Folktales

Judy Ann Begil | Princess Shaira Bonifacio| Rosemay Cosmod

Aimae Jean Lunsayan| Deborah Lesbeth Montefalcon
Nour-Habib Pandaca
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MANOBO

Tigwahanon-Manobo Jacob Maentz Photography

MANOBO
It was believed in the districts surrounding Talakogon that
Creation was attributed to Makalidung, the first great Manobo. He was
believed to set posts around the world and on the center, where he built
his home with his pet python. According to some, when he was angry or
displeased with men, he shakes the poles causing the earth to shake. And
when these earthquakes persist, it was believed that the earth would be
destroyed.
In the same district they believed that the sky was round and its
ending was the beginning of the ocean. During early days of creation the
sky was low, too low, that a woman hit it with her pestle while pounding
rice causing the sky to ascend to its current position.
MANOBO
Another version of creation, Makalidung was
replaced by a woman named Dagau, who lived on
the four fundamental pillars with the company of a
snake. She hated the sight of human blood so much
that when blood was shed on the earth she would
command her snake to wrap on one of the pillars
and shake it causing earthquakes. And when she
becomes so angry she would diminish the produce
of rice by removing the grains from the earth or by
making the soil infertile.
MANOBO
Another version of the story from Upper
Agusan, Simulau and Umayan Rivers tells the story about
the world being a huge mushroom that is supported by an
iron pillar at the center. The center was said to be
controlled by a higher and more powerful order of diwata,
that when angered by the actions of men shake the pillars
reminding men of their duties.
In nearly all Filipino folklores, the sun, moon and
stars were believed to be great deities or their dwelling
places. The Manobo tribe has this interesting myth about
the celestial beings, maybe some of you have already
heard about this story.
BUKIDNON
BUKIDNON
Talaandig Matigsalug Higaonon
Umayamnon
Tigwahanon

Manobo
 BUKIDNON Creation of the Universe (Bukidnon)
Adapted from The Bukidnon Myths of Sickness, Death and Afterlife by Francisco R. Demetrio S.J.
and The Bukidnon Trinity: Creation of the Universe from the Aswang Project by Jordan Clark

