5 'creepiest, scariest' places in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines - It’s Halloween season once again, time when horror movies are shown on cinemas and monsters and scary creatures feature prominently in  many shops all over the metro.

For this season, PhilStar.com lists  five places in Metro Manila that are supposedly haunted or certain to creep you out.

(Stories about these places, however, are mere urban legends and have not been proven.)

1. Balete Drive

(Photo from http://aizlej.deviantart.com/art/Balete-Drive-80222891 )

Who hasn't heard of the stories about this road?

Motorists in Metro Manila have avoided the secluded  Balete Drive for fear of encountering  a bloody “white lady” that  appears between 12 midnight and 3 a.m.

Many people believed that a girl was raped and killed by a cab driver in the street and was trying to seek revenge as she was deprived of justice.  It is said most of the victims were taxi drivers driving alone along Balete Drive.

The urban legend is popular enough that in 1998,  singer and actress Zsa Zsa Padilla starred in the movie entitled “Hiwaga sa Balete Drive”, which  was directed by Peque Gallaga and produced by Seiko Films.

Balete Drive is located between Aurora Boulevard and E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue. Landmarks near the road are St. Paul University and Broadway Studio (home of noontime show “Eat Bulaga”).

2. Starmall Alabang (formerly Metropolis)

(Photo from the official website of Starmall)

A comedy  film is always a good way to relieve your stress after a day's work,  but  a couple was spooked out after watching a movie in Starmall cinemas.

It is said that moviegoers claim that they had a creepy experience while watching a film in Starmall cinemas.

Urban legends told of  a couple  who went on a date and decided to watch a comedy film. The movie was so hilarious that the cinema was filled with laughter from the audience. After the film, the lights were switched on and the couple was surprised that there were only a few people inside the cinema. Rumors then claimed that the cinemas are haunted by ghosts who join the moviegoers in watching a film. 

3. Robinsons Galleria

Shopping for new clothes? Well in the 80’s, ladies were said to have avoided going to the Robinsons Galleria department store after stories circulated that a half-human, half-snake  creature was living in the basement of the mall.

Beautiful women were said to be  the meals of the supernatural creature. It is also said that floors of fitting rooms would open, leading to a secret passage where the creature was waiting for the victim. 

The said creature was believed to be a lucky charm of the Gokongwei family, the owner of Robinsons malls. 

Actress Alice Dixon was tagged in the rumor as among the victims of the creature, but luckily survived the incident.

Rita Avila, also an actress, was reportedly a victim of the half-human, half-snake creature.  According to the rumors, Rita is dead and the one who appears in the television today is a clone.

The issue was revived in 2010 after a certain Youtube user doblekara0528 posted a video of the supposed half-human half-snake creature. 

4. Manila Film Center

(Photo by Melvin Acosta)

The theater in Pasay City was believed to be haunted by restless souls.

The story came after an accident occurred during the construction of the building that left an undetermined number of construction workers dead.

The victims were buried in the film center after Betty Benitez, in-charge of the project, refused to stop the construction to meet the target opening date.

Some people said that they heard spirits crying and asking for help whenever they visit the area. 

5. Manila City Hall

(Photo from Google maps)

Perhaps, the most prominent feature of the Manila City Hall is the clock tower, However,  for many, it is still a surprise to know that seen from above, the entire city hall is shaped like a casket.

Because of this, stories are about lost spirits  wandering  in the  premises of the city hall after 6 p.m., including a man who hanged himself to death at the city hall's bell tower.

It is also said that Manila City Hall employees have been advised to leave early to avoid encountering ghosts.