Buringcantada

Overview

Buringcantada is the giant householder in the Bicol tale narrated by Pacifico Buenconsejo from his grandmother and printed by Dean S. Fansler in 1921. The setting begins in the mountains of Albay. This particular giant has one eye in the middle of his forehead and two long tusks projecting from the sides of his mouth. He returns to a decorated house with friends and servants, who gather for dinner.

Juan and his mother have concealed themselves above the ceiling with an axe, a rope and a drum collected during their journey. Juan calls down for food. The angry giant demands evidence that the intruder is another large man. Juan presents the rope as a hair and the axe as a tooth, then beats the drum as if striking his stomach. These are deliberate deceptions, not descriptions of Juan’s actual body.

The sound frightens Buringcantada, his guests and his servants into flight. Juan and his mother find money and settle in the house; the ending explicitly says the giant never returns. The story supplies a speaking, socially established individual with a thunderous voice, rather than a general account of every Philippine giant. Fansler’s comparative discussion groups the episode with other tales of weak intruders frightening powerful householders.

Origins & earliest records

Philippines; Pacifico Buenconsejo, identified as Bicol, who heard the story from his grandmother

Records & interpretation

Complete tale and shared comparative notes read in the retained 1921-edition transcription.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Filipino Popular Tales

   Dean S. Fansler, collector and editor; narrated by Pacifico Buenconsejo, identified as Bicol, who heard the story from his grandmother · 1921

   Tale 6d, Juan and the Buringcantada, pp. 47–49; shared comparative notes pp. 51–53 and attached footnotes; American Folk-Lore Society

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Primary records and illustrations

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Historical collected folktaleFansler, tale 6d, Juan and the BuringcantadaResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.