The Research
Want to dig deeper into Filipino spiritual culture and history? Explore the sources behind the Bruha content series below. This is a living archive that will continue to grow.
Online Resources
The Aswang Project
The most comprehensive free online resource for Philippine mythology and folklore. Covers babaylan, engkanto, anito, diwata, aswang, regional variations, and pre-colonial cosmology. Cross-references historical Spanish documents with indigenous oral traditions. Used for: three realms, babaylan, engkanto, anito, usog, aswang, regional variations.
Filipiknow
Filipino-authored educational platform covering Philippine history, mythology, culture, and folklore. Covers Sulod cosmology, Visayan deities, pre-colonial traditions, and Philippine mythology overview. Used for: Sulod three realms (Ibabawnun, Pagtung-an, Idadalmunun), Visayan mythology, Filipino gods and goddesses.
Gods and Monsters
Scholarly mythology reference covering Philippine deities, creatures, and cosmology. Includes Bathala, diwata, engkanto, aswang, Bakunawa, and more. Cites F. Landa Jocano and Maximo Ramos as primary academic sources. Used for: Upper World deities, diwata, Bakunawa.
Academia.edu — The Myths of the Philippines (2014)
Academic thesis on Philippine higher and lower mythology. Covers cosmology, ethnolinguistic groups, soul concepts, and creature classifications. Used for: cosmological framework, regional variations.
History Rise
historyrise.com/philippine-folklore-and-mythology-ancient-beliefs-that-survive-today
Overview of Philippine folklore and mythology with academic grounding. Covers oral traditions, ethnic group variations, and survival of pre-colonial beliefs. Used for: general framework and regional diversity.
Philippine Books
Online bookstore for Philippine culture, history, folklore, mythology, and legends. Recommended for building your personal research library.
Sikodiwa — Spirits, folk belief and the Filipino soul
Filipino-authored academic essay on pre-colonial religion, anito ancestor worship, and folk Catholicism. Explores how Filipino spirituality survives into the modern era. Used for: anito, ancestor veneration, modern Filipino spirituality.
Essential Books
Outline of Philippine Mythology
F. Landa Jocano
Introduction to Filipino deities, pantheons, and mythic traditions. Draws from published materials and Jocano's own field research. Accessible entry point into the academic literature.
The Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology
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Maximo D. Ramos
Indispensable field guide to Filipino folkloric creatures including the aswang, engkanto, and nature spirits. Based on extensive fieldwork across the Philippines.
Encyclopedia of Philippine Folk Beliefs and Customs Vol. 1 and 2
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Francisco Demetrio
The most comprehensive encyclopedia of Filipino folk beliefs. Covers usog, tawas, orasyon, anting-anting, healing traditions, and regional variations. Essential reference for all healing and protection content.
A Handbook of Philippine Folklore
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Mellie Leandicho Lopez
Academic overview of Philippine folklore traditions across regions and ethnic groups.
Sulod Society
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F. Landa Jocano
Primary academic source for the Sulod of Central Panay cosmology including Ibabawnun (upperworld), Pagtung-an (middleworld), and Idadalmunun (underworld). Used for: regional variations slide in Three Realms post.
Ancient Beliefs and Customs of the Tagalogs
Jean-Paul G. Potet
Specific to Tagalog pre-colonial cosmology. Relevant for Kaluwalhatian, Kalupaan, Kasanaan framework and Bathala.
A Visual Guide to Filipino Folklore
Beatriz Alegre
Visual reference for Filipino folklore creatures and traditions. Useful for design research alongside cultural content.
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