Wakwak

The Wakwak is a vampiric, bird-like creature in Philippine mythology. It is said to snatch humans at night as prey, similar to the Manananggal and the Ekek in rural areas of the Philippines, due to its ability to fly. The difference between the Mananggal and the Wakwak is that Wakwak cannot separate its torso from its body while the Manananggal can. Some believe it is also a form a vampire takes. Other people contend that a "Wakwak" is a Philippine night bird belonging to a witch.

The sound of a Wakwak is usually associated with the presence of an Unglu (vampire) or Ungo (ghost or monster). It is also believed that this monster is called "Wakwak" due to this sound it makes when it flaps its wings while flying. When one hears the Wakwak, it is looking for possible victims. If the sound of the Wakwak is loud, it means it is far from you. Otherwise, it is near and worse yet, it is about to attack. It slashes and mutilates its victims and feeds on their hearts.

The Wakwak is often described by old folks to have long sharp talons and a pair of wings similar to those of a bat. It uses its talons or claws to slash its victims and to get their heart. Many say that its wings are also sharp as a knife.^[1]

The sound that a tiki, tike or teke (Common House Gecko) makes usually at night when out of sight was discovered by an American who spent much time in the Philippines to be the source of the sound everyone was saying was a "Wakwak".

"A Dictionary of Cebuano Visaya" by John U. Wolff published by Cornell University, South East Asia Program and Linguistic Society of the Philippines 1972 defines Wak Wak as:

1. wakwak₁

   noun bird which comes out at night, so called from its call. Its call signifies the presence of a vampire (unglo) or in some beliefs. it is a form the vampire takes himself.

   verb 1 [A13] for the wakwak to be about; 2 [a12] victimize someone with vampiritic activity. paN- verb [A2] go about engaging in vampiritic activity. -un noun = UNGLU, noun

2. wakwak₂ noun the West piece of Mahjong = WISTL.

Also Wak-Wak in early Philippine history was the Kingdom of Wak-Wak along with the Kingdom of Zabag and were situated in Pampanga^[2]

External Links

• Filipino Folklore:Wakwak

See also

• Peuchen
• Sigbin

References

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