Tikbalang

In the depths of Philippine forests and the most sinister mountains, a malevolent entity hides, ready to take on various physical manifestations. Among its most terrifying forms is a colossal creature, part human and part horse, known as the Tikbalang. This creature from the Philippines relishes in creating disorder and fear.

This creature possesses the ability to mimic humans and inflict sickness upon them, its heartless and piercing laughter serving as a foreboding signal. In contemporary depictions, the Tikbalang is predominantly portrayed with equine characteristics, despite the absence of native horses in the Philippines. Thus, the question arises: what are the origins of this monstrous being? Fundamentally, the Tikbalang is a malicious spirit entity. Although typically incorporeal, it can manifest as an elderly man, a monkey, or a hybrid creature with horse-like attributes. Although their physical form may vary, their gender remains predominantly male. Tikbalangs traditionally possess equine eyes, heads, and legs resembling those of a horse, while their arms and torsos bear a resemblance to humans. Towering in height and slender in build, their awkward appearance is accentuated by their ungainly gait. In essence, a Tikbalang is akin to a Minotaur, substituting a bull's head with that of a horse, while its body remains humanoid and its feet resemble those of a horse. Encountering a Tikbalang is said to occur at crossroads in rural areas. Consequently, when journeying home alone at night, one may come face to face with this creature. Recalling snippets of information from my relatives' tales or perhaps a childhood movie featuring Dolphy, a renowned comedian in the Philippines known as the "king of comedy," where he assumed the role of a Tikbalang in a film titled "Once Upon a Time." In this movie, Dolphy transformed into a Tikbalang and there was even a scene where he carried two children, leaping over the moon. Although my memory may not serve me entirely accurately, these are the vivid images that remain ingrained in my mind regarding encounters with Tikbalangs on screen.

Existing deep within the forest, the Tikbalang can be found inhabiting caves, trees, and bamboo groves. This creature possesses the ability to imitate others and can effortlessly become invisible, which it utilizes to indulge in one of its favorite pastimes: deceiving and ultimately harming unsuspecting travelers. Typically, the Tikbalang entices individuals off their intended path, subsequently trapping them in the forest and subjecting them to days of terror. A prime example of this is found in the legend of "The Farmer's Son." One fateful day, as the farmer's son hurried home after completing an errand at his uncle's house, he encountered a stranger within the depths of the forest. Despite his attempts to disregard the enigmatic figure, the boy couldn't help but notice his towering height and emaciated frame from the corner of his eye. Engaging in conversation, the stranger matched the boy's pace, his footsteps resounding with a distinct thud. His lengthy, black hair cascaded down to his exposed shoulders, partially concealing his extraordinarily hairy neck. His eyes emitted a piercing blue glow, contrasting with the fiery red ember of the cigar clenched between his large lips. Coaxing the boy further into the woods, the stranger lured him away from his intended route. Lost and filled with fear, the boy yielded to the stranger's grasp. As the boy rested, the mysterious man effortlessly scooped him up, carrying him deeper into a dense bamboo forest. Emitting an eerie, high-pitched chuckle, the stranger callously abandoned the boy, leaving him isolated in the darkness. The following morning, the boy's parents were overwhelmed with panic as they discovered their missing child. After an extensive search, they eventually located the traumatized boy, consumed by sickness and delirium-induced fever. Falling ill is a common element within this legend. It is believed that even catching a glimpse of the Tikbalang may result in illness, ranging from a fever or headache to potential blindness. In more unfortunate circumstances, sudden death may befall those who have been targeted by the Tikbalang's malevolent intentions. If the Tikbalang were to call out an individual's name, wishing upon them sickness, the chances of finding a cure are bleak. It took five arduous days for the boy's fever to subside and for him to regain consciousness. When he recounted his harrowing experience to his family, his father concluded that the child had indeed encountered a Tikbalang. Wisely, the boy's mother cautioned him never to venture into the woods with a stranger again. Similar to many other pieces of folklore from the Philippines, written accounts of this tale emerged following the arrival of Spanish colonizers, who began documenting the customs and beliefs of the Indigenous peoples. Missionary priests chronicled the widespread fear surrounding this creature, an entity capable of manifesting as an animal or monster and compelling individuals to commit evil acts. However, it is likely that the oral legend of the Tikbalang underwent modifications during its translation and transcription by the Spanish colonizers. Ultimately, the Tikbalang legend evolved as a fusion of Filipino traditions and foreign influences.