The afternoon spent chasing waterfalls has gone. After seeing Portabaga, Macatel and Mabnang Falls it’s time to head back to Claveria. We know the town shuts down early so we had to get back to catch the eateries in the evening. It was a timely arrival in front of our inn as the sun was about to set over the distinct landmark of Lakay-lakay, a legendary group of rock formations at Taggat Lagoon clearly seen from the beach of Claveria. Among the delighted crowd playing along the waves of Claveria Beach, I remember the tale Mang Bong told us about Apo Lakay-lakay during our Parambolan feast.
Legend says that there was a family living in Claveria who got wealthy through fishing. The husband and wife were already on their golden age but they have a precious young son they dearly loved. They lived a happy life but wealth had made them greedy and unwanted.
One day, the father coming home from an abundant catch came across an old man. The old man asked if he could spare a bite from one of the fishes he would cook as he was starving. The father laughed off his request. The old man said “You’ll regret it if you will not!” but he continued on.
That evening while the couple were cooking, an old lady came knocking at their door and pleaded for a bite of fish they were cooking. The wife yelled at her exclaiming they have nothing tho give her. She gave a warning that they would regret it if they won’t give here even a bit. She went away empty handed.
By dinner time, they found out their son was missing. They searched out of the house and asked their neighbors for help. It was during sunrise when they found their son across the waves in the east. They ran despite the tiring night long search but was heart broken to find their beloved son turned to stone.
The couple went back to their home weeping. The wife blamed her husband for being greedy and useless. Suddenly her husband turned into a stone in front of her. Slowly she noticed the waves caught her feet and slowly she turned to stone as well.
On this day the the Two towering rock formations at Taggat Lagoon are known as Apo Lakay-lakay (Old Man) and Apo Baket-baket (Old Woman). Their son Ubing-ubing (Child) is found of Sentinela Beach across Claveria Bay.
Mang Bong said to make up for their mistakes, the the mountain and the rocks there has been protecting their village from storms and always have abundant catch. But whenever boats pass by these rock formations, they would give offerings to the sea or else their boats would be wrecked by the rocks and the waves.
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning travel photographer, writer and blogger. His works has found print in publications such as Singapore Airlines’s Silver Kris, Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay, Cebu Pacific’s Smile and Seair InFlight. He has also lent his expertise to various organizations like the Oceana Philippines, Lopez Group Foundation, Save the Children and World Vision, contributing quality images for their marketing materials.
