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Pinoy Monster, inc.
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Words & ART || Jo Jan Paul J. Peñol
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Stories of mythical creatures have made Filipino kids pant rapidly and curl under their blankets. Some would stay wideeyed all night waiting to hear the sound they make before they attack – here comes the famous word, “Tiktik”.
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The Manananggal This is the oldest known “Batman” – a female version. Manananggal is a winged vampire creature that can detach from its torso and fly at night. It has an elongated tongue that can shoot out to snatch a fetus – no, not balut – but actual human fetus out of a pregnant woman, or the heart out of a human victim. It also has the ability to morph into animals such as cats and pigs. She loves to sound “tiktik” to start the night’s great adventure. The lower part of her body stays on the ground. To kill it, it is believed that putting salt or garlic would hinder the upper body from attaching to the lowest part. Once the upper body lands from extreme fatigue, you can capture it and make Manananggal adobo! Just kidding.
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The Tiyanak This one is an adult-looking baby. Tiyanak usually mimics a newborn baby and cries like one in the serene spot to attract innocent travelers. Once it is picked up, it turns to its true form and attacks the victim – Chuckiestyle! Some say the tiyanak were babies who died before receiving baptismal rites. After death, they go to a place known as Limbo, a ‘chamber’ of Hell where unbaptized dead people fall into and convert into evil spirits. These phantoms return into the earthly realm in the form of goblins to gobble living victims. The tiyanak can also be the offspring between a demon and a human or an aborted fetus,
which comes to life to take revenge on its mother. So, if you don’t want the tiyanak to hunt you, say “No to Abortion!”
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The Kapre This is the Pinoy version of the Bigfoot. Kapres are said to dwell in big trees like acacias, mangoes, bamboo and balete. Kapres are normally described as smoking a big ganja pipe, whose strong smell would attract human attention. Unlike any other supernatural creatures, Kapres can be friendly especially if you don’t make jokes about his strongly-odored foot. In some accounts, the kapre is thought to
hold a magical white stone (like the one owned by Darna), a little smaller in size than a quail egg. Should any person happen to obtain this stone, the kapre could grant wishes. (So, start hunting for the kapre! He may grant your wish to own an iPhone! Hehe)
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Such instances prove the rich folklore of the Philippines – as rich as its natural resources. It’s replete with such creepy creatures – unlimited in form and covered in signature looks. And while many of us think that these creatures are just past childhood torments, yet they’re alive and still frightening – even adults especially in the provinces – but probably not in Baguio City —since it’s cold there! Imagine a manananggal wearing a jacket and a bonnet!
LOUD Issue
vol.103 no.2
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