One of Albay’s pride is the very beautiful Mount Mayon or “Bulkan Mayon” because of its symmetrical conical shape and is commonly referred as the “perfect cone”. This is the first volcano in the Philippines that was declared a national park in the year 1938.
It was then reclassified and renamed as the Mayon Volcano Natural Park in the year 2000 and up to present Mount Mayon is used as the background for the One Hundred Peso Bill. Mount Mayon is the most active volcano in the Philippines and the last known eruption was in the year 2014. But just this month of January, this volcano has been the talk of the nation because it started showing signs of a phreatic eruption and the government declared a state of calamity in the province of Albay to ensure the safety of the residents. As of the latest, the government has raised the alert to level 4 and suspended the classes on all levels.
One photo went viral that captured the interest of netizens after a reporter of a local news posted a picture of Mount Mayon spewing ash clouds forming like two persons being in a romance.
Why it went viral?
Why!? Because, this very image reminded not only the local residents of Albay but also all the Filipinos of a legend that was very common in Albay and was taught to us when we were still in grade school, the Legend of Mayon Volcano (Ang Alamat ng Bulkang Mayon).
The legend goes like this.
Once upon a time, there was a young woman named Daragang Magayon. Many men fell head over heels for this young woman because of her unique beauty and very smooth complexion. Her father, Rajah Makusog, already gave Magayon permission to mary if ever she decides it herself since she is already at the right age. However, despite having many suitors, Magayon still did not find the right person for her.
One day while Magayon was bathing in the river, she accidentally slipped and fell on the deep side of the river. Magayon started shouting for help since she does not know how to swim. Fortunately, a young man saw her and immediately jumps to save her from drowning. This young man’s name is Panganoron, the brave son of Rajah Karilaya.
Panganoron fell in loved by the beauty of Magayon and Magayon also felt the same way for the young brave warrior who saved her. Eventually, their marriage was revealed throughout the kingdom.
However, Paguga, an avid suitor of Magayon, thought of a way to prevent the marriage of the two couples. He abducted Magayon's father, Rajah Makusog, in exchange for her father’s freedom, Magayon will have to marry Paguga and since Magayon loved her father very much she could not do anything but to accept the marriage.
Magayon went to the place of Paguga to give herself in to release her father. Panganoron knew what happened to Magayon so he assembled his brave warriors to save Magayon and her father.
A major war took place between the two tribes but Panganoron prevailed against Paguga and killed him.
When Magayon saw that Panganoron had killed Paguga, she quickly ran to Panganoron and while she was on her way to him, a stray spear was thrust behind Magayon. While Magayon falls to the ground, Panganoron rushed to her aid and as he kneeled over Magayon, a warrior of Paguga struck him in the back and they both died.
When the war ended, Rajah brought the dead bodies of Magayon and Panganoron home and her death was mourned all over the land. Rajah then buried the bodies together.
A few days later, a mysterious mountain appeared in the grave where Magayon and Panganoron were put to rest.
This mountain is now called Mayon, named after their beautiful princess Magayon. It is said that when Mayon is about to erupt, Paguga is challenging Panganoron and when the Mayon is calm, Panganoron is embracing Magayon and that the tears of Panganoron are represented as rain in times of his grief.
In Conclusion:
The viral picture reminds us Filipinos about the love story of Magayon and Panganoron, that love can really conquers all even in death and that true love is really hard to bury.
P.S.
I pray for the safety of all the residents of Albay and keep safe everyone. God bless :)
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayon#2018_activity
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phreatic_eruption
- http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/multimedia/photo/01/17/18/mayon-volcano-at-alert-level-3
- http://hayzkul.blogspot.com/2014/09/alamat-ni-daragang-magayon-alamat-ng.html
- https://www.pinoyedition.com/mga-alamat/alamat-ng-bulkang-mayon-1st-version/
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