the preety mount makiling

the preety mount makiling

Once upon a time lived two deities, Dayang Makiling and Gat Panahon. They had an only 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.

Maria had long, back abundant hair which reached her ankles and she usually decorated with flowers.

When she went to the market, her flowing hair would saw around her ankles. She had a pair of such tantalizing eyes that passed along, gallant men would bow their heads to signify their respect.


One day Gat Dula, the ruler of the kingdom of Bay, come to the market in Makiling. He belonged to a royal family and he came not really for bartering as such, but just to whittle away the hours. Maria Makiling happened to be there, too. 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.

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, However, Gat Dula noticed the trace of a shy smile on the lips of Maria.

Since that first encounter, Gat Dula often visited the market. Unluckily, he was not able to see Maria during these visits. Until one day when he saw Maria at the place 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. Beside a murmuring brook in the forest, they discovered their feelings of unspoken love. And they could not even open their lips to speak out what was in their hearts.

As time passed the love affair between Maria and Gat Dula became known to Maria's parents. Of course, Gat Panahon was angry. And even Dayang Makiling, Maria's mother, suffered silently with the knowledge that their only daughter was in love, not with a deity but with a mortal.

Gat Panahon and Dayang Makiling prohibited Maria from going back to earth. Her parents even took back the Maria's 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. Even when Maria could no longer go down to 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 like a dream. Yet his love for Maria remained true.

During those time, wars between neighboring kingdom were quite often. Gat Dula whatever was able to defeat the invaders. He did not suffer even a single wound. He was supported by Maria's enchantment. The inspiring love of maiden served as his armor. Gat Dula won many other battles. But he could not 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.

Today Mount Makiling raise majestically, a towering symbol of strength and Nature's beauty. And to beholders, an apt reminder of the Maria Makiling.

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