Tikbálang: The Filipino Nightmare Shapeshifter | Monstrum

[@עומרשרייבר-ל4ר]

Always felt that Philippine mythical creatures were kinda underrated. They have some truly bizzare and terrifying creature that I would love to see more utilized in fiction out side of the Philippines.

[@LoganCrazyBoy]

The tabletop RPG Scarlet Heroes has a ton of inspiration from Southeast Asia folklore, and quite a bit of the monsters there come from the Philippines. I learned about so many myths and legends because of it. Also it's a damn good game!

[@Takesis]

Islands of Sina-Una as well!

[@mantraxer]

the scariest part is when it says: Sarah Lynn?

[@zionleach3001]

Yeah from what I've read in Trese and seen on KZbin it definitely is. There's many that could be used in fantasy.

[@willkirwan]

Totally agree.

[@TheOgrande]

I grew up in America not knowing my own cultures folklore. When I was three years old my mother and I immigrated from the Philippines to USA. My parents didn’t tell Filipino stories much growing up. In American schools back in the 1990s, Filipino culture weren’t hardly taught. I was pretty much in conflict between two cultures; my own and the American culture. Watching Treses on Netflix had me wanting to learn more about my culture and it’s stories.

[@situpeutparlemoi]

I'm not sure if it's the same in America, but June is Filipino Heritage Month here in Canada and often there's lots of community gatherings and festivals. Maybe you van reconnect through those? I've been slowly exploring them with my Tita and it's been very cool. And, of course, lots of good food!

[@88smileandnod]

@@situpeutparlemoi unsure if there's something for Filipinos specifically, but the US does have Pacific Islander Heritage celebrations in the spring

[@jmgonzales7701]

Its a good thing Filipinos in america are starting to learn about their countries culture.

[@jessicaclakley3691]

I wish you luck and happiness in your journey of rediscovery!

[@situpeutparlemoi]

@@jessicaclakley3691 Thank you!

[@AngryKittens]

I'm so happy you actually took the time to dig into its origins. The original pre-colonial Tikbalang wasn't horse-shaped. They were an "anito", a nature spirit, that tricked travelers by first appearing as something harmless. Usually an old man, or someone you know. Before transforming into something monstrous. It's main characteristic was that it was a shapeshifter. Like similar nature spirits (including in western folklore, i.e. elves, etc.), they were not intrinsically malevolent. Just capricious, easy to anger, and inhuman, since they are basically personifications of natural elements. The most similar creatures would be the Japanese yōkai.

[@cupcakemcsparklebutt9051]

Where did you lesrn that?

[@AngryKittens]

