Mystery of ‘Sigbin’ Bones Uncovered in Cebu Ancestral Home—Experts Set the Record Straight
SIGBIN – Experts debunk the mystery of ‘Sigbin’ bones discovered in a Cebu ancestral home, revealing they most likely belong to a cat.
The Sigbin is a creature from Philippine folklore, particularly in the Visayan and Mindanao regions. It’s described as a mysterious, dog-like animal that walks backward with its head lowered between its hind legs. According to legend, the Sigbin is a nocturnal creature that emerges at night, especially during Holy Week, and has a terrifying appearance.
Some traditional beliefs describe the Sigbin as having large, bat-like ears and a long, flexible tail that it uses like a whip. It’s said to emit a foul smell, and in some versions, it has the power to become invisible to avoid detection.
The Sigbin is rumored to be capable of sucking the blood of its victims, much like a vampire. Additionally, it is believed to eat children or steal their shadows, leading to illnesses or misfortune.
In some accounts, the Sigbin is also associated with wealth. Folklore says that certain families keep a Sigbin in secret as a “pet” to bring prosperity and power, a connection to the concept of “aswang” (a shape-shifting, evil creature in Filipino mythology) and witchcraft.
The skeletal remains discovered in an ancestral home in Talisay City, initially thought to belong to a ‘sigbin,’ are now believed to be those of a cat. CDN Digital consulted local experts regarding bones found in the ceiling of an ancestral house in Brgy. Poblacion, Talisay City, which some residents speculated were remains of a sigbin.
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Dr. Alice Utlang, a prominent animal welfare advocate and head of Cebu City’s Division of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries, stated that the bones assumed to be from a ‘sigbin’ most likely belonged to a cat. Upon examining photos of the remains, Utlang noted the lack of certain skeletal parts but mentioned that the structure of the front portion of the skeleton suggested a feline origin.
“Ug naa ang scapula or shoulder blade ma klaro gyud na iring,” she added.
Another veterinarian from Liloan also confirmed that the skeleton appeared to be that of a cat.
Photos and videos of the two skeletal remains, both of unknown creatures, recently circulated on social media. The bones were found within the ceiling of a century-old house in Brgy. Poblacion, Talisay City.
The homeowner, Ray Cervantes, shared in an interview that he was uncertain about the creature’s identity. According to Cervantes, his helper discovered the bones in the ceiling, and when he showed them to an elderly person, they suggested that the skeletons might be from a sigbin.
The skeletons were notable for their long hind legs.