I remembered walking through an anime convention. (Mangaholics launching - S.M. Mall of Asia) Like I said, I'm not too enthusiastic over manga and anime; I was merely there to meet the "Drawingboard" members. The anime convention was a myriad of die hard fans; young kids singing anime tunes in a language that sounds cool yet never truly understood; a young Filipino guy ( who obviously had no single drop of Japanese blood in him)wears samurai outfit and brandishing a makeshift sword that looked like a "katana". (The typical samurai's sword.) Filipino fans emulating their favorite anime heroes, heroes practically inspired by deep Japanese cultural images. Enthusiastic they maybe, but the actions of these die hard fans saddens me. We Filipinos claims to be "very creative"...oh yeah... I've seen how "creative" the Filipinos are.;..I've been there in the very first showing of "Star Wars" and all we Filipinos could do was try to imitate space ship scenes, the lightsabre, and Darth Vader. If we could not cope up with these movies, we hire entertainment goons like Chiquito, Palito, Soxy Topacio and a host of unsavory corny comedians to ridicule and insult these movies and the movie goer's intelligence. If cornered, the only justification they can come up with was "The slap stick insults were signs of protests against these Western movies since these foreign films influences the very core of Philipine self-being." CRAP! I recalled a fellow artist, telling about the so-called "roof" of Philippine creativity. "Think of Lea Salonga" he told me... I retorted: "Lea Salonga?...she's noting but a performer...she's not an artist in the creative sense of the word&.The only thing she did in "Miss Saigon" is to play the role of Kim; a Vietnamese prostitute...the character is not even a Filipino!" Then there were those comic book artists who claim that their works and stories were based on ancient Philippine Mythology. But in reality, are just rehashed stylized Philippine X-Men wannabes&some even looked like anime characters donned in supposed ancient Filipino attire! Then here comes the fantasy novellas like Marina, Sugo Enkantadia, Atlantika; none of these shows promotes home grown Filipino imageries; I remembered glancing an episode of Sugo, where an evil sorcerer wears native Philippine garb and the heroes' ways were derived from the yin and yang...Chinese. If a true to heart Filipino comic book writer and artist tries to look for inspiration, then he or she should consider leafing the pages of ancient Philippine folklore; the Philippines is rich in native stories of folk heroes; ancient icons enough to move the real creative side of any writer and artist. Long forgotten cultural protagonists, who brave the dark powers of evil, monsters demons, won over overwhelming armies. Powerful warriors riding the wind; sailing the air on flying shields and leads the very first communities of the islands. Songs of exploits of these enchanted heroes were sung during festivities (Darangan epic chant) and ceremonial occasions. (Folk epics or Ethno-epics) The stories about these ancient heroic figures were sometimes dubbed as "old time history" because they can be used to study the lives and faith of the people who created them. These stories were also dubbed as "Lost" for these were forgotten by Filipinos who were introduced into foreign stories and adventures. Thus, many of these tales can only be heard in the hinterlands of Northern Luzon and Mindanao. Some of these ancient ethnic folk heroes as follows: Aliguyon- An Ifugao hero; Invincible in every combat, fought many battles for his wife Bugan. Prince Bantugan- Hero of the Maranaws. He owns a magic shield. Protected by Tonongs (Good spirits) and he was capable of rising from the dead. Handiong- One of the heroes of Bicol (Ibalon) Fought a One-eyed monster defeated a winged beast and managed a prosperous village. Humadapnon- hero of the Sulod Hinilawod, he had divine ancestry, super natural strength and the lover of Nagmalitong Yawa, the most beautiful maiden. Lam-Ang- The hero of the Iloko Biag ni Lam-Ang. He could talk at the moment of birth, killed a tribe of head hunters when he's just a nine months old. Tuwa-ang- The hero of the Bagobo folk epic; a brave strong warrior with many magical powers. Princess Urduja- The strong native princess of Pangasinan who only concede with her suitor if she's defeated in battle. Supporting these heroes, are native Gods and Goddesses equally forgotten by the Filipinos. They are as follows: Bathala (Badhala, Batala, Bathla, Bathaluman (feminine), Maykapal, Bathalang Maykapal) - Chief god of the Tagalogs. He is also known formally as Bathalang Maykapal or Maykapal for short and by the Cebuano people as Abba is the Tagalogs chief god that is the creator of the universe and humanity. Libugan - Goddess of fertility. (Maybe the word "malibog" (lusty) came from her name) Apolaki - is the Tagalog god of the sun and lord of war. He is the son of Bathala and brother of Mayari, but in the other myth his sister is Dian Masalanta and his parents were Anagolay and Dumakulem. Suku (Apung Sinukuan) - is the Kapampangan deity ruling over daylight and representing the sun (Aldo). Mangatia (Mangetchay) - is the demiurge of Kapampangan mythology, who created the universe. The term literally means a netmaker, and the holes of the universe net are the stars. Anitun Tabu - the Tagalog goddess of the wind and rain. Tala - Godess of stars. Mayari (Bulan) - The ancient Tagalog one eyed goddess and protector of the moon, daughter of Bathala and sister of Adlaw.Her other eye is blinded when it accidentally hit by Apolake's flaming sword during a play fight. Kaptan - For most of the ancient Visayans, he is the supreme deity who dwells in the sky. Kan-Laon - The supreme god of the Southern Visayans, especially in the island of Negros. His abode is Mt. Kanlaon. Gugurang - Chief god of the Bicolanos. Kabunian - Supreme deity among the Ifugao tribe.His palace is said to be at the peak of Mount Pulag, in the Northern Cordilleras. Idianalé (Idianalo, Ideale) - is the ancient Tagalogs goddess of works and good actions. Sidapa - The god of death. He is said to reside on top of Mt.Madia- as, in the province of Antique. Sinukuan - The deity of the sun, who is said to dwell on Mt.Arayat in the province of Pampanga. Malyari - The god of strength and bravery. Amihan - Personification of the Northeast Wind. Pughe - King of the dwendes of the North. Dian Masalanta - The goddess of love and child birth among the ancient Tagalogs. Lakapati (Ikapati, Lakanpati) - The hemaphrodite deity of fertility and cultivated fields among the ancient Tagalogs. He/She is also the protector of crops and farm animals. Dal'lang - The goddess of beauty. She bestows the gift of beauty to her followers. Lalahon - The Visayan goddess of fire, volcanoes, and harvest. Kidul - The god of earthquakes. Anitan - The god of thunder. Agui - The god of fire, brother of Agwe. Maguayan - The sea deity of the ancient Visayans. Mandarangan - The goddess/spirit of war in Bagobo mythology. Siginaugan - The god of the underworld. Deltise - The god of sorcerers (mambabarang). Kilubansa - The god of healing.He is the father of Dihas. Dihas - The goddess of medicinal herbs. Pasipo - The god of music. Sirenha - The goddess of aquatic life. The sirenas (Kataw or mermaids) are her children. Oghep - The god of mountains and hills. S'dop - The goddess of gold. Dayea - The goddess of secrets. Bayoa - The god of pacts and treaties. He is invoked during blood pacts. Aspene - The shell goddess. Punho - The god of nature. Halmista - The Visayan god of magic. Haliya - The Bicolano goddess of the moon and protector of women. Ginton - The God of metallurgy. Bangan - Goddess of love. Hukluban - Goddess of death. Manisilat - God of broken homes. Abyang Gidbinitan - Sea Goddess Amang Sinaya - Protector of fishermen My very own characters, Ranao, Singkil Butil and Mindayen were inspired by the ancient legends of Gods and heroes in Philippine mythology. The only deviation to this, they are all females...

