philippine folklore: or the stuff filipino nightmares and fantasy are made of
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Philippine folklore, as in other cultures, is predominantly about heaven and hell, good and evil. A duality that is present in most things. And similarly, it too has survived a long history of dominations and exits - both actually and artificially - despite the introduction of many religions and philosophies. It may have been due to the fact that the Philippines is made up of 7,000+ islands that most of the indigenous beliefs and practices managed to retain their essence despite the foreign influences. And from generation to generation, across vast expanses of seas and majestic mountains, it persisted, for better or for worse. and finds a place within the realms of the modern times and sometimes even mingles with popular culture.
But this is not a discourse on the intriguingly deep aspects of Philippine folklore (ie, did the church, to necessitate their existence, play a major role in the birth of some folktales? or did the Chinese trade legends and feng shui along with silk and porcelain during the Spanish conquest?). This is actually just another platform to showcase my new PhotoShop creations. Of course I kid.
Anyway, below are some of fiercest and nastiest characters in Philippine folklore that have caused many a sleepless night to children everywhere in my country. But with evil there should be good, right? So I also included some beings to complete the circle that makes for some good storytelling.
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aswang
The aswang is, I think, the most popular dark creature ever to walk this Southeast Asian island at night. It can be both male or female and can be described as a fusion of the West's vampire and werewolf. Vampire in the sense that it is as blood-thirsty and werewolf because it can shift shape or form. They appear like normal people physically during daytime, though they can't look others straight in the eyes. At night, a female aswang transforms into a tik-tik while the male morphs into a wak-wak (both bird-like creatures) to sniff for preys. They are believed to be most fond of pregnant women. Or they transform into a black dog for a better disguise. It is said that being an aswang runs in the family and is passed on from parents to children like some unending chain of evil heirloom.
The aswang is a popular mythical creature in the Visayan islands, particularly in Capiz where both my parents come from. Yeah, I have heard tales upon tales of personal encounters with such creatures from my grandparents, parents and relatives and I may be wrong in using the word "mythical".
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manananggal
I personally believe that the manananggal (from the root word tanggal or to sever), contrary to popular belief, is not of Visayan origin as I did not hear of it first from my kins. Actually, I've come to know about it in Tagalog (general term for mainland Luzon, also its primary dialect) movies. Anyway, the manananggal is commonly believed to be a female who, after applying a special oil called lana throughout her body, can have her body halved. After bat-like wings spring from her back, she leaves one half of her body (from the waist down) and take to the night skies to hunt for prey. When she catches an irresistible scent, she attacks. Either by ambushing the victim or by landing on the roof to unleash her extendable and retractable tongue to home in on bodily orifices through which blood can be sucked.
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tikbalang
The tikbalang in a sense is the opposite of a centaur in that it has the torso and the head of a horse while its lower frame is that of a man. And unlike its Greek mythology counterpart, it is mostly nocturnal. It inhabits a tree and usually victimizes women by kidnapping them and making them his wife, or wives. Once taken into in his realm, the women have no way of getting a glimpse of the light of day ever again. As for the menfolk, the tikbalang just cast dark magic and spells on them which oftentimes lead to their doom. Unknowing victims are led to the tikbalang's lair when it makes them see things that aren't real, causing them to lose their way.
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nuno sa punso
Of all the beings that cannot be empirically observed, the nuno sa punso, or simply nuno, must be the most irritable and vengeful one. It is depicted as a small bearded old man that dwells within a mound on the ground. In Western lore, it could be associated with a goblin. The nuno is easily angered by anyone who, unknowingly or not, disturbs his mound. Revenge by the nuno comes swift and blatant. A foot that might slightly grazed the exterior of his mound would be swollen in minutes. And a man who peed on his mound will...oh you get the picture.
The belief about the nuno is so widespread that it has become a custom to say "tabi tabi po"when treading unfamiliar territories like forests. "Tabi tabi po" can be loosely translated as s "excuse me" or "may I pass through". And by the way, beneath a nuno's mound is a magical palace. Nuno means ancestor while punso refers to mounds.
