User:Ashleyal/sandbox

= Aswang =

Aswang is an umbrella term for various shape-shifting evil spirits in Filipino folklore, such as vampires, ghouls, witches, viscera suckers, and werewolfs. The Aswang is the subject of a wide variety of myths, stories, arts, and films, as it is well known throughout the Philippines. Spanish colonists noted that the Aswang was the most feared among the mythical creatures of the Philippines, even in the 16th century. Although with no specific motive other than harming others, their behavior can be interpreted as an inversion of the traditional Filipino's values. The Aswang is especially popular in Visayas, southern parts of Luzon, and parts of Mindanao.

About
Anthropologists postulate that the Aswang belief came from the myth-making of the Spaniards intent on keeping the population under control. Through the encomienda system, a town was arranged into easy-to-manage layers, and those who lived too far away were labeled tulisans (Philippine bandits). To frighten the Filipinos and discourage mobility, stories of Aswangs living on the outskirts of the forests were spread in towns to keep everyone in groups and maintain control.

Modern investigation links the prevalence of the aswang myth in the Capiz province of the Philippines to the genetic disease X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism (XDP) or Dystonia of Panay (Lubag Syndrome).

Quintessential of these versions is the "bal-bal" or ghoul (maninilong in Catanauan, Quezon), which replaces the cadaver with banana tree trunks after consumption. Aswang stories and definitions vary greatly from region to region and person to person, and no particular set of characteristics can be ascribed to the term. Another common and very popular version is the manananggal which are usually female.

The Witch
Witches in the Philippines are feared, avoided and hated. Witches can become aswang, only if they have certain qualities that follow an aswang already. Then they can become an aswang, and by doing so their powers become stronger, stronger than the other witches as well. If an aswang is caught, they are to be immediately killed without question. Though with witches there is just complete avoidance by the people and people around them regard them with fear. Though if an incident were to happen near the witch's residence, then there is reason to turn to the witch to blame and punish.

Article Evaluation Notes:

Needs a lot more works cited. Other things that need to be worked on are the sentences in general. The details about what they look like should be included with the shape-shifting part. Everything about the physical traits should be all together. When they are scattered about within three total paragraphs.

Someone as of a few weeks ago totally rewrote and organized the article.