Buddy every culture has influences. Thanks for sharing some of the lovely history of your hero's. Maybe you should write stories about them.

Well,like I said, My very own characters, Ranao, Singkil Butil and Mindayen were inspired by the ancient legends of Gods and heroes in Philippine mythology. The only deviation to this, they are all females...

If you're a foreigner and you happen to visit the Philippines and found your way into non-tourist area, you'll discover many "exotic"things about this little country of mine... For one thing, a curious tourist may stumble into a place called "Quiapo"; here stands the historic Quiapo church said to have existed in the time of the Spanish occupation, up till now. Beside this great church, are small patches of vendors selling items from large religious icons, native products to lucky charms, some looking more like ingredients for voodoo rituals. Among these groups of vendors, are small carts fashioned as mini-mobile eateries were hungry or curious people could eat hot strange looking food standing or sitting. Dubbed notoriously as street food, these strange victuals are actually very tasty. One of these delicacies was the "Pritong Lumpia" or fried spring rolls; a cuisine in small bean sprouts wrapped inside each spring rolls with strips of pork and shrimp. These in turn, were dipped in spicy vinegar sauce and can be eaten with rice or a side dish for "Lugao" or "Goto" (A kind of Chinese porridge sometimes served with strips of pork or chicken or cleaned and boiled viscera.) I remember my mother told me about this small restaurant within the heart of Quiapo called "Globe". This restaurant serves the most delicious "Fresh" Lumpia (Raw Spring roll, just treated with boiling water.) I tried eating in this place and she's right; Fresh spring rolls are so delicious...The vegetables were crispy, the sauce were spicy, yet with a little peanut-like flavor. Aside from these foods, there were the basic fish balls; white deep fried balls that inflate as these were dipped in deep oil. I remember eating fish balls and these were so good&Especially if you'll to dip these in a hot and spicy vinegar concoction sauce. Nowadays, the fish balls being sold deflate into a gummy substance that's too frustrating to eat. Then there were those mini carts that serve what most vendors call "Chinese Kikyam". Just like the fish balls, the Kikyams were fried in deep oil and are really tasty. But for me, the best way to eat "Kikyam" is with "Pancit Bihon" (A Chinese staple delicacy made of Vermicelli noodles topped with bits of pork, vegetables and spices.) Along these mini carts, are modified bicycles with built-in side cars converted into moving eateries. Most of these "eateries" serve hot noodles. They even provide their own chairs and tables. The hot noodle soups had strips of pork, vegetables and can be eaten with "Puto" (native rice cake) or bread. As one walks along, one could easily spot rows of open air eateries. Some of these "eateries" offer the same kind of foodstuff mentioned earlier. But most likely, these eateries cater odd looking "oranges" neatly arranged just beside small aluminum pot of boiling oil. No, these are not oranges although these foodstuff were round, had orange-colored appearance and the size of small oranges. These in fact, were hard boiled duck eggs coated in orange colored paste of flour and breading. This food stuff was called "Kwek-Kwek" (Maybe the mock quack from a duck) these were boiled into that small aluminum pot filled with cooking oil. There's a notorious "variation" to the "Kwek-Kwek" albeit only for those with adventurous taste; instead of the hardboiled duck egg, a "Kwek-Kwek" may contain the ever exalted "Balot" (A one day old duck egg containing the developing "chick" inside.) Then there is the newest street food craze in town; the "Calamares.{ The name suggest of squid. In fact it is squid...deep fried, breading covered squid that one can dip into a jar of spiced vinegar sauce. This delicacy cost around three Philippine pesos. I love eating the Calamares...especially the head and tentacle part. Inside Quiapo market, are rows of "legitimate" food stores and eatery where one can taste "Pancit Palabok" (Rice noodles based on the famous "Pancit Malabon" this rice noodles were topped with sea food ingredients such as crushed dried herring, razor clams, shrimp and reddish "Asuete" sauce. Eating a palabok is best drunk with Coca-Cola or 7Up! Then, there is the "Shawarma" (an Arabian/Mediterranean street food consist of "Fita" bread, lettuce, cabbage and bits of lamb meat) this stuff is sooo great! It's best eaten hot and spicy. Then there's the cool "Halo-Halo": A native cool treat composed of overflowing crushed ice, sweetened beans, candied jackfruit, sweet purple yams, colorful tapioca, leche flan (Something we got from the Spaniards- A milk based sweet jello) and milk. Holy, writing this stuffl makes me hungry...

