MALINAW

 

Malinaw, also known as Malinao, is a mythical princess in Bicolano folklore. She possesses a unique beauty and character, being lithe and soft-spoken. With her fair skin, She was cloistered, and well kept. Malinao was forbidden to leave their abode, kept in seclusion. Her radiant complexion drew favor from the sea god Magindang, as it reminded him of Bulan(and or Haliya), the god of the moon.

Since Malinao's birth, the sea yielded a bountiful catch, a sign of Magindang's favor. However, when Malinao felt sorrow, the fishermen faced difficulty catching fish. Tragically, Malinao's life took a dark turn when the demi-goddess Oryol believed she had learned the secrets of the gods.

To execute her plan, Oryol transformed into the appearance of Masaraga, tricking Malinao into accompanying her to shallow waters. Carrying Malinao on her back, Oryol's enchanting voice summoned the vicious Magindara (mermaids). She then threw Malinao into the water, and the merciless mermaids took her life. In the very place where Malinao drowned, Mount Malinao emerged as a lasting testament to the tragic fate of the mythical princess.

STORY OF MOUNT MALINAO

TATLONG BULOD

Once upon a time in the rich land of Ibalon, where the people cherished their gods and were rewarded with plentiful harvests and fair weather, lived Datu Makusog and his wife Diwani. They had three daughters: Malinao, Masaraga, and the youngest, Magayon. Magayon was known for her striking beauty, but her initial pride and moodiness gave way to humility and kindness over time. Depicted as surrounded by small birds, she was the loveliest maiden in all of Ibalon.

Masaraga, strong-willed and industrious, prayed to the gods for knowledge to prosper Ibalon. Malinao, forbidden to leave their abode, possessed a different beauty she was fair and lithe  and was associated with the sea god Magindang. Magayon, the most beautiful but initially proud, had golden-copper skin and copper-colored hair.

As the loveliest maidens, the sisters were chosen to dance for their colony's rituals of "atang." However, Magayon, initially stubborn, later agreed under the persuasion of her eldest sister, Masaraga. Favored by the gods, Masaraga's knowledge led to her demise when Oryol, daughter of the deity Asuang, plotted against her. Oryol, angered by Masaraga's secrets, commanded the Banog to kill her.

Oryol, thinking Masaraga had shared the secrets with Malinao, plotted her demise too. Disguised as Masaraga, Oryol tricked Malinao into shallow waters, where she summoned Magindara (mermaids) to drown her.

Lastly, Magayon, with many suitors, rejected them, including Datu Pagtuga of the Iraga. However, when Gino Panganoron arrived, captivated by Magayon's beauty, he patiently won her heart. Oryol attempted to harm Magayon by luring her to the Yawa river, but Panganoron saved her.

Panganoron proposed, and the once-proud Magayon humbly accepted, grateful for Ulap's (Panganoron) heroism. However, Oryol, angered by her failed plan, manipulated Datu Pagtuga into abducting Datu Makusog. Threatening Magayon, Pagtuga forced her into an unwanted marriage.

Ulap, upon hearing the news, returned to Rawis, and a great battle ensued at the wedding. Ulap defeated Pagtuga, but tragedy struck as an arrow pierced Magayon just as she was about to hold Ulap. In grief, Ulap let his guard down, allowing Linog (Pagtuga's loyal warrior) to strike him. Datu Makusog intervened, killing Linog. The young lovers were buried together.

The gods, witnessing the tragic fate of the sisters, created mountains in their memory: Mount Masaraga where Masaraga fell, Mount Malinao where Malinao drowned, and Mount Magayon (now called Mayon) where Magayon and Panganoron were laid to rest. People believe that when clouds cover Mayon's peak, it signifies Ulap kissing Magayon.