For May 17, 2016

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

1.) How do you know that you are loved?
                In general, being loved is a great treasure that you might receive from God. Being loved makes you feel you are loved unconditionally that you are accepted, and most of all, you are respected. There are so many ways to know that you are loved. First, someone cares for you. He always takes care of you especially when you are sick. They feel uncomfortable when he notice that you are not feeling well. Another is he always supports you. Maybe he will give his opinion about your decision and said not to do it, but most of the time he will always support all your decisions. Then, respect also included because love goes with respect. It will never called love if you are not respected. Lastly, someone never let you go with bad habits. Like he always says what are the bad effects of that habit. he always wants what is good for you. That is all I can share about how to know that you are loved.

2.) Can love be measured? If yes, how? If no, why?
                 For me, love is unmeasurable. If ever love could be measured, it will never be called 'Love'. Because love is unconditional. It is infinite that no one could ever measure it. Love conquers all. If you love someone, you always do anything just to show them that you love them. You never tell yourself that you cannot do it. You always sacrifice for the sake of your love to be shown. That is what love is all about..

3.) Why should we walk according to P.S. Castrence?
               

My Reaction (For May 13, 2016)

Like The Molave - poem 
by/Rafael Zulueta da Costa 

Not yet, Rizal, not yet. Sleep not in peace: 
There are a thousand waters to be spanned; 
there are a thousand mountains to be crossed; 
there are a thousand crosses to be borne. 
Our shoulders are not strong; our sinews are 
grown flaccid with dependence, smug with ease 
under another's wing. Rest not in peace; 
Not yet, Rizal, not yet. The land has need 
of young blood-and, what younger than your own, 
Forever spilled in the great name of freedom, 
Forever oblate on the altar of 
the free? Not you alone, Rizal. O souls 
And spirits of the martyred brave, arise! 
Arise and scour the land! Shed once again 
your willing blood! Infuse the vibrant red 
into our thin anemic veins; until 
we pick up your Promethean tools and, strong, 
Out of the depthless matrix of your faith 
in us, and on the silent cliffs of freedom, 
we carve for all time your marmoreal dream! 
Until our people, seeing, are become 
like the Molave, firm, resilient, staunch, 
rising on the hillside, unafraid, 
Strong in its own fiber, yes, like the Molave! 
II. 
Not yet,Rizal,not yet. The glory hour will come 
Out of the silent dreaming 
from the seven thousand fold silence 
We shall emerge, saying WE ARE FILIPINOS! 
and no longer be ashamed 
sleep not in peace 
the dream is not yet fully carved 
hard the wood but harder the woods 
yet the molave will stand 
yet the molave monument will rise 
and god's walk on brown legs 

My Reaction:
                   This poem is all about how strong Filipinoes are. That even with so many trials and obstacles, still we fight and continue to reach our goals so that our dreams will come true. I am very proud to be a Filipino because being a Filipino is one of the most gift that God has  given to me. And we  have this unique strength like the molave... Like The Molave also talks about heroes and how they inspire regular Filipinos to be great themselves and join them on the quest to make the Philippines a more prosperous place. In short, Like The Molave is about inspiring the Filipino to be strong and to improve the nation and make it self-sufficient.

Why I Love My Philippines (For May 12, 2016)

             BAGUIO-THE SUMMER CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES

               There are so many wonderful places in the Philippines I really admire  but there one and only place where I like to visit and enjoy with its uniqueness. BAGUIO.

              The summer capital of the Philippines, Baguio is one of the most visited tourist spots in the country. This is because while everyone is suffering from the heat due to the summer sun, Baguio maintain its cool air. Baguio, an urbanized city at the north of Luzon, in the Cordillera Administrative Region, situated just along the borders of La Union and Benguet, is one of the greatly developed cities in the Philippines due to its increasing amount of tourists each other. Although the place is not as historical-looking and simple-bearing as it used to be, people are still aware of the many tourists spots in Baguio.
              If I am given the chance to there, why not? It is one of my biggest dream because I want to experience a cool weather without going to other countries. I also love to see personally the most popular Banaue Rice Terraces. I really want to know how huge it is. Because whenever I see it only in picture, it looks just a small landscape.

