MARIA CACAO

     On the highest mountain of Argao,in the enchanting cave of Lantoy,there lived a very beautiful woman called Maria Cacao.According to old folks,she was a nymph who would sometimes descend and appear to the townspeople when the moon was full and shimmering brightly.Her long black tresses waved and shone like the rolling ocean waters when themoonshine struck them.Her finely-chiseled nose and lips appeared clearly drawn on her smooth ceramic face.Her eyes twinkled like the stars in the heaven as her long immaculately white dress floated above the ground.Her beauty matched her character of generousity anf humility.
      She was called Maria Cacao after her huge cacao plantation on the  mountain and its slopes.In fact,she would occasionally travel to Americato sell her cacao.
      From her travels,Maria Cacao usually brought home new utensils,silverware,and chinaware.The townspeople used to borrw this items for weddings,baptisms,and other feasts.It said that anyone who wished  to use Maria Cacao's thingssimply asked for them at the mouth of the cave.Next day,without fail,these things would be delivered to his or her door.
      For her trips,Maria Cacao used a gigantic golden ship.Because of its size,sometimes its mast would snag the bridge of Argao,so that the bridge would collapsed.
      When the Americans were about to construct a concrete bridge in Argao,the people said to one another:"The new bridge will have to be very high so that the golden ship of Maria Cacao cannot touch it".
      One day,an engineer went to Maria Cacao cave and pleaded,"Please,Maria Cacao's,promise not to pass by the Argao river so the bridge will not be destroyed again".
      Maria Cacao is said to have agreed.Hence.nothing has happened to the useful bridge of Aragao.
      However,the people cannot borrow utensils for their celebrations anymore.Nor have they seen Maria Cacao roaming and visiting them.Well,it is said that Maria Cacao has learned a lesson.Some townspeople have failed to return things borrowed from her;thus,Maria Cacao no longer appears to the townspeople.
      Sometimes,when the townspeople hear that the bridge of Dalaguete,Manipis,or Manga is destroyed,they say:"Now she probably moved to another place and has to pass by another river."