ibalong

Ibalong

The Ibálong, also known as Handiong, or Handyong folk epic of Bikol (region of Philippines). It is a narrated and orally passed down by male epic chanters called Kadunung


''Long ago there was a land called Ibalong (literally means ''the other side'') From the sea came ships bearing people, their leader was a half breed, he was half human and half sylph (tawong lipod) or so they say. Muscular and skin so pale (other versions tell he is Muscular and brown-skinned with tattoos and has gold ornaments, he is often mistaken to have come from the line of "tawong lipod (wind people) for he is fast and strong.)
The people that came from the sea led by Baltog (He and his people came to Albay by the way of Makabalo river. and settled in Tundol.
These people say that the soil was reach and lush but also infested by beasts and strange creatures.)

These people prayed to their moon god
They decided to make the land their new colony
built their houses, cultivated and planted their crops.

The beast and creatures of the land were forced to move away from the lands they have once lived and roamed. The biggrest of the beast was the Tandayang sa opon, a gigantic wild boar that was seemingly intelligent for the beast would attack the field during the night where none is guarding it.

Baltog furious of what happened to the crops chased the Tandayag, killed it with his bare hands, and hung its enormous jawbones on a talisay tree(tropical lead wood tree *Terminalia catappa) in front of his house in Tondol

Upon learning of the victory of their Chief Baltog, the people prepared a feast and celebrated. The very big jawbones of the dead boar became an attraction for everyone. Thus, came the tribes of Panikwason and Asog(sect of male shamans and witch doctors) to marvel at it

And again from some land far from Ibalong men came. Lead by a man tall and muscular and armed with a "bolo". (a large single-edged knife)

Handyong. Together with his men upon arriving at the land they wanted to purge, to kill and slaughter all the non-human creatures, so they could live in this new land.

 First fought the one-eyed monster with three necks in the land of Ponong. For ten months, they fought without rest. And they never stopped fighting until all these monsters were killed.

The warriors vanquished the giant next
They went to the lair of the giant flying fishes called Tiburon which had slimy, scaly, and hardy flesh and saw-like teeth that could crush rocks. Handiong and his men did not stop until they vanquished every Tiburon

After killing all the flying fishes they seek to enslave the Tamaraw.
They tamed the fierce tamaraws.


The creatures of Ibalon was now endangered and wanted to fight back.
The large Sarimao and his kind went  to fight the warriors
 But the warriors blessed by the moon god, and strong were skilled and killed all the sarimao and drove away the giant Sarimaw (they drove it to mount Kulasi)

They used their spears and arrows to kill all the Buaya crocodiles which were bigger than boats. the slaughter of these creatures was witnessed by the monkeys frightened and hid to the forest.

They purge the lands of all its mythic creatures they the rivers and swamps of Ibalon turn red with blood.

Oryol, a beautiful demigoddess decided to stop the foreign warriors.
Handiog and his men set traps for Oryol but she is intelligent and does not fall into their traps.

Oryol is beautiful but half of her body is that of a huge serpent. With the help of the magindara (vicious mermaids) She used her voice and did so the mermaids to lure the warrior, she and the mermaids were able to slay most of Handiog's men. Handiog angered seek revenged and sealed the mermaids inside a huge cave (in Mount Hantik)

Handiog searched alone for Oryol. While looking for the monster Oryol, he heard singing and was captivated by it, only to find out it was Oryol. The two battled, they gained respect for one another for they were both strong and able combatant. The two fell in love.
Oryol thought Handiog the secrets of governing  the lands.

Oryol could have killed him but she fell in love with her and help Handiong clean the land of monsters. He with the help of the demi-goddess Oryol revealing the secrets of the gods and beast made Bicol flourished.

Years have passed and Ibalong was rich and bountiful. Handiong built colonies in Isarog and a season of progress followed. Under Handiong‘s leadership, the people planted rice which they named after him. He built the first boat to ride the waves of Ibalon seas. Because of his good example, inventors came forth from his people. Ginantong made the plow, harrow, and other farming tools. Hablom invented the first loom for weaving abaca clothes. Dinahon, an Aeta, created the stove, cooking pot, earthen jar, and other kitchen utensils. The brilliant Sural thought of the alphabet and started to write on white rock.  Ibalon was rich and gold was abundant and  even slaves were respected under the laws of Handiong.

All is well until the gods intervened. The god of stroms Onos, muscular with with tattoos decorating his face and body, kept close watch over a child named Takay, Takay grew up into a beautiful young maiden. Onos fell in love with the fair Takay. The god of the moon warns the god of the storms that fods can not fall for mortals. Onos came down and confessed his love for the fair Takay, but Takay's heart already belonged another, a young man named Kamaway. Angered by this Onos flew in search of Kanaway. He struck Kanaway with lightning believing by killing him Takay would love him. He shot Kanaway with his lightning but Kanaway only turned to stone, he god angry and attacked mt. Asog with numerous lighting bolts (thus making it sink and turn into now Lake Buhi) The god of storms called fort winds and rain. The had brought  deluge and flood waters. From the heavens the moon gods Bulan and Haliya saw the whole thing, pitied the star-crossed lovers. They descended down to bathe in the waters of lake Buhi. The plans water plants were attending to the remains of Takay, the moon gods Bulan and Haliya transformed Takay into beautiful flowers and gave them to the water plants.

