Sidapa

Sidapa



Sidapa is the Visayan god of death that precludes war and also the patron of Mt. Majaas.
His veneration and worship was far and wide not only in Visayas but as far as Taal and also pre-colonial Bicol.
He is depicted as very handsome  having very white skin and muscular body, and on his head were golden horns some say it was crown (golden) resembling horns.

Sidapa waiting for Bulan

Stories say he was a lover of Macaptan but left him(the reason is to why some thought Sidapa was a woman), From the sky world he descended to the tallest mountain where he planted a tree in which all life span of mortals can be measured. Having powers over death he can extend a life of someone if he wishes to. stories say he is a very kind god that when a family member of a dying would pray to him or make "maganito (sacrifice)" in his name grant their prayers and extend the life of their loved one.
Sidapa is also known to prevent wars before they start.he dislikes war and the reason behind it is that he and the god of war Macanduc are not in good terms because they pursued the same person or rather the same moon: the god of death battled and outsmarted the god of war and defeated him, thus claiming the right to take comely boy moon Bulan as his child-bride.

The story of Sidapa and Bulan

The god of death was lonely and he like all the creatures were awed by the beauty of the seven moons. He asked the mermaids and the birds to serenade ("harana")praises and sweet words to the moons, he also asked the flowers to make sweet perfumes and nectar, Finally guided by the fireflies one of the moons descended to meet him, it was Bulan who was lithe and childlike and comely. He took the boy to be his bride and story goes they still sleep in each others arms in  of mt. Majaas.