The Gods Must Be Crazy: A Philippine Mythology Podcast

29: PRACTICAL MAGIC | The Babaylan Part 2 of 3 In this series, we learn about the deep and important history (and present) of the Babaylan: The pre-colonial figure of ancient Filipino tribes who served as the bridge to the spirit world, the herbalist, healer and sometimes even deputy Datu. Over a series of episodes, we dive into: who is qualified to be a babaylan? Why were they typically women, an...

This Undas, join us as we revisit one of our favorite episodes — all about Filipino superstitions on death, and strange and interesting practices observed during wakes and burial. Happy Halloween and a blessed All Saints’ Day! [REBROADCAST] EPISODE 11: SHAKE IT OFF | Pagpag & Other Philippine Superstitions & Traditions about Death & Burial In this chill (and weirdly cozy?) episode, we cover the st...

28: PRIESTESS, MEDIUM, HEALER, GUIDE | The Babaylan Part 1 In this episode, we learn about the deep and important history (and present) of the Babaylan: The pre-colonial figure of ancient Filipino tribes who served as the bridge to the spirit world, the herbalist, healer, and sometimes even deputy Datu. Over a series of episodes, we dive into who is qualified to be a Babaylan? Why were they typica...

EPISODE 27: THE PRINCESS AND THE BETEL NUT | Datung Sumanga and Bugbung Humasanun (The Binukot - Part 2) In this episode, we learn more about the practices and traditions surrounding the betel nut, and discover an epic we didn’t cover or hear about in our high school Panitikan class, featuring: a beautiful princess who with an incredibly healthy sense of self-worth, a warrior-chief who went to gre...

EPISODE 26: THE PRINCESS IN THE TOWER | The Binukot (The Kept Maidens of Visayan Tradition) In this episode, we talk about a character often seen but barely heard in the Filipino epics; whose existence bears witness to an ancient Visayan practice that has almost disappeared today. She is the Binukot, secluded from the community and kept aside from a young age, valued for her fair skin, stunning an...

EPISODE 25: SHE’S A COLD-HEARTED SNAKE (TWIN) | Kambal-Ahas or the Mystical Snake Twins of Philippine Folklore What does a mall, a carpenter, a tribe in the Sierra Madres and Alice Dixon have in common?  They are all tangentially connected to the uniquely (at least to our knowledge) Filipino myth of the Kambal-Ahas or Mystical Snake twin. Learn about how this ancient and modern story was shap...

Look at this stuff: isn’t it neat? Get your sunscreen and swimsuits ready, because in this episode we’re diving deep into the crystal blue waters of the Philippines and visiting the Sirena and all her other merfolk cousins in Filipino folklore. From mysterious and dangerously seductive open-water predators to rebellious teenagers who just want to be part of our world, mermaids have been part of po...

EPISODE 23: GOT 2 BELIEVE (IN MAGIC) Part 2 | Anting-Anting, Agimat, and Talismanic Beliefs in the Philippines In a special 2-part episode, we talk about the origins, myths, and how-tos of Filipino Talismans: what we call the anting-anting or the agimat. Learn about how bones and teeth, bronze and gold, dirt and cloths, all have the power to transform an ordinary mortal into a god. This second par...

EPISODE 22: GOT 2 BELIEVE (IN MAGIC) Part 1 | Anting-Anting, Agimat, and Talismanic Beliefs in the Philippines In a special 2-part episode, we talk about the origins, myths, and how-tos of Filipino Talismans: what we call the anting-anting or the agimat. Learn about how bones and teeth, bronze and gold, dirt and cloths, all have the power to transform an ordinary mortal into a god. This first part...

EPISODE 21: TGMBC BOOK RECS - PART 1 (Book Recommendations on Philippine Mythology & Pre-Colonial History) You guys have asked, and you shall receive! Ever since the pod started, listeners have been asking us for book recommendations for anyone interested in learning more about Philippine mythology and pre-colonial history. This is that episode, folks! Join us as we run through some of the sou...

EPISODE 20 (BONUS): MANANANGGAL IN MANHATTAN (Reading Melania: Devourer of Men, So You Don’t Have To) In this episode, we provide a critical follow-up to our first ever topic: the Manananggal. In an effort to address a long-held morbid curiosity ever since it first came our way, we cover the riveting and unsettling premise of the book Melania: Devourer of Men. Join us as we romp through the soarin...

EPISODE 19: URDUJA, WARRIOR PRINCESS | Legendary Princess of Tawalisi In a time of ancient gods, warlords and kings... A land in turmoil cried out for heroes. She was Urduja, a mighty princess forged in the heat of battle.  In this episode, we learn about Urduja, a legendary princess who was almost too epic to be real.  Join us as we embark on a journey across ancient Sri-Visayan Empires...

