1. The King's Illness: The story starts with the King falling gravely ill. Doctors are unable to diagnose or cure his mysterious ailment, and the King's life hangs in the balance. This sets the stage for the quest for the Adarna bird, the only known cure for the King's illness.
2. The Search for the Adarna: The three princes, Don Juan, Don Pedro, and Don Diego, are sent on a perilous quest to find the magical Adarna bird. This quest itself is a major element of rising action, as the brothers face numerous obstacles and trials.
3. Don Juan's Triumph and Don Pedro's Treachery: Don Juan, the youngest prince, proves himself to be the most resourceful and determined. He locates the Adarna bird and manages to capture it. However, his older brother, Don Pedro, motivated by greed and envy, tricks Don Juan and takes the Adarna for himself.
4. The Curse of the Adarna: Don Pedro's betrayal has dire consequences. The Adarna bird, cursed by a magical bird called the "Piedras Platas," begins to sing, and the song has a devastating effect on the kingdom. People fall ill and die, creating a new crisis that heightens the stakes of the story.
5. Don Juan's Imprisonment and Escape: Don Juan is falsely accused of being responsible for the kingdom's woes and imprisoned by his own brothers. He escapes through a clever ruse and sets out to reclaim the Adarna and expose Don Pedro's treachery.
6. The Final Confrontation: Don Juan's quest leads him to a confrontation with Don Pedro. The battle of wits and cunning intensifies, as both brothers vie for the Adarna and the power it holds.
7. The King's Recovery: Don Juan eventually triumphs over Don Pedro, regaining the Adarna bird and using its healing power to cure his father. This act of heroism culminates the rising action and sets the stage for the climax and resolution of the story.
The rising action in "Ibong Adarna" is characterized by a constant escalation of tension and conflict. The story weaves together elements of adventure, betrayal, deception, and heroism, creating a captivating narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.