Biag ni Lam-Ang

The Life of Extraordinary Man

1. BIAG NI LAM-ANG An Ilocano Epic

2. Who are the characters in Biag ni Lam Ang? Don Juan Panganiban – father of Lam-ang. Namongan - wife of Don Juan Panganiban. Lam-ang – Son of Don Juan And Namongan Panganiban and the major character of the story. Ines Kannoyon – Wife of lam-ang, daughter of the richest man of the town Kalanuha. Sumarang – the enemy of Lam-ang.

3. BIAG NI LAM - ANG (Life of Lam - ang ) is a pre-Hispanic epic poem of the Ilocano people of the Philippines. The story was handed down orally for generations before it was written down around 1640 assumedly by a blind Ilokano bard named Pedro Bucaneg .

4. What is BARD? It was a professional story teller, verse-maker, music composer, oral historian and genealogist, employed by a patron (such as a monarch or noble) to commemorate one or more of the patron's ancestors and to praise the patron's own activities.

5. PEDRO BUCANEG

6. INITIAL PLOT Lam-ang was an extraordinary being, manifesting in his early years when he started to speak, thus enabling him to choose his own name. His adventure began when his father, Don Juan, set out for a battle but never returned. At barely nine months, he went to search for Don Juan in the highlands where the latter was said to have gone. Aware that her child was a blessed, exceptional creature, his mother Namongan allowed him to go. Lam-ang then went off to search for his father, leaving his grieving mother behind.

7. When Lam-ang reached the area his father purportedly disappeared to, he was enraged upon seeing Don Juan’s severed head atop of a bamboo pole that was planted in the ground; the scene came to him in a dream prior to reaching that place. Lam-ang then demanded to know the reason as to why that had happened to his father, but did not receive an answer from the locals. Instead, the chieftain of the village demanded that he leave under pain of suffering the same fate as his father. Lam-ang defied the caveat and bravely fought with the chieftain and his tribesmen. The hero emerged victorious from the battle with little effort, finally avenging his murdered father.

8. COMEDY ELEMENTS Biag ni Lam-ang , although dominated by action and tragedy, nonetheless contained some comedic points. An example would be the scene where as Lam-ang was going home, he passed by a river (identified by some with the Amburayan River , the biggest river in Ilocos) and then decided to have a dip. The dirt and blood that came off from his body caused the death of the river's fish, crabs, and shrimp. As he was bathing, some of the maidens who were present at the river gladly attended to him.

9. MARRIAGE Lam-ang, upon arriving home, decided to court his love interest, Ines Kannoyan who lives in Calanutian (Kanluit). Despite his mother’s disapproval, he followed his heart and set off again on another journey to his love. He faced one of Ines’ suitors and various monsters, but again was able to vanquish them with ease. Aiding him were his magical pets, a cat, dog, and a rooster. The bird flapped its wings and a house toppled over. This feat amazed everybody present, especially Ines. Then, Lam-ang’s dog barked and the house rose up. Being invited to the lunch of the family of Ines, Lam-ang impressed Ines’ parents with his wealth and upon returning he gave the family two golden ships. Their nuptials were celebrated with a lot of feasting.

10. Death and subsequent rebirth After his death due to being eaten by a huge fish, Lam-ang's bones were recovered and he was resurrected with the help of his magical pet. Ines was ordered by the rooster to wrap the bones with her tapis while the hen flapped its wings and the dog was growling. In an instant, Lam-ang was happily reunited with his wife.

11. There are 10 unfamiliar words that Pedro Bucaneg use in the epic of Biag ni Lam-ang

12. UNFAMILIAR WORDS Retrieve Filthy Predict Skeptical Dowry Amenities Stun Predicament Omen Bliss Meaning Recover Dirty Foresee Doubtful Offering Facilities Shock Dilemma Sign Happiness

13. Summary of the story of Lam-ang Centuries ago, there was a great warrior who was widely known in Ilocos as a hero who fought the Igorots. When Lam-ang was born, he had the most unusual ability to speak immediately at birth. He immediately asked where his father was, and, upon being informed that his father was killed by Igorots, Lam-ang vowed revenge: A vendetta was born.

14. Lam-ang grew up immediately, and went up into the mountains to take his vengeance. Alone, he fought off dozens of Igorot warriors, defeating them all. He cut off the ears of the warriors, as trophies, and returned to Ilocos. He then met and was captivated by a beautiful woman named Ines, and he immediately fell in love. He pledged her all of his gold, land, and livestock. Naturally, as the most beautiful woman in the province, Ines had many suitors, but all quietly gave way to Lam-ang, since they knew that they could not compete with him for her affections. All except a giant of a man, named Sumarang, who would not yield. So, Lam-ang and Sumarang fought, and Lam-ang won, easily defeating Sumarang.

15. Lam-ang and Ines were married with the largest wedding feast that ever been seen in the province. In order to secure the union’s blessing, Lam-ang was informed that he must dive down to the very depths of the sea and retrieve a pearl from a magical oyster, otherwise the marriage would have bad luck. (Other versions say that Lam-ang went to fish for a rare fish called rarang. ) So Lam-ang dove into the sea and, on his way down, was eaten by a fearsome fish called the Berkaken. Heartbroken, Ines went into mourning, as did most of the town, as Lam-ang was their hero. The next day, Lam-ang’s rooster, who had magical powers (Lam-ang also owned a magic dog and cat), spoke to Ines, and told her to have Lam-ang’s bones fished out of the sea. Ines did as she was instructed, bringing Lam-ang’s bones before the rooster, who then blew on them.

16. Literary Analysis of Biag ni Lam Ang

17. The epic of Biag ni Lam-Ang portrays the qualities and several characteristics of Filipinos. The fact that the traits, attitudes, and values being shown in this phenomenal epic are all reflections of our ancestors especially the Ilocanos who were the source of this fictitious piece during pre-Spanish period. It depicts unwavering bravery, justice, love, romance, relationship, journey and even friendship. The vastness and heroism in the story are filled with idealistic imagination and fantasy.

18. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING !!! Reported by: LEANNE TACMO