Apolaki: The Filipino God of War and the Sun
Updated: 3 days ago
When people search for the Filipino god of war, the name that usually comes up is Apolaki, from Tagalog mythology.
Who is Apolaki?
Apolaki is god of the sun and of war, and a patron of warriors. In many retellings he is a son of Bathala and the brother of Mayari, goddess of the moon.
The rivalry with Mayari
One well-known story says that after Bathala died, Apolaki and Mayari fought over who would rule the world. In the struggle, Mayari lost an eye. Realizing what he had done, Apolaki agreed to share: he would rule by day and she by night. That's why the moon shines less brightly than the sun.
Other names and traditions
Similar sun and war deities appear in other regions, and some Pangasinan accounts use the name Apolaki for a supreme god. Details differ by source.
Why he matters
For pre-colonial warriors, a sun god of war reflected values of courage and protection. Today Apolaki shows up in art, games and streetwear as a symbol of strength.
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