DUWENDE

  Duwende are goblins, hobgoblins, elves or dwarfs. They are little creatures who can provide good fortune or bad fate to humans. In the Philippines, duwendes frequently live in houses, in trees, underground, termite like mound or hill, and in rural areas. They are known to be either good or mischievous, depending on how homeowners treat them. They usually come out at 12 noon for an hour and during the night. Catmonanon always mutter words ("tabi", "moagi mi", “tabi, mangihi ko”) asking them to excuse themselves for bothering the Duwendes. Some Filipinos would leave food on the floor, so that the duwende residing (or guarding) the house would not be angry with them. They also take your things, and laugh at you when you try to find it. They give it back when they feel like it, or when you tell them to please give it back.

(October 2013 https://sites.google.com/site/catmonanonsabako/tradition/customs-and-beliefs/folklore)

References, Attributions and Further Reading:

•           Philippine mythical creatures – Wikipedia

•           Philippine Myths & Legends: Manananggal – FFE Magazine

•           File:Manananggal.jpg From Wikimedia Commons 

•https://www.academia.edu/37262886/Supernatural_Creatures_in_Philippine_Folklore