How the Town of Marikina Got Its Name

A long time ago, there were few houses in the town of Marikina. They were all made of bamboo and cogon grass. The people were a nomadic folk, looking for places where they could plant camote, rice, corn and vegetables, and where they could raise livestock. There were few who stayed permanently.

One of the families gave birth to a lovely daughter. She was admired by everybody who knew her, and her kindness attracted all.

Early in the morning one day, she decided to take a stroll around the place. She saw a pool with very clear water with a small waterfall. She dove in and swam to sit underneath the waterfall. The stream of water massaged her shoulders, and where it met her neck. She lowered her head in enjoyment, listening to the burble of the waterfall above her. She moved away from the falls and sat listening to the sweet songs of birds. She watched them hop and drink from the pool. A breeze cooled her skin and she watched the leaves dance above her. What a wonderful place! When she rose, she hoisted herself up on a wide, smooth stone and saw her reflection in the pool. She admired parts of herself that were beautiful, but noticed bits of herself she did not love. She had a white head under her lovely, bright eyes. And she wished for her chin to be a little bit more shapely. And how she longed for her long, slender legs to be smaller.

But she heard a voice call, “Marikit na!” which means “you are already beautiful!”

Unbeknownst to her, a man had watched her playing in the pool, admiring her beauty. The echo of his affirmation filled the mountains and the trees of the place. Other men heard the echo and repeated after it. Marikina became the name of this place.

Hinilawod - Part 6 - The Adventures of Humadapnon Part 2

Humadapnon was the chieftain of Sulod. His domain was at the headwaters of the Panay River.

In a dream, Humadapnon was visited by his spirit friends, Taghoy and Duwindi. They walked through a grassy path, through the jungle, and deep, deep into the green. In the ruins of a forested open air catherdal, his spirit guides told him that in a village in the west-central coast of Panay lived a beautiful goddess named Nagmalingtong Yawa. This is the same goddess from earlier in our tale, the widow of the late lord Saragnayon.

When Humadapnon awoke from this dream, he embarked on his adventure. He rode on his golden boat, and while the skies were clear, and his crew’s spirits were high, a strong wind brought them into an unmoving, red sea. The red was much like blood, and it took months to cross the unmoving deep. Just as they were able to make some movement, the boat was again blown by a strong wind into a channel near the mouth of a river called Saruma. At first the waters seemed calm and serene, but in a matter of seconds, the two land masses to his left and right came crashing towards each other. Humadapnon and his men found a cliff with a seaside cave and hid in there for the first crash. They sat in wait, observing the chaotic crashing to see if there was a rhyme or reason, to make sense of the intervals. It seemed like they had a minute between each crash. Humadapnon’s men were afraid to continue, but Humadapnon believed his spirit guides would keep him safe. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in, feeling the energy of the waters around him. He directed his crew to each crack and each cave that would provide shelter as they went down the dangerous river.

They hit clear water soon, and they sailed on, and on. They encountered an enchanted island called Tarangban. This was an island inhabited by beautiful women. Humadapnon noticed a beautiful human named Ginmayunan upon the shore, and as any man who’s been at sea with a bunch of other dudes too long, he set sail towards Ginmayunan. Ginmayunan welcomed them, and the men paid the women a visit in their caves. Unsurprisingly, Humadapnon was bewitched and imprisoned for seven years. I wonder if these magical women also practiced death by snuu-snuu if these men went out of line. (Yes, that is a Futurama reference)

Humadapnon was freed from his lady captives by Nagmalitung Yawa. See, at first Nagmalitung Yawa was like nope when she saw his predicament, but Taghoy and the Duwindi were like you better come, or we’ll block and ghost you spiritually. And Nagmalitung Yawa was in a low place, considering her previous husband, who she really loved, was beaten to death by humans. But Humadapnon’s two guides coerced her and she went because she didn’t want to be ghosted by these guides for whatever reason.

Nagmalitong Yawa disguised herself as a man and assumed the name of Buyung Sunmasakay. Ginmayunan welcomed her to the island like the others, and Sunmasakay agreed to follow her. Ginmayunan thought Sunmasakay was so handsome, so she took him quickly to the cave. The women in the cave tried to cast their spells upon Sunmasakay, who was immune to their surprise. To them, Sunmasakay was truly a beautiful god. Sunmasakay demanded they release Humadapnon and the women obliged.

