Daragang Magayon

Daragang Magayon is the heroin that appears in the legend of Mt. Mayon in Albay, Philippines. Her name means "beautiful lady" ("daraga" - "lady or maiden"; "magayon" - "beautiful").

Basic legend

Daragang Magayon was said to be a princess that lived in Bicol long time ago. Her family once reigned over the entire Bicolandia (Land of Bicol).

She's so beautiful and because of this, many warriors, princes and even datus from different parts of Bicolandia desired her to become their wife. But Handiong, a prince who came from a tribe that was the rival of Magayon's tribe, was the only man that she loved.

The two suffered so much from different trial and one of this was that their families attempts to separate them from each other that they finally decided to flee. Unfortunately their families found out and fought each other in a bloody tribal war. This caused the two so much pain that they decided together to commit suicide.

The lovers was buried separately by their tribes. Months passed a volcano grew and in Magayon's tomb where sne was buried and Magayon's tribe saw it. They named as "Bulkang Magayon" describing its perfect cone-shape like the beauty of Daragang Magayon. But time passed and "Magayon" was shorten and became "Mayon".

Appearance

Local tradition describes Magayon thus:

She’s a beautiful lady that visitors look forward to see even for a day or two. No one can compare her majestic shape and amazing size, her magnificence and fame, her invulnerable beauty and fury.

References

• http://www.geocities.com/yosemite/3712/tmagayon.html
• Province of Albay (1616) MAGAYON FESTIVAL – BEFORE AND NOW
• http://magayonfestival.albay.gov.ph/history_mf.htm

Category: Tagalog goddesses Category: Nature goddesses Category: Fairies Category: Tutelary