Death God Shows Up At Your Porch With A Boombox Wyd

Armin: Eren, do you have a favorite artist?

Eren: Yes, your parents.

Armin: Why? What did they made?

Eren: You.

Luna: A Magindara’s Tale

A short story I wrote back in 2018 inspired by the Philippine mythological creature: magindara.

language: english, 3k+ words

- ☾ -

The sea engulfed the sun as the night took over the sky. Quiet cool and quiet calm, the moon revealed itself after hiding behind the clouds, illuminating the ripples of water surrounding an island. Sounds of small waves filled a young magindara’s ears as she rested her upper torso on a huge rock. One would rarely see a magindara out of the sea, only surfacing to drive away the humans wreaking havoc beneath the tranquil waters. However, in one particular night, underneath the majestic full moon and blazing stars littered across the sky, the young magindara let the wind kiss her cheeks and dance with her long hair. Her gaze reflected how enamored she was by the sight of the moon, gently but frivolously splashing the water with her blue tail. She started losing herself to the night’s trance, smiling unconsciously.

“Ja!”

The young magindara quickly slipped from the rock that she was positioned on, plummeting into the sea. Gasping and raising her head above the water, she turned to the direction of the familiar voice calling her name. Her eyes met the amused look of her elder sister and fellow magindara, whom she didn’t expect.

“You shouldn’t be up here, Jahaya. Let’s go,” the young magindara’s sister, Pamani, said in a wary tone.

Jahaya, the young magindara, looked hesitant in taking her sister’s advice. Glancing back up at the sky and then back to her sister who was definitely losing her patience, Jahaya only puckered her bottom lip to try and persuade the elder in letting her stay. She pleaded with her eyes as she continued to stick near the rock with no plans of returning to their district. Pamani glared at Jahaya, sighing in disbelief and aggravation.

“It’s late at night! We’re going to get in trouble for this.” Pamani snapped at the younger. She thought Jahaya was being naïve and careless with her actions. Deep within the sea, lies little source of light due to time and it would be hard for them to swim.

“Let’s just stay here, please? We won’t see anything down there if we start swimming now,” Jahaya knowingly said. Pamani, once again, heaved a heavy and defeated sigh. She knew Jahaya was right; nonetheless, she was also right about getting in trouble for not returning to their homes.

“I hate to say this but you’re right.”

The following night, Jahaya was simply back at the surface of the sea. She rushed through the waters, kicking like a dolphin being chased by its predator. Aware that she would end up in trouble for sneaking out at night, Jahaya knew it was best to be quick on her tail. The young magindara, even though she was previously scolded by her family, and mentor, could not be stopped from admiring the beauty of what she knew was dangerous for her— for their world. After all, the world has always been cruelly beautiful to them.

With her head emerging from the water and tilting up to see the stars, Jahaya smiled to her heart’s content. The stars always felt like friends and it sure did feel like a reunion whenever she saw them. For the past years, she lived in the murky, cold, and dark sea. It was not gravely bad; she didn’t despise it. The sea was just never enough.

As she bravely swam to the shore and almost onto the land, the young magindara felt her senses fall into tranquility’s spell of rest. Jahaya sat near the shoreline, her back turned to the island. Her mind was void of the fact that she was being completely impetuous about exposing herself into the open where humans lived. Magindaras and humans were never the best of friends.

“Hey, what are you doing out here?”

Jahaya froze in her place, eyes popping out of their sockets. Her mind completely went blank, unable to register the situation and allow her to escape. She remained turned back to the owner of the voice who asked her the question she left unanswered. The voice sounded foreign, small, and out of genuine curiosity. Soon enough, the owner of the voice took a step forward, the action making a crisp sound on the sand that was very distinct from the calm waves of the sea. Out of pure reflex, Jahaya turned to the stranger who noticed her presence beneath the star-littered sky.

Standing a few feet from the magindara, was a boy who looked the same age as her. It was hard for Jahaya to see him clearly but she was able to decipher his short stature and concerned eyes. She thought about swimming away; but she was unable to move due to how petrified she was.

“Don’t come near me. You’re bad luck,” Jahaya spat darkly, putting up a fearsome demeanor to protect herself from the human boy. Her intentions for the boy were clear as the dark sea. Stepping carefully into the light, the boy’s eyes twinkled in awe at the sight of the magindara. His mouth was set agape with a shocked expression plastered on his face. His gaze took into account Jahaya’s blue tail accented with peach scales, her long dark brown hair, and supposedly sharp brown eyes.

