The Legend of Daragang Magayon

(Region 5)
By: Merito B. Espinas

Long ago, there lived in Ibalong the tribal Chief Makusog of Rawis who had an only
daughter, Daragang Magayon. Her mother Dawani died shortly after giving birth to
the girl. Magayon grew up to be so beautiful and sweet that love-struck swains from
faraway tribes, including those outside the region, vied for her affection. But not one
of the young men captivated the heart of the lovely maiden, not even the handsome
but haughty Pagtuga, the great hunter and powerful Chief of Iraga, who showered
Magayon’s father with fabulous gifts of gold, pearls, and wild trophies of the hunt.

Not until Ulap showed up in Rawis. He was soft-spoken but brave son of Chief
Karilaya of the Tagalog Region. He had come all the long way on foot to see for
himself the celebrated beauty of Daragang Magayon. Unlike other suitors, Ulap
bided his time. For many days he simply stole admiring glances from a distance at
Daragang Magayon as she bathed at the Yawa River.

It did not take long for an opportunity to present himself. After an unusually rainy
night, Magayon went to bathe as her wont to Yawa, but a swift current, dislodging her
foot from a slippery rock, abruptly plunged her into the chilly water. In a flash, Ulap
was at her side and brought the trembling maiden safely to dry land. The frightened
women-in-waiting could only gape at them stupified.
As the stars would have it, this sparked the glowing love between Daragang
Magayon and Ulap.

A few more meetings with the lovely daraga after this fateful incident emboldened the
youth to follow her home one bright morning. Signifying his intention to marry
Magayon, he thrust his spear at the stairs of Chief Makusog’s house. Magayon could
only blush and cast her eyes down. sensing that at last Magayon was in love and
wishing only happiness for her daughter, the father offered no objection. Magayon
and Ulap were overjoyed. But the wedding was to be in a month’s time, for Ulap had
yet to inform his people to gather provisions for the feast.
This happy news spread fast and, in no time, reached Pagtuga. He was furious. He
laid in wait for Chief Makusog to hunt, took him captive, and sent word to Magayon
that unless she agreed to marry him, her father must die, and that a war would be
waged against Magayon’s people.

An early date was set for the nuptials. Informed of this unhappy turn of events, Ulap
abandoned the wedding preparations of his tribe and along with his bravest warriors,
hastily returned to rawis just in time for the ceremonies.
In a skirmish that followed, Pagtuga was slain by Ulap. The joyous Magayon, rushing
to embrace Ulap, was hit by a stray arrow. While Ulap held the dying Magayon in his
arms, Linog, a burly henchman of Pagtuga hurled his spear at Ulap’s back killing him
instantly. At that precise moment, Makusog swung his mighty arm and struck down
Linog with his minasbad.

This awful spectacle left the combatants speechless and remorseful. Instead of
rejoicing over a wedding, there was wailing over the dead and the dying. Chief
Makusog, himself in tears, dug the grave for Ulap and Magayon and tenderly laid
them together each in the other’s arms as they had died.

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

On certain days, when the tip is covered with clouds, the old folk say that Ulap is
kissing Magayon. When afterwards rain trickles caressingly down the gentle slopes
of the mountain, they insist that it is the tears of Ulap.
Magayon has since been shortened to Mayong or Mayon whose tragic story casts a
foreboding shadow even on the brightest day, over this lovely countryside of
Daragang Magayon.