Youd like my scotch egg then. (a hard boiled hens egg wrapped in sausagemeat and breadcrumbed on the outside, then deep fried.)

Buddy.. I've tried some of those dishes, I love calamari, especially salt and pepper version of it. I have tried every Asian spring roll out there. So far Vietnam has the ones I liked the most.

O.K. guys. What are scotch egg...sounds nice... Vietnamise food...hmmm...There's a classy resto named Phobac...very Vietnamese...very classy...

Buddy. This should give you an idea. I have an English background(actually its a mix really, but it goes way back.) My Grandparents used to make them, along with a lot of other traditional English Scottish and Irish meals. Quote from a website; How to make a Scotch egg. SCOTCH EGGS A very old favorite in the British Isles. In past centuries Scotch Eggs were sometimes called birds' nests. 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce (if desired) 10 to 12 small hard boiled eggs 1 lg. egg, well beaten Fine dry bread crumbs (make your own or use packaged seasoned bread crumbs) 1 tbsp. seasoned flour, (made with 1 tbsp. flour, 1/8 tsp. salt, 1/8 tsp. black pepper, and 1/8 tsp. dried thyme) Place the sausage meat and Worcestershire sauce in a medium sized mixing bowl. Add the seasoned flour mixture and blend the ingredients together with your hands. Divide the mixture into 10 to 12 equal pieces (to cover the eggs). Mold each piece of meat around an egg and carefully roll each egg between your hands to shape the sausage meat coating. Place the beaten egg and bread crumbs in two separate shallow dishes. Dip the eggs first in the beaten egg, and then in the bread crumbs, coating them thoroughly and shaking off any excess crumbs. Place coated eggs on a cookie sheet and cook in a 350 degree oven approximately 30 to 45 minutes (until the sausage is cooked). Don't let them get too crispy. Remove from cookie sheet and drain on paper towel to drain. Place the eggs on a warmed serving plate and serve at once (whole or halved) if they are to be eaten hot. They make a very good hot or cold snack.

Ebony, my B/H thinks they look nasty but I'm drooling.... guess it would be one fun way to keep him from eating all the food! = me when there's nothing left that is good in the fridge!

I thought most people would know what Scotch eggs are! If it works make him some, they go great with a salad...

Holly Kawazaki! Those eggs looked delicious...Hmmm I'll show you the Notorious "Balot" Eggs...

Viewed as an aprodiciacs...or midnightsnacks of medicinal value, the "Balut Eggs" are gastronomically challenging. It's a hard boiled duck egg with an unborn chick inside. Most Filipino folks gulp this morsel with the embryo and with feathers et all..,.(Many Western Visitors were repeled by this delicacy)

The Philippines and her native folks believe much in the supernatural. I believe this would never sit well with the 21st century with the advancements on computer and other scientific technology but well that is that. However, perhaps, the belief in the supernatural is an integral part of Philippine culture that can be relate to with other cultures like the Hawaiians, the Native Americans, other indigenous peoples that lived on this planet. These were dubbed as creatures from Philippine lower mythology and folklore but most people, including those from the urbanized areas still believe in the existence of the: Aswang (Oz-wang), the Manananggals, the Kapres, the Tikbalangs, the Nuno, the Kataws, The Mamalarangs, The mantahngals, the Sigbens, the Tahamalings, The mangkukulams, the Mandurugos, the Pugots, the Bakonawas and assorted of other mystical beings. The Aswang is the most popular of all land dwelling night creatures; they looked like ordinary people at morning but at night, they turn into abominable men/beasts with talon like nails, long wolf-like fangs and ink-black, bristle like hair. The Aswangs are ghoul demons said to eat the heart and lungs of the dead and terrorize pregnant women by disemboweling them and eating their unborn children. A person was said to become an Aswang if unwittingly eaten food said to have been prepared by an Aswang or if a person was infected by a black demon chick and enters his or her body. The Mananangal is another popular night creature, they looked very much like ordinary girls or women at morning but at night, they transform into a hideous monster who can detach their lower body and their upper portion flies at night to hunt. The Mananangal spreads its giant bat wings and hunts for sleeping pregnant women, thus they will land on the roof and using their thread-like but sharp tongues (transformed to look something like a spider thread) the Mananangal can easily bore hole through the pregnant woman and suck the life out of her unborn babe. The Kapres are giant demon-ogres said to inhabit areas filled with trees (Mango trees) it was said that Kapres are not malevolent, they just love scaring people out of their wits. The only trouble a Kapre can give an unfortunate traveler is shock or madness. Popular legends tells that if some brave soul would be fearful enough to tie a kapre around a tree, the brave soul would be lucky enough to find a pot of gold from where he or she could have tied the kapre demon. The Tikbalang (Thick-ball-lung) is another popular night figure; it was said to be a tree demon as tall as eight to ten feet, sharp claws, bristle russet fur and its head is similar to that of a deformed horse. This creature was said to live beside marshes and streams and loves to abduct pregnant women and found of the crucifix figure. Again, there was a popular saying that if there is an equestrian brave enough to mount this demon and pluck three strands of hair from its flowing mane, the demon will be the brave equestrian's slave for eternity. The Nuno sa Punso (Old man of the mount) is a demon dwarf said to live on top of ant hills or termite mounds. This small yet malign creature is far from the whimsical-looking dwarves conjured by fairy tales; these creatures looked so ugly, with one eye, mottled skin and long dirty beards. These folk creatures are said to be easily displeased and can release a lethal hex. The Kataws, are sea monsters also called mermaids. In Philippine folklore, the Kataws can easily shed their fish tails and mingle around with humans. They can make the water boil or rise like that from a high tide. The Mamalarangs (Mambabarangs) these are secluded individuals endowed with evil powers for they can insert objects like shells, betel nuts painfully through the skin of their victims using a powerful hex. However, the Mamalarangs are well noted for their insectoid familiars that they command to infest the bodies of their target victims. The Mantahungals, from the foggy summit of uncharted hills said to live the Mantahungals; huge, shaggy beasts with faces of cows but having sharp teeth and huge tusks. It was said that these monsters could tear up a human into shreds with it's sharp teeth. The Sigbens, natives from different island regions believe in the Sigben, a short, furry creature cross between a dog, a goat and a kangaroo that emits a very foul smell. These creatures were said to eat squash bulbs and piglets. The Sigben was said to paralyze it's prey by stepping on to the prey's shadow, and from here, the creature can eat the paralyze target even if its still alive. The Tahamalings, red bodied female elves; the Tahamaling has a very unpredictable reputation and can unleash a potent hex on those whom she perceived as threats against the forest where she resides. People, especially hikers would utter phrases like "Makikiraan po" (Excuse us, were just passing.) so not to enrage a hidden Tahamaling. Mangkukulams (Hexers) These individuals are endowed by dark powers where they can use against their enemies (or perceived enemies) they use wooden or clay figures and these, they prick with ceremonial needles that believes to cause great discomfort or even death to their intended victims. The Mandurugo. The Philippine vampires said to use sharp tongues instead of fangs to suck the blood out of their victims. Most of the Mandurugos are females. I'm afraid, this list does not ends here for there are numerous Philippine night creatures that's too impossible for this humble list to be covered.

