Epic Heroes of the Philippines that are ready for a TV Show

Recently superhero stories have dominated most of popular TV and film. We can’t deny the fact that these individuals bring out the kid inside of us. Their tales are an endless source of wonder as they stretch our imagination beyond the edge of human limitation. The combination of individuals possessing superhuman ability and compelling stories seems to be the equation of today’s entertainment.

With these things in mind, perhaps it is also the high time to start giving our generation a taste of our local “superheroes” straight from the dazzling epics of our forefathers as told from the songs of our Babaylans or from your Lola’s storehouse of stories in her baul.

Even without the fancy costumes and flying hammers, our superheroes should not be taken lightly. You’ve heard about the adventures of Lam-Ang and Aliguyon. Now you will meet their other brothers in arms with their own tales of conquest and battle. And after learning a thing or two about them, maybe some of you can now proudly say to your friends that our heroes in Bahag are way cooler than their heroes in cape.

Taguwasi, The Wind Caller

Origin: From the epic “Nanang: I Taguwasi Anna I Innawagan” of the Labin Agta (Aeta) from Cagayan province.

Super Tale: The story of Taguwasi revolves around saving his beloved Innawagan from the clutches of an avian monster called Ammalabukkaw. Taguwasi traveled up to the fifth layer of heaven which was barricaded by a door made of gold. with the aid of another bird creature called Dalawesan he was able to save his soon to be bride.

Our hero then needed to fight the invading Kinalingga people before he could finally tie the knot with Innawagan.

Super Power: Taguwasi possess the ability to control the wind. He might be able to summon whirlwinds or just fling his enemies with a sweeping gale. Whenever he is in a heated battle, it was said that his heart beat created a booming sound like thunder.

Super Fact: Among the Agta groups in the Philippines, only the Labin Agta continue to recite (or sing) their epics.

Tud Bulul, Moonspeaker

Origin: Tud Bulol is an epic tale from the T’boli group. According to the story, Tud Bulol came from a place called Lunay Mogul which means “Ulo ng mga Ilog” (head of the rivers).

Super Tale: Tud Bulul’s legacy started from the dream of his father, Kemokul. The dream is actually a prophecy about the destruction of their village brought by the giant aswang called Datu Busaw. This villain would scorch their land to the point that only a wild grass called ‘temboyung’ would grow.

Super Power: Tud Bulul can speak with the moon and wind. Besides his mystical ability, he is also fully equipped with magical items –  namely a shield made from hardened wood called K’lung and his sword that can stretch up to one million lakes and one million seas which he called K’filan. For his accessories, Tud Bulul wears a wristband made from pearls called Gelang, a cloth worn on his head called Ulew (usually donned by a Datu), and a strange belt constructed from steel that can climb up to his shoulder which he named as Hilet.

Super Fact: The epic of Tud Bulul was usually sung for up to 16 hours and performed only during special occasions (i.e wedding).

Agyu, the Sky Sailor

Origin: Agyu is featured in two epic tales from Mindanao: Olaging and Ulahingan. The Olaging from Bukidnon revolves around the life and adventure of Agyu, while Ulahingan from the Manobo group focuses on Agyu’s clan.

Super Tale: The epic of Agyu describes his quest for the legendary place called Nalandangan which is found in one of the layers of the heaven. Agyu believes that this enigmatic but wonderful place is the ‘promised land’ for his race  – which is why he relentlessly seeks it all throughout the epic. In the end, Agyu becomes the leader of the kingdom of Nalandangan together with the Adtulusan (Pinagpala or blessed).

Super Power: Agyu navigates a golden vessel called Sarimbar which can sail across the clouds instead of the sea. This magical ship can carry all of Agyu’s race as they travel to the farthest reaches of heaven.

Super Fact: Agyu’s story differs from other epics in the Philippines since the hero doesn’t seek a woman to marry, but instead searches for a place (with a paradise like quality) for his own kind or race.

King Laon, The Wish Master

Origin: The mythical King Laon is the main character in a folktale from the Negrense group. According to the tale, he is the sole King of Hiligaynon.

Super Tale: The benevolent King Laon is well known across their kingdom – not just because of the kindness he shows to his constituents, but also because a mysterious namesake mountain called Kanlaon. One of his feats, together with a young lad whose name is Kan, included defeating a gigantic snake that dwell at the foot of the said mountain.

Super Power: Laon equipped himself with the all giving Birang (a type of cloth usually worn on the head) that could produce anything his people wished for. It can be an endless supply of food or material; the only limit here is the wish of his people, for the Birang itself can give anything they want.

Super Fact: There is a deity from the ancient Bisayan Pantheon called Laon and he is the master of the mythical bird called Manaul who became the catalyst for the creation of the land and the first humans in the world.

Bantugen, The Warrior of the Sea and Sky

Origin: Bantugen is the warrior that was introduced in the epic Darangen from the Maranao people. He came from the land called Bembaran together with his heroic brothers Sayana and Lomna.

Super Tale: Known for being one of the greatest Datu when it came to fighting prowess, the story of Bantugen delves deeply into his fight against the enemy of their land and the romances between him and all the girls he fell in love with. However, his older brother Morog forbids him to marry any of those ladies despite their unparalleled beauty – for none of these women could match or equal the power and the richness of Bantugen.

