Philippine Mythological Creatures Introduction

I will be introducing some of the mythological creatures in the Philippine folklore and more information about them as the Philippines is rich in folk tales and folk tales which was webbed through centuries of tradition and culture. They include witches, monsters, beasts, fairies, ghouls, spirits, folkloric beings etc. so we will have some insights into some of the creatures that continue to amaze and astound us through all time. 

The Help Of The Katao

The katao or mermaid is considered a guardian angel by the Ilonggo fishermen. A family faces a dire and tough needs and help. They don’t have anything to eat and adding to that, the wife got sick. There’s no catch for the husband. The husband prayed fervently and God heard his prayers. A mermaid appeared to him and told him to follow her and on the place she pointed he should spread out his net. The man caught a great catch of fish. By selling his catch, the fisherman was able to provide medicine and proper health care to his sick wife and provided food to his starving family.


Photo Source:

http://m4rl0.deviantart.com/art/Sirena-367131386

The Legend of Pineapple

Once upon a time, there lived in Panay Island a very good leader named Datu Pinyang. Datu Pinyang is the richest and most powerful among all datus of other races in the land in those days. He is a just man and kind to people so he was loved and respected by his people.

The datu has a beautiful daughter named Mayad-ayad. A lot of datus and maharlikas or noblemen fell in love with Mayad-ayad including Datu Mapahitas, a datu of a race in nearby parts of Panay. However, Mayad-ayad preferred is a warrior of her father named Maisog (which means brave),and even if he has no nobility, Maisog is a strong and brave young man. To the young man chosen by the lovely lady to marry her father has no disagreement.

The relationship of Mayad-ayad and Maisog agreed by Datu Pinyang brought anger and fury in the heart of Datu Mapahitas because he really wants to marry Mayad-ayad and obtain the vast wealth of Datu Pinyang. Shortly after, Mayad-ayad got sick and her father called a doctor but she was not cured instead she got worse. Datu Mapahitas heard the worsening condition of the lovely lady. He decided it was the right time to carry out his plan of revenge.

Datu Mapahitas disguises and pretended to be a doctor and upon meeting Datu Pinyang he said he wants to cure the illness of Mayad-ayad and he will cure in the condition that they will follow his judgment.

Datu Pinyang asked what should be done and the pretending doctor said "It must," he said "is the roots of dita and sap of that wood." And the fake doctor continued that the one who should get those solutions is the person who has a pure love to the sick patient.

Datu Pinyang responded: "If that is so, me and Maisog will go now and find those things in the forest."

Datu Pinyang immediately went to wilderness. All of a sudden Mapahitas henchmen surfaced out of nowhere who hid behind the trees and pierced Datu Pinyang until he died.

When Maisog saw that Datu Pinyang is dead, he escaped, gather all the men of his race and presided the attack against the henchmen of Datu Mapahitas and to save Mayad-ayad.

In the battle, Datu Mapahitas was killed and many of his men and those remaining alive escaped. When the enemy troops were defeated, Maisog looked for the body of Datu Pinyang, buried in front of his house and Mayad-ayad planted some beautiful plants around it which she sprinkled with water everyday.

A peculiar event took place that the site where Datu Pinyang was buried surfaced a shrub that resembles a head with a crown and decorated around with something that looks like small arrows in the form of a saw and when it grows and ripen really resembles the head of Datu Pinyang and it was now called Pinya or pineapple by the people of the race in honor of the named datu.

The story is also widespread about a mother and child that the stupidity of the child is the root cause of the pineapple plant. It seems that her daughter is not using her eyes. Each time she was asked by her mother to get something, she just always asked her in return. This is her habit. Until her mother got sick her daughter is still doing the same thing so the old woman unintentionally wished that she will have several eyes. Pinya suddenly disappears. When the old woman recovered and got healed from her sickness she saw an unusual plant having something that looks like eyes in their garden while searching for her daughter while Pinya suddenly disappears like a bubble. Eventually, she realized that the plant was her daughter.

