Reintroducing Aliguyon Using Vogler’s Adaptation of the Monomyth Through a Game Development

• Main Authors: Trisha Marie Cajita, Dana Isabelle Campos, Gabrielle Villapando, Lorenzo Gutierrez, Jeyson Taeza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: The International Academic Forum 2019-06-01
• Series: IAFOR Journal of Arts & Humanities
• Subjects: Ifugao Epic; game development; Monomyth
• Online Access: https://iafor.org/journal/iafor-journal-of-arts-and-humanities/volume-6-issue-1/article-8/

Philippine folk epics are the highest stage of development in Philippine folk literature. However, due to the ravages of colonization and the evolution of contemporary cultural preferences, folk literature has been waning in popularity. With the advent of modern culture and its attendant technology has come the new medium of video games, which is truly popular among the younger generations and can be used as an alternative method of learning. Through this medium offered by the new technologies, this research aims to reclaim Philippine folk epics by developing a video game based on an Ifugao epic called Hudhud hi Aliguyon. The work will follow the process called the modified waterfall model. To create a structured narrative, the epic has been analyzed and tabulated according to Vogler’s adaptation of the monomyth in order to see how Aliguyon, the main character, develops. The values, unique cultural traits and distinct ideals that characterize Ifugao culture have been carefully studied so that the culture may be represented authentically in the game’s narrative, character traits and artwork. The narrative will start in the village of Hannanga with the protagonist Aliguyon, who recklessly seeks retribution against his father’s enemy; as the game progresses, he will grow into a more honorable and ideal hero.