20 Comments
User's avatar
Rick Hernandez's avatar

I'm always happy to see pre-colonial Philippine mythology discussed by other writers. Maximo D. Ramos captured some of the oral traditions about manananggal and other viscera suckers (aswang) in his collections of writing. I saw a fantastic short -- MOSQUITO LADY by Kristine Gerolaga -- that brought the manananggal myth into a modern-day setting. There's so much rich story-telling surrounding this monstrous woman. And new stories as yet to be told!

Expand full comment
Jessica Maison's avatar

Yes! I am so happy to hear from you here. You know way more on this subject than I do so please share all this rich knowledge. I will be watching that short immediately when I track it down. Good to hear your thoughts as always.

Expand full comment
Rick Hernandez's avatar

I just found it online! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE4xx71H9SM

Expand full comment
Jessica Maison's avatar

OMG! I loved it. They did a great job with a low budget.

Expand full comment
Jessica Maison's avatar

Tonight! Thank you

Expand full comment
Shawn Brooks's avatar

Terrifying. I've heard of this before but your image caught my eye and I never knew their catchphrase! Unsettling in all the best ways.

Expand full comment
Jessica Maison's avatar

Usually I make up the catchphrase but this one actually has her own. It really is unsettling in all the best ways. Thanks for checking it out!

Expand full comment
Shawn Brooks's avatar

Yeah!

Expand full comment
Nick Winney's avatar

Amazingly horrific! some superb horror ideas in here! thank you

Expand full comment
Jessica Maison's avatar

Would love to read a horror story by you inspired by her!

Expand full comment
Nick Winney's avatar

ill see what I can do - might be a while - and I think someone already was inspired to do just this…

Expand full comment
Inkbeetle: writing & the weird's avatar

Fascinating stuff - always interesting to see how often gender dynamics and hierarchies of power intersect with these myths. Also: "Siri! Siri!"? can aonly assume they were having issues with their phones :)

Expand full comment
Jessica Maison's avatar

haha. Their monster tech was not responding. Glad you got something out of this one!

Expand full comment
Skyla's avatar

Whoa, this is crazy. She’s horrifying, and those art pieces included definitely sold it as such!

Expand full comment
Jessica Maison's avatar

So freaky! My friend told a campfire story about her and the kids and adults were all 😱

Expand full comment
Dave Baxter's avatar

Pretty sure all of our lower halves are "great vulnerabilities". ;P As someone who parly grew up in the Philippeans, was great to see this! And in the future: the ASWANG.

Expand full comment
Jessica Maison's avatar

haha. I did not know this about you!

Expand full comment
Vince Roman's avatar

Thanks for sharing us and happy Friday

Expand full comment
Kimberly B🌴👻🌴's avatar

This is fascinating! I'm in the stages of researching the relationship between colonialization and gender violence on some of Indonesia's haunts, so this was especially interesting. Indonesia also has a couple of different floating torsos. I love seeing what "monsters" neighbors have in common.

Expand full comment
Jessica Maison's avatar

That sounds super fascinating. I’m always interested in those topic and can’t wait to see what you discover!

Expand full comment