Plot

A old man from the Panay Bukidnon Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines named Amang Baoy, and his youngest son, Rohan, sit quietly in a bonfire under the full moon one evening when the latter looked very sad, prompting the father to chant a portion of the Suguidanon Epic of the Panay Bukidnon of Western Visayas region in the Philippines. This portion of the epic which is handed down through oral chanting history narrates the golden hero, Humadapnon, poisoned by the "binukot" (well-kept maidens) and will be resurrected only by the water from the river where Pabayhu (the hungry crocodile) lives. The water was to be fetched by Banog (The Hawk) at the command of the warrior Sunmasakay who will eventually turn into Mali, the most beautiful woman of the land who is love interest of Humadapnon. The Story of Banog in the epic led the father to teach Rohan the Visayan Hawk Dance "Binanog" inspired by the movement of the Visayan Hawk, symbolizing hope and celebration, reminiscing scenes from Amang Baoy and Rohan's indigenous family and their community. Eventually, the characters in the epic become inspiration to move on with hope and bravery as indigenous peoples face the challenges of modern life.—Jesus Insilada