If you could be your favorite movie or book character, who would you be? Me? I would love to be “Daragang Magayon,” from Bicol’s local folklore, “The Legend of Mayon Volcano.”
And I really would love to read Dr. Melinda Bobis’ retelling of this legend portraying Daragang Magayon as a warrior princess. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find an original copy online, and it’s also out of print. *sigh* I am praying I’ll find an original copy of this book. ❤
So, I am feeling playful with ChatGPT again because I am physically tired, and this is one of my ways to destress. 😀 I asked it to create a “Daragang Magayon” version of me by uploading a 2×2 ID photo of mine. lol
I only use ChatGPT when I want to experiment with images. But for the article content, it’s all me. And once again, it exceeded my expectations – the results were very impressive, the details are absolutely stunning. If a genie in a bottle exists to make your ideas come to life, AI is really it.
Without any further ado, let me introduce you to Daragang Magayon version 2.0 (or 3.0?).
I also went ahead and asked ChatGPT to recreate the image above and change it to an active combat stance with a gritty expression. I requested several edits because I preferred the active combat stance set with Mt. Mayon erupting in the background. But I wasn’t satisfied with the lighting on the 2nd image, so I requested another edit, and AI nailed it with the 3rd image.
By the way, using these photos for commercial purposes without my permission might still fall under copyright infringement issues. Though I am still currently reviewing OpenAI’s Terms of Service for this. I do highly encourage generating similar images by creating prompts that are as detailed as possible. You may want to conduct your research first on the elements that you want to see in your AI-generated images.
For example, when determining what your avatar or model would look like, try experimenting with specific facial features, i.e., aquiline nose, round eyes, prominent cheekbones, etc. You might want to avoid coming up with prompts that are too general. The more specific, the better. For unique images, take note of techniques that photographers or artists use in their artworks, i.e., lighting, rule of thirds, foreground, background, rendering, color blending, etc.
By the way, I upload my photos on Google’s Reverse Image Search to find images on the internet similar to mine. This is how I make sure that all original images (including AI-generated) I post online aren’t stolen. 😀
To be really honest, I was laughing out loud when the photos were generated. I was just totally amused. I felt like if I were to rewrite Daragang Magayon‘s story, it’s going to be a romantic comedy instead of a romantic tragedy. lol
I did rewrite it, though, but I tweaked the ending so it wouldn’t end tragically. As for the rom-com version, it will just have to wait. The outline below is my own version of the legend of Daragang Magayon, which I entitled, “Daragang Magayon Version 2.0: A Love Story Forged In Fire.” 🙂
Here’s how the new narrative will run through:
- Daragang Magayon not only survived one challenge.
- She overcame different obstacles that turned her into a Warrior Princess.
- She lived in different places, but came back to the place where she was born to lead the native’s revolt against foreigners who wished to conquer the land.
- She is not just a damsel in distress; she fights alongside Panganoron, her Army’s General, and also her lover, to defend their people and the community from those who will take advantage of them and their resources.
- Pagtuga, a rejected suitor of Daragang Magayon, secretly made a deal with the foreigners.
- A battle took place between the natives and the foreigners.
- Though the natives won, a lot of them died, including Pagtuga and Daragang Magayon‘s father.
- These fallen natives were buried on the exact battleground, wherein a few days later, a volcano rises.
- The people called it “Mayon” to honor Daragang Magayon’s bravery in leading her people to victory.
- Panganoron proposes to Daragang Magayon with a beautiful ring that has a natural lava stone taken from the volcano’s first eruption – a symbol of the love forged through resilience and courage.
- She lived through until old age with Panganoron, and were blessed with many children.
- BECAUSE A HAPPY ENDING IS A MUST. Periodt.
And the Bible verses that best fit this heroine’s character are the following:
A Wife of Noble Character
10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She finds wool and flax
and busily spins it.
14 She is like a merchant’s ship,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She is energetic and strong,
a hard worker.
18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
her lamp burns late into the night.
19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,
her fingers twisting fiber.
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
21 She has no fear of winter for her household,
for everyone has warm clothes.
22 She makes her own bedspreads.
She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
23 Her husband is well known at the city gates,
where he sits with the other civic leaders.
24 She makes belted linen garments
and sashes to sell to the merchants.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She carefully watches everything in her household
and suffers nothing from laziness.
