TO, YOU. TO, YOU. TO, YOU.

There you are sweetling. Picking up this book will be a memory of a lifetime. You have been filled with curiosities and wonders of the world. Fuel your imaginations and explore every journey that is written through every word. Behind the pages of this book is a story of culture and wonders of Negros Occidental. The sugarcane or “tubo” in hiligaynon is a sweet tall grass that is abundant in this province. In this story you will find out how magical it tastes and how important it is to the Negrense people. Know that the story will help you to deal with whatever comes in your young lives. Each page will teach you a lesson and open you up to a world that awaits you. Keep the fire of curiosity and imagination burning within you. May you find adventure and magic in this book. Enjoy each flick of the page.

FROM, THE AUTHORS. FROM, THE AUTHORS. FROM, THE AUTHORS.

In the midst of rolling hills and lush green valleys lies a land of beauty. Its wonderful landscapes are filled with clear lakes, rivers, and green forests, creating a breathtaking natural canvas that seems to be painted by the hands of Bathala himself.

Datu Gahum is a good leader. His duty to the well-being of his people knows no limits, and he will stop at nothing to ensure that they are safe, happy, and prosperous. He has a deep understanding of the needs and desires of his subjects.

As Datu Gahum sat in his throne room, his mind began to wander. He found himself daydreaming of his kingdom - a land of endless possibilities, where his people lived in peace and harmony.

Many years had passed since Datu Gahum's daydream, but his kingdom was still thriving. His people were happy and prosperous, and their land remained peaceful and stable. The fields of wheat continued to sway in the breeze, and the rivers flowed gently through the countryside, providing life-giving water to crops and comunities alike.

Despite the success of his kingdom, Datu Gahum felt a growing sense of emptiness inside him. He began to feel that there was something missing, that there was more to life than just ruling his land. He missed the heavenly feeling he once felt.

He began to think of running away, of leaving his kingdom behind and seeking out a new path.But before he acted on these thoughts, Datu Gahum sought the advice of Bathala. He first asked Bathala if he should run away.

BATHALA!

WHAT MUST I DO?! SHOULD I RUN AWAY?!

ANSWER ME! PLEASE!

I'M BEGGING YOU!

You have been a faithful servant of your people, and your efforts have brought prosperity to your land. You are a true leader, your subjects need you.

My Child..

Bathala heard his prayer and spoke to him in a voice as clear as the mountain air. Datu Gahum could not do anything but cry.

Very well then...

What should I do spiritual advisor?

There is this well that can grant your feeling of heaven once again. My Datu

After speaking with Bathala, Datu Gahum realized that he did not want to abandon his kingdom and the people he loved. He called his royal advisor for guidance, and the advisor told him of a wishing well deep in the forest.

The royal advisor had warned Datu Gahum that the forest was dangerous and had a reputation of whoever enters never comes out, but the king was determined to find the wishing well and make his wish. He had faith that Bathala would protect him, and he was willing to face any challenges that came his way.

As Datu Gahum went to the forest, he encountered a shaman. The shaman warns them.

Turn back, you will not find heaven in a place like this.

The shaman then advised him to pay attention to his surroundings.

Do not trick me shaman, my quest for heaven will not be stopped by you,

This plant can be seen in my backyard!

Datu Gahum noticed that the entrance was filled with bamboo-like plants. The shaman stopped and plucked one of the plants, offering it to the king but he tried to reject it.

What is this flavor?! Is a comon plant like this, something I have in my backyard really this good?!

The shaman urged Datu Gahum to taste the plant, until he finally convinced him. To the Datu’s surprise, it felt delicious. It tasted very sweet and the King loved it.

He realized that heaven could be found in the simple things, like the sweet taste of the bamboo-like plant he had just eaten. He felt a sense of wonder and gratitude for the beauty of the world around him, and he knew that he had been blessed with a new perspective.

He decided to name it "Tubo" in honor of its delicious flavor. As he turned to thank the shaman for his wise teachings, he was surprised to find that the shaman was gone. All that remained were the echoes of the shaman's voice, whispering to him.

Your

As Datu Gahum pondered the shaman's mysterious words, he suddenly realized that the shaman may have been Bathala all along. He felt a wave of wonder wash over him, realizing that he had been blessed with a divine encounter. Only Datu Gahum and his advisor knew of this encounter.