O.K any comments?

My life in Caloocan city, was best described as a "Journey" riddled with bumpy rides of missed opportunities, of false lights at the end of proverbial tunnels, of walking through malls without money and getting frustrated, of noisy neighbors blaring their stupid Pinoy rap and ugly metal rock music (or organized noise) with total disregard for other people's rights to sleep. But to be fair, there were some points in this city which I sure to miss; like the peaceful stroll down 10th avenue, the frequent visits to Internet Cafes, the public library where I have written my first book titled "The Balete Book", my occasional meanderings beside that motor cycle store where they put that cool looking ATV at their display window and the myriad display of foodstuff around Monumento Circle . It was a journey all right, a journey filled with sadness and wonder; a journey of self-realization and motivation that leads to further determination. Somehow, these insights were the things that I would remember when thinking about Caloocan City. Starting August 14, a new chapter in my life unfolds; this time it will be Quezon City. It will be my first time to live in this city and I believe it will be another bumpy ride. I just hope, I'll be having a fresh new start.

Have you ever experienced to live in a huge house, with no water and electricity, starts to call it a day around 5 p.m. and at every 3:30 a.m., could hear a whimpering "ghost" in the living room... Well, that's what exactly what's being happening since me and my folks started to live in my old aunt's ancestral home in Novaliches QC... We may have no rent,sky rocketting electric or water bill to pay for but this situation lasted around 2 months and just thinking about not having being able to use the computer for my "comics art" starts to drive me crazy and the only entertainment I get is listening to the horror drama of "Gabi ng Lagim" in DZRH. Good thing and my younger brother got advices from his gang from Luneta Park of using a car battery to light up the place. Soon, we've been buying 3 truck batteries and a power inverter and even thou I'm able to use the computer for about 2 hours, the whole thing lights up my life back... The whimphering ghost stops crying, maybe she can now watch DVD movie much like my old folks. Now, I'm back doing my "Ranao" graphic novel, plus I'll be doing an illustrated book pitch in for "Adarna" or "Lampara" Books about supernatural expereinces.

I've enjoyed reading your posts about Philippine legends and mythology, Buddy! The creature images are impressive--are those your illustrations, by any chance? That house is huge; without lights, I think I'd be too spooked to stay there at night. Heck, even with lights, I'd probably be too spooked. I don't do well in large houses at night. Folklore and legend are a fascinating area of study in general, and particularly when creatures are involved. I found a book several years ago titled Alien Animals: it's a discussion of supernatural creatures of the British Isles, Canada, and the United States. I really enjoyed reading it. It sounds as if you could produce a similar book on the creatures of Philippine lore and possibly even other cultures of the general geographic area. I know I'd want to read it! Out of curiousity, I've heard of a creature called a duwende. It's given me an idea for a short story, but haven't been able to dig up much information on it. Can you tell me anything about duwende?

The creatures pics were mine, I've used Poser 6 program for the 3Ds. I've published a book about Philippine Lower Miythology and it involved the Duwendes. Duwendes (or Tama-o) are little dwarves said to inflict horrible curses at people that displeases them. They looked like your average gnome but there are versions of Duwendes wearing a groud hat or "Salakot" to make them utterly Filipino. Every time you try to walk through a forest area, just utter the word "Makiki raan po" (Please can we pass) So you'll warn them after wards. So far, the house looked a less spooky after the lights are on...

A book, eh? Too much to hope that the local library might have a copy . . . but maybe the one at school would. Those are great illustrations! The colors, backgrounds, and shadowing really add an impact to the creatures themselves. The Mananangal in particular is terrifying. And thank you for the info on Duwendes! Glad that the house is less alarming when the lights are on. It can be hard to live in a house that makes everyone nervous.

The title of the book is "The Balete Book" (Girraffee Publications) try Amazon .com. Balete is a type of tree said to be harboring spirit beings and other unearthly elementals.

