The story of bathala

1. Republic of the Philippines
SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Main Campus, Tandag City
The Story of Bathala
(Luzon Creation Myth)
Prepared by:
Angelito T. Pera
Marjorie M. Rosete
Lea C. Balatayo
Lovely Rose Cedron
Jollian Montenegro
Mylvie Soriano
Josie Alngog
Cristina Cabaña
Kirby Galler
December 2, 2015

2. Republic of the Philippines
SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Main Campus, Tandag City
The Story of Bathala
(Luzon Creation Myth)
In the beginning of time,/ there were three powerful gods who lived in
the universe:/ Bathala was the caretaker of the earth;/ Ulilang Kaluluwa
(Orphaned Spirit),/ a huge serpent who lived in the clouds; /and Galang
Kaluluwa (Wandering spirit), /the winged god who loves to travel./
These three gods did not know each other./ Bathala often dreamt of
creating mortals/ but the empty earth stops him from doing so./ Ulilang
Kaluluwa /who was equally lonely as Bathala,/ liked to visit places and the
earth was his favorite./ One day, the two gods met./ Ulilang Kaluluwa, seeing
another god rivaling him,/ was not pleased. He challenged Bathala/ to a fight
to decide/ who would be the ruler of the universe./ After three days and three
nights,/
Ulilang Kaluluwa was slain by Bathala./ Instead of giving him a proper
burial,/ Bathala burned the snake's remains./ A few years later,/ the third god,/
Galang Kaluluwa,/ wandered into Bathala's home./ He welcomed the winged
god/ with much kindness/ and even invited him to live in his kingdom./ They
became true friends/ and were very happy for many years/.
Galang Kaluluwa became very ill/. Before he died./ he instructed
Bathala/ to bury him on the spot where Ulilang Kaluluwa’s body was burned./
Bathala did exactly as he was told./ Out of the grave of the two dead gods,/ it
grew a tall tree with a big round nut,/ which is the coconut tree./
Bathala took the nut and husked it./ He noticed that the inner skin was
hard./ The nut itself/ reminded him of Galang Kaluluwa’s head/. It had two

3. Republic of the Philippines
SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Main Campus, Tandag City
eyes,/ a flat nose,/ and a round mouth./ Its leaves looked so much like the
wings of his dear winged friend./ But the trunk was hard and ugly,/ like the
body of his enemy,/ the snake Ulilang Kaluluwa./ Bathala realized/ that he
was ready to create the creatures/ he wanted with him on earth/.
He created the vegetation,/ animals,/ and the first man/ and woman./

4. Republic of the Philippines
SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Main Campus, Tandag City
The Conversation of the gods
Situation no. 1
One day, the two gods met./ Ulilang Kaluluwa, seeing another god
rivaling him,/ was not pleased. He challenged Bathala/ to a fight to decide/
who would be the ruler of the universe./ After three days and three nights,/
Ulilang Kaluluwa: Are you the most powerful god in the universe?
Bathala: If I am? What can you do?
Ulilang Kaluluwa: I will not allow you to be the most powerful god in
the universe. Whoever you are, I challenged you to a fight to decide who
would be the ruler of the Universe.
Bathala: If then, I accept your challenge.
Situation no. 2
After three days and three nights, Ulilang Kaluluwa was slain by
Bathala. Instead of giving him a proper burial, Bathala burned the snake's
remains.
Situation no. 3
A few years later, the third god, Galang Kaluluwa, wandered into
Bathala's home./ He welcomed the winged god/ with much kindness/ and
even invited him to live in his kingdom./ They became true friends/ and were
very happy for many years/.
Galang kaluluwa: I was lost. And I couldn’t find the way back home.
Bathala: I can help you. And you are highly welcomed to live in my
kingdom.
Galang kaluluwa: I am very pleased that you welcomed me.

5. Republic of the Philippines
SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Main Campus, Tandag City
Situation no. 4
Galang Kaluluwa became very ill. Before he died. he instructed
Bathala/ to bury him on the spot where Ulilang Kaluluwa’s body was burned.
Bathala did exactly as he was told. Out of the grave of the two dead gods, it
grew a tall tree with a big round nut, which is the coconut tree.
Galang Kaluluwa: My friend, before I’ll die, I need you to bury me on
the spot where Ulilang Kaluluwa’s body was burned.
Bathala: Yes my friend, I will.
Galang Kaluluwa: Thank you for welcoming me. For being kind and a
true friend.
Bathala: I am very glad that I have a friend like you.
Situation no. 5
Bathala took the nut and husked it. He noticed that the inner skin was
hard. The nut itself reminded him of Galang Kaluluwa’s head. It had two eyes,
a flat nose, and a round mouth. Its leaves looked so much like the wings of his
dear winged friend. But the trunk was hard and ugly, like the body of his
enemy, the snake Ulilang Kaluluwa. Bathala realized that he was ready to
create the creatures he wanted with him on earth. He created the vegetation,
animals, and the first man and woman.
Bathala: Why is this so hard? Oh, it reminds me of my friend Galang
kaluluwa. There are two eyes, a flat nose, and even a round mouth. The
leaves are like the wings of my dear winged friend. But why is the trunk so
hard and ugly? It’s like the body of my enemy, the snake, Ulilang kaluluwa.

6. Republic of the Philippines
SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Main Campus, Tandag City
(Stand in front) From now on, I am ready to create creatures and I want
them to be with me. Let the vegetation, animals, first man and woman,
reproduce!
And now, I am contented.