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Tale of bakunawa

The Bakunawa is a serpent-like dragon in Philippine mythology. It is believed to be the cause of eclipses, earthquakes, rains, and wind. The movements of the Bakunawa served as a geomantic calendar system for ancient Filipinos and were part of the shamanistic rituals of the babaylan.

By Maverick Delos ReyesPublished 2 years ago 2 min read

Once upon a time, nestled within the rich tapestry of Philippine folklore, there existed a mystical serpent known as the Bakunawa. This creature was said to be a fearsome sea dragon that possessed an alluring beauty and captivating power.

Legend tells that the Bakunawa had a sparkling, iridescent scale that mesmerized all who gazed upon it. It would emerge from the depths of the sea during the full moon, as its scales reflected the moonlight, creating a breathtaking spectacle for those fortunate enough to witness it. However, despite its enchanting appearance, the Bakunawa was believed to bring great destruction and turmoil upon the world.

According to ancient tales, the Bakunawa was feared for its insatiable appetite for the moon. It was believed that the creature desired to devour all seven moons, plunging the world into eternal darkness. Each time the Bakunawa attempted to devour a moon, the people would come together to ward off the creature by banging pots and pans, making loud noises, and showing their bravery in the face of this ferocious threat.

The Bakunawa's presence was not limited to the sea alone. It was said to possess the ability to shape-shift into other forms, including that of a beautiful woman, a monstrous giant, or a massive sea serpent. This shapeshifting ability allowed the Bakunawa to deceive and confuse those who sought to protect the moons.

One particularly valiant hero named Lakan faced the Bakunawa and rose to the challenge of protecting the moons from its destructive appetite. Armed with a magical sword and shield, Lakan boldly confronted the creature, engaging it in a fierce battle that lasted for days.

Though Lakan's efforts were valiant, he struggled to overcome the sheer power of the Bakunawa. Sensing the hero's determination, the moons themselves aided him by showering him with their protective light, imbuing his sword and shield with their celestial energy. With this newfound strength, Lakan struck the creature's heart, eventually subduing its hunger for darkness.

As the serpent slumbered, defeated but not destroyed, Lakan made a pact with the Bakunawa. They agreed that the creature would no longer seek to devour the moons, and in return, it would be allowed to swim freely in the vast oceans, far from human settlements.

From that day forward, the Bakunawa maintained its place as a mythical creature, always living within the realm of legends and stories. It became a reminder to the people of the importance of balance and the ever-present struggle against darkness. The tale of the Bakunawa serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of heroism in the face of daunting challenges and the power of unity to overcome even the most mythical of creatures.

Historical

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  • Judey Kalchik 2 years ago

    Hello, AI is permitted on Vocal. It is a Vocal policy that content created with AI is identified as such at the start of the story/article. Your article/story has many hallmarks of AI-assisted/generated content. You can find the details of the Vocal policy here: https://shopping-feedback.today/resources/an-update-from-vocal-on-ai-generated-content%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E, Please amend your piece to be in compliance. If you are not a Vocal+ member you will need to contact Vocal here ([email protected]) and ask them to edit your story/article/poem for you. If you don’t correct this the content may be removed by Vocal and/or you may be deleted from the platform.

  • hello guys! please subscribe if you want more filipino stories/mythological/historical ❤️

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