THE LEGEND OF MOUNT MAYON


There once lived a chieftain in a village in the Province of Albay. He had a daughter named Magayon who was not only beautiful but was also kind – to rich and poor alike.

Because of Magayon’s beauty and kindness, she had many suitors who vied for her love. The suitor she fell in love with was a young named Matapang. His father was one of the fighters of Magayon’s father. Since Matapang was not of noble birth, Magayon’s father did not favor of him as a suitor of her daughter. But this did not prevent her from accepting Matapang.

Another of Magayon’s suitors was Maraut., a son of another chieftain who ruled a neighboring village. He was overbearing and boastful and because his parents were rich and powerful, Magayon’s father favored him among all the suitors. Magayon was not happy over her father’s decision. She went to Matapang and told him about it. So the two lovers thought of was by which they might solve the problem.

After considering the matter for some time, Magayon and Matapang Decided that the best solution to the problem was for them to elope. They agreed on a certain date for carrying out their plan. Magayon told her lover that on the night of the appointed date, he should wait for her near the river.

The lovers didn’t know that Maraut was able to learn of their plan. Without delay, Maraut went to Magayon’s father and informed him of what Magayon and Matapang intended to do.

On the night of the appointed date, Matapang returned and, as agreed upon, he waited for Magayon near the river. No sooner had the two lovers met than the men of Magayon’s father went after them.

Upon seeing the group of men approaching them, Magayon and Matapang run as fast as they could to the forest. But since it was dark and they could not see the way very well, they were overtaken by the men of Magayon’s father. One warrior hit Matapang with an arrow and the lover of Magayon fell and died instantly.

Upon seeing her lover fall, Magayon grieved and with tears flowing down her face, she continued to run. Then she got entangled in a thorny bush which was the abode of fierce and poisonous snakes. The snakes bit Magayon and, despite the efforts of medicine men to save her, she died.

Magayon’s father grieved over his daughter’s death, and he and his men buried her right on the spot where she died. Then they went back to the village. That night, a violent storm suddenly came, and there was rain and thunder and lightning.

When morning came, Magayon’s father returned to the place where Magayon had been buried. To his amazement, he saw that the mount on top of Magayon’s grave had risen to become a mountain with a perfect cone. The mountain is now called Mount Mayon, in honor of Magayon, the unfortunate lover of Matapang.

Reference:

Philippine Myths and Legends
Copyright, 1992 by
National Bookstore, Inc. and
Gaudencio V. Aquino
First Year of Publication, 1992
All rights reserved.
ISBN 971-08-537-6