Alamat Book 2: Lumalindaw: Alamat Series, #2

By Herbert De Leon

The next Lakandian is here…

 

Somewhere in the Mountain Province amongst the Ga'dang tribes, lies the highland town of Nabbobawan. It's in this particular barangay where our story of the Ga'dang epic hero Lumalindaw begins. As is true with all Lakandians, he is but a few years young and a child at heart, but his physique is that of a full-grown man. He has already embraced his role as Lakandian and has been revered as the champion of many tribes and peoples across the Cagayan Valley.

Lumalindaw is imbued with the power to summon The Voice of Nanolay, giving him the ability to be heard through vast distances and across the dense jungles and staggering mountains. Its intensity can kill birds in the sky or knock down trees with a word.

 

But destiny awaits him in another barangay where he must face a powerful dalaketnon, a creature of darkness and evil. And in this fateful meeting, he will come face to face with his personal realities as his test of strength intersects with the growing challenges of his evolving character.

 

Accompanying him in this adventure is Kidul, an anito trapped inside an enchanted ayoding, more commonly known as a zither, who helps Lumalindaw navigate his adventures as he, the young warrior is slowly coming into his own. Through these mythical exploits, Lumalindaw will learn what it means to be a man worthy of life, love, and the honor of being a true Lakandian.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Herbert De Leon
• Release date: Dec 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215836538

Herbert De Leon

Herbert De Leon grew up in Kawit, Cavite in the Philippines. Shortly after marrying Chieryl De Leon back in 2005, he migrated to the United States along with their daughter Caelin. He spent the earlier part of career as a Graphic Designer for different private companies in the Philippines but is currently operating a family-owned business in the United States. He is an avid book reader, a casual RTS gamer and a lover of great cinema.

Book preview

A black and white sign Description automatically generated with low confidence

By:

Herbert De Leon

Menalam’s Theme and

The Jasmine Flower

(A Song of Hope, Healing, and Return)

by:

Dr. Honrado F.V. Palugod, MD

Book Cover by:

Become Ocean

Edited by:

Sara Miller

Copyright © 2022 by Herbert De Leon

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

For Che, Caelin

and Mommy Bubut

Preface

This is my second book in the Alamat Series that retells the adventures of the legendary Ga’dang hero Lumalindaw. He is an epic hero whose exploits go as far back as the pre-colonial times in Philippine history and was told and re-told through word of mouth, from generation to generation amongst the indigenous Northern highland peoples of Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya and has since lived on to this day.

In this book, it’s not just my intention to share Lumalindaw’s epic adventures through my interpretation of his story but to also take the reader into the colorful world of the Ga’dang people and their culture. Though not as expansive as the other native cultures of Northern Luzon and the Cagayan Valley, the Ga’dang are known to be one of Luzon's most ingenious and creative weavers, especially regarding their exquisite and colorful beaded clothes and accessories.

As it was in Lam-ang, this book will cover the first half of the life and adventures of the Lakandian Lumalindaw. This will take the reader even deeper into my version of Philippine mythology as well as give them a peek into the mystical spirit realm of Kaluwalhatian and the great war that continues to plague it.

—Herbert De Leon

Table of Contents

Preface

Prologue

Ga’dang Highlands (Map)

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Cagayan Valley (Flight Map)

Chapter 3

Icawayan (Map)

Chapter 4

Bitun a Lanit, Dinnu a Abak Dulam (Song)

Battle of Icawayan (Map)

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Around Icawayan (Map)

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Caravan to Icawayan (Map)

Chapter 9

Kalekay (Map of Kaluwalhatian)

Chapter 10

Kidul’s Tale (Map of Kalekay)

The Search for the Angkang Dian (Map)

Chapter 11

Nabuangan Forest (Map)

Chapter 12

Battle of Nabuangan Forest 1 (Map)

Battle of Nabuangan Forest 2 (Map)

Battle of Nabuangan Forest 3 (Map)

Battle of Nabuangan Forest 4 (Map)

Battle of Nabuangan Forest 5 (Map)

Battle of Nabuangan Forest 6 (Map)

The Dalaketnon (Map)

Chapter 13

The Jasmine Flower (Song)

Chapter 14

Iquiladan (Map)

Chapter 15

The Cave (Map)

Chapter 16

Arrival (Map)

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

The Hidden Cave (Map)

Epilogue 1

Gampao (Map)

Epilogue 2

Prologue

T

he war of the Spirit Realm continues to wreak havoc both in Kalupaan (Mortal Realm) and Kaluwalhatian (Spirit Realm). The armies of Kasanaan (Dark Realm) have been constantly attacking the kingdoms of Kaluwalhatian hoping to find the Likum (Sleeping Dians) and destroy them in their defenseless state.

