The Legend of the Mayon Volcano

The Mayon volcano located in Albay, Legaspi City, in the Philippines is one of the natural wonders of the world. It is a major tourist attraction because of its perfect cone and its locality.  Many have tried to climb to its peak, many were successful but now and again the Mayon would claim lives like those of unfortunate German tourists this year.

Its scenic beauty has spawn various legends. One of the many versions, my favourite one, is as follows:

The Legend of the Mayon Volcano

Once upon a time there lived a chieftain in Albay who had a beautiful daughter. The daughter was not only fair of face but had the sweetest disposition.  She had the most radiant smile which she bestowed to everyone, young, old, poor and rich alike.

Despite her noble birth, she treated everyone equally because she was a very kind girl by nature. The people called her Magayon, meaning beautiful.

Her beauty and lovely countenance made her a very popular girl – the Crush ng Bayan during her time.

Suitors from far and wide had come to ask for her hand in marriage.

 

But Magayon had already lost her heart to a childhood friend, Matapang who was aptly named because he was very brave; an able swordman.  He was also very charismatic with a handsome visage that girls and women in their village had a soft spot for him.  Matapang, however, had only eyes for Magayon.  Matapang was the son of Magayon’s father’s chief warrior.

Alas, just like any great love stories, this one did not run smooth either because in a neighbouring village lived a chieftain who was rich and powerful. He had a son, Maraut, whom he spoiled to the hilt and therefore the son grew into an overbearing, sneaky and furtive young man.  What he wanted, he got or else there was hell to pay.

During a festivity, he saw the beautiful Magayon and decided he wanted her for himself. He told his father to arrange a marriage to Magayon.

Magayon’s father was given an offer that he can not refused, thus agreed to the marriage of Magayon to Maraut.

Magayon was inconsolable with grief. She ran to Matapang who was equally in despair.

They decided that the only recourse was to run away, it was risky but there was no other choice if they wanted to be together. They agreed to meet up later that day.

Unbeknownst to them, Maraut heard their plan. He had been stalking Magayon for quite some time.

Maraut advised Magayon’s father of the planned elopement.

When Magayon and Matapang met up that night, both the warriors of Magayon’s father and Maraut’s were ready and waiting. Matapang and Magayon ran as fast as they could but to no avail, Matapang went down when shot by an arrow; he died instantly. Poor Magayon ran on until she got entangled in some thorny bushes which was a nest of deadly snakes. She got bitten fatally.

She died in her grieving father’s arms. He buried her right there on the spot where she took her last breath, amidst the sudden thunders and lightnings.

In the morning, Magayon’s grave had grown into a mound with a perfect cone.

 

The people called this mound, Mayon after the beautiful Magayon.