Spurned by the mortal she loves Onos had destroyed Ibalong.
A great beast appeared in the land of Ibalong. Half human half monster, it was Rabot
His voice loud and booming. He is strong and fierce and could make men turn to stone.
The hero Bantong (who was Handiog's friend) set out to kill this new treat to the lands of Ibalong. He took with him a thousand men. The monster was strong. So Bantog had to use his head, he observed the monster, and found out that it liked to sleep. So he waited for his chance, when the monster slept he stabbed it. With a single stab, Bantong killed the beast and  brought peace back to the land of Ibalong''

Hinilawod

Hinilawod is an epic poem written and passed on by the early inhabitants of a place called Sulod in central Panay. usually it is sang or told by a Ba-i or a binukot to his/her tribesmen

The word means tales from the mouth of the Halawod River.

Hinilawod is not just a literary piece but also a source of information about culture, religion and rituals of the ancient people of Sulod; showing us that ancient Filipinos believed in the “sacred,” in the importance of family honor and in personal courage and dignity.

This 8,340-verse epic is chanted when performed and would take about three days when performed in its original form, making it one of the longest epics known.

When the goddess of the eastern sky Alunsina (also known as Laun Sina, “The Unmarried One”) reached maidenhood, the king of the gods, Kaptan, decreed that she should marry. All the unmarried gods of the different domains of the universe tried to win her hand to no avail. She chose to marry a mortal, Datu Paubari, the mighty ruler of Halawod.

Her decision angered her other suitors. They plotted to bring harm to the newlyweds. A meeting of the council of gods was called by Maklium-sa-t’wan, god of the plains, where a decision by those present was made to destroy Halawod by flood.

Alunsina and Paubari escaped harm through the assistance of Suklang Malayon, the goddess and guardian of happy homes and sister of Alunsina, who learned of the evil plot and warned the two so they were able to seek refuge on higher ground.

After the flood waters subsided, Paubari and Alunsina returned to the plains secretly. They settled near the mouth of the Halawod river.

Several months later Alunsina became pregnant and told Paubari to prepare the siklot, things necessary for childbirth. She delivered a set of triplets and summoned the high priest Bungot-Banwa to perform the rites of the gods of Mount Madya-as (the mountain abode of the gods) to ensure the good health of the children. The high priest promptly made an altar and burned some alanghiran fronds and a pinch of kamangyan. When the ceremony was over he opened the windows of the north side of the room and a cold northernly wind came in and suddenly the three infants were transformed into strong, handsome young men.

Labaw Donggon, the eldest of the three, asked his mother to prepare his magic cape, hat, belt and kampilan (sword) for he heard of a place called Handug where a beautiful maiden named Angoy Ginbitinan lived.

The journey took several days. He walked across plains and valleys, climbed up mountains until he reached the mouth of the Halawod river. When he finally met the maiden’s father and asked for her hand in marriage, the father asked him to fight the monster Manalintad as part of his dowry. He went off to confront the monster and with the help of his magic belt Labaw Donggon killed the monster and to prove his feat he brought to Angoy Ginbitinan’s father the monster’s tail.

After the wedding, Labaw Donggon proceeded home with his new bride. Along the way they met a group of young men who told him that they were on their way to Tarambang Burok to win the hand of Abyang Durunuun, sister of Sumpoy, the lord of the underworld and whose beauty was legendary.

Labaw Donggon and his bride continued on their journey home. The moment they arrived home Labaw Donggon told his mother to take care of his wife because he is taking another quest, this time he was going to Tarambang Burok.

Before he can get to the place he has to pass a ridge guarded by a giant named Sikay Padalogdog who has a hundred arms. The giant would not allow Labaw Donggon to go through without a fight. However, Sikay Padalogdog was no match to Labaw Donggon’s prowess and skill in fighting so he gave up and allowed him to continue.

Labaw Donggon won the hand of Abyang Durunuun and also took her home. Before long he went on another journey, this time it is to Gadlum to ask for the hand of Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata who is the young bride of Saragnayan, the lord of darkness.

This trip required him to use his biday nga inagta (black boat) on which he sailed across the seas for many months, went across the region of the clouds, and passed the land of stones until finally he reached the shores of Tulogmatian which was the seaside fortress of Saragnayan. The moment he set foot on the ground Saragnayan asked him, “Who are you and why are you here?”

To which he answered, “I am Labaw Donggon, son of Datu Paubari and goddess Alunsina of Halawod. I came for the beautiful Malitong Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata.”

Saragnayan laughed. He told Labaw Donggon that what he wished for was impossible to grant because she was his wife. Labaw Donggon then challenged Saragnayan to a duel saying that whoever wins will have her.

The challenge was accepted and they started fighting. Labaw Donggon submerged Saragnayan under water for seven years, but when he let go of him, Saragnayan was still alive. The latter uprooted a coconut tree and started beating Labaw Donggon with it. He survived the beating but was not able to surpass the powers of Saragnayan’s pamlang (amulet) and eventually he gave up and was imprisoned by Saragnayan beneath his house.

Back home Angoy Ginbitinan and Abyang Durunuun both delivered sons. Angoy Ginbitinan’s child was named Aso Mangga and Abyang Durunuun’s son was called Abyang Baranugon.

Only a few days after they were born, Aso Mangga and Abyang Baranugon embarked to look for their father. They rode their sailboats through the region of eternal darkness, passed the region of the clouds and the land of stones, finally reaching Saragnayan’s home. Saragnayan noticed that Abyang Baranugon’s umbilical cord have not yet been removed, he laughed and told the child to go home to his mother.