Once, there was only a Bulbulusan balugto or banting, a circular space of

absolute brightness surrounded by a rainbow where three deities live. Two of them
sits on the opposite sides of the banting, one is evil and the other is good, both with
two equal powers. The god of good is called Mulug Manguyaw-uyaw (One head and
highest Planner) and Wagas ha Magbabaya (Pure Almighty). The god of evil has
one body and ten heads he is called Dadanhayan ha Suguy (God whom permission
is asked), Takinan Manawbanaw (Chief who owns the drooling saliva from his ten
tongues) and Gumagang-aw (ten-headed one). The other deity is suspended over the
two gods, he has one head and a body with wings, he was hawk-like. He balances
the banting by constantly flapping his wings. He is called Takinan ha Tumanod or
bantay (Superior head of the guardian spirits), Abukay Namintudan (extreme white
god) and Agtayaban Magbabaya (Pure Almighty). In him, the power of good and
evil are equal.
 Wagas ha Magbabaya is the greatest planner, he planned to expand
the banting so he and Gumagang-aw can have more space to move and to let
Agtayaban Magbabaya rest from balancing the banting. He knew he needed
soil and Gumagang-aw has it, Agtayaban Magbabaya knew what the planner
needed and he scooped unto one of the open mouths of Gumagang-aw. The
Earth was created but soon the soil became extremely dry, the planner talked
to Gumagang-aw
“If you let me use your saliva, we can beautify the earth”.
Gumagang-aw is flattered to take part and allowed Wagas ha
Magbabaya to collect drooling salivas from his ten heads. The planner
blessed the saliva and it rained heavily. When the rain was over, hills and
mountains were formed and enough water was left to have gullies and rivers.
There were green grass, plants and trees. They called it Haldan ta Paraiso.
 Wagas ha Magbabaya then thought of creating something to take care of
Haldan ta Paraiso after his image. He convinced the other deities to do so and
they walked on Haldan ta Paraiso and collected earth to serve as the flesh, water
as the blood, cut tiny rattan as veins and arteries and Andalogong wood to serve
as bones. Using water to glue the parts together was not enough so Wagas ha
Magbabaya asked for the drooling saliva of Gumagang-aw. The drooling saliva
were used and a figure after the image of Wagas ha Magbabaya was made. The
planner entrusted Gumagang-aw to fashion seven figures. The three deity were
pleased and Wagas ha Magbabaya went up to the sky to meditate how to perfect
the figures and told the two deity not to touch the figures. However, Gumagang-
aw worked on the figures and give them life. Just as he was done with the sixth
figure that Wagas ha Magbabaya saw what he is doing and hurriedly came down
to Earth. Wagas ha magbabaya questioned Gumagang-aw why he did it and he
answered,
 “Why, do you think that you alone can perfect these forms?”
“Of course, because I was the one who planned the thing and it was
after my image that they were cast” Wagas ha Magbabaya answered.
“True, but the materials that went into them all came from me. Nor
would they be molded in your image without my saliva” Gumagang-aw
defended.
Having the argument was not enough to settle the predicament and
they decided to settle with a duel. Whoever wins the duel will be the greater
and will finalize the figures. They dueled with shield, swords, scabbard and
belts for 7 days. They went back to the Haldan ta Paraiso to examine
damages and their armaments melt and sank down the earth, which were
believed to be the metals found in earth. Since, one cannot defeat the other
they settled the case amicably.
Wagas ha Magbabaya said “Since you started working on the six
figures, finish them, while I work on the seventh one left”.
 Wagas ha Magbabaya gifted the seventh figure with intelligence, and
freedom to follow the path of good or evil. The seventh figure was the first
man.
The six figures fashioned by Gumagang-aw became the six engkanto
who takes care of the parts of nature. Talabugta is the guardian of the soil or
earth, Igbabasuk is the guardian of plants, Bulalakaw oversees the rivers and
bodies of water and all living creatures they contain, Mamemelig is the
guardian of forest and trees, Lalawig takes care of the bees and their honey
and lastly, Mamahandi oversees the wealth man acquired including their
cattle, carabaos, crops and farmhouse. The bits of clay scraped off from the
six figures were not wasted, bits of clay from the armpits became birds,
fowls, insects and other flying creatures. Deer and wild pigs are from the back
of the figures, while the clay from in between their fingers turned in to fishes