The Origin Of Makapuno

Long time ago, there is a couple who has a very beautiful daughter named Makapuno. The couple lived in a secluded place near the river where they have a farm. Shortly after, a young man from a neighboring town heard of the beauty of Makapuno. He decided to visit the beautiful lady. When he arrived at the house of the lady, he saw that she has a suitor. Despite of this, he did not lose hope to woo the lovely woman. In his determination he obtained the nod of the lady in her desire. They scheduled the wedding. When the young man's rival to Makapuno heard of this, he returned to destroy the lovers.

One day while Makapuno and her boyfriend is strolling along the river, came the rival to her love who has evil intention a suitor of the lady mingling in their conversation. Without hesitation, he pulled a dagger in his pocket and continuously stabbed the lover of Makapuno. The lady thought it better to face death than to be in the hands of an evil suitor. A bloodbath event took place thereafter. Makapuno was buried by a grieving parents. After a few days, a plant emerges from the place where the beautiful lady was buried. When it bore fruits, it has produces a lot. So they name the plant Makapuno in memory of their beloved daughter. Furthermore, the word puno means full so the name of this fruit is appropriate. 




Photo Source:

http://www.marketmanila.com/archives/macapuno-preserves-a-la-marketman

The Legend Of The Sampaguita Flower

The Sampaguita flower is a delight to everyone because of its pleasing fragrance. The Ilonggos has kept a legend about the origin of the national flower of the Philippines.

It was said during the early times, there was a king who was known for his wealth and cruelty. He has a daughter named Guita. Guita is known for her beauty, kindness and humility. Though she possess and experience beautiful things and admired by everyone she was not happy. Her father is not thoughtful and helpful to the poor and forbid Guia to socialize and mingle with them and even strolling in the garden is not allowed by her father.

One day when her father is away, the lady went to the garden. She was playing with the flowers when she heard the whistle of a young man. The young man is Sampa, son of a planter. Guita asked the young man what he needs who in turn responded that he only wants to befriend her. The two made a mutual understanding.

They are currently conversing or chatting when the king passed by and saw Sampa holding the hands of Guita. In the eruption of fury and anger of the king he instantly ordered the killing of the two and buried them together.

About three months had passed and one day the king passed by the tomb of the lovers. He was shocked to see on top of the soil the beautiful, attractive white flowers which possesses fragrance. Tears fell down his eyes in regret for what he has done before. He cried and cried while saying:

   "Ay Guita, ay Guita, Sampa and Guita. Where are you?"

In his grief, the King lost consciousness. When he regained his consciousness, he ordered to call Sampaguita the flower in remembrance of the unfortunate lovers.


Photo Source:

http://www.flowermeaning.com/sampaguita-flower-meaning/

The Legend Of Katao (Mermaid)

The sirena or mermaid of the Tagalog is equivalent to the katao of the Ilonggos. It is narrated in the following story the origin of the katao.

A maiden attempted to commit suicide because her lover married another woman. The broken-hearted woman in love jumped over the river from a cliff. In an unexplained phenomenon, when her feet touches the water she immediately got a tail just like a fish and she did not die.




Photo Source:

http://m4rl0.deviantart.com/art/Sirena-367131386

The Origin Of The Fairies Or Tamawo

Tagalog people has created some fairies called diwata or goddesses known as engkantada in haraya; the Ilonggos have what we call tamawo. The following stories was said to be the origin of these supernatural beings.

When Adam and Eve has not yet left the paradise, they were told by God.

"Go forth and never forget my order. Bore just three children and with the birth of the third child, bring them to me so I can baptize them."

Adam and Eve left the paradise and started a new life. However, they momentarily forgot what God had told them about having children. They were very happy with their seven children.

One day while strolling, the couple met God and asked: "Adam and Eve, I've been looking for you and your children for so long, where are they now?

The two was immovable after what they heard. They could not give an explanation to God. They forgot that they should only have three children because they now have seven children.

"Bring to me your three children at the soonest time so I can baptized them." And God left.

The tearful Eve asked Adam, "What will we do now? And continued with a shivering voice, "I'm scared, Adam. We did not obey the orders of God. What will happen to us?"

"Have peace, Eve, we will find ways to keep the truth from God."

The next day, Adam and Eve dressed their first three children to bring to God and hide the four in the wilderness of the forest so God will not see them.

"Where are your other kids? Why are they the only ones you brought to me? Where are the rest of your children? the gentle and soft speaking God asked the couple.