Abyang Baranugon was slighted by the remarks and immediately challenged Saragnayan to a duel. They fought and Abyang Baranugon defeated Saragnayan and won his father’s freedom.

Labaw Donggon’s defeat and subsequent imprisonment by the Lord of Darkness also angered his brothers. Humadapnon was so enraged that he swore to the gods of Madya-as that he would wreak revenge on all of Saragnayan’s kinsmen and followers.

Humadapnon prepared to go to Saragnayan’s domain. He employed the aid of Buyong Matanayon of Mount Matiula who was well-known for his skill in swordsmanship. For their journey they rode on a sailboat called biday nga rumba-rumba. They travelled through the region of the clouds, passed by the region of eternal darkness and ended up at a place called Tarambang Buriraw. In this place was a ridge called Talagas Kuting-tang where a seductive sorceress named Piganun lived.

Piganun changed herself to a beautiful maiden and captured the heart of Humadapnon. Buyong Matanayon begged with Humadapnon to leave the place with him but the latter refused. After seven months passed, Buyong Matanayon remembered that they have brought with them some ginger. One evening at dinner time Buyong Matanayon threw seven slices of ginger into the fire. When Pinganun smelled the odor of burning ginger she left the dinner table because sorcerers hated the odor of ginger. Immediately Buyong Matanayon struck Humadapnon, who became unconscious. He dragged his friend with him and they were able to escape.

They continued with their trek and everywhere they went they exacted revenge on all of Saragnayan’s people and relatives. One day they reached a place called Piniling Tubig who was ruled by Datu Umbaw Pinaumbaw. There was a big gathering in the village and when they asked what was going on they were told that the datu was giving his daughter for marriage to whoever could remove the huge boulder that rolled from a mountain into the center of the village. Many men tried their luck but no one so far was able to even move the stone.

Humadapnon took off his magic cape and used it to lift the stone and threw it back into the mountain. The datu kept his word and Humadapnon married his daughter. During the wedding feast Humadapnon heared about the beauty of the goddess of greed Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan from a guest minstrel who sang at the celebration.

After the wedding Humadapnon went to seek the hand of the goddess in marriage. Along the way he encountered Buyong Makabagting, son of the mighty Datu Balahidyong of Paling Bukid who was also travelling with the same purpose in mind. Upon learning of Humadapnon’s intent, Buyong Makabagting challenged him to a duel. They fought and Buyong Makabagting was no match to Humadapnon’s strength and skill. The fight ended when Buyong Makabagting surrendered and even promised to aid Humadapnon in his quest. Humadapnon married the goddess and brought her home.

Meanwhile, right after Humadapnon left to seek Saragnayan’s followers and relatives his brother Dumalapdap left for Burutlakan-ka-adlaw where the maiden Lubay-Lubyok Hanginun si Mahuyokhuyokon lived. For the trip he brought along Dumasig, the most powerful wrestler in Madya-as.

Several months later they came to a place called Tarambuan-ka-banwa where they encountered the two-headed monster Balanakon who guarded a narrow ridge leading to the place where the maiden lived.

With the aid of Dumasig, Dumalapdap killed Balanakon. However, upon approaching the gate of the palace where the maiden lived he was confronted by Uyutang, a bat-like monster with sharp poisonous claws. There ensued a bloody battle between the Dumalapdap and the monster. They fought for seven months and their skill and prowess seemed to be equal. But on the seventh month, Dumalapdap was able to grab on to Uyutang’s ankle and broke it. Then he took his iwang daniwan (magic dagger) and stabbed Uyutang under the armpit. Uyutang cried out so loud that the ridge where they were fighting broke into two and there was an earthquake. Half of the ridge became the island of Buglas (Negros) and the other became the island of Panay.

Dumalapdap married Lubay-Lubyok Hanginun si Mahuyokhuyokan and then took her home. Datu Paubari was very happy when he was reunited with his three sons and he prepared a feast in their honor. After the celebration, the three brothers left for different parts of the world. Labaw Donggon went to the north, Humadapnon went south, Dumalapdap to the west and Datu Paubari remained in the east.

olden gods

Aswang

 are a carnivorous and cannibalistic species that are only able to feed on humans and other creatures. They are as close to humans as possible: they normally display the same attributes; the same physical appearance and intelligence as a human with the main exception being their inner biology, mentality, and diet. hat its diet consists mainly of human liver and blood, (2) that it has an unholy preference for unborn children. (3) that it is also known to prey upon children and sick people.



Humanoid

Canine

Porcine

Avian

Feline

Aquatic


                                An Aswang (or Asuwang) is a vampire-like mythical creature in Filipino folklore and is the subject of a wide variety of myths and stories. Spanish colonists noted that the Aswang was the most feared among the mythical creatures of the Philippines, even in the 16th century type of aswangs

The myth of the aswang is well known throughout the Philippines, except in the Ilocos region, which is the only region that does not have an equivalent myth. It is especially popular in the Western Visayan regions such as Capiz, Iloilo, Negros, Bohol, Masbate, Aklan, Antique and Siquijor. Other regional names for the aswang include "tik-tik", "wak-wak" and "sok-sok".

"Aswang" is referred specifically to a ghoulish were-dog, which is where the word comes from- "Ang Aso" ("The dog" in English). It is a combination of a vampire and a werewolf. Some of this creature is called the "bal-bal" or ghoul (maninilong in Catanauan, Quezon), which replaces the cadaver with banana trunks after consumption. Aswang stories and definitions vary greatly from region to region and person to person, and no particular set of characteristics can be ascribed to the term. However, the term is mostly used interchangeably with manananggal and are also usually depicted as female.





