Of all mythologies from around the world, Philippine mythology is probably the one with the most terrifying and sinister creatures. Some creatures turn babies into coconuts, while others can devour the sun itself.
However, this blog will be talking about something that is as ancient as it is wicked. We’ll be discussing the WakWak, a shapeshifting Philippine creature that has hunted Filipino communities for centuries.
What is the WakWak Creature?
In Filipino folklore, the WakWak is a vampire-like creature typically associated with nighttime attacks on unsuspecting victims. Unlike the vampire in Western mythology, the WakWak is more interested in consuming the flesh and entrails of its victims.
This terrifying creature likes to target people who will offer the least resistance. Its favourite victims are children, pregnant women, or older adults walking alone at night. The name “WakWak” comes from the eerie noise the creature’s massive wings make as it flies overhead.
During the day, the creature takes the shape of a beautiful human lady and blends into human communities. It can even maintain relationships and get married like every other person.
Physical Description of the WakWak
Descriptions of the WakWak vary depending on the region in the Philippines, but certain traits are consistent.
The WakWak has large, bat-like wings that allow it to fly about easily during the night. At night, the creature’s arms transform into massive wings. The wings have sharp claws at the ends to tear flesh into pieces.
The WakWak is believed to have female features. Other physical characteristics of the creature include a sharp beak, feathery or hairy body, and very lightweight.
Powers and Abilities of the WakWak
The WakWak isn’t just about brute strength or terrorizing people with its appearance. It is also said to have supernatural abilities, making it more dangerous and harder to defeat.
For starters, the creature is a stealthy hunter. Although its wings make loud Wak! WaK! sounds when it is airborne; this sound is quite deceptive. According to “eye witness” accounts, the sound of the creature is designed to lure victims into a false sense of security.
The creature is loudest when it is very far away. As it gets closer and closer, the sound of its wings reduces until it is completely undetectable. When you can no longer hear the creature, it’s already too late. It is already behind you, ready to attack.
The Wakwak also has a very good nose. This creature can sniff out its victim from the most secret hiding spots, so there is no hiding from it.
If you hear the characteristic sound of the WakWak, the only way to escape is to run into your house and lock the door. The large wings of the creature make it unable to hunt indoors.
Read Also: Philippine Mythology 101- Tales of creation, deities and Mythical creatures.
How to Defeat a WakWak
Like many supernatural creatures in Philippine folklore, there are various beliefs on how to ward off or defeat a WakWak.
The easiest way to prevent a WakWak attack is to avoid going out alone at night. The WakWak loves to hunt solitary targets. If you must go out, you should do so in the company of two or more people. The creature is more common in rural areas, so people living in these places should be more vigilant about WakWak attacks.
The Wakwak can also be defeated with garlic or salts. It is believed that spraying garlic or salt around the house will prevent the WakWak from flying close to that house. In this way, the Wakwak bears similarities to Vampires in Western mythology.
Holy objects and prayers can also be used against the Wakwak. The creature is an evil spirit, so religious materials like crucifixes, rosaries, and holy water are believed to keep it at bay or even kill it.
Finally, it is important to note that although the Wakwak is terrifying and powerful, it is not invincible. There are reports of Filipino farmers fighting back against the creature using sharp weapons like bolos (traditional Filipino machetes) or knives.
As mentioned earlier, the Wakwak likes to blend into human communities. However, if it sustains any major injury during its night escapades, it will be easily discovered. To avoid this, the creature will often avoid serious confrontations that can expose it to injury.
WakWak vs. Manananggal
The WakWak is often compared to the Manananggal, another flying vampire-like creature that hunts at night.
Unlike the WakWak, the Manananggal first detaches the upper half of its body from the lower half before it goes out for its night hunt. While the Wakwak files fully intact, the Manananggal is often seen with its interesting intestine and internal organs dangling in the air.
Another significant difference between the two creatures is their method of feeding. The Manananggal has a long proboscis-like tongue that it inserts into body orifices (mouth, nose, or ears) to suck out blood and internal organs. The Wakwak, on the other hand, prefers to tear its victims to pieces and feed directly on their organs.
The Manananggal is also less picky with its choice of prey. It will attack anyone it finds roaming alone in the might.
Possible Explanations for the WakWak Myth
There are various reasons why the stories surrounding the Wakwak might have developed in the Philippines. One of the most popular theories is that the creature that the ancient Filipinos described as the WakWak might have been a massive, extinct bat species native to the area.
This theory is not far-fetched since the bat’s skeletal structure (especially the forearms) is very similar to that of a human. The Filipinos might have seen this massive bat (or its skeleton) and developed a story to explain what it was.
Another possible explanation for the Wakwak comes from the typical “WakWak” sound that the creature is said to make. This sound is very similar to the sound the tuko (common house gecko) makes when it is out of site. In the silent nights of the Philippine forests, this sound might have led to the myths.
Finally, the story of the Wakwak is most likely entirely fictional. It might have been formed to scare little children and prevent them from going out at night.