A Look at Five Supernatural Entities in Philippine Mythology

Do you still say “tabi-tabi po” whenever you see an anthill or in a foreign place? Or utter “may kinakasal na tikbalang” when it’s raining while sunny?Those are some famous phrases about the existence of supernatural entities in Philippine mythology like duwende and tikbalang. These mythological creatures gained popularity, particularly due to the widespread success of the Netflix series adapted from the Filipino comic "Trese."  Let's dive into these cool urban legends that have been buzzing around our country and give your knowledge a little refresh.

1. Half breed: a human and a horse

When you see the bright sky but it suddenly rains, your friends might tell you, “may kinakasal yatang tikbalang.” Tikbalang is described as a tall creature with a human body but a horse head and most likely hanging out in balete trees. They're known for leading travelers astray by morphing into someone familiar, just to play a trick on them. And get this, to break free from their enchantment, all you gotta do is take off your shirt and flip it inside out. 

2. Nuno sa punso

The best way to save yourself from any unseen enchantment is to say tabi—tabi po as a sign of respect whenever you find yourself in a dim or unfamiliar location. This phrase acts as a protective measure against duwende, often referred to as the "old man." These creatures, also known as "nuno sa punso," are pint-sized beings residing beneath our world, often symbolized by an anthill. Disturbing them is said to result in mysterious ailments like rashes or fever.

3. The famous supernatural entities in Philippine Mythology

Elders often warn against staying out late at night, warning of the dreaded aswang – a mythological creature known for kidnapping and feasting on human flesh. This shape-shifter can seamlessly transform from a seemingly normal human to a fearsome nocturnal predator. Identifying an aswang is believed to be possible through looking through one's eyes or with the assistance of an albularyo. If you ever hear a mysterious ticking sound, the advice is to swiftly reach for the nearest salt or crucifix. But it might as well run for your safety! 

4. Flying High with No Legs!

Meet the manananggal, a supernatural being famed for soaring through the skies with only her upper body, detached from the lower part. Derived from the Filipino word "tanggal," meaning to detach, this creature is often depicted as an older, beautiful lady with a gruesome agenda – hunting pregnant women. Upon finding a victim, the manananggal deploys her elongated tongue to navigate through homes and extract the fetus from the womb. Like many mythological entities, her weakness is sunlight. And here's a twist: if you ever spot her lower body, a sprinkle of salt on top is said to torture her.

5. The Smoking Giant

What sets the Kapre apart from a Tikbalang, both tree-dwelling creatures found in balete trees, is its colossal size and human-like demeanor. Often spotted smoking a tobacco pipe, the Kapre's presence captures the attention of passersby. If you find yourself disoriented on your way home, locals might attribute it to the Kapre playing tricks on you. Unlike other creatures in our Look at Five Supernatural Entities in Philippine Mythology, what makes the Kapre stand out is its non-malicious nature – despite inducing panic with laughter or unseen voices, it doesn't bring harm to those it encounters.