The Tragedy and Redemption of Oratíhon: Demigod of Fire and the Birth of Tiwi's Hotsprings

 In the ancient days of Ibalong, a land slowly flourishing with its populace, a tale unfolds about Oratíhon, the demigod of the sun, fire, and warmth. He was a striking figure, described as handsome and muscular, with golden brown skin, and he rode a majestic golden boat. Born as the son of Adlaw, the Sun deity, Oratíhon's existence became entwined with a tragic event that left a lasting mark on the land.

The story begins when the people of Ibalong established their colony, naming it Tigbi, later known as Tiwi. It was a thriving community that caught the attention of Oratíhon, who, from his golden boat above the clouds, marveled at the beauty of its young maidens. Among them, he spotted the most enchanting maiden, and he was instantly captivated.

Returning to the domain of his father, the Sun, Oratíhon couldn't contain his feelings. He expressed his love for the beautiful maiden and sought his father's counsel. The Sun god, mindful of the dangers, warned Oratíhon that his young and hot body would harm the maiden if he approached her. Despite the warning, the demigod's infatuation led him to disregard his father's advice.

The next day, adorned in his golden diadem and dressed in his finest robes, Oratíhon descended from the heavens to Tiwi. His excitement turned catastrophic as his mere presence ignited a great fire that consumed the houses and trees in its path. The people fled in fear as he searched for the object of his affection, leaving a trail of destruction.

In a tragic climax, Oratíhon found the beautiful maiden. However, as he reached out to her, she burst into flames and crumbled to dust. Overwhelmed with grief, the demigod knelt before the ashes and wept hot tears that fell on the scorched ground. The situation escalated to a point where Oratíhon's uncontrolled flames threatened to engulf the entire Ibalong.

From the heavens, the watchful eyes of the gods Haliya and Bulan witnessed the unfolding disaster. Haliya, eager to intervene and stop Oratíhon, was held back by Bulan. Instead of direct confrontation, Bulan commanded the wind people to descend and subdue the demigod. Swiftly, they encircled Oratíhon, containing his flames, while some sought assistance from Gugurang, the supreme deity.

Gugurang, in a gesture of immense power, absorbed all the fire and heat until it ceased to exist. Oratíhon, now subdued and punished for his recklessness, was forbidden to return to Ibalong or descend to Earth again.

As time passed, the once-burned lands of Tiwi miraculously transformed into lush greenery. The scars of the tragic event vanished, leaving behind only the tangible remnants of Oratíhon's sorrow — the warm tears that transformed into the soothing hot springs of Tiwi. Thus, a tale of tragedy, redemption, and the birth of natural wonders became etched in the annals of Ibalong's mythology.

REMINDER

The orally transmitted mythology of the Philippines is intended for sharing and understanding, not for appropriation, commercial exploitation, or the promotion of foreigners and foreign products. It is a dynamic narrative tradition that evolves over time, distinct from the standardized mythologies found in Western and European cultures. Unlike these established mythologies, the Philippine government has not mandated standardized versions of stories and legends.

Orally transmitted stories undergo variations and evolve over time, resulting in numerous different versions. There are many different version told by Filipinos,and retold by Filipinos.