Guardian of the Elemental Kingdom

      

 

     The Tikbalang is a creature of Philippine folklore that is said to be living in the mountains and forests of the Philippines. Old people described the tikbalang as a bony humanoid creature that has the head and feet of a horse. Its torso is that of a human’s torso. It has long limbs disproportional to its body. Overall it has a disproportional body that its knees even reach above its head when it squats down.

       Tikbalangs are said to be the guardians of elemental kingdoms. They are somewhat the security forces in the supernatural world. They are often found standing at the foot of large trees spotting for anyone who would dare harm the elemental kingdom.

      They are also said to scare travellers in the forest leading them astray. Tikbalangs usually play tricks on these unlucky travellers. They would use a spell wherein the travellers would just keep on coming back on the route they originally take. In the local dialect, the spell is called mino. According to the stories of the old, in order to counteract this spell is by wearing one’s shirt inside out.

      Tikbalangs can get married to another tikbalang through their unique wedding ceremony. Well I suppose that mythical creatures may also have their romantic and civilized side. It is said that if it is raining even if the sun is up, then a tikbalang is getting married. After the rain, then the supernatural world already have a newly- wed couple!

     According to stories, a tikbalang can actually be tamed. If a person could tame a tikbalang, then he or she can make that tikbalang his/her servant. Acquiring this may need hard work. One must obtain one of the three sharp spines in its mane. The tikbalang must be subdued first by leaping onto it and tying it with a special rope intended to catch tikbalangs. If the person would be able to successfully subdue the tikbalang, despite of its struggle, then the service of that tikbalang will be acquired.

     The tikbalang is one of the coolest mythical creatures in the Philippine context. If you would have a chance to encounter one while doing a travel in the forest, will you take the challenge of subduing it and probably acquiring the guardian of elemental kingdom to be your servant?     







http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tikbalang

Ball of Fire

         People have already seen movies under the supernatural genre. Usually in these kinds of movies, characters who wield super powers are the big shots. Their super powers are coming from the water, air, earth, steel and especially fire. I think the coolest power projected from the movie is the ability to use fire and shoot fireballs at the enemy. But no matter how cool it may look like, it is still just a part of the special effects that would enhance the movie.

       The shooting of fireballs may only be possible in fictional movie but I know of a certain fireball that might actually exist in the real world. It is called as Santelmo. The Santelmo, one of the Philippine mythical creatures, is described as a floating fireball roaming in the forest.  The term santelmo is the shortened form of the original term –St. Elmo’s Fire.

       The usual color of the Santelmo is blue or bluish-white. Its flame is heatless and non-consuming, occasionally accompanied by a hissing sound.  Its size may vary since different people who claimed that they saw a santelmo described different sizes of it. It may be as big as that of a basketball or volleyball.

       According the old stories, a santelmo would follow humans wandering at the forest. They would especially follow women.  Old people have this kind of deduction since many testimonies of young women came out saying that they were followed by a mysterious fireball.  According to old people, a young woman who was followed by a santelmo may be alarming. This is because they believe that a santelmo could actually rape women.

     Knowing that a santelmo would rape women is quite disturbing. I asked my lola what would happen if a woman will be raped by a santelmo. She said that the woman would possibly be pregnant. The baby would still look like a normal human being. The only difference is that the baby will get a supernatural power, which is no other than to wield fire powers.   

    If you don’t want to be chased, or worse, raped by a santelmo then you can follow this short tip: If you would encounter an unusual fireball, then you must stay put and avoid running away. The wind behind you will make lead the santelmo to you. But if you really feel like running out of panic then run in a zigzag pattern. In this way the santelmo would be confused by the unusual pattern you are taking.

    If you’d ever have and adventure in the forest, then be wary of this creature for your own safety. They may not be the same as those flesh-eating creatures but they can pose threat to us humans. Remember the tip of avoiding a santelmo and you will be safe from being pursued by it.

