Maria Cacao

Maria Cacao is the diwata (fairy) or mountain goddess associated with Mount Lantoy in Argao, Cebu, Philippines, similar to Maria Makiling of Los Baños and Maria Sinukuan of Mount Arayat.

The basic form of the legend is that whenever rains flood the river that comes from Mount Lantoy, or a bridge is broken, this is a sign that Maria Cacao and her husband Mangao have either traveled down the river in their golden ship so that they can export their crops, or traveled up the river on their way back.^[1] She is supposed to live inside a cave in the mountain and the Cacao plants outside it are supposed to be her plantation.^[2] While the story is obviously mythical in nature, it is cited as evidence of how long the production of tableya, has been going on in the area.^[1] Tableya is Cebuano for round, unsweetened chocolate tablets made from cacao beans. It is a crucial ingredient in the Filipino delicacies sikwate (hot chocolate) and champorado.^[3]

References

Philippine mythology and folklore General Religion Creation stories Supreme deities Bathala Kan-Laon Mangindusa Kabunian Lesser deities Amihan Bakunawa Mayari Tala The Diwatas Maria Cacao Maria Makiling Maria Sinukuan Epic and folklore heroes Ama-ron Aliguyon Bernardo Carpio Daragang Magayon Datu Daya Irong-Irong Juan Tamad Kalantiaw Lam-ang Malakas and Maganda Sarimanok Princess Urduja Historical people Dios Buhawi Francisco Dagohoy Papa Isio Pulajans Nardong Putik Historical events Dagohoy Rebellion Battle of Dolores River Negros Revolution Belief systems Anito Gabâ Pulajan religion Spiritual leaders Albularyo Babaylan Datu Hilot Mambabarang Mambunong/Mumbaki Mananambal Mangkukulam Sacred places Mount Apo Mount Arayat Mount Banahaw Mount Kanlaon Mount Lantoy Mount Makiling Mount Mayon Mount Pinatubo Legendary objects Agimat Anito Code of Kalantiaw Gintong Salakot Mythical creatures Agta Alan Amalanhig Amomongo Anggitay Aswang Bal-Bal Batibat Berbalang Berberoka Bungisngis Busaw Dalaketnon Diwata Duwende Ekek Engkanto Hantu Demon Higante Kapre Kataw Kumakatok Manananggal Manaul Minokawa Nuno sa punso Pugot Santelmo Sarangay Sarimanok Sigbin Sirena Siyokoy Tigmamanukan Tikbalang Tiyanak Wak Wak Literary works Biag ni Lam-ang Code of Kalantiaw Hinilawod Hudhud hi Aliguyon Juan Tamad Maragtas Popular culture Amaya Ang Mahiwagang Baul Aso ni San Roque Dyesebel Dyosa Encantadia Saga Indio Luna Blanca Luna Mystika Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang The Mythology Class Trese Literary sources Philippine literature Philippine folk literature Philippine epic poetry Cebuano literature Kapampangan literature Hiligaynon literature Ibanag literature Ifugao literature Ilokano literature Mindanao literature Pangasinan literature Tagalog literature Tagbanwa mythology Waray literature