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Creatures
crea-ture
[KREE-cher]
noun
origin: 1250-1300
1. an animal, esp. a nonhuman: the creatures of the woods and fields; a creature from outer space.
2. anything created, whether animate or inanimate.
3. person; human being: She is a charming creature. The driver of a bus is sometimes an irritable creature.
4. an animate being.
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A Glossary of Philippine Creatures
By: Charity Doyl
"The Philippine Isles has always possessed a thriving and serious respect for the supernatural.
Tales surrounding the mysterious and untimely illness, disappearance or death of a loved one are
told to serve as a warning, and provide answers to the unexplained. The tracks of an idly fleeing
wild boar or the sound of flapping wings are transformed into chilling tales provoking our deepest
fears. Every barrio and province has their favorite (or dreaded) spirit. The place where a person
succumbed to sickness or the house of which someone died was soon caught in a gathering mist of
suspicious rumors. All it took was one reliable witness, swearing total sobriety to say he or she
witnessed a malevolent being. This article is dedicated to the female creatures, beings, and
goddesses that haunt our nightmares, grappling our imagination and causing a ripple up our spine
long after the lights have been turned off."
Agalon Hayopan - Are individuals are what may be termed as inactive asuangs. They prefer to
live right by the river where crocodiles are plentiful. They desire to eat human flesh but to
satisfy their cravings they employ crocodiles to kill people and discreetly bring their flesh to
them.
Anito - Otherwise known as "mamangkiks" or "cancaniaos" and share the characteristics of
the "matanda sa punso" – spirits in the mound. They posses the ability to inflict boils and
sickness on anyone who bothers them. When walking through unfamiliar routes people say "tabi-tabi
po... " makikiraan lang. (Sir, please move aside I'm just passing through.) Children often fall
victims to their anger as they accidentally bump into them while playing. Parents of inflicted
kids leave offerings of fruit under the tree or near a mound of earth "punso" seeking to appease
the invisible spirits. Permission is also sought before cutting down trees in the forest.
Asuang - Is an ordinary witch or sorcerer who can be a woman or a man. This person can change
into the form of a black cat, pig, dog or a bird with blood shot eyes. At night, they lurk
behind bushes waiting for a lonely wayfarer. When a victim is spotted, it appears out of nowhere
in the middle of the road intent on overpowering its victim. The aswang drags its hunted prey
into a secret lair, gorging on the victim’s liver and blood. However, they cannot lift anybody
who carries a coin. One centavo is enough to make the aswang's plans a failure. Garlic is the
bitterest foe of aswangs; the sight of it causes them to flee.
The aswang is attributed to the pregnant woman's demise or gets seriously ill during the last
stages of pregnancy. Also blamed for the deaths of babies who manifested symptoms of dysentery;
believed to have fallen victims to the aswangs who ate their liver and intestines causing their
inability to hold onto foods and liquids. The cure involves surrounding the house with garlic and
ashes and rubbing the sick with fresh garlic to keep the aswangs from inflicting more harm to
its victim.
Bagat - A spirit prone to pranks and mischief. Taking the form of an animal on dark moonless
nights it appears to those who are afraid of creatures that go bump in the night; leaving
startled spectators frightened to the bones, terrorized and scared stiff.
Bruha or Mangkukulam - A priestess of the dark arts specializing in revenge of the cruelest
kind. Na-kulam: A person falling victim into the "mangkukulam's" (sorcerer’s) curse
exhibits swelling in some parts of his body and bouts of insanity. Victims of the bruha's
wrath declare that the albularyo has extracted pins, needles, broken glass and other sharp
pointed objects from their body, which was part of the spell bestowed upon them; and
miraculously, they are instantly pain free and recover from their sickness. An arbulario is
called to punish the source by pouring boiling water over the victim and in some cases severely
beating or cutting off the victim’s ear was thought to inflict pain and suffering to the
mangkukulam. It is believed the victim does not feel pain and violent actions is the only
way to drive the mangkukulam away.
