GAMHANAN
They are the supreme deity and giver of life, security, and livelihood. Alongside the other gods, Gamhanan lives in Mount Daeogdog (this mountain is not visible on the map, but the name may be attributed to a quick-tempered Aklanon man named Daeogdog¹, whose name means "thunder," from the province's legend of the mango).
In this mountain, he gives life as well as punishes mortal sinners. Gamhanan used to have a loyal pet and messenger named Panigotlo whose form was likened to a deer. His bleating would be taken either as a sign of abundance to mortals or as a foreteller of an upcoming flood (Spoiler: he was killed by Damhanan).²
BULULAKAW (aka Bulalakaw)
A malevolent illness-causing ⁵ deity in the form of a peacock-like bird with a flaming tail.³ who live in mount Madja-as, like Sidapa.⁴ They also appear in Ilonggo and Capiznon myths.⁵
LAON (aka Lalaon ⁶)
The creator and the chief goddess living in Mount Kanlaon (an active stratovolcano, the highest mountain of Negros Island).⁴ She is also present in Capiznon and Ilonggo mythology.⁵
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THE MEDIATORS OF THE GODS
(These gods are also present in Capiznon mythology)
BANGUTBANWA
They ensure that there are good harvests and an orderly universe.⁵
MANGINDALON
They are the sick people's mediator who also punishes enemies.⁵
SOLIRAN & SOLIAN
The two are performers of marriage ceremonies.⁵
MANUNUBO
The good spirit of the sea who also appear in Ilonggo mythology.⁵
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References:
1. Pepper.ph. (2018, November 4). 7 Local Fruits and Their Legendary Origins. Pepper.ph. https://pepper.ph/7-local-fruits-origin/
2. Eugenio, D. L. (2002). Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. University of the Philippines Press.
3. de Castro, Lourdes. 1986. "Western Visayan Verbal Lore." Danyag 2 (Dec): 1–14.
4. Loarca, Miguel de. (1582) 1903. Relation of the Filipinas Islands. In Blair and Robertson, The Philippine Islands 5.
5. Cruz-Lucero, R., Pototanon, R. M. (2018). Capiznon. With contributions by E. Arsenio Manuel. In Our Islands, Our People: The Histories and Cultures of the Filipino Nation, edited by Cruz-Lucero, R.
6. Mojares, R. B. (1974). Philippine Quarterly of Culture and Society Vol. 2, No. 3: The Myth of the Sleeping Hero: Three Philippine Cases. University of San Carlos Publications.
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Mitolohiya: Filipino Deities and Where to Find Them
Fantasy❝ Philippine mythology is quite interesting, but besides the usual aswangs and tikbalangs, not a lot of it is known. If you've picked this up with the knowledge of only those creatures, then you'd be surprise at how much we've barely scratched the s...
