Suburban legends: A trilogy of (t)errors
MANILA, Philippines - Some of us millennials have seen simpler ways to celebrate the actual most wonderful time of the year. Those were late Octobers when people still wore PG-13 Halloween costumes, horror flicks didn’t bank on overwrought CGI, and the most blood-curdling nightmares were featured in Magandang Gabi, Bayan (and Noli de Castro wasn’t even one of them).
And of course, what would Halloween be without sharing grisly tales in the dark? This year, we at Supreme invite you to gather ‘round the campfire, candlelight, or even the laptop you’re reading this on as we list down three of the many horrors this country has offered recently. Go ahead and scare the living s**t out of the guy beside you. Who knows? There might be another one behind you right now, wearing Aztec prints.
The Chain Letter
“Whatever you do, do NOT stop reading this.
“She died 3 years ago, and she was only 22. Now, she’s coming back to haunt you. If you don’t pass this to 22 friends who are willing to spread the word, be ready to see her tonight.
“You have 22 minutes.”
That’s what the post said. Attached was a young woman’s faded picture which looked as though it was pulled out of the depths of PNP’s Missing Persons archive.
Lately, a college student happened upon the post on Facebook while writing a school project. Quicker than her broadband speed would allow, she messaged a handful of her classmates, most of whom only placed her in the seen zone.
That night, she nervously tucked herself into bed. In that brief moment between sleep and wakefulness the woman in the picture appeared beside her under the covers.
It turned out that the woman used to be a sales agent who died upon trying the mélange of products in her bag. Determined to teach her a lesson for failing to pass on the chain mail, she invited the student into the parallel world… of networking.
The devil may wear Prada, but the white lady sure as hell uses gluta.
Embodiment
We all know Kim Chiu as the country’s svelte primetime sweetheart. However, rumor has it that a demon tried to get hold of her body during a location shoot in a remote province.
At the height of her bone-chilling convulsion, the community priest arrived at the set. Maybe it was the rosary in his right hand, or maybe it was the vial of holy water in his left. Nevertheless, the spirit possessing Kim Chiu’s body vehemently blurted out, “Sandali, papasok pa lang ako. Ang hirap kaya.”
A similar incident reportedly happened at one of Sharon Cuneta’s tapings. During a break, an ancient nature spirit took possession of her body. This time, the ghost snarled, “There’s room for one more! May party sa kaliwang paa!”
Mirror, Mirror
The wonders of reflectivity have fascinated man since the Sumerian civilization. Say “Bloody Mary” 13 times in front of a mirror and you’ll probably have your face scraped off by a lady in the portal to the underworld. In Nick Joaquin’s short story “May Day Eve,” it was said that one only needed to gaze in the mirror by candlelight to catch a glimpse of a future lover — or the devil, possibly portending a tragedy. It was pretty much the Tinder of the 19th century, but good luck swiping left on the devil.
Tonight, on the first of November, try this simple spell. Turn off all the lights and stare deep in the mirror. Upon lighting a votive candle, close your eyes and say “basic bitch” three times. Open your eyes at once.
Chances are you’ll see nothing. Besides, they’re all still recuperating from the recent Cream Halloween Ball.
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Tweet the author at @Watdahel_Marcel.
