The story of the goddess Lakapati and her husband Mapulon might be different from all the other stories you’ve heard in Philippine Mythology.
Lakapati is the Tagalog goddess of fertility, who is considered as the kindest amongst all other deities. She is the giver of food, prosperity, agriculture that’s why many Filipinos respected her for her kindness. She suffices the needs of anyone who asks help for her. She aids anyone who needs food. She helps a poor family prosper in their daily living. And most importantly, she doesn’t choose who to help. This caught the attention of Mapulon, the god of seasons and good health.
Not only they both are kind to the mortals, but they are both respected by Filipinos for their kindness.
Lakapati was never interested with Mapulon when he started to show his feelings for her. Maybe he is just too popular for her, or she just doesn’t like someone to stick around with her because she’s beautiful. But in truth, Mapulon did not fell for her physical appearance, or her hair, or her body shape. In fact, it was never mentioned if Lakapati is truly beautiful. But as implied, she can be different from other beautiful goddesses because she lives among humanity unlike other goddesses.
Mapulon fell for her kindness. He fell for her distinctiveness and sympathy. He fell for her understanding for humanity because they need help, and nobody would help them immediately except for her. That despite the imperfection of humanity, Lakapati will not think twice but to help if it’s desperately needed. And that is something that she has that the other goddesses don’t have.
That gave Mapulon the reason to court her for years because he is determined to wait for her. Although it didn’t say how in detail, Mapulon never gave up on her. Eventually, Lakapati fell in love with Mapulon because of his tirelessness and his eagerness to show her his love. (They had a child named Anagolay, who is the goddess of lost things, and because of the kindness of her parents, Anagolay also became a helper to mankind so that when they need help in finding their lost things, she will come for help.)
Their story reflects how pre-colonial Filipino men will do everything to court the person they love, even if it takes thousands of years. They never give up if the person they love most doesn’t like them at first, because most women are impressed with a man’s determination. Being rejected isn’t an option to give up on her. Having a rival doesn’t give you a way to stop courting. Being disqualified in a matter that you are not allowed to be together for some reasons shouldn’t hinder you. If you love that person, then be consistent with your feelings. Otherwise, you’ll never know it if you are truly worthy for that person.
Besides, when feelings have chances to prosper, then it can only be tested if tried.
Does this still reflect in the modern day, somehow?