“You’re a magindara! Why are you here? People might find you and kill you!” the boy exclaimed deliberately.

Jahaya’s eyebrows scrunched down together, physically showing that she was confused with the boy’s statement. Constantly asking herself with the question, “Is he trying to help me?” while sitting still, she became a tad bit eager to learn about the boy before her. Such reaction was different from what the elders under the sea told her. She thought all of the humans were vile creatures who would instantly bring harm to her. Jahaya continued to wonder about what made this boy act any different towards her.

Tilting his head to the side, he told her, “I don’t want to cause any trouble. I just don’t want anybody to get hurt. You need to go soon because this island is swarming with people.”

“Why are you trying to help me? Are you not scared of me?” Jahaya asked the boy genuinely, maintaining her curiosity and wary stance at the same time. The boy carefully sat on the sand too, keeping his distance from the magindara to not scare her away. He turned his gaze towards the stars, smiling to himself. “You don’t look scary at all,” the boy innocently told her.

“That’s not the point. I think you know that our kind often kills yours, right?” Jahaya blatantly stated. The young boy turned to her, peering intensely. “I don’t think you kill mindlessly nor is that your intention here in the first place,” he said before taking a glance at the sky. The sky remained the same, breath-taking and overwhelming with glimmer. As a few moments passed by, Jahaya no longer felt scared of the boy; however, she did feel intrigued and annoyed by him.

“The sky is beautiful tonight. Is that why you’re here?” he asked her to confirm his early suspicions. Just by that, Jahaya’s mindset was swayed towards the thought of the moon and the stars. Gaping up the sky herself, the feeling of satisfaction and delight came rushing back to her. She unknowingly smiled, drinking the scene with her eyes. “I don’t see the sky down there. I have to come up here to see them. I really want to see it; even if it means that I’ll be in danger every time. Sihuya taught me how to fight back anyway,” Jahaya rambled without fully registering the thought that she was sharing too much information with a stranger. Once she was able to do so, her eyes widened a fraction, scolding herself in her head and looking down.

“We’re only children! You’re small like me! I’m quite sure that you won’t be able to fight a grown-up just like how I won’t be able to fight a fully-grown magindara,” the boy told her. Jahaya only rolled her eyes at him, even though she acknowledged the fact that he was right.

“I’m already twelve! My tail will surely grow longer and stronger next year and I will be able to swim away really fast if you insist that I won’t be able to fight anyone,” Jahaya snapped back. Giggling at her persistence to prove him wrong, the boy moved closer to Jahaya to be able to talk with her properly. “You’re funny… uh, what’s your name?” he asked the magindara.

Once again, Jahaya visibly froze. The thought of interacting with a human crossed her head once more and it became too real when she saw the boy smiling at her and waiting for her answer. Keeping silent for a few seconds, she examined the boy beside her. She memorized in her head his dark hair, dark skin, warm eyes, and overall lanky body. To her, he indeed looked harmless; but the thought of giving even the smallest amount of trust to the boy did not settle with her. However, as her gaze continued to stay glued to his, she felt herself lower her guard down.

“Jahaya. What’s yours?” she finally said, clearing her throat after. She felt the tiniest bit of regret afterwards; but she decided to disregard it.

“My name is Khani. Does this mean we’re going to be friends?”

Both of them chuckled slightly, turning their gaze back to the sky afterwards. The question was left unanswered because neither of the two knew the exact answer. After all, magindaras and humans were never the best of friends.

- ☾ -

After four years, the sea was disturbed with vigorous paddling and numerous webs of rope clawing at its possessions. Boisterous talking erupted from the fishermen who were responsible for such chaos. They continued to take the sea’s pearls, shells, and fish; irking the sea’s guardians. Gathering the fish in big nets and collecting corals, the fishermen remained oblivious to the magindaras who already had their eyes on taking them down.

“Jahaya, remember everything I taught you. The sea needs your help and you must give it to her,” Sihuya, her long-term mentor, stated. Jahaya gave her mentor a stern nod before swimming away quickly. She swam with anger and determination raging in her system, reaching the moving boats on the surface of the sea. She decided to carefully follow them, her mind slipping into the natural state the sea intended it to be. The seafloor began to grow taller and before she knew it, she was by the shore.

