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The Legend of Maria Makiling

According to legend, there was a time when the gods could live like
ordinary mortals do. Although these gods w~re enchanted, they could_speak,
love, and even go to the market like what people do in our time. This story
tells what happened to the daughter of two such deities. This is the story of
Maria Makiling.
Two deities, Dayang Maki/ing and Gat Panahon, 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.
At that time people could talk with the deities face to face, and even sit
with them side by side underneath a tree. People could also ask for help
when they were in need, prov~ded that they asked in a solemn manner.
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. Maria had long, black abundant hair which she usually
decorated with pomelo flowers . When she went to the market, her flowing
hair would touch her ankles. As she passed along, gallant men would bow
their heads 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.
These golden ginger Maria would barter for such 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, the residents of the area were not the only ones who
would go to the talipapa . Merchants and people from neighboring towns
would also go to the ~arket. On~ day, Gat Dula, the ruler of the kingdom of
Bay, came to the tal,papa to while away the hours. A piece of animal skin
with fine hair caught Gat Dula's eye and he reached out to touch the fur. At
the same moment, Maria was also reaching towards the same piece of
animal skin and their shoulders accidentally touched . Their eyes met and Gal
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.
Since that first encounter, Gat Dula often visited the talipapa but he was
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not a_~le to see Maria during these visits. One day, he saw Mari?_a!_the v_erv /
 - ---. _ _-- _------hecfMElriB 8nd 'g reeted her 8nd Maria i
Place where- tiieY-fiis(IT1et.-H8 approaC l
i responded with a very sweet smile . . friends hip whic h blossomed into love '.
l _T hat was the beginning of th eir en Gat Dula and Maria cam e to be 1

! as time passed . The love affair betwhe r Gat Panahon was angry. Even i
k r1own t G · ,5 tat e ·
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~t Panahon , Mana distressed that her only daughter w as
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. ayang Ma k!ling , Maria's mother, was forbidden to go down to earth . Her I
j
1n love w,·th a mortal. Mana ·
was
then
wer of
,
enchantment which enabled i
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' pare~ts even took away from Maria_the pmortal. But even though Maria a nd J

l a deity to look and act like an ordinary . M · ,

Gat Dtila Id et physically, their love endured . a ria 1
cou no longer me . • L k !

continued to watch over Gat Dula. ounng a b~ttle with the _army of a an l
Bunto, the ruler of a neighboring kingdom who invaded the kingdom of B~~, I
G a t Dula did not suffer a single wound due to the support of Maria s
l e nchantment.
. Unfortunately, Gat Dula's inability to see Maria caused him to fail ill and 1

die . Maria implored the gods to give her the soul of Gat Dula and her request J

was granted. I
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1 A lege,1d is a story or a narrative from the past or is believed to have

I been historical. Legends concern people, places, and events . ~suatly,. the
j subi_ect is a king, a hero. or a famous person. It is always associated with a
I particular place and a particular time in history. ·

I Legends are not true, but they are based on facts, such as a real
person , a place or an event. The hero myths are like legends, but legendary

mythical heroes don't.

I Its focus is also on the adventure plot rather than the message. 1
f Folktales tend to be about ordinary people and animals, and folktales are set

I in a particular time period. Nature myths can be a bit like folktales , but the
f purpose of folktales is usually for entertainment. \
Legends are believed to be about more recent events and, like myths
they may al so deal with stories which explain the origin of things, places and
: their names, plants, animals and others. They are also us'ed to teach lessons
in life.

Source: http://aboutphi/ippines.phlfilerltoledo-cebu/Myths-Folktales-and-Legends.pdf on
Julr 7, 2015
This is Good to Know!
Settinf! is the time and place in which a story takes place. Several aspe~ts of
narrative's setting need to be considered in examining how they contnbute
to a story. ·

Place - (Geographical location)

. Where is the action of the story taking place?
Time - (Historical period, time of the day, year, etc.)
When is it taking place?
Weather Condition - Is it cloudy, sunny, etc.
Social Condition - (Focusing on the. speech, dress, mannerisms, customs,
etc. of a particular place)
Does the story contain local color or cultural expressions typical in a ·
setting? What is the daily life of the characters like?
Mood or Atmosphere - What feeling is conveyed at the start of the story? Is
it happy and cheerful or sad and frightening?

Source: Anderson, R . et.al. (1989) . Elements of Literature, Second Course. United States
of America: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc.