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Catherine Jane P. Pace

Dr. Raquel A. Espiritu

English 250 (Bukidnon Literature)

CHARACTERIZATION OF AGYU

In

OLAGING: The Battle of Nalandangan

INTRODUCTION

Literature is a term used to describe written or spoken material. Broadly speaking,

"literature" is used to describe anything from creative writing to more technical or scientific

works, but the term is most commonly used to refer to works of the creative imagination,

including works of poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction. <

http://classiclit.about.com/od/literaryterms/g/aa_whatisliter.htm>

In the words of Salman Rushdie "Literature is where I go to explore the highest and

lowest places in human society and in the human spirit, where I hope to find not absolute truth

but the truth of the tale, of the imagination and of the heart." This reflects how important

literature is to humanity. Literature provides the chronicles of society and its decision and at the

same time presents the human condition.

To fully understand the culture of a certain society it is inevitable to study its literature. It

helps us understand and make sense of the world around us. Through literature, we explore the

human condition and analyze how and why people think the way they think and feel the way
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they feel. Literature enables us to develop our minds analytically and promotes open minds. We

see the world through the eyes of different writers from different cultures and in turn learn the

ways to deal with things happening around us. Without literature, we lack insight and

understanding of human nature. Everyone should, therefore, study literature. <

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061005211504AATZd11 >

Literature is part of culture for culture and history is reflected in literature. In the

Philippines Literature diversified as its history evolves thru time. Conveniently this evolution can

be divided into four significant periods namely, Pre-Colonial, Spanish Colonial, American

Colonial, and the Contemporary. (Godinez-Ortega) Among these Periods one might consider

Pre-Colonial in studying the culture and history since it’s uncontaminated with any outside

influences. Thus the pre-colonial epics are the very rigid source of information for the Filipino

Heritage.

An epic is an extended narrative poem in elevated or dignified language, celebrating the

feats of a legendary or traditional hero. It is From Latin epicus, from Greek epikos, from epos,

word, song. <http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/epic> In the course of the

history the Epics have been the vehicles for defining the history and the cultural background of a

nation. We know a great deal about the Greek and Roman culture because of their famous epics

like Iliad and Aeneid.

To be worthy of the name “Epic” Francisco R. Demetrio suggested the following criteria:

(1) the body must contain a body of ancient traditions centering around supernatural or heroic

persons or deed; (2) there must be a living faith in those tradition and their contents; (3) these

traditions must be molded into a single poem or group of poems by especially gifted persons; (4)

the poem must be invested with a certain sacred or venerable character, not only for their
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antiquity, but also for their cosmic, national, and social significance, inasmuch as they validate

the beliefs and ideals and life-values of a people or race.

OLAGING: THE BATTLE OF NALANDANGAN

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Olaging: The Battle of Nalandangan certainly fits to these criteria. It starts with Pamara

(Invocation) which is done to invoke the chanter’s guide Lumbaton. He asks him for a peaceful

mind and a child like loss of inhibition to entertain his listeners. It is followed by an Introductory

Song that introduces the listeners to the creation of the land, sea, and rivers surrounding

Nalandangan and the creation of the land, seas and rivers surrounding Nalandangan and demi-

gods who inhabit them.

Next is the narration of the History of the Sky here the gods mentioned earlier are

discussed and how they form the seven layered heaven. The Genealogy of Agio also appears in

the epic where the members of Agio’s family are vividly described. Then the listeners encounter

Nalandangan Its Surroundings and Its Citizens (so tagalikos ta Nalandangan daw so tumiyima

Doon) thru the thorough description of Nalandangan as a no ordinary place. It is the home of

celebrated men all of them kinsmen. Another description follows, this time it’s about The

Rivermouth of Yandang the chanter gives a detailed picture of the river and its many

enchantments. From there the listeners are taken to The Big House, The fort, where the building

of the fort is discussed.

Then The Merry-Making. A banquet is held at Nalandangan and as the boys get drunk

they start to brag and maidens giggle. Agio espies an approaching enemy. This leads to the

Preparation of War at Nalandangan. The merry-making ended abruptly as Agio advice all men

to prepare for a battle. Pamulaw ask the gods for fortune.

The story reaches its climax at The Battle of Nalandangan where the people of

Nalandangan drove away the enemy with the combat skills of Agio and his charmed weapons.

They gather their dead among the thousands who fell. The story ends with The Soul of Agio’s

Father Returns to Life after Disguised as a Warrior. Agio’s father Langonga and the keeper of
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the dead Gumogonal visited the scene of the battle disguised as a warrior. Agio did not recognize

him and challenge him to fight despite the Imbalana’s warning. The sky almost breaks the rivers

dries up. Langoga intervened and reveals their identity.

Among the different versions of the Epic Olaging, there is one very common thing—the

Hero. Agio (sometimes spelled as Agyu) appears to be the hero among the Manobo and along

with his exceptional family, he depicts the perfect Manobo culture.

CHARACTERIZATION OF AGIO
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An epic hero is defined as an important figure from a history or legend, usually favored

by or even partially descended from deities, but aligned more closely with mortal figures in

popular portrayals. The hero participates in a cyclical journey or quest, faces adversaries that try

to defeat him in his journey. The epic hero illustrates traits, performs deeds, and exemplifies

certain morals that are valued by the society from which the epic originates. They usually

embody cultural and religious beliefs of the people. Many epic heroes are recurring characters in

the legends of their native culture.

