It’s there.
My birthright.
When my lolo told me about it, I just laughed it off.
I always thought they were fairy tales.
Then came the siwo siwo.
I wouldn’t have taken it.
I didn’t want to.
But lolo was in so much pain.
So much pain.
I had no choice.
You have to believe me.
I don’t want to do this.
Please stop resisting.
I can’t help it.
Not since I accepted the gift.
It will be over soon.
I promise.
It wasn’t something I learned.
Once I got the gift, instinct took over.
Then my nails turned into claws.
My eyes changed to red.
And my skin became black.
I saw myself in the mirror.
And the fairy tale before me.
I was scared.
But more than that.
I was hungry.
When I look at another person.
All I can see is my next meal.
I’m sorry.
I’m so sorry.
=————————————–=
*Aswang draw their power from its siwo siwo (a chick shaped piece of flesh kept in its throat) Before the aswang dies, it must relinquish its siwo siwo to a member of its family so that its power will live on. It will suffer in pain until a family member decides to accept this power, then it dies in peace.
Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Inspired by the Aswang description in Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition. Nasayao 2010.
Aswang (Albay) Illustration by Sandra Sison
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