REDISCOVER THE ASBO IN PHILIPPINE MYTHOLOGY

 Aswang Asbo

Asbo

In Philippine mythology, the Asbo is a type of aswang known for turning into rabid and wild dogs. These creatures always hunt in packs and are never alone, making them particularly dangerous. If you see one Asbo, there are surely more nearby.

By day, Asbos look like ordinary people, but at night they transform into wild, fierce dogs. They have a unique craving for human intestines, which they eat with savage delight. Their pack behavior allows them to attack in a coordinated and strategic manner, making them formidable and deadly hunters.

Aswang Asbo

strength in numbers 

The Asbo, much like other aswangs, is a shape-shifter. During the day, they appear as ordinary humans, blending seamlessly into society. However, when night falls, they reveal their true nature. Transforming into fierce, rabid dogs, they roam the night in packs, their eyes glowing with a menacing hunger. The transformation is both physical and behavioral, as they adopt the ferocity and pack mentality of wild canines.

One of the most gruesome aspects of the Asbo is their diet. They have an insatiable craving for human intestines, which they devour with savage delight. This grisly preference sets them apart from other aswangs, whose dietary habits can vary widely. The Asbo’s method of hunting is coordinated and strategic, utilizing the pack’s numbers to overpower their prey. This tactic makes them formidable foes, as they can attack from multiple directions and overwhelm even the most vigilant individuals.

Asbo in Bicol mythology

Feared by some people specifically in Iriga Bicol, the asbo or rabid weredog lurks and waits for it victim usually in packs in the forest waiting for lone travellers

Oral mythology 

Asbos are said to be abundant throughout the Philippines, with legends of their existence prevalent in various regions (from Katagalugan to Quezon, Bicol Samar (Western Samar) Leyte). Their presence in folklore serves as a cautionary tale, warning people to be wary of traveling alone at night. The fear of the Asbo is deeply ingrained in the cultural consciousness, and stories of their attacks are often used to explain mysterious disappearances and unexplained deaths.

Asbo in Bicol mythology and folklore

The story of Tanding a gentle giant who protected the villagers from a pack of rabid Asbo. And at the end he got killed the monsters by drowning them in the waters. Tanding perished but he turned into a whale shark. 

Visayan folklore 

Asbo stories in Visayas redudant about them attacking and abducting villagers in remote places. Some even claim to have seen and have survived being attacked by a group of Asbo 

Comparison with the Kiwig

The Asbo closely resembles and is related to another aswang variant known as the Iwig and Kiwig(dog variant with the same name) found in Aklan. Like the Asbo, the Kiwig transforms into large dogs with sloping backs and crooked tails during the night. In their human form, Kiwigs typically have a stooped posture, a reflection of their habit of prowling under elevated houses. They are known for their disturbing practice of licking sick or dying persons, which further enhances their sinister reputation.

Asbo in popular media

Asbo as portrayed in the movie My Darling kong Aswang 

Comedy horror movie features the Asbo variant of Aswang. Victor (Vic Sotto) is a single father who falls in love with Elisa (Cristine Reyes) who turns out to be an Aswang (from Asbo clan). But even so, Victor loved Elisa so much that he accepted who she is and even live with her as his second wife.

But the problem comes when the leader of the Aswang clan (Jean Garcia) finds out that Elisa and her mother (Agot Isidro) are not eating humans anymore. She sends out other Aswangs to hunt down Elisa and her mother, and also for Victor and his family.

Victor then will face the leader of the Asbo Aswang clan to save his beloved Elisa.

Asbo as portrayed in movie My Darling kong Aswang 

the Asbo is a terrifying figure in Philippine mythology, embodying the fear of the unknown and the danger that lurks in the shadows. Their ability to transform into rabid dogs and their relentless hunger for human intestines make them one of the most dreaded aswangs, ensuring their place in the rich tapestry of Filipino folklore.

REMINDER

The orally transmitted mythology of the Philippines is intended for sharing and understanding, not for appropriation, commercial exploitation, or the promotion of foreigners and foreign products. It is a dynamic narrative tradition that evolves over time, distinct from the standardized mythologies found in Western and European cultures. Unlike these established mythologies, the Philippine government has not mandated standardized versions of stories and legends.

Orally transmitted stories undergo variations and evolve over time, resulting in numerous different versions. There are many different version told by Filipinos,and retold by Filipinos.