and water creatures that can be caught by the hand. Lastly, clays from the
crotch of the six engkanto became animals that has to ride astride like horses,
cows and carabaos.
 TALAANDIG
ORIGIN OF THE TALAANDIG KNOWLEDGE
The Talaandig story of creation known as Gugud tells that in the beginning, there was no heaven or
earth. There was nothing but a rainbow-like structure called “Bubulusan Balugtu”, meaning, “the sitting place
of the rainbow”. It is otherwise known as the “Banting”, meaning, 3 “a balance”. The structure is held by a
winged-God called Agtayabun Migbaya or Luwit ha Namintedan, “the pure white God” who is also known as
Diwata Makabugnaw, “the God of Peace”. Agtayabun Migbaya is known as Lord of the Guardians called
Tumanud and Spirit Teachers called Mulin-ulin. Inside the Banting are two other Gods. One is known as Mulug
Nanguyaw-uyaw, meaning, “The Great Planner”. He is also known as Takinan hu Migbaya or Gundu hu
Namintedan, “the Lord of the Decision Maker”. He is a one-headed God and referred to as Magbabaya, the
Decision-Maker and God of Creation. Mulug Nanguyaw-uyaw sits inside the Banting. Opposite him is a ten-
headed god known as Nangulibet ha Suguy or Lalawen ha Diwata, meaning, “The Forbidden God”. He is also
known as Takinan hu Lumendeb or Gundu hu Talabusaw, “the Lord of the Warriors”. The concept of “good” and
“evil” or “right” and “wrong” originated from the inherent relationships of Mulug Nanguyaw-uyaw and
Nangulibet ha Suguy. These two gods provide the framework of the Talaandig concept, idea, philosophy,
principles and practice of equality and justice. By understanding the relationships of the two gods, the
mediators of the Talaandigs tribe are able to resolve conflicts that occur in the community. Based on the
Talaandig story of creation, knowledge is supplied by a Spirit Teacher called Mulin-ulin. The Talaandig people
secure guidance from the Mulin-ulin either directly, when the person is spiritually prepared or by means of a
dream when the mind is resting and free from interruptions. As a preparation for the intervention of the
Mulin-ulin, a ritual known as Paulin or Panumanud is performed to a member of the Talaandig community who
needs spiritual guidance in relation with social, economic, political and spiritual responsibility.
MARANAO
 MARANAO The Origin of This World (Maranao)
Taken from the “Anthology of Philippine Myths” by Damiana L. Eugenio
Before pre-islamic occupation, the Maranaos had their own beliefs on how
the world was formed. According to Maranao folklore, this world was created by a
great Being. It is not known, however, who exactly is this great Being. Or how
many days it took him to create this world.
This world is divided into seven layers. The earth has also seven layers. Each
layer is inhabited by a different kind of being. The uppermost layer, for example, is
the place we are inhabiting. The second layer is being inhabited by dwarfs. These
dwarfs are short, plump, and long-haired. They are locally known as Karibanga. The
Karibanga are said to possess magical powers. They are usually invisible to the
human eye. The third layer of the earth which is found under the sea or lake is
inhabited by nymphs. These nymphs also possess certain magical powers. It is stated
in the story of Rajah Indarapatra that he met and fell in love with the princess
nymph with whom he had a child.
 The sky also consists of seven layers. Each layer has a door which is
guarded day and night by huge mythical birds called garoda. The seventh
layer of the sky is the seat of heaven which is also divided into seven layers.
Every layer in the sky is inhabited by angels. Maranaos believe that angels do
not need food. They all possess wings with which they fly.
Heaven which is found on the seventh layer of the sky is where good
people‘s spirits go after death. Saints are assigned to the seventh layer while
persons who “barely made it” are confined to the lower most layer which is
found at the bottom of heaven.
It is in heaven where we find the tree-of-life. On each leaf of the tree-
of-life is written the name of every person living on earth. As soon as a leaf
ripens or dries and falls, the person whose name it carries also dies.
 The soul of every person is found in tightly covered jars kept in
one section of heaven. This particular section of heaven is closely
guarded by a monster with a thousand eyes, named Walo. Walo, in
addition to his thousand eyes, has also eight hairy heads. The epic
Darangan speaks of Madale, Bantugan‘s brother and, Mabaning,
Husband of Lawanen, entering this section and retrieving the soul of
Bantugan.
 Legend of the Lanao Lake

