The story begins with a description of a dark, dangerous, deserted forest in the kingdom of

Albania, that is inhabited by serpents, basilisks, hyenas, and tigers. Deep in the heart of the
depressing jungle where the tangled growth of vines and thickets intertwined, and the great
canopy of heavy foliaged trees formed a roof over the dismal jungle clearing, the moans and
anguished cries of a forsaken man filled the savage stillness of the air. The man is tied to a
tree and is barely alive. He is Florante, the son of Duke Briseo and Princess Floresca. He has
blonde hair, fair smooth skin, and a face and body that is comparable to that of Narcissus and
Adonis.
Florante, while tied to a tree, questions the heavens for the suffering of the people of Albania.
Here he describes the treachery and suffering that are happening inside and outside of the
kingdom of Albania. Gone are the days of peace and and justice. Innocent people have
become victims of those who are hungry for power and money. Those who fought to save the
kingdom have suffered grievously. He mentions that Count Adolfo was said to be behind the
treachery with his plot to steal the crown from King Linceo and the wealth of Duke Briseo.
Florante begs heaven to save the kingdom of Albania.
The man tells the heavens that he can take whatever trial or challenge that may come his
way as long as Laura will always remember him. Aside from all that is happening to Albania,
he takes refuge in the memories of the times he shared with Laura. He mentions that he
would be pleased to see Laura crying over his dead body if Laura would betray him. With this,
he imagines Laura in the arms of Count Adolfo. This thought brings him to tears and
devastation which made him tired and cause him to pass out.
The man cries for Laura to save him, but she does not come. With this, the man thinks that
Count Adolfo has finally stolen Laura from him. He mentions that he will thank Count Adolfo
for all the hardship as long as he doesn't take Laura from him. With too much to bear, the
man cries in despair and faintes.
In another part of the forest comes Aladin, a Muslim soldier. He sits on a stump and professes
his love for a woman named Flerida. He talks about his overwhelming love for Flerida and
vows to kill for the sake of love. He says that no one can stand in his way nor is there anyone
who can take his love from him, not even his father. He also says that love can make a
person blind to the truth and make him forget about reason and honor.
After professing his love for Flerida, the Muslim soldier hears a voice in the forest. This voice
talks about the brutal death of his loving father. The man talks about how his father was
beheaded and had his body thrown somewhere else. No one attempted to bury his father's
remains for fear of Count Adolfo's wrath. Even without seeing his father, the man knew that
the old man was thinking of him until the end of his life.
While tied to a tree, Florante was approached by two lingering lions. But the lions did not
seem to attack, thinking that the man might already be dead. Realizing the approach of
death, the man says his farewell to Albania, the land he wished to serve since he was a child,
and to Laura, whom he will forever love.
Upon hearing the man's cries, Aladin set off to find the man. His timing was impeccable
because the lions were about to attack Florante. With a swift motion of his weapon, the
Muslim soldier killed the two lions. With his courage and precision in combat, he was
compared to Ares, the god of war.
After rescuing Florante, Aladin frees him and lays him down. Florante wakes up delirious
looking for Laura. The Muslim soldier does not respond and Florante goes back to sleep.
When he finally wakes up, Florante is surprised to see an enemy taking care of him. Aladin
told him that he wishes the man no harm and that the command of heaven to help is what's
important. The man said that he did not want the soldier's pity, what he needs is death.
Aladin yelled at him for speaking such nonsense.
Due to all that they have been through recently, Aladin and Florante decide to become silent.
When nightfall comes, Aladin carried Florante and rests on a flat rock. The Muslim soldier
feeds Florante and has him sleep on his lap. He watches over Florante because he is still
delirious and he is devastated every time the latter wakes up. In the morning, Florante
thanks Aladin for what he has done for him. The soldier asked Florante why he was so
devastated, and the latter willingly narrated his story.
The man tells the Muslim soldier that his name is Florante. Florante tells him that he came
from Albania and that he is the son of Duke Briseus, second in command of the kingdom, and
Princess Floresca of Croton. He proudly talks about his father saying what a brave and kind
man he was. He also emphasizes that there is no one who can outdo his father in loving a
child and in teaching him good manners. Florante also spoke of two accounts when he almost

died as a child. One was when he was almost caught by a vulture but was rescued by his
cousin Menalipo. The other was when someone attempted to take the diamond that was on
his chest.