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kapre
According to old wives' tales, the kapre is a giant creature that is dark, hairy and is fond of cigars and inhabits trees or ruins from which they can terrorize passersby. But perhaps for a very good reason. You see, it is believed that if one manages to slay a kapre, a pot of gold and other riches could be found buried under the ground it patrols.
According to scholars, the word kapre is derived from the Spanish kapfre which the conquistadores, in turn, derived from the Moors' term for African non-believers, kaffi.
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tiyanak
And now to the baby of all evil folkloric beings, the tiyanak. The tiyanak is maneater. It lures its preys by mimicking the look and sound of a human infant. Once a victim falls for the illusion, it transforms and attacks - still a baby in size but very vicious in form.
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diwata
The diwata or lambana are elementals generally believed to be guardians and protectors of nature and I think they are similar to fairies and nymphs. They are depicted as very beautiful creatures who can endow mortals with gifts of bounty if they do so desire but can also be malevolent to anybody who harms anything that dwells in the forests and mountains. The word diwata is derived from dev, the Sanskrit word for deity.
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engkanto
Another folkloric or mythological creature is the engkanto. Engkantos are either male or female spirits that also dwell in nature, particularly in trees. They only act untowardly against men when their peace is intruded upon. They can take the form of either flaura or fauna and are sometimes pictorially depicted looking like Western elementals such elves or goblins. But it is when they "romantically" fancy a mortal that they can be the most exquisite and ethereal beings - hence the name engkanto from the Spanish word encantar or to enchant.
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sirena
As in any culture, the sirena, the mermaid's equivalent in Philippine folklore, is one tragic creature. The sirenas are hated and are killed when caught by fishermen who consider them as jinxes, bringers of marine plagues and empty fishing nets. Though they cannot summon hexes, spells and magic against mortals, they can give supernatural powers to them.
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dwende
In Philippine folklore, the dwende is the equivalent to the West's dwarf. The dwende is believed to be able to co-exist with humans. They can thrive in pots of plants in or outside the house or the bushes in the backyard. But they are said to commonly inhabit mushrooms.
The dwendes are often described as helpful and friendly little spirits that sometimes play harmless tricks on their unknowing human hosts. But once offended, they can cause sickness and even death upon the wrongdoer - host or not.
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agimat
Stereotypically illustrated as polygonal metallic objects, the agimat (also known as anting-anting and bertud) can also be of any material, from virtually any source. Tales abound with the agimat (equivalent to talisman, amulet and charm) as a croc's tooth, a precious stone or a mutya (supposedly the essence that falls from the heart of a banana tree). But whatever it may be, an agimat can protect its owner from harm or death caused by another man or evil spirits.
Moreover, some agimats bring luck and even supernatural powers to the wearer.
On a side note, agimats in various forms are still a popular um commodity. In fact, there is one commercial district in the city of Manila, beside a well-known church. where they are sold openly.
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- there's something there that wasn't there before: a ...
Philippine legends (alamat) are a popular form of folktales or folklore. And like all oral traditions everywhere, they are passed down from one generation to the next, taught and studied in school or used by...
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Wonderful Hub, Cris - I love folklore and this is an interesting Hub with superb artwork. Mind you, the Nuno sa Punso looks a little too much like me for comfort - don't you be pissing on my mound, or else ;)
PS - 600 fans - Nice One!
I'm sending this hub to my son who is the DM of our Dungeons and Dragons game; yeah I'm a geek. I'm sure he will find uses for creatures like these.
Cris - now you've got some nightmares hanging about your neck of the woods. I like how you've included the 'light' and it leaves you with a bit of hope for good over evil.
Of the dark creatures, I'm liking (kinda) the manananggal - and the opposite for me is engkanto. And I note that Frieda says these are your pictures? If so this is doubly great.
Wow, Cris -- this is a beautiful hub, and all the mythology and folklore is so rich and new to me that I know I'll be coming back to read this again. What great monsters! And now I know to say "tabi tabi po" when I'm wandering around a dark forest. . .
