Mystery of Cebu’s ‘Sigbin’ Bones Solved—Experts Reveal Surprising Discovery
SIGBIN – Experts reveal that the ‘Sigbin’ bones found in an ancestral home in Talisay City likely belong to a cat, not the mythical creature as previously thought.
In Philippine folklore, particularly in the Visayan and Mindanao regions, the Sigbin is a legendary creature often described as a dog-like animal that walks backward with its head lowered between its hind legs.
According to tales, the Sigbin emerges at night, especially during Holy Week, and has a chilling appearance. Legends depict it with large, bat-like ears and a long, whip-like tail. It’s also said to emit a foul smell and, in some versions, can turn invisible to evade detection. Known for its terrifying qualities, the Sigbin is rumored to suck the blood of its victims, akin to a vampire, and some stories suggest it preys on children, either eating them or stealing their shadows to bring illness or misfortune.
In a surprising twist, skeletal remains recently found in a Talisay City ancestral home, initially speculated to be from a Sigbin, were revealed by experts to likely belong to a cat. The discovery took place in the ceiling of a century-old house in Brgy. Poblacion, Talisay City, where some residents speculated the bones could be from this mythical creature.
CDN Digital consulted with local animal experts to determine the true origin of the remains.
Dr. Alice Utlang, an animal welfare advocate and head of Cebu City’s Division of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries, examined photos of the skeleton and concluded that it most likely belonged to a cat. Though parts of the skeleton were missing, Utlang noted the structure of the front section suggested a feline origin. She mentioned that if the scapula, or shoulder blade, were intact, it would clearly identify the creature as a cat. Another veterinarian from Liloan confirmed Utlang’s assessment.
According to the report, the homeowner, Ray Cervantes, shared that his helper found the skeletons in the ceiling. He showed them to an elderly person who suggested they might belong to a Sigbin. However, experts’ findings suggest that the bones are far less mysterious than originally thought, likely those of a long-deceased cat, though the tales of the Sigbin live on.
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