@@cupcakemcsparklebutt9051 Spanish records. There are a LOT of old written records of our folklore (I'm Filipino). It's sadly just not explored a lot, because we don't speak Spanish anymore. And we only really have a few historians who actually do study them. The most common description of the tikbalang (also spelled ticbalan, ticbalang, tik-balan, tigbalan, etc. in colonial records) are that they live in banyan trees (balete), that they can shapeshift into any form they want. The most common form they take was that of an old Aeta man (an ethnic group in the northern Philippines with dark skin) or a giant monstrous man with long limbs. They generally cause the feelings of terror and panic when passing under a balete tree at night. Some examples: El Ticbalang, que unos llaman Fantasma, otros Duende, parece ser el Genio, o Diablo, que se las aparece en figura de negro, o en figura de caballo, o de monstruo, etc. y les pone tanto miedo, que vienen a hacer las amistades con el, y le entregan el Rosario, y reciben de el cosas supersticiosas, como son pelos, hierbas, piedras, y otros objetos para conseguir cosas proidgiosas, y se ayudan de el para algunas operaciones suyas. FROM: Informers Que Se Remitieron Al Señor Arzobispo para El Concilio de Manila Sobre Aniterias Supersticiones Y Otros Abusos de Los Indios. Fr. Sebastian Moreno & Fr. Eusebio Polo (1770) ...penso que se encontraba con un ticbalang, ese demonio de los bosques y caminos que se complace en extraviar a los viajeros y labradores, discurria commo escaparse de aquel apuro... FROM: Mariang Maquiling. Jose Rizal (1916 [posthumous]) Nos contaron que por sus montes corria el tigbalan y que generalmente tenia un árbol en donde establecia su residencia ; que este árbol se reconocia facilmente porque en su copa se veia una especie de covacha de barro y el terreno y al al rededor del tronco estaba muy limpio de piedras y yerbas. La descripcion que hacian del tigbalan era la misma que he oido en los pueblos y ciudades. A un negro que me parecia muy formal y me demonstraba mucho afecto le pregunte que si mismo habia encontrado algun tigbalan, me contesto: "a decir la verdad, yo mismo no lo visto pero muchos hermanos mios si le han viso." FROM: Informe sobre el estado de las islas Filipinas en 1842. Sinibaldo de Mas (1843) Tigbalan ó Tigbalang . Demonio ó duende que como el tianak suele tomar varias formas , muchas veces gigantescas . Si se presenta en su forma predilecta ( hombre de alta estatura y de desproporcionadas extremidades), tiene puas en la cabeza; entre ellas se distinguen tres, las mes gruesas, que sirven de amuletos. Los Bisayas llaman al tigbalan: unglo. FROM: Diccionario Mitologico de Filipinas. F. Blumentritt (1895) The "Tigbalan" is a phantom which, according to the common beleif, has the gift of appearing to man under different forms. It is believed that the appearance of any person or any animal can be simulated, and it is told of persons that, having made friends with "Tigbalan", they have converted themselves into savages and no longer desired to live in towns. FROM: Census of the Philippine Islands, Taken Under the Direction of the Philippine Commission in the Year 1903. US Bureau of Census (1905) The balete tree (Ficus urostigima sp.) corresponds to our witch elm, and certainly at night has a most uncanny appearance. Each of these great trees has its guardian spirit, or Ticbalan. FROM: Inhabitants of the Philippines, pp. 214, 343. Frederic Henry Sawyer (1900) Onglo & Tigbalan, Nescio quid spectri formae aethiopis, staturae gigantae, muties puellas & pueros in deserra abducens. Qui reduces, vel casu inventi, quasi terrore panico pereulsi ad omnia stupent... FROM: Ex Historia Bysaiarum MS. Ignatij Alzinae. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. (1708) TIgbalan was an evil spirit, which resided now in one animal, now in another, one day in a pig, the next in the stray carabao which halted before the shack the day a baby died there. FROM: The Philippine Problem 1898-1913. Frederic Chamberlain. p. 37 (1913)

[@HoV326]

​@@AngryKittens it bit unrelated, but why don't they speak Spanish anymore in Philippines? Is it more to distance themselves from when they used to be a Spanish colony or is it another reason?

[@onekill31]

@@HoV326 usually, the natives did not fully-learned Spanish. Yes there was a Spanish language subject but it was abolished a long time ago and was replaced with Computer Education.

[@NEOSCISSORSJAGUARPRIME]

@@HoV326 MOST OF THE PREDOMINANTLY SPANISH SPEAKING GENERATION PERISHED IN WW2 AND ENGLISH WAS ADOPTED WAS ADOPTED AS A 2ND LANGUAGE, THERE'S THE SPANISH CREOLE CALLED CHAVACANO THAT IS SPOKEN IN THE SOUTHERN PARTS

[@situpeutparlemoi]

Thanks for covering the Tikbalang and Mananangal! I'm slowly rediscovering my Filipino heritage as I grow older, and seeing more and more representation across all sorts of media has been so meaningful. Not to mention just how freakin metal so much of our folklore is. It was great to see Trese's creator featured, too. The Tikbalang has been my favourite aswang since childhood, but his version kicked it up a notch!

[@mikeblair2594]

@ThatMouse - hey, do you know if that comic is in English? I've never known philippino( I don't even know if I spelled that right) and while Spanish was my first language I don't remember much and actually speak Shoshone much better from living with my aunts people. Take care and have a nice evening.

[@jpespinosa4539]

@@mikeblair2594 it's in english, it's our 2nd language.

