Deities of Philippine Mythology - List of Famous Diwatas

List of Famous Diwatas

Aside from the gods and goddesses, ancient Filipinos also worshiped numerous forest deities known as diwatas (Filipinos counterpart of nymphs/enchanter or enchantress). There are lot of diwatas in the Philippine mythology and folklore but this section includes only the list of well-known.

Name Definition
Maria Makiling The most famous of all the enchantress in the Philippine mythology and folklore. She was the protector and guardian of Mount Makiling located in Los BaƱos, Laguna. Thus, modern sightings of her were even reported. Maria Makiling is a common theme among Filipino artists, ranging from painters and sculptors to graphic novelists. Before, the Spanish arrived in the Philippines, she was known as Diyan Masalanta.
Maria Sinukuan She was the resident and protector of Mount Arayat located in Arayat, Pampanga.
Maria Cacao She dwells in Mount Lantoy, Argao, Cebu where she had cacao trees, hence a plantation outside her own cave. After harvest, rain comes that wash down the mountain, enabling her to float down to the towns below in her golden ship to sell her products.
Diwata ng Kagubatan (Enchantress of the Forest) Also known as Virgen Del Monte, she was worshiped by the ancient Cuyunon of Cuyo Island, Palawan. She is honored in a celebrated feast, periodically held atop of Mount Caimana in the mentioned island. When most of the natives were converted to Christianity during the Spanish Era, about 2/3 of the converted Cuyunon are still celebrating her feast that upset the Spanish authorities. The situation led the Spanish authorities to intensify their evangelization and governance efforts.

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