Thursday, October 3, 2024

Bangis at Lakas ng Gabunan at Bangkilan

 

Gabunan at Bangkilan


Bangis at Lakas ng Bangkilan at Gabunan

Sa makabagong mitolohiya ng Pilipinas, dalawa sa pinakamakapangyarihang nilalang ay ang Gabunan at ang Bangkilan, parehong natatanging uri ng mitolohikal na Aswang. Ang kanilang mga kwento ay nagpapakita ng mga tema ng lakas, pandaraya, at tunggalian, kadalasang inilalarawan bilang mabagsik at nakakatakot na mga nilalang.




Ang mga kwento at mitolohiyang pasalita sa Pilipinas ay nagbabago sa paglipas ng panahon habang ipinapasa sa bawat henerasyon. Ang mga kwento tulad ng sa Gabunan at Bangkilan ay patuloy na ikinukwento at inuulit ng mga Pilipino, kaya't nagkakaroon ng iba't ibang bersyon sa iba't ibang rehiyon at komunidad. Bawat tagapagkuwento ay nagdaragdag ng sariling detalye, binabago ang mga alamat upang masalamin ang paniniwala at imahinasyon ng kanilang panahon. Dahil dito, walang iisang bersyon ng mga kwento, kundi mayaman na mga pagkakaiba-iba na patuloy na lumalago at nagbabago, na siyang nagpapanatiling buhay at masigla ang folklore ng Pilipinas.

Gabunan: Ang Pinakamalakas na Aswang

Gabunan


Ang Gabunan ay isa sa pinakakinatatakutang uri ng aswang, kilala sa pambihirang pisikal na lakas nito. Madalas silang inilalarawan sa anyong Aswang bilang mga maskuladong lalaki (o babae) na may itim na balat at puting buhok, isang nakakatakot na puwersa sa mga kwento. Sa ilang bersyon ng mito, inihahambing sila sa mga werewolf mula sa kanlurang mitolohiya, na nagdadagdag ng elemento ng transformasyon at pagiging mabangis. Di tulad ng ibang aswang, ang Gabunan ay nananatili ang lakas kahit sa araw, kaya’t sila’y delikado sa lahat ng oras.

Mga Gabunan


Ang Gabunan ay kakaiba sa ibang aswang dahil kaya nilang manghuli ng kapwa aswang. Madalas silang inilalarawan bilang mga predator ng kanilang sariling uri, hinuhuli at kinakain ang ibang uri ng aswang, lalo na ang Bangkilan, ang kanilang likas na kalaban. Ang tunggalian ng Gabunan at Bangkilan ay sentral na tema sa maraming kwento, na sumasalamin sa labanan ng malalakas na puwersa—lakas ng lalaki laban sa mapanlinlang na kagandahan ng babae.


Bangkilan: Ang Maganda Mapanganib at Mapandayang Aswang

Bangkilan


Ang Bangkilan, na madalas inilalarawan bilang pinakamagandang uri ng Aswang, ay natatangi dahil sa kanyang kakayahang lumikha ng mas mahihinang uri ng aswang. Hindi tulad ng tipikal na aswang na may isang itim na bato, ang Bangkilan ay may maraming itim na perlas at mga sisiw sa loob ng kanyang katawan, na ginagamit niya upang lumikha ng mga bagong aswang gaya ng Kiwig, Tiktik, Awok, Abwak, at iba pa. Ang kakayahang ito ang nagbibigay sa kanya ng malaking kalamangan sa ibang aswang, na halos walang kamatayan, dahil kaya niyang ipasa ang kanyang madilim na kapangyarihan nang hindi namamatay.

Bangkilan


Sa umaga, ang Bangkilan ay nag-aanyong isang napakagandang babae, ngunit pagsapit ng gabi, kaya niyang magbago ng anyo sa iba’t ibang nakakatakot na nilalang, gaya ng malaking baboy-damo na may matutulis na pangil, itim na aso, o iba pang nakakatakot na hayop. Sa kanyang tunay na anyo, siya ay maganda ngunit mapanganib, Aswang na may maliliit na pakpak ng paniki at malalaking matatalas na kuko. Ang pagsasama ng kagandahan at panganib na ito ang nagbibigay sa kanya ng kalamangan sa paghahanap ng biktima.