28 Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her:
29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
but you surpass them all!”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
– Proverbs 31: 10-31
It’s been a year since I got so close to Mt. Mayon and was able to touch the soil in one of its slopes during my first Mayon ATV Adventure last May 4, 2025. You can read more about it here:
I came up with this write-up because it looked like Mt. Mayon reminded me of my first anniversary with it. Last May 2, 2026, there was a lava flow collapse more than usual in the gullies, particularly in the Mi-Isi Gully. Thousands of families were evacuated due to heavy ashfall and dangerous PDCs (pyroclastic density currents).
If I am not mistaken, the Green Forest Trail is located in Brgy. Mi-Isi, where we had our last stop near the volcano last year. I think that trail is now gone with the new debris from the recent lahar flow in the area.
I wrote this article solely for fun and entertainment. But on a more heartfelt note, I am lifting all Albayanos who were affected by ashfall and might be affected by lahar, especially those living near the volcano, in my prayers. May God’s protection and provisions be upon them amid the ongoing activity of Mt. Mayon. Magpangadyi tabi kirita pirmi. 🙏
P.S. Which Daragang Magayon character version is your top choice?
P.P.S. Methinks the music video below by dwta is the perfect soundtrack for my version of Daragang Magayon‘s legend.
PANGANORON (BIKOL VERSION)
[Verse 1]
Mari na
Ibahan mo ako sa sakuyang dudumanan
Mari na
Dai ta ka man wawaraon
[Pre-Chorus]
Tumubod ka sakuya
Sakuyang padaba
Dai ka maghadit
Ta dai na saimong mabaya
[Verse 2]
Mari na
Ano pa an nagpupugol sa imo?
Mari na
Sabay niyatong hahampangon
An nakaabang na peligro
[Pre-Chorus]
Tumubod ka sakuya
Sakuyang padaba
Dai ka maghadit
Ta dai na saimong mabaya
[Chorus]
Anion ako
Dulagan ta an maribukon na kinaban
Yaon ako
Dawa abuton pa kita nin kadipisilan
[Post-Chorus]
Promisa ko saimo
Dai ko nanggad ika bubutasan
[Instrumental Break]
[Pre-Chorus]
Tumubod ka sakuya
Sakuyang padaba
Dai ka maghadit
Ta dai na saimong mabaya
[Bridge]
Lalanguyon, ririrupon
Lalakawon, dadalaganon
Dawa ano, kayang gibuhon
Kun pwede sana ngani ini lalayugon
Lalanguyon, ririrupon
Lalakawon, dadalaganon
Dawa ano, kayang gibuhon
Kun pwede sana ngani ini lalayugon
Lalanguyon, ririrupon
Lalakawon, dadalaganon
Dawa ano, kayang gibuhon
Dawa ano, kakayanon
PANGANORON (FILIPINO VERSION)
[Verse]
Tara na
Samahan mo ako sa aking pupuntahan
Tara na
Hindi naman kita ililigaw
[Pre-Chorus]
Magtiwala ka sa akin
Aking mahal
Wag kang mabahala
Dahil wala na sa ‘yong mang-iiwan
[Verse]
Tara na
Ano pa ang pumipigil sa iyo?
Tara na
Sabay nating haharapin
Ang nakaabang na peligro
[Pre-Chorus]
Magtiwala ka sa akin
Aking mahal
Wag kang mabahala
Dahil wala na sa ‘yong mang-iiwan
[Chorus]
Andito ako
Takasan natin ang maingay na mundo
Nariyan ako
Kahit abutin pa tayo ng suliranin
[Post-Chorus]
Pangako ko sa iyo
Hinding-hindi kita bibitawan
[Instrumental Break]
[Pre-Chorus]
Magtiwala ka sa akin
Aking mahal
Wag kang mabahala
Dahil wala na sa ‘yong mang-iiwan
[Bridge]
Lalanguyin, sisisirin
Lalakarin, tatakbuhin
Kahit ano, kayang gawin
Kung pwede nga lang ito’y liliparin
Lalanguyin, sisisirin
Lalakarin, tatakbuhin
Kahit ano, kayang gawin
Kung pwede nga lang ito’y liliparin
Lalanguyin, sisisirin
Lalakarin, tatakbuhin
Kahit ano, kayang gawin
Kahit ano, kakayanin
[Chorus]
Andito ako
Takasan natin ang maingay na mundo
Nariyan ako
Kahit abutin pa tayo ng suliranin
[Post-Chorus]
Pangako ko sa iyo
Aking mahal
Wag kang mabahala
Dahil hinding-hindi talaga kita bibitawan
[Outro]
Nariyan na
Tayong dalawa sa lugar
Kung saan walang ingay
Narito na
Ang pangako ko sa iyo
Mamahalin ka
Hanggang sa dulo
The Journeyman's Moments 