The Legend of the First FireFly

The Legend of the First FireFly

In the local dialect (Tagalog),fireflies are called "alitaptap". You can see a lot of them flickering their tail-lights in the suburbs of Los Banos, Laguna (A town soutn of Luzon, Philippines). Apart from us, human beings, they are about the only creatures that used fire. Let us learn about the legend of how fireflies came to use fire.

In the beginning, fireflies were just insects, small and ordinary. They do not have that special fire that kindles light at night. The first generation of fireflies come out only during the day. Like any other creatures, they rest under the leaves and flowers of plants that they come across as soon as the shade of darkness cover the land. So generally speaking, fireflies are scared of the night except for a full moon that brings out a gentle glow in the middle of darkness"



One early evening, they spotted a bush of sampaguita to stop for the night. All of the fireflies sought for their own solace. Some of them hid under the sampaguita's leaves, others under the flower buds, while others hid under its petals.

The pretty sampaguita wondered and asked "But why are you hiding?"
"Why do all of you seem so frightened? Are you afraid of the dark?"

"No, we are not afraid of the dark," the insects answered.

"Then tell me why are you so afraid?" asked the sampaguita.

"We are afraid of the fruit bats." the fireflies answered.

"Why are you afraid of the fruit bat?" asked the sampaguita.

"It's because they eat us up," said the insects. "If they see us they would catch us, and if we are caught that would mean the end of our lives."

"Well, it's really very cruel of the fruit bat to be doing this to you," the sampaguita said.

"Can you imagine just how many fruit bats there are?" complained one of the insects. "That's why were getting fewer and fewer in number."

"Well, if that's the way things are, you'll be finished before time," said sampaguita. "How much I pity all of you."

"We don't even know what is best to do to protect ourselves," said the insects.

"But, I was wondering why is it that you don't come and hide in my tree when the moon is bright?" asked sampaguita.

"Well, if the moon is bright, it is difficult for the bat to catch us," spoke one of the fireflies. "They get blinded by the light that a full moon brings," followed by another of the fireflies.

"Well, that's it. It cannot see the light," reasoned the sampaguita. "I've got an idea. I will tell you just what you should do."

"Well, what? What should we do?" asked every one of the insects.

"The idea is for each of you to carry a torch of fire," said the sampaguita. " Then go in groups when you go out in the night. The fruit bat would be afraid of you. He wouldn't try to get close to you without getting burned."

"That's very true, that's it!" exclaimed the fireflies altogether.

"Guess that's the best thing for us to do, isn't it?" asked one of the younger fireflies.

That was what the fireflies did. One dark evening, each of them carried a small torch of fire to their tails and then they came out together. They were like high flying embers altogether. And the fruit bat did not dare get near them at all.

The fireflies were jubilant. They flew around and around the sampaguita tree.
"Thank you, sampaguita. We are now free!" shouted the fireflies.

From then on, every time the fireflies wanted to go out during the dark night they would each bring with them these small torches of fire then come out together to roam leisurely around the bushes, fluttering from one sampaguita plant to another. That was how and why the fireflies today have light at the end of their tails.

The Legend of Lanao Lake

The Legend of Lanao Lake

In ancient Lanao, there once lived a giant called Umacaan. He was so enormous that when he spread his arms sideward, they spread as far as thirty kilometers apart. Almost anything was within easy reach, best of all, men whom he loved to eat. Men flee at the sight of him. No one dared come out to the mountains for fear of losing their lives at the hands of the man-eating giant.

In no time, news about Umacaan reached as far as the kingdom of Bumbaran and came to the knowledge of its brave princes, Rajah Indarapatra and Rajah Soliman. They swore to kill the monster. The next day, they both set out to slay the man-eater. However, they didn't leave at the same time. Rajah Soliman went ahead and reached Lanao to fight. Umacaan tricked Soliman into cutting him into several pieces, each piece becoming another giant Umacaan. The prince simply proved to be no match to the creature.

Some time later, Rajah Indarapatra reached Lanao. As soon as he arrived, he was informed by a spirit-queen of his brother's fate. Angrily, he swore to avenge his brother's death. Before he went on his way the spirit-queen gifted him with a magic sword to enable him to defeat the giant. Later that same day, the two combatants met near the shores of Lanao Lake.

