The Story of Lin-ay, Lady from the South

Every time I go home, I see this woman on top of a building in the city-a woman aglow in gold who stares forwardly towards the sea, the green hills of Guimaras, and beyond. She holds stalks of rice against her bosom while a scythe on her left. Dressed simply with her traditional patadyong and covered her hair with the hablon, she stands guard on a pedestal that brought her to new heights. She’s a farm girl from the fields of Panay.

Though she may look simple and unassuming, but behind her eyes and stand is a story of rise, fame, power, vices, betrayal, damnation, and redemption. She is a mother who once shaped an entire civilization. Her name is Lin-ay, the lady of the south.

Legend once said that Lin-ay is the daughter of some mythical chieftain from where the wind called habagat came from. They arrived in the island of Panay which was fertile and free. Her father, along with the nine chiefs has once purchased the island with a golden hat and a necklace from a native whom they have them accommodated.

When they settled, the young Lin-ay helped her father toil the soil and fished the sea around it. She worked hard yet she enjoys the freedom in this island they called Panay. Along with her gentle and sing-song voice, the people listened and learned how to fish and farm. The caring Lin-ay called the people of Panay as her children, for she loves them deeply, like a mother to her child. The people call her “Palangga,” or “beloved.”

For her graceful beauty yet resolute character, a lot of men courted her. From chinaware, silk, food, and even new ideas, she learned a lot from her suitors from different empires of the Orient a lot. Her children benefited a lot from these. Thus, they prospered.

For her wealth and caring attitude were so known, that a white knight from the West known as Quixote sought her to feed her hungry men. The naïve Lin-ay gave them refuge and even helped the stranger in his quest. She didn’t know that the knight with the shining armor will be her foster father for centuries!

The white knight taught her to believe in One God, dress the way the people of the West, and do the way they do. The once naïve princess of the south, hesitated at first, but learned new things anyway. Quixote was grateful for Lin-ay, and thus gave her the power to create ships that would be an envy of all empires in the West.

For she was talented, she also learned how to weave from abaca and sinamay, and taught it to her children whom became loom masters.

Lin-ay and her children prospered in building ships, weaving, farming, and fishing. For this is her gift to her children, and the children has loved her even more. Until suddenly…

A man from the West whom they called Nicholas came into Panay. She saw the beautiful Lin-ay while she was on her way to the looms. Nicholas fell in love with her and courted her for days and nights. He brought gifts like cotton from a kingdom called Manchester, and sweet gold that Quixote called azucar. Lin-ay was at first hesitant, not buying with the Englishman’s looks and gifts. However, his persistence and effort made her sweet huo or yes.

Her relationship with Nicholas became a game changer.

Then Lin-ay’s brown eyes changed, for the better or for worse? What made this simple yet beautiful mother from the farms become one of the most influential dowager in all of the islands? What has become of her when candies became her usual diet?

(To be continued…)