Ang Alamat ng Lawa ng Bulusan

  

Maraming ibat ibang kwento ang Lawa ng Bulusan, gaya ng Si Bulusan nan Si Aguingay ang magkasintahan.  Mayroon din naman ay tungkol kay Datu Bulan isa pang kwento ukol sa lawa. May mga nagsasabing ang Bulusan Lake ay dugo ng ibong Dambuhalang Mampak, at ang San Bernardino Island ay kung saan ito inilibing.

Maganda at kahanga-hanga ang Lawa ng Bulusan. Ito ay nasa tuktok ng bundok at napaliligiran ng malalagong punung-kahoy. Malinaw at malalim ang Lawa ng Bulusan. Isa ito sa mga magaganda at kilalang pook sa Kabikulan kaya ito ay ipinagdarayo ng mga turista taon-taon. Saan nagmula ang Lawa ng Bulusan? Ganito ang kuwento ng matatanda sa nagpapaliwanag ng pinagmulan ng maganda at kahanga-hangang lawa sa tuktok ng bundok. Noong unang panahon, si Datu Bulan ay kilalang kilala sa buong Kabikulan dahil sa kaayusan niyang gumamit ng busog at pana. Nakilala rin siya bilang mabuting puno ng kanyang nasasakupan. Matagal ding panahong naging masagana, mapayapa at maligaya ang mga katutubong nasasakupan ng datu hanggang sa dumating isang araw ang isang malaki at maitim na ibon sa kanilang pamayanan. Mula na noon nangamba ang mga tao sapagkat tuwinang umaga ay nakikita nila ang kakaibang ibon na umaaligid sa kanilang pamayanan. Nagkaroon ng takot ang mga katutubo nang mapansin nilang nagiging mababa ang lipad ng maitim at malaking ibon. Inisip nilang baka na lamang dagitin ng malaking ibon ang maliliit na mga bata na di mapigil sa paglalaro sa kani-kanilang mga bakuran. Dahil sa ganitong pangyayari, tinawag ni Datu Bulan ang kanyang matatandang tagapayo at sila ay nagpulong. Napagkaisahan nila sa kanilang kapulungan na patayin ang ibon. Noon din ay tinawag ni Datu Bulan ang lima sa pinakamahusay niyang kawal sa paggamit ng busog. Sila ay pinapaghanda ng datu. Kinabukasan, maagang lumakad ang pangkat patungo sa gubat upang hanapin ang malaki at maitim na ibon. Kaagad nilang nakita ang ibon nakadapo sa sanga ng malaking punungkahoy. Nang makita sila ng ibon ay lumipad ito patungo sa kanila at nagpaikot-ikot sa kanilang ulunan. Sabay-sabay na tinudla ng pana ng mga kasamang kawal ng datu ang ibon. Si Datu Bulan naman ang naghanda ng kanyang busog at pana. Kanya itong pinakawalan at Tsok! Tamang-tama sa dibdib ang malaki at maitim na ibon. Ngunit nagpatuloy nang paglipad ang sugatang ibon hanggang sa makarating ito sa maliit na lawa. Naging kulay pula ang tubig ng lawa. Nang di na makatagal ang ibon, ito ay bumagsak sa lawa at kitang-kita ng datu at ng kanyang mga kasamang kawal na nawala at sukat ang malaki at maitim na ibon na waring hinigop ng tubis sa lawa. Unti-unting lumaki ang tubig hanggang sa kasalukuyang laki nito ngayon. Nalaman ng mga katutubo ang kinasapitan ng malaki at maitim na ibon at ang paglaki ng dating maliit na lawa. Mula noon, tinawag ng mga tao ang katawan ng tubig sa tuktok ng bundok na Lawa ng Bulusan. Ang ibig sabihin nito ay tubig na inagusan ng dugo.

Sa tuktok nin bukid, tahimik na naglalayag,

An Lawa nin Bulusan, malinaw asin marhay.
Palibot kagsa-kagsa, punong kahoy naglililim,
Lahi nin paraisong sa Kabikolan yaon an giting.

