Talk:Philippine mythology

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To-do list for Philippine mythology: edit · history · watch · refresh

As of August 14, 2007:

The following are organization notes. Philippine mythology IS the OVERARCHING / MAIN article for all other Philippine-mythology related articles. It should contain a brief introduction to each sub-aspect of Philippine mythology. The sub-aspects (suggested) should include:

  • Philippine folk literature Y Done
  • Gods and Goddesses in Philippine Myth (existing and redirects to "Deities of Philippine Mythology") Y Done
  • Philippine Legendary Creatures and Spirits (existing as "Philippine mythical creatures") Y Done
  • Philippine Legendary Figures
  • Mythical and Sacred Locations in the Philippines - ongoing
  • Sacred Objects in Philippine Myth
  • Myths in contemporary Philippine culture
  • Urban Myths of the Philippines
  • Philippine Folklorists
  • Regional Mythologies

ADDITIONAL NOTE/GUIDELUINE: Please refer to the information available inside the bottom and side navigational boxes (both existing and implemented) and individual article infoboxes (proposed template existing/waiting for implementation). Thank you.

Actions taken

Hi. I've created pages for Philippine Folk Literature and added a summary of it to Philippine Mythology. I've also created pages for Maria Cacao and Maria Sinukuan, guardian goddesses of Mount Arayat and Mount Lantoy, respectively. I think we can add those two mountains to places in Philippine Myth, and in addition, Mount Banahaw and Mount Pinatubo which is sacred to the Aeta tribes. Erm... are we going to discuss ALL of Philippine Mythology in this box? Should this page be a list of 'to do's for the entire scope of Philippine Mythology? I was thinking of "hatching" a tentative "project page" of sorts on my page but since this is here, shall we just put everything here? Alternativity 14:25, 22 August 2007 (UTC)

Also, I was wondering if we could have a different background color for the infoboxes? I was wondering if there was some way to make it more reminiscent of "Philippine" Mythology. Perhaps Red white and Blue? Or perhaps a bamboo motiff? Just a thought. Hehe. On a personal note, I'm not very fond of yellow, I'm afraid. hehe. Alternativity 14:25, 22 August 2007 (UTC)

Changed color of infoboxes into a more pleasing one - at least, more bamboo-like rather than yellow. - Dragonbite 03:29, 23 August 2007 (UTC)
Priority 1 (top) 

Contents

[edit] Merging Philippine mythical creatures

I definitely vote against merging Philippine mythical creatures into Philippine mythology, as there is much material on Creatures in Philippine Mythology which cannot be discussed in depth in a general discussion of Philippine Mythology. Instead, I propose that the Philippine Mythology article needs to be expanded, as the emphasis on legendary creatures or even Gods, is unwarranted. I believe Philippine Mythology should instead cover the unique characteristics of Filipino Mythology. I've been wanting to work on this project for a while, but I have not yet find the time. I am, on the other hand, slowly gathering resources so I can do so.

[edit] Organization

Soliciting comments. I'm wondering how this page can best be reorganized to reflect the whole scope of Philippine Mythology. At the moment, some of the things I'm bothered about include

[edit] "Higher" and "Lower" Mythology

- There is a rather apparent line between "Higher Myths" including

- And the creatures of lower mythology currently listed in the pantheon such as

But I'm not sure how to organize this in light of the whole article yet.

[edit] Regional Mythologies

See note below

[edit] Evolution of Pinoy Mythology

I wonder if the page should also reflect the evolution of Philippine Mythology. I will have to read Nick Joaquin's Culture and History again to look for relevant insights.

Things I wonder about under this include:

    • Methods of Transmission of the Mythology
      • Oral Transmission
      • Transmission through physical artifacts
      • Documented Mythology
    • Modern Myths (not necessarily but inclusive of Filipino Urban Myths)
      • Aswang in the City
      • Shapeshifting snake in mall ventilation ducts

[edit] Introduction

I think it's not quite fair to say "Philippine mythology, and folklore are being studied as part of the curriculum of Philippine Psychology", as that implies that Philippine mythology is not being discussed outside of this context. Philippine mythology stands on its own as a field of study. Perhaps a different subheading should discuss how Philippine mythology is studied as a part of Philippine psychology? For now, I've deleted the references to Philippine Psychology, but below, in itals for everybody's consideration, is the text that was removed.Alternativity 10:12, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

    (Philippine mythology, and folklore )...are being studied 
    as part of the curriculum of Philippine Psychology... Many 
    attribute psychological problems to these superstitions and 
    considered significant for psychologists in understanding 
    the Filipino psyche.

