ASWANG

            Have you ever heard of stories regarding aswangs? Well if you live in provinces especially in those not yet urbanized, stories concerning those creepy creatures are widespread. Once in a while, news is heard concerning unexplainable deaths of animals losing some parts of their internal organs are allegedly associated with “aswang attacks”. Spanish Colonizers noted the aswang was the most feared among all the mythical creatures in the Philippines. Stories regarding them are popular in Visayas, especially in the provinces of Capiz, Antique and Iloilo.

            What really is Aswang? Well, some say the word aswang is a generic term for all types of monsters in Philippine Mythology  (witches, vampires, manananggals, shapeshifters, etc.) some say it is (1) a combinanation of the words Asin and Bawang (Salt and Garlic), (2) they even link the origin of the word to a diety named Asuang. (3) Etymologists believe that it came from the Malay word Asuwang which means Big Dog. In the Philippines, it is also known under different names like Bal-bal, a kind of witch that preys on pregnant woman; Tik-tik, that turns into a large bird; Wak-wak a birdlike creature, which its sound is usually associated with the presence of Unglu; Kubot, a bat-like creature that resembles an umbrella with its huge, bat-like wings, which captures its victim by its claws and takes it home to be butchered; Manunupsop, which resembles a tik-tik; and the Sigbin, a kangaroo-like creature with a wide mouth and large fangs, which kills people with a deadly sneeze.

            Aswang, are described as female shapeshifters living among regular people, which at night, transform into creatures like a cat, pig, bird, and the most common, a dog. They usually isolate theselves from the public, appearing to be quiet and shy. They usually prey on unborn fetus and small children and eat their livers and hearts. They are also known for taking any chance to break into funerals to steal cadavers with the trunk of a banana tree carved in the cadaver’s likeness. They kidnap not only corpses but also alive victims, they create a replica of the person using banana stalks and talahib grass, once the replica gets home, it gets sick and dies after some days.

            It is said that they can make humans be like them whenever they eat food inflicted by their saliva.

            In dealing with these creatures, you can identify them by looking into their eyes, they are bloodshot and the reflection on them would be appearing inverted. Looking at them in an inverted position could also help you identify them. Bringing with you “lana” a special oil inside a bottle, which could serve as warning; when it boils, it means that there might be one of these monsters around.

            How can you destroy these creatures? Well, they say you could destroy them by destroying their hearts. Using crucifix and holy water is a sure way to destroy them.  These creatures are said to be driven away by the smell of burnt animal horns. Placing sharpened bamboos called “bagacay” offers another way to help repel them. You could also use silver bullets, bolos, feathers and canes, calamansi, salt, garlic, charcoal and coconut stick which these monsters despise the most.