To this day, the magical balete trees planted by the Dians (Creator Gods) of eons long since passed, continue to hold off the dark forces that dwell in the Bukang Karimlan (Bottomless Trenches), preventing the entirety of Kasanaan’s armies from simply spilling out of them and overwhelming Kaluwalhatian. To circumvent the magical barriers that the balete trees provide, Sitan and his forces have devised a way to burrow through the subterranean levels of Kaluwalhatian.

Gat Yawà Asuang, the Yawà lord of monsters and beasts created the laman lupa. An abomination that resulted in the crossing of two types of nilalang-lubong (earthbound creatures); the tiny subterranean nuno (dwarfs) and gigantic tree-dwelling kapre (ogres). These mutilated, unthinking monstrosities are capable of burrowing through the toughest of rock and earth, giving the forces of Kasanaan small passable tunnels that they use to send small battalions past the balete forests and wage war on the Poons (Lesser gods) and spirits of Kaluwalhatian.

As the Kanibusanan (Great War of Kaluwalhatian) progressed, the dark forces of Kasanaan opted to change their tactics from attacking the Poons and their armies directly, to more subtle attacks on the balete forests themselves. Their objectives are simple and clear, burn down the forests and allow the full force of Kasanaan to pass through any of the five different Bukang Karimlan and cover Kaluwalhatian in shadow and fire.

To prevent this treacherous act from ever happening, the balete forests themselves are guarded by kuta (forts) and moog (watchtowers). They are garrisoned by alagad warriors and nilalang-lubong that patrol the forests and act as rangers against the ceaseless attempts to burn the forests down.

As a contingency to prevent Sitan and the Yawàs from annihilating all the Likum should they succeed in burning down a balete forest, the Poons decided to hide some of them in the mountain ranges of Kalupaan and beyond the reach of the Yawàs. But this subterfuge did not last long, the Yawàs saw through the Poons’ deception. By capturing and imprisoning a Poong Maykapal (Grand Steward) whom they subjected to decades of torture, they found out exactly what the Poons did with the Likum.

To hunt down and destroy the Likum in the realm of humans, Gat Yawà Asuang and Gat Yawà Magsanladung Biday also known as Daotan, created the greatest, most dangerous night creature the world has ever known; the Dalaketnon.

The dalaketnon are aswang (night creatures, vampires, and viscera suckers) possessed by the aninas, the living shadows of Kasanaan. They are dark malevolent creatures that can dwell in all three realms. They are powerful, intelligent, and blood-thirsty beings that do the bidding of the Yawàs and serve as their most powerful weapons of hate and destruction.

Amongst the dalaketnon, there are those whom the Yawàs took special favor and inclination to. The Yawàs gave these special few powers and abilities that would set them apart from the rest of their kin. They would lead night creatures, evil nilalang-lubong, and other dalaketnon in brutal assaults against the humans of Kalupaan to satisfy their appetite for human flesh as well as ferret out the Likum and destroy them. These are the dalaketnon of the Lalad, they are death and darkness incarnate.

To save their cherished humans and the Likum in a realm they cannot inhabit for more than a day, the Poons created beings of power that can fight the forces of Kasanaan in Kalupaan. These beings are imbued with the powers of the Poons, whose divine bloodlines lead all the way back to their Dian creators. They are beings of magic, light, and power beyond that of any human. They are called Lakandian. This is one of their stories.

Ga’dang Highlands (Map)

Chapter 1

The Voice

T

he story of Lumalindaw begins in a barangay (village or town) called Nabbobawan, located between the Mallig River to its north and the Siffu River to its south. Like most barangays in the land of the Ga’dang people which are typically comprised of around twenty to thirty households, more than half the houses were built in the leafy canopy above.

