Episoder
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Minisode 59: NAME GAME | How the Cities of Metro Manila Got Their Names
Ever wondered why Metro Manila’s cities are named the way they are? This episode dives deep into the curious, quirky, and fascinating origins behind the names of the 16 cities of Manila. From Caloocan’s hidden corners to Marikina’s poetic charm and Las Piñas’ sweet pineapple past, each city holds stories that reveal its history, culture, and the occasional hilarious linguistic misunderstanding.
Join us as we explore tales of lovers, rivers, and even a dash of colonial confusion that shaped the names we know today. Whether it’s “kumakati” tides, “maraming labong” bamboo shoots, or the shimmering indigo fields of “Maynila,” this episode promises to be a nostalgic stroll through Metro Manila's vibrant history.
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.
You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
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Sources:https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/story-names-cities-of-manila-a00304-20191021-lfrm -
In celebration of our Singapore Writer's Festival Panel, Here Be Dragons: The Magical Beasts of Southeast Asia, we are re-airing our Dragonlore episode! Welcome, new friends! :)
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 pre-colonial calendars, astronomy, and how our ancestors decided which month it made sense to build a house. Find out just how recently we encountered a dragon-creature’s close cousin, interesting origins of a children’s game of tag, and the very strange way a dragon expresses its love.
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram for more good stuff, and possibly answer some burning questions after this episode such as: What does a manananggal look like? How do you cook adobo? Who is Gardo Verzosa and why do they keep thirsting after him? We also welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes.
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
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Sources:
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakunawa https://www.aswangproject.com/bakunawa/ https://www.aswangproject.com/minokawa-mindanaos-eater-of-the-sun-moon/ https://www.aswangproject.com/laho-moon-eater/ https://www.aswangproject.com/pre-colonial-diy-a-brief-how-to-list-of-early-filipino-practices -
Manglende episoder?
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58: BEAUTY AND THE BLOUSE | Blusang Itim, the 80s Supernatural Makeover Classic
Step into the wardrobe of wonders with "Blusang Itim," where fashion meets sorcery in the most unexpected twists. This isn't just any makeover episode—imagine trading your identity for a blouse that swings your life from blah to voila, but with a pinch of chaos. Revisit with us the classic 80s film adapted from a comic anthology and revamped into a hit tv series that is relevant ‘til this day.
Witness Jessa's whirlwind journey from wallflower to vixen, thanks to one magical top that redefines “capsule wardrobe.” Will she navigate her new allure as a blessing or wrestle it as a curse? Slip into something more magical and join us for a ride through love, crossed-wires, and a little chaos.
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.
You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
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Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blusang_Itim
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384853/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJzByim1nxE
Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah Film Kickstarter – bit.ly/zaturnnah
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57: EMPIRE STATE OF MIND | The Majapahit Empire: Southeast Asia's Pre-colonial Superpower
We do something a little different in this episode which is more history lesson than folklore storytelling. We transport you back to the days when the Majapahit Empire ruled the seas of Southeast Asia. From its mystical origins in 1293 to its dramatic decline in 1527 – right when the Spanish arrived – we uncover how this Javanese powerhouse stretched its influence from Sumatra to New Guinea, commanding both respect and awe across the region.
Join us as we sail through tales of maritime mastery, intricate trade networks, and the empire's unique cocktail of Hindu, Buddhist, and indigenous beliefs – many of which will sound very familiar!
Dive deep into the spiritual fabric of Majapahit society—where animistic rituals intertwined with royal decrees and the sacred ceremonies defined communal life. We'll explore how these ancient practices continue to echo throughout Indonesian culture today. And wait til the end for myth from the Majapahit Empire that rivals the Disney tales of yesteryear – hello representation please.
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.
You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
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References/Further Reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majapahit
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyai_Roro_Kidul
https://www.britannica.com/place/Majapahit-empire
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56: GOLD RUSH | The Tallano Gold Myth, Part 2
Not ALL the glitters is gold! This is the 2nd part of the Tallano Gold Myth story, which purported that the Philippines was ‘owned’ by the clan that ruled an ancestral Maharlika kingdom, and left hundreds of thousands of tons of gold hidden away for the Filipino people. In part 2, we cover how the strange conspiracy theory has evolved in the modern times: how it affected recent presidential elections, and how multiple individuals have since stepped forward and claimed to be the long-lost heirs of this immense kingdom, including, of course, all that gold.