Creating my very own graphic novel for reference and inspirations compelled me to do some research about stuff I only once thought posible through T.V. and movies. Take the case of Sheena-The Warior Princess... Heck, I realize I don't have to look far to find a warrior princess legend right in our own shores...Yep, I'm talking about Princess Urduja; The Philippine's very own Legendary Warrior Princess. Princess Urduja ancient accounts say, was a 14th century woman ruler of the dynastic Kingdom of Tawalisi in Pangasinan, a vast area lying by the shores of the Lingayen Gulf and the China Sea. Pangasinan was an important kingdom then, and the sovereign was equal to the King of China. Known far and wide, Princess Urduja was famous for leading a retinue of woman warriors who were skilled fighters and equestrians. They developed a high art of warfare to preserve their political state. "These womenfolk took to the battlefields because the male population was depleted by the series of wars which came with the rise and prominence of the Shri-Visayan Empire in the sixth to the 13th centuries," the accounts said. Strong and masculine physique, they were called kinalakian or Amazons. The saga of this unique princess was the stuff of legend. Parents and teachers tell her story like they would a fairytale, or the biography of Gabriela Silang, an 18th-century revolutionary, or Tandang Sora, a granny who fed members of the Katipunan. The legend of Princess Urduja can be attributed to the famous story of Mohammedan traveler, Ibn Batuta of India. In 1347 he was a passenger on a Chinese junk, which has just come from the port of Kakula, north of Java and Sumatra and passed by Pangasinan on the way to Canton, China. Urduja, who had a particular fascination for the renowed "Pepper Country"--pepper being considered black gold then--was quoted by Batuta as saying, "I must positively go to war with that country, and get possession of it, for its great wealth and great forces attract me." For a time, feminists tried to revive the Urduja story but were discouraged to learn that Batuta's account of the voyage to Tawalisi was labeled as either an intrigue or a fantasy. Scholars, considering the story absurd, declared Urduja a myth. The Philippines' national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, in Dr. Austin Craig's 1916 paper "Particulars of the Philippines' Pre-Spanish Past" was quoted as saying in one of his letters: "While I may have doubts regarding the accuracy of Ibn Batuta's details, I still beleive in the voyage to Tawalisi". He went as far as to calculate the distance and time of travel from the port of Kakula. Rizal's commentary was triggered by a scholar, Sir Henry Yule, who wrote in his time that: "Tawalisi may be found only in a Gulliver geography." Today, years after scholars have passionately debated whether the 14th-century heroine is a product of mythology or history, Princess Urduja continues to fascinate Filipinos. In Pangasinan, the Governor's office building in the coastal town of Lingayen is called the Urduja Palace. So is a hotel along the highway. Urduja's name still has great resonance among the Ibaloi, one of the major ethnolinguistic tribes in the Cordillera region. Dr. Morr Tadeo Pungayan, a respected scholar of Ibaloi culture and professor at the St. Louis University of Baguio City, said, "Linguistically, Urduja is Deboxah (pronounced Debuca) in Ibaloi. We've always had a woman named Deboxah from time immemorial among the genrations of Ibaloi. The name usually describes a woman of strong quality and character who's nobly descended. That name is an Ibaloi name. That's why Ibaloi trace their ancestry from Urduja". The Cordillera tribes, also known collectively as Igorots, pride themselves as being the only ethnic group that doesn't talk about the origin of man according to Spanish chronicles. Among the tribes, genealogy and family history are orally passed history. The Ibaloi, just like other highland tribes, could easily trace their ancestry. This is ensured by their custom of naming newborns after ancestors to help keep their memory alive and evoke affection and protection. "No Ibaloi will bear the name of an ancestor unless she's related," Dr. Pungayan explained. While the Bontoc tribe bestows the name of an ancestor to a grandchild, the Ibaloi style is namesaking the great-grandchild, he added. A book on the history of Benguet province, written by Anavic Bagamasbad and Zenaida Hamada-Pawid, shows the Benguet genealogy tracing tribal family lines from the year 1380 to 1899. The book says, "The extent of inter-settlement alliances is climaxed in the memory of Tublay informants with the reign of Deboxah, Princess Urduja, in Pinga. She's acknowledged as the granddaughter of Udayan, an outstanding warrior of Darew. Her death signaled continuous decline of kinship and alliance between highland and lowland settlements." The Darew mountain range is remembered as the earliest settlement in the mining town of Tublay. The close relations between the Cordilleras and Lingayen are well-accounted for in Batuta's chronicle. It said that the Kingdom of Tawalisi was very extensive, including the vast areas up to the fringes of the Benguet mountains and the Cordillera ranges in the east of Luzon. Th ruler, Batuta further said,"possesses numerous junks with which he makes war upon the Chinese until they sue for peace and consent to grant him certain concessions." Despite recent research, however, most academicians remain cold to oral history, saying that such accounts still have to pass through stringent rigors of scholarship. Today, some historians consider the issue of Urduja's historicity as closed. Compounding the issue is the lack of archaelogical evidence on the existence of the Shri-Visayan Empire. In fact, other aspects of Philippine history are being doubted,too, especially since the late William Henry Scott, an American historian in the Cordillera, proved that the so-called pre-Hispanic laws--the Kalantiaw and Maragtas Codes--were faked or invented by psuedo historians who only wanted fame or riches for themselves. Personally, I've seen several Urduja -based movies and in my opinion, the classic one with "Amalia Fuentes (Filipina dramatic actress) was the best version. The Animated version of Urduja (The one looking like a cross bettween Pocahontas and Mulan) is really a "bastardized version since in that movie, she was romantically linked to a Chinese Adventurer" where in fact, the legends suggests that she despised the Chinese Traders, calling them "Pirates" I really hoped that Urduja's legends were true or based in factual documents...Somehow, I believe this legend will elleviate the current stand of Filipinas (or Filipino Women) throughout the world.

Thats a rather archiaic attitude to oral history...many modern scholars agree that there is `something` in it. Theres all sorts of history thats overlooked. (I wont say `suppressed` often its just unfashionable areas of study) We still dont know about the Romans in Ireland (though now we know they certainly had a precense there.) Or, conversley, the ancient celtic road system (we now have evidence for this.) The Celts were another primarliy oral society who early on had a codified law system. My story `Tinys Journey` was inspired by the scottish tales of the selkie. (and Eninen Ashbrooks fic) I didnt know too much about the subject when I wrote the fic, Im now told by a scottish archaelogist that they have a collection of artifacts and a special genetics study no less!

Wow, Tiny as in "Tiny" from "Battle of the Planets"? That's neat! Bye the way, I'm planning to write a fanfiction about Gatchaman investigating some strange on goings at a large native campus (University of the Philippines) and what they found out is the horrific rise of "Aswang Warriors" . (Until then, my computer's suffering from a darn virrus.

Hello Gatchaman fans... It's Summer and what a nice season to go on Vacation...And do I have a place to recommend you all! Boracay is a tropical island located approximately 315km (200 miles) south of Manila and 2km off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. The island comprises the barangays of Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak (3 of the 17 barangays which make up the municipality of Malay), and is under the administrative control of the Philippine Tourism Authority in coordination with the Provincial Government of Aklan. The island was originally home to the Ati tribe. Boracay is part of Aklan Province, which became an independent province on April 25, 1956.[2] Formerly undiscovered, it wasn't till the 1970s that tourism began to develop in Boracay,[3] and the island became popular with backpackers in the 1980s.[2] Years ago, Boracay Island was a well-guarded secret, almost possessively so that only a few knew of its existence. It was only in the 70s when, it is said, a foreign movie crew accidentally "discovered" this island paradise. Others maintain that it was the German traveller, 'Jens Peters' book, which included rave reviews of Boracay that changed the islands pace from that of being a quiet secret to eventually being voted as having the best beach in the world. Whichever story is true, it was around this time that Boracay Island slowly ceased to be a private travellers hangout and eventually became a favourite tourist destination in the Philippines. In a span of a mere 10 years, the whole world, it seemed, discovered Boracay and the once, nearly deserted stretch of beach became a teeming vacation and leisure spot for upscale Boracay Island is located off the northwest corner of the island of Panay, and belongs to the Western Visayas island-group, or Region VI, of the Philippines. The island is approximately seven kilometers long, dog-bone shaped with the narrowest spot being less than one kilometer wide, and has a total land area of 10.32 square kilometers. South-facing Cagban Beach is located across a small strait from the jetty port at Caticlan on Panay island, and the Cagban jetty port serves as Boracay's main entry and exit point during most of the year. When wind and sea conditions dictate, east-facing Tambisaan Beach serves as an alternative entry and exit point. Boracay's two primary tourism beaches, White Beach and Bulabog Beach, are located on opposite sides of the island's narrow central area. White Beach faces westwards and Bulabog Beach faces eastwards. The island also has several other beaches. White Beach is the main tourism beach. It is a bit over four kilometers long and is lined with resorts, hotels, lodging houses, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses. In the central portion, for about two kilometers, there is a footpath known as the Beachfront Path separating the beach itself from the establishments located along it. North and south of the Beachfront Path, beachfront establishments do literally front along the beach itself. Several roads and paths connect the Beachfront Path with Boracay's Main Road, a vehicular road which runs the length of the island. At the extreme northern end of White Beach, a footpath runs around the headland there and connects White Beach with Diniwid Beach. Bulabog Beach, across the island from White Beach, is a secondary tourism beach and Boracay's main windsurfing and kiteboarding area. Boracay is divided, for land use and conservation purposes, into 400 hectares of preserved forestland and 628.96 hectares of agricultural Land. Weather in Boracay is generally divided into two seasonal weather patterns known locally as the Amihan and Habagat seasons. In the Tagalog language, Amihan means a cool northeast wind, and Habagat means west or southwest wind; south-west monsoon.[7] Amihan and Habagat seasons are generally associated respectively with the El Niño and La Niña global weather patterns. The Amihan season is characterized by moderate temperatures, little or no rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the east. The Habagat season is characterized by hot and humid weather, frequent heavy rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the west. On Boracay, the main indicator of the switch between the Amihan and Habagat seasonal patterns is the switch in wind direction. In most years this transition is abrupt and occurs overnight. In some years there is a period of perhaps a week or two where the wind will switch between Amihan and Habagat patterns several times before settling into the pattern for the new season. As a general rule of thumb, Boracay will be in the Amihan weather pattern from sometime in September or October to sometime in May or June and in the Habagat weather pattern for the remainder of the year. These dates can vary in individual years, though. Daytime temperatures on Boracay generally range from 77-90°F (25-32°C) from the beginning of the Amihan season into February or March, increase to the 82-100°F(28-38°C) range until the onset of the Habagat season, and moderate back to the 77-90°F (25-32°C) range with the return of the Amihan season.[8] During Tropical Storm periods, temperatures can fall below 68°F (20°C). Tropical Storms can impact Boracay at any time of year, but are most likely to be seen during the Habagat season. Partly because of its wind and weather patterns, tourism in Boracay is at its peak during the Amihan season. During Amihan, the prevailing wind blows from the east. Boracay's main tourism area, White Beach, is on the western side of the island and is sheltered from the wind. During the Amihan season, the water off White Beach is often glassy-smooth. On the eastern side of the island, hills on the northern and southern ends of the island channel the Amihan season wind from the east onshore, onto Bulabog Beach in the central part of the island's eastern side. This makes the reef-protected waters off that beach ideal for windsurfing and kiteboarding / kitesurfing. A number of accommodation types are scattered all over the island, ranging from luxurious hotel types to budget, spartan rooms. Guests can also choose according to location--Station 3 is where most of the cheaper lodgings are located, while Station 2 is meant for those who want to be within close proximity of the bars. Station 1, meanwhile, is where you can find the more isolated accommodations, offering peace and quiet to those looking for a respite from the usual action-packed Boracay night scene. These are usually for the more upscale vacationers. Boracay is the site of a world-class 18-hole par 72 golf course designed by Graham Marsh. In addition, Boracay now has in excess of 350 beach resorts with more than 2,000 rooms ranging in quality from five-star to budget accommodations, so tourists are sure to find whatever they are looking for. Boracay also offers a wide range of restaurants, bars, pubs, and nightclubs that bop until morning. Most Boracay hotels and resorts have Low and High Season price levels, with High Season prices generally coinciding with Amihan Season dates. Some have additional "Super" Peak Period pricing during periods of heavy tourism (usually including Christmas / New Year, Easter / Holy Week, and Chinese New Year periods).

it looks unpleasantly hot and Im sure its rather busy...

That looks gorgeous Buddy, and so quiet, not being over run by crowds of people.

Are those footprints in the sand I see?

