Pinoy mythical creatures like the tiyanak, manananggal, kapre, among others have figured in many films and in various mutations. But are they true?Bulletin Entertainment consulted metaphysical expert Rey Sibayan to know the nitty-gritty about these scary beings, far from what is shown in movies.Sibayan began: “Before God created the physical reality, God created the non-physical reality…”

Tiyanak: ‘This baby kills! But can anyone kill this baby?’ (Screengrab photo)

Tiyanak

This demonic child has appeared in an iconic Peque Gallaga film (as the “Anak ni Janice”), in “Juan Tanga, Super Naman, at ang Kambal na Tiyanak,” “Impakto” and even in the animated film “Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia.”

While Sibayan said that “there’s no definite definition about tiyanak,” it is believed to imitate an infant or an elemental spirit, like a goblin.

In stories, tiyanak usually cries to get the attention and sympathy of a person. Once it is picked up, it transforms into a monstrous form and attacks its prey.

“In the paranormal or metaphysical field, it is basically a demonic spirit na puwedeng mag-appear anytime, kahit saan. But normally, people believe that itong tiyanak, could be spirits of unborn child na hindi nagma-manifest in material body,” explained Sibayan.

He clarified, though, that “there’s no such thing as tiyanak attack. Maybe attack as parang nanakot lang, maaring humagikgik lang sa tabi, pero I don’t think na merong harm na ginawa sa iba.”

Gardo Versoza as Kanlaon, the male manananggal. Will he find the ‘itinakda?’ (Screengrab photo)

Manananggal

Manananggal, one of aswang varieties, is the Philippines’ badass counterpart of Western vampire. It is said to fly by night with huge bat-like wings while in search of pregnant women and her unborn baby as prey.

In the movies, manananggal is often portrayed as a woman whose upper torso separates from her lower body, but Sibayan said they could also be male and a whole bodied creature.

“Akala mo lumilipad pero they just walk. Nagle-levitate sila sa air, they walk on air,” said Sibayan, based on the testimony of a clairvoyant. “Hindi mo makikita nang harapan iyang mga ‘yan pero kung babaliktad ka at tutuwad ka at titignan mo sa ilalim, you could see them.”

Sibayan debunked the belief that garlic can drive away manananggal. He said that salt, holy water, sacred tools or sting ray tail (buntot pagi) are more effective in warding it off.

The friendly kapre in ‘One Day Isang Araw: Ang Alaga Kong Kapre’ (Screengrab photo)

Kapre

Unlike the tiyanak and manananggal, kapres are sometimes depicted as friendly creatures, as depicted on the kiddie shows “Moomoo & Me,” “Wansapanataym” and “One Day Isang Araw.” Kapres are said to be hairy giants that smoke tobacco and live on trees.

Sibayan’s firsthand account bears out these portrayals.

“I’ve encountered one kapre in Banahaw and he’s a healer kapre. Of course, basically they are using their tobacco (ash) to heal a person. And also, they have family, sons and daughters,” he said.

While these elemental spirits are dubbed as Guardians of Forest, he said that some of them have actually been displaced due to deforestation.

Tikbalang Santana takes selfie (Photo from Vice Ganda’s Instagram account)

Tikbalang

Tikbalang is also a gigantic creature that lurks in the forest. It is like Greek mythology’s centaur or hippocentaur that is half-human, half-horse. A tikbalang, however, has a head of a human with disproportionately long limbs.

The creature is said to be playful especially when it is searching for a partner. A sign that a tikbalang is around could be the smell of burning hair in the air.

Some of the TV series it has appeared on are “Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko” and even in the Canadian supernatural crime drama “Lost Girl.”

It is said that one can tame a tikbalang if you pluck three golden hairs from its mane. It didn’t work out, though, as Vice Ganda found out when he played one named Santana on “Juan Dela Cruz.”

Nuno sa Punso – Claudine Barretto’s friend in ‘Spooky Night Presents: Nuno Sa Feng Shui’ (Screengrab photo)

Nuno Sa Punso

The 1950 film “Nuno sa Punso” shows that these tiny elemental creatures nuno can use their power to give a reward or punishment depending on how you treat them, using their magical power.

“If you go to a place that is very strange sa’yo and you’re a stranger, of course, kung balahura ka du’n sa lugar, they will cause harm against you,” Sibayan noted. “It is very important to say ‘Tabi, tabi po’ to pay courtesy or acknowledge them.”