The “maka-hiya” (or “prone to shyness”) weed is a common wild and thorny shrub found in thick undergrowths. A slight touch would render its tiny row of leaves to fold close and re-open after a few hours. A myth about the “maka-hiya” tells of a man who once took a risk with love but failed and vowed never to try again.
The myth about the “maka-hiya” started a long time ago. Roque Mejia was a lad who helped his father farm a small field at the outskirts of town. Though folks sometimes called him Roque, his friends were fond of calling him “Mejia.” Maestro Dominic, their teacher in poetry, also called him Mejia. The surname described him well because he was too shy to do anything, especially when it came to young beautiful ladies from town. Mejia sounds like the vernacular for “shy,” which is “hiya,” and which connects well with the myth about the “maka-hiya” weed.
Of all the pretty girls in town, Alona was Mejia’s fancy. He enjoyed watching her but avoided her eyes up close—which augurs well for the myth about the “maka-hiya” plant that closes at a mere touch. Eventually the girl noticed Mejia’s real feelings and Alona, being a bit conceited with her good looks and often flirted because of that, tried to playfully entertain Mejia’s affection. She pretended to befriend Mejia and tried to make him feel that she cared.
Eventually Mejia fell head over heels for her, and obviously at that, so that the whole town and even the scattered pueblos around knew of it. But Alona was never serious about anything between them, and in fact had a fiancé, Carlos, while making Mejia fall for her. One day Mejia saw Alona sweet in Carlos’ arms at the plaza garden and later heard of their impending wedding. That’s when Mejia started to be more deeply withdrawn from people, and when the myth about the “maka-hiya” started taking shape in his life.
Mejia never went to town again since. There were young ladies who sincerely took interest in him but to no avail. Mejia grew old and died a loner. On his grave grew a wild, groping weed with thorns. It easily bent and folded even at a mere touch. People called it “maka-mejia” or “like-Mejia.” And later, due to this myth about the “maka-hiya,” it was called “Maka-hiya.”
Never be too trusting in a person—this is what the myth about the “maka-hiya” reminds us of.
Related topics:
The Myth about the Macopa Fruit
Most people would choose material possessions over anything else. But not the people in a myth concerning the macopa fruit. According to the myth, they died protecting the symbol of their treasured religion. This myth is a suspense thriller. ...
The Myth on Why Fireflies Have Lights
Be careful what we love looking at or we might be entranced to wish to be like it in some way. A myth on how fireflies came to have lights in them says that too much fascination with a star...
The Myth of the Banana Plant
True love cannot be hindered. It will find a way to grow more and further. This Philippine myth on the banana plant is a local version of Romeo and Juliet, only with a different twist at the end, ending up...
The Filipino Myth on Creation
The early notion of Filipinos about God was a provider of all peoples' needs. A myth on this says that God created the world as needs arised. The myth hints that there was no grand overall blueprint that creation followed....
The Myth about the Butterfly
Children ought to be responsible, beginning with household chores, and with more, as they grow up. A myth on butterflies reminds both parents and children in building up the family. The myth further shows that children untrained with responsibilities may...
A Myth on the Philippine Archipelago
A long time ago, after Spain christianized the country, many believed that the Philippines had a divine destiny in the far east. A local myth corroborates this assumption and tells of a supernatural intervention from heaven to save the natives...
The Myth about Dama de Noche
Dama de Noche is a famous flower plant that emits a strong, sweet fragrance at night. A Philippine myth on it says it started with a young beautiful woman who was fond of fragrances till the day she died. The...
The Myth about Cats and Dogs
Greed destroys a lot of things. A myth on cats and dogs says it can even destroy solid friendships established by a long record of mutuality and intimacy. The myth also teaches how good friendship is often compromised for temporary...
Philippine Myth on Mango Fruits
The succulent mango has an interesting love story to tell. This Philippine myth is a local, and probably better, version of a Romeo and Juliet love story, but which ends sweet. A myth ought always to end as sweet....
The Myth about the Rabbit and the Lion
Disadvatageous relationships hinging on personal interests alone can no more last as a friendship between a lion and a rabbit are likely to end up disastrously. A local myth on such unlikely friendship did end up disastrously, but with a...