1 The Fall of Kalangitan
In the tribe of Bagobo, there was a deity named Kalangitan, the daughter of Kamalasakan (god of purity) and Pamulinawen (goddess of kindness) who was described as the goddess of patience and chastity. In their tribe, people used to call for her when they happened to feel something pessimistic for these feelings are not acceptable in their tribe. Anyone who feels any of these must seek Kalangitan to drive away the bad emotion.
It was the golden age for them. No crisis, no hate, no sad thought. Everything was a glimpse of an ideal community—celebrations, parties, happy hours, and most importantly, positivity. Everything was recognized as Kalangitan's way of handling her tribe, outstandingly.
Lavishness, sadness, doubts, and ANGER—These bad emotions were known as an epidemic for them. Bagobo tribe believes that negative emotions are contagious and it will later on ruin their tribe. "NOBODY SHOULD BE FEELING THESE EMOTIONS, ESPECIALLY, ANGER." This was an order given by the Hukom or trial.
The tribe is living in bliss for decades now. It has been a great accomplishment for them since their last encounter with the Bakunawa (the moon eater) which made them feel sad, devastated, and full of fear. Through their gods and goddesses, including Kalangitan, they continued living in victory.
...
One day, a huge vulcanic eruption occur. The oceans rise and thunders roar; the wind began howling and fear covered the whole town—the tribes men thought it was again, the Bakunawa.
"Don't let fear devour you! Remember we are a tribe of positivity! Pray and call for your gods, Kamalasakan and Pamulinawen for them to stop this disaster. We will keep the victory in our hands!" Kalangitan told her people as they close their palms together and do the ritual.
As they chanted the hundredth prayer, the sudden emergence of hope became vague.. nobody came. Not a trace of Kamalasakan nor Pamulinawen was seen. The ritual should be calling them at the hundredth prayer.
Kalangitan stopped for a while and thought. She knew there is something wrong.
"Kalangitan, where are they? Where are our gods? They must be here the moment we chanted the hundredth prayer." One of the tribes men asked.
"Keep calm. They'll be coming soon." She answered.
The tribes men retried praying and calling their gods. But as they reached another set of the chant, none of the gods came. The disaster is becoming more and more aggressive than it has been.
"KALANGITAN! YOU BETTER CALL THE GODS! OUR TRIBE IS BEING WIPED AWAY BY THE SHORE! THE STRONG WINDS ARE TAKING AWAY OUR ROOFS! PLEASE HELP US.."
Kalangitan saw how the thunderstorm intensified as the moments pass them by. She felt the need of doing something for her tribes men.
"I'll go find them. Stay calm. Always remember that you should all be in positivity. There is no room for negativities in our tribe."
Kalangitan flew away as she told them those.
...
Kalangitan stopped at the mountain of Apuyao (the highest mountain in their tribe) when she heard two loud voices screaming from within. It was familiar for her. She concluded that the thunderstorms, rising of the ocean, the lightning strikes were invading the whole town because of the intensity of the quarrel inside—she knew the ones having a duel were gods.
As she enter, it made her stumble, it was Kamalasakan and Pamulinawen fighting against each other.
"Is this true? You are both fighting? Did you forget that anger has no room in this tribe?"
Kamalasakan and Pamulinawen stopped for a while and looked at her, with a sudden shock in their eyes.
"Can't you see what's happening down our Banwa (tribe)? You are ruining every single kubo (hut) and home! I thought negativities will make us all suffer but no! It was you-- Their gods! I am so disappointed."
Kalangitan felt a strange feeling. A sudden feeling she can't explain. All she know is that, what she's feeling is more than just sadness. She knew she violated the order given by the Hukom, so did her parents.
Pamulinawen looked at Kamalasakan in a sharp-eye gaze.
"Now, tell Kalangitan what you did. Tell her!" Kamalasakan looked down and shut his mouth as Pamulinawen raised her voice.
Kalangitan felt puzzled at that moment. It was her emotions playing with her. "Why? what happened?" She asked.
Pamulinawen looked away into Kamalasakan and said, "The god who was known as the god of purity had an affair with Mansisilat (goddess of broken homes)."
Kalangitan felt the hitting of her chest. It was a sudden feeling of remorse. Her eyes became larger as it set her in shock.
"Wha—t? Have you—?"
Kalangitan looked unto her father.
"Is this true?"
In a juncture of time, Kamalasakan nodded.
...
Kalangitan felt sad as she knew what her father did. It was such a shame for them. Sadness devoured her heart out. But as a deity, it shouldn't be a feeling she must entertain. She must hide everything she feels like nothing happened. She must remain pure and patient as she could.
She went back their tribe as the catastrophe stopped. It was peaceful again, except those broken houses and bent trees. Everything was a mess.
She looked at it, and sighed;
"I shouldn't be feeling this." Kalangitan whispered.
...
One day, Kalangitan was walking while she is fixing every broken Nipa in their tribe. It was a sunny and glorious day. She contained all the negativities and pessimistic emotions because she has to remain as pure as she is, remembering that their tribe has no room for negative emotions.
All of a sudden, the clouds become darker and the ambiance complemented the ennui. It made her feel strange and disdained.
"What's happening? Are they fighting again?" She thought.
Kalangitan was about to fly above mount Apuyao when a deity appeared in front of her. It was full of darkness and distress. Seeing her made Kalangitan feel every ebbed emotion she has felt.
"Did you miss me?"
That dark deity told kalangitan.
"Who are you? It's your first time to be here, don't you?" She replied.
"Actually I am always here. Always by your side."
"What are you talking about? I don't know you."
The dark deity approached nearer to her and whispered, "I am that feeling you felt when you felt like screaming. I am always there, when you feel like blaming yourself for what happened. I am always there, that moment when you feel like your emotions are going heavy. I am always here, but you're trying to hide me."
Kalangitan felt a heavy feeling in her chest.
"That's where I live, Kalangitan -- in your heart. In your patience-- in your conscience." Kalangitan remained puzzled. She has no idea what is happening.
"...by the way, I am Kagalitan. Nice meeting you, my sibling."
She shuddered knowing these things. That's when she knew Kagalitan, her sibling was the fruit of Mansisilat and her father's affair. Kalangitan's eyes turned black.
All of a sudden, Kalangitan screamed—she now can't hold what she has contained;
Then, anger covered the whole town.