Bangkilan


Ang kanyang mapanlinlang at mabangis na mga katangian ng magandang Bangkilan ay isang mabagsik na kalaban. Madalas  inilalarawan sa mga kwento bilang gumagamit ng kanyang kagandahan upang akitin ang walang kaalam-alam na mga lalaki bago ilantad ang kanyang mala-halimaw na anyo. Ang Bangkilan ay mas versatile kaysa sa ibang aswang, kaya niyang magbago sa iba't ibang anyo ng mga nilalang ng gabi, na nagpapalakas sa kanyang kapangyarihan at panganib.


Ang Walang Hanggang Tunggalian: Gabunan vs. Bangkilan

Gabunan at Bangkilan mortal na Magkatungali


Ang labanan ng Gabunan at Bangkilan ay madalas na sentral na bahagi ng mitolohiyang Aswang. Bagama't pareho silang Aswang, kinakatawan nila ang magkaibang katangian. Ang Gabunan, sa kanyang lakas at pagiging mabangis, ay kumakatawan sa archetype ng Bangis ng lalaki, habang ang Bangkilan, sa kanyang mapanlinlang na kagandahan at kakayahang magpalit ng anyo, ay kumakatawan sa feminine aspect ng pagkawasak at pang-akit. Sa maraming kwento, ang dalawang nilalang na ito ay nakagapos sa walang hanggang tunggalian, na walang malinaw na nananalo, na binibigyang-diin ang tensyon sa pagitan ng lakas at talino, kagandahan at kalupitan.


Gabunan kontra Bangkilan


Ang Gabunan at Bangkilan ay ilan sa mga pinaka-kahanga-hanga at kapanapanabik na nilalang sa kontemporaryong mitolohiyang Pilipino. Ang kanilang mga kwento ay sumasalamin sa malalalim na tema ng kapangyarihan, panganib, at pagbabago. Sa pamamagitan ng hilaw at mabangis na lakas ng Gabunan o ng mapanganib na kagandahan at pandaraya ng Bangkilan, ang mga nilalang na ito ay patuloy na gumigising ng takot at imahinasyon, at kumakatawan sa pinakahigpit na teror ng Aswang.




Paalala:
Ang mitolohiyang pasalita ng Pilipinas ay patuloy na binabahagi at nauunawaan, isang buhay na tradisyong pasalita na nagbabago sa paglipas ng panahon. Iba ito sa mga standardized mythologies ng Kanluran at Europa. Dahil walang iisang pamahalaang Pilipino na nagtakda ng mga pamantayan sa mga kwento, ang bawat rehiyon o komunidad ay may sariling bersyon ng mga alamat.

Ang mga kwentong pasalita ay dumadaan sa mga pagbabago, kaya’t nagkakaroon ng iba't ibang bersyon ng mga ito. Maraming iba't ibang bersyon ng mga kwento ang ikinukwento at muling inuulit ng mga Pilipino.

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

prayer of the day

Ama, pakusugon mo lugod an kanamong buot na malagpasan ngamin na kadipisilan, asin irayo mo sa kapahamakan an kanamong mahal sa buhay. Amen.

Bangkilan the Beautiful Aswang

 

Bangkilan


The Bangkilan  prominent  in contemporary Philippine mythology, often portrayed as the most beautiful yet dangerous variant of the Aswang. She stands out among other Aswangs not just because of her stunning appearance, but because of her unique ability to create and spread the Aswang race

As one of the most captivating and feared Aswangs, she has maintained her presence in Oral folklore across generations. In older tales, the Bangkilan was revered for her deceptive beauty and deadly nature, symbolizing the duality of allure and danger. Even as stories evolved through time, she has remained a prominent character, adapting to modern interpretations while preserving her core traits.


