Bangkilan the Beautiful Aswang

 

Bangkilan

The Bangkilan  prominent  in contemporary Philippine mythology, often portrayed as the most beautiful yet dangerous variant of the Aswang. The female Bangkilan stands out among other Aswangs not just because of their stunning appearance, but because of her unique ability to create and spread the Aswang race

As one of the most captivating and feared Aswangs, they have maintained their presence in Oral folklore across generations. In older tales, the Bangkilan was revered for her deceptive beauty and deadly nature, symbolizing the duality of allure and danger. Even as stories evolved through time, she has remained a prominent character, adapting to modern interpretations while preserving her core traits.

In both traditional and contemporary retellings, the Bangkilan stands out for their  ability to create new Aswangs. Unlike many of her kind, who simply prey on humans, the Bangkilan spreads the Aswang curse, turning her victims into lesser Aswangs like the Kiwig, Tiktik, and Awok. This ability to multiply her kind has made the Bangkilan a high figure in Aswang lore, with many stories depicting female Bangkilan as the creator and ruler of a vast network of monstrous beings.

The Bangkilan's  popularity endures today in modern storytelling, literature, and media. As a timeless symbol of feminine power, beauty, and deception, the Bangkilan continues to haunt the imaginations of audiences, both old and new. a powerful Aswang beauty, an enduring icon in Philippine mythology.

Bangkilan

Bangkilan

The Beauty of the Bangkilan

The Bangkilan a female variant of Aswang is renowned for their  exceptional beauty during the day, appearing as a stunning woman with irresistible charm. Her beauty is her greatest weapon, as it allows her to blend into human society and lure unsuspecting victims. Men, in particular, are drawn to her, unaware of the dark, monstrous force she becomes when night falls. Shape shifting into many forms usually a huge black boar, huge dog or big bird and other creatures of the night 

At night, the Bangkilan reveals her true nature. She has the power to transform into a fearsome creature with large claws, sharp fangs, and small bat-like wings. This duality—beautiful by day, monstrous by night—makes her a particularly dangerous type of Aswang, as she preys on both the vulnerability and curiosity of humans.

Bangkilan

Creator of Lesser Aswangs

What makes the Bangkilan truly unique in Aswang mythology is their ability to create new Aswangs. Unlike other Aswangs, who typically possess only one black stone or "sisiw or mutya" the Bangkilan holds multiple black pearls and eggs inside her body. These pearls serve as symbols of her power and are essential in her creation of lesser Aswangs. When she wishes to spread her dark lineage, she can transfer these black pearls into humans, transforming them into new Aswangs. Through this dark ritual, she creates different types of Aswang, such as the Kiwig, Tiktik, Awok, Abwak, Asbo, and many more.

The Bangkilan doesn’t just kill her victims; she turns them into creatures like herself. This ability to multiply her kind without dying makes her nearly immortal and places her at the top of the Aswang hierarchy. As the mother of many different types of Aswang, she controls an entire network of creatures under her influence.

Bangkilan

Turning Humans into Aswangs

One of the most feared aspects of the Bangkilan is their ability to turn humans into Aswangs. Through the dark magic of her black pearls, she can infect a human with her curse. This process through kissing transferring her black pearls (stones, chicks) to a human, through this terrifying process —the victim begins to crave raw flesh, particularly that of humans, and over time, their body transforms. They gain the ability to shape-shift, develop heightened senses, and may even sprout wings, fangs, or claws depending on the type of Aswang they become. These newly created Aswangs are then bound to the Bangkilan, serving her in the spread of her dark legacy.

Bangkilan

Popularity in Contemporary Mythology

In contemporary Philippine folklore, the Bangkilan has gained a notorious reputation. She embodies themes of deception, beauty, and power. Unlike the brute strength of other Aswangs like the Gabunan, who rely on raw force, the Bangkilan uses wit and charm, relying on manipulation to expand her influence. Her story has become popular in modern media, literature, and oral traditions because of the powerful themes of transformation, seduction, and the eternal struggle between beauty and terror.