Mayo pang magtatao sa gandang pinapagalang,
Kaya mga bisita, taon-taon nagdadagsa man.
Pero may istoryang sa laog may tinatago,
Pag-orog sa siring nin sining kaanyag na lugar ko.

Kuwento nin gurang, istorya nin kaaraman,
An pinagbuhatan kan lawa, pakinggan ta siring maray.

Si Datu Bulan, datung mapanahon,
Busog asin pana, sa kamot an taramon.
Maginabangon, igwang pagkamuot sa sakop,
Pinagpapahingalo an kabukidan, laog nin pag-idop.

Dagos an katahunan, uran asin araw,
Muntilog an mga tawo, nagpapahingalo, payapa an law.
Pero minabot an ibon  dakula, itom, mapang-imbabaw,
Naglipad sa langit, an mga aki nagtagò, nagininalang.

"Ay, bako ini basta lang hayop," sabi nin gurang,
"Baka kinukuha an aki, sa langit idadarang!"

Dagos nagpulong si Datu, mga pinagtutubò tinawag,
Kinakaipuhan an sala, si ibon dapat madakop,
Nagdara nin busog, lima an pinili mga kawal na halang ang bituka,
Pagkaaga pa, sa kakahoyan, sa laban nagsadulok.

Sa sanga nin kahoy, si ibon nagpapahingalo,
Pero sa pag-abot kan mga kawal, nilipad ini paibaba,
Nagpaikot sa saindang ulo, may gahum, may lakas,
Kaya sabay-sabay tinudla! Pana nagpadaog sa hangin nin bukas.

Si Datu Bulan, nag-abang nin tsansa,
Pinakawalan an pana, sa dibdib igwa nin tama!
Nagkurog si ibon, pero naglipad padagos,
Hanggang sa dakulang huring lugar  sa may lawa, an pagtugos.

An tubig, dating malinaw, nagkulay pula,
Para bang dugo an nabubo, siring salang dakula.
Si ibon, nalubog, nawara, waring sinupsop,
An lawa, nagdakul... dakul pa lalo, tubigon nagdarakop.

Kaya ngonian, an mga tawo nagtaram,
“An Lawa nin Bulusan,” iyo an tinawag, an panganiban.
Tubig na pinag-agasan nin dugo, siring hinibi kan kasaysayan,
Na sa puso nin Kabikolan, dae malilingawan.

Bulusan Lake is a beautiful and famous lake on top of a mountain in the Bicol region. This is one of the many legends of the origin of the Lake, Long ago, a powerful datu named Datu Bulan protected his people. One day, a large black bird appeared and scared the villagers.

Afraid the bird would harm the children, Datu Bulan and his best warriors hunted it. Datu Bulan shot the bird with an arrow, and it flew to a small lake. The bird fell into the water, and the lake turned red. Then, the bird disappeared, and the lake grew bigger and bigger.

Since then, people have called it Lake Bulusan, which means “lake where blood flowed.”

REMINDER

Avoiding Foreign Manipulation: Weaponizing myths and stories and using them as an excuse to attack, harass and even stalk storytellers or communities risks distorting their purpose. Myths are meant to unify, educate, or entertain, not to create division or hostility among Filipinos.

Filipino mythology belongs to everyone Filipinos, Filipinix, and even foreigners. These stories are meant to unite, inspire hope, and empower. They are for all, ever-evolving yet forever a cultural treasure.

Both oral and written mythology in the Philippines are valid because they serve different but equally important roles in preserving Filipino heritage. What is truly harmful is when foreigners manipulate these discussions for personal gain, attempting to invalidate one aspect of Filipino mythology to cause division. Instead of falling for such tactics, Filipinos should embrace the richness and diversity of their own stories, ensuring that both oral and written traditions continue to thrive.

Don’t Stalk or Harass Storytellers Online.

