The Magical, Mystical, and Macabre
Creatures of Philippine Mythology
MGA HALIMAW
Berkakan
In Ilokano folklore, this monster was believed to have devoured Lam-ang, before he was eaten by a large fish. They have wide mouths, and a strong sense of smell for bleeding fish in the ocean.
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The Magical, Mystical, and Macabre
Creatures of Philippine Mythology
MGA HALIMAW
IkuganA monster from Palawan lore which resembles a monkey: in that it has a long tail and big hands and feet. They reside in the forest, and grab people using their tails while leaning on a sturdy tree.
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The Magical, Mystical, and Macabre
Creatures of Philippine Mythology
MGA HALIMAW
TikbalangA trickster that leads its victims astray by obscuring their way home, often taking them to the same destination no matter which path they take. Upon realizing that a tikbalang has taken hold of you, you can ward it off by turning your clothes inside out.
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The Magical, Mystical, and Macabre
Creatures of Philippine Mythology
MGA HALIMAW
Tandayag at RabutBoth creatures come from the Bikolano epic “Ibalon.” Tandayag is a giant wild boar from the hill of Lingyon, while Rabut is a half man, half creature (many versions just describe his other half as a halimaw, though some describe it either as a horse or a water buffalo) with the ability to turn people into stone and command other animals to do his bidding.
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The Magical, Mystical, and Macabre
Creatures of Philippine Mythology
MGA HALIMAW
OriolOriol is an irago, a giant serpent-like creature that sometimes disguises itself as a woman with a beautiful, siren-like voice. Some versions of the Bikolano epic “Ibalon” say that Oriol’s voice had the ability to cause amnesia.
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The Magical, Mystical, and Macabre
Creatures of Philippine Mythology
MGA HALIMAW
OngloA hairy giant with elbows and knees as hard as stone, the Onglo lives in the wetlands. It likes to feast on tuway shells, but it can also eat raw meat and some forms of shrubbery.
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The Magical, Mystical, and Macabre
Creatures of Philippine Mythology
MGA HALIMAW
SigbinA shape-shifting cryptid that often takes the form of a hornless goat, a dog, or a frog, but with perverted features. It can be identified by its penchant for walking backwards with its head lowered between its hind legs, and can be scared off by brandishing a sharp object. It’s sometimes referred to as an aswang’s familiar.
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