10 Scariest Filipino Mythical Creatures
This blog will share the 10 scariest Filipino mythical creatures. Mythological creatures are part of Filipino culture. They’re everywhere, from the creaky older man in your neighborhood to the stories your parents tell you about when they were young.
But what if we told you that some of these monsters are real? The Philippines is home to many myths and legends. The belief in these creatures is so strong. Although they may not be authentic and accurate, they have become a part of Filipino life and culture.
If you’re looking for some thrills and chills, this blog got just the thing. I will share a list of some of the scariest mythical creatures in the Philippines. So grab a flashlight, a big stick, and maybe even a few friends.
Here are the 10 scariest Filipino mythical creatures:
Filipino Mythical Creature #1 Multo
One of the 10 scariest Filipino mythical creatures is multi. Multo is said to be a small, white-haired humanoid that can appear as either a child, a man, or an older woman. This mythical character is typically considered harmless and mischievous, but they have been known to harm if provoked or angered.
These creatures are said to live in dark places, such as caves or abandoned houses. They are believed to be able to fly and often travel by night. They are also said to have many powers, including invisibility and the ability to change their size.
“Multo” is the Tagalog word associated with “shadow” or ghost. The Tagalog word for this ghost or spirit came from the Spanish term “muerto,” which means dead.
Filipino Mythical Creature #2 Aswang
Aswang is the monster in Filipino folklore as an evil spirit or vampire who preys on humans by sucking their blood. It usually takes the form of a human or animal (such as a dog). The aswang is said to have long fangs and talons, which it uses to drain its victims dry. It also has a massive appetite for human flesh—so much so that it will eat anything (including corpses) if it has nothing else to feed on.
The aswang is believed to be able to fly at night, and it preys on babies and pregnant women. It looks like an ordinary person during the day, but it transforms into a monster with long fangs and talons at night.
Filipino Mythical Creature #3 Mangkukulam
Mangkukulam is one of the 10 scariest Filipino mythical creatures. It is a witch who casts spells on people and causes misfortune. They are usually women or men who another person has cursed. These people are also known as black magicians.
The Mangkukulam has supernatural powers, such as transforming into any animal, flying, and even disappearing into thin air. They can also cast spells on people who cause them misfortune, illness, or death.
Mangkukulam is usually seen as an old lady with long, scraggly hair and wrinkled skin. She wears a black dress with a hooded cloak over it and often carries a staff or cane with her at all times to cast spells on anyone she feels has wronged her in some way.
Filipino Mythical Creature #4 Diwata
Included on our list of the 10 scariest Filipino mythical creatures are diwata. The Diwata are female spirits who live among the clouds. They are believed to be fair-skinned and have long, dark hair. In some accounts, they have wings, can fly, and have magical powers. They were said to be able to make people sick or healthy, make crops grow faster or slower, control the weather, etc.
They also had relationships with mortals: they often fell in love with human men and bore half-human, half-divine children.
The Diwata eventually became part of Filipino folklore; they continue to influence Filipino culture today through artworks like paintings and sculptures that depict these mythical beings.
Filipino Mythical Creature #5 White Lady
The White Lady is similar to many other creatures of legend in that it is often described as having pale skin and long, white hair. Its eyes are said to be red or black, and it usually wears long dresses and high heels. The White Lady also has a reputation for being able to fly and teleport.
The legend of the White Lady has many variations across different cultures worldwide. In some versions, she has wings; other times, she does not. She sometimes lives in graveyards; in other stories, she prefers forests or mountainsides. Some legends say that she can be warded off by garlic; others say crosses will do the trick!
Some people believe that there’s no such thing as vampires—that they’re just myths created by people who want to frighten each other into staying indoors at night.
Filipino Mythical Creature #6 Tikbalang
The tikbalang is a half-horse, half-man creature that roams the streets at night. According to legend, a person encountering this creature will be cursed with bad luck.