This should be obvious butt some folks need the reminder. Disagreeing is fine, but attacking, doxxing, or bullying creators? Big no-no. You’re not “correcting history,” you’re just being creepy. Respect the people keeping these stories alive.

Foreigners Please don’t use Filipino myths to farm views, start drama, or pit Filipinos against each other. These stories are meant to unite, not divide. If your content is causing more fights than fascination, it might be time to step back and rethink the approach.

Orally transmitted stories undergo variations and evolve over time, resulting in numerous different versions. There are many different version told by Filipinos, and retold by Filipinos.

The orally transmitted mythology of the Philippines is intended for sharing and understanding. It is a dynamic narrative tradition that evolves over time, distinct from the standardized mythologies found in Western and European cultures. Unlike these established mythologies, the Philippine government has not mandated standardized versions of stories and legends.

Orally transmitted stories undergo variations and evolve over time, resulting in numerous different versions. There are many different version told by Filipinos, and retold by Filipinos.

Gino Bulusan

Bulusan

 

Gino Bulusan or Prince Bulusan is the central figure in oral mythology of the legend "Si Bulusan nan Si Aguingay," a pre-colonial tale from Bulusan, Sorsogon, in the Bicol region. This legend revolves around Bulusan, a brave and handsome warrior, and Aguingay, a beautiful woman from a neighboring tribe, who were deeply in love and destined to be together. Their story, however, is marked by love, jealousy, betrayal, and tragedy.

In the myth, Bulusan’s life takes a tragic turn when Casiguran, the envious son of the Datu, falsely accuses him of murdering his father. Despite being innocent, Bulusan is condemned to death and fed to a monstrous bird called Mampak. The tragedy deepens when Aguingay, after giving birth to their child, is forced to throw their newborn into the fiery volcano, Mt. Bulusan, by Casiguran's cruel orders. Overcome with grief, Aguingay ends her life, and Casiguran meets his fate when the enraged villagers throw him into the same volcano.

The legend immortalizes Mt. Bulusan, which was named after the hero, and the two lakes that formed from the tears of the villagers and the blood of Bulusan and Aguingay, symbolizing their love and sorrow—Lake Bulusan and Lake Aguingay.

This tale is celebrated annually during the Si Bulusan nan Si Aguingay Festival, where the community reenacts the epic story through parades and dances, preserving the legend as a cherished piece of cultural heritage

Bulusan

REDISCOVER the fair and lovely Agingay

 

Aguingay, or Agingay, is a legendary figure deeply rooted in the oral mythology folklore of Bulusan, Sorsogon. She is a central character in the epic tale Si Bulusan nan Si Aguingay, known for her fair features and beauty her story recounts the love, tragedy, and conflict that befell her and her beloved, Bulusan. This story is believed to have originated centuries before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers in the Philippines, making it a cherished piece of pre-colonial heritage in the region.

Aguingay was born into a powerful tribe neighboring Bulusan’s village. From a young age, she was renowned for her beauty, her fair complexion, and her graceful demeanor. It was said that her beauty was so striking that her fate was sealed early on—she was betrothed to Bulusan, the son of a great warrior. Bulusan was known for his bravery and strength, and together, they formed a bond destined to become legendary in their village. In time, Bulusan's name would be immortalized as the name of the town, a symbol of his heroism and their fated connection.

like all oral mythology and Philippine stories this is one of many versions

Long ago, in the ancient land of Bulusan in Sorsogon, there lived a brave and handsome warrior named Bulusan, who had just wed the fair and lovely Agingay. The couple lived happily beneath the towering shadow of a mighty volcano. However, unknown to them, an evil force lurked in the form of Casiguran, the envious son of Apu Juban, the respected village chieftain. Though Casiguran already had a loyal and loving wife, Irosin, his heart burned with jealousy toward Bulusan, wishing to take Agingay for himself.