When the fight began, Umacaan pulled several trees and hurled them at Rajah Indarapatra who was quick to dodge and got out safely. Next, the giant reached for some soft clay and formed big round balls out of it and threw them successively at the prince. Once more the quick Rajah Indarapatra made swift plunges to avoid getting hit by the round clay balls so that some of them fell into the lake while the others landed on the plains and turned into hills and mountains that surround the famous Lanao Lake. At any rate, when Rajah Indarapatra had his turn, he help up the magic sword that could wound any opponent by merely pointing at him. As he did, Umacaan yelled in pain until he fell down to his death.

Up to now, if one were to visit Lanao Lake, one will easily notice small floating islands all around the lake. Some of the islands are big enough to accomodate a number of families, while the others are too small for even a single nipa hut to stand on. These islands were believed to have formed out of the clay balls Umacaan threw at Rajah Indarapatra that fell into the lake, while the hills and mountains that surround the lake came from those clay balls that landed on the plains and dried over time, as the legend had it.

Filipino Myths: Why do Hawks Eat up Little Chicks?

Filipino Myths: Why do Hawks Eat up Little Chicks?

Big Hawk and Rooster were very good friends before. They trusted each other and even shared secrets. One day, the Rooster thought of borrowing the ring of Big Hawk. Big Hawk always wear the ring on his big tow.

"You have a pretty ring. Can I borrow it for one day? I want to show it to my wife."

Trusting the care of the ring to his friend, Big Hawk removed the ring from his big toe and handed it to his friend Rooster. Big Hawk then excused himself for he had to look for food for his brood. Quickly the Rooster placed the ring on his toe and went off to see his wife, the hen.

When the hen saw the ring on his toe, she too, wanted to wear it. She asked her husband if she could try it on. Rooster agreed and gave the ring to her. At once, the hen slipped it on her left toe, and began to admire how pretty it looked on her feet. Boastful as she was, the hen pleaded to her husband, saying, "Let me keep the ring for just a day. Please! I want to show it off to my friends."

Rooster could not refuse her for he didn't want to disappoint his pretty wife. Unfortunately, by some unexplained reasons, the ring got lost. Pretty hen looked everywhere for it but could not find it. When Rooster learned about it, he also looked everywhere but it seemed the ring was lost forever.

When Big Hawk returned the next day and learned that his ring was lost, he got very angry and reprimanded both of them. "How could you lose my ring? It's the only one I got. I am sorry but you have to go and look for my ring. If you don't find it, I'm going to catch and eat your little chicks."

Fearful for the lives of their chicks, Rooster and his pretty wife went everywhere looking for the ring once again. They scratched the ground but never found the ring.

Meanwhile, the angry hawk had his revenge. He swooped down on their chicks every time he was hungry and carried them away to eat them up.

Up to now, we see the rooster and the hen scratching everywhere on the ground still looking for the lost ring. Even the little chicks go scratching everywhere to help find the ring. They had little choice because their lives remained at stake for as long as the ring is not found and returned.

The Legend of Rice (Ang Alamat ng Palay)

The Legend of Rice (Ang Alamat ng Palay)

When the world was still new, the rice plant has no value. It was just a mere grass. It has no grain or fruit. It doesn’t do anything but to kiss the wind all day long.

The humble rice plant
Source: www.trekearth.com

One day, it happened that the Chinese goddess Kuan-yin went down to visit the Earth. In her excursion, she saw that everywhere in the four corners of China are people dying of hunger. Her soft heart cannot endure the pain and poverty that she sees and it seems as though her heart will melt with pity. She took a deep breath and said, “Aiya, Ai-ya, I need to act and help these people.”

She silently observed her surroundings. She took interest in a worthless rice plant which sprouted in the alley. She approached it and said, “I will use this humble plant to help my poor people.”

She opened her robe and exposed her white bosom. She squeezed her right breast with her hand and let out drops of milk of life to the rice plant’s panicle. She also squeezed her other breast and let the milk drop on the plant’s empty hulls.

She squeezed her breasts until there’s no milk coming out anymore. She prayed, “Oh merciful heaven, bless me with a little more drops of milk.” She massaged and squeezed her breasts again until she saw that some drops are coming out but it is mixed with blood. The goddess gave all that she can. She was glad to see that all the panicles became full of rich rice grains.

“Oh noble plant, may your panicle overflow. May we harvest a lot to eliminate hunger in this land.” After she has done her duty, she happily came back to the heavens.

Source: irri.org

This is how the rice plant yielded its first rice grains. There are varieties which produce white rice as white as Kuan-yin’s milk, and there are also some which yields reddish rice as a reminder of the blood mixed with the last drops of the merciful goddess’ milk.

The Legend of Mayon Volcano (Ang Alamat ng Bulkang Mayon)

The Legend of Mayon Volcano (Ang Alamat ng Bulkang Mayon)

(Albay, Bicol)

Mayon volcano, Albay

In the town of Daraga, in the province of Albay in the Bicol Region, lays the most beautiful volcano in the Philippines-  Mayon volcano.  Its picturesque view may have been what inspired the natives to come up with one of the most exceptional Philippine alamats - the legend of "Daragang Magayon" of the Bicolanos, or "Dalagang Maganda" (beautiful maiden) in Tagalog.

Long ago, along the streams of Yawa river lays  a kingdom named Rawis. It is reigned by a very generous and intelligent king - King  Makusog.  His only daughter was called "Daragang Magayon" (beautiful maiden) because of the exceptional beauty that she possesses. Because of this beauty, all the men in their kingdom, as well as in the neighboring kingdoms, dream to have her heart.

It has been a hobby of Daragang Magayon  to secretly  take a bath in the Yawa River  every morning at the break of dawn. It was one morning when a traveler from the faraway kingdom of Laguna accidentally saw her secret ritual. He was a young lad named Ulap (cloud). Upon seeing the beautiful maiden, Ulap was instantly hypnotized by her beauty. 

In the many journeys of Ulap, it was only then that a maiden has  successfully captured his heart. Every morning since then, he would secretly watch behind the bamboo groves as Daragang Magayon takes a bath in the Yawa River. He was not contented in being a secret admirer so he eventually decided to come out of his hiding place and introduce himself to the maiden. 

Daragang Magayon, startled by this revelation , started to come to her feet and run away, but as fate may have dictated it, she was tripped by a mossy stone and was about to be drawn away by the river current when Ulap grabbed her arm.  In that instant, she too was hypnotized by the lad's stance and charming eyes that she failed to turn her back from him and run away. 

Not for long, the two became  inseparable lovers and their relationship was happily blessed by King  Makusog. Ulap asked permission from his lady love to go home to Laguna and fetch his relatives for the pamamanhikan (prenuptial get together).  He was away for two months.

Meanwhile, the news of the soon-to-be wedding spread like fire in the nearby kingdoms including the Kingdom of Iraya which is reigned by Patugo. This news enraged him and brought back the pain incurred by Daragang Magayon's refusal of his love proposal. 

He convinced his people to set a battle against the Kingdom of Rawin by telling them that Daragang Magayon's marriage to a foreign man is an insult to their maleness.  They agreed to capture King Makusog and ask for Daragang Magayon as a ransom. 

Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Rawis is busy in the preparation for the arrival of the people from Laguna. This  was used by Patugo and his army as an opportunity to attack them. The people of Rawis was so stunned by this sudden attack that the king was effortlessly captured. The festive mood was instantly replaced with doom. Daragang Magayon offered herself as a ransom for the freedom of his father even if this was against her will. Just then, their expecting visitors, Ulap and his clan from Laguna, arrived and helped in fighting the enemies. "If you are real men, fight with men! Do not waste your power in terrorizing ladies and old men!", Ulap exclaimed. With this, the battle heated up and  there was bloodshed.  Under the heat of the sun, behind the dusty wind, swords and bolos were ravagely swished against each other. Daragang Magayon's heart beated outrageously because of the suspense brought about by the battle. A bloody body fell on the ground, and the maiden's heart skipped a beat thinking that this might be his lover's. She ran closer and reveled when she saw that instead of Ulap, the lifeless body belongs to Patugo.  She turned around and saw Ulap with his arms wide open. She joyfully ran towards the waiting arms of her lover. As the two passionately embraced each other, a deadly arrow came flying from one of the enemies and struck their entwined bodies. The sky was covered with gloom as the two lovers slowly fell on the ground.

The whole Kingdom of Rawis grieved upon their loss. King Makusog proclaimed that the two shall be buried together since it is not right to separate what death has united as one. 

As they say, true love is hard to bury. Like a strong current, it will eventually struggle and resurface. Daragang Magayon's love is as such. It is said that because of the strong love of Daragang Magayon for Ulap,  her grave mounted into a towering mass of volcano as if an emblem of her undying love. Raging lava even came out of it as a symbol of her overflowing affection. This volcano which surfaced from the grave of Daragang Magayon is now known as the Mayon volcano. Daragang Magayon is what they claim as the Mayon.

