Filipino Superhero Origins: Aliguyon and Bantugan

Aliguyon is the hero of the Ifugao Hudhud, he was invincible in battle, could catch spears in the air, and fought many combats to win his wife Bugan. One episode tells of his duel with Pumbakhayon, a warrior of equal strength from the village of Daligdigan. They fought again for another one and a half years, until a compromise was reached. After sharing some wine, Aliguyon took home Bugan, Pumbakhayon's sister, to marry, while Pumbakhayon married Aliguyon's sister, Aginaya

Bantugan, hero of the Maranaw Darangen, Bantugan was the brother of the chief of Bembaran. He owned a magic sheild, was protected by tonongs or divine spirits, and was capable of rising the dead. Once, Bembaran was attacked because his enemies had heard that he had died.

Bantugan's soul was recovered and returned to him in time for him to immediately ride his magic shield and wipe out his enemies. Soon he got tired and fell into the water. A crocodile delivered him into the hands of his enemies. But he regained his strength, commanded a ship which moved without oars,and won the battle.

Filipino Superheroes of Long Ago

Long before Superman, Batman and Captain America, ancient Filipinos told tales of love and adventure about native superheroes who fought monsters, won over formidable armies, rode the wind, traveled on flying shields, and led the earliest communities in the islands.

Songs on the exploits of these superheroes were sung during festivities and proper occasions, and are termed folk epics or ethno-epics. Most often, ethno-epics were named after superheroes, except for some which carry traditional titles. like the Kalinga Ulalim, the Sulod Hinilawod, the Maranaw Darangen, or the Bikol Ibalon.

Stories about ancient superheroes have sometimes been describe as "old time history" because they can be used to study the lives and beliefs of the people who produced them. They have also been describe as "lost", because they were soon forgotten by Filipinos who came under the heavy influence of Spanish colonization. Thus, many tales of Filipino superheroes can only be heard in the in the hinterlands of Northern Mindanao.

Some Filipino Superheroes of long ago are listed below:

• Aliguyon
• Tuwaang
• Lam-ang
• Bantugan

Tausug Translation of Wisdom

To the Tausug masaalla is a Tausug transaltion for an Arabic proverb. Some are pittuwa, or advice about life. Proverbs are part of daman or symbolic speech, which includes riddles and courtship dialogues.

Some proverbs follow:

In lasa iban ud di hikaitapuk.
Love and a cough cannot be hidden.

In ulang matutug nada sin sug.
A sleeping crab will be carried by the current.

Wayruun asu bang way kayu.
There is no smoke where there is no fire.

Atay nagduruwaruwa wayruun kasungan niya.
One who cannot decide will have no future.

Away mangaku daug salugay bubi
Never admit defeat as long as you live.