The most popular myths and legends of the Maranaos is about the
Lanao Lake. There are many versions of this story and this one is among
those that are known by many, although it is now more or less “Islamized”.
Long ago there was no lake in Lanao. On the place where it is now
situated, there flourished a mighty sultanate called Mantapoli. During the
reign of Sultan Abdara Radawi, the greater grandfather of Rajah Indarapatra,
this realm expanded by military conquests and by dynastic marriages so that
in time its fame spread far and wide. The population of Mantapoli was
numerous and fast increasing. At that time the world was divided into two
regions: Sebangan (East) and Sedpan (West). The mighty sultanate of
Mantapoli belonged to Sebangan. Because this sultanate rapidly increased in
power and population as well, the equilibrium between Sebangan and Sedpan
was broken.
 This dis-equilibrium soon came to the attention of Archangel Jibril
(Gabriel to the Christians). Like a flash of sunlight, Jibril flew to the Eighth
heaven and told Allah, "My Lord, why have you permitted the unbalance of
the earth? Because of the power of Mantapoli, Sebangan is now larger than
Sedpan."
"Why, Jibril," replied the Sohara (Voice of Allah), "what is wrong with
that?"
"My Lord, Mantapoli has a vast population countless as the particles of
dust. If we will allow this sultanate to remain in Sebangan, I fear that the
world would turn upside down, since Sebangan is heavier than Sedpan."
"Your words show great wisdom, Jibril," commented the Sohara.
"What must we do, my Lord, to avert the impending catastrophe?"
 To this query, the Sohara replied, "Go right away to the Seven-Regions-Beneath-
the-Earth and to the Seven-Regions-in-the-Sky and gather all the angels. I will cause a
barahana (solar eclipse) and in the darkness let the angels remove Mantapoli and transfer it
to the center of the earth."
Upon receiving the mandate of Allah, Archangel Jibril, traveling faster than
lightning, rallied the millions of angels from the Seven-Regions-Beneath-the-Earth and the
Seven-Regions-in-the-Sky. With this formidable army, he presented himself to Allah,
saying, "My Lord, we are ready to obey your command."
The Sohara spoke, "Go to Sebangan, and lift the land of Mantapoli."
Jibril, leading his army of angels, flew to the east. In the twinkle of an eye, the sun
vanished and a terrible darkness as black as the blackest velvet shrouded the universe. The
angels sped faster than arrows. They swooped on Mantapoli, lifting it with great care and
carried it (including its people, houses, crops and animals) through the air as if it were a
carpet. They brought it down at the center of the earth, in accordance with the command of
Allah. The very spot vacated by the sultanate of Mantapoli became a huge basin of deep,
blue water-the present Lanao Lake.
The waters coming from the deep bowels of the earth rose higher and higher.
Archangel Jibril, seeing the rising tides immediately returned to the Eighth Heaven and
reported to Allah, "My Lord, the earth is now balanced. But the place where we removed
Mantapoli is becoming an ocean. The waters are rising fast, and unless an outlet for them
can be found, I fear that they might inundate Sebangan and drown all your people."
 In response, the Sohara said, "You are right, Jibril. Go out, then, and
summon the Four Winds of the World: Angin Taupan, Angin Besar, Angin Darat,
and Angin Sarsar. Tell them to blow and make an outlet for the overflowing
waters."
Obeying the Master's command, the faithful messenger summoned the Four
Winds. "By the Will of Allah," he told them, "blow your best, and make an outlet
for the rising waters of the new lake."
The four winds of the world blew, and a turbulence swept the whole eastern
half of the earth. The surging waters rolled swiftly towards the shores of Tilok Bay
to the southeastern direction. But the towering ranges impeded their onrush. The
Four Winds blew, hurling the waves against the rocky slopes but in vain; no outlet
could be cut through the mountain barrier.
In another version of the story is that Angel Jibril was instructed to step foot
on an area near lake, and from his footprint came forth the Agus River.
 Changing direction, this time eastward, the Four Winds blew harder
driving the raging waters towards the shores of Sugud Bay (situated east of
Dansalan, now Marawi City). Once again, the attempt to create an outlet failed
because the bay was too far from the sea.
For the third time, the Four Winds changed direction and blew their
hardest. The waves, plunging with ferocity, rolled towards Marawi. Day and
night, the Winds blew as the waters lashed against the shoreline of Marawi. This
time the attempt succeeded. An outlet now called Agus River was made, and
through the outlet, that water of Lake Lanao poured out to the sea, thereby saving
Sebangan from a deluge.
It came to past that there was a high cliff at the outlet, and over the cliff the
waters cascaded in majestic volume. Thus, arose the beautiful falls which, aeons
later, was named Maria Cristina, after a famous queen of Spain.
TAUSUG
 TAUSUG The Tausug Story of Creation

