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.