SOCCSKSARGEN Region XII: Ulahingan Epic

• SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII) is a region in the Philippines, located in Central Mindanao.
• The acronym SOCCSKSARGEN stands for South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City.

Ulahingan Epic

• The "Ulahingan" epic comes from the Livunganen-Arumanen Manobos in Cotabato del Norte, Mindanao.
• It is related to the Agyu epic of the Ilianon people due to their shared tribal history.
• The Indrapatra at Sulayman epic tells the story of King Indarapatra's brother, Sulayman, and his fight against monsters.

Ulahingan: The Visit of Lagaba’an to Nelendangan

• Nalandangan is a city fortress with former names Yendang, Manengneng, Libalan, and Newili-an.
• The city is inhabited by people chosen and loved by the Highest God, who arrived from Aruman via a large ship.
• The city's structures include: pillars made of trees so large that eight men are needed to link hands around each one; beams decked with reptile statues; a roof made of mermaid hair and Alimugkat's locks; a frieze of red warriors; and two golden warriors.
• The city also features a statue of a maiden washing in a stream to the west, and a golden eagle with outstretched wings to the east.
• The palace includes a courtyard of silver and a playground made of glass.
• The battlefield is surrounded by a mountain of destroyed weapons and the remains of invaders.
• Agyu's room, the "bengyasan", is coated with paint nine times over.
• Bathing places are separated for maidens, married women, Agyu, and young men, with each having unique protective features.
• Nalandangan has fortifications managed by well-known warriors like Kuyasu, Seyluwen, Piglibu, Banlak/Vanlak, Nebeyaw, and Agyu.
• Agyu's fort is made of iron and steel, featuring a cover for the "sa-ul" dance.
• Agyu dreams of the destruction of Nalandangan, while his brother Pigyugung or Pemulew dreams of invaders.
• Lena convenes the people while Agyu sleeps, and the invaders arrive at the fortress.
• Vanlak leads the initial attack, with Agyu's son, Nebeyew, also joining the fight.
• Lena arms himself and leaps into the arena, instructing his shield and buckler to root themselves to the underworld.
• Lena grapples with the magic iron rod, which then devastates every kingdom it passes.
• Lena pulverizes the iron rod and turns his legs into sharp swords to fight off invaders who arrive on a fleet of ships.
• A toddler welcomes the old king to Yendang, and Lena's followers are freed and transported back to the courtyard.
• The invaders devastate gardens and plantations leading to them being chased by Lena.
• Lena instructs his followers to dance the sa-ut, and the war dance precedes the battle.
• The enemies are chased into the mountains and decimated.
• Agyu's cousin (or son) knocks away a shield used as a cliff by the invaders, and the king's aide is speared.
• Lena and the king fight, with Lena destroying the king's weapons and defenses.
• They wrestle amidst smoke until Lena hurls himself skyward to find the "sipa" (ball of the sky)
• The king shackles Lena's feet, but Lena frees himself easily.
• Lena hurls the king into space, but he returns.
• The king uses the hair of a deity to bind Lena.
• Agyu’s relative, Tigyekuwa, and their son Kumugpa, arrive and Tigyekuwa frees Lena.
• Tigyekuwa identifies the king as Lena's true father, and the king recognizes his descendants.

Indrapatra and Sulayman

• Mindanao was once covered with water, with only mountains visible.
• The land was inhabited and prosperous until four monsters appeared.
• Kurita, a multi-limbed creature, destroyed living things in the mountains.
• Tarabusaw, a man-like creature, devoured people near Mt. Matutum.
• Pah, a giant bird, darkened the sky and dwelled on Mt. Bita.
• A bird with seven heads wreaked havoc from Mt. Gurayan.
• King Indarapatra, from a city across the sea, sends his brother Sulayman to save Mindanao.
• Indarapatra gives Sulayman a ring and a sword, and uses a sapling to monitor Sulayman's fate.
• Sulayman travels through the air to Mindanao and finds devastation.
• Sulayman kills Kurita after it emerges from the mountain.
• Sulayman kills Tarabusaw on Mt. Matutum after a long battle.
• On Mt. Bita, Sulayman is killed by the wing of the Pah bird after he beheads it.
• Indarapatra sees the sapling wither and travels to Mindanao to avenge his brother.
• Indarapatra finds the remains of the monsters killed by Sulayman.
• Indarapatra finds Sulayman's bones and revives him with water from heaven.
• Sulayman returns home, while Indarapatra continues to Mt. Gurayan.
• Indarapatra kills the seven-headed bird and restores peace to Mindanao
• Indarapatra searches for survivors.
• Indarapatra encounters a woman, meets an old woman who tells him about the survivors hiding in a cave.
• Indarapatra meets the headman and his people where they learn about the death of the monsters.
• The headman offers his daughter to Indarapatra in marriage.
• The people emerge from hiding and rebuild their homes.
• The sea withdraws, giving the lowlands back to the people.