             For religious people (or not), Baguio Cathedral is just as majestic as the Antipolo Cathedral. There are two ways to the Cathedral, one pathway goes up a slight hill, with an open road for vehicles, while the other, hidden in the streets is a very long flight of stairs that if I remember correct, was more than 50 steps high. When you’re in Baguio, never miss out the chance to visit the Cathedral for a short mass to thank God you’ve reached such a beautiful place. 

            The best thing about the Bell Church is the view. Although for others, seeing what used to be a mountain top become plagued with houses is not a pleasant view, I found myself appreciating the scenery for the truth (of the status of our economy) and its beauty (foggy, slightly breezy, but obviously round mountain top). The Bell Church is a Chinese Temple, housing a large bell and a mausoleum embroidered with Chinese writings and architecture.

           Someday I will be visiting in Baguio with my family. I want to show them the beauty of Baguio, The City Of Pines.

My Future (For May 11, 2016)

Future Life
                       
                            Everyday of my life, I've been dreaming to what my future will be. It's been a long journey I walked through. For me, what I want for my future is to become a successful woman with the degree and to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). I want to be successful so that I could raise my family from poverty. And also I can support my relatives who are in need. 

                           Also, I want to have my own happy family with a tight relationship with each other and with God. It may not be perfect but at least we are complete. That we would be a great and happy family that no matter how hard the trials we encountered we will still hold and on be strong to overcome it all. 

                               It would be a great success if all of these will happen in the future. I know God is always here to guide me and my decisions in life. May He give me strength to continue what I have started and to be strong no matter what.

Story of My Life (For may 10, 2016)

The Life I Live

                              It has been a very interesting journey I have walked through my life.There are some happy moments and struggles I fought. There are so many challenges I have been encountered. I never thought that the  stories in the movies would really happen to me-- in real life.

                                It was just one day, our family was complete and happy but in the next day, it's not anymore. It's like all the happy moments were blown away by a great storm that strikes so hard. That I couldn't imagine how did that happen. The pain still remains inside my heart like nothing could heal it. No one could erase it. All the memories---seeing my younger sister in between life and death, my face was filled with tears  and I did not even sleep just to make sure that she could do it. That she would not leave us. Seeing her feel the pain makes me feel it even more. Then suddenly it stop. She stop breathing like the world stop moving as well. My heart got broken. I couldn't accept what the doctor just said. I couldn't accept that she really left us. I couldn't accept the truth. The happy moments that we shared each other filled inside my memory. All the times that we shared--- happiness and sorrow.

                            But as days go by, I have realized that God has a purpose in everything that happened in our life. That He has a reason why we experienced those things. I know my sister is in good hands now with God Almighty. I may never feel her flesh anymore but I know she's always here with us. 

The New President Of The Philippines (For May 9, 2016)

My Expectations for The New President

                               For many years that we, Filipinoes experienced lots of corruption, drug addiction,  poverty, and all those criminality, this is the right and exact time to choose who will really make a change for our nation that is drowning from all these problems. We need not a President who always promise but a President who will make a move to end the continuing sufferings of the Philippines. 
                             For me, my president is the one who is not hypocrite, who makes a move for the development and progress of our country, who does not just speaks but moves, always steps forward and foresee the future for the betterment of our nation.

The Best of Negros Oriental (For May 6, 2016)

Negros Oriental

        Negros Oriental (Cebuano: Sidlakang Negros; Filipino: Silangang Negros), also called Oriental Negros or Eastern Negros, is a province in the Philippines located in the Negros Island Region. It occupies the southeastern half of the island of Negros, with Negros Occidental comprising the north-western half. It also includes Apo Island — a popular dive site for both local and foreign tourists.

Negros Oriental faces Cebu to the east across the Tañon Strait and Siquijor to the south east (which happened to be part of the province). The primary spoken language is Cebuano and the predominant religious denomination is Roman Catholicism Dumaguete City is the capital, seat of government, and most populous city of the province.
        Negros Island, the third largest island in the Philippines, is believed to have once been part of the island of Mindanao, but was cut off by rising waters at the end of the last ice age.
Among the early inhabitants of the island were Negritos and later the Malays, as well as Han Chinese, who are merchants. They called the island "Buglas", a native word which is believed to mean "cut off".

