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Biag ni Lam-ang
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Biag ni Lam-ang

Title Lam-ang

Description Eponymous hero of the Ilokano epic Biag ni Lam-ang

Gender Male

Region Philippines

Equivalent Culture hero

Biag ni Lam-ang (English: "The Life of Lam-ang") is an epic poem of the Ilocano people from the Ilocos region of the Philippines influenced from the
Indian Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharta from the era of Indianized 7th century kingdom of Srivijaya and earlier period. Recited and written in the
original Ilocano, the poem is believed[by whom?] to be a composite work of various poets who passed it on through the generations, and was first transcribed
around 1640 by a blind Ilocano bard named Pedro Bucaneg.

Initial plot[edit]
Lam-ang is an extraordinary being, manifesting when he begins to speak in his early years, thus enabling him to choose his own name. His adventures
begin when his father, Don Juan, set out for a battle but never returned. At barely nine months, Lam-ang goes to search for Don Juan in the highlands
where the latter was said to have gone. Aware that her child was a blessed, exceptional creature, his mother Namongan allows him to go. Lam-ang then
goes off in search of his father, leaving his grieving mother behind.
He sees his father beheaded and the head put on a spike. While the headhunters are celebrating, in his anger, he challenges all of them to a duel. The
headhunters throw spears at him, but he just catches it and throws it back to them. He defeats the headhunters, kills them all and takes his father's head
down to the plains.

Literary structure[edit]
Prologue: The Birth of Lam-ang (lines 5-108)

Quest for Father (lines 109-370)

Preparation (lines 109-192)

Obstacle: Burican (lines 193-261)

Triumph (lines 262-315)

Return to Home (lines 315-370)

Quest for Wife (lines 455-1300)

Preparation (lines 455-586)

Obstacles: Sumarang and Saridandan (lines 587-724)

Wedding Banquet (lines 725-1286)

 Return to Home (lines 725-1286)

Epilogue: The Death and Restoration of the Hero (lines 1301-1477) [1]
Biag ni Lam-ang, though dominated by action and tragedy, nonetheless contained some comedic points. An example is the scene in which Lam-ang was
on his way home. He passes by a river (identified by some[who?] as the Amburayan River, the biggest river in Ilocos) and decides to have a dip. The dirt and
blood that came off from his body causes the death of the river's fish, crabs, and shrimp. As he is bathing, some of the maidens who were present at the
river gladly attend to him.

Ending[edit]
Upon arriving home, Lam-ang decides to court his love interest, Ines Kannoyan who lives in Calanutian (Kanluit). [2] Despite his mothers disapproval, he
follows his heart and set off again on another journey to his love. He faces one of Ines suitors and various monsters, but again is able to vanquish them
with ease. Aiding him are his magical pets, a cat (in other versions,no cat),a dog, and a rooster. The bird flaps its wings and a house toppled over. This feat
amazes everyone present, especially Ines. Then, Lam-angs dog barks and the house rose up. Invited to lunch with the family of Ines, Lam-ang impresses
her parents with his wealth and upon returning, he gives the family two golden ships.m

Death and subsequent rebirth[edit]

After his death due to being eaten by a huge fish, Lam-ang's bones are recovered and he is resurrected with the help of his magical pets. Ines is ordered
by the rooster to wrap the bones with her tapis while the hen flapped its wings and the dog growled. In an instant, Lam-ang is happily reunited with his wife.

Film adaptation[edit]
In 2012, a film adaptation of the story of Lam-ang was made. Called "Lam-Ang", the film starred actors Rocco Nacino and Rochelle Pangilinan. It was
originally intended to be a TV series, but it was later decided to turn it into a film adaptation by Gabriel Lorenzo Quizon instead. [citation needed]

Biag ni Lam-ang (Summary)

Ilocano: Biag ni Lam-ang
Tagalog: Buhay ni Lam-ang
BIAG NI LAM-ANG (Life of Lam-ang) is a pre-Hispanic epic poem of the Ilocano people of the Philippines. The story was handed down
orally for generations before it was written down around 1640 assumedly by a blind Ilokano bard named Pedro Bucaneg.