One day, in Paradise, God decided that He would make the ruler of the
Earth strong and steadfast. So he said to the angels, "Let us mold Man out of
earth." The angels immediately went down to fetch some soil, but the devils,
which were close to the soil, did not allow them to take it, for they were
jealous of the angels. So the angels came rushing back to God. God saw that
the devils could be placated by giving them something that He also gave His
angels, and so He agreed to also give the devils revelation of everything He
would do. Thus appeased, the devils helped the angels gather soil to create
Man.

http://folklore.philsites.net/legends.html
 But Man made out of pure earth crumbled. So God mixed water
with the soil, and the water held the scattering fragments together
somewhat, but then the mixture would not dry. God therefore
summoned the wind to dry the Man. And when the Man was dried, God
saw that the Man was stiff, that he could not move. God thus placed fire
inside Man. It was so that Man, in the end, was composed of the four
elements of the Earth: earth, water, air and fire.
 There were some problems with this marvelous creature, though.
When Man sneezed, his neck stretched out. God told his angels (and the
devils, too) that such a malady would be countered if the Man would
say "God bless me" whenever he sneezed. The devils saw that they
could play tricks on Man, and so, after having the simple fault of neck-
stretching fixed, they created another one. The made it so that Man’s
jaw dropped so far down that it touched his chest whenever he yawned.
Presently, God revealed that this prank would be countered if Man
would say "God preserve me from the devils" whenever he yawned.
Thus the devils’ joke was stifled
 But Man was lonely. So God put him to sleep and took a piece of
his rib, and created Woman. He blessed them and what would be the
fruits of their beautiful union.
 The first children Man and Woman had were a white boy and a
white girl. Then they had a black boy and a black girl. The white boy
and the white girl married and left Paradise, to live on the Earth on their
own. The black boy and the black girl also married and lived on the
Earth on their own. So the Earth became populated with whites and
blacks first.
 Life was well for Man and Woman in Paradise. But one day a
stranger there came to Woman, offering her a fruit. But Woman was
already full. She took the fruit anyway and ate it. When Man came
along, she urged him to eat it, too. And because the two of them had
been full to start with, their stomachs rebelled and they started urinating
and defecating in Paradise. This caused God to throw them out, and to
curse their entire line from ever coming back. It has thus been
established that the real source of all our suffering is Woman’s gluttony.
Until now our two immortal forebears have not been found.
TIRURAY
 TIRURAY
Kingdom of the Dead: Tiruray Creation Myth
Adapted from Tales of Long Ago in the Philippines, Maximo Ramos, Phoenix Publishing 1991

