by Francisco R. Demetrio, S.J. Rural peoples of the Philippines believe in the existence of, as well as the influence exercised on human lives by
Read moreThe Flood Motif and the Symbolism of Rebirth in Philippine Myths
We discussed in the previous article that the egg motif the world over is generally linked with the symbolism not of birth, but of rebirth,
Read moreThe Egg Motif in Philippine Creation Myths
Historians of religions inform us that in many mythologies, the egg is an archetypal symbol of world creation. Classical students are acquainted with the Orphic
Read moreBu’lul: Divinity Inside the Wood
Wherever you are in the Philippines, you probably won’t find a house that doesn’t have a special place for holy figurines: wooden replicas of benevolent
Read moreTAMBALOSLOS: Does Size Really Matter?
The TAMBALOSOS/ TAMBALUSLOS/ TAMBALUSLUS is one of those rare Philippine beings that everyone seems to know about, yet is conspicuously missing from most documentation on
Read moreSambal Mythology | Pantheon of Deities and Beings
Zambales is a province in the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region in the island of Luzon. Its capital is Iba. Zambales borders Pangasinan to the north and northeast, Tarlac to the east, Pampanga to the southeast, Bataan to the south
Read moreLAMPONG, the Guardian Anito of Wild Animals | Philippine Folklore
In the book Philippine Demonological Beings and their Cultural Bearings, Maximo Ramos describes the LAMPONG as follows: “Among the head-taking Ilongot of Northeastern Luzon, the
Read morePre-Colonial DIY: A Brief “How To” List of Early Filipino Practices
Everyone could use a little help from a DIY (do-it-yourself) guide: cooking meals, repairing machinery and operating electronics. From the simplest task to the most
Read moreBIANGONAN | Welcome To Your New Nightmare, Batak Folklore
THE BIANGONAN is definitely one of the most horrifying beings I’ve documented in Philippine Mythology & Folklore. I was lucky enough to visit the Batak
Read morePHILIPPINES | When Superstition Supports Sustainable Farming
The lack of mechanization on farms is generally believed to be the main reason why Philippine farmers have fallen so far behind their ASEAN neighbors
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