Nuno sa Punso - The Cursing Dwarf

It also known as Duwende, Nuno sa Punso is a dwarf-like creature from Phillippine. It is small (did not mention what is its size), some claim it is invisible to the human eyes, but others said it is about the size of small insect. Physically, Nuno sa Punso appeared as an old man (literally, "nuno" means old men, usually refer to grandparents, meanwhile its full name Nuno sa Punso literally means "Grandparent of the Anthill"). 

Mostly, Nuno lives in anthill called Punso. But they also live in other places, such as large rock, trees, along riverbank, inside caves, and / or people's backyards. The legend said that Nuno have ability to curse people who purposely trample around, urinate or damage their punso. People who got Nuno's curses, might be swelling or pain in any part of their body, vomiting blood, or uninating black liquid. If the intruder is within range, Nuno can spit them. The effect of the curse only localized to where the spit lands on the person's body. If it land at the foot, the intruders will have foot problem. If Nuno spits on the elbow, they will have elbow joint pains.

People believe, if one gets unable cure illness, it's been broguth on by a Nuno. The person who can cure Nuno's curse is Albularyo (a practitioner of traditional medicine). Usually Albularyo will do a ceremony called Tawas, in which a piece of a candle is melted on a disc or spoon. When melted, the wax is poured into water. An image will appear in the wax. The Albularyo will interpret the image to determine the possible cause of the sickness.

Another way to be cured, the victim's family must provide fruits or other food, drinks, and material goods to Nuno as an offering and ask for Nuno's forgiveness.

To avoid curse from Nuno, childen are always reminded not to play at noon, and they should be in the house before six in the evening. They also must ask for permission when trespass unfamiliar area, by saying "Tabi tabi po" (means "Please let me pass by").

Aswang - Evil Vampire Creature

Spanish known this creature since their colonization in Philippines in 16th century. It is the most feared among other mythical creatures of Philippines.

Philippians known Aswang - sometimes called Asuwang - as a combination of vampire and witch. They mostly appeared in female form. But sometimes also appearing as an old man. The legend of Aswang are vary from region to region, so none of the characteristic can be ascribed to the term. Mostly it portrayed as a monster with wings flap loudly when it's far away and quietly wen it's nearer. Aswang has been a very famous, especially in  West Visayan area, such as Capiz, Iloilo, and Antique. In Capiz, Aswang is also called as Tik-Tik or Wak-Wak.

People believed Aswangs living as regular people. As people, they are quiet, shy, and elusive in the day time. Most of them are prefering to take occupations related to meat, such as buthcer. Usually they are isolating themselves from public as well. But in the night time, they transformed into creatures and taking form of animals like pig, bird, cart, and dog. They enjoy eating unborn fetuses and small children, favoring livers and hearts. They are fast and silent, and some have thin body that can hide themselves behind a bamboo post.

Dealing with Aswang can be done by throwing salt and / or semen at it because people believe it can burn their skin. Another way for dealing with them is to keep a red pouch full of gingers and coins. The ginger's smell will keep hem away, while the coins are used for preventing them from lifting us up.

People also believe that Aswang is fear of bullet, feathers, and canes. Hung garlic on doors and window will beat off Aswang.

Many films about this creature have been made, such as Aswang (1992), a Phillippines movie, starring Almo Moreno, Manilyn Reynes,, Aiza Seguerra, Aljon Jimenez, and directed by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes. The Hollywood version of Aswang creature has been made in 1994 and called The Unearthling.