuscitated him when he died. She brought him up until he became a full-grown man. 

She’s just a stirrer of pots. Laun Sina decreed the body of Nagmalitong Yawa be divided into two so both men could have her, cuz why decide on one and why not both. I have to wonder about the mechanics of this. Is it like twins, or as a goddess, can she be in multiple places, times and spaces at once? And like, was she actually OK with being split into two? She didn’t want to save Humadapnon to begin with. It seems like all these lower and upper gods were messing with Nagmalitong Yawa in this tale.

I mean, the happy ending says that Humadapnon brought his wife to Panay and ruled the island for centuries. Theee end.

Hinilawod - Part 5 - the Adventures of Dumalapdap

While Humadapnon was adventuring in our last story, his brother Dumalapdap set out on his own quest. He journeyed to the Land of Dawn where Lubay-Lubyok Hanginun si Mahuyokhuyokon lived. Her long name is roughly translated as “Graceful movement of the Arrogant Breeze”. She is the goddess of the night breeze, who resided in the east. She tended to plants and animals of the forest in her domain, and was the creator of the kasoy tree. She is very sweet-natured but is wary of men and does not trust them. She also has a short-temper when provoked. She has two guardian monsters to protect her, which is pretty cool. One is the 2 headed giant Balanakon, who guards the ridge going to her domain. The other is the scaly bat-like monster with poisonous sharp claws and teeth called the Uyutang which guards the gates. 

On his journey, Dumalapdap brought a friend called Dumasig, one of the top wrestlers of Madyaas. He also brought his duwende subjects to help him along. They travelled, singing songs and collecting fruit and tubers on their way to the Lawn of Dawn. One night, the moon kissed the sun and his blush is what was Dawn. They had arrived at their destination. They encountered Balanakon, who guarded the ridge. Showered in golden, pink hues of the morning, Balanakon charged at them. Dumalapdap was able to quickly roll out of the way of Balanakon’s mighty fist. The monster struck again but Dumalapdap held up his magic dagger. Balanakon’s fist hit a barrier of magic, releasing a twang of energy. The duwende started to run around rapidly to help their master, creating little mounds which would explode with sparks. Confused and overwhelmed, Balanakon tried to play whack a mole with the duwende, but Dumalapdap threw his dagger at Balanakon’s first eye. While in pain, Dumalapdap climbed the flailing giant, holding on tightly to not be thrown off, and stabbed his other eye, and felled the beast.

Uyutang descended upon them with a terrible screech, its blue scales blackened by blight. Dumalapdap fought Uyutang for seven months, and their skill was equally matched. On the last month, Dumalapdap took hold of Uyutang’s ankle while the beast flew too close overhead of him and broke it. The creature cried out, flying around in pain, hit a tree by accident, which disorientated him. Dumalapdap stabbed him with his magic dagger in the armpit. The monster gave a loud, supersonic cry, but not one Dumalapdap could hear, but could feel in his bones.  The cry was so powerful that the ridge broke into two and the earth quaked.

Feeling the quake, Lubay-Lubyok Hanginun emerged from her forest and greeted the men. She was impressed by Dumalapdap’s prowess in defeating her two monsters, so she agreed to return to his domain with him.

Upon his return, Datu Paubari gave a feast in honor of his three sons. The entertainers sang of their adventures and beautiful wives, and the strength of their heirs to come. There was a plentiful amount of food served: crabs, eels, sword fish, nuts, bananas, guava, mangoes, rice, and berries.

After the celebration, the three brothers went off on their own adventures. Labaw Donggon went northward, Humadapnon went southward, Dumalapdap, westward and Datu Paubari remained in the east.

Hinilawod - Part 4 - The Adventures of Humadapnon

Labaw Donggon’s defeat by the Lord of Darkness angered his brothers. Humadapnon went off on his journey of revenge, seeking out all of Saragnayan’s kinsmen and followers.

Humadapnon returned to Saragnayan’s domain. He employed the aid of Buyong Matanayon, a skilled swordsman. For their journey they rode on a sailboat called biday nga rumba-rumba. They travelled through the region of the clouds, passed by the region of eternal darkness and ended up at a place called Tarambang Buriraw. In this place was a ridge called Talagas Kuting-tang where a seductive sorceress named Pinganun lived.

