Daragang Magayon

Daragang Magayon
Title	Daragang Magayon
Description	Philippine princess, heroine
Gender	Female
Region	Mount Mayon, Albay
Equivalent	Maria Cacao of Mt. Lantoy Maria Makiling of Mt. Makiling Maria Sinukuan of Mt. Arayat
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Daragang Magayon is the heroine that appears in the legend of Mt. Mayon in Albay, Philippines. Her name means "beautiful lady" ("daraga" - "lady or maiden"; "magayon" - "beautiful").

Basic legend

Daragang Magayon was the only daughter of the Makusog (strong), tribal chief of Rawis, whose mother died shortly after giving birth to her. Magayon grew up to be a very beautiful and sweet woman that struck the swains from faraway tribes who vied for her attention. But not one of these young men have captivated the heart of Magayon, not even the handsome but haughty Pagtuga (eruption). He is a hunter and the chief of the Iriga tribe. He gave fabulous gifts to Magayon and vied for her attention.

One day, Panginorin/Panganoron/Ulap (cloud), the chief of the Karilaga tribe of the Tagalog region, showed up in Rawis. Unlike the other suitors, he had come a long way just to see the beauty of Magayon. For many days, he simply stole glances of Magayon, from a distance, as she bathed at the Yawa River. After a few more meetings with Magayon, Panginorin signified his intention to marry her by thrusting his spear at the stairs of Magayon's father's house. The two were overjoyed, but the wedding will be held in a month's time, for Panginorin had yet to inform his people to gather the provisions for the celebration.

The news spread fast and reached Pagtuga, who became furious. He laid in wait for Makusog to hunt and took him and sent word to Magayon that unless she agreed to marry him, her father will die and a war will be waged against Rawis.

Panginorin abandoned the preparations for their wedding to go to Pagtuga. They fought each other until Pagtuga was slained by Panginorin. The joyous Magayon rushed to embrace Panginorin but she was hit by a stray arrow. While Panginorin held the dying Magayon in his arms, Linog (earthquake), Pagtuga's henchman, hurled his spear at Panginorin's back, killing him instantly. Makusog swung his mighty arms and stuck down Linog with his minasbad.

Instead of rejoicing over a wedding, there was wailing over the dead. Makusog dug a grave for Magayon and Panginorin. Tenderly, Makusog laid them together on each other's arms as they died.

As the days followed, they saw the grave rising higher and higher, accompanied by muffled rumblings, earthquakes, and red-hot boulders bursting from the crater. When this occurs, old folks believe that Pagtuga, aided by Linog, agitates the volcano to get back his gifts, which following ancient custom, was buried with Magayon.

On certain days, when the tip of the volcano is covered by clouds, old folks say that Panginorin is kissing Magayon, and afterwards, rain trickles caressingly down the gentle slopes of the volcano, with the insistence that it was the tears of Panginorin.

They named the volcano as "Bulkang Magayon", describing its perfect cone-shape, like the beauty of Daragang Magayon. But as time passed, the name "Magayon" was shortened and it became "Mayon".

Appearance

Local tradition describes Magayon thus:

She’s a beautiful lady that visitors look forward to see even for a day or two. No one can compare her majestic shape and amazing size, her magnificence and fame, her invulnerable beauty and fury.

References

• http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.geocities.com/yosemite/3712/tmagayon.html&date=2009-10-26+03:12:49
• Province of Albay (1616) MAGAYON FESTIVAL – BEFORE AND NOW
• http://magayonfestival.albay.gov.ph/history_mf.htm