On a cold windy night, the God of the world Likalibutan held his red-faced wailing daughter for the world to see. Randomly springing out of her father’s eyes, the world poured vigorously in time with her cries. Her little body was unnaturally covered in eyes. People recoiled in fear as they took in the sight of the girl who would soon be called Dalikmata, the many-eyed diwata. Dalikmata grew up with the Spring of Truth which helped her become a deity full of kindness and honesty. She grew to love humans so deeply that she wept for those who performed inhumane acts. She, who was once feared for her appearance, became revered by the people. Everyone loved the gentle diwata for the favors that she gave the people. She even placed a few of her eyes on the wings of butterflies, sending them across the village, in order to look after humanity. For a time, all was well. As the village teemed with life and bustled with movement, some began to whisper about another legend. The Flower-of-Make-Believe, the first plant on Earth, had sprung from the first tears of the famous and fabled Tungkung Langit when Alunsina left him. Coveted by many, this can give whoever’s lips touched its nectar whatever they desired. To protect mere mortals from this stunning power, it was guarded by Dalikmata who kept an ever watchful eye, or rather, eyes. The wind sang the flower’s tale unto the notoriously greedy Sultan Barom Mai’s ears who immediately started to plan for the flower to be his. Consumed by his rapaciousness, he asked the Goddess of the Wind, Hangin Bai, to put the watchful goddess into a deep dreamless slumber. Besotted by the Sultan, Dalikmata’s friend did as he commanded and brought the deity to sleep with the help of her soothing wind. Sultan Barom Mai’s nefarious plan would have worked if not for the thousands of eyes that covered Dalikmata’s body. She awoke from her friend’s wicked spell enraged and hysterical, the heartbreak of betrayal etched into her heart. She vowed that no such disloyalty would ever happen again against her or the creatures of the earth. In order to keep this promise, she placed her eyes on all of the forest moths and butterflies and sent them forth to be her guardians. So goes the legend of the diwata of a thousand eyes. If she ever happened to fall asleep again, her dreams would be filled with the works of spirits as she watches over humanity and protects them with her kindness and grace.
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| the psyche: sugilanon sugilnon+
