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| Shot from the Plane |
Majestic, enthralling, captivating, mysterious - that's how I describe the
most visited volcano in the Philippines, Mt. Mayon! Rising 2,462 ft from
the shores of the Gulf of Albay about 10 kilometers away, the volcano is
geographically shared by the cities and municipalities of Legazpi, Daraga, Camalig,
Guinobatan, Ligao, Tabaco, Malilipot, and Santo Domingo. (www.wikipedia.com)
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| At the Airport |
Upon arrival at Coastal View Resort in Santo Domingo where I first
checked-in, a certain local asked me whether I saw Mt. Mayon or not while
landing. I said a very proud and big "yes" that made her grin
and whispered to me, "so you're still a virgin". I was shocked
by her statement and found out that it's part of Bicol's wide array of
superstitious beliefs that when a first-timer comes to the place and Mt. Mayon
reveals herself right at that instant, that first-timer is believed to be never
been touched since birth. So I just smiled back and halfly shy of
"still" being a virgin given that I'm the only one left in the
boat.....
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| Shot from the Moving Bus |
Then I asked, what's the connection? The pretty and petite local
told me that Mt. Mayon is a lady. So I got to review my Filipino literature
about the legend of Mt. Mayon.
Once upon a time, there was this distinct group of people composed
of beautiful women and sturdy warriors in Kabikolan. This
region in the Philippines was so strict that suitors from other places are not
welcome to court nor marry its daragas (maidens) so as to
secure the place from invaders.
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| Shot from Legazpi City Hall |
One night, Magayon confessed to her father, Tiong
Makusog that she had fallen in love with someone else. She told
him that while she was bathing in the river, her feet suddenly slipped on the
rock when a brave man caught her and saved her from drowning.
Unfortunately, the man was from another region Katagalogan which
is a very big no-no for their tribe.
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| At Daraga Church |
With the flash of the news about his sweetheart's shotgun wedding, Panganoron gathered
his men to attack the village. In the midst of the wedding ceremony, they
arrived like savages enraged for battle. Paratuga was the
first to die at the hands of Panganoron. Upon seeing her
lover, Magayon rushed to him but a stray arrow hit her!
In his effort to lift the weakening body of his sweetheart, Panganoron was
unnoticeably attacked from behind. Then the two lovers unfortunately died
at that mournful moment.
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| On the Road to Mayon Resthouse |
A tragic ending indeed. Tiong Makusog buried her
daughter beside the sea and a week after the burial, the inhabitants were
surprised to find the grave of Daragang Magayon steadily
rising into a hill. And it had kept on growing until it was transformed
into a high mountain, with its top almost piercing the clouds - developing into
a perfect cone. See the flock of white clouds floating over the volcano
in these pictures?That's Panganoron (clouds) who
constantly hovers and kisses Magayon, an evidence of love
eternal and love everlasting!
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| At Cagsawa Ruins |
Nowadays, there are
some unfortunate people who visit Albay to see Mt. Mayon but Magayon never
reveals herself to them. For two days, three days to a week, Mt. Mayon
doesn't show up! Moody as a woman, she chooses those people whom she
wants to be seen. Virgin or not, that's not the real deal. Because
for me, it's just the matter of a pure heart of good intentions and a
heart of faith in true love that you can see clearly right through
anything!:)
Visit the province of Albay and see the grandiose Mt. Mayon! Magayon Festival is being celebrated the
whole month of April every year!
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