Filipino mythology is a rich and diverse tapestry of beliefs, legends, and stories that have been passed down through generations in the Philippines. Rooted in pre-colonial traditions, this mythology encompasses the spiritual beliefs and cosmology of the many ethnolinguistic groups that make up the Philippines. Long before the country was colonized by Spain in the 16th century, the islands were home to various cultures, each with its own set of deities, creation myths, and explanations for the natural world. Despite the arrival of Christianity, many of these ancient beliefs have survived, blending with foreign religious concepts or continuing in folk practices.
At the heart of Filipino mythology is the concept of the universe, which is often divided into three realms: the heavens, the earth, and the underworld. The heavens, known as Kaluwalhatian or Langit, are where the gods and celestial beings reside. The earth is the domain of humans and animals, while the underworld, often called Kasanaan or Sulad, is where the spirits of the dead journey to afterlife. This tripartite cosmology reflects the Filipino view of a layered universe, with each plane governed by different beings and subject to its own rules.
One of the central features of Filipino mythology is the pantheon of deities that were worshipped by various ethnic groups. These gods and goddesses represented natural forces, elements, or human emotions. The supreme deity in many myths is Bathala, sometimes called Bathalang Maykapal, who is viewed as the creator of the world. In Tagalog myths, Bathala is the king of the gods and the ruler of the heavens. He is often described as a distant figure who created the world but does not interfere directly in human affairs. However, he is venerated as the source of life, and his favor was sought through rituals and offerings.
Another important deity is Lakapati, a fertility goddess who is sometimes depicted as an androgynous figure. Lakapati was considered the goddess of agriculture and is associated with crops, harvest, and abundance. In some areas, she was also venerated as a hermaphroditic deity, reflecting the indigenous Filipino view that gender is fluid and that deities can embody both male and female traits. Offerings to Lakapati were common among farmers who sought her blessings for a bountiful harvest.
Alongside Bathala and Lakapati, other prominent deities include Mayari, the goddess of the moon, and her brother Apolaki, the god of the sun. According to legend, Mayari and Apolaki were both children of Bathala. They fought over who would rule the heavens after their father’s death. During their battle, Apolaki injured Mayari in the eye, causing her to lose half of her vision. As a result, the moon shines with less brightness than the sun, symbolizing her injury. Their rivalry is used to explain the alternating cycle of day and night in the world.
In the Visayas, a region in the central Philippines, the people revered the goddess Kan-Laon. She is known as the supreme deity of Mount Kanlaon, an active volcano. Kan-Laon was believed to control the fertility of the land, especially in the fertile plains surrounding the volcano. The name Kan-Laon means “the one who is the ruler of time,” indicating her control over life and death. People would often climb the slopes of the mountain to make offerings to Kan-Laon, believing that her favor would bring good weather and a successful harvest.
A key theme in Filipino mythology is the balance between good and evil, which is often depicted through the eternal conflict between benevolent deities and malevolent forces. The world of the spirits is filled with supernatural beings, some of whom are helpful, while others bring misfortune or harm. These spirits, known as anito or diwata, were often invoked for guidance, healing, and protection. Diwata are considered nature spirits, residing in trees, rivers, and mountains, and maintaining the harmony of nature. They can be capricious, however, and their anger can bring natural disasters, sickness, or famine.
Contrasting the benevolent spirits are the darker, more fearsome entities like the Aswang, a shape-shifting monster in Filipino folklore. Aswangs are often described as nocturnal creatures that prey on humans, particularly pregnant women and infants. They are similar to vampires in Western mythology but have additional abilities, such as transforming into animals like dogs, pigs, or birds. In rural areas, stories of Aswangs are still told, especially to children, as a way of warning them about the dangers of wandering at night.
