HINILAWOD

The Epic of the Hiligaynon Nation

What is Hinilawod?

An epic story about the exploits of brothers Labaw Donggon, Humadapnon and Dumalapdap.

Hinilawod is...

one of the longest epics in the world! has similar thematic elements as ancient

Grecio-Roman mythology, complete with giant monsters and gods and goddesses with all-too-human attributes.

like all epics, it has larger-than-life stories and larger-than-life heroes

Hinilawod, 1 (The Story of Alunsina) Kaptan, king of the gods, decreed that goddess

of the eastern sky, Alunsina (also called Laun Sina, or the Unmarried One) marry upon reaching maidenhood.

She chose a mortal, Datu Paubari, over the gods! Naturally, the gods did not take this sitting down.

The gods decided to flood Halawod so the couple escaped with the help of Suklang Malayon. They sought higher ground and returned to Halawod River after the flood subsided.

Hinilawod, 2 (The Story of Labaw Donggon)

Alunsina got pregnant and gave birth to triplets: Labaw Donggon, Humadapnon, Dumalapdap.

After some ceremonies, the northerly wind blew on the three infants and they instantly grew into three handsome young men.

Labaw Donggon, the eldest asked his mother to prepare his magic cape, hat, belt and kampilan for he wishes to go to woo Angoy Ginbitinan in Handug.

Hinilawod 3, (The Story of Labaw Donggon)

When Labaw Donggon reached Handug, the father of Angoy Ginbitinan agreed to offer his daughter’s hand in marriage if Labaw Donggon would fight the monster Manalintad.

Labaw Donggon killed the monster, and presented its tail to the father.

After the wedding, they met with a group of men on the way to Tarambang Burok to win the hand of Abyang Durunuun. Labaw Donggon immediately set off to Tarambang Burok for Abyang Durunuun.

Hinilawod 4, (The Story of Labaw Donggon)

Labaw Donggon then set off to Tarambang Burok, but was waylaid by the monster Sikay Padalogdog who has a hundred arms. Labaw Donggon easily defeated the monster, who allowed him to continue.

Labaw Donggon won the hand of Abyang Durunuun and took her home. He then went on another journey to collect a third bride, Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata. He failed to take her home because he failed to defeat Saragnayan, the lord of darkness, who happened to be MYSD’s husband.

Hinilawod 5, (The Story of Labaw Donggon)

Meanwhile, back home, the sons of Labaw Donggon, Aso Mangga and Buyong Baranugon, only a few days old each, embarked to look for their father and reached Saragnayan’s home.

Saragnayan mocked Buyong Baranugon, who still has his umbilical cord. BB defeated Saragnayan and brought back his father’s freedom.

Hinilawod 6, (The Story of Labaw Donggon)

Humadapnon (remember him?) heard about his brother’s humiliation in the hands of Saragnayan and swore vengeance on Saragnayan’s kinsmen and followers.

Humadapnon sought help from Buyong Matanayon, a good swordsman. They journeyed to Tarambang Buriraw, where the sorceress Piganun lived.

Piganun enchanted Humadapnon, making him forget what he set out to do.

Hinilawod 7, (The Story of Labaw Donggon)

Buyong Matanayon, meanwhile, has enough sense to sprinkle seven slices of ginger on the fire, breaking the spell. BM then hit Humadapnon and dragged his friend out of the place.

They wrought havoc on Saragnayan’s followers and kin, as promised until they reached a place called Piniling Tubig, where the head, Datu Umbaw Pinaumbaw offered his daughter to anybody who can remove a big boulder in the village. Guess who removed the boulder? Humadapnon, of course, thanks to his trusty magic cape.

Hinilawod 8, (The Story of Labaw Donggon)

Humadapnon, after the wedding, sought the hand of the goddess of greed, Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan. After fighting off a suitor, he was able to bring the goddess home.

The third brother, Dumalapdap, sought the maiden Lubay-lubyok Hanginun si Mahuyokhuyokan and brought along champion wrestler Dumasig.

The two, D and D, met a two-headed monster that guards the area where LLHM lived and promptly slew said monster.

Hinilawod 9, (The Story of Labaw Donggon)

After the fight with the monster, D and D encountered another monster, Uyutang near the gate of LLHM lived. A bloody fight ensued, lasting seven years, ending with Uyutang being slain by Dumalapdap.

Dumalapdap married LLHM and the three brothers parted.

Hinilawod 10, Humadapnon’s Story

In his sleep, Humadapnon heard about the maiden Nagmalitong Yawa, so the he promptly looked for said maiden as soon as he woke up.

He was met with a lot of obstacles, including being taken to a part of ocean that was the color of human blood, and being tossed about by a strong wind near the mouth of Saruma River. Because of his spirit friends, though, he was able to navigate the boat safely.

Hinilawod 11, Humadapnon’s Story Humadapnon and his crew came upon and

island called Tarambang, where the sorceress Ginmayunan lived. The men were held hostage in the island for seven years.

Taghoy and Dwindi asked Nagmalitong Yawa for help. The maiden did, in disguise, calling herself Buyung Sunmasakay. The charm on Humadapnon was lifted after NY performed some rituals. When she transformed into her real self, Humadapnon immediately fell in love.

Hinilawod 12, Humadapnon’s Story Humadapnon and NY were married, but not

before Humadapnon vanquished the lord of island fortress in the middle of the sea, Buyung Paglambuhan.

Humadapnon was asked by his brother Dumalapdap to talk to Huyung Adlaw’s parents. The journey took seven years. In those seven years, Matang-ayon prodded NY to re-marry, which she did, to Buyung Sumagulung.

Humadapnon along with Dumalapdap arrived in time and killed all the guests and the groom.

Hinilawod 13, Humadapnon’s Story Humadapnon then confronted NY, who

explained it was Labaw Donggon’s mother-in-law who suggested she re-marry. Humadapnon stabbed his wife to death, but his conscience later bothered him especially when his spirit friends attested to the innocence of NY.

He then sought the help of his sister Labing Anyag to bring back NY from the dead.

NY, shamed for what she did, ran away from her husband.

Hinilawod 14, Humadapnon’s Story Humadapnon followed NY to the

underworld, killing the eight-headed snake that guards the channel. She ran towards the Upperworld, but halfway through she was spirited away by a stranger who was riding the wind.

Humadapnon challenged the stranger to a duel. They fought for seven years with nobody winning. Alunsina, who witnessed the fight, intervened.

Hinilawod 15, Humadapnon’s Story, She revealed that the stranger was

Amarotha, her son whom she brought back to life to protect her. To appease the brothers, she divided NY in half, and gave each half to the brother. She then turned each half into a whole live person.

Humadapnon brought back his wife to Panay where they ruled for centuries.