Bakunawa: The Moon-Eating Serpent
In Visayan mythology, Bakunawa is a massive sea serpent or dragon believed to cause eclipses by attempting to swallow the moon. Originally a beautiful sea goddess, Bakunawa was transformed into a serpent as punishment for falling in love with a mortal. Each night she rises from the ocean depths to chase the moon across the sky. When she catches it, the people must make loud noises with pots and pans to frighten her away, causing her to release the moon. This ancient myth explains lunar eclipses and reflects the deep connection between Filipino ancestors and celestial observation.