There are a few reasons why you might be mistaking it for a Filipino epic:
* Southeast Asian Influence: The Philippines has strong cultural ties to its Southeast Asian neighbors, so some stories and themes might be shared.
* Similar Genres: The Philippines does have its own rich tradition of folk epics, like the "Lam-ang" and "Hudhud," which share some common themes with the "Bidasari" story, such as love, adventure, and magical elements.
* Misinformation: It's possible that the information you received about the story being Filipino is incorrect.
To learn about Filipino epics, you can look into:
* Lam-ang: An epic from the Ilocos region that tells the story of a brave and strong hero.
* Hudhud: An epic cycle from the Ifugao people in the Cordillera region, focusing on love, war, and the creation myth.
* Biag ni Lam-ang: Another epic from the Ilocos region that is a shorter, more comedic version of "Lam-ang."
* Maragtas: An epic that tells the story of the arrival of the first settlers in the Visayas region.
If you are interested in the "Bidasari" story, it's a captivating tale of a beautiful princess who is cursed to be ugly and must prove her worth to win the love of a prince. You can find versions of the story online or in Southeast Asian literature collections.