[@situpeutparlemoi]

@@jpespinosa4539 Thanks! I still need to pick it up. I've only seen the Netflix adaptation, but, like, three times. 🤣

[@BlueLightningRose]

There's are more mythical creatures here in Philippines

[@schizo4932]

we have Kapre. a human like creature who lives on tall trees. you can smell that dudes body odor, he smokes tobacco, sometimes he talks to you, you get sick for a few days if he cast a spell on you. Atros, nobody has seen this guy, but you can hear it coming because he beats his drums, it mostly shows its presence in the middle of the day, you need to get the hell out if you hear the slow drum beats. also if you're gathering woods in the forest and somehow you get lost, that's the Atros magic trying to make you lost in the woods counter the Atros you need to take off your clothes and flip it inside out before putting it back on again. There is also this huge guy who lives in bamboos, you're hut is made of bamboo? you're in bad luck if you got your hut materials from where he was living before, that dude will sit on you until you die if you dont wake up 🤣.

[@stephencastro4723]

Basically, the Tikbalang is not a malicious creature. It is just guarding the forest as most forest creatures should be. In fact, Tikbalang could be friendly if someone got it's gold hair.

[@AllTheArtsy]

In other stories though, getting a lock of the tikbalang's hair enslaves it.

[@cyrienjamesola1913]

Tikbalang is nor good or bad. They lead travellers astray or kidnap you If they want you to marry them. Or enslave you if they want. The more friendlier "Encantos" is dwende and kapre.

[@datuhuginn5079]

There is a variant called the Balendik, a white tikbalang with flaming mane and tail. Usually feral and rapes women after dark. Perhaps a way to address torch bearing Spanish patrols during the night.

[@batasgamer8511]

There's also a story of a red or blue hair. If consumed it will give you speed powers but will turn you into a tikbalang in the next blue moon.

[@itsgonnabeanaurfromme]

Except for the part where it consumes human flesh

[@shaider1982]

nice that Dr. Zarka had interviewed the writer and co-creator of Trese. The Netflix adaptation was very good.

[@manueldesousa5054]

Omg yes!!! I loved the Netflix series so much!

[@thecollectorsinged113]

Still gotta hate how they casted Lisa as the main character's VA seeing how inexperienced she is, we have a lot of talented Voice actors and voice actresses here but they chose telenovela actress instead

[@manueldesousa5054]

@@thecollectorsinged113 I thought the voice acting was fine

[@iananelson8256]

I enjoyed Trese quite a bit! There is so much rich Mythology in the world, it's nice to see something other than Greco-Roman and Norse mythology in a popular series. I love both of those mythologies, don't get me wrong, but there are so many great stories out there!

[@thecollectorsinged113]

@@manueldesousa5054 if you are watching the english dub then of course it's fine, the Filipino/Tagalog dub isn't, the side characters were better than Lisa's WHICH IS the leading character. Specially if you are someone who has been speaking the language your while life, the way she voiced is very disappointing

[@krozcek]

As an indonesian, Philippine folklore amazed me since they're kinda break and enriched the traditional asian folklores

[@timesnewramen4861]

Asian mythologies are underrated mostly South East and Middle East.. lots of interesting stuff.

[@mypal1990]

I heard these stories growing up and it terrified me as a kid. But there's something mystifying about the lessons being taught with these stories as I got older.

[@PaszerDye]

Stories of White Lady scared me the most.

[@yungjose3369]

I remember being told by the elderly that one should ignore the noises from the roof of the house (a kubo hut) at night when we used to be in our province. We were told that it is the Tikbalang roaming at night

[@danielrubinstein896]

​@@PaszerDye especially the one in the baletd drive and in baguio

[@pepitaluna3246]

This is a good introduction to the Tikbalang! From what I remember from the stories I heard growing up, the Tikbalang is not necessarily malevolent but mostly mischievous. It likes to lure male victims into the forest and likes to peep into the windows of women's bedrooms to watch them change. In fact, whenever I would stay at our ancestral house in the province, my elders would tell me to draw the curtains shut because the Tikbalang is likely spying from our old Acacia tree. When we eventually had to cut that tree down because it's roots started burrowing into the house's foundation, I remember that the gardener asked for permission from the Tikbalang and asked him to move into the tree groves in the next lot. There's also this belief that if it starts to rain while the sun is high up in the sky, it is likely because a Tikabalang is getting married to a human woman.