These dwellings or afung (treehouses) were built ten feet or more off the ground and access to the afung was via a drop-down ladder. The Ga’dang people built these as a means of protection from wild animals and headhunter raids.

But as the population of the Ga’dang people grew and thus becoming a true barangay, ground-based houses became more common. They were huts and houses built on pylons about six feet off the ground with bamboo and wooden walls and floors and thatched cogon roofs arching down from wooden beams. A fixed staircase or short ladder was the only means to enter the dwelling.

The Ga’dang were primarily farmers by nature. They planted and grew everything they consumed from fruits, vegetables, roots, and above all else, rice. They would plant rice mostly during the rainy seasons and the remaining crops during the summer.

Nabbobawan being a highland barangay where space for agricultural pursuits was smaller in comparison to their lowland counterparts, practiced a farming method called kaingin (swidden farming). They would cut down small swaths of trees in the jungle and burn the land in preparation to cultivate the soil for farming. After a while, they would move on to another swath of jungle and repeat the process as they let the previous farmlands become reclaimed by the jungle.

In the center of Nabbobawan is a large ornate house, bigger than any other house in the barangay. It’s within this particular large house, that we find a Maingal (leader or chief), furiously looking for his son.

Lumalindaw! Where are you? Maingal Lumalibac yelled as he stomped around the house in his blue tapet (cape), blue, beaded kuton (vest), red and black abag (loincloth), and red so’lung (small basketry headdress) with small deer antlers on each side of his head.

The Maingal was a man in his late twenties with a strong muscular build, long black hair, sharp narrow eyes, and a well-chiseled jawline. He possessed a natural regal demeanor about him which was usually very well-tempered, except during his interactions with his one and only son.

His wife, Caricagwat hurried to her husband’s side to calm him down and not alert the warriors outside the house as well as the neighbors. Caricagwat was slightly younger than her husband but was already in her mid-twenties. She was quite pretty with long black hair that she almost always wore tied in a large bun behind her head and a slightly lighter brown complexion than most women in Nabbobawan. She was dressed in a colorful striped baruwasi (long-sleeved blouse) with colorfully beaded seams and a matching aken (short skirt with a slip). She also wore a beaded singat (beaded choker) and buruway (earrings) made of capiz shells as accessories.

Calm yourself husband. I’m sure our son is not too far off. I’ll have one of the warriors go out and look for him. He’s probably just outside keeping himself busy doing whatever four-year-old boys do to keep themselves busy. Caricagwat said with a smile as she put her hands on her angry husband’s shoulders.

Caricagwat, like her husband, also carried herself with an air of sophistication. Though not originally from Nabbobawan, Caricagwat grew up in a family from a neighboring barangay with large farms and made a decent living trading goods with the Kalinga people in both highland and lowland settlements.

But that’s just it, wife! Our son is anything but normal. And right now, I need our Lakandian. Maingal Lumalibac replied.

IN A SMALL SHED, IN a nearby rice field where the farming tools are kept, a tall, sinewy-built man wearing a blue and green beaded kuton with a blue abag was hurriedly dressing himself. He was a little above average in height compared to the other men in Nabbobawan and has long black flowing hair that falls down to his shoulder blades. His face is slightly long and handsome with deep, sharp eyes, high cheekbones, a crooked nose, and pouting lips.

His long muscular body was covered in tattoos along his chest, back, and arms that signified him as a great and illustrious warrior. He only had a few scars on his body and that also spoke volumes about his prowess in battle. The man had all the hallmarks of a brave and powerful warrior.

"Ama (Father)?" The man asked himself as he faintly heard the voice of his father ringing from the distance.

A woman from one of the neighboring puroks (small neighborhood of houses) was laying on a blanket trying desperately to catch her breath. Where are you going in such a hurry Lumalindaw? the woman asked.

I’m sorry to rush off and leave you like this, but I swear I can hear my father calling me, Lumalindaw answered as he picked up his ayoding (tube zither) leaning against the wall of the shed. But unlike regular zither instruments which are usually made of bamboo, this particular ayoding was almost white like marble with wood grain patterns that look like they are made of gold. But what really sets this ayoding apart from any zither anywhere in Kalupaan, was the fact that this had an enkanto (benevolent spirit) trapped in it.

