In the Philippines, a mythical creature called the aswang combines
the horror of a shapeshifter with the most fearsome traits of vampires
and werewolves — making this
monster the most feared in
all of the region’s
folklore.
The word aswang
actually refers to a range
of mythological monsters
from were-dogs, to vampires,
to a gruesome “viscera
sucker.” All can change
their appearance at will,
however — and all hunger for
human flesh and blood. At
night, it is rumored to
prowl villages, using
deceptive sounds to confuse
its prey. With its backward
feet and bloodshot eyes, the aswang’s unsettling appearance is as
terrifying as its hunger for human flesh.
Stories of the aswang have been passed down for centuries, with
written accounts dating back to the 16th century when Spanish colonizers
recorded the creature in the Doctrina Christiana. The aswang comes in
various forms, such as the bird-like Tik-tik and the man-eating
Manananggal, which can split its body and fly.
Meanwhile, some historical evidence suggests that fear of the
aswang was used by the Spanish to suppress native spiritual leaders, and
even the CIA capitalized on the legend during the Cold War.
Real-world explanations for the aswang include misidentified
animals, genetic diseases like XDP that cause extreme physical
contortions, or a cultural scapegoat for tragedies. Whether as a symbol
of fear or a supernatural villain, the aswang continues to be one of the
most feared monsters in Filipino folklore.
What Is The Mythical Aswang, Vampiric Monster Of The Philippines?
The trickiest thing about an aswang is that it often disguises
itself as a human during the day. It prowls out in the open, looking for
victims among the humans it interacts with. Considered to be part
vampire, part witch, and part “werebeast,” the idea that the aswang could
be walking among you without your knowledge is one of the scariest things
about the creature.
That, and the fact that its
favorite meal is human flesh —
primarily that of children and unborn
fetuses. It has an affinity for the
liver and heart in particular. The
aswang allegedly has a proboscis-
like tongue it uses to suck out
blood, even using it to suck unborn
babies out from their mother’s womb.
At night, the aswang stalks small villages in the Philippines,
looking for its next meal. The aswang likes to confuse its prey with a
tricky sound similar to a repeated “tick.” As it gets closer, it gets
quieter to fool you into thinking that the creature is getting further
away, luring you into a sense of false relief.
You may not know when you’re near an aswang during the day since
it is at its weakest state at that time. They are unlikely to attack
their victims in broad daylight.
As far as the creature’s physical appearance, believers stated that
it often takes the form of a beautiful young woman with long black hair.
However, there are tell-tale physical signs that the midnight rendezvous
with a gorgeous woman may not be as it seems.
Aswangs have bloodshot eyes and their feet are often flipped
backward. They reportedly hate loud noises and bright lights. If you
manage to get a good look at their eyes, your reflection will be upside
down. Supposedly, another common way is that albularyos oil, a common
herbal remedy in the Philippines, will boil whenever an aswang is near.
