PHILIPPINE MYTHICAL CREATURES

by Jimuel B. Villamente BSEd – 2

The Philippines is home to a rich and varied mythology, filled with a wide
range of intriguing and fascinating creatures. From shape-shifting aswangs to
mischievous nuno sa punso, these mythological beings have long been a part of
Philippine folklore and continue to be a source of fascination for people around the
world. In this article, we will explore some of the most well-known mythological
creatures in the Philippines.
ASWANG – One of the most feared creatures in
Philippine mythology is the aswang, a shape-shifting
creature that is said to prey on humans. Aswangs are
said to be able to transform into various forms, including
the tik-tik, a bird-like creature that makes a distinctive
clicking sound, and the manananggal, a half-human,
half-bat creature that can fly and detach its upper body
from its lower half. Aswangs are believed to be
nocturnal creatures that feed on the blood of humans,
and are often depicted as being able to take on the
appearance of ordinary people in order to blend in and catch their prey.
BAKUNAWA – also known as Bakonawa or Bakonaua,
is a mythical sea serpent or dragon in Philippine
mythology. It is believed to be the cause of eclipses and
is associated with the moon. According to legend,
Bakunawa lived in the depths of the sea and had the
ability to swallow the moon, causing an eclipse. It is said
that the Bakunawa would rise from the depths of the
ocean and try to swallow the moon during a full moon.
The people of the Philippines believed that making
noise, such as by banging on pots and pans, would
scare the Bakunawa away and prevent it from swallowing the moon.
KAPRE – Another well-known mythological creature in
the Philippines is the kapre, a giant, tobacco-smoking
creature that is often depicted as a mischievous
trickster. Kapres are said to be fond of playing pranks
on humans, and are often depicted as being able to take
on various forms and sizes. They are also believed to
have the power to make themselves invisible, which
they use to their advantage when playing tricks on
people. Despite their mischievous nature, kapres are
generally depicted as being benign and not harmful to
humans.

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 MANANANGGAL – The Manananggal is a mythical
creature in Philippine folklore that is known for its ability
to separate its upper body from its lower half and fly
using large bat-like wings. The Manananggal is often
depicted as a woman who can transform into a monster
at will and is known for preying on pregnant women and
newborn babies. In some legends, the Manananggal is
said to be able to use its long, sharp tongue to drain the
blood of its victims.
NUNO SA PUNSO – The nuno sa punso is a small, mischievous creature that is
said to live in hills or termite mounds. Nuno sa punso
are often depicted as being about the size of a small
child, with dark skin and a mischievous grin. They are
known for playing pranks on humans, such as stealing
objects or tripping people, and are believed to be able to
make themselves invisible at will. Despite their
mischievous nature, nuno sa punso are generally
depicted as being benign and not harmful to humans.
Some people believe that offering small offerings or gifts
to the Nuno sa Punso can bring good luck.
SANTELMO – also known as the "fiery serpent," is a
spirit that is believed to manifest as a ball of fire or a
glowing serpent. It bounces along and rolls away. It
changes into a beast with fire in its mouth. Travelers
and fishermen follow it at night. They walk and walk till
they are tired out. Then they cannot find their way
home. They walk into deep mud and thorny bushes.
They get dizzy and become insane. They must reverse
their clothes to send it away. Then they can find their
way home. It is said to appear during lightning storms or
in areas where there has been a recent natural disaster. Some people believe that
Santelmo is a messenger of the gods, while others fear it as a malevolent spirit.
SARIMANOK – also known as papanok in its feminine
form, is a legendary bird of the Maranao people, who
originate from Mindanao, an island in the Philippines,
and part of Philippine mythology. It comes from the
words sari and manok. It is a legendary bird that is said
to be able to fly great distances and bring good fortune
to those who see it. It is believed to be the embodiment
of the god of the sky and is often depicted in Philippine
art and mythology.

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 SIGBIN – is a creature that is said to resemble a small,
kangaroo-like animal with backwards-facing feet. It is
believed to be a nocturnal creature that feeds on the
blood of animals and can shape shift into various forms.
Some people believe that Sigbin is a malevolent spirit
that causes harm to humans, while others see it as a
protector of the natural world.

TIYANAK – is a vampiric creature in Philippine

mythology that takes on the form of a toddler or baby.
Although there are various types, it typically takes the
form of a newborn baby and cries in the jungle to attract
unwary travelers. It is a small, child-like creature that is
believed to be the ghost of a stillborn child or a baby that
died before being baptized. It is said to disguise itself as
a normal baby and lure people into the jungle, where it
reveals its true form and attacks them.

TIKBALANG – It is a horse-like creature with the head

of a human that is said to inhabit the mountains and
forests of the Philippines. Tikbalangs are known for their
mischievous nature, and are said to lead travelers astray
by taking on the appearance of familiar landmarks or
people. They are also believed to have the ability to
transform into other animals, and are often depicted as
being able to fly. Despite their mischievous nature,
tikbalangs are generally depicted as being benign and
not harmful to humans.

TIKTIK – is a creature that is said to resemble a large,

bat-like creature with sharp teeth and claws. It is
believed to live in the trees and feed on the blood of
humans. Some people believe that Tiktik is a
malevolent spirit that causes harm to humans, while
others see it as a protector of the natural world.

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 WHITE LADY – is a ghostly figure that is said to haunt
certain locations, such as abandoned houses or
cemeteries. It is often depicted as a woman dressed in
white, and is believed to be the ghost of a woman who
died under tragic circumstances. Some people believe
that encountering a White Lady is a sign of impending
death or misfortune.

Mythological creatures have long been a part of Philippine folklore and

continue to be a source of fascination for people around the world. From the shape-
shifting aswangs to the mischievous nuno sa punsos, these creatures are an
important part of Philippine culture and history. Whether they are feared or revered,
these mythological creatures continue to capture the imagination and enrich the
cultural landscape of the Philippines.