Capiz also a tourist haven

Here in our country, when knocking at the doors of other people’s houses, it is customary for us to say “tao po”. In olden times, the phrase was actually meant to assure the home owners that the beings knocking at their doors are real people; and not some terrifying creature out to prey on helpless human beings, “hindi kapre, tikbalang, manananggal o aswang”.

Since the beginning of time, stories and myths of the supernatural have been part of the cultures of people all over the world. It seems like every region of the globe has different kinds of mystical creatures that have sowed fear and terror in the hearts of humans. In the Caribbean, they have the zombie; essentially a dead person re-animated by unnatural means and creates dread among the living. The West has the werewolf; a person who changes into a wolf, either by using magic or by being placed under a curse. The werewolf is a savage, powerful beast with an insatiable taste for human flesh. In Europe, they have the terrifying Count Dracula; a centuries-old vampire who drinks the blood of humans to remain strong and young.

In the Philippines, stories of different kinds of supernatural beings abound. There are duwendes, kapres, tikbalangs, manananggals; but perhaps, the one that is most feared by local folks is the aswang. An aswang is a ghoul in Philippine folklore. Aswangs are shapeshifters. They can appear as regular townspeople and live ordinary lives. They are usually quiet, timid and elusive. At night, they transform into creatures that eat unborn fetuses and small children, feasting on their livers and hearts. Aswang stories are prevalent in the Visayas region, most especially in the provinces of Iloilo, Antique and Capiz. Capiz, in particular, has always been pointed out as a home to aswangs, manananggals, tikbalangs and other scary supernatural beings. However, because of this misconception, the province gained a negative repute; and as a consequence, its people are unjustly ostracized.

Determined to change the negative perception of Capiz being an aswang haven, a group of concerned Capiznons, the Dugo Capiznon, Inc., decided to organize and introduce an Aswang Festival. Launched in 2003, the annual festival has three main objectives: one, to reverse the negative image of Capiz as an aswang haven and remove the stigma attached to the word; two, to promote Capiz as a good tourist destination by highlighting its famous sea food products, fine beaches and other beautiful local sceneries; and three, to promote economic growth in the province by helping small businessmen through trade exhibits during the festival.

Every 29th and 30th of October, the people of Capiz take to the streets to celebrate the aswang with a festive and colorful Mardi Gras-style celebration. People dress up in colorful costumes that represent their own interpretations of this creature, and dance and parade joyfully along the city’s main thoroughfares. The festival has encountered stiff opposition from different religious sectors which claim that the event only fuels continued belief in the aswang and creates fear among the children. But in the four years that it has been staged, it seems that the festival has achieved its objective that people should not be afraid of the aswang because it is merely a subject of myth.

The Aswang Festival highlights the rich and colorful culture of our country, underscores the importance of our heritage and, more importantly, demonstrates our people’s ability to rise above adversity and fear. Real or imagined, the aswang is part of our history and will always remain a part of our lives.