When Apu Juban passed away of natural causes, Casiguran saw his chance to destroy Bulusan. Driven by envy, he falsely accused Bulusan of murdering his father. To make his lie believable, he threatened and bribed the village soothsayer, Putiao, to bear false witness against Bulusan. Under this false testimony, Bulusan was brought before the village elders, the Gurang Donsol, Gurang Matnog, and Gurang Bacon. In their judgment, they sentenced him to be fed to the fearsome Mampak, a giant, man-eating bird that terrorized the village.

Despite Agingay’s tearful pleas, Casiguran’s heart remained as cold as stone. With no mercy, Bulusan was taken to the summit of the volcano, where the Mampak devoured him, leaving nothing but sorrow behind. But Casiguran’s hatred was far from satisfied. He ordered that once Agingay bore Bulusan's child, the newborn would be cast into the fiery heart of the volcano, ensuring no trace of Bulusan's legacy would remain.

Terrified and grief-stricken, Agingay climbed the volcano, her newborn son cradled in her arms, following Casiguran’s cruel command. Meanwhile, Irosin, who had long seen through her husband’s wickedness, confronted Casiguran, but he only sneered at her defiance. As guilt consumed Putiao, he confessed his false testimony to the village elders. Shocked and enraged by Casiguran's treachery, the elders, along with Irosin and the villagers, rushed to the volcano to save Agingay and her child.

On the way, they discovered the lifeless body of Putiao, brutally slain by Casiguran's minions to silence him forever. When they reached the volcano’s crater, they found Agingay lying lifeless, her heart shattered by grief. She had taken her own life after casting her infant son into the fiery depths, unable to bear the weight of her sorrow. Casiguran, hiding nearby, was seized by the furious villagers and was thrown into the same fiery crater where he had condemned Bulusan and his son.

With heavy hearts, the villagers carried Agingay's lifeless body down the slopes of the volcano. Their tears, mixed with the blood of Bulusan and the sorrow of Agingay, flowed down the mountainside, forming two beautiful lakes. These lakes, born of tragedy and love, became known as Lake Bulusan and Lake Agingay. The mighty volcano, which had witnessed both the love and sorrow of Bulusan and Agingay, was forever called Mt. Bulusan.

Si Bulusan nan Si Aguingay Festival

In modern times, the tale of Si Bulusan nan Si Aguingay continues to live on through an annual festival held in the town of Bulusan. The festival takes place the day before the town’s fiesta on July 25, the feast day of St. James the Greater. During the celebration, the epic story is reenacted through a colorful parade and street dances, with participants dressed in traditional costumes, portraying the characters from the legend. The festival is a vibrant display of local culture, preserving the memory of Bulusan and Aguingay for future generations.

REMINDER

The orally transmitted mythology of the Philippines is intended for sharing and understanding, not for appropriation, commercial exploitation, or the promotion of foreigners and foreign products. It is a dynamic narrative tradition that evolves over time, distinct from the standardized mythologies found in Western and European cultures. Unlike these established mythologies, the Philippine government has not mandated standardized versions of stories and legends.

Orally transmitted stories undergo variations and evolve over time, resulting in numerous different versions. There are many different version told by Filipinos, and retold by Filipinos.

Si Bulusan nan Si Aguingay

 Aguingay, or Agingay, is a legendary figure from the folklore of Bulusan, Sorsogon, known for her beauty and fair skin. She is a central character in the epic tale Si Bulusan nan Si Aguingay, which tells the story of love, tragedy, and conflict between her and her beloved, Bulusan. This tale is believed to have been passed down long before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers, making it an important part of the region’s pre-colonial heritage.

Aguingay was born into a powerful neighboring tribe and was admired from a young age for her grace and striking beauty. Her fate was intertwined with Bulusan, the brave son of a great warrior, to whom she was betrothed. Together, they formed a legendary bond, and Bulusan’s bravery became so well-known that the town was later named after him, symbolizing his heroism and their destined love.