Kidul, what do you think Father wants now? he asked his enchanted ayoding. When no answer came from the ayoding, the man plucked at the golden strings and produced a short musical melody.

I’m awake! I’m awake! Came a startled voice from within the ayoding that only Lumalindaw could hear. What did you ask me?

I asked if you knew what Father wants of me? Lumalindaw asked Kidul, as he waved farewell to the woman whose name he always forgets moments after he leaves her presence.

How in all the three realms would I know?! I was asleep for the last two hours even amidst all the noise that woman was making. Kidul snapped back at him.

"I thought enkantos don’t sleep. Why are you the only anito (male enkanto) that always seems to be sleeping?" Lumalindaw asked with a mocking tone.

Because, unlike other enkantos, I’m trapped in here with nothing to do! Kidul snapped back at him again. "But back to your father, he probably needs you to fight a bingil (zombie) or a kapre (ogre) again."

"I hope not. I just took care of that pugot (dismembered ghoul) in Katabban two nights ago. It took me almost a whole day to get the stink off of me thanks to that creature’s entrails exploding all over me. And you can forget about my kuton and tapet, Ina (Mother) burned those as soon as she got a whiff of me."

You don’t have to remind me Lakandian, the smell from your clothes managed to find its way onto the ayoding and I could actually smell it from this enchanted prison of mine, Kidul said with a disgusted sniff.

Whatever it is that Ama wants, he seems to want it pretty bad. Best to go home and see what he wants. Lumalindaw said as he started running back home.

As soon as Lumalindaw arrived home, one of his father’s warriors ran up to him. Lakandian, your father’s been looking for you for almost an hour now! The Maingal’s mood has gone from bad to worse, please see to him before he vents his frustration out on us. The warrior said in relief after seeing Lumalindaw.

Fine! Where is Ama? Lumalindaw asked.

He is with your mother in the back garden. The warrior answered.

Lumalindaw put on a valiant face and strode into the house and out to the back garden. "Macasta a daddaramat (Good Morning) to the greatest parents in all of Kalupaan!" Lumalindaw greeted his parents as he placed his forehead on the back of their hands as a sign of respect or the act of mano.

Ina, ever as radiant as the morning sun! Lumalindaw said as he gave her a hug. And of course, Ama. The greatest and bravest of all the Maingal to ever lead Nabbobawan. I see you are in high spirits this morning.

You can stop with the fake niceties son; I am not in the mood for japes. Where have you been since dawn? Maingal Lumalibac asked pointedly as he looked at Lumalindaw with as much contempt as he could muster in his face.

I was just walking by the rice fields near the stream. Just breathing in the cold morning air and starting another wonderful day in appreciation of the peace and stability your rule has given Nabbobawan. Lumalindaw answered.

There was nothing cold about the air in that shed with what’s her name, that’s for sure, Kidul said in addition.

Shut up! Lumalindaw said as he slapped his ayoding. His mother, Caricagwat’s eyes opened wide as she started to giggle a little at what Kidul said.

What? What! What did the anito say? Maingal Lumalibac said and was a little more annoyed every time he was unwillingly excluded from the conversation because he didn’t have the gift of hearing spirits.

It’s nothing Ama. Just a stupid jape from the dumbest anito in all the realms. Why don’t you start by telling me why you were yelling for me this early in the morning? I promise I won’t say a word or complain until you are finished. Lumalindaw said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"A messenger from the nearby purok of Palitod came by last night. Apparently, a particularly nasty kapre has been stalking their houses at night. It’s already killed and eaten a daffug (Carabao) and other livestock. It’s been terrorizing the people and they are asking for the Lakandian to take care of it for them." Maingal Lumalibac said.

And what did you tell them? Lumalindaw asked suspiciously.

I said the Lakandian will be there tonight and will take care of their kapre problem. His father answered plainly like it wasn’t even up for discussion.

