Halloween is a western thing we Filipinos adapted, it also falls around when we Pinoys celebrate Undas: All Souls’ and All Saints’ Days. Traditionally, citizens flock to nearby cemeteries to remember their loved ones who have passed on. More recently, establishments, schools, and residential areas have started hosting Trick-or-Treat events for kids and the young at heart. Many prefer scary attractions and activities over the fun and colorful Halloween celebrations though. If that’s you, we’ve compiled a list of haunted places in Manila that you can check out to get your spooky fix.
Scariest Places in Manila
Many of the scary stories and creepy places our Lolos and Lolas scare us with are in the Province. That’s not to say that there aren’t any in the metro. Metro Manila has no shortage of horror-movie worthy spots that’ll make your spine tingle and your hair raise.
#1 – Balete Drive
Everyone, especially those in central QC, knows of the Babae sa Balete Drive — a white lady that is believed to haunt the street and the taxi drivers who pass by the area. It is named for a gargantuan Balete tree that used to stand in the middle of the road and smaller, albeit still large, Baletes that lined the street. In Filipino folklore, Baletes are said to be the home of spirits and otherworldly creatures. The large and sprawling branches add shade and darken the area, adding another layer of creepy.
The legend of the white lady haunting Balete Drive vary. A popular version says that she’s the ghost of a lady who was violated and killed by a taxi driver. She was then buried under one of the Balete trees in the area. This is why she haunts taxi drivers and hitchhikes with them. To this day, motorists avoid passing by Balete Drive, especially during the wee hours.
#2 – Ozone Disco
If you’re from the younger set and don’t know what happened at Ozone Disco, here’s the deal. A fire broke out at Ozone, a nightclub along Timog Ave. in Quezon City, at around 11:35 PM on March 18, 1996. The establishment was hugely popular at the time, celebrities went there and it’s also the location of some film and TV shootings. The maximum occupancy of the space was pegged at 35 persons, but there were almost 400 people inside on that fateful night. After the fire, 162 people were found dead, and 95 injured. It is officially the worst fire in Philippine History.
The site of the fire remained untouched for a long time, passersby used to report hearing and seeing shadows of what seemed to be young people partying. In 2015 the building was demolished and a fast-food restaurant was built on the site. While there’s a marked decrease in reported ghost sightings and paranormal activities, they still remain to this day.
#3 – Fort Santiago
Intramuros itself is rich in history, being in existence since the 16th century. The fortress’ walls and dungeons imprisoned Filipino guerillas during the Spanish and Japanese occupations. Our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, spent the last days of his life within its walls. In fact, there is a path that traces his footsteps towards his execution. People report hearing the hero’s footsteps while touring and feeling a cold presence accompanying them.
During the Second World War, the fort was used by to imprison and torture both civilians and soldiers. The fort was also razed to the ground by American soldiers, leaving many souls trapped inside. Once the sun starts to set, soldiers dressed in World War II attire are said to patrol the area. How can you tell real costumed guards apart from spirits? The ghost Guardia Civil are dressed in blue.
#4 – Manila City Hall
Even if Manila isn’t the country’s old city, it is also very old and holds a lot of history. Manila has the walled city of Intramuros within its limits, which is very historically significant. The city’s capitol on Lawton Avenue is known for its clocktower and its unique shape. From above, the building is shaped like a coffin with a cross. Many city hall employees strive to complete everything and leave its premises before the clock strikes 6 because that’s when the spookiness starts happening.
Some stories say that the ghost of a man who hanged himself in the clocktower haunts the halls. You may also hear the spirits of those who perished when the building was bombed in 1945.
#5 – University of Santo Tomas
UST is the oldest university in the Philippines (and in Asia), founded in 1611. Other than history, it is also rich in ghost stories. There are many buildings inside the campus, and each one has a spooky story.
A popular story is that one of the cubicles in one of the Main Building’s ladies’ restrooms is haunted. Girls doing their business in that said cubicle will feel something brushing against their foreheads. It’s the feet of a lady who hanged herself in the said cubicle. If you’re riding an elevator at UST Hospital, check your companions’ wrists for red tags. Only corpses in the morgue wear these tags. A piano at the conservatory of music is said to play by itself. The same piano is guarded by a ghost child, to whom students and staff need to ask “permission” from before they move it.
Scared yet?
We’re kinda spooked, too. Especially because many of these places have actual history to back up their stories. Balete Drive’s history is more anecdotal — however, if you think about how many people tell the same story, there’s gotta be something there. We’re not sure if these stories will scare you off or make you seek out these ghosts. We just advise you to exercise caution and wear your bravest pants!