Long ago, in the ancient land of Bulusan in Sorsogon, there lived a brave and handsome warrior named Bulusan, who had just wed the beautiful and kind Agingay. The couple lived happily beneath the towering shadow of a mighty volcano. However, unknown to them, an evil force lurked in the form of Casiguran, the envious son of Apu Juban, the respected village chieftain. Though Casiguran already had a loyal and loving wife, Irosin, his heart burned with jealousy toward Bulusan, wishing to take Agingay for himself.

When Apu Juban passed away of natural causes, Casiguran saw his chance to destroy Bulusan. Driven by envy, he falsely accused Bulusan of murdering his father. To make his lie believable, he threatened and bribed the village soothsayer, Putiao, to bear false witness against Bulusan. Under this false testimony, Bulusan was brought before the village elders, the Gurang Donsol, Gurang Matnog, and Gurang Bacon. In their judgment, they sentenced him to be fed to the fearsome Mampak, a giant, man-eating bird that terrorized the village.

Despite Agingay’s tearful pleas, Casiguran’s heart remained as cold as stone. With no mercy, Bulusan was taken to the summit of the volcano, where the Mampak devoured him, leaving nothing but sorrow behind. But Casiguran’s hatred was far from satisfied. He ordered that once Agingay bore Bulusan's child, the newborn would be cast into the fiery heart of the volcano, ensuring no trace of Bulusan's legacy would remain.

Terrified and grief-stricken, Agingay climbed the volcano, her newborn son cradled in her arms, following Casiguran’s cruel command. Meanwhile, Irosin, who had long seen through her husband’s wickedness, confronted Casiguran, but he only sneered at her defiance. As guilt consumed Putiao, he confessed his false testimony to the village elders. Shocked and enraged by Casiguran's treachery, the elders, along with Irosin and the villagers, rushed to the volcano to save Agingay and her child.

Bulusan nan Si Aguingay

On the way, they discovered the lifeless body of Putiao, brutally slain by Casiguran's minions to silence him forever. When they reached the volcano’s crater, they found Agingay lying lifeless, her heart shattered by grief. She had taken her own life after casting her infant son into the fiery depths, unable to bear the weight of her sorrow. Casiguran, hiding nearby, was seized by the furious villagers and was thrown into the same fiery crater where he had condemned Bulusan and his son.

With heavy hearts, the villagers carried Agingay's lifeless body down the slopes of the volcano. Their tears, mixed with the blood of Bulusan and the sorrow of Agingay, flowed down the mountainside, forming two beautiful lakes. These lakes, born of tragedy and love, became known as Lake Bulusan and Lake Agingay. The mighty volcano, which had witnessed both the love and sorrow of Bulusan and Agingay, was forever called Mt. Bulusan

Early Years

Aguingay was born into a powerful tribe neighboring Bulusan’s village. From a young age, she was renowned for her beauty, her fair complexion, and her graceful demeanor. It was said that her beauty was so striking that her fate was sealed early on—she was betrothed to Bulusan, the son of a great warrior. Bulusan was known for his bravery and strength, and together, they formed a bond destined to become legendary in their village. In time, Bulusan's name would be immortalized as the name of the town, a symbol of his heroism and their fated connection.

The Mampak Bird

During Aguingay’s time, a terrible threat loomed over Bulusan in the form of the Mampak, a giant, monstrous bird that terrorized the region. The Mampak, with its massive wings and deadly talons, wreaked havoc on the village, killing countless tribesmen and leaving destruction in its wake. Just before Bulusan and Aguingay were to be married, the Mampak attacked the northern tribes, spreading terror.

When the giant bird approached Bulusan’s village, Casiguran, a rival chieftain from the western tribes, led a group of warriors to aid Bulusan and his people. In a fierce battle, the tribes united to fight the Mampak, ultimately mobbing and killing the beast. It is believed that they dragged the creature’s enormous body to the sea, where they cast it into the waters, sealing its doom. The villagers held this moment as a victory, and many places around Bulusan gained their names from the struggle against the Mampak. For instance, the town of Barcelona, Sorsogon, is said to be named "Tagdon," meaning "landing," where the Mampak first touched down. Other nearby places, such as Layog ("flight"), are linked to the bird’s desperate attempts to escape its pursuers. Some stories claim that the blood of the wounded Mampak formed Bulusan Lake when it finally fell at the foot of the mountain, while the nearby island of San Bernardino is said to be the final resting place of the creature's remains.

