Throughout the years, Filipinos are fond of sharing and hearing stories of the paranormal and the unexplained. Timeless urban legends have been circulating the Filipino society for years. Here are some of the classic urban myths which left a lot of Filipinos terrified and at the same time curious for answers:
1. Romblon Triangle
Similar to the famous “Bermuda Triangle” located in the North Atlantic, the Romblon Triangle has reportedly claimed many lives and ships over the years – including the MV Princess of the Stars in 2008. Locals from Romblon claim that they often see a ghost ship at sea glistening like gold in the middle of the night.
2. Mystical City of Biringan
According to legend, there is an enchanted city somewhere in Samar. This city is claimed to be the home of many enchanted creatures and a portal to another dimension. Some people claim that sometimes motorists accidentally reach the mystical city and discover enchanted creatures abducting other motorists.
3. Alien Abductions in Mt. Banahaw
Rumored to be a vortex of the supernatural, Mt. Banahaw is also claimed by many as an airport of alien air crafts. According to some reports, hikers went missing after they went up in Mt. Banahaw. There are many unexplained events that happened in Mt. Banahaw which includes UFO sightings, appearance of mysterious lights, strange noises in the middle of the night, and the unexplainable disappearances of people.
4. Welcome to the HIV world
Back in the 90’s, rumor has it that a guy carried a syringe full of HIV positive blood and roamed around SM Megamall to inject his blood to moviegoers. It was believed that people who had HIV/AIDS seek vengeance by infecting other people as well. They would extract their blood and randomly inject other people in crowded places.
5. San Juanico Bridge’s Bloody History
During the Marcos era, when the longest bridge San Juanico Bridge was built, former first lady Imelda Marcos ordered to kill children and mixed their blood in the cement for the bridge’s sturdiness. What made the issue made more believable was the reports of missing children during that time.
6. White Lady in Balete Drive
Although there are many versions of stories about the White Lady in the Philippines, the most famous was the one that resides Balete Drive in Quezon City. According to stories, the White Lady of Balete Drive was once a young woman who died either in a car accident or was raped and killed by a Japanese soldier or a taxi driver. Her ghost often appears in the rear view of the car or ask taxi drivers to give her a ride but suddenly disappears in the middle of the ride.
7. Robinsons Mall’s Human-Snake
This timeless legend has been going on for years. It was said that the owner of Robinsons Malls was rumored to have twins – Robina Gokongwei-Pei and a half-man, half-snake creature. Rumor has it that the human-snake has a penchant for beautiful women and would abduct them when they change clothes in the mall’s dressing rooms. Alice Dixson was allegedly one of the women the human-snake abducted but was set free because he fell in love with her.
While these are just some of the timeless urban myths that Filipinos continue to believe in, it is still important for us to be rational and critical before we believe in stories as such. To be curious is part of the learning process, but criticism is something that we should also learn to develop in searching for the right answers.
