In Celebration of Valentine's Day, we bring you tales of love and woe from one of our earliest episodes on the Tagalog Goddess of Love: Dian Masalanta aka Maria Makiling!

EPISODE 2: THE GODDESS OF LOVE JUST CAN’T CATCH A BREAK | Maria Makiling/ Dian Masalanta (The Philippine Mountain Spirit & Goddess of Love)

In this episode, we visit the misty peaks of Mount Makiling in Laguna (a province in South Luzon). There we encounter one of the staples of Philippine legends and folklore: the beautiful mountain nymph Maria Makiling.

What do Maria Makiling and Dian Masalanta, the Tagalog Goddess of Love, have to do with each other? What is the juicy love story that led to her retreat and self-imposed seclusion in the mountains? And why should you never throw away your ginger?

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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram for more good stuff, and possibly answer some burning question after this episode such as: What does Mt. Makiling look like? How do you cook tinola? Who is Gardo Verzosa and why are they still thirsting after him in this episode? We also welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes.

The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).

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Sources:

https://ztevetevans.wordpress.com/tag/dian-masalanta/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Makiling

https://discover.hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/Maria-Makiling-and-the-Mountain-Goddesses-of-the-PhilippinesPart-1

61: GOOD LUCK, BABE | Feng Shui (2004), When Good Luck Has a Price

When it rains, it pours—both in good luck and death, if Feng Shui is to be trusted. This episode, we recount one of the most epic and beloved horror films in the Philippines, Feng Shui, released in 2004, directed by Chito S. Roño and starring the queen of block-buster horror herself, Kris Aquino. When the Lunar New Year comes, everyone’s concerned with bringing in the most luck and prosperity, but what would you do if it came with a price?

Join us for a truly wild ride as we follow one woman’s journey through amazing luck and success, followed by devastating consequences. Follow us through a Final Destination-esque romp through the Chinese Zodiac, figure out who makes it to the end, and learn what Feng Shui and the cryptic bagua mirror is actually used for.

We hope you’re strapped for a long drive or a cozy night in, because this one’s a doozy!

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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.

You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at godsmustbecrazy.pod@gmail.com

The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).

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Sources:

Roño, Chito (dir.), Feng Shui (ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc., 2004).https://fengshui-homes.com/feng-shui-movie-review-by-a-feng-shui-expert/

https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-feng-shui-1275060

https://medium.com/illumination/all-about-the-bagua-mirror-24425cc193f7

https://fengshuinexus.com/feng-shui/a-guide-to-feng-shui-bagua-mirrors-use-placement-more/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-footbinding-persisted-china-millennium-180953971/

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/feng-shui/

https://letterboxd.com/film/feng-shui/reviews/by/activity/

60: I’VE BEEN DREAMING OF A WHITE LADY | White Lady Hauntings in the Philippines

She’s the lady in white, and she’s the bane of lone nocturnal cab drivers everywhere. This episode we cover one of the most popular ghostly creatures that has made a mark across cultures all over the world, the White Lady. If you’re driving alone through Quezon CIty’s famous Balete Drive, or picking up lone passengers in Baguio’s Loakan Road, you might encounter her solitary spectre.

Join us as we follow tales of her appearance around the Philippines and abroad, figure out her story, and what keeps her tethered to the earth, doomed to haunt men (yes, mostly men) forever.

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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.

You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at godsmustbecrazy.pod@gmail.com

The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).

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Link to the Jessica Soho Episode mentioned: White lady, diumano sumasakay ng taxi sa Loakan Road sa Baguio City? | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho

Sources:https://opinion.inquirer.net/64301/the-ghost-of-balete-drive

https://www.mybalitz.com/blog/2021/10/27/white-lady/

https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-vanishing-hitchhiker-the-white-lady-and-hauntings-across-the-seas

https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=DlQ1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=aCUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2820,122918&dq=balete+drive+white+lady&hl=en

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Lady

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Lady_(film)

https://www.mangkukulam.com/folklore/389/Kaperosa

https://dle.rae.es/caperuza

Minisode 59: NAME GAME | How the Cities of Metro Manila Got Their Names

Ever wondered why Metro Manila’s cities are named the way they are? This episode dives deep into the curious, quirky, and fascinating origins behind the names of the 16 cities of Manila. From Caloocan’s hidden corners to Marikina’s poetic charm and Las Piñas’ sweet pineapple past, each city holds stories that reveal its history, culture, and the occasional hilarious linguistic misunderstanding.

Join us as we explore tales of lovers, rivers, and even a dash of colonial confusion that shaped the names we know today. Whether it’s “kumakati” tides, “maraming labong” bamboo shoots, or the shimmering indigo fields of “Maynila,” this episode promises to be a nostalgic stroll through Metro Manila's vibrant history.

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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.

You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at godsmustbecrazy.pod@gmail.com

The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).

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Sources:https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/story-names-cities-of-manila-a00304-20191021-lfrm

In celebration of our Singapore Writer's Festival Panel, Here Be Dragons: The Magical Beasts of Southeast Asia, we are re-airing our Dragonlore episode! Welcome, new friends! :)

EPISODE 9: IMAGINE DRAGONS | Bakunawa (The Moon-Eating Dragon of Philippine Myth)

You’ve seen them in blockbuster movies like Shang-Chi and epic fantasy TV shows like Game of Thrones, but did you know that we have our own mythical dragons (yes, dragons plural) in Philippine Mythology? In this episode, we tackle the majestic Bakunawa and their dragon cousins around the islands.