Well, I've been to Boracay once...and honestly, I'll never forget the fantasticness of the place... I've arrived in that place in the middle of the night and it's the first time I've seen a white sandy shore brightly illuminated by the moon

Hello gatchaman fans I've just attended an eco-exibit last Saturday and I've seen the largets flower on earth. (Actually, it's only a fibreglass model of the "Corpse Flower) This flower is said to become endangered here in the Philippines... Rafflesia arnoldii is a member of the genus Rafflesia. It is noted for producing the largest individual flower on earth. It occurs only in the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo in the Malay Archipelago. Although there are some plants with larger flowering organs like the Titan Arum and Talipot palm, those are technically clusters of many flowers. Recent molecular taxonomy studies have resulted in assigning Rafflesia arnoldii to the family of Euphorbiaceae Several species of Rafflesia grow in the jungles of southeast Asia, including the Philippines. Many of them are threatened or endangered. The flower of Rafflesia arnoldii is the largest which attains a diameter of nearly one meter (3 ft) and can weigh up to 11 kilograms (24 lb). It lives as a parasite on the Tetrastigma vine, which grows only in primary (undisturbed) rainforests. Rafflesia lacks any observable leaves, stems or even roots, yet is still considered a vascular plant. Similar to fungi, individuals grow as thread-like strands of tissue completely embedded within and in intimate contact with surrounding host cells from which nutrients and water are obtained. Perhaps the only part of Rafflesia that is identifiable as distinctly plant-like are the flowers; although, even these are unusual since they attain massive proportions, have a reddish-brown coloration and stink of rotting flesh, which is why it was nicknamed the "corpse flower". This scent attracts insects such as flies which then pollinate the rare plant. It is not to be confused with the Titan Arum, Amorphophallus titanum, which is also commonly referred to as the "corpse flower". Rafflesia arnoldii is rare and fairly hard to locate. It is especially difficult to locate the flower in forests as the buds take many months to develop and the flower lasts for just a few days. The flowers are unisexual and thus proximity of male and female flowers is vital for successful pollination. These factors make successful pollination a rare event How many of these strange plants still survive is unknown, but as the remaining primary forests of Borneo and Sumatra disappear, it can only be assumed that their numbers are dwindling. Many are known to be nearing extinction. Some environmentalists are thinking of a way to recreate the species' environment, in an effort to stimulate a recovery in the population of this endangered species. This has proved unsuccessful so far, but the efforts have continued. Steps are also being taken to conserve the forests of Sumatra and Borneo.

If you happen to land on a place here in the Philippines called "Caloocan City" Chances are, you'll found this tall, polished granite monument of a fierce looking native with a machete on one hand and a revolver on the other hand. This is the impetus revolutionary leader named Andres Bonifacio, one of the respectited Philipine revolutionary hero. Andres Bonifacio (1863-1897), a Phillipine revolutionary hero, founded the Katipunan, a secret society which spearheaded the uprising against the Spanish and laid the groundwork for the first Philippine Republic. Andres Bonifacio was born in Tondo, Manila, on Nov. 30, 1863. He grew up in the slums and knew from practical experience the actual conditions of the class struggle in his society. Orphaned early, he interrupted his primary schooling in order to earn a living as a craftsman and then as clerk-messenger and agent of foreign commercial firms in Manila. Absorbing the teachings of classic rationalism from the works of José Rizal, Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, Eugène Sue's The Wandering Jew, books on the French Revolution, and the lives of the presidents of the United States, Bonifacio acquired an understanding of the dynamics of the sociohistorical process. This led him to join the Liga Filipina, which Rizal organized in 1892 for the purpose of uniting and intensifying the nationalist movement for reforms. When the Liga was dissolved upon the arrest and banishment of Rizal, Bonifacio formed the Katipunan in 1892 and thus provided the rallying point for the people's agitation for freedom, independence, and equality. The Katipunan patterned its initiation rites after the Masonry, but its ideological principles derived from the French Revolution and can be judged radical in its materialistic-historical orientation. The Katipunan exalted work as the source of all value. It directed attention to the unjust class structure of the colonial system, the increased exploitation of the indigenous population, and consequently the need to affirm the collective strength of the working masses in order to destroy the iniquitous system. When the society was discovered on Aug. 19, 1896, it had about 10,000 members. On August 23 Bonifacio and his followers assembled at Balintawak and agreed to begin the armed struggle. Two days later the first skirmish took place and a reign of terror by the Spaniards soon followed. Conflict split the rebels into the two groups of Magdiwang and Magdalo in Cavite, on Luzon. Bonifacio was invited to mediate, only to be rebuffed by the clannish middle class of Cavite. Judging Bonifacio's plans as divisive and harmful to unity, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the elected president of the provisional revolutionary government, ordered the arrest, trial, and execution for "treason and sedition" of Bonifacio and his brothers. On May 10, 1897, Bonifacio was executed. Contrary to the popular view, the cause of Bonifacio's tragic death at the hands of other Filipino rebels cannot be solely attributed to his own personal pride. Rather, the correlation of class forces and the adventurist tendency of Bonifacio's group led to his isolation and subsequently to Aguinaldo's compromises with the American military invaders.

