Many
Southeast Asian cultures, including the Philippines, have strong beliefs in an
afterlife and the presence of spirits. Filipino mythology and death
stories help shape national identity by passing down important cultural values
like reverence for one's ancestors and reverence for one's elders.
My fellow writers Jean Karl Gaverza and Mary Louise Lu and I conceptualized Lagimat, A Tome of Philippine Death Myths. It has 61 entries divided into seven chapters. There are Psychopomps, The Ones Who Live Beyond, The Balancers, Sowers of Discord, Witches, Creatures and The Places Beyond.
In doing this project, I realized that although each ethnolinguistic group in our archipelago has distinct beliefs, there are similarities. And the way we view death, is different. It is very different from the Catholic and Christian views. Most of our death myths center around a journey. Many of the psychopomps are boat men, places in the afterlife are towns. Our views on death is not grim. What started a horror made me realize that Filipinos (the original pre-hispanic ones) have a more positive view of death. Perhaps there is a lesson or two to be seen here.
And perhaps, there is a part two to be written...
I've used different scripts in the book. they all say the same thing: Lagimat
How come I didn't use more scripts? Simple: These are the only cultures we have touched in these books (those with scripts, at least).
Lagimat: Tome of Philippine Death
Myths, delves into the rich tapestry of Philippine mythology. Explore 61 unique
spirits, deities, creatures, and sacred places associated with death across
Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. This dual-language book, presented in both
English and Bisaya, offers a comprehensive guide to the ethno-linguistic groups
that honor these entities, revealing the diverse beliefs that shape their
cultural landscapes.
Featuring the stunning artwork of
19 talented Filipino artists, Lagimat not only serves as an informative
resource but also as a visual celebration of the myths that have been passed
down through generations. Each entry invites readers to discover the profound
connections between life, death, and the spiritual world in the Philippines,
making it an essential addition to the library for anyone interested in
folklore, mythology, and cultural heritage.
Book Concept by Maita Rue,
Jean Karl Gaverza and Mary Louise Lu
This is the first collaboration
between Maita Rue, Jean Karl Gaverza, and Mary Louise Lu. Maita is a multi-genre
author who had several books published since 2017. Jean Karl Gaverza is a
researcher and author. He has several books including Philippine Spirits and
Mythica Obscura. Both concentrate on Philippine mythology. Mary Louise Lu has
published short stories with mythical undertones. Together, they conceptualized
Lagimat.
Featuring 19 Filipino Artists!
Maita Rue (18 Artworks plus
layout), Mary Louise Lu (3), Donnie Ray Obina (5), Seb de Jesus (4), VexingLex
(4), Joll Mark Manabat (4), Michael Sean Talavera (4), David Geralao (3), Niño
Acero (3), Andrea Pua (3), Chris Alejado (3), Jerric Miraflores (2), Franzel
Mae Mendoza (2), Chris Micu (2), Raven Venida (2), Marius Dideles (2), OOTF
(1), Dot Lazo Tiu (1), Enervaugnn (1).
On August 23, 2023, the people of Barangay
Gumalang came together to commemorate the seventh annual Indigenous People's
Day (IP Day). Gumalang, a barangay in the Baguio District of Davao, is a living
symbol of the rich cultural diversity that makes up the Indigenous population
of the area. When compared to its adjacent barangays, Gumalang stands out due
to its long tradition of acceptance and tolerance. At the turn of the century,
Datu Moncay Maylan Lindasan and his people—including Obo Manobo, Bagobo Klata,
and Ata—called this area home. Datu Moncay Lindasan's openness to different
cultures allowed the Tagabawa, Tagakaolo, Tausug, and even the Ilocanos to
settle there throughout time. These many communities have created a blend of
contemporary Gumalang, creating links that represent the very definition of
diversity in unity.
Traditional dances and other cultural
performances stunned guests as the celebrations began. The people of Gumalang
see this day as more than simply a reason to party; it is also a confirmation
of their membership in the "tribu," a term that describes the
community's common heritage and ideals.
Welcome to Maita Unmasks History! This is the third episode
of Unmasking the Great Kingdoms of Ancient Philippines. In this episode, we
are tracing the steps of who the first Tagalogs were.
Please watch the first two videos of Great Kingdoms or Ancient
Philippines. You don’t have to watch them in order since these kingdoms
overlapped each other.
This episode will be done Story-style. Sit back and relax. I
hope you Enjoy!
