Back in college, I remember my public relations professor highlighting how significant it is for every country to have its versions of supernatural or paranormal creatures and monsters. She described it as something that metaphorically mirrors each culture’s depiction of fear.

 

“Monsters can take many forms in literature and popular culture, but what’s interesting about them is that they often represent the beliefs of an era or appear as metaphors for human fears. Monsters have consistently been used to explore themes like morality, prejudice, and personal identity.” – inspired-quill.com

 

For entertainment and media, my professor emphasized how local news programs would even ironically “balance out” an array of catastrophic primetime news updates with seemingly novelty-packaged stories about aswangs being spotted among the rural regions. It’s interesting how these spooky concepts were used as a device to “lighten up” the Filipino audiences’ palette. Not to mention, many of us grew up snuck up under the blankets, glued into annual Halloween TV specials brought to us by Sir Noli De Castro, with the iconic “Magandang Gabi, Bayan.”

 

With that, we asked our super and naturally-witty RareJob tutors which supernatural creatures they’d be best friends with and transform into if given the chance!

 

WATCH:

 

 

A Manananggal or a Giant Bat?

 

The Manananggal is one of the Philippines’ most spine-chilling legends. This eerie creature, known for detaching from its lower body to hunt at night, has captured imaginations with its unique story.

 

Long before colonization, Filipinos believed in shape-shifters and witches, influenced by the Spaniards bringing ideas of witchcraft and vampires. The Manananggal likely sprang from these early stories of spirits roaming the land. Similar creatures exist elsewhere in Southeast Asia, like Malaysia’s Penanggalan and Thailand’s Krasue. These parallels hint at shared myths and cultural exchanges across the region. These influences blended into the existing folklore, adding layers to the Manananggal’s tale.

 

 

In some instances, flying fox bats have been linked to stories of the Manananggal. Among the largest species of bats in the world, their nocturnal habits, large wingspan, and silhouette at dusk might fuel imaginations and local legends. The eerie image of a large bat-like creature soaring through the night sky can easily inspire tales of supernatural beings, especially in areas where such stories are prevalent.

 

 

With its blend of ancient beliefs and cultural influences, the Manananggal remains an intriguing part of Filipino folklore. It serves as a symbol, reflecting societal fears about women challenging norms or concerns around pregnancy and childbirth.

 

 

A Tiyanak or a Crying Toad?

 

Sometimes seen as the spirit of an unbaptized child, forever wandering until given proper rites, the Tiyanak is a captivating figure in Filipino folklore, blending tales of mystery and superstition. Across the Philippines, the Tiyanak story takes on different forms. In some areas, it’s thought to be the spirit of a miscarriage or aborted fetus, seeking peace or vengeance.

 

 

Indigenous Filipinos envisioned mystical creatures lurking in forests. Among them was the Tiyanak, a malevolent spirit that tricked people by taking on the innocent guise of a baby. Witnesses described them as luring you into the deep woods by making crying baby sounds, while skeptics would say those wails only came from toads sounding as a shrill and rather sibilant wail, like the note of a small penny trumpet or the cry of a new-born infant.

 

In essence, the Tiyanak embodies deep-seated fears and cultural narratives, standing as a powerful symbol within Filipino folklore. They offered warnings about unseen dangers and highlighted societal themes like the struggles of unwanted children or even abortion.

 

 

A Kapre or Your Kumpare?

Long before colonization, indigenous Filipinos believed in spirits inhabiting trees and nature. Known for its towering stature and love for smoking cigars, the Kapre is thought to have originated from these early animistic traditions, often depicted as a guardian spirit living in large trees, such as balete or acacia.

 

Standing over seven feet tall, the Kapre represents the mystery of the unexplored wilderness and serves as a cautionary tale about respecting and preserving nature – somehow, we can view them as nature’s spirit guards. Some say the concept of Kapre reflects societal tensions, highlighting the fear of the unknown and even the idea of it being used to prevent children in the rural side from wandering from dusk onwards.

 

 

Bigfoot and Kapre may seem similar, but they are distinct mythical creatures from different cultural contexts. Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, is a legendary figure in North American folklore, described as an elusive, bipedal ape-like creature roaming forests. Its mysterious allure has inspired many tales and sightings. In contrast, the Kapre is associated with playful mischief or guarding its territory. Despite their shared traits of being large and hairy, their roles and the narratives surrounding them reflect the rich diversity of global folklore, offering entertainment and lessons on local customs and respect for the environment.

 

Supernatural Superheroes:

 

So, whether you’re dodging the aswang’s shadowy flight or swapping stories of the mischievous tikbalang in moonlit gatherings, remember: these fantastical beings aren’t just figments of imagination—they’re cultural superheroes that inspire literature, art, film, and other forms of creative expression, enriching global culture that keep our world wonderfully weird and endlessly fascinating!

 

Other References:
https://felixfojas.wordpress.com/2012/10/13/the-supernatural-beliefs-of-pre-spanish-filipinos-by-felix-fojas/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witchcraft_in_the_Philippines

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMQe90mWkNU&pp=ygUQYmlnIGZvb3Qgc3BvdHRlZA%3D%3D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9PevHtX010