Haliya: The Bikol Moon and the Eclipse
When the moon disappeared during an eclipse, old Bikol communities didn't stay quiet. They made noise, sang and beat on objects to save it from the Bakunawa. Haliya is the name linked to the moon in these traditions.
The Eclipse Ritual
José Castaño's 1895 account of Bikol beliefs describes the idea that a great serpent, the Bakunawa, swallows the moon during an eclipse. People responded with noise and song to make the creature release it.
Haliya, Goddess of the Moon
In modern retellings, Haliya is a masked moon goddess who protects the moon and battles the Bakunawa. She is celebrated in art and dance, and her image has become a symbol of Bikol identity.
Fact, Legend and Modern Retellings
The eclipse belief and ritual are documented by Castaño in 1895. Haliya's portrait as a masked warrior goddess in constant battle with the Bakunawa is a later, popular framing, and it's not certain how much of it is pre-colonial.
Explore More Bikol Deities
New to Philippine mythology? Start with our guide, Filipino Mythology for Beginners.
Sources
José Castaño, Breve noticia acerca del origen, religión, creencias y supersticiones de los antiguos indios del Bícol (1895)
Ibalong, the Bikol epic fragment (as preserved by Castaño)
The Aswang Project (aswangproject.com), source comparisons for Philippine deities
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