“There were so many pearls down there! We can trade them for silk.” Jahaya heard a fisherman blurt out loudly. Stealthily raising her head from the water, she saw two oblivious fishermen sorting out their new catch. She swam a few meters away from them so that her appearance would not be too clear for them. She did not want to reveal her secret just yet.

When Jahaya achieved the proximity she desired, she turned her back towards the island and began to sing a sweet melody. The melody she sang was newly made by her mentor, Sihuya. She was confident that the melody would instantly lure the humans. This was proven to be true when the footsteps behind Jahaya became more audible than before. Calling out to her, the fishermen made the biggest mistake of ever stepping into the sea again after taking all its possessions.

“Akin ka.”

With the last two words of the song, Jahaya quickly faced the two fishermen and gave them a sweet but sinister smile. Once she caught a glimpse of their stupefied expressions, she went back into the water and grabbed the two fishermen by their feet. Jahaya dragged the two men with all of her strength, swimming towards the deep depths of the sea.

After such an event, Jahaya started gaining control over her conscious mind. The feeling of exhaustion and regret stayed afloat in her head. She hated how nature intended her to be even if she could never fight against it. She steadily swam towards the shoreline, releasing an exasperated sigh as she sat down on the sand. The waves washed over her blood-stained tail, calming her down. Gazing up at the sky, a tiny smile appeared on her face when the moon and stars became visible to her.

“Tired?” Jahaya’s smile became bigger upon hearing the question. Turning to her right, she saw Khani with a smile on his face too. He sat down beside her, mimicking her actions by admiring the sky. The two uttered nothing to each other, basking in each other’s presence under the moonlight. After a few minutes, Khani ended up staring at Jahaya; noticing how lost she was gazing at the sky. Sighing, he looked down to see newly formed wounds on her hands. Khani, without even giving it a second thought, already knew that they were from Jahaya’s victims.

“I never really liked killing people. I just want to protect the sea,” Jahaya muttered quietly when she noticed Khani’s scrutinizing stare. His eyes softened at her aloof form, feeling his chest grow heavy at the sight of his distressed friend of four years.

After their first encounter, the two of them started to see each other at night. Their encounters stayed between them and soon, Jahaya became Khani’s secret while Khani was hers. Jahaya watched Khani grow into a young man responsible enough to partake in tilling the soil of their land. His hard labor not only showed itself on his taut muscles but his soul’s maturity. Naturally, the magindara grew up too, doomed to a fate she deeply abhorred. Nonetheless, the moon decided to mesh their souls. Khani became a huge part of Jahaya as she wished that she could be with him all the time. The boy thought the same, yearning for the night at every given hour. Their friendship continued to blossom but stayed unbeknownst to the world.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” Khani snapped out of his daze, blinking rapidly. “Like what?” he asked the magindara. Jahaya only frowned at him before her eyes met his. “Like I’m the best gift that this world has ever given you,” she cheekily said with a teasing grin on her face. The two of them shared a quick laugh, distracting themselves from all of life’s heart-wrenching complications.

Releasing a contented sigh, Jahaya leaned her head on her friend’s shoulder. Khani instinctively draped his arm over her, keeping her close to him. He placed his head on top of hers, directing his gaze up at the moon afterwards.

“You know, we always say that we’re each other’s secret but I don’t think that’s entirely true,” Khani whispered to Jahaya. The magindara scrunched her eyebrows together in confusion and said, “What? Do you think someone’s watching us right now?” Khani chortled a little before pointing to the sky. “The moon and the stars have always been our witnesses,” he told her. Jahaya let out an unamused laugh to purposely get under Khani’s skin. However, he knew her too well to see that she liked the thought of that.

The two stayed together for the rest of the night, staring at the moon and stars. Their minds quietly shared the same thought of these celestial bodies staring back, hearts beating in sync and ears attentive to one another’s breathing. Sadly, as the sun slowly came to life, Jahaya and Khani knew that the moon and stars could not always watch them; just like the way the two of them could not always see each other.

- ☾ -

The scorching heat burned Jahaya’s skin. Closing her hazy eyes, the sun’s rays felt like shards of glass piercing through her body. Although she felt immense pain, it was not enough to bring her back from her unconscious mind. Jahaya unknowingly let go of a boy’s deceased body, numb to everything else but fatigue. She held into the sand, her eyes dark as the murky sea. The foul smell of decaying bodies took over her system; but she sat there, unwavering and unaware. Soon enough, other magindaras emerged from the sea with human bodies occupying their clutches. Jahaya watched with a befuddled look as they continued to dump the humans on the island with expressionless faces and robotic gestures. When the deed was done, she swam back to the darkness she belonged to.

