The Manananggal
Project Overview
This illustration was created for Psychology Today’s Opinion section, under the supervision of David A. Hylton. The objective was to design a composition representing Urban Legends. I chose a creature that connects to my culture: the Filipino folklore figure known as the Manananggal.
Challenge
Starting the composition traditionally on paper was a key requirement for this project, pushing me to plan the structure, perspective, and narrative carefully from the start. I chose to illustrate the Filipino Manananggal, and part of the challenge was to visually establish it as a predator — creating a clear, immediate relationship between hunter and prey without using any words or captions.
Solution
I began by researching how the Manananggal has been portrayed across films, artworks, and and articles. I discovered that the Manananggal’s wings closely resemble those of bats, so I conducted a bat anatomy study to better inform the creature’s features. I then exaggerated the bat-like elements, blending them into the creature’s hands to enhance its menacing appearance.
Out of the thumbnails I explored, I chose a worm’s-eye view for the final composition to achieve that predator-and-prey relationship. The surrounding silhouettes and sharp, upward-angled architecture guide the viewer’s eye toward the creature and amplify the atmosphere of danger, mystery, and unease.
Project Type: Editorial Illustration
Client: Psychology Today (Instructor: David A. Hylton)
Industry: Editorial / Publishing
Target Audience: Horror/Dark Stories Enthusiasts, Educated Readers, General Public
Role: Illustrator, Concept Artist
Client: Psychology Today (Instructor: David A. Hylton)
Industry: Editorial / Publishing
Target Audience: Horror/Dark Stories Enthusiasts, Educated Readers, General Public
Role: Illustrator, Concept Artist
9x12 Illustration of The Manananggal
