Deities of Philippine mythology
Encyclopedia
The deities of Philippine mythology are the gods, goddesses and diwata
s worshiped by ancient Filipinos
before the Christianization of the natives after the Spanish conquest of the Philippines. While not as widely known as its European and Asian counterparts, they have similar elements and characteristics when compared to other mythologies.
varies among the many indigenous tribes of the Philippines. Some tribes during the pre-Spanish era believed in a single supreme being
alongside with the lesser divinities who created the world and everything in it while others chose to worship a multitude of trees as an act of animism
. Below are some of the gods and goddesses of the various ancient Philippine tribes:
).
^ In some sources, Bathala is the father of Apolaki, aside from Mayari and Tala hence excluding Hanan.
Diwata
In Philippine mythology, a Diwata , also known as Encantada, is a mythological figure similar to fairies or nymphs. They are nature spirits and live one with mother earth...
s worshiped by ancient Filipinos
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
before the Christianization of the natives after the Spanish conquest of the Philippines. While not as widely known as its European and Asian counterparts, they have similar elements and characteristics when compared to other mythologies.
List of Gods and Goddesses
Ancient Philippine mythologyPhilippine mythology
Philippine mythology include a collection of tales and superstitions about magical creatures and entities. Some Filipinos, even though heavily westernized and Christianized, still believe on these tales...
varies among the many indigenous tribes of the Philippines. Some tribes during the pre-Spanish era believed in a single supreme being
Supreme Being
The term Supreme Being is often defined simply as "God", and it is used with this meaning by theologians of many religious faiths, including, but not limited to, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Deism. However, the term can also refer to more complex or philosophical interpretations of the...
alongside with the lesser divinities who created the world and everything in it while others chose to worship a multitude of trees as an act of animism
Animism
Animism refers to the belief that non-human entities are spiritual beings, or at least embody some kind of life-principle....
. Below are some of the gods and goddesses of the various ancient Philippine tribes:
Ancient Tagalog Deities
This section includes the deities of the Ancient Tagalogs from a certain pantheon story. The first part as shown below were the residents of Kaluwalhatian (Ancient Tagalogs counterpart of Christian's HeavenHeaven
Heaven, the Heavens or Seven Heavens, is a common religious cosmological or metaphysical term for the physical or transcendent place from which heavenly beings originate, are enthroned or inhabit...
).
Name | God(dess) of... | Generation |
---|---|---|
Bathala Bathala In ancient Tagalog Theology Bathala was the Supreme Being; the Omnipotent Creator of the universe. Antonio de Morga, among others, thought that Bathala meant an omen bird , but the author of the Boxer Codex was advised not to use it in this sense because they did not consider it God but only his... |
The supreme god of the Tagalogs; creator of man and earth and addressed sometimes as Bathalang Maykapal. He dwells in Kaluwalhatian together with the lesser gods and goddesses. Aside from the lesser gods and goddesses, he sent his anitos in order to assist the daily lives of every human. When most of the natives were converted to Christianity Christianity Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings... during the Spanish Era, he was referred to the Christian God God God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism.... . |
First[A] |
Amanikable | The ill-tempered god of the sea because among of the first generation gods (aside from Bathala), he was never married after his love was spurned by a beautiful mortal maiden, Maganda. In frustration, he swored vengeance against the humans by sending turbulent waves and horrible tempest in order to wreck boats and to drown men. | First[B] |
Idiyanale | The goddess of labor and good deeds. Natives used to call for her guidance in order to make their works successful. She married Dimangan and had two offspring. | First[C][D] |
Dimangan | The god of good harvest. He was married to Idiyanale and had two offspring. | First |
Lakapati | The goddess of fertility and the most understanding and kind of all the deities. Also known as Ikapati, she was the giver of food and prosperity. Her best gift to mankind was agriculture (cultivated fields). Through this, she was respected and loved by the people. Later, she was married to Mapulon and had a daughter. | First[E] |
Mapulon | The god of seasons and husband of Lakapati of whom they had a daughter. | First |
Mayari Mayari In Tagalog mythology, Mayari is the beautiful lunar deity who was the daughter of Bathala, the king of the gods, to a mortal woman. She is known as the most beautiful deity in Bathala's court... |