Casiguran’s Jealousy

After the defeat of the Mampak, Casiguran, emboldened by his role in the battle, claimed that his tribe was responsible for slaying the beast. Driven by pride and jealousy, he demanded Aguingay’s hand in marriage as a reward. However, Bulusan fiercely protested, for Aguingay was promised to him. Casiguran, unwilling to accept defeat, challenged Bulusan to a duel to settle the matter.

The two warriors met at noon on the battlefield of Punta Tawog. The clash was intense, but in the end, Bulusan emerged victorious. Casiguran and his men were defeated and forced to retreat to the western lands. With his victory, Bulusan was hailed as a hero, the warrior who saved the village from both the Mampak and his envious rival. He and Aguingay were finally free to be together, and their union was celebrated throughout the region.

Tragedy Strikes

However, their happiness was short-lived. A village princess named Dayang Buhang, driven by her own desire for Bulusan, sought to steal him away from Aguingay. Dayang Buhang’s infatuation turned into obsession, and when she learned that Bulusan and Aguingay were to be married, she was consumed with jealousy. Determined to claim Bulusan for herself, she plotted to destroy the couple’s happiness.

Fearful of Dayang Buhang’s wrath, Bulusan and Aguingay fled to the dense forests, hoping to escape her vengeance. But the princess, enraged by their defiance, sent her soldiers to track them down. Her orders were clear: capture Bulusan and kill Aguingay if necessary.

In a final, fateful confrontation, the soldiers found Bulusan and Aguingay deep in the forest. A fierce battle ensued, but the couple, outnumbered and desperate, fought valiantly. Tragically, both Bulusan and Aguingay were killed in the struggle, their love story ending in bloodshed. Upon hearing the news of their deaths, Dayang Buhang was stricken with guilt and sorrow. She ordered her men to give them a majestic burial, constructing their tombs high on the slopes of the mountain, so that all who passed could see and remember them. Thus, the legend of the two mountains was born, with the mountains symbolizing Bulusan and Aguingay's eternal love and tragic fate.

Reynaldo T. Jamoralin's Version

In another version of the story, retold by Reynaldo T. Jamoralin, the rivalry between Bulusan and Casiguran takes a darker turn. In this telling, after Apu Juban, Casiguran's father, dies, Casiguran falsely accuses Bulusan of murder, driven by jealousy and a desire to claim Aguingay for himself. Through manipulation and treachery, Casiguran has Bulusan sentenced to death by the giant Mampak bird, a creature that regularly terrorizes the village. Bulusan is devoured, and Casiguran, not content with Bulusan’s death, orders Agingay to throw their newborn child into the mouth of the volcano.

Overcome by grief and fear, Agingay complies, but in the end, unable to bear the loss, she takes her own life at the volcano’s edge. In a final act of justice, the villagers, enraged by Casiguran's cruelty, throw him into the fiery crater of the volcano. Their tears of sorrow and regret mix with the blood of Bulusan and Agingay, forming the two lakes that now sit quietly on the mountain’s slopes—Lake Bulusan and Lake Agingay.

Si Bulusan nan Si Aguingay Festival

In modern times, the tale of Si Bulusan nan Si Aguingay continues to live on through an annual festival held in the town of Bulusan. The festival takes place the day before the town’s fiesta on July 25, the feast day of St. James the Greater. During the celebration, the epic story is reenacted through a colorful parade and street dances, with participants dressed in traditional costumes, portraying the characters from the legend. The festival is a vibrant display of local culture, preserving the memory of Bulusan and Aguingay for future generations.