DARANGAN: Maranao Poetry

DARANGAN

There was a king in a faraway kingdom in Mindanao who had two sons.  The elder was Prince Madali and the younger one was Prince Bantugan.  At a very early age, Prince Bantugan had shown superior qualities over his elder brother Prince Madali.  Their tutors would always tell their father that Prince Bantugan was very intelligent.  He was a fast learner, even in the use of sword and bow and arrow.  And he possessed such great strength that he could subdue three to five men in a hand-to-hand combat.

The first indication that he would soon be a formidable soldier was seen when he single-handedly killed a big and ferocious crocodile that had killed several villagers.  The villagers could not believe their eyes after the very short struggle.
He is so strong! an old man blurted out upon seeing the dead crocodile.
How could a man so young as he is can kill a killer crocodile?  He must be possessed by the gods! another villager said in awe.
Come on, let's thank the prince for killing the beast! the chieftain of the place said to all the villagers.
As years passed, Prince Bantugan reached to his manhood, he became the kingdom's number one soldier.  He always led their soldiers to the battlefield.  And he always triumphed over their kingdom's enemies.  His name became a word of the mouth among the soldiers of the neighboring kingdoms.  Soon no kingdom ever dared to conquer or make war with their kingdom.  No one would want to fight him.  Peace and progress reigned in their kingdom because they had gained the respect and recognition of their neighbors.
When their father died of old age, his elder brother, Prince Madali was named the new king.  There were silent protests among the ranks and their people.  They wanted Prince Bantugan to be the new king.  Even the ordinary people were one in saying that Prince Bantugan was the better choice between the two princes.
Prince Bantugan is brave and strong.  He can really protect us from our enemies! an old woman in the marketplace said to her listeners.
I agree with you, an old man answered.
This did not bother Prince Bantugan.  He knew that his brother was the legal heir to the throne because Prince Madali was the first sibling.  He even vouched for his brother.
“My brother deserves to be our new king because he had studied how to run the government, he told his fellow soldiers and the ministers of the kingdom.  He knows how to deal with foreign relations.  And he has several good ideas on how we can improve the life of everyone!”
The ministers and the soldiers just nodded in agreement.  However, a rift ensued between Prince Bantugan and King Madali.  Because Prince Bantugan was not only brave and strong but very handsome too, several beautiful and young women in the kingdom fell in love for him, even the women whom his brother, King Madali, wanted for himself, surrendered themselves under Prince Bantugan's charm.  Enraged and envious, King Madali proclaimed an order.
I don't want anybody talking to my brother, Prince Bantugan.  Anyone who is seen talking to him will be put in jail or be punished severely.
Prince Bantugan felt sad at his brother's order.  He found himself like a person with communicable disease.  Everyone was staying away from him, even his women.  Even the people he loved.  No one wanted to talk to him for fear of being jailed or severely punished by the king.  Unable to contain his grief, he decided one day to leave the kingdom and settled to a faraway land where he spent the rest of his life.