Perhaps this post will trigger some ghost hunters out there. The Philippines do have its share of creepy places and if you are into this kind of thrill then a visit to the mentioned locations is going to be worth it.
For tourists who are seeking the terrifying thrills and excitements, you are welcome to taste hair raising experiences in the following places:
METRO MANILA
The Manila Film Center, CCP Complex, Pasay City
The place is believed to be haunted because many people died here during its construction. At around 3 a.m. on November 17, 1981, a tragic accident occurred that buried hundreds of people during the height of the construction of the Manila Film Center in Pasay City. Rumor has it that former First Lady Imelda Marcos rushed the construction of the building to accommodate the first Manila Film Festival scheduled for January of the following year.
However, on that fateful day, the ceiling scaffolding of the film center collapsed, sending construction workers down into the freshly-laid concrete below. With only two months left before the Film Festival, it was said that Imelda Marcos ordered cement to be poured into the orchestra pit below, burying the fallen workmen, some of whom were still alive.
According to urban legend, Manila Film Center is now haunted and that people who go there claim that they hear cries and moans of the angry spirits in the building, as if the walls of these Parthenon-inspired building talk. That’s probably due to the trapped spirits inside, seeking justice to this day.
Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila
During World War II, hundreds of civilians and soldiers were tortured or killed in Fort Santiago, Intramuros. Thousands more died and the city turned to ashes when the Americans fought the Japanese in 1945. Soldiers’ ghosts are said to patrol at night–apart from the actual guards dressed in old-fashioned soldier uniforms (tip: it’s blue). Screams of the tortured and persecuted are said to echo throughout the walled city, as well, as soon as night falls. The guards claimed that at night, they could hear shouts of pain inside the prison cells located under the Fort.
The fort was badly damaged by the Americans in 1945 during the liberation of Manila when the Japanese refused to surrender but has been extensively renovated.
Ozone Disco, Timog Avenue corner Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City
The place is believed to be haunted as a tragic fire, killing hundreds of students, burned the small disco.This 50 sqm disco located along Timog Avenue corner Tomas Morato Avenue is a witness to the worst fire accident in the Philippines. On March 18, 1996, shortly after midnight, a massive fire engulfed Ozone Disco, burning and suffocating 160 people to death and leaving 95 others injured mostly high school and college students, attending graduation or end-of-the-school-year parties.
Approved for occupancy for only 35-50 people, the establishment had 40 employees that evening while the logbook showed that there were about 400 people who were in and out of the club during that ill-fated night. People who lived to tell the story reported that they saw sparks flying and smoke inside the disc jockey’s booth, which they thought was part of the party effects. Many of the bodies were discovered along the narrow corridor leading to the only exit. Having no proper fire exit was also seen as one of the reasons why there were a high number of casualties that night.
Until now, the Ozone Disco is still abandoned and people who pass by claim to hear the faint beat of music, voices in agony, and even ghostly figures dancing when night falls.
The building was never used again and was demolished in 2015.
Balete Drive, New Manila, Quezon City
This famous two-lane street in Quezon City is believed to be haunted by a white-veiled lady who frequents the site. The tree-lined road adds an eerie feeling, as if something will appear in front of you at any time. It was told that the white-veiled lady is the ghost of a girl who died in a car accident in the area when she lost her way, which is why she has been trying to hitch a ride and find her way home. Other stories indicated that it is the ghost of a young lady who died in the Spanish era. Rumors or not, you better not drive by Balete Drive alone.
Many stories and monies have been made using the Balete Drive hauntings as themes. Even until today, only brave souls dare to drive through this dark street.
CORREGIDOR ISLAND, CAVITE
Corregidor is a small island at the entrance of Manila Bay that served as an important defense fortress of the Philippines, from Spanish to American and then Japanese colonists. The US, in particular, made it into a world-class military encampment, before they themselves destroyed the facilities in WWII during the retaking from the Japanese.
The Old Hospital
The crumbling infirmary was originally designed in a shape of a cross so enemy planes can clearly see what the structure is and avoid bombing it. But since the Japanese did not sign up to the Geneva Convention, which prohibits destruction of medical facilities during times of war, they freely bombed it to high heavens.
Many hospital staff, patients and civilians were killed during the bombings.
The Malinta Tunnel
The construction of the famous Malinta Tunnel took about 10 years. The tunnel had been dug through solid rock and offered complete protection from artillery or air attack. Command communications and medical units were located there. Gen. MacArthur set up the headquarters of USAFFE inside the tunnel where men and women would live and work during the siege of Corregidor. The location of the tunnel beneath Malinta Hill made it ideal as a bomb-proof headquarters for the embattled Filipino and Americans defenders of Corregidor during World War II.
During the liberation, Japanese soldiers,who were using the tunnel as their headquarters, committed suicide by blowing themselves up before the recapture of Corregidor by the American forces. For the Japanese, it was an honor for them to die rather than to surrender to their enemy.With the number of Japanese soldiers who died inside the tunnel, there will surely be some lost souls that realized that they no longer belong in this world.
Mile Long Barracks
After Bataan fell in April 1942, Corregidor was left on its own where nearly 5,000 bombs were dropped in a span of 27 days. Many people perished – soldiers and civilians alike. There are rumors that soldiers haunt the place especially in the barracks. Many are willing to swear that they have actually seen these ghost soldiers. Today, all that remain are famous ruins that quietly stand belying its glorious and gruesome past.
Watch out for the 2nd part of this post…