Sigbin: Mythical Creature

The Sigbin or Sigben is a creature in Philippine mythology said to come out at night to suck the blood of victims from their shadows. It is said to walk backwards with its head lowered between its hind legs, and to have the ability to become invisible to other creatures, especially humans. It resembles a hornless goat, but has very large ears which it can clap like a pair of hands and a long, flexible tail that can be used as a whip. The Sigbin is said to emit a nauseating odor.

It is believed to issue forth from its lair during Holy Week, looking for children that it will kill for their hearts, which it fashions into amulets.

According to legend, there are families known as Sigbinan ("those who own Sigbin") whose members possess the power to command these creatures, and are said to keep the Sigbin in jars made of clay. The Aswang are said to keep them as pets, along with another mythical creature, a bird known as the Wak Wak. A Sigbin is said to bring wealth and luck to its owners. For this reason, some people believe that many successful businessmen come fromSigbinan families.

In the Eastern Visayas the Sigbin are also known as the Amamayong.

There is speculation that the legend may be based on sightings of an actual animal species that is rarely seen; based on the description of the Sigbin in popular literature, the animal species might be related to the kangaroo. With the recent discovery in the island of Borneo of the cat-fox, a potential new species of carnivore described as having hind legs that are lower than its front legs, it has been postulated that reported sightings of Sigbin may actually be sightings of a member or relative of the cat-fox species.

If you have encounters or stories about this creature please send me your stories at king_sky92@yahoo.com

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Was it Just the Beer?

By: Jayson Patalinghug
email: king_sky92@yahoo.com
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One afternoon, I was surfing the net. I was browsing my face book account and checking on my emails simultaneously when I saw photos of my friends. They were happy, having party and enjoying sweet moments with other people so dear to their hearts. I don’t understand but my own heart was aching, the seed of loneliness had grown within and slowly consumed the essence of my humanity. Was I envy to them because they were happy and I was not? Because they got a chance to smile under the sun wrapped in the arms of the one they love, while I suffer from loneliness and continue living in the world of make believe?

I knew that I needed to understand the fact that this world is never been fair. I need to understand that some were destined to be happy and prosperous while others were destined to live a life of misery. But at the back of my mind, I also knew that everything is just a matter of choice. A matter of how we respond to things around us. There were a lot of things in my mind at that time that I couldn’t think straight. I was lying down on my bed for awhile when my phone rang.

“Hey what’s up? What are you going to do tonight?” it was Jake on the other line and it was a miracle that he called and ask me of my own agenda.

“Hmmm..nothing just hanging out in my room” I replied in a low tone.

“Are you not going to attend the party at kris’ house tonight and have some time to unwind?” Jake asked. It was not usual for him to call me on my phone and ask me to go out. I must admit that I have a huge crush on him but I do not want him to know so I replied “Hmm.. I think I am not going, I will just be bored in that party” Jake never argued further and bid good bye over the phone.

Later that night, I was so bored that I could die out of the silence in my room. So I decided to take a bath and went to the party.

Jed?

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Redemption

I lived in a far province in the southern part of Luzon. My home barrio was so peaceful, the people lived a simple life and at first look, you would never imagine that each of us lived in bloodshed. Our race has been long forgotten and no one would ever expect that we still exist in this world.

October 2005, I left the barrio and hope to escape from the path that was laid down to me by my ancestors by coming to Cebu. My mother understood my decision of leaving the barrio but my father was so furious and his words still echoed in my dreams “You can’t escape Lester! Your destiny will haunt you and bring you back one day!”

“Noooooo!” I woke up from a nightmare and my body was so wet with sweat. I stood up and went to the wash room of my apartment. When I open the door, I saw a man, his naked body was dark, his face covered with hair, blood was flowing from his mouth and his eyes were red looking at me furiously “You can’t escape!” his voice was like from hell, then suddenly the alarm clock rang and I woke up. Its 11:00 o’clock in the evening an hour before my shift in the call center.

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