Long time ago, there was no land throughout the world. There were only the sky
and the sea. In those days Tirurays believed that there already lived in heaven a being whom
they knew as Sualla (or Tullus-God). Sualla had a sister who lived in Bonggo, the kingdom
of the dead. Both Sualla and his sister were very powerful and were able change any object
to other forms they desired.
One day Sualla went to the palace of the rising sun to visit
eight khnenentaos (statue) which stood against the walls of heaven. Since the beginning of
time, the eight khnenentaos made from the pith of a very hard wood had been there. When
he arrived, Sualla touched one of the central figures. Surprisingly, the khnenentao he
touched was given life and thus the first man was created (Adam).
 Sualla left the man he created. But he observed that the first man
was always sad and lonely, he took one of the man’s ribs and made a
woman (Eve) of it. Sualla married the man and the woman. Not long
afterwards a very good-looking son was born. But there’s a problem
came up since the boy would never stop crying. His cry was so loud that
it was heard throughout the universe. He became sick, and the parents
were much worried. The woman talks to her husband to ask Sualla’s
help and get some medicine for their sick child.
When Sualla heard that his omat (man-creation) was in distress, he was
sorry and said that he would never again directly increase his human
creations. He gave the necessary medicine for the sick boy. But before
sending the man away, Sualla warned the man and siad, “You will meet
a man on your way. Do not let him see or take hold of the medicine I
have given you.”
After getting the medicine from Sualla, along his way the omat
met the king of the demons who had been sent by Sinonggol, the sister
of Sualla. The king of demons asked the omat, “What do you have in
your hand there?”. Since the omat remember the warning given by
Sualla, he did not answer the question, so the king of the demons
grabbed the medicine and deftly changed it. As soon as Sualla’s creation
had back what he thought was his medicine, he hurried on.
 When he arrived home, the omat gave the medicine to his boy without
knowing that the medicine has deftly changed by the king of demons. The boy died
immediately. The wife again sent her husband to their creator, this time to ask for a
burial place for their dead son. “What did you do to the medicine I gave you?”
Sualla asked. “The king of the demons took it away from me,” replied the man.
Sualla muttered, “My sister has been envious of my works again,” and he felt sorry
for his omat. Then he called for his four brothers from the four corners of the world.
Their names were Mentail, Micael, Mintlafis, and Osman Ali. When his brothers
arrived, he ordered them to buy soil from Navi (Prophet) Mohammad so that
Mentalalan, the boy who was dead, might be buried.
The four brothers of Sualla proceeded to Navi Mohammad’s place, which
was and is, also, in heaven. When they arrived, and were asked their mission, they
replied that they had been sent by Sualla to buy some soil. They were immediately
given freely what they asked for.It was a fine morning when they reached the place
of Sualla. After deciding the location, Sualla went to Colina, the center of the world,
and planted the soil. This soil has now grown and spread throughout the world.
After planting the soil, Mentalalan was buried.
 After several years, it has been observed that from different parts of the body
of Mentalalan various food crops grew. The first corn grew from the teeth of
Mentalalan. From the navel the first rice sprouted. The hands grew as the first
banana trees. God is really a loving and wonderful Being.
Sualla’s sister, Sinonggol, was again so jealous of her brother’s work that she
threw down her comb, which became the first pig to eat and destroy the first
bananas and other crops. She also spit out her buyo (betel nut chew) and threw it
away. The buyo became the first rats, and thus to this day the rats eat and destroy
our rice and corn.
It is said that had it not been for the jealousy of Sualla’s sister we should all
be living now as immortals. We should never be hungry because the crops would
not die away. The bananas, the rice, the corn—all things that Sualla made for us—
were changed or modified by Sinonggol. But we must also take into consideration
that Sinonggol did all these things because she loves us. Persons, beasts, insects,
plants, and all other things must die, because she wants them in her abode at
Bonggo, the kingdom of the dead.
BAGOBO
I. COSMOGONY
BAGOBO
In the beginning, Diwatal made the sea and the land, and planted
trees of many kinds. Then he took two lumps of earth, and shaped them
like human figures; then he spit on them, and they became man and
woman. The old man was called Tuglay, and the old woman, Tuglibung.
The two were married, and lived together. The Tuglay made a great
house, and planted seeds of different kinds that Diwata gave him.
 Diwata made the sun, the moon, the stars, and the rivers. First he
made the great eel (kasili), a fish that is like a snake in the river, and
wound' it all around the world. Diwata then made the great crab
(kayumang), and put it near the great eel, and let it go wherever it liked.
Now, when the great crab bites the great eel, the eel wriggles, and this
produces an earthquake. When the rain falls, it is Diwata throwing out
water from the sky. When Diwata spits, the showers fall. The sun makes
yellow clouds, and the yellow clouds make the colors of the rainbow.
But the white clouds are smoke from the fire of the gods.
MANDAYA
 MANDAYA
The Children of the Limokon Mandaya (Mindanao)
In the very early days before there were any people on the earth, the limokon
(a kind of dove ) were very powerful and could talk like men though they looked
like birds. One limokon laid two eggs, one at the mouth of the Mayo River and one
farther up its course. After some time these eggs hatched, and the one at the mouth
of the river became a man, while the other became a woman. The man lived alone
on the bank of the river for a long time, but he was very lonely and wished many
times for a companion. One day when he was crossing the river something was
swept against his legs with such force that it nearly caused him to drown. On
examining it, he found that it was a hair, and he determined to go up the river and
find whence it came. He traveled up the stream, looking on both banks, until finally
he found the woman, and he was very happy to think that at last he could have a
companion. They were married and had many children, who are the Mandaya still
living along the Mayo River.