Once upon a time, there were 10 Bornean Datus under a power-hungry
sultan named Sultan Makatunaw. Sultan Makatunaw took the wives and lands of the
10 Datus. The 10 led by Datu Puti decided it was time they left Borneo. They
took their Balangays or long boats, filled it with family and supporters and
rowed away. They landed in Panay which was, at that time, owned by the
Negritos. Datu Puti befriended King Marikudo and purchased a large portion of
land. It was said he paid it with a golden sukud or salakot. Datu Puti divided
the land into three: Hantik (Later called Antique), Aklan and Irong-Irong
(later called Ilo-ilo). They called this the Confederation of Madia-as. Many
Chinese chronicle stated that this confederation thrived because of their
cooperation. Soon, they were getting too crowded and Datu Puti took three of
his fellow Datus to seek other places. He put Datu Sumakwel in charge of the
confederation. He was said to be the wisest of the 10.
Datu Puti settled into the Taal Region. He cobbled a
40-kilometer road around this district. It was said to be the Philippine’s
first highway. It was here he established the Kingdom of the Tagalog for it was
the river that flowed to the lake in which they prospered. They spread out and
settled many of what is Tagalog Territories of today: Balayan, Bataan, Quezon,
Rizal, Cavite, Even as far as Romblom and Palawan.
Still, Datu Puti wanted to liberate his fellow countrymen
from Makatunaw. In 1234AD, he divided the kingdom to the remaining six datus
and sailed back to Borneo. Datu Balensusa was their next acknowledged leader. Datu
Puti was never heard from again. Nobody knew if his quest was successful or
not.
When Datu Balensusa was old, he named his successor Datu
Kumintang. Datu Kumintang founded the Kingdom of Kumintang. The Chinese later
called this Ma-i. The seat of power was in Balayan, present-day Batangas. In
the 16th Century, When conquistador Martin de Goiti and Juan de Salcedo
explored the region, they were still able to interact with the progressive
Kumintangs. The peace-loving Balayans were unsure of the Spaniards’ intentions
so they were guided in the area and offered hospitality. With 300 gunmen, they
laid to waste the Taal Kingdom.
Thus, the Spanish conquered the large Tagalog Region.
Fun Facts
Tagalog takes its name from Tag-Alog. Alog means river
delta. So Tagalog means people of the river delta. Many argue that it could
also come from a shortened Taga-ilog. Ilog means river. Taga-ilog meant People
from the River.
Hat of the Day
The golden sukud is a hat worn by the datus. It is the
equivalent of a crown. It was considered very expensive and passed on from
father to son. Perhaps the value is great for the Datus were able to purchase
most of Panay with it.
I hope you liked this segment. I’ll put a link to the
previous videos in the series down in the description. Please like and share.
You may also drop a comment. Which kingdoms have you heard of and which you
liked? I really hope that this enlightened you as to who the people living in
this country was. Magellan did not discover the Philippines. It was already
populated and trading with fellow Asia Countries and some European Countries by
the time the Spanish bumped into us.
Please follow my social media channels: YouTube, Facebook
and Instagram. I’ll also be posting these fun facts in my website.
This episode will be done Story-style. If you want to read the script/text of this video, I'll be posting it on my website. Sit back and relax. I hope you Enjoy!
Today we will be talking about one of the oldest Kingdoms of
the Philippines. This is the second part of the series so I will be putting the
Video about the Namayan Kingdom down in the description. Please watch out for
the third which is the Kingdom of the Tagalogs.
Don’t forget to follow my social media channels and of
course, this channel. I’d love to hear from you so drop me a comment!
Let’s begin!
Tondo, Tundun or Tunduk was a major trading hub which
centered around the Pasig Delta. It is within and around what is now Metro
Manila.
The first mention of Tunduk was in the Laguna Copperplate
Inscription. The plate is dated to 900AD. It implied trade relations with this
kingdom at that time. Nobody knows the exact date of the establishment of
Tunduk but it had many names and changed many hands. As far as historians
believe, Manila or Tondo is the oldest established Kingdom in the area.
In the 12th Century, it was known that Tondo and
China had a trade relationship. This would be the Ming Dynasty. All over the
Philippines, many Ming Pottery have been excavated. Even after the end of the
Yuan Dynasty, the Rajanate of Tunduk was considered a major player in trade in
the region. The sent envoys to China regularly.
When Tondo was established, it was considered a city-state.