Get ready for wild stories involving Rizal’s supposed hidden identity, UFO cults and investment advice from aliens, squatting syndicates, and the potential existence of United Nations Seven-Star Governor Generals?! And watch out for a special soap recommendation to ‘wash away the dark spots of Philippine history.’
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode are opinions and quoted allegations. The content here should not be taken as indisputable facts. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only. Remember to do your own research before you believe what you see on the internet!
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes.
You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.
You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
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References/Further Reading:
When Fake News Infects Political Networks: Case Study of the Tallano Gold Myth in the Philippines, https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4293563
The Tallano Gold Myth : UFO Cults, Polarization, and Contact Zones, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372912833_The_Tallano_Gold_Myth_UFO_Cults_Polarization_and_Contact_Zones
https://www.creativeimage.jp/foundation/_pdf/The%20True%20Story%20of%20the%20Tallano%20(TALA)%20Estate.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallano_gold
https://diktadura.upd.edu.ph/2022/09/18/ecstatic-loyalists-await-their-share-of-the-marcos-wealth-but-is-it-fools-gold/
https://shopee.ph/TALLANO-GOLD-SOAP-24K-i.465696249.13760780388
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55: FOOL’S GOLD | The Tallano Gold Myth, Part 1
This gold rush is a WILD one! In this episode, we talk about one of the conspiracy theories that rocked the imagination of Filipinos for years–most especially in the last Presidential election.
Have you heard of the myth of the Tallano Gold? Hundreds of thousands of metric tons of gold that are supposedly owned by an old royal family that “legally owns” the Philippine archipelago. Join us as we parse through historical documents, take a journey through Asia, the Vatican, and… outer space? What does a UFO cult have to do with the ancestral gold of a long-lost royal family? Who really owned the Philippine Islands–and who continues to stake their claim to this day? And is there really such a thing as a Seven Star Governor General in the United Nations?
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode are opinions and quoted allegations. The content here should not be taken as indisputable facts. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only. Remember to do your own research before you believe what you see on the internet!
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at
www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.
You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
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References/Further Reading:
When Fake News Infects Political Networks: Case Study of the Tallano Gold Myth in the Philippines, https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4293563
The Tallano Gold Myth : UFO Cults, Polarization, and Contact Zones, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372912833_The_Tallano_Gold_Myth_UFO_Cults_Polarization_and_Contact_Zones
https://www.creativeimage.jp/foundation/_pdf/The%20True%20Story%20of%20the%20Tallano%20(TALA)%20Estate.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallano_gold
https://diktadura.upd.edu.ph/2022/09/18/ecstatic-loyalists-await-their-share-of-the-marcos-wealth-but-is-it-fools-gold/
https://shopee.ph/TALLANO-GOLD-SOAP-24K-i.465696249.13760780388
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EPISODE 54: ISANG TANONG, ISANG SAGOT (Answering the Top Questions about Philippine Mythology on Google)
NOTE: A BONUS extended version of the ep (20 mins more!) going over top Philippine superstitions will be available to subscribers on Spotify and Patreon supporters. Watch out for it!
Who is the most powerful god in Philippine Mythology? How was the Philippines created? What is the scariest monster in Philippine Folklore? Who is the god or goddess of love and beauty? Also, how many of you have capre-related love problems, be honest!
On our podcast’s third anniversary, join us for a fun, quick-fire episode (well, as quick as we can manage), where we cover the top questions the internet has about or related to Philippine Mythology. Whether you’re new to the pod or a listener from the start, we hope you enjoy this romp through all the different aspects of Philippine Mythology and Folklore with us.
Happy three years of The Gods Must Be Crazy!
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53: DOCTOR QUACK QUACK | Folk Medicine Part 1
In this episode, we're diving into the world of Philippine folk medicine, where the cure for your sniffles might just be under your kitchen sink—or in your backyard. Who needs a doctor when you've got chickens and vinegar at the ready?
