REDISCOVER the flame of Ibalong

Asuang Steals the Scared Fire of Gugurang

In the mystical realm of Ibalong, where monstrous creatures and divine deities coexist, Asuang casts a sinister shadow over the land. Revered and feared, he rules over both the terrestrial and aerial monsters that populate Ibalong. Whispers abound of his deceptive allure, appearing tall, muscular, and strikingly attractive under the moon's glow, only to reveal a grotesque and monstrous visage in the unforgiving light of day.Legend tells of a time when Asuang, once considered the equal of Gugurang, sought to challenge the benevolent god's supremacy. The two gods, residing in the sacred mountains of Bolod, Bicol, were once comrades, possibly even brothers. Gugurang, the god of goodness, dwelled within the majestic Mount Mayon, while Asuang, the harbinger of chaos, lurked within the shadowy confines of Mount Malinao. Gugurang's power surpassed that of Asuang, who lingered as a subordinate, the chief deity of the Bicols.

Gugurang's dominion over the people was marked by control and protection. Disobedience to his commands invoked the ominous rumblings of Mayon Volcano, a divine warning that urged the people to mend their ways. Gugurang, the embodiment of goodness, became a symbol ready to punish the wicked. The sight of fiery streams flowing from Mayon's crater struck fear into the hearts of the people, leading them to offer sacrifices (atangs) to appease Gugurang's wrath, guided by the Baliana priestess.

Amidst this divine equilibrium, Asuang, residing in the desolate Mount Malinao, yearned for power comparable to Gugurang's. The evil deity, devoid of fire in his abode, sought to subdue the people with the threat of fire or rumbling. Asuang, driven by ambition, implored Gugurang for the sacred fire, only to be vehemently refused. Gugurang's response, thunderous and resolute, revealed the potential cataclysm should the fire fall into malevolent hands.

As the dialogue unfolded, Asuang's discontent with his humble abode and Gugurang's seemingly unchecked power escalated. The once-friendly gods became enemies, with Asuang plotting to oppose Gugurang. Gathering malevolent counselors and evil spirits, Asuang sowed the seeds of immorality, lawlessness, and crime across the land. Gugurang, discerning Asuang as the source of turmoil, realized the malevolent deity's ambitious motives.

Faced with Asuang's growing influence, Gugurang found himself powerless against the forces of evil. Pestilence swept through the barrios, prompting the people to seek protection from the omnipotent deity. Gugurang, powerless against Asuang himself, unleashed floods and eruptions, warning the people to follow his commandments strictly or face extermination.

Despite Gugurang's caution, Asuang, displaying newfound powers, infiltrated the guarded sanctum, bribing the catambang guardians with gold. With the acquisition of Gugurang's sacred fire concealed in a coconut shell, Asuang embarked on a fiery rampage, igniting every barrio in his wake.

Gugurang, witnessing the chaos, soared into the skies in pursuit of Asuang. A fierce race for supremacy unfolded, the air pulsating with heat as they raced towards Mount Malinao. In a dramatic climax, Gugurang caught up with Asuang just as the malevolent deity was about to descend Mount Malinao. With a swift motion, Gugurang snatched the fire, vanishing with it.

Returning to Mount Mayon, Gugurang restored the sacred fire, bringing light back to the world. He quelled the conflagration by summoning continuous rain upon the land. The people, now grateful for Gugurang's protection, offered atangs in penance for their perceived transgressions.

In a vengeful act against Asuang, Gugurang commanded Lightning (Linti) and Thunder (Dalogdog) to strike Mount Malinao. Asuang, attempting to bribe the elements, faced Gugurang's thunderbolt. The once-majestic mountain crumbled, its halves standing as a testament to the defeat of evil.

The people, witnessing the destruction of Mount Malinao, thanked the omnipotent Gugurang for purging their land of Asuang's malevolence. Though rumors circulated that Asuang perished, his influence continued to wreak havoc. The enterprising few, preserving embers, acquired fire during the aftermath, marking the end of a tumultuous chapter in the annals of Ibalong.

Gugurang and Asuang:

In the ancient days, when the cosmos was in its youth and gods freely roamed the world, the realms of good and evil were not yet locked in eternal conflict. Gugurang and Asuang, residing in separate mountains within the mystical Bolod of Bicol, were once comrades, some even whispering of a brotherhood. Gugurang, the harbinger of benevolence, dwelled majestically in the heart of Mount Mayon, while Asuang, the malevolent deity, lurked within the shadowy confines of Mount Malinao. As gods, they held dominion over the destiny of the people, yet Gugurang's power eclipsed that of Asuang, who lingered as a mere subordinate, the chief deity of the Bicols.

