All souls day is just a few calendar boxes away, and in line
with common Filipino tradition, this is usually the time of the year when
people commemorate their friends and relatives who have passed away. This is
also that one time of the year where people try to scare each other with scary
stories as they believe that the spirits from the other plane come to visit the
living and entities from the supernatural world make their presence felt.
Whether true or not, this scare-or-be-scared mentality has
long been with us and has long been a withstanding trademark of the traditional
Filipino celebration of All Souls day thanks of course to our rich folklores
filled with stories about mythical creatures, monsters and beings that have
been passed down from generation to generation.
And in today’s post, we’ve listed some of the most popular
mythical creatures and beings that most Pinoys (if not all) have come to fear and
at times used as tools in their scare tactics.
NUNO SA PUNSO
Nuno sa punso is a dwarf-like being known to live in anthills and termite mounds in the Philippines. The Nuno sa punso is usually interchanged with the duwende but unlike the latter, this being is described as having a grumpy and easily-angered demeanor, especially if its home is disturbed.
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| Source |
The Nuno sa punso is believed to have the power to curse anyone who disturbs its home inflicting swelling or pain on any part of the body of the trespasser, cause the person to vomit blood or urinate black liquid. In order to avoid being cursed by the nuno, a person is advised to say “tabi tabi po” before passing a place inhabited by this creature.
MANANANGGAL
The manananggal is a mythical creature that has the ability to separate its torso into two parts. The upper part of the body would usually grow bat-like wings and allow it to fly and search for unwary victims. It is often depicted as a female who takes the form of a normal human being by day but transforms at night.
When the body of the manananggal has been separated, it is believed that by sprinkling salt or smearing crushed garlic into its lower torso would prevent the upper body from reconnecting and therefore will eventually cause the demise of the manananggal.
ENGKANTO/DIWATA
Engkanto are environmental spirits that have the ability to
appear in human form. They often are depicted as beautiful beings with fair complexion,
high-bridge noses and other god/goddess like physical features. Most are
believed to dwell in natural land and water features like large rock
formations, rivers, lakes, etc.
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| Roderick Paulate in Engkanto (1992) |
Engkantos and Diwatas are most commonly known for their
malignant effects to humans, causing harm and misfortunes to those who have
wronged them and bringing wealth and riches to those who they favor. These
beings also sometimes lead travellers astray in forests and mountains and even
kidnapping them if they find a liking to that person.
KAPRE
Kapres are the Philippines’ tree demon characterized by a
tall stature, brown skin covered with hair and a long beard. They are usually
depicted in traditional folklore as a giant figure atop a tree smoking a
tobacco pipe. They are believed to dwell in big trees like acacias, mangoes and
balete and is said to wear a bahag.
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Unlike other creatures in Philippine folklore, the Kapre is
not generally known to be malevolent. Although they are said to play pranks on
people, usually making people forget where they are, confusing people or
leading them astray in the forest.
MAMBABARANG
The mambabarang is the Filipino version of a sorcerer. It is
commonly associated with the mangkukulam and has the ability to instruct
insects and other animals to enter the body of its victim through any bodily
orifice such as the nose, mouth, ears, anus or any dermal breaks such as open
wounds.
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| Source |
To be able to counter the mambabarang, a victim would
usually need to employ the services of an albularyo or a faith healer.
SIRENA/KATAW/SIYOKOY
The Bantay tubig (merpeople/merfolk) are divided into three
distinct groups – the sirena, the kataw and the siyokoy.
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| Ella Cruz as Aryana (2012) - Source |
Sirena is the Filipino term for mermaids. They are depicted
as creatures having the upper torso of a woman and having a tail of a fish. The
male counterpart of the sirena is called a kataw. Another sea creature popular
in Pinoy folklore is the Siyokoy which is usually depicted as green-skinned
humanoids with bodies covered with scales, webbed hands and feet and having
scales in some parts of their body.
TIKBALANG
The tikbalang is a creature with the head and feet of a
horse and the upper torso of a man. They are said to play tricks on humans
often leading them astray in forests and mountains. They are also said to
have the power to shape shift and cause hallucinations. There are also stories
that depict the tikbalang travelling at night and raping female mortals who
would then give birth to more tikbalang.
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| Source |
There are also stories that talk about how to tame a
tikbalang by acquiring one of the creatures sharp spines located in its mane.
It is said that those who obtains one of these spines can use the spine as a
talisman in order to keep the tikbalang as his servant.
TIYANAK
The tiyanak is a vampire-like creature that takes the form
of a baby. There are many stories about the origin of the Tiyanak but the most
widely accepted is the one spread by Christian catechism which explains that
tiyanak are babies who died before receiving baptism rites or those who died
through abortion.
In recent times, the tiyanak has been a very popular
creature depicted in movies like in the Shake, Rattle and Roll movie series.
The term “ang anak ni Janice” was a result of the movie depicting the tiyanak
as the child of TV actress Janice De Belen.
ASWANG
Last but definitely not the least is the Aswang. The Aswang
is probably the most featured mythological creature in this list. It is a
creature with vampire-like characteristics that is said to eat human flesh and
can shape shift into animals at night. They enjoy eating unborn fetuses and
small children, with a specific liking to livers and hearts.
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| Erich Gonzales in Corazon Ang Unang Aswang (2012) |
So, which creature is the stuff of your nightmares? Tell us
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