Enchanted Hearts: Filipino Folklore for Valentine’s Day
Love, Passion, and Lust in Filipino Folklore
Valentine’s Day reminds us of grand gestures, warm embraces, and whispered promises—but it also stirs up the timeless tales of love and devotion found in folklore. Filipino mythology brims with legends that reflect the morals, values, and cultural nuances of its time. These stories speak to our own hearts today because, in them, we see reflections of our yearning, our faith, and our search for a soulmate. Below are several Filipino folktales of love, longing, and loyalty. May they inspire you this Valentine’s season to cherish all that is magical about affection and devotion.
The Legend of the Sampaguita Flower
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The Legend of the Sampaguita Flower (Spotify)]
A long time ago, there lived a datu who had an only daughter named Liwayway. She loved picking flowers every morning. One day, while she strolled close to the neighbouring village, she caught the attention of Lakang, son of the other datu. She held a bundle of freshly gathered blooms in her arms, and their eyes met as the birds chirped around them. The two introduced themselves and began to see each other daily.
When their parents discovered their fondness for each other, they insisted that Liwayway and Lakang get married. Their wedding, however, was postponed when Spanish conquistadors arrived in Lakang’s village. Bravely, Lakang led his warriors against the intruders, but their small boats were no match for the massive ships, and Lakang and his men were killed by the cannons’ onslaught.
Liwayway waited faithfully, unaware of his death. Each morning, she returned to the spot where she had first seen him. Months turned into years. Overcome by grief, Liwayway fell ill and passed away. She was buried in the same place, and before long, a small plant bearing tiny, fragrant white flowers sprouted on her grave.
These blossoms became known as a symbol of devotion. Suitors would offer garlands made of these flowers, and if a woman wore it, it meant she accepted her sweetheart. With hands joined, they would say, “Sumpa kita,” which means “I promise you.”
One day, a foreigner saw the flowers and asked what they were called. A villager answered, “Sumpa kita.” The foreigner tried to repeat the phrase but mispronounced it, and so the flower came to be known as “sampaguita.”
The Legend of the Ilang Ilang
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The Legend of the Ilang Ilang (Spotify)]
Near the foot of a mountain lived a devoted couple who longed for a child. One day, Bathala—the supreme god—heard their prayers. Appearing as a handsome young man, he told them they would have a daughter. However, he warned that when she came of age, she must never fall in love with any man because she was destined to serve Bathala and the other deities.
Not long afterward, the couple had a baby girl, whom they named Ilang. She grew into a radiant young woman, so beautiful that datus and rajahs from distant lands coveted her hand in marriage.
One day, a stranger named Rajah Marahas visited her town. He had once glimpsed Ilang and vowed to win her heart. Locating her home, he beheld her combing her long black hair by a window. He wrote on a wide banana leaf: “I am Rajah Marahas. May I speak with you?” Wrapping the leaf around a stone, he threw it through her open window.
From that moment on, he visited her nightly. They admired each other from a distance, content with stolen glances. His love soon grew too strong, and one night he climbed through her window. Ilang screamed until he covered her mouth. “I love you, Ilang,” he confessed. Yet tears streamed down her cheeks as she shook her head. At that moment, Bathala’s voice echoed in her mind—he knew she had broken her vow.
Ilang vanished in Rajah Marahas’ arms. In panic, he found only a small plant that rapidly grew into a tree. Fragrant flowers bloomed before his eyes, exuding the same sweet scent that reminded him of Ilang. He took the tree back to his kingdom and, forever devoted to his beloved, never married. He named the flowers ilang-ilang in her memory.
Hinilawod – Alunsina and Datu Paubari
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Hinilawod – Alunsina and Datu Paubari (Spotify)]
In the olden days, when the goddess Alunsina reached womanhood, her father Kaptan, King of the Gods, decided she must marry. With long dark hair, luminous skin, and bright animated eyes, Alunsina attracted every unmarried god in the heavens. Rather than marry any of the deities who fought over her, she chose a mortal: Datu Paubari, ruler of Halawod.
Enraged, her divine suitors planned revenge. Led by Maklium-sa-t’wan, they unleashed a flood to destroy Halawod. But Suklang Malayon, Alunsina’s sister and Guardian of Happy Homes, warned Alunsina and Datu Paubari, allowing them to escape to higher ground.
Once the flood subsided, the couple returned to settle near the mouth of the Halawod River. Their love flourished amidst lush greenery and gentle rains. Alunsina soon became pregnant and asked Paubari to prepare what was needed for childbirth. She bore triplets: Labaw Donggon, Humadapnon, and Dumalapdap. A high priest opened the north-facing windows, and a cool wind swept in, turning the infants into handsome young men. Thus began the epic exploits of Alunsina and Datu Paubari’s sons.