Frieda
It's weird really as I'm starting to think of images before I come up with a theme for a hub. But if you like it....
Sufi
I know you are! But our "beings" are no match to the stories (and
scandals) of the Greek gods and goddesses! Haha
Pete
LOL thanks, it's about time these creatures get the um exposure!
FD
But what are good stories without at least a happy ending or two?
The final output that you see here are mine - products of other pictures picked from the net that I sliced, merged, recolourized, reimagined, applied with effects, etc. One final picture could be a product of 5 different pictures put together.
Teresa
Now you know better! LOL Perhaps you can use one in your sci-fi?
Thanks for dropping by my friends. :D :D
Chris, thank you for writing about our Philippine folklore.
Like you, I also grew up hearing about stories of these creatures. I even have an old relative who according to stories has a "kapre" friend living on the mango tree beside her house.
I also come from the Visayas and when I was in college I used to get a kick everytime someone asks me, "is it true that there are 'aswangs' in your place?" and I would answer "Yes, you are looking at one right now". Ha ha ha. You should have seen the change in their facial expression after I answered that way!
Your photos are fantastic! I love them.
jill
But the pleasure is mine as I enjoyed doing this immensely.
LOL I know how it must have felt for you. As I, on the other hand, used to evade answering questions about where my province was. But now I know better.
Thanks for dropping by my friend. Salamat gid kaayo (I hope I said it right! LOL)
A really wonderful hub
Thanks Kushal :D
Cris this was an absolutely fascinating look Into your culture . And the folklore of It . Those Illistrations were outstanding ! Good stuff Bro !
tony
anything to ease you pain - or at least a distraction from your agitation - brother LOL thanks for always dropping by :D
Hola Cris, this Spansih conquistadora thinks that you don't need to be kidding about your Photoshop prowess! I find all this mythology fascinating, specially that it is preserved in this day and age! Muy bien, says the Spanish conquistadora! :-)
Gracias senora conquistadora. And now that we've outgrown the war, the Spanish armada is always welcome - just bring paella negra, lengua estofado and any Spanish dulces. :D
Just got the Internet connection back so here I am! Just when I think you can't outdo yourself, you do - love the pictures, love the descriptions - and the way you've used the bamboo matting in the background for the nasty and the nice. This should be a coffee table book Cris - I kid you not - stupendous!
Wow. I'm speechless, and for me that's....
My wife, Pam, is a sensitive who can see a lot of beings (both alive and "dead", like a ghost whisperer). She's part Native American, but many Reservations are bad for her, as she sees and hears and feels the people and death and suffering that may have happened a century ago or more.
When we lived on the remote acreage in Montana (about which I've written a number of Hubs), there was only one dwelling (other than ours) within sight of our home. It was a nice looking house that had been built but then abandoned by some family who could not make it there, so it was vacant for the whole 3 years we lived in the area. It was about 1/4 mile from our place, but higher up on a mountain slope.
We called it the "Gnome House" because Pam frequently saw gnomes there, working outside from time to time. They knew she could see them. She would call out to them in friendly fashion, and wave, and they would sometimes wave back.
We don't know if that being a spot where gnomes lived had anything to do with the humans having to abandon their house or not.
I think I wouldnt mind meeting the dwendes and the sirenas. I did look behind the mushrooms. Hope I dont dream about the rest :P
Lovely artwork Cris. as always.
Shalini
yeah, I see you! LOL hey thanks for always leaving glowing remarks - it keeps me on my toes! Coffee's on me! Thanks again for dropping by :D
Ghost
What an interesting story. Thanks for sharing. Have you hubbed about it? Anyway, I'll make sure to read the hubs you've posted. Yeah, I've heard of people with sensitivity to these things. I'm glad she takes it with a grain of salt and not let it take over her.
