#ph lore

THE BOY WHO RETURNED FROM DEATH

The Ilocano epic “Biag ni Lam-ang” is perhaps the best-known Philippine epic, having been preserved through centuries of oral tradition before being transcribed in the 17th century by blind poet Pedro Bucaneg.

Its hero is extraordinary from the moment he is born.

Lam-ang speaks immediately after leaving his mother’s womb, chooses his own name, and displays supernatural abilities while still an infant. When he learns that his father has been killed in battle, he journeys alone into the mountains to avenge him, defeating an entire enemy village.

His adventures continue when he woos the beautiful Ines Kannoyan, overcoming impossible challenges before winning her hand in marriage.

The story reaches its most unforgettable moment when Lam-ang dives into the sea to catch the prized rarang fish despite foreseeing his own death. He is swallowed by the monstrous Berkakan, leaving behind only his bones. Through the magical chants of his loyal dog and white rooster, however, he is brought back to life.

Like Odysseus, Lam-ang survives encounters that blur the line between life and death, proving that true heroes are defined not only by strength but by resilience and destiny.

THE THREE-DAY SEA ADVENTURE

If “The Odyssey” is remembered for its long voyage across the seas, the Visayan epic “Hinilawod” is arguably even more ambitious.

Preserved by the Sulodnon people of Panay, the epic spans around 28,000 verses—so long that a complete traditional chanting can take nearly three days.

Rather than following a single hero, it chronicles the adventures of three demigod brothers: Labaw Donggon, Humadapnon, and Dumalapdap.

Labaw Donggon sails across distant seas aboard a golden boat in pursuit of love and glory, eventually battling the powerful Saragnayan, whose life force is hidden inside a wild boar. Defeated and imprisoned beneath the sea, he remains captive for years before his own sons rescue him.

Humadapnon embarks on his own perilous voyage but becomes trapped by the enchanting sorceress Pandin inside a magical cave, recalling the temptations faced by Odysseus with Circe and Calypso.

Meanwhile, Dumalapdap battles the fearsome multi-headed monster Baluak in a clash so powerful that legend says it gave birth to the islands of Panay, Negros, and Guimaras.

Like “The Odyssey,” “Hinilawod” is built around perilous sea journeys, supernatural beings, impossible battles, and heroes constantly tested by fate.

THE UNESCO-RECOGNIZED MASTERPIECE

Far to the south lies one of the country’s greatest literary treasures.

The Maranao epic “Darangen” consists of 17 interconnected cycles and around 72,000 lines of verse. It has been recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Its central hero is Prince Bantugan, the celebrated warrior of the kingdom of Bumbaran.

His popularity sparks the jealousy of his own brother, King Madali, who forbids anyone from speaking to him. Heartbroken, Bantugan leaves his homeland and eventually dies in exile.

Overcome with guilt, Madali embarks on a supernatural quest. Riding a magical flying shield, he ascends into the Skyworld, retrieves Bantugan’s soul, and restores him to life just in time to defend their kingdom against invading forces.

Like Homer’s masterpiece, “Darangen” explores honor, kingship, divine intervention, family, and sacrifice. Gods and ancestral spirits shape the destinies of kingdoms much like the Olympian gods influence the fate of Odysseus.

OUR HEROES DESERVE THEIR MOMENT

Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster has reminded audiences that ancient stories never lose their power. They simply wait to be rediscovered.

Perhaps it is time Filipinos did the same.

For generations, Lam-ang, Labaw Donggon, Humadapnon, Dumalapdap, and Prince Bantugan have remained largely confined to classrooms, libraries, and oral traditions while Greek mythology and modern superheroes dominated popular culture.

Yet these Filipino heroes possess magical weapons, sail enchanted seas, battle monsters, return from death, and confront gods with the same scale and imagination that made “The Odyssey” one of history’s greatest epics.

The difference is that these legends did not come from ancient Greece.

They were born in the Philippine archipelago, carried across generations by Filipino voices long before the nation itself had a name.

Let’s begin with Sans Huskien. The original Sans of Phrasetale.

Lmao where do I even start uhhhh

in a nutshell, Sans was birthed and grew up in a cult

a cult ran by who? Well, it’s this rodent

Erdem

Credits to @perihelion-of-the-night for the UNOFFICIAL design

The Keeper of Knowledge

The Collector of Visions

they have many names, though they informally goes by Erdem.

Left <- w/ regular attire, Right <- underneath the fabric

strange marking of purple misty swirls tattoos their gray skin. Sans and Papyrus received that part of the genetics.

None of Poyo (Paps) art yet

LONG STORY SHORT:

Erdem does not pay child support, however they support child abuse

Sans ran away with his toddler brother in arms when they ordered the cult members to obtain something precious from Paps. Sans didn’t like that idea.

During his escape, he was attacked by Erdem right on the face.

Hence the scar across his cheekbones.

_____________Lore part one end>

He didn’t know where he was going. Throughout the rainy weathers, colder days, and under the blazing sun, Sans kept moving on to somewhere he knew he could trust. Somewhere he knew his brother would be safer. He was barely a teen when he was already thrown into the dangers of the world.

But his fate was already written,

he will not perish in this place.

He met a man. A monster. A…being.

”What business does a child have in a place like this?”

his voice held no emotion yet there was a subtle hint of confusion mixed with concern. Sans was suspicious for the obvious reasons, but that didn’t stop the man from taking them both under his wing.

Sans and Paps were finally in a safe place.

LONG STORY SHORT:

The man adopted him and his brother for the time being, deciding to take care of them until either of them could at least stand on their feet

sans liked his company more than his previous parent, so did paps

but knowing how mortals can’t mix with gods, he let the children go, ultimately wiping their memories and sending them to somewhere— a place where civilization stands strong and…a region where there were monsters, just like them.

________________Lore end part two>

His memories were so blurry…..it hurts to think. It hurts to remember.

Why does it feel so cold?

His disorientation began to dissipate as he brought himself off the concrete ground, lightly shaking his cold skull. Brrr…he could barely feel the tips of his bony fingers.

….concrete? Sans’s eye lights immediately flickered to the steel bars in front of him. When did he get here? Who…

Pairs of heavy footsteps marched into view, clanking metals synchronized.

They did not sound friendly.

LONG STORY SHORT:

Sans was imprisoned and soon taken for interrogation

despite being a child, they held no mercy against him

Sans spoke nothing, only questioning where his younger brother was

Eventually, they let the boy go after his stubbornness and refusal to speak, knocking him out once again before sending him to the place where criminals are forever banned to; H.A.V.E.N site

The innocents are blinded.

The criminals are silenced.

Is this truly what paradise is?, I asked.

They uttered one word; Absolutely.