Manananggal
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The ''manananggal'' is a mythical creature in the Philippines that separates from their lower part of its body and their fangs and wings give it a vampire-like appearance.


Mythology

The ''manananggal'' is described as scary, often hideous, usually depicted as female, and always capable of severing its upper torso and sprouting huge bat-like wings to fly into the night in search of its victims. The word ''manananggal'' comes from the Tagalog word ''tanggal'', which means "to remove" or "to separate", which literally translates as "remover" or "separator". In this case, "one who separates itself". The name also originates from an expression used for a severed torso. The ''manananggal'' is said to favor preying on sleeping, pregnant women, using an elongated proboscis-like tongue to suck the hearts of
fetus A fetus or foetus (; plural fetuses, feti, foetuses, or foeti) is the unborn offspring that develops from an animal embryo. Following embryonic development the fetal stage of development takes place. In human prenatal development, fetal deve ...
es, or the blood of someone who is sleeping. It also haunts newlyweds or couples in love. Due to being left at the altar, grooms-to-be are one of its main targets. The severed lower torso is left standing, and is the more vulnerable of the two halves. Sprinkling salt, smearing crushed garlic or ash on top of the standing torso is fatal to the creature. The upper torso then would not be able to rejoin itself and would perish by sunrise. The myth of the ''manananggal'' is popular in the Visayan regions of the
Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...
, especially in the western provinces of
Capiz Capiz, officially the Province of Capiz ( Capiznon/ Hiligaynon: ''Kapuoran sang Capiz''; tl, Lalawigan ng Capiz), is a province in the Philippines located in the central section of Western Visayas region. Its capital is the city of Roxas. It is ...
,
Iloilo Iloilo (), officially the Province of Iloilo ( hil, Kapuoran sang Iloilo; krj, Kapuoran kang Iloilo; tl, Lalawigan ng Iloilo), is a province in the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is the City of Iloilo, the ...
,
Bohol Bohol (), officially the Province of Bohol ( ceb, Lalawigan sa Bohol; tl, Lalawigan ng Bohol), is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas Regions of the Philippines, region, consisting of the island itself and 75 m ...
and
Antique An antique ( la, antiquus; 'old', 'ancient') is an item perceived as having value because of its aesthetic or historical significance, and often defined as at least 100 years old (or some other limit), although the term is often used loosely ...
. There are varying accounts of the features of a ''manananggal''. Like vampires,
Visayan Visayans (Visayan: ''mga Bisaya''; ) or Visayan people are a Philippine ethnolinguistic group or metaethnicity native to the Visayas, the southernmost islands of Luzon and a significant portion of Mindanao. When taken as a single ethnic group, ...
folklore creatures, and ''
aswang Aswang is an umbrella term for various shape-shifting evil creatures in Filipino folklore, such as vampires, ghouls, witches, viscera suckers, and werebeasts (usually dogs, cats, pigs). The aswang is the subject of a wide variety of myths, s ...
s'', ''manananggals'' are also said to abhor garlic, salt and holy water. They were also known to avoid daggers, light, vinegar, spices and the tail of a stingray, which can be fashioned as a whip. Folklore of similar creatures can be found in the neighbouring nations of
Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...
and
Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...
. The province of
Capiz Capiz, officially the Province of Capiz ( Capiznon/ Hiligaynon: ''Kapuoran sang Capiz''; tl, Lalawigan ng Capiz), is a province in the Philippines located in the central section of Western Visayas region. Its capital is the city of Roxas. It is ...
is the subject or focus of many ''manananggal'' stories, as with the stories of other types of mythical creatures, such as
ghost A ghost is the soul or spirit of a dead person or animal that is believed to be able to appear to the living. In ghostlore, descriptions of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to rea ...
s,
goblin A goblin is a small, grotesque, monstrous creature that appears in the folklore of multiple European cultures. First attested in stories from the Middle Ages, they are ascribed conflicting abilities, temperaments, and appearances depending on t ...
s,
ghoul A ghoul ( ar, غول, ') is a demon-like being or monstrous humanoid. The concept originated in pre-Islamic Arabian religion, associated with graveyards and the consumption of human flesh. Modern fiction often uses the term to label a cert ...
s generically referred to as ''
aswang Aswang is an umbrella term for various shape-shifting evil creatures in Filipino folklore, such as vampires, ghouls, witches, viscera suckers, and werebeasts (usually dogs, cats, pigs). The aswang is the subject of a wide variety of myths, s ...
s''. Sightings are purported here, and certain local folk are said to believe in their existence despite modernization. The ''manananggal'' shares some features with the
vampire A vampire is a mythical creature that subsists by feeding on the Vitalism, vital essence (generally in the form of blood) of the living. In European folklore, vampires are undead, undead creatures that often visited loved ones and caused mi ...
of
Balkan The Balkans ( ), also known as the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographical area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throughout the who ...
folklore, such as its dislike of
garlic Garlic (''Allium sativum'') is a species of bulbous flowering plant in the genus ''Allium''. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, Allium fistulosum, Welsh onion and Allium chinense, Chinese onion. It is native to South A ...
, salt, and vulnerability to sunlight.