In both traditional and contemporary retellings, the Bangkilan stands out for her ability to create new Aswangs. Unlike many of her kind, who simply prey on humans, the Bangkilan spreads the Aswang curse, turning her victims into lesser Aswangs like the Kiwig, Tiktik, and Awok. This ability to multiply her kind has made the Bangkilan a high figure in Aswang lore, with many stories depicting female Bangkilan as the creator and ruler of a vast network of monstrous beings.

Her popularity endures today in modern storytelling, literature, and media. As a timeless symbol of feminine power, beauty, and deception, the Bangkilan continues to haunt the imaginations of audiences, both old and new. a powerful Aswang beauty, an enduring icon in Philippine mythology.

Bangkilan

Bangkilan


The Beauty of the Bangkilan

The Bangkilan a female variant of Aswang is renowned for they're  exceptional beauty during the day, appearing as a stunning woman with irresistible charm. Her beauty is her greatest weapon, as it allows her to blend into human society and lure unsuspecting victims. Men, in particular, are drawn to her, unaware of the dark, monstrous force she becomes when night falls. Shape shifting into many forms usually a huge black boar, huge dog or big bird and other creatures of the night 

At night, the Bangkilan reveals her true nature. She has the power to transform into a fearsome creature with large claws, sharp fangs, and small bat-like wings. This duality—beautiful by day, monstrous by night—makes her a particularly dangerous type of Aswang, as she preys on both the vulnerability and curiosity of humans.

Bangkilan


Creator of Lesser Aswangs

What makes the Bangkilan truly unique in Aswang mythology is her ability to create new Aswangs. Unlike other Aswangs, who typically possess only one black stone or "sisiw or mutya" the Bangkilan holds multiple black pearls and eggs inside her body. These pearls serve as symbols of her power and are essential in her creation of lesser Aswangs. When she wishes to spread her dark lineage, she can transfer these black pearls into humans, transforming them into new Aswangs. Through this dark ritual, she creates different types of Aswang, such as the Kiwig, Tiktik, Awok, Abwak, Asbo, and many more.

The Bangkilan doesn’t just kill her victims; she turns them into creatures like herself. This ability to multiply her kind without dying makes her nearly immortal and places her at the top of the Aswang hierarchy. As the mother of many different types of Aswang, she controls an entire network of creatures under her influence.

Bangkilan


Turning Humans into Aswangs

One of the most feared aspects of the Bangkilan is their ability to turn humans into Aswangs. Through the dark magic of her black pearls, she can infect a human with her curse. This process through kissing transferring her black pearls (stones, chicks) to a human, through this terrifying process —the victim begins to crave raw flesh, particularly that of humans, and over time, their body transforms. They gain the ability to shape-shift, develop heightened senses, and may even sprout wings, fangs, or claws depending on the type of Aswang they become. These newly created Aswangs are then bound to the Bangkilan, serving her in the spread of her dark legacy.

Bangkilan


Popularity in Contemporary Mythology

In contemporary Philippine folklore, the Bangkilan has gained a notorious reputation. She embodies themes of deception, beauty, and power. Unlike the brute strength of other Aswangs like the Gabunan, who rely on raw force, the Bangkilan uses wit and charm, relying on manipulation to expand her influence. Her story has become popular in modern media, literature, and oral traditions because of the powerful themes of transformation, seduction, and the eternal struggle between beauty and terror.

In many retellings, the Bangkilan is depicted as a high ranking  among the Aswangs. Her ability to create and control a vast network of creatures makes her one of the most feared beings in contemporary folklore. While other Aswangs may hunt for survival, the Bangkilan hunts to expand her dark networks, turning humans into her minions and spreading fear across towns and villages.



The Bangkilan’s Rivalry with the Gabunan

In many tales, the Bangkilan is locked in a deadly rivalry with another powerful Aswang, the Gabunan. While the Gabunan represents brute strength and savagery, the Bangkilan uses her cunning and shapeshifting abilities to outsmart him. The Gabunan, a predator of other Aswangs, seeks to consume the black pearls inside the Bangkilan, while she uses her beauty and manipulation to evade or defeat him. Their eternal struggle is a central theme in modern Aswang stories, reflecting the contrast between strength and cunning, brutality and allure.


