A Closer Look to “Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles”

Aswangs are supernatural creatures in Filipino folklore. Having life forms of enormous power, they can transform themselves into any shape they want. Moreover, they are said to be particularly fond of the liver. Their victims are mostly children, pregnant women, and ill individuals. The victims will then be killed and eaten. Directed by Erik Matti and starring Dingdong Dantes, Lovi Poe, Joey Marquez, Janice de Belen and Ramon Bautista, Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles portray the rich Filipino myth on aswangs.

The film starts with the arrival of a conceited smoking man on a tricycle to a conspicuously strange town. This guy named Makoy (Dingdong Dantes) is on his way to his pregnant girlfriend, Sonia (Lovi Poe). Apparently on Makoy’s visit to Sonia’s house, he is unwanted by Sonia’s mother (Janice de Belen). On the other hand, Sonia’s father (Joey Marquez) seems to pretty much like Makoy. He even let Makoy accompany him to buy pig and foodstuffs for Sonia’s birthday the next day. With them is the childhood friend (Ramon Bautista) of Sonia who helped them in buying affordable pig. It turns out, however, that the place where they bought the pig is the den of the aswangs. That night, Makoy stays in Sonia’s house even if he is unwanted because it was too late of a night already to still go out, and he also wants to be part of Sonia’s birthday celebration. That same night also, the pig they’ve bought turns out to be an aswang who just transformed himself into a pig. They, of course, kill the aswang. Meanwhile, the family and friends of the killed aswang have learned of the death of their fellow, so they targeted the family of Sonia. Because Sonia is pregnant, her baby is hot on the eyes of the aswangs. The battle of Makoy, Sonia’s family, and some of the villages’ people continues as they apply their beliefs on how to eradicate aswangs.

Tiktik is presented in an extraordinary way. Sort of comic style movie with a novel visual effect… The title of the film says it be a horror film. Indeed, it is because the subject is aswang. Moreover, the place and the portrayal of the aswangs are spooky. However, adding humor to the film creates an insurgent upshot on the feel of the movie. It gives light flow to the story.

No doubt, the movie has showcased the rich Filipino myth and superstition in a creative way. It emphasizes being Pinoy in many ways. Aside from the rich superstitious beliefs, the village showcases the bukid (farm) normally seen in the rural areas in the country. The bukid, however, is portrayed in a surreal scene. In addition, the sound and music used are OPM songs. Beliefs on getting rid of aswangs like using salt and garlic are also evident in the show. Boy Bawang and some other local crackers have been used to combat aswangs. All in all, the cinematography is outstanding as far as Filipino film is concerned. It’s a first in the Philippine big scree! A start to the list of well-crafted motion picture films in our country… A round of applause to this entertaining show!