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, Sirinaw or 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.

Sirinaw

Oratihon/Uratihon or Sirinaw (Sinag or Sunlight) is the demigod of the sun, fire, and warmth, described as handsome and lean with golden brown skin and rides a golden boat. Son of Adlaw he is known to be the cause of a great fire in Ibalong and his tears turned into Hotsprings  

Long ago when the populace of Ibalong was slowly spreading into their lands, they have built their colony and called it Tigbi(Tiwi). One day the son of the Sun deity named Oratíhon was over the colony and marveled at the beauty of its young maidens.
From his golden boat above the clouds, he saw the most beautiful maiden. He was smitten. He returned to their domain and to his father the sun. He told his father about the beautiful maiden and of how he felt for her. The sun god said to his son, that he is still too young, and that he can not yet fall in love or go near the maiden. For his body was still young and hot and would burn her. If you truly love her you would keep your distance.
The son of Adlao did not heed his father's warnings. The next day he put on his golden diadem, and dressed in his best robes his golden boat and came down to Tiwi. He was so excited to see the young maiden.
When his feet touched the ground. the houses of Tiwi burst into flames. He saw that the people were running away, He walked in search of the beautiful maiden, as he walked he left a trail of fire and destruction. The trees, the houses burned as he passes by. Finally, he saw the girl he desires. His body became hotter. He ran to hold the girl but she burst into flames, then crumbles to dust. Oratihon knelt in front of the ashes of the young maiden and wept. His hot tears fell on the ground. He was about to explode with anguish and would burn the whole Ibalong. From the heavens the gods Haliya and Bulan saw what was happening. Haliya wanted to comedown and smite the demigod to stop him from burning Ibalong but Bulan stopped her, instead he ordered the wind people to go down and try to subdue the demigod. Swiftly the wind people rushed and circled the demigod, containing his flames. Some of the wind people went to Gugurang, the supreme deity went and absorbed all the fire and heat until it was no more.  Oratihon was punished, and forbidden to ever returning to Ibalong nor never go down to earth again. 

Years later the burned lands of Tiwi became green again and no signs of the disaster that what had happened remained, except for the tears of the young lunar deity. His warm tears became the hot springs of Tiwi

Tagalog variant

Ang Bukal ng Tiwi ay isa sa magaganda at natatanging pook sa Pilipinas. Ito ay may layong higit-kumulang na apatnapung kilometro sa Lunsod ng Legaspi sa Bikol.  Ang Bukal ng Tiwi ay pinagdarayo ng ating kababayang Pilipino at mga dayuhang turista dahil sa mainit na tubig na sinasabing gamot sa iba't-ibang karamdaman.

Noong unang panahon raw, ang Tiwi ay isang magandang nayon.  Bukod dito, nakilala rin ang Tiwi dahil sa magagandang dalaga sa pook na ito.  Nabalitaan raw ito ng anak ng Haring Araw.  At isang araw, sakay sa kanyang karuwahe ay namasyal ang binata sa Tiwi.  Magaganda ang mga dalagang kanyang nakita.  Nabighani kaagad siya sa ganda ni Aila, ang pinakamaganda sa lahat ng dalaga sa Tiwi.  Mabilis na bumalik ang binata kay Haring Araw at ibinalita niya ang napakagandang dalaga na nakita niya.  Sinabi niya sa hari na iniibig niya ang dalaga at ibig niya itong maging asawa.

Malungkot na umiling ang hari at ipinaliwanag sa binata na hindi maaaring mag-asawa ang katulad niya sa mga karaniwang tao.

Nalungkot ang binata sa sagot ng ama kaya hindi na siya namasyal nang sumunod na mga araw.  Ang kanyang karuwahe, kasuotan at mata na nagbibigay liwanag ay hindi na nakita ng mga tao.  Dahil dito nagdilim ang mundo.

Naisip ni Haring Araw na kaawa-awa ang mga tao.  Kinausap niya ang binata upang muling magliwanag ang daigdig.  Pumayag ang binata.  Binalak niyang bumalik sa Tiwi at pakasalan ang magandang si Aila na lingid sa kaalaman ni Haring Araw.

Mabilis na nagbihis ang binata at masiglang sumakay sa kanyang karuwahe.  Dahil dito muling lumiwanag ang paligid.  Kaagad niyang pinuntahan ang Nayon ng Tiwi upang magpahayag ng pag-ibig sa magandang si Aila.  Ngunit nang malapit na siya sa nayon ay sumiklab ang apoy.  Nakita niya na nagtatakbuhan ang mga tao upang iligtas ang kanilang sarili.  At nakita ng binata ang magandang si Aila kaya mabilis siyang bumaba upang iligtas ang dalaga.

Natupok ang buong nayon at ang lahat ng tao roon.  Kinalong ng binata ang natupok na dalaga.  Sa isang iglap ay naging abo ang katawan ng magandang si Aila.  Biglang sumaisip ng binata na sadyang magsisiklab ang anumang bagay na mapapalapit sa kanyang karuwahe at kasuotan, gayundin kung matitigan ng kanyang mga mata.  Naalala rin niya ang paliwanag ng kanyang Amang Araw na hindi maaaring mag-asawa sa karaniwang tao ang katulad nila.  Malunkot na sumakay na muli sa kanyang karuwahe ang binata.  Bumalik siya kay Haring Araw upang ibalita ang masamang bunga ng pag-ibig niya sa isang magandang dalaga.

