Philippine Mythological Creatures: From Aswang to Bakunawa
Joanna Marie O. Santos
October 28, 2021
Filipinos have a wide range of superstitious beliefs. Many people, even in this day and age, think that mythological creatures roam the earth.
Philippine mythological creatures include a wide range of animals, from beautiful and powerful gods to ferocious monsters and simply bizarre oddities. There are a variety of explanations for this, including old folktales they were exposed to as children or the Filipinos' inventiveness and storytelling skills.
By simply mentioning the words "aswang" or "encanto," most Filipinos, especially the younger ones, will turn into scaredy cats.
What are the different strange Philippine mythological creatures to watch out for?
Learn about some of the most well-known Filipino mythical creatures as we compile this list!
1. Aswang
Aswangs are shapeshifting creatures. They appear normal during the day but morph into various monstrous shapes at night to torment and consume awake humans, particularly pregnant ladies ready to give birth. Aswangs can transform from human to animal form, most commonly as a bat, pig, or black dog.
Some aswangs can shift shape at will, while others rely on noxious oils produced by evil sorcerers. Aswangs emerge at night to prey on unsuspecting travelers or those asleep. They are known to have an unusual preference for the flavor of human liver.
Aswang stories are well-known throughout the Visayas, particularly in provinces like Capiz, Antique, and Iloilo. Aswangs have a strange attraction to the fetus of pregnant women, and are reported to track out their prey by smelling the mother, which smells like ripe jackfruit to them. The aswang lands on the roof of the expectant mother's house and stretches its tongue until it is as thin as a thread, then uses it to enter the womb and feast on the fetus.
to fend off the Aswangs,it has been said that salt should be strewn throughout the house, and garlic should be placed near windows and doorways . Brooms should be turned upside down, "badiawan twigs" should be placed over windows, and a blessed, or magical, dagger should be kept in the house.
2. Tiyanak
Tiyanak are infants who died before they were baptized. People who die without being baptized go to a realm called Limbo, a chamber of Hell where the souls of the unbaptized are converted into evil creatures. These phantasms reappear in the mortal realm as goblins, devouring living victims. A tiyanak can also be the result of a union between a woman and a demon. It could also be an aborted fetus who returns to life in order to exact revenge on its mother. It could also be the spirit of a kid who died while his or her mother was pregnant.
According to legend, forests are home to the majority of Tiyanaks.As soon as they see a human, they change appearances into something that resembles a newborn baby. When it's picked up, it transforms into a little, horrible creature with razor-sharp teeth and amazing power that mauls and devours its prey.
3. Kapre
Kapre is a mythological tree giant with a massive, black, and hairy build who spends most of his time perched on a tree branch, smoking massive cigars. Kapres are often used to warn youngsters about playing outside after dark.
A kapre may approach individuals to offer friendship or be captivated by a beautiful woman, according to the elders. Even though they aren't thought of as bad, they have been known to get revenge on anyone who has tried to cut down the tree they live in.
4. Tikbalang
Tikbalang or tigbalang (demon horse) is a hybrid of a horse and a man. People believe the tikbalang is made up of a human upper body and horse legs and limbs. The tikbalang's appearance has been depicted in two ways: with the head of a horse in the more well-known and frequently depicted variation, and with the face of a human in the less well-known version. It's a matter of debate whether or not the tikbalang possesses long, powerful legs like the hindquarters of a horse, complete with hooves.
The mythological creature is known for its mischievous nature and for leading intrepid explorers astray in the wild. Some pranks, on the other hand, take a tragic turn and send individuals into a tailspin.
Parents tell tales about this type of Filipino monster to keep their children from venturing out alone at night. Hikers who become disoriented or lose their way while hiking are thought to be being pranked by the evil tikbalang, and turning their shirts inside out is the only way to thwart the prank.
5. Manananggal
The manananggal is an aswang that can fly after separating its bottom body from its upper half. It feeds on newborns and fetuses still in their mother's wombs. Eats newborns by sticking its long tongue through a small hole in a roof and sucking the flesh off of them with its teeth. The pointed tip of the tongue is used to suck the unborn child's blood from the mother's navel.
Stories said that to kill a manananggal, look for its lower torso, which it leaves behind on its nightly hunts. The exposed flesh should then be sprinkled with salt, ash, and garlic. This stops it from reuniting its two pieces, exposing it to sunlight, which is fatal..
6. Duwende
Goblins, hobgoblins, elves, and dwarfs are all comparable to Duwende. They have the appearance of small old guys who only appear to persons they admire. If you have a friendly duwende in your home, it is stated that you will have a happy and prosperous life.
The duwende, on the other hand, is easily offended and frequently curses people with illness or disaster. To avoid this, Filipinos will frequently say "tabi-tabi po" (excuse me) before doing anything, which may irritate a duwende. Hikers use the expression tabi-tabi po to show respect to any mystical beings that may be lurking in the forests and mountains.
People who practice sorcery are referred to as Mangkukulam. They frequently do it out of vengeance or malicious intent. In the Philippines, rural areas and provinces are said to be home to sorcerers, known as mangkukulam.
Rituals and ceremonies were frequently used to accomplish this. They use voodoo dolls, needles, body parts, and other personal things of the victim, as well as the recitation of a spell to accomplish their goals.
Tiktik are birds and are pets of aswang. Their voices herald the arrival of their lord. At night, the tik-tik assumes its responsibilities and searches for a victim for its master, the aswang.
When a tik-tik is heard within the confines of one's home, one must ensure that all doors are closed and all holes in the house are sealed so that the tik-tik cannot see inside. If there is a baby in the house or if someone in the family is sick, this is done with additional caution.
In Philippine folklore, ghost stories about white ladies are very popular. White Ladies are frequently utilized in stories to express dread and mystery to young children. Cab drivers are said to be its preferred victims, as she has been a victim of one. The driver would continue on his way, unaware that the white lady sat peacefully in the back seat of his cab. He will only realize it when he looks back in the rearview mirror and notices the white lady staring at him intently.
In the past, various variations of stories about the identity of this infamous white lady have surfaced. According to legend, the white lady is the soul of a young University of the Philippines student who was supposedly abused and murdered. Another version of the story claims that the white woman was a victim of her harshness and now lives in a deserted ancestral mansion on Balete Drive.
Before scientific explanations, people believed that the Bakunawa caused eclipses. This colossal, dragon-like creature from the deep would fly up to the heavens and swallow the moon. When the eclipse occurred, people were encouraged to make loud noises to force the Bakunawa to “spit out†the moon. The creature’s origins are traced back to other countries across Asia as well, with the common element of consuming either the sun or the moon.
Filipinos have a variety of supernatural beliefs. Even in this day and age, many people believe that mythical creatures live among us. These aren't only stories we tell children to amuse them; they may also serve as a reminder or guiding post for our ideals, teaching us on how to live a conscious life — in harmony with nature and our own people.
sources: aswangproject.com, mangkukulam.com, philippineslifestyle.com, aswangproject.com, en-academic.com, primer.com, aboutphilippines.org