However, it was monarchial. What I mean is, it is unique in how it is run. Each
barangays or balangays or districts had a datu. Among them was a Lakan or Raja who
ruled all other datus. In a way, that is still being done. Each Barangays in
the Philippines has a Barangay chairman or Cabeza. These local government is
managed by a higher tier of leaders.
So, where exactly is Tondo? Oddly, its dominions do not
cover present-day Tondo. That area is part of the Namayan. Parts of Manila,
Bulacan, Caloocan would be part of this area.
The Rajanate of Tunduk was heavily influenced by the
Majapahit Empire, The Kingdom of Brunei and Malaysians. The Majapahit Empire
was a Javanese Hindu-Buddhist empire that was strong in South East Asia at that
time. It stretched from Sumatra to New Guinea.
In 1500’s Sultan Bolkiah of Brunei wed his son Gat Lontok to
Dayang Kalangitan, a Namayan Princess, and an alliance was formed through that
marriage. By this time, the Namayans ruled Tonduk and all its surrounds and
Sultan Bolkia didn’t want a war. Part of the Princess’ dowry was the territory
of Seludong which is part of present-day city of Manila (not metro). Gat Lontok
is a royal prince. The prefix Gat is still used today to denote a man of high
regard. Quite like “Sir.” Dayang means Princess. Kalangitan is a Tagalog Word
for Heaven. Her name means Princess of Heaven. In Seludong, a fort of wood and
stone was erected to be the satellite trading post for Sultan Bolkia. They
called the new fortress Kota Selurong. This will become Intramuros when the Spanish
conquered it.
Dayang Kalangitan was a formidable lady and she was no
damsel. Eldest daughter of Raja Gambang, who had no male heirs, she became a
female Raja in her own right. Kalangitan co-ruled with Gat Lontok who became
Raja Lontok. She was often noted to be the stronger ruler. In 1450 AD, she was
widowed but continued to rule. Under her reign, The Kingdom of Tondo reached
its Golden Age. The territories stretched from Cordillera to Bicol. She was
also the last Buddhist Ruler of Tondo.
In 1470, Kalangitan’s reign was coming to an end. Kalangitan
wed her daughter Panginoan to a prominent Namayan Prince named Bagtas or Balagtas
to rule after her death. Panginoan and Bagtas ruled well and united the two
kingdoms. However, in the 1500, the Sultanate of Brunei attacked Tunduk and put
Kalangitan’s son Salalila as Raja. Bagtas and his wife were relegated to rule
the Namayans. Thus the Namayans became their vassals instead. Salalila
converted to Islam and adopted the name Sulayman, establishing the Royal House
of Sulayman. However, it will be short-lived. The Rajanate of Tunduk and the
Kingdom of Maynila became separate. The once unified kingdom split into three.
The Namayans separated but still a vassal to Tunduk while Tunduk split to Tondo
and Maynila. Later, there were some tensions with their heirs. Maynila was
ruled by Raja Matanda whose name was Prince Ache, Son of Sulayman. His Son
Sulayman III was his heir. In Tunduk, Lakandula, a cousin, ruled. When the
Spanish came, they played against each faction and destabilized the rulers.
Thus, the fall of the three kingdoms.
Fun Facts
The name of Tondo or Tunduk came from a River Mangrove of
the same name. The name Maynila came from Nila or Indigo Plant which was
growing abundantly at that time.
Manila only fell to the Spanish at the Battle of Bangkusay
in 1571. By that time, the Kingdom of Tondo and Maynila were already in
decline. Tariq Soliman, rumored to be Sulayman III’s son or grandson refused to
surrender and accept Christianity. He died in battle ending the line of
Sulayman. The Moors in Maynila and Tunduk were either expelled or killed.
Kota Selurung became Fort Santiago in honor of Santiago, the
saint who conquered the Moors. Later that century, the wooden palisades were
replaced with stone because Manila kept getting harassed by Limahong the
Pirate.
Hat of the Day
I’m sketching the hat of the day instead of showing
something from my collection. Our hat today is this European-inspired top hat.
Many goods filtered to Manila from Europe during the Galleon Trade. Manila was
such a melting pot that their taste in clothing became mixed. Apart from the
European mixes, there were Indo-Chinese, Mexican and Aboriginal influences as
well.
I hope you liked this video and please consider subscribing.
This is the second in the series of Great Kingdoms of Ancient Philippines. I’ll
be putting a link below to the video of the Namayan Kingdom. Like and follow my
Social Media channels and please share my content. You may also comment on what
you liked about the video and maybe what you want to see in the future.