    

           

Di-ingun-ato

     

   Di-ingun-atos are mythical creatures found in the Philippines. The meaning of the word is not-of-our-kind. Many passed on stories about them circulated the whole country especially in the provinces. Even my grandmother passed on the story to me. Generally, Di-ingun-atos are just the same with other mythical creatures in the Philippines. The only difference is that unlike other creatures, the Di-ingun-atos do not usually eat humans.

        Di-ingun-ato can actually mimic the appearance of humans. They would actually take the human form more often. In fact, their human forms are actually considered to be handsome and beautiful. According to stories they are quite charismatic. They use their charisma to their advantage.

       Normal humans who would encounter such being would right away fall into their charisma. Under their spell, the enchanted human would view the Di-ingun-ato as the ideal person that they were looking for. It is quite convenient for the Di-ingun-ato. During the days of being under the spell, the Di-ingun-ato would first befriend the human of its interest. As the days would pass, the unlucky human would completely fall into the trap.

     The Di-ingun-ato could sense if the human is already comfortable with it as companion. If this happens, the human will be asked to visit the house of that Di-ingun-ato. According to the stories, the house is actually as big and as grandiose as a mansion. In reality, the whole place is just made from the spell of the Di-ingun-ato and in fact it is just a mere tree in the forest. The human who would step inside the house would see its mansion like characteristics.

      The human and Di-ingun-ato would have a little talk inside the house. Then, the Di-ingun-ato would offer some food to the human. The human will be brought to a very huge dining hall with all the delicious food you could think of, lined up on the long table. Any food lover would actually take the offer. This is where the warning comes. Old people said that you must not eat nor take food from the house of the Di-ingun-ato.

       The explanation of the refusal of the food is that it will be the end for a normal human life. Once the human would accept the food, he/she will remain forever in the Di-ingun-ato world. Usually the victims of this trap are women. So the women would become the bride of the Di-ingun-ato. Therefore remembering the warning would be very helpful.

       Di-ingun-ato also target children and would abduct them. My father told me his experience about his friend being abducted by Di-ingun-ato. They were kids at that time who were just playing near the trees. When it was already time for them to go home, they notice that their friend disappeared. They all went home and sought the help of the elders and told the whole story.

       When they went back to their playing grounds, they were already bringing frying pans, aluminium ladles, aluminium bowls. They loudly tapped the frying pans with the ladles thus creating noises. They did this because they were told that Di-ingun-ato would be annoyed and will have no choice but to let the abducted kid go. Their friend was freed and by then, they learned their lesson.

       From the encounter my father experienced, i think that these creatures also need respect. People might not have proof about them being real but it doesn’t erase the possibility that they might actually exist. If they do, then beware of suspicious beautiful people that are trying to befriend you.

     

         

Twisted

                                                                            

        Mythical creatures have always been subjects to stories that are passed down to the later generations. As the story of each creature is being passed, surely the exact information will not be relayed completely. Also, the stories of the creatures are being stretched by imaginative minds. These people would twist the true nature of these mythical creatures. Usually these twisted stories have been prevalent in movies and like.

      One of the Mythical creatures twisted by the outburst of imagination is the Unicorn. The Unicorn is very famous for its spiral horn projected on its forehead which is the reason why it has earned its name. It is usually described as a very beautiful creature that very much resembles a horse. Its white color even added to its majesty. This creature, that represented the beauty of fantasy, has been a praised icon by little girls.

      The description of the Unicorn has many positive points. Unfortunately, the dreams of little girls might be ruined if they would know about how it was depicted in the movie Cabin in the Woods. The portrayal of the creature completely turned into a 180 angle. The usual fabulous and calm creature became very wild and violent. In the movie, it used its horns to stab people to death. Its twisted description is quite disturbing for unicorn lovers.

     

            Another Mythical creature that suffered a twisted version is the Leprechaun. Well normally the Leprechaun is usually associated to mischief since it enjoys partaking in it. They store all their gold coins in a hidden pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. They are the reason why the belief that a pot of gold awaits at the end of the rainbow popularized. If a Leprechaun will be captured by a human, he would grant three wishes in exchange for its release.

