Tikbalang

 

The tikbalang is a giant humanoid horse creature with a head of a horse and a body of a muscular man. They are tall beings, usually eight feet in height, covered in dark fluffy mane; they are bipedal creatures, meaning they walk on their two back feet instead of on fours. It is also believed that they can transform into an old man some would refer to as the "nuno sa punso." In extreme cases, they take the appearance of a close relative or a friend of a human they want to either haunt or befriend.

Tikbalangs are said to inhabit the quiet confines of deep forests, away from the ruckus of human living. They also smoke huge tobacco cigars—emanating smoke as thick as a chimney can eject—believed to block their territory and mislead travelers.

Like duwende and kapres, tikbalangs are tricksters. Their pastime involves disorienting travelers who pass by their dwellings without the proper incantation. In the Philippines, the phrase "tabi tabi po, nakikiraan lang po" has become a common gesture of pleasing these mystical creatures so as to avoid conflict. Other than that, turning their shirt inside out is another way of countering their enchantment. They are not known to hurt humans, unless well-enough provoked, and provoking usually involves some form of rampant disrespect to both their existence and their kingdom.