101 Kagila-Gilalas na Nilalang

by Edgar Calabia Samar, Leo Kempis Ang (Illustrator), Sergio Bumatay III (Illustrator)

Here is a book that introduces the creatures and monsters that can hurt, but can also be friends, the aswang that brings fear and death, the heroes with astonishing strength, courage, and wisdom, the anito that guides and warns, and the diwata and bathala that lead and protect all that is created—the creatures that live in the rich stories and belief of the different groups of our nation.

Get scared and amazed with the fantastic creatures of our race.


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Narito ang aklat na nagpapakilala sa mga lamanlupa at halimaw na nakapananakit, ngunit kung minsan ay kaibigan din, sa mga aswang na nagdudulot ng takot at kamatayan, sa mga bayaning may kahanga-hangang lakas, tapang, at talino, sa mga anitong gumagabay at nagbabadya, at sa mga diwata at bathalang namumuno at nangangalaga sa lahat ng nilikha—silang mga nilalang na nabubuhay sa mayamang salaysay at paniniwala ng iba’t ibang pangkat sa ating bansa.

Matakot at mamangha sa mga kagila-gilalas na nilalang ng ating lahi.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mythology

140 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Edgar Calabia Samar is a multi-awarded poet and novelist from the Philippines. His first novel, Walong Diwata ng Pagkahulog, received the NCCA Writer’s Prize in 2005, and its English translation as Eight Muses of the Fall was longlisted in the Man Asian Literary Prize in 2009. In 2013, he received two Philippine National Book Awards––one for his second novel, Sa Kasunod ng 909 (Best Novel), and another for his book on the creative process, Halos Isang Buhay: Ang Manananggal sa Pagsusulat ng Nobela (Best Book of Criticism). Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon, the first book in his YA series Janus Silang, also received the Philippine National Book Award for Best Novel in 2015 and the Philippine National Children’s Book Award for Best 2014-2015 Read in 2016. He has also received prizes for his poetry and fiction from the Palanca and the PBBY-Salanga Writer’s Prize. His other books include Pag-aabang sa Kundiman: Isang Tulambuhay, a poetry collection, and 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang, a children's encyclopedia of Philippine fantastic creatures. In 2010, he was invited as writer-in-residence to the International Writing Program of the University of Iowa.

Reviews

[Jedi JC Daquis · Rating 4 out of 5]

101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang (101 Marvelous Creatures) is a comprehensive illustrated book about creatures in Philippine mythology. The book is divided into seven sections, effectively classifying our mythological beings: Lamanlupa (Earth-dwellers), Halimaw (Beasts), Aswang (blood-suckers, which includes our local versions of vampires), Bayani (heroes, but in this context, epic heroes like Odysseus and Rama), Anito (ancient spirits), Bathala (gods), and Diwata (faeries).


Here's Makabóteng, an Anito which takes care of deers and wild boars.

The illustrations in 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang are satisfying to look at, they are all richly-detailed. The artists who collaborated with the author Edgar Calabia Samar clearly devoted their time illustrating the creatures found in the book. Each illustration by the way is accompanied by a brief description of the creature.


Idiyanale of the Tagalogs is the fairy-goddess that looks over agriculture and poultry and livestock.

I admittedly do not know majority of these creatures until I have read this book. I highly recommend this for those who wanted a quick guidebook about Philippine mythology.

[Ivy Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isa akong malaking fan ng Philippine Mythology kaya naman natutuwa ako habang binabasa ko itong librong ito. Bumalik yung mga alala ko noon minsan natalakay ang iba't ibang epiko at bayani ng Pilipinas. Madami-dami din ang mga nilalang na ngayon ko pa pa lang nakilala lalong-lalo na sa mga diwata at bathala. Napakaganda din ng mga guhit sa librong ito. Hindi lang maganda, nakakatakot pa! :)
Sana may volume 2. :)

[Majuchan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tunay ngang mayaman ang Pilipinas sa mitolohiya... Hindi na natin kelangan umangkat pa ng mga kwentong-bayan ng ibang lahi. Sa atin lang ay sapat at sobra pa. Madami akong nakilalang bagong nathaluman at bathala, maging ang mga kakaibang nilalang...

