Folk narrative from Jovellar, Albay

The Legend of Jovellar

Long time ago, there was a very big forest where a variety of wild animals lived. There were many hunters who occupied the place. Most of them decided to live there.

The hunters were divided into two groups. The first group was led by a dauntless man named Ma-Uka. He was known to be an expert in using bow and arrow, and considered to be the best hunter in town. Meanwhile, the second group was under a couple who has a daughter named Pia. Pia’s incomparable beauty was admired by many. Their place was called Quipia which means “a beautiful place” in recognition of Pia’s beauty.

Pia’s fame spread all over many other places, including the place of a brave Spanish officer who looked for her. Before he reached Quipia, Ma-uka had already proposed to her. Pia, however, did not accept his proposal. Instead, she wanted him to treat her as a sister.

One time, the Spanish officer arrived. His name was Javellar. Instantly, he was attracted to Pia like everyone else. Javellar and Pia became friends, then lovers, then soon decided to get married. Upon knowing the news, Ma-Uka talked to Pia and told her not to marry Javellar or else he would kill him. In spite of Ma-Uka’s threat, Pia still fought for her love. She told Ma-Uka that he could do whatever he wanted to but he could never stop her from loving and marrying Javellar. Furious at Pia’s response, Ma-uka was determined to kill Javellar.

From that time on, Ma-Uka stealthily followed Javellar everywhere. Javellar was always guarded by armed men. Ma-Uka, however, found a perfect time to kill him. He immediately struck him with an arrow. The latter fell from his horse; his men helped him remove the arrow, and then rushed back to their camp.

After the Spaniards left, Ma-Uka went to Pia to inform her what he had done to Javellar. Meanwhile, Javellar died while on their way to the camp. Upon knowing Javellar’s death, Pia was extremely sad. She called Ma-Uka a traitor who killed the man she loved. She promised to take revenge by killing Ma-Uka. Unfortunately, Ma-Uka was able to escape. The people sympathized with Pia. Because of severe sadness and longing for Javellar, Pia drowned herself in the river.

When her dead body was found, the people of Quipia promised that they would never forget the two lovers. In memory of Pia and Javellar, they named the river as Quipia and the place as Javellar. As time passed by, Javellar was changed into Jovellar.