Other times her services are sought after by young men jilted during courtship. The
mangkukulam gives the rejected suitor instructions in obtaining the girl's heart by
resolving to snatch a strand of her hair which she concocts into a "gayuma" (love potion);
which causes the young lady to fall madly in love with her previous suitor. If the parents
discover her heart was won by a “gayuma” they call the services of the arbularyo who gives
her a contradictory medicine- snapping her out of the "gayuma's" spell.
Diwata or Engkantada - The most famous ones are Maria Makiling and the engkantada of Mount Apo.
A beautiful lady with long hair and supernatural powers. To have one as friend ensures a rich
and prosperous life to have one as an enemy ensures a life of poverty, struggle and misery.
Dwende - "Kaibaan", "lulid," "cama-cama," or "nuno sa punso" are just a few of its names. They
are small male and female creatures, about the size of one year old child. They live under a
small mound of dirt "punso." On a full moon, one can sometimes see them in the shadows or hear
their mystical music playing. They are harmless creatures who befriend virtuous humans to whom
they render invaluable services such as providing information, warnings about potential danger
and endowing beloved friends with precious gifts. They can also create mischief, cause havoc
and can be dangerous if provoked to anger. Most of the stories surrounding these stories are
the male dwarf, but others claim that on a still full moon, one can hear the faint melody of
merriment, and during these festive occasions, female dwarves dressed in their finest red and
gold regalia are seen dancing, laughing and having the time of their life.
This sickness is known in many localities as "nuno sa punso" or the old man in the mound. The
nuno is a spirit who inflicts high fever, headaches, skin rashes or other forms of sickness to
those who disturbs his dwelling place. Their anger is appeased by peace offerings of food, wine
and tobacco; daily placed near the mound (punso) until the sick recovers. Children are taught to
say "tabi-tabi po, nakikiraan lang po," or "excuse me sir, I am just passing through," while
walking through unfamiliar terrain.
Mananangal- The most feared Filipino creature; also known as wak-wak in the Bisayan dialect.
Common people believe the wak-wak is always a woman. Between six or seven o’clock at night
this creature finds a secret place near her home. She bends her body down while her legs remain
rigid and straight; her hair becomes stiff and nails turn into long sharp claws; her eyes grow
bigger and eerily glows; while large bat-like wings protrude from her body echoing the sound
"wak-wak-wak" as it flies along. It preys on the livers of the sick and disobedient children who
refuse to come indoors at twilight. They are especially fond of developing babies in their
mother's womb; whose blood is sucked by using its tongue as a threadlike proboscis which
enters through the mother’s navel. Vigilant eyes, garlic and a pair of scissors or thorny
branches should be kept beside a pregnant woman at all times.
Multo - This is the soul of unpardoned dead who will wander on the earth unless the living
intercedes to secure the pardon of God through constant praying. The smell of burning candles
indicates their presence day or night. Reputed to assail the living, with red and painful
bruises. To protect oneself from its harm, moving your hands wildly and uttering phrases
and prayers from the Bible will cause it to leave.
Santilmo - According to Boholanos, they believe it is the lost souls of people who drowned at sea. It
usually appears during rainy nights as a large bright orange orb. Notorious for hypnotizing
its victim and leading them to a path of death. Throwing a lemon or anything sour like vinegar
will cause it to disappear and protect you from its bewitching spell.
Sirena - This capricious female deity can be wicked to the core or extremely kindhearted. They
are characterized by their long black hair, bewitching voice, beautiful facial features and a
strong fish like odor. Appearing in human form, they come on land during fiestas and Holy Week.
They are afraid of salt, steel, silver or gold as it can inflict a mortal wound on their
scaly bodies. Innocent swimmers, presumably drowned are dragged to its underwater abode. If
captured by one, she will offer you fish to eat; accepting her offer will bring you instant
death. Refusing her offer increases your chance for freedom and perhaps a lavish gift of
precious jewels.
Tama-wo - Also known as "lomon" or "mamao." Witnesses describe them as tall in stature, white
skin and very attractive in appearance. Balete trees mark the entrance to their mysterious and
invisible palaces. They are attracted to humans with a pure heart and will entice their paramour
to a life of immortality by inviting them to eat rice that moves like tiny worms. The tama-wo is
kind, generous and protective spirits. They have been known to attack thieves and other evil
doers.
Tiyanak - Known to mimic the cry of a baby lost in the forest. Sympathetic travelers,
especially women whose motherly instincts kick in often stray from their path, trying to locate
this supposedly abandoned baby and eventually get lost in the forest. At night, if one listens
carefully, you can distinctly hear the malevolent laughter of this creature resonating in the
forest. Travelers can avoid falling prey to the tiyanak's wiles by wearing his shirt
backwards and ignoring its misleading cries.
White Lady - Often surrounded by a touching story about a beautiful lady dressed in white, who
appears on rainy nights. Clearly a maiden in distress, travelers stop to offer her a ride. After a
few minutes, the ghostly rider mysteriously disappears leaving only a wet spot on the car seat.
Other times, the hapless apparition of this damsel is seen around convents, church courtyards, and
other places steep deep in history.
Others deserving a most honorable mention:
Agta - Also known as "pugot" or "sinandapi." A harmless being unless provoked. It appears as a
tall, black hairy man who dwells in caves, uninhabited buildings or on top santol, tamarind and
lomboy trees. Sometimes seen wearing black or white priest like robes but can take the form of
animals, such as dogs, goats and etc. When frightened or angered they throw stones at houses. Their
horrific apparitions have caused fatal heart attacks to some of its beholders.
Amanhig - Is the spirit of a dead miser suffering from an untimely death. He cannot rest in
peace unless given a proper burial and bestowing his wealth to another person. His spirit is bound
to his earthly treasure and therefore keeps watch over his old abode. Described as a tall and, thin
walking cadaver with big sunken eyes. It is believed that once the amanhig gets wet, the body is
changed into worms; and only when the worms come back together can it transform itself to its
previous shape. The spirit is harmless but will test one’s bravery. Once one passes the test, the
creature will ask you to bury him and during the process reveal his treasure's location. Running
away from the amanhig only causes the creature to pursue you, but facing it without fear
will reap a bountiful reward.
Cafre - A harmless spirit who takes the form of a very white tall man with a long beard.
Favoring to live around dark big houses or in sit in the branches of tall leafy trees – like
the mango, sampalok or balete. At night if you smoke coming from the middle of a tree, chances
are it is the cafre enjoying his tobacco. It is believed that cafres are afraid of
goats and will not disturb anyone unless provoked.
Tikbalang - A creature with extremely long legs in proportion to its body that when it sits
down, the knees tower over its head. The upper half resembles a horse. It has three coarse
stiff hairs on the top of its head; anyone successful in acquiring the three hairs will have
the tikbalang as his personal slave for life. They are strong and fast creatures who abhor
the sight of children, dead or alive…they steal the bodies of dead children and bury them
deep in the ground. They are harmless and will rather flee than fight but would inflict vomiting
to those that mock him.
Tik-tik - Is a male aswang. Its name is derived from the very noise it makes at night. Common
people believe this is the asuang turned into a night bird. They are known to perch on top houses
with pregnant mothers and the sick.
Sinan Baboy - Do dangerous beings resemble a wild pig, usually found under mango trees? It
first appears as a tiny animal and suddenly gets bigger and bigger. They like to pass through the
legs of their victims for several times, suddenly increasing in size and height and eventually
trampling their victims to a tortured demise.
Source: Bisayan Papers: Beyer Ethnographic Series
http://www.northwestwoman.com
To learn more about Charity Bagatsing-Doyl, visit her website:
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