Above the sea, numerous boats carried the humans and their dangerous voyage. Having their home rattled, the magindaras were left with no choice but to continuously kill fishermen in order to defend their home. Most of the magindaras were out of their right state of mind, seeing most of their loved ones affected by the humans’ trespassing. Some were driven by anger and some were driven by pure devastation, dragging the fishermen to the depths of the sea and mercilessly drowning them.

“Sunset is near! We must retreat, now!” Jahaya heard their mentor, Sihuya, shout through the expanse of the sea. Hearing this, Jahaya felt relieved that the day was about to end. She weakly swam back to their district, slowly gaining back control in exchange for buried memories of the day.

As the night slowly took over, Jahaya snuck out for the nth time to see her friend. She was ready to have the highlight of her day, briskly swimming towards the island that her friend inhabited. Seeing a light glow surrounding the new moon, she patiently sat by the shore waiting for Khani. Jahaya closed her eyes for a while, letting the serenity of her surroundings take over. Opening her eyes, she hoped that she would already see Khani by her side again; however, she did not see him.

How could she when she already had him in her arms beneath the sun?

- ☾ -

The sea engulfed the sun as the night took over the sky. Quiet cool and quiet calm, the moon revealed itself after hiding behind the clouds, illuminating the ripples of water surrounding an island. Sounds of small waves filled a magindara’s ears as she sat on her usual spot on the sand. One would rarely see a magindara out of the sea, only surfacing to drive away the humans wreaking havoc beneath the tranquil waters. However, in one particular night, underneath the majestic full moon and blazing stars littered across the sky, the magindara let a human boy’s lips kiss her cheeks as his fingers combed through her hair. Her gaze reflected how enamored she was by the sight of him, gently but frivolously splashing the water with her blue tail. She started losing herself to the night’s trance, smiling unconsciously.

“The sky is beautiful tonight, right?” Jahaya asked the wind. The magindara turned to her side, seeing her old friend of seven years. He appeared with the same youthful glow that left Jahaya bewildered. Staring back at her reflection on the water, she wondered why she looked older than him. Nevertheless, she gave him a smile, eyes soft and fond. Turning her gaze back up at the moon and stars, she carefully leaned her head on her friend’s shoulder. She immediately felt cold, unlike the usual warmth she basked in when he would drape his arm around her. “Look, the moon and stars are watching us,” Jahaya whispered softly into thin air.

“Ja…”

The magindara quickly turned to the familiar owner of the voice, seeing Pamani staying afloat in the water. Pamani eyed her sister with an uneased expression, noticing her lack of glow and dead eyes. Frantically looking around and seeing no one but her reflection on the sea, sorrow started to cloud Jahaya’s form. She felt her chest grow heavy, seeing that Khani was not there with her.

He hasn’t been— for years.

“You shouldn’t be up here, Jahaya. Let’s go,” her sister said. Labored breathing filled the once dead silence, Jahaya muttering incoherent words to herself. Pamani made a move to approach her younger sister; but she immediately stopped when Jahaya held a hand up.

Jahaya attempted to push away the truth. She gazed back up at the blurred sky, seeing the moon and the stars staring down at her. Soon enough, tears started to cascade down her cheeks and blur her vision of the entities completely. The moonlight shone on her, reminding her of its difference between the sun’s rays. Sobs erupted from the back of her throat as the urge to scream came rushing to her. Jahaya opened her mouth to do so; but no sound came out for she could only sing a sweet melody.

“Jahaya, please,” Pamani pleaded. The older magindara only watched her sister get lost in her own thoughts and sight of the sky, having her own tears blur her own eyesight.

Jahaya sat still on the sand, letting her hand graze over Khani’s empty spot beside her. Instead of his arms around her, moroseness embraced Jahaya. Gone was her hatred for losing control, driving into complete lunacy.

