12 Must-Read Books on Philippine Folklore, Mythology, and Legends
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
Best Books on Folklore, Myths, and Legends
A Visual Guide to Philippine Folklore by Beatriz Alegre
A Visual Guide to Philippine Folklore is a colorfully illustrated collection of the Philippines' richest folkloric traditions, featuring tales, epi...
$90
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A Handbook of Philippine Folklore by Mellie Leandicho Lopez
Like her A Study of Philippine Games (UP Press 2001), Mellie Leandicho Lopez's A Handbook of Philippine Folklore is expected to be another landmark...
$65
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The Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology by Maximo Ramos
Maximo D. Ramos is considered the "Dean of Philippine Lower Mythology." He was the former editor in chief of Phoenix Publishing House (1963-1980) a...
$65
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Pugot: Head Taking, Ritual Cannibalism, and Human Sacrifice in the Philippines by Narciso C. Tan
Prior to the introduction of Islam and Christianity deeply held religious beliefs led various Philippine communities to sanction ritualized forms o...
$125
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The Myths and Legends of the Philippines by Alexandra Romualdez Broekman
This is the 2nd in a 3-part series of Seek and Find reference books - succeeding The Fabulous Fiestas of the Philippines. In this book, read 10 myt...
$25
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Tales from the Southern Kingdom
Dr. Virginia Villanueva is of mixed heritage, born of a Muslim mother and a Christian father. With a medical degree from the University of the Phil...
$30
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Dictionary of Philippine Mythology by Ferdinand Blumentritt
Ferdinand Blumentritt’s Dictionary of Philippine Mythology is a landmark work that paved the way for the scholarly exploration of the mythological ...
$70
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Hilot: The Science of the Ancient Filipino Healing Arts by Bibiano Fajardo and Ma. Aleli V. Pansacola
The Filipino healing tradition called hilot has spanned undocumented ages—handed down from generation to generation by the Filipino sages, the albu...
$150
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Philippine Folk Literature: The Myths by Damiana L. Eugenio
Philippine Folk Literature: The Myths by Damiana L. Eugenio gathers sacred creation stories, origin myths, flood tales, and ancestral narratives fr...
$75
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Philippine Folk Literature Series: The Legends by Damiana L. Eugenio
Compiled and edited by Damiana L. Eugenio — known as the Mother of Philippine Folklore — this third volume in the eight-volume Philippine Folk Lite...
$75
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