The Philippines' first sound film monster returns—now with 90s hair and questionable CGI snakes.
This Filipino vampire film co-directed by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes tells the story of an aswang, the traditional shape-shifting creature of local legend. Here, the vampire makes appearances as a giant snake, a young woman (Alma Moreno), and a withered old hag (Lilia Cuntapay). The aswang has a lengthy cinematic history, having been the subject of the first sound film ever produced in the Philippines (1932's Ang Aswang) and migrating, in somewhat altered form, to films in Hong Kong, India, Japan, and, in 1994, to the United States. Aiza Seguerra co-stars with Janice de Belen, Aljon Jimenez, John Estrada, and Alma Moreno.
Practical Effects
The giant snake puppet deserves its own billing.
Direction
Gallaga and Reyes balance genuine dread with absurdist humor.
Costume
Lilia Cuntapay's hag transformation is prosthetic perfection.
Director
Peque Gallaga
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The aswang migrated from Philippine oral tradition to Hong Kong horror in the 70s, then Hollywood's 1994 Aswang stripped away all cultural specificity—making this the last authentic cinematic treatment.
Lilia Cuntapay became known as the 'Queen of Philippine Horror' largely from this performance; she was a theater actress who accepted the role thinking it was a drama about grandmothers.
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