Cagangohan Folktale

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.

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.