Philippine's Mythical Creatures Who terrified some Filipino people. Did they really exist?

There a lot of stories about terrifying creatures that some people encountered in the Philippines. Different cases, different life form and happens in different places. Some of us would not believe in such thing and some would give credence to it. Living in a country side, I heard different stories about supernatural artifacts. I even have socialised with the people who said they have experienced it, had a conversation with them and even shared my own experience. It is hard to convince people who did not run into that kind of situation. But I know a lot of people still believe in supernatural things.

First that I would introduce is what we called "DUWENDE" ( dwarves, goblins, elves, gnome, kelpie) they are usually smaller than the normal size of a human and they also have different sizes their own. Apart from having different sizes and kind, there are only two types of these creatures. The white (good) and the black (bad). As they say white (good) ones are those who give fortune to a person that they really like. They guide and protect them. Where as the black (bad) ones will cast a curse to a person, gives them sickness and bad luck. These mythical beings have been encountered by some healers. They conduct rituals as to where they will bring forth offerings to make these creatures revoke their curse bestowed upon a person.

Second that I would bring in is what we called "TIKBALANG" ( A humanoid creature of Philippine myth, having certain equine features ) this mythical creature has a human body, a face of a horse and also has a feet of a horse. They usually inhabits in the forests where there are masses of trees and wild plants. They said to be unpredictable and wild. Like human, there were good and bad ones. In our countryside, there was a story about these fraternal twins who are possessed by a TIKBALANG spirit. It happens every 6 O'clock in the evening. When it happens, the dogs in the entire village howl which can cause goosebumps. It happens to the twins alternately. Their parents stated that the TIKBALANG got furious because they cut off the huge tree infront of their house which happens to be the habitat of the said creature. According to the shaman, the TIKBALANG will inhabit the twins bodies from then on. They could not find a way to rectify the unfortunate situation because the TIKBALANG is untamed. I no longer have any news about the twins since I left the village and they also live in the other side of the land.

The next in the list is the "MANANAGGAL" (which means " to remove" or to "separate") It literally translates as "remover" or separator". In short the one who separates itself. Tha name also originates from an expression used for a severed torso. They are sort of a vampire but they separate themselves during fullmoon. They hide their lower half part of the body somewhere that no one can be found. They grow huge bat wings and a very long tongue which they use to devour pregnant women's babies inside their wombs. They usually appear as a beautiful lovely lady during the daylight. They seldom socialise with people. So this goes to all men, don't be captivated with these mysterious ladies' charm because according to the myth, they also consume children, men, women not only the pregnant ones.

The fourth mythical creature is known as "CAPRI" ( no specific name in Engish ) it is like a giant male all black in color and usually inhabits in a huge tree. They always have this big pipe tobacco in their hands. They sit on the tree branch and puff all the way. They said to be fond of female humans. According to the myth, if they started to like a certain female, they will posses them and they will also always appear on their dreams. Frightening right?

The last but not the least is so called "WHITE LADY" . All people are familiar with this being. A troubled ghost of a lady who petrified the living. They usually has a tragic death and seeking for justice. Hatred lies within them so they are taking it out to the living. They sometimes posses people to relay a message or hint about their death. Sometimes, they just wanted to make a person suffer as her soul is agonizing. There is a known place in Manila, Philippines called "BALETE DRIVE" (Balete is a specie of a tree) According to the stories, there is a lady appearing on that street during 6pm, 12am and 3am. It sometimes appear inside the vehicle which causes accidents. Nobody knows the reason as to why this ghost keeps on appearing on that location and disturbing people. It might be a spirit or it could be a demon who just want to bother people.

These are only five of the different terrifying mythical creatures in the Philippines and there are still more to mention. In my next article, I will share about the legend of the different places in Philippines.