Aswang – Mga Kwentong Halimaw
“ASWANG is inspired by Philippine ghosts stories that we enjoyed telling each other when we were growing up in the province. I wanted those creatures to come alive and tell their own stories from their point of view.”
– Florante Aguilar, Composer, Lyricist, Writer
Aswang retells the stories of Philippine mythological monsters and how they came to be – in song form!
Manananggal, a mythical creature in Philippine folklore described as a woman capable of severing her upper torso and flying into the night, is presented within the context of colonial history. Also featured are the stories of the Tumao – a mysterious ape-like beast who roams the mountains of Mount Banahaw in Quezon Province, the Syokoy – a feared being of the dark seas, the Tikbalang – a trickster with a human body and the head of a horse, and the Lady in White of Balete Drive – a tormented soul wandering the streets of Quezon City. Their narratives beg the question – who is the real monster?