Magindara

Magindara were believed to be beautiful creatures that dwell in the salt waters of Bicol. some myths say they are the daughters of the deity Asuang. They are believed to be beautiful with the upper body and face of lovely maidens with long flowing hair, and the lower part of their bodies like colorful fish's tail.

They were believed to be vicious creatures capable of luring men not only with their physical beauty but also by the beauty of their voices. They would sing beautifully to captivate men and lure them, only to drown them and eat their flesh. Vicious as they were it is also believed that they do not harm children for innocence and purity is poisonous to them.

 In folklore and mythology

Maguindara or Magindara is a demigoddess in Bicol mythology one of the Irago ( half monster half deity daughters of Asuang) it is also the namesake of the vicious but beautiful mermaids of the waters of Bicol. Magindara 

Magindara is a demi-goddess in Bicol, daughter of the deity Asuang and sister to Oryol.  Magindara has a beautiful voice that can call rain,winds and storms or calm them  Magindara was said to be sweet and tender hearted unlike Oryol who was always smart and cunning. Asuang wanted to make chaos and asked her daughter to call a storm but Magindara being kind did not want to harm the people of Ibalong. She was banished to the sea by her father Asuang for disobeying him. Later beautiful but vicious mermaids appeared in the seas of Ibalong and were namesake Magindara

Magindara were believed to be beautiful creatures that dwell in the salt waters of Bicol. some myths say they are the daughters of the deity Asuang. They are believed to be beautiful with the upper body and face of lovely maidens with long flowing hair, and the lower part of their bodies like colorful fish's tail.

ALAMAT NG MAGINDARA

Noong Lumang panahon sa Ibalong na ngayon ay ang Bikol. Ang diyos ng kasamaan at poon ng mga Halimaw ay may dalawang magandang anak na babae. Kalahating diyos kalahating halimaw. Ang maganda ngunit tusong si Oryol na ang pang ibabang katawan ay higanteng ahas, ang ikalawang anak ni Asuang ay ang maamo at mayuming si Magindara na ang katawang pang ibaba ay buntot ng isda. Isang araw inutusan ni Asuang na maghasik ng kaguluhan sa Ibalong ang kanyang mga anak. Si Oryol gamit ang kanyang magandang tinig ay kumanta at mga halimaw ay nabighani, inutusan ni Oryol na salakatin ng mga halimaw ng mga pananim sa buong Ibalong. Ang magandang tinig ni Magindara ay may kakayahang utusan ang ulan at bagyo, Maaring gumawa ng malakas na bagyo at daluyong si Magindara upang lunurin ang Ibalong. Ngunit dahil sandyang mabait at malinis ang puso ni Magindara ay siyay umawit upang diligan ng mahinang ulan ang mga pananim sa buong Ibalong na nagbunga ng masaganang ani, lalong yumabong buhay at masaya ang mga mamayan ng Ibalong. 

Galit na galit ang diyos na si Asuang, sakanyang galit ay napagsalitaan ng masama ang kanyang anak, bilang kaparusahan ay ipintapon niya si Magindara sa kaibuturan ng karagatan. Maraming tao ang lumipas mula sa dagat ay umahon ang mga magagandang nilalang na kalahating isda. Nagagandahang nilalang na may makukulay na buntot. Mga bantay dagat na kung tawagin ay Magindara.

The Vicious Nature of Magindara

In Bicolano myths, the Magindara are notorious for their viciousness. Legends tell of these alluring mermaids using their physical beauty and enchanting voices to captivate men, luring them into the depths of the waters only to drown and devour their flesh. Despite their malevolence, a curious twist in their nature reveals a peculiar vulnerability – they do not harm children. The innocence and purity of children are believed to be poisonous to the Magindara, offering a glimpse into the complexity of these mythical beings.

The Moon and the Mermaids

The god of Evil and Chaos wanted revenge on his brother Gugurang after punishing him. The evil god Asuang planned on abducting the lunar god Bulan who was undisputedly Gugurang's favorite.
According to legends the young lunar deity had the hobby of descending from the heavens to bathe in the waters of Bicol, so the Evil god Asuang sent the vicious mermaids known as Magindara to capture him. A horde of vicious mermaids awaited the descent of the lunar god, but upon his arrival Bulan was said to be so beautiful and luminous that not only did the vicious mermaids forgot their task, they also became tamed, and instead of abducting the lunar god, the mermaids played with him as if they were children. Thus the myth how the god of the moon Bulan turned the vicious sea creatures into friendly and playful mermaids.

Magindara the demigoddess

Magindara was also a name of a demi-goddess in Bicol, daughter of the deity Asuang and sister to Oryol. Magindara was said to be sweet and tender hearted unlike Oryol who was always smart and cunning. Asuang wanted to make chaos and asked her daughter to call a storm but Magindara being kind did not want to harm the people of Ibalong. She was banished to the sea by her father Asuang for disobeying him. Later beautiful but vicious mermaids appeared in the seas of Ibalong and were namesake Magindara

Magindara's Genealogy:

Magindara, a name resonating with grace and benevolence, is introduced as the daughter of the notorious deity Asuang and the sister of Oryol, another prominent figure in Bicolano folklore. Unlike her father, associated with evil and chaos, and her cunning sister, Magindara stands out for her sweet and tender-hearted nature, marking her as a symbol of compassion amidst the tumultuous tales of the Bicol region.

Familial Discord and Divine Request:

The myth takes an intriguing turn as Asuang, the god of Evil and Chaos, desires to unleash havoc upon the world. Seeking an instrument to manifest chaos, Asuang turns to Magindara, his own daughter, to call forth a storm that would bring disorder to the realms. This divine request forms the crux of Magindara's narrative, showcasing a clash between familial loyalty and the greater cosmic order.

Magindara's Act of Defiance:

Contrary to her father's malevolent intentions, Magindara's innate kindness prevails over the call for chaos. Instead of succumbing to her father's request, she chooses to disobey, standing against the tide of destruction. This act of defiance sets Magindara apart, highlighting her moral compass and compassion in the face of divine command.

Banishment to the Sea:

In response to Magindara's disobedience, Asuang enacts a punishment befitting her benevolence. Magindara, banished by her own father, finds solace in the depths of the sea. This banishment, however, is not merely a punitive measure; it becomes a transformative event that shapes the folklore of the Bicolano waters.

Vicious Mermaids and the Legacy of Magindara:

Aswang ng Dagat

The consequence of Magindara's banishment unfolds as the seas of Ibalong witness the emergence of beautiful yet vicious mermaids. These enchanting beings, forever named after the benevolent demigoddess, carry both the beauty and the danger associated with their predecessor. Magindara's legacy lives on in the dichotomy of these sea creatures, embodying the complexities of filial bonds, divine intervention, and the transformative power of kindness.

Magindara, the benevolent demigoddess of Bicolano mythology, transcends the conventional narratives of divine obedience. Her act of defiance against chaos and her subsequent banishment lay the foundation for a rich and intricate folklore that weaves together themes of family, morality, and transformation. As the seas of Ibalong echo with the songs of the Magindara and her legacy, the demigoddess stands as a testament to the enduring power of compassion in the face of cosmic discord.

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.