Man Eater Print

The Manananggal is one of the most well-known aswang figures in Philippine myths and legends. Often described as a woman who separates her upper body and takes flight at night, she has long been portrayed as a creature to be feared. Yet this illustration was not created to emphasize terror, but transformation.

In folklore, the Manananggal is also said to possess great beauty, using charm and allure as a means of survival. Some stories suggest her origins are rooted in betrayal and heartbreak—abandoned and wronged in her human life, she emerges reborn, guarded, and powerful.

This piece reimagines the Manananggal as a symbol of emotional resilience. Many women recognize the feeling of having been hurt, deceived, or let down by someone once trusted. From those experiences come strength, caution, and self‑awareness. Like the Manananggal, what once appeared monstrous can also be understood as a response to pain—a reclaiming of power and identity.

Rather than fear, this work invites reflection on how myth can mirror human emotion, survival, and the complexity of womanhood.