In ancient times, the night sky was graced by seven luminous moons, each one a pearl of light that danced across the heavens. The moons were gifts from Bathala, the Supreme God, who watched over the world and ensured the balance of light and dark. Under their silver glow, the world thrived in peace, the night illuminated with their soothing light.
But in the deepest depths of the ocean, there lived a creature of insatiable hunger—Bacunawa, a giant eel-dragon whose massive body undulated like a living wave. Her scales were as dark as the abyss, and her eyes burned with an unquenchable desire. For countless nights, Bacunawa gazed up at the seven moons, mesmerized by their brilliance. Her envy grew with each passing night, turning into a consuming obsession. She wanted to possess the moons, to bring their light into her shadowy realm and make them her own.
One fateful evening, Bacunawa could no longer resist her desire. As the night fell and the moons began their celestial dance, Bacunawa emerged from the ocean, her colossal form slicing through the sky like a dark comet. The first moon, shining brightly, caught her eye. With a roar that shook the heavens, she opened her gaping maw and swallowed it whole. The night darkened slightly, and the people on earth looked up in shock.
But Bacunawa was far from finished. She continued her ascent, her hunger driving her forward. She devoured the second moon, then the third. Each moon that disappeared into her cavernous belly caused the sky to dim further, and fear began to spread among the people.
By the time Bacunawa had swallowed the fourth moon, the darkness was almost total. The people, now in a state of panic, realized that if she continued, the remaining moons would soon be devoured, plunging the world into perpetual night. As Bacunawa consumed the fifth moon, they knew they had to act quickly.
Desperate and terrified, the villagers recalled the ancient stories told by their ancestors. It was said that in times of great peril, when the gods were called with enough fervor and noise, Bathala himself would intervene. The people had no choice but to trust in the old legends. They gathered together, grabbing whatever instruments they could—drums, gongs, pots, and pans. With a unified effort, they began to create an overwhelming cacophony.
Their cries and clamor filled the night. They shouted to the heavens, their voices rising in desperate plea. “Bathala! Great Bathala! Hear our cries! Save the moons and stop Bacunawa!”
The noise was so intense that it reached the very heavens. Bathala, in his celestial abode, heard the desperate call of his people. His divine heart was moved by their plight, and he saw Bacunawa rising ever higher, her hunger now fixated on the sixth moon.
With a flash of divine light, Bathala descended from the highest realms. His presence was overwhelming, a radiance that cut through the darkness. The very sky seemed to part as he appeared, his form glowing with the brilliance of the sun. His voice, powerful and commanding, reverberated across the heavens.
“Bacunawa!” Bathala’s voice was like rolling thunder. “You dare to consume my gifts and plunge the world into eternal darkness? Your greed will not be tolerated. Return what you have taken, or face the consequences of your actions.”
Bacunawa, now halfway through devouring the sixth moon, was startled by Bathala’s sudden appearance. She hesitated, her great maw still open as she considered the final moon. Her hunger was intense, but the sheer force of Bathala’s presence was even more formidable. She hissed defiantly, “I will have the last moon! The darkness will be mine to command!”
But Bathala’s divine power was overwhelming. He raised his hand, and a blinding light erupted from his fingertips. Bolts of celestial energy and divine fire streaked across the sky, striking Bacunawa with an intense force. The serpent-dragon roared in pain as the divine light seared her scales, forcing her to release her hold on the sixth moon.
The people, seeing the light and hearing Bacunawa’s cries, renewed their clamor. Their noise, now joined with Bathala’s power, reached a deafening crescendo. Bacunawa, writhing in agony, was driven back from the heavens. The final moon, untouched by her grasp, shone brightly once more.
Bathala’s gaze was stern as he addressed Bacunawa. “You will not consume the last moon, nor will you ever again threaten the balance of the night. Return to the depths of the ocean and remain there, where you belong.”
With a final flash of divine light, Bathala banished Bacunawa back into the sea. The serpent-dragon, defeated and humiliated, sank into the dark waters, her hunger unfulfilled
The people rejoiced, their voices still echoing with gratitude. They knew that their cries had reached Bathala and had been answered. The last moon is safe, the light shining over the world, and the night was once more illuminated.
From that day forward, the people remembered the power of their collective voice and their faith in Bathala. Whenever the moons began to dim or Bacunawa threatened to rise again, they would gather and make their noise, calling out to the Supreme God to protect their celestial gifts.
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