Philippine mythology is a body of myths, tales, and superstitions held by the Filipinos, mostly originating from beliefs held during the pre-Hispanic era. Some of these beliefs stem from pre-Christian religion that was specially influenced by Hinduism and were regarded by the Spanish as “myths” and “superstitions” in an effort to de-legitimize precolonial beliefs by replacing those native beliefs with colonial Catholic Christian myths and superstitions. Today, some of these precolonial beliefs are still held by Filipinos, especially in the provinces.
Philippine mythology is known today primarily from the collection of oral traditions passed down from generation to generation. There are few surviving written accounts from the pre-colonial period, and even less is written regarding the mythology. Written accounts of mythological beliefs, however, persist, and multiple authors have compiled the more famous myths.
Due to the nature of the archipelago, having no central government or nation-state at the time before the arrival of the Spanish, there is no one definite mythology in the Philippines. Different regions were influenced by different cultures and so developed overlapping stories and beliefs, each with their own gods, goddesses and heroes. There is therefore no one canonical text that details a common mythology for the pre-colonial Filipino people.
Philippine Pantheon
The stories of ancient Philippine mythology include deities, creation stories, mythical creatures, and beliefs. Ancient Philippine mythology varies among the many indigenous tribes of the Philippines.
Examples:
1. Bathala- the chief deity of the Tagalogs.
2. Lakambini (Lacambui) – An obscure deity often called by the Spaniards as “abogado de la garganta” (the throat advocate). It is also known as the pure maiden.
3. Ginoong Ganay (Unmarried Lady) - according to Luciano P.R. Santiago (To Love and to Suffer) the goddess who was believed to inhabit the "calumpang tree" was the advocate of single women. Her presence in the tree was heralded by the fact that its pretty flowers drove away their insect suitors by releasing a rank scent.
Mythological creatures, demons and monsters
The Aswang is a generic term for all types of ghouls (an eater of the dead), vampires, and werewolf and other malevolent creatures described from hereon. The (Agta) is a black tree spirit or man. The Dila (The Tongue), is a spirit that passes through the bamboo flooring of provincial houses, then licks the victims to death. Other mythical creatures include fairies (Diwata), dryads (Engkanto), pixies (Duwende), tree-residing trolls (Kapre), self-segmenting vampire and the most stereotyped 'Aswang' (Manananggal), witches or warlocks (Mangkukulam/Manggagamot), spirit-summoners (Mambabarang), goblins (Nuno sa Punso), ghosts (Multo), fireballs (Santelmo), mermaids (Serena), mermen (Siyokoy), demon-horses (Tikbalang), evil spirits (Hantu Demon), demon-infants (Tiyanak), Moon-eater (Bakunawa), a dragon which has been tempted by the beauty of the seven moons, he was punished by Bathala after eating the second to the last moon,and the (Wakwak) or night birds belonging to a witch or vampire or the witch or vampire itself in the form of a night bird.
Philippine Superstitions
Like in any other country, Filipinos subscribe to their own set of superstitions or pamahiin inherited from ancestors. Sure, some of these may have been influenced by other countries and cultures, but Pinoys also bring in their own flavour to the belief, making them more interesting or ridiculous-sounding, depending on how you look at it. Now there are hundreds, probably thousands, of superstitious beliefs out there, and these are only some of the more popular ones Filipinos grew up hearing – and believing.
Here are some examples:
1. Sweeping the floor at night will bring you bad luck. Why? Because it means sweeping away wealth in the house, as well as, causing the centipedes crawling on the ceiling to fall down and swarm on you.
2. Groupfie of 3? The person in the middle will be the first to die. One of the most common Filipino superstitions used to scare teenagers in the ‘90s. Aminin mo, once in your life you included an “extra friend” in the groupfie, so none among the three of you will die.
3. To keep skin acne-free, girls should wash their face with the discharge from their very FIRST MENSTRUAL PERIOD. Do you still remember when your family rejoiced after you told them you had your first period? “Yes, may dalaga na kami!” It may be appalling, too, to hear your lola say, “O siya, ipahid mo na ‘yan sa mukha mo para hindi ka tigyawatin!” Thank you, but no thank you po.
4. When you bite your tongue, someone is thinking of you. Nakagat mo ba dila mo? Sige, ask someone to give a number. Tapos, ‘yung number na ‘yun i-convert mo saalphabet. Kung sino ‘yung taong naisip mo sa alphabet na ‘yun, iniisip ka n’ya ngayon.
Come on! What’s fun with this Filipino superstition is naming the corresponding letter and the chance to fantasize that maybe (just maybe) your crush thinks of you, too.
5. Don’t sleep with your hair wet; otherwise, you’ll lose your mind. We’ve been discussing pamahiin for a long time. Minsan, kahit nilalamon na tayo ng antok, we stay up late just to dry our hair. In fact sleeping with your hair wet is bad—for it—as it’s in its weakest state. Therefore, when you neglect to dry hair before going to bed, it can lead to hair damage and breakage.
There's no harm in superstitions, "wala namang mawawala kung susubukan mo" they say. Do you believe in superstitions or not? Why? Comment below!
REFERENCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_mythology
https://www.filwebasia.com/10-funniest-filipino-superstitions/
https://www.filwebasia.com/10-funniest-filipino-superstitions/
There's no harm in superstitions, "wala namang mawawala kung susubukan mo" they say. Do you believe in superstitions or not? Why? Comment below!
REFERENCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_mythology
https://www.filwebasia.com/10-funniest-filipino-superstitions/
https://www.filwebasia.com/10-funniest-filipino-superstitions/
