5 Philippine Mythical Creatures

Mythical Menaces

Unlike most mythical creatures in the world that are believed to be real, the Philippines has some of the most extraordinary fables oscillating around the country. The country itself is made up of around seven-thousand islands with a hundred-twenty different distinct dialects. Within these languages there are similarities of talk about the stories of superstitious creatures lingering in and around each and every island. There is no known scientific evidence, but with the strong religious and superstitious beliefs within these parts, these creatures are believed in. It is said only people with pure hearts and souls have the capability to see them and the weak are often preyed upon.

Creatures of the Night

The Aswang 

The Aswang is the most common type of mythical creature in the Philippines and is believed to be the most feared. This kind of creature usually preys on newborn babies, sick, dying, pregnant women, and  small children. This monstrosity can transform itself into just about any animal or object. It has numerous techniques to acquire its target and once it does it uses special sticks, leaves, banana stalks, and rice to replicate the person it acquires and the real person is taken away to be eaten. The replica of the person is left emotionless and later becomes sick and thereafter dies. This is a short video of a Aswang flying around over the tops of houses.

Demon Baby

The Tiyanak 

Evil baby (Tiyanak)

I'm sure you've heard of stories of abortion, but none can come close to the horrendous actions that happen in third world countries. The unwanted seeds of affairs between men and women are the consequence and origin of these creatures. The newborn babies are thrown away into the ocean, woods, or other remote places in order to hide their existence.

Demons looking for a way to thrive in the real world use the helpless bodies of the babies. They sometimes hide in the woods in the form of a newborn crying baby waiting on unsuspecting people to come around thinking that there is a abandoned baby in distress. The disguised demon baby is then taken into the home of the new sympathetic caregivers waiting on night fall. It then changes form from cute to ugly with big round, red eyes and razor sharp teeth. The possessed child targets the strongest person in the household going for the throat and whence in combat mood quickly moves through shadows.

Smoking Giant

The Kapre 

If you ever have seen the huge Banyan, Mango, and Acacia trees in the Philippines I would think twice about having a picnic underneath them. A huge tree-hugging creature dwells in the trees known as a Kapre. This creature is invisible unless it wants to be seen and is a cunning beast with its dark dirty color and heavy beard. Amongst the leaves and branches are two bright red eyes clouded by thick smog and a strong odor of tobacco. These pranksters will have you under their spell in no time leaving you in disarray and will leave you lost in the woods.

The Kapre

Hold Your Horses

The Tikbalang 

The Tikbalang is the opposite of its Greek counterpart the Centaur and is half-man, half-horse with the whole body transforming into a huge, hairy brown, humanly figure with the head of a horse. This creature thrives in the woods and tall mountain regions. They cast spells on people making them hallucinate and will often mislead people traveling in the woods leaving them lost for periods of time. To counter act this you will need to take your shirt off and wear it inside out. Tikbalang are very fearsome creatures they get angry easily and are known to stomp on people.

Which Witch

The Wakwak 

When you think about witches you automatically think about spells and curses. In the Philippines the witch is called a Wakwak. This creature is a human sorceress that can shape shift into a bird with sharp claws and is able to fly around in search of its prey. Once it acquires its target, it flies down and scoops up the unsuspecting person and takes them back to their lair. If it's an exclusive area where there is no one around it slashes and mutilates its subject extracting the heart and consuming it.

How to Protect Yourself

No matter how evil these creatures may be, they almost always have a weakness. It's good to get some knowledge on what you're up against. Here are some of the tips and steps you should take just in case you ever do encounter any of these mythical villains.

• Always be aware of your surroundings
• Aswangs and other creatures are often out during the night so if you do travel, stick to the daytime unless you absolutely need to travel at night
• Salt is another form of protection. You should put this around and in the doorways of your house. For a more powerful remedy of protection mix human urine with the salt and leave this in a bowl or glass 
• Never fear the monster, they use the fear as a weakness and will over power you
• Carry sharp bronze or silver objects such as a knife, sword, or stake.

Is It Safe Now?

Just when you thought it was safe you never know who or what may be watching. In the Philippines people are religious and have strong beliefs in mythical creatures. Maybe it's to keep their kids from going into the woods at night or people are just bored and make up these silly stories to be told around the campfire. Who knows? They could even be as real as it gets and right now as we speak there is some kind of monster lurking around the corner, flying around, or in a tree trying to puff on a huge tobacco stick. If you go to the Philippines seeking out lovely girls or a tropical vacation, you may have to ward off some of these mythical creatures as well!