BUOD NG OF BIAG NI LAM-ANG

(SUMMARY OF BIAG NI LAM-ANG)

Don Juan and his wife Namongan lived in Nalbuan, now part of La Union in the northern part of the Philippines. They had a son named
Lam-ang. Before Lam-ang was born, Don Juan went to the mountains in order to punish a group of their Igorot enemies. While he was
away, his son Lam-ang was born. It took four people to help Namongan give birth. As soon as the baby boy popped out, he spoke and
asked that he be given the name Lam-ang. He also chose his godparents and asked where his father was.

After nine months of waiting for his father to return, Lam-ang decided he would go look for him. Namongan thought Lam-ang was up to
the challenge but she was sad to let him go. During his exhausting journey, he decided to rest for awhile. He fell asleep and had a
dream about his fathers head being stuck on a pole by the Igorot. Lam-ang was furious when he learned what had happened to his
father. He rushed to their village and killed them all, except for one whom he let go so that he could tell other people about Lam-angs
greatness.

Upon returning to Nalbuan in triumph, he was bathed by women in the Amburayan river. All the fish died because of the dirt and odor
from Lam-angs body.

There was a young woman named Ines Kannoyan whom Lam-ang wanted to woo. She lived in Calanutian and he brought along his
white rooster and gray dog to visit her. On the way, Lam-ang met his enemy Sumarang, another suitor of Ines whom he fought and
readily defeated.

Lam-ang found the house of Ines surrounded by many suitors all of whom were trying to catch her attention. He had his rooster crow,
which caused a nearby house to fall. This made Ines look out. He had his dog bark and in an instant the fallen house rose up again.
The girls parents witnessed this and called for him. The rooster expressed the love of Lam-ang. The parents agreed to a marriage with
their daughter if Lam-ang would give them a dowry valued at double their wealth. Lam-ang had no problem fulfilling this condition and
he and Ines were married.

It was a tradition to have a newly married man swim in the river for the rarang fish. Unfortunately, Lam-ang dove straight into the mouth
of the water monster Berkakan. Ines had Marcos get his bones, which she covered with a piece of cloth. His rooster crowed and his
dog barked and slowly the bones started to move. Back alive, Lam-ang and his wife lived happily ever after with his white rooster and
gray dog.

Araling Pinoy
Dedicated to Mellec Computer Center Clients
 T U E S D A Y, M A Y 1 2 , 2 0 0 9

TI BIAG NI LAM-ANG : ANG BUHAY NI LAM-ANG

Ti Biag Ni Lam-Ang : Ang Buhay Ni Lam-Ang

SIYAM na buwan bago siya isinilang sa isang maharlikang familia, namundok ang kanyang ama upang sugpuin ang isang masamang pangkat ng mga Igorot. Sa kasamaang-
palad, napatay ang ama, pinugot ang kanyang ulo at isinabit sa gitna ng nayon ng mga Igorot bilang gantimpala at parangal sa kanilang pangkat. Sa kabilang dako,
nagulat ang ina pagkatapos nang biglang lumaki ang sanggol at agad-agadnagsalita. Isinumpa ni Lam-Ang - sapagkat ito nga ang naging pangalan niya - na mamumundok
din siya upang matuklas kung ano ang nangyari sa kanyang ama. Kasama ang kaiba at mabuting pangkat ng mga Igorot, inakyat ni Lam-Ang ang bundok at natagpuan ang
bangkay ng ama niya. Bilang ganti, pinatay niya ang bawat isa ng mga masamang Igorot, gamit ang tangi niyang sandata - isang sibat.

Pagod na pagod siya pagbalik sa bahay. Minabuti niyang maligo muna at sumisid sa ilog Amburayan. Kaginsa-ginsa, umapaw ang ilog sa kapal ngputik at dugo na nahugas
mula sa kanyang katawan. Lahat ng isda sailog ay namatay. Pati ang mga palaka at iba pang hayop na umahon mula sa tubig ay namatay lahat sa pampang.
Kinabukasan, ipinahayag ni Lam-Ang sa ina na mag-aasawa na siya. Ginamit niya ang kapangyarihan niya sa hiwaga at nabatid niya na ang magiging asawa niya ay
si Ines, isang babae taga-Kandon, isang munting nayon sa hilaga. Patungo na siya duon nang nadaanan niya ang isang batong dambuhala (stone giant ) na sumisira
sa palay at tobacosa mga bukid. Gamit ang kalasag na pilak (silver shield ) na minana saama, nilabanan niya at pinatay ang dambuhala. Tapos, pinugutan niya ng ulo.

