Alayaw and Nagbuhis, the 12th and 13th title of the Suguidanon(Epics) of Panay were launched during AHI’ANI Paglulunsad ng mga Aklat ng UP Press 2025 at the Atencio Libunao Hall, UP Diliman Quezon City on February 27, 2026.
Suguidanon of Panay is a series of Epic Stories that emanated in Central Panay, West Visayas, Philippines. These stories depict the lifeways and worldviews of the Panay Bukidnon Indigenous community and revolves on the themes of a river jouney, conflict, love story and enchantment. The stories were chanted by Year 2000 Gawad Manlilikha nga Bayan Federico Caballero with some of his siblings from Garangan, Calinog, Iloilo. They were researched by Professor Emeritus Alicia P. Magos and Anna Razel Limoso-Ramirez. The epics were translated in Contemporary Kinaray-a, Filipino, and English and prepared for publication by a team from UP Visayas and published in collaboration with the UP Press.
Alayaw tells the story of Humadapnon, living with his grandmother Laonsina in the heavens, who is questioned by Taghoy (a spirit whisperer) about why he remains unmarried. After learning about the beautiful maiden Malitong Yawa (Mali), daughter of Matan-ayon and Labaw Donggon, he becomes determined to win her. However, Mali will only marry the one who can retrieve her stolen heirloom boat. Following his grandmother’s advice, Humadapnon uses magic to grow an invisible alayaw tree, allowing him to see Mali. He then sends three birds as messengers to court her, eventually succeeding in winning her hand in marriage.
Nagbuhis is about an old and weak Matan-ayon who suffers because she refused to perform the important surondon ritual needed to connect with her ancestral spirits. Because of this, a grand ceremony is organized for her daughter, Malitong Yawa (Mali) to inherit her spiritual power. However, Mali’s husband, Humadapnon, prevents her from attending. Mali later discovers that he has been courting other maidens at ritual grounds, which deeply hurts her. In response, Mali uses her magical abilities to transform into a pillow-like form and deceives other men while hinting at her impending death. Feeling betrayed and frustrated, she seeks help from grandmother Laonsina to ascend to the sky. Her true body is lifted into the heavens in a golden basket, symbolizing her powerful and poetic revenge against Humadapnon’s unfaithfulness.
Source: Suguidanon Team
Photos courtesy of UP Press
You may view and purchase the book here:
�- UP Press website: https://press.up.edu.ph/product/alayaw-sugidanon-epics-of-panay-book-9/
�- Lazada: https://www.lazada.com.ph/products/i5249518204.html…
�- Shopee: https://shopee.ph/product/276147505/26692058162/
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