MGA ALAMAT or myths form an important genre of folk literature. Together with legends and folktales, they constitute the large group of folk narratives in prose. A myth is "a sacred narrative explaining how the world and man came to be in their present form" ( Dundes, 1984)

Here are some examples of creation stories from various regions in the Philippines :

• THE FIRST MONKEY (Iloco)

• WHY THE DEAD COME BACK NO MORE (Ifugao)

• THE ORIGIN OF THE STARS (Tagalog)

• HOW THE ANGELS BUILT LAKE LANAO (Maranao)

• WHY THERE IS HIGH TIDE DURING A FULL MOON (Ibanag)