LINGANAY: Legend of Alangalang Leyte

LINGGANAY is term familiar with Cebuano or Hiligaynon speaking people.

But in many places, people can easily understand "Campana" in Espaol, as translation to bell
than the vernacular batingaw or lingganay.
Church Bells, or lingganay played an important role during important activities during the
Spanish-era, this is also the means of communicating people and to warn them against
imminent danger. During Moro raids, coastal settlements in Luzon and Visayas islands, rang
their church bell during invasion, prompting its settlers to flee for safety in the hinterland.
Church Bells, or lingganay also layed vital role in the relationship of the Spanish missionaries
and the people of this country during the colonization. During church rituals and celebrations,
the priest/ clergies rang the bell to call the parishioners to participate these celebrations.
An Lingganay "the Golden Bell"
Around 16th centuries, Fleet of colorful moro vintas raided the towns in Leyte, especially
those along the coast. They came during the monsoon period, and their principal object was to
plunder, neutralizing along the track and capturing, taking some as slaves.
But in Alangalang, the pirates have a different purpose. They had heard and was fascinated
about a tale of an extraordinary golden bell that can resonate a sound so strong that will be
heard miles away.
And indeed there was a bell, a golden one that had been entrusted under the supervision of
Father Baysa, a Franciscan missionary.
The colorful moro pirates came in several raids, but each time, the townsfolk would be warned
by those who kept guard at distance and carry the golden bell to a safe hiding location.
One time, however, the moro pirates caught the people off-guard and then the shocked people
fled hastily with the bell. As they were closing to the "Bagka River" they saw the moro pirates
not far behind them, so rather than allowing their treasured bell to fall into the pirate's hands,
they dropped it into the deepest part of the river.
After the moro pirates had been driven away, the people tried to get back the bell, but no
matter how long and how hard they searched for it, they never found the bell. To this day,
many say that now and then the sound of a bell can be heard faintly coming from the bottom of
the "Bagka River".
Pit senyor!.