The legend of Maria Makiling tells the story of the daughter of two deities, Dayang Makiling and Gat Panahon, named Maria. Maria was known for her beauty and charm. She would accompany her servants to the local market, where she first met the ruler of Bay, Gat Dula. The two fell in love after several encounters at the market. However, Maria's parents forbade her from seeing Gat Dula again and took away her ability to live as a mortal. Despite this, Maria continued to watch over and protect Gat Dula with her powers. When Gat Dula fell ill from missing Maria, she was able to obtain his soul from the gods so they could be
2. Acording to legend,there was atime
when the gods could live like ordinary
mortals do. Although these gods were
enchanted,
3. they could speak, love and even go to the
market like what people do in our time.
4. This story tells what happened to the
daughter or two such deities. This is the
story of Maria Makiling.
5. Two deities, Dayang
Makiling and Gat
panahon, had an only
daughter named Maria.
Because of her beauty
and charm, she was the
delight of her parents.
6. The sources of their joy and strength, Maria was, to them, a jewel, a
treasure that made life full of light and laughter.
7. At that , pople could talk with e deities
face to face, and even sit with them
side by side underneath a tree. People
coud also ask fo help when they were
in need provided that they asked in a
solemn manner.
8. It was the custom of Maria to go to a small market, 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.
9. Maria had long, black abundant hair which she
usually decoreted with pemolo flowers, When she
went to the market, her flowing hair would touch her
ankles. As ahe passed along, gallant men would bow
their heads to signify their respect.
10. When Maria went to the market, she was
always accompanied by two Aetas, who
served as her servants.
11. 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, the residents of the area were
not the only ones who would go to the talipapa.
12. These two servants stayed close behind Maria,
and they both carried a basket each that was
full of golden ginger Maria would barter for
such items needed for the home.
13. One day, Gat Dula, the ruler of the kingdom of Bay, came to the
talipapa to while away the hours.
14. A piece of animal skin with fine hair caught Gat Dula's eye and
he reached out to touch the fur.
15. At the same moment, Maria was also reaching
towards the same piece of animal skin and their
shoulders accidentally touched.
16. Their eyes met and Gat Dula bowed his head as a sign of
respect and apology. And Maria responded with a shy smile as
they parted from each other's company.
17. Since that first encounter, Gat Dula often visited the
talipapa but he was not able to see Maria during
these visits.
18. One day, he saw Maria at the very place where they
first met. He approached Maria and greeted her and
Maria responded with a very sweet smile.
20. The love affair between
Gar Dula and Maria
came to be knownto Gat
Panahon, Maria's father.
Gat Panahon was angry.
Even Dayang Makiling,
Maria's mother, was
distressed that her only
daughter was in love
with a mortal.
21. Maria was then forbidden
to go down to earth. They
even took away from Maria
the power of enchantment
which enabled a deity to
look and act like an
ordinary mortal.
22. But even though Maria and Gat
Dula could no longer meet
physically, their love endured.
Maria continued to watch over
Gat Dula.
23. During a battle with the army of
Lakan Bunto, the ruler of a
neighboring kingdom who invaded
the kingdom of Bay , Gat Duls did not
suffer a single wound due to the
support of Maria's enchantment.