       The description of the Leprechaun may cause people to view it as mischievous but its movie version went a little overboard. In the 1993 Leprechaun horror movie, an evil sadistic Leprechaun goes on a killing rampage in search of his pot of gold. When I saw the movie, my views about the leprechaun became more distorted. I couldn’t even forget the scene where the creature opened the stomach of a boy to get the gold inside.

            The most twisted and ruined version goes to no other than the vampires. When twilight came out in theatres, I was expecting another cool story about vampires just like Blade. At that time I have not read the book yet. When I watched it in the big screen, which I really regret, I was really disappointed. The story practically ruined the image of vampires.

          Vampires are vicious blood-sucking monsters that pose a great danger. They are originally afraid of garlic and crosses. They do not go out during daytime for their pale skin will burn. They live longer than average humans could. The vampire is quite the formidable creature indeed.

        The image of vampires was ruined when the vampires in the twilight movie were introduced. I was very disappointed when these vampires could walk under daylight and the best part is that they actually sparkle. What’s so cool about vampires shining bright like diamonds? The overall image of the vampires was so plain and boring. I would still go for the classic capes or even the cool leather suites in Blade.

        With all the rising writers in today’s generation, original stories became subject to new and innovated versions. Letting the imagination lead the story is good.  I just hope that the original and classic stories of these Mythical creatures will not be too distorted and will still be portrayed as its original version for the later generations to know.

       

Tall and Handsome in the Dark

      Usually, girls would have dibs for men who are tall, dark, and handsome. This is generally the criteria to pick men of their taste. But, I think it would be a different story if the man would be tall and handsome in the dark. There is actually a being which fits the criteria. The only problem is that he might not actually be handsome if seen clearly in broad daylight.

          The mysterious man in the dark is actually one of the Philippine mythical creatures. It is famously called as the Kapre. The Kapre is a very huge man that is said to be living in large trees in the forest. They are usually spotted smoking large cigars and their skin color is described as charcoal black. They are also hairy creatures comparable to chimpanzees. 

         Unlike other Philippine mythical creatures that are very vicious and dangerous, the danger that the Kapre poses is lesser.  Mananangals and Aswangs would hurt people and would even eat their innards but the Kapre is not morbid like them. The Kapre only scares children who are still outside their homes at night. He scares the children because he simply enjoys their scared faces. In other stories, he is even believed to be a friendly creature and would even grant people’s wishes if they can find his white stone.

       To determine if a Kapre is around is to observe the trees around. If there is no wind breeze yet the leaves of the trees are moving then a Kapre is around. Also, if you could spot unusual smoke behind large trees then possibly a Kapre is around.

       There was this encounter where I could possibly be convinced that the Kapre is real. It was a Saturday when I woke up seeing many people gathering at our neighbour’s house. I stormed out our house and went directly to the crowd of people. It so happens that my aunt was also there so I asked her what is happening. Before she was able to explain the situation to me, I saw a very huge leaf cigar at the window.

       I observed that the tip of the cigar was already burned. It was different from other cigar since it was really enormous compared to other normal cigars. Its size can be compared to a thick rolled magazine.  When my curiosity reached the top, I went back to my aunt and finally listened to her explanation. According to my aunt, it was from a Kapre that passed by our place that night.

     When I heard her explanation, I laughed at first. For me, it was only made by a neighbour who just wants to make some pranks. I kept on thinking about it and had some second thoughts. Who would actually waste their time of making a very huge and unusual cigar just for the fun?

      Anyways, if the Kapre is really real and actually friendly, then I would like to meet one. I would even find the white stone and have one of my wishes granted. It may be cool having a huge yet friendly creature as your friend.

     

ROCK- a- by -Baby

            Imagine that you are inside a school building late at night. All the lights are dim and the surroundings’ very quiet. The wind blows really hard that it gives you the chills. You kept on walking down the long dark hallway. You observe that the rooms on the side are very dark and eerie. As you walk down near the third room, you suddenly heard a baby cry.

