CLASSIC LEGENDS
This series aims to introduce to young readers not only Filipino legends but Philippine culture as well. Legends are stories that explain the origins of things. They were used by early Filipinos as means of understanding their environment. Each book is written in two languages—Filipino and English—to impart to a greater number of readers here in the country and in other parts of the world the moral values, wisdom and knowledge each book contains.

	THE LEGEND OF THE TURTLE

	With a flat head, a short tail, four legs that walk in a kicking manner, and a hard shell glued to its back like a house which carries wherever it goes, the turtle is a strange creature. Read in this legend what a kindhearted young man and the sound of a gong have to do with the origin of the turtle.


	THE LEGEND OF THE COCONUT

	In the beginning of time, Bathala fought it out with a giant snake and then made friends with a winged head. Read in this legend about the legacy to the human race of the giant snake and the friendly winged head, and how the coconut came to be known as the “tree of life.”

	THE LEGEND OF THE DIFFERENT HUMAN RACES

	In the beginning of time, Bathala came down from the heavens to look at his creations on earth. He felt the creation was not yet complete. He should have a fellow caretaker of his own creations, whom he would call “man.” Find out in this legend the origin of the different races of mankind.

	THE LEGEND OF THE MOON AND THE STARS

	In the beginning of time, the ground and the sky were near each other. The people could touch the sky while they were standing on the ground. One day, Tala pounded rice grains. Every time she raised the pestle, its other end jabbed the sky. And at every jab, the sky backed off upwards—taking with it her comb and necklace. Read in this legend how the moon and the stars came about.

	THE LEGEND OF THE TAMARIND

	In old days, there was a doña who was extremely stingy. When a strange tree grew in her garden and it bore fruits, she slapped the old woman who begged some of the fruits before she offered some to her. Read in this story how one of the most sour fruits in the Philippines came about.

	THE LEGEND OF THE GUAVA

	Barabas is the only sultan in Mindanao who wears a crown. The crown has come to symbolize cruelty. One day, a little boy defies his authority A leader. Read in this legend about sultan's legacy which brought the guava into existence.

	THE LEGEND OF THE BANANA

	Among her suitors, Juana chose a young man with brawny arms and fingers to be her fiancé. But one of her spurned suitors became envious and made a drastic move—the reason why the babana came about.

	THE LEGEND OF THE DURIAN

	King Barom-Mai wanted to win the full-pledged love of his wife, so he consulted with the wise hermit on Mount Apo. He followed the hermit’s counsel—except for one very important request. Read in this legend how the durian came about.

	THE LEGEND OF THE MONKEY

	K’rara was a child who asked too many questions. One day his grandmother asked him to plant the seeds of the cotton plant. But instead of obeying the order, he questioned his grandmother how the seeds will become a shirt. His grandmother got tired answering his questions, so she threw at him the stick used to beat the cotton. The stick promptly turned into a furry tail!

	THE LEGEND OF THE PINEAPPLE

	Pinang is a girl who does not know how to use her eyes in looking for things. More often than not, she would ask her mother where to find what she needs. This legend tells the origin of the pineapple—the fruit with many eyes.


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