KAPRE

            The name Kapre came from the Arabic word Kaffir which means Non-believer of Islam. The early Arabs and the Moors used it to refer to the non-Muslim Dravidians who were dark-skinned. The term was later brought to the Philippines by the Spanish who had previous contact with the Moors. Some historians speculate that the legend was propagated by the Spanish to prevent Filipinos from assisting any escaped African slaves.

            The Kapre is a Demon Tree, but with more human characteristics. They are giants with glowing red eyes, sharp teeth, very long fingernails, huge trunk-like legs, brown hair and usually have a beard, they are as tall as 7 to 9 ft. They are similar to Agta.  Kapre is a filthy, dark giant who likes to smoke a big ganja pipe that never burns out, and hide within and atop large trees, particularly the balete and old acacia or mango trees. They like to wear indigenous Northern Philippine cloth call Bahag, and a belt that can make him invisible. The area around Mount Banahao, Luzon, is well known for having a lot of activity from this creature.

                These creatures also have different types: Tama is a wicked giant of the Manobo myth who entices travelers with cunning calls and other ruses, said to live in balete trees; Tamas are also believed to be giant spirits of unknown wilds; Apila and Mandayangan are Manobo giant creatures who wrestle each other and are harmless to humans and; Mangaluk is a giant forest monster, described as a black, human-like creature with wings and talon claws.

            Unlike most of Filipino monsters, they are not evil, or like to eat people or fetuses, they just enjoy to scare children that like to stay late at night. Also they are known because they like to drink, smoke and gamble. Some myths describe them as pranksters; their most common pranks consist in making travelers get lost, confusing people in their own familiar surroundings, sometimes even taking away little bits of their memories so they can’t find their way home or while humans sleep, Kapre would put them on top of a tree while they are still in bed.

            They are friendly beings, sometimes they get in contact with humans and offer their friendship, or if they are attracted to a woman, they follow her all the time. Another interesting thing is that if you become friends with him, you will be able to see it, and if you sit on it, the rest of the people will see it as well. But be careful, if you take them for granted or offend them, they will harm you, usually peeling your skin off.

            Some myths say that he always carries a beautiful white stone, and if you manage to obtain it, he will grant you wishes. A tradition that is still being followed is to put fruits and sweets such as papaya or tamarind on a coconut shell, as a token of respect towards the creature, in exchange he would leave fish and rice.

            The poor saps are highly romantic and are said to follow around their female love interest for her entire life.  They become very possessive of their female ‘lovers’ or women they fall in love with, and often won’t let any human male have her.  Recall that generally they are gentle pranksters, but once they become jealous lovers they turn quite violent.

            There are various ways to know if there is one of them nearby: At night you can see big fiery eyes from a tree. If the trees sway when there is no breeze. It is believed that abundant fireflies in woody areas are the embers from his pipe. There is a loud laughter that comes from an invisible being. You see faint smoke coming from above, which is the one that comes from its pipe.

            In the old stories, is found that a one eyed Kapre, whose name was Agyo, fought against the first Spanish conquistadors.This creature is probably is related to Big Foot from North America.