Are paranormal beings real?Now that Halloween is fast approaching, paranormal tales are being revived. How real are they, though? We just might find the answers:
6 Filipino Paranormal Beings Uncovered
6. Santelmo
These are glowing orbs that float in the air, believed to be unsettled spirits of dead people. There have been instances when santelmos have been unexpectedly captured on camera. Some witnesses claim that these orbs seem to consistently appear in their photos, often causing witnesses worry and distress.
Photo from rense.com
>UNCOVERED: This is also known as St. Elmo’s Fire. According to science, this is a weather phenomenon caused by an electronically charged atmosphere, similar to that of lightning. It is composed of plasma or ionized air.
Sources: From the Profound to the Profane: A Collection of Controversial and Thought-Provoking Articles by Jaime T. Licauco
What is St. Elmo’s Fire? by Julia Layton. Retrieved from https://science.howstuffworks.com
5. Kapre
The Kapre is a hairy gigantic demon that lives in old enormous trees. He is a chain-smoker who is said to emit a stench.
Photo from https://renzzero.deviantart.com
>UNCOVERED: During the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines, Spaniards brought in numerous African slaves, who were reported to be imported from Latin America. To dissuade Filipinos from interacting with the African slaves, some historians believe that the legend of the Kapre was spread by the conquistadors. Interestingly, the word “Kapre” is derived from the Arabic “kafir” (a non-believer of Islam). Northwestern African Muslim people used it to refer to dark-skinned non-Muslim Dravidians.
Source: Monsters and Creatures in Philippine Myths and Folklores by Philurbanlegends. Retrieved from https://philurbanlegends.blogspot.com
4. Tiyanak
It is said that the Tiyanak is a creature that pretends to be an innocent baby, crying innocently to attract its unsuspecting victim. Once the victim’s attention is acquired, the Tiyanak does not hesitate to devour him or her. According to folklore, Tiyanaks are babies who died without being baptized, thereby morphing into evil spirits.
Photo from https://boogeymen.wikia.com
> UNCOVERED: In the 1500s, the Spaniards strategically used religion to colonize the Philippines. According to some historians, the Tiyanak legend was spread in order to persuade people to be baptized as Christians.
Sources: I Juander: Tiyanak sa Bayan ni Juan? by GMA News. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c82xxVkppC8
The Tikbalang Human-Horse by Philippine Mythical Creatures. Retrieved from https://philippinemythicalcreatures.blogspot.com
3. Tikbalang
The Tikbalang is a creature that is half-horse and half-man. It lurks in the forests and often leads travellers astray.
Photo from https://johnpatsakios.deviantart.com
>UNCOVERED: The origin of the Tikbalang can be traced back to the Spanish colonization period. The Spaniards spread this myth in order to dissuade the natives from going out at night.
Source: Tikbalang Mystery in the Philippines by Cotopher. Retrieved from https://www.studymode.com
2. Manananggal
A man-eating witch that is characterized by its ability to separate its upper and lower torso, the Manananggal also has big, bat-like wings. At night, its upper torso hunts for victims, while its lower torso stays stationary.
Photo from https://ph.she.yahoo.com
>UNCOVERED: Before the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines, Filipino women had sexual freedom and power in their own communities. It was common for women to walk around topless. Some historians believe that the manananggal’s separation at the waist “was an attempt of the Spanish to take away the reproductive half (The Aswang Project, 2014). “ Additionally, wings were added for it to resemble a demon.
Source: The Aswang Project by High Banks Entertainment, Ltd. Retrieved from https://www.aswangproject.com
1. Aswang
Aswangs are believed to be humans by day and monsters by night. They feed on human flesh. It is said that the province of Capiz is where a lot of aswangs reside. Cases wherein townspeople suddenly morph into aswangs have been reported.
Photo from https://www.moviepilot.de
>UNCOVERED: According to The Aswang Phenomenon, what the people thought was a possession or transformation of a person into the aswang is actually an illness called X-Linked Dystonia Parkinsonism (XDP) Syndrome. The physical manifestation of this disease often happens later in life.
Sources: The Psychology of Aswangs by Dr. Randy Dellosa. Retrieved from https://ph.she.yahoo.com
The Aswang Phenomenon by High Banks Entertainment, Ltd. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ePhqoyLpXQ
A lot of things have changed since the 16th century. The Philippines is no longer under any jurisdiction of another country. Science has progressed exponentially, allowing the explanation of a significant number of these phenomena. Regardless, tales from the past continue to survive in Filipino culture as there remains a certain degree of inability for us to understand why some things occur.
As of now, there is no factual evidence that points to the existence or non-existence of these beings. Thus, we continue to ponder on the same question we began with: “So, are these paranormal beings real?”
Just to be safe, it wouldn’t hurt to stock up on garlic.
Kristin is a hodgepodge of different things. Ice cream makes her happy. She thinks fashion is fun. A lot of people think she’s a vegetarian because of her undying love for vegetables. Gym isn’t her thing, but since she hates being stationary, she takes the stairs instead of riding the elevator, and gets into whatever sport she feels like doing. She won't tell you this upfront, but the truth is: she's a Gypsy Fairy Princess.
6 Filipino Paranormal Beings Uncovered
6 Filipino Paranormal Beings Uncovered
Are paranormal beings real? Now that Halloween is fast approaching, paranormal tales are being revived. How real are they, though? We just might find the answers:
6 Filipino Paranormal Beings Uncovered
6. Santelmo
These are glowing orbs that float in the air, believed to be unsettled spirits of dead people. There have been instances when santelmos have been unexpectedly captured on camera. Some witnesses claim that these orbs seem to consistently appear in their photos, often causing witnesses worry and distress.
Photo from rense.com
>UNCOVERED: This is also known as St. Elmo’s Fire. According to science, this is a weather phenomenon caused by an electronically charged atmosphere, similar to that of lightning. It is composed of plasma or ionized air.
Sources: From the Profound to the Profane: A Collection of Controversial and Thought-Provoking Articles by Jaime T. Licauco
What is St. Elmo’s Fire? by Julia Layton. Retrieved from https://science.howstuffworks.com
5. Kapre
The Kapre is a hairy gigantic demon that lives in old enormous trees. He is a chain-smoker who is said to emit a stench.
Photo from https://renzzero.deviantart.com
>UNCOVERED: During the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines, Spaniards brought in numerous African slaves, who were reported to be imported from Latin America. To dissuade Filipinos from interacting with the African slaves, some historians believe that the legend of the Kapre was spread by the conquistadors. Interestingly, the word “Kapre” is derived from the Arabic “kafir” (a non-believer of Islam). Northwestern African Muslim people used it to refer to dark-skinned non-Muslim Dravidians.
Source: Monsters and Creatures in Philippine Myths and Folklores by Philurbanlegends. Retrieved from https://philurbanlegends.blogspot.com
4. Tiyanak
It is said that the Tiyanak is a creature that pretends to be an innocent baby, crying innocently to attract its unsuspecting victim. Once the victim’s attention is acquired, the Tiyanak does not hesitate to devour him or her. According to folklore, Tiyanaks are babies who died without being baptized, thereby morphing into evil spirits.
Photo from https://boogeymen.wikia.com
> UNCOVERED: In the 1500s, the Spaniards strategically used religion to colonize the Philippines. According to some historians, the Tiyanak legend was spread in order to persuade people to be baptized as Christians.
Sources: I Juander: Tiyanak sa Bayan ni Juan? by GMA News. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c82xxVkppC8
The Tikbalang Human-Horse by Philippine Mythical Creatures. Retrieved from https://philippinemythicalcreatures.blogspot.com
3. Tikbalang
The Tikbalang is a creature that is half-horse and half-man. It lurks in the forests and often leads travellers astray.
>UNCOVERED: The origin of the Tikbalang can be traced back to the Spanish colonization period. The Spaniards spread this myth in order to dissuade the natives from going out at night.
Source: Tikbalang Mystery in the Philippines by Cotopher. Retrieved from https://www.studymode.com
2. Manananggal
A man-eating witch that is characterized by its ability to separate its upper and lower torso, the Manananggal also has big, bat-like wings. At night, its upper torso hunts for victims, while its lower torso stays stationary.
>UNCOVERED: Before the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines, Filipino women had sexual freedom and power in their own communities. It was common for women to walk around topless. Some historians believe that the manananggal’s separation at the waist “was an attempt of the Spanish to take away the reproductive half (The Aswang Project, 2014). “ Additionally, wings were added for it to resemble a demon.
Source: The Aswang Project by High Banks Entertainment, Ltd. Retrieved from https://www.aswangproject.com
1. Aswang
Aswangs are believed to be humans by day and monsters by night. They feed on human flesh. It is said that the province of Capiz is where a lot of aswangs reside. Cases wherein townspeople suddenly morph into aswangs have been reported.
>UNCOVERED: According to The Aswang Phenomenon, what the people thought was a possession or transformation of a person into the aswang is actually an illness called X-Linked Dystonia Parkinsonism (XDP) Syndrome. The physical manifestation of this disease often happens later in life.
Sources: The Psychology of Aswangs by Dr. Randy Dellosa. Retrieved from https://ph.she.yahoo.com
The Aswang Phenomenon by High Banks Entertainment, Ltd. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ePhqoyLpXQ
A lot of things have changed since the 16th century. The Philippines is no longer under any jurisdiction of another country. Science has progressed exponentially, allowing the explanation of a significant number of these phenomena. Regardless, tales from the past continue to survive in Filipino culture as there remains a certain degree of inability for us to understand why some things occur.
As of now, there is no factual evidence that points to the existence or non-existence of these beings. Thus, we continue to ponder on the same question we began with: “So, are these paranormal beings real?”
Just to be safe, it wouldn’t hurt to stock up on garlic.
6 Filipino Paranormal Beings Uncovered
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About The Author
Kristin is a hodgepodge of different things. Ice cream makes her happy. She thinks fashion is fun. A lot of people think she’s a vegetarian because of her undying love for vegetables. Gym isn’t her thing, but since she hates being stationary, she takes the stairs instead of riding the elevator, and gets into whatever sport she feels like doing. She won't tell you this upfront, but the truth is: she's a Gypsy Fairy Princess.