full Moon over Ibalong

 

 Full Moon above Bicol. wow!

Full Moon tonight! Dayaw na Dayaw ang bulan!

Bulan

"Sa katahimikan ng gabi, ikaw ay liwanag,
Mukha mong busilak, sa  mga ulap ay hinahanap.
Hinahabol ng dagat, may lihim na pagsinta,
Ngunit ikaw ay hanging malaya,hindi makamtan,

Hindi mahahawakan."

Oh Bulan

"Sa gab-i nin kasiring, saro kang sirang liwanag,
An saimong kagayon, minasuya nin alapaap.
Ginigibo nin dagat, an puso niyang naghahabol,
Alagad kaipuhan, baga kang layang dai mahahawakan."

Bulan
"In the silence of night, you are the light,
Your pure face drifts softly among the clouds.
The sea longs for you, chasing with quiet desire,
But you are the light, and never to be held tight"

In Bicolano mythology (from the Bicol region in the Philippines), the moon god is Bulan. Bulan is one of the many moon gods in Philippine mythology and even in old folk religion. Bulan is spirit of the moon and the god (or deity) of the moon in Bicolano mythology.

Bulan of Philippine mythology

"Sa mga kwentong pasa-pasa asin kwentong-bayan, si Bulan bilang espiritu asin diyos kan bulan, kilala siya bilang napagayon na lalaki, may hararom na kaamong lawas asin puting-puting balat. Maski an mga aswang na Magindara nagin maamo pansamantala, maski an mga pakpakan na pating nalimutang maglupad sa irarum kan saiyang liwanag."

Sa mga kwetong pasa pasa Kilala sa pagiging napakagandang lalaki pagkakaroon ng napaka among mukha at napaka puting balat, maging ang mga aswang na magindara ay pansamantalang naging maamo, maging ang mga pating na pakpakan ay nalimutang lumipad pansamantala.

Bulan of Bicol mythology

Bulan as depicted on Philippine TV ( Raya sirena) as the Moon god and deity of Mermaids

He’s often described as young, beautiful, and radiant, sometimes depicted as an (feminine male) effeminate or androgynous  (napakagandang lalake, sobrang ganda parang babae na) figure, which makes him especially unique among Philippine mythological deities. Associated with calm, gentleness, and beauty, in contrast to more aggressive or fiery deities like sun gods or war spirits.

Bulan and Haliya

Haliya and Bulan in Bulan Music video by Ken of SB19

Ken aka Felip of SB19 as Bulan in music video Bulan 

Bulan is also linked to Haliya, the moon goddess known for her strength and independence, sometimes portrayed as Bulan’s sibling and in other stories Haliya is his daughter and in some just his defender.

Bulan as depicted in  "Dayaw sa Bilog na buwan " in Balud theatre of Bicol

Bulan is best known in Bicol as the deity chased by the Bakunawa. He represents the soft, emotional, mysterious qualities of the moon, youth, and beauty, often contrasted with the boldness of sun or war gods. Much of Bicol mythology, like other indigenous Philippine systems, was eroded or syncretized due to colonization, which is why stories about Bulan are fragmented and regional. But oral traditions and modern scholars help keep those stories alive.

Bulan bathala ng buwan

Reminder

Avoiding Foreign Manipulation: Weaponizing myths and stories and using them as an excuse to attack, harass and even stalk storytellers or communities risks distorting their purpose. Myths are meant to unify, educate, or entertain, not to create division or hostility among Filipinos.

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.

Both oral and written mythology in the Philippines are valid because they serve different but equally important roles in preserving Filipino heritage. What is truly harmful is when foreigners manipulate these discussions for personal gain, attempting to invalidate one aspect of Filipino mythology to cause division. Instead of falling for such tactics, Filipinos should embrace the richness and diversity of their own stories, ensuring that both oral and written traditions continue to thrive.

Don’t Stalk or Harass Storytellers Online.

This should be obvious butt some folks need the reminder. Disagreeing is fine, but attacking, doxxing, or bullying creators? Big no-no. You’re not “correcting history,” you’re just being creepy. Respect the people keeping these stories alive.

Foreigners Please don’t use Filipino myths to farm views, start drama, or pit Filipinos against each other. These stories are meant to unite, not divide. If your content is causing more fights than fascination, it might be time to step back and rethink the approach.