EPISODE 18: BOSSY BABIES, TALKING ANIMALS AND DEADLY BATHS | The Epic Tale of Lam-Ang In this episode, we brush up on our high-school Panitikan to tackle one of the major epics in Philippine literature: the tale of child-prodigy turned avenger turned romantic hero, BIAG NI LAM-ANG. Treat this as your SparkNotes version of the epic tale—and follow us through strange pregnancy cravings, overachievin...

EPISODE 17: I HOPE YOU GET RICH | Filipino-Chinese New Year Beliefs, Practices & Superstitions In this (semi-cross-over) episode, we discuss the fascinating practices and beliefs of the huge Filipino-Chinese community, especially during the Chinese Lunar New Year! Listen in while Anama quizzes Ice on things like: why do people give each other tikoy, which fruit does not belong in a Chinese New Yea...

Alternate title: Anito Ako, Umiibig Sayo In this episode, we talk about not just one, not two, but the multitude of gods our Filipino ancestors worshipped: the Anito. Find out just who these ancestral spirits are, how to summon just the right one to grant a wish and if (or how) you can be one in the afterlife. We learn about the incredibly specific anitos invoked for incredibly specific needs — wh...

EPISODE 15 (Minisode): A WIBBLY-WOBBLY, TIMEY-WIMEY FILIPINO TELEPORTATION TALE In our first (actually ‘mini’) minisode, we cover a fascinating tale of teleportation all the way from our 16th-century Philippine colonial period. In this account, we meet the unassuming guardia civil Gil Perez, who was inexplicably plucked from his guard post in Manila to another place thousands of miles away. Was it...

EPISODE 14: BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIRINGAN CITY | The Mythical Hidden City of the Philippines Since many of us can’t travel this holiday season, let’s take a virtual trip to Biringan City.  Hear about the Philippines’ very own Atlantis and Wakanda.  Learn about the secret waypoints, real witness encounters, and shopping mishaps that happen around this mythical city.   Find out just ho...

EPISODE 13: MUMMY MIA: HERE WE GO AGAIN (PART 2) | Death, Burial and the Afterlife in Pre-Colonial Philippines As we close out the series on this fascinating topic (for now), we move further south and explore the death & burial practices of our pre-colonial ancestors in Visayas and Mindanao. In this episode, we learn how burial practices differed by social class. Find out the perks and perils...

EPISODE 12: MUMMY MIA (PART 1) | Death, Burial and the Afterlife in Pre-Colonial Philippine In this episode (Part 1 of 2!) we jump back in time and learn about how our pre-colonial ancestors practiced their beliefs around death, burial, and the afterlife. From the famous manunggul jars of Palawan to the hanging coffins of Sagada, we explore the stories that shaped these ancient practices–including...

EPISODE 11: SHAKE IT OFF | Pagpag & Other Philippine Superstitions & Traditions about Death & Burial In this chill (and weirdly cozy?) episode, we cover the strange, unique, oddly specific, and sometimes random superstitions and traditions on death and burial in the Philippines. Every year at around Halloween, Filipino families gather at cemeteries for Araw ng mga Patay ( Day of the De...

EPISODE 10 (PART 2): BUDJETTE TAN ON TRESE EASTER EGGS AND THE PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE OF PHILIPPINE MYTHOLOGY In this very special episode, we talk to Budjette Tan, co-creator of Trese, a Filipino komik series turned hit Netflix show. In Part 2, we talk about Trese Easter eggs and interesting stories behind the scenes of the hit Netflix show: what were the creators' special requests for their...

EPISODE 10 (PART 1): BUDJETTE TAN ON TRESE, UNDERRATED MONSTERS AND WHY WE LOVE TO BE SCARED In this very special episode, we talk to Budjette Tan, co-creator of Trese, a Filipino komik series turned hit Netflix show. In Part 1, we talk about Trese, talk about underrated monsters of Philippine mythology and get a sneak peek into The Lost Journal of Alejandro Pardo. What's causing the renewed inter...

EPISODE 9: IMAGINE DRAGONS | Bakunawa (The Moon-Eating Dragon of Philippine Myth) You’ve seen them in blockbuster movies like Shang-Chi and epic fantasy TV shows like Game of Thrones, but did you know that we have our own mythical dragons (yes, dragons plural) in Philippine Mythology? In this episode, we tackle the majestic Bakunawa and their dragon cousins around the islands. We also learn about...

EPISODE 8: SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES | The Kapre (Philippine Tree Giant) Listen in as we share stories of the past AND present of the one of the Big Five monsters of Philippine myth, the Kapre.  Learn of his roots, his international connections, his vices, and why he has some special credentials that enable him to be part of the Secret Service. Also, did you ever want to be friends with a Jason...

EPISODE 7: STOP RIGHT NOW, THANK YOU FAIRY MUCH | The Engkanto Join us this episode as we lift the veil off the secret world of the Engkanto. They are known for their other-worldly beauty, their love for unsalted white rice, and their endless conquest for human hearts. What do Chris Hemsworth, George Clooney and Edward Cullen have in common? How do you successfully fend off unwanted magical suitor...