The Story of Maria Makiling

Travelers coming from Manila going to Southern Luzon will notice a mountainous mound of
thick rainforests looming up ahead. The shape of the mountain takes the form of a woman lying
peacefully on her back. Every home-bred Filipino can easily recognize this as Mount Makiling
and the sleeping form of the woman is that of the mountain’s goddess Maria Makiling.

The mountain is actually an extinct volcano and it has relatively remained unharmed through its
years of existence. Thanks to Maria Makiling’s vigilance in protecting the mountain’s ecosystem.
Those who trek to the mountain are told and forewarned that Maria’s spirit often roams the
woods and is capable of doing harm to those who harm any of the living creatures that live on
her mountain. To the locals, she is known as a “diwata" or goddess of nature. She rewards
those who heed her warnings but will severely punish those who ignore her.

A hunter tells of his experience while in pursuit of a wild boar who had tried to attack him in the
deep forest of Mt. Makiling. As he was about to strike the cornered boar, a beautiful lady with
golden-brown skin and long flowing black hair appeared and admonished him not to kill the wild
pig. She patiently explained with a kind voice that the attack launched by the boar, was only to
protect the mountain against intruders, who may one day take away all the trees in its forest.

The beautiful lady invited him to have supper with her and a place to rest for the night. The
hunter felt humbled that despite being caught red-handed by Maria, she still found it in her
heart to be gracious. Nevertheless, the hunter made a vow to Maria that he will no longer hunt
any of the living creatures in Mt. Makiling ever again, nor take down trees from its forest.

Pleased at what she heard, Maria gave the hunter a “salakot" or buri hat filled with ginger, to
take home as present for his wife. Upon reaching home, he immediately opened his back pack,
to unload the heavy burden off his back. The “salakot" fell off with a heavy thud and revealed
golden nuggets instead of ginger.

However, there are stories about hunters losing their way in the forest and unable to find their
way back home. Others, however, were fortunate to be chanced upon by mountain climbers
and hikers; albeit incoherent and unable to remember their names or where they live. The only
thing they can remember is a beautiful lady who gave them food and shelter for the night.

Filipino literature is rich with myths, folklores, legends of the Philippines and the origins of the
many things that can be seen, heard, felt, smelled, and tasted. There are also tales of heroism,
love, compassion and promises that were fulfilled even after life. Although some stories like the
legend of Maria Makiling tend to scare, they had at least, served the purpose of keeping the
rainforest well-preserved with its ecology still intact.