Thanks for dropping by :D By the way, is you hubber name a sort of homage to your wife's talent? Just asking, I hope you don't mind :D
diana
LOL be careful what you wish for! Thanks for reading and commenting as always :D
Cris, no offense taken, ever. I'm pretty hard to offend. The "Ghost" nickname was handed to me when a fellow truck driver who calls himself "Hippee" (he's truly an old hippie who can't spell) decided that (Ghost) was my name due to my coloring. Sometimes, depending on the day, my coloring is pale or even sort of "colloidal silver blue"--no, don't know why, first noticed about 10 years ago, but NOT a health problem.
Pam and I both thought "Ghost" was way cool, so when I was told by certain folks who shall remain unnamed that I should use a pseudonym on certain sites, Ithat's what I went with. (If I had it to do over, I'd stick with my given name, which is Fred Baker, but nothing cool about that.)
As to Pam's sensitivity, the only Hubbing I've done about it is in the one on How To Dig A Hand Dug Well where I mention her ability to SEE an old style well where water is closest to the surface AND to pinpoint its depth. Doing any more may have to wait a while now, as I just today started Hub-publishing The Seeder, a full length science fiction novel Pam co-wrote with me in 1998 but which has been languishing in Manuscript Prison until now. Keeping the Hubs to reasonable length, it looks like it's going to take 200 or so (Hubs) to finish that one. so...:D
Ghost
That's nice to hear as sometimes I say things before I think about them! LOL
Wow that's a way cooler story (about your alias) than my presumption! And I think I see what you mean, I zoomed in on your avatar. Colloidal silver blue?! That sounds special alright. Now I really really REALLY should check out your hubs. :D
Great !
Horrya
Thanks. Glad you liked this :D
scary creatures, great artwork, and mermaids... ah mermaids, not story is complete with one or two of those to lure the men. Great hub..... stuck with the avatar a while now eh?????
Brenda
A little scare once in a while won't hurt. Yeah, but I'm thinking of changing it...maybe. Thanks for reading :D
try to get a nice one this time for a change x
LOL okay, i'll try to keep that in mind if ever I do make a change :D
What fascinating and varied folklore! Thanks for the tour, Cris! Great pics, too.
Good piece, Cris. Really like the images, and the frames.
Hey Cris, I loved it. The Philippine folklore was very interesting to again learn from such a talented writer as you. The photos are superb---yet I think I will just sit down beside DIWATA and visit for a long, long time.
Tom
Thanks, twas my pleasure to show you around :D
AW
Thought you would like this. Thanks for obliging :D
Miss Ginn
Thanks for dropping by my good friend. And you could do just that with the diwata and spin tales on the side for that's how you enchant :D
were you the one you did those paintings?
Philippine folklore is ever interesting. it will not fade, and will not fail to raise the imagination of anyone who reads about them. had my share of stories when i was young. i challenge myself a lot when i get afraid ha ha
Oh Photo Shop King...I bow to thee! :)
bingskee
I tooks lots (and I mean lots) of pics from the net to create the output you see here. Oh yeah, tell me about them stories - all my closest of kins are from the Visayas so you could just imagine the horror stories I've heard! :D
FP
Thanks, but really that's not really needed! And thanks for dropping by! :D
Cris, I absolutely adore folklore and the mysterious. A hub that suits my fancy. The photos are artistically done. Cris, you are indeed a wealth of talent and information, always amazing work.
Sandy
And somehow I knew that. Maybe because your poetry sometimes evokes mysticism and mythology. Thanks for always checking out my new stuff. Your visits are always anticipated :D
Wow, and I thought we had enough folktales of our own in my culture. So not only are there evil beings but also good ones that protects certain things. I wonder if the Little Mermaid was created after the serena creature?
Hi Cris, the photos are awesome even if it is scary! LOL I remember being scared of aswangs and manananggal as a child. And since our imagination can go wild sometimes, I'd really find myself closing my eyes in the dark to avoid "seeing" something. Hahahaha Great hub!
Thanks for allowing me this peek into Filipino folk lore. I am most scared of the nunu sa punso. Do not ask why, because I could not explain. Maybe I should ask some of my Filipino friends about these. I bet they would wonder how I knew! LOL! :D
May
Chinese folklore is also very interesting. Why don't you hub about it? I know quite a few from reading Amy Tan and other authors. As for the sirena, I think mermaids exist wherever there's water and fishermen. :D
hey Michelle
I so know what you mean. I grew up with tales from the dark side, too! Ah well, I think every culture has problems with getting children to bed!
k@ri
The pleasure is mine, my friend. At least you know a little more about your Filipino friends. Yeah, it would surprise them if you tell them you think you saw an aswang! Thanks for droppig by :D
Cigar loving monsters? Cool! But send me a diwata or lambana instead. No, seriously, what an interesting hub. Diggin' the Photoshop work especially.
WOW! Great Hub! It's always a pleasure to read something about our country here in Hubpages. Maraming salamat!
christian
I'd send you one if only i can find one. And if I find one, how do I catch it? LOL Thanks for dropping by :D
emie
The pleasure is mine, The least I can do to at least make our country seem interesting Haha. Salamat din :D
Wow! Great Pics. I love the subject matter. Folklore is so interesting. I would love to hear some of the stories your kin folk told you, as well as some of the movies that you spoke of in your hub. You did an excellent job of making your country seem interesting.
PM
You read my mind, good Sir! Yes I'm planning to share a tale or two. And there is this one Canadian movie about aswangs and it's called, guess what?, Aswang! I've seen it and it's quite accurate as far as what I know of the creature. And no grand special effects either that should've only distracted. Thanks for reading and commenting :D
My parents love to tell a scary folktale when we were kids. Not a very pleasant subject to talk about.
True that! Specially when you're still a child! :D
ayos! magaling!
Hey Cris! Great hub, kinda scary in parts, but great! :)
Folklore has always fascinated me and this is my very first lesson in Philippine folklore. Thanks!
The philippines is so rich with cutlure, history, nature, beaches, food and pretty girls ;), I just love it. Great Hub Kuya, well-illustrated. I will distribute this hub among other kuyas of you around here :) I'm sure they will find it useful. by the way, manananggal looks sexy :):):) hehehe
Thanks dear.
Shamel
Hi Cris,
Great hub. I will send this to my friends who are teaching Literature. This will be a very good teaching material! Your photoshop skill is amazing!
stephanie
I'm glad to know that this hub is right up your alley. Thanks for visiting :D
shamel
I think you are in good company having alot of Kuyas around you.
I guess sexy is relative then! LOL
hey france
If you think they'd like it, too then by all means go ahead. Thanks for dropping by as always :D
Interesting hub, very educating.. I use to hear alot of stories like that from my cousins...I am still scared of some of them, like the aswang, and kapre, even though i have not seen some...
cuttierish
The thing with fear is that you don't have to see it to feel it. Thanks for dropping by :D
I don't have to read the comments to know that I am just repeating what has been said before: Great article! Fantastic artwork!
hey Chris
I don't have problems with that! LOL Thanks for dropping by as always :D
"According to old wives' tales, the kapre is a giant creature that is dark, hairy and is fond of cigars." Funny, my husband swears he's never been further east than Greece:-).
Seriously, I'm with Christoph. Totally awed. You make me want to learn Photoshop! MM
MM
Good lord, you are married to one! LOL And you must truly be some special kind of a woman to be able able to tame him! :D
Give it a try. Works well specially when writer's block hits :D
great hub dude! i just found something to submit to my phil.literature proffesor!
japz
I wish we already had the Internet when I was back in school! Hmf! Anyway, sure, go ahead. And I hope you get a good grade :D
your hub was really good! I wish you could experience close encounters with these creatures you'll be much amazed as I am. I used to be a no.1 skeptic about those creatures as I am not familiar with them. I think they heard my challenge...to see is to believe. It is just embarrassing to tell stories about them because they will question your sanity. But I have come to believe through experiences but I haven't encountered some others and I couln't identify those others because you cannot see them but you could only feel them and they make this distinct growl you cannot describe. And that was my 2nd encounter.The 1st one was scary now I find it funny.Chased by this creature when I went jogging with our kasambahay at around 3:30 so as my dad wont find out bec he wont allow.So I have to get back before he wakes.I was after those gorgeous guys jogging around.And it turned horror.Well I know many wont believe my stories I just wish they would experience them too so they can relate.They do exist not sure all of those creatures you mention.There are more of them many of us doesn't know.
