In the serene island of Sibuyan in Romblon, a spring believed to be cursed has become the center of local folklore, particularly affecting the love lives of men who drink its waters. According to a segment on “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” men like 74-year-old Mang Oto, who have consumed water from this spring, known locally as payaw, find themselves remaining bachelors for life.
Mang Oto, who praised the sweet taste of the spring’s water, has faced unsuccessful relationships, leading to a life of solitude. This narrative is not unique to him; his cousin Pidek, 62, who also drank from the payaw, shares a similar fate of unfulfilled romantic relationships.
The spring, located deep within a forest approximately half a kilometer from residential areas, draws its water from the roots of a large tree and has been the primary source of drinking water for the local community. Brothers Joemar and Marlon Rada, both in their late thirties and early forties and regular consumers of the spring’s water, also remain single, adding to the mystique of the payaw’s supposed curse.
Local lore suggests that an enchanting guardian spirit of the spring curses men it finds attractive, dooming their romantic endeavors. Additionally, Maria Carla Victoria Esclares, a resident, points out a peculiar detail: the tree at the spring resembles a female’s private part, further warning young men against consuming its water.
Despite these beliefs, experts offer rational explanations for the phenomenon. Anthropologist Chester Cabalza suggests the curse may be a mere coincidence, reflecting broader societal beliefs in spirits and enchantments prevalent in provincial areas. Psychologist Dr. Vicente Panganiban, on the other hand, advises against attributing singleness to the spring’s water, pointing out various reasons people choose to remain single, such as contentment with life or fear of marital problems.
This intriguing tale from Romblon blurs the lines between myth and reality, highlighting how folklore can influence perceptions and behaviors within a community. Whether the spring’s water truly holds a curse or is simply part of a captivating local legend, the story of the payaw continues to fascinate and mystify.