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.

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.

mga dios o diwata ng kaitaasan ng mitolohiyang Bicolano

 Gugurang  o Mayong ang diwata ng mga diwata, anito ng mga anito. Ang diyos na bumababa at nag kakatawang lupa sa paanan ng bulkang Mayon. Ang kataas-taasang bathala

Gugurang
Diwata ng mga diwata
Anito ng mga Anito

Diwata

Mga Devata ay mga Diwata ng kaitaasan o mga bathala sa langit at kamurayan ng mitolohiyang Bicolano at mitolohiyang Pilipino. Ang mga diwata ng Buwan at araw at mga bituin. 

(Mga Diwata ng Kaitaasan - Mga Bathala)

Diwata ng Araw

Adlaw diwata ng araw, diyos na kumakatawan sa araw at init. masaganang ani sa mitolohiyang Bicolano. Sa ilang kwentong bayan ang kanyang anak na kalahating tao ay umibig sa mortal. Ang sibol ng Tiwi ay mula sa Agni at calayo ng anak ni Adlaw. ang bathala ng araw ng Bicol si Adlaw

Diwata ng Buwan

Bulan ang diwata ng buwan, diyos na kumakatawan sa buwan, liwanag at pag asa at ligtas na paglalakbay at pangingisda sa dilim ng gabi. Diyos ng buwan na nais makuha ng Bakunawa. Bulan ang bathala ng buwan ng Bicol 

Ang mga lihim na karunungan, binubunyag ng sikat ng buwan.

Sa kontemporaryong mga kwento madalas iugnay sa mga kwentong katatakutan at mga Aswang, bilang diyos na pwedeng hingan ng tulong laban sa ilang uri ng aswang gaya ng mga ba-ad. Sa ilang kwento ang mga Magindara, at mga Bulaw bulaw ay hindi umaatake kapag bilog buwan. 

Diwata ng liwanag ng Buwan

Haliya ang diwata ng liwanag ng buwan, kilala sa mga kwentong bayan bilang katungali ng Bakunawa at tagapagpangol ni Bulan. Madalas isalarawan na may maskarang ginto at kampilan. Mga kwento, mito at alamat.

Sa mitolohiya madalas ilarawan na Maganda at singputi ng buwan, matapang may maskarang ginto at kampilan. Simbolo ng kalakasan ng mga kababaihan.

Diwata ng Tala

Bituoon ang diwata o diyosa ng mga tala, kilala sa kagandahan. Diwata ng mga Tala at kagandahan. Bathala ng mga butuin

REMINDER

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.

The orally transmitted mythology of the Philippines is intended for sharing and understanding, not for appropriation, commercial exploitation, or the promotion of foreigners and foreign products. 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.

SIDAPA

Sidapa and Bulan
art by Godrey Escota

Myths and legends

Sidapa is the god of death, in old Ibalong he is only worshipped in coastal areas of Bikol and is perceived as a foreign god and is popularly known as the handsome consort of the moon god Bulan. while in the Visayas region, he is worshipped as a very powerful deity of life and death. Described as very tall and muscular with golden horns, some stories say he had ten golden horns, some stories it was a golden crown. Also in some stories when he appears a swarm of black butterflies can be seen (some stories say it's a murder or flock of crows sometimes swarm of bats that appear instead of a swarm of butterflies).

Bulan and the Tawong Lipod ''Slyphs''

Mythology and folklore Bicolano variant

Bulan and Haliya were celestial deities known for their luminous beauty. the twin lunar gods having long black hair and luminous fair skin that gods and monsters were in awe with their beauty, Haliya convinced by her servants (the wind people) to descend and bathe in the waters of the earth, in turn, convinced her brother to go down as well. They were so beautiful that even vicious beast would be rendered tame in awe of them. Even the god of evil and chaos Asuang was dumbfounded by the celestial deities. It is said that when Bulan bathe in the waters of Bicol be became friends with the evil god Asuang, and that a foreign god (a deity worshipped by Visayans) was also captivated by his androgynous beauty.  A foreign god with golden horns (golden crown) showered the two with endearments and gifts.The foreign god was not just extremely handsome he was also powerful which he proved when he defeated the god of the seas Magindang in the battle for supremacy. it was none other than Sidapa.