Super Power: As a warrior, Bantugen’s battlefield abilities make him one of the most formidable opponents to wage war with. He can travel into the sky and even walk on the surface of water. He also has the power to call upon the help of Anito (ancestral spirits) to do his bidding. Bantugen also owns a Bangka (boat) that can travel like a submarine in the deepest part of the ocean and can carry nearly the total population of a village.

Indarapata and Sulayman, Saviors and Slayers

Origin: The story of Raja Indarapata and Raja Sulayman came from the epic of the Maguindanao people. The tale of these brothers is also one of the more popular folktales in the said region and even throughout the Philippines

Super Tale: The tale of Indarapata and Sulayman is action packed and filled with many vicious battles against the four beasts that cause destruction to their kingdom. One of these creatures of destruction is called Kurita, an awful being with many limbs who loves to raze mountains where rattan plants grow. The next one is Tarabusaw, an abhorred being that looks like a monstrous man and lives in Mt. Matutum. The third one is the enormous bird called Pah whose wingspan is said it cover the land in darkness. Lastly is the nameless seven headed giant avian that spread terror around Mt.Gurayan.

The first three creatures were slain by Sulayman. The fourth one was killed by Indarapata after his brother died during the fight with Pah. Thanks to some magical water, Raja Sulayman was revived after being buried over the broad wings of the said terrifying avian.

Super Powers: The brothers are both skilled warriors that could match and exceed the strength and power of the four beast. Besides this, they also used an enchanted kris sword called Juru Pakal. This blade is sentient and can fight any enemies on its own.

The story also features a magical plant that seems connected with the life force of Sulayman. When the plant starts to wither, Indarapta already knew that his brother was slain.

Lumalindaw, the Fighting Musician

Origin: Lumalindaw is the hero from epic tales of the Ga’dang people. He is the son of Datu Lumalibac from Nabbobawan.

Super Tale: The tale of Lumalindaw is a series of romantic pursuits with our hero fighting for all the women he loves –  such as the fierce bolo combat with the brother of Menalam (of one the women he married). He even broke the curse of the sirena, Carinuwan, that made her regain human form.  His pure heart also made him save the beautiful dwarf Caligayan of the underworld and return her to normal size.

The conclusion of the adventure of Lumalindaw is quiet melancholic, for unlike other epics that end in glorious triumph, Lumalindaw’s tale ended when he left all his sons and daughters and entered the cave behind a waterfall –  which symbolized his death and the beginning of his journey into the underworld.

Super Power: Lumalindaw was an extraordinary individual since his birth. He can shout so loud that he makes birds fall from their flight and coconuts fall.

He is a proficient player of the Ayoding; a magical music instrument that also acts as a guiding voice whenever he makes a decision. He has armed himself with a bolo blade that emits a blinding light and produces music whenever it is swing.

 

Tuwaang, the Adept

Origin: Tuwaang is a hero from an epic tale of the Manobo people. This tale in particular is known by many as “The Maiden of the Buhong Sky” as it also centers around a maiden that was saved by Tuwaang.

Super Tale: As a craftsman by trade, Tuwaang is well known for his leglets, rings and chains. One day the wind summoned him to aid a lady from the skyworld that was currently staying in the country of Batooy. There he met the Maiden of the Buhong Sky who fled her country because of the giant called the Young Man of Pangumanon, who wanted to marry her. The lady refused the offer which caused the giant to wreak destruction on their country.

Soon Tuwaang and the giant face each other and engage in a seemingly endless duel. They broke all of their weapons throughout the battle, so they engaged in wrestling. After an intense struggle, the giant calls a long iron bar that wraps around Tuwaang.  He then douses him in fire. But Tuwaang just raised his hands and the fire died down. The hero then summoned a magical flaming skein that engulfed the Young Man of Pangumanon and resulted in his death.

The epic concludes when Tuwaang, together with his sister, their people and the maiden travel to a place called Katuusan; a land where there is no more death for everyone.

Super Powers: Beside the magical skein he used to defeat the giant, Tuwaang can also speak with the wind and ride the lightning for quick travel. He’s also a capable weapon wielder as it is stated in his battle that he used spears, bolos and shields to fight the Young Man of Pangumanon.

A Need for Heroes

Why do we need heroes? Is it because we need someone to save us from our mistakes or from the things we fear most? Some might say that heroes today are only used for entertainment. Other than that, we vaguely recall anyone in our life that could act like hero during dire situations. But many still have faith that heroes will remain in our lives whether they have any super powers, magical weapons, or not.  All it takes for someone to become a hero is to put someone else’s well-being above their own – perhaps to the point of risking their safety.

The majority of Filipino epic heroes are driven by one single objective as they venture into deadly battles and risky quests. Love. Each of these heroes fight to the death because of their family, their clan and for that special someone who stirs their heart. And like these individuals, each of us have the power and ability to fight for what we love. I think we need heroes because they teach us a simple truth; heroism is about transforming oneself for the betterment of all. What better message for television networks to send out to the population of the Philippines?

Sources:

101 Kagilagilalas na Nilalang by Edgar Calabia Samar
http://www.kapitbisg.com