Also, while mythology does indeed "include[] a collection of tales and superstitions about magical creatures and entities," these magical creatures and entities are not the defining characteristic of mythology, which is why I suggest a broader definition... but one I hope to work on at a later date. :-) Alternativity 18:12, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Mumu and Mubaiya

My filipino friend says she believes in the mumu and the mubaiya. What are those monsters ???

a 'mumu' or 'momo' is generally used as a generic term to describe a 'ghost' or 'monster'. children use it to describe any scary being. i am not familiar with a 'mubaiya', however. it may be a creature confined to a narrow ethnic pantheon; the philippines is quite ethnically diverse. where is your friend from exactly in the philippines? - Kguirnela 13:06, 25 December 2006 (UTC)

i am not sure where my friend is from. She says that mubaiya is a creature that is human by day, but at night sheds its skin and can have wings that fly. It flies around looking for humans to eat at night.

[edit] Work to do

There is a lot of good material in this article, but the introduction is rather POV.

Er... I'm not sure what POV means. But I do agree there's a lot to be done here. Alternativity 10:12, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Impakto

What is it? Is it a spirit that causes temporary madness? Is it supposed to originate from the soil?--Jondel 12:54, 27 November 2006 (UTC)

This should really be added.--Jondel 08:20, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Unbaptised children, Angels that are neither good nor bad

I read legends about this as a child. Does anybody know about this? I read that in Philippine mythical creatures were angels that broke of when there was an angelic war. Some were good , others became demons, while the mythical creatures were angels that were neither in Philippine mythology. Any info?--Jondel 12:54, 27 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] "Regional Mythologies"

Philippine mythology of course, is a catch-all phraze that covers the mythology of many ethnicities. As Scott points out, it is rather unfair to disucuss these mythologies under one banner as if they were one and the same when that banner did not exist when those mythologies were originated.

Perhaps we should separate this article into regional subheadings and then "incubate" discussions of the individual ethnic mythologies and then evolve them into separate articles when they develop sufficient substance to merit an article?

The discussion of "Igorot beliefs" suggested below could be discussed as a secondary subheading under this "regional mythologies" subheading. Alternativity 10:21, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Igorot beliefs

Would it be apt to add here some of the Igorot people's pre-Christian beliefs(I say opre-Christian because according to the igorotglobal.com, approximately 90% of the present-day Igorots have embraced Christianity)? Like that of Kabunian, Lumawig(son of Kabunian who is more or less like a half mortal, half god), and other dieties? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 61.9.55.205 (talk) 09:39, 22 December 2006 (UTC).

[edit] In Popular Culture

Should we have a section for how Philippine mythology is covered by Popular culture? That would include references to media like Mulawin, Etheria, Whilce Portacio's Stone, and Arnold Arre's The Mythology Class. Alternativity 10:21, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Archetype Meanings In the individual pantheon entries

Can we add psychological archetype meanings to the individual entries for creatures of lower mythology (tikbalang, aswang, etc)? Such as the Tikbalang being a reflection of the transition to horse-riding culture? I'm not sure where to find sources for this, but I know this is all fairly common knowledge under Phillippine psychology?

[edit] Weasel Words

Here are acouple of statements using weasel words WP:WEASEL because they use the words maybe or probably.

Idianalé (Idianalo, Ideale) is the ancient Tagalogs goddess of works and good actions. Other legends say that she is also a goddess of death, and it is possible that she and Hukloban are one goddess.

Bathala: He is possibly worshiped by the Visayans.

- Getonyourfeet 19:06, 23 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Direct Quote needs citation

Wikipedia:Citing_sources#When_you_quote_someone

"Bathala, the source of all creations, in Your hands lie Maniliw the witch, and from your chest comes out the creator Lulid Amo that can make darkness darker than the night"

If it is a translation, it still needs to be attributed or it is original research. WP:OR

- Getonyourfeet 19:06, 23 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Malyari is he a god or demigod?

A god is full blood god. A demigod is part god and part mortal. Wasn't Hercules a demigod? Fix! LAWL!!! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Getonyourfeet (talk • contribs) 19:00, 23 March 2007 (UTC).

- Getonyourfeet 19:06, 23 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Inaccuracy

Someone familiar with the subject matter please correct this statement take from the other gods section:

Kabunian, or Lumawig, is the Ifugao tribe supreme deity, where his palace is at the peak of Mount Pulag in the Northern Cordilleras. <-- This cannot be true because Mt. Pulag does not lie in the area of the Ifugaos.

 — 6etonyourfeet\t\c 18:36, 16 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Notes on organization of Philippine mythology articles