Manananggal is one of many types of ‘aswang’ which is a Filipino word that means demon, ghoul, or witch. There are many types of monsters that are labeled as ‘aswang’ but they are divided into subspecies according to their appearance and habit. Manananggal falls in the self-segmenting viscera sucker and the other subspecies are blood-sucking vampire, man-eating weredog, evil-eye witch, and carrion-eating ghoul.
Pictures: Google
Manananggal comes from the Filipino word meaning, to remove or to separate. Judging the word, we can speculate a lot but Manananggal actually detaches her upper body from her lower torso. Her hands will turn into bat-like wings for her to fly across the skies at night.
But during the day, it is said that Manananggal is a normal and beautiful woman. She will successfully conceal her monstrous form to maintain relationships.
Her true form will only be shown at night when she roams around in search of the next victim. She is known to use her long, thread-like tongue to get through windows or roof of the victim’s place. Then, the Manananggal will enter the victim’s body through the ears, nose, mouth, or abdomen to feed on kinds of stuff. She would eat livers, lungs, intestines, and hearts. Even fetuses. The victims are most likely to be pregnant women.
Spanish missionary texts have written about these mysterious creatures as early as 1582. But this monster most likely has been talked about by the Philippines locals before the Spanish arrived.
When a Manananggal leaves her lower part of the body unattended while she looks for victims, one can sprinkle ashes, vinegar, salt, spices, or garlic onto her. It is to prevent her from reattaching and a Manananggal will die if she fails to become normal before the daylight.
Sources: Youtube Storied
