Hinilawod recounts the story of the exploits of three
Suludnon demigod brothers: Labaw Donggon, Humadapnon and Dumalapdap of ancient
Panay.
Alunsina and Datu Paubari Kaptan, king of the Gods, decreed that the beautiful Alunsina (also called Laun Sina, "Unmarried One") be wed upon reaching maidenhood. Though all the unmarried gods from every corner of the universe tried to win her hand in marriage, she chose to marry the mortal Datu Paubari, ruler of the Halawod. Angered by this decision, Alunsina's spurned suitors conspired to harm the newlywed couple. Maklium-sa-t'wan, the god of the plains, called a council of the gods. The deities decided to destroy the Halawod by flood. Fortunately for Alunsina and her husband, her sister Suklang Malayon, the goddess and guardian of happy homes, discovered the evil plot and warned them of it. Before the flood, the couple sought refuge on higher ground and escaped the gods' wrath undetected. They returned to the plains and settled near the mouth of the Halawod after the floods subsided and lived in secrecy. After several months, Alunsina was pregnant with triplets. The couple was ecstatic, and Datu Paubari prepared the things needed for childbirth including the
siklot. When the triplets were born, the couple named them Labaw Donggon, Humadapnon, and Dumalapdap. Immediately after birthing her sons, Alunsina summoned the high priest Bungot-Banwa to perform rites on Mount Madya-as to ensure good health for the triplets. Bungot-Banwa burned some
alanghiran fronds along with a pinch of
kamangyan (
incense) on an altar that he had built. He opened the windows of the north side of the room after the ceremony, and in came a cold wind that transformed the infants into strong, mighty, and handsome young men.
The adventures of Labaw Donggon When he reached adulthood, Labaw Donggon, the eldest of the triplets, decided to go on a quest to find himself a wife. He heard of the beauty of Anggoy Ginbitinan of Handug and wanted her for a wife. He asked his mother to prepare the things he will need for the journey—a magic cape, hat, belt, and
kampilan (a large,
two-handed sword). The journey to Handug took several days through plains, valleys, and mountains. When Labaw Donggon finally arrived, he asked for an audience with Anggoy Ginbitinan's mother and asked for her hand in marriage. The marriage was finalized when Labaw Donggon's parents met and discussed with Anggoy Ginbitinan's parents. Using his
pamlang (magical charm), Labaw Donggon effortlessly conjured a giant house with ten rooftops and a hundred doors. After their wedding, Labaw Donggon and his new bride started on their journey back to his lands. Upon reaching home, Labaw Donggon asked his mother to care for his new wife and announced his intent on another quest, this time to the
Rugal sa Idalom (the netherworld) and vie for the hand of the beautiful Anggoy Doronoon. Labaw Donggon won the hand of the Anggoy Doronoon with little difficulty, and also took her home to his mother. Thereafter, the demigod went on third quest to the Eastern Sky. This time the object of his desire is Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata, the young bride of Saragnayan, the Lord of Darkness. Aboard his
biday nga inagta (black boat), Labaw Donggon sailed across many seas and flew across the region of the clouds and the Land of Stones before he found himself at the shores of the Eastern Sky and the fortress of Saragnayan. Upon setting foot on the shore, Saragnayan asked who he was and what was his business. When Labaw Donggon expressed his desire to have Saragnayan's young wife Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata, the Lord of Darkness laughed and told him it was impossible. The young demigod then challenged Saragnayan to a duel. The duel lasted for years. Labaw Donggon held Saragnayan's head underwater for seven years but Saragnayan survived. Labaw Donggon then tied Saragnayan to the top of a rock and beat him hard with a coconut trunk, but this proved futile. Labaw Donggon then hurled Saragnayan upwards towards the sky, yet failed to kill him. The two fought for many years until finally, Labaw Donggon weakened. Saragnayan imprisoned the exhausted demigod under his pig pen. Meanwhile, Labaw Donggon's two wives each gave birth to a son. Anggoy Ginbitinan called her child Aso Mangga, while Anggoy Doronoon called her son Buyung Baranugon. Both sons went in search of their father a few days after they were born. They arrived in the Eastern Sky and asked Saragnayan to free their father. Saragnayan instead summoned a host of minions from the underworld to defeat the youths. Wielding bows, Aso Mangga and Buyung Baranugon shot poisoned arrows, that dealt seven wounds with a single shot, slaying the rest until only Saragnayan remained. Saragnayan wrestled with Buyung Baranugon, but the Lord of Darkness was no match for him. However, Saragnayan could still not die. Buyung Baranugon sought aid from his grandmother, Alunsina, and learned that Saragnayan's life was housed in the body of a boar in a place called
Paling Bukid. The sons then killed the boar and ate its heart, rendering Saragnayan mortal. Sensing that death was near, Saragnayan bade a sorrowful farewell to his wife. Buyung Baranugon finally killed Saragnayan by jabbing poisoned arrows into both of Saragnayan's eyes. After the victory, Buyung Baranugon and Aso Mangga failed to find their father, who hid under a fishnet out of fear during the battle. Believing their father to have returned home before them, the brothers sailed home only to realize that Labaw Donggon was still missing. Humadapnon and Dumalapdap then searched for their missing brother, finding Labaw Donggon under the fishnet in a deranged state. Labaw Donggon's brothers returned him home to his wives. Anggoy Ginbitinan and Anggoy Doronoon cured Labaw Donggon from his madness and his former strength returned to him.