Historical accounts

"''The seventh was called magtatangal, and his purpose was to show himself at night to many persons, without his head or entrails. In such wise the devil walked about and carried, or pretended to carry, his head to different places; and, in the morning, returned it to his body—remaining, as before, alive. This seems to me to be a fable, although the natives affirm that they have seen it, because the devil probably caused them so to believe. This occurred in Catanduanes.''" Fr.
Juan de Plasencia Miguel Juan de Plasencia () was a Spanish friar of the Franciscan Order. He was among the first group of Franciscan missionaries who arrived in the Philippines on 2 July 1578. He spent most of his missionary life in the Philippines, where he fou ...
, ''Customs of the Tagalogs'' (1589) "Brujo. Magtatangal. Dicen que vuela y come carne humana pero cuando levanta el vuelo no lleva mas que el medio cuerpo y por eso se llma asi porque es de tangal que es desencajar y el tal desencaja la mitad del cuerpo y ese lleva consigo dejadose en casa el otro medio." ''Magtatangal. A witch. They say that it flies and eats human flesh, but when it flies, it only has half its body, and that is why it is called ''tangal'' because it is tangible and can disengage and he dislodges half of his body, and he carries the other means at home.'' Fray
Domingo de los Santos Domingo may refer to: People *Domingo (name), a Spanish name and list of people with that name *Domingo (producer) (born 1970), American hip-hop producer *Saint Dominic (1170–1221), Castilian Catholic priest, founder of the Friars popularly cal ...
, ''Vocabulario de Lengua Tagala'' (1703)


