TIKBALANG: ITS EFFECTS TO INDIVIDUALS AND IN THE SOCIETY

TIKBALANG: ITS EFFECTS TO INDIVIDUALS

AND IN THE SOCIETY

A Research Paper Presented to

The English Resource Center

School of Accountancy and Business

Asia Pacific College

Magallanes, Makati

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the Course

ERESWRT – Research Writing

Keneth J. Cabucana

December 2013

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

A.  Background of the Study

Mythical creatures, or Legendary creatures, has been found not only in the Philippines but also to the other country. They are noted all over the country to be freakish because of their behavior and physical appearance. Myths are old religions. Myths and legends have been around for thousands of years before writing was invented. The word "myth" comes from Greek elders. Legends are about people that have done something special or were famous. We don't know who started myths and legends, but research suggests that old men told their family and friends stories that  were handed down from generation to generation. The first person to write myths down on paper was a Greek named Homer. He wrote down the   stories that were told to the Greek people. In Rome, the people started making-up their own myths and legends about their own beliefs                    ( http://library.thinkquest.org/J002377F/).  

Mythical creatures,is an animal whose life is accounted in non-historical or yet to be verified stories that sometime involve the supernatural. They are crop up in antique accounts of natural history.They are a monster renowned in folklore and myth. For thousands of years, mythical creatures such as dragons, unicorns, and mermaids have roamed imaginations from China to Australia, Europe, the Americas and beyond. Delving into this world of fantastic creatures from the oceans, land, and air, Mythic Creatures answers questions about these creatures' origins, cultural importance, enduring hold on the human imagination, and the evolution of scientific understanding about the natural world. The exhibition uses a combination fossils, magnificent ancient and modern cultural objects, and absorbing multimedia and interactive technology to create an incredible experience that will enthrall visitors of all ages (http://www.amnh.org/traveling/exhibitions/mythic.php ).

Mythical creatures not just have only one category, but it have many different types such as: Divine Myths, Nature Myths, Afterlife myths, Cosmogony Myths, Prestige Myths, and Eschatologyl Myths. A myth explains something factual with a fictional story. The fictional story is the center of the myth, while the attempted explanation of some occurrence or thing is usually allegorical. Myths explain all kinds of natural phenomena, usually incorrectly. Many cultures have their own myths, even when science can explain what the myth is explaining (http://www.ehow.com/info_8158014_different-types-myths.html).

Those different kinds of myths have also different roles and characteristics that we have already programmed in our mind. Divine myths involve a god or gods and goddesses. These myths are often set in a time and place apart from the modern world. Followers of some religions may consider divine myths to be sacred texts. Nature myths attempt to explain natural occurrences, such as weather and cosmology. In Greek mythology, some of the most powerful gods and goddesses were associated with the weather. Zeus, the king of the Greek gods, was also the god of thunder, lightning, clouds and rain. The ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and Chinese had myths that involve the afterlife. Some involve rebirth and some describe a place that people go when they die. Cosmogony myths, otherwise known as creation or origin myths, describe the making of the world and universe. Prestige myths describe a hero, king, gods or a powerful city. One famous prestige myth is the Roman tale of Hercules, a demi-god (i.e., half god and half man) who possessed incredible strength. Eschatology myths are myths of the destruction of the world. Christian eschatology involves the rapture, tribulation and the end of days. Unlike Norse mythology, it does not involve the death of the divine (http://www.ehow.com/info_8158014_different-types-myths.html). These myths are part of our culture now because of their popularity in our today’s generation.

Tikbalang, a very common legendary creature here in the Philippines that has a body of a muscular man and a head of a horse. Their habitats are the forests and sometimes in a Balete Tree. This legendary creature gives us fear because of their physical appearance and behavior.  Tikbalang can cause to Children, teens or even adults widen their imagination because of its mysterious identity.

On the other hand, Tikbalang also influenced the media and other forms of literature. For instance, in the field of movie they created the Philippines’ first all-digital full-length animated feature film by Cutting Edge Productions, advertised as "tradigital", a mix of traditional animation with 3D animation entitled “Dayo:  Sa MundongElementalia” where the character of Tikbalang named NARSI is one of the main character. It also has a mixed story about myths.


The researcher therefore conclude, that it is  indeed a necessary study the effects of Tikbalang to individuals and to the society, so that we know about their impact to us as an individual. It will also unclasp the eyes of the society that Tikbalang should have its positive effects not only negative. By sequence order, this study first discuss the views of people about Tikbalang. Then, it will be followed by its positive and negative effects of Tikbalang.

Therefore, this study based on the data gathered, the researcher observed that Tikbalang Myth affects the society and individual. It will focus on the positive and negative effects of Tikbalang to individual and to the society.  

