When it comes to Halloween monsters, the first things that will probably come to your mind are vampires, werewolves, and goblins. But Philippine folklore also has a rich collection of creatures that would fit the occasion. Here are some of the scariest local monsters to frighten people with during your Halloween parties.
Philippine folklore monster #1: Manananggal
The manananggal is considered as one of the quintessential monsters of Philippine mythology and folklore. Its concept alone is sure to get shivers down your spine. Imagine seeing a woman with only half a body and giant bat wings flying towards you in the dead of the night. That’s not even going into the bit where it eats unborn fetuses.
With its prominence in Philippine folklore, the manananggal is a frequent go-to monster for many local horror movies. One of the most memorable portrayals is in Shake, Rattle, and Roll IV’s Ang Madre episode. In one scene, the titular Madre (Aiko Melendez) undergoes a painful and horrifying transformation into the winged creature.
Hollywood has also taken a fancy to the creature, with several works alluding to it. In the tie-in graphic novel for the Supernatural TV series, for instance, the main characters find themselves fighting one in the Sierra Nevada desert. The creature also shows up in the fifth episode of the Marvel: Blade anime.
Philippine folklore monster #2: Batibat
While its name might make you snicker a bit, the batibat is a strong contender as one of the scariest monsters from Philippine mythology. The batibat is a creature of Ilocano folklore that is said to attack its victims while their sleep. It is often described as a fat ogre that sits on the chest of its victims, making it hard for them to breathe.
What makes the batibat very frightening is that it attacks without warning, If one falls asleep near its territory, they can be targeted. Some even say that if you cut the tree that it dwells in and use it to build your house or household items, it will come and invade your home.
The only way to deal with a batibat attack is to try and wake up the victim. This is often done by wiggling their toes or biting their thumbs. Its other name bangungot eventually became the local term for nightmares and what is now known as Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome.
Philippine folklore monster #3 Mambabarang
The mambabarang isn’t technically a monster by strict definition but its powers are still frightening. It is often associated with the mangkukulam, another witch archetype in Philippine folklore. The main difference between the two is that the mambabarang specifically uses insects to do its bidding. The witch keeps their insect familiars in a jar or bamboo section until needed.
To attack their target, the mambabarang only has to remember the face and name of heir target. They then do a ritual where they whisper instructions and information to the insect and set them free.
Once the insects find the target, they crawl into its body through the mouth, ears, or open wounds. Victims soon display a variety of symptoms like headaches, earaches, and hemorrhoids. Some legends also say insects soon come out from the body of the victim.
To combat the mambabarang, local witch doctors or albularyos are often called to cure the victims. They are said to cast a spell against the mambabarang and make them feel the same pain they inflicted. The counter would only be lifted if the witch removes the curse and the victim is well again.
Philippine folklore monster #4: Tik-tik
The tik-tik is another member of the aswang family of Philippine folklore monsters like the manananggal. The difference between them is that it doesn’t split its body into two. It is instead described as a large bird-like creature known for the loud call it makes (tik tik) when approaching its victims.
Like the manananggal, the tik-tik is said to eat human fetuses. But it can also attack and eat grown adults, grabbing them with its claws. It is said that when the tik-tik is nearing a house, its calls get louder but if it suddenly becomes quiet, It is just nearby waiting for an ambush.
Philippine folklore monster #5: Matruculan
You will likely notice that eating fetuses is a common motif for scary Philippine folklore monsters. The matruculan from Tagalog folklore essentially follows the same pattern. It is often described as having long hair, hideous face, and sharp claws.
What makes the matruculan stand out is the disturbing way it gets its “food.” In some legends, the creature is said to look for virgin women and impregnate them. It then returns later to kill the woman and feed on the unborn fetus. In other versions, the mother is also eaten. However, you can supposedly ward it off by swinging a balisong over the woman’s belly when she is in labor.
Let these creatures from Philippine mythology scare you
While these various Philippine folklore monsters are just products of our ancestors’ imagination, they still make for a good scare during modern Halloween parties. They also provide plenty of insights into our old beliefs and customs. Read up on them and you will surely come up with a lot of scary stories for the occasion.