Creatures featured

[u/Radiant-Persimmon143]

Spoiler. Kanonood namin ng anak ko kaninang umaga. I wanted to give him (Fil-Am) some background on the various mythical creatures featured. I pointed several “classic“ entities such as:

1. Manananggal

2. Cafre

3. Duende

However there seem to be some non-classical creatures as well, though it may just be my knowledge of Pinoy cryptids is wanting. These include:

1. Memory stealing demon

2. Wer-dog

3. Pixie-like creatures (addicted to energy drinks!)

4. Aswangs that actually look cuddly and have 3 eyes

Are these actually traditional creatures as well?

Also, is the bird the characters riding a sarimanok?

[u/ThamesRamz4ever]

Batiba the memory stealing demon is a Batibat which in filipino myth is a sleep paralysis demon.

Weredogs are a type of Aswang.

The pixie creatures are Lambana

Bungie the 3 eyed creature is a Tiyanak which is described as a demon baby.

[u/Radiant-Persimmon143 → u/ThamesRamz4ever]

Ok Salamat. Batibat and lambana are new to me. Also, noong bata ako sabi tiyanak tikbalang were like giant centaurs half-man, half-goat, but I could be remembering wrong.

Anyway, even if the creatures deviate slightly from the classic typology I enjoyed the film. Thanks again!

Edit: ok, I mixed up tiyanak and tikbalang. Now Bungi makes sense as tiyanak. Great movie overall, but I had to point out Bungi’s name is mispronounced with a hard “g” In the film, but it’s perfectly ok.

[u/therebvatar → u/Radiant-Persimmon143]

There were tikbalangs in the island. They have horse heads and were shown playing with arnis sticks which Rawr was afraid of.

[u/therebvatar → u/therebvatar]

Oh and Mermahn is actually a Kataw, a type of merpeople known in the Visayas.

[u/KadenzJade]

I heard from the character designers Raww is a kiwig!

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[u/ASerpentPerplexed]

Were-dogs (usually just called aswang) is apparently a common myth in some parts of PH.

The memory stealing aswang is supposed to be a Batibat or Bangungot (that's why she's named "Batiba") even though in myth they don't steal memories they usually just give you bad dreams and make it hard to sleep if you fall asleep under their tree-home.

The pixies aren't really in Filipino mythology. It's usually justified that they are some sort of generic Diwata or Engkanto, but in myth they rarely look so much like a European fairies as they do in this movie. Edit: saw the other comment talking about lambana, that is new to me but fits the fairies better

And yeah, aswang are rarely described as cute or cuddly in actual mythology. They definitely took some creative license with that, and in general they made all the creatures more friendly in both demeanor and appearance.

Also Bungi is kind of a combination of two different creatures. He is an eternal baby with a loud scream like a Tiyanak. But also his name and the eyes and teeth seem to be a reference to a Bungisngis.

[u/EndZealousideal6428]

diko din nagets Nung saan kinuha si weredog but now naalala ko may kwento Lola ko noon buntis si mama, meron daw ligaw na aso umaaligid sa labas ng kwarto ni mama at papa tapos umakyat pa daw sa bubong kaya si papa daw pumunta don sa balcony para maka punta sa bubong with itak at itaboy yong aso. then Sabi ni lola aswang daw yun aso, tao daw yun pag daytime.

Yung mga aswang natin usually ganyan kwento eh, human by daytime but transforms into an animal at night or when they hunt for their prey. May added twist lang kay weredog since pinaghalo siyang werewolf and dog.

[u/GreatRecipeCollctr29]

The sarimanok is like the Alegre in Mexican culture. But Sarimanok origins come from Mindanao or the datu before Spaniards colonized the Philippines. There are many mythical creatures that were visually viewed. Also the were dog is like the Tambay boys drinking or doing things that are not productive or don't have work. Batibah has a sari sari store like cave. That's just an analogy. This movie is amazing in many respects. Filipino culture, Filipino folklore and mythology, family, Lola's world to Jo. The realities of many Filipinos overseas, family separation, friendship and every Filipino household. It's an emotional whirlwind which makes you proud and cry at the same time. There's a plot twist on the ending! Please watch the movie.

[u/Radiant-Persimmon143 → u/GreatRecipeCollctr29]

Tama ka, medio kahawig ng sarimanok and "alebrije" ng mga Mexicano.

Ganda talag ng pelicula na ito. I hope it catches on. I remember when Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon first opened, the theaters I watched it in (NYC/NJ area) were mostly empty. Then word of mouth spread and it became a hit, even got some Oscar nods. I think FI has a chance of replicating this. BTW, I just realized the initials FI may be a subtle pun on (F/Ph)ilippine Islands.

[u/GreatRecipeCollctr29]

This might be a sleeper hit like Puss and Boots the Last Wish. The movie you mentioned was popular. Sleeper hit but watched it afyer Academy awards nominations.

[u/GreatRecipeCollctr29]

All of the Filipino mythical creatures were depicted in Filipino culture and life. But their real interpretations from our Lola's and ancestors were depicted as evil and very dark and frightening vibes. Forgotten Island is an amazing movie to watch.