B.   Statement of the Problem

This study aims to answer this question:

1.   What are the effects of Tikbalang, a half man and half horse creature, to individuals and to the society?

C.  Significance of the Study

This study was conducted to meets the need of the following:

Children. This paper would be able to help the children what they want to know about the Legendary creatures particularly Tikbalang like the positive and negative effects of Tikbalang to us. In addition, the researcher hopes upon reading and analyzing this research paper they will understand and appreciate what would they get from this.

Parents.As the main guardian of the children, parents also benefit from this study because they would know what the effects of Tikbalang if they tell the story of this legendary creature to their child. Parents would be knowledgeable and they can easily observe their child’s emotion and feelings regarding to this legendary creature.

Students. The students have concerned about to this legendary creature because as what the researcher said this is very mysterious so that they want to have a reasonable knowledge about Tikbalang. Moreover, this research will help the students to be their basis if they plan to make an observation about this creature.

Future Researcher.Knowledge of this study would be veryhelpful and useful for future researchers for this research paper will serve as their basis to make similar studies especially since there still seems to be a need for legendary creatures studies such as Tikbalang. They develop their ideas concerning both negative and positive effects of Tikbalang to individuals and to the society. Furthermore, behind of many stories about legendary creatures such as Tikbalang lies important roles in the society and culture to share what they understand in this research paper; the researcher believes that if future studies would be made, utilizing this paper as a source of valuable data and information, there might be a change to their beliefs and personal perceptions about legendary creatures specially Tikbalang.

D.  Scope and Delimitation

This study focuses on the positive and negative effects of Tikbalang to individuals and to the society. This legendary creature has been considered since the Spanish came here in the Philippines and they tell this story to many Filipinos.

Due to time constraints, this study will no longer discuss other legendary and mythical creatures such as Divine Myths, Nature Myths, Afterlife myths, Cosmogony Myths, Prestige Myths, and Eschatologyl Myths. This is to give emphasis on what will be the perceptions and impact of this to us and to highlight Tikbalang as the major legendary creature known here in the Philippines due to many people use this as a one of the character. In addition, this research paper would focus more on the positive attributes of Tikbalang rather on its negative effects although both sides are still discussed. Besides, the researcher believes that Tikbalang has conform and influenced its interested researchers particularly students.

E.   Materials and Methods

          Legendary creatures get the attention of all Filipinos not just also a Filipino but all people all over the world. This studies base on the articles and other research that will satisfy and fit to this research paper. A lot of people think that Tikbalang are totally have bad effects to us, but the researcher wants to change the perception of all readers and researchers that Tikbalang are not only result into bad but also into a good effects to us. This paper would discuss both positive and negative effects legendary creatures specially the Tikbalang to individuals and to the society. The procedure to be used by the researcher is deep understanding and making conclusions of mysterious cases. This method is fit to this study since the researcher wants to prove that the Tikbalang has positive negative effects to individuals and to the society.

           The  Information that is relevant to this study was get from huge pile of sources such as blogs, dissertations and articles from different authors online. In considering these facts, it will undergo some comprehensive evaluation.

F.   Definition of Terms

To further understand the content of this research paper, here are some of the words you may encounter as you read this study:

Legendary.Relating to, or characteristic of legend or a legend

Creature. Something created either animate or inanimate.

Myth. Usually traditional story of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon.

Effects. Power to bring about a result, a distinctive impression.

Society. A part of a community that is a unit distinguishable by particular aims or standards of living or conduct: a social circle or a group of social circles having a clearly marked identity.

Mythology. A body or collection of myths belonging to a people and addressing their origin, history, deities, ancestors, and heroes.(http://www.thefreedictionary.com/mythology)

Blogpost #8: Funny Tikbalang!

Nowadays, Tikbalang are became funny and they are used to make a symbol of many things in our generation. Comedy , in the contemporary meaning of the term, is any discourse or work generally intended to be humorous or to amuse by inducing laughter, especially in theater, television, film and stand-up comedy. I include comedy because other people are interested in funny things and they make smile when there are things in their surroundings that makes them happy.

Tikbalang now are the symbol of homosexual because in television we can hear that some homosexual artists make as a Tikbalang because their mouth and sometimes their face are look like Tikbalang. But this is not mean that I insult them I am just write what I hear in the television. 

Like Jose Marie Borja Viceral who uses the stage name "Vice Ganda", is a Filipino television presenter, endorser, actor, and recording artist. Viceral is a regular host/judge on ABS-CBN’s noontime variety show It's Showtime, and has starred in several films, two of which are considered the highest-grossing films in Philippine cinema is one who have the role of Tikbalang in the fanhtasy series "Juan Dela Cruz".

According to this article entitled First look: Vice as tikbalang in 'Juan dela Cruz' posted  by ABS-CBN.Vice Ganda confirmed  that he will play the character of Santana, the queen of tikbalangs, which are creatures that are supposed to be half-man, half-horse.The comedian, however, stressed that he will not be a regular in the series because of his busy schedule. Apart from the noontime show "It's Showtime" and the weekly show "Gandang Gabi Vice," Vice Ganda is also working on the movie "Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy" for this year's Metro Manila Film Festival.

