The Tic-Balan is a hideous monster of the Philippine Islands which is shaped like a long, tall, black man with horse's head, horrible teeth and thick red hair over his body. He lives in a balete tree and requires everyone who wishes to pass by his tree to acknowledge his power by calling out 'tabi.'
Most of the villagers of the region are quite prepared to accept that the dreaded Tic-Balan should be regarded as a powerful creature and so they call out the required word every time they pass by. As long as they abide by the rules of nature, therefore, they are safe from its ravages.
Alas, one day a young girl by the name of Juanita was so engrossed with the task in hand, that of collecting wood for the fire and placing it in a secure bundle on her head that she quite forgot where she was or what dangers there were around her. Instead, carefree and happy, the foolish girl began to sing as she walked. Enraged or possibly pleased that someone had failed to give him his tribute, the Tic-Balan at once swooped down upon Juanita and seized her, forcing her as a captive inside his balete tree.
When the villagers realised that Juanita was not going to come back home, they became apprehensive and gathered round to decide what to do. They set off ito the jungle to call out Juanita's name but, for the next two days, their desperate cries received no response. Eventually, one villager came across Juanita's neat bundle of wood and, investigating cautiously, heard the sound of knocking from within the balete tree. He returned to spread the good news to the other villagers - Juanita must surely be still alive.
Gathering together candles and the village crucifix, the villagers, led by Juanita's fearless mother, made their way to the balete tree, singing hymns and holding out the lighted candles. Juanita's mother advanced upon the tree and struck it with the crucifix, while the others stood around praying fervently to God to release the child.
The tree split in half and Juanita leaped out to the cries of joy of her family and friends. The spirits of darkness had been defeated by the power of God.
The tale of Juanita's escape from the dreaded Tic-Balan monster is an example of the adaptation traditional folk tales employed by the Christian missionaries to serve their own ends. While it is recognised that the wilderness is still a dangerous place to travel, the ultimate victory belongs to the faithful villagers who realise that God is stronger than the Tic-Balan and, indeed, has power over nature to the extent that everyone should follow Him.
Most of the villagers of the region are quite prepared to accept that the dreaded Tic-Balan should be regarded as a powerful creature and so they call out the required word every time they pass by. As long as they abide by the rules of nature, therefore, they are safe from its ravages.
Alas, one day a young girl by the name of Juanita was so engrossed with the task in hand, that of collecting wood for the fire and placing it in a secure bundle on her head that she quite forgot where she was or what dangers there were around her. Instead, carefree and happy, the foolish girl began to sing as she walked. Enraged or possibly pleased that someone had failed to give him his tribute, the Tic-Balan at once swooped down upon Juanita and seized her, forcing her as a captive inside his balete tree.
When the villagers realised that Juanita was not going to come back home, they became apprehensive and gathered round to decide what to do. They set off ito the jungle to call out Juanita's name but, for the next two days, their desperate cries received no response. Eventually, one villager came across Juanita's neat bundle of wood and, investigating cautiously, heard the sound of knocking from within the balete tree. He returned to spread the good news to the other villagers - Juanita must surely be still alive.
Gathering together candles and the village crucifix, the villagers, led by Juanita's fearless mother, made their way to the balete tree, singing hymns and holding out the lighted candles. Juanita's mother advanced upon the tree and struck it with the crucifix, while the others stood around praying fervently to God to release the child.
The tree split in half and Juanita leaped out to the cries of joy of her family and friends. The spirits of darkness had been defeated by the power of God.
The tale of Juanita's escape from the dreaded Tic-Balan monster is an example of the adaptation traditional folk tales employed by the Christian missionaries to serve their own ends. While it is recognised that the wilderness is still a dangerous place to travel, the ultimate victory belongs to the faithful villagers who realise that God is stronger than the Tic-Balan and, indeed, has power over nature to the extent that everyone should follow Him.
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