TIKBALANG & MANANANGGAL Bridge!

A few weeks ago I came across an Instagram photo showing a Tikbalang  statue decorating a bridge.   A quick Google search told me it was located at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar  – an open air museum and heritage park in Bagac, Bataan, Philippines.  I made a Facebook post and then didn’t put any more thought into it until someone asked , “Why are they there?”  Some further investigation was clearly needed.

A tikbalang statue stands with arms crossed near the lower arch of a medium sized stone bridge.
Tikbalang statue at the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Lola Basyang bridge. photo credit: Ginny Calaycay

The Wikipedia page for Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar explains: “José “Gerry” Acuzar, owner of New San Jose Builders started to rebuild Spanish mansions in Bagac in 2003.  Each house was dismantled brick by brick, numbered, transported to his property in Bagac, reassembled in the same order, and then restored. Houses were chosen based on their historical, cultural and architectural value.  Seven years later, in 2010, the heritage park was opened to public.

So what about the bridge?  Apparently, Acuzar intended it as a reproduction of the 1916 Jones Bridge (that replaced the Puente de España bridge) spanning the Pasig River.  This first Jones Bridge was destroyed by bombing during WWII and the Jones Bridge 2 is what stands there now.

Jones Bridge with classical motifs on the arches spanning over the Pasig River, Manila Philippines in the 1930's
Jones Bridge over the Pasig River, Manila in the 1930’s

Near the bridge in Bagac, there is a tribute statue of Lola Basyang telling stories to children – “Lola Basyang” was the pen name of playwright Severino Reyes, who became famous for his fantasy / adventure stories and his major contribution to Philippine lore and children’s literature.

Upper torso of the Lola Basyang statue, shawl drapped across shoulders, with a Spanish style heritage home in the background.
Lola Basyang statue Photo Credit: Leo Mercado Lagado II

The Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Jones bridge was also decorated with Philippine mythical creatures like the tikbalang (part man and part horse), engkanto (nymphs and ghouls), siokoy (mermen) and more.   As a result, the bridge is affectionately known to tourists as “The Lola Basyang Bridge”.  What an incredible way to encourage young minds to explore Philippine literature, and embrace the folklore that is unique to their country.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if more places  followed suit?

The back of the Lola Basyang statue shows her reading to a child in front of her. The Jones Bridge is in the background.
Lola Basyang reads to a child.

 

The Lola Basyang stone bridge. Five arches span the river with a Manananggal and tikbalang guarding the center one.
Lola Basyang Bridge. Photo Credit: Leo Mercado Lagado II

 You can click here for details on how to travel from Manila to Bagac, Bataan via car, bus, taxi or Ferry.
A map with instructions showing how to travel from Manila to Bagac, Bataan.

 

 

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