Being a homosexual is not mean that you are a Tikbalang it is just a symbol to make some people laugh and smile, but it is not intended to hurt the feeling of homosexual people but to realize to people that they are important in our country.

Tikbalang have a good and bad effects in our lives. Like they make us happy, creative, sometime bad, realistic and funny. So with those perspective with Tikbalang we proved in ourselves that they are important to us because of their simple effects that can we use as an inspiration, sometime hobby, and a character in our lives.

Blogpost #7: Infected Art & Infected by art!

Tikbalang now are included in the field of arts because some of the Flipinos make them as an art. Filipinos makes painting, drawing and featured them in some performance which is they are the main character. Our arts here in the Philippines are considered as a world class because of our skill of creativeness. Being creative is our advantage to represents our country. We say that the Tikbalang can we make as an inspiration because of its popularity in our culture, beliefs and in arts.

According to this article entitled Will the “tikbalang”live on? by Nancy Cudis . One of the common characters in the stories I have read is tikbalang. According to Nancy " And I’m not surprised to find him in the three graphic novels I just read. He is very prominent in the Skyworld series as a warrior-hero. As a matter of fact, he is a prominent character in Filipino mythology, such that anyone in my generation and those before me knows about him. Tikbalang is like a centaur in Greek mythology, only he is able to stand, walk, and act like the next human being, but most of his body (head and feet) is that of an animal, often portrayed as a horse, and a very tall demon horse with limbs disproportionately long."

Tikbalang invaded the world of art by using them as a character on many comic stories. Many have used them as a hero, villain, or a supporting character. And many people enjoy reading about them because of the twists they give on the storyline.  

I read this article entitled  Tikbalang by Emerald Fury. According to Emerald " My version of the Tikbalang was to play on giving it long limbs and adding tribal symbols that are crude representations of the Tagalog alphabet as tribal paint and if it resembles someone, I did use my version of the Jersey Devil to make aspects of the Tikbalang, such as the hoof hands and hair, but in my universal idea, the Jersey Devil is a Tikbalang that has lost touch with its nature source and thus, grew corrupted and violent from being deprived of its home of power. So, this version is essentially a healthy form of the Tikbalang."

She has her own version of Tikbalang where she put it some forms of arts like tribal symbols. We saw how Filipino be creative in simple way we can create a good art work with the use of Tikbalang. So that Tikbalang are very common now to us it can be our art. It inspired us to make become our creativeness wake up.

Now art is part of our lives and we can also combined with anything you want to imagine in your art.We can also apply some creatures to form a beautiful artworks like the Tikbalang. Tikbalang is an exact creature that can we use to put an art because it has the physical appearance of being bad and good.

Blogpost #6: Arts

Art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. Art now here in the Philippines are common to each and everyone of us. We use it to express our talent, and not just our talent but our feelings and emotions. Some of us love arts and we also considered it as our hobby and some are business. Our artists here are very good in arts their arts can compete to international countries.

Our creative skills that make us confident to make some good arts are one of our talent. People can create very artistic arts that we proud of. Monsters are one of the characters that are very popular now. I watched some movies that has art and I say that this movie make by a very good artist because his imagination he or she formed this glamorous movie that all of us are amazed. The title of this movie is "Monsters University" directed by Dan Scanlon.

According to this article entitled Monsters University written by Dana Stevens. Pixar Studios has painted itself into a corner (though because it’s Pixar, it’s an adorable corner, surrounded by top-quality enamel paint). They’ve established a reputation for themselves as the animation studio of record, the place for state-of-the-art children’s entertainment that also reliably hits the sweet spot for adults. At their best, Pixar movies can realistically aspire to the status of lasting cinematic art.

This fantastic art that represents to the creative skills of the people that we can make this kind of art because of our wide imaginations and we want to improve our art to inspire the next generation to convince them to become an artistic person. This movie get the attention of many people because of the artistic production that people love.

According to article entitled Beware of the Greek Monsters by Maria Paravantes. According to her " After Germany, The Greek Monsters - curated by director and set designer Paris Mexis - settled down in Greece’s largest independent museum, where lots of work was done to showcase the beautiful beasts. Each art piece includes details about their creation, their history, as well as poetic extracts explaining the symbolism or philosophy behind their imposing presence."

Monsters or mythical creatures are make an art and they are also exhibit in some largest museums in the world to become them popular in all of us. They are now popular in the field of art I hope that the next generation inspired to this art piece that artists made. It is a good source of being artistic.

Sometimes arts can become our inspiration because of it we can express our talent and our own feelings. Arts also creates happiness to us by simply look at it. It gives us a meaningful life that we can use to become happy. Arts are very popular now  in the form of paintings, sculptures, drawing, drawings, photography, performance, new media, and installation art. These kinds of arts sometimes we want to do but some of us have no ability to make it but othera can do it.