Myths, Legends, and Folk tales in Negros Island Region

KAN-LAON
SUPREME DEITY 

Kan-Laon was considered the Supreme god who started the chain of events that started the making of the world by Ancient Visayans who live in Negros Island. They also believed that he resides in the upper heavens, and the entrance to his domain can be found in the peak or heart of the Kan-Laon volcano, and in oral tradition was a sacred mountain that he turned into a volcano. In some stories, he is usually portrayed as a dignified, peace-loving elder gentleman who lived in a magical hut on the peak of the volcano itself, living away from society, although sometimes people find themselves on his land. Eventually he disappeared in the heart of the volcano to his own domain, never to be bothered with the mortal world, after experiencing disappointment with the early people disobeying his orders. Others even believed Kan-Laon was a goddess due to the volatile, unpredictable nature of the volcano which reflects the mysteries of a woman. Kan-laon is also regarded as the god of time and cosmic movements, and though there are other gods who share his title, the Negrense people in the olden days believed he is the supreme deity that dictates the course of time, and can change any event that he wishes, although there are not enough stories that tells us that he ever interfered with the lives of the people after disappearing inside the Kanlaon volcano which forever bears his name. 

The volcano itself is a pilgrimage site for the Negrense babaylans, hermits, mangkukulams, sorcerers etc. where they come often to meditate, reflect and connect with Kan-Laon himself. The volcano itself is surrounded by various fauna, and it is not unusual to see a babaylan or two in the old days finding herbs and ingredients for their works that are considered magical, including ingredients for Kamangyan (incense) which they burn for their rituals and worshipping their deities, especially during sacrifices and special occasions. The top of the volcano, where people believed were his house stood before , is said to be a nexus of spiritual energy, specifically positive energy, which was vital for babaylans who were seen as leaders of faith in their communities and by the local healers to be able to do their spiritual works. They trek upwards the sacred areas of the volcano, offer their prayers, gifts and sacrifices as thanksgiving and meditate there to soak up on this good energy from time to time. Kan-laon's worship was so strong and widespread in Negros Island, that even when the Spanish conquistadores came, and introduced Christianity, they found it very hard to totally convert his loyal followers, it even led to babaylans and magic-practitioners to abandon their villages to live on the mountain as hermits, just like the Ati tribesmen of the island who live near the volcano and paid homage to Kan-Laon since time immemorial. Kan-laon is one of the few gods of the Visayan pantheon who's fame still survives and the volcano which forever bears his name still bears witness to the few hermits and atis that make the pilgrimage till this modern age and has also attracted the curiosity and fascination of tourists, both foreign and local through the years. There is even a popular belief around Negros Occidental and Oriental that when the volcano trembles and erupts, it means Kan-Laon's peace was disturbed or there was great sacrilege committed on the volcano itself.

When Kan-Laon left the mortal realm when he entered the volcano, a strange creation came into being and was made to guard the enchanted forests on top of the volcano, so that greedy people will not be able to use Kan-Laon's territory for their wicked plans.

In the peak and impenetrable forest of Mt. Kanlaon there lived the magkupo, the huge serpent with the rooster’s crown and a rooster’s powerful crow, who stayed under the kamandag tree near the crater of the volcano. The magkupo had fins on its sides. It did not crawl on the ground as other snakes did but would move from tree to tree by winding its long body on a tree trunk, ease its head forward to reach another tree where it will coil itself. Thus, it was called magkupo (pronounced with a stress on the last syllable), which means to “stick on” or “embrace.” It hides deep n the forest canopy, waiting to strike or scare away evil people who dare disturb Kan-Laon's peace.

Taken from: A History of Negros Occidental, by Modesto P. Sa-Onoy

The Sentinel Rock: This rock forms the face of the Protector of the Forest,
which has been adapted by the Sentinel Mountaineers as part of their logo.
photo credits: http://talesofthelonelysperm.blogspot.com

