Ulilang Kaluluwa and Galang Kaluluwa
According to some Tagalog creation myths, Bathala is not the only deity who lived in the universe before humanity was born. He shares the space with two other powerful gods: the serpent Ulilang Kaluluwa (“orphaned spirit”) who lives in the clouds and the wandering god aptly named Galang Kaluluwa.
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"Ulilang Kaluluwa" Illustrated by Hyejin Gabriel Wong
Dreams, Battle and Friendship
"Galang Kaluluwa" Illustrated by Mica Ellah Tambalong
In the beginning of time there were three powerful gods who lived in the universe. Bathala was the caretaker of the earth, Ulilang Kaluluwa (lit. Orphaned Spirit), a huge serpent who lived in the clouds, and Galang Kaluluwa (lit. Wandering spirit), the winged god who loved to travel. These three gods did not know each other.
Bathala dreamt of creating mortals but the empty earth stopped him from doing so. Ulilang Kaluluwa who was equally lonely as Bathala, liked to visit places and the earth was his favorite. One day the two gods met. Ulilang Kaluluwa, seeing another god rivalling him, was not pleased. He challenged Bathala to a fight to decide who would be the ruler of the universe. After three days and three nights,
Designed by Peonah Terese Repelente
Introduction - Audio version
Dreams, Battle and Friendship - Audio version
Ulilang Kaluluwa was slain by Bathala. Instead of giving him a proper burial, Bathala burned the snake’s remains. A few years later the third god, Galang Kaluluwa, wandered into Bathala’s home. He welcomed the winged god with much kindness and even invited him to live in his kingdom. They became true friends and were very happy for many years.
A few years later the third god, Galang Kaluluwa, wandered into Bathala’s home. He welcomed the winged god with much kindness and even invited him to live in his kingdom. They became true friends and were very happy for many years. They devised their plan for earth and the life within it. Together with the other deities, whom each had their own purpose, proposed a gift to offer to mankind. Bathala would always ask the other god what his gift was to the creatures on Earth. However Galang Kaluluwa would always reply, “In time, my friend.” Things were going great in Bathala’s kingdom not until Galang Kaluluwa became very ill. Before he died he instructed Bathala to bury him on the spot where Ulilang Kaluluwa’s body was burned. Although he was confused, Bathala did exactly as he was told. Out of the grave of the two dead gods grew a tall tree with a big round nut, which was the coconut tree. Bathala took the nut and husked it. He noticed that the inner skin was hard. The nut itself reminded him of Galang Kaluluwa’s head. It had two eyes, a flat nose, and a round mouth. Its leaves looked so much like the wings of his dear winged friend, but the trunk was hard and ugly, like the body of his enemy, the snake Ulilang Kaluluwa. Bathala was enlightened, Galang Kaluluwa’s gift was the tree of life. He then realized that it was time to create the beings he wanted with him on Earth. He created the vegetation, animals, and the first man and woman. Bathala built a house for them out of the trunk and leaves of the coconut trees. For food, they drank the coconut juice and ate its delicious white meat. Its leaves, they discovered, were great for making mats, hats, and brooms. Its fiber could be used for rope and many other things. In some way, Galang Kaluluwa never died. He was everywhere, guarding, protecting and providing.
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