The myth on Mayon is composed of three epic stories. The story of Batlog, Handiong, and Bantong; all fierce epic warriors battling evil mystical creatures out to grab the whole of Bicol. This is how the stories go..
The first warrior, Batlog, accidentally stumbled upon a vast area of land rich with vegetation and forest because of its fertile soil. Batlog, according to this myth, fell in love with the land and decided to settle there.
He moved his people from Batavara to this new found land called Ibalon. His kingdom greatly prospered in Ibalon, but it was far from living happily ever after. Soon, evil mystical creatures attacked them to grab Ibalon from their possession. The myth says, a giant man-eating wild boar was the first to try out Batlog’s mettle.
The myth says the monstrous wild boar ravaged the land, destroying much of the crops and killing so many people. But eventually, the myth says Batlog easily wrestled the giant wild boar to death. Some years of peace and prosperity reigned again, but not for long. Soon huge wild water buffalos or carabaos, winged sharks, and giant crocodiles and other crazy-loking creatures lined up the siege of Ibalon. Batlog could manage the fights a while, but the myth says age eventually caught up with him.
Then entered Handiong. The myth says Handiong and company came to rescue old Batlog. According to the myth, Handiong proved a violent warrior, fiercely defeating the huge creatures. Soon, the myth continues, Ibalon enjoyed years of peace and prosperity again under Handiong’s leadership.
But being mere mortal, Handiong soon grew old. And a new batch of rampaging creatures was soon on the scene again, wreaking tremendous havoc on Ibalon. But Handiong could do nothing except watch helplessly. But Bantong came to his rescue, wiped out all “halimaws” or evil creatures, and this time, a volcano with a perfect cone appeared on the scene. It was to be symbolic of the heroic exploits of the chieftains and a perpetual guardian over the vast land of Ibalon, which is now Bicol.
This myth on Bicol and Mayon Volcano teaches us that humans are mortal, and no matter their achievements, they will someday leave the scene of greatness and pass away. But monuments and symbols will see to it that they will be remembered by posterity, especially the heroism of Bicolanos.
As a Filipino,we must give importance to our achievements and be proud on what our Filipino Heroes had done for our country especially the Bicolanos (according to the myth),and no matter what happens,the symbols shows the meaning of their greatfulness to their place-- the Bicol.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot of Heroes we should recognize.They've done so much for our country and they have sacrifice their lives for Filipino people,just like the Bicol Heroes.
ReplyDeleteBatlog,Handiong and Bantong faced the huge creatures bravely. Now a days..people faces a lot of huge struggles and difficulties in life as huge creatures they have faced. Like them,we should face those struggles bravely and be strong to solve them out.
ReplyDeleteMonuments are simbolism of their greatness.But these is not the only way to remember them,sharing their great story to others is a simple way of appreciating them.We can do this to our children..and to the children we're going to handle in the future.
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ReplyDeleteThe three Heroes in the story have the same feelings of concern and love for their homeland. We should do the same to our country. Filipino people should have the big big whole hearted feeling of concern,love, and appreciation to their country and countrymen as well. By this,we could say that Philippines has its billions of heroes.
ReplyDeleteThe Three Heroes of Bicol became heroes because of what they have done for Bicolanos. Today,we can also become a hero,not by weaping huge creatures but by doing simple things that can help our country as well. We, as a future teachers will do a great job by helping children to become the asset of our country someday.
ReplyDeleteWhat i see in here is that these 3 heroes are very courageous. They fought for what they knew they had to fought for. They protect their land, they use their strength just to let the peace reign in their place. But being a mortal, they also grew old, and the strength they have also fades away but we can never deny the fact that they are very strong.
ReplyDeleteFor me ,the message or analogist that i can get from the myth is whatever the thing is..or when it compare to a person even you are too strong..time comes that life will ends..because everything has its beginning and ending and it depends on you on how you do in life during your days.. and it depends on a person if how they met you on your own way..
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