Appearances in film and other media

* ''Manananggal'' (1927), directed by
José Nepomuceno José Zialcita Nepomuceno ( May 15, 1893 – December 1, 1959) was one of the pioneering directors and producers of Philippine cinema. He is also known as the ''"founder of Philippine movies"'', and he had his own production company Jose Nepomuc ...
, was the first ever Filipino horror movie. It is a silent movie starring
Mary Walter Mary Walter (September 10, 1912 – February 25, 1993) was a Filipina actress whose eight decade-long film acting career saw her transformation from a romantic lead in the silent film era into a wizened fixture in horror movies in the late 1 ...
portraying the ''manananggal'' in its current form, having the upper torso detach. Not much is known of the film's plot. * ''Manananggal vs. Mangkukulam'' (1960), directed by Consuelo Osorio, is a Lea Productions horror comedy starring Pugo, Lopito,
Patsy Patsy is a given name often used as a diminutive of the feminine given name Patricia or sometimes the masculine name Patrick, or occasionally other names containing the syllable "Pat" (such as Cleopatra, Patience, Patrice, or Patricia). Among It ...
, Chichay and
Aruray Socorro de la Cruz (1922–1988), or much popularly known as Aruray, was a Filipino comedienne who made many movies produced by her home studio Sampaguita Pictures. She was one of the most successful comedians of the 1950s until 1980s, and was ...
. * ''Mga Bata ng Lagim'' (1964), again by Consuelo Osorio, features 1960s teen matinee idols "Sampaguita-VP All-Stars". It feature a prominent scene where
German Moreno German Molina Moreno (; October 4, 1933 – January 8, 2016), also known as Kuya Germs ( or ) and dubbed as "The Master Showman", was a Filipino television host, presenter, actor, comedian, talent manager, producer, writer, and director. Early ...
and
Boy Alano Hernando Alano (March 20, 1941 – July 23, 2022), better known as Boy Alano, was a Filipino actor. He won the award for Best Child Actor at the 5th Asian Filmfest. Early life He was the third child of Consuelo Sotto and Exequiel Alano. He wen ...
turn into a ''manananggal'' after applying oil to their bodies, after which they sing the popular paruparong bukid folksong. * In '' Lipad, Darna, Lipad!'' (1973),directed by Maning Borlaza,
Gloria Romero Gloria Romero may refer to: *Gloria Romero (actress) Gloria Anne Borrego Galla (born December 16, 1933), known professionally as Gloria Romero (), is a multi-awarded Filipino actress, regarded as the “Queen of Philippine Movies”, her care ...
plays the respectable teacher Miss Luna, who is secretly a ''manananggal''. It co-stars
Vilma Santos Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos-Recto (, born November 3, 1953) is a Filipino actress, singer, dancer, TV host, producer, and politician. She served as a House Deputy Speaker since 2019 to 2022 and as the Representative of Batangas' 6th district since ...
. * In ''Pagsapit ng Dilim'' (1975),
Perla Bautista Perla Marcial Bautista (born February 18, 1940) is a multi-awarded actress in the Philippines. She acted in more than 250 movies and television shows. She won the Best Actress FAMAS Award for ''Markang Rehas'' (1962). She also won Gawad Urian A ...
plays a mother who tricks her daughter
Gina Pareño Gina Pareño (; born Geraldine Acthley; October 20, 1947) is a Filipina actress. Early life Pareño was born to a German American father and a Filipina mother. Career She started her career in the 1960s as an extra in several films and then lat ...
into becoming a ''manananggal'' as part of her coming of age rites. * '' Shake, Rattle & Roll'' (1984) is the first in a series of horror anthology films. In one episode, directed by
Peque Gallaga Maurice Ruiz de Luzuriaga Gallaga (August 25, 1943 – May 7, 2020), better known as Peque Gallaga, was a multi-awarded Filipino people, Filipino film-maker. His most significant achievement in film was ''Oro, Plata, Mata'', which he directed aft ...
,
Herbert Bautista Herbert Constantine "Bistek" Maclang Bautista (born May 12, 1968) is a Filipino actor and politician who served as mayor of Quezon City, the Philippines' largest city by population, from 2010 to 2019. Bautista has starred in numerous films and T ...
