Artist's depiction of the Amalanhig, a Filipino undead vampire/zombie-like creatures that rise from their graves. This term was particularly famous among Hiligaynon survivor communities that faced the Zs in their region.
Amalanhig (also called 'Maranhig' or 'Amaranhig') are creatures in
Visayan mythology, particularly among
Hiligaynon speaking groups.
[1][2][3]Amalanhig are
Aswangs who failed to transfer their monstrosity causing them to rise from their graves to kill humans by biting their necks. Another version that has survived through word-of-mouth recounts that
Amanlanhigs are said to chase any living person they found and once they reach them, they would tickle the victim until they die, both of laughter and terror. In order to escape from
Amanlanhigs, one runs in zigzag direction since they can only walk in straight direction due to the stiffness of their body. One would also climb trees or high platforms enough to be out of their reach. One would also run into lakes and rivers since
Amanlanhigs are scared of deep bodies of water.
The
Amalanhig are depicted as externally identical to humans, though there is an enlargement of the upper canines in most individuals. The
Amalanhig is a variant of the
vampire native to the
Philippines.
During World War Z in the Philippines, there were many terms for the undead:
Bangkay (Tagalog for dead body),
Patay (Bisaya for dead),
Aswang (Also a term for a Filipino vampire), and
mga patay-na-buhi (dead that came back to life)