Sa Kandon, dinatnan niyang nakapaligid sa bahay ni Ines ang libu-libong lalaki na lumiligaw sa dalaga. Siksikan silang lahat at, upang makalapit sa bahay, napilitan
ni Lam-Ang na lumakad sa mga ulo ng mga lumiligaw hanggang umabot siya sa isang bintana, kung saan siya pumasok sa bahay. Humanga nang matindi si Ines sa lakas at
tibay ng luob ni Lam-Ang kaya pumayag siya agad na maging asawa nito. Subalit alinlangan pa ang mga magulang ng dalaga. Kailangan daw mag-alay ngbigay-
kaya (dowry) ang mga magulang ni Lam-Ang bago makuha si Ines.

Pumayag si Lam-Ang at ipinangakong babalik siya pagkaraan ng isang linggo, kasama ng kanyang ina at ng mga handog at iba pang yaman. Humangos siya pabalik sa ina,
at naghanda ng isang bangka na balot ngginto. Pinuno niya ito ng iba pang ginto, mga alahas, mga estatua at iba pang mamahaling bagay. Pagbalik niya
sa Kandon kasama ng kanyang ina, nagimbal ang mga magulang ni Ines sa dami ngkayamanang dala. Nuong araw ding iyon, ikinasal sina Lam-Ang at Ines. Pagkaraan ng 3
taon, nagka-anak na lalaki ang bagong mag-asawa.

Isang araw, binangungot ( pesadilla, nightmare) si Lam-Ang: Alang-alang sa kanyang anak, at sa kanyang mga ninuno (antepasados, ancestors), kailangan niyang
pagdaanan ang makalumang gawi ngpahirap (ancient ritual of sacrifice). Ayon masamang panaginip, dapat siyang sumisid hanggang sa sahig ng dagat (sea floor) upang
hanapin ang gintong kabibi ( gold seashell ). Batid ni Lam-Ang na ikamamatay niya ang gagawin, kaya nagdasal siya at nanawagan sa mga diyos. Sinagot naman siya at
binigyan ng pag-asa. Isiniwalat ni Lam-Ang ang lahat kay Ines: Ang hirap na susu-ungin niya, ang mga pahiwatig ng kanyang pagkamatay, pati na ang habilin ng pag-
asa na sagot sa kanya ng mga diyos.

Pagsapit ng takdang araw, dumumog ang lahat ng tao sa nayon, pati na sa mga kalapit sa paligid, upang saksihan ang pagsisid ni Lam-Ang sagintong kabibi sa ilalim ng
dagat. Subalit bahagya pa lamang nakalubog si Lam-Ang nang biglang umahon si Berkakan, ang dambuhalang halimaw na pating, at sinakmal ang bayani. Sa bahay,
nakita ni Ineslahat ng pahiwatig na isiniwalat ni Lam-Ang. Bumagsak ang kalan(estufa, stove), umuga ang hagdan (escalera, stairs), at nanginig ang kanilang anak na
lalaki. Napahagulhol si Ines: Patay na si Lam-Ang.

Tatlong araw lumuha si Ines bago siya nagkalakas lumabas at sundin ang mga habilin ng mga diyos. Inipon niya ang mga buto-buto ni Lam-Ang na inanod ng dagat sa
pampang, at inuwi sa bahay. Sunod sa isiniwalat ni Lam-Ang, binalot niya ang mga buto sa pulang sutla (seda rojo, red silk), tumalikod at nagdasal nang nagdasal.
Habang ibinubulong ni Ines ang mga panalangin, naririnig niyang unti-unting nabubuo uli ang kalansay at katawan. Pagkaraan ng ilang sandali lamang, lumitaw si Lam-
Ang na buhay na muli.
Dahil dito at iba pang giting na ginawa ni Lam-Ang, silang mag-asawa at ang kanilang anak ay pinatawan ng mga diyos ng walang katapusang buhay. At sila ay namuhay
sa sagana ng mga bukid ng palay habang panahon.

