Rant and Rave: ‘Margosatubig—The Story of Salagunting’

Rating 2.5

Pre-colonial Philippines comes back to life in Ramon L. Muzones’ epic tale Margosatubig: The Story of Salagunting. Margosatubig provides readers with a Philippines long forgotten in the humdrum of the modern age, a Philippines distant, almost alien. In this Philippines, the ancient Moros of Mindanao are put on the center stage, and a link to our primeval ethnic past is revived with this narrative of great adventure.

The story of Salagunting is about a young man who knows not of his destiny and bloodline; it is filled with thrill and his wonderment pours out of the pages as he goes out to redeem what the family of his past had lost, in turn finding himself, discovering his identity, and where his heart truly lies. Amidst magical temptations and enchanted twists, vast battles and war, as well as moments of tragic loss, Salagunting goes through many challenges following the beliefs and cultural tradition of the Moros and their epics.

The story is rich in cultural references, being set in pre-Hispanic Philippines. Muzones has made it a gift to read such a riveting story that successfully infuses the native culture and magic which the Moros of Margosatubig wield. Some notable ones: a giant man eating scallops, trees that entomb prisoners, and waterfalls brought about by a broken heart; all of this coming from a fast-paced plot line so complex with its wide range of characters, each having their own goal, driving all to clash in this tale of war, power, love, magic, fantasy, and discovery.

Falling under this neatly woven world are the brave datu from faraway islands and references to familiar principalities, as well as Sultans who rule all beneath the mantle of Islam and the Sultanate. The novel also places a great focus on the ancient conflict between Muslims and Christians, bringing modern allegorical reality into the story.

Margosatubig is a book worth buying, as it incorporates so much of a culture that the youth have to re-discover and acquaint themselves with, such that it has become a museum in pages; With the datu and dayang-dayang coming to life with every flip of a page, the deadly fish that jump out of the sea, coconut milk that melts rocks, and fearless mermaids all come together in Muzones’ authentic epic, a world fitted nicely in about 200 pages.