This post has a melancholy feel to it, for me. Particularly because my grandmother has memories living and working at this place. And today it is like a skeleton of its former self, so devoid of life. It makes me wonder what it was like during its prime. But more, it makes me regret that period of time has gone and is no more. It is now just a memory, living only in the mind of my grandmother, and those she has told her stories to, such as myself.
Original post below:
Tuesday, September 5, 2006
The Haunted House
There is an old and unmaintained house I frequently pass by. The gates are locked, the doors are barricaded, the glass on the windows are shattered, and the wood is rotting. I've asked some of the locals about the eerie house, and they all refer to it as "the haunted house."
I took a sneak peak that evening and took some photos of the "paligid" or area and decided to just take photos inside the home the next morning. Also that night, I had a chance to speak to my lola (whom I call Nanay), and I brought the house into the conversation. She knew exactly what house I was referring to and told me that she used to stay there when she was younger. She went on to say that she was actually the maid of the family who lived there. She told me that the area used to be very beautiful back in the day when she was there to maintain the place.
I went back the next morning. Inside the house, half of the boards on the floor was gone. The front part of the living room is now a dirt pit. Grime is all over the sink and bathroom tiles. The morning light shines through the windows and brings a little life into the sad home. When I was walking around the house, I couldn't help but remember my lola's recollection of my lolo courting her while she was washing clothes outside, near the side of the house.
There are large "palaisdaans" behind the home and are actually still in use. This old house and the "paligid" wasn't eerie after all. I even spent a little time roaming the area and climbing on fixtures. If you click on the photos to zoom in, you can actually see me doing so. Without enlarging the photos, it's a bit difficult to see, as my shirt kind of blends in.
17 comments:
nakakatakot naman yung bahay. ok lang naman siguro na bisitahin mo yung mga mga bahay na may mga multo, just as long na you ask permission to them so that they won't harm you. :)
Nice story. You must be a good writer. I remember my summers in my father's house in Bicol where 'ghost stories' were shared with my pinsan. How time flies. We are all grown ups.
i envy your "so-called" adventures here in the Philippines. I havent actually done it before. where would your next adventure be? :)
The "haunted" house that you described must've just been abandoned recently. Except for the vine clinging precariously in what appears as a bell tower, it appears that whoever used to live there just let the whole thing fall apart. It is in such disrepair that I am not surprise if folks in the area attributed some ghastly stories with it. Its glorious past, as your Lola described it is evident in the red balusters in the stairs leading to the upper floors (I presume).
I read the article about you in the inquirer...I can completely relate to the whole Filipinos today not having the values of a true traditional pinoy. I guess, that works hand in hand with the stereotypical idea of a Filipino kid raised abroad. I am 100% pinoy but was born and raised in the Marshall islands(don’t worry it’s in the middle of nowhere) but have encountered many fil-ams and even worse pure Filipinos who have no regard for their own heritage.
Now that I am here in Davao, I’ve learned so much about the Philippines that I couldn’t have back home. The beauty of the what Philipines has to offer has been veiled by all the negativity surrounding politics, pollution..etc.. I even remember back home people telling me how they were afraid to come back home…. It’s a damn shame. It’s good though to finally hear about someone who’s not afraid to come back home and be a REAL Filipino...Not only that, but to have the passion to share it with others...awesome entries.. Props to you!
I wish I can do the same... conquering my fears is something I'm not good at...
great pics! It's nice to see someone doing a travel blog on the Philippines. Saw you on Emman's site. :)
David,
Hats off to you! I admire your resilience in this time and age. You are an inspiration to the young generation. Whether you are soul-searching or experimenting, this is one hell of a TRIP. Wish I had the guts to do what you did. I go HOME to the Philippines almost every year (if finances allows me) and yet I chose to just have fun (bars, clubs, nice restaurants and partying) almost every night. Unlike you, gave up your "sheltered" life here in the US and going into the unkown world of a third world country (no pun intended) and living the life of a local there. This was your chosen path and I wish you success in finding what you are looking for in your life in PI.
Again, I salute you.
Hermes
I watched your story at Channel 2 with bernadette sembrano and have read your story in the newspaper. Honestly, I was touched by your story. Your such a brave man. Despite you have everything in life, you choose to live a simple life with courage and discipline. I really admired your life story. We have different story to tell and a different life to live. Am still, searching and waiting my coconut to fall.... If ever it comes i got my purpose and my soul to live. Goodluck, David.... Your great!
jon
I imagine the house to be very grand during its time. I see that the windows are big and surely it was very comfortable to stay inside even during the hot months.
I'm pretty sure it is the house we used to live in. Is it the one close to the bridge? Interestingly, I was reminiscing my childhood and I wondered what happened to that house. I was probably 4 or 5 years old at that time when we lived there. Even then that house was noted for being haunted. My mom and grandma told me they noticed some strange activities at the time. I never did but perhaps I was too young to understand the occurences. We occupied the upper part of the house and from your pictures I can see that a lot of it has been missing or damaged since then. Great pics and I can share you more stories if you'd like regarding that house......Richard - Oakland, CA
Hi David, I just want to make corrections on your allegations on the old abandoned house you and others claimed as a haunted house. You can ask your grandma, Inday and your mom, Neneng about what I am blogging here.
That house was built in 1939 by my grandfather, Jorge Mendigorin Salang for my father, Severino Marquinez Salang as a gift when he passed the bar in 1939 and member of the first Ateneo Law School graduates. Our family and other relatives grew up in the area which was larger but was subdivided among the 3 Salang brothers, Severino, Remigio and Juan. As the house was a gift to my father we got the middle lot. The lot close to the bridge went to Remigio and where the gas station is, went to Juan.
When we moved to Manila in the early 50s, the house most of the time became vacant. In the late 50s and early 60s, it was the office of the first rural bank in Zambales. After that, my parents decided to rent it out to US navy families assigned and stationed in the nearby US naval base in Olongapo. It was split into 2 units, the upper and lower units.
The last occupants of our house were the family of an uncle from my mother side. His wife was a physician who will never perform any abortion. Your grandma who worked for them will attest to this. Dra. Lily Regular Tomilloso and her family are God fearing family and will never condone the practice of abortion. If ever, she will help patients who may suffer miscarriage but never an abortion. They left for the US in 1989 a year after my family moved to the US also. As no close relative was left behind, the house was left to a long time caretaker until he died not in that house. His daughter now just make sure that even though house is abandoned that it be not vandalized or no trespasser or squatters get into the yard. As you are Inday's grandson, we don't mind you checking on the house but please do not spread unfounded rumors that our old abandoned house is haunted. Your grandma lived there for sometime and we treated her like family. She can attest to that. I hope I gave a clearer background or history of our house. The myth that our house is haunted may be because it was vacant, abandoned and not maintained through the years. All the best to you and your family. Manolo
i remember that house. nasa movie ng "tanging yaman" yan diba? em i right manolo?
I am Jorge Salang IV. The grandson of Remigio Salang and son of Jorge Salang III.
I was at that house when my dad passed away in 2007. He wanted to be taken back to where he was born and ended up resting next to Jorge I and Jorge II.
I was told Jorge I was the first mayor of the town and Jorge II the older brother of Remigio died as child and my dad was named after him.
My dad's dream was to retire in the area from the US and set up a business with his childhood friends.
The house is worn but has a long history. Our family of Salangs has a long history in the area. White Rock Beach Resort as I understood was owned by the Salang's.
Ay alam ko yang bahay na yan kuya. Tiga dito ka pala sa subic din?? 😊💛
Yes, Subic is my hometown :)
Post a Comment