Embracing the fright

As October winds down and the leaves turn fiery hues of red and copper, Halloween — that enchanting night when ghosts, goblins, and ghouls wander freely — approaches. For many, the season is filled with fun, laughter and fear. From haunted houses to spine-chilling movies, the appeal of the terrifying comes alive.

I have had my fair share of scary encounters, from visiting haunted attractions that left me clutching my mother in fear to navigating dark, winding paths. 

Once, I visited a well-crafted haunted house inspired by New Orleans at Disneyland in the United States. As I entered the cold elevator, I looked up and saw eyes floating in the air, staring at all the guests. The sounds of creaking floors and distant screams created a perfect backdrop for the experience. Smoky, white spirits swirled through the air in the dining area. Just as I was overwhelmed with fear, I spotted him — Casper! His appearance brought me back to my senses.

Back home, I took my mother, nieces, and nephews to Star City on Roxas Boulevard. We huddled together in fear and formed a chain with our hands to keep from being separated. We entered the dark chamber, filled with ugly monsters and skeletons that suddenly popped out as others followed behind us.

I came back to my senses and gathered the courage to tell the person dressed as a skeleton who was following my mother to stay away, as she might have a heart attack.

To my surprise, it was my mother who was laughing at the end of the experience, especially after I told her that I had ordered the skeleton to back off. I realized that I wasn’t thinking clearly. But at 67, she could have had a heart attack, and I would have blamed myself forever.

When I was in high school, my mother told me a story about a neighbor in her province who allegedly turn into a wild pig (baboy damo) at night. Each morning, the neighbors would discover him lying naked in the grass, cowering like a pig. According to my mother, he eventually left the neighborhood. The amusing part is that while my mother didn’t believe the story, I did!

There were also sensational tabloid stories about sightings of a “manananggal” — a half-bodied blood-sucking creature — at night in a local barangay. As a journalist, I knew I should be skeptical; however, I found myself believing the tales. 

Concerned about my mother’s safety, I bought a lot of garlic and hung it throughout the house. My best friend laughed heartily when I told her what I had done and suggested I put salt on all the doorsteps too!

Funny, but I sometimes feared my own shadow, especially during the twilight hours. I couldn’t shake the eerie thought that someone was lurking just beyond the edges of my perception.

The thrill of sharing these stories connects to a deeper aspect of Filipino culture: a fascination with the unknown. The beauty of Halloween lies in the opportunity to embrace the frights and enjoy the thrilling moments with friends and loved ones. 

On 1 November, I will light candles and place flowers in memory of my dearly departed. One tomb will stand out and receive the most attention: the tomb of my fearless mother, who passed away on 30 October. 

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