Philippine Folklore Characters: Its Significance to Religion and Environment
CHAPTER ONE
THE PROBLEM
INTRODUCTION
The Philippines today is facing a huge problem when it comes to environmental issues. Illegal logging, erosion and landslides are always been in the news lately. That’s why; flash floods always come and go as if it is only a natural situation. In addition to this problem, another one is religion, with its diverse faith because of many beliefs. Strong or not, Filipinos are always been faithful and the researchers believed that there is a factor behind these two issues.
Philippine folklore is rich in culture. These characters became a symbol for many people to add color in their stories as well as a tool to discipline children. These tales about these supernatural beings originated during Spanish time and has been passed on to generation. There are reasons why these beings existed. Ancestors created these beings to help strengthen their faith and help the environment. Aswangs, Manananggal, Tiyanak, Kapre, Kutang, Mangkukulam and Tikbalang are among those Philippine folklore characters famous in our literature.
In this study, the researchers aim to find the significance of these creatures to religion and conservation of the environment. In this modern day, these characters may no longer exist in the minds of the people yet it is still in our identity and culture as Filipinos.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The Philippine folklore is rich with mythical and supernatural creatures. It is not as popular like the Western cultures since it is mostly composed of fragmented tales of horror and wonder. Nevertheless, it has influenced the lives of many Filipinos. According to Robert Munson, that a greater belief in supernatural beings leads to a greater faith. And those who have stronger faith are most affected by these beings. When interviewed, Director Peque Gallaga, a famous horror director, said that there is also an environmental angle why “aswangs “in movies tend to hunt in less wooded
THE PROBLEM
INTRODUCTION
The Philippines today is facing a huge problem when it comes to environmental issues. Illegal logging, erosion and landslides are always been in the news lately. That’s why; flash floods always come and go as if it is only a natural situation. In addition to this problem, another one is religion, with its diverse faith because of many beliefs. Strong or not, Filipinos are always been faithful and the researchers believed that there is a factor behind these two issues.
Philippine folklore is rich in culture. These characters became a symbol for many people to add color in their stories as well as a tool to discipline children. These tales about these supernatural beings originated during Spanish time and has been passed on to generation. There are reasons why these beings existed. Ancestors created these beings to help strengthen their faith and help the environment. Aswangs, Manananggal, Tiyanak, Kapre, Kutang, Mangkukulam and Tikbalang are among those Philippine folklore characters famous in our literature.
In this study, the researchers aim to find the significance of these creatures to religion and conservation of the environment. In this modern day, these characters may no longer exist in the minds of the people yet it is still in our identity and culture as Filipinos.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The Philippine folklore is rich with mythical and supernatural creatures. It is not as popular like the Western cultures since it is mostly composed of fragmented tales of horror and wonder. Nevertheless, it has influenced the lives of many Filipinos. According to Robert Munson, that a greater belief in supernatural beings leads to a greater faith. And those who have stronger faith are most affected by these beings. When interviewed, Director Peque Gallaga, a famous horror director, said that there is also an environmental angle why “aswangs “in movies tend to hunt in less wooded