22.

Rajah Solaiman*
In Didaan, there once lived a rajah named Rajah Solaiman. He was very unhappy
because his three wives successfully failed to give him an heir to the throne.
One day the "alamatan" predicted that Rajah Solaiman would have an heir to the throne
if he could marry a woman from the kingdom where the sun never sets.
For years, Rajah Solaiman waged wars against the neighboring kingdoms in search of
this fateful girl. One day, news reached him that an unknown woman from the kingdom
where the sun never sets was at the market place. Immediately he sent orders for the woman
to be brought before him.
The woman apparently was very beautiful and young. On their marriage, Rajah
Solaiman bestowed upon her the title of "Potri." She became Potri Timbang-namat, the fourth
wife of Rajah Solaiman.
After several months, the new Potri became pregnant. The rajah showered upon her
love and affection and ordered the entire palace to be freed from disturbances.
One day, when the Potri asked for a green mango, the rajah, desiring to please her,
ordered one hundred men to scour the country. When they all failed, the rajah himself, riding
on his white horse, set forth to look for the mango, then out of season.
The rajah met an old man at the crossroads. Guided by destiny, he found the mango
tree bearing one fruit among tall grasses. As he picked the fruit a voice spoke: "This fruit is
prepared for a child destined to save the nation from destruction."
Rajah Solaiman brought the fruit to his young wife. Not contented with mere gestures
of love and affection, the rajah sailed to distant lands in search of more treasures and slaves
for his coming child.
Thus, when it was time for Potri Timbang-namat to deliver, the Rajah was not around.
Instead, she was left at the mercy and care of the three wives of the rajah.
But Potri Lawanen, one of the three wives, was jealous. Thus, she deceived the others
by assuring them that she could manage alone to assist Potri Timbang-namat in her delivery.
When the child (baby girl) was born, Potri Lawanen exchanged the baby with a newly born
kitten and ordered two male slaves to throw the infant in the countryside.
Meanwhile, an old woman named Babo Kabayan from Bangunansa-Pulangui, an
adjoining kingdom, begged for the baby from the slaves. The baby, named Tonina, grew up
under the care of Babo Kabayan. Tonina was not allowed to see anyone, neither was she
permitted to go far.
But one day, unknown to the old woman, Tonina wandered into the woods to gather
wild flowers and berries. As she came upon a stream, she saw five men talking among
themselves. They were discussing everyday life in the palace. It seemed, to Tonina, a
thoroughly wonderful and enjoyable experience. Among them is a very handsome man,
whom Tonina wished to meet someday.
Many days after, the same handsome young man, in the company of several others,
passed by the house of Babo Kabayan. He inquired from the old woman for a well where
their horses could drink.
Wanting to keep the man away from her house, Babo Kabayan answered him curtly, "I
don't know. Don't bother me. I am feeding my chickens."
But the young man, who happened to be Rajah Baguinda said, "Old lady, you are
talking to the rajah. The rajah wants your answer or you'll be buried with your chickens." So
Babo Kabayan grudgingly showed him the well.
As Rajah Baguinda went to the well, he saw Tonina and was bewitched by her beauty.
Before he could speak to her, however, Babo Kabayan succeeded in sending Tonina away.
Raja Baguinda, however, vowed to meet her again.

After some time, Tonina, whose curiosity about life in the palace was aroused, dressed
in man's clothes and went to the palace. As she was about to enter the gate, Rajah Baguinda
and a group of men who were playing sipa sent it flying to her. Without much exertion she
kicked the sipa causing the manguis to fall to the ground. With this she proved that she was
better in the sport than the boys at the rajah's Court.
But as the young players looked in her direction, she ran into the woods. The young
rajah therefore went after her. After a long chase, he finally caught up with her. Thinking that
she was a man, he called her. But she ignored the call. Angered the rajah challenged her to a
duel. Tonina, without a word, unsheathed her sword. In the course of the fight, her headdress
fell off.
The young rajah was embarrassed at the discovery and asked her forgiveness. At first
she refused and urged the rajah to continue the fight. Finally, the young man was able to
convince her to become friends.
Thus, when the Spaniards attacked the kingdom of Rajah Baguinda, Tonina fought at
his side. In this battle, she proved her prowess as a warrior.
After the battle, Rajah Baguinda could no longer allow Tonina to be in man's clothes
for he wanted her to be his wife.
Tonina, however, agreed to be Rajah Baguinda's wife on condition that she be brought
back to her kingdom before their wedding. She knew that she had a kingdom because Babo
Kabayan told her the truth.
The testimonies of Babo Kabayan as well as those of the slaves convinced Rajah
Solaiman and Potri Timbang-namat that Potri Tonina was really their lost legitimate daughter.
The fruit intended for the child destined to save the nation from destruction was
rightfully Tonina's. The prophecy was fulfilled when Tonina fought by Rajah Baguinda's side
against the invading Spaniards. Potri Tonina's aid to Rajah Baguinda saved both their
kingdoms, for they were adjacent to each other and the destruction of the kingdom of Rajah
Baguinda would have paved the way for the Spaniards to penetrate Tonina's kingdom.
Notes
Motifs: H1212.4. Quest assigned because of longings of pregnant woman; K1837.
Disguise of woman in man's clothes; K2115. Animal birth slander; K2213. Treacherous wife;
M300. Prophecy; M311.5. Unborn child will become nation's deliverer; N825.2. Old man
helper; N825.3. Old woman helper; T100. Marriage.
Also: Crossroads, Magic fruit, Wicked step-mother, Rapunzel, Fostering, Five men,
Woman bests man in sport, Restoration of fostered child