Aswang

Aswang
Title	Aswang
Description	Philippine ghoul
Gender	Male/Female
Region	Visayas, southern parts of Luzon and parts of Mindanao
Equivalent	Tik-tik/ Wak-wak

An Aswang (or Asuwang) is a shapeshifting monster in Filipino folklore usually possessing a combination of the traits of either a vampire, a ghoul, a warlock/witch, or different species of werebeast, or even all of them together. It is the subject of a wide variety of myths and stories. Spanish colonists noted that the Aswang was the most feared among the mythical creatures of the Philippines, even in the 16th century.

The myth of the aswang is well known throughout the Philippines. It is especially popular in the Visayas, as well as Palawan, Romblon, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Quezon, Batangas, and Masbate in Luzon. Other regional names for the aswang include "tik-tik", "bayot", "wak-wak", "sok-sok" and "kling-kling".

Aswang or "asuwang" is derived from the Sanskrit word Asura which means 'demon'.

Sometimes this creature is called the "bal-bal" or ghoul (maninilong in Catanauan, Quezon), which replaces the cadaver with banana tree trunks after consumption. Aswang stories and definitions vary greatly from region to region and person to person, and no particular set of characteristics can be ascribed to the term. However, the term is mostly used interchangeably with manananggal and are also usually depicted as female.

The wide variety of descriptions in the aswang stories makes it difficult to settle upon a fixed definition of aswang appearances or activities. However, several common themes that differentiate aswangs from other mythological creatures do emerge: Aswangs are shape-shifters. Stories recount aswangs living as regular townspeople. As regular townspeople, they are quiet, shy and elusive. At night, they transform into creatures such as a bat, bird (usually an eagle or hawk), boar, cat, or most often, a dog.

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Wikipedia