Every
Halloween, horror fans take the opportunity to scare others stiff. One of the best parts of Halloween is being
able to dress up with your most terrifying costumes that give passers-by a fright and to share your spookiest and funniest
stories.
As
early as September, the Bohol Quality (BQ) Mall has displayed Halloween
costumes and props at the second floor. From
babies to adults, everyone can choose the Halloween costumes and accessories BQ
Mall has to offer.
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BQ
Mall has the latest Halloween costumes and ghouls
of all sizes along with all the party supplies to be sure your
Halloween
parties are frightening.
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At
the Island City Mall, cashiers and salesclerks are wearing witch hats while
male salesclerks are wearing clown hats to “attract” mall goers. No, they’re not scary!
Incidentally,
ICM will hold the annual scariest Halloween costume contest on Oct. 30 where hardcore Halloween aficionados will showcase their
horrifying new costumes. Kid will not
worry because the Trick or Treat will be on October 31, 1 p.m. at the
Activity Center.
The spirit of Halloween also invades Chocoreich Cafe (along
Gallares Street near Malou Atienza Salon). The owner, Dalareich Polot, adds
some “fright” with items definitely more inspired by the lighter side of
Halloween. Visitors can enjoy their chocolates and sikwate with spooky and friendly Halloween atmosphere.
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Halloween
is perfect time to raise the dead. While you can creep yourself out at haunted
places, why not go for the real deal. There are terrifying locations in Bohol for those who like to take the “ghost
tour.” Some are fictional and some are very, very real. Like it or not, these
places will always be a part of our psyche.
I
warn you: These spooky sites are not for the faint of heart.
Tagbilaran City is a good place to start your “ghost
tour.” Even though Tagbilaran is now a
bustling city, it is a home to a lot of the “scariest” places. A wide range of
terrifying stories can be heard from anyone who has experienced ghostly
encounters.
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Witches
at your service! Cashiers and salesclerks
of the Island City Mall wear witch hats
to attract visitors.
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CREEPY HOSPITAL
The
Bohol Medical Center (renamed Tagbilaran City Hospital and Bohol Coop Hospital)
along Airport Road, is part history site, part hotbed of paranormal activity.
Before it was abandoned, it is reported of many ghostly sightings. Ghosts of
former patients and nurses are said to be walking through the hallways.
Visitors claim to see things move or feel the presence of spirits.
Vina
(family name withheld) shared that she went to the hospital to visit her friend
who gave birth. At the entrance, it looked ordinary with nurses and some
patients.
“At
first, nothing’s unusual,” said Vina.
When
she went to the delivery/nursery room, an unidentified boy accompanied him.
While inside the nursery room, the lights were flickering on and off and no one
inside. A haunting whisper filled the room. Then, she heard chilling cries of
babies. Vina couldn’t believe her eyes and turned to look at the boy to make
sure she wasn’t dreaming. However, in front of her was a boy with bloody eyes
who said, “wala siya mahadluk!”
“Nahadluk
ko liman ka nahimong abat ang bata,” narrated Vina. “Naa pa jud katawa nga
hadluk paminawon.”
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| The old Bohol Coop Hospital -Contributed Photo |
Vina
realized that something strange things happened. She closed her eyes and
prayed. After saying “amen,” when she opened her eyes she was at the flagpole
of the hospital. She hurriedly left the place.
“I
just learned that the hospital has moved to its new location in Dao three days
before ko mingbisita sa hospital,” said Vina.
The
hospital is no longer there, but to this day,
people still claim to hear voices and unexplained appearances from the deserted
building.
PANTASMA
The Marapao Street apparently has several ghostly residents. People share
that they see “white ladies” and other strange creatures at night.
After 5 p.m. where Capitol employees leave the offices, the
place becomes silent and creepy. There are reports of workers feeling like
someone was watching over and sudden cold feelings being experienced.
“Diri ko mangatang sakyanan pauli sa Dauis. Mingaw na kaayo.
Ma-feel nimo nga hadluk jud,” said Rhea Estoquia.
In 1990s, residents had reported the appearance of a
pantasma, a giant ghoul with chains on its arms and legs with fire, near the
old PLDT building (now the EDCOM building).
Prof. Marianito Luspo, one of the original residents,
confirmed this story when I had investigated ghostly stories in this place
three years ago. He shared that his cousin Marlon (not his real name) saw the pantasma.
It was late at night and Marlon was patiently waiting for the
pantasma. And all of the sudden the
dogs kept on barking and growling. He
heard sounds of chains cranking. He tried to look outside
through a small hole in the wall and he
saw the pantasma. What made
him terrified was when the pantasma
stopped at the Luspo’s residence and looked directly to the hole and their eyes
met! Overwhelmed with fear, he almost fainted.