Pinganun changed herself to a beautiful maiden, and seduced Humadapnon into her bed. Buyong Matanayon begged with Humadapnon to leave the place with him but Humadapnon wanted to become a witch and make love to his new lady. After seven months passed, Buyong Matanayon remembered that they had ginger in their provisions. One evening at dinner time Buyong Matanayon threw seven slices of ginger into the fire. When Pinganun smelled the odor of burning ginger she left the dinner table because sorcerers hated the odor of ginger. Immediately Buyong Matanayon struck Humadapnon, who became unconscious. No friend of his was going to become a witch!

When Humadapnon came to, they continued with their trek. One day they reached a place called Piniling Tubig who was ruled by Datu Umbaw Pinaumbaw. There was a big gathering in the village and the datu announced that he was giving his daughter for marriage to whoever could remove the huge boulder that rolled from a mountain into the center of the village. The two men watched others try to lift the stone, but there were many shaking knees and grunts for miles.

Humadapnon took off his magic cape. He threw it to the wind, and the cape wrapped itself around the stone. He grabbed one end and spun the stone around himself for some momentum, then threw it back to the mountain. The datu kept his word and Humadapnon married his daughter. During the wedding feast, a minstrel sang of a goddess glittering with gold, who lived with duende. She was the goddess of greed, Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan.

After the wedding Humadapnon went to seek the hand of the goddess in marriage. Along the way he encountered Buyong Makabagting, who wanted the goddess of greed for himself. Makabagting challenged him to a duel. Humadapnon overpowered him, and the fight ended when Buyong Makabagting surrendered and even promised to aid Humadapnon. When the two arrived, many suitors laid in wait for the goddess. The men had dreams of gold and beauty woven into their minds. Little did they know that Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan had woven those patterns of greed. She wanted to see who would be the strongest willed out of them all, for she did not want to marry someone who would thieve or murder. She punished those who did so.

Her duwende subjects set up an arena for the men to fight each other, and each day Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan watched the tournament between men. Their sword fighting bored her, and when they murdered each other in the night to thin the competition, she brought misfortune on the murderers. While most men sang of her gold and glitter, Humadapnon proclaimed her beauty as his muse before every battle. He took down each suitor before him, and after many battles, he stood as the victor of the matches before her. Humadapnon married the goddess and brought her home. 

Meanwhile, right after Humadapnon left to seek Saragnayan’s followers, his brother Dumalapdap left for his own adventure.

Hinilawod - Part 3 - Saragnayan and Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata

Back home, Labaw Donggon’s two wives both delivered sons, Aso Manga and Buyung Baranugon. Only days after their birth, the two sons went to look for their father. They sailed through the realm of eternal darkness, through the region of clouds, and passed through the land of stones to Saragnayan’s home.

Upon the shores, a wave of dark shadows overwhelmed the youths. Aso Manga and Buyung Baranugon shot poisoned arrows that dealt seven wounds with a single shot. They peppered the minions until Saragnayan was the only one left standing. Buyung Baranugon wrestled Saragnayan. Buyung Baranugon won every match, but Saragnayan could not die.

 The brothers retreated and asked for Alunsina’s help. Using her divine powers, she learnt that Saragnayan’s life was housed in the body of a boar in a place called Paling Bukid. The two brothers hunted the pig. Once they captured and slaughtered it, they ate its heart, which made Saragnayan mortal.

Saragnayan knew he had become mortal. He spent one last night with his wife, “Goodbye my love,” he said to her one last time. She embraced him with her long, thin arms and lifted her downcast eyes to admire him. He was grotesque and ugly, while she was beautiful, but she knew he loved her with every beat of his ancient heart. As he let her go, her eyes went back down and she did not look the way of the battle and hid herself in their home. She hated Labaw Donggon with all her being, and she would flee from him and his sons if her husband fell in battle.

Saragnayan called upon the powers of night one last time. A cloud of bats hid him from Baranugon, but the child ran through the swarm, locking arms with the once-god. They wrestled once more. Saragnayan pinned Baranugon down, and while they wrestled, Baranugon jabbed poisoned arrows into both of Saragnayan's eyes. This was the lethal blow to Saragnayan.

