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Seven Sins
by Dinggol Araneta Divinagracia
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This is an Ilonggo folklore depicting the tale of the “Islas del Siete Pecados” or the Isles of the Seven Sins. Many believed this emanated from the town of Buenavista’s Barrio Nabalas (Barangay Navalas) in the Island of Himal-os (Guimaras) -- directly facing the town of Araut (Dumangas) in the province of Irong-irong (Iloilo). It is immortalized in the “Cancion” or local song; “Sa Banwa sang Buenavista, may mag ulotod nga dalaga....”
Once upon a time there was a fisherman and his comely wife with their seven (7) children living in a modest bamboo and nipa hut near the big coral rock along the shore of the old Barrio Nabalas. The couple was blessed with seven (7) lovely and healthy daughters, namely: Natividad, Aniceta, Beatriz, Ambrosia, Lucrecia, Anastacia and Sofia.
One day Dolores, the teenage daughter of an “Encargado” in a large fishpond at Barrio Sapao in Dumangas, Iloilo arrived to spend a three weeks vacation in her aunts home just a few distances away from the house of the “siete hermanas”. Naturally, the young girls got acquainted with each other and became close friends. Expectedly, they all talked about their other friends, their likes and dislikes, their own dreams and ambitions.
The time came for the “Bakasyonista” to bid farewell and she invited the sisters to attend their Barrio Fiesta in Dumangas after two months. Assuring them of fun and frolics, and an enjoyable stay.
Natividad the eldest sister told their father about their new friend’s invitation, but since he was dismayed of low fish catch for the day and tired from his fishing chores he just shrugged-off and walked away.
The barrio fiesta came after two months, and the sisters asked their father to allow them all to attend since their friend Dolores shall be expecting all of them in Dumangas.
However, much chagrin, the father let them go saying not used to travel afar. mother for her premoni-
Nonetheless, with heavy sneaked-out while their on a warm summer
They all boarded (Boat) complete with and propelled by the went a sea bound for Dumangas across Iloilo Strait. to their refused to they are
While the tion.
heart, they secretly parents were taking a siesta afternoon.
their family “Baroto”
“katig” (outrigger)
“layag” (sails), and
Barrio Sapao in the wide span of
Indeed, the enjoyed the good food and fun, laughter and dancing; and acquaintances --until it was getting late at night. seven sisters affair with fine music, of meeting new friends, they came to realized
Hurriedly, they all thank the rushed to the boat and sailed generous hostess and away on a moonlit night.
The deep blue sea was relatively tranquil at first until almost half-way. Suddenly, a gush of wind known as “Buhawi” (cyclone) hit the boat and at an instant capsized as the sisters who were good swimmers struggled to hold-on.
Unfortunately, as fate would have it, they all drowned and perished as the boat sank to the bottom of the shark- infested area of Iloilo Strait .
For many days and many nights rescuers tried in vain to find just anything of what was left of the poor seven sisters, but all they found were just scattered pieces of the sunken boat.
And it came to pass, for seven nights many people observed seeing an unusual sight of the seven bright stars that were so closed to each other up above the sky.
Finally, on the eight (8th) day Fishermen were surprised of the seven (7) isles that just emerged from nowhere on the alleged spot where the ill-fated boat together with the seven (7) sisters met their final destiny.
Henceforth, this freak natural phenomenon, a mystery from dear mother nature --was called by Ilonggos as the “Islas del Siete Pecados” or Isles of the Seven Sins, as a memorial to the unfortunate seven (7) sisters who ignored their concerned parents advice by their willful defiance and blatant disobedience that cost them their precious lives!