http://pitt.edu/~dash/creation-phil.html
 The Sun and the Moon Mandaya (Mindanao)

The Sun and the Moon were married, but the Sun was very ugly and
quarrelsome. One day he became angry at the Moon and started to chase her. She
ran very fast until she was some distance ahead of him, when she grew tired and he
almost caught her. Ever since he has been chasing her, at times almost reaching her,
and again falling far behind. The first child of the Sun and Moon was a large star,
and he was like a man. One time the Sun, becoming angry at the star, cut him up
into small pieces and scattered him over the whole sky just as a woman scatters rice,
and ever since there have been many stars. Another child of the Sun and Moon was
a gigantic crab.23 He still lives and is so powerful that every time he opens and
closes his eyes there is a flash of lightning. Most of the time the crab lives in a large
hole in the bottom of the sea, and when he is there we have high tide; but when he
leaves the hole, the waters rush in and there is low tide. His moving about also
causes great waves on the surface of the sea. The crab is quarrelsome like his father;
and he sometimes becomes so angry with his mother, the Moon, that he tries to
swallow her.24 When the people on earth, who are fond of the Moon, see the crab
near her, they run out of doors and shout and beat on gongs until he is frightened
away, and thus the Moon is saved.
BILAAN
 BILAAN
THE STORY OF THE CREATION
Adapted from Philippine Folklore Stories, by Mabel Cook Cole, 1916
In the very beginning there lived a being so large that he cannot be compared with
any known thing. His name was Melu, and when he sat on the clouds, which were his home,
he occupied all the space above. His teeth were pure gold, and because he was very cleanly
and continually rubbed himself with his hands, his skin became pure white. The dead skin
which he rubbed off his body was placed on one side in a pile, and by and by this pile
became so large that he was annoyed and set himself to consider what he could do with it.
Finally Melu decided to make the Earth; so he worked very hard in putting the dead
skin into shape, and when it was finished he was so pleased with it that he determined to
make two beings like himself, though smaller, to live on it.
Taking the remnants of the material left after making the Earth, he fashioned two
men but just as they were all finished except their noses, Tau Tana, a being so large like
Melu from below the Earth appeared and wanted to help him.
 Melu did not wish any assistance, and a great argument ensued. Tau Tana
finally won his point and made the noses which he placed on the people upside
down. When all was finished, Melu and Tau Tana whipped the forms until they
moved. Then Melu went to his home above the clouds, and Tau Tana returned to his
place below the Earth.
All went well until one day a great rain came, and the people on the Earth
nearly drowned from the water which ran off their heads into their noses. Melu,
from his place on the clouds, saw their danger, and he came quickly to Earth and
saved their lives by turning their noses the other side up.
The people were very grateful to him, and promised to do anything he
should ask of them. Before he left for the sky, they told him that they were very
unhappy living on the great Earth all alone, so he told them to save all the hair from
their heads and the dry skin from their bodies and the next time he came he would
make them some companions. And in this way there came to be a great many people
on the Earth.
 IN THE BEGINNING
Adapted from Philippine Folklore Stories, by Mabel Cook Cole, 1916

