In the town of Talisay, Cebu, farmers once shared a strange tale.
They claimed to have caught something in a sugarcane field.
Not an animal. Not a child.
They called it a tiyanak.
Now, this creature—preserved in glass—sits in a private museum.
What do you think it really is?
What Is a Tiyanak?
A tiyanak, in Philippine folklore, is a creature that looks like a baby.
People say it cries in the forest to lure victims. Once picked up, it shows sharp teeth and attacks.
Stories vary across the country, but the common thread is the same—fear, mystery, and a deep-rooted belief that these beings exist.
The Sugarcane Field Incident
Locals say it started with missing animals. Chickens and goats disappeared from farms near the sugarcane fields.
One night, a group of men went out to investigate.
They heard crying. A baby’s voice in the dark.
When they searched, they found a small figure crawling near the roots. It was pale, with red eyes and pointed nails.
They brought it back, placed it in a sack, and handed it to a man who collects rare items.
That man now owns a private museum in Cebu.
Inside the Museum
The museum is not open to the public every day. You need to request access or know someone.
Inside, you’ll find jars, bones, and taxidermy.
But the center display is a glass box. Inside lies what appears to be a baby—discolored skin, long fingers, and fangs.
It is labeled “Talisay Tiyanak.”
Is it real? A hoax? A deformed animal?
Visitors have different reactions. Some feel chills. Others feel pity. Some call it fake, others swear it moved.
Would you want to see it for yourself?
Why Do People Believe?
Tales of tiyanak go back generations.
Elders recall stories from the mountains. Parents used these stories to scare children into staying home.
But in areas like Talisay, some adults believe them, too.
Many have no access to scientific explanations.
They rely on what they see and hear.
And they trust each other’s stories.
If your neighbor swore they caught one, would you doubt them?
What Could It Be?
Some say it’s a monkey. Others think it’s a malformed fetus. A few suggest taxidermy work using animal parts.
Without expert analysis, no one knows.
But no examination has been made public. The museum owner refused requests from journalists and researchers.
Why keep it hidden?
What are they afraid of?
Or are they trying to protect a legend that draws attention?
The Ethics of Display
Is it right to display a body—real or not—in a glass box?
Some say it’s cultural. Others say it’s wrong.
What if it’s human? Should it be buried?
What if it’s fake? Is it okay to use fear to draw crowds?
Museums must balance curiosity and respect.
In this case, that line is blurry.
How the Story Lives On
The tale of the Talisay Tiyanak now spreads online.
Photos surface on social media. Some videos get thousands of views.
But none confirm if it’s real.
The story remains just that—a story.
Still, people from other towns travel to Cebu, hoping to see it.
Is it curiosity? Belief? Or just thrill-seeking?
What You Can Ask
Before you believe, ask yourself:
Who told the story first?
Who profits from it?
Can it be tested or verified?
What evidence do we have?
Not all myths are lies. Not all stories are facts.
But every tale teaches us something—about fear, belief, and the need for answers.
Would you want scientists to study the object?
Or should it remain untouched, as part of local lore?
What You Can Do
If you’re interested in folklore, visit museums and archives.
Ask locals about stories they grew up with.
Compare versions.
Write them down.
You help preserve culture when you document these tales.
But always ask: is this story helping or harming anyone?
The Talisay Tiyanak, whether real or fake, remains locked behind glass.
People still whisper about it.
And you—reading this now—are part of the story, too.
What will you believe?
