The duwende is the Filipino counterpart of the dwarf or hobgoblin. Duwendes live in trees, underground or anthills, although those who live in anthills or termite mounds are commonly known as nuno sa punso. Both are playful little creatures who can provide either good or bad fortune to humans. Be careful with duwendes as they become really evil especially when you destroy their homes, accidentally or not. This is why you have to excuse yourself by saying "tabi-tabi po" so as not to disturb them.
Photo from Guen20 at Deviantart
A white lady is known to be the ghost of a woman who died violently in an accident or a crime. She can either be harmless or violent, depending on her unfortunate demise. A white lady can be seen mostly at midnight in a big old house, in cemeteries or near centuries-old trees. Oftentimes, a white lady can be sighted in other places such as office restrooms and in call centers.
Photo from rhavencometa at Deviantart
The kapre or the agta is a filthy giant who lives atop giant trees and who likes to smoke tabako (cigars). Although they are harmless, they like to play pranks on humans who wander aimlessly in the darker parts of the forest. When you are going around in circles deep in a wooded place, you must remove your shirt and wear it inside-out to escape the kapre's prank.
Photo from marjefferson
Derived from the name St. Elmo's Fire, the santilmo is a big floating ball of fire believed to be a wandering spirit of a dead person. It likes to trick and scare people who go out late at night by chasing them in dark forests, trails, roads and even in the sea.
Photo from Wikipedia
This mythical creature looks more or less similar with Greek mythology's Centaur with its head and feet that of a horse and its upper body that of a human. The tikbalang are known to lead noisy people astray in the darkened woods. So if you pass by their territory, it is best to just keep your mouth shut.
Photo from monkeydinosaur at Deviantart
An okoy is a sea creature similar to the sirena/sireno, the Filipino counterpart of a mermaid/merman. The okoy is described to be covered in scales, with webbed hands and feet and is colored green. It is believed that okoys like to kidnap humans, specifically fisherfolks out at sea at night, and eat them. Be careful now when you want to go skinny dipping in the ocean.
Photo from PCDSPO GOVPH
This mythical creature is believed to have a very large head and a freakishly scary grin combined with a freakishly scary laugh. They are considered mischievous creatures who pranks on people getting lost in the forest. In order to escape from its own game, and its scary evil laugh, you will need to remove your shirt and wear it inside out. The tambaloslos will laugh so hard with what you're wearing that his huge upper lip will cover his eyes. Then you run!
This mythical creature has the ability to transform into a huge bird or bat, then it flies at midnight and preys on pregnant women or newborn babies. The kikik eats its prey by drilling a hole on the pregnant woman's belly with its tongue and sucking the fetus out. A kikik can be killed with a sharp pinuti or a sharpened bamboo called bagakay. It is also obeserved that the lesser you hear of its "kikik" sound, the nearer the kikik is to your house.
Photo by Heredion Lovino
Old tales tell of the engkanto as guardians of nature, that is why they are known to live in rivers, forests and mountains. The popular Filipino engkanto is Maria Makiling, who is considered to be the guardian of Mt. Makiling in Laguna. They are harmless yet they can be evil when their habitat is destroyed.
Photo from Wikipedia
Dubbed as the most horrifying creature in Philippine folklore, the manananggal's body cuts in half. Its upper body flies and hunts at night, leaving behind the lower part standing on the ground. This creature is believed to love eating human organs and fetuses. To kill a manananggal, all you have to do is sprinkle salt on the lower half of the body while the upper half is flying off.
- Maria Celeste Abellana -
Contributor - Lifestyle
Sections
Recent Articles
vBulletin Message