Malabo Falls in Valencia

Lake Balinsasayao

Sans Rival Bistro

Apo Island

Ocean24

Rizal Boulevard

Tejero Island Resort

Bahura

Buglasan Festival

Tierra Alta

My Favorite Delicacy (For May 5, 2016)

Chicken Tinola with Corn

Filipino Style Recipe: Chicken Tinola (Tinolang Manok) with corn or Filipino chicken ginger soup with corn is one of the common dish in the Philippines. A simple and easy to cook recipe with corn cobs for more flavorful taste to our dish.
Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 45-50 minutes.
Good for 4-6 persons.
Ingredients :
1 kilo chicken, cut into serving pieces
2 pieces chayote squash(sayote) or 1 green papaya, cut into serving pieces
2 Japanese corn cobs, cut into 4-5 pieces
1 cup chili leaves or malunggay leaves
1 thumb-sized ginger, cut into strips
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 onion, chopped
2 tablespoon fish sauce(patis)
1 litre of water or rice washing
4 tablespoon vegetable oil
salt to taste
Procedures : 1. In a sauce pan, heat oil over medium heat then saute ginger, garlic and onion.
2. Add chicken, fish sauce, ground pepper and continue sauteing until the color chicken turn to light brown.
3. Pour water then add corn. Simmer for 10 minutes or until chicken and corn are tender.
4. Add in chayote then continue simmering for another 5 minutes.
5. Adjust seasoning according to taste then add chili leaves then turn off the heat.
6. Let stand for a few minutes to cook the leaves then transfer to a serving dish and serve. Enjoy!


                 I really like Chicken Tinola With Corn because whenever I eat with this kind o food with rice it felt like I'm in heaven. Especially when I sip it's soup, it's like you will say ''Hmmmmmm'' just speechless because it is so delicious. Also the chicken and the corn really fit with each other. They are both sweet and sour. I just really love it. :)

Filipino Poems That Attracts My Attention (For May 4, 2016)

When I Go

by: Merlie M. Alunan

Everything I’ll leave behind of course—

clothes, books, the blue stone I bought

from the gap-toothed gypsy in La Paz,

bottles of perfume languishing unused

for years in dim closets where I’ve kept them,

the basil bush in its corner in the garden

where the sun is sure to find it everyday,

old wine vinegar scented with tarragon,

jars of jams, pickles and conserves—

how long, you think, will they last you?

Who will replenish them? Oh, but really,

should I care about any of these at all?

About the photos, can’t wash them white

or bleed the colors till they faint.

Time will oblige. They’ll breathe on their own

in the dark for a while, keep you company

some gray morning as you sip jasmine tea,

waiting for the cloud to clear. You might try

in that quiet time to gather in your mind

places, faces, words, perhaps my name

inscribed in the rusting empty mailbox.

As you sit in the watery light, a whiff of song

might float by, you might say to yourself,

“That one, I know that one, it reminds me of—”

and stop, your tongue unable to shape it,

the syllables crumbling, murdered by memory.

Then have I truly gone, my love.

Silence has closed over the space I have been,

even grief would not keep it.

Finder Loser

by: Ophelia Dimalanta

More than half of my life
I spend searching for lost
objects ( papers, receipts,
old letters, pills and whatever
else) and causes and the rest,
losing and finding, and losing
them again, found or otherwise;
losing what I have in good
measure, finding what
I can’t almost have-
One perpetual lifetime probe,
Forever rummaging through
Bureaus and drawers and pages
Of my life’s past disarray…

And so when I finally go
keep vault unlidded for I
shall surely sit up and look
around to pursue this search,
holding on to dear life,
or to dear death, does it matter-
they are one in the proper
time but not till then,
I shall go on seeking out
lost faces and faiths in the
cold, collecting, calculating
crowd, sadly aware that later
but an unbreath away
I shall lose them all again;
as I was won’t, losing all
in this final irretrievable
lose of my death time
or perhaps, possibly, yes,
death will be kinder and oh, yes
allow me at last this
flowing final find.

