University of Cabuyao

College of Education,
Katapatan Homes, Banay banay
Cabuyao City, Laguna, Philippines 4025

CONTEMPORARY, POPULAR, AND EMERGENT LITERATURE

NAME PAGUIGAN, LORIE JEAN C. PROFESSOR Leo Vigil M. Batuctoc

SECTION 3 SEDE-B SUBJECT SEM 116

Myths

1, The Gods and Goddesses (Ilocos)

Cabalangegan was once a jungle at the river Abra's edge, with mountains high and steep.
An old man named Abra lived on the far side of the mountains, controlling the weather.
Anianihan, God of Harvests, was in love with Caburayan, Goddess of Healing. Abra wanted
her to marry either Saguday or Revenador, but they were afraid to tell him. Abra wept and
begged the other gods to bring back his daughter. One day, the sun shone brightly, causing
the river Abra to rise and cover the trees. Abra lived there until he heard a cry and song
and couldn't find Maria Makiling, his grandchild. After three full moons of searching, Abra
lost hope and returned to his home. Maria Makiling was cared for by a fierce dog named
Lobo, who was punished by the other gods and sent to do charity.

2. Why There is a High Tide during a Full Moon (Ibanag)

Long time ago, there were three powerful gods who ruled the earth, sea, and sky. Luna, the
daughter of the sun god, enjoyed going around the heavens in her golden chariot. She met
a young man named Mar who looked like her father and they became good friends. They
promised to see each other often and continued meeting at the same spot until they real-
ized they were in love. The sun god was jealous of Luna's beauty and reported her affair to
the sea god, who shut her in their garden and imprisoned her son Mar. Luna was sad to
not be able to see Mar again, but she escaped from the garden and rushed to their meeting
place. Mar was imprisoned in one of his sea caves, causing unrest in the sea. Each time
Luna appears, the sea gets troubled.

3. Why the Dead Come Back No More (Ifugao)

A kind woman with three children lived a good life until she fell ill and died. Her spirit went
to Kadungayan, where she pity her children and thought they were hungry and cold. She
returned to earth, but her children didn't build a fire since her mother's death. The woman
sent her eldest child to beg for fire from neighbors, but they didn't believe her mother had
returned. The child went home without fire. The woman became angry and asked her chil-
dren to go to Kandungayan, where there were no selfish people. She smashed a jar of water
on a stone, causing fear among the people. The next morning, the people found the children
dead, revealing the woman had returned home and taken her children with her. The people
apologized for not giving fire to the child. Since then, no dead person has returned to earth.

4. Mag-asawang Tubig (Tagalog)

In an old town, Ba Imo and Ba Sinta were humble and generous farmers. One day, a beg-
gar visited their house and they stayed for a meal. Realizing their guest was God, they
prayed and asked for their death to avoid grief and loneliness. God granted their wish and
they died together. A brook grew from their graves, eventually becoming a river named Mag-
asawang Tubig in memory of the couple.

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 University of Cabuyao
College of Education,
Katapatan Homes, Banay banay
Cabuyao City, Laguna, Philippines 4025

CONTEMPORARY, POPULAR, AND EMERGENT LITERATURE

5. How the Moon and the Stars Came to Be (Bukidnon)

One day, a spinster pounds rice in a close-to-ground sky, removing her necklace beads and
hair comb and hanging them on the sky. As she raises her pestle, it strikes the sky, caus-
ing it to rise. The comb becomes the moon, and the beads become scattered stars. The sky
never comes down, as the comb becomes the moon and the beads become scattered stars.
The spinning process continues until the sky reaches a height of, where the spinning
process ends.

Legends

1. The Legend of Sleeping Beauty (Kalinga)

Sleeping beauty is said to be the beautiful maiden named Dinayao who is in loved with a
dashing Luplupa villager named Binsay at first sight. Tribal was forced Binsay to help out
his village but promised to Dinayao that he will be back to see her at the summit of Mt.
Patukan. However, after some time, it was Binsay’s brother who returned to the summit to
bring Dinayao the unfortunate news of his demise. Dinayao wept and vowed to stay in the
mountain and bring her eternal love Binsay until her death.

2. The Legend of the Dama de Noche

A nobleman realizes his life is empty and embarks on a journey to find a woman to spend
the rest of his life with. He finds Dama, who initially helps him with cooking and cleaning.
However, Dama is not good enough for him and returns to his old life. The nobleman finds
Dama in a window with a sweet smell, and he waits for her return. Another version of the
legend suggests that Dama was a beautiful princess who could connect with people's emo-
tions and had a unique smell, especially at night. One day, Dama dies from a deteriorating
health, and her funeral is filled with flowers and perfume. A unique flower grows from
Dama's grave, which people believe is her, and it is known as Dama De Noche (Dama of the
Night)

3. Legend of the Banana Plant

In a remote village, a princess named Maria lived with a fertile lands and abundant fruits
and crops. However, a wicked sorceress named Magdalena stole the village's wealth and
created a monstrous creature called the Kapre. Under Magdalena's command, the Kapre
destroyed crops and spread fear among the villagers. Maria, determined to save her people,
sought the magical banana plant to defeat the Kapre. After a perilous journey, she found
the banana plant and used it to weaken the Kapre's powers. The villagers bind the Kapre
with ropes, restoring peace and prosperity. Maria was hailed as a hero, and the banana
plant became a symbol of courage, strength, and victory. Bananas became a staple crop in
the village, symbolizing unity, courage, and the importance of protecting what is dear.

4. Legend of the Firefly

A long time ago in Pinak, a valley in Central Luzon, the people of Pinak in the Philippines
faced hunger and hunger. They prayed to Bathala for rain and food, and one night, a
chariot of gold appeared in the sky, bringing good luck to the people. The king Bulan-hari

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 University of Cabuyao
College of Education,
Katapatan Homes, Banay banay
Cabuyao City, Laguna, Philippines 4025

CONTEMPORARY, POPULAR, AND EMERGENT LITERATURE

and his wife Bitu-in were sent from the heavens to rule Pinak. They had a daughter named
Alitaptap, who grew up to be a beautiful maiden with long dark hair, lovely eyes, and a
bright sparkling star on her forehead. The people fell in love with her, but her heart of stone
was cold and hard. An old woman named Balo-na arrived at the palace and told the king
that she saw the future in a dream and it betold their fate. The warriors of La-ut were
coming to conquer the land, and the only solution was to have a marriage between the
daughter and one of the young men in their village to have an heir to win the war. However,
the daughter refused to choose, and stood in silence.