After liberating Humadapnon from the cave, Sunmasakay performed a ritual which removed their charms they casted on Humadapnon. He rose from his binds in his prison, and went to clean his disheveled self. He cleaned his teeth with a vegetable husk, and was careful to clean behind his ears. Beneath his long dark hair, Nagmalitong Yawa saw the handsome face of Humadapnon. She fell in love with him, and just as they were to board his golden boat, a shimmer of light danced across Sunmasakay’s body. His square chin turned pointed, and his bald head grew a full head of hair, and before them all, she became her true form. Nagmalitong Yawa was so beautiful that Humadapnon fell in love instantly. He asked her for her hand in marriage.

Nagmalitong Yawa answered that she could not do anything until she had the permission of her parents. Humadapnon accompanied her back to Halawod. They encountered Buyung Paglambuhan, lord of the island-fortress in the middle of the sea. Nagmalitong Yawa disguised herself again as a man and sailed into Buyung Paglambuhan’s waters in a small fishing boat. She took some of Humadapnon’s men with her, but hid them in her crates, and wove magic illusions above them making them appear as crabs. Buyung Paglambuhan shot arrows and his men waved their swords in what Nagmalitong Yawa could only interpret as surrender. As they descended upon the small boat, Nagmalitong Yawa drew her sword and fought with the men. Her illusions vanished, and the men hiding in the crates came out to help her fight. She giggled, because she didn’t think you could crab in these parts! Humadapnon joined the battle, swooping in aboard his golden boat, raining arrows upon Buyung Paglambuhan. As his men launched the aerial attack, Humadapnon leapt onto Buyung Paglambuhan’s boat and the men’s swords danced. Humadapnon emerged victorious in the battle, and they were able to sail back home unharassed. They reached Halawod and Humadapnon married Nagmalitong Yawa.

During the wedding feast, Dumalapdap was attracted to Huyung Adlaw, daughter of one of the rulers of the Upperworld. Dumalapdap asked Humadapnon to help him win the girl. Humadapnon refused his brother’s request. But Dumalapdap reminded him that when he was in trouble, he had helped him. After a small squabble, Humadapnon accompanied his brother to win Huyung Adlaw. Their adventure took seven years.

Seven years is a long time, so Matan-ayon gave the hand of Nagmalitong Yawa to Buyung Sumagulung. Conveniently, Humadapnon and Dumalapdap returned just as she was about to be wed. Humadapnon blew his horn to notify Nagmalitong Yawa of his arrival.

Some men met them at the shore and informed the brothers about the wedding. On knowing this, Humadapnon and Dumalapdap killed all the guests present in the house of Labaw Donggon. They also killed Sumagulung.

In his anger, Humadapnon confronted Nagmalitong Yawa about her infidelity. But her words only made him angrier, even if she insisted it was her mother in law’s idea and gave him a logical and thorough explanation. Without saying a word, Humadapnon stabbed his wife with his poisoned knife. Which is not how you solve marital problems man! When he wasn’t an angry jerk, Humadapnon’s conscience bothered him. His spirit guides came to him and it was at this moment, he knew he effed up.

Remorsefully, Humadapnon persuaded his sister, Labing Anyang, to resuscitate the dead Nagmalitung Yawa. When Labing Anyang revived her, Nagmalitong Yawa ran away from Humadapnon. The tale says she could not face him because of her previous mistakes, but I’m also sure it has something to do with being stabbed to death by your husband while you were trying to reason with him. Humadapnon, of course, followed her.

She went down to the underworld, passing through the channel guarded by an eight-headed snake, the region ruled by her uncle, Panlinugun, lord of the earthquake. Humadapnon had to fight this beast, because let’s not make this pursuit for him easy.

From the underworld, Nagmalitong Yawa fled to the upper world, the domain of her grandmother, Laun Sina. Reaching the middle space between the Upper World and Middle World, Nagmalitong Yawa noticed a handsome young man riding on the shoulders of the wind. How he did this, was he had a long cloth above him, attached by thin rope and he bound his body to that rope. The cloth had lines that symbolized grass, the sky, the sun and moon. He looked like he was having a lot of fun. She stared in wonder. He swooped down and let her in on the fun, though she let out a gasp and wanted to be put down immediately, but he didn’t let her go.

