Myth and Legends

The Ilang-Ilang flower

During the American times, in a place in the town of Laoag, there lived two lovers whose affections for each other were beyond compare. The name of the maiden was Carla nicknamed Ilang, while the young man’s name was Romeo whose nickname was Nubo, which means a man of great strength. He was a hunk of man with muscular body and powerful arms and feared by all the other bachelors in the town of Laoag, including those from the neighboring towns.

One day, there landed on the shore bordering Laoag a band of Spanish bandits. It was led by their young master who came all the way from the island of Spain to settle down in that town and to start a new life altogether. The leader of the band, in particular, settled near Nubo and Carla lived. He opened a trading store. Still unmarried, he had intentions of marrying a native. Among these eligible ladies who particularly interested the Spanish bandleader was Ilang.

Ilang’s shining beauty and her forthcoming marriage to Nubo were often the talk of the town. He saw her a couple of times more and even had a real close look at her when she stepped inside the store to buy things for the wedding ceremony. It did not take long before the Spanish bandleader developed a deep fondness for Ilang. Although he knew very well that she already had a fiancé. He preferred not to involve himself in any direct confrontation with Nubo, who also often passed by the store.

If only to avoid trouble. Thus, he kept his desire to himself and waited for a better opportunity. A few days before their wedding, Nubo thought it fitting to go deer hunting in the parts of Ilocos Norte. During those early times the deer was considered a good dish serve during happy gatherings. Four of his most intimate friends accompanied him to the forest to help him catch deer to grace the wedding feast. It got everybody talking about it. Even the young Spanish trader came to know about it.

Two days later, Nubo left. The Spanish bandleader took advantage of his absence and paid Ilang a surprise visit. He brought her various gifts of gold and silver and flowers as presents. Ilang received him into the house thinking he came to wish her will on her forthcoming wedding to Nubo. The Spanish revealed to the lovely maiden his growing love for her. He promised her great wealth if she would agree to marry him and they would escape to Spain.

But as Ilang was totally committed to Nubo, she turned down his proposal abruptly. Seeing it was a hopeless situation, the embarrassed Spanish bandleader leaved. He left quietly though bitter with hate. On his way home, he reflected on what had transpired and thought it best to flee before news reached Nubo. He was sure Ilang would tell Nubo about his visit to her and that would certainly spell trouble for him.

When he arrived at the front of his store, he was greeted by his men who came on short notice to inform him of the arrival of his shipment. At once, the idea of using harsh means to get what he could not obtain using gentle ways entered his mind. With his men around he could not possibly fail, so he thought of k********g Ilang. His fellow Spanish agreed to go along with his evil scheme. Thus, the following evening, amidst a heavy storm, they broke into the house of the maiden.

After tying up her parents, they dragged Ilang away and took her to a very distant hideout. When Ilang figured there was a little she could do to defeat the Spanish, she thought of committing suicide than suffer the loss of her purity. She waited until the Spanish trader had his back turned then quickly snatched the dagger tucked on his side and stabbed herself to death. Seeing her cold dead, the Spanish bandits decided to flee and headed for the store where their junk was berthed.

Unknown to them, they were being followed by a good neighbour of Ilang who saw where they have taken her, then left to call for help. That same night, Nubo and his men also returned from hunting, each carrying a deer on his shoulders. They have just entered the town square when the neighbour of Ilang rushed towards them and reported to Nubo what had happened. He even led them to the supposed hideout. When they arrived there the bandits have already left.

Nubo knelt down to kiss the cold lips of Ilang and swore revenge. He rushed out of the cave and from the distant saw the junk of the Spanish bandleader about a mile away. Quickly he and his men jumped on a Bangka and headed for the sea, and there they engaged the enemies in a fierce battle. No one of the Spanish lads survived; Nubo himself killed the leader with his bolo. The day after, they buried the remains of Ilang beside a tree that had not bloomed for a long time.

Here beside the grave, Nubo wept and mourned lengthily for Ilang. After a few days, a number of the town folks discovered the corpse of Nubo beside the grave of Ilang. Nubo was later finally laid to rest on the spot where he died, right beside the grave of his beloved Ilang. Many years passed. One day, some of the farm folks were surprised by a certain fragrant scent. The scent originated from the graves of the two lovers that lay at the end of the rice field.

They noticed the tree that never flowered before now displayed very lovely petals and it was these same flowers that produced the lovely smell. Moved by their discovery, they could not help uttering the name of Ilang and aptly had the flowers called Ilang-Ilang as a lasting remembrance to their town mate who chose to die and remain pure and true to Nubo, her brave lover.