           If I was in that situation, I would definitely run and find some persons that maybe still in the school. I would immediately find a companion since I’m really a scaredy-cat. Also, my imagination would take over and I would probably think of some hideous creatures. In that situation, there is a great possibility that it might be the horror story of old people about babies.  It might actually be the Tiyanak

         The Tiyanak, is vampiric creature in the Philippine Mythology that imitates the form of a child. It takes the form of a new born baby. To actually get its prey, it would mimic the cry of the baby as if asking for help. If that unlucky person would pick up the baby and fall into its trap, then it would immediately revert to its true form and attack the victim.

What countermeasures must be done to avoid their attack?

     According to local beliefs, countermeasures are actually possible against the tiyanak. Loud noises such as a New Year’s celebration could drive the tiyanak away from the vicinity. Objects believed to repel Aswang, like garlic and rosary, are also believed to be effective against the tiyanak.

    Also, the tiyanaks are believed to be in provinces and would enchant wandering travellers by its cries.  In order to break its spell, the turning of clothes inside out is said to be effective. The tiyanak finds this method funny enough to let go of the travellers and would go back to the jungles.

Where do they come from?

      The tiyanak is actually believed to be a real baby before. It becomes a tiyanak when the baby it was once before is aborted. The baby would probably become a tiyanak if the aborted child or the dead child will not be properly buried by the mother and a prayer will not be offered as a form of justice or respect. This is according to the old people’s belief. But I think that it would be proper to actually offer a prayer for an unborn child not because they would probably become tiyanaks but because they need and deserve it.

       Just like other mythical creatures, the tiyanak has also been a subject of many Philippine movies.

v  Tiyank (1953)

v  Tiyanak (1988)

v  Juan Tanga, super naman, at ang kambal na tiyanak (1990)

v  Impakto (1996)

v  Tiyanaks (2007)

Tiyanaks also appeared in week- 32 2013 episodes of Juan dela Cruz (T.V series)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiyanak

Release the Kraken!

      

One of the most terrifying places in the world is the ocean. It is the home of many marine species that man hasn’t yet completely discovered. In reality, humans have ventured the planet mars more than our very own ocean. It is so vast that it actually hides many mysteries. Creatures that we may not have seen might be lurking in the deeper part of the ocean. What might these creatures be?

         Ever since the old times, the human mind has always been very imaginative and exaggerated.  Because of that imagination, many stories and myths were born. The ocean is no exception. In there, a very famous mythical creature became known. It is no other than the Kraken.

      The Kraken, as described in the olden times, a very huge crab-like creature that generally possessed traits that are closer to large whales. But in the later years, the description of its appearance became octopus-like and its size is said to be smaller than described in the early years. Though it has become smaller, it is still huge enough to pose a threat to humans.

       This creature is said to be very dangerous especially to sailors. It would reach as high as the top of a sailing ship’s mast. A kraken would attack a ship by wrapping their arms around the hull and capsizing it. The crew would drown, or worse, be eaten by the monster.  

   Some traits of kraken resemble undersea volcanic activity occurring in the Iceland region, including bubbles of water; sudden, dangerous currents, and appearance of new islets. Despite of being said to be a very dangerous creature, some fishermen would actually go to the place where a kraken is sighted. This is because it was said that if a kraken is around, many fishes would gather around the area.

   The popularity of the Kraken endured over time. In fact, in today’s generation it has become more popular. The popularity strengthened the thought of it being possibly real. Its story has been in many movies including the popular ones. It was even featured in the very famous movie series of Johnny Depp entitled The Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. In that movie a certain line is highlighted- Release the Kraken!

     In the end, the Kraken still continues as a very mysterious mythical creature. Considering the vastness of our ocean, the possibility of it actually existing might be true. If its existence is really proven in the future, then I would be more afraid of the ocean.

    

   

http://www.unmuseum.org/kraken.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraken