As comic books like DC and Marvel continue to dominate the entertainment industry with their TV and movie adaptations, it’s been a dream for Pinoys to have our very own “komiks” brought to the screen. At last Netflix released in June its first ever Filipino animated series Trese.
Adapted from the works of writer Budjette Tan and artist Kajo Baldisimo, Trese is a story set in modern-day Manila with Alexandra Trese, the titular “babaylan-mandirigma”, who must maintain the balance between humans and the supernatural. It is no surprise that Trese has gained a new fan following after its release on Netflix. It originally gained a cult following way back in its comic book debut in 2005.
Since then, it has become a fan-favorite, not only because it is a feat for the Filipinos, but for incorporating into its plots the mythological creatures of the Philippines. Here are some of the Filipino supernatural beings shown in Trese.
One of the fan-favorites, Nuno, is Alexandra Trese’s elemental ally. A “nuno” is known to dwell in mounds of soil or “punso”, hence the term “nuno sa punso”. Because it is known to be mean to those who disturb their homes, Filipinos often say “tabi-tabi po” to excuse themselves from walking around or being near a “punso”. Some would even offer food to avoid retaliation from such creatures, and in Trese’s case, she offers ChocNut, a local candy bar made from peanuts.
It is also worth noting that the word “nuno” is said to be derived from “ninuno” which means an ancestor or an old man. This ties into what the said mythical creature is to Trese – a being that helps in her investigations, much like our elders who keep us grounded and guide us.
Crispin and Basilio, Alexandra’s sidekicks, are also among the fan-favorites. They’re not only cool for their bad-ass appearance; they’re also the source of comic relief in certain situations. Alexandra Trese is an extremely powerful heroine for sure, but with Crispin and Basilio always having her back, they are truly a force to be reckoned with. The “kambal” (twins) are both talented marksmen and strong bodyguards with fast healing factors. As the storyline progresses, their stories reveal what they are exactly and why they are significant. If their names are familiar, they are named after Sisa’s sons in Dr. Jose Rizal’s novel, “Noli Me Tangere”.
Another important mythological creature within the Trese series is the “aswang”. Believed to be vampire-like, carnivorous shapeshifters, their stories are often told by the elderly to scare off younger children back in the day. In Trese, they are said to have been from the underworld, and that the older the “aswang”, the stronger they are. Their continuous hunger for blood and flesh makes them erratic and brutal, no wonder they’re still feared to this day.
Whether these supernatural beings are real or not, their stories glue us to our culture. Wherever life may take us, Filipinos would still say “tabi-tabi po” and children would still gather around lolo or lola at night to hear stories about “tikbalang” or “kapre” living in that giant tree in the backyard. With Trese as a comic book and now a series on Netflix, Filipinos have high hopes that our age-old stories of mythical and mystical creatures would continue to be passed on from this generation to the next.
And yes, as Trese grows its fanbase, it certainly becomes a win for every Filipino – not only for the recognition of our culture, but for paving the way to Filipino artists’ dream to become a reality.
