Anything under the sun
Origins of place-names (11)
Caluya
Once in the island of Mai (now Mindoro), there lived two first cousins who were lovers – Caligno and Luyana. Because of their close blood relations, their parents opposed the affair.
One dark night, the lovers fled. Caligno had the power to make the sea only knee deep. He loaded Luyana on his shoulders and waded into the sea. While in the middle of the sea, Luyana fearing the anger of her parents, told Caligno to return home.
Caligno replied that they meantime sleep that night and to return home the next day. So, they slept at the middle of the sea with Luyana on the shoulders of Caligno standing on the sea.
Morning came and Luyana was surprised to see that there were now a very beautiful island surrounded by other islets. They decided to live there and called the island Caluya – after their names.
They also named the surrounding islets as Semirara, Sibay, Libago, Nangubat, Sibalo, Ilogao, Tabanan and Dalit.
At present, Caluya island group, located between Panay and Mindoro is a municipality in Antique. It is the only island town in West Visayas.