As for Agio, he sure embodies these traits. He is depicted in different ways from different

versions of Olaging from different chanters from different tribes. However in the version chanted

by Luis Pasal and transcribed by Ludivina Opeña, Agio is portrayed as a son, a warrior and a

leader in the following ways.

Personal

Agio comes from a very big family. Each of his family members has their own individual

characteristic. His father Langogna is a”warrior of highest caliber”390-392 Bai Undayag, is Agio’s

mother who is known for being compassionate. Agio is second from his eldest brother Pamulaw;

next to him is Banlak, then his sisters Ikwang and Tabagka respectively. Agio is said to be

“mischievous and naughty and does not sink in the sea.”394-395 Having such characteristics may

have made Agio susceptible to different adventures and makes him a very interesting epic Hero.

There are accounts where Agio faces due to his mischievousness over beautiful girls.

Being very naughty and mischievous Agio sometimes shuns conformity. “he did not

listen to warning; he did not go under the law”553-554

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Agio is a lover of beauty. He is easily attracted with beautiful women. He has two wives

one of which is Anginggahan who is said to “illumine the high seas.”461. For the Manobos

polygamy, although rarely practiced, is allowed. A datu might resort to it, usually for economic

and political reasons. Several wives allowed for more fields that could be cultivated, since the

Manobo women did all the work in the fields. (de Leon) In some accounts however, Agio

rejected the first wife since she suffered from a disgusting skin disease.

Agio had six children who were compared to the movement of the sun. The first son was

Imbukadlang, “born on the first ray of sunlight.”467Then along came a girl named Mangki-

makinayon (glittering) she was likened to the glittering moon. The third child was a boy and he

was called Panogawi—the Dusk. After him was Agkasukilom, the Twilight. Along came “the

last ray of the sun” Panlonti and lastly the youngest child of Agio Patulin who is “Paluganod ta

Balud” or the Maker of the Big Waves.

Social life for the Manobo is patriarchal, or male-dominated. The head of the family is

the husband. (Holmlund) Most of the time the father or the sons have the greatest authority in a

Manobo family. Agio therefore is the one in command in his own family. Sometimes he also

takes the place of his father. However, Agio’s mother Undayag receives a distinct respect from

the people for being the channel of the spirit guides.

Social

In the community that surrounds Agio he is taken as someone who is both dependable as

a “famous warrior”809 and naughty as an individual—although he could easily command respect.

He holds a great position in Nalandangan for one can only cross Yandang “if he [Agio]dance at
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Linawan, if he did the war dance at Nalandangan and only after this is created we pass the

overflowing tributary”824-829

Agio, despite being mischievous and naughty is well respected not only by the common

people who knows him but also by his brothers and sister. He is a well known and well respected

citizen of Nalandangan.

Leadership

The Manobo Political system as presented in the epic is headed by a Datu or the leader

and his female counterpart the Bai—however for most instances even with the existence of the

Bai the datu remains the most powerful. Datuship is hereditary although one must go through a

certain process of promotion for it comes in different levels. Agio and his brothers are all datu

although Agio gains the most respect. “He [Agio] was seated in his special seat in his own

ceremonial seat”. These leaders are believed to have interacted with the Magbabaya. As a leader

Agio posses extraordinary characteristics.

Agio has great command over his men. If he orders a wine it will surely be done or

commanding for the preparation of a war. “my golden children fix yourselves. Put on the

breastplate of which you made”1735-1740 He also shows protective over children and women.

As the leader he adheres to the gods for protection. He is very religious. “guardian my

guardian, my true loyal guardian make this happen!”1910-1917 Agio is undoubtedly the bravest

warrior making him a great leader. “he was the very first, he was always ahead”1991-1992 in

reaching the battle ground. And as he face the enemy with great boldness “Come up renegades,

enter your head hunters!”2009-2010

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Agio is not only brave in words but brave in deeds “merely seemed to bend, cutting

salabaw., when he finished overlapping were the datu piled one over the other”2123-2127 “This

truly amazed them” and so he is rightful to receive homage. “You cannot mark but I’m the leader

am the one followed.”

Like a typical Epic hero, Agio possess great characteristics and a very human nature. He

is extraordinary but still susceptible to errors. Although he could easily command respect due to

his great combat skills and hi gahums, it is undeniable the he will always be dubbed as

“Mischievous and naughty”.

WORKS CITED
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De Leon, Lydia Mary. “Manobo”

http://litera1no4.tripod.com/manobo_frame.html#TOP

Demetrio, Francisco R. “An overview of Philippine epics.” Kinaadman Volume 1.

(1979): 227

Godinez-Ortega, Christine F. “The Literary Forms in Philippine Literature”

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Literature/literary_forms_in_philippine_lit.htm

Holmlund, Eric. “The Manobo of The Philippines: A cluster profile covering 8 Manobo tribes.”
Bethany World Prayer Center. 2005
<http://www.prayway.com/unreached/clusters/8009.html >

Lombardi, Esther. “Classical Literature.”

<http://classiclit.about.com/od/literaryterms/g/aa_whatisliter.htm>

Epic (17 May 2010) <http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/epic>

Literature Quotations. (17 May 2010) < http://en.proverbia.net/citasautor.asp?autor=16322 >

“Olaging: The Battle of Nalandangan” Kinaadman Volume 1. (1979): 227