When the Heart Flies from Its Place

by: Eric Gamalinda

The names are the first to go,
then the dates of births and deaths.
It’s as if everything moves on another,
esoteric level, here among the gravestones
where the elements collude so we don’t realize
how we succumb to forgetting. The milkweed unfolds
its damascened leaves and monarch caterpillars
devour them scrupulously, and out of this simple act
something marvelous is already happening,
the promise of a massive and silent migration.
Order is natural progression: a century from now
the sugar maples planted by the pioneers
will still be growing, too ancient to remember
everyone who’s seen them here. This once
was a church, where now two benches meet
in mute conviviality, and this a pound for stray sheep;
one village will be mowed over by another,
one more road will cut through the forest here.
A tractor roars to say the conquest is complete:
we tame the land until it accepts
our habits, our fear of need. When I hear these sounds,
says Stansik, age five, my heart flies from its place.
Just eight months in the country, he is learning
the landscape of language where there is no
fixed geography, and everything
still evokes another memory: cowdung is
smell of village, a pond is primal, rippling
with translucent newts. The stones
say little of these former lives, just that
they once were valiantly loved;
you can almost hear them calling the roll:
Thompson, Merritt, Thayer, each a perfect
solitude, a stilled comet. Stansik again:
Why are there no blacks in Massachusetts?
And: You are not black but gray. Pretty soon he’ll forget
his Russian, the language he is slowly
inventing, the man from whom his mother
had to run away. I wonder if he will remember
this summer, and how the heart feels
when it flies for no reason other than
—what was it? I didn’t know, I had never learned
the word for it, and to this day I walk
the unspeakable territories.

'Sa Aking Mga Kabatà'

by: Dr. Jose Rizal

Kapagka ang baya'y sadyáng umiibig
Sa kanyáng salitáng kaloob ng langit,
Sanlang kalayaan nasa ring masapit
Katulad ng ibong nasa himpapawid.

Pagka't ang salita'y isang kahatulan
Sa bayan, sa nayo't mga kaharián,
At ang isáng tao'y katulad, kabagay
Ng alin mang likha noong kalayaán.

Ang hindi magmahal sa kanyang salitâ
Mahigit sa hayop at malansáng isdâ,
Kayâ ang marapat pagyamaning kusà
Na tulad sa ináng tunay na nagpalà.

Ang wikang Tagalog tulad din sa Latin
Sa Inglés, Kastilà at salitang anghel,
Sapagka't ang Poong maalam tumingín
Ang siyang naggawad, nagbigay sa atin.

Ang salita nati'y huwad din sa iba
Na may alfabeto at sariling letra,
Na kaya nawalá'y dinatnan ng sigwâ
Ang lunday sa lawà noóng dakong una.

Love Makes The World Go Round

by: Simeon Dumdum Jr.

He was wild.

In her sixth month, he had the map of the world

tattoed on her belly.

And then, without saying goodbye,

He left for America.

In her last trimester,

Her belly grew into a tight and shiny globe

The Northern Hemisphere stretched around

The North Pole of her navel.

She would rub the northern slope of her abdomen

And feel the kick of the fetus

Between the United States and Canada.

And then she would wonder

In which of these countries

He would be now.

Since then she'd had five men

In as many years---

And five children.

This was to keep her hands holding the globe

Of her belly.

This was her only way of feeling the world---

And of going

To America.

            My favorite poem among the five, is the first one "When I Go" because we all know that all the things we have and see today are just temporary. We cannot die with those things. So we should live our life worth living because we all know that death is coming. But that doesn't mean that our journey ends there. Death means the entrance of eternity with GOD who really last forever. The love of GOD is eternal.

Biography of Merlie Alunan

Merlie M. Alunan (born December 14, 1943, in Dingle, Iloilo) is a Filipina poet.She graduated in Silliman University with an MA in Creative Writing in 1974. She teaches at the Creative Writing Center, University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College. She lives in Tacloban City.

My Favorite Filipino Hero (For May 3, 2016)

ANDRES BONIFACIO

  

        I choose Andres Bonifacio as my favorite Filipino Hero because the way he fought for our freedom under Spanish Colonization.

      Andrés Bonifacio y de Castro (November 30, 1863 – May 10, 1897) was a Filipino nationalist, revolutionary leader, and the first president of the Philippine archipelago which he preferred naming "Bansa ng Katagalugan" or Tagalog Republic instead of Philippines due to its origin was derived from the Spaniards. He is often called "the Father of the Philippine Revolution and Filipino Nation". He was a founder and later Supremo ("supreme leader") of the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or simply and more popularly called Katipunan, a movement which sought the independence of the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule and started the Philippine Revolution. He is considered a de facto national hero of the Philippines, and is also considered by some Filipino historians to be the first President of the Philippines (through the revolutionary government he established), but officially he is not recognized as such.

