Immortal Elements

Glossary 14

Mambabarang- are ordinary human beings with black magic who torture and later kill their victims by infesting their bodies with insects. Mambabarangs use a strand of hair from their intended victim and tie it to the bugs or worms which they will use as a medium. When they prick the bug, the victim immediately experiences the intended effect.

Tiyanak- are monsters who disguise themselves as innocent and adorable looking babies. But once someone comes into contact with them, they reveal themselves as demonic, and attack their victim. These monsters are believed to be aborted or stillborn fetuses who were not blessed.

Nuno sa Punso- Nuno are small but terrible creatures who live on punso (anthills). They are invisible and quiet creatures. If they get bothered by too much noise or careless movements causing them harm, they get mad and punish the people who trespasses against them; especially when their house get destroyed by careless children at play. Their victims get very sick, and the only way to cure it is by the Albularyo. So, every time you pass by a punso, you need to say "Tabi-tabi po"(Excuse Me).

Santelmo- is a creature of Philippine mythology. The term santelmo is the shortened form of the Tagalog words "Apoy ni San Elmo "-"St. Elmo's fire". Santelmo are two balls of fire that fight each other. They appear in places where accidents place or where big arguments on land boundaries happen. 

Daragang Magayon- means beautiful maiden. She is the heroine that appears in the legend of Mt. Mayon in Albay, Philippines. It is believed that Magayon turned into an anito when her human body died. 

Babaylan- were shamans of the various ethnic groups of the pre-colonial Philippine islands. These shamans specialized in communicating, appeasing, or harnessing the spirits of the dead and the spirits of nature. They were almost always women or feminized men.

Bathala- According to the indigenous religious beliefs of the Tagalog people, Bathala is the all-mighty epicene and hermaphrodite deity who created the universe. A descriptive honorific is often attached to his name, describing him as the Bathalang Maylicha. 

Dumakulem-The strong, agile guardian of mountains. He aids people who get lost in the mountains. He hates people who destroys the mountain's forests and wildlife, however, he never intentionally strays people in mountains as he is a kind god, but he does not help those who destroy the mountains and excessively hunt wildlife. It is said that he creates mountains to shield the people from the terrible storms caused by his sister, Anitun Tabu. Because of this, sometimes earthquakes occur, signaling the creation of mountains. He is always in good terms with his sister as both love the good side of men. Dumakulem is known to be very close with the god of grasslands and forests, Uwinan Sana.