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| Bohol Provincial Capitol- Photo: Wikipedia |
HEADLESS
PRIESTS
The Old Capitol building is also scary. Strange noises and
infamous headless apparitions of priests are reported to be seen in this
building.
Bruce
Zabala who worked as media relations officer then shared that he saw a headless
priest at the second floor. The headless priest went to the Treasurer’s Office,
which served as a prison during the Japanese occupation.
Witnesses
report eerie sounds. Emerson Pinos was working alone at the then PGMA Office to
finish a project when he heard ghostly moans and assorted noises as well.
A
high ranking official confirmed that he saw small footprints on the toilet. He
also heard a flush coming from the toilet and it was really weird because no
one had seen someone used the toilet.
Until
now, some guards and employees swear to hearing strange noises and disturbing
shouts. It is believed that the headless ghosts and noises are from the priests
and prisoners beheaded during World War II. Some workers say they don’t hear
anything unusual, but no one works late.
Many
people state they get an eerie unnatural feeling when visiting the Bohol
Museum. It is the home to preserved human
specimens. Included among the museum’s vast array of fascinating and sometimes
scary items are the skulls of ancient Boholanos and a corpse called “Boholana
Lady” from Mansasa. You’ll figure out why when you go.
HAUNTED ROADS
The poorly lit Mansasa street with huge trees near Mansasa
Elem. School has been known to be the home of supernatural beings. A lot of people
avoid driving and passing by in this street. A
‘white lady’ who hails tricycles in the middle of the night, rides for a short
while, and then mysteriously disappears.
The
Binayran Road in barangay Dampas is said to be the most haunted road in Tagbilaran
City. Drivers have reported everything from
strangely dressed wanderers, to ghosts, to phantom vehicles that chase them to
its end.
Rudy (family name
withheld) sold his house after his wife and kids were possessed by evil
spirits. There were appearances of agta
at the balite trees.
A lot of habal-habal
drivers have already encountered agta and big black dog including this woman who
would walk to the middle of the road to stop a passing vehicle. Naturally, a
driver would stop to avoid hitting her. She would then ask to be brought to the
water reservoir, but would disappear before getting there.
The tragedy
that took place early January where a family died has contributed to its
haunted reputation. Strange sights and
sounds are reported at the crime scene.
SCARY SCHOOLS
Schools are scary, too. All school campuses especially those
that have seen and survived the war have stories of haunting. And most of the schools in Tagbilaran City
were built on what used to be cemetery grounds.
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| Dr. Cecilio Putong NHS Photo: Wikipedia |
Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School (DCPNHS), Tagbilaran
City Central Elem. School, Holy Spirit School, Mansasa Elem. School, Booy South
Elem. School, University of Bohol ST Building and the abandoned Holy Name
University are believed
to be surrounded by ghosts and creepy spirits that haunt its students and
teachers to this day.
The Imelda Building of DCPNHS is
famous for the apparition of the white ladies and duwendes. Until now, stories of strange apparitions and aromatic
smell coming out of nowhere are consistently reported.
Sightings of the mysterious headless
nun are reported by students and teachers of the Holy Spirit School.
The appearance of the “red lady” at
the Administrative Building (near Am-Am’s Corner) of UB was reported by two
female high school students. While they were inside the comfort room, they saw
the “red lady” looking at them with an evil smile.
The abandoned Holy Name University in
Lessage Street is famous for “ghostly apparitions” especially at the 4th
floor where a mysterious lady would appear. Several times, guards could hear
classes in the dark classroom and a black giant dog would appear at the gym.
BALITE TREE
The balite tree in Guiwanon, Baclayon is known
to be the home of rich spirits who ordered luxury cars.
HAUNTED
CEMETERY
Between Manga and Cortes, the abandoned, fairly small
cemetery (unnamed) contains plots, many of which are unoccupied. The cemetery’s
first official burials began before the Spaniards. Over a hundred years later
reports of treasure huntings and hauntings in this ancient cemetery reached an
all-time high.
Witnesses have reported seeing ghosts and other supernatural
beings. And as everyone knows, disturbing a grave site (no matter what’s buried
there) is one of the top ways to provoke ghosts.
CITY OF ENGKANTOS
The
abandoned Nature Park and Fishing Village in Inabanga plays host to several ghosts, including the agta, white and black ladies and other supernatural beings. It has
also been the focus of several “blood-curdling ghost stories.” It is also near the Macaban Cave which is the
city of supernatural beings or engkantos.
Visit and decide for yourself how spooky it is.
Anda cemetery has reports of cold presence and menacing
feelings. It is unique because it houses an “ark” (similar to Noah in the
Bible) where believers of a cult are waiting for another flood. While many ghosts are
rumored to call this place their home, Inday Potencia, the local saint of Anda,
reigns supreme.
Scary, isn’t it? But these are just stories to scare you! Are you
brave enough?
***
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