The Manila Film Center

( One of the most haunted place in the Philippines was the Manila Film Center. The following write up comes from the internet and it's about the Manila Film Center haunting: )

HAUNTING AT THE MANILA FILM CENTER

(The events following were reported by a production designer J. M. who worked on a commercial shoot at the Manila Film Center)

Most Filipinos are familiar with the infamous history of the Manila Film Center. Built sometime in the 80's, it was a gargantuan film hall complete with Grecian columns, a massive theater hall, and breathtaking fountains. It was supposed to host the first ever Manila International Film Festival-- the Philippines own version of the Cannes.

During its construction, it was hopelessly behind schedule. If it was not finished on time, the Philippine government then faced potential international embarrassment. Workers were ordered on double shift. The construction was a 24 hour operation. Corners were cut. Bad decisions made. Disaster struck when a whole floor caved-in and buried many workers underneath. Because the project could not be stopped, the orders came to leave the bodies there and continue with the work. Today, many suspect that hundreds of bodies are still buried in its foundations. Many researchers in the paranormal have positively identified that energies are at work within its walls.

The MIF's lonely edifice now stands mute in a quiet square near the shores of Manila Bay. It is all but abandoned. Cracks appear on a once huge and majestic staircase. Some of the front columns have fallen. Grass and bushes have overgrown most of the surrounding areas. Because barely anyone comes near the place, it was very quiet and serene. It was a perfect location for a commercial.

J.M. the production designer we met, witnessed everything first hand. And gave very vivid descriptions of all that happened. The shoot began early in the day. The production crew set up all the necessary equipment. It was by no means a smooth shoot. As the day wore on, many little "accidents" were happening. The usual lights that wouldn't go, the faulty cameras. He also noted that the talents for the ad frequently flubbed their lines. These are veteran actors and normally, they would have everything done in two or three takes. But today, the cameras were racking up 30 or more takes for almost all the scenes.

Highly unusual but not unheard of. The troubles caused enough delays that the shoot dragged on into the early hours of the morning. This is when the truly strange began to happen. At near 1:00 in the morning, the whole set was suddenly plunged into total darkness. Flashlights began to flicker everywhere. The crew frantically searched their equipment to find out what had happened. Eventually, they traced the problem to the main power line. This was a huge cable connected to the main power supply of the MIF.

But, as they gazed on the tattered end of the cable, they realized that it had, with impunity, being pulled off the terminals. Massive bolts firmly secured the cable onto the terminals. Pulling it off would require considerable strength. This was not just someone tripping over the cable.

The feeling of eeriness continued to pervade the set. Everyone felt that somehow they were not welcome here. The next thing that happened seemed like a very firm warning. As the shoot wore on, a 20 foot coconut tree suddenly burst into fiery flames. It burned intensely. The fires etched the night sky. The flames towered over the people watching. The tree was obliterated. The leaves were crumbly white ash. And, as they inspected the fallen trunk, they saw that inside, the trunk was completely charred black. It was as if the fire had begun from the inside of the tree and spread up and out until it consumed the whole thing. The skies were clear that night. No lightning or storm could have caused it.

J.M. and the crew were convinced, these were the restless spirits of the Manila Film Center talking. Maybe pleading their case. After all, nearly 20 years later, justice has yet to be served.