Creatures & Spirits • THE ASWANG PROJECT

This section contains legends, myths, and studies on the folkloric beings of the Philippine archipelago. These beings have been popularly classified as the “creatures of Philippine lower mythology.” In many cases, some of these beings are still living beliefs. Please use the site search function to look up specific folkloric beings and attributes.

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Check out our “Compendium Of Creatures & Mythical Beings From Philippine Folklore & Mythology”

Illustration of a dwarf-like being, long beard, and plain earth toned clothing. He sits on a mound of dirt.

Nuno sa Punso: The Mound Dweller

November 12, 2016 John Patrick Ogalesco Creatures & Spirits, Tagalog Mythology & Folk Beliefs

Have you ever wondered why children are often reminded by their parents and older relatives to say “tabi tabi po” whenever they walk near anthills

The head of a giant is seen with a huge grin, tusks instead of incisors, and one eye is set above where a nose should be.

BUNGISNGIS: Origin of the Philippine Cyclops

November 8, 2016 Jordan Clark Creatures & Spirits, Tagalog Mythology & Folk Beliefs

A Cyclops, in Greek mythology and later Roman mythology, was a member of a primordial race of giants, each with a single eye in the

Giant Lore in the Philippines: The Good, The Bad and the Gods

November 5, 2016 Daniel De Guzman Creatures & Spirits

They are among the characters you stumble upon in legends and fairy tales. They come in all forms such as the villain or the comedic

A panel showing eight cryptid beings from the Philippines. They range from ape-like to bird-like mostly sporting a grimacing look, long claws, and fur covering their body.

10 Philippine CRYPTIDS You’ve (probably) Never Heard Of

September 24, 2016 Jordan Clark Creatures & Spirits

Cryptozoology is the study of creatures whose existence has yet to be—or else cannot entirely be—proved or disproved by science. These creatures are known collectively

A side view of an Igorot man. He is slightly hunched over and only wearing a bahag (loin cloth). The way it is tied makes it appear that he has an eight inch tail coming from above his buttock.

IKUGAN: Tales of Tailed Men in the Philippines

September 4, 2016 Daniel De Guzman Creatures & Spirits, Manobo Beleifs, Opinion

The fateful meeting of “civilized” and primitive factions in the world during the Age of Discovery forced an escalation of the Western ideals of progression. Among the lands that

Illustration of a giant serpent dwarfing the mountain range it is emerging from. The moon is held in its mouth.

LAHO, the other moon-eating serpent of Tagalog Mythology

September 1, 2016 Karl Gaverza Creatures & Spirits, Tagalog Mythology & Folk Beliefs

‘Laho’ means eclipse, ‘naglaho’ means to swallow without a trace. It is the Tagalog name for the serpent that swallows the moon, corresponding to other moon-eater

A nymph like woman, sitting with knees to chest, arms resting on top. She wears no clothing, her eyes are black like a shark, whiler her hair sticks up in a pixie cut.

Banwaanon, Denizens of the Philippine Fairyland

August 31, 2016 Karl Gaverza Creatures & Spirits, Eastern Visayas Mythologies & Beliefs

Banwaanon, meaning ‘of the forest’, are sometimes called Katsila from ‘Castilian’ (shortened to kastila) meaning Spaniard. They are said to have Caucasian features and coloring. The legend is

Illustration of a muscular man sized amphibious looking beast. It has no head and from shoulder to shoulder is a giant mouth with long sharp teeth.

PUGOT MAMU: The Other Philippine Boogeyman

August 30, 2016 Karl Gaverza Creatures & Spirits, Kapampangan Mythology & Beliefs

PUGOT MAMU Next to the aswang, the Pugot Mamu may be the most well-known Philippine boogeyman from the Pampanga region. It is a headless being, like

A beautiful, and colorful illustration of a mermaid like being, with coral and sea fauna growing off of her.

Magindara, Guardian Sirena or Cannibal of the Sea?

August 28, 2016 Karl Gaverza Bikolano Mythology, Creatures & Spirits

Bikolano myths paint the Magindara in extremes; they are either said to be guardian deities of Bikolano fishermen, or “aswang ng dagat” who will eat

An abstract work of art with two gnarled hands joined at the forearms. Three beings are intertwined within the forearm area.

Nangangatok, Who’s Knocking At Your Door?

August 26, 2016 Karl Gaverza Creatures & Spirits, Paranormal

The Nangangatok are usually invisible spirits that are harbingers of terrible things to come. People are advised to peek through the window first when someone knocks