Step into a world of diverse deities, brave heroes, and fearsome creatures.
Philippine folklore is a rich tapestry of myths and legends, born from the oral traditions of over a hundred ethnic groups, that reflects the spiritual beliefs, values, and history of the Filipino people.
Explore a vibrant canon that is as complex and varied as the islands themselves, including:
- A diverse pantheon From Bathala, the supreme creator god, to Mayari, the beautiful yet fierce goddess of the moon and war, discover deities who govern every aspect of nature and human existence.
- Iconic creatures Encounter the chilling Aswang (shape-shifting vampires and ghouls),
- the mischievous Tikbalang (demon-horses),
- the tree-dwelling giant Kapre,
- and the majestic sea serpent Bakunawa, who is said to cause eclipses by trying to swallow the moon.
Timeless epics and tales Uncover origin stories, moral lessons, and heroic journeys, such as the Ilocano epic Biag ni Lam-ang or the tale of Malakas and Maganda, which provide a window into pre-colonial life and enduring Filipino values of community, resilience, and respect for nature. Discover the magic and mystery that continues to influence modern Filipino art, literature, and identity.
Spirits, Shapeshifters & Ghouls
Tikbalang
forest spirit that commonly takes the form of a half-horse- half-man creature. It has a horse head, a human torso, and a pair of bipedal equine legs.
Diwata
supernatural beings that include fairies, gods, goddesses, nature spirits, and nymphs. They are often depicted as beautiful humanoids who live in large trees, mountains, or forests
Dalakitnon
tree spirits of the Dalakit tree. They are elvish humanoids who wears the leaves and vines of the tree as clothing. They possessed the ability to transform ordinary humans into beings like themselves, using magical black rice for this purpose. They were also thought to be mortal enemies of the benevolent engkanto
Daligmata
a bestial spirit that only comes out at night. It takes the form of a quadruped with countless wide eyes dotting its body. It is said that if one is kind enough, it will help in finding whatever you have lost.
Engkanto
elvish spirits that take the form of beautiful men and women at day, luring lovers to the forest at night, before showing their true forms. That of a sleek humanoid, with pointy ears and pale yellowish skin, wearing leaves
Bakunawa
a monumental draconic serpent-spirit that was said to have eaten many moons and then finally being driven away before the last moon, our current one, was devoured.
Minokawa
a monumental draconic bird-spirit that was said to be able to eat the sun, thus causing solar eclipses
Duwende
miniscule spirits at about 10 cm tall, that can either be good or bad. The duwendeng “puti” (white) help farmers in their toil. While the duwndeng “itim” (black) brings pestilence to their crops
malevolent ghouls that could shapeshift into a menagerie of forms. From cats, dogs, to bats, and “huklubans” (old hags). They eat raw meat and are especially happy to feast on human flesh
The Manananggal
mythical, vampire-like creature from the Philippines that can detach its upper torso from its lower body.
Sigbin
a shapeshifting beast that can turn into a variety of animals, most notably a frog, a locust, and a hornless goat. In its true ghoulish form, it is a quadruped with its hind legs and hips longer than its front
Lampong
a nature spirit that herds the wild deer of the forest. It is a small old man that are not too dissimilar from the Nunos, but their treasure is their herd. They turn into an astral white deer when hunters are nearby
Tahamaling
forest spirits that take the form of beautiful women with red complexion. It is said that one has to offer betelnut leaves to the Tahamaling before hunting, otherwise, suffer from their mischief.
Oryol
a serpent that can transform its upper-half to that of a beautiful lady with a hypnotic voice.
Tamawo
forest spirits that are elvish in nature. Sporting long white hair, golden teeth, and claws. They are said to be very beautiful humanoids but are very territorial.
a humongous tree spirit that takes the form of a dark man, smoking a cigar. They are firm protectors of their arboreal homes and would spite any who has done them or their tree any form of misdeed.
Nuno sa Punso
a dwarven spirit that owns a bounty of treasure in its earth mound home. It is said that disturbing its mound will bring the Nuno’s curses upon you.
Bungisngis
a huge cyclops with two large tusks in its mouth. It loves to laugh while pestering people, hence its name “bungisngis” (fiendish laughter)
Water Creatures
Sirena
female merfolk that are half-man-half-fish. They dwell in both fresh and saltwater habitats and normally go out of their way to avoid humans… aside from the occasional youth luring in fisherfolk with their voice.
Siyokoy
male merfolk that are half-man-half-fish. They dwell in both fresh and saltwater habitats and normally go out of their way to avoid humans.
Animal Creatures
Sarangay
a huge half-man-half-water buffalo creature resembling a minotaur. It has in its possession a gemstone earring that it protects with its life. It is said that if one acquires the earring, it will give you strength
Ikugan
an enormous primate with a disproportionately long tail. It usually makes its nest in the tallest tree in the forest and uses its long tail to snatch its prey from below, strangling them in the process.
Mansalauan
a viscera eater that punctures its prey’s stomach with its sharp tongue before eating. It has a lizard like head, batlike wings, and a monkey’s body. It uses its contracted tongue to hunt, like that of a chameleon’s.
Kiwig
a creature that attacks humans from behind, lunging at their neck before consuming the whole body. It takes the form of a raging boar, and curiously, will not attack humans with long loosed hair.
Markupo
a serpentine creature with a crimson red crest on its head, two white tusks in its mouth, and a long bladelike tongue. Its breath is so deadly that even the trees that are contaminated with it become blighted and birds will die
Berkakan
a large fish that has a mouth big enough to swallow a fully grown man. It has a keen sense of smell, especially for that of blood from a fish called Rarang.
Mameleu
a draconic beast as big as a cow, with horns like a bull and fangs as long as one’s fingers. They live in the deepest parts of the ocean and are said to wail loud noises in the night.
Necromancer Creatures
Wirwir
nomadic ghouls that scavenge for dead bodies. They usually inhabit their prey so that other ghouls would not take it, sort of like a hermit crab