This legend of Anini-y is attributed to a sensational triangle depicting Siraan Hot Springs, Nogas Island and the town of Anini-y behind a love story of two faithful lovers.

            According to the classic tradition of common Filipino customs Datu Oyong of Tinigbasan peak had a daughter named Anini whose beauty and charm became the object of youthful suitors. One among them was Nogas, a stranger by origin, handsome and husky in body build.

            One moonlight evening Nogas expressed his love to Anini the way the natives do by asking permission from the parents. Datu Oyong believing on the seriousness of Nogas demanded something from him which only immortals could achieve.

            The demand of Datu Oyong was centered on a spring drawn from the solid rock located south of Tinigbasan peak to spill out warm water serving as therapy on his numbed fingers everytime the northeasterly wind blows in the morning.

            Nogas uncertain, took the southward trail from Tinigbasan wandered for some moments then tucked his feet on the level portion of a huge rock. Picking up pieces of pebbles behind his feet he started to throw them one by one on the rock until he got tired. Restless and weak he sat on a drift wood left behind by the traversing low and high tide.

            Nogas was in extreme exhaustion when he heard a growl from behind the rock. He looked around and caught a glimpse of a stout figure that resembled a giant. The figure confronted Nogas of his foolishness disturbing his nice siesta.

            With subdued voice Nogas revealed his predicament. The giant drew his ears nearer and heard the pleas of the troubled lover. Wasting no time he uttered something peculiar which Nogas himself could not decipher. After a few seconds there spilled out of the rock something liquid with simmering tiny bubbles. Moving in haste he dipped his fingers in the instant spring and felt the warmth relieving to the end of his aching muscles.

            As soon as he came to his senses, he turned toward the direction of the giant to express his gratitude. However, the giant disappeared in a split of a second. Nogas hastily strode back to Datu Oyong and excitedly relayed to him what had actually happened. Datu Oyong was not easily convinced. Very early the following morning he went to the spot himself and saw what he did not expect to see. Slowly he advanced and stretched his arms to dip his fingers in the simmering water. He felt his fingers active and moving fast.

            Datu Oyong did not stop right there. One more queer idea caught his fancy. The following evening he confided his second and last demand to Nogas believing it will end up his quest for the love of Anini.

            Nogas true to his love of Anini never showed any sign of protest but accepted the challenge. The same as before, he was uncertain of his venture. How he can build an island in the sea directly viewed from Tinigbasan remains a guessing game.

            Yet armed with solid hope and faith in his bathala Nogas strode hastily to the seashore and swiftly rode a “baroto” pursue to the glimmering luster of the sea. While drifting along the current, he thought once more of producing a noise by striking hard the edge of the “baroto” with a paddle. His fancy somehow relieved his tension due to uncertainty.

            Nearly exhausted from his trade he bent his head and closed his eyes weary from heat and gusty wind. While the sun was slowly sinking behind the endless horizon a queer figure emerged on the surface of the water causing a heavy splash. In ecstasy Nogas beheld a figure of a mermaid with beauty and charm incomparable. He thought he was dreaming. In a moment the mermaid hastily but softly asked Nogas why he did the unusual. For the second time he revealed his predicament according to the demands of Datu Oyong.

            The mermaid impressed by his sincerity-expressed pity on Nogas and promised him to build the island overnight provided that the mermaid will be invited on the wedding day. That evening Nogas enjoyed a fanciful time weaving the events in his quest for the love of Anini, which rendered him sleepless.

            Before the streaks of light pierced the misty cap of Tinigbasan peak, Datu Oyong opened his window to see whether his second and last demand materialized. In a moment he thought his own eyes deceived him.

            As he stared longer, the island remained steady studded with green foliage against the blue background trimmed on the edge by the immaculate sand. Datu Oyong could no longer escape from his fanciful design. By virtue of his authority as Datu, he declared the marriage of Nogas and Anini among his subjects and relayed invitations to far and near families and guests.

            The wedding was set on a full moon and due to be celebrated in the island. Huge “baroto” were installed with hanging decorations to bear the bride and groom to the island typical in the neighborhood. There was lavish preparation while every inhabitant stuck to his or her assigned task.

            Two days before the full moon was in splendor other preparations were hauled ahead to the island to keep things in its proper shape.

            The day of the wedding was at hand. Several guests, visitors and friends were around to grace the pompous wedding. The bride and groom were all set in their wedding attire. Once, twice, thrice the good echoed and the wedding ceremony came to a start. All eyes were focused on the chosen celebrants. After a special and lengthy ceremony the wedding came to a close. Congratulations and best wishes thundered all over the island. Merrymaking followed. Dancing and drinking stole the show. Anini and Nogas took time to greet a multitude of guests, visitors and friends around.

            It was getting late in the afternoon when a tremor slowly rocked the island. As it grew harder big waves began to sweep the island driving the visitors and guests in panic. They were quick to take hold of the baroto and managed to escape the wrath of the raging sea.

            Nogas and Anini still in complete wedding attire were forced by the current to the end of the trembling island. While they were striving to resist the downward pressure, they felt something hard tied around the ankles of their feet. They discovered afterwards that they were enclosed in a cave underwater tied with a chain. The mermaid was in rage while confronting Nogas of his broken promise. Nogas kept silent and instead, looked at Anini and in her womanly gesture with tears in her eyes explained their side with the hope that the mermaid will be appeased.

            In extreme anger the mermaid handed down her verdict. That Nogas and Anini will remain her captive with chain tied around the ankles of their feet. As captives they will undergo hard labor by constructing a pavement of stones from the tip of the island called “Buntog” leading to the mainland shore of Barangay Sagua called “Sabang”.

            After the waves have subsided and the island came to a stand still Datu Oyong and his followers conversed along the mainland shore harboring Tinigbasan peak to wait for the arrival of Anini and Nogas. Several days passed but no Nogas and Anini appeared. Everybody became hopeless. Datu Oyong mourned for the lost couple.

            In memory of the two, Datu Oyong named the mainland shore “Anini” which later on became Anini-y and the beautiful island “Nogas” which until now bears the same name.

            Presently anybody who takes a ride on a pumpboat or baroto roving the outskirts of Nogas Island for a brief sightseeing, could trace the pile of white stones paving the way from “Buntog” to “Sabang” where Anini and Nogas are serving their penalty because of a broken promise. Tracing southward one will inevitably brush his feet on the rocks harboring Siraan Hot Springs, the Springboard of a tragic love story.