Filipinos' fancy stories and witticisms seem unceasing on social media.
The hashtag #ManilaEncounters has been making rounds on Twitter with people putting a modern twist on the local folklore, superstitions, and ghost stories all set in urban Manila. But while each one of these short stories are made to give chills to its reader, some of the Netizens are still quick to incorporate humor to the trend.
Here are some of creepy and funny #ManilaEncounters stories that we've spotted on Twitter which we recommend you read at night for that added thrill.
This one is about the fountain of youth in front of the Manila Central Post Office.
#ManilaEncounters The fountain of youth is actually the fountain in front of the Manila Central Post Office. You will be surprised that the kids roaming there have been kids since 1927.
— ian lorca (@lorcadoesstuff) February 26, 2019
This tweet tells a University of Sto. Tomas ghost story.
An old priest is trying to navigate the Main Building. I ask what he‘s looking for. He quietly nods at me to lead the way.
“The Church is over there,” I tell him, pointing to Noval, and a soft breeze grazes my cheek.
“Kausap mo diyan?” asks the guard.#ManilaEncounters
— Justine Danielle (@perksofjustine) February 26, 2019
Another school scary story.
Late class: 6 to 9pm
Every hour your prof would ask for you guys to have a head count
Prof: Okay 20 lang ha, may dumadagdag kasi.
— g buenaventura (@smthngnthrn) February 26, 2019
The Filipino mode of transport is also an icon for local chillers.
#ManilaEncounters
“oh marami pang bakante!”the jeep is already occupied by 10 people on both sides yet the barker is still calling out for more passengers which made me ask myself:
is the jeep really full?
or am i the only one who can see the other passengers?
— audrey #DefendPressFreedom (@ayishuh) February 27, 2019
This one refers to the Boy Scout Circle and Monument along Tomas Morato and Timog Avenues.
At night, little boys roam around the streets of Tomas Morato, checking if anyone got lost or needs their help. At dawn, they return to the middle of the rotonda, waiting until the night falls and they patrol once again. Scout's Honor. #ManilaEncounters
— Lolyer Life (@lolyersforlife) February 26, 2019
Even the iconic fast food chain mascot got its own #ManilaEncounters story.
every jolibee branch has exactly one (1) jolibee mascot suit. if you find a second jolibee during a birthday party, check for eye holes. all jolibee costumes have eye holes.
— chingkaw (@seanchingkaw) February 26, 2019
Who knows if the spirits of historical figures aren't still roaming the land of the living?
#ManilaEncounters Spend some time alone in Paco Park on days when Manila is silent. Let the quiet and the soft breeze of the wind envelope you. Soon, you will hear an opthalmologist's musings on his unwritten works. If you're lucky, you can hear him converse with three priests.
— PALASO ;; yunis (@koronelmagnet) February 26, 2019
Pagpag is a local superstition where one should not go straight home after attending a wake or funeral. It is done to shake off the spirits and bad energy that might follow you home.
We have this thing called pagpag. After a funeral you visit a diff place to leave the spirit and not follow you home, usually we do it in 7/11
Now I know why in late night drives I seem to see 7/11s packed with people but the cashier doesn't seem to notice#ManilaEncounters
— Derrick Chan of Sofa Sky :'( (@OneDerrickChan) February 26, 2019
Pureza Street at Sta. Mesa, Manila may be brimming with life during the day but how about when it's enveloped in silence and darkness?
Pureza, 4am. You're coming home from a gig, earphones on; blasting that slow melody she used to have you listen to a lot.
A stranger runs in front of you and shouts.
"Someone just took your phone!"You stare down at the dangling cord.
Who's singing?— gabrell (@nalulunod) February 26, 2019
Recto Avenue in Metro Manila has all kinds of market. This tweet takes that and begs the question of where the local superheroes could have gone to.
(From an antique shop somewhere along Recto)
Things to dispose:
1. A white pebble
2. A rusty barbell
3. A dagger that turns into a swordReason: Nobody wants to inherit the noble task of saving the city anymore.
— #postmodernunicorn (@tofi_alonte) February 26, 2019
The dwarf-like nature spirit nuno might have found their new home in your drainage.
after taking a bath, you noticed the shower drain filled again with hair. "luh kakalinis ko lang nito ah?"
slightly annoyed, you started to compile the hairs. then you yanked. hard.
"aray pota ka!" a tiny, shrill voice underneath shouted.#manilaencounters
— alex (@asiaxix) February 26, 2019
If this is true, we hope they're not having technical problems.
There's a reason why the trains stop operating just before midnight until after dawn. Partly to give the machines and it's engineers some rest, but mostly because another train uses the rails to transport those who are lost. #ManilaEncounters
— louis (freddy) (@ld7191) February 26, 2019
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These are just some of the stories invading the local Twitterverse right now. Our rich culture combined with the modern day tales told by the ever-creative Filipinos, and you get #ManilaEncounters.