Join us as we explore remedies that range from the bizarre to the bewildering. Ever thought about dodging diseases by tossing flowers on top of a casket? Or maybe you prefer wearing crocodile teeth for that extra bit of health insurance. And if you're feeling brave, learn why you should consider a fiesta over a pharmacy visit next time you're feeling ill.
We'll also tackle the ultimate protection racket—how your pets might be more than just cute companions, they could be your disease bodyguards. Plus, don't miss out on our guide to turning your garden into a disease-free zone with nothing but some pretty flowers.
So brew a cup of that special May rainwater tea, settle in, and let’s get quacky with ancient wisdom that could either be a lifesaver or just a really good story!
Disclaimer: “Doctor Quack Quack” refers to the BEST GAME EVER from our childhoods. It’s not meant to refer to the term “quack doctors,” which, unfortunately, is what colonizer accounts referred to our folk healers – boo.
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.
You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
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References/Further Reading:
Encyclopedia of Philippine folk beliefs and customs volume 2 by Father Francisco Demetrio SJ
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52: GREAT BALLS OF FIRE | Santelmo - Part 1: Flaming Orbs of Death?
Goodness, gracious! This week, we fire it up with a deep dive into the legend and lore behind the Santelmo, or St. Elmo’s Fire. Were these mystical balls of fire omens of death and destruction… or a sign pointing to hidden treasure?
Buckle up as we go into tangents you never expected: from old sailors tales, to physics concepts about plasma and electricity they didn’t teach us in high school, to the patron saint of abdominal pains.
Learn about the various sightings of the Santelmo in ‘rural legends’ of old and recent memory, the historical origins of the story and where the name comes from, and how the legend continues to live in popular imagination.
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.
You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
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References/Further Reading:
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/santelmo-origin-trese-a00293-20210614-lfrm
https://www.aswangproject.com/santelmo/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Elmo%27s_fire
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erasmus_of_Formia
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2014/05/04/101292-holy-confessor-erasmus-bishop-of-formia-in-campania
https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=182
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_lightning
https://trese.fandom.com/wiki/Santelmo
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51: PAST LIVES | The Eternal Love Story of Maruja
Buckle up, lovebirds and skeptics! This week, we're diving into the heart-stopping saga of Maruja, a love story so strong it just couldn't stay buried. From Mars Ravelo's comic genius to cinematic reboots, Maruja's undying romance with Gabriel has been making fans swoon for over a century.
We're peeling back the layers of this epic melodrama where forbidden love meets ghostly whispers. Maruja, destined for a loveless marriage, pulls the ultimate bridezilla move with a tragic twist, promising a love revival a hundred years later. Does her reincarnated self, Cristy, get a supernatural second shot at a happily ever after? Or is she just experiencing some seriously vintage déjà vu?
Tune in for a spectral analysis of love, betrayal, and the kind of romantic antics that only a century of longing can brew. Let's decode why Maruja's story keeps resurrecting in Filipino pop culture—because who doesn't like a good old-fashioned love story that refuses to die?
Correction: You CAN get divorced in the Philippines but only if you are Muslim, per the Code of Muslim Personal Laws of 1977.
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.
You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
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References/Further Reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maruja
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2014/02/14/1290145/enduring-appeal-maruja
https://www.balita.ca/darna-dyesebel-and-maruja/
https://www.gmanetwork.com/lifestyle/news/109250/tiktok-user-goes-viral-for-finding-her-look-alike-at-the-national-museum/story -
50: O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? | Indarapatra & Sulayman, A Maguindanao Epic
How many brothers does it take to kill five monsters & bring an entire civilization out from hiding?
In our 50th episode, we cover the epic tale of Indarapatra and Sulayman, two gallant brothers whose heroics helped the people of Maguindanao (the precursor modern-day Mindanao). This set the foundation for a civilization and culture so strong they were able to flourish and put up incredible resistance across centuries of Spanish invasion.
This epic story has everything: from self-driving boats, A.I.-powered weapons, surveillance trees to a literal man-made stove-top. Join us as we look to understand possible historical precursors to this tale, while trying to disentangle the epic figure of Raja Sulayman from his historical counterpart, one of the last great rulers of Old Manila.
