Onos: The Tempestuous Deity of Ibalong

 

ONOS

Onos of Bikol mythology

In the mystical world of Bicol, the settlers both feared and revered Onos, a powerful god of storms and floods. Tall and muscular, Onos combined the anger of a deity with the innocence of youth, giving him a mysterious aura. Bicolano myths describe him as a guardian and sometimes a bringer of destruction, with tales of his power evoking both awe and fear.

Onos controlled the winds and could unleash heavy rains and floods. He was seen as a protector of Ibalong against invaders, keeping watch from the skies for approaching Visayan ships. However, his impulsive nature sometimes caused disasters that ravaged the land and its people.

One of the most striking parts of Onos’ story is his doomed love affair with a mortal woman named Takay. The moon god, Bulan, warned Onos that such a love would bring only pain. Despite this, Onos pursued Takay, who was in love with someone else, Kanaway. This led to Onos turning Kanaway to stone and causing Mt. Asog to sink into Lake Buhi, showing the destructive side of divine emotions.

Onos’ anger also led to massive storms and floods in Ibalong. The gods Haliya and Bulan sent their wind spirits to calm him, but the destruction was severe, ruining colonies and drowning many. In a moment of mercy, Bulan transformed Takay into a beautiful flower, symbolizing the delicate balance between love and divine retribution.

Onos' story connects with Rabot, a powerful monster in Ibalong. After Handiog drove away the monsters, Rabot became a victim of Onos’ wrath. Handiog, who was initially charmed by Oryol, a demigoddess and Rabot's partner, struggled with the moral issues of gods and monsters coexisting. The divine couple taught the people valuable skills, helping Ibalong flourish.

Tragedy struck when Onos caused a flood that killed Rabot’s mother. Overcome by grief and anger, Rabot shifted from being a protector to a vengeful force, showing the complex relationship between the divine and mortal worlds.

The story of Onos weaves together themes of love, anger, and divine intervention. His dual role as both protector and destroyer reflects the unpredictable nature of the elements he controlled, leaving a lasting impact on Ibalong’s folklore and memory.

Unos

REMINDER

The orally transmitted mythology of the Philippines is intended for sharing and understanding, should not be taken literally. 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. Support Local story tellers