The Manila Film Center was supposed to be the grand symbol of Filipino competence in the international movie scene. But since its construction, the building has become a graveyard haunted by the ghosts of past traumas, lies, vanity, and injustice.
Legends about water-dwelling humanoid creatures exist throughout human history. In the Philippines, profusely colorful tales are told about these benevolent yet vicious water guardians that can both protect or harm humans who encounter them.
In many legends worldwide, not all infants are cute and cuddly. Some are demonic tricksters out for blood, while others are reanimated corpses of dead children that are used for nefarious activities.
Welcoming of the LGBT community, Filipinos were disappointed after initially finding pride in queer representation in pre-colonial mythology. Why?
The tikbalang is one of the most enduring creatures of Filipino folklore and is often compared to more famous mythical creatures like the minotaur or centaur. But the tikbalang goes back to much older cultural influences in the country and has undergone many changes. Read on to learn about it.
Holy Week is the one occasion when Filipino Catholic religiosity is manifested the most through various rituals, traditions, and beliefs. But other disturbing practices are also exhibited, claiming to empathize with the suffering of Christ and express their devotion to the faith. But do they?
Darna is undeniably the ultimate Pinoy superhero—and she's a woman. Many might think she's just a Wonder Woman copycat, but those assumptions are wrong. What is the reason for the Darna phenomenon in the Philippines, and why do Filipinos love her so much?
Bangungot is commonly understood as a potentially fatal nightmare and targets many Filipinos each year. But long before science could explain its causes, it has been part of ancient Philippine folklore.
Mayon volcano is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines, not just because it is world-renowned for its beauty but also because it is the most active. The folktale about how the mount came to be is a legend of romantically tragic proportions.
The San Juanico Bridge used to be the longest bridge in the Philippines and has survived countless natural disasters. There are rumors that it was built using children's blood, which makes it so durable. But is there truth to these claims?
The Philippines brags about having the earliest and longest Christmas celebration anywhere in the world. But did you know that this period of festivities emerged way before the introduction of Christianity in the country?
The Aswang is the most fearsome folk monster in the Philippines. The belief shaped Filipino society even though a concise description of the creature makes the myth vastly confusing. I will try to explain how the legend came about and its impact on Pinoy culture. Is this folklore based in reality?
In the 1990s, a human-snake hybrid with a penchant for kidnapping beautiful women was said to live beneath a well-known shopping mall in the Philippines. This rumor grew exponentially and is rooted in broader mythology and social issues in the country.
This is the mysterious case of transported soldier Gil Perez, who allegedly nodded off in Manila only to wake up a few moments later in Mexico.
When a young girl claimed to be tormented by unseen entities in the 1950s Philippines, an American Evangelical pastor came to deliver her from evil. His victory in expelling the demons catapulted his church to fame. But are we to take the testimony of a charismatic religious leader as gospel truth?
In the devoutly Catholic Philippines, religious clerics such as priests and nuns are exalted despite the many scandals in the Church. But what if they are not all as blameless as they claim to be? This is the story of Father Juan Severino Mallari, the first Filipino serial killer.
In the heart of a rural jungle on one of the islands of the Philippines, there is a dazzling city of light. It bustles with futuristic automation and locals who are all beautiful and happy. But you won't find this place on any map because it doesn't really exist except in hushed tales. Or does it?
The Nuno sa Punso—or Mound Dweller—is an elemental spirit from the Philippines that incites fear because it is easily angered and will seek retribution against those who damage or disturb its mound. But is it an ancestor, a demon, or something else?
When you faintly smell tobacco and see the glow of embers near a giant tree, or feel the eyes of a large hairy beast upon you in the Philippine jungles, it might just be the Kapre. More bothersome than the Kapre, however, is the racial prejudice and religious bias that it originates from.
The Woman in White is a ghost with a sordid past. Many legends are told about this apparition, but the roots of her misery are often overlooked. Why is she always female? And what is the meaning behind the color she wears?
Singkil is one of the most popular Filipino folk dances from the Mindanao province, who are predominantly Muslims. But the original story behind this heart-racing dance is not entirely Islamic.
If you're in the Philippines, hearing a strange baby's cry from the dark means that you might be the next victim of the tiyanak. This deceptive creature is known for harming people and was born from a sinister practice considered unimaginable today.
There's been a series of incidents that terrorized several citizens in the Philippines, leading them to secure their doors even more and fearing for their lives in every setting of the sun. But is there some truth to it and why?
The Diwata is a mythical figure in Filipino folklore that often gets portrayed as Tolkien-esque elves. But were they always the beautiful enchanting women we know them to be?
The Filipino occult fetishes are called Agimat, a unique mixture of Animism, Christian Catholicism, Hindu-Buddhism, and Islamic influences. We owe these items of power in the fight for our liberation and independence.
Spaniards brought the Holy Child image to the Philippines as a tool to convert the natives to Catholicism. Despite its colonial roots, it has gained such intense popular piety from Filipino Catholics up to the present day. But why?
Before Christianity arrived in the Philippines, the natives had their own polytheistic beliefs officiated by the Babaylan. But over time, they went from healers to hell-sent.
Whispers about a mystical golden vessel sailing from the mountains incites fear and warning from locals. More curious is the enigmatic woman steering this ship, who is believed to be a benevolent goddess long forgotten in the people's memory.
In the fields of the Philippines' Pampanga province lies a lone, glorious mountain that is said to be the home of a mysterious woman. Unlike other local mountain goddesses who are sweet and gentle, Sinukuan is tough and adamant—and there's a good reason why.
With origins tracing back to pre-colonial times, Maria Makiling is the most popular fairy figure in the Philippines. Read on to explore how this legend survived the colonial invasion and continues to be worshipped in many ways to this day.