⌛ A Phenomenal Courage and a Banana Myth

Fierce courage is the mark of most pioneers worldwide who hacked a new path into new frontiers. Even myths on beginnings of territories and certain lands often tell of a phenomenal fierceness of an epic hero who dared to do a feat. A myth on Tondo in Manila tells of a phenomenal banana variety that had fierce courage as its nourishment.

They say courage is inherent in a person whose family line is lavished with courageous figures. Yet others say it is in one’s strivings and overcoming mettle. Several others insist it is due to a peculiar diet native to a locality---like the small but tough chili of the Bicolanos, which, myths aver, toughen Bicolanos to withstand bravely any hardship. Another is a myth on how Tondo people have acquired tremendous courage to face up to anyone they battle.

One of the country’s tough heroes, Andres Bonifacio, was raised up in the rugged streets of Tondo where only the tough and daring were said to survive the harsh environment of the district’s street. Could a certain diet have had anything to do with this hero’s unmatched bravado?

A myth on Tondo tells of a certain banana variety that grew exclusively in a particular locality in Manila. The banana was said to be of a violet color and was unique from other banana types in that it not only had a unique taste, it also did something strange to the character.

A native of the locality, Tundok, was said to cultivate the special banana variety. Among the peculiar qualities of the banana, according to the myth, is its inability to thrive anywhere else except in the said locality. Thus, Tundok alone had the rare opportunity of sampling the bananas which, the myth implies, grew tougher and tougher each bite of the bananas.

As time passed by the banana also gradually became know as Tundok. Thus, Tundok, as it became so abundant in the place, became a commercial commodity---the man Tundok having decided to sell it to other natives of the place. Hence, the myth conjures images of local folks with fierce valor to fight anything or anyone as a result of the wholesale selling.

As other localities near and far learned of what these people had become---and what made them become thus---the place was gradually known as Tundok. So now, the myth tells of a man named Tundok who cultivated Tundok bananas and sold it to the people of Tundok.

But the strange thing about this myth is that people from other places who ate Tundok didn’t have the same effect the banana gave the Tundoks. Only the Tundoks got the Tundok effect. As time further went, the place was gradually called Tondo.

Myths on courage-enhancing diets may be far out, but the legendary courage of Tondo people will remain a fact.