Of all the women in Kabikolan, none was more winsome than the daughter of Tiong Makusog (whose name means ‘stong’), Daragang Magayon, whose name literally means ‘beautiful maiden’. In the whole region she was considered most modest of them all.
Among the natives who fell madly in love with her was the wealthy but boastful Paratuga (or ‘eruption’). Thrice Paratuga thrust his spear near the stairs of Tiong Makusog’s house as a sign of his love of Daragang Magayon. He also gave valuable gifts like pearls, diamonds and gold; only to be answered with firm words of refusal. “He is not the man for me, father,” the beautiful woman would say whenever she was enjoined by Tiong Makusog in behalf of Paratuga. Since the old man was open-minded, he could do no other but follow her wish.
One midnight, Daragang Magayon confessed to her father a love affair between her and a certain man who lives beyond the border of Kabikolan. “Tatay”, she began, “it will mean eternal disgrace to our family if I am known to be in love with a stranger who lives on the other side of the Kabikolan river” (that is, the Tagalog region). To me he is the most handsome of all men I have ever seen.
“I owe my life to him, because he was the brave man who saved me from the mad currents of Kabikolan, when one morning while I was bathing in the river, my feet unfortunately slipped on the rock I stood upon”.
She was talking about Pangonoron, (or ‘Cloud’), the chief of the Karilaga tribe of the Tagalog region.
Tiong Makusog became grief-stricken after learning that his only daughter had already chosen her life-partner without his knowledge. Nevertheless, he controlled himself, and queried, although scarcely intelligible, who her strange sweetheart was.
“That is it”, Daragang Magayon seemed to have trailed her father thoughts, “I am sure you don’t know his name because when you arrived, I was already saved from drowning He told me, ‘Namomotan ta ka’ (I love you) one sunset when we met again at the bank of the river. ‘Namomotan ta ka man’ (I love you too) I replied.”
“Who is she? She’s beautiful.”
Among the natives who fell madly in love with her was the wealthy but boastful Paratuga (or ‘eruption’). Thrice Paratuga thrust his spear near the stairs of Tiong Makusog’s house as a sign of his love of Daragang Magayon. He also gave valuable gifts like pearls, diamonds and gold; only to be answered with firm words of refusal. “He is not the man for me, father,” the beautiful woman would say whenever she was enjoined by Tiong Makusog in behalf of Paratuga. Since the old man was open-minded, he could do no other but follow her wish.
“You are part of the Rebel alliance and a traitor. Take her away!”
One midnight, Daragang Magayon confessed to her father a love affair between her and a certain man who lives beyond the border of Kabikolan. “Tatay”, she began, “it will mean eternal disgrace to our family if I am known to be in love with a stranger who lives on the other side of the Kabikolan river” (that is, the Tagalog region). To me he is the most handsome of all men I have ever seen.
“I owe my life to him, because he was the brave man who saved me from the mad currents of Kabikolan, when one morning while I was bathing in the river, my feet unfortunately slipped on the rock I stood upon”.
She was talking about Pangonoron, (or ‘Cloud’), the chief of the Karilaga tribe of the Tagalog region.
Cloud City on Bespin.
“That is it”, Daragang Magayon seemed to have trailed her father thoughts, “I am sure you don’t know his name because when you arrived, I was already saved from drowning He told me, ‘Namomotan ta ka’ (I love you) one sunset when we met again at the bank of the river. ‘Namomotan ta ka man’ (I love you too) I replied.”
“Namomotan ta ka.”
“I know.”
(Thanks, random blogger on Tumblr)
“I will help you to find the best way out, my daughter,” Tiong Makusog, albeit heavy was his heart, assured her.
Unfortunately one morning, while Tiong Makusog was hunting in a nearby forest, several strong henchmen of Paratuga suddenly seized him unawares. He was taken to the home of this treacherous suitor where he was demanded for ransom, the hand of his daughter, otherwise death from the wounds of hundred arrows would be his punishment.
That same day, a few hours after Tiong Makusog had been taken as captive, Linog (‘earthquake’), Paratuga’s chief messenger arrived at Daranga Magayon’s house and delivered to her a letter written on a piece of white bamboo.
“I send you my apprentice, Darth Maul…”
It contained a demand for her hand in marriage to Paratuga, or her refusal would mean immediate death of her father. Realizing the futility of a further refusal, Daragang Magayon forgot her gentle Panganoron, the man who had saved her from drowning. She at once rushed down the stairs and proceeded to Paratuga’s village to accept his terms to be his wife, to save her father.
The date of the wedding of Daragang Magayon to the wealthy Paratuga was immediately announced. Pearls, diamonds, gold and other precious stones were given lavishly to Tiong Makusog as gifts to the would-be bride. Messengers with swift heels were sent to all villages in Kabikolan purposely to broadcast the news and to invite everyone to attend the nuptials.
As if aided by the wind, the news of Daragang Magayon’s proposed marriage speedily spread far and wide. So with a bold determination to save his sweetheart from an impending danger, the daring warrior, with his trusted guide, Amihan, gathered all his men in Katagalogan to invade Kabikolan.
