The Aswang

An Aswang is a feared, shape-shifting monster in Philippine folklore. It combines the traits of a vampire, ghoul, witch, and were-beast. It is an “umbrella term.” It describes a variety of malevolent beings living as ordinary humans by day. They transform into predatory creatures at night.

The Aswang are known for an unholy preference for the hearts and livers of children, as well as the blood and organs of unborn fetuses, which they sometimes extract from a mother’s womb using a long, thread-like tongue. They can transform into various animals, most commonly large black dogs, pigs, cats, or birds.

Many legends describe the Tik-tik or Wak-wak sound made by these creatures. The sound is said to get quieter as the Aswang gets closer to trick its prey. Traditional folk defenses include garlic, salt, and ginger. They also involve religious artifacts like the holy cross and whips made from a stingray’s tail (buntot pagi).

The legend of the Aswang is deeply rooted in Filipino culture and has been used historically for social control (e.g., enforcing curfews) and even by the CIA during the Cold War to scare off local insurgents.