Lam-ang's Birth

Lam-ang dived into the river unaware that:

• the crocodile had gone downstream while he went upstream
• when he went downstream the crocodile went upstream

They soon spotted each other and began to fight.

Lam-ang became angry and in one thrust subdued it.

Then, he carried it on his back and beached it,

Younger sisters, take its teeth for a necklace For they can be amulets when one travels; Younger sisters we must now return To the house we came down from.

Mother Namungan please pay The wages of these, my younger sisters, A peso for each step, coming from and going back to the house.

And this having been done: Mother Namungan, please open the second room. And therefrom get my most valuable clothes.

I must change my clothes… Into my striped trousers, embroidered shirt And ornate handkerchief.

This done: Please open also the third room And take from there the gold.

Bulaoan of nine coils which breaks When exposed to the sun Whose heat is intense enough to sting one’s heel.

I am going to tie my white rooster, Yellow-legged hen, And my hairy dog.

For I am going to play at Calanutian Where Doña Ines Cannoyan lives As news has it…

A clean-living maiden Who can spin nine spools overnight. My son, brave-man Lam-ang,

Please don’t go yet For you don’t look like one Whom Doña Ines Cannoyan

Can fall in love with. For her suitors are many Including a number of Spaniards.

Yet she has not favored any of them With even just a glance. And look at you…

Can you be the one to win her love? Mother Namungan, I must go. I must enter the competition.

At the town of Calanutian, Who knows, Doña Ines Cannoyan May look on me with favor,

My son Lam-ang, if it’s a spouse you seek, This town is full of nubile maidens. And you can take your pick from them.

This is what the man Lam-ang said in turn: Mother Namungan, of those you allude to, I cannot choose anyone,

Not one of the maidens you speak of. So please don’t detain me For I must, will go.

My son Lam-ang, by God, Please tarry longer. For they may drench you.

With foul-smelling urine… Spare yourself the embarrassment. The white rooster then said,

As well as the yellow-legged hen: Our mistress Namungan, we dreamt last night That Doña Ines Cannoyan

Cannot help becoming your daughter-in-law. Mother, please take out the oil Just heated yesterday

So I may anoint my yellow-legged hen And we may both look our best When we go to the town of Calanutian.

Mother, please hand me The nine coils of gold bulaoan. And having received the gold coils,

He tied his white rooster And his hairy dog as well. And the task completed,

He prepared to leave. He carried his cock, the yellow-legged rooster. May God remain with you.

My son Lam-ang, God go with you; Be careful, especially on your way there Which you know to be more dangerous,

Having heard out the advice, Lam-ang went his way To Calanutian, the town of Doña Ines Cannoyan.

He walked untiringly And midway to his destination, Encountered the man Sumarang.

Whose eyes were big as plates And whose nose was wide as two wheels. This is what he at once said:

My friend, brave-man Lam-ang, Where are you headed for? Which forest do you intend to trap in?

Which mountain do you intend to hunt in? My friend Lam-ang? Replied Lam-ang:

My friend Sumarang, may I also ask Where you came from— The town, the locality you visited?

Said Sumarang: Since you ask me, I came from the north, The town of Calanutian.

I went there to compete For the hand of Doña Ines Cannoyan. Lam-ang said:

Where you came from There I also intend to go, With the same purpose, my friend Sumarang.

And he added: My friend Sumarang, We must now go our separate ways

For I must go now to Calanutian to compete— Who knows, I may be chosen by Doña Ines Cannoyan. You need not continue on your way

You cannot be, with your looks, One Doña Ines Cannoyan can possibly choose. So many rich men and Spaniards are there already

And Doña Ines Cannoyan has yet To look out her window for anyone. I say it again: it is futile

For you to continue your journey. Sumarang (suddenly added): Prepare your end

And try defending yourself From my spear— It will be too bad if you can’t catch

My hooked spear. Said Lam-ang then: Do what you will, I await your move.

Sumarang threw his spear At his friend, Lam-ang Lam-ang caught it

With his little and ring finger As though it were betel nut Proferred by a maiden.

Then He twirled it nine times Around his neck and body.

My friend Sumarang I will return to you your spear For I don’t want to be in your debt.

What you handed to me is too hot Though its handle is cold The handle of your spear.

My friend Sumarang Now wait for its coming. If you don’t beware,

Your corpse will be littered hereabout By this weapon which now comes, By your leave.

The brave-man Lam-ang, He waved at the seawinds. Then, simultaneously,

He let go of his spear. The man Sumarang was flown by the spear Across nine hills.

That’s how bad manners end up. Friend Sumarang, now must I depart From this, our battleground.

He carried his white rooster And prepared to leave. He had walked a long way

When he came across the house Of the maiden Saridandan. She said:

Older brother, do stop by. Please hurry up And let me embrace you.