All towns and cities in Cebu have their own legends that have been passed on from one generation to another. These legends were likely made to explain a supernatural event that happened in the towne or cities decades or centuries ago. The southern heritage town of Argao is one of these places where legends have been passed on through the centuries.
Argao Legends – image source: imgrum.org
Argao
Argao is a town located in the southern part. It is considered as one of the heritage towns of Cebu due to the presence of Spanish era churches and houses. In addition, the town is also the home of Lola Pureza who set the standard in the creation of the much-loved Cebuano delicacies, the Peanut Browas, Toasted Mini Mamons, and Butterscotch.
Argao is a town located in the southern part. It is considered as one of the heritage towns of Cebu due to the presence of Spanish era churches and houses. In addition, the town is also the home of Lola Pureza who set the standard in the creation of the much-loved Cebuano delicacies, the Peanut Browas, Toasted Mini Mamons, and Butterscotch.
Argao Legends – image source: peanutbrowas.com
Legend of Binalabag
Mt. Binalabag is one of the mountains located in the town of Argao. While many hikers and mountain climbers have already conquered its peak, the mountain was once the center of one of the legends of the town. The mountain is supposed to be the home of a golden horse or a golden cat. The horse or cat would sometimes go down to the town. Even though it was reclusive, residents of the town would see it when it goes down. When the San Miguel Arcangel Parish or the St. Michael Parish Church was under construction, the animal was supposed to be seen at the church every morning. The story also indicates that there was an intricate passageway connecting Mt. Binalabag to the altar of the church.
Mt. Binalabag is one of the mountains located in the town of Argao. While many hikers and mountain climbers have already conquered its peak, the mountain was once the center of one of the legends of the town. The mountain is supposed to be the home of a golden horse or a golden cat. The horse or cat would sometimes go down to the town. Even though it was reclusive, residents of the town would see it when it goes down. When the San Miguel Arcangel Parish or the St. Michael Parish Church was under construction, the animal was supposed to be seen at the church every morning. The story also indicates that there was an intricate passageway connecting Mt. Binalabag to the altar of the church.
Argao Legends – image source: en.wikipedia.org
Defender of Argao
St. Michael the Archangel is the patron saint of the town. St. Michael the Archangel is tasked in leading the army of heaven against the army of Lucifer. The ceiling of the San Miguel Arcangel Parish has a painting of the battle scene between the archangel and the devil. Residents of the town of Argao love and revere their patron saint as every home in the town has an image of St. Michael the Archangel. St. Michael is considered as a guide, teacher, and leader by the people of Argao. There are three stories or legends showing St. Michael protecting the town.
St. Michael the Archangel is the patron saint of the town. St. Michael the Archangel is tasked in leading the army of heaven against the army of Lucifer. The ceiling of the San Miguel Arcangel Parish has a painting of the battle scene between the archangel and the devil. Residents of the town of Argao love and revere their patron saint as every home in the town has an image of St. Michael the Archangel. St. Michael is considered as a guide, teacher, and leader by the people of Argao. There are three stories or legends showing St. Michael protecting the town.
Argao Legends – image source: imgrum.org
The first story supposedly happened in the early part of the 1800s. The legend indicates that Moro marauders retreated after a little boy carrying an image of St. Michael was seen walking on a high wall leading to the watchtower. The boy supposedly lighted the cannon sending a fiery volley of missiles at the vintas of the pirates causing them to retreat. Some people said the little boy was St, Michael protecting their town.
The second story of St. Michael protecting Argao supposedly happened just before hostilities broke out during the Philippine Revolution. An image of the saint was placed inside one of the cells of the municipal hall. When the revolution was starting, someone supposedly told the head guard to place him outside. The sweet voice came from the cell. Initially the guard did not believe it. After he heard the voice the second time, the guard checked the cell and only found the image. He went back to his post before hearing the voice a third time. The guard told the head of the town who ordered the guard to put the image outside. No one heard the voice after this. A Spanish warship came one day to bombard Argao. But, none of the cannon shells reached the municipal hall, which was located along the coast. The warship left soon after.
The second story of St. Michael protecting Argao supposedly happened just before hostilities broke out during the Philippine Revolution. An image of the saint was placed inside one of the cells of the municipal hall. When the revolution was starting, someone supposedly told the head guard to place him outside. The sweet voice came from the cell. Initially the guard did not believe it. After he heard the voice the second time, the guard checked the cell and only found the image. He went back to his post before hearing the voice a third time. The guard told the head of the town who ordered the guard to put the image outside. No one heard the voice after this. A Spanish warship came one day to bombard Argao. But, none of the cannon shells reached the municipal hall, which was located along the coast. The warship left soon after.
Argao Legends – image source: archdiocesanshrineofsanmiguel-arcangel-argao.net
The third story happened during World War 2. Guerillas from Argao attacked a Japanese garrison and killed most of the soldiers. Three surviving Japanese soldiers were able to contact the main unit in Cebu City. A Japanese ship arrived in the wharf of Argao and collected the surviving soldiers. Six Japanese warplanes came to bomb the town the following day, which was the feast of St. Michael the Archangel. While the day was quite sunny, a thick blanket of fog covered Argao. Since the Japanese warplanes could not see anything, they withdrew without dropping a single bomb. Eight Japanese patrol boats also had to withdraw after a thick fog rolled in and covered the town. Stories emerged indicating that a young boy slipped into the patrol boats before they set sail to Argao. People say the young boy was St. Michael.
Maria Cacao
Maria Cacao is a diwata or forest goddess living in Mount Lantoy in Argao. According to the legend, Maria Cacao owned a large plantation of cacao. Argao villagers get their cacao from the plantation owned by the diwata. Together with her husband, Mangao, Maria Cacao would bring their products on a galleon going through the Mananga River. They would sell their products to places as far as America. When they returned to Argao, they would bring with back golden utensils and plates from these places. The villagers of Argao would borrow these plates and utensils from Maria Cacao, who would readily lend it to them as long as they return them on the agreed day.
Maria Cacao
Maria Cacao is a diwata or forest goddess living in Mount Lantoy in Argao. According to the legend, Maria Cacao owned a large plantation of cacao. Argao villagers get their cacao from the plantation owned by the diwata. Together with her husband, Mangao, Maria Cacao would bring their products on a galleon going through the Mananga River. They would sell their products to places as far as America. When they returned to Argao, they would bring with back golden utensils and plates from these places. The villagers of Argao would borrow these plates and utensils from Maria Cacao, who would readily lend it to them as long as they return them on the agreed day.
Argao Legends – image source: allaboutargao.wikispaces.org
But, there were instances when the villagers would not return the things they would borrow or return broken plates. Due to this, Maria Cacao did not allow them to borrow anymore. She also did not show herself to the villagers since then. Another version of the story happened on a stormy night when the water level was high. When the galleon of Maria Cacao passed through the river, its mast broke the bridge of the village. Due to this, the villagers did not go to Maria Cacao and he husband anymore.
Argao Legends – image source: goddesses-and-gods.blogspot.com
Myths and legends are traditional stories made to explain a natural phenomenon or are associated with supernatural beings. But, they do reflect the creativity and imagination of Cebuanos and Filipinos as a whole. They also show how good of a storyteller the people of Cebu are.
Do you know of any myths and legends in your hometown? Tell us about it on the comments section below.
Do you know of any myths and legends in your hometown? Tell us about it on the comments section below.
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