HOW would you like the idea of visiting the most haunted place in the Philippines?
Davao Paranormal Society (DPS), a Davao-based investigating group for paranormal activities, is claiming that the most haunted place in the country is not the Diplomat Hotel in Baguio City but the Moncado White Mansion in Barangay Limao, Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos).
DPS founder Bernie Bernardo told SunStar Davao in an interview that they have investigated a lot of haunted locations in the country and this site tops their list.
“There is a lot of spirits that reside in the mansion and we have captured hundreds of Class A Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVPs) to validate their presence. We have also captured in film, the Lady in White and an apparition of a little girl looking out of the window plus we also captured some evil looking orbs,” he said.
The Moncado White Mansion, owned by General Moncado, is one of the oldest houses in Davao Region.
We asked several questions about the mansion and this is what we know so far.
Question: Can you describe the general atmosphere when you arrived at the site?
Answer: The first time we saw the mansion, we were quite surprised on how beautiful the scenery was. It was on top of the hill overlooking the Davao Gulf. The feeling was serene and calm. Even during night time, you don't feel scared or you don't have the feeling of not being welcomed.
Q: How did you discover the place?
A: There was a DPS member who mentioned the place and told us that the mansion was reported as being haunted. One of our members, Anya Alcazaren, went there with her family to inquire and do a little bit of investigating to find out if the stories we were hearing were true. She did find the place and spoke to the caretaker and was told that a lady in white can be seen late at night and that a man in balls and chains can also be seen walking around the compound.
Q: Who are the ghosts/what are the elements that can be found in the Mansion?
A: The most active spirits in the mansion are named, Christina (whom we think is the lady in white); Jason (an American from Maine); Mark (The Playboy); Juana (a gay ghost); and Frenchie. There is also a female spirit named Diyosa. I didn't just mention these names carelessly, I can show proof of their existence through our “conversation” with them through our audio recordings. Also, in addition to the names mentioned, there are also other spirits of different nationality that reside there.
Q: Is it safe?
A: It is very safe to investigate the mansion. The spirits are more than happy to converse with you. We’re not threatened while investigating. We were called names like “pangit (ugly)” and some other friendly remarks but all in all, we and the spirits always had a good time “talking.” They also joke a lot.
Bernardo said the place is good for ghost hunting. He also shared that to those who want to experience paranormal activities, the group is ready to accompany anyone.
“If anybody wants their location to be investigated for paranormal activity, we will be more than willing to do it for them. Free of charge,” he said.
Meanwhile, some individuals refute the claim of the paranormal group saying the place is sacred and holy as lots of spiritual leaders and practitioners stayed in the house years ago. These individuals are called Moncadistas, a religious sect.
“It is sad that a group is claiming it as haunted. It was very upsetting, they don’t even know the real story of the place, it is sacred and not haunted by demonic entities,” a certain Mike Oleb posted on Facebook last February 6.
According to a post by La Vida Orchard Samal in 2016, the sect was known for eating only raw and uncooked food with no fish and no meat. Its members, particularly men, are required to grow their hair and beard long enough to imitate the image of God.
With all these established, there is but only one way to find out if the Davao Paranormal Society’s claim about the mansion is true or not.