"This is, as far as I know, the first true literary epic of the Philippines. The material for this work have awaited a poet long enough, for they are gathered from the very life about us and from the checkered history of the Filipinos themselves.
The establishment of the Bornean settlements in the Visayas is a historical fact. The record of the Bornean settlement of Panay under Datu Puti and Datu Sumakwel is to be found in the Maragtas, that interesting work containing semi-historical, semi-legendary accounts. I have used the materials from the Maragtas with poetic licence to suit my own epic purpose--which is to project the racial urges and desires for freedom, righteousness, and justice of our people.
Barter in Panay actually constitutes Book I of a whole epic cycle centering around the life of Datu Sumakwel, first datud and law-giver of Panay. Book II will cover the tragic relationship between Kapinangan, wif of Sumakwel, with Guronggurong, leading to the killing of the latter by the chief. Book III will deal with Sumakwel's romance with Alayon, a chastened Kapinangan.
Barter in Panay won a first-prize award during the Golden Jubilee Literary Contests at the U.P. in 1959."
Ricaredo Demetillo
University of the Philippines - from Amzon