Gugurang, with unparalleled authority, governed the lives of the people who sought his protection and favor. Disobedience to his commands or wishes invoked the dreadful rumbling of the Mayon Volcano, a harbinger of warning to the inhabitants. This ominous sign coerced the people to rectify their transgressions, or face the fury of volcanic eruptions cleansing the land of sinners.

Gugurang metamorphosed into the symbol of goodness, prepared to punish the malevolent. The emergence of fire, like liquid tongues, from the Mayon Volcano struck terror into the hearts of the people. To appease Gugurang's wrath, sacrifices, known as atangs, were offered in ceremonial rituals officiated by the Baliana priestess. Any deviation from virtue would elicit the earth's mournful groans, culminating in fiery eruptions and rivers of molten lava.

Aswang, The Deity of Havoc and Chaos

Asuang, residing in the desolate Mount Malinao, yearned for power equal to that of Gugurang. Desiring the ability to command fire and unleash rumblings upon the people, he beseeched Gugurang for this coveted gift. Gugurang vehemently refused, cautioning Asuang about the catastrophic consequences should such power fall into malevolent hands.

A tempestuous dialogue unfolded between the two deities, revealing Asuang's ambition and resentment toward Gugurang's unchecked supremacy. Asuang, driven by newfound defiance, decided to oppose Gugurang. He gathered malevolent counselors and unleashed evil spirits upon the earth, leading to an era of immorality, lawlessness, and crime. Gugurang swiftly identified Asuang as the source of these calamities.

Despite his omnipotence, Gugurang found himself powerless against Asuang's machinations. It became evident that Asuang had acquired hidden powers in the blink of an eye, rendering Gugurang's usual means ineffective. Asuang, determined to undermine Gugurang, sought to oppose every move of the benevolent deity, spreading evil and chaos throughout the land.

Gugurang, unable to directly confront Asuang, safeguarded his divine fire meticulously. The sacred flame symbolized Gugurang's power, and he entrusted his loyal guardians, the catambang, to protect it. Fearful that the fire's release would unleash a cataclysmic conflagration upon the world, Gugurang maintained a vigilant watch.

Despite these precautions, Asuang, with guile and bribery, infiltrated the guarded sanctum and coaxed the guardians with the allure of gold (bolauan). Succumbing to temptation, they permitted Asuang to abscond with Gugurang's fire, contained within a coconut shell.

The Epic Pursuit of Fire: Gugurang vs. Asuang

As Asuang embarked on a fiery rampage, every barrio he passed through ignited into a blazing inferno. Gugurang, from his celestial throne, observed the devastation and cried out for Asuang. Determined to reclaim the stolen fire, Gugurang soared into the skies, pursuing the malevolent thief. Terrified, the people were powerless against the rampant conflagration.

A fevered race for supremacy ensued between Gugurang and Asuang. The air itself grew scalding as they raced towards Mount Malinao. As Asuang neared his seat, victory for the malevolent deity seemed inevitable, casting the world into the clutches of darkness.

In a climactic moment, Gugurang caught up with Asuang just as the latter was about to descend Mount Malinao. With a swift motion, Gugurang snatched the fire within the coconut shell, vanishing with it. Asuang, unable to employ his newfound invisibility, stood astonished at his defeat.

To quench the raging fires, Gugurang summoned continuous rain upon the land. As the world cooled, the people, now grateful for Gugurang's protection, offered atangs in a display of penance for their perceived transgressions.

Gugurang, infuriated by Asuang's treachery, enacted revenge by commanding Lightning (Linti) and Thunder (Dalogdog) to strike Mount Malinao. Despite Asuang's attempt to bribe them, Gugurang's thunderbolt cleaved the once-majestic mountain in twain. The heavens roared, and the mountains trembled, signaling the defeat of evil.

The people, witnessing the destruction of Mount Malinao, praised the omnipotent Gugurang for purging their land of Asuang's malevolence. Though there were fleeting beliefs that Asuang perished, his lingering influence continued to sow havoc among the populace.

As the rain subsided, the enterprising few preserved embers, and fire found its way into the hands of the people, symbolizing the end of a tumultuous chapter