[1] The movements of the Bakunawa served as a geomantic calendar system for ancient Filipinos and were part of the rituals of the babaylan priestess.

They strike them with great force and violence in order that they might thereby protect the moon which they say is being eaten or swallowed by the dragon, tiger, or crocodile.

Tomas Ortiz, Practica del Ministerio (1731) via Zuniga's Estadismo (1893)[9] The Bakunawa is also sometimes known as Naga, from syncretization with the Hindu-Buddhist serpent deity, Nāga.

[2] It was also syncretized with the Hindu-Buddhist navagraha pair, Rahu and Ketu, deities who were responsible for eclipses of the sun and moon, respectively.

The most similar to the Bakunawa is the Tagalog Laho (derived from Rahu; also known as Nono or Buaya), a serpent-like dragon that causes moon eclipses.

[10] In Kapampangan mythology, Láwû is depicted as a bird-like dragon or serpent that causes both solar and lunar eclipses, however, its features are closer to the demon Rahu.

[11] Both the words laho and láwû mean "eclipse" (also in modern parlance "to disappear" or "to vanish") in the Tagalog and Kapampangan language.

Other mythical creatures related to the Bakunawa include the Hiligaynon Bawa, Bauta, or Olimaw; the Mandaya and Manobo Tambanakua; the Bagobo Minokawa; and the Maranao Arimaonga.

The Bakunawa, amazed by their beauty, would rise from the ocean and swallow the moons whole, angering Bathala and causing them to be mortal enemies.

Some of the people in the villages would play soothing sounds with their musical instruments, in hopes that the dragon would fall into a deep sleep.

The story gained wider recognition when was published in 1926 as part of the Mga Sugilanong Pilinhon (Folk lre Filipino) collection, where Buyser ends with his personal experience surrounding the belief in Bakunawa.

To the people's despair at the loss of the six Stars*, they learned to heavily guard themselves so that the one last Moon would not be taken and destroyed by the frightening Serpent.

Children, big people, the elderly, women and men all cried: “Return our Moon” among other unpleasant words.

Cries and moans blended together, and took over the hearts of the people who feared that the world would end if they lost the only Moon they had left.

Up until this time of progress, many still believed in the Bakunawa, and a lot still screamed: “Return our Moon”[4] and those in the mountainous regions and shores* still practiced this when an eclipse occurred.

There is a short Hiligaynon song in 3/4 time that children used to sing during lunar eclipses: Figures of the Bakunawa's head decorate the hilts of many ancient Filipino swords.