Tigmamanukan

In Philippine mythology, the Tigmamanukan was believed by the Tagalog people to be an omen or augural bird. Although numerous other birds and lizards were observed for possible omens, particular attention was paid to the tigmamanukan. Before Christianisation, the Tagalogs believed the tigmamanukan was sent by the supreme deity and creator god Bathala as an oracle to mankind concerning whether or not they should proceed on a journey. In some Philippine creation myths, the tigmamanukan bird was sent by Bathala to split open the primordial bamboo whence the first man and woman came out.