The Adventures of Juan Pusong

There is a kind old couple who built a good strong relationship, faithful and loyal to each other despite hardship, poverty and struggles. It could have been an ultimate happiness for them if they could only have a child.

One day, the man collected woods while the woman washes clothes in the river. The latter is so busy with her work when she saw a watermelon (sandiya in Hiligaynon) floating towards her. The humongous watermelon which caught her attention is getting closer and closer. She reaches out and grab the object and carefully put it in batya. She hurriedly finished her laundry and went home.

When the man went home that afternoon, the woman showed him the watermelon. They were both happy with the founding of the watermelon because they have something to eat. The man gets a knife to cut open the watermelon but it opened voluntarily. A little baby boy came out foretelling:  “Don’t be scared, I’m all yours now sent by God from heaven.”

Such is the delight of the couple. They baptized the child to a wise man. The child was called Huan or Juan Pusong.

Huan Pusong is a very strong child and his growing up years is like a blown up balloon. He is well loved by his adopted parents and considered him their own child. Juan Pusong loves to play with birds and other animals.

One day, Juan Pusong asked permission to go to the town proper. When he reached the town, he went to the market to buy some crabs and salt which was ordered by her mother. For the first time going away from home, there are lots of things attracted him. It’s already afternoon when he traced his path going home. In traversing the way, he needs to cross a stream. When Juan saw the carabaos or water buffalo swimming in the water he felt some humidity and convinced to take a bath. He remembered the request of his mother. He thought of a way to have the items he bought in the market to arrive first in their home. He let loose the buri bundle and said to the crabs;

“Crabs, you go home first since you can crawl. Tell my mother that I’ll go home bringing the salt. Just follow this path. On the first house that you can reach, you should stop because my mother is on the door and waiting. She will receive you.”

The crabs crawled. Juan put the salt in a big rock. He was scared it will fall so he transferred it to a hole with water. And off Juan happily took a bath, climbing at the back of the carabaos or water buffalo and jumping off the carabao to the water. When he look back, he saw the crawling crabs. He chased them but all of the crabs entered a hollow area. He took off the water to get the salt. In his stupefaction, the salt became water.

There’s a lot more stories about the adventures of Juan Pusong which is almost the same as Juan Tamad of the Tagalogs.

Though he is just a simple character, Juan gets some attention. Juan is a delight despite of his stupidity and laziness. The anecdotes about him is full of laughter.

Mama Suli Of Cabatuan

Mama Suli was born before Cabatuan was the name of the town. According to some natives, she came from the clan of Sumakwel and a close relative of Tan Tono, the first gobernadorcillo of Cabatuan.

Mama Suli was born in Bugton, a sitio of Jelicuon. Bugtong which means only child is about a kilometer from Jelicuon Elementary School. In this place, Suli spent her days.

Mama Suli is an extraordinary individual because she was born a breech baby, born bottom first instead of head first. She was called by the name Mama Suli because she was born a breech or suli in Hiligaynon. She is tall and has big body physique. She has a big body but her neck is short. She has a narrow forehead and big ears which shapes like a cup with sharp hearing which can be compared to a radio receiver or a mobile phone signal in the present times. His nose is average in size but shapes like the beak of a parrot. Her eyes are also big and she has a funny face and head.

Mama Suli has an extraordinary figure. Two long legs and with arms about a foot less before it touches the ground when she stretches it. When she is in a squatting position, her head is longer than her knees so that she can see things and objects on her front through sneaking in between her legs. She has no compare in strength and bravery during her time. She is quick to move when needed especially during battles. She can easily defeat in running and to any contest any men of her time.

One day, a carabao or water buffalo fell down the cliff. Mama Suli single-handed pull up and in an instance, the carabao was lifted up. Her other movements are peculiar. In climbing a tree, stairs or hills, she is using her two feet first and a bending head. If the trees are close to each other, she just jump across it to pick up some fruits.

Suli is an local herb doctor or locally called albularyo. She knows and identify each herbs, shrubs, tree roots, and woods as treatment of any disease and she knows what herbs or shrubs should be used to a specific illness of a person who comes to her. However her unusual ability is the removal of fish bone stuck in the throat because she was born a breech baby. Breech born people has this special ability of removing fish bone in the throats of any person. By touching the neck of an affected person, in an instance the fishbone is gone from their throats. Another of her abilities is her healing the new and deep wounds, cripple and sprained or limped bones. She was called himagan. The himagan is a person who can cure or heal an illness, ailment or malady by touching or applying some of the concocted herbal oil  or saliva as a cure. Her touching therapy is effective, most especially if the patient is a female, young and beautiful.