      Andrés Bonifacio was born in Tondo, Manila, the son of Santiago Bonifacio, a native of Taguig, and Catalina de Castro, a native of Iba, Zambales. He was the eldest of six children. His siblings were Ciriaco, Procopio, Troadio, Esperidiona and Maxima. His father was a tailor who served in the colonial government as a teniente mayor of Tondo, Manila, while his mother was a supervisor at a cigarette factory in Manila and was a mestiza born of a Spanish father and a Filipino-Chinese mother. As was custom, upon baptism he was named for the saint on whose feast he was born, Andrew the Apostle.

             

My Favorite OPM (For May 2, 2016)

BULONG BY: KITCHIE NADAL

Ikaw ba'y nalulungkot?
Nababalut pa ng poot,
Maraming hinanakit sa mundo.
Di alam anong gagawin kundi ubusin ang oras sa kin.
Akala mo'y iya'y may mararating.

Hoy kaibigan ko!
Pakinggan mo ang mga bulong sa 'yo.
Ito'y di galing sa mundo.
Patungo sa pangakong paraiso.

Nasaan ang talino mo?
Diskarte kamo ng kano!
Apakan ang lahat kahit pa kapwa mo!
Minsan ang kagitingan ay wala sa bigat ng pinapasan.
Sa pagsuko't pagharap ng kabiguan.

Hoy kaibigan ko!
Pakinggan mo ang mga bulong sa 'yo.
Ito'y di galing sa mundo.
Patungo sa pangakong paraiso.

Tumatakbo ang oras.
Gumising ka't bumangun na.
Pagka't hindi na ikaw ang biktima.

Hoy kaibigan ko!
Pakinggan mo ang mga bulong sa 'yo.
Ito'y di galing sa mundo.
Patungo sa pangakong paraiso.

Hoy kaibigan ko!
Pakinggan mo ang mga bulong sa 'yo.
Ito'y di galing sa mundo.
Patungo sa pangakong paraiso.

Kitchie Nadal's Background:

Kitchie Nadal-Lopez (born September 16, 1980) is a Filipino singer-songwriter from Manila, Philippines, formerly the lead vocalist for the alternative rock band, Mojofly. Kitchie's popularity in the female OPM niche grew after she released a self-titled solo album featuring her chart-topping single, Huwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihin. The album has since achieved double platinum status (over 80,000 copies sold) In support of the Millennium Campaign, Kitchie Nadal and 26 other Filipino artists contributed to the album entitled Tayo Tayo Rin Sa 2015 - Sing the Songs. Find your Voice. Change the World. It's your Choice, released by the United Nations (in the Philippines).
Kitchie, is an alumna of St. Scholastica's College, Manila. While currently touring and preparing for her next album, Kitchie also completed a double degree major in Education and Psychology at DeLaSalle University-Manila.

My Reaction:

              I really like this song because it reminds me how to be strong and brave. Everytime I hear this song, I feel so inspired and it feels like I'm not alone. Sometimes, when there are problems and struggles I've been facing, when I hear this song, I remember that I'm not the only one who is facing the same problems. Also, this song always reminds me on how to stand up whenever I stumble down by the obstacles I've encountered through all my journey in life because I know that these problems and obstacles are just trials of God for me to be strong.   GOD BLESS :)

National Capital Region (For April 29, 2016)

NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

National Capital Region, commonly known as Metro Manila is the total urban area that is composed of different cities and the surrounding urban fringe.

Metro Manila is composed of  Manila, the capital city of the country, Quezon City, the country's most populous city, the Municipality of Pateros, and the cities of Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, San Juan, Taguig, and Valenzuela.

Places of Interest:

Rizal Park / Luneta Park

Rizal Park or Luneta Park is the most famous landmark in Manila. The country’s national hero and genius, Jose Rizal’s monument stands in the facade of the park across the Roxas Boulevard and the Manila Bay. Many tourists and locals go there every day to have some photos taken in the famous statue and park. No entrance fee in the park so chillax.