Humadapnon challenged this stranger, and they fought for seven years. They were equally matched, kind of like having a 1-1 score on FIFA, and you keep hitting replay because you need to beat this damn kid online. From above, Laun Sina was watching, and eventually, she got bored of watching this. She descended from her ethereal throne and settled the case.

The man was Amarotha, Humadapnon’s brother who died upon birth. Laun Sina explained that she had brought Amarotha with her to the Upperworld, and resuscitated him when he died. She brought him up until he became a full-grown man. 

She’s just a stirrer of pots. Laun Sina decreed the body of Nagmalitong Yawa be divided into two so both men could have her, cuz why decide on one and why not both. I have to wonder about the mechanics of this. Is it like twins, or as a goddess, can she be in multiple places, times and spaces at once? And like, was she actually OK with being split into two? She didn’t want to save Humadapnon to begin with. It seems like all these lower and upper gods were messing with Nagmalitong Yawa in this tale.

I mean, the happy ending says that Humadapnon brought his wife to Panay and ruled the island for centuries. Theee end.

Hinilawod - Part 5 - the Adventures of Dumalapdap

While Humadapnon was adventuring in our last story, his brother Dumalapdap set out on his own quest. He journeyed to the Land of Dawn where Lubay-Lubyok Hanginun si Mahuyokhuyokon lived. Her long name is roughly translated as “Graceful movement of the Arrogant Breeze”. She is the goddess of the night breeze, who resided in the east. She tended to plants and animals of the forest in her domain, and was the creator of the kasoy tree. She is very sweet-natured but is wary of men and does not trust them. She also has a short-temper when provoked. She has two guardian monsters to protect her, which is pretty cool. One is the 2 headed giant Balanakon, who guards the ridge going to her domain. The other is the scaly bat-like monster with poisonous sharp claws and teeth called the Uyutang which guards the gates. 

On his journey, Dumalapdap brought a friend called Dumasig, one of the top wrestlers of Madyaas. He also brought his duwende subjects to help him along. They travelled, singing songs and collecting fruit and tubers on their way to the Lawn of Dawn. One night, the moon kissed the sun and his blush is what was Dawn. They had arrived at their destination. They encountered Balanakon, who guarded the ridge. Showered in golden, pink hues of the morning, Balanakon charged at them. Dumalapdap was able to quickly roll out of the way of Balanakon’s mighty fist. The monster struck again but Dumalapdap held up his magic dagger. Balanakon’s fist hit a barrier of magic, releasing a twang of energy. The duwende started to run around rapidly to help their master, creating little mounds which would explode with sparks. Confused and overwhelmed, Balanakon tried to play whack a mole with the duwende, but Dumalapdap threw his dagger at Balanakon’s first eye. While in pain, Dumalapdap climbed the flailing giant, holding on tightly to not be thrown off, and stabbed his other eye, and felled the beast.

Uyutang descended upon them with a terrible screech, its blue scales blackened by blight. Dumalapdap fought Uyutang for seven months, and their skill was equally matched. On the last month, Dumalapdap took hold of Uyutang’s ankle while the beast flew too close overhead of him and broke it. The creature cried out, flying around in pain, hit a tree by accident, which disorientated him. Dumalapdap stabbed him with his magic dagger in the armpit. The monster gave a loud, supersonic cry, but not one Dumalapdap could hear, but could feel in his bones.  The cry was so powerful that the ridge broke into two and the earth quaked.

Feeling the quake, Lubay-Lubyok Hanginun emerged from her forest and greeted the men. She was impressed by Dumalapdap’s prowess in defeating her two monsters, so she agreed to return to his domain with him.

Upon his return, Datu Paubari gave a feast in honor of his three sons. The entertainers sang of their adventures and beautiful wives, and the strength of their heirs to come. There was a plentiful amount of food served: crabs, eels, sword fish, nuts, bananas, guava, mangoes, rice, and berries.

After the celebration, the three brothers went off on their own adventures. Labaw Donggon went northward, Humadapnon went southward, Dumalapdap, westward and Datu Paubari remained in the east.

Hinilawod - Part 4 - The Adventures of Humadapnon

Labaw Donggon’s defeat by the Lord of Darkness angered his brothers. Humadapnon went off on his journey of revenge, seeking out all of Saragnayan’s kinsmen and followers.

