A Free Resource for Philippine Mythology & Folklore • The Aswang Project

A man stands in the jungle night. Moonlight illuminates his silhouette

Teniente Gimo, Aswang: Crippling Superstition or Brilliant Tactic?

April 2, 2017 Jordan Clark Opinion, Urban Legends

You’ve heard the stories of how the CIA used the aswang lore as part of their psywar operations against the Hukbalahap Rebellion in the Philippines.

Illustration of a monkey creeping up behind an unsuspecting turtle.

The Monkey and the Turtle | Ilokano Folk Tale

March 30, 2017 Jordan Clark Ilokano Mythology & Beliefs

“This tale told by the Ilocano is well known among both the Christianized and the wild tribes, of the Philippines, and also in Borneo and

Illustration of a lazy Pinoy man laying under a tree by a ariver as a branch from the above tree dangles a piece of fruit over his mouth. He seems unaware that the fishing rod that lay beside him with a fish attached.

Foolish and Wise: Chronicles of Folkloric Tricksters

March 29, 2017 Daniel De Guzman Opinion

When Mythology and Folklore comes to mind, we often think of characters displaying unparalleled might and magic such as heroes, gods/goddesses and monsters. However, there

Psychopomps (Death Guides) of the Philippines

March 9, 2017 Karl Gaverza Opinion

Psychopomp is a word that is derived from Greek psukhe ‘soul’, pompe ‘procession’ and pempein ‘send’. In world mythologies they are described as guides for

The Thalon, A Subanon Myth

March 2, 2017 Karl Gaverza Creatures & Spirits

The Thalon is an obscure creature in Philippine Folklore. From its origins in Zamboanga Del Sur, its myth has not spread to the other parts

Looking up and the multiple roots and branches of a balete tree.

Down the Roots of Mystical and Sacred Trees in Philippine Lore

February 26, 2017 Daniel De Guzman Opinion

Most great folk tales in the Philippines include the storyteller mentioning the infamous tree known as the Balete (Ficus Indica), which is consistently associated with both

From Babaylan to Aswang?

January 28, 2017 Jordan Clark Opinion, Shamans & Healers

The study of Philippine Folklore and Mythology is an arduous task. However, it is something that I have dedicated the last 10 years of my

Stars Through the Eyes of Ancient Filipinos

January 27, 2017 Daniel De Guzman Precolonial Society

There is something special about the stars and the countless heavenly bodies ruling the night sky. Besides their beauty, stars narrate the story of man’s

Visayan Folklore | The Great Battle of Mythical Creatures

January 26, 2017 Jordan Clark Central Visayas Mythologies & Beliefs, Visayan Mythologies & Beliefs

Buwayas from Mindanao, fierce Tikbalangs from Luzon, savage Sigbins from Negros and Bohol, hundreds of Unglocs from Panay and Leyte, and great Wak Waks and other

Tungkung Langit & Alunsina | The ‘Other’ Visayan Creation Story

December 30, 2016 Jordan Clark Panay Bukidnon Beliefs, Western Visayas Mythologies & Beliefs

Who the heck are Tungkung Langit and Alunsina? I received an interesting question from someone the other day. “Good day! I’m a bit confused, the