The Cordillera region of the Philippines is known for its scenic views in forms of mountains, valleys, hills and beautiful bodies of water. In a remote land in the Cordilleras is a town called Barlig specifically situated in the province of Mountain Province. Barlig has a bountiful environment that is also evident in its affluent culture. Local folktales relate stories about heroes and even origins of peculiar views in the place. They commonly tell tales of enchantments and mysteries.
Lake Tufob. This is a beautiful and equally mystical lake found in Barlig. Locals tell of a beautiful love story about this lake. The story begins with a man who went to the forest to hunt for wild animals. As he was striding along the forest, he heard some giggling from a distance. He started following the giggling sound and was astonished with what he saw. There in a lake are bewitching ladies taking a swim. He tried to hid himself and was swayed by awe that he continued watching them while they bathe. He was dumbfounded when he suddenly saw wings that were laid by the lakeshore. These were not typical women. They had wings. A thought entered his mind. "What if I hide a pair of the wings"? After bathing, the ladies each took her wings and flew up to the sky. All the ladies flew to the sky except for one still looking for her wings. She started to cry. The man then came out from where he was hiding and pretended to ask why she was crying. He then asked the girl to go with him. Without her wings, she knew that to go with him is her best option. To cut the story short, they got married and had a daughter. One day, while the man was out to hunt, the girl found her wings hidden in the attic. She decided to go back to her home but she cannot bring her daughter with her. Without waiting for her husband, she left. When the man came home, the daughter told her what happened.
I really cannot remember how the story ended. Perhaps every time my grandmother told me the story, I fell asleep without knowing the ending. What I know is that the lake still stands to this day. It is just unfortunate that although I am from the place, I have never seen it in person. Maybe in the future when this pandemic is over. Maybe, just maybe.