ANG MGA PINAGKUNAN

Lam-Ang, Demigod, by Dion Fernandez, in Legends and Lore: The Philippines,www.fortunecity.com/victorian/byzantium/55/lloreph.htm

Kurditan Samtoy, by Reynaldo A. Duque, www.ncca.gov. ph/culture&arts/cularts/arts/literary/literary-samtoy.htm
This is the Ilocano, by Emilio L. Alvarez,sinurat.sphosting.com/urnong/ilocano.html
Early Philippine Literature, by Dr. Lilia Quindoza-Santiago,www.ncca.gov.ph/culture&arts/cularts/arts/literary/literary-early.htm
Preserving the Ilocano Identity, by Clesencio G. Rambaud,www.philpost.com/0799pages/ilokano0799.html
Cohesion and Coherence Interplay in the English Translation Texts of the Epic Biag ni Lam-ang (Life of Lam-ang), by Aida M. Agustin-Cuanang,
1996 Ph.D. (English Studies: Language),www.gradstudies.cal.upd.edu.ph/a96_99.htm
The Mediating Role of Narrative in Inter-religious Dialogue: Implications and Illustrations from the Philippine Context,
by Jose Mario C. Francisco, SJ, East Asian Pastoral Institute, Manila

http://www.elaput.org/almat23.htm

Biag Ni Lam-Ang (Filipino and English summaries)

12JUN
Sina Don Juan at Namongan ay taga-Nalbuan, ngayon ay sakop ng La Union. May isa silang anak na lalaki. Itoy si Lam-ang. Bago pa isilang si Lam-ang, ang
ama nito ay pumunta na sa bundok upang parusahan ang isang pangkat ng mga Igorota na kalaban nila. Nang isilang si Lam-ang, apat na hilot ang nagtulong-
tulong. Ugali na nga mga Ilokano noong una na tumulong sa mga hilot kung manganganak ang maybahay nila ngunit dahil nga wala si Don Juan, mga
kasambahay nila ang tumulong sa pagsilang ni Namongan. Pagkasilang, nagsalita agad ang sanggol at siya ang humiling na Lam-ang ang ipangalan sa kaniya.
Siya rin ang pumili ng magiging ninong niya sa binyag. Itinanong pa rin niya sa ina ang ama, kung saan naroron ito, na di pa niya nakikita simula pa sa kanyang
pagkasilang. Sinabi na ina ang kinaroroonan ng ama. Makaraan ang siyam na buwan, nainip na si Lam-ang sa di pagdating ng ama kayat sinundan niya ito sa
kabundukan. May dala siyang ibat- ibang sandata at mga anting-anting na makapag-bibigay-lakas sa kaniya at maaaring gawin siyang hindi makikita. Talagang
pinaghandaan niya ang lakad na ito. Sa kaniyang paglalakbay, inabot siya ng pagkahapo kayat namahinga sandali. Naidlip siya at napangarap niyang ang pugot
na ulo ng ama ay pinagpipistahan na ng mga Igorote. Galit na galit si Lam-ang s nabatid na sinapit ng ama kaya mabilis na nilakbay ang tirahan ng mga Igorote.
Pinagpupuksa niya ang mga ito sa pamamagitan ng dalang mga sandata at anting-anting. Ang isa ay kaniyang pinahirapan lamang saka inalpasan upang siyang
magbalita sa iba pang Igorote ng kaniyang tapang, lakas at talino. Umuwi si Lam-ang nang nasisiyahan dahil sa nipaghiganti niya an pagkamatay ng ama niya.
Nang siyay magbalik sa Nalbuan, pinaliguan siya ng ilang babaeng kaibigan sa ilog ng Amburayan, dahil itoy naging ugali na noon, na pagdating ng isang
mandirigma, naliligo siya. Matapos na paliguan si Lam-ang, namatay ang mga isda at iba pang bagay na may buhay na nakatira sa tubig dahil sa kapal ng libag at
sama ng amoy na nahugasan sa katawan nito. Sa kabutihan naman may isang dalagang balita sa kagandahan na nagngangalang Ines Kannoyan. Itoy
pinuntahan ng binatang si Lam-ang upang ligawan, kasama ang kaniyang putting tandang at abuhing aso. Isang masugid na manliligaw ni Ines ang nakasalubong
nila, Si Sumarang, na kumutya kay Lam-ang, kayat silay nag-away at ditoy muling nagwagi si Lam-ang. Napakaraming nanliligaw ang nasa bakuran nina Ines
kayat gumawa sila ng paraan upang sila ay makatawag ng pansin. Ang tandang ay tumilaok at isang bahay ang nabuwal sa tabi. Si Ines ay dumungaw. Ang aso
naman ang pinatahol niya at sa isang iglap, tumindig uli ang bahay na natumba. Nakita rin ng magulang ni Ines ang lahat ng iyon at siyay ipinatawag niyon. Ang
pag-ibig ni Lam-an kay Ines ay ipinahayag ng tandang. Sumagot ang mga magulang ng dalaga na silay payag na maging manugang si Lam-ang kun itoy
makapagbibigay ng boteng may dobleng halaga ng sariling ari-arian ng magulang ng dalaga. Nang magbalik si Lam-ang sa Kalanutian, kasama si Namongan at
mga kababayan, sila Ines ay ikinasal. Dala nila ang lahat ng kailangan para sa maringal na kasalan pati ang dote. Ang masayang pagdiriwang ay sinimulan s
Kalanutian at tinapos sa Nalbuan, kung saan nanirahan ang mag-asawa pagkatapos ng kasal nila. Isa parin s kaugalian sa Kailukuhan, na pagkatapos ng kasal,
ang lalaki ay kinakalilangang sumisid sa ilog upang humuli ng rarang (isda). Sinunod ni Lam-ang subalit siya ay sinamang palad na makagat at mapatay ng
berkakan (isang uri ng pating). Ang mga buto ni Lam-ang na nasa pusod ng dagat ay ipinasisid at pinatapon ni Donya Ines sa isang kalansay at tinakpan ng tela.
Ang tandang ay tumilaok, ang aso ay kumahol at sa bisa ng engkanto, unti-unting kumilos ang mga buto. Sa muling pagkabuhay ni Lam-ang, ang mag-asawa ay
namuhay nang maligaya, maluwalhati at matiwasay sa piling ng alagang putting tandang at abuhing aso.

