English - Balay Mindanaw

LUMADNONG PAGKINABUHI NGADTO SA KALINAW“It’s the people’s wish that Amba be called the highestdatu because they have seen his good deeds and the way hetreats each one fairly. He is not arrogant. He can manage tocalm down anyone with a temper. Amba Palasambag was alsoidentified by Father Cullen as the one who can trace the historyand origins of the Higaunon tribe, including their rights. He isalso generous because even if he has little, he is still willing toshare. If we have visitors, even just our neighbors, he wouldoffer them food to eat.”Father Vincent Cullen, a Jesuit missionary who hadworked in Hagpa and who published several studies onthe Higaunons, became a close friend of Amba Palasambag.He observed that Amba Palasambag was not only adept atHigaunon history and tradition; he is also familiar with theBible, particularly the Book of Genesis, the great flood, andNoah’s Ark.Higaunon Origins and the BalaudIn the famous Ulaging, the Higaunon epic, the story ofAgyu is narrated through a limbay or song. According toAmba Palasambag, Agyu and Banlak were giants. One day,they had a fight with the balbal (evil person) named Bagoapo,and as a proof to this, Amba Palasambag mentioned a hugerock in Dumalaguing that supposedly bore the markingsof the hands of Agyu. Inda Palasambag further mentionedthat it was not only the hand but also his testicles, but DatuPalasambag was quick to correct his wife, saying that it wasnot Agyu’s testicles, but that of the balbal’s which Agyusmashed with the big rock. When asked if this was really trueand not hearsay, Amba Palasambag asserted.The tale of the famous Ulaging seems to be forgottennowadays. Jimmy, a local chieftain of Minalwang, disclosed:“Others could follow the story, but I could not. It is a very28