In many retellings, the Bangkilan is depicted as a high ranking  among the Aswangs. Her ability to create and control a vast network of creatures makes her one of the most feared beings in contemporary folklore. While other Aswangs may hunt for survival, the Bangkilan hunts to expand her dark networks, turning humans into her minions and spreading fear across towns and villages.

The Male counterparts of the Female Bangkilan

These male Aswangs, while less frequently mentioned than the female Bangkilan, are no less significant in the lore of the Aswang, with unique traits and characteristics that set them apart.

1. Male Bangkilan

The Male Bangkilan shares many of the same traits as the female, particularly their ability to blend into human society with their strikingly good looks and charm. Like the female Bangkilan, they can shapeshift into various monstrous forms, though their transformations often involve becoming large and terrifying creatures, such as boars, large dogs, or nightmarish birds. These male Bangkilan possess a dark allure that draws in their victims, much like the female, but they also retain their monstrous tendencies, preying on humans and spreading fear.

Unlike the female Bangkilan, who is known for her ability to create new Aswangs, the male version focuses more on raw physical power and strategic cunning. He plays a dominant role within the Aswang hierarchy, often partnering with female Bangkilans to spread their dark influence and continue their lineage.

2. Motog

The Motog is a male Aswang that represents a more monstrous form of the male Bangkilan. Motogs are often described as humanoid creatures with the head of a wild boar (baboy damo) and a muscular human-like body. Their transformations are more bestial, and their appearance is meant to strike fear into the hearts of their enemies and prey.

Motogs are typically depicted as having consumed human blood and flesh, unlike some male Bangkilans who may not have fully embraced their monstrous side. Once they cross this threshold, they become far more dangerous, abandoning any semblance of human appearance in favor of their grotesque boar-headed form. These beings are feared not only for their strength but also for their savage, unrelenting nature.

3. Harimodon

The Harimodon is another male counterpart to the Bangkilan, though he represents a distinct evolution in the Aswang lineage. Harimodons are Aswangs that primarily shapeshift into wild boars. Unlike the Motog, which maintains some human features, the Harimodon fully embraces its boar-like appearance, moving swiftly and stealthily through forests and rural areas.

What sets the Harimodon apart is its saliva, which is highly potent and capable of transforming any human it comes into contact with into an Aswang. This unique ability makes the Harimodon an efficient spreader of the Aswang curse, much like the female Bangkilan. As they roam the countryside, Harimodons are feared for their ability to infect entire villages with their dark magic.

4. Awok

The Awok is a type of aswang,  servants of the Bangkilan that hungers for human flesh and organs. It is known for its skill in transforming into a large black pig or boar, allowing it to quietly move through forests and rural areas. In this form, it hunts animals and, sometimes, humans. Though Awoks usually live in isolated areas and mostly hunt animals, they will attack humans if the opportunity arises, especially at night when they are strongest.

The Bangkilan’s Rivalry with the Gabunan

In many tales, the Bangkilan is locked in a deadly rivalry with another powerful Aswang, the Gabunan. While the Gabunan represents brute strength and savagery, the Bangkilan uses her cunning and shapeshifting abilities to outsmart him. The Gabunan, a predator of other Aswangs, seeks to consume the black pearls inside the Bangkilan, while she uses her beauty and manipulation to evade or defeat him. Their eternal struggle is a central theme in modern Aswang stories, reflecting the contrast between strength and cunning, brutality and allure.

Gabunan and the Bangkilan

Symbol of Feminine Power and Deception

At the heart of the Bangkilan’s mythos is the idea of feminine power and deception. She symbolizes the duality of beauty and destruction, embodying the fear of something seemingly perfect on the outside but deadly within. Her ability to transform both herself and others reflects her power to disrupt the natural order, turning humans into monsters and spreading chaos wherever she goes.

the Bangkilan remains one of the most captivating figures in contemporary Philippine mythology. Her beauty, dark power, and ability to create new Aswangs ensure that her legend continues to evolve, keeping her as a central figure in the rich and dynamic lore of the Aswang. Through her and the other Bangkilan, the Aswang race grows, and the fear she instills in both the mythical and real world ensures that her story will be told and retold for generations to come.

REMINDER

The orally transmitted mythology of the Philippines is intended for sharing and understanding. 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.