upon demise, sentience saunters.
A psychological thriller and folk horror short story.
ENG | R-16+, Young Adults and Above
UWAK connects with the characteristics of every cast; aside on comparison between an aswang (a Philippine myth creature) and a crow. Both can be seen under the daylight and the shine of the moon, yet more scarier and fierce in the shade. UWAK symbolizes in such ways not just on the aswang characters, but also humans. The story focuses on personality and roles aside from the physical appearances.
All six main characters are former college classmates from first year to fourth year; EMC students. During those days, Ellias and Maya are very close to each other, same as Buenavondre and Alejandro. Daisy befriended with their other classmates, including Jandro and Maya. Pilar is alone most of the time, not knowing that Buenavondre always keep an eye on her.
ELLIAS SANTIAGOEllias Santiago is a taciturn, workaholic, yet observant. He has been living with his wife, Maya, and working at the MABAYA shop for a year. Ellias recently got a new work schedule. During his night shift, as it gets longer, he notices that the texture and scent of the meat products are either not from animals or not in fresh condition. Despite knowing all the dubious acts inside the workplace, he continues to take it to the top—to become the next owner of MABAYA, leaving his personal life, love life, and his faith in the Almighty all alone.The Pride
MAYA PERLASMaya Perlas is a barista at Expresso Aficionado. She is the only aswang that Ellias is being neutral and caring for. However, Maya’s sweet, caring, and warm-hearted personality drags her to the point of being savage—she is also led to take harmful actions against Ellias from not comforting and taking care of him and harboring bitterness toward her husband after knowing that he is giving his life to work. That one day that Maya knew that the aswangs would evade the city, she was pleased that Ellias would come with her to go back to the province; she went unlucky.The Wrath
DAISY ALFONSODaisy Alfonso, behind the alias of “watchdog,” is an aswang news anchor working in a popular news broadcast, TCWD News. She is determined, brave, and always laying her eyes on every happening and its corners and yearly earning awards and recognition for facing assorted cases, specifically the supernatural invasions. On the other side, her family disowned her because Daisy wants to live as a ‘normal human being.’ To make herself sane, she always eats and drinks her favorites and avoids feasting on humans.The Gluttony
PILAR SALONGAPilar Salonga is an introvert yet is trying to manifest her communication skills. She was recently assigned to the back office, primarily focusing on documents, and eventually placed as a frontliner. Her career transforms as a peril as Buenavondre continues to track her, knowing that Pilar saw two missing people’s bodies being traced (Alex Celorico and Magani), eaten by aswangs, and related to a notorious owner of the MABAYA shop (her father, Bartolome.) Pilar is blinded by jealousy of the ones who are achievers and have power and control, including Daisy and Buenavondre.The Envy
ALEJANDRO ROCESAn unemployed graduate named Alejandro Roces always goes to ESMERALDA to do nothing but smoke and drink. If he will do something, he volunteers to lend a hand on the security of the bar; however, he recently got a job from Buenaventura. Alejandro is tasked to be the messenger, tracking down TCWD News’ actions and watching Pilar to get evidence on Buenaventure’s schemes and helping him to take revenge on Pilar’s father for his satisfaction.The Sloth/Apathy
BUENAVONDRE LOS DESIDERIOSBuenavondre Los Desiderios is often called the “mayor.” Formerly sentenced to jail, he is now well-known for conducting various projects compared to politicians; that’s why everyone is confused about him. Known for owning many businesses, ESMERALDA is on top. His primary goal is to capture Pilar to take an ‘indirect revenge,’ yet he persuades her to join him in finding Bartolome to end the threats and the secrets of the MABAYA shop. He wants to claim more power and possessions but at the same time being contented. Confusing.The Ardor of Power
The characters do have the personality based on the seven deadly sins. The only sin that is in common with them is GREED- being selfish to attain material possesions, wealth, goals- everything. Even all of them know each other, part of the family or a friend, with trust or not; they ‘save’ themselves from harm by taking advantage and survivability.
The following stories of UWAK are arranged based on the timeline.
UWAKIn order to protect themselves from the monstrosity happenings in Valenzuela, Ellias and Maya intend to relocate to the province; Daisy and Pilar regularly look into and report and halt the string of eerie invasions; and Alejandro, who is with the “mayor,” Buenavondre, silenced anyone who opposed his scheme.