In the beginning there were four beings, and they lived on an island no larger than a hat. On
this island there were no trees or grass or any other living thing besides these four people and one
bird. One day they sent this bird out across the waters to see what he could find, and when he
returned he brought some earth, a piece of rattan, and some fruit.
Melu, the greatest of the four, took the soil and shaped it and beat it with a paddle in the
same manner in which a woman shapes pots of clay, and when he finished he had made the earth.
Then he planted the seeds from the fruit, and they grew until there was much rattan and many trees
bearing fruit.
The four beings watched the growth for a long time and were well pleased with the work,
but finally Melu said:
"Of what use is this earth and all the rattan and fruit if there are no people?" And the others
replied, "Let us make some people out of wax."
 So they took some wax and worked long, fashioning it into forms, but
when they brought them to the fire the wax melted, and they saw that men
could not be made in that way.
Next they decided to try to use dirt in making people, and Melu and
one of his companions began working on that. All went well till they were
ready to make the noses. The companion, who was working on that part, put
them on upside down. Melu told him that the people would drown if he left
them that way, but he refused to change them.
When his back was turned, however, Melu seized the noses, one by
one, and turned them as they now are. But he was in such a hurry that he
pressed his finger at the root, and it left a mark in the soft clay which you can
still see on the faces of people.
T’BOLI
 T'Boli Creation Story
The T'boli people are a tribe from the Philippines
From "To care for the Earth", by Sean McDonagh.
In the beginning there were no mountains on Earth. As far as the eye could see, the
water was spread out in all directions. The D'wata (the spirit) said, "I will create land for all
the creatures so that they will have a place to live". D'wata asked the hawk to find soil.
Though he travelled a great distance over the oceans he could not find it. Then D'wata
approached the dove and asked her. The dove flew continuously for eight days but even she
failed to find soil. Lastly, D'wata turned to the Betoti - a small swift flying bird. Before
setting out on his adventure the Betoti left this message. 'If I return in eight days it means
that I have seen soil. If, however, I do not return for sixteen days, it means that something
evil has happened to me.'
The Betoti was lucky and found soil, so he placed some under his wing and
returned within eight days to D'wata. Betoti carried very little soil. D'wata said to him 'We
will have to spread out the soil so the waters can recede. Each place where you hop will
become dry land.' For eight days and eight nights Betoti hopped backwards and forwards
until after the eight days half the world was covered with land. Although he was exhausted
Betoti was very happy with what he had achieved. He exclaimed, 'How wonderful it is to
have a place to stay. Let all the snakes, pigs, horses and other animals live in this place.' So
the aniumals moved to that place and began to live there.
 After a while one of the animals suggested to Betoti that they
should have someone look after them. Then Betoti formed sixteen clay
statues, eight male and eight female. As he was forming them, Betoti
wondered how he could make them move or speak. D'wata knew this
and he assured Betoti that he would help. After eight days one of the
male statues moved. Betoti was very happy. He helped the man to walk,
but he could not get him to speak for eight days.
The first words of the man were, 'What a privilege it is to be
called to care for the Earth and the Sky.' Though he could move and
speak, the man thought to himself, 'I am not content merely to watch
over the animals. I must look for a suitable companion.' At that moment
the female statue moved and she became man's partner and companion.
SUBANEN
 Legend of the First Crocodile
Many years ago in the village of Gayan, Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte, there lived a
widow. She was a weaver named Logoloqan. She had only one son. One day, Logoloqan took a
bath in the river. After her bath, she was surprised to see a fish scale on her feet. She continued
taking a bath everyday since she always felt very warm. She was surprised to note that every
time she took a bath, another fish scale grew on her body.

Finally, when she had so many scales all over, she told her son that she could no longer stay
in their house. She requested her son to build a fence by the bank of the river where she could
live. With tears in his eyes and sadness in his heart, the poor boy obeyed his mother. So by the
river bank Logoloqan lived by herself.

There she again requested her son to tell the Timuway and his followers not to throw any
dead animal into the river. At this, the Timuway got angry and asked one of his slaves to throw a
dead fowl over her fence instead. Logoloqan caught the dead animal in her mouth and broke out
of her fence. She bade good-bye to her son and swam away into the river. There she wandered
and became the first crocodile.