Ibong Adarna
Early 19th-century Filipino epic about a magical healing bird.
Ibong Adarna, or The Adarna Bird in English, is a Filipino epic poem from the early 1800s that revolves around a magical bird. During the Spanish colonial period, it was published without an author under the title *Corrido at Buhay na Pinagdaanan ng Tatlong Prinsipeng Magcacapatid na anac ni Haring Fernando at ni Reyna Valeriana sa Cahariang Berbanya*. While some researchers think the story might have been shaped by European tales, no one has proven who actually wrote it.
The poem follows King Fernando, Queen Valeriana, and their three sons: Don Pedro, Don Diego, and Don Juan. When the king falls ill from a dream where Don Juan is killed, his sons set out to find the legendary Adarna bird, whose songs can heal him. The prince who brings back the bird will inherit the throne.
Although the Tagalog poet José de la Cruz, also known as "Huseng Sisiw," is often credited as the author, this remains unconfirmed. Contrary to what many believe, Miguel López de Legazpi did not bring the story to the Philippines, unlike other European tales. According to Eulogio B. Rodriguez, who was assistant director of the National Library in 1933, the story existed before Spanish colonization and is part of indigenous Philippine literature. Still, it shows some influence from 19th-century European romances, giving it a medieval chivalric feel. Its status is sometimes compared to *Arabian Nights' Entertainments*, a book used in both public and private schools.
Ibong Adarna is taught to Junior High School and Grade 7 students in the Philippines.
**Plot**
King Fernando and Queen Valeriana of Berbanya have three sons. The king gets sick after dreaming that Don Juan is killed. Hoping for a cure, he sends Don Pedro to find the Ibong Adarna, a magical bird whose songs heal. Don Pedro finds the bird, but it sings seven songs that put him to sleep, then defecates on him, turning him to stone. Don Diego is sent next and suffers the same fate. Three years later, Don Juan sets out and meets an old hermit. The hermit warns him about the bird’s magic and gives him a knife and dayap lemons to stay awake—he must cut his arm and rub the lemons on the wounds. He also gets a golden rope to catch the bird and a bucket of water to revive his brothers.
Don Juan captures the bird, restores his brothers, and heads home. But Don Pedro and Don Diego grow jealous, beat him, and leave him unconscious on
- field
- Philippine epic poetry
- nationality
- Philippine
- known_for
- Magical bird whose songs heal and petrify; quest by three princes
- earliest_known_publication
- Early 19th century, anonymous
- attributed_author
- José de la Cruz (unproven)
Lore & Background
The narrative focuses on King Fernando, Queen Valeriana, and their three sons: Don Pedro, Diego, and Juan. Upon learning of their father's incurable illness, the three princes embark on a quest to find the legendary Adarna bird, whose healing powers can save their father. The prince who successfully brings back the bird will inherit the throne. Don Pedro and Don Diego both fail, being turned to stone by the bird's songs, but Don Juan succeeds with the help of an old hermit who gives him a knife, dayap lemons, a golden rope, and a bucket of water. He captures the bird, revives his brothers, and returns home, only to be betrayed by them.
Reader's Guide
Ibong Adarna holds a comparable status, or possibly even parallels, with the Arabian Nights' Entertainments, a book included in the reading materials of both public and private schools. According to professor Damiana Eugenio, the epic reworks and combines themes from recognizable folktales of the international Aarne-Thompson-Uther Index, namely types ATU 551, ATU 301, and ATU 313. According to Dean Fansler, the romance is very popular in the archipelago, with at least five different language printings: Tagalog, Pampango, Visayan, Ilocano and Bicol. The differences between the literary versions led Fansler to believe in a folkloric origin for the tale. Ibong Adarna is included in the curriculum for Junior High School students and Grade 7 students in the Philippines.
Did You Know?
- The Ibong Adarna is often described as the most colorful bird in Philippine folklore.
- Local birders associate the Philippine trogon (Harpactes ardens) to the mythical bird.
- According to Eulogio B. Rodriguez, assistant director of the National Library in 1933, the tale is of Pre-Spanish origin and represents indigenous Philippine literature.
- The story was not brought to the Philippines by Miguel López de Legazpi, as was the case with other European stories.
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