TheStory Alunsina and Datu Paubari
Kaptan, the king of the Gods, decreed that the beautiful
Alunsina (also called Laun Sina, The Unmarried One) marry upon reaching her
maidenhood. Though all the unmarried gods from every corner of the universe
tried to win her hand in marriage, she chose to marry a mortal, Datu Paubari,
ruler of the Halawod.
Angered by Alunsina's decision, her suitors conspired to harm
the newlywed couple. Maklium-sa-t'wan, the god of the plains, called a council
meeting of the Gods. The council decided to destroy the couple's home, Halawod,
by flood. Fortunately for Alunsina and her husband, her sister Suklang Malayon
(Goddess and Guardian of Happy Homes) discovered the evil plot and warned them
of it. Before the flood, the new couple sought refuge on a higher ground and escaped
the gods' wrath undetected. They returned to the plains and settled near the
mouth of the Halawod River after the flood has subsided and lived in secrecy.
After several months, Alunsina became pregnant with triplets.
The couple was ecstatic and Datu Paubari prepared the things needed for
childbirth including the siklot. When the triplets were born, the couple called
them Labaw Dongon, Humadapnon and Dumalapdap.
Immediately after giving birth, Alunsina summoned the high
priest Bungot-Banwa to perform the rites of the gods of the Mount Madya-as to
ensure that the triplets will have good health. During the ritual, Bungot-Banwa
burned some alanghiran fronds and a pinch of kamangyan in an altar that he made
himself. He opened the windows of the north side of the room after the ceremony
and in came a cold wind that transformed the infants into strong, handsome
young men.