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Every year during the dry season, the natives would make sacrifices for the water god to give
them rain. And when the rain started pouring, they would take it as a cue that Lakandanum had
returned, and everyone would be in a festive mood.
In fact, the old Kapampangan new year called Bayung Danum (literally means “new water”)
started as a celebration in honor of Lakandanum. When Christianity came into the picture, it was
converted into the feast of St. John in Pampanga and feast of St. Peter in other areas.
18-19. Galang Kaluluwa and Ulilang Kaluluwa
Galang Kaluluwa. Original illustration designed
by Dubai-based Filipino graphic artist “Trix.” View her stunning portfolio at
trixdraws.deviantart.com
In some Tagalog creation myths, Bathala was not the only deity who lived in the universe before
humanity was born. He shared the space with two other powerful gods: the serpent Ulilang
Kaluluwa (“orphaned spirit”) who lived in the clouds and the wandering god aptly
named Galang Kaluluwa.
Ulilang Kaluluwa wanted the earth and the rest of the universe for himself. Therefore, when he
learned of Bathala who was eyeing for the same stuff, he decided to fight. After days of non-stop
battle, Bathala became the last man standing. The lifeless body of Ulilang Kaluluwa was
subsequently burned.
A few years later, Bathala and Galang Kaluluwa met. The two became friends, with Bathala
even inviting the latter to stay in his kingdom. But the life of Galang Kaluluwa was cut short by
an illness. Upon his friend’s request, Bathala buried the body at exactly the same spot
where Ulilang Kaluluwa was previously burned.
Soon, a mysterious tree grew from the grave. Its fruit and wing-like leaves reminded Bathala of
his departed friend, while the hard, unattractive trunk had the same qualities as the evil Ulilang
Kaluluwa.
The tree, as it turned out, is the “tree of life” we greatly value today–the coconut