ONOS

Bikolano god of Storms and deluge

Onos

 Onos was a deity venerated and feared by the settlers of Pre-colonial Bicol
He was the god of storms who commands the winds and also the god that brings deluge. He brought the storms and freed the great flood that changed Ibalong
Described as tall and muscular but is very ill-tempered, and childlike in manner. Despite his towering stature he is described as showing an emotional or intellectual development appropriate to someone younger. The Ibalong people believed that Onos watches from the clouds and would try to sink Visayan raiding ships that would try to go to Ibalong. 

Stories tell that out of impulse he destroyed the colonies and minor kingdoms of Bicol peninsula when he brought great winds and rain and flood to it. Myth tells that Onos from his realm gazed upon a child so fair and lovely until the age of maidenhood. Onos warned by Bulan (god of the moon) that a deity could never truly love a mortal for they are far too different and it would only bring pain and suffering to both. Ignoring the warnings of the lunar deity Onos continued to love the maiden named Takay. Until one day the Onos descended and proclaimed his love for her, but the fair Takay spurred the deity for her heart already belonged to another, it was Kanaway. Angered at this Onos flew in search of Kanaway with the purpose of destroying him, and when he found the lad Onos struck him with a lightning bolt,but Kanaway only turned to stone, he got angry and attacked mt. Asog with numerous lighting bolts thus making it sink and turn into now Lake Buhi. Still angry he send storms and flood waters. The lunar gods Haliya and Bulan sent their wind people to try and stop Onos but he was too powerful. When the celestial gods finally descended it was to late. Onos had already
destroyed the colonies and minor kingdoms of Ibalong, His floods caused the drowning of many including his beloved Takay. The following night the lunar god Bulan descended and saw the dead body of the fair Takay being cared for by the water plants, took pity on the youth and made her into a lovely flower that is now abundant in Bicol.

Onos

Onos and the monster Rabot

Handiog came and purged Ibalong from all its beasts and monsters, In the end he fell in love with one, the demigoddess Oryol.  He and Oryol thought the people the cultivation of rice, how to make sailboats, pottery and even writing. Under their rule Ibalong became bountiful.
They handed down the colonies to Bantong. Who would kill the last powerful monster in Ibalong Rabot and after that humans were able to survive on their own with products and skills given to them by their warrior ancestors. Rabot was the last of the monsters that resided in Ibalong. He is a strong bipedal creature half-human half-beast, His upper body is of a muscular man but his lower body is that of a water buffalo some say its of a horse(similar to a tikbalang but his face was human). Had golden sharp teeth and could turn people into stone.  Immeasurably strong and fast like the beast of the forest. His voice is loud and booming like a roar. He also had huge bat wings that seemed to cover the moon when he flies at night. The Rabot was saved and hidden by the god Bulan, and was left in the care of the mermaids. Rabot was living in peace until Onos cause the great flood killing Rabot's biological mother, sending the beast into rage.

Onos by Brian Valeza

Takay flower

Onos stands as a deity both venerated and feared by the settlers of Pre-colonial Bicol. As the god of storms who commands the winds and brings forth deluge, Onos played a pivotal role in shaping the beliefs and narratives of the Ibalong people. Described as a towering figure, both tall and muscular, Onos possessed a temperament that oscillated between ill-tempered and childlike, displaying emotional and intellectual traits appropriate for someone much younger.

Protecting Ibalong from Invaders:

The Ibalong people believed that Onos watched from the clouds, ready to thwart any Visayan raiding ships attempting to approach their shores. The deity's wrath was said to be unleashed upon these invaders through great winds, rains, and floods. It was Onos' duty to safeguard his realm, and stories tell of his impulsive actions that led to the destruction of colonies and minor kingdoms on the Bicol peninsula.

Onos

Onos' Forbidden Love and Unbridled Fury:

One of the most intriguing tales about Onos revolves around his forbidden love for a mortal maiden named Takay. Ignoring the warnings of the lunar deity Bulan, Onos descended from his realm to proclaim his love, only to be rejected by Takay in favor of another, Kanaway. Enraged, Onos sought to destroy Kanaway and, in the process, unleashed his fury upon Mt. Asog, transforming it into Lake Buhi. Despite efforts by the lunar gods Haliya and Bulan to intervene, Onos' wrath proved unstoppable, resulting in the demise of colonies and kingdoms, including the drowning of his beloved Takay.

