Philippine Folklore Stories | Page 9

Then suddenly the heavens opened, and a shower of silver fire rained
on the Moro boats. In vain the Moros tried to escape. The fire hemmed
them in on every side. Many leaped from the burning ships into the
boiling water. When the darkness cleared, boats and Moros had
disappeared.
Joyfully the people on the shore ran to the temple of worship to pray to
Captan. What was their surprise to find the golden image of the god in
its usual place, and around it the bracelets and rings offered to the
Moros!
When the warriors, a few days later, returned from their great victory in
the south, they could hardly believe the story of the wonderful escape
of their people. But at night, when they saw the heretofore dull waters
dashing and breaking on the shore in crystals of silvery light, they
knew that it was Captan who had saved their homes and families.
The villages are a thing of the past. The modern city of Manila now
stands on the banks of the Pasig.
The nights here are very beautiful. The breeze sighs softly through the
palm trees and the golden moon gleams on the waters of Manila Bay.
On the shore the waves break gently and little balls of silver light go
rushing up the beach. Wise men say that the water is full of phosphorus.
But they have never heard the story of the Silver Shower.

The Faithlessness of Sinogo

Somewhere off the northern coast of Mindanao a strong current begins
to travel northward. It runs to the island of Siquijor and then, turning
slightly to the east, goes racing between the islands of Cebu and Negros.
At the narrow entrance between San Sebastian and Ayucatan it breaks
up into hundreds of small whirlpools that make the water hiss and
bubble for a distance of nearly three miles.
For steamers and large boats there is not the slightest danger, but to the
native in his little sacayan with its bamboo outriggers these whirlpools
are objects of dread and fear. He will go miles out of his way to escape
them. If you inquire as to the reason, he will explain that the Liloan, or
whirlpool, is a thing always to be avoided, and then he will tell you the
story of Sinogo.
Years and years ago, when Maguayan ruled the sea and the terrible
Captan launched his thunderbolts from above, the water and air were
filled with swimming and flying monsters. Those that lived in the air
were armed with great teeth and sharp claws; but, though they were
fierce and savage, they lived together in peace, for they feared the
anger of their master Captan.
In the sea, however, all was not so peaceful, for some of the monsters
were so huge and savage and so confident in their strength that
Maguayan could do nothing with them. He lived in constant fear of
attack from these fierce subjects and finally, in despair, called on
Captan to help him in his trouble.
Accordingly Captan sent his swift messengers to every part of the earth,
air, and sea, and ordered that a council of all the creatures in the world
should be held. He named the little island of Caueli in the center of the
Sulu Sea as the meeting place, and commanded all to hasten there
without delay.
Soon the members of the council began to arrive, and the sky was
darkened by flying monsters, and the water boiled as the terrible
reptiles of the sea rushed to the place appointed.
In a short time the little island was crowded with these dreadful
creatures. There were huge Buayas from Mindanao, fierce Tic-bolans
from Luzon, savage Sigbins from Negros and Bohol, hundreds of
Unglocs from Panay and Leyte, and great Uak Uaks and other frightful
monsters from Samar and Cebu. They grouped themselves in a large
circle around a golden throne on which sat Captan and Maguayan, and

while waiting the commands of their master filled the air with shrieks
and howls.
At length Captan raised his hand and the noise instantly stopped. Then
he announced his decree. He said that Maguayan was his brother god
and should be treated with the same respect. He commanded all his
subjects to obey the god of the sea and told them that he would kill
with a thunderbolt any that disobeyed this order. Then he desired all to
return to their own regions, and again the air was filled with a noise of
thunder and the sea roared and foamed as the monsters went back to
their homes.
Soon there remained on the island only Captan, Maguayan, and three
messengers of Captan, who were called Sinogo, Dalagan, and Guidala.
These were giants in size and had large wings which enabled