Caramoan Enchanted Bangus | February 25, 2022

THE LEGEND OF THE ENCHANTED BANGUS OF THE CARAMOAN ISLANDS

I saw this from the comments on my uploaded TikTok video:

The story goes beyond the Spanish Era. Santik (Female) from the Kabihug Tribe and Dumal (Male) from the Dumagat Tribe fell in love, however, it was a forbidden relationship because their tribes were terrible foes. Santik and Dumal constantly see each other near the lake, outside their respective tribes' borders. The hostilities between their tribes heated up one day, and they both pledged to meet one other before the big fight. Santik waited for Dumal to emerge when the time came, expecting that he would show up as promised. Hours passed, and the war between the tribes began, but Dumal was nowhere to be found.

Santik prayed to the goddess of the lake to save Dumal from any demise and in return she will sacrifice her own life. Dumal then appears resurrected from the battle he had and immediately ran into the lake. He saw Santik but before he can touch her, Santik lost her bodily appearance. The goddess of the lake turned Santik into a fish to guard the Lake. In agony, Dumal prayed also to the goddess to turn him into a fish so he can be with Santik. The goddess grants his wish on the condition that they both need to guard the waters around the island.

Our tour guide also told us about a fisherman who captured one of the charmed bangus and left the other in the lagoon only a few years ago. He served it to his family, and everyone, including himself, perished as a result of a mysterious poisoning. A fingerling inexplicably returns in the lagoon months later. The fish has nearly reached the same size as the one that was left in the lagoon.

Whether the stories are real or not, they serve as a reminder that we must care for the environment and the lovely creatures who share our planet.