The wide variety of descriptions in the aswang stories make it difficult to settle upon a fixed definition of aswang appearances or activities. However, several common themes that differentiate aswangs from other mythological creatures do emerge: Aswangs are shape-shifters. Stories recount aswangs living as regular townspeople. As regular townspeople, they are quiet, shy and elusive. At night, they transform into creatures such as a cat, bat, bird, boar or most often, a dog. They enjoy eating unborn fetuses and small children, favoring livers and hearts. Some have long proboscises, which they use to suck the children out of their mothers' wombs or their homes. Some are so thin that they can hide themselves behind a bamboo post. They are fast and silent. Some also make noises, like the Tik-Tik, (the name was derived from the sound it produces) which are louder the further away the aswang is, to confuse its potential victim; and the Bubuu, an aggressive kind of aswang that makes a sound of a laying hen at midnight. They may also replace their live victims or stolen cadavers with doppelgangers made from tree trunks or other plant materials. This facsimile will return to the victim's home, only to become sick and die. An aswang will also have bloodshot eyes, the result of staying up all night searching for houses where wakes are held to steal the bodies.



karaniwang Aswang



Aswangs are physically much more like humans at daytime; they only change their figures at night when they feel they are in need of food. It has been said that if an aswang married a human, upon their wedding, their mate would become an aswang as well but seldomly can they reproduce. The couple may hunt together at night but will go in separate routes, either to avoid detection or because they do not like to share their meal.

These creatures are not harmed by sunlight. They are daywalkers. Aswangs can also be befriended, they can talk to you like any normal human being: they laugh, cry, get mad, jealous, hurt, and envy. These creatures do not harm their neighbors. Neighbors were said to be exempted from their target victims for food. They search for food in far away places that it would not be too obvious for them. Aswangs are said to be vulnerable during daytime because they do not have the excessive strength that they have in their nighttime prowl, therefore being weaker than ordinary people. When people know of their identity, they are hunted down and killed.



It is said that to spot an aswang at daytime, look at their eyes. The person in front of you is an aswang if your reflection is upside-down. Another way of knowing is looking in a tuwad manner. The person is an aswang if the image of the person is different.


Bangkilan

seductive and beautiful women with golden tan skin and small bat wings  on their backs and razor sharp claws. it is believed that a bangkilan can turn and ordinary human into an aswang by kissing him/her and transfering a dark stone from her body to the host thus turning him/her into an aswang. In the Cuyunon tribe of Palawan the Term Bangkilan means fierce pig or boar


Mananagal



 the Mananagal or the self-segmenters. The Manananggal butchers human prey and feasts on its heart and liver. Imagine seeing a half-bodied, flying creature with wild, flaming eyes and sharp teeth, hungrily searching for its next victim. A manananggal is a beautiful female by day who turns into blood-devouring monster at night. At midnight, especially on a full moon, it applies a special oil on its body while chanting a prayer. Fangs, claws, and wings emerge until the manananggal separates from its upper torso, usually with its guts hanging out.




The manananggal (sometimes confused with the Wak Wak) is a mythical creature of the Philippines, an evil, man-eating and blood-sucking monster or witch. It is described as hideous, scary, often depicted as female, and capable of severing its upper torso and sprouting huge bat-like wings to fly into the night in search of its victims. The word manananggal comes from the Tagalog word tanggal (cognate of Malay tanggal), which means "to remove" or "to separate", which literally translates as "remover" or "separator". In this case, "one who separates itself". The name also originates from an expression used for a severed torso.

It is said that they mostly prey on sleeping, pregnant women, using an elongated proboscis-like tongue to suck the hearts of fetuses, or the blood of someone who is sleeping. The severed lower torso is left standing, and it is said to be the more vulnerable of the two halves. Sprinkling salt or smearing crushed garlic or ash on top of the standing torso is fatal to the creature. The upper torso then would not be able to rejoin itself and will die by sunrise



Kikik


 an over-sized black bird, but you will know when it's near you when you hear a soft "Kikik " sound. When it's far from you, you will hear a very loud "Kikik" sound.



Wak-wak

                       

The Wakwak is a vampiric, bird-like creature in Philippine mythology. It is said to snatch humans at night as prey, similar to the Manananggal and the Ekek in rural areas of the Philippines, due to its ability to fly. The difference between the Mananggal and the Wakwak is that Wakwak cannot separate its torso from its body while the Manananggal can. Some believe it is also a form a vampire takes. Other people contend that a "Wakwak" is a Philippine night bird belonging to a witch.



The sound of a Wakwak is usually associated with the presence of an Unglu (vampire) or Ungo (ghost or monster). It is also believed that this monster is called "Wakwak" due to this sound it makes when it flaps its wings while flying. When one hears the Wakwak, it is looking for possible victims. If the sound of the Wakwak is loud, it means it is far from you. Otherwise, it is near and worse yet, it is about to attack. It slashes and mutilates its victims and feeds on their hearts.

The Wakwak is often described by old folks to have long sharp talons and a pair of wings similar to those of a bat. It uses its talons or claws to slash its victims and to get their heart. Many say that its wings are also sharp as a knife.



