Alamat ng Puno ng Niyog

Characters: Iyog, Niyang, Uko, Unyang the witch, townsfolk.

Summary:

There was once a very helpful family which consisted of the father, Iyog, a mother, Niyang, and their only child, Uko. This family was very kind and loving and was a great help to the townsfolk. It was Iyog, who led the construction of houses, broken bridges. It was Niyang who wove the abaca into rope that fortified the bridge being a great weaver, and it was Uko who served the workers with food and water. Because of this, the central district of the town was named after Iyog’s family, in appreciation of their kindness. Aside from that, Iyog was chosen as town chief. Everyone was happy to have a very kind family like that in the town except one person. The witch, Unyang. “I should be the one reaping admiration because I have powers everyone else!” she said to herself, overcome with envy. “I can heal the sick!”

Because of her jealousy, she tried to buy the kindness and happiness of the family. But because the family was content and said they didn’t need big houses and the riches of the world. Out of rage, she used her powers and turned them into the ash. But soon the witch’s actions were discovered and they threw her out of town. Saddened that they no longer can see the family, they watched the as a tree started to grow in the ashes. They watered it and cared for it. It was strange, but when they look up to the tree, they are reminded of the kindhearted family. The trunk of the tree was as sturdy as the posts Iyog made. The leaves were like the caring hands of Niyang. And when they saw inside the fruit, they likened the sweet juice to the water Uko always offered them to drink. In time, Iyog and Niyang’s tree came to be called “niyog” (coconut). The fruit was called “buko” (Young coconut fruit)