A Nuno, also known as Nuno sa Punso or Duwende, is a dwarf-like creature in Philippine mythology. It lives in anthills or termite mounds, earning its name as the 'Ancestor/Grandparent of the anthill.'
These creatures are invisible and quiet. If disturbed by noise or careless actions causing harm, they become upset and may punish those who trespass on their home. Children, often innocently playing and accidentally destroying their homes, are common victims. The affected children become very ill, and the only cure is seeking help from an Albularyo. It's customary to say "Excuse Me" when passing by a punso to avoid bothering them.
There's a belief that if modern medicine fails to cure an illness, it might be a Nuno's curse. In such cases, an Albularyo performs a ceremony called tawas, where melted candle wax is interpreted to determine the cause of the illness and where the curse occurred. To be cured, the victim's family may offer fruits, food, drinks, or objects to the Nuno. If healing doesn't occur, asking the Nuno for forgiveness is advised to prevent the victim from being permanently possessed by an evil spirit, leading to possible insanity.
Though it's possible to kill a Nuno by crushing its head, this method isn't recommended due to the potential anger from the Nuno's friends and relatives. Legends also suggest attracting the Nuno by placing a plump female by the road after midnight, allowing afflicted individuals to seek revenge. Nuno has a peculiar affinity for large-bodied mammals of the opposite sex.
To avoid the Nuno's wrath, children are reminded not to play outside between noon and three o'clock in the afternoon. They are advised to return home before six in the evening, avoid making noise near places where Nuno dwell, and ask permission or give notice before passing by these locations by saying "tabi tabi po" or expressing goodwill toward the Nuno.
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