Mayon Volcano

Was lucky to have taken a picture of Mayon Volcano without the clouds at the tip.

Of all the active volcanoes in the Philippines, Mayon Volcano is considered the most active.  Mayon Volcano is located in the province of Albay and is known for its perfect form because of its symmetrical cone.  It has erupted close to 50 times and its most destructive one was on February 1, 1814 when 2,200 people perished and buried the town of Cagsawa.  Though people die and crops are destroyed every time Mayon Volcano erupts, it has become Albay’s biggest tourist drawer.

Every time I go home to Sorsogon,  I never tire looking at Mt. Mayon from the window of our vehicle.  I get my first full view of  Mayon Volcano at the Polangui, Albay stretch of the Maharlika Highway.  It stands proud and majestic even at this distance.  The next best place to admire its beauty is at Camalig town near the rows of houses selling pinangat, a dish made of taro leaves with shrimp inside and cooked in coconut cream.  Since Camalig is nearer than Polangui to Mt. Mayon,  the view is better with Mayon Volcano practically towering at the background.  Its beauty is incomparable to other volcanoes.

According to legend, Mayon Volcano is the grave of the lovers Daragang Magayon (Bicol for beautiful maiden) and Ulap.  The grave rose higher and higher as the days passed and became a volcano called “Bulkang Magayon” then later shortened to “Bulkang Mayon”.  Magayon was the beautiful daughter of the tribal chief of Rawis, Makusog.  News of her beauty and goodness of heart reached Ulap, the son of the Chief Karilaya of the Tagalogs and Pagtuga, the handsome but arrogant chief of the Iriga tribe.

Magayon fell in love with Ulap and decided to get married after a month.  When word of their impending marriage reached Pagtuga, he immediately gathered his warriors to fight for his beloved.  Ulap and Pagtuga fought each other with Ulap slaying Pagtuga.  Magayon ran to embrace Ulap but was hit by a stray arrow.  While Ulap was cradling the dying Magayon in his arms, Linog, Pagtuga’s henchman hurled his spear at Ulap’s back killing him instantly.  Makusog buried the lovers in a single grave.

Today, when you see a cloud at the top of Mt. Mayon, people are saying that Ulap is kissing Magayon.  When there’s rain, Ulap is crying over their lost love.