Bicol Express.

          Magindara were believed to be beautiful creatures that dwell in the salt waters of Bicol. some myths say they are the daughters of the deity Asuang. They are believed to be beautiful with the upper body and face of lovely maidens with long flowing hair, and the lower part of their bodies like colorful fish's tail. They were believed to be vicious creatures capable of luring men not only with their physical beauty but also by the beauty of their voices. They would sing beautifully to captivate men and lure them, only to drown them and eat their flesh. Vicious as they were it is also believed that they do not harm children for innocence and purity is poisonous to them.

 

The Moon and the Mermaids

           The god of Evil and Chaos wanted revenge on his brother Gugurang after punishing him. The evil god Asuang planned on abducting the lunar god Bulan who was undisputedly Gugurang's favorite.
According to legends the young lunar deity had the hobby of descending from the heavens to bathe in the waters of Bicol, so the Evil god Asuang sent the vicious mermaids known as Magindara to capture him. A horde of vicious mermaids awaited the descent of the lunar god, but upon his arrival Bulan was said to be so beautiful and luminous that not only did the vicious mermaids forgot their task, they also became tamed, and instead of abducting the lunar god, the mermaids played with him as if they were children. Thus the myth how the god of the moon Bulan turned the vicious sea creatures into friendly and playful mermaids.

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Magindara the demigoddess

           Magindara the demigoddess Magindara was also a name of a demi-goddess in Bicol, daughter of the deity Asuang and sister to Oryol. Magindara was said to be sweet and tender hearted unlike Oryol who was always smart and cunning. Asuang wanted to make chaos and asked her daughter to call a storm but Magindara being kind did not want to harm the people of Ibalong. She was banished to the sea by her father Asuang for disobeying him. Later beautiful but vicious mermaids appeared in the seas of Ibalong and were namesake Magindara. 

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Magindara Illustration by emirajujuIG: https://www.instagram.com/emirajuju/