A young girl gazes upon herself in a pool, and in a moment of self-consciousness, get an affirmation that names the town of Marikina.
Read moreHinilawod - Part 6 - The Adventures of Humadapnon Part 2
This is the last chapter of the Hinilawod epic! Humadapnon quests for the hand of Nagmalingtong Yawa. He sails on a sea of blood, a river between two crashing islands, and visits an island of hot-hot-women who capture him. Nagmalitong Yawa rescues Humadapnon from capture, and the two have many more adventures!
Read moreHinilawod - Part 5 - the Adventures of Dumalapdap
While Humadapnon was adventuring in our last story, his brother Dumalapdap set out on his own quest. He set out to the Land of Dawn, where the goddess Lubay-Lubyok Hanginun si Mahuyokhuyokon lives. 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.
I re-wrote the story after reading the version in Outline of Philippine Mythology!
Read moreHinilawod - Part 4 - The Adventures of Humadapnon
The Hinilawod epic continues with the Adventures of Humadapnon. He's questin' for some ladies like his brother. He's seduced by a sorceress named Pinganun, who gets him into witchcraft. But his love conquest leads him to Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan, the goddess of greed. She lives with her riches and her dwuendes, while men across the land come to try for her hand in marriage.
Read moreHinilawod - Part 3 - Saragnayan and Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata
Labaw Donggon's sons come to save him from Saragnayan, and return him home. Labaw Donggon's brothers are angered by Labaw Donggon's defeat and imprisonment by Saragnayan, and decide to punish his kinsmen and followers.
Read moreHinilawod - Part 1 - Alusina and Datu Paubari
Hinilawod is an epic poem orally transmitted from early inhabitants of a place called Sulod in central Panay, Philippines.
Read moreWhere the Makopa Came From
This Filipino folktale and myth is from the Ilocos Region. This is a story of beautiful bell that was protected by its village from bandits, and the origin of makopa.
Read moreThe Legend of Mt. Banahaw
The Legend of Mt Banahaw is about a boy named Limbas, who receives many gifts from a strange man who lives upon a mountain. This tale comes from the Quezon Province. This is a Filipino folktale and myth.
Read moreWhy Some Mangoes are Sour
Why Some Mangoes are Sour is the Filipino folktale and myth of Tita and Nita, and why mangos are either sweet or sour. Tita is a demanding girl, while her sister Nita is diplomatic and kind. This tale is from Pangasinan.
Read moreThe Legend of the Lanzones Fruit
Learn about yummy lanzones and the ancient Filipino folktale and myth behind the fruit!
Read moreThe Legend of the Ilang Ilang
The Legend of the Ilang Ilang describes the origin of the ilang ilang flower. A rajah falls in love with a girl who serves the supreme god, Bathala.
Read moreThe Legend of the Sampaguita Flower
Read the Filipino folktale and myth, The Legend of the Sampaguita Flower.
Read moreThe Origin of Bananas
Read the Filipino folktale and myth, the Origin of Bananas.
Read moreThe Legend of Mount Kanlaon
The Legend of Mount Kanlaon is a fairy tale that has everything - a dragon, a hero, and animals! Read it here.
Read moreThe Coleto and the Crow
Read the Filipino fairy tale, the Coleto and the Crow for its healthy dose of competition! Who doesn't like a good race fairy tale?!
Read moreWhy Dogs Wag Their Tails
Read the Filipino fairy tale, Why Dogs Wag their Tails! Rewritten and performed by: Nathalie De Los Santos. This story appears in Mabel Cook Cole's Philippine Folk Tales. Another version exists as "Why Dogs Bare Their Teeth" by Maximo D. Ramos in his book Philippine Myths, Legends, and Folktales.
Read more