During this battle, their father hid under a fishnet out of fear. The two brothers could not find him after and assumed he had gone home before them. However, when they arrived home, they realized their father was still missing. After the sons left, Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata cursed Labaw Donggon with madness and lovesickness. She turned her grief against the man who tore her whole life away from her. She then left to go into exile, and to live in peace and contentment in the forest, tending different animals and helping the lost. (Which is frickin’ awesome, because Labaw Donggon WAS getting greedy with the wives there.)

Labaw Dunggon’s two brothers, Humadapnon and Dumalapdap went to search for him instead. They found Labaw Donggon under the fishnet, who had succumbed to madness. Labaw Donggon's brothers returned him home to his wives. Nagmalitong Yawa's curse that curing his madness was no simple feat for Abyang Ginbitinan and Abyang Diriinin. Everytime he heard Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata's name, Labaw Donggon would break out into an episode. For a time, he would see her face in the middle of night, muttering her name but only feel the cold touch his flesh. His wives and their healing magic eventually grounded him back into the present, and his former strength was returned.

Hinilawod - Part 2 - The Adventures of Labaw Donggon

This story is about Labaw Donggon, the eldest son of Alunsina and Datu Paubari. When he became an adult, he decided to go on a quest to find himself a wife. 

He heard of the beauty of Anggoy Ginbitinan (Gin-biti-nan) of Handug (han-doog). Stories told of her braided halos, and that she wore elegance like a second skin. He wanted her for a wife. He asked Alunsina for a magic cape, hat, belt, and kampilan.

Labaw Donggon journeyed across the land until he reached the mouth of the Halawod river. When he finally met the maiden’s father and asked for her hand in marriage, the father asked him, “Prove to me your worthiness. Fight the monster, Manalintad as part of the dowry.”

Labaw Donggon went into the jungles to find the beast, which towered over thirty feet, with large sharp tusks and a long spiked tail. With his magical belt, he was able to bind the monster. His blade pierced its flesh and found the bitter pit of the Aswang’s heart. Desperate and dying, the manalintad cried out a death knell that pierced through him. He brought Angoy Ginbitinan’s father the monster’s tail.

After the wedding, the newlyweds travelled to Labaw Donggon’s home. They met a group of young men who told him that they were on their way to Tarambang Burok to win the hand of Abyang Durunuun, sister of Sumpoy, who was the lord of the underworld. Her enthralling beauty was described by many. Her twisted locks draped over her shoulders, bouncing alongside the curve of her shapely form.

Labaw Donggon brought his bride home, but as soon as they arrived, he departed to Tarambang Burok to vie for Abyang Durunuun’s hand. On one ridge he had to pass to get there, he encountered a hundred armed giant named Sikay Padalogdog. With his magic cape, Labaw Donggon was able to dodge the giant’s heavy attacks, and their fighting lasted for days. Labaw Donggon eventually tired the giant out, who gave up and allowed him to continue.

When he arrived, Labaw Donggon won the hand of Abyang Durunuun and also took her home. Not satisfied with two wonderful ladies, Labaw Donggon went to Gadlum to ask for the hand of Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata. She was the young bride of Saragnayan, the lord of darkness. The legends told of her long, dark silky hair, thick lashes that hid her pretty, downcast eyes.

The voyage to Saragnayan’s realm was long and dark. Labaw Donggon travelled by his black boat for many months, went across the region of the clouds, and passed the land of stones until finally he reached the shores of Tulogmatian which was the seaside fortress of Saragnayan. 

When he arrived upon the land, Saragnayan asked him, “Who are you and why are you here?”

He answered, “I am Labaw Donggon, son of Datu Paubari and goddess Alunsina of Halawod. I came for the beautiful Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata.”

Saragnayan laughed in his face. Labaw Donggon then challenged Saragnayan to a duel saying that whoever wins will have her. The challenge was accepted. Labaw Donggon submerged Saragnayan under water for seven years, but when he let go of him, Saragnayan was still alive, because he was immortal. The latter uprooted a coconut tree and started beating Labaw Donggon with it. He survived the beating but was not able to surpass the powers of Saragnayan’s amulet. He was soon imprisoned by Saragnayan beneath his house.