[@grell5108]

We have a similar (though less terrifying) story for when it rains with the sun out. When it happens we say, "Jakkals trou met Wolf se vrou" (Fox is marrying Wolf's wife). They're two prominent figures in our stories and are always at odds

[@pakde8002]

Here in Bali it's not only polite but advisable to ask permission before cutting certain trees, especially mango trees. Many people don't want one growing within the family compound because it harbors spirits. I can confirm that this belief is strongly held by many people here. A friend wanted to expand her business by adding on where a Mango tree was growing. They had to sift all the soil to make sure no part of the root system remained under the construction site.

[@Jumpoable]

@@grell5108 This is so interesting. In Japan during a sun shower it's "foxes getting married."

[@AllTheArtsy]

The stress is on the second syllable: tik-BA-lang. A feature that wasn't mentioned is that the tikbalang has a few golden hairs and if you manage to get one of those, the tikbalang would be enslaved to you. In everyday context, the tikbalang mostly comes up during sunshowers (when it rains while the sun is shining) where we say that two tikbalangs are getting married. I don't know the context behind that though.

[@dennisagbayani3327]

"Tik-ba-LANG"!?🤪 Seriously? 🤔 The guest, Budjette Tan, pronounced it correctly so the host should have gotten her cue from there. Did they not preview the interview prior to finalizing the video? Alas, the "tik-ba-LANG" can only neigh in dismay. Poor Mr. Tik-BA-lang. 🐎

[@ramd66]

Yes, I heard that description of the Tikbalang.

[@amristar736]

It is American pronunciation so stop crying.

[@Jaeeden]

@@amristar736 if you're going to talk about a different culture's mythology, it's better to actually use that culture's pronunciation. Otherwise it's just offensive to the actual culture.

[@TackKeyNack]

@@amristar736 american pronunciation, a.k.a. wrong pronunciation

[@LaBibliotecaEterna]

So cool that you bring Trese's creator as is one of the best occutl detective stories ever made.

[@pakde8002]

I'm jealous that the series hasn't come out in Indonesia on Netflix. Guess I need to get a VPN.

[@LaBibliotecaEterna]

@@pakde8002 what a shame because its wonderful, and we need a second season. If they leave you with no other option....

[@bmona7550]

What? I thought all of South East Asia can watch Trese. Kinda wierd how Indonesian Netflix doesn't have it

[@lakacianiybizi3573]

I just happened to watch the show on Netflix because it was a short season. I really hope they come out with a new season because those 6 episodes were amazing. Rich with folklore and characterization, but some fun action, too.

[@desk-kun2366]

The most famous legend of Tikbalangs is their ability to trap people into an endless loop or in an illusory maze where the victim would wander until they die of exhaustion. And apparently, the only way to break the curse is to wear your clothes inside out.

[@swordman37]

Definitely one of my low-key favorites. So happy for this episode. Happy Filipino History Month!

[@DeadlyAlienInvader]

October is Filipino month? With all their horrific monsters? SWEET! A perfect combination!

[@cryztalqueer]

When it's sunny and it suddenly rains with the sun still visible, we believe that two Tikbalangs are getting married. Also according to legends, Tikbalangs have this golden strand of hair than when plucked by a human, the Tikbalang will be their servant.

[@Irememberhuggabunches]

Interesting about the mature marriage idea, there’s a good amount of Latino cultures with a similar belief about rain when it’s sunny being a bruja getting married.

[@allisonhomiak2336]

I've heard something similar about kitsune getting married during sun showers in Japan. Why is there such a specific similarity between all these different cultures?

[@JohnCivor]

No its actually when both sunny while raining Tikbalang are getting married.

[@cryztalqueer]

@@JohnCivor that's what I said

[@F0rever_zer0]

good for them

[@RVboyjunior]

Tik - BAH - lang (stress is on the second syllable). Thank you for featuring the tikbalang in your channel. More power!