BUOD (SUMMARY) OF BIAG NI LAM-ANG

Don Juan and his wife Namongan lived in Nalbuan, now part of La Union in the northern part of the Philippines. They had a son named Lam-ang. Before Lam-ang
was born, Don Juan went to the mountains in order to punish a group of their Igorot enemies. While he was away, his son Lam-ang was born. It took four people to
help Namongan give birth. As soon as the baby boy popped out, he spoke and asked that he be given the name Lam-ang. He also chose his godparents and
asked where his father was.

After nine months of waiting for his father to return, Lam-ang decided he would go look for him. Namongan thought Lam-ang was up to the challenge but she was
sad to let him go. During his exhausting journey, he decided to rest for awhile. He fell asleep and had a dream about his fathers head being stuck on a pole by the
Igorot. Lam-ang was furious when he learned what had happened to his father. He rushed to their village and killed them all, except for one whom he let go so that
he could tell other people about Lam-angs greatness.

Upon returning to Nalbuan in triumph, he was bathed by women in the Amburayan river. All the fish died because of the dirt and odor from Lam-angs body.
There was a young woman named Ines Kannoyan whom Lam-ang wanted to woo. She lived in Calanutian and he brought along his white rooster and gray dog to
visit her. On the way, Lam-ang met his enemy Sumarang, another suitor of Ines whom he fought and readily defeated.

Lam-ang found the house of Ines surrounded by many suitors all of whom were trying to catch her attention. He had his rooster crow, which caused a nearby
house to fall. This made Ines look out. He had his dog bark and in an instant the fallen house rose up again. The girls parents witnessed this and called for him.
The rooster expressed the love of Lam-ang. The parents agreed to a marriage with their daughter if Lam-ang would give them a dowry valued at double their
wealth. Lam-ang had no problem fulfilling this condition and he and Ines were married.

It was a tradition to have a newly married man swim in the river for the rarang fish. Unfortunately, Lam-ang dove straight into the mouth of the water monster
Berkakan. Ines had Marcos get his bones, which she covered with a piece of cloth. His rooster crowed and his dog barked and slowly the bones started to move.
Back alive, Lam-ang and his wife lived happily ever after with his white rooster and gray dog.