Fort Santiago and Intramuros

One of my favorite places to visit in Manila is Fort Santiago, also part of the famous Intramuros. If you love visiting historical places and seeing vintage stuffs, you’ll surely enjoy this place. Fort Santiago was where Jose Rizal spent his last days before his execution. He also had written some of his writings here. Seeing Fort Santiago mirrors the life and culture of the country during the Spanish times and the sixteenth century. You’ll see here some Rizal’s anecdotes, novels, attire, the room where he was a prisoner, the room where he used to write, his table, his pens, lamps, and yeah I remember seeing a part of Rizal’s spinal bone preserved in the museum there. I think the entrance fee in Fort Santiago and Intramuros cost around 75 pesos. There are also Kalesa or carriage around the area in case you want to tour around riding it.

Mall of Asia

The huge mall is owned by the SM supermalls group. Big concerts and events are usually held here. Just recently, the popular Justin Bieber had his first concert in the country in MOA. Known celebrities and icons also performed here like Beyonce, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, and many more. Fantastic fireworks displays are seen every Saturday night and during some special occasions in MOA. International Pyro Musical Competition is also held every year. Experience the best IMAX theater here as well. Totally one of the best tourists spots and places to visit in Manila.

Delicacies:

Balut

A balut (spelled standardized as balot) is a deveping bird embryo (usually a duck or chicken) that is boiled and eaten from the shell. It originates and is commonly sold as street-food in the Philippines.

Kwek-Kwek

Tokneneng is a tempura-like Filipino street food made by deep-frying orange batter covered hard-boiled eggs.
A popular variation of tokneneng is kwek kwek. The main difference between the two lies in the egg that is used. Kwek Kwek is traditionally made with quail eggs or "itlog ng pugo", while Tokneneng is made with chicken or duck eggs. Due to their similarities, the two are often confused with some people calling tokneneng "kwek kwek" and vice versa.

Literary Form:

El Filibusterismo

The novel's dark theme departs dramatically from the previous novel's hopeful and romantic atmosphere, signifying the character Ibarra's resort to solving his country's issues through violent means, after his previous attempt at reforming the country's system have made no effect and seemed impossible with the attitudes of the Spaniards towards the Filipinos. The novel, along with its predecessor, was banned in some parts of the Philippines as a result of their portrayals of the Spanish government's abuse and corruption. These novels along with Rizal's involvement in organizations that aim to address and reform the Spanish system and its issues led to Rizal's exile to Dapitan and eventual execution. Both the novel and its predecessor, along with Rizal's last poem, are now considered Rizal's literary masterpieces.

Noli me Tangere

Noli Me Tángere (Latin for Touch Me Not) is a fictional novel written by José Rizal, one of the national heroes of the Philippines, during the colonization of the country by Spain to expose the inequities of the Spanish Catholic priests and the ruling government.
Originally written in Spanish, the book is more commonly published and read in the Philippines in either Filipino or English. Together with its sequel, El Filibusterismo, the reading of Noli is obligatory for high school students throughout the country

Myths, Legends and Folktales (For April 28, 2016)

Lakampati (Lacapati/Lacanpate)

The major fertility deity of the ancient Tagalogs. Farmers with their children brought offerings for her/him at the fields and invoke her/him to protect them from famine. Some sources also said that foods and words are offered to her/him by her/his devotees asking for "water" for their fields and "fish" when they set sail in the sea for fishing. Lakampati was a hermaphrodite deity. S/he is identified to the ancient Zambal goddess Ikapati although s/he also has a characteristics similar to other Zambal deities such as Anitong Tawo, Dumangan, Damulag, Kalasokus, and Kalaskas. S/he is the mother of Anagolay and wife of Mapulon. In some myths, s/he is listed as the wife of Bathala himself, before the world was created.

Apolaki (Apolaqui)

The ancient Pangasinenses worshipped him as their supreme deity addressed as Ama-Gaoley or Anagaoley(Supreme Father) whom they invoke for various matters such as war, trade and travel. They offered oils, incenses, and other aromatic herbs to his idol/images, slaves and pigs was also sacrificed in his honor. He was Identified to Suku a deity of ancient Kapampangans which associated him to the sun. Based on historical records, there is no hard evidence that he was also worshiped by the ancient Tagalogs, he is often not listed (just like Mayari) to the pantheon of anitos that ancient Tagalogs worshiped. In some informal and modern folktale version based on Pampangan Mythology his sister was Mayari a Zambal deity and their father was Bathala which is a Tagalog deity, this probably caused the misconception. Some sources list him as the son of Bathala and brother of Hanan, Mayari and Tala, but other sources list him as the son of Anagolay and Dumakulem, brother of Diyan Masalanta.