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.
You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
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References/Further Reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maguindanao_people#Culture https://sharjahart.org/sharjah-art-foundation/people/saleeby-najeeb-m https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Najeeb_Mitry_Saleeby https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1710/rajah-indara-patra-and-the-dragons-a-mindanao-legend https://morohistorylawandreligion.wordpress.com/chapter-01/history-of-magindanao/magindanao-history-and-genealogies/the-mythology-of-mindanao/ https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/blogs/post/the-legends-of-the-sarimanok/ https://sacred-texts.com/asia/pft/pft47.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajah_Sulayman https://www.jstor.org/stable/1497353 -
49: HE WILL ROCK YOU | Bernardo Carpio, the Lost Hero of the Tagalogs
In this seismic episode, we're cracking open the legend of Bernardo Carpio, the mythical giant (or man-sized hero, depending on who you ask) whose shrugs supposedly cause earthquakes. From his tangled roots in forbidden love to his epic showdowns, Carpio's story is more than just a tale – it's a tectonic narrative of resistance and resilience.
But wait, it's not all about muscle, might, and mountain-sized struggles. Dive into the pre-colonial origins and find out how an alligator ties into this earth-shattering saga.
We'll also explore how this hero’s tale has morphed into a symbol of freedom against oppressors, from Spanish colonizers to modern-day challenges. Are we still waiting for Carpio to break free and usher in an era of justice? Or is he just a mythic reminder to keep fighting the good fight?
Buckle up for a mythological adventure that's going to rock your world – hopefully only metaphorically.
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.
You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
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References/Further Reading:
Eugenio, Damiana (2002). Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. University of the Philippines Press. pp. 4–5. ISBN 971-542-357-4.
"Ang Alamat ni Bernardo Carpio: A Philippine Legendary Hero". The Katig Group. January 5, 2006. Retrieved January 13, 2007.
"The Valley Fault System". Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Archived from the original on March 7, 2007. Retrieved January 15, 2007.
Ocampo, Ambeth (August 17, 2007). "Looking Back: Natural calamities". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 21, 2007.
http://www.philippinestamps.net/RP2012-Carpio.htm -
48: CACAO ME MAYBE | Maria Cacao, the Golden Ship-bourne Goddess of Mount Lantoy
In the last of our “Walang Kamatayan” Series, we take a delicious detour into the land of chocolate with Maria Cacao. Brace yourselves for a mystical ride with Maria Cacao, the goddess with a penchant for golden ships and chocolatey ventures. This episode sails through the legend of Maria Cacao – from her curious Spanish makeover to her eerie, yet glamorous, soul-harvesting escapades.
But wait, there’s a dark twist! Dive into tales of ghost ships and post-disaster sightings. Is Maria Cacao just a harbinger of doom, or a symbol of resilience in the face of tragedy?
So, grab your favorite hot chocolate sikwate (hot cocoa), and join us for a journey where folklore meets reality, and myths get a modern twist!
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.
You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
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References/Further Reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Cacao
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CDwBdvTKUo&t=7s
https://www.mycebu.ph/article/philippine-chocolate-queen-raquel-choa/
https://discover.hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/The-Enchantress-Maria-Cacao-and-Her-Golden-Ghost-ShipThe-Mountain-Goddesses-of-the-Philippines-Part-3
https://www.facebook.com/DTI.Cebu/photos/a.3522343797989900/3521217668102513/?type=3
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate_industry_in_the_Philippines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl6dYdEqlqQ&t=4s
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47: MARRY MY DEAD BODY | Ghost Marriage Practices Around the World
We’ve all heard stories of love living on after death, but is it possible for love to BEGIN after death?
In this episode, we veer slightly off the beaten path and explore the little-known practice of Ghost Marriage. Finding its roots in ancient China and India, you would be surprised to learn that the practice still lives on in various forms to this day: in provinces in rural China and India and in Chinese diaspora communities around the world.
How exactly can a marriage take place when both parties are no longer living? How does one go about finding a match in the afterlife? How can a practice meant to ensure the happiness of departed loved ones lead to greed, grave-robbery, and even murder?