Mama Suli is fair and just. Because of that, she was loved, honored and respected by everyone who knows her. She always defend Cabatuan most especially Jelicuon against the bandits and thieves who wants to attack the place. She can fight singled-handedly the bandits thus she was called one-man army. Her only weapon is a sharp dagger because she is quick, strong, agile and fearless.

It so happened during the time of Mama Suli, Cabatuan is frequented by many thieves and bandits from neighboring towns which disturb the peace and safety of the place. The mastermind of the violence is Pedro Barbon which has a thick beard.  He is tall, harsh and cruel. He gets anything he wants or desire, kill anyone who oppose him, harm innocent people and rape the girl he likes. He is always riding a big, black horse and always carrying his weapons, a gun on his side, a rifle on his shoulder and a dagger on his waist.

The Captain of the place is confused. He could not curb the crime committed by Pedro. The captain heard the plot to kill him and Pedro will lead the local government. The captain offer a reward to any people of Cabatuan who can kill Pedro Barbon.

During this time, Mama Suli was over 60 years old already and too old to fight cruel people who were younger than her but to Suli the reward she heard was like a temptation. What if something will happen to her? She's already old. Besides that, she has this aim to show the world that she is brave and have a kind heart.

She secretly left her home in Bugtong going to Inabasan and went to the barrio often visited by Pedro. Suli expected that in this place she will encounter and fight Pedro.

It was by chance when Suli arrived in Inabasan, Pedro also came. So Suli prepares herself by going at the back of a mound tip toing and between her two legs, she sneaks through the arrival of Pedro.

Suli was shivering when she saw Pedro. She tried so hard to gather all her strength, courage and skill in fighting. Next is the exchange of feisty words. Pedro became furious because this is the first time he was threatened and humiliated.

Aside from this, the humiliation came from an old person without any weapon. Pedro could not use a gun since his enemy is at the back of a mound. He certainly assured that he could not be hurt by Suli. He walk closer towards the mound to have a chance to shot his enemy.

Suli is also intuitive while waiting the closer coming of Pedro in the mound. She calculated the distance she can use in jumping and kicking out his enemy.

When she got the chance, she jumped and kicked Pedro which caused him to fall from his horse. Before Pedro can even stand up, Suli pulled out her dagger and stabbed her enemy through his heart. Suli thought of bringing to the captain the body of her slain opponent as a proof that she is the one who killed Pedro. For the reason that the body is too heavy, Suli thought of just cutting his tongue. She immediately opened his mouth, cut his tongue and wrapped it with banana leaves and put it in her pocket. She left the place and when she passed in Barrio Salakay, bought some tuba or palm wine and drink to relieve her of exhaustion and tiredness and to regain her energy.

Some people passed by the body of Pedro and remember the reward offered by the captain to anyone who can kill Pedro. So they thought of getting anything from the slain body to convince the captain that they are the one who killed the bandits. These people were the first to arrive at the municipal hall and introduce themselves as the one who killed Pedro. One person who claimed he was the one who killed brought a dagger of Pedro, another person brought a gun and third brought a dagger and on his other hand carrying the head of Pedro.

After awhile, Suli arrived and for quick chat she introduced herself as the one who killed Pedro. Everyone around laugh so hard even the captain because they never saw Suli carrying a proof that she killed Pedro. Aside from that, this is the first time they saw the face of Suli.

Suli asked the people who claimed to have killed Pedro to open the mouth of the slain enemy. They open it and showed it to the crowd and they were all surprised to see why the tongue is gone. In that instance, she told them that they should not be surprised because she already got it and that is her proof as the real slayer of Pedro. To convince the captain,she slowly picked in her pocket the tongue wrapped in banana leaves. Everyone believed she is the one who slayed Pedro.

The reward is a huge coconut shell filled with Spanish gold coins.

The celebration was held and the family of Suli was invited to watch to bestow the reward to Suli. The dances like kuratsa, kamantugol and many others were performed. When the celebration is finished, Suli and her family return to Bugtong to live peacefully. The hero went on to live for more than 110 years old.