Florante spoke about his happy childhood. When he was a child, he loved playing outdoors
and hunting. He realized that a child must not be raised with too much freedom and security
because life is tougher when one grows older. He also says that a child will have difficulty in
facing challenges if he is too pampered and safe as a child. Duke Briseus taught him how to
stand alone by sending him to Athens to study under Antenor.
Florante studies in Athens under Antenor. He becomes homesick and longs to be with his
parents again but he is comforted by Antenor. Adolfo, a boy from Albania and the son of Duke
Sileno, becomes his classmate. Adolfo is two years older than him and is admired by
everyone in school for his wisdom and kindness. Due to his intelligence, Florante was able to
learn the lessons about philosophy, astrology and mathematics in no time at all which
astonished his teachers. He even surpassed Adolfo in all aspect and became known all across
Athens. Everyone distrusted the kindness that Adolfo is showing. In a sporting competition,
Adolfo's true color began to show which aroused the people's suspicions.
During a play performed by the students, Adolfo attempted to kill Florante but did not
succeed due to his classmate Menandro's interference. After two months, Florante received a
letter from his father bringing bad news and summoning him to come home. It was difficult
for Florante to say his goodbyes to his classmates and his mentor, Antenor. Before leaving,
Antenor advised Florante not to be too trusting because there are enemies all around us.
Florante went home with his friend, Menandro. Upon arriving at Albania, Florante cried when
he saw his father. After he calmed down, Duke Briseus told Florante about the death of
Princess Floresca.
The emissary of Croton came to Albania with a letter asking for help in saving Croton from the
Persian invaders headed by General Osmalic. Florante pauses to praise Aladin, saying that
the general is only second to Aladin in combat skill. With this, Aladin smiles and says that
rumors are not necessarily true. Returning to his story, Florante said that he and his father
went to King Linceus to discuss how they could help Croton. King Linceus appointed Florante
to lead the army that will help save Croton.
During their visit to King Linceus, Florante saw Laura, the daughter of the king. He was
mermerized by Laura's beauty. He became speechless and stuttered a lot in the presence of
Laura. After talking about Laura, Florante's mind drifts toward horrible thoughts about Laura's
unfaithfulness.
Before setting off to war, King Linceus threw a feast for Florante. The celebration lasted for
three days and within this period, he did not get to see Laura. The day before he set of to
war, Florante saw Laura and he professed his love. Laura did not give him a straight answer,
instead she cried and Florante took this as a sign of Laura's reciprocation of his feelings.
General Osmalic and Florante finally meet and they battled for five hours until Florante was
able to defeat the general.
Florante was able to save Croton from the hands of the enemy with the help of Menandro and
his troupes. The people rejoiced their victory especially when they learned that Florante is
the king's grandson. But Florante and the king did not rejoice with them for they remembered
Princess Floresca and mourned for her death. Five months had passed when Florante decided
to return to Albania to be with Laura again. On his journey back, Florante became weary
when he saw the Muslim flag swaying in Albania.
Florante hid on the outskirts at the foot of the mountain to observe what is happening. He
saw a woman tied and blindfolded who is about to be beheaded. He remembered Laura and
hastily went to rescue the woman. He fought the Muslims and rescued the woman who
happened to be Laura herself. Laura told Florante about that Albania had been conquered.
They went back and redeemed the country from the invaders. Florante freed the captives
including King Linceus, Duke Briseus, and Count Adolfo. The king honored Florante for his
bravery and Florante won Laura's affection. With the victory of Florante, Adolfo's hatred and
envy deepened and he planned to take revenge against Florante.
A few months have passed since Albania was last invaded when the Persian army, headed by
Miramolin disturbed its peace. But the Turkish invaders did not succeed because Florante had
defeated him. After this, Florante successfully won many battles which earned him the
respect of thirteen kings. One day, while Florante was in the middle of a war, he received a
letter ordering him to return immediately to Albania. He left the war under the command of
Menandro and set off to return to Albania. Upon arriving, he was surprised to be welcomed by

30,000 soldiers who abducted him. Here he learned that Adolfo had ordered for his father,
Duke Briseus, and King Linceus to be beheaded. He also learned that Laura was engaged to
Count Adolfo. Florante was imprisoned for 18 days then was transferred to the forest where
he was tied to an Acacia tree. He had been in the forest for two days when the Muslim soldier
found and rescued him.
