Biag ni Lam-ang: Summary

Introduction

• Title: Biag ni Lam-ang (The Life of Lam-ang)
• Setting: Nalbuan, now part of La Union, Philippines

Characters

• Don Juan: Father of Lam-ang
• Namongan: Mother of Lam-ang
• Lam-ang: Protagonist, son of Don Juan and Namongan
• Ines Canoyan: Love interest of Lam-ang
• Sumarang: Rival suitor of Ines
• Berkakan: Water monster

Lam-ang's Birth and Early Life

• Don Juan went to the mountains to punish Igorot enemies.
• Lam-ang was born while Don Juan was away.
• He immediately spoke, chose his name and godparents, and inquired about his father.
• After 9 months, Lam-ang decided to search for his father despite Namongan's sadness.

Journey and Revenge

• Lam-ang dreamed of his father’s head stuck on a pole by the Igorot.
• Furious, he traveled to their village and killed the Igorots, sparing one to tell of his deeds.
• Returned to Nalbuan in triumph, bathed by women in the Amburayan river, causing all fish to die due to the dirt and odor from his body.

Wooing Ines Canoyan

• Lam-ang desired to woo Ines, from Kalanutian, bringing his white rooster and gray dog.
• On his way, he fought and defeated Sumarang, an enemy suitor.
• Found Ines’s house surrounded by many suitors; used his rooster and dog to gain her attention.
• His rooster crowed and caused a nearby house to fall, making Ines look out.
• The house rose again upon his dog’s bark.
• Ines's parents agreed to marriage if Lam-ang provided a dowry double their wealth.
• Lam-ang fulfilled the dowry condition; he and Ines were married.

Tragic Turn and Resurrection

• Newly married tradition required swimming in the river; Lam-ang dove into the mouth of Berkakan and died.
• Ines instructed Marcus to recover Lam-ang's bones, which were covered with cloth.
• His rooster crowed and dog barked, reviving him.
• Lam-ang and Ines lived happily ever after.

Conclusion

• The story blends folklore with themes of love, revenge, and resurrection.