Several years ago, we were on our way home to Visayas. It was our first time to experience a roro (roll-on, roll-off) ride. Along the way, there were several stopovers and one of them was in Mindoro.
Whenever there is a stopover, local folks including the children would get on the bus to offer something - mostly food. It was summer time and garlic is one of the abundant produce of Mindoro during this season. And we'd been offered a bunch of garlic as pasalubong (something to bring home as a gift or token). Since the folks at home are fond of using garlic in our everyday dishes, garlic would be much appreciated.
One of the bus passengers innocently asked us if there are really aswangs in our place and if garlic is indeed an effective means of driving away these creatures. Aswangs are mythical creatures and are part of the Philippine folklore. Aswangs are said to be persons who possess the ability to change their appearance at will to any creature they wish and would victimize helpless people. Thus, whenever individuals hail from the Visayas region, they are often associated with aswangs.
Upon hearing the inquiry of that passenger, I coil around my neck the skewed garlic which we had just purchased and faced that person. Then, I jokingly asked her, "Do you really believe that garlic is effective in driving away an aswang? Because it seems garlic has no effect on me." And I gave her a wink.
No comments:
Post a Comment