The tikbalang is the
Filipino version of the
centaur. However the it is the tikbalang's head that is a horse, and its body is human. Some people claim that the tikbalang is
harmless, but
mischievous. He only tries to frighten people he fancies. Others claim that the tikbalang eats evil people, and people who do not pray the
angelus.
Some people also say that the tikbalang has 3 golden hairs on his mane, and that if you manage to pluck them from the tikbalang, you will enslave him to your will. Others, however say that it will ask you three riddles (bugtong), and if you answer them correctly, you will get a pot of gold.