"Our beloved God, we only have three children. Isn't this what you told us?"  the continuing denial of the two.

"Don't lie to me. Where are your four children?" God inquires.

"Señor, nothing else. We only have three children."

"You both lied to me. You have seven children but you only showed me three. If you only brought them all here I could baptized them all. I will baptize the three you showed me but you will no longer see the four you hide. They are alive but you could no longer see them. You can only hear their voices. They will not show to you while the food they will eat will come from you," the final words of God.

 And the four children of Adam and Eve which they kept and hide became the ancestors of the fairies or tamawo. They are around in the surroundings but invisible while they freely observe the people.





Photo Source:

http://www.deviantart.com/morelikethis/5281773

The Legend Of Sta. Cruz

The Holy Cross in Arevalo District, Iloilo City

If there is an image honored, venerated and consecrated by the elders of Arevalo, it is the Santa Cruz. There are lots of peculiar stories which are mysteriously attractive to narrate about this.

Long time ago, it was said that, there is a mananguete, a person climbing a coconut tree who saw the cross. He observed that the said cross grows bigger everyday. He took the attention of the natives about this. They plan to build a chapel for the cross. According to the elders, the wooden cross never dried up. It's tree is always moistened by the juice or sap that came from the living tree.

According to a statement, this cross was planted or erected by the Spanish missionaries on their first landing in the shores of Panay. The mysterious cross continues to grow. Others believed that the cross emerge from the shores to stop the Mohammedans of the South which frequents the area and  ransack the town in those days.

Whatever is the truth, each story strengthens and fortify the belief of the people in the sacred symbol. The elderly has kept attractive stories about the mysterious cross.

Many years had passed, they said that if the feast of the Holy Cross could not be celebrated properly or appropriately because there is no Queen Helena and King Constantine in the holy procession, the cross could not stand upright strongly no matter how tough is its nailing. In the whole duration of the procession, it moves as if it will fall from the decorated crate. It will only stand strongly if there is a complete colorful pageantry by the next day. According to the rumors, when the town attempted to abandon and forget  the celebration, a deafening thunder and a terrifying line of a lightning hit the place. This continued until the people decided to celebrate the feast of the Holy Cross.

In the celebration where the colorful pageantry or presentation lacks the presence of a king and princesses, a great fire or conflagration mysteriously took place which engulfs several houses while the procession is continuously happening.  

The men and women who were chosen to participate in the procession to portray the characters in the colorful presentation or pageantry could not refuse in the fear that they will meet misfortunes or bad omen. According to the rumors of the elders, if a beautiful young lady dared to refuse to be dressed as Queen Helena or Reyna Elena, she became insane, crazy or mentally ill, sometimes becoming blind some others are crippled. while others met an unfortunate accident.



Photo Source:

http://localphilippines.com/attractions/santa-cruz

The Crown Of Arevalo

Crown Monument in Arevalo District, Iloilo City

The big crown sitting distinctively atop a tower in the plaza beside the church is a one of a kind marker of Arevalo. According to Father James Mansfield who served in the parish, this crown has a hidden history.

Many years had passed before the spread of Christianity in Arevalo, there is a group of Jesuits who were looking for a place to stay in a place now called as Santa Cruz. They built a chapel here and evangelize the natives. Nobody knows for whatever reason or event happened but the natives were infuriated with the Jesuits and they were driven away.

One day, a farmer unearthed a beautiful crown. In an untoward incident, a scepter and a big black cross was found nearby where the crown was found. The crown and scepter which were made out of expensive metals were just average in size. The cross which is now kept under the custody of the church is more than 15 feet tall and made out of hard and unusual kind of wood.

In 1854 during the incumbency of Domingo de Guzman as captain of the pueblo or town, the crown was made bigger in Fundidor, Molo. It was placed in the plaza or town square. This is gaining attention on top of the district of Arevalo as a statue of missionary purpose of the Spaniards in town.

The present day name of the former Jesuit missionary settlement is Santa Cruz. It was in this place where the crown, scepter and cross was found.