Ek-ek


These are bird-like humans, much like the Manananggal, except they cannot sever their torsos from their body. These shape shifting aswang monsters turn into large birds or bats and prowls at night. The Ekek is named appropriately, because in its attacking its victim, this monster produces an “ek-ek-ek” sound. In a similar manner

In Philippine mythology, Ekek (or Ek Ek) are creatures who are bird-like humans. They are winged-humans who search for victims at night. They hunger for flesh and blood. They are usually described by old folks as flying creatures that look like the Manananggal but are unable to divide or split their body. Apart from the Manananggal, they are also associated to the Wak Wak because of some similar characteristics. The only difference between a Wak Wak and Ekek is that Ekek has a bill like birds whereas the Wak Wak has none.



The Ekek can transform into a huge bird/bat at night and prowls. Similar to the Manananggal, the Ekek looks for sleeping pregnant women. Then it extends a very long proboscis into the womb and kills the fetus by draining its blood. It is said that while this is taking place, a "ek-ek-ek" sound is often heard. The Ekek fools people into thinking it is far by producing a faint



Numpugot


 similar to a mananagal the Numpugot however decapitates itself and takes flight. It grows small batlike wings on the back of its head though it doesn’t flap for the Numpugot floats. The Numpugot has shark-like teeth that I uses to rip its victims flesh



Amalanhig


A vampire that rises from the dead and feeds upon humans by biting their necks. Their power is transferable, just like that of Aswangs, by the use of a black stone. The heir will swallow the stone, and protrude it for the next generation of Amaranhigs.



Mandurugo

the Mandurugo are pretty young women who taken flight by night. They transform into monstrous flying creatures with the head of a woman and the body of a bird of prey





Marindaga

the Magindara are beautiful but vicious creatures of the sea they are like mermaids but unlike mermaids they eat human flesh. Aswang ng dagat, the Marindaga are half women from waist up and half fish from the waist below. They have colorful and sharp scales.They have enchanting voices that can draw fishermen to their deaths.



BalBal


a Bal-Bal is a monster that steals corpses whether it is in a funeral or grave and feeds on them. It has a strong sense of smell for dead human bodies. It also has claws and teeth sharp enough to rip the clothing of the dead. Since it eats nothing but corpses, it has a foul breath. Once this monster has spotted and eaten the corpse, it will leave the trunk of a banana tree in the coffin creating an illusion of the stolen body to trick people.

Bal-Bal was also associated to Aswang, Amalanhig, and even to Busaw, which were all flesh eaters. They were classified to one of the most fearful creatures in thePhilippines because of their appearance. They were even described and compared to the vampire of the western continents



Tiyanak

An infant-like creatures that eat the living and terrify children. There origin (some says) are aborted fetuses from mother's womb who took revenge of not giving them birth, or babies who died before receiving baptism.

After death, they go to a place known as Limbo, a chamber of Hell which unbaptized dead people fall into, and are transformed into evil spirits. These phantasms return into the mortal realm in the form of goblins to eat living victims. The tiyanak can also be the offspring of a woman and a demon. It can also be an aborted fetus which comes back to take revenge on its mother. Most Tiyanaks are said to live in forests. If they see a human, they transform into what looks like a normal baby. When the person notices the Tiyanak and comes near to take a look at it, the Tiyanak changes back to its true form and eats its prey.

The true origin of Tiyanak came from the Malaysian creature, Pontianak or Mantianak - a female viscera. They share many similarities, but the Pontianak is the mother who died while pregnant, Tianak is the ghost of the child, not the mother herself.

Whenever we hear Tiyanak, the first thing which come to our mind is an innocent-looking baby, but according to some, they look like dwendes (dwarf). You can kill this monster by means of any pointed instruments, more specifically pointed metal made of silver.

When wandering in or near forested areas, be on the alert when you hear the sound of an infant crying. Don't try to look for it, lest you be the victim of the Tiyanak. The tiyanak is vampiric in nature and begins its monstrous life as an aborted or dead fetus that was not baptized before burial. Evil spirits possess the infant's body and use it to kill by eating the victim's inner organs and drinking its blood.



Sigbin (Visayan) – The Sigbin (or Sigben) are said to suck the blood out of its victims from the shadows. The Sigbin are usually invisible to its victims, but the humans can usually tell a Sigbin’s presence from its nauseating stench. This creature resembles that of a hornless goat, and is connected to the Aswang as a type of familiar, not so much a similar creature.













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Aswang o Asuang


Si Asuang ay isang diyos o poon na sinasamba sa sinaunag lupain ng Ibalong na ngayon ay kilala bilang Bicol, Makapangyarihang poon ng kadiliman at kasamaan at kaguluhan, pinaniniwalaang sakanya nag mula ang lahat ng kaguluhan at pati na rin ang lahi ng mga aswang







Mandurugo



Ang madurugo ay isang uri ng Aswang sila ay magagandang dalaga kapag umaga at kung gabi ay may kakayanang mag bago ng anyo upang maging ibong madaragit na may mukha ng magandang dalaga. Sila ay mga dating Kinnari, pinaniniwalaang ang mga Kinari ay mga kalating diwata kalahating tao, magagandang nilalang na may pakpak ng ibon sa likuran, kapag ang kinarri ay umibig sa tao, ito ay magsisilbi at magmamahal ng tapat sa tao, ngunit kapag ang pag ibig ng tao ay hindi dalisay ang kinnari ay magiging aswang na kung tawagin ay mandurugo.

sigbin



Bangkilan



Ang mga Bangkilan ay uri ng aswang pinaniniwalaang magagandang dilag mula sa hanay ng Ka-Datuan, sila ay may kakayanang mag anyong aso, baboy o iba pang nilalang ng dilim, higit silang nakakataas kaysa sa ibang uri ng Aswang, pinaniniwalaang may kakayanan silang gawing aswang ang karaniwang tao sa pag salin ng perlas na itim mula sa kanilang bibig sa taong nais nilang maging aswang.