Why do you always do that?! That’s not fair! Lumalindaw said as he started throwing a fit. Why can’t you at the very least ask me what I want to do first? Why would you answer for me without asking me if I want to do something or not?!

Why? Are you going to say no and let those poor people suffer? Maingal Lumalibac asked.

"No...But that’s not the point. Doesn’t the Lakandian, chosen by the Poons as nangabac (champion) of Kalupaan deserve a little respect?" Lumalindaw asked.

Normally yes. But if the Lakandian is already a man and still lives under his father’s roof, eating his father’s crops and offering no heir, then no! Besides, they are willing to pay us a handsome reward for getting rid of the kapre. Maingal Lumalibac answered back.

That will do for the morning my strong and very pig-headed men, Caricagwat said as she took hold of her son by the shoulder and led him back to the house. Now go eat and rest. It’s about an hour’s walk to Palitod on top of which you will have to fight a kapre so you will need all the rest you can get.

Lumalindaw spent the rest of the day sulking and arguing with Kidul about anything and everything they could think of. Though an only child, Lumalindaw and Kidul have been like brothers over the short four years Lumalindaw has been alive.

Kidul is Lumalindaw’s katiwala (trusted companion) assigned to him by the Poons. Much like the Lakandian Lam-ang’s companion Mangmankik, Kidul’s duty was to teach and guide Lumalindaw in fulfilling his duty as both Lakandian and protector of humanity.

Lumalindaw brought Kidul everywhere he went. Ever since he could walk at two months old, Lumalindaw and Kidul had been inseparable. Though an only child, which was uncommon in most Ga’dang families, Lumalindaw always felt he had a sibling in Kidul.

Being an anito, Kidul was thousands of years old. But due to an unfortunate event in Kidul’s life in Kaluwalhatian, he found himself sentenced to imprisonment within the enchanted ayoding. And as part of his sentence, he was assigned as the katiwala to the newly-born Lakandian.

Kidul harbored a secret resentment of his imprisonment at first, even though he knew in his heart that he deserved it. But as the katiwala to the second only known Lakandian in the world, Kidul grew attached to Lumalindaw, and what began as a punishment became something akin to a fraternal relationship. Kidul loved Lumalindaw like a sibling, much like how he felt and still feels for his sister Kilat who is still fighting the war in Kaluwalhatian.

By the afternoon, Lumalindaw was preparing for his trip to Palitod when his father entered his room. "Son, don’t forget to take your Raniagad (Blade of light)." Maingal Lumalibac said as he handed a bolo blade with a hilt as clean and white as polished pearl and sheathed in a white bone-like scabbard.

I’m not going to forget it, Ama. Don’t worry about me. I’ve killed a kapre before and this should be no different. If things go well, I should be back way before the sun rises. Lumalindaw said as he took the Raniagad blade from his father’s hands.

Lumalindaw was already wearing his red beaded kuton, abag with red stripes, and a sayay (pouch) where he kept a few nuts and dried strips of meat to eat for the trip to Palitod. His father took his dark red tapet and swung it around his shoulders and tied the front laces together.

Don’t be too confident son. Do your job but be careful. Always be vigilant when your Lakandian duties are concerned. One day you will face the dalaketnon, and on that day you must be the best possible warrior you can be. Maingal Lumalibac said as he looked at his son with the kind of pride only a proud father could express.

Lumalindaw was expecting some sort of hardened retort from his father but hearing his father’s concern for him, Lumalindaw’s heart softened. Don’t worry Ama. I’m always careful, even if I don’t seem to be. I’ll be back later tonight or in the morning at first light. Lumalindaw said as he placed the Raniagad on his left side by clipping the scabbard to his abag and then slung his ayoding to his back. Lastly, he wore his blue so’lung with small deer antlers sticking out at the sides; much like his father’s so’lung.

IT WAS JUST AFTER SUNSET when Lumalindaw reached the purok of Palitod. An old man and his son, both clothed in worn-out kutons and abags, greeted Lumalindaw as he walked into the purok. "Macasta a gaffi (Good Evening) Lakandian. I am Yeluru and this is my son Malaueg."  the old man greeted cheerfully.

Macasta a gaffi, Apo Yeluru. I am Lumalindaw. He introduced himself and performed mano on the old man’s hand.

Yes, we know of you Lakandian. It was my son Malaueg whom I sent to your father last night to ask for your assistance. I am beyond happy that you came to help us with the kapre. Apo Yeluru said.

Tell me all you know of this kapre that bothers your purok. Where it appears, what time it usually appears, and what he does to torment you and your neighbors. Lumalindaw asked of the two men.

It first appeared around a month ago. It came at night and didn’t really interact with anyone here. It just walked around, peeked through windows, and took its leave just before dawn. This went on for a few nights. On the fourth or fifth night, the kapre ate a couple of goats and knocked over the shed where we kept our farming tools. Within a week, it had eaten a daffug and attacked the owner of the animal. Malaueg said.

Where does the kapre usually appear when it comes at night? Lumalindaw asked.

There, Malaueg said as he pointed towards the hills where a grove of banana trees grew. We usually see it coming from the grove of banana trees over by the foot of the hill.

But truth be told Lakandian, up in those trees is a balete tree that I personally suspect is where the kapre comes from. Those trees have always been connected to the spirits and the beings that come from their world. There had been talk of treasure hidden there that the kapre was guarding but none here have ever found such a treasure. Yeluru said.

Lumalindaw pondered their tale for a moment and thanked both father and son for their information. "Mabbalat sikuam (thank you). Now go home and tell your people to stay in their houses for the rest of the night or until I come myself to tell you that it’s all safe."

The two men ran home immediately as Lumalindaw started walking toward the banana trees.

Something is missing from their tale. Kidul said as Lumalindaw walked.

I know. Usually, a violent earthbound creature has always been violent. But this kapre seemed to be calm at first and then became violent. Lumalindaw said thoughtfully.

Maybe it was cursed like that tikbalang Sildado from Garao. Do you remember the tale? It was around ten years ago that the Lakandian named Lam-ang came along and killed it. Kidul said.

I remember the story. How come you know nothing of him? You’re an anito for crying out loud! Is it not the whole reason for your existence to find people like me and train me for fighting the dalaketnon or protecting the Dians or whatever? Lumalindaw said with a bit of snark in his tone.

I may be an anito but if I’m not from wherever this Lam-ang comes from, then I wouldn’t know Lam-ang from a rice farmer. Kidul fired back. Even though I was in Kaluwalhatian when it happened, none of the other enkantos told me anything about him. Even up to the day I was... forced to live inside this ayoding.

You really must remind me why I keep you around Kidul. Lumalindaw said jokingly.

Remember, I’m not just your katiwala and guide, I’m the one who adds happiness and excitement to your otherwise boring and dutiful existence, Kidul said.

They reached the grove of banana trees just as the moon started to make its trek in the night sky. He continued up the hill until he found the gangly balete tree on the very top. He approached the trunk and could immediately feel the magic emanating from the tree. This is it, Lumalindaw said.

Yes, it is. Now we wait. Kidul said

He looked around for a place to sit and wait and as soon as he found one, he began playing the ayoding to pass the time. After a few hours of eating bananas and the nuts he brought along with him, Lumalindaw started to smell a foul stench in the air. It smelled of animal hide and unwashed flesh.

He’s here, Lumalindaw whispered as he wrinkled his nose and stuck his tongue out as he nearly gagged at the smell.

Be careful Lakandian, Kidul whispered back to him. Kapres are big but extremely sneaky for their size. You don’t want to startle him, nor do you want to get stepped on as well.

You have my thanks for telling me things I already know. Now, just keep to yourself for a few minutes while I try to find this kapre. Lumalindaw whispered as he slunk into the shadows.

A moment later, the trunk of the balete tree opened and a dark gigantic figure stepped out. The figure was taller than a house and wore an old and soiled rag as an abag. Its body was gigantic with big broad shoulders and arms as thick as tree trunks. It had very dark, hairy skin and bright yellow eyes and had a mop of shoulder-length hair atop its head. As soon as it stepped out of the tree, it started sniffing the air immediately.

It knows we’re here, Kidul whispered softly as he knew perfectly well that creatures like the kapre have the ability to hear him.

But as the wind changed direction, the kapre lost Lumalindaw’s