Its that time of the Year (Well, almost)

And I'm not talking about Christmas just yet. In a couple of days, we are to approach the month of November. And for most people it is a month to play dress up with the usual trick or treating and that time of the year when horror flicks seem to be the only thing on TV.

When I was young, the month of November was a time for the much-awaited Halloween specials courtesy of the major TV networks. A tradition of some sort as this is when we get to watch stories of people with paranormal encounters such as meeting an elf prince and being transported into a different world (Oh) and out of the body experiences (Oh-oh-oh). I do remember seeing dancing paper dolls for the first time in one of these specials and I was more scared than amazed. ( Of course I now know that its a hoax, but it still makes me cringe whenever I see one.)

Looking back at these stories made me recall some of the characters that somehow became part of the growing up years of most Filipinos my age. These characters, that are part of the "aswang*" (as-wahng) clan, were used as "panakots" whenever we behave or do something bad. So for this post, I've decided to rekindle my childhood and present a few of these characters in their less frightening form dressed in "couture". :)

First is the "Tiktik" (teek-teek)


"Ready to stick her tongue out."

So-called because of the sound it produce. A shape-shiter that targets pregnant women. It is known to take away babies inside the mother's womb by using its tongue which some describes to be sharp.

Next is the "Manananggal" (mah-nah-nahng-gahl)


"She's no angel"

This decieving creature takes the form of a maiden then transforms into a banshee-looking, blood-sucking creature (a relative of the vampire) whose body is split into two. Guess not all creature that has wings are angelic.

There's even a tip as to how to defeat a manananggal. According to hearsay, you need to find the bottom part of the manananggal's body and sprinkle it with LOTS of salt. Others suggests that to make it more effective, add onion, garlic cloves and spices.

Then there's the "Tiyanak" (tia-nak)OR "cha-nak" as most Pinoys would call it.


"Beware of the cries you hear."

Another vampiric creature that mimics the form of a baby. Usually "spotted" in the jungle and cries to lure its unsuspecting victim. Other version, at least in one film, describes the tiyanaks as babies that are aborted, takes the form of a baby and looks for kind souls that will take care of them. These kind souls of course will later be the victims.

Then there's the "Tikbalang" (teek-bah-lang)


which I suspect as the not so nice cousin of Sagittarius as they are of the "half-horse, half-man kin". The tikbalang is known as someone who'll lure strangers and leave them astray. In taming the tikbalang, again from hearsays, a person must obtain one of the three sharp spines located in its mane and use it as a talisman.

Last on the list, at least here, is the "Kapre" (kah-preh)


"She huffs and she puffs and she likes to play pranks."

Known for its height ranging from 7-9 ft., kapres (basically a he) are believed to inhabit big trees** (acacias, mango and balete for instance). Perhaps the "friendliest" in the bunch as they can make contact with humans and offer friendship. There are even "reports" wherein women claims that kapres got attracted to them and offered them presents, etc. Oh well!

Now whether they exists or whether you believe in them or not, what clear is that like most culture, Filipinos managed to create characters such as these which are now part of the rich tapestry of Philippine culture.

*is a generic term to all types of witches, vampires, shape-shifters in Philippines folk myth.

** how fitting because of its size.