Urban Legends

The Manananggal

Origin: Philippines

The Manananggal is a terrifying creature from Filipino folklore, particularly from the Visayas region, and is one of the most infamous urban legends in the Philippines. The name "Manananggal" comes from the Tagalog word "tanggal," meaning "to remove" or "to separate," which reflects the creature's horrifying ability to detach its upper body from its lower half.

The Manananggal is typically depicted as a female, though male versions also exist in some stories. During the day, the creature appears as a normal woman, often described as beautiful or unassuming. However, when night falls, particularly under the light of a full moon, the Manananggal undergoes a grotesque transformation. It detaches its upper body from its lower half, sprouting large, bat-like wings that allow it to fly in search of its prey.

What makes the Manananggal especially frightening is its hunger for human flesh, particularly that of pregnant women. According to legend, it preys on unborn babies, using its long, tubular tongue to suck the blood or heart of the fetus while the mother sleeps. It can also feed on sleeping adults by entering through windows or roofs and draining their blood or internal organs. This ability to split its body and fly, combined with its vampiric tendencies, makes it a particularly feared creature in Filipino folklore.

The Manananggal is often believed to be active during the night, especially in rural areas. It flies around looking for open windows, isolated houses, or sleeping victims. In some versions of the story, it can mimic voices or lure people into dangerous situations by calling out to them.

Despite its fearsome nature, the Manananggal has several weaknesses that people can exploit to protect themselves:

Salt and Garlic: Like many other supernatural creatures in folklore, the Manananggal is said to be repelled by salt and garlic. These substances are often placed around windows and doors to prevent it from entering homes.

Vinegar and Ashes: Another method to defeat a Manananggal is to find its lower half, which remains on the ground while the upper half flies off. Sprinkling salt, ashes, or vinegar on the lower half prevents it from reattaching, effectively killing the creature when dawn comes, as it cannot survive in its dismembered state during daylight.

Rope or Holy Objects: Some stories suggest that tying the lower body with a rope or using religious objects like crucifixes can also stop the Manananggal from returning to its body.

The legend of the Manananggal is believed to be deeply rooted in pre-colonial Philippine mythology, where stories of Aswangs (shape-shifting monsters) and other supernatural beings were prevalent. It is often considered a type of Aswang, a broader term used to describe various evil, supernatural creatures in Filipino folklore. The Manananggal, in particular, embodies fears of the unknown and the dangers lurking at night.

The creature is also symbolic of anxieties surrounding pregnancy and childbirth, as many of its victims are said to be pregnant women. In rural areas, where access to healthcare may be limited, the legend of the Manananggal may have originated as a way to explain miscarriages, difficult pregnancies, or deaths during childbirth.

The urban legend of the Manananggal is one of the most terrifying and enduring myths in the Philippines. Known for its nightmarish ability to separate its body and prey on vulnerable individuals, especially pregnant women, the Manananggal continues to haunt the imagination of those familiar with its story. Whether viewed as a supernatural horror or as a symbol of societal fear, the Manananggal remains an integral part of Filipino folklore.