Maria Makiling Is A Diwata (forest Nymph) That Is Said To Reside In Mount Makiling. She Is The Guardian

Binibining Philippines 2022 National Costume Contest- Laguna

Maria ng Makiling is a breathtakingly beautiful deity in Laguna that protects the animals, forest, and the crops that surround it. With the help of the youth in Laguna, the elements in this costume incorporate the different culture and traditions of Laguna. Through the modern interpretation of this costume, we hope to relive the legend that accords honor to the majestic province of Laguna.

Tres Marias: The Mountain Diwatafolk of Las Islas

Maria Sinukuan The eldest of the Three Diwata sisters and protector of her domain, Mount Arayat. One of her legend tells that she had a demon suitor who desired her hand. She gave him a test to prove his worth – to build a stone bridge without any support overnight. When the demon has almost accomplished his task, Sinukuan sabotaged the test by telling the rooster to crow early before dawn. The demon gave up, thinking that he failed.

Maria Cacao

The second of the Diwata sisters and protector of the Visayan dark woods where Chocolate Trees grow. It was believed that when the river overflows, Cacao is travelling through the river on a golden barge to personally deliver dark fruits to the river gods.

Maria Makiling The protector of her domain, Mount Makiling and the youngest among the Diwata sisters. She was also the most popular because she was more benevolent and curious of people than her sisters. She once fell in love with a hunter that caused wrath from Sinukuan. Her eldest sister reminded her of their duty as a Diwata and falling in love means leaving their mountain domains vulnerable. After realizing that the mountain needs her more, she appeared to the hunter one night – to break his heart. The unbearable pain in her heart caused her to vanish and never appeared to anyone from then on.

Yay favourite character! So, who's your favourite Greek mythology character (or any mythology, really)? :P

From Filipino mythology!

Akin to an eagle

inspired by the Kalinga (a Philippine tribe) cultural video posted up by pinoy-culture. (video)

how Kalinga women are tough, proud, and dance like a soaring eagle who looks down on earth.

✨️📸🇵🇭 Celebrating and honoring our culture and the ancestors through cultural heritage photoshoots.

Here are some photos from a photoshoot I did in the San Francisco Botanical Gardens with a client of mine, Jacqueline, back in November. Together, we honored her Tagalog ancestors by doing a pre-colonial look.

I chose to use this location, as there are several balete trees in the gardens. The balete tree is steeped in Filipino folklore and beliefs, across the islands and different ethnic groups.

During my photoshoots, I tell my clients to bring an atang, a food offering, for their ancestors. For Jacqueline, she gave the offering underneath the balete tree, a perfect place to give them, as the balete tree is believed to be the home of the spirits, and was the place where the katalonan (the term for the Tagalog priestess) would go to do their maganito, (rituals).

For one of the photos, we decided to try and recreate one of the poses of an illustration of a Tagalog woman in the Boxer Codex manuscript.

➡️ Interested in following my work? Follow me on Facebook and on Instagram (@ thepinayphotographer)

✨️Interested in booking a session? Visit my website and fill out my form. Check below for my booking dates.

https://thepinayphotographer.mypixieset.com/contact/

✨️BOOKING DATES!✨️

Jan 10-February 13: NYC

February 24-26: Las Vegas

March 14-16: San Francisco/Daly City/Bay Area

March 19-21: Los Angeles

April 4-6: Chicago

April 11-19: NYC

April 27-28: Boston

May 1-19: NYC

May 23-25: Washington D.C.

Isabella . Filipina “Belle”

starting the year right. here’s my first art for the year. 

Vampires & Vampire Hunters but make it about during the late 1800s in the Philippines

JUNE : Celebrating the month of Philippine Independence with this drawing.

Entitled: HARANA (meaning “to court through serenading”).

Cinderella in Filipiniana costume. (late post)

My local version of Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)