[@pbsvoices]

This is awesome! Sharing this video with all of my filipino family. Also can't believe that you got to speak to Budjette, I LOVE Trese -Josef

[@pbsstoried]

He’s amazing!-*Dr.Z*

[@mythicalcreaturesdoctorsor3589]

​​​​​​​​@@pbsstoriedtikbalang : 🇵🇭 Philippines night jungle hiding horse head half human humanoid leg hoove attack people

[@animefallenangel]

Loving these spotlights on South East Asian myths and legends. I grew up in Borneo and am enthralled at how different the monsters and mythical creatures are to many classical English creatures. Like, there's one monster in Brunei that's literally a giant leg that appears in the dark of night if you're driving on a particular road.

[@bealojero9438]

Woah! That story is super interesting.

[@karabaw7445]

that's a tikbalang the just saw their feet. hahaha

[@monteagudoabeezekieljardie7884]

I was really surprised that Monstrum added the Tikbalang. But I'm glad that I'm watching, listening and understanding the video. Thumbs up for Monstrum for adding more Filipino monsters to the list of monsters, myths, legends and fantasy stories. I would be quite surprised, if Monstrum added more Filipino monsters, myths, legends and fantasy stories, like Engkanto, Tiyanak or Si Malakas at Si Maganda.

[@andrewkawam2603]

I love Monstrum sooooooo much!!!!! Especially the way it highlights underrated monsters and looks at their anthropological origins!!!! Could you guys please do an episode about the Lagarfljót Worm? Definitely underrated...

[@motziedapul]

I have such a deep love for Tikbalang I became known as the creator of the "Tikbalang Boyfriend" comics in indie Filipino comics circles 😂 Tikbalang are amazing. The best portrayal remains, to this day, that of Makabo from the comic Skyworld, which is sadly no longer in print, but featured Trese as a major character.

[@takechiyochan5379]

where can i find this comic????

[@motziedapul]

@@takechiyochan5379 if you're asking about my comic, it's called BEHKomiks and you can read it online, but it's not updated. For Skyworld, I don't think it's in print anymore. I have copies since I followed it for years but idk about new ones.

[@shaniacolombana9601]

Cool! Now do the female counterpart, the Anggitay! I would love to see it!

[@filipinophile8148]

Additional info: In some areas in the Philippines, tikbalang are also forest guardians. They will only inflict sickness when a human disturbs the forest (logging, etc.). They can also be befriended, and in rare cases, a human can force a tikbalang to render service if a human manages to obtain the specific tikbalang's golden hair usually located at the back of its head.

[@SUPERSTUDIO17]

OMG SO EXCITED to see a filipino cryptid! Please do more. We have SO MANY CREATURES of folklore and myth that would be so fun to cover

[@manganeko2534]

Trese made me love Filipino folklore! Almost as much as Monstrum sparked my curiosity about monsters.

[@lposa3385]

Yes! I’m so excited! I’ve hoping you would cover the tikbalang! So happy!

[@Calaburst]

Philippine artist Whilce Portacio, did a comic series in the late 90's called Stone. Its premise was based on Philippine mythology featuring Agimats, Tikbalang, Mananangal, Dwende, and others. It only lasted for 2 4-issue series sadly.

[@bijgiean]

I love that Filipino mythical creatures/folklore are getting recognized internationally. Tikbalangs are like our version of a Kelpie, except its domain is the forest, usually dwelling in trees instead in a body of water.

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

*slams desk* "Identity theft isn't a joke, Tikbálang! Millions of families suffer every year!"

[@mnemosyned.g.8324]

Sir Budgette! ♥️🖤 Trese is a must read for Myth fans. Highly recommended

[@i3osco717]

I am gonna save this one for tonight when I have time to enjoy it properly. In the meantime I once again humbly request an episode about the skandinavian Myling. As I both lack the platform and the PhD I find myself unable to do it myself but still think it would be interesting for others to hear as it is a most fascinating creature with real cultural and historic importance.

[@Umbra-r4k]

O.M.G IT'S BOJACK HORSEMAN!

[@vinceibarretz7583]

Yeah but if you pick his golden hair you will be his or her master

[@nBasedAce]

I was gonna say that!

[@chocochef3092]

Dr. Zarka once again thank you for covering and presenting another creature of Filipino myth to a wider audience.