The Legend of Mango

Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Ango who had a wonderful heart. He is the son of Juan.  Ango’s a kind and helpful young lad who was nurtured well by his father who have good hearts as well.

One day, Ango saw a very old beggar and he took pity on him. So, Ango decided to invite the old beggar into their humble home and he cooked food and fed the old beggar until he could not eat anymore. Ango was not a rich boy but that did not stop him from helping this old beggar by serving him with the type of food that Ango’s family could only afford. After a sumptuous meal, the beggar thanked the young lad and bade him farewell.

On another day, while Ango was looking for fire woods, he passed by an old lady who was also very hungry. Ango took pity on her once more and without a doubt in his mind, he invited the old lady back to their home and gave him food and some clothes that his father does not use anymore. Ango’s father was happy that he has a son who has a heart of gold like Ango.

Unfortunately, the time came that Ango suddenly got very ill. His father was troubled and didn’t know what to do. But despite that,he persisted to have his son treated but to no avail, Ango died. His father mourned over the loss of his only son. The next day, after Ango’s death, a beautiful fairy came to Ango’s wake and talked to his father. She asked him to give her Ango’s heart. He  agreed and gave it to her. The fairy then flew away and in a mountain, she dug and buried Ango’s dead heart. It then turned into a fruit-bearing tree whose fruits were in the shape of a heart and whose taste was so sweet. People were amazed upon discovering this new type of fruit and when they tasted it they were happy as it’s the sweetest fruit they have ever tasted.

From then till now, people enjoy the benefits of this wonderful fruit.

The Legend of Makahiya

Long time ago, there was a couple in Barangay Masagana (Pampanga today) who wanted a daughter. Their wish was granted and the wife gave birth to a baby girl. They called her Maria. Maria was very beautiful but very shy that she wouldn't go out from their house.

Weeks later, Spaniards came to their town. The Spaniards were very cruel that they get everything they wanted. They rob houses and kill everyone who gets in their way and who refuses to give what they wanted.

The couple was very frightened to lose their daughter so, they hid Maria in the bushes so the Spaniards couldn't find her.

After the Spaniards left their town, the couple tried to look for Maria but they couldn't find her even in the bushes where they hid her, instead they found a little plant that is very sensitive that when you touch it, it would immediately close.

So they thought it was their daughter, Maria. They called the plant "Makahiya" that means "touch me not," like their daughter who was very shy.

The Boy Who Became a Stone

One day a little boy named Elonen sat out in the yard making a bird snare, and as he worked, a little bird called to him: "Tik-tik-lo-den" (come and catch me)."I am making a snare for you," said the boy; but the bird continued to call until the snare was finished.Then Elonen ran and threw the snare over the bird and caught it, and he put it in a jar in his house while he went with the other boys to swim.While he was away, his grandmother grew hungry, so she ate the bird, and when Elonen returned and found that his bird was gone, he was so sad that he wished he might go away and never come back. He went out into the forest and walked a long distance, until finally he came to a big stone and said: "Stone, open your mouth and eat me." And the stone opened its mouth and swallowed the boy.When his grandmother missed the boy, she went out and looked everywhere, hoping to find him. Finally she passed near the stone and it cried out: "Here he is." Then the old woman tried to open the stone but she could not, so she called the horses to come and help her. They came and kicked it, but it would not break. Then she called the carabao and they hooked it, but they only broke their horns. She called the chickens, which pecked it, and the thunder, which shook it, but nothing could open it, and she had to go home without the boy.

The Carabao and the Shell

One very hot day, when a carabao went into the river to bathe, he met a shell and they began talking together.

"You are very slow," said the carabao to the shell."Oh, no," replied the shell. "I can beat you in a race.""Then let us try and see," said the carabao.So they went out on the bank and started to run.After the carabao had gone a long distance he stopped and called, "Shell!"And another shell lying by the river answered, "Here I am!"Then the carabao, thinking that it was the same shell with which he was racing, ran on.By and by he stopped again and called, "Shell!"And another shell answered, "Here I am!"The carabao was surprised that the shell could keep up with him. But he ran on and on, and every time he stopped to call, another shell answered him. But he was determined that the shell should not beat him, so he ran until he dropped dead.