The Legend of Palaesgen: A Tagbanua Story




A long time ago, Biarongbarongan, who was a supernatural chief lived at the other side of Iraan river, [where the old agricultural high school was located]. He had two sons, namely, Baybayaren and Palaesgen. Both were married to Iloilo and Tabod, respectively. They were also enchanted. They owned wells with magical flowing water. From the wells, they could demand instantly anything that they asked for.
At one time, Biarongbiarongan went for a tournament in a foreign land. After his defeat, he was beheaded and his head was pierced in the plaza. His fierce son, Palaesgen rode his enormous ship with hundreds of his followers to avenge his father’s death. When he was exhausted in his battle, he alighted in a tree and only his sword and shield continued to fight until he was victorious and went home to Aborlan.
One afternoon, an ordinary man and woman happened to meet for a romance under Palaesgen’s house. He was angry at the sinful persons, thus he and his family together with his kins left Aborlan for another virgin land.

Ref. [History of Palawan, {Aborlan pp. 04} Acknowledgment given to Mr. Eulalio Palao, Principal of Aborlan Elementary School, April 21, 1953] as well to Mr. Felix Quiñola, Mr. Anastacio Sendin, Mr. Alfredo Dulay, Mrs. Ester M. Katon and Mr. Guillermo Beltran. Attribution owed to the Office of Masicampo Ruben C. Joya Sr. with special thanks to Director IV, Cesar Guilbert Q. Adriano and Assistant Director Edgardo B. Quiros of the National Library of the Philippines who gave us a copy of the History of Palawan from their Rare Book Collections.
Imagery depicted by the Office of the Maradya et Masirikampu of Palawan.

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