Philippine Folklore Stories — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Philippine Folklore Stories
John Stuart Mill · en
The villages are a thing of the past. The modern city of Manila now
stands on the banks of the Pasig.
The nights here are very beautiful. The breeze sighs softly through
the palm trees and the golden moon gleams on the waters of Manila Bay.
On the shore the waves break gently and little balls of silver light
go rushing up the beach. Wise men say that the water is full of
phosphorus. But they have never heard the story of the Silver Shower.
The Faithlessness of Sinogo
Somewhere off the northern coast of Mindanao a strong current begins
to travel northward. It runs to the island of Siquijor and then,
turning slightly to the east, goes racing between the islands of Cebu
and Negros. At the narrow entrance between San Sebastian and Ayucatan
it breaks up into hundreds of small whirlpools that make the water
hiss and bubble for a distance of nearly three miles.
For steamers and large boats there is not the slightest danger,
but to the native in his little sacayan with its bamboo outriggers
these whirlpools are objects of dread and fear. He will go miles out
of his way to escape them. If you inquire as to the reason, he will
explain that the Liloan, or whirlpool, is a thing always to be avoided,
and then he will tell you the story of Sinogo.
Years and years ago, when Maguayan ruled the sea and the terrible
Captan launched his thunderbolts from above, the water and air were
filled with swimming and flying monsters. Those that lived in the air
were armed with great teeth and sharp claws; but, though they were
fierce and savage, they lived together in peace, for they feared the
anger of their master Captan.
In the sea, however, all was not so peaceful, for some of the
monsters were so huge and savage and so confident in their strength
that Maguayan could do nothing with them. He lived in constant fear
of attack from these fierce subjects and finally, in despair, called
on Captan to help him in his trouble.
Accordingly Captan sent his swift messengers to every part of the
earth, air, and sea, and ordered that a council of all the creatures
in the world should be held. He named the little island of Caueli in
the center of the Sulu Sea as the meeting place, and commanded all
to hasten there without delay.
Soon the members of the council began to arrive, and the sky was
darkened by flying monsters, and the water boiled as the terrible
reptiles of the sea rushed to the place appointed.
In a short time the little island was crowded with these dreadful
creatures. There were huge Buayas from Mindanao, fierce Tic-bolans
from Luzon, savage Sigbins from Negros and Bohol, hundreds of Unglocs
from Panay and Leyte, and great Uak Uaks and other frightful monsters
from Samar and Cebu. They grouped themselves in a large circle around
a golden throne on which sat Captan and Maguayan, and while waiting
the commands of their master filled the air with shrieks and howls.