The document summarizes the Ilocano epic poem Biag ni Lam-Ang, which follows the story of the hero Lam-ang. Some key details include: Lam-ang was born with the unique ability to speak immediately and vowed revenge after learning of his father's death. He defeats numerous enemies in battle. Lam-ang then falls in love with the beautiful Ines and they marry in a grand celebration, but he later dies after being eaten by a large fish. However, with the help of his magical pets, Lam-ang is resurrected and reunited with his wife. The epic portrays qualities reflecting Ilocano culture from the pre-Spanish Philippines like bravery, justice, love, and hero

1. BIAG NI
LAM-ANG
An Ilocano Epic

2. Who are the characters in Biag ni Lam Ang?
● Don Juan Panganiban – father of Lam-ang.
● Namongan - wife of Don Juan Panganiban.
● Lam-ang – Son of Don Juan And Namongan Panganiban and
the major character of the story.
● Ines Kannoyon – Wife of lam-ang, daughter of the richest
man of the town Kalanuha.
● Sumarang– the enemy of Lam-ang.

3. BIAG NI LAM-ANG (Life of Lam-ang) is a
pre-Hispanic epic poem of the Ilocano
people of the Philippines. The story was
handed down orally for generations before it
was written down around 1640 assumedly
by a blind Ilokano bard named Pedro
Bucaneg.

4. What is BARD?
It was a professional story teller, verse-maker, music
composer, oral historian and genealogist, employed by a
patron (such as a monarch or noble) to commemorate
one or more of the patron's ancestors and to praise the
patron's own activities.

5. PEDRO BUCANEG

6. INITIAL PLOT
Lam-ang was an extraordinary being, manifesting in his early years when
he started to speak, thus enabling him to choose his own name. His
adventure began when his father, Don Juan, set out for a battle but never
returned. At barely nine months, he went to search for Don Juan in the
highlands where the latter was said to have gone. Aware that her child
was a blessed, exceptional creature, his mother Namongan allowed him
to go. Lam-ang then went off to search for his father, leaving his grieving
mother behind.

7. When Lam-ang reached the area his father purportedly disappeared to,
he was enraged upon seeing Don Juan’s severed head atop of a bamboo
pole that was planted in the ground; the scene came to him in a dream
prior to reaching that place. Lam-ang then demanded to know the reason
as to why that had happened to his father, but did not receive an answer
from the locals. Instead, the chieftain of the village demanded that he
leave under pain of suffering the same fate as his father. Lam-ang defied
the caveat and bravely fought with the chieftain and his tribesmen. The
hero emerged victorious from the battle with little effort, finally avenging
his murdered father.

8. COMEDY ELEMENTS
Biag ni Lam-ang, although dominated by action and
tragedy, nonetheless contained some comedic points. An
example would be the scene where as Lam-ang was going
home, he passed by a river (identified by some with the
Amburayan River, the biggest river in Ilocos) and then
decided to have a dip. The dirt and blood that came off from
his body caused the death of the river's fish, crabs, and
shrimp. As he was bathing, some of the maidens who were
present at the river gladly attended to him.

9. MARRIAGE
Lam-ang, upon arriving home, decided to court his love interest, Ines Kannoyan who
lives in Calanutian (Kanluit). Despite his mother’s disapproval, he followed his heart and
set off again on another journey to his love. He faced one of Ines’ suitors and various
monsters, but again was able to vanquish them with ease. Aiding him were his magical
pets, a cat, dog, and a rooster. The bird flapped its wings and a house toppled over. This
feat amazed everybody present, especially Ines. Then, Lam-ang’s dog barked and the
house rose up. Being invited to the lunch of the family of Ines, Lam-ang impressed Ines’
parents with his wealth and upon returning he gave the family two golden ships. Their
nuptials were celebrated with a lot of feasting.

10. Death and subsequent rebirth
After his death due to being eaten by a huge fish, Lam-ang's
bones were recovered and he was resurrected with the help
of his magical pet. Ines was ordered by the rooster to wrap
the bones with her tapis while the hen flapped its wings and
the dog was growling. In an instant, Lam-ang was happily
reunited with his wife.

11. There are 10 unfamiliar
words that Pedro
Bucaneg use in the epic
of Biag ni Lam-ang

12. UNFAMILIAR WORDS
● Retrieve
● Filthy
● Predict
● Skeptical
● Dowry
● Amenities
● Stun
● Predicament
● Omen
● Bliss
Meaning
★ Recover
★ Dirty
★ Foresee
★ Doubtful
★ Offering
★ Facilities
★ Shock
★ Dilemma
★ Sign
★ Happiness

13. Summary of the story of Lam-ang
Centuries ago, there was a great warrior who was widely known in
Ilocos as a hero who fought the Igorots. When Lam-ang was born, he
had the most unusual ability to speak immediately at birth. He
immediately asked where his father was, and, upon being informed
that his father was killed by Igorots, Lam-ang vowed revenge: A
vendetta was born.

14. Lam-ang grew up immediately, and went up into the mountains to take his
vengeance. Alone, he fought off dozens of Igorot warriors, defeating them all.
He cut off the ears of the warriors, as trophies, and returned to Ilocos. He then
met and was captivated by a beautiful woman named Ines, and he
immediately fell in love. He pledged her all of his gold, land, and livestock.
Naturally, as the most beautiful woman in the province, Ines had many suitors,
but all quietly gave way to Lam-ang, since they knew that they could not
compete with him for her affections. All except a giant of a man, named
Sumarang, who would not yield. So, Lam-ang and Sumarang fought, and
Lam-ang won, easily defeating Sumarang.

15. Lam-ang and Ines were married with the largest wedding feast that ever been seen
in the province. In order to secure the union’s blessing, Lam-ang was informed that
he must dive down to the very depths of the sea and retrieve a pearl from a
magical oyster, otherwise the marriage would have bad luck. (Other versions say
that Lam-ang went to fish for a rare fish called rarang.) So Lam-ang dove into the
sea and, on his way down, was eaten by a fearsome fish called the Berkaken.
Heartbroken, Ines went into mourning, as did most of the town, as Lam-ang was
their hero. The next day, Lam-ang’s rooster, who had magical powers (Lam-ang
also owned a magic dog and cat), spoke to Ines, and told her to have Lam-ang’s
bones fished out of the sea. Ines did as she was instructed, bringing Lam-ang’s
bones before the rooster, who then blew on them.

16. Literary Analysis of
Biag ni Lam Ang

17. The epic of Biag ni Lam-Ang portrays the qualities and several
characteristics of Filipinos. The fact that the traits, attitudes, and
values being shown in this phenomenal epic are all reflections of our
ancestors especially the Ilocanos who were the source of this
fictitious piece during pre-Spanish period. It depicts unwavering
bravery, justice, love, romance, relationship, journey and even
friendship. The vastness and heroism in the story are filled with
idealistic imagination and fantasy.

18. THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING !!!
Reported by:
LEANNE TACMO