The most beautiful girl in all the world was Aponibolinayen of Nalpangan. Many young men had come to her brother Aponibalagen to ask for her hand in marriage, but he refused them all as he awaited one with great power.
The fame of Aponibolinayen’s beauty spread until it reached Adasen, where lived a powerful man named Gawigawen. Gawigawen, who was handsome, had sought many pretty girls but none compared to Aponibolinayen. He determined she would be his wife and asked his mother Dinawagen for help.
Dinawagen went to Nalpangan wearing a hat that looked like a sunbeam. She was greeted by Ebang, Aponibolinayen’s mother. As they ate, Dinawagen told of her son’s wishes and asked if Aponibalagen would allow his sister to marry Gawigawen. Knowing of Gawigawen’s power, Aponibalagen consented. Dinawagen departed leaving a gold cup as an engagement present.
Gawigawen was overjoyed at his mother’s success and asked the people of their town to go with him the next day to Nalpangan to arrange the bride price for Aponibolinayen. The people of Nalpangan wanted a great price for the beautiful girl. After much debate, it was decided Gawigawen must fill the spirit house eighteen times with valuables. Satisfied, they danced and beat copper gongs.
All the pretty girls danced, including one who wore big jars and made more noise than the others. But when Aponibolinayen came, the sunshine vanished at her beauty. As she danced, the river came into town and striped fish bit at her heels. For three months they feasted and danced.
They took Aponibolinayen to her new home in Adasen. The trail between towns had become beautiful with bright lights and dazzling waters. When they reached Gawigawen’s spring, it too was more beautiful than before. Aponibalagen told Gawigawen to bring an old man, cut off his head and put it in the ground where sparkling water bubbled up. His body became a tree to shade Aponibolinayen. Even the path from the spring was covered in plates, everything made beautiful for her.
A jealous girl told Aponibolinayen that Gawigawen had three noses, so she kept her face covered and had never seen him. Unhappy, when her mother-in-law commanded her to cook she felt her way as she would not uncover her face. She became so sad she decided to run away. One night she used magic to change into oil, slid through the floor and escaped without being seen.
In the jungle she met a wild rooster who had often seen Gawigawen and said he was handsome. Still she did not believe. A monkey also told her someone must have wanted to marry Gawigawen themselves. Reaching the ocean, a carabao offered her a ride and swam with her across. They came to a large orange tree.
The carabao’s master Kadayadawan came, interested in the beautiful girl. Aponibolinayen, seeing a man with the carabao, began talking with Kadayadawan and soon agreed to become his wife. From that night his house appeared on fire from her beauty.
They decided to make a ceremony for the spirits and called magic betel nuts to invite relatives. One went to Aponibalagen, saying to come or it would grow on his knee. “Grow on my pig,” said Aponibalagen. The betel nut grew into a tall tree, too heavy for the pig. Forced to obey, Aponibalagen and his people went to the ceremony.
At the river, Gawigawen waited also forced by the magic nuts. Kadayadawan sent more nuts to carry them across. During dancing, Gawigawen seized Aponibolinayen and put her in his belt, revealing she was his lost wife. Angered, Kadayadawan killed Gawigawen but then brought him back to life.
It was decided Kadayadawan must pay what was first demanded as bride price for Aponibolinayen. All were happy, given a golden house by Kadayadawan’s guardian spirit.