Photo Source:

http://honda-tech.com/forums/general-discussion-debate-40/help-need-sex-advice-3201227/

TAN ADI AND THE GIANT

This folk tales came from the town of Guimbal.

The name Tan Adi is always connected with strength.

It was said that Tan Adi came from Camangahan but he is married to a woman in Sipitan. He has two brothers, Andoy and Fermin and a sister, Inocencia (nicknamed Osing). Tan Adi's hobby is to catch shrimps and crabs in a creek called "Sapa Buhi" or Live Stream or Active Creek. He is using a basket made of bamboo called "tagub" where he puts some bait. He gets his catch from the basket early in the morning because it is submerged in the water overnight. He always caught shrimps and crabs enough for food everyday.

One morning, he was surprised to see that there's no catch inside the basket. This peculiar situation happened again the next morning. Tan Adi suspects someone is making a prank or is doing some tricks on him. So what he did is to hide among the bamboos near and fronting the shores of the stream. All night long he tried to stay awake to watch. At about four o'clock in the morning, his attention was caught by the rustling of leaves from the trees lining up the shores. An unexplained object is moving on this corner. When it came closer, Tan Adi saw a very tall creature. When it bows down to gather the crabs and shrimps, Tan Adi gets his thong belt and caught the giant using it and since the belt is sacred, the giant got scared. The giant attempted to get loose but Tan Adi's grip on the belt is too tight. The trapped giant ran from Iloilo to Antique and back but nothing happened.

In exhaustion finally the giant begs.

"Remove the belt on my neck and I will give you a powerful amulet."

"I will set you free if you bring me back to Sapang Buhi," said Tan Adi.

The giant did so and aside from this, he gave Tan Adi three pieces of his beard.

"This will give you an unusual strength," advised by the giant.

Tan Adi gets one piece of it and put it in the biceps of his right arm. He gave the other two pieces to his brothers. Since then, Tan Adi possesses an unusual strength.




Photo Source:

http://www.theunveilingjourney.com/2013/09/10/your-inner-green-man-gentle-giant-or-raging-tyrant/

The Miracles Of The Our Lady Of Oton

According to history, the Parish of Oton, is the third to be established in Panay but the first to choose Our Virgin Mary to be its patron saint.

Tradition foretells that Mother Mary herself chooses Oton who name was deeply honored and venerated by the locals.

One day, a motor banca landed in Oton and included in the cargo is the image of  Virgin Mary and Santo Niño or Holy Child Jesus. The crew brought the image to the church. When they return to the banca the engine won't start. They thought there is some problem with the engine but upon checking it, they could not find any damage. No matter what they do, they could not make the banca move. In an instance the captain ordered to take the Santo Niño in the church and replace it with the image of Virgin Mary. After they did it, it was a wonder they can easily move the boat. This explains why the patron saint of Oton was the beloved Mother of God while in Tigbauan is the Santo Niño.

There is a similar story to that belief.

When an earthquake named Lady Caycay struck Panay Island and destroyed the church of Oton in 1948 and the image of Virgin Mary was lowered, a group of friars decided to transfer the patron saint to Tigbauan while the Santo Niño of Tigbauan will be transferred to Oton. They helped carry and put in the banca the statue of the Virgin Mary to be brought to Tigbauan but upon reaching Tigbauan they could not be able to unload the image so they continued to other towns but the same thing happened so they decided to bring it back to Oton. When they are near the town of Oton, the boat runs smooth and slow and the engine really stopped and doesn't want to leave.

It is so strange why the Image is so light and bearable when it was carried back to the church of Oton? It's really a miracle according to the townspeople of Oton because the Virgin Mary doesn't want to leave Oton because it is near to her heart.

There are more things that happened that tells about the miracles of Our Virgin Mary of the church of Oton.

In 1944, during the Japanese Occupation, the Japanese are guarding in the middle of the plaza fronting the church. It was evening then and they are patiently watching the approaching enemies when all of a sudden they saw a very beautiful lady with long hair, dressed in a floor-length white and blue clothes and it is coming closer to them. Many people saw it and the expression and aura of the lady is sad. She said to the Japanese: "Have mercy on the people, leave this place and return to where you came from." When they look up to the towers of the church the image of the Virgin Mary, it was not there. Everyone said that for certain the lady who came up to the Japanese is the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception. Eventually indeed, the Americans came, saved the people and liberated Panay Island from the Japanese Imperial Forces.

