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Duwende
The word duwende comes from the Spanish duende. People in Cebu and Laguna use it for small beings that live in houses, gardens and trees. Stories say they can help or trick the people who share their space.
Folklore is retold; versions differ.
Sources: Wikipedia: Duende (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikidata (CC0)
The story
In Philippine folklore, duwende are small spirits that people say live in the natural world and inside houses. The word comes from Spanish duende. Tellers place them in rocks, caves, old trees, dark corners of a house and anthills. Those in anthills or termite mounds are called nuno sa punso, the old man of the mound. In some tellings, they are good or bad by color. White ones help, and black ones harm.
Stories say children see duwende more easily than adults. Duwende may play with them. Many people believe it is rude to step on or kick a mound. The tale warns that the angry spirit may curse the offender. Some people say sorry out loud when they pass a mound or move a stone, and this habit is still common.
The belief is told across the Tagalog and Visayan areas. Sources do not list other color types or local offerings, so the details vary. The duwende is both a warning about respect and a figure of play.