Humadapnon returned to Saragnayan’s domain. He employed the aid of Buyong Matanayon, a skilled swordsman. For their journey they rode on a sailboat called biday nga rumba-rumba. They travelled through the region of the clouds, passed by the region of eternal darkness and ended up at a place called Tarambang Buriraw. In this place was a ridge called Talagas Kuting-tang where a seductive sorceress named Pinganun lived.

Pinganun changed herself to a beautiful maiden, and seduced Humadapnon into her bed. Buyong Matanayon begged with Humadapnon to leave the place with him but Humadapnon wanted to become a witch and make love to his new lady. After seven months passed, Buyong Matanayon remembered that they had ginger in their provisions. One evening at dinner time Buyong Matanayon threw seven slices of ginger into the fire. When Pinganun smelled the odor of burning ginger she left the dinner table because sorcerers hated the odor of ginger. Immediately Buyong Matanayon struck Humadapnon, who became unconscious. No friend of his was going to become a witch!

When Humadapnon came to, they continued with their trek. One day they reached a place called Piniling Tubig who was ruled by Datu Umbaw Pinaumbaw. There was a big gathering in the village and the datu announced that he was giving his daughter for marriage to whoever could remove the huge boulder that rolled from a mountain into the center of the village. The two men watched others try to lift the stone, but there were many shaking knees and grunts for miles.

Humadapnon took off his magic cape. He threw it to the wind, and the cape wrapped itself around the stone. He grabbed one end and spun the stone around himself for some momentum, then threw it back to the mountain. The datu kept his word and Humadapnon married his daughter. During the wedding feast, a minstrel sang of a goddess glittering with gold, who lived with duende. She was the goddess of greed, Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan.

After the wedding Humadapnon went to seek the hand of the goddess in marriage. Along the way he encountered Buyong Makabagting, who wanted the goddess of greed for himself. Makabagting challenged him to a duel. Humadapnon overpowered him, and the fight ended when Buyong Makabagting surrendered and even promised to aid Humadapnon. When the two arrived, many suitors laid in wait for the goddess. The men had dreams of gold and beauty woven into their minds. Little did they know that Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan had woven those patterns of greed. She wanted to see who would be the strongest willed out of them all, for she did not want to marry someone who would thieve or murder. She punished those who did so.

Her duwende subjects set up an arena for the men to fight each other, and each day Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan watched the tournament between men. Their sword fighting bored her, and when they murdered each other in the night to thin the competition, she brought misfortune on the murderers. While most men sang of her gold and glitter, Humadapnon proclaimed her beauty as his muse before every battle. He took down each suitor before him, and after many battles, he stood as the victor of the matches before her. Humadapnon married the goddess and brought her home. 

Meanwhile, right after Humadapnon left to seek Saragnayan’s followers, his brother Dumalapdap left for his own adventure.

Hinilawod - Part 3 - Saragnayan and Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata

Back home, Labaw Donggon’s two wives both delivered sons, Aso Manga and Buyung Baranugon. Only days after their birth, the two sons went to look for their father. They sailed through the realm of eternal darkness, through the region of clouds, and passed through the land of stones to Saragnayan’s home.

Upon the shores, a wave of dark shadows overwhelmed the youths. Aso Manga and Buyung Baranugon shot poisoned arrows that dealt seven wounds with a single shot. They peppered the minions until Saragnayan was the only one left standing. Buyung Baranugon wrestled Saragnayan. Buyung Baranugon won every match, but Saragnayan could not die.

 The brothers retreated and asked for Alunsina’s help. Using her divine powers, she learnt that Saragnayan’s life was housed in the body of a boar in a place called Paling Bukid. The two brothers hunted the pig. Once they captured and slaughtered it, they ate its heart, which made Saragnayan mortal.

Saragnayan knew he had become mortal. He spent one last night with his wife, “Goodbye my love,” he said to her one last time. She embraced him with her long, thin arms and lifted her downcast eyes to admire him. He was grotesque and ugly, while she was beautiful, but she knew he loved her with every beat of his ancient heart. As he let her go, her eyes went back down and she did not look the way of the battle and hid herself in their home. She hated Labaw Donggon with all her being, and she would flee from him and his sons if her husband fell in battle.

Saragnayan called upon the powers of night one last time. A cloud of bats hid him from Baranugon, but the child ran through the swarm, locking arms with the once-god. They wrestled once more. Saragnayan pinned Baranugon down, and while they wrestled, Baranugon jabbed poisoned arrows into both of Saragnayan's eyes. This was the lethal blow to Saragnayan.

