The Legend of the Hills and the Mountains

Eons and eons ago, when the Earth was young, there was only a single stretch of land surrounded by vast, endless waters. This land was flat and fertile, and life was simple yet majestic. At that time, no humans roamed the Earth — only anitos (spirit beings) led by Ama Gaolay, and giant beings, mighty in size and strength, inhabited the land. Ama Gaolay, the supreme deity and Creator of all things, delighted in his creation of these powerful giants, for they lived harmoniously under the gentle rule of a wise and noble leader named Mabiskeg.

Mabiskeg was loved by all for his kindness and fairness. Under his leadership, the giants prospered in peace. But among them was one who bore a different heart. His name was Maibeg, and he was consumed with envy. He could not bear to see Mabuti admired and followed, so he plotted to take his place.

Maibeg began to whisper lies and discontent among the other giants. Slowly but surely, he gathered a band of followers until he had a formidable army at his command. Drunk with pride and ambition, Maibeg declared war against Mabiskeg.

The Earth trembled as the two armies clashed. Their footsteps shook the ground, and their roars echoed across the heavens. The battle between the good and the envious giants was so massive and furious that it tore the single land into pieces. Great quakes shattered the earth, and enormous waves surged over the broken lands, scattering them far and wide into what would later become the continents.

When the dust of battle finally settled, the land was unrecognizable. Many giants lay lifeless, their great bodies too many and too large to be buried. The ground, broken and bruised, became hills and mountains where the fallen giants had fallen. Valleys marked the scars of their final struggles. The once-flat Earth was now reshaped by war.

Mabiskeg, though victorious, was mortally wounded. Knowing his end was near, he journeyed alone across the broken world until he reached a small group of islands—what we now know as the Philippine Islands. There, in the heart of a place which is now called Pangasinan, he lay down to rest for the last time. The earth rose over his mighty body, and in time, the people would name that place Mount San Isidro, the highest peak in the land.  The name Mabiskeg is forgotten, but when one climbs the topmost part of the mountain, he literally is “standing on” the good giant who gave his life to protect what was right.

Ama Gaolay mourned the loss of his first creations. For a time, the world was silent and still. But after many thousands of years, Ama Gaolay decided to create again. This time, he commissioned his two sons, Agueo (the Sun god) and Bulan (the Moon god) to create mankind—smaller, gentler beings who were taught to live in harmony with one another and never to repeat the mistakes of the giants.

As humans began to explore the land, they discovered that not all the world was flat. There were hills and mountains everywhere, some shaped as if they were sleeping titans. The people believed these were the resting places of the ancient giants—reminders of a forgotten war and a call for peace.

To this day, when people climb the hills or gaze upon towering mountains, they are reminded of the ancient battle between envy and goodness, and of Mabuti—the great giant who chose peace and gave everything to protect it.