—The Aswang is a type of ghoul or vampire in Filipino folklore. It is said to roam about at night in search of prey, especially sick people or expectant mothers; it prefers to eat unborn babies, and can smell them! The aswang can assume other forms, like that of a dog, pig, or horse; such manifestations are unusually large, and are usually black in color.
During the day, the aswang lives like a normal person, and may even have a job; they are reputed not to victimize their neighbors. The aswang flies about at night, but only the head and intestines do so, leaving the rest of the body behind on their bed…neat trick, eh? If you see what looks to be a strand of cobweb hanging down from a tree, it may be an aswang’s tongue waiting to snare an unsuspecting person. People are warned against sleeping with their bellies exposed as then an aswang might steal their intestines as they sleep. If the intended victim is not sleeping, the aswang would stand upside down and emit a strong odor which makes the victim incapable of moving. Once so paralyzed, the aswang will then eat the victim’s internal organs, starting with the heart and going down to the intestines.
An aswang will stand upside down, or your reflection in their eye will appear to be upside down. They are regarded to be in a state of sickness, and unable to control themselves. A native healer may cure an aswang by making them drink certain potions, after which time they vomit up all kinds of strange objects!
Destination Truth ran an episode in search of an aswang in the Philippines, with certain crew members freaking out when common animals appeared in camera range, reminded no doubt of the aswang’s reputed tranformational abilities…
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