The goddess of moon and one of the three daughters of Bathala by a mortal women. She was the most charming of all the goddesses and had two sister namely Tala and Hanan. | Second[F][G] |
Tala Tala (goddess) Tala is the name of the goddess of stars in Tagalog mythology. Her origins are varied depending on region.In one story, sun god Arao and the moon goddess Buan both had large families of stars, but Buan believed her stars could not survive the heat of Arao. They both agreed to destroy their stars.... |
The goddess of the stars; sister of Mayari and Hanan and one of the three daughters of Bathala by a mortal woman. | Second[H] |
Hanan | The goddess of morning; sister of Mayari and Tala and one of the three daughters of Bathala by a mortal woman. | Second |
Dumakulem | The strong, agile guardian of mountains and the son of Idiyanale and Dimangan. His sister was Anitun Tabu. He later married Anagolay. | Second |
Anitun Tabu | The fickle-minded goddess of wind and rain. She was the daughter of Idiyanale and Dimangan and the sister of Dumakulem. | Second |
Anagolay | The goddess of lost things and the only offspring of Lakapati and Mapulon. She was married to Dumakulem. | Second |
Apolaki | The god of sun and was chiefly the patron of warriors. He was the son of Anagolay and Dumakulem. | Third (or Second)[I] |
Diyan Masalanta | The goddess of love, conception and childbirth and the protector of lovers. She was the daughter of Anagolay and Dumakulem and youngest of all the deities. After the conversion of the natives to Christianity Christianity Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings... during the Spanish Era, she was then referred as Maria Makiling Maria Makiling Maria Makiling, sometimes spelled Mariang Makiling, in Philippine Mythology, is a diwata or lambana associated with Mount Makiling in Laguna, Philippines... . |
Third |
^ In some sources, Bathala is the father of Apolaki, aside from Mayari and Tala hence excluding Hanan.
- B^ In some sources, Amanikable is referred as a sea deity of the Manobo tribeManobo languagesThe Manobo languages are a group of languages spoken in the Philippines. All go by the name 'Manobo' or 'Banobo'.-Languages:*Central**East: Dibabawon, Rajah Kabunsuwan, Agusan**South: Ata-Tigwa , Obo**West: Western Bukidnon, Ilianen...
. - C^ In some sources, Idiyanale is identified as the goddess of agriculture.
- D^ In some sources, aside from being a goddess of agriculture, Idiyanale is also identified as the goddess of animal husbandry.
- E^ In some sources, Lakapati is identified as a hermaphrodite.
- F^ In some creation myth, Mayari is the sister of Apolaki.
- G^ In some sources, Mayari is identified as an one-eyed goddess.
- H^ In some creation myth, Tala is the sister of Mayari and Apolaki and the daughter of Bathala.
- I^ In some creation myth, Apolaki is the brother of Mayari and the son of Bathala.
The list includes the god/goddess-like, residents of Kasamaan (Ancient Tagalogs counterpart of Hell
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
). They were the evil entities all opposed to Bathala and the rest of his deities.
Name | Definition |
---|---|
Sitan | The guardian of Kasamaan and the keeper of all the souls that goes therein and hence, the counterpart of Satan Satan Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible... . He had four agents whose task was to lead man to sin and destruction. |
Manggagaway | She was the first agent of Sitan and primarily blamed as cause of diseases. Sometimes, she would change herself into a human form and end up as a false healer. If she wish to kill someone, she would do it by her magic wand. |
Manisilat | The second agent of Sitan as she's tasked to destroy and break every happy and united family that she could find. |
Mangkukulam | The only male agent of Sitan as he's task to emit fire at night and when there is bad weather. Like his fellow agents, he practically change his form as a healer and then induce fire at his victim's house. If the fire will be extinguished immediately, the victim would eventually die. His name remains today as witch. |
Hukluban | The last agent of Sitan that also changes herself into any form she desired. She could kill someone by simply raising her hand and could heal without any difficulty is she wants so. Her name literally means crone or hag. |
Other Tagalog Deities
The list includes the gods and goddesses who don't have a unified pantheon within the Tagalog deities mentioned in Table #1.Name | God(dess) of |
---|---|
Amansinaya | god of fishermen. |
Galang Kaluluwa (Wandering Spirit) | The winged god present in some creation myths who loves to travel. He is identified as a close friend of Bathala. |
Haik | god of the sea. |
Lakambakod | The protector of the growing crops. |
Lakambini | Spanish called him as "Abogado de la Garganta" (The Throat Advocate). He is referred as the god of gluttony, food and eating. |
Lingga | a phallic god. |
Ulilang Kaluluwa (Orphaned Spirit) | It is a serpent god present in some creation myths that was killed by Bathala after an ensuing rival. |
Ancient Bikolano Deities
The list includes the deities of Ancient Bikolanos living in Ibalon (present Bicol RegionBicol Region
The Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. Its regional center is Legazpi City...
).
Name | God(dess) of |
---|---|
Gugurang | The supreme god who dwells inside of Mount Mayon where he guards and protects the sacred fire in which Aswang, his brother was trying to steal. Whenever people disobey his orders, wishes and commit numerous sins, he would cause Mount Mayon to burst lava as a sign of warning for people to mend their crooked ways. Ancient Bikolanos had a rite performed for him called Atang. |
Aswang | The evil god who always try to steal the sacred fire of Mount Mayon from his brother, Gugurang. Addressed sometimes as Asuang, he dwells mainly inside Mount Malinao. As an evil god, he would cause the people to suffer misfortunes and commit sins. |
Haliya | The masked goddess of the moon and the arch-enemy of Bakunawa. Her cult is composed primarily of women. There is also a ritual dance named after her as it is performed to be a counter-measure against Bakunawa. |
Bakunawa Bakunawa The Bakunawa, also spelled Bakonawa, Baconaua, or Bakonaua, is a dragon in Philippine mythology that is often represented as a gigantic sea serpent... |
A gigantic sea serpent deity who is often considered as the cause of eclipses. As the devourer of the sun and the moon, this serpent became an adversary of Haliya. |
Olden Visayan Deities
This section includes the deities of the Visayans from a certain pantheon story.Name | God(dess) of | Generation |
---|---|---|
Kaptan | The supreme god who dwells in the sky. He is the Ancient Visayan counterpart of Bathala Bathala In ancient Tagalog Theology Bathala was the Supreme Being; the Omnipotent Creator of the universe. Antonio de Morga, among others, thought that Bathala meant an omen bird , but the author of the Boxer Codex was advised not to use it in this sense because they did not consider it God but only his... . Of all the supreme deities in the Visayas, he is the most worshiped by the natives. He had a son named Lihangin. |
First |
Magwayen | The goddess of the sea who is believed to take the souls of the dead in Sulad (Ancient Visayan counterpart of Hell Hell In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations... ). She had a daughter named Lidagat. |
First |
Lihangin | The god of the wind and the son of Kaptan. He later married Lidagat and had four children. | Second |
Lidagat | The goddess of the sea after Magwayen. She later married Lihangin and had four children. | Second |
Likabutan | The god of the world and the eldest children of Lihangin and Lidagat. | Third |
Ladlaw | The god of the sun and the second children of Lihangin ang Lidagat. | Third |
Libulan | The goddess of the moon and the third children of Lihangin and Lidagat. | Third |
Lisuga | The deity in which Silalak and Sibabay came from. She was the youngest children of Lihangin and Lidagat. | Third |
Other Visayan deities
The list includes the gods and goddesses who haven't have a unified pantheon within the Visayan deities mentioned in Table #5.Name | God(dess) of |
---|---|
Alunsina | She was the virgin goddess of the eastern skies. |
Bangun Bangun | God of time and cosmic movements. |
Barangaw | He is the god of the rainbow. |
Bulalakaw | Bird god, causer of illness. |
Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan | Goddess of greediness. |
Dalikamata | The many-eyed goddess, cures eye illnesses. |
Inaginid and Malanduk | God invoked for success in battle and plunder. |
Kan-Laon | The supreme god worshiped by the Ancient Visayans who lived in the Negros Island that dwells in Mount Kanlaon. As well as Kaptan, he is the Ancient Visayans counterpart of Bathala Bathala In ancient Tagalog Theology Bathala was the Supreme Being; the Omnipotent Creator of the universe. Antonio de Morga, among others, thought that Bathala meant an omen bird , but the author of the Boxer Codex was advised not to use it in this sense because they did not consider it God but only his... ).and he is the god of time |
Kasaraysarayan sa Silgan | God of rivers. |
Lalahon | She is the goddess of fire, volcanoes and harvest. In ancient times, Ancient Visayans blamed her for sending armies of locusts to destroy their harvests. In response, natives will offer her gifts in order to please her and prevent her from doing that. |
Lubay-Lubyok Hanginun si Mahuyokhuyokan | Goddess of the night breeze. |
Luyong Baybay | Goddess of the tides. |
Magdang Diriinin | God of the lakes. |
Maklium sa Tiwan | God of the valleys and plains. |
Maklium sa Tubig | God of the sea. |
Munsad Buralakaw | God of politics and affairs of men. |
Nagined, Arapayan, and Makbarubak | God who could be appealed to when concocting poisonous oil. |
Pahulangkug | God of seasons. |
Paiburong | God of the middle world. |
Pandaki | God who rescues the deserving for a more pleasant fate. |
Panlinugun | Ruler of the underworld, god of earthquakes. |
Ribung Linti | God of lightning and thunder. |
Santonilyo | God of graces. |
Saraganka Bagyo | God of storms. |
Saragnayan | God of darkness. |
Sidapa | The god of death who is said to reside on top of Mount Madia-as in province of Antique. |
Siginarugan | He is identified as the god of the underworld. |
Suimuran and Suiguinarugan | Gods of hell, the final destination for all deceased souls. |
Suklang Malayon | Goddess of homeliness, sister of Alunsina. |
Sumalongson | God of the rivers and the sea. |
Sumpoy | God of the afterlife. |
Tungkung Langit | Upper world and supreme god, counterpart of Bathala. |
Ynaguinid and Macanduc | Gods of war / battle. |
Tboli deities
- Kadaw La Sambad - The sun god and supreme god. Married to Bulon La Mogoaw, they reside in the seventh heaven. They begot seven sons and daughters who end up marrying each other.
- Bulon La Mogoaw – The moon goddess and supreme goddess, wife of Kadaw La Sambad.
- Cumucul - The eldest son who was given a cohort of fire, a tok (sword), shield, and the magical horse, Kaunting, who can be as small as a mouse when not ridden and who can be kept in a box (This reflects the honor given by the Tboli to eldest sons and the value they accord horses). Cumucul is married to Boi Kabil.
- Sfedat - The second son who married his sister, the second daughter, Bong Libun. This marriage produced no progeny, leading to Sfedat's despondency. One day, he asked his wife to kill him. His corpse became land from which sprouted all kinds of plants and trees.
- Dwata - The third son who married two of his sisters, Sedek We and Hyu We. His request for one of the powers granted Cumucul is refused. Thus, he left the sky with his wives and seven children from Hyu We (Litik, Blanga, Teme Lus, Tdolok, Ginton, Lmugot Mangay, and Fun Bulol) and six from Sedek We. For a place to stay, he asked Bong Libun for the land that was once Sfedat's body. Bong Libun agreed on the condition that she married one of his sons. Dwata spread the land, and planted the trees and other vegetation; the result is earth. The first people were created after Dwata breathed life into the clay figurines made by Hyu We and Sedek We. However Dwata did not fulfill his side of the bargain with Bong Libun, because his sons will not have her as wife.
- Litik - The god of thunder.
- Blanga - The god of stones and rocks.
- Teme Lus - The god of wild beasts.
- Tdolok - The god of death.
- Ginton - The god of metallurgy.
- Lmugot Mangay - The god of life and of all growing things.
- Fun Bulol - The god of the mountains.
- Bong Libun – Married to her brother Sfedat, however their marriage did not produce any progeny that lead to Sfedat’s despondency. Sfedat asked her to kill him, when she did as she was told, the corpse of Sfedat became land. Her other brother Dwata asked her for a piece of land that was once Sfedat’s body for a place to stay. She agreed on the condition that she married one of his sons. Dwata spread the land, and planted trees and other vegetation; the result is earth. The first people were created after Dwata breathed life into the clay figurines made by Hyu we and Sedek We. However, Dwata does not fulfill his side of the bargain with Bong Libun, because his sons will not have her as wife. She married her youngest brother Datu Bnoling. With him she had seven sons, who became scourges of the earth: Fun Knkel, Fun Daskulo, Fun Lkef, Fun Kumuga, Fun Blekes, and Fun Lalang.
- Fun Knkel - The god of fever.
- Fun Daskulo - The god of head diseases.
- Fun Lkef - The god of colds.
- Fun Kumuga - The god of eye afflictions.
- Fun Blekes - The god of skin diseases.
- Fun Lalang - The god of baldness.
- Loos Klagan and La Fun - The divine couple; to alleviate the damage done by the scourges (the sons of Bong Libun and Datu Bnoling) they assumed the role of healers.
- Muhen – A bird who is one of the most influential figures in the Tboli pantheon who is considered the god of fate, whose song when heard is thought to presage misfortune. Any undertaking is immediately abandoned or postponed when one hears the Muhen sing.
Ilokano deities
The list of Ilokano deities below is from Llamzon (1978:38).- Buni - God
- Parsua - Creator
- Apo Langit - Lord Heaven (Apo means "Lord")
- Apo Angin - Lord Wind
- Apo Init - Lord Sun
- Apo Tudo - Lord Rain
The Ilokanos also believed in the following anito (spirits).
- Mangmankik - spirits who dwell in woodlands and trees
- Kaibaan - dwarfs who dwell in anthills
- Bagbagutot - spirits who swell in shrubs
- Namagayak - the soul of the rice (pagay)
Other mythological creatures are:
- Katataoan - giants
- Ansisit - dwarfs the size of a finger
- Kaibaan - dwarfs two to three feet tall
- Pugot - spirits of ancestral aborigines (Aetas) who guard treasures
- Kumao - half-bird half-animals
- Aswang - spirits that sell and kidnap children
The Ilokanos believed that man had three souls.
- Karma - ego: responsible for the normal feeling in the individual. It is thought of as vapor and assumes the form of insects after leaving the body.
- Alingaas - shadow
- Kararwa - soul, which existed even after death
Kapampangan deities
- Mangechay or Mangacha - The great elder, is said the creator of the Heavens, it is said that she is the 'net weaver' with the sky as her weaved fabric and at night the stars that shine are the fabric holes.
- Aring Sinukûan – The Kapampangan sun god of war and death, taught the early inhabitants the industry of metallurgy, wood cutting, rice culture and even waging war.
- Apûng Malyari – The moon god who lives in Mt. Pinatubo and ruler of the eight rivers.
- Tálâ – The bright star, the one who introduced wet-rice culture.
- Munag Sumalâ – One of the children of Aring Sinukuan who represent dawn. Also known as the golden serpent.
- Lakandanup – Son of Aring Sinukuan, the god of gluttony and represents the sun at noon time.
- Gatpanapun – Son of Aring Sinukuan, the noble who only knew pleasure, his name means 'afternoon' in Kapampangan language.
- Sisilim – The child of Apûng Malyari, she represent dusk and greeted by the songs of the cicada upon her arrival, her name means dusk or early evening in Kapampangan language.
- Galurâ - The winged assistant of Aring Sinukuan, he is represented by a giant eagle and believed to be the bringer of storms.
- Nága - Are serpent deities known for their protective nature. Their presence in structures are talismans against fire.
- Lakandanum - A variant of the Naga, known to rule the waters
Bilaan deities
- Melu – The Supreme Being and creator. He is assisted by Fiu Weh and Tasu Weh.
- Fiu Weh – The good spirit.
- Tasu Weh – The evil spirit.
- Fon Kayoo – The spirit of the trees.
- Fon Eel – The spirit of water.
- Fon Batoo – The spirit of rocks and stones.
- Loos Klagan– The most feared deity, uttering his name is considered a curse.
Batak deities
- Maguimba - Who in remotest times lived among the people, having been summoned by a powerful babaylan, and he supplied all the necessities of Batak life, as well as all the cures for illness. He even had the power to bring the dead back to life.
- Diwata - Provided for the needs of men and women, and gives out rewards for good deeds. Sanbay is a ritual in honor of Diwata, who is asked by the people to bless them with generous harvests of palay (unhusked rice) and honey. This ritual takes place inside a forest, about 2–3 km from the beach. Two huts are constructed for the ritual. Palay is placed in one of the huts. A replica of a beehive, meanwhile, is situated in another small hut. Prayers are recited to Diwata by the babaylan, after which the people in attendance gather together in festive eating, drinking, and dancing.
- Angoro - Lives in Basad, a place beyond this world where the souls of the dead go, and it is there where they come to know if they are to proceed to Lampanag (heaven)or be cast into depths of the Basad , where fire and boiling water await these hapless ones.
There are also lesser gods in the Batak pantheon, some of whom are Siabuanan, Bankakah, Paraen, Buengelen, and Baybayen. They are deities of great strength.
- Batungbayanin - Spirit of the mountains.
- Paglimusan - Spirit of the small stones.
- Balungbunganin - Spirit of the almaciga trees.
- Sulingbunganin - Spirit of the big rocks.
Palawan Deities
- Ampu - The god who wove the world and created several kinds of humanity, hence he is also called "Nagsalad", the Weaver. He is the supreme deity in a system of religious thought that can be qualified as "theist" and “animist." He is a protective watching presence, always invisible to tawbanar or the real people. In the verticality of the universe, andunawan represents his abode. While people live on dunya or earth.
- Diwata - A benevolent and protective deity stays in lalangaw, the median space, he is the mediator between humans and Ampu.
- Ampu at Paray - The god of Rice.
- Linamin at Barat - The goddess of the Monsoon Winds.
- Linamin at Bulag - The goddess of the Dry Season.
- Upa Kuyaw - God of Thunder.
Bukidnon Deities
- Magbabaya (The Ruler of All) - The supreme god who has minor gods and goddesses beneath him to do specific jobs and take care of certain things, he is also the god of the west.
- Domalondong – The god of the north.
- Ongli – The god of the south.
- Tagolambong – The god of the east.
- Ibabasok - He watches over the crops and their growth in a simple ceremony at the center of the rice field.
- Dagingon – They worship this deity in an elaborated celebration complete with songs and dances which will last for nine nights during planting and after harvest seasons.
- Bulalakaw - The spirit who watches the rivers and takes care of the fishermen's catch.
- Tumpaa Nanapiyaw or Intumbangol - Watches the base of the earth night and day lest it crumbles.
Isneg Deities
The spiritual world of the Isneg is populated by more than 300 anito (spirits) who assume various forms. There are actually no gods or hierarchical deities in the otherworld of the Isneg, only good or bad spirits.- Anlabban - The spirit who looks after the general welfare of the people and is recognized as the special protector of hunters.
- Bago - The spirit of the forest.
- Sirinan - The river spirit.
- Landusan - Held responsible for some cases of extreme poverty. Those believed to be suffering from the machinations of this spirit are said to be malandusan (impoverished).
There are spirits who come to help the reapers in gathering the harvest. They are known as Abad, Aglalannawan, Anat, Binusilan, Dawiliyan, Dekat, Dumingiw, Imbanon, Gimbanona, Ginalinan, Sibo, and a group of sky dwellers collectively known as the Ilanit.
- Alupundan - Causes the reapers' toes to get sore all over and swell.
- Arurin - She sees to it that the harvest is bad, if the Isneg farmers fail to give her share.
- Dagdagamiyan - A female spirit who causes sickness in children for playing in places where the harvest is being done.
- Darupaypay - Devours the palay stored in the hut before it is transferred to the granary.
- Ginuudan - Come to measure the containers of palay, and causes it to dwindle.
- Sildado - Resembles a horse, and kills children who play noisily outside the house.
- Inargay - Kills people during harvest time. When inapugan, a ritual plant is offered to Inargay, the following prayer is recited by the Isneg farmer: "Iapugko iyaw Inargay ta dinaami patpatay" (I offer this betel to you, Inargay, so that you may not kill us).
- Alipugpug - A good harvest is portended by the rising of a little whirlwind from the burned field. This, it is said, is the spirit of Alipugpug.
- Pilay - Rice pudding is offered to Pilay, the spirit of the rice, who resides on the paga, a shelf above the Isneg hearth. This is the pisi, the ritual offering of food to the spirits. The old woman who performs this utters the following prayer: "Ne uwamo ilay ta ubatbattugammo ya an-ana-a, umaammo ka mabtugda peyan" (Here, this is yours, Pilay, so that you feed my children fully, and make sure that they are always satisfied). Another ritual is performed right in the fields where the harvest is going on. The amulets inapugan, takkag (a kind of fern), and herbs are tied to a stalk of palay, which later will be place in the granary before the other palay. Again, these are reserved for Pilay. In case a new granary is built, and the contents of the old granary transferred, the spirit's special share is also transferred to the new place. It is never consumed.
Tiruray Deities
Minaden – The goddess who creates of the world, had a brother named Tulus, also called Meketefu and Sualla.Tulus - Is the chief of all good spirits who bestow gifts and favors upon human beings. He goes around with a retinue of messengers called telaki. Tulus is said to have rectified some errors in the first creation of the world and of human beings.
Mangyan Deities
Mahal na Makaako – The Supreme Being who gave life to all human beings merely by gazing at them.Binayi – Owner of a garden where all spirits rest.
Binayo - Is a sacred female spirit, caretaker of the rice spirits or the kalag paray. She is married to the spirit Bulungabon. The kalag paray must be appeased, to ensure a bountiful harvest. It is for this reason that specific rituals are conducted in every phase of rice cultivation. Some of these rituals include the panudlak, the rite of the first planting; the rite of rice planting itself; and the rites of harvesting which consist of the magbugkos or binding rice stalks, and the pamag-uhan, which follows the harvest.
Bulungabon – The spirit aided by 12 fierce dogs. Erring souls are chased by these dogs are eventually drowned in a caldron of boiling water. He is Binayo’s husband.
Tinguian Deities
Bagatulayan – The Supreme Being and Creator of the world. He lives and rules the celestial realm, directing its activities.Kadaklan - Is a deity subordinate to Bagatulayan. He is a friendly spirit who teaches the Tinguian how to pray, harvest their crops, ward off evil spirits, and overcome bad omens and cure sicknesses.
Apadel or Kalagang - A deity who is known to be the guardian and dweller of the spirit-stones called pinaing which play an important role in the spiritual world of the Tinguian. Of various sizes and shapes, the pinaing are usually found in sports marked out as hallowed ground, often under old trees, and are deemed to be the protectors of such places and of the creatures who live in the forests.
Makaboteng (one who frightens) – A benevolent spirit who dwells in the natural surroundings, believed to be the guardian of the deer and the wild pigs.
Talaandig Deities
Magbabaya – The Supreme God.Dadagunan hu Suguy – A house spirit who guard of the lawn of the house.
Anilaw ha Sumagda – A house spirit, the guard of the door.
Sinyuda Kahibunan – A house spirit, the keeper of the hall.
Diwata ha Manilib – A house spirit who records the activity of people inside the house
Diwata Pinatanlay – A house spirit who guard the house at the ridge of the roof.
Gaddang Deities
Nanolay - Is both creator of all things and a culture hero. In the latter role, he is a beneficent deity. Nanolay is described in myth as a fully benevolent deity, never inflicting pain or punishment on the people. He is responsible for the origin and development of the world.Ofag - Nanolay's cousin.
Dasal - To whom the epic warriors Biwag and Malana prayed for strength and courage before going off to their final battle.
Bunag - The god of the earth.
Limat - The god of the sea.
Ifugao Deities
Mah-nongan - The chief god generally refer to as the honorary dead and creator of all things, even though Ifugaos do not consider any of their deities as supreme.Liddum - Is regarded as the chief mediator between the people and the other gods.
Monlolot - The winder of thread on the spindle, one of the twenty-three different deities preside over the art of weaving.
Mamiyo - Stretcher of skeins, one of the twenty-three different deities preside over the art of weaving.
Bumigi - In charge of worms, one of the eleven beings importuned to stamp out rice pests.
Lumadab - Has the power to dry up the rice leaves, one of the eleven beings importuned to stamp out rice pests.
Ampual - Of the Fourth Skyworld, is the god who bestowed animals and plants on the people and who controls the transplanting of rice. He is one of those gods who expects gifts in return for his blessings.
Wigan - Is the god of good harvest.
Puwok - Controls the dread typhoons.
Yogyog and Alyog - Cause the earth to quake. They dwell in the underworld.
Ilongot Deities
Abal – He and his brother Cain are the creators and guardian lords of all things. They are benevolent and their particular care is that of the people who live on earth. They are invincible and live in the sky Taon, sometimes on the sun Elag, or the moon Dalan, or perchance some star Pandac. Their messengers are called Binangunan or Cabuligian. Cain and Abal travel from place to place. Their road is called Keat (lightning). Kidu (thunder) follows the road. In the beginning, Cain and Abal lived together in the sky; but they had a quarrel and separated, as Abal wanted to live on earth where he could herd his animals. He was the one who created the lowlanders, who have the use of his carabaos and other animals.Cain - Created all the mountain people, including the Ilongots. He gave them their customs, which they have followed throughout the centuries. He was a killer and a head-hunter; so they are also. Abal is stronger and more powerful than Cain and so there are more lowlanders than mountain people.
Oden – The rain, they worship him (it) for its life-giving water.
Elag - The sun, they worship him (it) so as the moon and stars because they give life and growth. He has a great, magnificent house in Gacay. When he gets tired giving light and goes into his house, it is night.
Delan - The moon, usually he and Elag are congenial and take turns giving light; but sometimes they quarrel and Elag covers Delan more or less with a great, huge winnowing biga-o (basket). Thus we have the different phases of the moon.
Gemang - The guardian of wild beasts. When a party of men is starting on a hunt, they build a fire, take hold of the dogs and the weapons and pass them one by one through the smoke. The last dog to be passed through the smoke is the leader of the pack. After taking it out of the smoke, the owner spits on its face, and rubs the saliva down its back and sides. Meanwhile, he has been talking and shouting to Gemang, saying: “Do not let our dogs get sick. You must give us one of your animals. Do not take the form of a wild beast so that the dogs chase you by mistake. If you will let the dogs catch one beast, then we will give you to eat and drink and likewise your wife.” Following this ceremony, the part starts out in a successful hunt.
Lampong - The dwarf shepherd of the wild animals.
Agta Deities
There are four manifestations of the "great creator" who rules the world: Tigbalog is the source of life and action; Lueve takes care of production and growth; Amas moves people to pity, love, unity, and peace of heart; while Binangewan is responsible for change, sickness, and death.Gutugutumakkan – The Supreme Being.
Kedes - The god of the hunt.
Pawi - The god of the forest.
Sedsed - The god of the sea.
List of Famous Diwatas
Aside from the gods and goddesses, ancient Filipinos also worshiped numerous forest deities known as diwataDiwata
In Philippine mythology, a Diwata , also known as Encantada, is a mythological figure similar to fairies or nymphs. They are nature spirits and live one with mother earth...
s (Filipinos
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
counterpart of nymph
Nymph
A nymph in Greek mythology is a female minor nature deity typically associated with a particular location or landform. Different from gods, nymphs are generally regarded as divine spirits who animate nature, and are usually depicted as beautiful, young nubile maidens who love to dance and sing;...
s/enchanter or enchantress). There are lot of diwatas in the Philippine mythology
Philippine mythology
Philippine mythology include a collection of tales and superstitions about magical creatures and entities. Some Filipinos, even though heavily westernized and Christianized, still believe on these tales...
and folklore but this section includes only the list of well-known.
Name | Definition |
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Maria Makiling Maria Makiling Maria Makiling, sometimes spelled Mariang Makiling, in Philippine Mythology, is a diwata or lambana associated with Mount Makiling in Laguna, Philippines... |
The most famous of all the enchantress in the Philippine mythology Philippine mythology Philippine mythology include a collection of tales and superstitions about magical creatures and entities. Some Filipinos, even though heavily westernized and Christianized, still believe on these tales... and folklore. She was the protector and guardian of Mount Makiling Mount Makiling Mount Makiling, also rarely Mount Maquiling, is a potentially active volcano in Laguna province on the island of Luzon, Philippines. It rises to 1,090 m above mean sea level.-Legend:... located in Los Baños Los Banos Los Banos could refer to:*Los Banos, California, United States*Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines... , Laguna. Thus, modern sightings of her were even reported. Maria Makiling is a common theme among Filipino artists, ranging from painters and sculptors to graphic novelists Graphic novel A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format... . Before, the Spanish arrived in the Philippines, she was known as Diyan Masalanta. |
Maria Sinukuan Maria Sinukuan Maria Sinukuan is the diwata or mountain goddess associated with Mount Arayat in Pampanga, Philippines, similar to Maria Makiling of Los Baños and Maria Cacao of Cebu.-Basic legend:... |
She was the resident and protector of Mount Arayat Mount Arayat Mount Arayat is an extinct stratovolcano on Luzon Island, Philippines, rising to a height of There is no recorded eruption of the volcano, and its last activity probably dates to the Holocene era.The volcano is located in a flat agricultural region at... located in Arayat, Pampanga Pampanga Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast... . |
Maria Cacao Maria Cacao Maria Cacao is the diwata or mountain goddess associated with Mount Lantoy in Argao, Cebu, Philippines, similar to Maria Makiling of Los Baños and Maria Sinukuan of Mount Arayat.... |
She dwells in Mount Lantoy Mount Lantoy Mount Lantoy is a 593-meter mountain located 10 kilometers inland from the municipality of Argao, Cebu in the Philippines.-Watershed forest reserve:... , Argao, Cebu Argao, Cebu Argao is a 1st class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 62,226 people.-Location:... where she had a cacao trees, hence a plantation outside her own cave. After harvest, rain comes that wash down the mountain, enabling her to float down to the towns below in her golden ship to sell her products. |
Diwata ng Kagubatan (Enchantress of the Forest) | Also known as Virgen Del Monte, she was worshiped by the ancient Cuyunon Cuyunon Cuyunon refers to an ethnic group populating Cuyo, northern and central Palawan. The Cuyunons are originally from Cuyo, and the surrounding Cuyo Islands, a group of islands and islets in Sulu Sea, to the north eastern of Palawan... of Cuyo Island, Palawan Palawan Palawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region or Region 4. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction. The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the... . She is honored in a celebrated feast, periodically held atop of Mount Caimana in the mentioned island. When most of the natives were converted to Christianity Christianity Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings... during the Spanish Era, about 2/3 of the converted Cuyunon are still celebrating her feast that upset the Spanish authorities. The situation led the Spanish authorities to intensify their evangelization and governance efforts. |