The Legend of Maria Sinukuan

In celebration of EARTH DAY, I share with you the LEGEND OF MARIA SINUKUAN, a mythical mountain goddess who resides in the bountiful forest once found in MOUNT ARAYAT.

Known to be a dormant volcano, Mount Arayat is located in Pampanga, Philippines.  The southern half of the mountain lies within the municipality of Arayat.  The northern half, on the other hand, lies within Magalang, Pampanga. Today, Mount Arayat is known to be a climbing hub for Philippine mountaineers.

As you read the famous legend below, I hope you  take a few moments as well to gaze at a few borrowed  photos of Mount Arayat, inspirational images of Maria Sinukuan and my own photos of SONYAS GARDEN . 

The legend and the photos speak of one thing:  LET'S ALL DO OUR SHARE TO SAVE THE BEAUTY OF  MOTHER EARTH.

Thank you Wikipedia for the story ....

Sinukuan is associated with the unusual bounty of the forests in Arayat, and with the profusion of animals there.

Mount Arayat.  Courtesy of  http://zcap.freeyellow.com/pix3.htm

Mount Arayat stands in the middle of Central Luzon and is topped by a circular volcanic crater.  The southern half of the mountain lies within the municipality of Arayat, Pampanga, while the north half and the mountain summit lies within Magalang, Pampanga. Ten miles to the west of Mount Arayat is Angeles City and the former Clark Air Base. Mount Pinatubo is located a further ten miles west. 

It is known to be a mystical mountain, the legendary home of the diwata (in English, Fairy) Maria Sinukuan, and was once believed to contain a wealth of fruit.

An image of Maria Sinukuan by http://www.boholchronicle.com/2009/mar/29/bared.htm

Watching over the needs of the people in the nearby town, she used to regularly leave fruits and animals at the doorstep of locals who needed food during hard times.  At one point, a group of young men got greedy.  They sought out where Sinukuan's home was in the mountains, and when they found it, they asked for more than what they actually needed.  Sinukuan did not object to this, and allowed them to pick a great load of fruits.

She warned them, however, not to get any fruits from the forest without her permission. On their way back home, they decided they would get more. Why not? They asked each other. “She won't know we took home fruits and animals. They're so plentiful, she won't know the difference."

Courtesy of http://www.thepedia.com/define/Maria_Makiling

But she did. As soon as they had started picking more fruit, their packs began to feel heavier. They soon discovered that all the fruit and meat they were carrying had turned into rocks. The young men ran away, but before they managed to escape the forest, Sinukuan appeared before them. As punishment, she said, she would turn them into swine. And so she did.

But the other people in the village were also getting greedy. More and more, they stole from Sinukuan’s forests. Angered, Sinukuan stopped leaving food at their doorsteps. She made the fruit trees and animals in the mountain to disappear. And she also never allowed the villagers to see her again.

***By Beaded Story invites you to join its cause to Save Mother Earth by donating P50 when you order any bead work. This will be donated to World Wild Life Fund Philippines and your purchase will be delivered to you in recycled packaging instead of the usual pouch.  Visit www.bybeadedstory.multiply.com for details.