Chapter NineMAMA’S DIY
ENGKANTASIA BOOK
Manananggal
The manananggal (sometimes confused with the wakwak) is not a mythical creature of the Philippines. It is an evil, man-eating and blood-sucking monster.
It is hideous, scary, mostly female, and capable of severing its upper torso and sprouting huge batlike wings to fly into the night in search of its victims. The manananggal preys mostly on sleeping, pregnant women, using an elongated proboscis-like tongue to suck the hearts of fetuses, or the blood of someone who is sleeping.
The word “manananggal” originated from the Tagalog word “tanggal” which means “to remove” or “to separate.” It literally translates as ‘remover’ or ‘separator’ or “one who separates itself.”
The lower body of the manananggal is left standing, and it is more vu
