YOU know it's almost Halloween when mall displays are already a mix of creepy ghoul costumes on one side and Christmas decors on the other.
While Halloween traditions of costume parties and trick-or-treating didn't originate here in the Philippines, scary stories are, and what could be a better story to tell than to experience the "supernatural" yourself?
Cebu City has its fair share of places that are allegedly going to give you hair-raising experiences. Whether the stories about these places are real or not, these have become favorite subjects of conversations that involved anything scary:
1. Casa Gorordo Museum
(Photo by Amper Campana/SunStar Cebu)
(Photo by Arni Aclao/SunStar Cebu)
Casa Gorordo was the residence of the Philippines' first Filipino bishop, Juan Gorordo. The bishop died in the master's bedroom in December 1934. However, those who claimed to have experienced something supernatural here said they saw apparitions of a woman instead.
According to the staff of the museum and visitors, the apparition is believed to be the spinster sister of the bishop. She is said to be waiting at the courtship area of the house in front of the private chapel.
2. Villalon Mansion
In Capitol Site, Cebu City, there stands a mansion on a hill known for "being haunted."
The house used to belong to a wealthy Cebuano family but at present, it is now off limits. Some people reportedly saw a white lady here while others share hearing unusual sounds coming from the house.
3. Museo Sugbo
(Photo by Alex Badayos/SunStar Cebu)
A lot of stories of unusual events hound the place, being a former prison. Stories about people clad in Japanese clothes appearing and suddenly disappearing into dead-ends are shared by guards and keepers of the museum.
4. Fort San Pedro
Once a military fort, this place now serves as a historical attraction in the city. Some people however tell of stories other than revisiting the past as they allegedly experience paranormal activities inside.
5. Cebu Normal University
The august halls of Cebu Normal University have produced countless topnotchers and leaders worthy of emulation but this isn't the only thing the university is known for. As it served as a garrison during the Japanese occupation, countless stories of horror are shared by many who entered the university.