In the quiet countryside of Silang, Cavite, there stands an old house wrapped in shadow, not just from the canopy of dense trees, but from the weight of countless tales it carries. In our first-ever episode of The Stories Philippines Podcast, we shared this chilling story of one listener’s encounters with forces beyond our understanding. The listener’s experience, told with courage and unsettling detail, beckons us to consider the nature of haunted spaces, the grip of unseen forces, and what it means to confront terror face-to-face.
Listen to the episode below:
The Power of Isolation
The story begins with a scene that may feel familiar to those drawn to solitude: a house alone amidst nature’s wild sprawl. Known by locals as pulo, this isolated stretch of land was no idyllic escape. Here, solitude didn’t bring peace but unease, as if nature itself had abandoned the place. It’s an unsettling twist on the allure of “getting away from it all”—because in pulo, there was no “all.” No bustling neighbors, no village lights, only the dark silhouettes of cacao and coffee trees that seemed to huddle closer with each passing night.
Isolation often serves as fertile ground for the unknown. In Filipino culture, there’s a saying: kung walang nakatingin, malayang magparamdam. If no one’s watching, spirits can roam freely. Pulo became more than an address; it was a threshold to something mysterious, a world where whispers of the supernatural moved in the breeze, and where being alone meant something entirely different.
Sleep Paralysis or a Portal?
The listener’s descriptions of frequent sleep paralysis—the unnerving episodes when they felt a faceless, white figure looming over them—raise questions that blend science and the supernatural. Yes, sleep paralysis is a phenomenon that experts say can occur when we wake suddenly during REM sleep, causing temporary muscle immobility. But when this experience happens in a place with a history of strange happenings, where a presence lingers in the air, the scientific explanation falls short.
In many cultures, including in the Philippines, sleep paralysis is seen as a gateway for bangungot, the haunting nightmares that are feared to carry the sleeper into a supernatural realm. In Ilocano folklore, a batibat, a vengeful spirit from a felled tree, can sit on a person’s chest, suffocating them until they perish. Our listener’s experience carries the weight of these fears. Each night, they wrestled to escape from this grip, their only defense being silent, desperate prayers or, as their fear morphed into anger, bold taunts hurled at the faceless figure. In such moments, the boundary between nightmare and reality blurred, creating an intimate battleground between the living and the dead.
The Haunted Tree Beside the Bathroom
Perhaps the most chilling part of our listener’s story is their encounter with an unseen force in the bathroom—an episode that escalated from discomfort to violence. As they felt an invisible hand push them against the wall, dragging their face across its surface, it became clear that whatever entity lurked here wasn’t merely content with shadows and whispers. And what added to the terror was the nearby tree, standing as a constant reminder of a tragic story: a woman who had met her end by hanging from its branches.
Trees are revered in Filipino folklore, seen not only as symbols of life but as dwellings of spirits. The haunting around this particular tree felt almost inevitable, as if the woman’s spirit had taken root alongside the branches. For the listener, each trip to the bathroom became an act of bravery, knowing that the spirits there could turn hostile without warning. The tree’s presence added an oppressive, sorrowful weight to the air, serving as both a marker of tragedy and a potential source of power for the spirit that haunted them.
Could It Be the Kapre or Tikbalang?
As our listener revealed, the house wasn’t just haunted by one spirit. According to local lore, the area was rife with supernatural beings, like the kapre, a cigar-smoking giant who lives in large trees, or the tikbalang, a mischievous creature with a horse’s head who leads wanderers astray. Could it be that one of these beings took residence in the tree, waiting to ensnare anyone who disrespected its presence?
Kapre sightings are common across the Philippines, usually by large trees like the balete or acacia. Locals often avoid these trees at night, fearing that an unseen creature might be watching from above. Similarly, tikbalang tales often surface in forested areas, warning travelers not to wander off the beaten path. This house in Silang wasn’t merely a home but a crossroads for these supernatural beings, each carrying its own legacy of fear and mystery.
Revisiting a Place That Won’t Let Go
Years after moving away, the listener, perhaps out of nostalgia or unfinished business, returned to the house with their spouse. But the house had changed. It wasn’t just time that had left its mark; it was as if the very structure had absorbed the sorrow and tension from years of haunting. The walls seemed to mourn, the windows appeared darkened, and the air felt heavier. Could it be that the spirits had claimed the house as their own, shaping it to reflect the despair they had once felt in life?
This return was a poignant reminder that some places do not easily let go of those who have lived within their walls. Places become vessels for memories, both good and bad, and for those sensitive to the supernatural, the house seemed to almost call to them, reminding them of its past—a past that still had the power to reach into the present.
Reflections on the Nature of Haunted Spaces
The story of this haunted house in Silang offers lessons for those willing to listen. In reflecting on this tale, consider these insights:
- Haunted Spaces Are a Part of Cultural Memory: In the Philippines, there’s a deep respect for haunted places. These sites act as living memories, reminders of the pain and joy, love and hate that shaped the people who came before. Even if we don’t know the exact history, we can feel it in the air.
- A Place Can Hold Power: Some places seem to resist change, as if the very land remembers. In folklore, these places are often crossroads, boundaries where the physical and supernatural worlds meet. The house in Silang wasn’t merely abandoned; it was an epicenter, a magnet for energies that came together to tell a story that never fully ended.
- The Unknown Isn’t Meant to Be Conquered: Our listener learned to live with their experiences, even challenging the spirit in frustration. But this defiance was, perhaps, a dangerous act. Many believe that the unknown deserves respect and distance—after all, challenging the spirit world can sometimes bring unexpected consequences.
- A Final Warning—Respect the Shadows: If there’s one thing this tale teaches us, it’s to respect places with histories we may not fully understand. Sometimes, it’s enough to sense the presence of something beyond ourselves and leave it in peace. Stories like these remind us that our world is filled with mysteries, and perhaps it’s better that some of them remain unexplored.
An Invitation for the Curious
Whether you’re a believer in the supernatural or a skeptical observer, tales like these have a way of drawing us in, nudging us to ask questions about the things we can’t explain. For the curious, for the bold, or for those who, like our listener, have lived in haunted places, we invite you to join us for more episodes of The Stories Philippines Podcast. There’s much to uncover, but remember: the unknown has its own power, and sometimes, it’s best left undisturbed.
And as you listen, keep this thought close: there are places where the walls remember and the ground listens. Perhaps Silang is one of them.
Listen now to Episode 1.
