2012, November 28. Bernardo Carpio
(Philippine Folklores and Legends)
Litho Offset.
Amstar Company, Inc. Perf 13 1/2
Singles, Sheets of 100 (10 x 10)
7p
Bernardo Carpio
- Singles
(2,000,000)
Designer: Nemi R. Miranda, Jr. (NCAA)
Layout Artist: Victorino Z. Serevo
First Day Covers: Manila
BERNARDO CARPIO (Philippine Folklores and
Legends)
Bernardo Carpio is a
legendary figure in Philippine mythology who is said to be the cause
of earthquakes. There are numerous versions of this tale. Some
stories say Bernardo Carpio is a giant, as supported by the enormous
footsteps he has reputedly left behind in the boondocks of Montalban
(now Rodriguez), Rizal. Others say Bernardo was the size of an
ordinary man. However, all versions agree he had muscle might that
was akin to that of strongman Hercules from ancient Greek lore.
The legend’s basic plot is
that Bernardo Carpio, a being of great strength, was trapped between
two great rocks in the mountains of Montalban. Some versions say he
is keeping the big boulders from crashing into each other, and other
versions say he remained trapped, still trying to break free until
now.
When an earthquake occurs,
old folks believe it is caused by the one and only Bernardo Carpio –
stretching those gigantic shoulders.
According to one version
of the tale, Bernardo Carpio was a son of Infante Jimena and Don
Sancho Díaz of Cerdenia. The Infante was cloistered by her brother
King Alfonso, who at that time was very powerful, because of her
forbidden love with Don Sancho. Don Sancho was incarcerated, and his
eyes were to be plucked out. Bernardo was left to the care of Don
Rubio, who divulged the love affair.
The Spanish hired a local
engkantado (shaman) and conspired to trap Carpio through
supernatural means. Calling for a parley, they lured him towards a
cave in the mountains of Montalban. The engkantado used his agimat
(talisman), and Bernardo Carpio was caught between two boulders
which the shaman had caused to grind each other. The legend says he
was not killed, but was trapped between these two boulders, unable
to escape because the talisman's power was as great as his own
strength.
When Carpio's allies
arrived at the cave to rescue him, they were blocked from the cave
by a series of cave ins that killed several of them.
People soon surmised that
whenever an earthquake happens, it is caused by Bernardo Carpio
trying to free himself from the mountain
The same version says that
Bernardo Carpio demonstrated unusual strength, even as a child. As a
result, the parish priest who baptized him suggested that his
parents name him after the Spanish legendary hero Bernardo del
Carpio. This became a foreshadowing of the legendary life Carpio
himself would lead.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernardo_Carpio)