wow that was quite a story! thanks for sharing. and i wouldn't question the things you believe in as i have no reason to. besides, my mother would be the first to tell you that, at least, the aswangs are for real. she has this story about being hounded by a tiktik when she was pregnant with me. and about her mother, my late grandmother, seeing one. anyway, thanks for reading :D
Cris,
Interesting hub. I was looking through one of my kid's books about vampires and I came across a picture of an aswang and it brought back so many memories of my childhood in the Philippines. I've done some research but can't find much about a couple of stories my mom used to tell me. She's Visayan, btw. She used to tell me about the white woman and how if you're out driving in the middle of the night and she crossed your path, you'd be dead in a day or two. There was also one about a troll that lived in the banana trees that were outside our house. I swear I remember seeing one when my brothers and I were out in our bahai cuboo. Not sure if that's how you spell it. I've been really Americanized. There was also the one about the half people that came out during a certain time of the year. But pretty much, they were people who were halved. Their upper halves would be in constant search of their lower half. Heard any of these? Some info would be great.
I think your mother's story about the white woman is one of the many "white lady tales" that have become popular and favorite urban legends in the Philippines - the most famous of which is about the "white lady" that is said to haunt Balete Drive.
I know of quite a few "aswang" stories and most of them from my mother (she's a Capiznon). She swears they're all true and that she in fact encountered one while she was pregnant with me. I know, scary!
One particular story that is quite popular among Visayan folks is the one about "Kapitan Gimo". I know the story but I think you can find and read about this evil captain on the net as he is quite infamous so much so that he inspired a movie :D
Thanks, I will definitely look up the one about Kapitan Gimo.
Any info on the half people or do you think they are the manananggal and the story has somehow been changed.
I can't stop thinking about the aswang. I remember living in Angeles City as a child and there were a few times my brother and I would have the exact same dream. We'd wake up and recount the dream of the glowing white woman that would creep up to the foot of our beds and we'd hide under the sheets and when we'd peek, she'd be hovering over our us. Still gives me goose bumps when I think about it.
Like I said, I've really been Americanized, and for the most part, am not superstitious. But seeing that picture and remembering my dreams and it's really got me scratching my head and questioning what I believe.
You and your brother must have been told the same story and were affected similarly, hence the same dreams. But that's just pure guesswork on my part.
The stories about manananggals do vary depending on where you've heard it from. As you very well know the Philippines is archipelagic and variations cannot be helped - like the Visayans have a slightly different take on the story compared to those from further south. But that said, they all work on the same premise, that the manananggal can halve their bodies and grow bat-like wings and of course, prey on human beings.
Uhmm, you've given me an idea - a retelling of the Kapitan Gimo lore. Haha
Btw, I apologize if the images here have given you nightmares again.
This is great =)
Thanks, glad you liked it :D
Very impressed Cris. I'd like to do one about Ireland but all I can think of are Banshees and Leprechauns') I'd need to do more research I guess but even then my Photoshop skills aren't even remotely comparable to yours. Great blend of info and images, you really make these creatures come alive, Cheers.
It's a plan alright and it sounds great! I hope you push thru with it and if you want some help with the images...
I actually plan on modifying the images here as they look a trifle rough (and I think I'm slightly better with Photoshop now than a year ago Haha)
Thanks for reading :D
bro, can u make a research and include "paraduno" from bicol and "mambabarang" of the visayas. my mom told me that her great grandmother is a mambabarang. and my father from leyte have seen of a goat like creature where its hind part is higher and runs in a jerking motion. i forget how its called.
