Ang Alamat ng Bohol

Summary

The legend of Bohol, as retold by Patrocino Oferte, begins with a Datu whose daughter falls gravely ill. Following the advice of a healer, they unearth a large balete tree, which inadvertently leads to the girl's fall into an underworld. Various animals, led by a turtle, collaborate to save her by creating an island—Bohol. The story progresses, revealing the twin sons of the girl: one good, one evil. The good son shapes the land, bringing life and prosperity, while the evil son brings chaos before ultimately leaving. This myth explains Bohol's origins and its reverence for nature and animals.

Takeaways

• 🏥 A village in Bohol sought help from a patron named Patrocino when a daughter of a Datu fell ill.
• 👴 An elderly doctor was summoned to treat the sick girl, who was believed to be under a curse.
• 🌳 The doctor prescribed a ritual involving a Balete tree, which was believed to have roots connected to the underworld.
• 🔍 The villagers dug around the tree's roots to find the girl, who was found in a state of being able to move but trapped.
• 🗣️ The Datu made a public announcement asking for the villagers to follow the doctor's orders to restore his daughter's health.
• 🌪️ A sudden storm occurred, causing the ground to open and the sick girl to fall into the underworld.
• 🐞 Two ants tried to save the girl by carrying her on their backs, but they failed and the girl was lost.
• 🐜 The ants then tried to build a house for the girl, but the house was destroyed by a large frog.
• 🌋 The old frog swallowed the girl, who then gave birth to a pair of twins, one good and one evil.
• 🌱 The good twin created a paradise on the island, while the evil twin caused destruction and chaos.
• 🌎 The good twin eventually subdued the evil twin by capturing two clumps of earth from the sky and shaping them like humans, bringing them to life.

Q & A

What is the setting of the story?

The story is set in ancient times, where people lived beyond the clouds and magical events took place.

Who is the main character in the story?

The main character is the daughter of a Datu, who falls ill and is the focus of the story's events.

How does the Datu react when his daughter falls ill?

The Datu is deeply worried and commands his men to find a healer immediately to cure his daughter.

What action does the healer recommend to cure the Datu's daughter?

The healer advises the men to bring the Datu’s daughter to a large Balete tree and dig around its roots as part of the ritual.

What unexpected event occurs during the ritual at the Balete tree?

As the ritual progresses, the ground unexpectedly opens up and the Datu’s daughter falls into a mysterious hole.

What happens to the Datu's daughter after she falls into the hole?

She falls into a large body of water under the clouds, where two ducks see her fall and try to save her by carrying her on their backs.

What do the animals decide to do to help the Datu's daughter after her fall?

The animals hold a meeting and decide to build a new island, which becomes the island of Bohol, to help her.

What does the small turtle do to create light for the woman?

The small turtle goes to the clouds, retrieves lightning, and creates the sun and moon to provide warmth and light for the woman.

What is the significance of the good and bad sons born to the woman and the man on the island?

The good son works to improve the island of Bohol by creating rivers, forests, and animals, while the bad son destroys some of the good son’s work and leaves the island.

How did Bohol get its shape and features, according to the story?

Bohol's shape and features were formed by the good son, who shaped the land, rivers, and animals. The island's resemblance to a turtle’s back is also mentioned.