Karaniwang Aswang


Uri ng aswang na wangis at ugaling tao, nag papalit ng anyo bilang mabalahibong nilalang may matatalas na kuko o pangil gaya ng sa aso. Pinaniniwalaang mga normal na tao na binigyan ng itim na bato o perlas mula sa bunganga ng isang Bangkilan, hangang sa pinagsalin salin ang bato sa mga kamag anak upang maging mga aswang



Asbo



Isang uri ng aswang na may kakayanang mag palit anyo bilang malaking aso, kumamaen ng laman loob.




awok



Isang uri ng aswang-Lupa Mga aswang na may kakayanang mag anyong itim ba baboy, o malaking babuy ramo



abwak



Isang uri ng aswang-lupa ang lalaking kakayanang mag palit anyo bilang bayawak, naghuhukay sa ilalim ng lupa upang mag abang ng mabibiktima. Ang babaeng abwak ay may kakayanang magpalit anyo bilang uwak.



Kubot



Ang kubot ay isang uri ng aswang na may pakpak ngunit hindi nakakalipad, ang pakpak nito ay kanwang binubuka upang lansihin ang mga kaaway at biktima.


Magindara



Ang mga Magindara ay magagandang aswang ng katubigan, ang kanilang mukha at katawan ay gaya sa kaakit-akit na dilag, samantalang ang kanilang katawan sa bewyang pababa ay gaya ng sa buntot ng isda, pinaniniwalaang ang mga magindara ay kumakaen lamang ng mga matatanda, sapagkat nalalason sila sa mga dugo ng birhen o ng mga musmos



Tik-tik



mga aswang na humahaba ang dila at ginagamit na pang sipsip ng laman loob ng buntis.





Tiyanak


Uri ng aswang na nag aanyong sangol, ang iba ay mga sangol na ipinalaglag.


Tamawo


Mga nilalang na mas malapit sa uri ng diwata kaysa aswang, Maputi ang balat at maganda ng mga mukha, Ang kanilang lahi ay puro kalalakihan lamang, sila ay may mga mapuputing balat, tenga na parang dahon ang tulis, may mga pangil at kuko na ginto. Umiinom ng dugo ng tao, pinaniniwalaang sila ay kumikislap sa ilalim ng araw, nandurukot ng mga kababaihan upang buntisin pagkat wala silang kakayanang mag anak ng babae kalahi.

aswang

The evil god who always try to steal the sacred fire of Mount Mayon from his brother, Gugurang. Addressed sometimes as Asuang, he dwells mainly inside Mount Malinao. As an evil god, he would cause the people to suffer misfortunes and commit sins

Bangkilan - the Bangkilans are the Ba-i or princess of the aswang race. each tribe has Bangkilan

the Alpha-female of their tribe. it is believed that a bangkilan can turn and ordinary human into an aswang by kissing him/her and transfering a dark stone from her body to the host

thus turning him/her into an aswang.

Dalagang Nasa Buwan

Dalagang nasa Buwan

 

Kulalaying or Buan or Dalagang nasa Buwan, the Goddess of the Moon, played an important role in the beliefs of the Ancient Tagalog people. Historical records like the Boxer Codex and Customs of the Tagalogs show that they highly respected and worshipped the moon, especially during the new moon.

Kulalaying literally mean blemishes on the face of the moon or moon craters

Dalagang nasa buwan

Dalagang binubukot

Dalagang nasa Buwan

During the new moon, the Tagalog people celebrated and prayed, asking the moon for a good life and prosperity. They believed that the moon, referred to as a deity, had the power to provide abundance and a long life.

A prayer dedicated to the moon goddess, found in the San Buenaventura dictionary, reflects their devotion. It translates to "Moon, my Lady, make me rich," emphasizing their belief in the moon's ability to bring prosperity.

The Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala gives more details about how the Tagalog people saw the moon, describing it as "L. del cielo" or "from the sky." It also mentions different phases of the moon, adding to their understanding of it.

Dalagang nasa buwan

In a letter by the archbishop of Manila, Felipe Pardo, another name related to the moon goddess is mentioned - Dalagang Binubukot, the Cloistered Maiden in the moon. This shows that the interpretation of the moon goddess varied in different regions.

The documented practices and prayers for Kulalaying or Dalagang nasa Buwan reveal the deep spiritual connection the Tagalog people had with the moon. They sought the moon's blessings for a prosperous and fulfilling life.

Malyari

Malyari/ Bernardo Carpio

Malyari also known as Bernardo Carpio (Karpyo) is the god of strength and bravery. He is the Filipino counterpart of Hercules.
He was the son of Bathala to a mortal woman. He was trapped in between two clashing mountains by the gods, as punishment for his pride and selfish attitude.

a being of great strength, is trapped in between two great rocks in the Mountains of Montalban.
Some versions say he is keeping the mountains from crashing into each other (similar to the Greek titan Atlas holding up the sky), and some versions say he is trapped and trying to break free. When Bernardo Carpio shrugs his shoulder, an earthquake occurs.

tikbalang

Tikbalang


Tikbalang (also written as Tigbalang, Tigbalan, or Tikbalan) is a creature of Philippine folklore said to lurk in the mountains and forests of the Philippines. It is generally described as a tall, bony humanoid creature with disproportionately long limbs, to the point that its knees reach above its head when it squats down.
t has the head and feet of an animal, most commonly a horse. It is sometimes believed to be a transformation of an aborted fetus which has been sent to earth from limbo.