plays a teenager in a faraway province. A ''manananggal'' is said to live within the vicinity and is out to eat people. He is given the task by his grandmother to kill this creature. Having found a way to prevent it from returning to its body, he must now survive the night to protect his family from the creature's attacks. It co-stars Irma Alegre and
Mary Walter Mary Walter (September 10, 1912 – February 25, 1993) was a Filipina actress whose eight decade-long film acting career saw her transformation from a romantic lead in the silent film era into a wizened fixture in horror movies in the late 1 ...
. * In '' Impaktita'' (1989),
Jean Garcia Jessica Anne Rodriguez Maitim (born August 22, 1969), better known as Jean Garcia (), is a Filipino television and film actress, who hails from Angeles City. She is best known for her role as Madam Claudia Buenavista in the original version o ...
plays the role of a young girl whose mother is a ''manananggal''. When she turns 18, she transforms into a wild bloodsucking creature at night by the eerie sound of a bat and sucks the blood of any living person she can find. Other stars include
Richard Gomez Richard Frank Icasiano Gomez (; born April 7, 1966) is a Filipino actor, television presenter and director, politician, and épée fencing, fencer. He has been serving as the House of Representatives of the Philippines, Representative of Ley ...
,
Aga Muhlach Ariel Aquino Muhlach"Aga Muchlach biography"
''IMDB''. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
(; born August ...
,
Gloria Romero Gloria Romero may refer to: *Gloria Romero (actress) Gloria Anne Borrego Galla (born December 16, 1933), known professionally as Gloria Romero (), is a multi-awarded Filipino actress, regarded as the “Queen of Philippine Movies”, her care ...
, and
Nida Blanca Dorothy Guinto Jones (January 6, 1936 – November 7, 2001), popularly known by her stage name Nida Blanca, was a Filipina actress. After a successful acting career in films during the 1950s, many of which are with actor Nestor de Villa, sh ...
. * In one episode of ''
Shake, Rattle & Roll IV ''Shake, Rattle & Roll IV'' is a 1992 Filipino horror anthology film and the fourth installment of the '' Shake, Rattle & Roll'' film series. It is produced by Regal Films, and was directed by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes. It is an entry to the ...
'' (1992), a homeless family and their neighbors in the city of Manila are plagued by attacks from a ''manananggal''. A little boy (
IC Mendoza Isaiah Culleen Carvajal Mendoza (born January 14, 1988), better known as IC Mendoza, is a Filipino actor, model, and television personality. Early life Isaiah Culleen Carvajal Mendoza was born on January 14, 1988 in Makati Medical Center, Maka ...
) suspects a nun (
Aiko Melendez Mary Aiko Shimoji Melendez (born December 16, 1975), known professionally as Aiko Melendez (), is a Filipina actress and politician. Her father, Jimmy Melendez (born Jim Shinoji), was an actor. Her half-brother, Jam Melendez (son of Jimmy Melende ...
) to be that creature, but no one believes him. He finds himself racing to prove his suspicions before he becomes the monster's next victim. * '' Takot Ka Ba Sa Dilim?'' (1996) features a brief scene where
Marjorie Barretto Marjorie Bernardine Castelo Barretto (; born 19 May 1974) is a Filipino former actress and politician. She was elected to the city councilor as representative of second district of Caloocan from 2007 to 2013. Her sisters, Claudine and Gretchen B ...
plays a young woman who turns into a ravenous ''manananggal'' at night who hunts for unsuspecting victims. Other cast members include
Angelu de Leon Maria Luisa Angela Martinez de Leon-Rivera (born August 22, 1979), better known as Angelu de Leon, is a Filipino actress and politician. Early and personal life Angelu de Leon is the youngest daughter of Luis and Flora de Leon. She attended St ...
,
Rica Peralejo Rica Peralejo (; born March 7, 1981) is a Filipina former actress, singer, and television host. Career Television Peralejo started out as a child star and was part of ABS-CBN's popular youth oriented variety show '' Ang TV''. Peralejo appear ...
,
Bobby Andrews Robert Riu Andrews (born November 30, 1976), popularly known as Bobby Andrews, is a Filipino actor, TV host and former matinee idol. Starting out as a commercial model, he rose to fame when he teamed up with Angelu de Leon in the famous teen-o ...
, Red Sternberg, and
