Sundays with Lola

Lola's Book of Creatures

“Here are the creatures I grew up with in Manila. I'll tell you what they look like, where their stories come from, and how to stay on their good side. Say tabi tabi po, and come in.”

Lola

A free guide to the mythical creatures of Philippine folklore: what each one is, where its story comes from, how to say its name, and how to stay on its good side.

13 creatures so far, with more on the way.

A gentle kapre with mossy hair full of leaves and fireflies, sitting on a branch

Shape-shifters

Shape-shifterAswangThe aswang is a shape-shifter from Filipino folklore who looks like an ordinary neighbor by day and turns into a big black dog, pig or bird at night.Spooky

Shape-shifterManananggalThe manananggal is a Filipino folklore creature who, at night, leaves her legs behind and flies off on bat wings.Spooky

Giants

GiantKapreThe kapre is a gentle tree giant from Filipino folklore who lives in big old trees, with leaves and fireflies in his long beard.Spooky

House and nature spirits

House and nature spiritDiwataA diwata is a fairy or guardian spirit from Filipino folklore who protects forests, mountains and rivers, like the famous Maria Makiling.Spooky

House and nature spiritDuwendeThe duwende is a tiny house goblin from Filipino folklore who lives in walls, under stairs or in anthills, and loves to hide your things.Spooky

House and nature spiritNuno sa PunsoThe nuno sa punso is a tiny old man from Filipino folklore who lives in anthills and gets cranky if you disturb his home.Spooky

House and nature spiritSantelmoThe santelmo is a wandering ball of light from Filipino folklore that floats over rivers, fields and roads at night.Spooky

House and nature spiritTikbalangThe tikbalang is a very tall trickster from Filipino folklore with the head of a horse, who likes to lead travelers in circles until they're lost.Spooky

House and nature spiritTiyanakThe tiyanak is a forest spirit from Filipino folklore that, people say, cries like a lost baby to trick travelers into wandering off the path.Spooky

Sea and sky creatures

Sea or sky creatureBakunawaThe bakunawa is a giant sea serpent from Filipino folklore who loves the moon so much that he tries to swallow it, which is how the old stories explain an eclipse.Spooky

Sea or sky creatureSirenaThe sirena is the mermaid of Filipino folklore, a sea maiden with a fish's tail who sings so beautifully that fishermen forget to row home.Spooky

Witches and healers

Witch or healerMangkukulamThe mangkukulam is a witch from Filipino folklore who, people say, casts spells called kulam that make you feel sick or itchy.Spooky

Strange animals

Strange animalSigbinThe sigbin is a strange little animal from Visayan folklore that looks like a hornless goat with giant ears and walks backward with its head between its hind legs.Spooky