Bicolano Myths : MASARAGA

MASARAGA

Masaraga, a mythical princess in Bicol mythology, is described as a short yet extraordinarily beautiful figure with golden-brown skin. Despite her stature, she exuded strength, industriousness, and a devout nature, frequently praying to the gods. Her aspiration was to acquire the knowledge and secrets of the gods to bring prosperity to Ibalon. She was killed by demigoddess Oyol and the Banogthe ground where Masaraga fell to her death Mount Masaraga appeared. Masaraga was also the sister of Malinaw and Magayon.

MASARAGA

Chosen among the loveliest maidens, the three sisters were selected to dance in the rituals of ''atang'' for their entire colony. Although initially reluctant, Magayon, guided by her eldest sister Masaraga, eventually joined the dance.

Favored by the gods for her virtuous deeds and visionary plans for Ibalon, Masaraga's pursuit of divine knowledge proved to be a double-edged sword. This endeavor, although earning her divine favor, ultimately led to her demise and that of her sister Malinao. Gugurang, impressed by Masaraga's dedication, granted her insights into herbs, potions, and practical healing.

However, this newfound knowledge angered Oryol, the daughter of the deity Asuang. In retaliation, Oryol summoned the Banog, a winged monster with a hybrid form of half-man and half-bird. The goddess commanded the Banog to fly and execute Masaraga for acquiring the gods' secrets. Following Oryol's command, the Banog ascended to where Masaraga was, scooped her, and flew to great heights. Tragically, the Banog dropped Masaraga from their lofty perch.

Upon witnessing the fate of the three sisters, the gods, in remembrance of the ground where Masaraga met her tragic end, manifested Mount Masaraga—a somber and eternal memorial to the princess and her ill-fated journey.

THE LEGEND OF MASARAGA

Long ago, in a time veiled by the mists of antiquity, there dwelled a tribal chief and his wife in the heart of the forest. Their daughter, Masaraga, harbored an affinity for the earth, tending to its verdant realms with tender hands. Each day, she would wander, her heart attuned to the whispers of nature's secrets.

In the depths of the woods, Masaraga encountered Amugis, a man of ethereal grace with fair skin and enigmatic origins. Under his tutelage, she learned the mysteries of the land, the potent herbs with their eldritch saps, and the hidden paths that wound through the wilderness.

But as Masaraga blossomed into womanhood, her father decreed that she must take a husband. News of her beauty and skill reached the ears of Banog, chief of the Kabatuan tribe. Banog, possessed of formidable power and rumored to be raised by creatures of darkness, sought her hand fervently.

Yet Masaraga's heart belonged to Amugis, and when Banog demanded her hand, she hesitated. Banog, incensed, set a dire ultimatum, threatening to claim her by force if she did not consent by the next full moon.

Faced with the specter of Banog's wrath, Masaraga confided in Amugis, who vowed to protect her at any cost. As the full moon rose, Masaraga declared her love for Amugis, defying Banog's claim. Enraged, Banog transformed into a monstrous bird, seizing Masaraga and soaring into the heavens.

But Amugis, wielding the magic of Taguhalin, pursued them, his form shifting into that of a white bird. A harrowing chase ensued, culminating in a fateful confrontation atop Mount Iriga. In the tumult, Banog's grip tightened around Masaraga's throat, sending her plummeting to the earth below.

Desperate to save her, Amugis sacrificed himself, transforming into a mighty tree to catch her fall. Yet, despite his valiant efforts, Masaraga's life slipped away, her breath stolen by the cruelty of fate.

In the aftermath, Tagaltawan, the forest god disguised as a man, intervened, vanquishing Banog and enshrining Masaraga's remains within the earth. Over time, the mound swelled, birthing the majestic Mount Masaraga, its slopes adorned with the progeny of Amugis and Masaraga's eternal love.

Thus, in the annals of Albay's history, the legend of Masaraga endures, a testament to the enduring power of love and the indomitable spirit that dwells within the heart of the earth.

MASARAGA IN TATLONG BULOD

Ang Tulong bulod

The legend of the three mountains(volcanoes) of Bicol

Long ago there was a rich land called Ibalon, where the people venerated their gods and in return was bountiful catch and harvest and fine weather. One of the colonies ruled by Datu Makusog(his name means strong) and his wife Diwani, the had two daughters named Malinao and Masaraga. Later Diwani became pregnant with her youngest daughter which they named Magayon. The three grew up to be the loveliest maidens in all of Ibalon, specially Magayaon. Masaraga was of short stature and was a brown beauty, she was strong willed and industrious and prayed to the gods often. She wanted to learn the knowledge and secrets of the gods so Ibalon could prosper more. Malinao is lithe and soft spoken is of a different beauty and character she is very light of skin and was forbidden to go out of their abode. Youngest and most beautiful was Magayon Beautiful but proud and moody, some say she was blessed with having golden-copper skin and copper colored hair.

