FORM 1

Mapping of Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage

Category: Oral Traditions and Expressions, including Language

NAME OF THE ELEMENT: Daragang Magayon

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
TYPE: [ ] Proverbs [/] Legends [ ] Poems
[ ] Riddles [ ] Myths [ ] Charm
[ ] Tales [ ] Epic [ ] Prayer
[ ] Nursery rhymes [ ] Song [ ] Chant
[ ] Dramatic performance [ ] Other _______________

PHOTO/REFERENCE IMAGE:

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND RANGE OF THE ELEMENT:

Daragang Magayon is the heroine that appears in the legend of Mt. Mayon in Albay, Philippines. Her
name means “beautiful lady” (“daraga” - “lady or maiden”; “magayon” - “beautiful”). As the days followed,
they saw the grave rising higher and higher, accompanied by muffled rumblings, earthquakes, and red-hot
boulders bursting from the crater. When this occurs, old folks believe that Pagtuga, aided by Linog,
agitates the volcano to get back his gifts, which following ancient custom, was buried with Magayon.

RELATED DOMAINS OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE:

[ ] Performing arts
[ ] Social practices, rituals and festive events
[ /] Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe
[ ] Traditional craftsmanship

II. DESCRIPTION OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

A. Summary of the Element
Magayon was the only daughter of Makusog (strong), the tribal chief of Rawis, and Dawani (rainbow), who
died shortly after giving birth to her. She grew up to be a very beautiful and sweet woman that struck the
swains from faraway tribes who vied for her attention. However, none of these young men could captivate
the heart of Magayon, not even the handsome but haughty Pagtuga (eruption), a hunter and the chief of
the Iriga tribe. He gave fabulous gifts to Magayon, yet it was not enough to capture her attention.
One day, Daragang Magayon was bathing in the Yawa river when she slipped on the rocks. Unfortunately,
she did not know how to swim. Panganoron was passing by and saw what was happening to Daragang
Magayon, so he saved her from the river. He began to court her, and after some time Magayon accepted
his proposal and he received her father's blessings.
However, when Pagtuga knew about the relationship between Panganoron and Magayon, Pagtuga
kidnapped Magayon's father and asked Magayon to be his wife in exchange for her father's freedom.
Panganoron knew about the situation so he asked his warriors to join him in the war with Pagtuga in the
mountains. The war was fierce and breathtaking. The people and Magayon watched the war between the
two of them. In the end, Panganoron killed Pagtuga. Upon his victory, Magayon ran to embrace her lover.
As Magayon ran toward her lover, an arrow shot by one of Pagtuga's warriors struck Panganoron, killing
him. Magayon held Panganoron as he died in her arms.
Pagtuga's warriors surrounded the lovers as Magayon took the knife from Panganoron's side and shouted
Panganoron's name before stabbing herself. Her father and tribesmen witnessed how Magayon died with
her lover.
Her father buried them together. As time went on, they noticed something about the place where Makusog
buried the lovers: It started to form into a volcano, and when the people saw it, Makusog named it Mt.
Mayon, after his daughter's name. Mt. Mayon is as beautiful as Daragang Magayon.
Some people said that it's a curse because she took her own life, but myths and legends said Magayon is
the volcano and Panganoron is the clouds that surround the beautiful volcano.

B. Culture-bearer/s and Practitioner/s of the Element

Daragang Magayon is the heroine that appears in the legend of Mt. Mayon in Albay, Philippines. Her
name means “beautiful lady” (“daraga” - “lady or maiden”; “magayon” - “beautiful”). As the days followed,
they saw the grave rising higher and higher, accompanied by muffled rumblings, earthquakes, and red-hot
boulders bursting from the crater. When this occurs, old folks believe that Pagtuga, aided by Linog,
agitates the volcano to get back his gifts, which following ancient custom, was buried with Magayon.

On certain days, when the tip of the volcano is covered by clouds, old folks say that Panginorin is kissing
Magayon, and afterwards, rain trickles caressingly down the gentle slopes of the volcano, with the
insistence that it was the tears of Panginorin.

