A traditional poem as recorded in writing 
by Datu Isis Guilingan

       Each line of this poem is comprised of two words, the first the name of a river, mountain or settlement, and the second a word recalling, usually in metaphor, an event experienced by Subanen in that place: the ground shaking with the footsteps of attackers, villagers whispering as their adversaries passed by, a town left empty after a surprise battel. When the rhythm of the poem is played on brass gongs, the familiar words come to the minds of the audiences. Isis Guilingan closes his version of the well-known poem with lines, "We are all of one lineage, from the time of our ancestors. This we know, that this land is our inheritance.

1 As if in flight, with view from sky to sky,*
2 At Salug* we stared wide-eyed in wonder.*

3 At the Maranding River,* there was whispering.
4 The Suminugud River* became a place to hide.*

5 The Sibuguey River* splashed as it rose and fell,*
6 While on the mountaintop, Danaw* shook and shook.*

7 Salagmanuk* was a nest filled with eggs.*
8 At Mt. Sirongan,* waters reached the crest.

9 At Balangasan,* the flood mounted even more.*
10 At Tukuran,* the waters still rose.

11 Mt. Dumangkilas fell upon its face.*
12 While Mt. Pingulis fell upon its back.*

13 At the mouth of Tubod,* banks collapsed and fell.
14 The River Dumagoc was left in dsarry.*

15 The Dumalinao River,* became a lonely stream.
16 Palandok River* asked where all had gone.

17 Lumugom* was humbled by a frightful plaque.*
18 Lobatis* suffered unutterable shame.*

19 Kabasalan* burned to the ground,
20 Reduced to ashes too was Si-ay* town.

21 Fearsome fighting reached Timuwalag's shores.
22 Diplo River* was worried and disturbed.

23 Lapuyan River town* was overlooked.
24 Deserted then was Margos River town,*
25 For from across the river,
26 Brass gongs called.

27 Vine Spanning the river in a lonely place,
28 There we will meet,
29 There at the mouth of the Lingawan River,*
30 We'll seek to understand.*

31 For Ikoan River* has been completely cleared.
32 Piao* is covered up.
33 Siyayan River* has hardened.*

34 A broad, plaid turban,
35 Stretching to Dipolog.*

36 Before we make our move,
37 We'll return to Manukan* town.
38 We'll take our stand beside Disakan River.*

39 We are all of one lineage,
40 From the time of our ancestors.

41 And this we know:
42 This land is our inheritance.*