Aerial photo of Taal Volcano, taken on a Cebu Pacific flight from Manila to Dumaguete City on December 22, 2012. PHOTO: TheCoffee (Mike Gonzalez)
In Philippine Mythology there are several interesting stories that give the origin of specific mountains and volcanoes. Here one encounters a variety of stories from all parts of the country, for it seems that imaginative Filipinos have woven legends about every mountain and hill in their region. To cite a few: Mount Mayon in Bikol region, Mt. Apo in Davao, Kanlaon Mountain in Negros, Mt. Arayat in Pampanga, Mt. Banahaw in Quezon Province, Mt. Malindig in Marinduque, Pulong-Bato in Zamboanga, Mt. Pinatubo in Zambales, Pito Pangkat (Seven Stairs Mountain) in the Cotabato plains, Magsanga Mountain in Leyte, Madadalpong Mountain in Kalinga, Mt. Naapog in Mindoro, Pico de Loro Mountain in Cavite, the Sacred Mountain (Mt. Mopo) in Lanao, and the Diwata Mountain in Mindanao. A motif that is found in a few of these legends is that of a mountain or volcano rising from the common grave of faithful lovers. In the case of the Taal Volcano in Batangas, the origins follow motifs more in the “disobedience” or “punishment” realms. The following myth has evolved over time, since tobacco was not introduced to the Philippines until the 16th century, but like the myths of Mt. Arayat in Pampanga, there was a guardian of the mountain who set clear boundaries for the people benefiting from its bounty.
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