1. Myths: Myths are narratives that explain the origin and nature of the universe, the world, and humanity. They often involve supernatural beings, such as gods, goddesses, and spirits, and provide explanations for natural phenomena, human behavior, and cultural practices. Examples of Philippine myths include the story of the creation of the world from a bamboo stalk ("Alamat ng Unang Tao"), the myth of the origin of the stars ("Alamat ng mga Bituin"), and the story of the creation of the first man and woman from clay ("Alamat ng Tao").
2. Legends: Legends are narratives that are based on historical events or figures but are embellished with supernatural or miraculous elements. They often revolve around heroic deeds, wars, romantic relationships, or encounters with supernatural beings. Examples of Philippine legends include the story of Bernardo Carpio, a legendary giant who was trapped inside a mountain and is said to be the cause of earthquakes, and the legend of Maria Makiling, a mountain spirit who is believed to protect Mount Makiling in Laguna.
3. Epics: Epics are long, narrative poems that recount the adventures and heroic deeds of legendary heroes or mythical figures. They often involve supernatural elements and battles against evil forces. Examples of Philippine epics include the "Hinilawod," an epic from the Panay region that tells the story of the hero Humadapnon and his quest to save his people, and the "Ibalon," an epic from the Bicol region that narrates the exploits of the hero Bantugan.
4. Fables: Fables are short, didactic narratives that teach a moral lesson or convey a piece of wisdom. They typically involve animal characters and allegorical elements. Examples of Philippine fables include the story of "The Monkey and the Turtle" ("Ang Matsing at ang Pagong"), which teaches the value of patience and persistence, and the fable of "The Ant and the Grasshopper" ("Ang Langgam at ang Tipaklong"), which emphasizes the importance of planning and hard work.
5. Fairy tales: Fairy tales are fictional narratives that often involve magical elements, such as fairies, elves, witches, and talking animals. They typically feature a protagonist who overcomes challenges and achieves a happy ending. Examples of Philippine fairy tales include the story of "The Magic Banana Tree" ("Ang Mahiwagang Punong Saging"), which tells the tale of a poor farmer who finds a magical banana tree that grants wishes, and the fairy tale of "The Sleeping Princess" ("Ang Prinsesang Natutulog"), which portrays a princess who falls asleep for a hundred years and is awakened by a kiss.
6. Ghost stories: Ghost stories, also known as aswang stories or horror tales, are narratives that revolve around encounters with supernatural beings such as ghosts, vampires, witches, and other malevolent creatures. They often aim to scare or thrill the audience and explore themes of death, fear, and the unknown. Examples of Philippine ghost stories include the tale of the "White Lady" ("Ang Babaeng Puti"), a ghostly figure said to haunt certain places, and the story of "The Kapre" ("Ang Kapre"), a giant, tree-dwelling creature that preys on humans.