Hinilawod

Philippine mythology

Mythical beings Aswang Berbalang Diwata Duende Juan Tamad Mambabarang Manananggal Mangkukulam Maria Makiling Nuno sa punso

Mythical animals Bakunawa Ekek Kapre Limokon Manaul Sarimanok Sigbin Sirena Siyokoy Tikbalang Tigmamanukan Tiyanak

Mythical heroes Ama-ron Bernardo Carpio

Subjects Mythological figures Mythological creatures

Folk religions Tagalog beliefs Religion in pre-colonial Philippines Shrines and sacred grounds Anito

Philippines portal

v t e

Hinilawod is an epic poem orally transmitted from early inhabitants of a place called Sulod in central Panay, Philippines. The term "Hinilawod" generally translates to "Tales From The Mouth of The Halawod River". The epic must have been commonly known to the Visayans of Panay before the conquest, since its main protagonists, like Labaw Donggon, were noted in the accounts of the Islanders' beliefs and recorded by early Spanish colonizers.^[1] One of these Westerners' accounts says that the adventures of this ancient hero of Panay were recalled during weddings and in songs.^[2] It was noted that there were still native Mundos of Dingle, Iloilo who worshipped Labaw Donggon even until the last years of the Spanish rule in the Philippines. These worshippers would stealthily enter a certain cave in Dingle in the evening of a certain day of the year, in order to render homage and to offer chickens, doves, rice, bananas, and pigs to the ancient Visayan god.^[1]

The Hinilawod Epic Chant Recordings, housed at the Henry Luce III Library of Central Philippine University, have been inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. This marks Iloilo City's second UNESCO recognition, following its designation as the first Creative City of Gastronomy in the Philippines, and is the first documentary heritage outside Manila to receive this honor.^[3][4][5]