Amanda Page ''Rizal sa Dapitan'' () is a 1997 Philippine biographical film directed by Tikoy Aguiluz about the four-year exile of Filipino propagandist and patriot José Rizal in Dapitan, starring Albert Martinez as Rizal and Amanda Page as Josephine Brack ...
. * In '' Manananggal in Manila'' (1997), an English-speaking ''manananggal'' ( Alma Concepcion) spreads terror in Manila. * ''
Banzai Girl ''Banzai Girl'' is a full-color comic book series created, written and drawn by Jinky Coronado. The series was originally published by Sirius Entertainment with the first volume's full-color trade released by Sirius Entertainment in 2005. A bla ...
'' is a 2002
graphic novel A graphic novel is a long-form, fictional work of sequential art. The term ''graphic novel'' is often applied broadly, including fiction, non-fiction, and anthologized work, though this practice is highly contested by comic scholars and industry ...
series created, written, and drawn by
Filipino Filipino may refer to: * Something from or related to the Philippines ** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Philippines. ** Filipinos, people who are citizens of th ...
artist and model
Jinky Coronado James Connolly Johnstone (30 September 1944 – 13 March 2006) was a Scottish footballer who played as an outside right. Known as "Jinky" for his elusive dribbling style, Johnstone played for Celtic for 13 years, and was part of the ' Lis ...
. Its main character (also named Jinky Coronado) is a seemingly ordinary schoolgirl, but has a mysterious connection to two other realities. When her worlds begin to collide, she is forced to battle various monsters, including a vicious ''manananggal''. * '' Dayo: Sa Mundo ng Elementalia'' (2008) is an animated film directed by Robert Quilao whose plot revolves around Bubuy (
Nash Aguas Aeign Zackrey Nash Victoriano Aguas (; born October 10, 1998), known professionally as Nash Aguas, is a Filipino actor, businessman/entrepreneur, real-estate investor, and politician. Career At the age of five, Aguas made his television debut ...
) who is out to save his abducted grandparents in the land of Elementalia. It features a friendly vegetarian ''manananggal'' named Anna ( Katrina Legaspi), relating her to a different species of bat which is a fruit bat, as opposed the blood thirsty ones based on the folklore.
Pokwang Marietta Subong (born August 27, 1970), known professionally as Pokwang, is a Filipino comedian, actress, television host and singer. She started in a reality show on ABS-CBN and subsequently appeared in dramas and sitcoms of the network. She a ...
co-stars. *
Michael Deforge Michael DeForge (born 1987) is a Canadian comics artist and illustrator. Biography DeForge grew up in Ottawa and attended the University of Toronto, dropping out after two years. He lives and works in Toronto. According to DeForge, he has "alway ...
's comics anthology ''Lose #3'' includes a three page wordless comic entitled "Manananggal". * In Episode 5, "Island Lights" (The Island of Fire) of '' Marvel Anime: Blade'' (2011),
Blade A blade is the portion of a tool, weapon, or machine with an edge that is designed to puncture, chop, slice or scrape surfaces or materials. Blades are typically made from materials that are harder than those they are to be used on. Historic ...
and his partners encounter a mutated version of the ''manananggal'' and its victims while hunting down
Deacon Frost A deacon is a member of the diaconate, an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. Major Christian churches, such as the Catholic Chur ...
on the island of
Siquijor Siquijor ( , ), officially the Province of Siquijor ( ceb, Lalawigan sa Siquijor; tl, Lalawigan ng Siquijor), is an island province in the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. Its capital is the municipality also named Siquijor ...
, an island province in the Philippines. * '' The Aswang Phenomenon'' (2011), directed by Jordan Clark, is a documentary exploration of the aswang folklore and its effects on Philippine society. The evolution and history of the ''manananggal'' is explored from an anthropological, sexual and pop culture view. Produced by High Banks Entertainment Ltd., the cast includes
Peque Gallaga Maurice Ruiz de Luzuriaga Gallaga (August 25, 1943 – May 7, 2020), better known as Peque Gallaga, was a multi-awarded Filipino people, Filipino film-maker. His most significant achievement in film was ''Oro, Plata, Mata'', which he directed aft ...
