Differences and Similarities

To understand the root of Filipino culture and the stories that emerged from it — we need to learn how to distinguish them first. According to Philippine Folktales: An Introduction, the following distinctions are drawn (Bascom, 1965, as cited in Eugenio, 1985):

• Myths are prose narratives that are made to be believed; truthful accounts of what had happened in the remote past. Myths are accepted on faith and cited in answer to ignorance, doubt, or disbelief.

• Myths are commonly sacred and often associated with theology and rituals. Where the main characters are not human beings but embodies humanity in their own way.

• Myths state the origin of the world and how living things, concepts, and other entities came to be.

They also stated that Legends are prose narratives, like myths, but instead of focusing on sacred themes like gods and deities, Legends follow secular themes.

• Legends still includes ghosts, fairies, and saints.

• Legends tell tales about wars, successions, deeds of past heroes, etc. themes that are mostly grounded to reality.

• Legends are set in areas that are less remote but regarded as true by the narrator and their audience.

Focusing on their Folktales definition, their book includes the following definition:

• Folktales, like legends and myths, are prose narratives too which are regarded as fiction.

• Folktales don’t have a consistent theme but are speculated to be only told for amusement or teach a moral lesson based on Moral Folktales.

Folktale Vs. Folklore

Folklore is unwritten traditions that have been accepted by society. It can be passed down through oral tradition or practices rather than being recorded in writing. Folktales are the story that is told through oral tradition (Azeem & Arif, 2025).

Still Confused?

Based on the listed definitions, you might get confused especially if you think about stories that you know. “Are they a myth, a legend, or a folktale?” However, don’t fret and fidget — depending on its function, context, and the perspective of the scholar studying it, a story may exhibit characteristics associated with myths, legends, and folktales.

A story can have a secular theme that includes gods, goddesses, and deities—but they can also be based on historical events. That story can also be told for amusement or as a cautionary tale for people.

I don’t have much access to traditional books to give you a better example, but think of :

“A mountain god that has befriended a bird. This bird is killed by a platoon commander of a platoon going to war, not to hunt but to kill. Due to grief and anger, the mountain god cursed the commander with bad luck that resulted in him dying untimely amidst the war.”

Additionally, as a Filipino writer that grew up in the Philippines, many people might interpret that all accounts of myths in the culture are old—however, that is not the case. Many Filipinos retell myths in their own way, the best example is the “Alamat ng Pinya”, “The Legend of the Pineapple”, both a legend and a folktale. It is commonly presented as a legend explaining the origin of the pineapple, but because it is also a fictional prose narrative passed down for entertainment and moral instruction, many folklorists would also place it within the broader category of folktales.

Why Does This Matter?

From a writer’s perspective, knowing the classifications of the story you’re referencing and used as inspiration is a beneficial habit. There is a reason the term genre exists, having genre or classifications makes it easier for you to track what you’re adding in your story while also making it accessible for your audience.

Applying this thought—you want to write folklore, that means you can keep track of the oral traditions and practices for the culture that exist within that world you’re building. You want to write about victories and war while still being based on history but you don’t know where to begin—but you do know what Legends are. Knowing what you’re working with is the first step to telling it well — and that’s exactly what this blog is here to explore.

REFERENCES

• Eugenio, D. L. (1985). Philippine folktales: An introduction. Asian Folklore Studies, 44, 155–177. https://asianethnology.org/article/148458.pdf
• Azeem, M., & Arif, U. (2025). Folklores and folktales in history writing: An analytical study. Indus Journal of Social Sciences, 3(3), 657–663. https://doi.org/10.59075/ijss.v3i3.2008