The legend of Lake Balinsasayao [short story]

Title

Creator

Campoy, Angel V.

Language

English

Year

1939

Subject

Folktales -- Philippines -- Negros Oriental

Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Nature Park (Negros Oriental)

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Abstract

[The people called the Lake "Balinsasayao" which means in the native dialect "too much dancing," because they said that the lake had been formed after there had been too much dancing and merriment among the mountain people. Today, if you climb the mountains of Negros, you will still find the beautiful lake almost at the top of a mountain peak. The highest peak near the lake has been named Guinatabon to remind the people of the Negrito warrior who was swallowed by the mountain.]

Fulltext

THE YOUNG CITIZEN lune, 1939 c1 The Legend of Lake Balinsasayao (A Visnynn Folk-Tale) By ANGEL V. CAMPOY• A LONG time ago, on the top of one of the mountains in the island of Negros where Lake Balinsasayao is today, there was a broad, fertile plateau. This plateau was the home of a warlike tribe of Negritos who were under the leadership of Chief Guinatab. Chief Guinatab was a daring and ruthless warrior who ruled the members of his tribe because of his skill and bravery in war. His tribe of Negritos was hated by the people who lived on the lowlands, for these savage hillsmen sometimes stole the carabaos, pigs, goats, and chickens of the peaceful plainsmen, and carried away the corn and the bananas when they were ready to be harvested. These savage mountain people swarmed upon the lowlanders with spears and bows and arrows, and killed any who resisted or did not take to flight. •Head Teacher, Maslog Primary School, SibuJan, Oriental Negros. One day in June the warriors of Chief Guinatab carried away one of the most attractive of the lowland girls. They wanted her for the wife of their chieftain. Resentment and sorrow were felt by all the people of the nearby plain, but upon the mountain there was great rejoicing and merrymaking in celebration of the wedding of their chief and a beautiful lowland maiden, The people danced to the noisy music of drums, flutes, and gongs. The dancing and feasting continued throughout the day and far into the night. All were happy except the kidnapped bride, who wept and prayed for deliverance. While the merrymaking and feasting was at its height, suddenly there was a blinding flash and a deafening roar. The ·rain began to fall in torrents. Peal after peal of thunder followed the continuous flashes of lightning. The very mountain began to shake. There was a great wind-a hurricane was upon the frightened mountain tribe. Suddenly there was another deafening roar and a blinding flash of unusual intensity. The earth shook. A great opening appeared on the mountain side, and amid indescribable terror and confusion the huts and the people of the village were swallowed by the earth. Everything disappeared. The crevice closed, and the village of Chief Guinatab and his people was no more. · The village was gone. The rain continued all the night in a torrential downpour. When the morn(Pltau turn to page 222.) 222 LITTLE WUNG FOO (Continued from page 199) chairs by two poles extending out in front and behind. Once Wung Foo took a journey with his father on a boat. The river was so wide there was room for sailing-boats in the middle, and for lines of house-boats along the banks. Women washed and cooked on the decks of the houseboats. Children played there with little barrels tied to them. If _they fell into .the water the barrels kept them afloat until someone could pull them out. 'Vhen he went home, Wung Foo studied harder than ever. He was glad he was going to be a mandarin, or at least a silk· merchant like his father. Perhai>s he might go away to be a merchant in San Francisco in the United States, or to Manila in the 'Phi!~ ippine Islands. But when he got very· rich he would go back to China, and when he died his bones would be buried with those of his forefathers according to custom.-Condensed from Compton's Pictured Encyclopedia. REVIEW I. Did you like to read about little Wung Foo? 2. Tell about Wung Foo's grandmother. 3. How did Wung Foo dress in the winter time? 4. Tell about Wung Fob's home. 5. -Tell about the way the women lived. 6. Tell about Wung Foo's journey. 7. Tell about the Chinese house-boats. 8. \Vhat is a mandarin? (See the dictionary.) 9. Where is China? IO. Where is Canton? THE YOUNG CITIZEN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (Continued from page 218) 5. Have you examined the picture of each instrument? (See page 202.) 6. Tell about each of the following instruments: (a) violin, ( b) viola, ( c) violoncello, ( d) double-bass, ( e) harp. 7. Can you name the "bowed" instruments of the orchestra, that is, those which are played by a bow? 8. How many strings has each bowed instrument? 9. What is the position of each player in the string section? 10. Can you pronounce correctly: violin (vigh-o-lin), viola ( vee-o-la), violqncello, ( vee-olohn-chel-o), 'cello ( 'chel-o). 11. Which is the smallest bowed instrument? 12. Which is the largest bowed instrument? 13. Which is larger, the violin or the viola? 14. Which is larger, the 'cello or the double-bass? 15. Have you seen and heard all the instruments of the string section? 16. Which instrument of the lune; 1939 LAKE BALINSASAYAO (Continued from page 198) ing came, behold! instead of the fertile plateau there was a lake. The news soon spread to the lowland~rs through an -0ld man who had made the trip up the mountain. "God has punished the wicked Negritos for stealing our fogd and animals, and our beautiful maiden," the people said. The plainsmen ascended the mountain. Sure enough, there was the lake instead of the mountain village on the plateau. Of Chief Guinatab and his men they heard nothing. Perhaps they were all drowned fn the lake. As the lowlanders looked into the water and saw the shadows of the leaves blown by the wind, they thought that the}' could see the Negritos dancing down in the water. The people called the · lake "Balinsasayao" which means in the native dialect "too much dancing," because they said that the lake had been formed after there had been too much dancing and merriment among ·the mountain people. Today, if you climb the mountains of _Negros, you .will still find the beautiful lake almost at ihe string section can best play a solo? top of a mountain peak. The 17 · Which instrument of the highest peak near the lake has string section cannot play a solo? . been named Guinatabon to r~ 18. What large stringed instru- mind the people of th'e Negrito ment of the orchestra can play a warrior who was swallowed by solo very well? the mountain. 19. Which is the most ancient stringed instrument? 20. How do we know the harp do you think you like the best? was used in ancient times? 2+ Can you tell about the 21. In what country is the pie- string section of the orchestra? ture of the harp an emblem? 25. Can you write from mem22. How many strings has the ory a composition about the string modern harp? section? 23. Which stringed instrument (To be continued)

pages

198, 222

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