After Florante narrated his story, the Muslim soldier introduces himself as Aladdin, son of
Sultan Ali-Adab of Persia. Aladdin tells Florante that he will tell his own story in due time
because he needs some time to collect himself.
After wandering around the forest for five months, Aladin begins to narrate his story. He says
that his father is the root of all his suffering. His father became his rival for his love, Flerida.
In order to succeed, Sultan Ali-Adab plotted a scheme to behead Aladin by framing him as the
cause of the downfall of the Persian invaders that resulted to Florante's victory in Albania. On
the night before Aladin's execution, Sultan Ali-Adab forgave Aladin on the condition that he
would flee Persia and never return. Aladin agreed but could not accept the idea of Flerida in
the arms of another man. Since then, Aladin has been a wanderer of the forest for six years.
He suddenly stops his story when they heard voices in the forest.
The two men heard voices. One of the women narrated the story she heard about the danger
that her lover was in. She begged the Sultan not to push through with his beheading in
exchange for her agreement to marry him. The Sultan agreed and her lover was set free,
leaving without saying goodbye. One night, while everyone was busy with the wedding
preparations, the woman who happens to be Flerida, disguised herself as a soldier and
escaped. She wandered the forest hoping to find her love. Here in the forest is where the two
women met when Flerida saved Laura who was about to be assaulted by a man. They stop
talking when they hear footsteps approaching and were surprised to see Florante and Aladdin.
Laura narrates her story. It began when Florante left to battle the Persian invaders. Adolfo
ordered that the king and his loyal servants be beheaded. Adolfo took over the throne and
forced Laura to marry him. It took five months for him to court Laura but she did not waver in
her decision not to marry him. After Florante was sent to die in the forest, Menandro and his
men returned to Albania and overthrew Adolfo from the throne. Adolfo would not accept
defeat; instead he took Laura and his men to the forest. Here Adolfo saw no escape and
decided to rape Laura right there. Upon hearing a woman's cry for help, Flerida came to the
rescue and killed Adolfo with an arrow.
Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Menandro and his troupe. Upon seeing
Florante, he rejoices to see his friend.
The two couples return to Albania where they are warmly welcomed. Flerida and Aladdin
agree to be baptized as Christians. Both couples are wed and Florante and Laura rule over
Albania with justice, peace, and harmony. When Sultan Ali-Adab dies, Aladdin and Flerida
return to Persia and they rule over the people happily.
Major characters:
Florante - Son of Duke Briseo and Princess Floresca; the main character of the SONG; Laura's
love
Laura - Daughter of King Liceo; Florante's love
Aladin - A Muslim prince and soldier; son of Sultan Ali-Adab; the man who saved Florante;
Flerida's love
Flerida - The woman who saved Laura; Aladins love
Count Adolfo - A traitor; son of Count Sileno; very envious of Florante's achievement
Menandro - Florante's classmate and faithful best friend; Florantes right hand in the battle
Minor characters:
Duke Briseo - Father of Florante; Princess Floresca's husband; King Linceos adviser
Princess Floresca - Mother of Florante; wife of Duke Briseo, princess of Croton
King Linceo - King of Albania; father of Laura
Antenor - Florante's reliable mentor while he was studying in Athens, Greece
Count Sileno - Count Adolfo's father; also from Albania
General Miramolin - Headed the Persian troupes towards invading Albania
General Osmalic - A Persian general who wanted to invade Kroton
Sultan Ali-Adab - King of Persia; father of Aladin; who also desired Aladins love of his life,
Flerida

Menalipo - Florante's cousin who saved him from a vulture that almost snatched him from
his cradle
King of Croton kingdom - Princess Florescas father and the grandfather of Florante

BIAG NI LAM-ANG
Biag ni Lam-ang, which translates into Story of the Life of Lam-ang, is the epic story of the
Ilokano people. Lam-ang is a man who comes from a prominent family in his hometown in
which they all an array of special abilities. The story begins with the preparation of the birth of
Lam-ang. It was crucial process by which many traditions needed to be followed in order to