Hinilawod - Part 1 - Alusina and Datu Paubari

A long, long time ago, when the goddess of the eastern Alunsina, reached womanhood, her father, Kaptan, who was the king of gods, decided she should marry. Alunsina had long, dark hair, skin like freshly pressed clay and bright animated eyes.
Her father was a supreme god in the skies, a paragon of strength, adorned in gold and protected by lightning. All the unmarried gods vied for her. Perhaps Alunsina knew the jealousy of the gods. In the war, her marriage would bring among them. Instead, she chose to marry a mortal, named Datu Paubari, the ruler of Halawod. Her decision angered her other suitors, and they met in council to bring the newlyweds down.
Alunsina had married beneath herself, and they would soon correct this insulting mistake. The jealous gods decided upon a flood that would destroy Halawod. The God of the Plains, Maklium-sa-t’wan was the one to destroy Halawod by this method. Alunsina’s sister Suklang Malayon learned of the evil plot. She was the guardian of Happy Homes. She warned her sister and her husband of the plot and they were able to seek refuge on higher ground.
After the flood water subsided, the couple returned to the plain secretly. They settled near the mouth of the Halawod River in a short time. Alunsina was able to live a wonderful and calm life with her husband upon the stretches of green as they inhaled the scent of fresh rainstorms of earth. A deep love blossomed between the couple. She soon became pregnant and asked Paubari to prepare the siklot, things necessary for childbirth.
She delivered a set of triplets, and some of the high praise from that plan was to perform the rights of the gods. The high priest promptly made an altar. When the ceremony was over, he opened the windows of the north side of the room and a cold northern wind came in, and suddenly the three infants were transformed into strong, handsome young men.
They named them Labaw Donggon, Humadapnon, and Dumalapdap. And so this is where the epic story of these brothers begins.

Where the Makopa Came From

Ilocos Region

In the Ilocos provinces, there was a beautiful bell in a small village’s church. It was believed that the bell’s ringing brought good harvest and they believed it was the bell that gave them good luck. Their lives improved greatly since they acquired the bell.

However, a group of bandits coveted this lucky bell. They made plans to loot the church and take the bell for themselves.

Talk spread easily in these parts, so the villagers heard from sources that the bandits were coming. They buried the bell outside the church.

When the bandits arrived, they could not find it. The bandits demanded that the townsfolk to reveal where they hid the bell, but they townsfolk kept their mouths sealed. In their anger, the bandits killed many villagers. Despite this violence, no one spoke of where the bell was.

Years later, a tree emerged from where the bell was buried. It bore fruits shaped like a bell with reddish-yellow color. When inverted the fruit looked like the cup used in mass. For this reason, they called the tree “makopa”, meaning maraming kopa, or plenty of cups.

 Since then the tree and its fruits came to be known as makopa.

The Legend of Mt. Banahaw

Near a great mountain on Luzon, there once lived a couple named Lukban and Bayabas, and their only son, Limbas. Limbas was a talented and skilled hunter: he met each mark with his bow and arrow.

One night Limbas did not return home. His parents were very worried and prayed each night to the gods. For seven days, his parents did not eat nor could they sleep.

After those seven days, Limbas came home carrying a big bundle in his arms. He opened the bundle he was carrying and inside were clothing.

The clothes were luxurious – made of materials they did not know, adorned with gold weaving. Limbas also had a great deal of food, which he set and prepared on the table.

At dinner, he explained his story: “I met an old man with a long beard,” explained limbas. “He enticed me to go to his home atop the great mountain.” Limbas explained the home to be surrounded by fruit trees, deer, chickens, birds that all white feathers, and that the man had a carriage drawn by two white horses. “Before he allowed me to leave for home, he gave me food and clothes. He told me before I gave these to you to kiss your hands, and not to forget to do that. I thanked him for all the things he had given me.”

Limbas would return to the mountain for seven days and his parents did not worry, for he always came home with food and clothing. One day when he came back home, Limbas excitedly said, “My friend has given us many golden balls, look! Look!”

He forgot to kiss his parents in his enthusiasm and happiness, so when they opened the bundle, the saw anahaw fruits instead of the golden balls.

“Ba! Anahaw! BA! ANAHAW!” cried Limbas.

From that time on, the big mountain in Luzon was known as Banahaw. The towns nearby were named Tayabas and Lukban after the names of his parents, Bayabas and Lukban.