The Legend of the Mermaid

Once there lived beside the sea a couple named Juan and Juana. For a long time they were
childless. When Juana was at last with child, they were quite happy. But in her pregnancy,
Juana would become very restless if she did not have milkfish to eat every day.

Juana: Juan, asawa ko, gusto ko ng bangus na ulam.

Juan: Sige, hayaan mo asawa ko at manghuhuli ako ng bangus para sa ‘yo.

So one afternoon, when Juan failed to catch any milkfish, he became very sad. Suddenly,
Juan heard his name called. He was greatly surprised when he looked down and saw a
shiny milkfish wearing a crown. The milkfish identified himself as the King of Fishes and
he asked Juan.

Haring Bangus: Juan, Juan……..

Juan: (namangha na nakakita kay haring bangus)

Haring Bangus: Bakit kung manghuli ka ng isda ay puro mga bangus lamang ang iyong
mga hinuhuli?

Juan: Dahil iyon lang ang gusto ng asawa ko, dahil siya’y naglilihi.
Nalulungkot at nanghihina siya kung walang bangus.

The King of Fishes pitied Juan and promised

Haring Bangus: “Bibigyan kita ng maraming bangus, ngunit pagdating ng panahon na

maipanganak at lumaki ang anak mo’y ibibigay mo sa akin kapag siya’y nasa pitong taong
gulang na.”

"Because it was already getting dark and since milkfish was becoming scarce that season,
Juan finally agreed.

Juan: Sige, tutupad ako sa ating usapan.

The King of Fishes was true to his word. Even after Juana had given birth, Juan continued
to bring home milkfish from the sea. Their child was a lovely girl with very black hair.
They loved her and were very happy with her. They called her Maria.

Juana: Ang ganda ng anak natin Juan,.

Juan: Oo nga, ang ganda ni Maria.

When Maria turned seven, Juan went to see the King of Fishes and begged him:

Juan: “Haring Bangus, maawa ka sa amin. Parang awa mo na, pakawalan mo ako sa aking
pangako sa iyo, mahal na mahal namin si Maria, ayaw naming mailayo siya sa amin.”

But the King of Fishes was firm, saying…

Haring Bangus: “Ang pangako ay pangako.” (na may matigas na puso)

Juan went home. Since that day, the couple and Maria never went near the sea.

But one day, while Juan was on the farm and Juana was doing the laundry in the river,
there came a big wonderful boat. The people immediately flocked to the shore to see it.
Maria was alone at the time and was looking out the window. She became curious and
joined the rest on the shore. While she was watching the wonderful boat, a big wave
rushed up and dragged her to the sea. Immediately, the neighbors told her parents of the
incident.

Kapitbahay: Juan!, Juana!…..

Si Maria, tinangay ng malaking alon!

Juan and Juana ran to the shore but they were too late. Maria was gone! Every evening
after that, the couple would stand by the shore and stare at the deep. They kept hoping
that Maria would return. Years passed and still they failed to see her. But one moonlight
night, there appeared before the old couple a lovely creature. She had very long black
hair, but — while half of her body was that of a beautiful girl, the other half was that of a
milkfish. Then they knew that it was Maria, now a mermaid.
The Legend of the Mermaid

Group #4