In
Philippine mythology, Mount Lantoy is said to be the domain of
Maria Cacao, a
diwata who lives in a cave in the mountain. Outside her cave grow numerous
cacao trees, which are said to be her plantation. After harvest time come rains that wash down the mountain, enabling Maria Cacao to float down to the towns below in her golden ship to sell her products. The original name of the Maria Cacao is unknown as it was not recorded before the Spanish changed her name in a bid to instill
Roman Catholicism in the natives. But it is widely assumed her name is not indigenous as 'Cacao' is an imported term that came from Latin America when the Spanish arrived. Additionally, the term 'Maria' was added by the Spanish to turn her into 'Catholic', in an effort to widen Spanish rule in southern Cebu. ==References==