Some of us Filipino
have descended from Ati. The Ati were the first Filipino often described as
dark skinned, kinky hair, and nomadic pygmy hunters.
Looking up those mountains, we find one full of historic lore and unwritten
legends handed down from generations. From such legends, we often hear of
supernatural feats of a few our people that sects them apart from the ordinary
run of folk stories because of factual evidence; however, limited that give
credence to such accounts.
The family of Tumaca belonged to the so-called Ati Royalty which reason it
was believed that historic gold saduk or Maricudo was said to be hidden in the
mountains of Mab-O for safe keeping from occasional raids by Moro pirates.
The Atis never
lived permanently in a single locality. In the year 1740, a son was born to Mab-O
Tumaca in Pino-poan. He was named Bulolacao or shooting star by virtue of his
speed. Legend says that a single leap of his could prople him in a second to a
distance of some kilometers away.
During the Spanish administration, Pandan was still part of the province of
Capiz. Bulolacao became the Cabeza of Barangay after he replaced his father.
His duty was to collect taxes in his barangay administered by the town or
pueblos. Since the Atis were poor and they could not pay their taxes to the
Spaniard Government, their chieftain Bulolacao was arrested and jailed in Capiz.
While in prison, he developed into a docile, well behaved, and was taken out to
become the governor's servant in his mansion.
Governor Fuentes; however, was a cruel man. He was even cruel to his wife.
In her effort to escape his wrath one-day, she went out to the garden weeping
and lied down on the hammock. She bade Bulolacao, who was also there to rock
the hammock. Looking at the sleeping beauty, Bulolacao was struck with piety.
Then in an act of swift boldness, he cut the ropes and folded the hammock over
the sleeping Dona and fled to the mountains. The governor soon discovered the
disappearance of his wife and immediately ordered the soldiers to search for
her. But Bulolacao, with his lightning speed, was already far off. And the two
were never found.