During this battle, their father hid under a fishnet out of fear. The two brothers could not find him after and assumed he had gone home before them. However, when they arrived home, they realized their father was still missing. After the sons left, Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata cursed Labaw Donggon with madness and lovesickness. She turned her grief against the man who tore her whole life away from her. She then left to go into exile, and to live in peace and contentment in the forest, tending different animals and helping the lost. (Which is frickin’ awesome, because Labaw Donggon WAS getting greedy with the wives there.)

Labaw Dunggon’s two brothers, Humadapnon and Dumalapdap went to search for him instead. They found Labaw Donggon under the fishnet, who had succumbed to madness. Labaw Donggon's brothers returned him home to his wives. Nagmalitong Yawa's curse that curing his madness was no simple feat for Abyang Ginbitinan and Abyang Diriinin. Everytime he heard Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata's name, Labaw Donggon would break out into an episode. For a time, he would see her face in the middle of night, muttering her name but only feel the cold touch his flesh. His wives and their healing magic eventually grounded him back into the present, and his former strength was returned.

Hinilawod - Part 1 - Alusina and Datu Paubari

A long, long time ago, when the goddess of the eastern Alunsina, reached womanhood, her father, Kaptan, who was the king of gods, decided she should marry. Alunsina had long, dark hair, skin like freshly pressed clay and bright animated eyes.
Her father was a supreme god in the skies, a paragon of strength, adorned in gold and protected by lightning. All the unmarried gods vied for her. Perhaps Alunsina knew the jealousy of the gods. In the war, her marriage would bring among them. Instead, she chose to marry a mortal, named Datu Paubari, the ruler of Halawod. Her decision angered her other suitors, and they met in council to bring the newlyweds down.
Alunsina had married beneath herself, and they would soon correct this insulting mistake. The jealous gods decided upon a flood that would destroy Halawod. The God of the Plains, Maklium-sa-t’wan was the one to destroy Halawod by this method. Alunsina’s sister Suklang Malayon learned of the evil plot. She was the guardian of Happy Homes. She warned her sister and her husband of the plot and they were able to seek refuge on higher ground.
After the flood water subsided, the couple returned to the plain secretly. They settled near the mouth of the Halawod River in a short time. Alunsina was able to live a wonderful and calm life with her husband upon the stretches of green as they inhaled the scent of fresh rainstorms of earth. A deep love blossomed between the couple. She soon became pregnant and asked Paubari to prepare the siklot, things necessary for childbirth.
She delivered a set of triplets, and some of the high praise from that plan was to perform the rights of the gods. The high priest promptly made an altar. When the ceremony was over, he opened the windows of the north side of the room and a cold northern wind came in, and suddenly the three infants were transformed into strong, handsome young men.
They named them Labaw Donggon, Humadapnon, and Dumalapdap. And so this is where the epic story of these brothers begins.

Where the Makopa Came From

Ilocos Region

In the Ilocos provinces, there was a beautiful bell in a small village’s church. It was believed that the bell’s ringing brought good harvest and they believed it was the bell that gave them good luck. Their lives improved greatly since they acquired the bell.

However, a group of bandits coveted this lucky bell. They made plans to loot the church and take the bell for themselves.

Talk spread easily in these parts, so the villagers heard from sources that the bandits were coming. They buried the bell outside the church.

When the bandits arrived, they could not find it. The bandits demanded that the townsfolk to reveal where they hid the bell, but they townsfolk kept their mouths sealed. In their anger, the bandits killed many villagers. Despite this violence, no one spoke of where the bell was.

Years later, a tree emerged from where the bell was buried. It bore fruits shaped like a bell with reddish-yellow color. When inverted the fruit looked like the cup used in mass. For this reason, they called the tree “makopa”, meaning maraming kopa, or plenty of cups.

 Since then the tree and its fruits came to be known as makopa.

The Legend of Mt. Banahaw

Near a great mountain on Luzon, there once lived a couple named Lukban and Bayabas, and their only son, Limbas. Limbas was a talented and skilled hunter: he met each mark with his bow and arrow.

One night Limbas did not return home. His parents were very worried and prayed each night to the gods. For seven days, his parents did not eat nor could they sleep.

