ASWANG

ORIGIN: Philippines

The Aswang is a popular urban legend in the Philippines, mainly rooted in the country's folklore and rural superstitions. 

It is a shape-shifting creature, that looks like the combination of a vampire, ghoul, and witch. 

The Aswang is feared across the archipelago, with different regions describing its appearance and behavior in various ways.

But all versions agree on one thing—it is a predator of the night.

By day, the Aswang looks like an ordinary human; a quiet, reserved woman. 

However, once darkness falls, it turns into its true monstrous form. 

The Aswang is said to have the ability to transform into animals like dogs, cats, or large birds. 

It is greatly feared for its thirst for human flesh and its love for the taste of unborn children. 

Because of this, pregnant women are its main targets. 

The Aswang is believed to let down its long, proboscis-like tongue through rooftops to suck the fetus from a sleeping mother's womb.

Stories of the Aswang have caused fear for generations, especially in remote villages. 

So families hang garlic, salt, and religious symbols to ward off this creature. 

Even today, there are still whispers of people seeing the Aswang.