They named the volcano as “Bulkang Magayon”, describing its perfect cone-shape, like the beauty of
Daragang Magayon. But as time passed, the name “Magayon” was shortened and it became “Mayon”.

C. Mode of transmission

This legend also teaches us to accept the fact or the reality. Let us don't imitate Patugo who couldn't
accept the fact that he will not be loved by Daragang Magayon that's why he decided to do such hideous
thing. In our lives we need to admit that we can't get everything we want.

D. LIST OF SIGNIFICANT TANGIBLE MOVABLE HERITAGE USED/ASSOCIATED WITH THE

ELEMENT:
Name of Photo Year Use of the object in the
Object produce practice
d
or
estimate
d age
Manungg The Manunggul Jar is
ul Jar a secondary burial jar
excavated from
890–710 a Neolithic burial site in the
B.C. Manunggul cave of
the Tabon Caves at Lipuun
Point in Palawan, Philippine
s. It dates from 890–710
B.C.[2] and the two
prominent figures at the top
handle of its cover
represent the journey of the
soul to the afterlife.
Mayon A popular tourist spot, it is
Volcano renowned for its "perfect
cone" because of its
symmetric conical shape,
20,000 and is regarded as very
years sacred in Philippine
mythology. The volcano
with its surrounding
landscape was declared a
national park on July 20,
1938, the first in the nation.

Cagsawa The Cagsawa Ruins (also

Ruins spelled as Kagsawa,
historically spelled as
16th- Cagsaua) are the remnants
century of a 16th-century
Franciscan church, the
Cagsawa church. It was
originally built in the town of
Cagsawa in 1587 but was
burned down and destroyed
by Dutch pirates in 1636.

E. LIST OF SIGNIFICANT FLORA/FAUNA USED/ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELEMENT:

Name of Photo Use of the flora/fauna in
Flora/Fauna the practice
 Bicol Trade Magayon (Beautiful)
Product festival is a month-long
festivity this year. The
festival main objective is
to provide fun and
excitement but also
another opportunity to
promote and enhance
trade and tourism efforts
for Albay
LAVA FLOWS - which solidify to form two
types of lava rock:
PAHOEHOE (ropy
texture) and AA (sharp-
edged, blocky texture)

III. STORIES/NARRATIVES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELEMENT

Magayon was the only daughter of Makusog (strong), the tribal chief of Rawis, and Dawani (rainbow), who
died shortly after giving birth to her. She grew up to be a very beautiful and sweet woman that struck the
swains from faraway tribes who vied for her attention. However, none of these young men could captivate
the heart of Magayon, not even the handsome but haughty Pagtuga (eruption), a hunter and the chief of
the Iriga tribe. He gave fabulous gifts to Magayon, yet it was not enough to capture her attention.
One day, Daragang Magayon was bathing in the Yawa river when she slipped on the rocks. Unfortunately,
she did not know how to swim. Panganoron was passing by and saw what was happening to Daragang
Magayon, so he saved her from the river. He began to court her, and after some time Magayon accepted
his proposal and he received her father's blessings.
However, when Pagtuga knew about the relationship between Panganoron and Magayon, Pagtuga
kidnapped Magayon's father and asked Magayon to be his wife in exchange for her father's freedom.
Panganoron knew about the situation so he asked his warriors to join him in the war with Pagtuga in the
mountains. The war was fierce and breathtaking. The people and Magayon watched the war between the
two of them. In the end, Panganoron killed Pagtuga. Upon his victory, Magayon ran to embrace her lover.
As Magayon ran toward her lover, an arrow shot by one of Pagtuga's warriors struck Panganoron, killing
him. Magayon held Panganoron as he died in her arms.
Pagtuga's warriors surrounded the lovers as Magayon took the knife from Panganoron's side and shouted
Panganoron's name before stabbing herself. Her father and tribesmen witnessed how Magayon died with
her lover.
Her father buried them together. As time went on, they noticed something about the place where Makusog
buried the lovers: It started to form into a volcano, and when the people saw it, Makusog named it Mt.
Mayon, after his daughter's name. Mt. Mayon is as beautiful as Daragang Magayon.
Some people said that it's a curse because she took her own life, but myths and legends said Magayon is
the volcano and Panganoron is the clouds that surround the beautiful volcano.
IV. SIGNIFICANCE

