Chapter 5: Bungisngis
Bungisngis is a one-eyed giant. This Philippine folklore giant lives in forests and woods and is described as a happy and playful cyclops. It is also commonly known as Mahentoy in the northern part of Davao.
Bungisngis is a one-eyed giant in Philippine folklore. This giant, purported to dwell in Meluz, Orion, Bataan, is described as is always laughing. The literal meaning of the name Bungingis is derived from the Tagalog word ngisi which means "to giggle".
Having a humanoid shape, it has large teeth which are always showing, and its upper lip covers its face when it is thrown back. Two long tusks project from the side of its mouth. The cyclops only eye, is found in the middle of its forehead, but this is compensated by its strong sense of hearing. It has also displays unusual strength. In the Filipino tale "The Three Friends – The Monkey, The Dog and The Carabao, The giant is able to lift the carabao and throw it with such force that it ends knee-deep in the ground. However, despite its strength, the bungisngis is easily outwitted and quickly panics. In the tale of the Three Friends, Monkey's tricks led him to his death.
"Bungisngis, the Philippine Cyclops"
A Cyclops, in Greek mythology and later Roman mythology, was a member of a primordial race of giants, each with a single eye in the center of his forehead. The word "cyclops" literally means "round-eyed or "circle-eyed".
In a famous episode of Homer's Odyssey, the hero Odysseus encounters the cyclops Polyphemus, the son of Poseidon and Thoosa, who lives with his fellow cyclopes in a distant country.
So where the heck did the Philippine cyclops, Bungisngis, come from? Tracing the origins of folkloric creatures in Philippine mythology is a long and complicated process. For those interested, I have written 3 articles which outline the basics of the migrations, immigrations and religious influences which must be considered. Using this information makes tracing the origins of the Bungisngis a much simpler task.
What do we know?
Dr. Maximo Ramos has already done most of the legwork that needs to be accomplished within the Philippines. This is outlined in his book "The Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology".
Ramos explains, in a Batangas tale, the giant Bungisngis is described as "a large strong man who is always laughing." His name is said to be derived from the Tagalog word ngisi ('to show the teeth'). He is also said to have "an upper lip so large that when it is thrown back, it completely covers [his] face." His strength is indicated by his reportedly seizing a carabao by the horns and throwing it "knee-deep into the earth."
Bungisngis lived in a forest where three animal friends went hunting one day. The Bungisngis appears to have had a human appetite which is commensurable with its size. In the Batangas tale, Bungisngis was led by his hearing to where a carabao was frying meat in the woods. He then demanded the meat from the latter, saying, "Well, friend, I see you have prepared food for me." He did violence to the carabao and then ate the meat.
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