-

H A N A N || Philippines || Goddess of the Dawn

Hanan was a daughter of the supreme god of the Tagalogs (Bathala) with a mortal woman. She has two sisters, Tala and Mayari, and they were all brought to live up in the Skyworld (Kaluwalhatian) by their father

Each of the three sisters were assigned a role to fulfil and a domain such as Tala being the goddess of the stars, Mayari as the goddess of the moon, and Hanan as the goddess of morning or dawn. It is said that she is the deity most important when people enter a new age or a new phase in their life.

celestial sisters: tala; mayari

In Philippine Mythology, Diwata are forest spirits, protecting the vast rainforests of the archipelago. One such nameless Diwata was said to have eyes so beautiful she could turn anyone she gazes upon into wood and stone.

she was blessed by the goddess of many eyes, Dalikamata, and was assigned to protect the flowers of the tree of make-believe, an enchanted tree in an enchanted jungle that could be found at the very edge of the world.

Sidapa headcanons

PIGILAN NINYO AKO sorry fam

(my take on Sidapa, the god of Death who resides on Mt. Madia-as)

Any living thing (sans those of the realm of the divine (e.g. gods, spirits, creatures of magic) and certain plants bc there are spirits living in them) withers when they touch him.

It’s why he’s so cautious and jittery all the time especially when surrounded by that much life.

The mountain’s inhabitants, the ones who know him for his true nature are super kind to him.

They talk to him. They keep a good distance from him (normally a foot away, close enough to be intimate but far enough to be safe) so he can be comfortable. The only ones capable of touching him are the spirits, but even then, it is a rule that he has to be the one to touch them first. They can’t touch him out of no where or else.

The animals love him. They just do. He’s so sweet to them, even if he can’t touch them.

Awww, you hungry? Alright, lemme ask some of the diwatas to give you some fruits.

The crocodiles are so restless today, I wonder– Oh! There’s a dead tree in the way of the river I’m so sorry, ok let me move it aside for you.

You’re about to give birth! How wonderful! … D-Do you m-mind if I’m there? When it happens? Or after? I’d love to meet your new born– Really? Oh, thank you.

Dork.

He’s big and broody and broad shouldered but he tries so hard not to touch anything look at this small precious child.

He sleeps all curled up too, wrapped in his own arms because he’s too afraid that at night he might reach out to something and make it wither accidentally.

For a god of Death he revels way too much in life. He’s so amazed by everything. By flowers and by silver fishes in the stream. By the trees and the sweet smell of fruits in the summer. By the ground and the little insects crawling on it.

He adores everything, but he can never be part of anything. Poor baby child.

Sometimes, children come into the mountain and get lost.

He always makes sure that they find their way home. And if he knows the child came into the mountain bc they were running away from something, he looks for a better home for them.

Just think of a little tribe maybe sa foot of the mountain just going “Quit dumping kids on us!”

… one time, somebody abandoned their baby up there.

When he found out Sidapa lay beside it, a foot away, out of reach, with his hands clenched into light fists held against his chest.

The child didn’t know Sidapa. But it did giggle a lot when Sidapa spoke gently to it, trying to give it some moments of happiness before the inevitable.

When it did die he cried. Gave the poor thing a proper burial.

He was inconsolable for days after that.

The spirits baby him. They always want him to smile. When he’s feeling down, they make flowers bloom and the animals will follow their lead, prancing about and showing him the things they find most beautiful.

Sometimes, they even give him portions of their fruits, or maybe shiny things they find around the forest floor.

He always eats the fruits. And the gifts? He either fashions into jewelry or he keeps in a special place.

When he fell in love with the moons he was really shy in asking the spirits and the mermaids to help “woo” them.

They teased him about it, but they couldn’t keep it up for too long because teasing Sidapa is cruel and uncalled for.

So they helped him woo them.

Except really, it wasn’t wooing. He just wanted the moons to be happy. Because the flowers and the siren songs made him happy so he wanted the moons to see them and be happy too.

… When Bulan came down after the whole fiasco with Bakunawa Sidapa was both giddy and nervous.

Bulan didn’t know about the one foot away rule. Plus, he’s kinda touchy, seeing as he had siblings who loved to hug so the first time he touched Sidapa–

which he did because he caught Sidapa smiling at a spirit busy blooming the flowers around him and he didn’t notice Bulan creeping lightly behind him until the boy moon touched his shoulder

– Sidapa jumped and began to shake, curling into himself. Oh, did the spirits have a field day after that.

It took awhile. Lol, some of them took Bulan aside and scolded him explained, the others tried to calm Sidapa down with Siren songs and the sweet scents of all the flowers and fruits on the mountain.

