The Tale Of Mt. Mayon

Mt. Mayon

Once, there was a fine lady named Magayon, daughter of Rājāh Makusog. She was the most beautiful thing that you could set your eyes on, which is why many suitors asked the Rājāh for her hand in marriage. 

She had many that proposed to her, and many that were turned away. Her most recent fiancé during the time of this story was the disrespectful and ignorant Pagtuga of the Iriga tribe. 

And just like the others, Magayon never learned to love him, for her heart belonged to the very man who saved her life, Panganoron, son of Rājāh Karilaya of the Tagalog peoples.

Just the day before, the maiden planned to bathe in the Yaw River, even though a night of heavy rain filled it up to the brim. 

Magayon balanced on the stones and tried to walk over to the other side after washing herself, but slipped into the rushing currents of the raging stream. Magayon never had any experience of swimming, so she began squirming violently, slashing around as a desperate attempt to stay afloat. 

Eventually, her struggles and cries for help caught the attention of a particular Panganoron, who rushed to the scene and saved Makusog's elegant daughter. The two instantly fell in love with each other, and eventually Panganoron proposed to her. She immediately accepted, which gave Panganoron the confidence to ask Makusog if he could marry his daughter, to which the Rājāh accepted.

When Pagtuga caught word of this, he was infuriated, and kidnapped Magayon and forced the Rājān to order her to marry him. Magayon tearfully and reluctantly accepted to be his bride.

Panganoron heard of Magayon's capture and took a band of warriors such as himself and charged to the mountain where Magayon is being held captive.

Pagtuga and Panganoron fought vigorously, until finally, the valiant Panganoron slayed Pagtuga after the long struggle.

Magayon was brought to Panganoron, and she quickly stretched out her arms, ready to embrace her lover.

Panganoron did the same, as the two tackled each other into a compassionate hug.

But, as they were hugging each other, one of Pagtuga's forces stood up and readied an arrow. In a split second...

Panganoron and Magayon felt the stinging pain of the arrow passing through them, but they ignored this. They were actually grateful that this happened, for now they would be together forever, even in the afterlife.

Makusog, who heard about Pagtuga and Panganoron's struggle, immediately ran to the mountain where the battle was held; and to his dismay, he saw his daughter and her lover be horrifically impaled by an arrow, dying in each other's arms.

Makusog, enraged, killed the soldier without remorse, and ran over to the two bodies.

After returning to his domain and announcing the tragic death of his child, he ordered that the two youth be buried together, since Makusog believed that if his daughter was alive, that would've been her last wish.

A few days after the burial, the mound that represented the grave of Panganoron and Magayon rose to tremendous heights, forming the volcano Mt. Mayon.

Every time the volcano erupted, it symbolizes the fiery passion that Panganoron and Magayon had between each other. The volcano stands, as a testament to their romantic tragedy.