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.