Related Kanlaon story: Variant Legend of Mt. Kanlaon

Kan-Laon and the farmers

Once upon a time, in the Island of Negros on the top of Mt. Kanlaon, lived a deity called Kan-laon. He was the supreme being of the Negrenses and they believed it was him who caused the creation of the world and that the mountain (it wasn't a volcano yet.) served as his home. One day, a group of eager tobacco farmers, was able to reach the top of the volcano and was greeted by him. One woman said " Oh great Kan-Laon, we are humbled by your presence, would you allow us tobacco farmers to use some of your land to plant our crop? " It just so happens Kan-Laon was in a good mood and gave his consent to the farmers. " I will allow you to use my land, just as long as you do not plant near my house on the crater." Kan-Laon said. He then drew a line around the top of the mountain and showed it to the farmers and told them they should never exceed this limit. The farmers complied, and they made sure they never went past the line when they planted their crops, and everything went well. One day however, Kan-Laon told them " I must leave you and meditate. So please remember, never stray beyond the line." and with that warning, he disappeared, without giving them a hint of when he will be coming back. For several years, the farmers kept their promise and never strayed, and their tobacco continued to multiply, but soon, almost the entire mountain was covered by their crop and they have nowhere else to plant. One brave farmer dared to plant his tobacco beyond the line, which earned the dismay of his colleagues, causing them to get angry at him. However, days went by and nothing bad happened to him or his crops. "Maybe Kan-laon went to other places and is never coming back!" he said, which prompted his colleagues to join him in planting the tobacco beyond the line. A few more years went by, and suddenly Kan-Laon returned and he was dismayed to see that his home was now a tobacco plantation. He silently waved a finger, and all the tobacco plants dried up, sorted themselves into bundles beside him. The farmers knelt down and begged his forgiveness, and forgive them he did. They also asked him if they can plant their crops again on the mountain, to which Kan-Laon replied " You can only plant here again once I have finished smoking all these tobacco bundles!". With a blink of an eye, a crater appeared from the line he drew around the area, and Kan-Laon proceeded to go down with the bundles of tobacco following him, never to be seen again, turning the mountain into a volcano. When locals see the volcano smoke rising upwards, they tell their children that the smoke coming out of it is coming from Kan-Laon himself, enjoying the tobacco of their ancestors!

Siquijor – Magic and Mystery

Probably one of the best known among these places in the Philippines is the island of Siquijor. Many people have tried to document and explore what the mystery really is. Other people have even produced films that center on this mystery island. These evidences support the fact that people’s knowledge about this place is really limited.
The province of Siquijor is known throughout history for its mystery, along with the magic claimed by some of its local residents. These people use magic in doing their jobs serving as shamans, sorcerers and witches for those who are seeking their services. These are the reasons why Siquijor has been dubbed as the magic island.
According to people living around Siquijor, two kinds of witches exist in the province. These are the shamans and the sorcerers. These two groups usually fight against each other. The sorcerers seek to destroy or inflict harm while the shamans are there to heal and to save lives.

Mambabarang – The Local Sorcerers

Sorcerers are locally called the mambabarang. They use their powers to inflict pain, disease or even death to their clients’ enemies. According to sources, the services offered by the mambabarang usually cost between 6,000 to 30,000 pesos. Even people from neighboring provinces such as Dumaguete and Bohol are reported to seek the services of these so-called witches. People sought the black magic of the mambabarang for several reasons like retaliation to theft, land disputes and adultery.
On the other hand, shamans are referred to locally as the mananambal. They are local healers who use their magic to heal diseases and illnesses that are caused by supernatural causes. All the mananambals claim that their powers also come from supernatural sources like saints or the spirits of dead people.
These are the various aspects of magic in Siquijor. The magic and beauty of the place are some of the reasons why people are very much interested to the province. This captivating element of magic is so closely intertwined with the culture of its people that is why it magic is inseparable from the province. Another major reason why the element of magic is so important to the place is the employment that it has given to the many people living in the island.
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Of course this situation is limited to some places only. Some other parts of Siquijor are already progressive and have already adapted to a life that is much very similar to those in other provinces. Nowadays, the element of magic is starting to become part of the very colorful culture and history of Siquijor.