The Philippines has it's own female super hero in the form of DARNA played by many sexy Philippine actresses and her latest incarnation is potrayed by one of the sexiest Philippine actress named Marian Rivera. Some may point out that Darna is very similar to (or less charitably, is a rip-off of ) Western superheroes, particularly Wonder Woman. Darna's costume and some of her powers are very similar to hers. Also, Narda transforms by saying a special word, just like Captain Marvel (especially the original version, where her civilian self is a kid, like Billy Batson). Darna's enemy, Valentina, is based on Medusa, whose comic version is also an enemy of Wonder Woman. Darna is a fictional character and superheroine created by Filipino komiks (Philippine colloquial term for comics) legend Mars Ravelo. In her more popular incarnations, she is a warrior from outer space manifesting herself through a girl from Earth, named Narda. Darna was originally known as Varga and first appeared in Bulaklak Magazine, Volume 4, #17, on July 23, 1947. Ravelo had differences with the editors of Bulaklak Magazine and Varga's name was changed to "Darna". The character was re-launched on May 13, 1950. Nestor Redondo drew the first Darna. Since then, Darna has become a Philippine cultural icon and the most recognizable character among Ravelo's creations. Regardless of her many incarnations, the 1950's origin of Darna begins with a village girl named Narda who finds a small white stone, a tiny meteorite from outer space. Narda swallows the stone and shouts "Darna!" - becoming a mighty warrior ready to defend Earth from evil forces. Darna's powers include flight, super strength, super speed and near-invulnerability. In the 2003 retcon, the latest releases of the comic, this is due to her psionic background. Thus a form of telekinesis enhances her speed and strength and allows her flight. Her skin has a high level of invulnerability because of her race. Her psionic abilities also allow her to exercise limited psionic influence or telepathy. For weapons, the ruby encrusted in the winged medallion on her helmet also augments her psionic abilities, allowing her to emit a powerful concussion blast and the medallions that make up her belt can be used like throwing stars (shuriken). In the 2005 TV series, she also has heat vision, lent by the ruby. In the TV series, she uses her bracelets, similar to Wonder Woman's to deflect bullet impacts since impact also hurts. Narda transforms into Darna, and vice versa, by shouting out their respective names. First, however, Narda has to swallow the white stone, which conveniently comes out of her mouth every time Darna changes back into herself. However, it was not so in her comic incarnations (see below). Contrary to what some Filipinos may believe, Darna was not named after the magical Ibong Adarna (Adarna bird), which appears in a Philippine epic of the same name. In Bulaklak Magazine, Narda was already established as Varga's mortal identity. "Darna" was simply an anagram of "Narda". Darna's first adventure (as Darna) was first serialized in the pages of Pilipino Komiks #77, where she was pitted against the sultry snake goddess Valentina. Here, Narda, a young girl, swallows the stone, which has the word Darna on it, and transforms into Darna by shouting out the latter name. Likewise, Darna turns back into Narda by shouting her name. The stone, from the planet Marte, stays in her body, and her secret is known to her grandmother, and her brother Ding, who becomes her sidekick. The superheroine quickly gained popularity among Filipino comic book readers. Starting in 1951, several Darna movies were made. Some made from 1973 onwards starred the future multi-awarded dramatic actress and politician Vilma Santos. In these 1970s films, Darna's origin was changed; no longer a little girl, Narda was now in her late teens. Also, she herself becomes Darna, unlike the original where she just "channels" her (not unlike Jason Blood and Etrigan). Only Ding knows her secret in this version. Also, the stone comes out of Narda's mouth every time she changes back; she has to swallow it every time she wants to transform (This became standard for following versions). Darna is not specified as coming from Marte, just as a "warrior of Light". This version of Darna became most people's idea of the character for about 3 decades. A catchphrase popularized by the movies and said by Narda runs, "Ding, ang bato!" ("Ding, [give me] the stone!") A TV series was also produced in 1977. Created by Ketchie Benedicto and airing on KBS 9, Darna! The TV Series starred another future multi-awarded dramatic actress, Lorna Tolentino, as Darna/Narda. In the 1950s, she was originally a bitter, deformed woman born with snakes for hair from ordinary human parents. When she grew up, her parents were killed by the local people and was subsequently adopted by a creature named "Kobra", a giant serpent with a hag's head. Valentina was soon referred to as "goddess of the snakes" who had a close familiar - "Vibura", a loyal serpent. (Vibora is Spanish for viper.) In the 1973 film "Lipad, Darna, Lipad" ("Fly, Darna, Fly")", she is played by Celia Rodriguez and is known as "Dr. Valentina Vrandakapoor", with a Ph.D. in Reptilian Zoology from the University of New Delhi. Valentina is portrayed as the Queen of the Serpents and moonlights as a ramp model. She was seen walking on the lobby of the Manila Hotel in a turban covered Medusa wig, bare midriff Indian sari, and on her belly button, a giant ruby known as the "Star of Bombay" that can blow away suspecting Bollywood wannabees. Humorously, she sees Darna flying across Rizal Park and she says, "Sino ba yang babaeng mababa ang lipad?" ("kalapating mababa ang lipad" - literally low-flying doves - is a Spanish-derived Tagalog euphemism for women of low repute, i.e. prostitutes.) In the 2005 TV series, Valentina is a human/Anomalkan hybrid. She is Braguda's greatest and most favored apprentice when she returns to planet Earth. She believes herself to be Narda's cousin but later learns that they are half-sisters. Ultimately, she helps Darna kill Braguda. In 2009 TV series, she is the daughter of Kobra, a half-man half-snake (played by Paolo Contis). At first, she was Narda's childhood friend and became Eduardo's girlfriend. But in reality, she deceived them so that their friendship would broke. When Darna's revived original villains are coming to destroy the entire town, Valentina almost gets dropped but Nards tries to hand her until Babaeng Lawin catches her and Valentina falls and presumes dead until she will revive and she will devastate mankind. Valentina becomes Darna/Narda's greatest adversary.. However, Darna's similarity to Wonder Woman is superficial, if anything. Besides the fact that super strength, flight, and super speed are common and hardly unique powers among superheroes, the character has several differences with her purported souce material. She has always possessed the power of flight from the very beginning (as Varga in 1947, and as Darna in 1950), while Wonder Woman only gained the power of flight in the 1987 relaunch of her title. She does not require bracelets to deflect bullets with, because they already bounce off her body (like Superman). It seems that only Viva Films' rendition of Darna copies Wonder Woman, because they have her deflect bullets with her bracelets. Also, Diana is not an alien, but an Amazon princess. Darna's chief inspirations did not include Wonder Woman, but were rather Superman and Captain Marvel, whose comics Ravelo regularly read. According to some, Ravelo never had a father-figure and he considered his mother as his biggest hero. His mother represented Darna and young Mars Ravelo represented kid sidekick, Ding. This is most likely the reason why Darna is a woman with Superman-like powers