, Rodolfo Vera, and
Maricel Soriano Maricel Soriano (; born Maria Cecilia Dador Soriano; February 25, 1965) is a Filipina film and television actress, occasional host and dancer. With a career spanning of over 50 years, Soriano is one of the most celebrated artists and popularly ...
. * In the TV series ''
Aso ni San Roque ''Aso ni San Roque'' (International title: ''San Roque's Pet'' / ) is a Philippine television drama Fantasy (genre), fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Don Michael Perez, it stars Mona Louise Rey. It premiered on September 10, ...
'' (2012), directed by
Don Michael Perez Don Michael Perez is a Filipino television writer, film writer, television director, and film director. He is a resident writer and director for GMA Network. His most famous works were ''Mulawin'', ''Destiny Rose'' and ''Kambal, Karibal''. Fil ...
, Fatima (
Mona Louise Rey Mona Marbella Al-Alawi (; born 19 August 2004), known professionally as Mona Louise Rey, is a Filipino actress and model. She is known for television series '' Munting Heredera'' (2011), ''Aso ni San Roque'' (2012), and '' Luna Blanca'' (2012) a ...
) is a blind girl with a heart of gold who is the offspring of a mortal and a ''manananggal''. Her fate is to end the devastation of the Aswang in the human world with the help of Anghel, the dog statue of San Roque that has miraculously animated. It features Kanlaon (
Gardo Versoza Mennen Torres Polintan (born July 8, 1969), known professionally as Gardo Verzosa, is a Filipino actor and comedian. Career He started out in roles such as Sabik Sa Halik, Machete II, Halimuyak Ng Babae and Kirot. He was known as "NINO ESPEDIL ...
), the ''manananggal'' leader of the Aswang of the Wind (or Airborne aswangs). He once loved and failed to Lourdes (
LJ Reyes Lourna Jane Pujeda Reyes (born December 25, 1987), known professionally as LJ Reyes, is a Filipina actress. She is best known as one of the Final Four in the second season of the widely acclaimed GMA reality TV show, '' StarStruck''. She won ...
), a ''manananggal'' herself and the mother of Fatima. *''Fresh Meat'' (2013), a novel tie-in to the TV series ''
Supernatural Supernatural refers to phenomena or entities that are beyond the laws of nature. The term is derived from Medieval Latin , from Latin (above, beyond, or outside of) + (nature) Though the corollary term "nature", has had multiple meanings si ...
'' by Alice Henderson, features the main characters battling an aswang in the Sierra Nevada mountains during a blizzard. The creature in this novel sucks human organs out through a proboscis and inserts body parts of other humans into the victim then seals the hole. The main characters make a whip tipped with a stingray barb and coated with spices to kill the creature. *In ''Midnight Blue-Light Special'' (2013), the second volume of the ''InCryptid'' series by
Seanan McGuire Seanan McGuire (pronounced SHAWN-in; born January 5, 1978 in Martinez, California) is an American author and filker. McGuire is known for her urban fantasy novels. She uses the pseudonym Mira Grant to write science fiction/ horror and the pseudon ...
, the protagonist Verity Price slays a ''manananggal'' in a hospital. * ''Mananang Game'' (2014) is an Android game by Jigzen Game Studios similar to ''
Flappy Bird ''Flappy Bird'' is a mobile game developed by the Vietnamese video game artist and programmer Dong Nguyen ( vi, Nguyễn Hà Đông), under his game development company .Gears. The game is a side-scroller where the player controls a bird, attemp ...
'', featuring a ''manananggal''. * The episode "Si Esperanza, Ang Rebeldeng Manananggal" ("Esperanza, The Rebel Manananggal") (2014) of the Philippine TV series ''
Elemento ''Elemento'' () is a 2014 Philippine television docudrama horror anthology broadcast by GMA Network. It premiered on October 10, 2014 on the network's Telebabad line up. The show concluded on October 31, 2014 with a total of 4 episodes. The ser ...
'' is about Esperanza (
Glaiza de Castro Glaiza Castro Galura-Rainey (born January 21, 1988), known by her stage name Glaiza de Castro, is a Filipino actress, recording artist and advocate. She is recognized as the industry's "''Drama Royalty''" for her acting prowess and versatility ...
), a pediatrician with two mortal sons, her desire to protect her children and avoid the way of the life of being a ''manananggal''. The episode is directed by