They say that if you want to see the best of Mt. Mayon, you should wake up very early in the morning just about the crack of dawn. By then, you will see clearly the perfect shape of the volcano but as the time passes, clouds will then cover the slopes from the view. These clouds are represented by the jealous Ulap who is not comfortable with the numerous eyes laying upon his beloved Magayon.


Translated from Rene Alba's "Mga Alamat Pilipino (Para sa Mag-aaral)", published 1914 by Century Publications

The Legend of Chocolate Hills (Ang Alamat ng mga Bundok ng Tsokolate )

The Legend of Chocolate Hills (Ang Alamat ng mga Bundok ng Tsokolate )

(Tagbilaran Bohol – Visayas)

It is said that in the early times, the island of Bohol in the Visayas is a vast mass of dry land.  Rice fields tend to crack under the heat of the sun. During the rainy season, the dusty land turns into a stream of mud. It is only during the  rice season that the fields turn into a refreshing sea of green.

It was one day during the rainy season that two giants came into the land of Bohol. One of them was from the north and the other was from the south. Not for long, the two giants met eye to eye. The tension between the two rivals filled the air.

"Hey! You ugly giant! Stay away from my land!," said the South Giant. "Leave and look for your own land to conquer!"

"You must be mistaken! I  am here first!," answered the North Giant. "If you want, you leave!"

"This cannot be happening!" shouted the South Giant with a stomp. The whole ground shook. Since it has just rained, the ground was muddy. The giant scooped mud from the ground and threw it on the other giant. The North Giant also scooped and formed his own balls of mud and threw it back on his opponent.

The battle of the two giants became intense. Balls of mud were thrown back and forth. The townspeople gathered to watch the two opposing giants. Each one used all of his might to best the other. No one gave up until both of them ran out of energy. Because of the exhausting duel, both of the two giants fell on the ground and died. What was left of their heated fight were hills of mud from the thrown mud balls.  Since then, the townspeople lived peacefully on their land along the hills.

During the summer seasons, these hills seem like chocolate candies, especially  from top view. This is the reason why it became known as chocolate hills. During the rainy seasons, however, these hills become covered with lush green vegetation. 


Translated from Rene Alba's "Mga Alamat Pilipino (Para sa Mag-aaral)", published 1914 by Century Publications.

A Legend From Poland – The Dragon of Krakow

Poland – The Dragon of Krakow

Long ago in Poland’s early history, On the River Vistula, there was a small settlement of wooden huts inhabited by peaceful people who farmed the land and plied their trades. Near this village was Wawel Hill. In the side of Wawel Hill was a deep cave. The entrance was overgrown with tall, grass, bushes, and weeds. No man had ever ventured inside that cave, and some said that a fearsome dragon lived within it.

The young people of the village didn’t believe in the dragon. The old people of the village said that they had heard their fathers tell of a dragon who slept in the cave, and no man must dare waken it, or there would be dire consequences for them all. Some of the youths decided to explore the cave and put an end to such foolish talk. They thought that they knew better and dragons were just old stories from the past. A group of these young people took some torches and went to the cave. They slowly entered the cave until they came to a dark mass of scales blocking their way and the sound of heavy breathing. The boys ran as the dragon awakened and roared. Fire came from it’s mouth warming the boys heels and backs. When they were far enough away, they looked back and saw the dragon at the entrance of the cave, very angry being awakened from it’s sleep. From that day on, the people knew no peace.

Every day the dragon appeared and carried off a sheep or preferably young virgins. The populace made many attempts to kill the dragon but nothing succeeded and many of those that attempted were killed. The hero in this part of the story differs. In the village lived a wise man, or a shoemaker or a shoe makers apprentice named Krakus or Krac. He got some sheep and mixed a thick, yellow paste from sulfur. Krakus smeared it all over the animals. Then led them to a place where the dragon would see them. The dragon came out as expected, saw the sheep, roared, rushed down the hill and devoured the sheep. The dragon had a terrible fire within him, and a terrible thirst. It rushed to the River Vistula and started drinking. It drank and drank and could not stop. The dragon began to swell, but still it drank more and more. It went on drinking till suddenly there was a great explosion, and the dragon burst. There was great rejoicing by the people. Krakus, was made ruler of the village, and they built a stronghold on Wawel Hill.

The country prospered under the rule of Krakus and a city grew up around the hill which was called Krakow, in honour of Krakus. When Krakus died, the people gave him a magnificent burial, and erected a mound over his tomb which can be seen to this day. The people brought earth with their own hands to the mound, and it has endured through all the centuries as a memorial to the person that killed the dragon of Krakow.