Philippine Folklore Stories | Page 8

is finished. Then the musicians
disperse, the carriages drive away, and people return to their homes.
Many, however, linger on the benches or stroll along the beach,
watching the water curling upon the shore. As the waves reach the land
a soft light seems to spring from them and to break into thousands of
tiny stars. Now and then some one idly skips a stone over the water.
Where it touches, a little fountain of liquid fire springs upward, and the
water ripples away in gleaming circles that, growing wider and wider,
finally disappear in a flash of silvery light.
Of all the beauties of the Islands, the water of Manila Bay at night
ranks among the first. And those who ask why it flashes and glows in
this way are told the story of the silver shower that saved the Pasig
villages from the Moro Datto Bungtao.
Hundreds of years ago messengers came hurrying from the south of
Luzon with the news that the great Datto Bungtao, with many ships and
men, was on his way to the island to burn the villages and carry the
people away into slavery.
Then great fear came into the hearts of the people, for the fierce Datto
was the terror of the eastern seas, and all the southern islands were
reported captured. Nevertheless, they resolved to defend their homes
and save their people from shame and slavery.

The news proved true, for the Moro chief landed a great army on the
shore of the Bay of Batangas, and his fierce followers, with fire and
sword, started north to lay waste the country.
For a time they drove all before them, but soon Luzon was up in arms
against them and great numbers of warriors hurried southward to battle
with the Moros. All tribal feeling was forgotten and Tagalos,
Macabebes, Igorrotes, and Pangasinanes hurried southward in
thousands.
The Moros presently found themselves checked by a large army of men
determined to save their homes or to die fighting.
Near the present town of Imus, in Cavite, a battle was fought and the
Moros were defeated. They then retreated southward, but great
numbers of Vicoles and Tinguianes rushed up from the southern part of
the island and blocked their way.
On the shore of the great Lake Bombon the final battle was fought. The
Moros were killed to a man, and with great rejoicing the tribes returned
north and south to their homes.
But in the meantime Bungtao had not been idle. After landing his men,
with his two hundred ships he set sail northward, never doubting that
his army would sweep all before it. A typhoon carried his fleet far
south into the China Sea, but he steered again for Luzon and three
weeks later was in sight of Corregidor Island.
He sailed down Manila Bay and drew up his fleet in front of the
villages on the Pasig River, the present site of Manila. On the shore the
people gathered in terror, for all the warriors had gone to fight the
invading army, and only old men and women and children remained in
the villages.
Hastily they called a council and finally decided to send a messenger
out to the Moro chief with all the gold and things of value they
possessed, thinking thus to satisfy the fierce Datto and save their
villages from harm.
Accordingly the women gave their rings and bracelets and the men
their bangles and chains. Everything of value was taken from the
houses. Even the temples of prayer were stripped and all the ornaments
taken. So great was the fear of the people that they even sent the gold
statue of the great god Captan that was the pride of the tribe, whose
members came miles to worship it.

As Bungtao was preparing to land and attack the town with his sailors,
the messenger in his canoe came alongside the ship and was at once
taken before the Datto. Trembling with fear, the old man, with signs,
begged for mercy for the people on the shore. He pointed to the
presents and offered them to Bungtao. Then, placing the golden image
of Captan at the feet of the Moro and bowing low, he again pleaded for
the women and children.
Bungtao laughed in scorn at the offer. On his island was gold enough to
satisfy his people. He needed slaves to work in the fields, for it was
beneath the dignity of such warriors as himself and his companions to
labor. So he kicked the messenger from him and, with a curse, picked
up the sacred golden image and threw it far over the water. Instantly the
sky grew dark and blackest night covered the land. The messenger felt
himself seized by invisible hands and carried to the shore.