José Rizal wrote the Legend of Maria Makiling, about a beautiful woman named Mariang Makiling who lived in the mountains of Laguna. She would come to town and sell fruits from the mountain, giving the money to the poor. A young farmer fell in love with her after seeing her in town. When he followed her into the woods one day, he lost track of her. Local folklore says Mariang Makiling still haunts the mountain, and those who try to take the mountain's fruits home with them will get lost. The story warns against trespassing on the mountain.

1. Literature of Region IV
(Southern Tagalog)
Prose

2. I. Tittle:
Legend of Maria Makiling
By Dr. Jose P. Rizal

3. II. Short account of the Author:
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
Born on June 19, 1861 in Calamba, Laguna
Died: December 30, 1896 (aged 35)
Bagumbayan, Manila
Cause of death: Execution by firing squad
Monuments: Rizal Park, Manila, Calamba, Laguna
Nationality: Filipino
Other names Pepe
Alma mater: Ateneo Municipal de Manila, University of Santo
Tomas, Universidad Central de Madrid
Organization: La Solidaridad, La Liga Filipina
Religion: Roman Catholicism
Spouse(s): Josephine Bracken (1896)
Child: Francísco Rizal y Bracken (who died after birth)
Parents:Francisco Rizal Mercado (father)
Teodora Alonso (mother)

4. He went to Madrid at Universidad Central de
Madrid and in 1885 at the age of 24; he finished
his course in Philosophy and Letters with a
grade of "Excellent".
He took graduate studies in Paris, France &
Heidelberg, Germany. He also studied painting,
sculpture, he learned to read and write in at least 10
languages.

5. Rizal was a prolific writer and was anti-violence. He
rather fight using his pen than his might.
Rizal's two books "Noli Me Tangere" (Touch Me Not)
which he wrote while he was in Berlin, Germany in 1887
and "El Filibusterismo" (The Rebel) in Ghent, Belgiun in
1891 exposed the cruelties of the Spanish friars in the
Philippines, the defects of the Spanish administration and
the vices of the clergy, these books told about the
oppression of the Spanish colonial rule. These two books
made Rizal as a marked man to the Spanish friars.

6. III. Setting:
In the Province of Laguna (Region
IV) is a steep mountain called
Makiling.

7. IV. Character and Characterization:
1. Mariang Makiling - It is said in the old days she used
to come to town with a basket full of fruits on her head
which she sold in the market place. The money she got for
the fruit she later distributed among the poor. Her face was
soft and fair and her black hair flowed down to her ankles.
2. Young Farmer – who had fallen in love with Mariang
Makiling.

8. V. Plot:
A. Kind of plot:
Linear Plot
B. Summary of the Story:
Exposition
One day, a young Farmer who had fallen in love with her beauty
followed her secretly into the woods.
Complication
However, she went so quickly through the forest growth that he lost
her. He waited for her on the next market day, but she did not come
to town that day nor did she come on any day thereafter.

9. Crisis
The young man went into the woods to search for her but she
never came back.
Climax
Some say he found her. Some say she was lost and that he died in
the woods without seeing her again. To this day the old folks
believe Mariang Makiling still haunts the mountain.
Denouement
The mountain is covered with many fruit-bearing trees. You may
eat all the fruit you wish but do not bring any of it home. If you
do, then you will lose your way. The insects will sting you. And the
very trunks of the trees will play trick on your eyes.

10. Ending
Mariang Makiling will lead you completely astray. If prudent,
you will throw away all fruits you had intended to take out.
Also, you will turn your clothes inside out to assure the good
fairy that you are hiding none of her fruits on your person. Only
then might Mariang Makiling relent and lead you back on the
right trail.

11. VI. Literary Devices:
- Foreshadowing
VII. Point of View:
- First-Person Point of View

12. VIII. Theme:
No Tresspasing !