The Philippines is home to a large variety of mythological creatures such as the Aswang, which we have discussed previously. There is however a creature from their mythology which may just be real – just not in the way you would think. It is often called the Chupacabra of the Philippines.
The Sigbin (or Sigben), or Amamayong (in Eastern Visayas), is a creature feared by children in particular. This strange monster is said to walk backwards with its head lowered between its hind legs.
Its face is meant to resemble a goat without horns but with large ears. These ears can clap together, much like a pair of human hands. It also possesses a long tail which it uses sometimes as a whip. The Sigbin, it is said, has a distinct nauseating odour which is immediately noticeable. It can also become invisible.
The creature is only active during Holy Week (the last week of Lent and the week before Easter) when it comes out of its lair in search of childrens hearts. It collects these hearts and turns them into amulets.
Sigbin’s are also known for killing people or sucking their blood, much like the legendary chupacabra. Unlike the chupacabra though, they are said to be able to suck the blood by merely sucking at your shadow!
According to the myth, there are certain families who own a Sigbin. These are called Sigbinan. They keep the Sigbin in jars made of clay and have power of those in their care. The Aswang are also said to keep these creatures as pets.
The Sigbin is said to bring luck, wealth and good fortune to those who possess them. This has often led the common people to believe that successful businessmen come from such a family, hence their wealth and success.
The Sigbin not only kill people by biting them, or sucking their blood, but spend a lot of time eating charcoal or paper. In some cases they are known to eat pumpkins or squash and are often reported in fields of these.
Legends also say that if you walk in front of a Sigbin, you will be fine. It is only when you walk behind them that you are in mortal danger.
Now here is where it gets interesting.
It is surmised that the Sigbin legend may be based on actual sightings of a cryptid creature related to the kangaroo.
Recently there have been sightings of a rare cat-fox on the island of Borneo. This species has back legs which are substantially longer than the front legs. This may give the impression of it ‘looking through its back legs’.
Others have speculated that the creature may be one related to the Thylocene, Tasmanian Toger.
Some say that the sigbin is a spiritual animal with no physical form, which could be the reason for the varying or conflicting descriptions
Here is one of the earliest stories of a Sigbin. It is taken from the book Philippine Folklore Stories, by John Maurice Miller, (1904): Continue reading »
Tata Porras, 16, of Barangay Cabuling in Tantangan, Phillipines was out in the ricefield with his younger brother Michael (14). That evening they decided to sleep in a small makeshift hut in order to keep guard over the farm ducks, as some had mysteriously vanished in recent weeks.
The boys’ parents were sleeping in their house just a few meters away from the ricefield.
In the state between sleep and being awake, he heard a squeaking sound just outside the hut. He thought nothing of it. By this time his brother was sound asleep. Suddenly Tata jolted awake and sensed that something was wrong.
Standing over the sleeping Michael, Tata saw a large, black dog. Its eyes were red and glowing in the darkness. The dog ignored him and stared at the sleeping form in front of it. It slowly opened its mouth and moved closer to Michael’s neck.
Tata, although terrified, grabbed his loaded rifle and shot in the direction of the beast. The beast turned and fled into the darkness of the field, Michael woke up screaming in pain as the bullet hit his right leg and Tata started screaming “Aswang, aswang”.
Neighbours rushed to the boys location and found Tata still screaming “Aswang, aswang” and pointing into the darkened field. Maichael was immediately taken to the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital (SCPH) for medical treatment.
The villagers were divided as to what had happened. Some believe that an aswang really did appear and tried to eat Michael. Others are a bit more skeptical of the claims.
What is an Aswang?
An Aswang (sometimes called an Asuwang) is a mythical vampiric creature found in folklore from the Phillipines. Western accounts of the Aswang date back to the early Spanish colonial settlers in the 16th century.
The Aswang is usually associated with a witch and are nearly always female. They are sometimes used as a generic term applied to all types of witches, manananggals, shapeshifters, lycanthropes, and monsters, although the manananggals are are usually a specific creature (more on them in a later post). They are often described as a monster with huge wings which you can hear when she is at a distance, but the closer she gets, the quieter they become. Continue reading »