The three sisters being the loveliest maidens were chosen dance for their whole colony the rituals of ''atang'' but Magayon being stubborn refuses, but is later conviced by her eldest sister Masaraga.
Masaraga was favored by the gods for her deeds and her plans for Ibalon, but it was also the thing that would lead to her demise and hr sister Malinao's demise. Favored by Gugurang she had learned the secrets of herbs and potions and practical healing. But this angered Oryol who was the daughter of the deity Asuang. Oryol sang and her lovely voice called the Banog. The Banog was winged monster half-man and half-bird. Oryol commanded the Banog to fly and kill Masaraga for she had learned the secrets of the gods. And so the Banog did as commanded and went to where Masaraga was and scooped her and flew high. When they were high enough the Banog dropped Masaraga.

Oryol thinking that Masaraga had told the secrets of the gods to her sister Malinao also plotted to kill her.Malinao was a maiden who rarely leaves their abode, and when she does she is always carried in a hammock or a basket by their slaves. She was well kept for because she is much favored by the god of the sea Magindang. For her light skin reminds the sea god of Bulan, the god of the moon. ever since Malinao was born their had always been a bountiful catch from sea, and when Malinao is sad their fisher men could not catch fish. Oryol had to think of how to kill Malinao. She transformed herself into a appearance of Masaraga. Masaraga(who was Oryol in disguise) tricked Malinao into coming with her to the shallow waters. She carried Malinao on her back, Oryol sang and her beautiful voice called the vicious Magindara (mermaids) She threw Malinao to the water and the vicious mermaids did the rest.

So lastly Oryol had to deal with the proud Daragang Magayon. Magayon had many suitors. Among her many suitors were nobles, and one of them was Datu Pagtuga(Eruption) of the Iraga. Datu Pagtuga brought with him many baskets filled pearls dived from the deep sea, and as many gold as his servants could carry, he thought that he could win over Magayon's heart with riches. But Magayon was proud of her beauty and of her status, she rejected Datu Pagtuga and her other suitors. One day a young noble and his men arrived in Datu Makusog's territory. It was Gino(prince) Panganoron or as his men called him Gino Ulap (Ginoong Ulap/Prince Cloud) to seek a bride. Ulap has heard of the beauty of Daragang Magayon and has come a long way just to see her. Panganoron had light skin and the people said that it is because his mother was of the wind people (tawong lipod)
some say his mother was a mermaid. So Gino Panganoron was captivated by Magayon's beauty, Panganoron was patient with Magayon.

Daragang Magayon

One day Magayon went to the river called Yawa. Oryol was waiting for Magayon, She used her voice to charm Magayon into going to the river and had made sure that the stones were slippery, Oryol also had mermaids there to drown Magayon once she fell on the river. So as planned Magayon came and and slipped into the river where she almost drowned if not Ulap(Panganoron) who saves Magayon
He carried her home, When they arrived he threw his spear in front of Magayon's abode proclaiming he wants to marry her. The proud Magayon now humbled accepts the proposal, grateful that the noble Ulap saved his remaining daughter Datu Makusog agrees to the wedding. Ulap must return to his land for the preparation of their wedding, and also to bring treasures from his land as a gift to his soon to be bride.
Oryol angered that her plan to kill Magayon failed thought of another plan. She sang, her beautiful voice implanted evil thoughts on Datu Pagtuga's head.
When Datu Makusog was hunting Datu pagtuga and his men abducted him
He threatened Magayon telling her he will kill his father and wage war if she refuse to marry him.
Against her will and her heart she agrees.
Ulap heard of the horrible news and he wasted no time returning to Rawis On their wedding day
Ulap and his men arrived and rained arrows over Pagtuga and his men. A great battle instead of a wedding feast took place. Ulap was able to defeat Pagtuga
Magayon jubilant runs over to her beloved but as she was about to hold him, an arrow struck her from behind. Ulap shocked by this let his guard down which Linog (Pagtuga's most loyal warrior) saw as his chance, he struck Ulap using a spear Datu Makusog killed the man who struck Ulap using his bolo(large single-edged knife).They buried the two young lovers together