In those days, rice was not known here in our country. What our ancestors ate was the fruits, vegetables, fish, birds and wild animals they caught in the forest. They do not know how to till the ground. They also do not know how to care for animals.
When they are in a place where they no longer have access to fish, vegetables, fruits and animals, they move to another place.
They are happy in that way. Whereas males mean or are inherited by birds. Whatever food is available is shared by everyone.
A large group of hunters reached the Cordillera highlands for the pursuit of a herd of pigs. Exhausted, they rested in the shade of a large tree. The sun was high. They were already feeling a little hungry.
A man and a woman seem to have the unusual appearance of approaching them. The hunters are nervous. It was the Baths living on that mountain and they hurried to pay homage to the newcomer. The Baths were pleased with their reverence. They were greeted and invited to a banquet at the Bathala. The hunters refused and followed the Bathala. The disciples of Bathala prepared food and they helped each other. A Bathala approached them. It took a cut of bamboo and shoved a piece of animal flesh. It was placed over the lungs.
There were rice in the pot on the fire of the Bathala messenger. The flesh of the pot is white and is piled on banana leaves at the dining table. In each pile put roasted animal flesh, vegetables and fruit. They also put a bamboo can with only clear water. It is a wine of Bathala.
The hunters hesitated and said they would not eat worms. The Baths laughed.
The white grains you see are not worms but rice or cooked rice. It is the result of the herbs taken care of here.
They tasted the rice and they were satisfied and their feeble body suddenly grew stronger. After the banquet they thanked and said goodbye. When they were about to leave they were given one heel of rice.
Bathala teaches the way to do this is to be rice and keep it warm. Planting is also taught. The people obeyed.
So since then, rice has been recognized by our ancestors; they learned to till the ground, raise livestock and build permanent homes.