Photo Source:

http://www.iloilocity.org/places.html

The Origin Of Places Names According To G. Loreto Angayen

Ajuy - came from the name of a tree
Alimodian - came from the old local name of the puyas plant thriving and abundant in the area
Badiangan - came from the Badiang (Alocasia Macrorrhizos or the Elephant Ear taro plant) tree
Banate - came from Banate tree
Balasan - came from balas or sand
Batad - came from the batad plant
Concepcion - came from the name of the daughter of the last Spanish garrison commander of the town
Dueñas - named by Father Florencio Martin in remembrance of his beloved hometown in Spain
Estancia - a word which means a ranch of fish in the mountains
Igbaras - from the combined words of ig which means community and baras which means sand - so if combined the name would mean a sandy community.
Nueva Valencia - came from a city in Spain
Pavia - came from the name of a Spanish colonel
San Enrique - came from the name of a saint
San Dionisio - came from the name of a patron saint
San Miguel  - came from the name of an archangel

The Origin Of Visayan Islands

This legend is not only prevalent in Cabatuan, Lambunao and Maasin but in the entire Visayas. Even the students in schools are very enthusiastic to tell the legend of a powerful queen that lives in a place that consists of the islands of the Visayas.

The name of the queen is Langit (Heaven) and her beautiful daughter named Kabugwason (Morning Star). Of all the many suitors who pay homage to the lovely maiden, two were heavily favored: Dagoob (Thunder) and Kilat (Lightning). The queen outlined a plan for the two brothers to create two artful rafts and the one who created a more superior and artful raft will get to marry Kabugwason. Kilat created the most artistic raft so the queen handed him Kabugwason. This event proved hurtful to Dagoob that he committed suicide. The next day there's a turmoil because the spirit of Dagoob destroyed and crushed the raft of Kilat. The pieces were separated in a big area. According to the myth of the islands of the Visayas, included in the small peninsulas were the pieces or remains of the destroyed raft in a violent rage of the unfortunate brother. 


Photo Sources:

www.fcarehmo.com.ph
Wikipedia

Iloilo Folk Literature

Aswang 

Binukot Princess

Tamawo 

Iloilo is a legendary province. Almost all of the towns here has some origins to tell.

The values that were passed through generations left some followers to the creepy rocky surfaces of the forests, mysterious caves, of the conceiving blink of an eye, of the steep mountains, of huge nocturnal birds, of different mythical creatures that were feared and other supernatural phenomenon and creatures unexplained and yet to be discovered and researched by science.

In the depths of our ocean, in the womb of our volcanoes, on the sides and hollow gaps of the rocks of our caves, on the edge of our ridges, on the navel of our mounds or anthills and to the wilderness of our forests and jungles are secrets and mystery left by our yesterday's past that if patiently researched and studied will be great topics for our legendary myth of origins.

One of the things that must be considered are the events for which the myths or legends is a kind of reading that interests the nationalistic spirit of a particular race. Thus the legends or myths are inculcating the minds with preserved and protected wealth of literature of a nation and race most especially the countries of the Far East. In literature of other languages, myths or legends has less significant values; however in our Philippine literature it is considered a branch with its own characteristics since we belong to the countries of the Far East. It should not be forgotten in the minds of whoever will write that a legend or myth is a literary composition that reminisce to the readers the memories of the past.

The legends and myths in any races and in any parts of the world are the first glimmer of thinking and imagination, the spark of senses that invites the people to create dangles of idea which are often a blink of an eye that is confronting our imagination and magnifies to indulge in an omen that cannot contain one's self; thus it is stated through a narration that continuously traversing taking turns in time until it reached the generations of clans of people. Nevertheless, the notion and sentiments of the citizens of any towns can be found in the myths or legends. The jewel of the race that should be inculcated or imprinted in the minds of everyone throughout the years.

The province of Iloilo never runs out of featured myths and legends - myths that straightens the origins of names of different places, municipalities, mythical creatures, plants, mountains and caves. Some of these were exploded with fragrance of subtlety and mystery. Some of them were lightly touched with history and facts. Mysterious or not, symbolic or truthful, these legends are already a part of everyday lives of Ilonggos. The legends that bring entertainment and pleasure, retrospect and omen; myths that continuously attracts our senses and notion. 




Photo Sources:


Ricardo Pustanio -  https://smokebear.wordpress.com

World Nomads Adventures - https://journals.worldnomads.com