FOLKLORE: THE LEGEND OF ARINGAY

Once upon a time, there were two villages existing on both sides of the river. The river was huge, and it was called “Karayan Luksin”. No one can just cross the river because it did not only boast of its hugeness but also its depth. To cross the river from side to side, one must use the “biray”, the sturdy boat used by the early inhabitants to sail into the rivers and seas.

The southern enclave was called Bugbogan. They were ruled by Datu Nauyong. Datu Nauyong was a stern looking man. His emotions seemed easily felt by the gruesome look in his face. He seemed to project the angst of pain in every word he said and yet everyone adored him. Everyone loved him. Everyone respected him. But he was also feared by the villagers because he acted and decided swiftly.

Datu Nauyong had a beautiful daughter whose name was Aring. Aring was the epitome of a village beauty. She had a thin and lanky body that seemed to move with the wind. Her hour glass figure and her deep brown complexion had an unsullied glow. Her thick eyebrows blended with her curly eyelashes. And her eyes showed her soul. They were deep brown and yet they glistened like gold. And they portrayed passion. They depicted the eminence of love.  And when she smiled, her white teeth lit up the place. Her voice so melodiously thrilled the room. What an elegant and smooth voice that she had! She was such a perfect being in an imperfect place.

On the northern side of the river was a plateau. There was a village named Sallapang and it was led by Datu Naraniag.  He was a man full of compassion and consideration. He had a smiling face that everyone would want to meet. Everyone in the village revered him. Everyone in the village respected him. His words were calm, but they were the laws of the village. He had a son whose name was Bugbugtong.

Bugbugtong was a young man that stood up with so much pride and fury. His hair was long and lush with a mother lode of black. His stances showed signs of good health and he possessed thick brows that met in between when angered and frustrated. He had an aquiline nose complemented with high cheek bones and he walked with leonine authority, power and ferocity.

The two villages were at odds against each other. They always competed with the Chinese traders who came to trade with them. Because of the conflict in the trading system, they made a pact that certain goods should be traded only by the different village enclaves. For a time, this pact was working until one day, Datu Nauyong exploded in anger. He learned that her only daughter, Aring was having a relationship with the haughty son of his arch nemesis. He decided to bring Aring in the house on top of the Mountain of Bubon Posi and was guarded by the village soldiers.

When Bugbugtong learned about this, he hatched a plan to take Aring away from her mountain prison. On one dark night, Bugbugtong together with his men, slowly traversed the Karayan Luksin and went into the southern embankment of the river. Bugbugtong and his men slowly crept toward the mountain with the slightest sound. They were able to reach the Bubon Posi without any problem and they disarmed Aring’s guards. So, the two embraced with each other and crept back to the waiting boats in the river.

Unknown to the lovers, Datu Nauyong learned about the clandestine operation. He called out his southern warriors to go after the lovers. When the lovers were near the river, they saw the pursuing forces of Aring’s father. Spears and arrows were thrown against each soldier. In the darkness of the night, Aring felt the desperation and uselessness of the situation. She jumped into the river as she wanted to end her life. Bugbugtong also jumped into the river to save Aring. The southern villagers who rushed into the river bank saw how Aring got submerged into the water and later on buoyantly carried by the water. Every time she got submerged, the people shouted Aring! When her head was seen out of the water, they would shout Ay! So, the incident happened in repetition. Luckily, Bugbugtong was able to save Aring and he was able to bring Aring in a waiting “biray” (boat) by one of Bugbugtong’s men.

The incident resulted into a larger and stronger peace pact between the two villages. Datu Nauyong was still stern but became a just and impartial leader. The two communities became an enlarged community. Eventually, Bugbugtong became the leader of the two communities when Aring and him were married in very ostentatious ceremony. Until this day, the villages were still remembered. The southern enclave became Bugbog today. While Sallapang became Salapac. According to the people, when the weather was rough and there was a typhoon, the sound of Aring – ay! Aring – ay reverberated every night. The villagers named the two enlarged villages Aringay and from that time on, they never heard the cries emanating from the river anymore.