The Gods Must Be Crazy: A Philippine Mythology Podcast

Latest Episodes:

75: MAALAALA MO KAYA | Forgotten Island Reaction & Review Oct 25, 2026

Show notes

We've waited YEARS for DreamWorks' Forgotten Island, and now that we've finally seen it, you KNOW we have thoughts! From the gorgeous animation and nostalgic '90s Philippines to the mythical creatures we've spent years obsessing over, there's a LOT to unpack.

Did the film do Philippine mythology justice? Did we have opinions on the accents? And why does this love letter to Filipino culture feel a little different depending on which side of the diaspora you're on? We get into the good, the weird, the missed opportunities, and all those tiny details that only two verily invested mythology nerds would notice.

Join us for a very Filipino, occasionally nitpicky, but ultimately affectionate deep dive into Forgotten Island, friendship, nostalgia, and what it means to see our stories on the big screen. Spoilers ahead!

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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).

Sources:

74: BE MY BABY | The Obando Fertility Dance Oct 11, 2026

Show notes

74: BE MY BABY | The Obando Fertility Dance

Couples from all over the world travel hundreds to thousands of miles to this small municipality in Bulacan every year, all for the hopes of begging the saints’ intercession to have a child. All you have to do is… dance?

The Obando Fertility Rites hail all the way back from pre-colonial times, enigmatically preserved by Catholic tradition. Join us as we traverse stories of summoning old harvest gods, how not one, not two, but THREE figures became crucial intercessors to Obando’s annual pilgrims, and that dark period when no one was allowed to dance for almost three decades. We need Kevin Bacon over here, stat!

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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.catholicsandcultures.org/feasts-holy-days/obando-feast-three-saints-philippines
https://obando.gov.ph/history-of-obando-bulacan/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obando_Fertility_Rites
OBANDO: LEGEND OF A DANCE* (Obando: Alamat ng Isang Sayaw) written by the late Rene Romulo “Director Ting” A. de los Reyes
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2230121/now-safe-from-hazardous-smoke-obando-set-for-three-days-of-feasts
Rizal, Jose. Noli Me Tángere. 1887. Translated by Harold Augenbraum, Penguin Group, 2006
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/932911/obando-fertility-dance-sineliksik-2017-sining-kalinangan-ng-bulacan-festival-singkaban-festival-linga
https://www.bigwas.com/2022/07/sayaw-sa-obando.html

73: CAPIZ BE WITH YOU | The Aswang Capital of the Philippines Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

73: CAPIZ BE WITH YOU | The Aswang Capital of the Philippines

Ever met anyone from Capiz and immediately get worried ‘coz that’s where aswang is supposedly from? Just me? Okay. But how did one province become synonymous with this particular type of monster?

After a LOOONGG break, we’re glad to be back with this gem. Join us as we take you from seafood, house design via shells, giant church bells, and colonial history to one of the most fascinating intersections of Philippine folklore and modern science. Could there be a real-life reason behind one of our country's oldest supernatural rural legends? Abangaaaannn..

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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:

72: RAINBOW CONNECTION | Legends of the Bahag-Hari in Philippine Mythology Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

72: RAINBOW CONNECTION | Legends of the Bahag-Hari in Philippine Mythology

There’s a rainbow always after the rain–but is it always a good thing?

This episode, to cap off pride month, we cover the various myths and legends about the heavenly phenomenon: THE RAINBOW, also known as Bahag-hari.

In this episode we meet Bighari, the flower-loving daughter of Bathala who got grounded for tardiness, and a star maiden who lost her wings and learned to be happy in her mortal husband’s earthly home. We also learn why the Ibaloi think the rainbow isn’t straight, why you shouldn’t point at rainbows and how early Visayan saw it as an omen of war.

Lastly, we cover the various rainbow myths around the world, involving half-demons, godly weapons and spontaneous gender transformations.

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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.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/68806/alamat-ang-pag-iibigang-pinagtibay-ng-bahaghari/story

https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/ang-alamat-ng-bahagharidocx/252181196#2

https://www.aswangproject.com/rainbows-in-philippine-mythology-folklore/

https://www.aswangproject.com/biraddali/

https://www.aswangproject.com/bathalas-seven-children/

https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/nonpwdpubs/young_naturalist/earth_sciences/rainbows/index.phtml#:~:text=An%20old%20Romanian%20folktale%20claimed,changed%20into%20the%20opposite%20sex.

8: The Legend of the Durian | PALENGKE PHABLES Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

8: The Legend of the Durian | PALENGKE PHABLES

Perhaps it is only fitting that the Durian, the King of Fruits, has its own epic-level origin story. This rich, bittersweet, iconic pungent fruit has boundless lovers and haters alike, but perhaps none more so than the ancient Bagobo people. Follow us as we recount the tale of an old bachelor king seeking a bride, the epic quest he takes to rekindle their marital passion, and the one mistake that led to their ruin. If fruits could kill, right?

