Capítulo 7: Duwende

Duwende are goblins, hobgoblins, elves or dwarfs (Spanish: duende "goblin, elf, charm" < "duen de (casa)", owner of the house). They are little creatures who provide good fortune or foretell an ominous fate to people.[4] In the pre-colonial Philippines they were called mangalo and were believed to cause the death of children by eating their bowels. Also in pre-colonial Philippines, mainly in Visayas, people believed that this race of creatures served and raised the goddess Burigadang Pada Sinaklang Bulawan. In modern-day beliefs duwende frequently live in houses and trees, underground in termite-like mounds or hills, and in rural areas. They are known to be either good or mischievous, depending on how homeowners treat them. They usually come out during the day at noon for an hour and again at night. Filipinos may mutter the words "tabi-tabi po" or "bari-bari apo ma ka ilabas kami apo", asking them to excuse themselves for bothering the duwendes. Filipinos would leave food on the floor so that the duwende residing (or guarding) the house would not be angry with them. They may also take a person's things, laughing at their attempt to recover them. They give it back when they feel like it, or when one tells them to please give it.