REGION 6: WESTERN VISAYAS Province Aklan Antique Capiz Guimaras Iloilo Capital Kalibo San Jose de Buenavista Roxas

s City Jordan Iloilo City

"Hinilawod" (Tales from the Mouth of The Halawod River) is an epic poem written by the early inhabitants of a place called Sulod in central Panay. recounts the story of the exploits of three Suludnon demigod brothers, Labaw Donggon, Humadapnon and Dumalapdap of ancient Panay. Recorded by F. Landa Jacano, a Filipino anthropologist

The Epic of Labaw Donggon (Lambunao, Iloilo) Labaw Donggon, the eldest of the triplets, decided to go on a quest to find himself a wife. He heard of the beauty of Angoy Ginbitinan of Handug and asks her father for her hand in marriage. Labaw Donggon killed the monster Manalintad as part of his dowry. Labaw Donggon went on another quest to Tarambang Burok and asks for the hand of the beautiful Abyang Durunuun. On his way, Labaw Donggon had an encounter with the giant Sikay. Labaw Donggon won the hand of the legendary Abyang Durunuun and also took her home to his mother. The demi god went on third quest to Gadlum. This time the object of his desire is Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata, the young bride of the lord of darkness, Saragnayan. The young demi god then challenged the Saragnayan to a duel for the hand of the beautiful Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata. The duel lasted for years. Labaw Donggon cannot kill Saragnayan because Saragnayans life was kept inside the body of a pig in Paling Bukid, so Labaw Donggon was defeated and was imprisoned beneath Saragnayan,s house. Labaw Donggon's two wives gave birth to a son each. Angoy Ginbitinan called her child Aso Mangga while Abyang Durunuun

called her son Abyang Baranugan. Both sons went in search of their father a few days after they were born. In his fear, Saragnayan summons help from all parts of the universe. The two brothers insisted to fight but cannot kill Saragnayan, not until they discovered his secret which gave way to his defeat. Saragnayans death sent the whole world a tremble, for the earthquake is kept in his body. After the fight, Labaw Donggon was nowhere to be found so his brothers searched for him. They found him shivering in fright and covering himself with a fish net. Labaw Donggon was totally out of his mind but upon hearing Malitong Yawas name he was brought back to his senses. The first two wives felt jealous but later on were appeased when Labaw Donggon promised to love them all equally. Labaw Donggon regained his full power and bravery with the help of his first two wives. Sociological approach: In the story, visayan traits were greatly manifested by each character. Labaw Donggon showed braveness by fighting different monsters whenever he wanted to marry a lady. Saragnayan also fought Labaw Donggon because he loved his wife, Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata. Labaw Donggons two sons looked for him when he was captured which showed the visayans love for their family. Another trait of the Visayans is their being romantic even though most of them are rough on the outside. This was manifested by Labaw Donggon by fighting for his beloved ladies. Knowing that this epic is traditional in nature, the names are expected to be quite unfamiliar to us since the source of the epic itself is from the Visayan region. Polygamy was also practiced by Labaw Donggon in the epic because he married Anggoy Ginbitinan, Abyang Durunuun, and Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata.