Philippine Mythology • THE ASWANG PROJECT

Mythology and beliefs from the various cultures of the Philippines. Please use the menu or search function to search for a specific ethnolinguistic group or deity.

A pen and ink sketch of Santilmo flames attacking a boat in the middle of a stormy sea. The few crew members of the small boat struggle to keep the flames at bay.

SANTILMO: The Souls of People Lost at Sea

October 7, 2023 Jordan Clark Creatures & Spirits, Philippine Mythology, Tagalog Mythology & Folk Beliefs

According to the Tagalogs of Oriental Mindoro, the Santilmo is a ball of fire, believed to be the souls of people who perished in the

An older woman with black teeth in a smile.

What Did Precolonial Ilokanos Wear?

March 23, 2023 Jordan Clark Ilokano Mythology & Beliefs

The present lloko population is basically Christian. The majority belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. The rest are affiliated with other Christian denominations such as

A painting of a goddess in the stars, hands out stretched and a figure of a woman on the earth giving praise.

Ilocano Deities of Stars and Planets?

March 23, 2023 Jordan Clark Ilokano Mythology & Beliefs, Philippine Mythology

The present lloko population is basically Christian. The majority belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. The rest are affiliated with other Christian denominations such as

Summary of the Sugidanon (Epics) of Central Panay

November 27, 2022 Jordan Clark Panay Bukidnon Beliefs, Philippine Mythology, Visayan Mythologies & Beliefs, Western Visayas Mythologies & Beliefs

When I create an article for The Aswang Project website, I consider many things. First, I like to have a personal interest in the topic

The deity of the wind, flows through the air. Sketch.

Matabagka Searches for the Deity of the Wind : Summary of the Talaandig Epic of Nalandangan

November 14, 2022 Jordan Clark Bukidnon Beliefs, Mindanao Mythologies & Beliefs, Philippine Mythology

A heroic song that has only recently been made available to students of Philippine literature is “Matabagka Searches for the Deity of the Wind,” collected

Sketch of two women by the river while a man is in front of them on a giant magic crane.

Kudaman: Summary of the Oral Epic from the Palawan Highlands

November 14, 2022 Jordan Clark Palawan Beliefs, Philippine Mythology

Kudaman is one of the 63 epics of Palawan. An epic is called tultul in Palawan culture. It was first recorded and translated into French

Agyu, the hero, throws a spear through a sultan.

Agyu: Summary of the Ilianon Epic of Mindanao

November 14, 2022 Jordan Clark Manobo Beleifs, Mindanao Mythologies & Beliefs, Philippine Mythology

Agyu is a Manobo folk hero, and the epic Agyu of northern and central Mindanao – particularly North Cotabato, Bukidnon – is about him. It

a collage of mermaid images - a sketch on one on a rock, an old 1668 sketch with other sea creatures, and a mermaid dagger with the tail for a sheath.

Kataw, Sirens of the Visayas

October 21, 2022 Jordan Clark Creatures & Spirits, Visayan Mythologies & Beliefs

Kataw is the Visayan name for the “sirena.” As renowned folklorist Damiana Eugenio put it, “in a country where the belief in the sirena is

Kamæn (introducing a baby to the ancestral spirits) | Panay Bukidnon Tradition

October 15, 2022 Jordan Clark Panay Bukidnon Beliefs, Philippine Mythology, Visayan Mythologies & Beliefs, Western Visayas Mythologies & Beliefs

The Panay Bukidnon, or Pan-ayanon, are a culturally indigenous Visayan group of people who reside in the Capiz-Lambunao mountainous area and the Antique-Iloilo mountain area

painting of native suludnon man. three others are seen in the background doing various activities.

The Sulod (Panay Bukidnon) Myth of Creation

October 14, 2022 Jordan Clark Panay Bukidnon Beliefs, Visayan Mythologies & Beliefs, Western Visayas Mythologies & Beliefs

The Panay Bukidnon, or Pan-ayanon, are a culturally indigenous Visayan group of people who reside in the Capiz-Lambunao mountainous area and the Antique-Iloilo mountain area