To Fight the Aswang (Plus a Trick for Annoying Them)

Unless you're the very brave, heroic type or are in a truly desperate situation, it's best to stay away from the aswang. These are strong, slippery creatures and they exhibit a strong, offensive smell. Being in the arms of one is supposed to be like being trapped in a room with a ton of gutted fish. There's the smell of blood, entrails, broken bones and something else. But in case you do find yourself the subject of an aswang's undivided attention, here are some things you ought to know:

It would help if you have the basic weapons.
This includes a stake (for stabbing an aswang in the heart), a bolo or machete (to slice off their tongue, head or simply hack at them in the heat of the fight) or a buntot ng page, sometimes also called buntot-page (the dried tail of a sting ray).

The tail is a deadly weapon (remember the late Steve Irwin?). It has serrated edges that are turned inwards so they look like small hooks. If you get gored by one, trying to pull it out of your body will result to more tissue damage. When dried, it's stiff but not brittle. Each lash with the tail will produce elongated wounds on the skin, opening it just enough to reveal the flesh underneath the skin and draw blood – perfect if you're trying to fight off a hungry aswang.

Bring salt.
Salt works best for killing a manananggal. When the upper torso flies off in search of prey, approach the lower (harmless) half carefully and pour enough salt on the surface to cover the exposed flesh. Don't worry – the upper part has the brain, eyes, mouth and ears so the lower part probably won't fight back.

When the upper part comes back, the aswang won't be able to join completely with the lower part of the body because there's a layer of salt. The aswang won't be able to wipe it off, either. They are loathe to touch salt. They would fly around their torso in desperation until the break of dawn, when the sun's rays will turn them into ashes.

Spice things up.
Garlic, one of the world's best flavorings, works well against the aswang. They hate the stuff and are turned off by its pungent smell.

Say the name.
Personally, I'm not sure if this works but my aunt swears by it. In case you come in close proximity with an aswang, avoid looking them in the eyes. Instead, very quickly move away – run, if you can – all the while repeating in a low voice, 'Aswang, aswang, aswang, aswang, aswang!'

Keep the change.
To prevent a manananggal from scooping you up and flying you off to some abandoned hut in the jungle or some hidden cave to feast on your flesh, keep a few coins in your pocket. According to my lola (grandma), aswangs will have a difficulty in bearing the weight of someone who has loose coins in their person. I'm not sure if it's the metal but it will make it difficult (not impossible, mind you) for an aswang to carry you off.

To annoy the aswang
If you don't have the cojones to fight the aswang, you might want to dare tease it in case you do encounter one. By 'encounter' I mean you inside the house and the aswang outside. It's just not safe to be on level ground with this creature.

Take a knife, a machete, a bolo or a sword and a stone for sharpening steel. Grind the steel of the knife against the sharpener, making sure it makes a high, squeaky sound (it's supposed to – it's steel being sharpened). That sound you're making? The aswang hates that. It would probably complain, bang its wings against your roof or claw at your windows but if you keep sharpening your knife, it'd go away. The sound is supposed to hurt their ears.

Beware, though: if you annoy the aswang, it will come back for you. Use this trick at your own risk.