The Tikbalang is known to have the head and ears of an animal, but it has the body of a man. It also has long arms with claws instead of hands and feet, which look like hooves. Its legs are straight and end in cloven hooves similar to those found on goats or cattle. The tikbalang’s face is usually described as being handsome to women who see it, but only during daylight hours when its powers are at their strongest; once night falls, it loses its magical qualities until morning comes again, which makes them vulnerable targets for hunters who wish to capture one alive so they can make use of its seductive powers over women.
Filipino Mythical Creature #7 Duwende
The duwende is believed to be a dwarf or gnome that lives underground and can cause harm to humans. They are also believed to be helpful and often depicted as short, with large eyes, long hair, and big ears. They are also sometimes shown as having goat legs and wearing hats.
The duwende is known for causing mischief, such as stealing items from homes or farms or throwing rocks at people. It’s also believed that having a duwende in your house will bring good luck!
The word “duwende” comes from the word “dugong,” which means “to hide.” People used this term because these creatures mainly hid from humans instead of interacting with them.
Filipino Mythical Creature #8 Kapre
Kapre is a giant, hairy, and smelly older man who likes to sit under trees and smoke cigars. He can be found on rooftops and in forests but prefers dark places.
Kapre has long white hair that reaches his ankles and wears a long beard. His hands are big enough to grab small children by their wrists, and he has large feet with big toes that are as big as his head! His eyes are permanently closed because they’re heavy from age—they were once blue, but now they’re yellowish-white with cataracts.
It has been described as wearing a hat or smoking a pipe, but it’s most often seen holding its pipe in one hand and leaning on one leg.
In some stories, kapres are depicted as older men with long hair and beards who live in trees. In other stories, they are described as dwarves who live in caves near rivers or lakes. Some people believe that kapres are said to be helpful guardians who protect travelers from danger. In contrast, other tales describe them as mischievous creatures who cause mischief for humans.
Kapre can’t see very well anymore, so he walks around with a cane made from bamboo. It is often decorated with snakeskin at the top and bottom—and sometimes even a coconut shell! He carries this cane everywhere he goes because it helps him feel safe when he’s out in public places like parks or city streets.
The Kapre also has a deep voice that sounds like thunder when he speaks—so loud that it can make children cry!
Filipino Mythical Creature #9 Tiyanak
Tiyanak is a mythical creature often portrayed as a child whose parents abandoned him, but it can also be depicted as a child who died prematurely. This creature is known for its shape-shifting into an animal. People thought this creature was born from the spirit of an infant who died before baptism and had been left out in the open to rot.
The Tiyanak’s appearance and behavior are varied depending on where you are in the Philippines. In some areas, it appears almost human-like; in others, it looks like a pig or dog. Its voice can vary from loud and deep to high-pitched and shrill. Some say that it can even mimic human speech!
Filipino Mythical Creature #10 Manananggal
Manananggal is one of the most popular mythical creatures in the Philippines. It is a vampire that flies around at night and separates from its torso. This process is needed to feed on the blood of humans or animals. The manananggal is usually described as having a woman’s face, breasts, and upper body, while its lower half consists of black, bat-like wings and a long tail.
The manananggal can be male or female, but unlike other vampires, they are not undead. These creatures are shape-shifters who can change their form into anything from a tiny insect to a human size. Manananggals also have a unique ability called “kulam.” This ability allows them to separate their torso from their body at night and fly around looking for prey. They will return to their original form after feeding on blood for three days or more.
The origin of this mythological creature can be traced back to pre-colonial times when people believed in nature spirits called “diwatas.” These nature spirits were thought to live in trees and bushes or caves throughout remote areas such as forests or mountains where people rarely traveled at night because it was considered dangerous due to predators like tigers (which still exist today).
Mythical creatures as part of Philippine culture
The 10 scariest Filipino mythical creatures in this blog may not be accurate, but they are an essential piece of culture. Historically, these beings played a significant role in Filipinos’ lives because they helped explain the occurrence of things. They somehow embodied Filipino beliefs, values, and even goals- a reminder of what path to take to achieve these goals.
These mythical beings even inspired many stories and even iconic characters.
In addition, these characters give us a sense of uniqueness that we can show off not just to foreigners but also to other Filipinos who may not have exposure to the same kind of myths.
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