Capture an 'aswang' on cam and win a prize | Global News

Capture an ‘aswang’ on cam and win a prize

/ 07:57 PM June 29, 2012

Photo from www.capiz.gov.ph

ROXAS CITY, Philippines—What  “aswang”? There’s no such a thing here.

Tourism in Capiz has been reeling from its image as one of the areas in Western Visayas where the mythical vampire-like creature is said to have been devouring hapless preys  since ages.

Article continues after this advertisement

Capiz Governor Victor Tanco is waging a battle to change that eerie image.

FEATURED STORIES

“Now, we’re trying to erase that,” said Tanco. “Whenever we have visitors, the first thing that I will tell them is that ‘We’re  not what you think we are’.”

He even challenged all “aswang believers” to capture the Philippine ghoul on camera.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I will give a reward to anybody who can capture on camera and identify the aswang here,” Tanco said in jest to reporters in his residence here.

Article continues after this advertisement

An aswang is said to have a penchant for eating unborn babies and it could even turn into an animal as it  scours mostly rural villages for preys.

Article continues after this advertisement

Historian William Henry Scott said that Spanish colonists noted that the aswang was the most feared among the mythical creatures of the Philippines, even in the 16th century.

The province’s association with aswang was so bad that in the 1980s hotel guests in Capiz  would even put garlic under their pillows.

Article continues after this advertisement

Garlic is believed to scare away the creepy creature.

But things are getting brighter for the province, which is aggressively promoting itself not as the aswang, but as the seafood capital of the Philippines.

“I think we’re shedding that image,” Tanco said.

“We now belong  to the top 20 domestic tourism locations here in the Philippines. That’s according to the record of the National Statistics Office and the Department of Tourism,” he said, adding, “That’s quite an achievement for us.”

“We are now hosting  conventions, we have many festivals, and our main sales pitch  is for people to come to Capiz just to eat. We are the seafood capital of the Philippines and many tourists come here because of our seafood,” he said.

Tanco also takes pride in having  red tide-free waters in  Capiz.

“Most of the seafood going to Manila, every day, are from Capiz,” he said, adding that they are being sold at upscale seafood markets in Metro Manila.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

And fresh seafood is just one of Capiz’s assets. The province also boasts of tourist attractions like its centuries-old Catholic churches, caves, waterfalls, and its indigenous peoples.

TAGS: Aswang, Beliefs, Capiz, Culture, Philippines, seafood, Summer travel philippines, Tourism

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.