The Filipino culture embraces a multitude of legends and stories. These stories and legends have been passed down from generation to generation. Each of the folklores has its own purpose. There are stories that teach values and morality. The rest of the stories are legends and tales of mysterious creatures. These legends come from the darkest corners of human imagination. They are shared as a testament to the different beliefs and culture of the Filipino people. One of the more famous stories is the tale of the manananggal (ma-na-nang-gal).
The manananggal is actually a derivative from the word "tangal" in the Philippine language of Tagalog. The word "tangal" literally means to remove. The manananggal gets its name from one of its major characteristic. In its predator mode, the torso of the body removes itself from the thighs and legs. The word manananggal literally means “the one who detaches”. As it detaches, it transforms itself into a ruthless winged creature that preys on anything from pets, to livestock, to children, and adult males or females. This creature of the night is terrible and vile because it is a nocturnal hunter. It preys upon those who ponder and wander the night. The manananggal is also sinister because it takes on a disguise when it is not hunting for prey.
Interestingly, the manananggal comes in very unique disguises. As someone travels around the Philippines, each island or groups of peoples have their personal perspective of this feared and fabled creature. The only similarities are that it removes itself from the rest of its body, it is winged creature, and it preys on animals and humans. In some regions of the country, they describe the creature as a beautiful woman. Another depicts this creature as an old and mysterious woman. Some parts of the country even believe that enormous pets or wild animals transform as humans who then become the manananggal! Talk about the ultimate creature! It has a wide range of characteristics. From ghouls, to vampires, to werewolves, and witches, the manananggal fits in just perfectly.
The next question that is the most intriguing the many ask is how do you stop such a horrendous, violent, and abhorrent creature? According to legend, there are several steps and ways to kill this creature. The first step in hunting one is by avoiding the creature when it is flying around. It is almost impossible to kill the manananggal in this form because it is faster, more agile, and lesser prone to fatal injuries. The creature has some tricks up its sleeve too. Legend has it that the manananggal wings make a distinct "tik-tik" noise. One must be very careful if they know that the creature is around. The reason why is because the farther someone is to the manananggal, the louder the sound of the wings will be. If there is an eerie silence, then the manananggal probably knows you're around, and it will definitely eat you. The key to killing one is finding the lower extremities’ of the manananggal. This is the most vulnerable part of the creature because it is unguarded. If this is found, salt, garlic, and fresh ash must be poured on top of it. This will disable the creature from reattaching itself. Since it is a creature of darkness, the ultimate weakness of this creature is the sunlight. As the dawn breaks, the terror of the manananggal is no more.
The manananggal is actually a derivative from the word "tangal" in the Philippine language of Tagalog. The word "tangal" literally means to remove. The manananggal gets its name from one of its major characteristic. In its predator mode, the torso of the body removes itself from the thighs and legs. The word manananggal literally means “the one who detaches”. As it detaches, it transforms itself into a ruthless winged creature that preys on anything from pets, to livestock, to children, and adult males or females. This creature of the night is terrible and vile because it is a nocturnal hunter. It preys upon those who ponder and wander the night. The manananggal is also sinister because it takes on a disguise when it is not hunting for prey.
Interestingly, the manananggal comes in very unique disguises. As someone travels around the Philippines, each island or groups of peoples have their personal perspective of this feared and fabled creature. The only similarities are that it removes itself from the rest of its body, it is winged creature, and it preys on animals and humans. In some regions of the country, they describe the creature as a beautiful woman. Another depicts this creature as an old and mysterious woman. Some parts of the country even believe that enormous pets or wild animals transform as humans who then become the manananggal! Talk about the ultimate creature! It has a wide range of characteristics. From ghouls, to vampires, to werewolves, and witches, the manananggal fits in just perfectly.
The next question that is the most intriguing the many ask is how do you stop such a horrendous, violent, and abhorrent creature? According to legend, there are several steps and ways to kill this creature. The first step in hunting one is by avoiding the creature when it is flying around. It is almost impossible to kill the manananggal in this form because it is faster, more agile, and lesser prone to fatal injuries. The creature has some tricks up its sleeve too. Legend has it that the manananggal wings make a distinct "tik-tik" noise. One must be very careful if they know that the creature is around. The reason why is because the farther someone is to the manananggal, the louder the sound of the wings will be. If there is an eerie silence, then the manananggal probably knows you're around, and it will definitely eat you. The key to killing one is finding the lower extremities’ of the manananggal. This is the most vulnerable part of the creature because it is unguarded. If this is found, salt, garlic, and fresh ash must be poured on top of it. This will disable the creature from reattaching itself. Since it is a creature of darkness, the ultimate weakness of this creature is the sunlight. As the dawn breaks, the terror of the manananggal is no more.