have a promising birth. Lam-ang was born an extraordinary infant by which he had the
attributes of a matured man. Also, he possessed magical powers in which he is able to
anticipate things. He would properly refer to his mother, Namongan, by her first name and
also ask many insightful questions for his knowledge. One question that Lam-ang had was
why his father absent. Namongan had told the new born Lam-ang that his father went to war
to fight the Igorots. This news made Lam-ang determined to find him. He set himself on a
journey to find him and on his way he had a dream in which it revealed that his father had
already passed away. Startled by his dream, Lam-ang immediately sets forth to where his
father was. His dream was indeed true and found himself facing an army of Igorots. During
this battle it showcased his dynamic war skills. Lam-ang murdered everyone in sight and for
his last kill, he completely disfigured him. After gaining success and a stronger reputation,
Lam-ang desired a wife. He was extremely interested in a woman named Dona Ines
Kannoyan. This woman had a reputation for disliking even richest of men. Despite this, Lamang remained persistent and took another journey in hopes of marrying her. To the surprise of
many, Dona Ines Kannoyan agreed to wed with Lam-ang. The final journey of Lam-ang was to
dive for rarang. This had been claimed as the monster fish of the sea. Before setting out to
the sea, Lam-ang had a premonition of him dying by the fish. He foresaw that if the staircase
would topple and crush their stove, he was dead. Lam-ang continued to the sea and his
premonition was indeed true. The news reached Kannoyan and left her devastated. This would
not be the case for long. The cock and dog of Lam-ang promised her that if the bones of Lamang were to be found, they would be able to resurrect him back to life. Marcos, a skilled diver,
was assigned to find the remains of Lam-ang and did so successfully. The story ends with
Lam-ang coming back to life and living happily ever after with Kannoyan.
#2
BUOD (SUMMARY) OF BIAG NI LAM-ANG
Don Juan and his wife Namongan lived in Nalbuan, now part of La Union in the northern part
of the Philippines. They had a son named Lam-ang. Before Lam-ang was born, Don Juan went
to the mountains in order to punish a group of their Igorot enemies. While he was away, his
son Lam-ang was born. It took four people to help Namongan give birth. As soon as the baby
boy popped out, he spoke and asked that he be given the name Lam-ang. He also chose his
godparents and asked where his father was. After nine months of waiting for his father to
return, Lam-ang decided he would go look for him. Namongan thought Lam-ang was up to the
challenge but she was sad to let him go. During his exhausting journey, he decided to rest for
awhile. He fell asleep and had a dream about his fathers head being stuck on a pole by the
Igorot. Lam-ang was furious when he learned what had happened to his father. He rushed to
their village and killed them all, except for one whom he let go so that he could tell other
people about Lam-angs greatness. Upon returning to Nalbuan in triumph, he was bathed by
women in the Amburayan river. All the fish died because of the dirt and odor from Lam-angs
body. There was a young woman named Ines Kannoyan whom Lam-ang wanted to woo. She
lived in Calanutian and he brought along his white rooster and gray dog to visit her. On the
way, Lam-ang met his enemy Sumarang, another suitor of Ines whom he fought and readily
defeated. Lam-ang found the house of Ines surrounded by many suitors all of whom were
trying to catch her attention. He had his rooster crow, which caused a nearby house to fall.
This made Ines look out. He had his dog bark and in an instant the fallen house rose up again.
The girls parents witnessed this and called for him. The rooster expressed the love of Lamang. The parents agreed to a marriage with their daughter if Lam-ang would give them a
dowry valued at double their wealth. Lam-ang had no problem fulfilling this condition and he
and Ines were married. It was a tradition to have a newly married man swim in the river for
the rarang fish. Unfortunately, Lam-ang dove straight into the mouth of the water monster
Berkakan. Ines had Marcos get his bones, which she covered with a piece of cloth. His rooster
crowed and his dog barked and slowly the bones started to move. Back alive, Lam-ang and his
wife lived happily ever after with his white rooster and gray dog.