Panganoron and his followers arrived in Kabikolan on the day of Magayon’s marriage with Paratuga. Before the altar sat Tiong Makusog, with Daragang Magayon and Paratugaon each of his side. In front of them was the high priest who was busily mumbling words of incantation prior to the formal proclamation of the two parties as husband and wife. To the thousand pairs of eyes that witnessed the splendid ceremony, Daragang Magayon appeared immensely beautiful. However, they could see that grief had lodged on her lovely face.
In the midst of the wedding ceremony, a villager gave a sharp cry: “The tulisanes are coming!”
This turned the scene into a medley of shrieking voices. Men, women and children speeded away for safety. Only Daragang Magayon, Paratuga and his warriors remained to await the invaders headed by Panganoron. Soon the battle was on. The sharp metallic clash of blades filled the air, and mounds of dying warriors gave a horrible sound in the fight.
Paratuga was the first to fall at the hands of the bold Panganoron. Seeing her returning lover, Daragang Magayon at once rushed to him, but tragically, a stray arrow fatally hit her. In his efforts to lift the weakening body of his sweetheart, Panganoron was attacked unawares from behind.
Linog hurled a spear at his back, killing Panganoron instantly. He reeled to the ground, bleeding and breathless. His men, sensing that their leader was dead and realizing that they were outnumbered, took to their heels and left him lifeless to their enemy.
The next day, all the natives of Kabikolan were sad. Daragang Magayon was dead. Tiong Makusog buried her beside the sea. In her grave, he laid all that she had possessed, including the priceless gifts of Paratuga.
However, a week after the burial, all the inhabitants of that place were surprised to find the grave mound of Daragang Magayon steadily rising into a hill. They were amazed, too, why sometimes a flock of white clouds floating over the hill would suddenly turn black and burst into a cloud and heavy shower strangely enough, pouring particularly on the crest of the hill. At night the people would be awakened by strong earthquakes that seemed to emanate from the grave of Daragang Magayon, followed by a thundering noise of rolling stones, along its steep slope. This horrible occurrence frightened the natives so that in a short period, the place had become deserted.
During the countless years that followed that incident, the burial-hill of Darangang Magayon had kept on growing and growing until it was transformed into a high mountain, with its top almost piercing the clouds.
“There is a Rebel fleet massing at Sullust.”
Panganoron and his followers arrived in Kabikolan on the day of Magayon’s marriage with Paratuga. Before the altar sat Tiong Makusog, with Daragang Magayon and Paratugaon each of his side. In front of them was the high priest who was busily mumbling words of incantation prior to the formal proclamation of the two parties as husband and wife. To the thousand pairs of eyes that witnessed the splendid ceremony, Daragang Magayon appeared immensely beautiful. However, they could see that grief had lodged on her lovely face.
In the midst of the wedding ceremony, a villager gave a sharp cry: “The tulisanes are coming!”
This turned the scene into a medley of shrieking voices. Men, women and children speeded away for safety. Only Daragang Magayon, Paratuga and his warriors remained to await the invaders headed by Panganoron. Soon the battle was on. The sharp metallic clash of blades filled the air, and mounds of dying warriors gave a horrible sound in the fight.
Paratuga was the first to fall at the hands of the bold Panganoron. Seeing her returning lover, Daragang Magayon at once rushed to him, but tragically, a stray arrow fatally hit her. In his efforts to lift the weakening body of his sweetheart, Panganoron was attacked unawares from behind.
Linog hurled a spear at his back, killing Panganoron instantly. He reeled to the ground, bleeding and breathless. His men, sensing that their leader was dead and realizing that they were outnumbered, took to their heels and left him lifeless to their enemy.
The next day, all the natives of Kabikolan were sad. Daragang Magayon was dead. Tiong Makusog buried her beside the sea. In her grave, he laid all that she had possessed, including the priceless gifts of Paratuga.
However, a week after the burial, all the inhabitants of that place were surprised to find the grave mound of Daragang Magayon steadily rising into a hill. They were amazed, too, why sometimes a flock of white clouds floating over the hill would suddenly turn black and burst into a cloud and heavy shower strangely enough, pouring particularly on the crest of the hill. At night the people would be awakened by strong earthquakes that seemed to emanate from the grave of Daragang Magayon, followed by a thundering noise of rolling stones, along its steep slope. This horrible occurrence frightened the natives so that in a short period, the place had become deserted.
Plans for the Great Weapon.
During the countless years that followed that incident, the burial-hill of Darangang Magayon had kept on growing and growing until it was transformed into a high mountain, with its top almost piercing the clouds.
“That’s no moon...”
Nowadays, the native of Albay believe that Mount Mayon erupts because the spirit of Paratuga, with the help of Linog, is attempting to retrieve his gifts from Daragang Magayon. Instead of the gifts, however, large masses of stones with heavy layers of ashes are thrown out, as when a volcano erupts.
On the other hand, the spirit of Pangonoron is the clouds that always gather on the peak of Mount Mayon. These clouds never fail to bring rain that makes the mountain lush with vegetation.
Today the mountain of Daragang Magayon still stands in Albay, a stark reminder of the winsome beauty and the awesome power of nature.
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