Historical- In Philippine folklore two lovers named, Daragang Magayon and Panganoron,  feature in a
folktale that explains how Mount Mayon, a active stratovolcano on the island of Luzon in the Philippine
archipelago was formed and was named.  The volcano and story of the two lovers hit the headlines in
January 2018 when an eruption spurted forth lava and smoke. Many people believed they saw an image
in the fumes that resembled two lovers. Another image appeared in the lava flow that resembled the figure
of a woman.  Many people associated the perceived images with the story and presented here is a
version of the legend.

Aesthetic- Mayon Volcano Sometimes Daragang Magayon is like a shy bride hiding behind a veil of
clouds.

Scientifi- Magayon was the only daughter of Makusog (strong), the tribal chief of Rawis, and Dawani
(rainbow), who died shortly after giving birth to her. She grew up to be a very beautiful and sweet woman
that struck the swains from faraway tribes who vied for her attention. However, none of these young men
could captivate the heart of Magayon, not even the handsome but haughty Pagtuga (eruption), a hunter
and the chief of the Iriga tribe. He gave fabulous gifts to Magayon, yet it was not enough to capture her
attention.

Social- Panganoron asked Makusog's permission to marry Daragang Magayon. But Makusog. could not
permit them to marry. Tribal law forbade marriage outside of the clan.

Ispiritual- In Philippine folklore two lovers named, Daragang Magayon and Panganoron,  feature in a
folktale that explains how Mount Mayon, a active stratovolcano on the island of Luzon in the Philippine
archipelago was formed and was named. 

V. ASSESSMENT OF THE PRACTICE

A. CONDITION/STATUS OF THE PRACTICE

Since the Alert Level status of Mayon Volcano was lowered from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 0 last 30 July
2021, monitored parameters have been generally unremarkable. 

B. CONSTRAINTS/ THREATS/ ISSUES/ CHALLENGES:

Mayon Volcano is located 300 km South East of Manila in the Philippines. It is 2,460 metres above sea
level and has a base circumference of 62.8 km. There have been 45 eruptions recorded since 1616; the
last eruption being in February 1993 when 70 people were killed by pyroclastic flow (hot clouds of ash and
gas).
C. MEASURES AND DESCRIPTION OF SAFEGUARDING MEASURES TAKEN:
[ /] transmission, particularly through formal education
[ ] transmission, particularly through non-formal education
[ ] identification, documentation, research
[ ] preservation, protection
[ ] promotion, enhancement
[ ] revitalization
Description of Safeguarding Measures Taken:

Her name means “beautiful lady” (“daraga” - “lady or maiden”; “magayon” - “beautiful”). As the days
followed, they saw the grave rising higher and higher, accompanied by muffled rumblings, earthquakes,
and red-hot boulders bursting from the crater. When this occurs, old folks believe that Pagtuga, aided by
Linog, agitates the volcano to get back his gifts, which following ancient custom, was buried with
Magayon.

VI. REFERENCES
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION:
[ ] Audio/video recording
[ /] Photographs and sketches
[ ] Others (e.g. Music notations etc.

KEY INFORMANT/S:

Mayon Volcano, active volcano, southeastern Luzon, Philippines, dominating the city of Legaspi.

Called the world’s most perfect volcanic cone because of the symmetry of its shape, it has a base
80 miles (130 km) in circumference and rises to 8,077 feet (2,462 metres) from the shores of Albay
Gulf.
 
REFERENCE/S AND OTHER RESOURCES:

https://en.wikipedia.org

 https://pinoy-culture.tumblr.com

NAME OF MAPPER/S: Marlon C. Celorico

 
DATE PROFILED: Nov. 23, 2022