As previous state amulets are preventive in character and therefore more negative, talismans bring good luck or transmit certain new qualities to theri owners, but may bring harm and destruction to others.
Talismans are abundant in kind far more varied than the amulets. All human desires, hopes and expectations have a realizaiton in an appropriate talisman. The talisman is ordinarily not given by the tambalan, but is found accidentally.
The filipino, like many others of the Southern races, has an inclination to gambling which frequently manifests itself. That talismans should be available for this favorite entertainment is not suprising.
1. The Kingfisher-If a kingfisher is caught flying inside one's room at night, the catcher will be lucky in any cockfight. The catcher must silently detach the bills and claws: he is not permitted to say a word duting this process. the kingfisher is then released and allowed to fly again. The bill and the claws of the kingfisher are always carried by the person who hopes to win in cockfight.
2. White land turtle-If a person finds a white land turtle whoose shell is pierced by a twig or branch, he will be lucky in gambling but he must keep his possession of the turtle a secret. As soon as he reveals it, the talisman, sangod, loses it's effectivity.
3. Lizardwith two tails-If someone gets hold of a lizard with two tails and keeps its possession a secret, he is, in folk belief, sure to win in all kind of gambling. Special lucky numbers are 2,4,6,8,10.
As said before, certain qualities are given by a talisman to it's owner.
1. Kusul plant- The flower of the kusul plant is said to bring forth at the rays of a full moon a mutya, a small shell without an opening. The possessor of this mutya should insert the shell through an incision in his body. n this ay he becomes so invulnerable that the sharpest bolo cannot hurt him.
2. The "Doce Pares anting-anting"-This is another source of invulnerability. It is a collection of pictures of the twelve apostles. The picture are clipped together. covered with black leather, worn as a necklace. Ardent prayers are said to honor the twelve apostles. This talisman was used during the Filipino-American War, and is still available and in use in Dagami (Central Leyte).
Bodily strength was in primitive society one of the highest goods; it is still cherished and considered important in modern society. That talismans are in existence to bolster one's natural strength is not suprising.
1. The Pearl of Strength- The pearl of stregth is believed to be the property of a giant who on certain days of the year offers it to humans who happens to pass by his abode. One should go, preferably on Good Friday, to a secluded place near ahill and watch for a bright and round ball, the size of a drop of water, to roll along for it is the pearl of strength. After catching it one has to run home. The giant will pursue the holder. He will be slapped and kicked, but not killed. One should put up a good fight. When the holder of the pearl is almost defeated, the giant stops "playing" and he is free from futher molestation. The holder, of the pearl should now go straight home and insert the pearl under the skin of the right arm. From this timeon, he is supposed to have strength fifty men and he will not fell even the pain of a beating sticks.
2. Anting-anting Yatot- A similar version of the pearl of strength is the anting-anting yatot greatly cherished by thieves. It is believed that when a rat has a mutya, a precious gem of supernatural power, the rat will approach the person who is intended to receive it. As sonn as the rat vomits, the person must be quick mutya. Giants will at the same moment fight with him to get hold of the mutya, but the holder will be vistorious, because the gem made him strong.
The anting anting yatot will make the possessor rich by stealing and robbing. He will know who is rich and like the rat, will know where money is hidden or kept.