[@medusa_slayer]

Wow. Haven't even heard of this and I love mystical beasts and mythology 👌🔥

[@Domdrok]

Thank you Budjette Tan for your local insight! Monstrum always gets great experts. Edit: ark-a-pah-lah-go lol, it's cool Emily, we all have those words.

[@aaronlazaro7226]

Watching Trese and these PBS Storied videos for my students in Greek mythology class reminded me of a funny story that really happened. Some background: this story happened to me when I was a 17-year-old student. One day, my classmates and I (the majority of us Filipino students) were taking a test in English class. One part of the test was a crossword puzzle, the answers to which are the names of Greek mythology characters or settings. Already familiar with the myths, I was among the few to get a perfect score on the crossword puzzle. One of my Filipino classmates, on the other hand, gave one hilariously wrong answer. One of the crossword questions was "What is the creature that is half-man half-horse?" Said classmate panicked, and wrote "Tikbalang" instead of "Centaur." Laughter ensued.🐎

[@JRjaime97]

Woah!!! Monstrum!! Thank you for sharing this folklore of ours.

[@gettyexclamador8446]

Thank you so much for giving this more light. Much love from Valencia city Bukidnon MINDANAO PHILIPPINES❤️❤️❤️

[@ambrosepenman2542]

As a Filipino, I grew up with these stories and these all always fascinated me. We also have a belief that when a certain weather phenomena happens, where it is quite sunny but a light rain shower occurs, it means that a Tikbalang is getting married. So as a kid, I always run up to my mama and point outside and say "Mama! May kinakasal na Tikbalang!" ("Mama! A Tikbalang is getting married!") with excitement. I'm really glad that you covered this! Please make more of our local urban legends and folklore! Love you Storied and Monstrum!!!

[@phillipowen3149]

I remember the first time I heard of the Tikbalang, an ex of mine told me some folktales, now it’s getting the Monstrum treatment! Great vid!

[@sheren_b]

It's always fun to see the tikbalang to come up in conversations about mythical creatures/aswang. its definitely cool to see it put into context about colonization. also archipelago rly is such a hard word to say when reading it so i feel you Dr. Z lol

[@mushroomninja68]

Another vid that made ma smile 😊 Looking forward to see Kapre, Tyanak, Santelmo, Diwata Looking forward to the next video

[@imnobodybye236]

As a filipino, I deeply appreciate this vid and "Trese" is a must watch

[@jerichojose]

It's nice to know that Tikbalang and Manananggal were featured. How about Kapre in another video? Two thumbs up, Dr. Emily and Monstrum team!

[@alchemy616]

When I was a kid, my grandma told me that there was a Tikbalang that lived just in between the path of her home and into the road and always told us to never leave the house late at night or in the afternoon during siesta time (my grandma always told us as kids to sleep in the afternoon to get enough rest) when nobody was around. From a far you can see that the distance from her house to the road was just a few walks away but when you took the path, it felt longer that it should be. I always loved her stories when I was young and filipino folk stories always had a different feel to it. It scares you yes but also gives you a sense of what to look out for and give you a lesson.

[@kaelmolo1432]

Thank you Dr. Emily!! This is a most welcome entry!

[@Crabbypino]

Thanks for posting this -as a person born in the Philippines and raised in the US - this is new to me. Thank you!

[@derekkarofsky9694]

So we went from Tikbálang to Thiccbalang. This isn't too far. In Trese, there is a club called Casa Lanan (pun on the word Sin in filipino). In which you get to spend the night with any magical creature you want for a price.

[@steph4559]

My uncle met a tikbalang while he was a child in the Philippines. His story always gives me chills

[@Unknown-fu7pu]

I kinda wanna see a video covering Kapre. I've always found them quite interesting!

[@clandestineanthonygordon6833]

Proud to see this featured in your show. Coz im a Filipino and our horror culture is very rich :D

[@jwlez2814]

the tuldik (stress indicator) in the title too ??????? LOVE

[@lovy.d7878]

I started watching Monstrum because of your Mananangal video, I'm glad that you made a video about the tikbalang , Fun fact: Their is a saying or a belief in the Philippines when It's both raining and the sun shines a Tikbalang is getting married.