The Tikbalang creature is demi-human, half-horse, half human. Its lower torso is part horse and the upper is human, its like a centaur, but more scary type as its eyes are red, and is said to carry an axe(palakol in local dialect) everywhere it goes.

Tikbalang nests in the forests of the Philippines, and is said that it would astray a traveler's way, making it go back to the same place over and over again. The Tikbalang's spell can be undone by turning your shirt inside-out or saying "padaan po or tabi po" meaning excuse me may I pass.

This being is said to live in tree groves and hot springs. If you meet one, don't follow him. That's the advice that many a grandparent would tell the little tykes sprawled at their ankles. I don't think they need to worry. What wide-eyed child would follow a man with spider-like legs into a forest, let along one with chicken feet? But most of the creatures of the Philippine dark are shape shifters, and the tikbalang is not an exception. He can take the form of a horse, a man, or another animal.

Tikbalangs are said to scare travelers and lead them astray. Tikbalangs play tricks on travelers such that they keep on returning to an arbitrary path no matter how far he goes or where he turns. Supposedly this is counteracted by wearing one's shirt inside out.Another countermeasure is to ask permission out loud to pass by or, not to produce too much noise while in the woods in order not to offend or disturb the tikbalang.
A superstition popular with the Tagalog of Rizal Province is that Tikbalangs are benevolent guardians of elemental kingdoms. They are usually found standing at the foot of large trees looking around for anyone who dare to bestow malignancy on their kingdom's territory.

A common saying has it that rain from a clear sky means "may kinakasal na tikbalang."(Filipino, "a tikbalang is getting married".)This was potentially connected with a similar Spanish proverb that claimed a witch was getting married when there was rain on a sunny day[citation needed], although many cultures have such sayings in which a trickster figure gets married ( fox's wedding, bear's wedding, monkey's birthday).
According to traditional folklore, the tikbalang can also transform itself into human form or turn invisible to humans. They like to lead travelers astray.

Tikbalang are generally associated with dark, sparsely populated, foliage-overgrown areas, with legends variously identifying their abode as being beneath bridges, in Bamboo or Banana groves, and atop Kalumpang (Sterculia foetida)or Balite (Ficus indica) trees.

Taming a tikbalang

By one account a tikbalang has a mane of sharp spines, with the three thickest of these being of particular importance. A person who obtains one of these spines can use them as an anting-anting (talisman) in order to keep the tikbalang as his servant. The tikbalang must first be subdued, however, by leaping onto it and tying it with a specially-prepared cord. The would-be-tamer must then hang on while the creature flies through the air, fighting madly to dislodge its unwelcome rider, until it is exhausted and acknowledges its defeat.

Habagat

Habagat

Apo Habagat- the god of winds. He rules the whole of the Himpapawirin, the kingdom of silver and gold found in the sky. He will invite his worshipers to his magnificent kingdom.

Like a spurned lover, Habagat is a very angry god, unleashing endless streams of rain in a show of might against rival Buhawi, the god of typhoon. Both smitten with Amihan, the goddess of cool, northeasterly wind, these legendary deities have elemental powers to win over the other – while lowly creatures that inhabited the earth cringe in fear and helplessness. Such were the stuff of Philippine mythology.

powerful and frightening image they make in the Himpapawiran (sky) – for love and for ego - in those days.

Amihan has also found a rival for the amorous quests of Habagat in typhoons, like Maring. Females are also lording it over the males, even in the Himpapawiran, huh. But Habagat dominates.

When the Philippine islands were still very, very young, its natives, who believed in these gods, would have been imploring the heavens to appease their wrath when they were as relentless as the past three days. They must have those dance rituals and some offerings to calm down their gods.

Magwayen

Magwayen

Diwata Diyan Masalanta/Maria Makiling

Diyan Masalanta is the Diwata/goddess of love,conception and childbirth and protector of lovers and stopper of storms and deluge. She is the daughter of Anagolay and Dumakulem. After the conversion of the natives into Christianity during the spanish era, she was later referred to as Maria Makiling



Diyan Masalanta is described as breathlakingly beautiful with light olive skin, long shinning black hair and twinkling eyes.

"Mariang Makiling" is the Tagalog contraction of "Maria ng Makiling" (Maria OF Makiling)


Descriptions of Diyan Masalanta/Maria Makiling are fairly consistent. She is a breathtakingly beautifu

Maria Makiling is the guardian spirit of the mountain, responsible for protecting its bounty and thus, is also a benefactor for the townspeople who depend on the mountain's resources. In addition to being a guardian of the mountain, some legends also identify Laguna de Bay - and the fish caught from it - as part of her domain.

It is often said that Mount Makiling resembles the profile of a woman, said to be Maria herself. This phenomenon is described as true from several different perspectives, so there is no single location associated with this claim. The mountain's various peaks are said to be Maria's face and two breasts, respectively, and her hair cascades downwards a gentle slope away from her body.


Mount Makiling and the Goddess, Mariang Makiling, the Protector & Guardian of the mountain & of Laguna de Bay in the Philippines.

Mariang Makiling, or Maria Makiling, is one of the most famous and well known Goddesses of the Philippines. She is the guardian and protector of the mountain, Mt. Makiling, a dormant volcano, which is her domain. She is the protector of the flora and fauna of the mountain and of Laguna de Bay which is down below.

