19 Others

"Kinara"

In the pre-colonial Philippines, the Kinnara or Kinnari are symbolic of androgynous beauty and of a lover's devotion, ethereal beauty, and one's undying devotion towards a lover. Pre-colonial gold pieces have been found depicting such otherworldly beauty. The Kinnara is described as gentle, loyal, and subservient creatures. They are depicted as having a beautiful face, and the upper body of a slender woman or boy with wings. Alternately, a kinnara can transform its hands and limbs into feathered wings for flight and the lower body of a bird description varies. Kinnaras are skilled dancers and musicians, performing solely for their lover. The golden vessel kinnari was found in 1981 in Surigao. The kinnari exists in both Buddhist and Hindu mythology. In Buddhism, the kinnari, a half-human, and half-bird creature represents enlightened action. The Buddhist Lotus Sutra mentions the kinnari as the celestial musician in the Himavanta realm. The kinnari takes the form of a centaur, however, in India's epic poem, the Mahabharata, and in the Veda's Purana part.

"Naga"

Naga's other names are marindaga, marinaga, and maginaga. They are a type of fresh water mermaids, but instead of having regular fish tails, they have eels and/or water snakes for tails and the upper body of a human female having an alluring face, a curvaceous body and long flowing hair.

Vicious to adults but gentle to children they are considered the protectors of springs, wells and rivers. They bring rain, and thus fertility, but are also thought to bring disasters such as floods and drought.

Nagas are snake-like mermaids that may take a human form. They tend to be very curious. According to traditions nāgas are only malevolent to humans when they have been mistreated. They are susceptible to mankind's disrespectful actions in relation to the environment. They are also associated with waters—rivers, lakes, seas, and wells—and are generally regarded as guardians of treasure.

In other beliefs the most powerful of the Nagas became a goddess named Bakunawa. She is captivated by the beauty of the seven moons and turned herself into a giant dragon-serpent in order to reach them, but the deity Bathala punished her so she remained in her dragon state for all eternity.

"Magindara"

The Magindara are fierce water creatures with the upper body of attractive women and the lower body of multicolored fishes. They lure men to drown them. It is believed that the lunar deity Bulan the boy moon descended and tamed the vicious creatures, turning them into friendly Mermaids.

"Manaul"

The manaul is a mythical king who became a bird. He was believed to have caused the seas and the skies to fight against each other. The clash between the seas and skies resulted in the formation of the Philippine islands.

"Nuno sa punso"

Nuno sa punso (literally, goblin of the mound) are goblins or elves who live within mysterious lumps of soil (ant hills). They can provide a person who steps on their shelter with good luck or misfortune.[4] Superstitious Filipinos, when passing by a mound, will ask the resident nuno's permission to let them pass with the phrase, "Tabi-tabi po". Strange and sudden illnesses that befall a person are sometimes attributed to nunos. It is also said that nunos don't like being pointed at, and could cause one to break a person's finger. If a medical condition is untreatable by modern medicine, it is often considered that a nuno has placed a curse on the patient. A special practitioner called albularyo, carries out a traditional ceremony, melting candle wax into a spoon, pouring it into water and reading the shape formed by the wax thus informing their suggestions on how to dispel the curse. Usually this healing process involves an offering of food, drink or trinkets to the nuno. Failing that the patient can ask the nuno's forgiveness which usually works. As a last resort though catching a nuno and crushing its head is a sure way to remove the curse.

"Pasatsat"

Pasatsat is word rooted on the Pangasinense word satsat, meaning "to stab". Pasatsat are ghosts of people who died or were killed in the Second World War. Coffins during the time were so expensive, so the families of the dead wrapped the corpses in reed mats or icamen. The dead were buried in places other than cemeteries because tomb robberies were rampant during that era of extreme poverty. These ghosts usually show up in solitary paths and block passersby. To get rid of such a ghost, one needs to stab (hence pasatsat) the reed mat and unravel it, but doing so will show no presence of a corpse, although the mat will emit a noxious odor, much like that of putrid flesh.

"Santelmo"

Main article: St. Elmo's Fire

The mangalyo or santilmu appears in the form of a ball of fire. Pre-colonial islanders believed it is a living entity. It is presently known as Santelmo, or Santo Elmo, and is a fireball seen by dozens of Filipinos, especially those living in the Sierra Madre Mountains. It was scientifically explained as electric fields which have diverged from the lines. However, the sightings were reported since the Spanish era (16th-19th centuries). (See also Shinen and Will-o-Wisps) There were also sightings in the Alps and Himalayas.

"Sarangay"

Sarangay is a creature resembling a bull with a huge muscular body and a jewel attached to its ears.

"Sarimanok"

An illustrated depiction of the Philippine mythical bird Sarimanok.

Sarimanok is a magical, mythical bird who brings good luck to anyone who are able to catch it. The name sarimanok consists of two different words 'Sari' meaning garment usually very colorful and 'Manok' which means chicken. It is quite a humble name for a so revered and beautiful creature. It's a legendary bird from the mythology of the Maranao people of the Philippines and is an omen of very good fortune. A sarimanok known as Magaul is associated with the legend of Malakas and Maganda. Magaul was the sarimanok bird that pecked the bamboo from where Malakas and Maganda were born from.

"Tamawo"

Tamawo or tamao are mythogical creatures believed to be handsome, having very fair to white skin with fangs and claws of gold. It is believed to be clad in gold and wears putong and bahag like the nobles of pre-colonial Visayas. The tamawo were known by their different names: the bumalabag, a male fairy who viewed and visited places; the manupongtupong, a male fairy who dresses like an ordinary man; the manla-awla-aw who looked out from behind an anthill; manilag-nilag, a female fairy who attended social gatherings and festivities; and the manbukay, a female fairy who dwelt in shallow wells.

"Tawong Lipod"

They are the sylphs in Bicol lore and handmaidens to a lunar deity. They are believed to be lithe and attractive youths capable of flight and can send gust of winds to people who do misdeeds. They are also mentioned in the epic of Ibalong, One of the heroes is believed to have descended from their race.