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.
You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
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References/Further Reading:
https://www.ancient-origins.net/weird-facts/posthumous-marriage-0018586
https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/ghost-marriages-love-living-and-deceased-003658
https://www.vice.com/en/article/5d33ez/dead-babies-married-decades-after-their-deaths-india
https://www.vice.com/en/article/m7vey8/livestream-ghost-marriage
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-37103447
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/04/china-imprisons-men-ghost-marriage-corpse-bride
https://coconuts.co/singapore/features/secret-city-have-you-been-to-a-ghost-wedding-in-singapore/
The Ghost Bride Book: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/16248223
The Ghost Bride Series (Netflix): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9690302/
The Ghost Bride Film (Philippines): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7582830/
Marry My Dead Body Film (Netflix): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22742964/
Note/s: While Marry My Dead Body (2022 Film) does indeed feature queer themes, it is, sadly, more of a comedy than a romance. Yeah, we know, we’re disappointed, too.
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46: UNDER THE SEA | Magwayen, the Hiligaynon Goddess of the Underworld and of the Sea
Talk about a career shift! How does a Goddess who co-created humanity (the first ever collab) end up being a psychopomp and ruler of the underworld? What in pre-colonial Visayan belief would make you end up in the “good place,” and what do crocodiles have to do with it?
In this episode, we learn about Magwayen’s quite unexpected journey, her family, the traditions of the pre-colonial Visayans, dragon battles, and her magical shells. We also dive into (pun intended) Magwayen’s depictions in modern day and how she still continues to inspire from the depths of the underworld and sea.
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.
You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
—
References/Further Reading:
https://www.hellapinay.com/article/2016/11/16/magwayen-bisayan-goddess-of-the-sea
Visayan Myths of the Philippines, Pinoy-Culture, Philippine Folklore Stories by John Maurice Miller
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/how-the-visayans-honored-the-dead
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/300558/how-ancient-visayans-revered-the-dead
https://vizayanmyths.blogspot.com/2013/05/magwayen-maguayan.html
https://diwatahan.tumblr.com/post/145514840518/b-i-s-a-y-a-n-m-y-t-h-o-l-o-g-y-s-e-r-i-e-s
https://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magwayen
https://www.tipplehampercompany.com/gin-bottles/psychopomp-magwayen-gin/
https://www.instagram.com/magwayenbistro/`
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45: MY EYES ARE UP HERE | Mebuyan, Bagobo Goddess of Death & Chief of the Underworld
She’s more than just a pretty face… and a body covered in breasts.
In this episode, we make our first foray into the deep and rich mythology of the Bagobo people. In another installment of our Walang Kamatayang Mini-Season, we cover Mebuyan, the Goddess of Death, and Chief of the Bagobo underworld. She is the being who welcomes the dead into the afterlife, and nurtures young souls to get them ready for paradise. How can this mysterious being be all at once a symbol of fertility, motherhood, and death?
Join us as we learn about how a sibling squabble turned men into mortals, why the Bagobos feared the sky more than the underworld, and the strange link between bariatric surgery and immortality.
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.
You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
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References/Further Reading:
A Study of Bagobo Ceremonial, Magic and Myth. 1916. Laura Watson Benedict. New York Academy of Sciences.
A Structural Study of Bagobo Myths and Rites. 1969. Pieter Jan Raats. University of San Carlos, Cebu. -
KOZY KWENTO EP 2: My Son-in-Law, The Devil | Philippine Folktale Retelling
What do you do when the devil himself wants your daughter’s hand for marriage? Enter a protective mother, a vagabond with gambling problems, a princess with the strongest migraine (but without any speaking lines), and hijinks ensue.
In this Kozy Kwento episode, we cover the Kapampangan folktal of “The Devil and the Guanchinango” as well as the Tagalog’s “Mabait and the Duwende” documented in Filipino Popular Tales by Dean S. Fansler.
In the full Patreon-exclusive version, you’ll also get to hear the story of the “The Soldier and Death” (A Russian folktale adapted in Jim Henson’s The Storyteller. You can access that here: (PATREON LINK)
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.