The adventures of Humadapnon Meanwhile, the defeat of Labaw Donggon at the hands of Saragnayan and his subsequent imprisonment angered his brothers Humadapnon and Dumalapdap. Humadapnon swore by the gods of Madya-as that he would seek revenge on all of Saragnayan's kinsmen and followers. He then embarked on a journey to the Eastern Sky, taking with him Buyong Matanayon of Mount Matiula, a man known for his exceptional swordsmanship. Together, they travelled the same path that Labaw Donggon had taken. Along the journey, the two met sorceress Piganun, who had taken the form of a beautiful woman and enchanted Humadapnon to the point that he did not wish to leave. After seven months in Tarambang Buriraw, Buyong Matanayon recalled that they brought some
ginger with them. He thought of a plan to break Piganun's spell over his friend. One evening, over dinner, Buyong Matanayon threw seven slices of ginger into the fire. Upon smelling the burning ginger, Piganun fled the room. Buyong Matanayon then struck Humadapnon in the head, rendering the latter unconscious. He dragged his body away from the place and managed to escape. Upon reaching the kingdom of Datu Umbaw Pinaumbaw, the path was blocked off by a giant boulder. Humadapnon and Buyong Matanayon tried to walk around the boulder, but it seemed as though it grew wider with every step. They tried to climb it, but it seemed to grow higher with every step. Humadapnon rose to the challenge and put on his magic cape. He then was able to lift the huge boulder off the center of the village and hurled it back towards the mountain. Datu Umbaw Pinaumbaw honored his word and gave his daughter's hand in marriage to Humadapnon. The two were married and a big feast was held. During the banquet, a guest
minstrel sang and extolled the beauty of Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan, the goddess of wealth and greed. Enchanted by the story, Humadapnon started on a quest to seek the goddess' hand in marriage. He met Buyong Makabagting, son of the Datu Balahidyong of Paling Bukid, who was also vying for the hand of Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan. The two duelled and Humadapnon emerged victorious, the defeated Buyong Makabagting helping the former in his quest. Humadapnon eventually married Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan and brought her home to his mother. Below are verses from the first two stanzas of the second part of
Sugidanun I (First Narration) of the Sulodnon epic
Hinilawod: Adventures of Humadapnon chanted by
Hugan-an and recorded by Dr. F. Landa Jocano. The epic is in the original Sulodnon language. •
Sugidanun I: Pangayaw •
2. Himos :
Yabon-yabon pay tun-og :
Alimbu pa duyamig :
Nagparibung domdom :
Hangop abi sa domdom. :
Ni Buyong Humadapnon: :
"Ti, Taghuy, ku magsalakay :
Abi ako magmamkaw :
Ku magliali ako sa lawdon :
Maglibot sa layagon :
Bungayong ako sa sarakyan :''Waay ako't panimbang,'' :
Waay it panibin-sibin." :
Mahinay tumindug :
Mahinay tumimbayug :'' 'I ginuong harangdon.'' :
Kambay dato agtunan :
Lubayon kamasuswon :
Uwa si Labing Anyag :
Sanglit may babaylan :
Sanglit hay singday. •
English translation by Dr. F. Landa Jocano :
The dew was still fresh :
The morning breeze was cold :
There he sat wondering :
Till and idea came to his mind. :
Said Buying Humadapnon: :
"Well, Taghuy, were I to travel :
Supposing I do embark :
If I scour and cross the seas :
Travel around, spread my sails :
I would be alone in my vessel :
I have no assistant :
I have no companion." :
And slowly he stood :
Meditating he took to his feet :
The respected master. :
He went and approached :
His younger sister :
Uwa Labing Anyag :
Because she was a babaylan. :
An skilled in charms. The adventures of Dumalapdap Shortly after Humadapnon left their home to seek revenge on Saragnayan's family and followers, Dumalapdap embarked on a quest of his own. He decided to go to Burutlakan-ka-adlaw and marry Lubay-Lubyok Hanginun si Mahuyokhuyokon, the goddess of the evening breeze. With him was Dumasig, the most powerful wrestler in
