The creatures of Filipino myths and legends

CEBU, Philippines - Filipinos have various legends of creatures that are supposed to possess certain supernatural powers and influence on people. The common examples of these creatures are the tikbalang, the kapre and the agta, and the manananggal.  But these creatures – collectively called cryptids – are not the only ones to be found in Philippine myths and legends.

From the Filipino equivalent of Greek Mythology’s centaur to a Filipino variant of the fabled vampire of the Caspian Mountains, Philippine mythology has its own creatures of the dark some lesser known than the others.

Markupo – Described as a reptilian creature with venomous breath, this cryptid is known in the Hiligaynon speaking regions of the Visayas. It is said to be a creature with a large snake-like head and whip-like tail that splits at the tip. Legends say that its breath is so toxic that anything it breaths on die – plants, trees, animals and people.

Some describe the markupo to be a humanoid monster; others picture it as more snakelike in form. Apart from its characteristic venomous breath, the markupo is also fabled to “sing” loud songs on silent nights in the mountainous regions where it resides.

Aghoy – Like the fairies of Western myths and legends, the aghoy is characterized as handsome and beautiful fair-haired, physically resembling people. Most aghoy legends say it is a peaceful creature that lives near populated settlements, into which it ventures at night and pull pranks like shifting the sleeping positions of people on such nightly visits.

There are also stories of aghoys befriending people, along with stories of the creature giving gifts like medicinal roots, oils and herbs. Accepting gifts from an aghoy, however, is said to come with certain consequences, particularly if the gifts are medicinal.

Amalanhig – This cryptid is said to have certain similarities with one of the world’s most well-known monsters: the vampire. Legends have it that the amalanghig is an undead creature that sucks the blood of its victims for sustenance, and that is has an aversion to bodies of running water – characteristics similar with the West’s vampire.

Fabled as the relatives of the aswang, the amalanhig supposedly has a weakness in dealing with crooked or winding trails because of its stiff joints. This is presumed to be an after-effect of rigor mortis, as they are living dead creatures.

Gisurab – It is said to be an ogre-like monster with a keen sense of smell – also said to hunt animals and humans for meals. Feared as monstrous creatures for their huge size and reputation for cooking humans for their consumption, there are stories of gisurab befriending people.

Busaw – It is another ogre-like creature whose physical descriptions vary between its male and female. A busaw male, particularly the chief of the group, is described to have an ivory horn on the forehead, while the female is said to have one cyclopean eye. The bugsaws supposedly live in their own communities and settlements.

Cryptids are said to hunt for prey (particularly human children) in packs, and that they are afraid of iron and fire. Their blood is fabled to have magical properties; sprinkling busaw blood on plants would supposedly yield healthy, fast-growing crops.

Anggitay – Like the fabled centaur in Greek Mythology, the anggitay is described to have the upper body of a human being and the legs of a horse.  Legends say that this cryptid has a predilection for precious stones, and that they are only female in gender.

Appearing when it is raining while the sun is up, some anggitay tales tell that they also have unicorn-like horns on their foreheads.