Magayon

There was once lived a chieftain in the village in the province of Albay. He had a daughter named Magayon who was not only beautiful but was also kind – to rich and poor alike.

Because of Magayon’s beauty and kindness, she had many suitors she fell in love with a young man named Matapang. His father was one of the fighters of Magayon’s father.

Since Matapang was not noble at birth, Magayon’s father did not favor him as a suitor of his daughter. But this did not prevent her from accepting Matapang.

Another of Magayon’s suitor was Maraut, a son of another chieftain who ruled a neighboring village. He was overbearing and boastful, and his parents were rich and powerful, Magayon’s father favored him among all other suitors.

Magayon was not happy over her father’s decision. She went to Matapang and told him about it. So the two lovers thought of ways which they might solve the problem.

After considering the matter of sometime, Magayon and Matapang decided that the best solution to the problem was for them to elope the village. They agreed on a certain date for carrying out their plan. Magayon told her lover that on the night of the appointed date, he should wait for her near the river.

The lovers did not know that Maraut was able to learn of their plan.

Without delay Maraut went to Magayon’s father and informed him of what Magayon and Matapang intended to do.

On the night of the appointed date Matapang returned to the village and, as agreed upon, he waited for Magayon near the river. No sooner the two lovers met then the men of Magayon’s father went after them.

Upon seeing the group of Magayon’s father approaching them, Magayon and Matapang ran as fast as they could to the forest. But since it was dark and they could not see their way very well, they were overtaken by the men of Magayon’s father.

One warrior hit Matapang with an arrow and the lover of Magayon fell and died instantly. Upon seeing her lover fall, Magayon grieved and, with tears flowing down her face, she continued to run. Then she got entangled in a thorny bush that was the abode of fierce and poisonous snake.

The snakes bit Magayon and, despite the effort of the medicines to save her, she died.

Magayon’s father grieved over his daughter’s death, and he and his men buried her right on the spot where she died. Then they went to the village.

That night, a violent storm suddenly came, and there was rain and thunder and lightning.

When morning came, Magayon’s father returned to the place where Magayon had been buried. To his amazement, he saw that the mound on the top of Magayon’s grave had risen to become a mountain with perfect cone.

This mountain in now called Mount Mayon in honor of Magayon, the unfortunate lover of Matapang.