He calmed down eventually.

That night though, he slept alone, curled up into himself again, replaying in his mind again and again the moment when Bulan touched his shoulder.

Dork.

They figure out the touching thing eventually. Of course they do. 

Sidapa is nothing but accommodating (you have to be, especially when human souls have questions they want answered or last requests they want fulfilled). He understands that Bulan likes to touch. That Sidapa lived in a world that was filled with love but devoid of touch. That Bulan came from a place rich with warmth and comfort.

Bulan taught him, (with his permission of course and very gently), how to receive touch. How to react to it.

Sidapa taught Bulan to see the beauty around him, how sometimes, sitting back and allowing yourself to overwhelmed by how happy everything makes you feel is the best thing about living.

Character Mannerisms/Behaviors: Bonus Questions

I accidentally made more questions than necessary, so here are some bonus questions!

1. What mannerisms does your character have when they’re nervous?

2. How does your character smile? Are their smiles usually genuine?

3. Are there any mannerisms or “code words” your character must use for their job? If so, what are they, and what do they mean?

4. Does your character generally have “open” or “closed” body language? Is this reflective of their personality?

5. Does your character commonly carry something around, such as a magazine or a cigarette? How do they interact with the thing they carry?

6. How do your character’s mannerisms reflect their personality, past, or desires? (For example, a character could always hover near the door because they’re noncommittal, or because they’ve had to run away from bad situations in their past.)

7. If there is magic in your character’s world, what words or mannerisms must be used to “activate” it?

8. How often does your character touch other people? If often, can they be overly touchy, or are they careful not to make others uncomfortable?

Been looking into filipino mythology again cause I’m working on ocs and I thought I’d share some moon deities

Omg I shall read this! I love jjk and my country and this combination is just <333

I wrote a jujutsu kaisen fanfic that’s set in the Philippines

Okay. If you are doing research - especially history research, here are a couple steps to possibly save your life.

1) Get thee to wikipedia.

Seriously. You can’t site it because it has the academic credibility of some random graffitti, and you can’t quote it because the exact writing and content changes every time it gets edited, BUT:

It will almost certainly be more accurate than printed encyclopedias, which are updated every ten years or so, and only require a few eyes compared to wikipedia, where any trolling will probably get you banned or suspended in hours. Not to mention it’s getting a LOT more peer reviews. So you can’t quote it, but it’s probably fairly accurate.

And the best part? After just about every tidbit of information, there’s going to be a little citation number. If you click it, it’ll take you down to the references section (and even highlight the relevant one). You can then go to the original source - which will be much more credible. What’s more is you’ll have specific page numbers (if it’s a book), and you’ll know exactly what kind of information you’re looking for.

2) If it’s a book, Internet Archive is your best friend

The search function isn’t great if you’re looking up questions like you would into your google (or ecosia - if you want to do a good thing for the earth) search bar, but if you know the author and year the book was published, it’s great. You’ll have this information already on hand from step one, if that’s how you found the book in the first place.

There are about 30 million books on Internet Archive and counting, so there’s a good chance they’re going to have what you’re looking for. However, about half of them are check-out only. Checking out is actually easy. You need to set up a free account, and make sure to give them a valid email address because they will send you a verification email. After that, you can check out any book you want for an hour. (excelent for focus!)

If you are only looking at specific pages, you should be fine, but there’s also other longer options for checking stuff out for some books. (I think?)

Also, in many books, you can search for specific keywords within the book, and there’s a little slider at the bottom to find pages.

3) watch Overly Sarcastic Production’s “How to do research”

Seriously. It’s amazing. My first point is confirmed in the video which is just more proof that I’m right /hj

+++++++

taglist: @candlemouse @bookdragonfanish @book-limerence

as always, if you want to be added to/removed from any of my taglists, just let me know! Lists found pinned to the top of my blog :D

Trese, as a story that features various mythological creatures from the Philippines, may give the impression that all these beings belong to only one group. That's not how it is. For one, Ibu and Talagbusao are not from the same pantheon.

This book (PDF) is an introduction to Philippine folk spirituality and religion.

Here's an excerpt relevant to the series.