After those seven days, Limbas came home carrying a big bundle in his arms. He opened the bundle he was carrying and inside were clothing.

The clothes were luxurious – made of materials they did not know, adorned with gold weaving. Limbas also had a great deal of food, which he set and prepared on the table.

At dinner, he explained his story: “I met an old man with a long beard,” explained limbas. “He enticed me to go to his home atop the great mountain.” Limbas explained the home to be surrounded by fruit trees, deer, chickens, birds that all white feathers, and that the man had a carriage drawn by two white horses. “Before he allowed me to leave for home, he gave me food and clothes. He told me before I gave these to you to kiss your hands, and not to forget to do that. I thanked him for all the things he had given me.”

Limbas would return to the mountain for seven days and his parents did not worry, for he always came home with food and clothing. One day when he came back home, Limbas excitedly said, “My friend has given us many golden balls, look! Look!”

He forgot to kiss his parents in his enthusiasm and happiness, so when they opened the bundle, the saw anahaw fruits instead of the golden balls.

“Ba! Anahaw! BA! ANAHAW!” cried Limbas.

From that time on, the big mountain in Luzon was known as Banahaw. The towns nearby were named Tayabas and Lukban after the names of his parents, Bayabas and Lukban.

Why Some Mangoes are Sour

Once upon a time, there were two sisters named Tita and Nita. They were very different from each other. Tita was the elder, and she was spoiled. Being the first child, she received many gifts and everything she asked for from her parents. She was vain, proud, selfish and quarrelsome. No one liked Tita in the barrio.

Nita, the younger daughter, was kind, helpful, humble, modest and friendly to everyone. She was kind to both the rich and poor, while her sister Tita wrinkled her nose up at the beggar and told him to get a job.

The two lived in a large farm in the village, and had many mango trees. Tita loved eating the fruit, so that is why her parents planted them. Unfortunately, ill fate struck their family and their parents died. Tita and Nita both grieved their parents, and in turn healed differently from each other. Tita was a realist and wanted to protect her family from harm, so she would never lose her sister. Nita was an optimist and wanted to help others, so in turn, they would receive help. This was important to Nita because she didn’t want her and Tita to suffer. The differences in their personalities and grief journey caused a crack between the two sisters.

One day, an old woman came to visit their farm. Nita answered the door and the old woman asked for food. Nita gave her some mangoes to eat and invited her in for dinner. Upon entering the home, Tita shouted at Nita to get the old beggar out of there because she might steal something.

The old woman turned out to be a deity in disguise. As a reward to Nita, she said that any mango that Nita would touch would be sweet. And any mango that Tita touched would be sour.

Since then, the fruits of all mango trees have had two tastes: some are sweet, some are sour.

The Origin of Bananas

Once upon a time in Lanao, there was a prosperous kingdom, and its sight of scenery was something to behold – green fields, clear streams and blue hills. A great Datu ruled the kingdom, and she was kind-hearted, wise and brave that everyone did everything in their ability to make her happy in this beautiful kingdom.

There was enough food, the towns were clean, homes were neat, and there were no cockpits or gambling houses, for the men worked on the farms all day. The children were good, that there were no whips. Teachers did not have to think of how to get the children to learn and listen, but what lessons to teach them instead.

But the wicked cousin of the Datu desired her seat on the throne. So she schemed to find a way to dethrone the kind Datu.

Many suitors came for the Datu, but her response was always the same: “If I take one of you, the others will be angry. There will be war. I would rather remain single and have peace in my kingdom.”

The wicked cousin of the princess loved one of her suitors. So she schemed a plan. She told him, “The Datu loves you, but she cannot accept your love for her fear. Bring your army, slay your rivals and the Datu’s guards. Enter the city, and the Datu and the kingdom will be yours.” He listened to her and prepared his men to strike.

A magical bird, the Nori, overheard this terrible plan. She flew to the Datu and told the Datu what she heard, and finished with the warning, “Your cousin wants your crown and will not rest until she’s slain you and has this suitor for herself.”

The Datu’s heart was heavy with sorrow, and wept bitterly but showed her grief to no one. At night, she told her guard and servants to go outside of her nipa hut and leave her inside. They thought it was strange, but they trusted her and obeyed.

