REDISCOVER THE AWOK IN PHILIPPINE MYTHOLOGY

Awok

 

The Awok in Philippine mythology is a type of aswang that transforms into a huge black boar or vicious big black pig. The Awok of the Tagalog and Bicolano folklore is different from the Visayan Awok

In Philippine mythology,specifically Tagalog and Bicol mythology the Awok is a type of aswang, a malevolent shape-shifting creature known for its appetite for human flesh and internal organs. The Awok is particularly feared for its ability to transform into a massive black pig or boar, using this fearsome form to hunt and stalk its prey. Like other aswangs, the Awok is a nocturnal predator, capable of living among humans by day and transforming into a monstrous being by night. The aswang that closely resembles the Kiwig.  

Aswang na Awok

Characteristics of the Awok

The Awok is distinguished by its ability to transform into a huge black pig or boar, a form that enhances its predatory abilities. In this animalistic shape, the Awok can move stealthily through forests and rural areas, hunting both animals and, when necessary, humans. While they have a notorious reputation for devouring human flesh and intestines, Awoks prefer to live in remote areas where they can avoid human contact and primarily hunt animals. However, they will not hesitate to prey on humans if the opportunity arises.

Servants of the Bangkilan

AWOK BILANG TAGAPAGLINGOD NG BANGKILAN

The Awoks are not just solitary hunters; they are also bound in servitude to a far more powerful and fearsome aswang known as the Bangkilan. The Bangkilan is a unique and formidable variant of the aswang, known for her ability to transform into multiple terrifying forms, including a black boar, a black dog, and even a winged demonic maiden with bat wings and long, razor-sharp claws.

This shape-shifting ability sets the Bangkilan apart from other aswangs, but what truly makes her exceptional is her internal power. Unlike typical aswangs, who possess a single black stone that they must pass on to a successor before they die, the Bangkilan has multiple black pearls and chicks within her body. These black pearls and chicks are sources of her dark power, allowing her to create more black stones and new aswangs without facing the threat of death that comes with passing on her power.

AWOK IN TAGALOG AND BICOL MYTHOLOGY

the Awok in both Tagalog and Bicol mythology is a land Aswang that turns into a huge black pig or boar while the Awok in the Visayan mythology sharing the same name is very different that it can fly and has bath wings

AWOK IN VISAYAN MYTHOLOGY

The Awok in Visayan mythology is different from the Bicolano mythology Awok. The Visayan Awok has batwings while the Bicolano Awok is more pig or boar-like 

AWOK CONFUSED WITH THE KIWIG

The Awok and the Kiwig greately resemble each other with the difference is that the Kiwig is bigger and the territory is different. 

AWOK CONFUSED WITH MOTOG

because they both change into huge black boars they are often confused and interachanged with one another in oral stories 

AWOK CONFUSED WITH THE BANGKILAN

The Awok and the Bangkilan are two distinct types of aswang. While both can transform into a black boar, they are often confused due to this shared ability. The Awok specifically transforms into a huge black pig or boar. In contrast, the Bangkilan is far stronger and more formidable. Unlike the Awok, the Bangkilan can also transform into various other creatures of the night, including a large black bird, a black dog, and even a monstrous maiden with bat wings and long, razor-sharp claws.

Bangkilan's Role and Power

The Bangkilan's ability to produce multiple black stones and chicks gives her an unparalleled ability to perpetuate her kind. She can create new aswangs by passing these stones and chicks to others, effectively turning ordinary humans into aswangs. This power makes her not only a leader among her kind but also a feared figure, as she has the potential to spread the aswang curse far and wide.

The Awoks, in their role as servants of the Bangkilan, are loyal followers who praise her and carry out her bidding. They may act as enforcers, protectors, or recruiters, bringing new victims or potential aswangs into the Bangkilan's fold. The relationship between the Awok and the Bangkilan highlights the hierarchical nature of aswang communities in Philippine folklore, where different types of aswangs have specific roles and levels of power.

Cultural Significance

The mythology of the Awok and the Bangkilan serves as a potent narrative in the regions where these stories are told, particularly in rural areas where the fear of aswangs is deeply rooted in local culture. The Awok's preference for remote living and its connection to the powerful Bangkilan reflects a broader cultural fear of the unknown and the dangers that lie beyond the safety of the village.

The Bangkilan, with her ability to create more aswangs and her immunity to the death that other aswangs face, represents an ever-present threat that is both physical and spiritual. She embodies the fear of corruption and the spread of evil, a theme that resonates deeply in communities where these myths are a part of everyday life.

AWOK IN POPULAR MEDIA

Ang Lihim ni Annasandra (International title: The Secret of Annasandra) is a Philippine television drama fantasy series aired by GMA Network. Directed by Albert Langitan, the show stars Andrea Torres in the title role. The series, which features the awok type of aswang, premiered on October 6, 2014,

Annasandra is the daughter of Belinda and Carlos. Circumstances lead to Annasandra being cursed to become an "awok." To protect her from being misjudged and to prevent her from hurting others, her loved ones keep her true identity a secret.

the Awok is featured in the tv series Lihim ni Anasandra

Ang mga Baboyramong Aswang na mga Awok

The Awok and other aswangs  integral figure in Philippine aswang mythology, representing the dark forces that lurk in the shadows of human society. The Awok, with its terrifying ability to transform into a massive black boar, serves the powerful and nearly immortal Bangkilan, who stands out as a unique and formidable aswang capable of creating new monsters without facing her own demise. Together with the other aswangs they embody the deep-seated fears of the unknown and the supernatural that continue to influence the cultural landscape of the Philippines.

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.