THEY tapped a hidden and believed-to-be obsolete treasure that was more than 120 years old on V. Ranudo St. But, opening it to the public didn’t come without a price.
Cecille Kyla Williams, one of the four organizers of Alfapro events and promotions, shared that spirits living inside House 104 didn’t back down as they tried to transform it into a horror house.
“When we first opened the door, we could already feel that we weren’t the only ones there. There were others that our ordinary eyes couldn’t see and until now, I still shiver remembering it,” she told SunStar Cebu.
The operation of House 104, a now popular commercial haunted house, started last Sept. 22, with the aim of giving Cebuanos the fright of their lives.
Williams also had her own unexplainable experience. She was hands-on during the process of decorating the house. At one point, she had to be confined in the hospital for three days because of high fever, despite being perfectly healthy.
“I had to be confined in a hospital because the fever was 42 degrees. Even the doctor was surprised because it was so sudden, there were no signs like a cold or cough,” she said.
House 104 was opened to the public last Sept. 22 and the public response was overwhelming.
“During the opening week, there were an estimated 380 persons who flocked to the house,” Philip Lim, one of the organizers, said.
As of Wednesday, Oct. 31, they have fed on the fear of more than 1,000 persons, most of them millennials—adventurous and bold.
“Our targets were the youth. Those who are willing to go inside,” he said.
Entrance fee for the adults is P150 while students go in for P100.
Senior citizens and children 12 years old and below are not allowed to partake.
Lim said that visitor traffic peaks during weekends, when between 200 and 300 persons would come in and get scared by the 20 costumed ghosts and monsters, as well as the reported “real ones” inside the house.
“We initially planned to organize it in a mall but it was pricey and there were many restrictions especially on the time of the operation,” said Lim about getting a real haunted house for the business. “So we thought, what about an old house? We found House 104 and luckily, it was for rent and the owners agreed on the concept so we were really happy.”
The house belongs to a prominent family in Cebu who requested not to be identified.
“There are also no amusement parks in Cebu. In business, whoever is first, are the ones who’ll attract more customers. We only have a few competitors,” Lim said.
The group said they are on track in hitting their sales target for them to pay the two-month rental of the house. House 104 is open from 3 p.m to 12 a.m. every day until Nov. 24.
Jasos Seismundo, an actor who portrays a murderous pig-headed ghost, said that they appreciated the work.
“I earn while I’m scaring people. It’s fun,” he said, adding that they are not only attracting locals but also foreign guests like Koreans.
College student Clark Panugalinog attested that the house delivered the fright of his life and more.
“House 104 was a one-location nightmare for me. My fears were manifested as I invaded an old and dusty house between the bustling metropolis, where all of my hated horror movie antagonists gathered for supper in one place,” he said.
With the success of House 104, organizer Adriel Palcuto said that they are now on the hunt for more old houses in the country.
“Next year, we’re planning to branch out the event in Dumaguete, Bohol and even Manila. If the owner of House 104 will still agree, we could even ask to extend until next month so that more people could enjoy,” he said.