Immortal Elements

Glossary 7

Pugot- are headless ghosts. They wander in places where they used to live or where they were decapitated. They haunt because they are searching for their head; which needs to be rejoined with their corpse and then blessed so they can finally rest in peace. However, some of them have the intention to avenge themselves or harm people. They are believed to behead their victims.

Engkantao- the offspring of mating between humans and engkanto, diwata, anito. 

Pintados- warriors with enormous strength and skills that is said to be given by the god war, Apolaki. They were called pintados because of the tattoos adorned their whole body. The more the tattoo, the stronger the warrior and the higher the rank. 

Bakunawa- is a serpent-like dragon in Philippine mythology. It is believed to be the cause of eclipses, earthquakes, rains, and wind. The movements of the Bakunawa served as a geomantic calendar system for ancient Filipinos and were part of the shamanistic rituals of the babaylan.

Tikbalang- is a creature with the features of a man and a horse. Unlike the Centaur in Greek Mythology, Tikbalang is playful and mischievous. It has a powerful kick and can leap very high. It creates illusions that make its victims perceive themselves lost (such as passing by the same location over and over again, as if stuck in a maze). These illusions can lead its victim into accidents that may result in death. It can also cause victims to become sick or mentally ill. To work around their tomfoolery, the victim should invert his or her clothing and wear it. This will make the Tikbalang laugh and distract it. To prevent the Tikbalang from harming anyone, one must grab its golden hair and wrap it in his or her finger. The Tikbalang will then be a slave of that person.

Cordillera- a massive mountain range situated in the northern central part of the island of Luzon, in the Philippines.

Sigbin- they are invisible creatures. This is probably the reason people say that Sigben looks like a dog with the features of a cat and a goat. They are small and they walk backwards. They victimize little children who are sleeping without someone guarding them. They bite the victim's ankle or foot making them very ill and then die after few hours. After they kill a child, they go back to their caretaker. Anyone who takes care of these creatures are believed to gain much luck and wealth.

Akyat- bahay- a member of a gang which climbs houses to rob items inside. 

Bolo- is a large cutting tool of Filipino origin similar to the machete. It is used particularly in the Philippines.