The Legend of Mariang Makiling

Once upon a time there lived two Deities, Dayang Makiling and Gat Panahon. They had only one daughter named Maria. Because of her beauty and charm, she was the delight of her parents. The source of their joy and strength, Maria was, to them, a jewel, a treasure that made life full of light and laughter. Because her parents were the Deities who excercised the powers of enchantment, Maria wasn't like any ordinary human being. Although she mingled with the common people, she belonged to the class of Deities just the same.

At that time people could talk with the Gods face to face, and even sit with them side by side underneath a tree. People could aslo ask for help when they were in need, provided they did the asking in a solemn way. For the Gods were not selfish. They helped the people in every way they could.

It was the custom of Maria to go to a small market, sometimes called talipapa, on weekdays. Just like other women, she would on such occasions wear clothes made of silk and embroidered with flowers and wide stripes -- for this was the fashion at that time. Maria had long, abundant black hair which she usually decorated with pomelo flowers. When she went to the market, her flowing hair would touch her ankles. She had a pair of such tantalizing eyes that even women were attracted to greet her. As she passed along, galant men would bow their heads low to signify their respect. When Maria went to the market, she was always accompanied by two Aetas, who served as her servants. These two servants stayed close behind Maria, and they both carried a basket each that was full of golden ginger. This golden ginger Maria would barter for such things as buri mats, silk fabrics, and other items needed for the home. There was no money at that time, and instead of buying, people bartered and exchanged their goods for the things that they needed.

On a market day, not only the natives of Makiling would go to the talipapa; merchants and other people from neighboring towns with business to transact, would be seen wandering in the place. One day Gat Dula, the ruler of the kingdom of Bay, came to the talipapa in Makiling. He belonged to a royal family and he came not really for bartering as such, but just to while away the time. Mariang Makiling (that means Maria of Makiling) happened to be there, too. As a matter of fact, in the way strange coincidences go, they were both trying to barter their goods for a piece of animal skin with fine hair. At one moment, their shoulders touched and they looked at each other. And, without intending to do so, Gat Dula even touched briefly the soft hand of Maria -- for both were holding the animal skin with fine hair.

As a sign of respect and apology, Gat Dula bowed his head in front of Maria. For her part, Maria appeared shy and modest. Before they parted from each other's company, Gat Dula noticed the trace of shy smile on the lips of Maria. Since that first encounter, Gat Dula often visited the palace. Unluckily, he was not able to see Mari during these visits. Until one day when he saw Maria at the same small market, the scene of their first meeting. How happy he was to see her! What songs of joy his heart sang at the mere sight of Maria! He said to himself, "Perhaps my sacrifices will not be in vain." Then he slowly approached Maria and greeted her. Maria responded with a very sweet smile.

That was the beginning of their friendship, which blossomed into love as the months passed. Along the shore of a murmuring brook in the forest did they discover one day their feelings of unspoken love. They realized they were in love with each other when they forgot everything around them except themselves. And they couldn't even open their lips to speak out what was in their hearts.

As time passed, the love affair between Maria and Gat Dula came to be known by her father, Gat Panahon. Of course, Gat Panahon was angry. And even Dayang Makiling, Maria's mother, suffered silently with the knowledge that her only daughter was in love, not with a deity but with a mortal. The affectionate mother asked Maria about the affair, and the daughter told her about it.

Gat Panahon and Dayang Makiling then restricted Maria's movements from that time. They prohibited her from going to earth. And her father forbade her from going to the talipapa. The parents even took back from Maria the power of enchantment which enabled a deity to look and act like an ordinary human being. And since then people and deities have been separated.

But Maria's love for Gat Dula was true and sincere. She had only one heart and one love, and both were for Gat Dula alone. Gat Dula was also sincere in his affection for Maria. Even when Maria could no longer go down to earth because of the disappearance of her power to be able to mix with people on earth, still Gat Dula thought about her. In the midst of his loneliness, Maria appeared in his presence, but when he approached her, she disappeared. It was all like a nightmare. Yet his love for Maria remained sincere.

Then an important event happened. During those times, wars between neighboring kingdoms were quite often. In a surprise move, Lakan Bunto, the ruler of a nearby domain, invaded the kingdom of Bay which was ruled by Gat Dula. In the battle that followed, the courageous Gat Dula fought bravely and succeeded in defeating his enemy. Not a single wound did he suffer. The reason for this is that he was supported by Maria's enchantment. The inspiring love of the maiden served as his armor. Gat Dula won many other battles afterwards. He conquered enemies but he couldn't conquer his great love for Maria.

Gat Dula's inability to see Maria became the cause of his illness, until he died. According to legend, Maria asked the Gods to give her the soul of her lover, and it was given to her.

When Gat Panahon and Dayang Makiling died a few years later, Maria -- and Gat Dula -- inherited the wealth and treasures of her parents. She was now the ruler of Makiling. As a ruler, Maria did not forget the people she was ruling. She was charitable for she had a generous heart. Like what her dead mother had done, she would scatter the golden ginger in the yard of every house in her domain. For those who were getting married, she lent to them certain materials if they had none of these. All requests for help and assistance were willingly given by Maria.

There came a time, however, when Maria's kindness and sympathy were forgotten by the people. Many of them did not even acknowledge their debt of gratitude. Sometimes the borrowers of Maria's wedding materials did not return these materials; they even used them in bartering other goods. In the end, Maria got angry and grew tired of it all. She told herself that the situation must be changed.

Maria instituted a number of measures to punish her people for their ungratefulness. She refused permission to pick fruits in the forest. Because of the cruelty of the people, she prohibited hunting. Catching wild hens and hunting wild birds were forbidden. If any of her orders were not obeyed, Maria gave swift punishment to the guilty parties. For any violation of her orders, she would cause the sky to grow dark and heavy rain to fall. And she would go to the forest and whip the ferocious wild carabaos in order to cause lightning.

Today, Mount Makiling rises in majesty, a towering symbol of strength and Nature's beauty. Not only that. It also serves as an apt reminder of the legend of Mariang Makiling.

Dianne's Note: There are many, many versions to the legend of Mariang Makiling. The one I liked, though, was that her love had died, the people had started to take her and her assistance for granted. The people were greedy. She felt that it was time for her to leave them so they might see their faults and know their loss. She went to the forest and lay down to sleep. People say that the mountain is her form, asleep. Until the time comes for her to rise again.