Sa paglipas ng panahon, nakita ng mga tao ang pagbabagong bihis ng natupok na Nayon ng Tiwi.  May bumukal na tubig sa gitna ng natupok na pook at muling naging lunti ang paligid.  Mula na noon hanggang sa ngayon, pinagdarayo ng mga tao ang bukal ng Tiwi dahil sa mainit na tubig na bumabalong sa bukal na namumuti sa singaw ng init ng araw.

The Moonlit Warrior Goddess of Bicol

 

Haliya Bicolano goddess of moonlight and arcenemy of the Bakunawa

The Moonlit Warrior Goddess 

In  Philippine mythology, Haliya emerges as a goddess of profound significance, revered by women in  Bicol. Known as the formidable adversary of the dragon Bakunawa, Haliya represents the warrior spirit associated with the moonlight. This essay delves into the intricate tales surrounding Haliya, exploring her role as a goddess, her relationship with her brother Bulan, and her significance in the cultural and spiritual landscape of ancient Bicol.

The Moonlit Warrior Goddess:

Haliya stands as a powerful and steadfast warrior goddess, particularly associated with the moonlight. She is the sister, confidant, and protector of Bulan, the god of the moon. While Bulan is characterized by his weakness and submissiveness, Haliya embodies strength and determination. In the celestial realm, they are considered the most pursued and fairest beings, both admired for their exceptional beauty. Haliya, however, chooses to conceal her radiant allure by wearing a mask, adding an enigmatic layer to her character.

Haliya moon goddess

Haliya Masked Goddess of the Moon

Physical Attributes and Beauty:

Depicted as a strikingly lovely young woman, Haliya possesses fair and radiant skin that seems to glow in the moonlight. Her long black hair and eyes as dark as midnight contribute to her ethereal beauty. Alongside her twin brother Bulan, they shine as celestial beings, captivating the heavens with their unparalleled grace and charm. The mask she wears becomes a symbol of her decision to shield her beauty from the admiration of others.

The Mythical Descent:

According to mythology, Haliya's descent to the earthly waters was influenced by the wind people, or Taong Lipod, who convinced her to bathe in the waters below. This act is significant as it emphasizes the connection between the divine and earthly realms. Haliya's interaction with the waters symbolizes her engagement with the forces of nature and the elements, showcasing her dynamic role in the mythology of Bicol.

Otherworldly Beauty:

Haliya's beauty is often described as otherworldly, with her fair and luminous skin radiating a celestial glow. Her long black hair, darker than midnight, echoes the characteristics of her twin brother, Bulan. This sibling pair, with their enchanting allure, becomes central figures in Bicolano mythology, capturing the imagination and reverence of those who worship them.

Halya and Bulan

 Summoning the Moon goddess in myths

"Halia" was a ritual performed during the full moon. Tribespeople would exit their homes, gather in the streets, and create a cacophony of noise to deter the serpent Bakunawa from devouring the moon. The ceremony also aimed to dispel malevolent spirits.

The ancient ritual of Halya, once a simple celebration of the full moon, gradually transformed over time into a mythical summoning of the goddess of the Moon, known as Haliya. As stories and myths evolve through generations, the Halya ritual took on deeper spiritual significance, incorporating elements of divine intervention and protection.

Originally, the festival of Halya was marked by extravagant festivities, characterized by the thunderous noise of drums, tambourines, and hollowed-out logs. The purpose of the celebration was to honor the full moon and ward off the threat of the Baconaná (Bakunawa), a feared creature believed to devour the moon, plunging the world into darkness. The disappearance of the moon during eclipses reinforced this belief, as the people interpreted it as evidence of the Baconaná's influence.

As the ritual evolved, so too did the mythology surrounding it. Over time, the people began to personify the protective forces of the moon, giving rise to the concept of Haliya, the goddess of the Moon. Haliya became a symbol of strength and defense, defending the male lunar deity Bulan from the threat of the Bacunawa

In the revised narrative, participants in the Halya ritual not only celebrated the beauty of the full moon but also invoked the protective powers of Haliya to safeguard their world from darkness and disaster. The ritual took on a deeper spiritual significance, as participants believed they were actively engaging with divine forces to ensure the prosperity and well-being of their community.

The culmination of the ritual was marked by feasting and revelry, as participants indulged in tuba and enjoyed the bounty of the land. However, underlying the festivities was a sense of reverence and awe for the mythical beings they invoked and the cosmic forces they sought to appease.

Thus, the ancient ritual of Halya transformed into a mythical summoning of Haliya, the goddess of the Moon, as the people's beliefs and traditions evolved over time.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance:

Haliya's stories and worship hold a special place in the cultural and spiritual heritage of Mythology in Pre-Hispanic Bicol. As the goddess of moonlight and a symbol of strength, she embodies the qualities that women in the region might have aspired to emulate. The concealment of her beauty through the mask underscores the idea that true strength lies not only in physical attributes but in the wisdom and fortitude that come from within.

Haliya, the moonlit warrior goddess, emerges from the pages of  Bicolano mythology as a captivating and multifaceted figure. Her role as the protector of Bulan, her mythical descent, and her otherworldly beauty contribute to the rich cultural and spiritual narrative of the region. Haliya stands not only as a symbol of celestial beauty but also as a representation of inner strength and resilience, inspiring generations with her timeless tales.

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.