Philippine mythology is one of the richest and most underexplored traditions in Filipino literature — a world of anito, engkanto, and diwata that predates Spanish colonization and continues to shape Filipino identity today. Whether you're a member of the diaspora searching for your roots, a researcher exploring indigenous belief systems, or simply a reader drawn to the uncanny and the sacred, this list gathers the most essential books on Philippine myths, legends, and folklore. These works preserve stories that were once passed down orally — and bring them to a new generation of readers.
A quick glance
- A Visual Guide to Filipino Folklore by Beatriz Alegre
- A Handbook of Philippine Folklore by Mellie Leandicho Lopez
- The Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology by Maximo Ramos
- Pugot: Head Taking, Ritual Cannibalism, and Human Sacrifice in the Philippines by Nonoy Tan
- The Myths and Legends of the Philippines by Alexandra Romualdez Broekman
- Tales from the Southern Kingdom by Virginia M. Villanueva
- Encyclopedia of Philippine Folk Beliefs and Customs (Vols. 1 and 2) by Fr. Francisco Demetrio, S.J.
- Dictionary of Philippine Mythology by Ferdinand Blumentritt
- Myths and Legends of the Early Filipinos by F. Landa Jocano
- Hilot: The Science of the Ancient Filipino Healing Arts by Bibiano S. Fajardo and Ma. Aleli V. Pansacola
- Philippine Folk Literature Series: The Legends by Damiana L. Eugenio
- Philippine Folk Literature: The Myths by Damiana L. Eugenio
