The tiyanak is creature which, in Philippine mythology, imitates the form of a child. It usually takes the form of a newborn baby and cries like one in the jungle to attract unwary travelers. Once it is picked up by the victim, it reverts to its true form and attacks the victim. Aside from slashing victims, the tianak also delights in leading travelers astray, or in kidnapping children.
Tikbalang is a creature of Philippine folklore said to lurk in the mountains and forests of the Philippines. It is generally described as a tall, bony humanoid creature with disproportionately long limbs, to the point that its knees reach above its head when it squats down. It has the head and sometimes feet of an animal, most commonly a horse. It is sometimes believed to be a transformation of an aborted fetus which has been sent to earth from limbo.
The Sigbin is a creature of Philippine mythology said to come out at night to suck the blood of victims from their shadows. The creature walks backward with its head lowered between its hind legs. It resembles a hornless goat, emits a very nauseating smell and possess a pair of very large ears which are capable of clapping like a pair of hands. It is also claimed to issue forth from its lair during Holy Week, looking for children that it will kill for the heart, which is made into an amulet.
It is also believed that there are families known as Sigbinan (”those who own Sigbin”), who possess the power to command them. The aswang is said to keep it as a pet, along with another mythical creature, a bird known as the Wakwak.[3] The sigbin is said to bring wealth and luck to its owners.
The Sarimanok is a legendary bird of the Maranao people who originate from Mindanao, a major island in the Philippines. Manòk, which makes up part of its name, is a Philippine word for chicken. It is the legendary bird or “artificial cock” that has become an ubiquitous symbol of Maranao art. It is depicted as a fowl with colorful wings and feathered tail, holding a fish on its beak or talons. The head is profusely decorated with scroll, leaf, and spiral motifs. It is said to be a symbol of good fortune.
The pugot is a mythical fiend that is found in the Ilocos region. It can assume various shapes such as hogs, dogs or even as humans. However, it usually appears as a black, gigantic headless being. The creature usually resides in dark places or deserted houses. However, they especially like living in trees such as the duhat (Eugenia cumini), santol (Sandoricum koetjape), and tamarind.
Aside from its shapeshifting abilities, the pugot can also move at great speeds, feeding on snakes and insects that it finds among the trees. It feeds by thrusting food through its neck stump.Although terrifying, the pugot is relatively harmless. However, the creature is fond of women’s underwear and steals them while they are being dried on a clothesline. The pugot is also found in the Ifugao myth “Tulud Nimputul: The Self-Beheaded” where he appears to the human hero. He was fed by the hero with chopped chicken meat that is mixed with blood.
The Penanggalan which is also called Hantu Penanggal is a peculiar variation of the vampire myth that apparently began in the Malay Peninsula. See also the Manananggal, a similar creature of Filipino folklore. “Penanggal” or “Penanggalan”‘ literally means “detach”, “to detach”, “remove” or “to remove”. Both terms - Manananggal and Penanggal - may carry the same meaning due to both languages being grouped or having a common root under the Austronesian language family, though the two creatures are culturally distinct in appearance and behavior.
According to the folklore of that region, the Penanggalan is a detached female head that is capable of flying about on its own. As it flies, the stomach and entrails dangle below it, and these organs twinkle like fireflies as the Penanggalan moves through the night. In Malaysian folklore, a Penanggal may be either a beautiful old or young woman who obtained her beauty through the active use of black magic, supernatural, mystical, or paranormal means which are most commonly described in local folklores to be dark or demonic in nature. Another cause where one becomes a Penanggal in Malaysian folklore is due to the result of a powerful curse or the actions of a demonic force, although this method is less common than the active use of black magic abovementioned. Unlike Manananggal, all Penanggal are females and there is no variation in Malaysian folklore to suggest a Penanggal to be male.
A Nuno which is also called Nuno sa Punso is a dwarf-like creature in Philippine mythology. It is believed to live in an anthill or termite mound, hence its name. Literally, nuno sa punso means Ancestor or Grandparent of the anthill. The Nuno is described to be a small old man with a long beard, and differs from a duwende or dwarf of Philippine folklore. The duwende is a playful hobgoblin who shows himself to children, while the Nuno is a goblin easily angered and will do harm to those who damage or disturb his mound. If an invader destroys the Nuno’s home by kicking it, the offender’s foot would become swollen. Nuno sa punso are also believed to inhabit places such as underneath large rocks, trees, riverbanks, caves, or a backyard.
A manananggal is also called wakwak in some areas Filipino folklore or penanggalan in Malay folklore is a mythical creature. It resembles a Western vampire, in being an evil, human-devouring monster or witch. The myth of the manananggal is popular in the Visayan region of the Philippines, especially in the western provinces of Capiz, Iloilo, Antique. There are varying accounts of the features of a manananggal. Like vampires, Visayan folklore creatures, and aswangs, manananggals are also said to abhor garlic and salt. They were also known to avoid daggers, light, vinegar, spices and the tail of a sting ray which can be fashioned as a whip. Folklore of similar creatures can be found in the neighbouring nations of Indonesia and Malaysia.
The Kumakatok whom are also called door knockers are a group of three robed figures that knock on doors in the middle of the night. These three mysterious hooded figures looked like humans. One resembles a young female while the other two look like old people. A visit from the kumakatok is usually an omen of death as either the eldest or the ill member of the house they knocked upon dies. These visits are also more frequent after a disease outbreak. Residences of Luzon and Visayas painted white crosses on their doors to ward off the kumakatok. This trend caused the trio to switch from residences to government buildings, hospitals, and even churches. The kumakatok vanished or lessened their visits after World War II. A probable explanation is that many buildings were destroyed at that time, denying the kumatakok of doors to knock upon.