When they were gone, the Datu barricaded the hut with whatever could block the entrances and windows she could find. When she was done, she set her hut on fire. The fire quickly spread to other rooms. The people saw the flames and tried to rush in and put out the fire. But it was too late – the Datu perished in the flames of the hut.

The people mourned deeply over the death of their Datu, and built a lovely fence around her ashes. “We must honor her, who loved us so well,” they said.

One day, a strange plant appeared on the pile of ashes. It had long, wide leaves and a straight white trunk. A great tree grew in its place and a red, heart-shaped flower came out of its bosom.

“It is our queen, she’s come to life again.” The people said to one another.

The slender fruit that came out of the flower to be known as the banana. The people loved the banana as much as they loved their queen. It is said that the Gods turned the Datu’s wicked cousin into a monkey, so that is why monkeys covet the banana so much.

The Legend of Mount Kanlaon

The valleys of Negros were once green and filled with happy people. Until one day, a dragon appeared on the mountain of the island. The dragon had yellow eyes and upon its back were ghastly spines, its face had sixteen nostrils and the scales of the dragon were caked in hot carbon char. From its seven cavernous mouths, it breathed deadly fire. 

The dragon would burn the crops, whole towns and kill many in its wake. The people feared the dragon, so they tried to find something to appease the dragon.

Eventually, they discovered that if a beautiful woman was offered to the dragon, it would not become violent for a whole year. At the beginning of each year, the leaders would choose the fairest maiden in Negros. They dressed her in black and took her to the slopes of the mountain. They would do a ceremony to offer her to the dragon, and she was left there alone. No one would hear from the offered maiden after this. Everyone knew without saying that she would be devoured by this horrible dragon and peace would follow for twelve months.

This went on year after year. But every father had learned to make ugly marks on their baby girls, so they would not have to offer her to the dragon. Soon, no beautiful maiden could be found to appease the dragon. 

Eventually, only the king’s daughter remained. She was lovely like the radiant sun, sweet like the song of the coleto, and wise like ancient ones herself. No one had the heart to give her an ugly mark. And with no other maiden in the realm, she would become the one for the dragon to devour. 

Bursts of smoke and flame started to descend upon the mountain, so the king cried out, “What shall we do?”

Just as the princess dressed herself in black to offer herself to the dark dragon, a handsome young prince from India appeared. He spoke to the king, “I’ve heard about the troubles of your kingdom and I want to help you all.”

“Slay the dragon or even drive it away, and you shall be rewarded with all the gold you can carry and my daughter shall be yours,” the king offered.

The stranger left silently. He climbed the slopes of the mountain with no fear. Unbeknownst to the people, this stranger was the great god Laon. He was skilled in talking with creatures of the earth. He spoke to the ants, bees, and eagles to speak with their king and told them to bring all their people to the top of the mountain.

Meanwhile as the animals did this, a great eagle allowed Laon to ride upon his back to the mountain top. At the top of the mountain, they descended into a great caldera. Within it the earth moved. Laon realized the movement was the great dragon. As soon as the dragon saw him, he began to spew flame and smoke billowed from the mountain. Laon landed before the great beast and held up his sword. 

The people grew alarmed at the sight of the mountain, upset that Laon had caused the dragon to be wrathful. The princess fretted and moaned to herself, “He will get killed, he will get killed!”

The monster moved towards Laon, but he was ready, and he moved further back, outside of what he had hoped was striking reach. In a few short seconds, the dragon found him and coiled itself for its strike. Laon let the fear of being prey wash over him. Laon could almost see the energy, burning in him and in the plants around him—in everything except the monster.

The dragon struck the earth, just where he had been standing, and Laon fell back, unharmed. Laon touched at the earth, and ants erupted from their nests in the decaying earth beneath, clicking in an angry swarm, covering the serpent. The ants distracted the dragon enough for him to get close. The dragon thrashed wildly from the ants biting on its skin. At the same time, the bees had arrived and started to sting the several eyes of the dragon, blinding him. In a burst of wings and powerful calls, the eagles appeared to tear the eyes right out of the monster.

 Blind and clawing at air, Laon cut each terrible head of the dragon off. As soon as he took the biggest head off, the cursed creature exploded in a storm of ash. Laon returned to the kingdom with the head of the dragon. Rejoiced, the people named the mountain Khan Laon, which means Lord Laon. 

The Princess and Khan Laon married and became the ancestors of the people of Negros.