Monsters and heroes are the usual building blocks of long, yet enduring tales and legends. The glory and triumphs of the brave and the bold against the creatures that defy even the most elaborate nightmares are what lures us to these narratives and into the struggles and battles that ensue.

Rarely do we notice that behind the strength of the hero lies a mysterious item that he wears as he charges towards the evil villain who, like him, is using a magical trinket to gain enormous power.

Enchanted. Mystical. Mythical. These items are not the typical armor of a warrior or stash of a wanderer. These items are the stuff of legends that will lead our heroes to the greatest boon or the foulest bane of their life. In this article, we will a rundown (in no particular order) some of the mythical items that you will encounter in Philippine mythology.

10. The Kibaan’s Magic Powder.

The Kibaan of Ilokano folklore is somewhat a close kin of the engkanto called Alan. Both share a similar physique with their bird like features and reverse toes and fingers, but many considered Kibaan as the more benevolent. But be wary because these creature can also perils from their arsenal – notably the mysterious powder that he blows towards a woman who has rejected his love. The Kibaan is prone to fall head over heels in love with village girls who will usually break his heart.  After the powder has been blown, the girl will generally develop a skin disease or other malady.  The good thing though is that once you ask for his forgiveness, he will immediately cure your condition.

9. Mutya ng Saging

You might remember this one from the TV adaptation of “The Adventures of Pedro Penduko” as the source of Pedro’s superhuman abilities. The mutya, according to folktales, is a small jewel that drops from the heart of the Banana tree during a full moon (some say during the midnight of Good Friday on Lenten season). The said jewel can provide those who manage to swallow it a repertoire of powers like inhuman strength, invisibility, and rejuvenation of their youth. But waiting for the jewel to drop into your mouth like Juan Tamad is not easy as you think; mutya’s are guarded by engkantos that you must wrestle with until dawn before you can acquire its power. If you lose this battle, some believe you will also lose your mind and descend into a form of dementia.

8. King Laon’s Mystical Birang

If the Arabians have their magical genie to grant wishes, the Hiligaynons have King Laon who can grant all his citizen’s wants and needs via his Birang; a large cloth worn in his head. This simple cloth can provide nearly everything they wish. Laon was well loved as a king  – not just because of his magical item, but because of his kindness and bravery. One legend says that Mount Kanlaon on Negros Island was named after him and his ally, Kan, who help him slay the gigantic serpent living at the foot the said mountain.

ALSO READ: Legends of Mount Kanlaon, Negros Island | Negrense Mythology

 

7. The Black Chick

They say the root of all evil is money. But in some Philippine folklore, the root cause for the existence of the evil Aswang comes from a mere black chick.  This gives a normal human the curse to transform into a viscera eating and blood sucking ghoul. According to some tales, this black chick was transferred by a dying Aswang to their successor –  who is usually part of their clan or family. The Aswang is unable to die until the black chick is successfully passed. The process of turning into an Aswang is not for the weak of stomach; one must swallow the regurgitated chick from the mouth the dying Aswang before you start feeling hungry for human flesh. However, in another version of this cryptic tale,  just the saliva of an Aswang can turn someone into a creature of the night. This is why many are warned to be cautious of what they’re eating, especially during feasts in rural areas. No one knows whether that delicious lechon might be tainted by the Aswang.

ALSO READ: Aswang Lore: Transferring the Black Chick

 

6. The Salimbal

Ever fancy a trip to paradise while sailing through the clouds? Humanly speaking, it is impossible without a modern flying device. But for the noble hero Agyu from the epic Olaging and Ulahingan from Mindanao, the journey to the sky is entirely possible. His golden ship called Salimbal can accommodate his whole tribe for travel to the Kingdom of Nalandangan; the place wherein Agyu is destined to rule together with the Adtulusan. The Salimbal ship looks like it is meant for seas, but was actually built for the sky where the say a hidden kingdom resides. Riding the Salimbal is probably the most grandiose means of traveling found throughout Philippine myth and folklore.

5. The Tikbalang’s Hair

The half man half stallion engkanto known as the Tikbalang arouses everyone’s imagination.  In some folk stories, it is the stuff of nightmares as how can someone face the great Tikbalang in the flesh. But there are certain tales that give us clues as to what can we do when the hybrid horse crosses our path.  Simply put, we need to tame it. Sounds crazy but it is possible if you are fast and strong enough to engage in a one on one duel with theTikbalang and pluck a single hair from his mane. Although there are variations on these tales, such as it being a golden hair instead, it all boils down to the fact that once you have the Tikbalang’s hair, it will be as loyal to you as your beloved pet. The plus factor is that you now have an official travel buddy that will let you ride on his back and can bring you anywhere in the world and even to other realms.

4. K’lung and K’filan

Don’t be fooled by the name for these are the weapons of unimaginable powers. Tud Bulul, the epic hero of the Tboli from Linay Mogul –  which is described as a place that serves as the head of rivers (ulo ng mga ilog), is the incredible warrior who managed to wield them. By appearance, they are a normal blade and shield, but K’lung and K’filan bore extraordinary capabilities that made them fearsome weapons in battle. K’lung is a rectangle shaped shield made from a very sturdy wood, while K’filan is an elongated “itak” (bolo) that can extend its blade up to the distance of one million lakes and seas. We are talking about a blade the length of a giant that could wipe out an entire army in a single slash. No wonder the Tbolis only recite the epic of Tud Bulu on special occasions. That’s how great he is.

3. The Black Rice of Biringan

Remember when your father and mother told you not to eat suspicious looking food?  This could be more true when speaking of the enigmatic city of Biringan where the natives, who bear an otherworldly beauty, have darker motives on why they are inviting you for a grand and exotic feast. Of course we are too polite to refuse the sumptuous offering, but be cautious to never ever eat or even taste the black rice on the table. Your parents were right: if you consume this offering you can never return to your own world and will forever be stuck in Biringan. And who knows what awaits a mortal inside the walls of the mystical city?

ALSO READ: BIRINGAN CITY, Philippines | Invisible City | Engkanto

 

2. Juru Pakal

The epic of Indarapatra and Sulayman from Mindanao is your classic heroes vs monster tale, filled with so much action that you dream of it being brought to the big screen. But behind the monster slaying duo is a powerful weapon that gives them an upper hand against their adversaries. The Juru Pakal is a magical, wavy-bladed, kris sword and is the ultimate bane of the foes in the epic. It’s not just a mere blade though; it has a mind of its own and can attack enemies without its wielder. The lore revolving around the Kris shows us that this blades are not only a weapon for killing, but also a sacred treasure  – especially in some parts in Indonesia. Some of the legendary kris found in other southeast Asian countries include the Taming Sari (Malaysia), that bestows invincibility to its wielder and the Setan Kober (Indonesia),which is said to have an evil nature and actually killed its former owner.

 

1. Kaptan’s Golden Shell

In a Visayan story called ” The Faithlessness of Sinogo” one of the most powerful items that can be trace in our myths is revealed. Unfortunately, this item was used for ill gotten gains and not for the greater good of all. The golden shell was supposedly for the god of the sea, Maguayan, as a gift from the sky god Kaptan. Sinogo, one of the three messengers of Kaptan, was so enticed by the power of transformation through the golden shell that he stole it and fled away. Tragically, the servant was caught by Kaptan and up until now Sinogo is imprisoned in the form of  giant Buwaya (crocodile) and still trying to free himself from the narrow strait that is used to hold him. The tale really shows us that great power must be held by someone who is responsible enough to wield it for a greater cause.

 

READ THE MYTH HERE: The Faithlessness of Sinogo