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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://thephilippineliterature.com/the-story-of-the-first-durian-the-hermits-three-wishes/#:~:text=Impit%20Purok%20mixes%20the%20three,durian%20smells%20and%20looks%20today.

https://www.whetstonemagazine.com/journal/the-lore-and-legend-of-durian

https://steemit.com/literature/@juvyjabian/the-legend-of-name-durian-originally-translated-filipino-fictional-story

https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/231628/durian-as-aphrodisiac-myths-and-legends-about-dutertes-favorite-fruit/

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/09/521979/king-hermit-and-durian

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durian#Flavour_and_odour

https://buklat.blogspot.com/2017/11/ang-alamat-ng-durian.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41563300

7: The Legend of the Coconut | PALENGKE PHABLES Jun 15, 2025

Show notes

7: The Legend of the Coconut | PALENGKE PHABLES

When life gives you ten kids, a mystery lady, and tragedy… you get a coconut tree? In this episode of Palengke Phables, we crack open the story of how the humble niyog became the Swiss army knife of tropical fruits. From sweet water to tasty meat, it turns out the coconut tree might just be the ultimate mom: nourishing, sturdy, and always there when you need her. Grab a buko juice and join us as we peel back the husk of this bittersweet Filipino legend.

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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:

Gintong Aral. (n.d.). The Legend of the Coconut Tree. Retrieved from Gintong Aral

6: The Legend of the Atis (Custard Apple) | PALENGKE PHABLES Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

6: The Legend of the Atis (Custard Apple) | PALENGKE PHABLES

What happens when an encanto catches you being a Mean Girl? In this story, Tess finds out the hard (and lumpy) way. We dive into the legend of the Atis fruit—how one girl’s nonstop teasing turned into a sweet-but-bumpy tree. It’s a tale of sass, karma, and a fruit named after a sister. Tune in for magic, mischief, and a lesson wrapped in custard-y goodness.

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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://buklat.blogspot.com/2017/10/ang-alamat-ng-atis.html⁠

⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcCL3lP-8Fo⁠

5: The Legend of the Mango | PALENGKE PHABLES Jun 08, 2025

Show notes

5: The Legend of the Mango | PALENGKE PHABLES

She’s a sweetie with a heart of gold, the national fruit of the Philippines, and probably every country in South and Southeast Asia will claim they have the best one. That’s right folks, this episode, we talk about the legend of the Mango. Follow us through all-too-relatable tales of family inheritance battles, a daughter’s broken heart, and young love that transcends species. And while we’re there, learn about a mango that’s literally worth its weight in gold, as well as a group of mango-worshippers that probably took it a bit too far.

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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://discover.hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/The-Legend-Of-Mango

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

https://www.tokyoweekender.com/food-and-drink/the-worlds-most-expensive-mango/

https://steemit.com/literature/@juvyjabian/the-legend-of-mango-varieties-originally-translated-filipino-fictional-stories

https://ohdbks.overdrive.com/ohdbks-clermont/content/media/3849496

https://multoghost.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/food-origin-myths-two-from-the-philippines/

4: The Legend of the Bayabas (Guava) | PALENGKE PHABLES May 18, 2025

Show notes

4: The Legend of the Bayabas (Guava) | PALENGKE PHABLES

It’s Beauty and the Bayabas in this story of why the fruit of the Bayabas has a crown. In this tale as old as time, learn about the fate of King Barabas, the perils of gluttony and greed, the duty rulers owe to their subjects, and why you should never take mysterious old women at face value. Also, weigh in on the Team Sinigang vs. Team Adobo debate.

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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://owlcation.com/social-sciences/Philippine-Legend-The-Legend-Of-Guava

https://medium.com/@capucaosharon20/the-folktale-of-the-guava-tree-ef174984bb38

https://buklat.blogspot.com/2017/11/bakit-may-korona-ang-bayabas.html

3: The Legend of the Ampalaya | PALENGKE PHABLES May 14, 2025

Show notes

3: The Legend of the Ampalaya | PALENGKE PHABLES

Before it was the star of every dish your mom forced you to eat, ampalaya was just a plain, smooth veggie with a major inferiority complex. In this minisode, we unravel the OG tale of envy, theft, and justice that made the ampalaya the icon of bitterness it is today. Featuring anthropomorphic produce, colorful neighbors, and deep-fried feelings.

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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).

Sources:
Rivera, Augie D. "Alamat ng Ampalaya = The Legend of the Bitter Gourd." Manila: Adarna Book Services, 1995. https://the-thought-oasis.blogspot.com/2020/08/004-alamat-ng-ampalaya-by-augie-d.html.

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