Slow down, I know I'm just as psyched up with mythology as you are, but let's have a quick history first to better appreciate and understand how our myths came to be and what their influences were. Also I'm not saying the Spaniards did it (the Spaniards definitely did it), but we will also tackle this important question: how is it that after years, indigenous mythology seems to have almost been completely forgotten?
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AUSTRONESIANS
5,000 years ago, Austronesians passed through Philippines from mainland Asia by crossing Taiwan (this is also known as the "out-of-Taiwan model"). These Austronesians were said to have introduced shamanism, ancestor worship, totemism, and tattoo artistry (awesome stuff). Their arrival has also established the belief in benevolent and malevolent spirits.
HINDUS
By 200-300 CE, Hindu mythologies have reached some areas of the Philippines through trade routes. Hinduism brought in indigenous epics such as Ibalong, Siday, and Hinilawod, to name a few. Various Hindu superstitions have also rooted its way here, and made our indigenous polytheistic religions more complex and colorful. In addition, they've also introduced a prevalent Indian concept of demons that were both evil and good, as opposed to the western concept of demons, which only view them as evil (that linear view is kinda boring, tbh). Unlike other areas in Southeast Asia, indigenous religions in the Philippines were not replaced by Hinduism, rather, these religions absorbed and made Hindu traditions and beliefs as their own.
Gender-variant deities and shamans also became widespread during this period (our ancestors really said "trans and non-binary rights," ughhh, their minds, siszz) as well as the developing concept of humanoid mythical creatures.
CHINESE
Chinese influence reached the country around 900 CE, spreading Sinified belief systems, along with Buddhist mythologies. The most prominent belief spread being the concept of ghosts, which were prevalent in Chinese societies.
MUSLIMS
By 1300 CE, Muslim traders came and brought in Islamic beliefs and mythologies. Many natives in the south converted to Islam as well.
SPANIARDS
Around the 16th century, Spaniards came to the Philippine shores with their fancy Christian mythologies and its accompanying belief systems. Some inhabitants were receptive, but most were against it as the Spanish wanted more than just the goods, they want to really own the place, conquer it, and override their leaders instead of just doing simple tradition exchanges. To save us time with Philippine history, the Spaniards were successful on doing just that (though it cost them several dead bodies, lmao). When the Spaniards have laid their foundations, a three-century purge against indigenous religions began. Much of the native's indigenous cultures and practices were mocked and brutalized. This phase also replaced the people's polytheistic beliefs with monotheism. Existing myths and folklore were modified to suite Spanish tastes, but many indigenous beliefs were hard to replace, and thus retained despite Spanish threats and killings (and here, we are left with no choice but to STAN. I can't imagine us not having cool mythologies like a many-breasted goddess. Let's make the sacrifices of these people worth it by keeping these stories alive).
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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...
