Tradition: Philippines Mythology
Alternative Names: Lagtaw
Category: Demon
Lagtaw is a tall, black demon with huge, fiery eyes. It hides within the knots of trees, remaining concealed until it emerges to frighten boys and girls.
“Латгав (Latgav).” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed September 12, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/latgav/en
Tradition: Mandaya Mythology, Philippine Mythology
Alternative names: Abak, Abaka
Category: Demon
Abacus is an evil demonic spirit in the folklore of the Mandaya people of Mindanao in the Philippines. The name Abak is given as a Latin spelling of Abaka, the name of the evil spirit in Mandaya folklore.
The figure is also recorded as the proper name of one of the deities of the Bagobo people. The surviving description identifies Abacus primarily as a malevolent supernatural spirit, but provides no further details about its appearance, behavior, or associated legends.
“Abak.” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed August 29, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/abak
Tradition: Philippine mythology
Alternative names: Sarangay
Category: Cow
The Sarangay is a creature from Philippine mythology described as a powerful hybrid resembling a minotaur. It has the body of a man combined with that of a male water buffalo.
The creature is said to possess a precious gemstone attached to its ears. The Sarangay guards these jewels fiercely, and anyone who attempts to steal them is said to be killed mercilessly.
When a Sarangay becomes enraged, smoke is said to pour from its nostrils, emphasizing its dangerous and supernatural nature.
When Spanish observers encountered accounts of the creature in the seventeenth century, they reportedly interpreted the description as resembling the Greek Minotaur.
“Sarangay.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed August 29, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarangay
Tradition / Region: Philippines Mythology
Alternative names: Manang Hilaw, Manangilaw
Category: Giant, Cave dweller
The Manangilaw are hairy humanoid giants said to live in the mountains and caves of the Bicol region in the southern part of Luzon. They are described as having large feet, bodies covered in black hair, deep voices, and fierce-looking faces. Despite their frightening appearance, they are generally shy and harmless creatures.
The Manangilaw live among the caves and forests of the mountains, where they gather vines and other plants. They are sometimes seen wrapping vines around their waists like traditional loincloths. They also catch fish and shrimp from rivers and streams and are said to eat other small animals.
During the 1980s, two Manangilaw, a mother and her child, were reportedly captured by soldiers near Mount Isarog. The creatures were chained to army wagons and taken away over a journey lasting fifteen days.
During their captivity, the Manangilaw were fed chickens and cow’s blood. The soldiers kept the two creatures under guard throughout the journey, but what happened to them afterward was never discovered.
“Манангилав (Manangilav).” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed August 15, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/manangilav/en
Tradition / Region: Phillippines mythology
Alternative names: Minokawa Bird
Category: Bird
The Minokawa is a colossal bird that lives beyond the eastern edge of the sky. It is so enormous that it is said to be as large as an island. Its beak and claws are made of steel, its eyes shine like mirrors, and every feather is as sharp as a sword.
The great bird constantly hunts the Moon. To escape it, the Moon travels through eight hidden openings in the eastern horizon and eight in the western horizon. Whenever the Moon emerges, the Minokawa tries to swallow it, causing the sky to grow dark.
When the Moon disappears into the bird’s mouth, the people below fear that the Minokawa will next devour the Sun and then descend to consume the Earth and all humanity. To drive the monster away, they beat gongs, shout, and make as much noise as possible. Curious about the commotion, the Minokawa opens its mouth, allowing the Moon to leap free and return to the sky.
The bird then retreats beneath the world, waiting for another chance to seize the Moon.
“Minokawa.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed July 27, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minokawa
Tradition / Region: Philippine Mythology
Alternative names: None
Category: Bird
A Bagobo legend tells of a marvelous bird that lives at the rim of the sky. It is described as having soft, downy feathers, claws of steel, a beak like a mirror, and a body covered with countless overlapping scales.
One day the bird gazed upon the magnificent town of the legendary ancestor Tuglay. So beautiful was the city that the bird chose never to return to its distant home, remaining instead to admire the splendor of Tuglay’s realm.
This article stays faithful to the source without inventing details.
Benedict, L. E. W. (1916). A study of Bagobo ceremonial, magic and myth. [s.n.]. Originally presented as a doctoral dissertation, Columbia University (1914). Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://archive.org/details/studyofbagobocer00bene
Tradition / Region: Philippine Mythology
Alternative names: Papanok (feminine form)
Category: Bird
The Sarimanok is the legendary bird of the Maranao people of Mindanao and is regarded as a symbol of good fortune. It is portrayed as a magnificent bird with brilliantly colored wings and an elaborate tail, its head adorned with curling scrolls and leaf-like ornaments. It is almost always shown carrying a fish in its beak or talons.