[@thetwink5239]

Thank you for featuring tikbalang. I'm happy that you guys decided to do a Filipino mythic creature.

[@kungpaocanine]

Got chills watching the episode! Awesome stuff, Dr. Z and team!! Great sources too, from Budjette Tan and The Aswang Project, to The Mythology Class and “Once Upon a Time” (which also has a memorable claymation scene of Dolphy’s tikbalang transformation). What a way to start the spooks season 🎃

[@BeatrixTomomizu]

GOOSEBUMBS! Again a Monster I never heard of and I LOVE IT!

[@FRMJD1996]

Another great video to add to my college’s Anthropology Club watchlist. You guys are the best, keep on doing what you’re doing😁

[@n3nt2nd464]

Man, Bojack Horseman has been going through some tough times since he decided to move to the Philippines

[@mathieuleader8601]

imagine if Bojack did a Halloween special where a Tikbálang comes to Holywoob to make it big as an actor or an agent

[@softmoxymuffin2351]

Thank you for this. Always love your videos but your vids covering Filipino folklore are my favorites. Looking forward to the next one :)

[@STEVIEABRAHAM]

This channel teaches me stuff I never knew existed and leave it to Dr. Z to narrate it in a way that just registers in the head. #respect

[@travisshallenberger9486]

Cool legend. I'm looking forward to more great videos this year for Halloween!

[@Jedthegudboi]

Hoping to see "Tiyanak" soon! Spending my free time to watch your great and fascinating videos! ❤️

[@gamereditor59ner22]

Thank you for the information and keep it up!!

[@martletkay]

I've always wanted to know more about these! Thanks!

[@int0thedepths]

Been meaning to watch Trese. Definitely gonna check it out today!

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

I had not heard of this cryptid. Thank you🐝🤗❤️

[@TatsuyaShiba03]

To note one of the distinctive feature of the Tikbalang folkore is that ot has golden hairs on its mane. If you are able to pluck one, the tikbalang will follow your every command. I was waiting for this to be mentioned

[@francisbarcelon1237]

I love the Filipino mythology. Hopefully you can cover more of many Filipino mythology and creatures. We got a lit of horror creatures

[@maggyfrog]

a little correction: there is actually an endangered (or maybe extinct at this point) horse breed in the mountains of philippines. i believe they were larger than pygmies but a little smaller than average size horses.

[@rexredcap589]

Great stuff as always. I love hearing about the spooky tales

[@mrrd4444]

Oh my GOSH BUDJETTE TAN!!! So cool that you got to chat with him.

[@samuelaccorso2129]

I love your show! Thank you for these awesome vids! Please please please do an episode about the Phantom of the Opera!

[@lweegeveil2992]

I've been watching the channel's videos for a long and when they featured the Philippine monsters, I was so hyped.

[@fourleafclover2064]

This is genuinely terrifying

[@evan-ezquer]

As a Filipino, I thank you for this information. Most of the data on Filipino folklore creatures are not widely available even on the net. This gave me a lot of ideas for my short film.

[@shannynstevens]

I loved watching Trese on Netflix (Hopefully we get a season 2)! Thanks for delving into the mythology that inspired that awesome animated series!

[@dorkgirlalamode]

I'm SO glad to have found this! I adore Tresse, and have been wondering where the horse part of the hybrid came from--I wondered if the Arab or N African trade routes had brought horses to the Philippines before the Spanish, and your insights about the Hindu influence are something new for me to consider. Either way, MORE TRESSE, PLEASE!

[@highwaydust10]

Here in Philippines. Tikbalang. When it drizzle with sunshine, we think of a wedding of Tikbalang.

[@jokejoke954]

This is why i love listening to Philippines horror story, they mostly contain tales from the aswang, engkanto, kapre, etc. and still keep the mythology alive whether they are true or not.

[@jem99b]

Thank you for leading me to another great series of mythology to watch! ❤

[@itwasagoodideaatthetime7980]

So weird I was just binge watching previous Monstrum videos when this episode popped up.

