By Erwin Bonifacio
[A rejoinder on the debate about the aswang float of Roxas City during Capiztahan 2025.]
The aswang is undeniably deeply embedded in our Visayan culture. In fact, pre-colonial Visayans held a strong belief in the aswang as an evil entity—though not necessarily the flesh-eating, winged creature like the wakwak or manananggal as popularly imagined today.
One piece of evidence for this is found in the Sugidanon epic Tarangban, one of the six epics chanted by Romel Castor from Barangay Buri/Siya of Tapaz. In this sugidanon, there is the Malubayhinginon—a type of aswang and the mistress of the binukots who reside in Tarangban and believed to be at Mount Panginraon in Barangay Dolores, Dumalag.
Boyong Humadapnon—considered a deity of the Panay Bukidnon—was imprisoned in Tarangban.
Nagmalitong Diya freed Boyong Humadapnon by striking lightning upon Mount Panginraon.
But it was too late as Boyong Humadapon became an aswang. Nagmalitong Diya had to kill him, but only later to resurrect him through a ritual.
Nagmalitong Diya agreed to marry Boyong Humadapnon, but only on the condition that he retrieve the silver sakayan (boat) from Datu Paglambuhan—a powerful aswang believed to have killed many people, whose skulls were said to be inside his belly. Boyong Humadapnon agreed and was able to retrieve the boat by killing the datu.
The Sugidanon is considered the oral Bible of the Panay Bukidnon. The names mentioned are not mere characters—they are revered deities, honored in prayers and traditions.
Is this an affront to our Catholic or Christian faith? No. It is a recognition that Capiz has a rich and diverse culture and that we possess a high level of religious tolerance.
The Panay Bukidnon are our cultural bearers. They have resisted Western colonial constructs and continue to protect their traditions against the fading intrusions of modernity.
As a Capisnon, I am aware of my culture, history, and heritage. The aswang stigma will never define us as a people—we are masupog in whatever field we find ourselves in around the globe.
Be a gabunan—educate, inform and engage.
But unfortunately, as the famous line in the film Heneral Luna goes: “May mas malaki tayong kalaban kaysa sa mga Amerikano—ang ating sarili.”
As Capisnons, wherever you are in the world, stay rooted in Capiz and always hold your identity with pride.
