The Legend of Daragang Magayon

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 Magayons 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 Makusogs 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
months 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 Magayons 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
Ulaps 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 others 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.