Literary Analysis of Biag ni Lam Ang

Literary Analysis

The epic of Biag ni Lam-Ang portrays the qualities and several characteristics of Filipinos. The fact that the traits,
attitudes, and values being shown in this phenomenal epic are all reflections of our ancestors especially the
Ilocanos who were the source of this fictitious piece during pre-Spanish period. It depicts unwavering bravery,
justice, love, romance, relationship, journey and even friendship. The vastness and heroism in the story are filled
with idealistic imagination and fantasy.
Lam-Ang, the hero in the epic, son of Don Juan and Namungan Panganiban in the place of Nalbuan. He is being
feared and adored by the people because of his extraordinary powers. He has an usual birth. He can talk just after
his birth. Lam Ang’s astounding growth was so fantastically amazing. When he was nine months old, he already
possessed maturity, physically and mentally. He also had a very loud voice that he can broadcast a declaration
clearly to the town of Nalbuan. He had an indescribable spirit that he conquered the numerous Igorots alone. Lam
Ang’s bravery was being shown to the town people of Calanutian and Nalbuan as he tried to get the shellfish, the
fact that it was a difficult task because many have tried to attempt to get the precious shellfish but they failed do
it. Aside from all his extraordinary capabilities, he also had astonishing powers. When it comes to his love life, he
tried to do anything for his love, Ines Cannuyan, to prove his worthiness of marrying her. Unfortunately, he was
killed by berkakan, a furious shark, but he was brought to life through the help of his unbelievable animal friends.

First, the epic shows the importance of family. Lam Ang’s love for his family was selfless as he searched for his
father. The leadership skills were also manifested, he protected the town people of Nalbuan for possible
colonization of Igorots. The epic also emphasizes the rivalry between Lam Ang and other suitors. When Lam Ang
fell in love with Ines, He fought and killed several monsters and eventually challenged Sumarang who was a
dedicated suitor of Ines. It is just a picture how the Filipinos fight for their love, doing everything just to prove how
dedicated we are. Lastly, the Biag ni Lam Ang depicts a very good portrayal of a true Iloco all about and to all the
Filipinos.
http://myliterarypiecesblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/literary-analysis-of-biag-ni-lam-ang.html
The theme of the epic revolves around the bravery and courage of the main character portrayed by Lam-ang, who
was gifted with speech as early as his day of birth, who embarked on a series of adventures which culminated in
his heroic death and subsequent resurrection.

This series of adventures started with his search for his lost father who was murdered by the head-hunting Igorots
in the Igorot country. While on his way, he met a certain Sumarang, whose name connotes obstruction, who tried
to dissuade him from proceeding and who taunted him into a fight. The fight that ensued proved fatal to Sumarang
as he was blown “three kingdoms” away with a spear pierced through his stomach. This encounter led to another
when he met a nine-headed serpent who, like Sumarang earlier tried to dissuade him from going any further. The
serpent having been ignored challenged him into a fight which cost the serpent its heads.

Lam-ang went on until he found it necessary to rest and take a short nap. While asleep, he dreamed of his father’s
head being an object of festivities among the Igorots. He immediately arose and continued his journey until he
found the Igorots indeed feasting over his father’s head.

He asked the Igorots why they killed his father, but the Igorots instead advised him to go home if he did not want
to suffer the same fate which his father suffered. This was accompanied by a challenge to a fight, despite their
obvious numerical superiority. But Lam-ang, armed with supernatural powers, handily defeated them, giving the
last surviving Igorot a slow painful death by cutting his hands and his ears and finally carving out his eyes to show
his anger for what they had done to his father.

Satisfied with his revenge, he went home. At home, he thought of taking a swim in the Cordan River with the
company of Cannoyan and her lady-friends. So he proceeded to Cannoyan’s place in the town of Calanutian,
disregarding her mother’s advice to the contrary. On his way, he met a woman and named Saridandan, whose
name suggests that she was a woman of ill repute. He resisted her blandishments, for his feeling for Cannoyan was
far greater for anyone to take.

When he reached Cannoyan’s house, he found a multitude of suitors futilely vying for her hand. With the help of
his pets - the cock and the dog - he was able to catch Cannoyan’s attention. He asked her to go with him to the
river along with her lady-friends. She acceded. While washing himself in the river, the river swelled, and the
shrimps, fishes and other creatures in the river were agitated for the dirt washed from his body was too much. As
they were about to leave the river, Lam-ang noticed a giant crocodile. He dove back into the water and engaged
with the creature in a fierce fight until the creature was subdued. He brought it ashore and instructed the ladies to
pull its teeth to serve as amulets against danger during journeys.

Back at Cannoyan’s house, he was confronted by her parents with an inquiry as to what his real intention was. He
had to set aside his alibi that he went there to ask Cannoyan and her friends to accompany him to the river, and
told them, through his spokesman - the cock - that he came to ask for Cannoyan’s hand in marriage. He was told
that if he desired to marry Cannoyan, he must first be able to match their wealth, for which he willingly complied.
Having satisfied her parents, he went home to his mother and enjoined her and his townspeople to attend his
wedding which was to take place in Cannoyan’s town.

The wedding was elaborate, an event that involved practically everyone in town. There were fireworks, musical
band, and display of attractive items like the glasses, the mirror, the slippers, clothes and nice food. After the
wedding, Lam-ang’s party plus his wife and her town mates went back to their town of Nalbuan, where festivities
were resumed. The guests expressed a desire to taste a delicacy made of rarang fish.

Lam-ang was obliged to go to the sea and catch the fish. Before going, however, his rooster warned that something
unpleasant was bound to happen. This warning proved true, as Lam-ang was swallowed by a big bercacan, or
shark-like fish. Cannoyan mourned and for a while she thought there was no way to retrieve her lost husband. But
the rooster indicated that if only all the bones could be gathered back, Lam-ang could be brought to life again.

She then enlisted the aid of a certain diver named Marcus, who was ready to come to her aid to look for the bones.
When all Lam-ang’s bones were gathered, the rooster crowed and the bones moved. The dog barked, and Lam-ang
arose and was finally resurrected. Cannoyan embraced him. For his deep appreciation for the help of his pets - the
cock and the dog - and of Marcus the diver, he promised that each other would get his or its due reward. And they
lived happily ever after.

Explanation:

The story of Biag ni Lam-ang give us knowledge to our Philippine history, it gives us ideas about our early ancestors
in how they hunt for food and to find territorial place that suits them. Our country is perfect for them to live
because our county is abundant with so many things and magical. We believe that there are creatures that live
with us but invisible to see with our naked eye they can see us but we can feel their presence because of our
instinct.

This story is far beyond our reality. Lam-ang as the main character and as the Filipino he treasure our values that
describe us the most even though we don’t really know if this story really exists but it sure does that this story is
created with an imaginative Filipino thinker. Philippines have all the treasure that we can boost. The person who
creates this has the pride to show the world that we can also write stories like this one.

The story of Lam-ang can inspire many people but this story still hidden in its treasure chest and not yet discover.
Students now a day are not interested in this kind of story they are now preferred to read stories online like the
wattpad stories and the pocket book and, besides our technology are improving every day, we have the entire
gadget to entertain people, the artist to do the acting but we still ignore it. We can make it an animated because I
observe that people love to watch animated ones because of the influence of the Japan artist and their creation,
we all have the artist we can get in our country and can make one.

http://hannahhyung088.blogspot.com/2013/07/biag-ni-lam-ang-life-of-lam-ang.html

Critique in Biag ni Lam-ang

Biag ni Lam-ang is a story of a boy who has a super natural strength. A myth and a fictitious one. A story where in
some of the cultural practices of Ilocano is reflected and possess by the characters. Lam-ang is a brave person. A
son of Don Juan Panganiban and Namongan. A husband of Ines Kannoyan. Don Juan Panganiban is an arrogant and
a brave man. A father of Lam-ang. Namongan is the mother of Lam-ang and an understandable and loving mother
and wife. Ines Kannoyan is the wife of Lam-ang. Daugther of one of the richest man of the town in Kalanutian. The
dog and the roaster are the friends of Lam-ang and he used them in his magic. Sumarang is the enemy of Lam-ang
on his way to Kalanutian and Sarindang is the one who tried to seduce Lam-ang. The setting of the story is in tribe,
where in their living is hunting animals,wearing a "bahag" and their house is like a tent. They plot of the story is
when Lam-ang left his mother to look after his father and to found out the Igorots who killed his father. On his way
to Kalanutian, he find the girl he loves and they got married.
Some of the values that I get from the story are the following...being brave,friendly,lovable son and have an own
beliefs,decision and "paninindigan" in his life. He care for his parents specially with his father who are not their in
his side and have a good heart. He loves animals that's why they are very close of his animal Friends. A wonderful
story that will give entertainment to the readers,containing values and can relate to the living and characteristics
of Ilocanos. The character of Lam-ang represent the qualities that Ilocano have, however some words are hard to
understand especially if you are not Ilocano. It is hard to pronounced some words if you don't have an idea with
the dialect of Ilocano people.
http://chickazzlai.blogspot.com/2008/08/critique-in-biag-ni-lam-ang.html