Once there was a beautiful
sea maiden named Cagangohan.
Cagangohan was truly
enchanting in her form. She had thick hair that curls into the waves of the
salt water.She had glowing skin stretching along the freckled, white sand. Her
slim hands and fingers were the sturdy mangroves that rose up in praise towards
the sky. Her cool breath was the breeze that blew gently among the living.
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| Looking forward for better Cagangohan! |
Cagangohan was a source of
joy. People come to see her beauty everyday. At morning when the sun was high,
she glowed in the of calmest blue. and when the nightfall arrived, she blushed
with the most exquisite orange.
She was also the great
provider of life to the creatures of the earth. Her soul blossomed with fish,
corals, pearls and all the wealth of the sea. She bestowed people all her great
wonders.
Men came to fish. They
said, "Come on! Let's catch fish and sell them so we can earn money
today".
They caught big fish. They
picked corals. They dove for pearls. When the day was done, they sold all of
their catches in the market.
On the other side, women
came in rows to gather firewoood. They took down big logs to build huts.
Children came to swim and play along the beach. Yipeee! they shouted. The water
is very clear. Let's go for a swim! Their loud laughter echoed. Their cheerful
faces beamed with delight as they played in the water.
And all with these,
Cagangohan watched them with pleasure and pride. She continued to give people
what they need. She wanted them to know that she was part of their happiness
and life.
But people wanted more and
more.
"Let's fish and dive
for more pearls!', the fishers exclaimed.
They caught big fish and
small fish. They used smaller nets and threw dynamites. Booom! Water splashed
everywhere. They damaged the corals and the shells for pearls.
"Let's cut more trees
and clear huge areas so we can build stories and sell goods to people who visit
the beach”, the women called out.
“Crack!”. The mangroves
fell everywhere. They cleared the shore to build huts for selling.
“Let’s play more!’. The
children shouted.
They came more often to
swim and play. But they left garbage along the beach. They forgot the empty
wrappers and cans. Clank! Garbage was thrown everywhere.
One day soon, people had
destroyed the sea. They left Cagangohan dirty and polluted.
She became angry and sad at
the same time. People took away her very soul and ruined her beauty. She wept
and wept. Her tears pour down from the skies that caused heavy rains for number
of months. No one could stop Cagangohan from weeping for she was totally hurt
by people whom she loved the most. She wept for a year. The water in the sea
increased while the harsh winds created huge waves that crashed towards the
sandy beaches. Darkness covered the entire place. No man, woman or child could
go near the angry Cagangohan.
People became afraid. They
realized what they had done. In regret, they started to understand their
mistakes. They humbly knelt down, prayed and asked forgiveness.
Listening to their pleas,
Cagangohan stopped from crying. After awhile, the rain ended. The sea became
still. But dark, heavy clouds still loomed over the land and water. There was
no sign of life.
“What should we do?” The men asked.
“We need to do something!”
The women answered.
“ We have to please
Cagangohan”. The children cried.
All men stopped from
catching small fishes and throwing dynamite into the water. They halted diving
for more pearls and talking out corals.
All women planted mangroves
by the beach. They knocked down huts they built and planted more trees.
All children picked garbage
on the seashore. They cleaned up the beach.
“We must love the sea that
gives us life and happiness. Let us help preserve the sea. Let us restore the
wounded Cagangohan”. The people agreed as they vowed to protect the ocean.
Upon seeing these changes,
Cagangohan smiled and opened her kind heart to forgive. She allowed the sun to
rise above her. The sea maiden became prettier than it was before. The calm
blue waters blended with the horizon. The long stretch of white sand sparkled
like fireworks under the clear skies. The thick, sturdy mangroves stood in line
while small fishes jumped once in a while above the sea water without fear from
the people.
Cagangohan bestowed her
wonders to men, women and children of the earth once more.
From then on, the beautiful
Cagangohan and the people lived together happily and abundantly ever after.
Later, the place is called
Cagangohan in honor to the very generous and kind hearted sea maiden.
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