Arch Aswangs of Oral mythology

 In Philippine oral mythology, Arch Aswangs are considered the most powerful and influential members of the aswang race, often serving as leaders or even royalty among their kind. These terrifying figures appear in various legends and urban folklore, where they exhibit abilities far beyond those of ordinary aswang.

Mga Matataas na uri ng Aswang

ASWANG BANGKILAN

The Bangkilan

The Bangkilan are one of the most notable Arch Aswangs, standing out not only for their power but also for their beauty. Unlike most aswang, who are typically depicted as terrifying monsters, the Bangkilan are described as seductive women with golden-tanned skin (some fair and lovely) , small bat wings on their backs, and razor-sharp claws. Their beauty is deceptive, as they possess the power to shape-shift into terrifying creatures such as huge black boars, dogs, or birds of the night. This ability allows them to blend into their surroundings and hunt unsuspecting victims.

Bangkilan 

One of the Bangkilan’s most feared powers is their ability to turn humans into aswang. Through a kiss, they transfer a dark stone from their body to their victim, corrupting them and turning them into an aswang(kiwing, awok, abat, asbo,abwak.) . In the Cuyunon tribe of Palawan, the term "Bangkilan" is linked to the word for a fanged or fanged boar or  fierce boar, hinting at their terrifying transformations.

Bangkilan Aswang

In some myths, the Bangkilan are said to be priestesses who once worshipped the god Asuang. As a reward for their devotion, Asuang took them as his brides and gave them the power to create other night creatures. In this version, he transferred black birds and eggs into their mouths, which allowed them to give birth to dark creatures under their command. She rules over the Awok, Kiwig,Abwak and Kikik

ASWANG AGARAS

Agaras Aswang

Agaras

The Agaras

The Agaras are a rare and cursed type of aswang, feared even among their own kind. These powerful creatures possess immense strength and speed, and their unique trait is their ability to feed on lesser types of aswang and even magical beings such as fairies. This cannibalistic behavior makes them despised by other aswang, who fear becoming their prey.

Aswang Agaras

Few Agaras exist, as their spirits only awaken when they find a worthy successor to inherit their power. Upon biting their victims, the Agaras spread toxins through their saliva, weakening their prey and making it harder for them to escape. While they consume humans, their favored prey are the weaker variants of aswang, whom they devour for sustenance. Some stories also suggest that Agaras aswangs are immune to magic and curses (lihim na karunungan).

ASWANG HANAGOB

Hanagob

The Hanagob (Aswang King)

In oral mythology and folklore, the Hanagob is a powerful male Aswang, often described as royalty due to his pure bloodline. As a pure-blooded Aswang, the Hanagob has the potential to become the Aring Aswang or "Aswang King." Other titles for this figure include Pinunong Aswang (Aswang Leader).

Some stories suggest that a Hanagob originates from the Bangkilan variant of Aswang, though he is male, unlike the usually female Bangkilan. According to certain legends, a Hanagob is an extremely rare offspring, born from the union of an ancient pure-blood female Bangkilan and a male Gabunan, both powerful Aswang types that are traditionally natural enemies. This unlikely combination of two opposing Aswang bloodlines makes the birth of a Hanagob a one-in-a-million occurrence, mixing powerful traits from both lineages.

Hanagob

The Hanagob, also known as the Haring Aswang (Aswang King), is considered the supreme ruler of the aswang race. His bloodline is said to be pure, descending from ancient aswang who were as powerful as the datus or rajahs of old and often a son of a Bangkilan. However, unlike human leaders, the Hanagob rules over the various kinds of aswang, including Awok, Kiwig, Asbo, Tiktik, and Wakwak, among others.  The Hanagob is one of the few Aswang variant that can use black magic (lihim na karunungan) and curses.

Hanagob

The Hanagob is not just a ruler of his clan but the overseer of all aswang clans. His power and authority stretch across the aswang world, making him a figure of immense respect and fear.

ASWANG GABUNAN

Gabunan

The Gabunan

Among the Arch Aswangs, the Gabunan are apex predators, feared for their ferocity and their taste for other aswang. Gabunans hunt and devour the black pearls or chicks that reside within Bangkilan and other powerful aswang. This predatory nature makes them natural enemies of the Bangkilan. Stories often originating in Western Visayas

Gabunan

Gabunans are described as dark-skinned, fierce creatures with coal-black skin, bloodshot eyes, long white hair, and protruding fangs. Despite their terrifying appearance, they consume human flesh sparingly, indulging in such feasts only once or twice a year.

ASWANG HARIMODON

The Harimondon

The Harimondon or Harimondon Rajamodon are the male counterparts of the Bangkilan, though they lack the ability to fly. They rule the lands while the Bangkilan dominate the skies. Harimondon can also transform into aswang and take the form of fierce wild boars. The Harimodon is the lord of all the Kiwig (boar) and Awok,Aswang Like the Bangkilan, their blood is considered purer and more potent, as they are said to descend from ancient KaDatuan nobility.

Harimondon can produce multiple black stones or pearls, much like the Bangkilan. These stones, placed in their saliva, contain the essence of the aswang, allowing them to create new aswang by passing these stones to humans.

Oral mythology of the High or Arch Aswangs

The Arch Aswangs in Philippine folklore represent the highest echelons of the aswang race, with powers and roles far beyond ordinary aswang. Each Arch Aswang, from the seductive Bangkilan to the fearsome Gabunan, plays a vital role in the dark hierarchy of their world. Their stories reflect the rich oral traditions of the Philippines, where mythological creatures take on roles of both terror and leadership, governing the shadowy realms of night and fear.

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.