THE LEGEND OF THE TAKAY FLOWERS

The legend of Takay tells the story of a beautiful maiden loved by the god Onos. Unbeknownst to Onos, Takay was in love with a young man named Kanaway. Despite Onos's attempts to keep them apart using rain, the couple's love grew stronger. In a fit of jealousy, Onos unleashed a storm that resulted in Kanaway turning into stone. The god's anger also caused a mountain to collapse, creating a lake. Takay, waiting for Kanaway, drowned in the flood. The Moon god Bulan, witnessing the tragedy, took pity and transformed Takay into exquisite water flowers. These flowers became a symbol of both sorrow and love for the beautiful maiden.

the Legend of the Takay Flowers unfolds like a fairytale spun from the whispers of celestial beings.

In the celestial realm, Onos, the Sky God of Storms, bestowed his divine gaze upon Takay, a mortal child blooming into an unparalleled maiden of extraordinary beauty. Onos, captivated by her loveliness, harbored deep affection for Takay. Unbeknownst to her, Takay, already enamored with another, remained oblivious to Onos's celestial admiration. Bulan, the benevolent god of the moon, cautioned Onos about the risky dance between a deity and a mortal, foretelling the inevitable pain and suffering such love would bring.Ignoring the cosmic warning, Onos descended from his celestial abode, the heavens quivering with anticipation. Bathed in the radiance of moonbeams, Takay stood before him, an earthly vision of enchanting loveliness. Intoxicated by love, Onos declared his affections, only to be met with the heart-wrenching revelation that Takay's heart belonged to another—Kanaway.Consumed by jealous fury, Onos pursued Kanaway, determined to erase the rival who held Takay's heart. Lightning arced through the skies as Onos hurled bolts of divine wrath, turning Kanaway into an eternal monument of stone. In vengeful frenzy, Onos unleashed his celestial might upon Mt. Asog, causing it to crumble and sink into the depths, birthing the tranquil expanse known as Lake Buhi.Undeterred by cosmic consequences,

Onos, wrapped in storm clouds and raging tempests, unleashed torrents of floodwaters upon the once-thriving colonies and minor kingdoms of Ibalong. Bulan, witnessing the devastation, dispatched his wind people in a desperate attempt to stem the celestial onslaught, but Onos's power proved insurmountable. As the celestial gods descended, their arrival marked too late to spare Ibalong from the cataclysmic fallout of divine fury. The colonies lay in ruins, the remnants of a once-bustling realm now silenced by the echoes of a celestial storm.

In the mournful night that followed, Bulan descended with a heavy heart, discovering the lifeless form of Takay tenderly cradled by water plants. Moved by compassion, Bulan, with tears shimmering like moonlight, transformed Takay into a delicate flower, the Tacay, now adorning the landscapes of Bicol in perpetual bloom. A symbol of undying love and a testament to the tragedy that unfolded, the water hyacinth stands as a floral legacy, weaving the tale of a celestial romance that defied the very fabric of divine order.

The Tragic Fate of Takay:

In a poignant turn of events, the lunar god Bulan discovered the lifeless body of Takay, her beauty preserved by water plants. Out of pity, Bulan transformed her into a lovely flower, now abundant in Bicol, serving as a reminder of the tragic love between a mortal and a deity.

Onos and the Monster Rabot:

The narrative extends to the monster Rabot, the last of the beasts in Ibalong. Handiog, in his quest to purge the land of monsters, fell in love with the demigoddess Oryol and together taught the people essential skills. However, Rabot, a fearsome creature saved and hidden by Bulan, was pushed into a vengeful rage by Onos' actions, leading to the great flood that claimed Rabot's biological mother.

The stories of Onos in Pre-colonial Bicol paint a vivid picture of a deity with immense power, volatile emotions, and tragic consequences. Whether protecting his people from invaders or succumbing to the pitfalls of forbidden love, Onos embodies the complexity and unpredictability of divine beings in the mythology of the Ibalong people. The tales of Onos, Takay, and Rabot serve as a captivating window into the rich cultural and spiritual landscape of Pre-colonial Bicol, revealing the intricate interplay between gods, mortals, and the forces of nature.

REMINDER

The orally transmitted mythology of the Philippines is intended for sharing and understanding. 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.