I remember hearing these stories when I was a kid growing up in mindanao. I was told about the dwende, however a little more in depth. The dwende do infact like to play tricks but if you see a dwende with a red or black scarf, run and dont look back. They are evil and will cause more harm than good and or curse you or your family. the ones with brighter scarves usually are good and if you treat them with respect they wont bother you.
As for aswang there are too many tales about what is an aswang and what isnt. i mean, manananggal's are considered aswangs as well. But, its in which region that determines what it is. in the northern parts aswang covers all bad spirits and creatures. in the central and southern parts its branched into different sections.
But either way, your article gave me a smile. I havent read up or hear any folk lore about the phillippines in a long time and this just made my day.
Chris, my husband is Filipino and it is great to read some folklore from his country. Great hub and pictures. Will rate up!
Great Hub, my wife is a Filipina and is always talking about some of these from her province..
@chilliboy
Honestly, I haven't heard of paraduno - but, yeahI'll try to dig deeper into it. Thanks.
@paul
yeah, there's bound to be slight differences in the depiction/description of Filipino folkloric creatures - blame it on geography! Haha
glad this made your day somewhat. thanks for reading :D
@granny's house
That's wonderful - we Filipinos are great lovers - and so say the Filipinas! Haha
@LeanMan
There's not who grew up or spent years in the Philippines hasnt heard of these creatures. Thanks for dropping by :D
Hi Cris, just read your message. Thank you for the help of promoting Philippine folklore. I reviewed everything i knew that you are a Filipino. I enjoyed reading them all...but got scared too.
Uh what message? Anyway, thanks for dropping by and finding this useful. I appreciate the comment :D
Good thing that still the rich and colorful culture of our country is never been forgotten. It feels good when you read materials like what you had. In spite of all those advancements in technology and daily living nowadays, these kind of stories still define what real Filipino culture is.
Verdz
Thanks for appreciating this little nod to Filipino culture. :D
This was a fantastically frightening read Cris! Im glad I came across it. I LOVE spooky stories and this is right up my alley - lots of spooks in one stop. Now I hope I dont get called in to work a third shift alone - I'll be looking over my shoulder all night :)
Nice work Cris. I thought I have an overload of ghost stories last weekend, but it's refreshing to read tales about the Filipino "middle earth" creatures (lamang lupa in Tagalog) from your point of view. The whole output could be published as a mini book for children who like these stuff. Kudos for sharing Pinoy culture to your worldwide audience.
Thanks Ardie and denesdemens. Philippine folklore makes for some interesting read :D
how can i get some agimat?
For real? Since you're in Manila, go to Quiapo. The area around the church is famous for such things :D
.,.this is great!,.
You're an excellent "author" mr.Cris,but I can't help to notice that the information you provided seem to be just "the tip of an iceberg".There's more to these creatures than just "faces and names"..,.
Kudos to your wonderful work!
Great artwork, and I was amazed to read that there are more creatures of the night, I had not heard of most of them, the only one I knew was the Aswang, but you don't mention the Gurum, I am not sure of it's spelling, but I think that because the Philippines is made up of so many islands and tribes, there will always be some we are unfamiliar with or are known by another name. You should do a full list of all the folklore creatures of the Islands......
aw.. you forgot some mythical animals... the sigbin and kikik.
and also the erimitanyo.... i would like to see the discriptions of the 3
the engkanto is said to have the same characteristics human have. some are good, some are bad. they sometimes talk to man in human form and they also are said to be "the reason" of some paranormal activities. there are lots of tales my granny told me. one of that is that the dewende helps man, but in return, when you die, you will be one of them. just saying. i love to share what granny told me
The Philippine Folklore is always a tip of the iceberg, underneath still more to offer. Lower myths fascinates us and entertain people. Your creativity is a big share to the enthusiast and for the curious.
Frieda Babbley Level 2 Commenter 2 years ago
This is fantastic! Your photoshop stuff here is sooooo far out. And the characters are wild! That baby is the scariest to me. What a fascinating subject. Awesome hub, Cris. Thumbs up!