Topel Lee Topel Lee is a Filipino film director, TV director and music video director known for the cinematography in his movies and his strong female characters. Filmography as director Television * 2019 Bukas May Kahapon * 2018 Spirits: Reawaken * 20 ...
and co-stars
Valerie Concepcion Valerie Norona Galang-Sunga (born December 21, 1987) is a Filipino actress, television host, and endorser. She is known for her role as Nora Ferrer in the soap opera ''Sinasamba Kita'' but later transferred to its rival network ABS-CBN. She then ...
and
Maria Isabel Lopez Maria Isabel Pagunsan Lopez—Melrod (born 19 August 1957), is a Filipina movie and television actress. Lopez was the Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1982 titleholder and represented the Philippines in the 31st Miss Universe Pageant in Lima, Pe ...
. * '' Nightfall: Escape'' (2016) by Zeenoh is the first ever Filipino horror game, a first-person survival horror video game featuring a ''manananggal'' as the main antagonist. * In
Mommy Dearest (Grimm) "Mommy Dearest" is the 14th episode of season 3 of the supernatural drama television series ''Grimm'' and the 58th episode overall, which premiered on March 7, 2014, on the broadcast network NBC. The episode was written by Brenna Kouf, and was di ...
, the 14th episode of Season 3 of the supernatural drama television series
Grimm Grimm may refer to: People * Grimm (surname) * Brothers Grimm, German linguists ** Jacob Grimm (1785–1863), German philologist, jurist and mythologist ** Wilhelm Grimm (1786–1859), German author, the younger of the Brothers Grimm * Christia ...
and the 58th episode overall, which premiered on March 7, 2014, on the broadcast network
NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an Television in the United States, American English-language Commercial broadcasting, commercial television network, broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Enterta ...
, features an "
Aswang Aswang is an umbrella term for various shape-shifting evil creatures in Filipino folklore, such as vampires, ghouls, witches, viscera suckers, and werebeasts (usually dogs, cats, pigs). The aswang is the subject of a wide variety of myths, s ...
", attacking Wu's pregnant childhood friend from the Philippines. It turns out Wu's friend married into a family of aswangs and the one attacking her is her mother-in-law, who claims she will die if she does not eat her first grandchild. *
Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B ''Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B'' () is a 2016 Philippine romantic gore independent film directed by Prime Cruz under The IdeaFirst Company and starred Ryza Cenon, Martin del Rosario, Cholo Barretto, and Vangie Labalan. Synopsis Jewel (Ryza Ce ...
, a Horror Romantic movie made in 2016 and had its cinema screening in 2017, focuses on a love story of a woman by day and Manananggal by night. It features the actress Ryza Cenon as the manananggal and actor Martin Del Rosario as her love interest. * "Deadly Vows" by
Keri Arthur Keri Arthur (born 4 December 1967) is a writer of fantasy, horror fiction, and romance novels from Melbourne, Australia. She began writing at the age of twelve and has finished twenty-six novels as of July 2012. Her books have received many nom ...
has a manananggal which is terrorizing newlyweds in the Castle Rock reservation. * In the game
Shin Megami Tensei V is a 2021 role-playing video game developed and published by Atlus for the Nintendo Switch. It is part of the ''Shin Megami Tensei'' series, the central series of the larger ''Megami Tensei'' franchise. Produced by '' Shin Megami Tensei IV'' ...
, Manananggal was revealed as a new demon and the first representative of Filipino folklore for the
Shin Megami Tensei ''Megami Tensei'', marketed internationally as ''Shin Megami Tensei'' (formerly ''Revelations''), is a Japanese media franchise created by Aya Nishitani, Kouji "Cozy" Okada, Ginichiro Suzuki, and Kazunari Suzuki. Primarily developed and publishe ...
series. * In the erotic novel Melania: Devourer of Men (2018) by J.D. Boehninger, Melania Trump is a secret manananggal who struggles to keep her identity hidden after her husband becomes president. The Gods Must Be Crazy Podcast (March 27, 2022). * The graphic novel Kasama (2021) by Allan Matudio prominently features a manananggal as a main antagonist.


