ANG ALAMAT NG GUBAT
(THE LEGEND OF THE JUNGLE)
-Bob Ong
Principal Characters:
Tong- A crab who launched in search of banana’s heart
Buwaya- A greedy crocodile
Maya- Buwaya’s companion
Leon- King of the jungle
Daga- Leon’s sidekick
Matsing- An intelligent monkey
This story is one of Bob Ong’s writings which seem to be controversial. It attacks the
rotten Philippine society, religion, as well as the system of government, implementation of rules
and regulations and the like. This type of fiction symbolizes the country’s impotent and stagnant
situation. How the rules were being implemented, how the leaders rule all over the nation, and
how Filipino people decides on who are they going to vote in the election.
Tong, an innocent yet energetic crab was launched by his mother in search of “puso ng
saging” which was the only cure on his father’s illness. His father was a King in their Kingdom
who got a dreadful disease. Tong therefore went out to the land and started his journey and there
he met Buwaya, a greedy crocodile who asked him three pieces of pearl as a payment for asking
him a question. But when Tong gave him three pieces of pearl, Buwaya asked for another pieces
until Tong was able to give the last piece of his wealth. But Buwaya attempted to eat Tong so the
young crab runs away from the greedy animal.
At the beginning of the story, the author introduced a greedy and trickery person who was
being symbolized by a crocodile. The crocodile was a reflection of many people who take
advantage of one’s weakness and innocence.
Tong fled, and met Bibe and Palaka. Bibe told that Palaka was a King because he
possesses a lot of pearls which he robbed in the sea. Tong accused Palaka a thief but Bibe
defended that the frog was only considered a thief on his first time to steal treasure but when he
repeated it again and again he was no longer a thief. The crab asked Bibe about honesty but Bibe
urged that the best way to become poor is to be honest.
Palaka symbolizes thief yet is being considered dominant and superior because of his
wealth and power. On the other hand, Bibe symbolizes person who act like a blind and defend
thief for they gain benefits from it.
At the middle of their conversion they heard a familiar sound. It was Daga whose sound
was just like as Leon’s sound. Leon who was the King of the jungle showed good manners to
Tong and told him where he can find what he is looking for. But his latent desire will later reveal
itself.
Bob Ong, who wants to share his own opinion about how dominant and superior people
oppress those who are inferior to them, used the character of Leon together with his sidekick
Daga. How they use their wit and Machiavellian ploys to deceive other people especially the
youth.
The crab continued its journey until it reached the civilization that composed of insects
arguing and quarreling about what they need to do, to just keep on silent or make a revolution
against the giant and dominant animals in the jungle. Tipaklong uttered that they would never
have a bountiful life unless there’s neither superior nor inferior in the jungle. They will forever
consider small despite of their sacrifices and hardship because of Leon and other greedy animals
in the society. But Langgam, a hardworking insect countered it by stating that being inferior and
small is only in their mind. It’s not about their status; it’s all about perseverance and desires to
have a happy and successful life. Tipaklong wanted a revolution while the diplomatic ant wanted
to have a bountiful life through hard work. Other insect like butterfly just shrugged her shoulder
sign that she doesn’t even care about the situation of the society where she belonged.
This part was the representation of the mass, of the majority of people who were being
oppressed and ruled by cruel and greedy king-like people. It shows the craving of poor people on
equality and justice. It also shows different opinion of different people who were against, who
were agreed, and doesn’t care on the undergoing system in the government and in the society.
Tong paved his journey towards his desire to get the banana’s heart that can cure his
father’s illness. He met Ulang on his way through, and asked what he was doing in the seashore
under very hot sun and Ulang only answered he was doing nothing. Tong curiously asked what
he get on doing nothing and Ulang stated that he was being paid by the animals in the jungle.
Ulang was a representation of many politicians and government employees who are still
in the service, waiting for their salary for doing nothing. This part is one of the most dangerous
parts of the story because it is like spitting and slapping on government agencies and government
employees’ faces.
Finally, the young crab reached his destination. He reached Manok and Pagong’s place
and returned their eggs which have been stolen by the frog. He asked the two where he can find
Aso who can tell him where the location of “puso ng saging” is. Together with Pagong, they
travelled for so many days until they reached Aso’s house which is just a meter away from where
they came from.
Pagong was a representation of the people (government) who talk fast yet act slowly. It is
also the representation of different politician who have their project finished for a very long time
consuming a lot of days, funds and materials.
