Spooky places in Bohol we can’t resist

Halloween is perfect time to raise the dead. While you can creep yourself out at haunted places, why not go for the real deal.  As Halloween draws near, you’d probably stumble upon a lot of spooky stories that would send shivers down your spine.

1)The Old Capitol Building (now Bohol Museum) – Many people state they get an eerie unnatural feeling when visiting the Bohol Museum. Lately, visitors have noticed of the mysterious baby footprints roam around the museum.

Others are sharing their own experience with the said mysterious footprint, saying that it happens from time to time.

The footprints from the mysterious toddler sometimes even come with mud and grease.

According to some visitors, the footprints appear early morning in different places of the museum.

Aurelio “Ondoy Kalag” Gahit on visiting the cemeteries
 on Nov. 1 and 2: ‘Cemeteries are sacred and beautiful to find solace
 and peace.’  Photo by Leo Udtohan

The plot thickens as it turns out that the baby footprints are sometimes accompanied by an adult footprint.

One even pointed an eerie detail seen on the footprint. Seven fingers!

And when janitors try to wipe the footprints off the floor, the other pair of footprint would appear.

Years ago, a high ranking official confirmed that he saw small footprints on the toilet at the governor’s office. He also heard a flush coming from the toilet and it was really weird because no one had seen someone used the toilet.

The Capitol building became a concentration camp of the Japanese’ prisoners and hostages. Because of this, people can’t help but buy the story of headless priests and nuns prowling around at night.  

Until now, some guards and employees swear to hearing strange noises and disturbing shouts.

2) Tagbilaran Streets- 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.

Still many people claim to see sightings of the supernatural along Marapao Street. People share that they see “white ladies” and other strange creatures at night.  Cats going around, looking for trash to thrash, do add horror to an otherwise stagnant scene.

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.

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.

3) 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.

The Imelda Building at Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School 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 abandoned Holy Spirit School.

4) Cemeteries.  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.

But for Aurelio Romero Gahit, popular known as “Ondoy Kalag”, cemeteries are peaceful place for contemplation.

“You have to respect the dead,” he said. “You must constantly pray for our beloved dead.”

Gahit noted that cemeteries are sacred and beautiful. He said they are places of prayer and community.

“It’s also a place of solace and peace,” he said.

Are there ghosts and spirits?

This has been a common question to Gahit; he said that in all the years he’s been working in Victoria Memorial Park, the closest he got to paranormal activity was goose bump.

However, he shared his encounter with the mantiyanak in 1993. The mantiyanak stirred the villages of Taloto and Booy that people heard the mantiyanak singing lullabies to her baby, causing hair-raising chills and making them trembled in fear. 

The mantiyanak is the mother who died while pregnant, while a tiyanak is the ghost of the unborn child.

Ondoy Kalag who was at the Victoria Memorial Park saw the woman floating in the air. He lost his nerve at the sight of the mantiyanak.

“She appeared to me,” he said. He went to see a Catholic priest and he was told to pray at the grave of the person. After praying, the spirit was gone.

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohanINQ at Twitter /Facebook.

Scariest places in Bohol

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.

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.

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. 

Witches at your service! Cashiers and salesclerks 

of the Island City Mall wear witch hats to attract visitors.

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.”

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.

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.

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 4^th 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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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.