Folklore ng Pilipinas

[Rocky_nBullwinkle 6]

Maria Makiling

Maria Makiling is a character in Philippine mythology who is said to be a diwata, (equivalent of a fairy or goddess). She inhabits Mount Makiling in Laguna province, and protects the animals and plants of the mountain from those who would harm or defile it. Folklore usually portrays her as kind and generous towards human beings, giving them gifts and blessings. But when she is provoked to anger by the greed or cruelty of humans, she withdraws her favors and/or dispenses frightening punishments.

Her true name is not known; she is simply called "Maria Makiling" because "Maria" is a generic name for a woman, and "makiling" (crooked/uneven) refers to the mountain. Some say that "Maria Makiling" is the Spanish-era name of Dian Masalanta, the ancient Tagalog goddess of love, pregnancy and childbirth.

Stories

In one story, a man was hunting a wild boar in the mountain, and pursued it all the way to Maria's hut. Although she admonished him for harassing the boar, which was one of her creatures, she allowed him to come inside to rest and eat. Later, as he was leaving, she gave him a salakot full of ginger to bring home to his wife for cooking. As the man was walking down the mountain, the hat seemed to grow heavier and heavier; so he took out most of the ginger and threw it away. But once he was at home, he discovered that the remaining pieces of "ginger" had turned to solid gold. No matter how he searched, he never could find the other pieces that he had thrown away.

In another story, Maria had a lover who was a kind and handsome young farmer. The farmer's animals were always healthy, his crops always bountiful, and his fields were never harmed by storms or drought, thanks to Maria's protection. But one day, when all the unmarried men in the province were being conscripted to fight in the army, the young farmer's parents decided to keep him safe by marrying him off to the daughter of a rich family. He went one last time to visit Maria, who regretfully agreed that he belonged with a mortal woman and bade him goodbye, giving him a dress and jewelry for his bride to wear for the wedding. According to the story, ever since then, Maria no longer appears to people.

In a slightly different version, Maria actually had three suitors: a humble farmer, a rich mestizo, and a Spanish officer. When she declared her love for the farmer, the two other men were angry, and collaborated with each other to get revenge. They had the farmer arrested on trumped-up charges and sentenced to death. Just before he was executed, the farmer called Maria's name; but by the time she had rushed down the mountain, it was already too late. The grief-stricken Maria angrily denounced the townspeople for allowing an innocent man to be executed. Frightened, the two would-be suitors quickly fled the province; but Maria's vengeance found them, and they both met violent deaths.

A more modern account tells of a group of hikers on Mount Makiling who left their camp littered with human waste and empty cans and bottles. Searching for water, the hikers found themselves returning to the same spot over and over again, no matter how far they walked. Only after they cleaned up their camp did they manage to find water.

References

• The Legend of Mariang Makiling, retold by Jose Rizal
• The Legend of Maria Makiling, retold by Michelle Lanuza
• MGA ALAMAT NG P'NAS
• Maria Makiling

http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Maria_Makiling

[JORDANTONI09 10]

I have to say that my favorite has always been "Ibong Adarna"...

I was bombarded with the "Alamat ng Pinya" when I was younger.

My elementary teacher used to call us brats so she made sure to straighten us up!

My future kids will be reading Philippine Mythology.

Great thread!

[bowgirl 8]

I remember "Alamat ng Pinya"..i think it's the most famous "alamat' in Philippines..and the one about why "ampalaya" is bitter

[JORDANTONI09 10]

Alamat ng Pinya is pretty funny, eh?

I felt guilty after the nth time I had to read it.

Ampalaya? What's that one about?

You roused my curiosity! LOL.

[Don José 2]

I have to say that my favorite has always been "Ibong Adarna"...

Betcha ain't seen "Ang Ibon Ni Pedro"!

[Don José 2]

Seriously, I like the legend of Juan Tamad.

[Rocky_nBullwinkle 6]

I have to say that my favorite has always been "Ibong Adarna"...

Betcha ain't seen "Ang Ibon Ni Pedro"!

My favorite is "Of Cocks and Hens" by Alejandro Roces. Which comes first, the chicken, or the egg?

[PhiLandShiR 18]

The egg must come first of course.

-P

I have to say that my favorite has always been "Ibong Adarna"...

Betcha ain't seen "Ang Ibon Ni Pedro"!

My favorite is "Of Cocks and Hens" by Alejandro Roces. Which comes first, the chicken, or the egg?