[Edit 6/14/2021] Just checked. Yep, this is definitely one of Budjette Tan's references. From the Trese: Mass Murders (Visprint ed) afterword:

While doing research for Trese's next villain, I read about the Talagbusao, the god of war, in "The Soul Book" and he sounded like a formidable foe. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense to me that the Kambal needed to be more powerful than any aswang or enkanto.

Transcription:

Assistant Deities and Powers

Below the Lord of the Upper Sky is a host of anitos or diwatas, many of whom can do as they please the more distant they are from him. According to Barton, who studied the Ifugao spirit world (1946), these spirits are believed to be immortal, to change form at will, to become invisible, and to transport themselves quickly through space. There are other attributes associated with these powerful spirits. While they can diagnose and cure illness, they can afflict men with misfortune, ill-luck, disease. They can recover a soul if it has been carried off, but they can also coax away a person's soul. Though they prevent the dead from molesting the living, they too cause death. Indeed they can devour parts of the living human body. Men's minds they influence to suggest courses of conduct, such as payment of debt without losing face; passions they dampen so that men will not fight during a celebration; and stomachs they tie to dull the appetite for food and drink. Those who propitiate them know that these invisible presences can increase rice even after it has been stored in the granary, ward off trespassers, make the hunt safe, and bring victory in battle.

Powerful spirits roughly divide into three categories: ancestor spirits, nature spirits, guardian spirits.

Spirits of Ancestral Heroes

Some ancestors, particularly those who were outstanding in farming, hunting, warfare and the arts, acquired more and more powers in the memory of their descendants as time went on. They became fabulous beings. The more illustrious hero-spirits arc remembered in the great epics. Others arc remembered as culture heroes who taught their people new skills.

Some ancestral heroes (Cole 1916; de los Reyes 1909):

Lumabat - first Bagobo mortal to attain the Skyworld (Cole 1916).

Handiong - the hero of the Bikol epic who freed the land from the ravages of wild animals, brought Bikolanos rice, and planted the fruits.

Lumawig - taught the Bontok headhunting, agriculture, the art of building council houses and men's dwellings, and a code of ethics.

Bantugan - the charming, indestructible, much-wedded hero who could repulse any invasion. His cult probably began when the Maranaws were still animist.

Nature Spirits

Not all ancestral spirits become deified. Many remain nameless spirits residing in dark majestic trees and in the deep woods.

Nature Spirits reside in the natural environment, such as trees, rocks, crags, rivers and volcanoes. Humanlike, but much more powerful, these unseen beings are credited with feelings and sensibilities. Accordingly they may be offended and thus cause harm, or they may be propitiated and their friendship gained. Some spirits are represented as being sensitive to a fault as many Filipinos are when confronted with an unfamiliar or unpleasant situation. People do create spirits according to their likeness. On the other hand Frank Lynch, the anthropologist, says that the Filipino's care in handling interpersonal relations may in fact be the result rather than the cause of this belief in an environment filled with sensitive spirits (1970). In moving about, he takes care not to displease the many invisibles who could punish him.

Nature spirits can be either malevolent or beneficent. As in Philippine society as a whole, it all depends on how you deal with them. If you ignore them and hurt their dignity, they can make you sick; however, if you acknowledge them and ask permission to pass by and give them offerings on occasion, then they will reward you.

Some nature spirits:

The Lord of the Mound - spirit of an old man who lives in a termite mound. Throughout prehistoric Southeast Asia, the earth mound was a locus of power probably because of its phallic shape. "Tabi, tabi po baka kayo mabunggo" (Excuse me, please, lest I bump you) is the polite way to pass one of these inhabited hills. Though invisible, the nuno can be grazed and thus retaliate with a fever or skin rashes.

The Tree Dwellers - Spirits reportedly resided in trees. Thus the Mandayas, who are the largest ethnic group in southwestern Mindanao, believe that tagbanuwa and tagamaling are spirits who dwell in caves and balete trees. The belief persists to this day even among Christian Filipinos. The Ilokano pugot and the Tagalog kapre are gigantic, cigar-smoking black spirits who sit in deserted houses and up a balete or banyan tree with feet dangling to the ground. They can, however, assume any size they want including that of an infant. Engkantos also dwell in trees. But the term itself and the description of them as tall, fair-skinned and light-haired beings with high-bridged noses is post-hispanic. Engkantos, male or female, sometimes fall in love with mortals and lavish gifts on them (Ramos 1971).