[@andrzejmarut8166]

Trese was a great series, I wish they'd make more seasons

[@timesnewramen4861]

great video... would like you to cover up "Tiyanak" one of the most terrifying creature in PH folklores.

[@tintinsupz1864]

Vid begins with so Much confidence Ended with uncertainty

[@zionleach3001]

Hey Dr.Z could you do a video on Skinwalkers. Also nice that you acknowledged Trese.

[@garethtudor836]

Another brilliant video from Doc Z. I've had a deep love of folklore for most of my life, coming from the home of boggarts and sceadugengan. Learning more about the things we share as a global community can bring us closer, while respecting the differences between cultures

[@shakathelutherprince1393]

THANK YOU MONSTRUM, NOW I GET TO WRITE ABOUT MYTHOLOGICAL BEINGS THAT I CAN'T FIND ONLINE IN TIME

[@IzzGoobyTime]

you guys are gonna love Lagim, it's a card/board game chockfull of Filipino monsters. Gorgeous art too

[@polthedestroyer]

I was gonna hop on to ask why, if they had someone on who was pronouncing "tikbalang" correctly, was she mispronouncing it throughout the video. But seeing how much the English word "archipelago" was giving her trouble, you know what, I understand. Love ya, doc! Appreciate you. You're doing a great job!

[@gwyndolinds-en8yt]

YEEEESSSSS!!!!!!! WE HAVE A TRESE EPISODE!!!!!! (then I remember we also have an aswang episode haha) Please dr. Z, could we have a ghoul and a Jiāngshī episode in the future?

[@ColoniaMurder20]

you should cover about Kapre, Tiyanak, Shokoy and Sigbin folklore in the philippines. I missed to hear those stories from our elders and their experienced about it.

[@mecahhannah]

This was really interesting as always thanks

[@St.Linguini_of_Pesto]

I'm intrigued, I'll be searching for that series/movie in the morning. I'm in the middle of several foreign series on Netflix rn.. two my favorites at this point are Valhalla Murders & Invisible City.

[@Steveofthejungle8]

Yes! I was just thinking about the awesome Monstrum Halloween season!

[@someoldguyplays]

After this, I suggest re-visiting the Leshy episode. There's a bit of overlap between the two

[@oucyan]

YOOOO. I requested this one once. Glad to see it being covered

[@supernonoy2511]

I have never heard of this one, so cool! What about the Phoenix, what are it's origin?

[@nekonishi021]

My older brother had an encounter with this creature when he was only ten years old. Its appearance terrified him so much that he no longer wants to discuss it at home. (He was now 30 years old) No one in our family believes Tikbalang exists until my brother tells us the story in great detail. He claimed to have been playing with one of our cousins when he unexpectedly lost one of his slippers. (We call flipflops as "slippers" or "tsinelas" here in the Philippines) Our cousin's house is just nearby in what we call "agbang" here in Batangas, Philippines (it was like some sort of cliff or forest where the water flows, especially when it rains or there is a typhoon, and it was surrounded by a lot of trees). He got lost and started walking through the agbang when he noticed the tikbalang sitting near a bamboo tree and it was laughing at something. It has a horse's head and a man's furry body. He describes its fur as long and grayish in color. He stated that he began crying and froze because it looks terrifying. The tikbalang then noticed him and began walking towards him but it didn't hurt him at all. It just followed him around the agbang. He also mentioned that they had discovered a small body of water that they would have to cross. It has many broken glasses, but my brother claims he was not hurt because the tikbalang carried him on its arms and began crossing the water. He claimed the tikbalang smelled like an insect known as "atangya" in Batangas. He said the tikbalang was actually nice and only it's appearance is what terrified him that day. My brother got lost at 3pm. My parents and grandmother discovered him around 7pm near my cousin's house again, wearing both of his slippers on his feet. According to my mom, he was all wet and my brother has no idea how he got there but he clearly remembered his encounter with the Tikbalang. Sorry for the long story and my english. 😅

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

I hate correcting your pronunciation, but it's Teek-Bah-Lahng. Otherwise, very good video!

[@AngeloBarnachea10]

Also in the Philippines, we have another half-horse and half-human hybrid, it is a comedian by the name of Vice Ganda