It was reported that a tidal wave will hit their area. Oton will surely sink and flooded because it is near the sea. The people are already preparing to leave the area but when the night time came, when the giant wave is ready to hit the town of Oton, a lot of people saw a lady with a long hair wearing a white and blue dress running towards the ocean outstretching her arms open wide and all of a sudden the giant wave goes back to the ocean never smashing the town of Oton. When this took place, many noticed that the statue of the Virgin Mary in the tower of the church is missing. It was believed that Our Lady of Immaculate Conception helped the townsfolk. So the people came in front of the church and tearfully thanking the patron saint of Oton.

One early morning, a dawn after the fiesta celebration of the town of Arevalo, month of January 1948, there's a sudden jolt so powerful that it caused the destruction of the very beautiful and imposing church of Oton. The miracle which took place there is this: all parts of the church fell to the ground except the tower which stood the statue of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception. It took a long time before the image of our Virgin Mary was changed.

Truly the image is miraculous!


Photo Source:

https://oneintheirhearts.wordpress.com/2015/11/30/novena-in-honor-of-the-immaculate-conception-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-second-day/

The Santo Niño Of San Joaquin

Can a little child saint make a naughty prank just like the following story?

Once upon a time there is a fisherman who went to the parish priest who is in charge of the church of San Joaquin to collect payment for the fish ordered by a child and points to the priest who will pay it. The priest paid the bill without asking any question but he knows that he did not ask any child to get some fish for him. When he held a mass the following morning, he saw a bundle of rotten fish hanging from the hands of the Santo Niño or the Little Child Jesus.



Photo Source: 

http://www.peanutbrowas.com/blog/santo-nino-church-bastion-of-christianity-in-cebu

http://theblackswampcornucopia.blogspot.com/2012/01/mysterious-case-of-moving-santo-nino.html

The Help Of Saint Anthony Of Padua

Long time ago before the arrival of the Spaniards in the Philippines, the Moros boarding a gabilan boat reached the shores of Barotac Nuevo and targets the town by capturing some men to be slaves. These slaves are being used in their leisure games like toreador and arm wrestling. Every invasion of the Moros bring lots of terror to the locals. One day the Moros arrived in the area again. The leaders of the town ordered the cuardilleros and other able bodied men to meet, face and fight the enemies  at the outskirts of the town.  They went to a designated place and hid before the arrival of the Moros. Upon the arrival of the Moros, they came out of hiding and the leader of the group shouted "bungga bungga". With this shout, the soldiers from the town attacked and fought ferociously the enemies. The battle became intense. It was stopped at about two o'clock in the afternoon in the sudden appearance of a very tall man who was dressed in a colorful clothes and a red belt around his waist carrying a small banner on his left hand. A glaring light came from his right hand hits the enemies while the phenomenon is in the middle of the way not far from the enemies. This place was called the mountain of Salihid which the battle took place. The enemies were dazzled by the blinding light and seems screaming and terrifyingly scared. They leave one by one. Since then, no Moros disturb the place. The people believed that the tall man who defended them is nothing else but Saint Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of the town.



Photo Source:

http://www.catholictradition.org/Padua/padua-gallery.htm

FOLK TALES OF PANAY

When the world is young, the form of relaxation such as television, computers and internet, gadgets, movies, radios and others is far from the imagination of human. During the time of our ancestors, their only form of leisure during their past time is the entertaining folk tales. In any gathering, the narration of folk tales will always be a part and never forgotten. There is a wide scope of topics in it. The themes of the folk tales are something that can give you goosebumps like the movements of the aswangs, mantiws (giants), kama kama (elves), tamawo (fairies) and others or heart pumping stories of romance, adventure or uncovering mysteries. The entertaining and pleasurable moments  of Juan Pusong's misadventures. All these stories are passed through generations but could no longer traced the authors or original storytellers. Folktales are narrative prose and considered fiction.

The folktales presented in the succeeding articles are about: 1. heroes whose accounts were classified in different categories like saints, brave and strong individuals or possessing power or unusual strengths, and comic characters 2. mythical creatures like aswang, kapre (ogre), kama kama (elf), katao (mermaid), tamawo (fairies) 3. mystery like spirits, people, objects, places. Let's take a look and read some of Ilonggo folk tales.



Photo Source:

http://www.vibebookstore.com/fiction/folklore-mythology/kwentong-bayan.html