Aswang

A generic term for various shape-shifting evil creatures in Filipino folklore, such as vampires, ghouls, witches, suckers of entrails, and werewolf beasts (usually dogs, cats, pigs). Despite the absence of any special motives other than harming others, their behavior can be interpreted as an inversion of traditional Filipino values. Aswang is especially popular in the Visayas, southern parts of Luzon and parts of Mindanao, including Capiz.

Aswangs usually live at night in cemeteries and forests, as their strength in the daytime is significantly reduced, and sometimes completely disappear. Despite being described as wild monsters that often live in the wilderness and on the fringes of society, Aswangs are also described as creatures capable of living in the immediate vicinity or even within the village, leading to several reports of Aswan attacks in major localities. Their ability to adapt and live in urban and rural environments populated by humans, while maintaining their wild monstrous nature, is mentioned as a feature that distinguishes Aswangs from most other monsters. 

They are also usually afraid of the light (which is why the wake was often brightly lit so that Aswan would not come to the funeral to steal and devour the corpse). They are also dismissive of noise, but in rare cases they are called vangs who attend noisy parties.

Aswangs are traditionally described as one-dimensional monsters and evil by nature, who have no explicable motives other than harming and devouring other creatures. Their openly evil behavior can be characterized as an inversion of traditional Filipino values (strong kinship and family closeness): Aswangs have no bias when choosing their prey and do not hesitate to target their own relatives. 

Aswangs are considered unclean and prefer raw human meat to contrast the value with the purity of cooked, seasoned and flavored food characteristic of traditional Filipino culture. Aswangs are also often described as indecent in behavior, and female aswangs often expose their genitals, which contradicts the values of traditional modesty.

There are several ways to expel or kill Aswang. The various countermeasures used to defend against the creatures often vary depending on the cultural and symbolic meaning of each instrument: holy objects, spices, salt, ash, stingray tail, large crustaceans, vinegar, chewing betel nuts and urine, as well as turning over the stairs leading to the house.

Since aswan was believed to be the cause of miscarriages, countermeasures were developed to drive away aswan and prevent them from wandering during childbirth. One way is for the husband of a pregnant wife to remain naked under the house, furiously brandishing a sword.

There is also a special oil against aswang. To make this oil, select a specific coconut and watch it grow. Collect it at dusk when the moon is full, when it is wet and cloudy, the breeze should also be cool. The coconut should be grated and the juice squeezed out of it. Cook the mixture until it becomes butter. Read secret prayers and throw all the waste into the ocean so aswan can't trace who made the oil. After completion, the oil should be hung at the door of the house: it will boil when aswan is nearby.

There are other methods of detecting aswan without using special oil: creaking coming from the ceiling of a house is often a sign of the presence of an ashwang nearby, and reincarnated aswangs can be detected by looking at whether your reflection is inverted in the creature's eyes. In addition, they can be dogs, cats and pigs without tails.

To kill the creature, you can use a bolo knife to stab the witch in the middle of the back: if this area is not affected, he can lick the wounds to heal them. It is not recommended to use firearms.

Tick-tick is a variant of the name of Aswang in the TV series "Grimm".