Long ago, there lived in Ibalong the tribal chief Makusog of Rawis who had an only daughter Daragang Magyon. Her mother Dawani died shortly after giving birth, who grew up to be so beautiful and endearingly sweet to all that lovestruck swains from far away tribes, including those outside the region, vied for her affection. Not one of the young men won the heart of the maiden, not even the handsome and haughty Pagtuga, the great hunter and powerful chief of Iriga, showering Magayon’s father with fabulous gifts, wild trophies from the hunt, pearls and gold.
Ulap was a softspoken but brave son of Chief Kaliraya of the Tagalog Region.Unlike the other suitors, Ulap simply stole admiring glances from afar at the celebrated beauty for so many days as Magayon bathed at the Yawa River.
One unusually rainy night Magayon went to Yawa to bathe as before, but a swift current dislodged her from a slippery rock, plunging her into the chilly waters of Yawa’s depth. Ulap rescued her and brought the trembling maided to safety. Magayon’s frightened women-in-waiting, agape, were stupified by the incident. Ulap won Magayon’s admiration, and not long enough, her heart.
Signifying his intentions to marry Daragang Magayon, Ulap thrust his spears at the stairs of Chief Makusog’s hut. The maiden could only blush and cast her eyes down. Sensing his daughter’s reaction and only wishing hapiness for her, the Chief made no objection. Ulap was overjoyed, but the wedding was to be in a month’s time for Ulap to be able to inform his people and gather a big feast!
The news of the maiden’s final choice for a husband spread across the land like wildfire, and infuriated Pagtuga.
Pagtuga laid in wait for Chief Makusog’s next hunt and ambushed him. Taking the Chief as captive, he sent word to Magayon, that unless she weds him, her father must die and a war between their people will follow.
With a heavy heart, Magayon gave way. An early date was set for the nuptials. Informed of the unhappy turn of events, Ulap abandoned his Tribe’s preparations for his wedding and comandeered the bravest warriors back to Rawis.
Arriving just in time before the ceremonies, in the ensuing battle, Pagtuga was slain by Ulap. Rushing to embrace Ulap, Magyon was hit by a stray arrow. Holding the dying maiden in his arms, Linog, a burly henchman of Pagtuga hurled his spear at Ulap, piercing his heart from the back - killing him instanly. Makusog swung his mighty arm and struck Linog with his minasbad.
This aweful spectacle left the combatants speechless and remorseful, wailing arose instead of a wedding feast. Chief Makusog himself in tears dug a single grave for Ulap and Magayon. Tenderly laid them to rest in each other’s arms, just as they had died.
The days that followed saw the graves rising higher and higher, acompanied by muffled rumblings and earthquakes, and afterwards by red hot boulders bursting from a crater. When this occurs, it is believed that Pagtuga aided by Linog, agitates the volcano to get back his gifts, which according ancient custom, were buried together with Magayon.
On certain days, when clouds cover the volcano, it is said that Ulap is kissing Magayon. When rain trickles caressing down the gentle slopes of the mountain, it is Ulaps tears, the old folks insists.
Magayon has since been shortened to today’s Mayon, whose tragic story still casts a foreboding shadow, even on the brightes dayover the lovely countryside of Daragang Magayon.
IBALON
EPIC FROM BICOL
A long time ago, there was a rich land called Ibalong. The hero Baltog, who came from Botavora of the brave clan of Lipod, came to this land when many monsters were still roaming in its very dark forests. He decided to stay and was the first to cultivate its field and to plant them with gabi.
Then one night, a monstrous, wild boar known as Tandayag saw these field and destroyed the crops. Upon knowing this, Baltog decided to look for this boar with all his courage and patiend. At last, as soon as he saw it, he fearlessly wrestled with it, with all his might. Baltog was unafraid. He was strong and brave. Though the Tandayag had very long fangs, he was able to pin down the monstrous, wild boar and break apart its very big jawbones. With this, Tandayag fell and died.
After this fight, Baltog went to his house in Tondol, carrying the Tandaya'g broken bones. Then he hung it on a talisay tree in front of his house. Upon learning of the victory of their Chief Baltog, the people prepared a feast and celebrated. The very big jawbones of the dead boar became an attraction for everyone. Thus, came the tribes of Panikwason and Asog to marvel it.
The second hero who came to the land of Ibalong was Handyong. Together with his men, he had to fight thousands of battles, and face many dangers to defeat the monster. As warriors, they first fought the one-eyed monster with the tree necks in the land of Ponong. For ten months, they fought without rest. And they never stopped fighting until all these monsters were killed.
Handyong and his men made their next attack against the giant flying sharks called Triburon which had hardly flesh and sawlike teeth that could crush rocks. They continued fighting until the defeat of the last Triburon.
They tamed the wild carabaos. They even drove away the giant and very fierce Sarimao which had very sharp fingernails. And using their spears and arrows, they killed all the crocodiles which were as big as boats. With all these killings, the rivers and swamps of Ibalong turned red with blood. It was at this time that the savage monkeys became frightened and hid themselves.
Among the enemies of Handyong and his men, the serpent Oryol was the hardes to kill. Having a beautiful voice, Oryaol could change its image to deceive its enemies. To capture it, Handyong tried different ways. But Oryol escaped every one of it and disappeared.
So alone and unafraid, Handyong decide to look for Oryol in the heart of the forest. He followed the beautiful voice and was almost enchanted by it in his pursuit. Days and nights passed until Oryol came to admire Handyong's bravery and gallantry. Then the serpent helped the hero to conquer monsters, thus restoring peace to the entire Ibalong.
In one the areas of Ibalong called Ligmanan, Handyong built a town. Under his leadership and his laws, slaves and masters were treated equally. The people planted rice and because of their high regard of him they named this rice after him. He built the first boat to ride the waves of Ibalong's seas. Through his good example, his people became inspired and came up with their own inventions. There was Kimantong who made the plow, harrow and other farming tools. Hablom who invented the first loom for weaving abaca clothes, Dinahongm an Agta, who created the stove, cooking pot, earthen jar and other kitchen utensils, and Sural who brilliantly thought of syllabary and started to write on a marble rock. This was a golden period in Ibalong.
Then suddenly, there cmae a big flood caused by Unos, with terrifying earthquakes. The volcanoes of Hantik, Kulasi and Isarog erupted. Rivers changed their direction and the seas waves rolled high. Destruction was everywhere. Soon, the earth parted, mountains sank, a lake was formed, and many towns in Ibalong were ruined.
Then appeared the giant Rabot, half-man and half-beast, with awesome and terrifying powers.
People were asking who will fight against Rabot. So Bantong, the third hero was called. He was a good friend of Handyong. He was ordered to kill the new monster on Ibalong. To do this, he took with him a thousand warriors to attack Rabot's den. But using his wisdom against Rabot, he did not attack the giant right away. He first observed Rabot's ways. Looking around the giant's den, he discovered that there were many rocks surrounding it, and these were the people who were turned into rocks by Rabot.
Bantong also learned that Rabot loved to sleep during the day and stayed awake at night. So, he waited. When Rabot was already sleeping very soundly, Bantong came hear him. He cut the giant into two with his very sharp bolo and without any struggle, Rabot died. So Ibalong was at peace once more.