According to Maranao tradition, the Sarimanok descends from a sacred totem bird known as the Itotoro. The Itotoro is believed to serve as a bridge between the human world and the spirit world through its unseen twin spirit bird, the Inikadowa, making the Sarimanok a creature closely associated with the supernatural.
Later Islamic tradition tells of a vast celestial rooster encountered by the Prophet Muhammad in the first of the seven heavens. The bird was so immense that its comb reached the second heaven, and its crow awakened every living creature except humankind. It is said that the Day of Resurrection will begin when this heavenly bird finally falls silent.
The Sarimanok remains one of the most recognizable figures in Philippine mythology, representing prosperity, spiritual power, and the enduring connection between the earthly and unseen worlds.
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Sarimanok. In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarimanok
Tradition / Region: Philippine Mythology
Alternative names: —
Category: Bird
The Limokun is the sacred omen bird of the Bagobo people of Mindanao. It is identified as a beautiful green-and-white wood pigeon with red feet and a red beak, and its call is believed to carry messages that foretell fortune or disaster. Before beginning a journey, hunting expedition, or other important undertaking, people listen carefully for the Limokun’s voice to determine whether it is safe to proceed.
If the bird whistles at an unfavorable moment, the journey is abandoned or delayed until another day, preventing the misfortune that would otherwise occur. Some traditions also interpret the omen according to the direction from which the bird calls or flies, while others say travelers should look around for a sign in their surroundings. If the Limokun’s warning is ignored, disaster is expected to follow.
Because of its sacred status, the Limokun is known as the king of birds. Young men who have never slain an enemy are forbidden to eat its flesh, for doing so is believed to cause their skin to turn yellow, their bodies to waste away, and ultimately bring death. Only warriors who have earned distinction in battle may eat the bird without fear, making it a privilege reserved for the renowned rather than an ordinary source of food.
The Limokun also possesses healing associations. When a person suffers from fever and chills caused by a supernatural river spirit, one traditional remedy is to burn the abandoned nest of a Limokun and allow the patient to inhale the smoke. Thus, the bird is revered not only as a bearer of omens but also as a creature whose remains can help drive away illness.
Benedict, L. E. W. (1916). A study of Bagobo ceremonial, magic and myth. [s.n.].
Tradition / Region: Philippine Mythology
Alternative names: Ek Ek
Category: Bat
The Ekek is a winged, human-like creature that hunts at night in Philippine folklore. It feeds on human flesh and blood and is often compared to the Manananggal because of its appearance. Unlike the Manananggal, however, the Ekek cannot split its body in two.
By night, the Ekek transforms into a gigantic bird or bat and prowls in search of victims. It is especially known for preying upon sleeping pregnant women. Using an unusually long proboscis, it reaches into the womb to drain the blood of the unborn child, killing the fetus.
The creature is closely associated with the Wak Wak, as the two share many characteristics. The principal difference is that the Ekek possesses a bird-like bill, while the Wak Wak does not.
Its name comes from the eerie “ek-ek-ek” sound it makes while hunting. According to tradition, the cry is deceptive: when the sound seems faint and distant, the creature is actually very close to its intended victim.
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Ekek. In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekek
Tradition / Region: Philippine Folklore
Alternative names: Tigbalang, Tigbalan, Tikbalan, Tigbolan, Werehorse, Unglo (Visayan)
Category: Horse
The Tikbalang is a supernatural creature of Philippine folklore that dwells in the mountains and rainforests. It is usually described as a tall, gaunt being with the head and hooves of a horse and the body of a human. Its limbs are unnaturally long, and when it squats, its knees rise above its head. Some traditions say it is the transformed spirit of an aborted fetus sent to earth from limbo.
Early Spanish accounts did not describe the Tikbalang as horse-like. Instead, it was regarded as a ghost or forest spirit that haunted wild places and could assume many frightening forms. Later, after horses became familiar in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period, the creature came to be consistently portrayed as a half-human, half-horse being.
The Tikbalang is closely associated with forests and large sacred trees, particularly balete and kalumpang trees. It is believed to guard these places and is often encountered beneath bridges, in bamboo thickets, banana groves, or beneath ancient trees.
The creature is notorious for misleading travelers. It causes people to lose their way, making them unknowingly walk in circles and repeatedly return to the same place. According to tradition, this enchantment can be broken by turning one’s shirt inside out or by politely asking permission before passing through the forest.
Many legends also describe the Tikbalang as a shapeshifter capable of becoming invisible or taking human form. During sunshowers, Filipinos commonly say that a Tikbalang is getting married.
According to one tradition, the Tikbalang possesses a mane filled with sharp spines, among which three golden hairs hold magical power. A person brave enough to leap onto the creature, restrain it with a specially prepared cord, and remain mounted while it struggles through the air can pluck these three hairs. Once subdued, the Tikbalang becomes the person’s loyal servant, and the hairs may be kept as a powerful talisman.
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Tikbalang. In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tikbalang