Madya-as. After several months of traveling, the two warriors came face to face with a two-headed monster called Balanakon. The monster guarded the ridge that led to the place where the maiden lived. They managed to kill the monster but were confronted with another kind of monster when they reached the gate of the palace where the maiden lived. Called Uyutang, the monster was similar to a bat with sharp, poisonous claws. Dumalapdap fought with Uyutang for seven months. He was able to defeat the monster when he grabbed its ankle and broke it. Then he took his
twang daniwan (magic dagger) and struck Uyutang under the armpit. The monster howled in pain, causing an earthquake that broke the ridge they were fighting in into two. Half of the ridge became an island that is known today as
Negros, while the other half became Panay. With the monster Uyutang dead, Lubay-Lubyok Hanginun si Mahuyokhuyokan was free to marry Dumalapdap. He brought her home and was reunited with his family. Datu Paubari celebrated the return of his three sons with a very big feast. His sons left for different parts of the world after the feast. Labaw Donggon ventured north, Humadapnon went south, and Dumalapdap embarked to the west. Datu Parubari was left to rule in the east.
The quest of Humadapnon continues Humdapnon was visited by his spirit friends Taghoy and Duwindi in his dream and told him of lovely maiden who lived in a village by the mouth of the Halawod River. The demigod left his dominion to look for the maiden named Nagmalitong Yawa. He brought with him a boatful of crew. Humadapnon and his men safely traversed a blood-coloured sea with the help of his spirit friends. They landed on an island that was inhabited by beautiful women and headed by the sorceress, Ginmayunan. For seven years, Humadapnon and his crew were imprisoned in the island until Nagmalitong Yawa helped them escape while disguised as a boy. Humadapnon and Nagmalitong Yawa were married soon after in Halawod. During the wedding feast, Humadapnon's brother, Dumalapdap fell in love with Huyung Adlaw and asked his brother to help him talk to the parents of the maiden. Humadapnon left his new wife and accompanied his brother to the Upperworld where Huyung Adlaw lived. It took the brothers seven years to come back from their journey to the Upperworld. They arrived just in time for the ceremony that will have Nagmalitong Yawa married to Buyung Sumagulung, an island fortress ruler, in a ceremony. The brothers were enraged and killed all the guests and the groom. Humadapnon also stabbed his wife because of treachery only to feel remorse later on. He asked his spirit friends and found out that his wife only agreed to marry Buyung Sumagulung because her mother, Matan-ayon, convinced her that Humadapnon is not coming back. Upon learning of this, Humadapnon asked his sister, Labing Anyag, to use her powers to bring Nagmalitong Yawa back to life. Seeing how remorseful he is, Labing Anyag agreed. However, Nagmalitong Yawa was so ashamed of agreeing to marry Buyung Sumagulung that she ran away to the underworld and sought the protection of her uncle Panlinugun, who is the lord of earthquakes. Humadapnon had to kill an eight-headed serpent in his pursuit of Nagmalitong Yawa. Then he had to duel with a young man who spirited his wife away. The duel ended when Alunsina intervened and revealed that the young man is her son, Amarotha. This son died during childbirth and was brought back from the dead to keep Alunsina company. Alunsina decided that both Humadapnon and Amarotha deserved a piece of Nagmalitong Yawa so she cut the girl in half and gave a piece each to her sons. Each half turned into a whole live person. Humadapnon brought his wife back to Panay. ==In theatre==