CATALINA OF DUMAGUETE

This is a legend of Dumaguete, the capital of the province of Negros Occidental. From this town can be seen five islands, viz., Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Mindanao, and Siquijor.
There is no one on the great island of Negros who does not love the name of Catalina. Even the wild mountain men speak it with respect, and down in the coast towns at night, when the typhoon is lashing the waters of Tanon Strait, and the rain and wind make the nipa leaves on the roofs dance and rattle, the older people gather their little black-eyed grandchildren around the shell of burning cocoanut oil and tell them her story.
Many years ago there lived in Dumaguete a poor tuba seller named Banog, who made his daily rounds to the houses just as the milkman does in far-off America. But instead of a rattling wagon he had only a long bamboo from which he poured the drink, and in place of sweet milk he left the sap of the cocoanut tree.
The bad custom of mixing tungud, a kind of red bark, with the sap, and thus making of it a strong liquor, had not yet been known, so Banog, though poor, was respected, and the people tried in every way to help him and his daughter Catalina.
Catalina was a beautiful girl of sixteen and very good and industrious, but with many strange ways. She scarcely ever spoke a word and spent most of her time in looking out over the sea. Sometimes she would suddenly stand erect and, clasping her hands, would remain for a long time looking up at the sky as if she saw something that no one else could see. On account of these strange manners the people thought her a wonderful girl and she was supposed to have mysterious powers.
One day many ships came up from the island of Mindanao and hundreds of fierce Moros landed. Shouting and waving their terrible knives, they fell upon the peaceful people and killed many, among them poor Banog. Then they robbed and burned the houses and, seizing all the women they could find, set sail for their great southern island. Among the prisoners was Catalina. With her eyes fixed on the sky she sat very quiet and still in the bow of one of the boats, and though her companions spoke often to her she made no reply.
Suddenly she sprang into the water and a wonderful thing occurred, for, instead of sinking, she walked lightly over the waves toward the distant shore. The Moros were so astonished that they did not try to stop her and she reached the land safely.
Many people who had hidden in the forests ran out to meet her but she spoke to no one. With her eyes still fixed above she walked through the burning town and along the road to Dalugdug, the Thunder mountain, that lies behind Dumaguete.
On Dalugdug there lived a terrible Sigbin. Its body was like that of a monstrous crow, but just under its neck were two long legs like those of a grasshopper, which enabled it to leap great distances without using its wings. It ate any one who came near its home, so when the people saw Catalina start to climb the mountain they begged her to come back. She paid no heed to their cries, however, but went up higher and higher, till her white dress seemed merely a speck on the mountain side.
All at once she seemed to stop and raise her hands. Then a fearful shriek was heard, and the fierce Sigbin came rushing down the mountain. It appeared to be greatly frightened, for it took tremendous leaps and screamed as if in terror. Over the heads of the people it jumped, and, reaching the shore, cleared the narrow channel and disappeared among the mountains of the island of Cebu.
When the people saw that the Sigbin had gone they ran up the mountain and searched everywhere for Catalina, but they could find no trace of her. Sorrowfully they returned to their homes and busied themselves in building new houses and in making their town beautiful once more.
Several years passed in peace and then again the Moro boats came up from Mindanao. The men hurriedly gathered on the beach to meet them, and the women and children hid in the cocoanut groves.
This time the Moros had no quick and easy victory, for the Visayans, armed with bolos and remembering their lost wives and sisters, fought furiously, and for a time drove the enemy before them. But more Moro boats arrived and numbers told against the defenders. Slowly but surely they fell fighting until but a few remained.
Suddenly a bridge of clouds unfolded from Dalugdug to the town, and across it came the lost Catalina holding a beehive in her hands. Then she spoke and thousands of bees flew from the hive to the ground. Again she spoke and waved her hand, and the bees changed into little black men with long sharp spears, who charged the Moros and killed every one of them.
Then Catalina, the hive still in her hand, went back over the bridge and disappeared once more in the mountain.
The people came out of their hiding places, crowding around the little black men and questioning them, but they received no answer. Instead the little warriors gathered together and ran into the forest and up the mountain side, where they were soon lost to view.
Such is the story of Catalina, Since that time Dumaguete has been safe from the Moros. The Sigbin has never returned to Negros. It still lives in the mountains of Cebu and the people are so afraid of it that they lock themselves in their houses after dark and can hardly be induced to come out. Up in the mountains of Negros live the little black men. They are called Negritos and are very savage and wild.
The savior of Dumaguete still lives in Dalugdug and is worshiped by the people. And in the town, now grown into a big busy city, the old people for years to come will tell their grandchildren the story of Catalina.