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)
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Folklores and Legends