the demon of kanlaon

  The Demon of Kanlaon: Laon, the Fiery Harbinger of Destruction

The Kanlaon Volcano, located on the island of Negros in the Philippines, is not just a geologic wonder but a focal point of myth and folklore for the people of the region. Among the most intriguing tales is the legend of Laon, a malevolent demon of fire and destruction. This entity, often linked to the fiery eruptions of the volcano, is said to slumber deep within Kanlaon’s core, only to awaken in moments of fury, bringing devastation to the land.

Ang Bulkang Kanlaon sa Pilipinas ay mayaman sa heolohiya at mitolohiya, partikular sa alamat tungkol kay Laon, isang mapaminsalang demonyo ng apoy at pagkawasak. Ayon sa kwento, si Laon ay natutulog sa loob ng bulkan at nagigising upang magdulot ng sakuna tuwing may pagputok. May kaugnayan ang karakter ni Laon sa paniniwala ng mga sinaunang Bisaya, kung saan siya ay isang diyosang konektado sa kalikasan at kasaganaan, ngunit kalaunan ay naging simbolo ng pagkasira. Binanggit din ng mga misyonerong Espanyol sina Lalahon o Laon bilang isang diyosang nauugnay sa agrikultura at lakas ng bulkan.

Sa mga alamat, ang pagputok ng bulkan ay itinuturing na galit ni Laon, na makikita sa pag-agos ng lava, makakapal na ulap ng abo, at pyroclastic flows. May pagkakahawig ito sa mga alamat ng mga Bicolano na itinuturing si Kanlaon bilang isang masamang diyos ng apoy. Ang pagsabog noong Hunyo 3, 2024, na nagpalikas ng 1,386 pamilya at nagdulot ng malawakang pinsala, ay nagpatibay sa paniniwalang ito. Naibalita ng mga komunidad ang mabahong amoy ng asupre, pag-ulan ng abo, at haze na umabot sa malalayong lugar, na lalong nagpalakas sa ugnayan ni Laon sa pagkawasak.

Ipinapakita ng kwento ni Laon kung paano ginagamit ng mga komunidad ang mito upang maunawaan at matanggap ang mga natural na sakuna. Ang mga alamat na ito ay nagdidiin sa paggalang ng mga Pilipino sa kakayahan ng kalikasan na magbigay-buhay at magdulot ng pagkawasak, dahilan upang manatiling buhay ang alamat ni Laon bilang mahalagang bahagi ng kulturang Pilipino.

Mythological Background

The name Laon has ancient roots, echoing the name of an ancient deity once revered in pre-colonial Philippine mythology. In a curious and eerie parallel, the demon Laon is viewed as an antithesis to the benevolent goddess once associated with nature and fertility. Over time, especially among the superstitious, Laon evolved into a representation of the uncontrollable and destructive aspects of nature, particularly tied to volcanic eruptions.

Lalahon, or Laon or Lauon. A deity of the ancient Visayas. According to Father Delgado, Lalahon was a woman residing in the volcano of Alalaspina (Isla de Negros). They invoked Lalahon for their seedlings and when they didn't want to give them to them, send them the lobster. Father Chirino says that Laon denotes antiquity and was the name of the chief and superior god of the Visayas. Today, the Visayas de Negros peasants say that the demon Lallaon resides in the Malaspina volcano.

- Mythological Dictionary of the Philippines 

The Malevolent Laon

Kanlaon the evil deity of destruction and fire

Ang Diablo ng Kanlaon

Like many old gods, often demonized and viewed as demons in modern times. In local folklore, the eruptions of Kanlaon are not mere geological events but manifestations of Laon’s wrath. The fiery plumes, rivers of lava, and ash clouds are interpreted as the demon's fiery breath, while the earthquakes and pyroclastic flows are attributed to his violent movements beneath the earth. Some Bicolano myths parallel this view, where Kanlaon is regarded as an evil male god of fire and destruction, aligning with the widespread association of  the destructive side of volcanoes with divine or supernatural retribution in Philippine folklore.

Sa mga kwentong Bayan at alamat ng mga Bicolano si Laon o Kanlaon ay ang masamang anito ng kabilang ibayo, tawid dagat (Kabisayaan). Ang anito ng apoy, buklan at pagkawasak. Isang demonyo, isang masamang anito.

Habang sa mga kwento ng mga Bisaya si Lalahon ay isa sa mga katawang lupa ni Laon, isang magandang diwata ng apoy at ng bulkan.

Kung paniniwalaan ng hinduismo at animismo ang mga sinaunang bathala ay hindi lang iisa ang katauhan. maraming anyo at maraming katawang lupa. may masama, may mabait. tulad ng kalikasan walang iisang tunay na mukha at wangis.

Kanlaon in Bicol mythology

Kanlaon or Laon in oral myths and legends of the Bicolano has remained evil and malevolent. Avery powerful deity of fire and destruction. Hurls fire and sends locust. The male god who seeks to challenge Batala and even Gugurang. Kanlaon who darkens the skies and spits fire.

Laon

The Eruption of 2024

On June 3, 2024, the Kanlaon Volcano erupted dramatically, displacing 1,386 families and sending shockwaves of fear across the region. The eruption, which included a 5,000-meter-high plume of incandescent ash and probable pyroclastic density currents, was described as both awe-inspiring and terrifying. Many locals, steeped in the lore of Laon, could not help but see this as the demon’s latest awakening.

Communities near the volcano reported sulfurous odors and ashfall, while volcanic haze spread as far as the Bicol Region, reinforcing the mythical connections between Laon and widespread destruction. Adding to the devastation, heavy rains following the eruption triggered lahar flows in nearby towns, such as La Castellana, burying homes and farmland in volcanic debris.

Laon as a Demon for fire and destruction

Folklore Meets Reality

The enduring tale of Laon reflects the intricate way myth intertwines with reality in the Philippines. For centuries, the people living near Kanlaon have both revered and feared its power. Stories of Laon serve as a cultural coping mechanism, explaining the unpredictable and catastrophic nature of volcanic eruptions. These legends also underscore the deep respect Filipinos have for nature, recognizing both its life-giving and life-destroying forces.

As the ash settles from the 2024 eruption, the tale of Laon will undoubtedly continue to evolve, merging historical events with myth, keeping the fiery demon of Kanlaon alive in the hearts and minds of the local people. The enduring power of this folklore ensures that Laon remains not just a figure of terror but also a symbol of the Philippines' enduring relationship with its natural and spiritual world.

REMINDER

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.