Other terms and versions

*
Aswang Aswang is an umbrella term for various shape-shifting evil creatures in Filipino folklore, such as vampires, ghouls, witches, viscera suckers, and werebeasts (usually dogs, cats, pigs). The aswang is the subject of a wide variety of myths, s ...
: However, ''aswang'' is a generic term and can refer to all types of monsters (usually ghouls, werebeasts, and vampires) and witches (
mangkukulam Filipino witches are the users of black magic and related practices from the Philippines. They include a variety of different kinds of people with differing occupations and cultural connotations which depend on the ethnic group they are associat ...
), etc. *
Tik-tik Aswang is an umbrella term for various shape-shifting evil creatures in Filipino folklore, such as vampires, ghouls, witches, viscera suckers, and werebeasts (usually dogs, cats, pigs). The aswang is the subject of a wide variety of myths, s ...
: Manananggals are sometimes referred to as tik-tik, the sound it makes while flying. Folklore dictates that the fainter the sound, the nearer the manananggal is. This is to confuse the victim. Black cats and crows often signal a tik-tik's presence, and deformed faces or bodies in children are allegedly signs of the aftermath of a tik-tik attack.


See also

*
Chonchon The Chonchon ( es, chonchón from arn, chonchon) is a mythical bird from Mapuche religion also present in Chilean and southern Argentine folk myth. Legend The Chonchon is the magical transformation of a kalku (Mapuche sorcerer). It is said onl ...
– Mapuche creature that also detaches its head *
Krasue The ''Krasue'' ( th, กระสือ, ), known as ''Ahp'' ( km, អាប) in Cambodia; as ''Kasu'' ( lo, ກະສື, ) in Laos; as ''Kuyang'' ( id, Kui'yang), ''Leak'' ( id, lei'yak), ''Pelasik'', ''Pelesit'', or ''Penanggalan'' in Indone ...
– Floating vampiric female head and entrails that is similar to a manananggal * Nukekubi – Japanese creature that also detaches its head to feed on victims *
Penanggalan The ''penanggal'' or ''penanggalan'' is a nocturnal vampiric entity from Malay ghost myths. Its name comes from the word ''tanggal'' meaning to remove or take off, because its form is that of a floating disembodied woman's head with its trailin ...
– A vampire akin to Manananggal from the
Malay peninsula The Malay Peninsula (Malay: ''Semenanjung Tanah Melayu'') is a peninsula in Mainland Southeast Asia. The landmass runs approximately north–south, and at its terminus, it is the southernmost point of the Asian continental mainland. The area ...
*
Leyak In the Balinese mythology, folklore of Bali, the Leyak locally is a mythological figure in the form of a flying head with entrails (heart, lung, liver, etc.) still attached. Leyak is said to fly trying to find a pregnant woman in order to suck h ...
– Similar creature from Balinese mythology *
Philippine mythology Philippine mythology is the body of stories and epics originating from, and part of, the indigenous Philippine folk religions, which include various ethnic faiths distinct from one another. Philippine mythology is incorporated from various ...
*
Soucouyant The soucouyant or soucriant in Dominica, St. Lucian, Trinidadian, Guadeloupean folklore (also known as Loogaroo or Lougarou) in Haiti, Louisiana, Grenada and elsewhere in the Caribbean or Ole-Higue (also Ole Haig) in Guyana, Belize and Jamaica o ...
– a Caribbean blood-sucking hag *
Tiyanak The Tiyanak (also Tianak or Tianac) is a vampiric creature in Philippine mythology that takes on the form of a toddler or baby. Although there are various types, it typically takes the form of a newborn baby and cries in the jungle to attract unwa ...
– Blood-sucking creature in a form of a baby that turns into what is known to be the child of the devil


References


Further reading

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External links


Filipino Folklore: Manananggal

Mananang Game Official Website
{{Philippine mythology Vampires Female legendary creatures Mythological anthropophages Mythological hematophages Malaysian legendary creatures Philippine legendary creatures Philippine demons Visayan mythology Ghouls