Another creature that haunts Filipino folklore is the Tikbalang, a half-human, half-horse monster said to inhabit the forests. The Tikbalang has a human body but the head and legs of a horse. It is known for leading travelers astray in the woods, causing them to get lost even if they are familiar with the area. To counter the Tikbalang’s tricks, it is believed that one should wear their shirt inside-out or ask for permission to pass through the forest aloud. These beliefs highlight the Filipino respect for nature and its unseen inhabitants, as well as the deep connection between the physical and spiritual worlds.
Filipino mythology also contains numerous stories of creation, often varying from one ethnic group to another. Among the Tagalog people, one version of the creation myth tells of a great bird that flew over a vast sea. The bird grew tired and began flapping its wings, creating the islands. The sky and the sea were at odds, with the sky wanting to lower itself and crush the earth. To prevent this, the bird flew to the heavens and convinced them to leave the earth alone. This myth emphasizes the role of animals and natural elements in shaping the world, reflecting the Filipino people’s close relationship with nature.
The Bisaya people have a different creation myth involving two gods, Kaptan and Maguayan. Kaptan ruled the sky, while Maguayan governed the sea. They had children who later fought, resulting in one of them, Lihangin, being killed. From Lihangin’s body, the earth was formed. His flesh became the land, his breath the wind, and his blood the sea. This myth serves as an allegory for the interconnectedness of all things and the cyclical nature of life and death in the universe.
Another popular tale is the story of Malakas and Maganda, the first man and woman. According to the legend, they were born from a bamboo stalk that split open after being struck by a bird. Malakas (meaning “strong”) and Maganda (meaning “beautiful”) are often regarded as the ancestors of the Filipino people, and their story symbolizes the harmonious balance between strength and beauty in the Filipino worldview.
Despite the advent of Catholicism in the Philippines, many of these pre-colonial beliefs and practices continue to exist, often in syncretic forms. For instance, during the annual Holy Week celebrations, some Filipino communities still perform rituals that blend Christian beliefs with indigenous practices, such as penitents walking barefoot and whipping themselves while invoking both Catholic saints and local deities. This blend of old and new is a testament to the resilience of Filipino mythology and its ability to adapt and survive through centuries of foreign influence.
Folktales, passed down orally, also play a crucial role in preserving Filipino mythology. Many of these stories are meant to explain the origins of natural phenomena, such as mountains, rivers, and animals. For example, the legend of Mount Makiling tells of a diwata named Maria Makiling, who guards the mountain that bears her name. She is said to appear as a beautiful woman and protect the forest and its creatures. If anyone disrespects the mountain by harming its flora and fauna, Maria Makiling is believed to punish them by bringing misfortune or making them lose their way in the forest.
Another well-known folktale is that of the Bakunawa, a giant sea serpent or dragon that is said to cause eclipses by swallowing the moon. In ancient times, it was believed that loud noises, such as banging pots or shooting arrows, would scare away the Bakunawa and make it release the moon. This belief reflects the Filipino people’s desire to explain astronomical events in terms of their cosmology, with supernatural beings playing a central role in the workings of the universe.
Filipino mythology is not a single, unified belief system but rather a collection of various traditions, stories, and practices that differ from one region or ethnic group to another. This diversity is a reflection of the Philippines’ geographic and cultural complexity, with its more than 7,000 islands and over a hundred different languages spoken. Each community has contributed its own set of deities, myths, and folklore to the rich tapestry of Filipino mythology.
In modern times, there has been a resurgence of interest in Filipino mythology, with scholars, writers, and artists revisiting these ancient stories and reinterpreting them for contemporary audiences. Popular culture, including comic books, films, and television shows, has drawn inspiration from the vast pantheon of Filipino deities and mythical creatures, helping to keep these traditions alive in the modern era.
This enduring legacy of Filipino mythology speaks to the timeless nature of these stories, which continue to offer insights into the Filipino way of life, their relationship with nature, and their understanding of the universe. Even as the Philippines continues to change and evolve, these myths and legends remain an essential part of the country’s cultural identity, serving as a bridge between the past and the present.