Sidapa

Bulan

god of death in Mythology

Sidapa  was a deity venerated in the Pre-colonial Philippines, mainly in the Visayas area. His worship spread to Bicol and as far as Taal ( The descendants of the Visayans sailed far and settled by Lake Taal spread out in two general directions: one group settling later around Laguna de Bay, and another group pushing southward into the Bicol Peninsula.)
Known as the god of death and patron deity of Madja-as mountain;
Sidapa in Visayan mythology is very one of the more ambiguous deity, some stories tell that he was a lover of the sky god Captan, and depict Sidapa as a woman, some versions describe him as a monstrous black winged being with ten golden horns cloven hooves  but most stories describe him as an extremely handsome man with golden horns while in some golden crown resembling horns.
 He was known to be cruel and unkind because he had not tasted food all under heaven but when he descended a slave gave him food, moved by the goodness of mortal beings he decided to plant a tree where he can measure the lifespan of mortals. He is a protective deity also a kind one for when prayers are offered to him he would extend the life of a dying individual. Sometimes he even sends his loyal vassal Pandaki (deity of second chances) to claim the souls he had already claimed and given to Maguayen (a deity that brings the souls to the netherworld).

Sidapa and Bulan
Myths and stories Visayan variant

Sidapa and Bulan

                    Sidapa was once a sky god, who sometimes took the form of a lovely maiden she was cruel and unkind because she has never tasted the food from the world all under heaven when he descended he was given food by a slave child, then he finally tasted mortal food and a taste of kindness and was moved. He became kind and merciful and showed his true form; tall and muscular with golden horns. He extended the life of all those who prayed to him. Sidapa was also the patron god of Madjaas in Panay, where he owned a very tall tree where he measures the life of mortals and from his domain, he saw the beauty of the seven moons. Like the other creatures, beasts, and immortals, he was captivated by their beauty. He had longed to see them up close, he had learned that the lunar gods would sometimes descend to bathe in the waters, but he also discovered that he had many rivals. He discovered that the god of war was preparing to raid the skies in order to even just one of the moons. Sidapa clashed divine steel with the war god (Malandok) and defeated him. next, he outwitted the goddess of the tides who was singing beautiful melodies to the moons. Sidapa asked the mermaids and birds to sing serenades and praises to the moons, thus defeating the goddess. Next, he contented with a deity of the ocean (Makliumsatubig/Magindang) which he defeated. He then commanded the flowers to bloom and make sweet perfume and nectar that would reach the heavens and entice the celestial gods to descend. All his efforts were not in vain as one of the moons moved by all his actions descended with an entourage of wind sylphs. Sidapa took starlight and gave it to winged insects turning them into fireflies to guide the deity. it was the pubescent male aspect of the moon named Bulan, he was said to be so luminous and fair that the birds for a time forgot to fly and sing upon seeing his face, he was also said to have eyes and long black hair darker than midnight, he was so comely that the vicious  mermaids became tamed and the fishes and the water beasts forgot how to swim for a time being.  Bulan would make his descend to meet with his admirer and partake in sweet nectar. But not too long a great beast from the depts of the sea with a mouth size of a lake soared into the sky to devour the lunar gods, it was the fish-dragon Bakunawa. Sidapa upon realizing what was happening soared to snatch the boy Bulan right before he was about to be eaten by the Bakunawa. because of gratitude and enticed by endearments and sweet nectar the moon became childbride of the god of death. Stories say that they sleep in each other's arms under their tall tree.

Bulan the celestial deity known for his androgynous beauty,having long black hair and luminous fair skin that gods and monsters were in awe with his comeliness. He chose Sidapa to be his divine consort

John Raspado wearing Sidapa inspired costume

 1st Mr. Gay World   of Philippines

Reminder

Avoiding Foreign Manipulation: Weaponizing myths and stories and using them as an excuse to attack, harass and even stalk storytellers or communities risks distorting their purpose. Myths are meant to unify, educate, or entertain, not to create division or hostility among Filipinos.

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.

Both oral and written mythology in the Philippines are valid because they serve different but equally important roles in preserving Filipino heritage. What is truly harmful is when foreigners manipulate these discussions for personal gain, attempting to invalidate one aspect of Filipino mythology to cause division. Instead of falling for such tactics, Filipinos should embrace the richness and diversity of their own stories, ensuring that both oral and written traditions continue to thrive.

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.

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.