[mari joe 1]

Yes the egg came first., because eggs were around long before the chicken ever evolved.

[Rocky_nBullwinkle 6]

Yes the egg came first., because eggs were around long before the chicken ever evolved.

No, the chicken came first before the egg. When God created Adam and Eve, he also created the animals and the cycle goes on.

[JORDANTONI09 10]

I have to say that my favorite has always been "Ibong Adarna"...

Betcha ain't seen "Ang Ibon Ni Pedro"!

Cochino.. LOL. That was funny! Speaking of folklore, there are nice Mexican ones too! "The Girl in White" is my favorite spooky story. It's about the ghost of Consuela.

I have a collection of Mexican, French, Greek (the list goes on..) books but the Mexican ones and Filipino of course, I enjoyed the most!

I heard one from my fiance and it was about, "La llorona"??? The jealous wife who drowned her two children and wandered the earth wailing to search for them.

That one was creepy!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Philippine folklore is filled with gruesome and frightening creatures guaranteed to cause fear and terror among the populace.

The Manananggal butchers human prey and feasts on its heart and liver. Imagine seeing a half-bodied, flying creature with wild, flaming eyes and sharp teeth, hungrily searching for its next victim. A manananggal is a beautiful female by day who turns into blood-devouring monster at night. At midnight, especially on a full moon, it applies a special oil on its body while chanting a prayer. Fangs, claws, and wings emerge until the manananggal separates from its upper torso, usually with its guts hanging out.

Walking past big, old trees, and suddenly smelling a whiff of tobacco would alert the unwary to the sight of the Tikbalang! The tikbalang is half-human, half-horse. It commonly plays tricks on its victims, scaring them away or leading them astray from their paths.

Beware of strange people following you around, because you'll never know which one is real and which one would prey on your guts and organs. Aswang usually assume the countenance of ordinary humans, but, being shape shifters, they also have the ability to transform into a wild, voracious beast once they find prospective victims. They can take the form of a dog, boar, bull or any animal, and they prey on weaker victims like children and old people, but will also attack any single unguarded individual.

When wandering in or near forested areas, be on the alert when you hear the sound of an infant crying. Don't try to look for it, lest you be the victim of the Tiyanak. The tiyanak is vampiric in nature and begins its monstrous life as an aborted or dead fetus that was not baptized before burial. Evil spirits possess the infant's body and use it to kill by eating the victim's inner organs and drinking its blood.

Stay clear of abandoned structures or old, big trees for you might encounter a freaky monster carrying decapitated heads. Called the Pugot, this monster manifests itself as a self-beheaded ghost, or as a headless giant waiting in lonely places to behead its unlucky victim.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Continued

Never ever play on anthills for you might disturb the Nuno sa Punso. These dwarf-like creatures (duwende or encantado) curse disrespectful passersby who even inadvertently disturb or destroy their habitation. So the next time you wander into unfamiliar territory, tread carefully and don't forget to ask permission and say tabi-tabi po mga nuno.

A Kapre is a huge terrifying beast with glowing eyes which is found dwelling in large trees or abandoned houses and ruins. It is usually depicted smoking a leg-sized cigar that never burns out.

The Mangkukulam's favorite implements for maiming, torturing and sometimes killing its chosen victims are the karayom at manyika (needle and doll). The doll serves as the effigy of the victim; upon pricking it with the cursed needle, the victim instantly feels pain through the effects of malicious, imitative magic. The Mngkukulam will usually focus on the victim's heart or vital organs. What sets the Mangkukulam apart from the rest of the ghouls and monsters in this list is that the Mangkukulam is an ordinary human being albeit twisted by evil.

The Wak-wak is a bird-like creature that comes out at night looking for victims. The sound the Wak-wak makes is usually associated with the presence of an Unglu (vampire); other folkloric sources indicate that the Wak-wak may itself be a form of the Unglu.

The Sigbin is a ghoul in Philippine Mythology that roams for prey at night, sucking the blood off their would-be victims by using their shadows. The creature walks backwards with their heads lowered between their hind legs. The Sigbin is dog-like in appearance so beware of strange dogs!

http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?titl...ippine_Folklore

Edited September 30, 2009 by Lone Ranger

[NArocks 13]

Dude that is freaky #######

hey is maries family ok??

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Dude that is freaky #######

hey is maries family ok??

Yep. They live on the second floor.