We also learn about pre-colonial calendars, astronomy, and how our ancestors decided which month it made sense to build a house. Find out just how recently we encountered a dragon-creature’s close cousin, interesting origins of a children’s game of tag, and the very strange way a dragon expresses its love.

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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram for more good stuff, and possibly answer some burning questions after this episode such as: What does a manananggal look like? How do you cook adobo? Who is Gardo Verzosa and why do they keep thirsting after him? We also welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes.

The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).

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Sources:

References

• ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakunawa⁠
• ⁠https://www.aswangproject.com/bakunawa/⁠
• ⁠https://www.aswangproject.com/minokawa-mindanaos-eater-of-the-sun-moon/⁠
• ⁠https://www.aswangproject.com/laho-moon-eater/⁠
• ⁠https://www.aswangproject.com/pre-colonial-diy-a-brief-how-to-list-of-early-filipino-practices

58: BEAUTY AND THE BLOUSE | Blusang Itim, the 80s Supernatural Makeover Classic

Step into the wardrobe of wonders with "Blusang Itim," where fashion meets sorcery in the most unexpected twists. This isn't just any makeover episode—imagine trading your identity for a blouse that swings your life from blah to voila, but with a pinch of chaos. Revisit with us the classic 80s film adapted from a comic anthology and revamped into a hit tv series that is relevant ‘til this day.

Witness Jessa's whirlwind journey from wallflower to vixen, thanks to one magical top that redefines “capsule wardrobe.” Will she navigate her new allure as a blessing or wrestle it as a curse? Slip into something more magical and join us for a ride through love, crossed-wires, and a little chaos.

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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.

You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at godsmustbecrazy.pod@gmail.com

The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).

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Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blusang_Itim

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384853/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJzByim1nxE

Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah Film Kickstarter – bit.ly/zaturnnah

57: EMPIRE STATE OF MIND | The Majapahit Empire: Southeast Asia's Pre-colonial Superpower

We do something a little different in this episode which is more history lesson than folklore storytelling. We transport you back to the days when the Majapahit Empire ruled the seas of Southeast Asia. From its mystical origins in 1293 to its dramatic decline in 1527 – right when the Spanish arrived – we uncover how this Javanese powerhouse stretched its influence from Sumatra to New Guinea, commanding both respect and awe across the region.

Join us as we sail through tales of maritime mastery, intricate trade networks, and the empire's unique cocktail of Hindu, Buddhist, and indigenous beliefs – many of which will sound very familiar!

Dive deep into the spiritual fabric of Majapahit society—where animistic rituals intertwined with royal decrees and the sacred ceremonies defined communal life. We'll explore how these ancient practices continue to echo throughout Indonesian culture today. And wait til the end for myth from the Majapahit Empire that rivals the Disney tales of yesteryear – hello representation please.

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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes. You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.

You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at godsmustbecrazy.pod@gmail.com

The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).

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References/Further Reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majapahit

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyai_Roro_Kidul

https://www.britannica.com/place/Majapahit-empire

56: GOLD RUSH | The Tallano Gold Myth, Part 2

Not ALL the glitters is gold! This is the 2nd part of the Tallano Gold Myth story, which purported that the Philippines was ‘owned’ by the clan that ruled an ancestral Maharlika kingdom, and left hundreds of thousands of tons of gold hidden away for the Filipino people. In part 2, we cover how the strange conspiracy theory has evolved in the modern times: how it affected recent presidential elections, and how multiple individuals have since stepped forward and claimed to be the long-lost heirs of this immense kingdom, including, of course, all that gold.

Get ready for wild stories involving Rizal’s supposed hidden identity, UFO cults and investment advice from aliens, squatting syndicates, and the potential existence of United Nations Seven-Star Governor Generals?! And watch out for a special soap recommendation to ‘wash away the dark spots of Philippine history.’

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode are opinions and quoted allegations. The content here should not be taken as indisputable facts. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only. Remember to do your own research before you believe what you see on the internet!

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The Gods Must Be Crazy is a podcast on Philippine Mythology hosted by friends Anama Dimapilis and Ice Lacsamana, avid mythology nerds and semi-professional gossips. Follow us over at @godsmustbecrazy.pod on Instagram and Facebook for more good stuff. We welcome any suggestions on future topics or episodes.

You can also join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thegodsmustbecrazypodcast.

You can also find us on Youtube – Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast channel, where we post some of our episodes and interviews. For other inquiries, please email us at godsmustbecrazy.pod@gmail.com

The intro and outro music is by Brian O’Reilly (@dendriform on Instagram).

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References/Further Reading:

When Fake News Infects Political Networks: Case Study of the Tallano Gold Myth in the Philippines, https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4293563

The Tallano Gold Myth : UFO Cults, Polarization, and Contact Zones, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372912833_The_Tallano_Gold_Myth_UFO_Cults_Polarization_and_Contact_Zones

https://www.creativeimage.jp/foundation/_pdf/The%20True%20Story%20of%20the%20Tallano%20(TALA)%20Estate.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallano_gold

https://diktadura.upd.edu.ph/2022/09/18/ecstatic-loyalists-await-their-share-of-the-marcos-wealth-but-is-it-fools-gold/

https://shopee.ph/TALLANO-GOLD-SOAP-24K-i.465696249.13760780388