Gabunan and the Bangkilan

Symbol of Feminine Power and Deception

At the heart of the Bangkilan’s mythos is the idea of feminine power and deception. She symbolizes the duality of beauty and destruction, embodying the fear of something seemingly perfect on the outside but deadly within. Her ability to transform both herself and others reflects her power to disrupt the natural order, turning humans into monsters and spreading chaos wherever she goes.

the Bangkilan remains one of the most captivating figures in contemporary Philippine mythology. Her beauty, dark power, and ability to create new Aswangs ensure that her legend continues to evolve, keeping her as a central figure in the rich and dynamic lore of the Aswang. Through her and the other Bangkilan, the Aswang race grows, and the fear she instills in both the mythical and real world ensures that her story will be told and retold for generations to come.




REMINDER

The orally transmitted mythology of the Philippines is intended for sharing and understanding. It is a dynamic narrative tradition that evolves over time, distinct from the standardized mythologies found in Western and European cultures. Unlike these established mythologies, the Philippine government has not mandated standardized versions of stories and legends.

Orally transmitted stories undergo variations and evolve over time, resulting in numerous different versions. There are many different version told by Filipinos, and retold by Filipinos.

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

BOOKS based and inspired by Bicol mythology and Philippine mythology




 Bicol, a region in the Philippines, is rich with myths, legends, gods, and monsters that have been passed down through generations. It’s fascinating to explore stories that draw inspiration from this vibrant and still-living mythology.



One such example is "The Mask of Haliya," a graphic novel series that brings a unique twist to Philippine mythology.  It is a voice and POV of the Filipinix abroad. This young adult urban fantasy follows Marisol, a troubled Filipina-American teenager, who discovers a mysterious mask at her great-grandmother’s wake. The story, set against the backdrop of Cebu, delves into themes like mental health, intergenerational trauma, and corruption. Marisol's discovery of the mask not only unlocks hidden powers but also entangles her in a dark web of secrets, lies, and danger.





Another compelling work is "Bulan," a comic book that retells the legend of the eclipse and the seven moons, with a special focus on Bacunawa, a dragon-like sea serpent from Filipino mythology. Unlike the typical Westernized portrayal of Bacunawa as a malevolent creature, this comic paints it as a neutral being of nature, reflecting a more nuanced perspective found in Asian and Filipino folklore. The artwork in "Bulan" is stunning and brings the legend to life.


Lastly, "The Seventh Moon" is a novel that written by a Bicolano, this resonates with teens and young adults, transporting readers back to the thrill of youthful adventure. The story follows Chris Garcia, a boy whose life turns upside down when he discovers that he is the son of Anitun Tabu, an ancient Philippine goddess of wind and rain. As Chris navigates his new reality, he joins the Society of Maharlikas, a secret group that trains warriors with supernatural abilities. Alongside his new friends, Chris embarks on a journey to Ibalong to prevent Bacunawa from devouring the seventh moon and causing eclipses.

These works not only entertain but also serve as a gateway to the rich cultural heritage of Bicol and the Philippines, weaving ancient mythology into contemporary narratives that captivate and inspire


In a world where many voices are often drowned out by dominant cultures, supporting Filipino storytellers is a powerful way to ensure that Filipino voices are heard and respected on the global stage. This not only empowers individuals but also strengthens the collective identity of the Filipino people.

By Supporting storytellers is not just about preserving the past; it’s about empowering the present and shaping the future. It’s about ensuring that the richness of Filipino culture is woven with threads of  pride, and unity, creating a narrative that truly belongs to the Filipino people.



Bicol and Filipino mythology belongs to everyone—Filipinos, Filipinix, and even foreigners. These stories are meant to unite, inspire hope, and empower. They are for all, ever-evolving yet forever a cultural treasure.






REMINDER

The orally transmitted mythology of the Philippines is intended for sharing and understanding. It is a dynamic narrative tradition that evolves over time, distinct from the standardized mythologies found in Western and European cultures. Unlike these established mythologies, the Philippine government has not mandated standardized versions of stories and legends.

Orally transmitted stories undergo variations and evolve over time, resulting in numerous different versions. There are many different version told by Filipinos,and retold by Filipinos.