Haunted? Philippine Folklore – Part II

Is the Philippines Haunted?With centuries old tales and the certain descriptive identities of all the monsters known to exist in the Philippines, I’m certain that at some point, everyone will have an “Encounter of the Spooky Kind” in the Philippines. And if not, you can probably make one up…who’s going to not believe you?  In Part I of Philippine Folklore, I described the phenomenon of “Biringan”, or the Mystic City of Western Samar that cannot be pinpointed to an exact location, but is better described more like some mysterious portal to a different dimension.

Throughout the Philippines, there are many fables to be told, and re-told…handed down from generation to generation. Folklore that is filled with daunting tales filled with fright and fraught with fear. Horrifying creatures that reside in jungles, in certain trees, and old buildings and some that might follow you around.

If you live in the Philippines or intend on moving here, you should be aware of, at a minimum, the 10 most horrifying creatures in Philippine Folklore.

Manananggal

1. Manananggal - The Manananggal preys on humans and butchers them to feast on their heart and liver. It’s said to be a half-bodied, flying creature with wild, flaming eyes and sharp teeth, hungrily in search of its prey. By day though, the Manananggal is a beautiful female who transforms into a blood-devouring monster at night. It is said that at midnight, especially during a full moon, it applies a special on 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.

2. Tikbalang – The Tikbalang is said to be a half-human, half-horse and likes to plays tricks on its victims, scaring them away or leading them astray from their paths.  Walking past big, old trees, and suddenly smelling a whiff of tobacco would alert the unwary to the sight of the Tikbalang!

Aswang

3. Aswang - Have you ever suspected that you were being followed? Beware of strange people following you around, because you’ll never know which one is real (after your valuables) or which one would prey on your guts and organs. An Aswang usually takes the appearance of ordinary humans but are known to be ‘shape shifters’ where they have the ability to transform themselves into a wild, voracious beast once they find prospective victims. They can take the form of a dog, boar, bull or any animal, and they prey on weaker victims like children and old people, but will also attack any single unguarded individual.

Tiyanak

4. Tiyanak – 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.

5. Pugot – Stay clear of abandoned structures or old, big trees for you might encounter a freaky monster carrying decapitated heads. Called thePugot, this monster manifests itself as a self-beheaded ghost, or as a headless giant waiting in lonely places to behead its unlucky victim.

Nunoman

6. Nuno Sa Punso – Never ever play on anthills for you might disturb the Nuno sa Punso. These dwarf-like creatures (duwende or encantado) curse disrespectful passersby who even inadvertently disturb or destroy their habitation. So the next time you wander into unfamiliar territory, tread carefully and don’t forget to ask permission and say tabi-tabi po mga nuno.

7. Kapre – A Kapre is a huge terrifying beast with glowing eyes which is found dwelling in large trees or abandoned houses and ruins. It is usually depicted smoking a leg-sized cigar that never burns out.

8. Mangkukulam – The Mangkukulam’s favorite implements for maiming, torturing and sometimes killing its chosen victims are the karayom at manyika (needle and doll). Similar to the practice of Vodoo in the western world, the doll serves as the effigy of the victim; upon pricking it with the cursed needle, the victim instantly feels pain through the effects of malicious, imitative magic. The Mngkukulam will usually focus on the victim’s heart or vital organs. What sets the Mangkukulam apart from the rest of the ghouls and monsters in this list is that the Mangkukulam is an ordinary human being albeit twisted by evil.

Wak-Wak

9. Wak-Wak – The Wak-Wak is a bird-like creature that comes out at night looking for victims. The sound the Wak-Wak makes is usually associated with the presence of an Unglu? (vampire); other folkloric sources indicate that the Wak-Wak may itself be a form of the Unglu.

10. Sigbin – The Sigbin is a ghoul in Philippine Mythology that roams for prey at night, sucking the blood off their would-be victims by using their shadows. The creature walks backwards with their heads lowered between their hind legs. The Sigbin is dog-like in appearance so beware of strange dogs!

Who Ya Gonna Call?

From the way it appears, folklore and superstitions definitely trump all beliefs in the Catholic doctrine here in the Philippines. Strange as it may seem, many of these creatures exist only in certain locations in the Philippines, or in other words, are region specific. So if one is going to travel from island to island, and in the interest of your own self-preservation, you must know what dangers await you on the next island.  But all-in-all, when one must avoid the forests and stay out of jungle habitats, avoid all old and big trees, be weary of beautiful females and be cautious of people who might follow you, be leary of the sound of crying babies, stay clear of abandoned structures and buildings, never stray from your intended path and never walk alone, watch out for dogs, boars, bulls or any other animals, be suspicious of the smell of tobacco or cigar smoke, stay out of all shadows and never play on anthills – if you cannot employ all the necessary defensive measures and if you can’t afford to move about in a personal armored vehicle, it’s probably safer to just stay indoors….forever!  At least in the Philippines, you can always have your food and drink delivered.

