Myths and Legends of Pinatubo and Arayat The oral traditions involving the mountains Pinatubo and Arayat are quite vast, and I want to give an outline of some of these along with a bit of analysis. However, given that many of the works that might discuss these mountains and their traditions are buried in extensive archives that are not well indexed, this will be an on-going process. The earliest explicit mention of name "Arayat" and its main deity "Sinukuan" that I have been able to uncover is the travel diary of Gemelli Careri in 1696: In Pampanga, and right on the mountain called Bondo [Bondoc], or Kalaya [Alaya], being a league and a half high (which was previously under the rule of Sinoquan and Mingan) are plantains, betels, and other fruits. They say they may eat these fruits on the spot, but if anyone carries them down they either fall down dead, or become lame. Perhaps the Devil (by God's permission) causes such strange accidents, to keep those people in paganism; but the Indians themselves also play their part for they are famous sorcerers and are said often to convert themselves into crocodiles, wild boars, and other forms. The Bondo and Kalaya come from "Bondok Alaya" or "Mount Alaya," the original name of Arayat. Sinoquan is obviously Apung Sinukuan, who is portrayed here as a ruler of Arayat along with Mingan, a name that in most traditions is that of Sinukuan's wife, but occasionally occurs also as the name of one of his daughters. As for Sinukuan's opposite -- Apo na Malyari (Apung Mallari) and Mt. Pinatubo -- the earliest reference I have found so far comes from a manuscript titled "Relation of the Zambals" by Domingo Perez in 1680. Malyari is mentioned primarily in reference to the sacrifices made by the Bayoc, the Sambal high priest, and Pinatubo ("Pinatuba") is noted for its rock slides during the rainy season (Blair and Robertson 1903). These accounts are rather brief and do not provide detailed information. For example, no connection is made between the god Malyari and Pinatubo. Modern ethnography We begin to learn more about the myths and legends of these mountains when a renaissance in learning about indigenous culture occurred among the leaders of the Propaganda Movement and the Philippine Revolution starting around the 1880s. These studies intensified after American colonization among both American and Filipino scholars. During this time, we learn that Sinukuan was also known by other names: Aldo "Sun," and Apolaqui "Lord Male," or possibly "Lord Grandfather." The myths suggest that knowledge of Sinukuan was more widely spread than the areas of Pampanga and nearby Zambales. For example, Apolaqui was also known throughout most of Luzon where he is variously called Apolaki, Apolake, etc., often in myths that resemble that of the battle of the Sun and Moon , or
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Myths and Legends of Pinatubo and Arayat
The oral traditions involving the mountains Pinatubo and Arayat are quite vast, and I want to
give an outline of some of these along with a bit of analysis. However, given that many of the
works that might discuss these mountains and their traditions are buried in extensive archives
that are not well indexed, this will be an on-going process.
The earliest explicit mention of name "Arayat" and its main deity "Sinukuan" that I have been
able to uncover is the travel diary of Gemelli Careri in 1696:
In Pampanga, and right on the mountain called Bondo [Bondoc], or Kalaya [Alaya], being a
league and a half high (which was previously under the rule of Sinoquan and Mingan) are
plantains, betels, and other fruits. They say they may eat these fruits on the spot, but if anyone
carries them down they either fall down dead, or become lame. Perhaps the Devil (by God's
permission) causes such strange accidents, to keep those people in paganism; but the Indians
themselves also play their part for they are famous sorcerers and are said often to convert
themselves into crocodiles, wild boars, and other forms.
The Bondo and Kalaya come from "Bondok Alaya" or "Mount Alaya," the original name of
Arayat. Sinoquan is obviously Apung Sinukuan, who is portrayed here as a ruler of Arayat along
with Mingan, a name that in most traditions is that of Sinukuan's wife, but occasionally occurs
also as the name of one of his daughters.
As for Sinukuan's opposite -- Apo na Malyari (Apung Mallari) and Mt. Pinatubo -- the earliest
reference I have found so far comes from a manuscript titled "Relation of the Zambals" by
Domingo Perez in 1680. Malyari is mentioned primarily in reference to the sacrifices made by
the Bayoc, the Sambal high priest, and Pinatubo ("Pinatuba") is noted for its rock slides during
the rainy season (Blair and Robertson 1903).
These accounts are rather brief and do not provide detailed information. For example, no
connection is made between the god Malyari and Pinatubo.
Modern ethnography
We begin to learn more about the myths and legends of these mountains when a renaissance in
learning about indigenous culture occurred among the leaders of the Propaganda Movement and
the Philippine Revolution starting around the 1880s. These studies intensified after American
colonization among both American and Filipino scholars.
During this time, we learn that Sinukuan was also known by other names: Aldo "Sun," and
Apolaqui "Lord Male," or possibly "Lord Grandfather." The myths suggest that knowledge of
Sinukuan was more widely spread than the areas of Pampanga and nearby Zambales.
For example, Apolaqui was also known throughout most of Luzon where he is variously called
Apolaki, Apolake, etc., often in myths that resemble that of the battle of the Sun and Moon, or