The Babes in the Woods- probably the souls of foetuses or dead children. They arc called by the Ilokanos kibaan. The creature is a foot high, dwells in the fields, can be scalded with boiling water, and even die. The kibaan gift friends with gold, a cloak that confers invisibility and a large cup of coconut which is inexhaustible. To those who throw hot water at them, the kibaan scatter powder which produces a disagreeable affliction (de los Reyes 1909). Closely related is the Tagalog patianak which wails in the forest, like a baby, but inflicts harm. Common in pre-Christian times was the practice of exposing infirm deformed babies in the fields and forests (Alcina 1960). Their heart-wrenching wailing must have given rise to these beliefs.

The Bloodthirsty and Implacable

Among traditional Filipinos, the embodiment of evil is a being that is neither fully human nor fully animal. It stands upright like human beings and has a face; but it preys on human flesh and makes the living sick so that when they die there is carrion for food. Unlike the devil of the Judaeo-Christian-Moslem tradition, this being does not harm the soul by tempting it to sin. The death it causes is physical rather than spiritual. Other spirits can be negotiated with: offerings and kind words win their toleration if not help. It is not possible to do so with these implacable beings. Thus people fear them the most.

The busaw feared by the Bagobos of Davao, people the air, the mountains and the forest. They are limitless in number. Most malignant is the busaw called tigbanua. One eye gapes in the middle of the forehead; a hooked chin two spans long upturns to catch the drops of blood that drip from the mouth; and coarse black hair bristles on the body (Benedict 1916). It frequents graves, empty houses and solitary mountain trails. Indeed it may make an appearance at any place outside the safety of one's home.

Guardian Spirits

They are believed to preside over specific human activities such as birth, marriage, and death; over hunting, fishing, farming and fighting. Beneficent and powerful, guardian spirits generally rule from the sky; some, however, stay in their areas of responsibility on earth or in the underworld.

SOME GUARDIAN GODS

ON THE FARM

lkapati- Tagalog goddess of fertility. guardian anito of agriculture

Magbangal - Bukidnon planter god who became the constellation that appears to signal the start of the planting season

Damolag - an anito of the early Zambals who protects the fruiting rice from winds and typhoons

Lakan-bakod - Tagalog guardian god of the fruits of the earth who dwells m certam kinds of plants used as fences. Some anitos carry the title "Lakan" or Prince They could have been deified kinglets

Pamahandi - protector of carabaos and horses of the Bukidnon.

WHEN FISHING

Amansinaya - anito of fishermen of the ancient Tagalogs to whom they offer their first catch. Hence the term pa-sinaya ("for Sinaya") still used today. Following the theory of god-making, Amansinaya could be the soul of a maiden who was drowned and became an anito of the water.

Libtakan- god of sunrise. sunset and good weather of the Manobo.

Makabosog - a merciful diwata of the Bisayans who provides food for the hungry. (He was once a chief in the Araut River on the coast of Panay)

IN THE FORESTS

Amani kable - ancient Tagalog anito of hunters.

Makaboteng - Tinggian spirit guardian of deer and wild hogs.

WHEN REARING A FAMILY

Mingan - goddess of the early Pampangos mate of the god Suku (Consorts of the gods fall under the " guardian" category)

Katambay - guardian anito for individuals, a kind of inborn guardian angel of the Bicols.

Malimbung - a kind of Aphrodite of the Bagobos This goddess made man crave for sexual satisfaction

Tagbibi- diwata protector of children of the mountain tribes of Mindanao

WHILE AT WAR

Mandarangan and Darago - Bagobo god and goddess of war Mandarangan is believed to reside in the crater of Apo Volcano on a throne of fire and blood

Talagbusao - the uncontrollable Bukidnon god of war who takes the form of a warrior with big red eyes wearing a red garment. This deity can enter a mortal warnor's body and make him fight fiercely to avenge a wrong. But Talagbusao can also drive him to insanity by incessant demand for the blood of pigs, fowls and humans.

AT DEATH

Masiken - guardian of the underworld of the lgorots, whose followers have tails

lbu - queen of the Manobo underworld whose abode is down below at the pillars of the world.

This information came from the following sources: Jocano 1969; de los Reyes 1909; Garvan 1931; Garvan 1941; Cole 1922; Benedict 1916; Dadole 1989; Mallari-Wilson 1968

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Demetrio, F. R., Cordero-Fernando, G. and Zialcita, F. N. (1991). The soul book. GCF Books.