Source: http://en.wikipilipinas.org

For your convenience, you can find out more information at Philippine Mythology.

Related articles

• Aswang Mannanggal (deadlyeverafter.com)
• Imaginary Friends (thelatebloomingartist.wordpress.com)

Is the Philippines Haunted?

Just like the world over, the Philippines is in no short supply of oral traditions. Fables and stories (knowledge) handed down from generation to generation, which describes and depicts long held beliefs of ancestors, some quite unique to particular ethnic groups and indigenous tribes, is respected as folklore. I was first exposed to a plethora of these feared fables when I first lived in Guam, and honestly, some are actually quite convincing. Usually transmitted by word of mouth, these oral traditions are very common and still exist throughout the Philippines.

I recently learned of one of these more regional beliefs that has been well preserved by the people of Samar, Philippines, and is simply known as “Biringan”.  The following is an excerpt of a reprint I found,  from the Library of Most Controversial Files:

In the Province of Samar, the mention of “Biringan” evokes awe, fear, intrigue, knocking on wood, and innumerable signs of the Cross. What is Biringan? It is reportedly an undefined location somewhere between Calbayog City and Catarman, Northern Samar, where a mythic city(ies) of indescribable grandeur is/are said to exist, unvisited by ordinary mortals, known only by magnificent folk stories that refuse to die despite the advent of television and the internet. Other reports extend its area to as far south as San Jorge, Samar. 

Mysterious lights of Biringan courtesy 

Biringan’s “now-you-see-it, now-you-don’t” quality indicates it is not of the usual land and water terrain in which we live in. It seems to exist in a different dimension, which explains why its boundaries can overlap with known towns and cities of Samar island. On moonless nights, seafarers aplenty have reported seeing a dazzling city of light.

In a few minutes, though, the manifestation is no longer visible. Obviously, Biringan is not likely to be shown on any map or atlas. But specialized (infrared, ultraviolet, etc.) satellite mapping photography have reportedly turned up a shining area in the reported general location of Biringan. They say Biringan is the legendary home of the encantos (enchanted ones) and half-encanto, half-human progeny. The encantos are most likely elementals, as old as the mountains and rivers in the area. They are apparently shape changers because they have been reported to appear in whatever form they wish, human or not. But in human form, their distinguishing characteristic is the lack of the philtrum, the indentation below the noseand above the upperlip.

One fabled story goes as follows: Once upon  a time, a bus was plying the night route from Catbalogan City to Tacloban City. Somewhere halfway, when the bus had been emptied of its passengers, the driver and conductor stopped to pick up two young lady passengers. Their stated destination was quite off the main route but the driver consented because the two had offered triple the usual fare. When the two mysterious passengers had alighted, and the driver turned the bus around to get back on the highway. But, to his utter bewilderment, he could no longer distinguish the dirt road they had taken just moments ago. Conceding that they were lost, they decided to spend the night at that very spot. At dawn the next day, they were confounded when they found themselves and the bus at a desolate mountain top. A large tow truck had to be sent through rough mountain trails just to bring the bus back to civilization.

What this phenomenom is purported to be or how it achieves the many outcomes that are taled is not fully understood and is difficult to understand what it is that is actually feared! Does it eat you? Or does it turn you into a toad? Or, does it just perform some kind of magical transport via some portal which lands you unknowingly on some mountain top in the middle of the night.

Everyone’s Boogeyman is different!

In N. America, we all establish our fears and beliefs as young children at a very early age, usually with the introduction of the “boogeyman”.  As we age, we become exposed to the many mysterious tales from the dark side as handed down by generations – all delivered to us during the most opportune moments – from slumber parties to campfire circles in the night – leaving us all with imaginations gone wild. Usually though by the time we reach the age of 20, these oral traditions fade along with the fears that they once generated.  Except for those few who are still scared of the dark, and they can’t tell you exactly what it is they’re afraid of!

But in the Philippines, the folklore continues and seemingly without expiration dates or age limits.  All filled with big and bad frightening creatures guaranteed to cause fear, terror, and panic among the populace. Check back again soon when I continue the topic of Philippine folklore and the discussion of everything from Aswangs to Wak-Waks.  And until then, stay out of the jungle and don’t forget to keep the lights on!

Continue to Philippine Folklore – Part II