Hinilawod: Saragnayan and Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata
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Hinilawod: Saragnayan and Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata (Spotify)]
Labaw Donggon’s two wives each gave birth to sons, Aso Manga and Buyung Baranugon. Only days after their birth, the boys set out to find their father, sailing through realms of eternal darkness and clouds until they reached Saragnayan’s domain.
A wave of dark shadows engulfed them on the shore, but Aso Manga and Buyung Baranugon loosed their poisoned arrows, felling every minion until Saragnayan was the only one left. Buyung Baranugon wrestled Saragnayan repeatedly. Although he won each match, Saragnayan could not be killed.
Retreating, the brothers sought their mother Alunsina’s help. Using her divine powers, she discovered Saragnayan’s life force resided in the body of a boar hidden in Paling Bukid. Once they hunted and slaughtered this boar, Buyung Baranugon devoured its heart, making Saragnayan mortal.
Sensing his newfound mortality, Saragnayan spent one last evening with his wife, Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata—beautiful and beloved despite his grotesque form. He said goodbye to her and went forth to battle. His final duel with Buyung Baranugon ended when the child drove poisoned arrows into both of Saragnayan’s eyes, delivering the fatal blow.
Meanwhile, Labaw Donggon hid under a fishnet, paralyzed by fear. After Saragnayan’s defeat, Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata cursed Labaw Donggon with madness and lovesickness, blaming him for her husband’s death. Grieving, she exiled herself deep into the forest, tending to animals and helping the lost.
Labaw Donggon’s brothers, Humadapnon and Dumalapdap, later found him under the fishnet, consumed by delirium. They brought him home to his wives Abyang Ginbitinan and Abyang Diriinin, who tried to cure him. His love for Malitong Yawa tormented him whenever he heard her name, and he spent many nights envisioning her face in the darkness. Over time, his wives’ healing magic eased his anguish and restored his sanity.
Prince Igmidio and Princess Cloriana
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Prince Igmidio and Princess Cloriana (Spotify)]
Princess Cloriana, the only child of King Grimaldo of Grand Cairo, often joined her father’s hunting trips, showcasing her skill as a markswoman. One day, she stopped to admire a color-shifting flower dangling from a branch and lost track of the hunting party. She knew the way back by heart, but lions appeared. Though she slew them all, exhaustion overcame her, and she fell asleep beneath the trees.
Turkish soldiers stumbled upon her sleeping form and abducted her. Their emperor, Mahomento, instantly fell for her beauty but was angered by her refusal to marry him. When she continued to reject him, he locked her in a box and cast it into the sea. Remarkably, the box was never battered by waves, and Cloriana never hungered for seventeen months as she prayed to the Virgin Mary.
Eventually, the box washed ashore in the Asturias, where wild animals presented her with flowers. A snake offered its own gift, and though hesitant, Cloriana accepted it. Tucked inside the snake’s bloom was an enchanted amulet. Guided by these animal friends, she became queen of Mount Floresta, a place filled with magical wonders like the rosal plant, whose flowers changed color on different days, dying every Friday only to be reborn the following day.
Back in Grand Cairo, King Grimaldo scoured the world for Cloriana. He announced that whoever found her would win her hand in marriage. When Prince Igmidio of Aragon heard of this, he dreamed of Cloriana holding three flowers and believed it a divine sign. Off he rode to Mount Floresta, equipped with a magic string given by a wise old man, who advised him to bless the wild animals and calm them.
Upon arriving, Prince Igmidio found Princess Cloriana among her blooms. Pretending to be a humble shepherd, he told her about her family and King Grimaldo’s call for a rescuer. Touched by his courage, she embraced him, saying, “I will marry any man brave enough to find me.”
Overjoyed, he escorted her home. The king didn’t recognize him as a prince and tried to dismiss him. But each night, Igmidio snuck past the palace walls to visit Cloriana. She longed to return to Mount Floresta, where she could make her own choices, but they agreed to try for her father’s blessing.
Suddenly, Grand Cairo was attacked, and Princess Cloriana was captured. General Celem, smitten with her beauty, threatened to behead her if she refused him. But Prince Igmidio, revealing his true royal identity, arrived with his army in time to save her. They were married soon after and lived happily ever after.
Happy Valentine’s Day (in advance)!
In these romantic Filipino folk stories, love proves triumphant yet complicated—filled with beauty, sacrifice, and bravery. We see gods enraged by mortals, lovers torn apart by wars, curses and blessings, and the potent blend of magic and devotion. This Valentine’s Day, let these legends remind you to cherish your loved ones. May we all find the courage to defend what we hold dear, to wait faithfully for the ones we love, and to trust in our own magical journeys.