You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
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References/Further Reading:
Filipino Popular Tales. Dean Spouill Fansler. The American Folklore Society. 1921.
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44: NOT TODAY, SITAN | Sitan, The Tagalog God of Death in Philippine Folklore
At the moment of death, where did the pre-colonial Tagalogs think they would go, who would decide where they would go, what kind of reptilian psychopomp would ferry them there, and who will rule in their village of rest (or grief)? These and many other questions will be answered in this week’s episode.
This October, we’re covering the different beings and entities representing Death in Philippine mythology, folklore, and urban legends. In this second episode, we’re covering the Sitan, the Tagalog god of death, and his agents.
Join us as we explore the musical pratices around our favorite Tagalog death holiday, Undas, find out why you should be wary of mysterious fires below your house (or any fire, actually), and discover why a happy marriage could just make you a target from a malicious demon. Also, learn the not-so-direct path of how how Sitan came to the Philippines, by way of trade, conquest, and the value of a really good story.
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.
You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
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References:
https://www.aswangproject.com/tagalog-deities-in-philippine-mythology/
https://www.aswangproject.com/sitan/
https://religer.org/philippine-tagalog-sitan/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souls_in_Filipino_cultures
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04IC1tjKWHw&t=86s
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43: KNOCK KNOCK | ANG KUMAKATOK, The Death Messengers of Philippine Folklore
What do you do when there’s a mysterious set of knocks on your door in the middle of the night? Don’t answer it, for it may just be a portent of death.
This October, we’re covering the different beings and entities representing Death in Philippine mythology, folklore, and urban legends. In this first episode, we’re covering the mysterious entity known only as the Kumakatok.
From the war-ravaged streets of Old Manila in the 1940s, mysterious ‘cult-killings’ in the 80’s, and the strange paranormal surveillance sightings during the COVID lock-downs, these mysterious beings haunt the doorways of prospective victims, warning them of their terrible, unavoidable fate.
Join us as we explore the lore of the Death Knock beings in the Philippines, learn of modern-day sightings, and the strange and eerily-similar beliefs that exist in Celtic, African, Balinese and Native-American mythologies.
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.
You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
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References/Further Reading:
Trinidad: The Three Who Knock. Sison, Antonio D. (2021). Journal of Critical Perspectives. https://www.asj.upd.edu.ph/mediabox/archive/ASJ_57_2_2021/16_Trinidad_The_Three_Who_Knock.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumakatok
https://discover.hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/The-Mythology-Behind-the-Mysterious-Sinister-Knockers-of-the-Philippines
https://www.thesummitexpress.com/2021/04/fear-mindanao-demonic-cult-attack.html
https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/deaths-cult-like-group-leadership-feud-davao/
https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=82909&page=1
https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4498605/4385166/4509519
https://www.tumblr.com/myhauntedsalem/189705241702/three-knocks-an-old-superstition-states-that-when
https://www.nowbali.co.id/late-night-visits/
https://darktales.blog/2019/03/28/the-banshee-irelands-heralds-of-death/
https://seeksghosts.blogspot.com/2014/12/death-harbinger-three-knocks.html
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As we gear up for the spooky season, we're revisiting some of our favorite episodes. Here's one where we learn about the death & burial practices of our pre-colonial ancestors in Visayas and Mindanao, and how your social class could impact your fate after death.
Enjoy!
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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 of being a slave in the pre-hispanic era, rituals one underwent to try and ‘save’ the dead, and just what price a tribe was willing to pay to send off their Datu properly. We also learn about the early origins of the crying ladies, and the strange things they’d have to include in their eulogies for the deceased.
[Trigger warnings for some descriptions of gore and slight sexual themes.]
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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds, and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We also welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes.
You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at [email protected]
The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).
---
SOURCES:
Scott, William H. Barangay: Sixteenth-century Philippine Culture and Society. Quezon City, Manila, Philippines: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1994. Print.
Suarez, Michelle, et. al. A Lolong Time Ago: A Pre-History of the Philipppines. Tahanan Books for Young Readers. 2016. Print.
Indonesian Torajan Tribe - Death & Burial Practice (National Geographic):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCKDsjLt_qU
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