Christian Filipino Bolo

[VVV]

Who can share some more info on this sword?
And what does "RLY" stand for?

Michael

[Spunjer]

RLY= internet slang for really?, which in turn was popularized by seth myers and amy poehler on saturday night live.. sorry, can't help, lol...
ok, the RLY, i would assume would be the initials of the owner. as for the phrase on the other side, you have prolly encountered this in your trips to the islands, michael.. in the tagalog region, every now and then, you'd hear a local say, "aysus maryosep!" you may or may not see that person make a sign of the cross, but that term is used when the person is surprised. aysus maryosep is a corruption of "hesus maria jose", or Jesus, Mary and Joseph.. it's a like an old oraciones muttered by older people to ward off evil spirits, and later became a common expression. "quien como dios" whould be "who like god", so again, i'm assuming that's the whole term that was used back then, and was later abbreviated to the shorter aysus maryosep. with that clue, and since this term is only used in tagalog region, i would say you have a tagalog sword. nice one!

(added)
btw, i just now realized the pommel's motif, which is that of a horse. it could be associated with batangas. just a guess...

[VVV]

Thanks Ron,

I am almost only in the Visayas when over (so Grand Tuhon doesn't need to be away from his family when he is back home from the US) so I haven't noticed the "aysus maryosep!" yet. "Quien como dios" is the same as Mi-cha-el in Hebrew so that's one reason it's mine now

Michael

[Spunjer]

hah! that's a nice coincidence, lol. good one!

[Sajen]

Hello Michael,

can't add something but have to say that you everytime show us breathtaking swords!

Regards,

Detlef

[Lew]

I found a modern version of this old bolo they do seem quite similar? The older one is real nice quality congrats!

[VVV]

Thanks D & L,

Lew, what's the name of the modern version?

Michael

[Lew]

Itak which = bolo in Tagalog

[VVV]

Thanks,

I was hoping for something less generic.

Michael

[Spunjer]

ahh, the modern version.. if you're referring specifically to the picture lew posted, it's called sundang pantasya, or literally translated, fantasy sword

[carlos]

Great sword!! congratulations, I envy you , is very beatiful bolo!!
Best regards
carlos

[ibeam]

Mike,
Really nice sword you got there....

Can u post some close up of the handle, like to see more details of the nicely carved carabao horn handle and silver ferrule.

thnx

[VVV]

Thanks,

Here are some close ups.

Michael

[carlos]

I just fall in love!! the handle is fantastic Thanks for post, is a good present to my eyes!!
best regards
carlos

[migueldiaz]

The only thing I can add is that Katipunan generals were the ones who used the flower and vines design, to signify their rank. Thus it wouldn't be far-fetched to think that they also used the same motif in their personal weapons and accessories.

Alternatively, if the former owner of the sword was not a Katipunan general, then in all likelihoo he was a civilian VIP.

In other words, it's a very cool sword in any case!

[VVV]

Thanks for the added rank system info, very interesting.

Michael

[Dimasalang]

This is why I love this place. Rarely get to see these gems anywhere else. Awesome piece! Thanks for sharing!