BLOG POST 2: Shape shifting monster

Are you familiar about the creatures who craves for blood and human flesh? And no, I am not talking about zombies. I am referring to the creature known as the "Aswang". Even up to now, I still fear these horrifying creatures and that is why I wanted to know more about them.




The Aswang is one of the most popular monster known in the Philippines. Aside from being able to transform its body structure to any kind of living creature, it can also be very violent Although, there are no distinct descriptions pertaining to the aswangs, we can project an image by the views and opinions of the people who claimed to see or know how an aswang would look like. An as aswang is generally described as a creature that changes it form to catch its victims. During the day, where in they are known to be weak, since the sun is their weakness, they shape shift in a human form. They can also be described, while in their human form, as a person that is quiet and shy but during the night they turn into monsters. People also believe that when there is an animal that has glowing eyes, it means that it is an aswang.

I have read an article, written by Robert Benjamin, entitled Aswang - The Philippine Shape -Shifter a Creature of Cryptozoology on the site called ezinearticles.com, which states how aswangs feed. According to Robert Benjamin, whenever an aswang consumes a person, they replace that person with a duplicate or a facsimile made from tree trunks in order for them to get away in devouring that person. The facsimile will be an exact copy of the victim that will go back living the life of the said victim but will eventually die because of an unknown sickness. Often times, while they are hunting, they confuse their victims by making loud noises when they are near and soft noises when they are far. The reason why they are doing that is because they will be able to trap their victims because their victims will think that they are far away from the aswangs when the aswangs are making soft hissing or roaring sounds.

I have been told that aswangs usually roam the provinces of the Philippines specifically in the provinces of Ilo-ilo, Antique, and Capiz. These provinces are located at the western part of the Philippines in the islands of Visayas. People from Antipolo, whic is on the Northern part of Luzon, claimed that there were also sightings of these creatures in their city.

Aswang Festival - Capiz Visayas

Although the aswangs are the most feared creature here in the Philippines, we do have a festival all about them. It is called as the Aswang Festival ( Pista ng mga Aswang). In this event, people dress up as aswangs and perform a series of dances. Usually there are more variety of different costumes and groups that portrays distinct image of an aswang. The only thing in common about their costume is that they all look very terrifying.

I have read an article entitled " Travel to Philippines - Captivating Capiz " by Allan Merin on a site called ezinearticles.com that tackles about the wonderful province of Capiz. It was great how the author described the said povince. The author wanted to inform the public that Capiz is a wonderful vacation spot because of the awesome tourist attraction. Capiz is known to be the home of the aswangs but it was back then. Even though there are a lot of people who still believe in that thought, there are things that would make them think otherwise. For example, Capiz was entitled as the "Sea Food Capital of the Philippines" because of the variety of sea food dishes that the people serve. Another is that they have this Festival about the Aswang, the "Aswang festivals". They Celebrate this because they want to change how people think about their place.

I remembered the things that will keep you from being eaten by aswangs. These are the things that my aunts and uncles, from my province, told me when I was still young. I've also seen some movies about aswangs in which the people uses items to fight or defend themselves. We can use salt to defend our houses from being invaded by the aswangs because the salt is a very corrosive substance for the aswangs. Next is the garlic. It's really funny how the garlic works not only for vampires but also to the aswangs. They can't stand the smell of garlic that is why people hung clusters of garlic in their houses and in the movies that I've watched they shoot the garlic into the mouth of the aswang. The bawang will kill the aswang in a few moment after feeding it to the aswang. Another is the special oil that will boil whenever there is an aswang nearby. The oil is usually placed on a small bottle and is used as a pendant for babies. Now for the offensive items that can be used against the aswangs. there are three things that can be used, namely the Holy Water, Crucifix, and the tail of a stingray. These three can kill instantly an aswang when you use them in the right way. There are also signs when the person or an animal is an aswang. One of these signs is when you look someone in the eyes and your reflection in their eyes is inverted that means that person is an aswang. Another sign is that when the night comes and the sunlight fades, the animal that roams around with glowing yellow or sometimes red eyes only means that that animal is an aswang.

Based on these information, I have made a conclusion that although aswangs are very terrifying, and they really they are still part of our Filipino culture. Now that you know about the aswangs and ff you don't want to be a part of the diet of the aswangs, you'd better remember the things that I've said earlier. Aswangs are very fearsome creatures and to top it all up, they can even shape shift! That is why you have to be very cautious when walking in the road especially during the night.