A long time ago, there lived a datu and daughter, Liwayway. His daughter loved picking flowers every day. One morning, Liwayway was distracted by the beauty of the jungles. She had wandered close to the neighboring village. The son of the datu of that neighboring village Lakang was out deer hunting on that same morning. Time stopped when the two met each other’s eyes. Liwayway had a bundle of flowers in her arms, the chirp of maya birds filled the air and Lakang strode towards her to introduce himself. Every day they visited each other. When their parents found out, they urged the two to marry.
But they had to postpone the wedding because Spanish conquistadors came to Lakang’s village. Bravely Lakang lead the troops against the invaders. Lakang and his men glided upon the seas in their boats, but the conquistadors came in ships that were like wooden castles. Their cannons killed Lakang and his men.
Liwayway waited faithfully for him, not knowing that Lakang had perished at sea. Every morning, she went to the woods where she first laid eyes on him. Months passed, then those months turned to years. In her sorrow, Liwayway fell ill and soon passed. They buried her body where her and Lakang would meet every morning. After a few days, a small plant bearing small white and fragrant flowers sprang from where Liwayway was buried.
From the flowers Liwayway left behind, it became practice for suitors to offer a garland of Liwayway’s flowers to their loves. If the girl wears the garland, she has accepted her sweetheart. The couple promise to be faithful. With hands joined, they say “Sumpa kita.”
One day a foreigner saw the flowers and asked what the name of the flowers were. A villager answered “sumpa kita”. The foreigner tried to repeat the word but twisted its name, so now the flower is known as “sampaguita”.