Pre-Colonial (900–1560)

Ever heard of superheroes who can make plants grow with a song? No, not Poison Ivy! I’m talking about the OG heroes of Philippine Mythology – the legendary brothers from the Hinilawod epic. Buckle up, mga ‘tol, as we dive into their action-packed (and sometimes hilarious) adventures. Hinilawod: What’s the Craic? First things first, “Hinilawod”…

Ever heard a kwento from your lolo about some epic heroes from way, way back? You know, the kind with monsters, magic, and enough romance to put a telenovela to shame? Well, buckle up, because we’re diving into the world of Hinilawod – think “Lord of the Rings” but set in pre-colonial Philippines with a…

Ever feel like our ancestors just left us with baon and pasalubong stories? Like, where’s the action? The drama? The kilig? Well, buckle up, because we’re about to dive into the Hinilawod – an epic poem that’s basically the Avengers: Endgame of Philippine mythology. Hinilawod: What Is It? This ain’t your lola‘s bedtime story. The Hinilawod is a pre-colonial epic poem, passed down orally for generations by…

You know how Lola always says, “Naku, kabataan ngayon, puro gadgets na lang!”? Part of her is right. We’re glued to our phones, obsessed with the latest TikTok trends, and hooked on stories from faraway lands. But what about our own stories? The tales whispered by our ancestors, passed down through generations? One such story,…

Ever heard of a dude rocking some serious anting-anting magic, slaying monsters left and right, and even coming back from the dead? Nope, it’s not some superhero flick – it’s Biag ni Lam-ang, folks! And let me tell you, this epic tale didn’t just drop the mic in ancient Philippine Literature, it became the mic. We’re talking about a story…

Let’s be honest, explaining Filipino lit classics after a couple of drinks (or even without!) can feel like explaining the latest K-Drama plot twist to your Tito who only watches basketball. You start strong. You’ve got the gist of it. Then BAM! You’re stuck between “He did WHAT with his powers?!” and “Wait, wasn’t his…

Ever found yourself scratching your head while reading Biag ni Lam-ang, wondering about the blend of badassery and prayers? You’re not alone! It’s like finding your Lolo’s old comics next to his prayer book – a fascinating mix. This epic, passed down through generations like your Lola’s prized recipe, is more than just a hero’s…

Ever feel like your life is stuck in a teleserye? Drama everywhere you look? Well, get this: life in pre-colonial Philippines had its own share of plot twists! And no, I’m not talking about who stole the last pan de sal from the bakery. We’re talking epic tales, myths passed down through generations, stories whispered around flickering fires. We’re…

Ever wondered what life was like before the Spaniards landed in the Philippines? Like, did we have laws? Did we have police? Was it all just barangays chilling by the beach, or were things more… organized? Get this, pre-colonial Philippines wasn’t some lawless land of “bahala na.” We had systems, pare. We had structure. And…

Ever heard the neighborhood chismis? Lolo and Lola talking about the good old days? Back then, we didn’t have fancy CCTVs or high-tech security systems. So how did our ancestors keep their communities safe? Enter the Tanod – the unsung heroes of pre-colonial Philippine society. No, not the tanods we see nowadays, directing traffic with their iconic…