The Katawtawan folktale from Sitio Bingig in Himamaylan City tells of a silver church bell hidden during the Japanese occupation in 1942 to protect it from being taken. The bell, once used to warn residents of approaching Japanese soldiers, was thrown into the deepest part of Bingig River after the Japanese began searching for it. According to locals, strange events followed, the appearance of a venomous snake and mysterious sounds and sightings in the river, including a fish-tailed creature believed to guard the bell. This tale, passed down by elders, highlights the bravery of locals and the strong presence of Christianity during both Spanish and Japanese periods. It is still shared among the community today, although some details are being lost over time. The main challenge is preserving the story amid modern distractions, with current efforts relying on oral transmission and occasional documentation.
Photo Credit/s:
Himamaylan City Tourism Office, 2021
Mappers:
Irene A. Gilua, Rothsel T. Cabatac, Noreen T. Alvarez
Tags:
Bingig River story, Christianity in Filipino folklore, community legends Negros Occidental, cultural heritage storytelling, Filipino wartime legends, fish-tailed creature legend, folk history Himamaylan, hidden church bell story, Himamaylan cultural heritage, Japanese occupation folklore, Katawtawan folktale Himamaylan City, , oral tradition preservation, preserving folk narratives, silver church bell legend, , traditional storytelling Philippines, World War II Filipino tales
Want to know more?
Inquire about this specific heritage by filling up the form below.
We will get back to you with an answer as soon as we can.