Kagila-gilalas ngang tunay ang librong ito. Ang bawat guhit at pag-lalarawan sa mga nilalang ng Pilipinas na nagbibigay ng takot sa mga ninuno at hanggang sa makabagong milenyo.

Fascinating ang bawat entry ng nilalang sa big book na ito, at mapapa-wow ka sa bawat buklat. Dadalhin ang mambabasa sa mundo ng mga kakaibang nilalang at mga diwata maging ang mga anito at bathala ng Mito sa Pilipinas.

Pakiramdam ko ay nagbabasa ako ng encyclopedia na ang laman ay sikretong mga nilalang. Maganda ang quality ng bawat pahina.

#SarilingAtin

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in awe with the authors' capacity and perseverance in collecting and researching these creatures. I am an avid fan of mythology and the supernatural but it's difficult to find Filipino resources and literatures. I am thankful now that Filipino authors and artists are now given a chance to share their minds to us. The creatures and gods in this book are truly "kagila-gilalas" (or astounding). Every creature was introduced briefly and their connections with some of the creatures are precise. The illustrations helped my imaginative mind picture them gliding through the air or battle the monsters of the sea. Philippine Literature has truly become competent and cannot be looked down upon.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the visual guide we Filipino mythology fanatics are looking for! With detailed illustrations and well-researched write-ups, you can't go wrong on writing your next Pinoy adventure with this big book!

[Ynca Ann Eve Duerme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kapita-pitagan ang proyektong ito ni Sir Egay, hindi lamang dahil sa pagbibigay nito ng impormasyon hinggil sa mga nilalang na gumala/gumagala sa konsepto natin ng daigdig. Batid din ng akda na makapagbigay imahen sa nakaraan, mito man o katotohanan.

[chimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nakakuha ako ng bagong edisyon ng libro, hindi na 101 Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang. Mga Kagila-gilalas na Nilalang na ang tawag dahil dinagdagan pa ang nakapaloob sa libro.

Saktong-sakto ito para sa akin na nagsisimulang kilalanin pa nang husto ang mitolohiya ng ating bansa. Nakakatuwa na nasasakop ng libro ang mga kuwentong bayan mula sa iba't ibang pangkat etniko. Isama pa ang mga astig na illustrations, upang tulungan kang bigyan pa ng imahe ang mga nilalang.

Ang pinakanagustuhan ko rin ay ang pagkakahati ng libro sa mga lamanlupa, halimaw, aswang, bayani, anito, diwata at mga bathala.

Tunay na kagila-gilalas!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This text is awesome. I learned so much from it! I really appreciated that the creatures compiled here come from so many different Filipino ethnic groups.

Also, not only was Samar's writing very engaging, the artists chosen to illustrate the creatures are very talented. The drawings are so dynamic and detailed. Very inspiring all in all.

[Nico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noong bata ako wala akong basehan kung ano nga ba ang mga mitolohiya na mayroon sa Pilipinas kaya lumayo ako.

Pero ngayon na nabasa ko ito, ang daming nilalang ang aking tinanggalan ng boses sa araw na tinalikuran ko sila at sobrang yaman pala natin sa mga mito.

[m · Rating 4 out of 5]

na-appreciate ko ang pagsasaliksik na ginawa para sa koleksyong ito. nagustuhan ko rin ang mga drawing, ang huhusay! siguro maganda sana kung may konti pang background sa mga kagila-gilalas na nilalang na binanggit, o baka dahil kulang na kulang nga sa impormasyon yung ibang nilalang

[jounseen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative. Cool illustrations.

[Dranelb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its so immersive!!!!!!