It is often said that Mount Makiling resembles the profile of a woman laying down, said to be Mariang Makiling herself. This phenomenon is described as true from several different perspectives, so there is no single location associated with this claim. The mountain’s various peaks are said to be Mariang Makiling’s face and two breasts, respectively, and her hair cascades downwards a gentle slope away from her body.

There is some argument whether this spirit was named after the mountain or the mountain was named after her, but it has been noted that the mountain rises from Laguna de Bay “to a rugged top and breaks into irregular hills southward, thus ‘leaning’ or ‘uneven.’” The Tagalog word for ‘leaning’ or ‘uneven’ is “Makiling.”

Descriptions of Mariang Makiling are fairly consistent. She is a breathtakingly beautiful young woman who never ages. Her skin color was a clear pure brown, the kayumangging kaligatan, as the Tagalog say. She had long shining black hair, twinkling dark eyes, her hands and feet were small and delicate and the expression of her countenance always grave and serious. She shares everything she has for free such as fishes in the lake, fruits, crops and food. She is very approachable that the people can reach her anytime on whatever they need.

In University of the Philippines, Los Baños, a University that sits on the foot of Mount Makiling, students still tell stories of a woman in white who is sighted walking down the long uphill road heading to the Upper (College of Forestry) Campus. Sometimes, the woman appears to be trying to hitch a ride down the mountain. Invariably, the observers are said to be frightened and just ignore the woman, believing her to be Mariang Makiling.

The unusual weather patterns on the mountain area are also often attributed to Mariang Makiling. Often this means sudden rains whenever particularly noisy events are held in the areas near the mountain. Locals say that the diwata does not approve of the event. Acclaimed stage and screen actor and director Behn Cervantes relates a reverse version of this legend, during the launching program for the UP Alumni Association’s Mariang Makiling Foundation, an advocacy group formed for the protection and conservation of Mount Makiling:

During our launch, we had a hair-raising experience. When the remarkable Dulce (singer) reached the climax of her song of praise to Nature, she raised her arms as though in veneration of Mariang Makiling. As if on cue, golden leaves from surrounding trees showered the audience like petals from the heavens. The astounded crowd gasped and aahhed in unison. Los Baños’ Dr. Portia Lapitan whispered to me, “The diwata approves.”

Legends

There are many stories woven about this Goddess. Most of them deal with her helping the poor and the sick, in the guise of a peasant girl. The precious things she lend the country folk are said to be returned to her, along with the offering of a young pullet with feathers white as milk.

Mariang was always about helping other people. One time, the children of a farmer got sick. When he went to Mariang to seek help, he was given a bilao full of ginger. The farmer sadly went home carrying the bilao of ginger. When he reached his hut, he was greatly surprised: the ginger had turned to gold! Because of Mariang’s kindness, the townsfolk had grown to love her.

A hunter has recounted a face-to-face encounter with the Goddess herself. He was hunting a wild boar, he said, deep into the forest where Mariang Makiling lived. The boar suddenly crashed into some bushes and the hunter, fearing that he would not find it again, dived in after it. When he came to his feet he saw a small hut, and witnessed his prey entering it. He followed the boar into the hut, thinking it deserted, and then he came face to face with a beautiful maiden standing by the boar, who was meek in her presence. The maiden said “This boar is mine and you must not harm it. But I see that you are tired and hurt. Come in, eat, and then go your way.”

The hunter felt compelled to obey her. He sat down at her table, and she served him a porridge that he found was unlike anything he had ever tasted. It invigorated him, and after eating, he felt healed. As a parting gift, Mariang Makiling filled his peasant hat, called a salakot, with yellow ginger.

The hunter, on his way home from the forest, found that his salakot was growing heavier and heavier, and so he broke a few pieces of ginger in half and threw some bits away. Upon coming home, he handed Mariang Makiling’s gifts to his wife, who found that the salakot, instead of containing ginger, as her husband claimed, contained gold. The hunter regretted having thrown away a few bits of ginger/gold along the way.




Another legend is of one afternoon, a hunter came across her domain and saw her. He fell in love with Mariang Makiling and she too felt the same way for him. They talked everyday and promised to love each other forever. Until the day came that Mariang waited for him but he never returned and she later found out that the hunter married a real woman. She was frustrated and deeply hurt that forgiveness was difficult for her to give. She then realized that she cannot trust the townsfolk because she was different from them and that they are just using her for their needs, and abusing her kindness. Later on, the kindness in her heart turned into anger that she refused to give fruits and animals and fishes are vanishing. People seldom saw her that only during pale moonlight nights that they would sometimes see her.

Another story is about Mariang Makiling and her three suitors battling for her love. One of her suitors, a Spanish soldier, another is a Spanish-Filipino mestizo and the last one is a Filipino farmer named Juan. Juan won the love of Mariang Makiling and the other two suitors could not accept their defeat that they’ve plotted to kill Juan. A fire broke down on the fort which they blamed against the Filipinos including Juan. They shot him as a punishment and before dying Juan shouted Mariang’s name. Mariang heard Juan that she went down from the mountain and cursed them for not accepting defeat. She went back into the mountains and no one has seen her again. The Spanish soldier died in a revolution while the Spanish-Filipino mestizo died of illness. Now, when somebody gets lost in the mountain, people often attribute it to the curse of Mariang Makiling.

maria makiling

Until this day people still catch glimpse’s of the Goddess and is also closely associated with the white mist that often surrounds the mountain and is still one of the most well known Goddesses of the Philippines.






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