Alamat ng Isla ng Pitong Makasalanan

Summary

The story tells of a father living in a coastal town in Dumangas, Iloilo, with his seven beautiful daughters. These daughters, famous for their beauty, are sought after by suitors, but their father fears losing them to distant places. Despite his objections, the daughters secretly sail away with seven young men. The father, distraught, chases after them but is unable to catch up. In a tragic turn, a storm hits, sinking their boat. The islands where their boat parts scattered are later named 'Isla de Picados,' as a reminder of the daughters' disobedience, highlighting the importance of respecting one's parents.

Takeaways

• 😀 A long time ago, there was an old man with seven daughters living by the sea in Dumangas, located in the eastern part of Iloilo province on Panay Island.
• 😀 The seven daughters were known for their beauty and spent their days either doing household chores or playing by the seaside, enjoying the waves.
• 😀 The daughters' beauty was famous far and wide, attracting many suitors who sought their hands in marriage, but the father was very protective and wanted them to stay close by.
• 😀 The father feared that if his daughters married men from other places, they would be taken far away from him and would never return.
• 😀 One day, a group of handsome young men arrived in their town. They had heard of the daughters' beauty and came not only to trade but to meet the girls.
• 😀 The daughters quickly formed connections with the young men, and they were invited to visit their town. However, their father did not approve, fearing the strangers.
• 😀 Despite the father's disapproval, the eldest daughter and her siblings secretly left their home to join the young men, taking their belongings and boarding their boat.
• 😀 The father, while fishing at sea, saw the boat with his daughters and tried desperately to catch up with them, but his old boat was too slow to keep up with the young men's faster, modern boat.
• 😀 As the father called out to his daughters in vain, a storm suddenly formed, and the weather turned harsh, reflecting his sadness and the turmoil of the moment.
• 😀 The father, returning home, was devastated to find his house empty. His daughters had gone, and the loneliness overwhelmed him. The stormy weather symbolized his grief.
• 😀 The next day, the father, still hopeful, went out to sea again and discovered a group of small islands where the remains of the boat his daughters had sailed on were floating. The islands were later named 'Isla de Picados' (Islands of the Wicked), as a reminder of the daughters' disobedience.

Q & A

What is the main conflict in the story of the 'Legend of the Island of the Seven Sins'?

The main conflict arises from the daughters' defiance against their father's wishes. He is protective and does not want them to marry strangers or leave their island, but they disobey him, leading to tragic consequences.

Why did the father forbid his daughters from leaving with the traders?

The father feared that his daughters would be taken away from him and that they would be far from home, which would lead to a separation he could not bear. His main concern was keeping them close for their safety and happiness.

How did the daughters react to their father's disapproval of the traders?

The daughters ignored their father's wishes and, despite his disapproval, decided to leave with the traders. They secretly boarded the traders' boats, intending to escape to a new life.

What role does the setting play in the story?

The setting on the island of Panay, specifically the coastal area and the sea, is crucial to the plot. The sea symbolizes both opportunity and danger, while the isolation of the island highlights the father’s overprotectiveness and the daughters' desire for freedom.

What is the significance of the storm in the story?

The storm symbolizes the consequences of disobedience. It is a natural disaster that serves as a powerful metaphor for the daughters’ reckless actions. The storm leads to their tragic deaths, which is a direct result of their decision to defy their father.

How does the father react when he realizes his daughters are gone?

The father is heartbroken and desperate. He tries to chase after them, but his efforts are in vain. Upon returning home and realizing the loss, he is overwhelmed with grief and regret for not being able to prevent their departure.

What do the small islands symbolize in the story?

The small islands where the daughters' boat wreckage is found symbolize both the literal and metaphorical separation of the family. These islands are a reminder of the consequences of the daughters’ actions and the irreversible nature of their disobedience.

What lesson does the story impart about obedience?

The story teaches that obedience to parents, especially in matters of love and safety, is important. The daughters' defiance led to tragic consequences, showing that disobeying those who care for you can have irreversible effects.

Why are the islands where the daughters perished named 'Isla de Picados'?

The islands are named 'Isla de Picados,' or the 'Islands of the Seven Sins,' as a reminder of the daughters' sin of disobeying their father. The term 'Picados' refers to the consequences of their actions and their rebellion against parental authority.

What could the father have done differently to prevent the tragedy?

The father could have communicated more openly with his daughters, perhaps understanding their desires and finding a compromise. However, his extreme overprotectiveness and refusal to trust them led to the tragic events. His actions ultimately pushed them away rather than keeping them close.