Manananggal

The Manananggal Monster

The Manananggal is a mythical creature in the Philippines (Filipino folklore) that is said to be a woman who can separate her upper torso from her lower body, usually at night, and fly using bat-like wings to prey on pregnant women and fetuses.

There is no scientific evidence to suggest that the Manananggal is a real creature. It is widely considered to be a legend or myth, passed down through generations as a part of Filipino folklore.

Good News: This article provides a lot of information about the Manananggal but at the end of this article enjoy a Manananggal (Full Length Filipino movie) at the end. Make sure to have some family and friends, a lot of Filipino snacks like Lumpia or Halo-halo (pop-corn is a personal favorite) and at least 2 hours to watch the movie – “mag-enjoy ka.”

What is the Manananggal?

The Manananggal is a popular myth in the Visayan regions of the Philippines, specifically in the western provinces of Capiz, Iloilo, Bohol, and Antique.

Similar folklore about these creatures can be found in neighboring nations like Indonesia and Malaysia. The province of Capiz is the primary setting for many Manananggal stories, along with other mythical creatures such as ghosts, goblins, and ghouls collectively referred to as aswangs.

Despite modernization, some locals still claim sightings of these creatures and believe in their existence. Like the Balkan vampire, the Manananggal shares certain traits such as a distaste for garlic and salt, and susceptibility to sunlight.

During daylight hours, a Manananggal appears as a living human woman and does not register as undead, despite being an undead creature. At sunset, her upper torso separates from her lower torso, which becomes immobile and vulnerable. A Manananggal’s mobile torso has a 6-foot wingspan when detached.

The upper torso gains the ability to fly and attack naturally during this time, and both parts share the same pool of hit points, even if separated by distance. Since the lower torso is susceptible to damage, Manananggals often conceal it when detached. Before sunrise, the upper torso must return to its lower half and reattach within the hour, or it a percentage of damage every minute until reunited or disintegrated.

Manananggals are abhorrent undead creatures that live among the living during the day and hunt them at night, reveling in instilling fear and mistrust. Due to their light sensitivity, they tend to remain indoors during daylight hours, disguising themselves as reclusive hermits living outside of villages or holding positions within the community that excuse their peculiarities.

By posing as regular people, such as old women, midwives, hedge witches, or mystics, they can easily select their victims from the community. Pregnant women are a preferred target for Manananggals, as they feast on both the mother and child’s blood as they sleep. The undead creatures use their long, black, hollow tongues to drain their victim’s blood and avoid the scent of garlic and strong spices like cloves and anise. When flying, Manananggals make a ticking or clicking sound, earning them the nickname “tik-tiks” from some villagers.

REAL OR FAKE?

Hint: It’s a superstitious folklore.

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