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Wednesday, August 3, 2011

San Jose de Buenavista

9. San Jose de Buenavista
San Jose is the capital town in the province of Antique on Panay Island. Located in the West Visayas. is a location that may locals will tell you is haunted by the ghost pirates of generations past. Still guarding their hidden treasures and frightening the living to this day. Tales of White Lady ghosts, aswangs and evil WakWaks or often spoken of it boasts many haunted cemetery, ghosts of Natives and Spanish settlers have been experienced.
The Spanish colonizers came to Hantique (Antique) in 1581 .With them came the Augustinian friars that Christianized the inhabitants who lived in Hamtic. They taught the people to believe in God and accept Christ as the Savior of the Roman Catholic faith. They built churches in Maybato, Asluman, Naganya (Egana) and Bugason (Bugasong). Many of these churches and burial grounds are often said to be very haunted.
This is what is believed to be the ruins of the old haunted church of Hamtic inside the cemetery.
This is what is believed to be the ruins of the old haunted church of Hamtic inside the cemetery.
Many people state they get an erie un-natural feeling when coming to this spot. Ghost photos and Evp's are said to occur here on a daily basis and it is sometimes referred to as a place where evil dwells. The myth of the manananggal is popular in the Visayan region of the Philippines, especially in the western provinces of Capiz, Iloilo, and Antique. There are varying accounts of the features of a manananggal. Like vampires, Visayan folklore creatures, and aswangs, manananggals are also said to abhor garlic and salt. Salt crosses and rings of garlic are often found surrounding graves to protect the recent deaprted from being dug up eaten or used in black magic rituals.
About two hundred years ago, the site now occupied by San Jose de Buenavista was a dense jungle and a favorite landing place of the Moro pirates who used to come over and raid the countryside. And many say their ghosts are still active and so is the Wak wak. A vampire like night bird belong to a witch or vampire or the witch or vampire itself in the form of a night bird. Are said to also haunt the area they are said to attack dogs, cats and vermin and also a occasional tourist.
The Wakwak is a vampiric, bird-like creature in Philippine mythology or said to be a witch. It is said to snatch humans at night as prey, similar to the Manananggal and the Ekek in rural areas of the Philippines, due to its ability to fly. The difference between the Mananggal and the Wakwak is that Wakwak cannot separate its torso from its body while the Manananggal can. Some believe it is also a form a vampire takes. Other people contend that a "Wakwak" is a Philippine night bird belonging to a witch. The sound of a Wakwak is usually associated with the presence of an Unglu (vampire) or Ungo (ghost or monster). It is also believed that this monster is called "Wakwak" due to this sound it makes when it flaps its wings while flying. When one hears the Wakwak, it is looking for possible victims. If the sound of the Wakwak is loud, it means it is far from you. Otherwise, it is near and worse yet, it is about to attack. It slashes and mutilates its victims and feeds on their hearts.
The Wakwak or Ekek can transform into a huge bird/bat at night and prowls. Similar to the Manananggal, the Ekek looks for sleeping pregnant women. Then it extends a very long proboscis into the womb and kills the fetus by draining its blood. It is said that while this is taking place, a "ek-ek-ek" sound is often heard. The Ekek fools people into thinking it is far by producing a faint sound when it is actually near.
The Wakwak is often described by old folks to have long sharp talons and a pair of wings similar to those of a bat and two horns on its head. It uses its talons or claws to slash its victims and to get their heart. Many say that its wings are also sharp as a knife.
In Philippine mythology, Ekek (or Ek Ek) are creatures who are bird-like humans. They are winged-humans who search for victims at night. They hunger for flesh and blood. They are usually described by old folks as flying creatures that look like the Manananggal but are unable to divide or split their body. Apart from the Manananggal, they are also associated to the Wak Wak because of some similar characteristics. The only difference between a Wak Wak and Ekek is that Ekek has a bill like birds whereas the Wak Wak has none.
The Ekek can transform into a huge bird/bat at night and prowls. Similar to the Manananggal, the Ekek looks for sleeping pregnant women. Then it extends a very long proboscis into the womb and kills the fetus by draining its blood. It is said that while this is taking place, a "ek-ek-ek" sound is often heard. The Ekek fools people into thinking it is far by producing a faint sound when it is actually near.
During the invasions of 1743, the moros were reported to have penetrated as far as Catung-agan, but all were killed with the exception of three by the famous Manglo of Igmatongtong (Bugasong). The year1776 saw a return of the Moros to Bugasong in 1779, Badyangan (Patnongon) was the scene of their depredations, while Barbaza, the place suffered in their hands in 1782 and 1787. The inhabitants gradually moved away from the coastal areas and settled in the mountains and only two towns remained—Bugasong (founded in 1743) and Antike (founded in 1745), both belonging to the province of Oton. The Moro pirates used to land in the neighborhood of Madrangca and from there, penetrated into the other regions of the province. It gradually became clear that one of the best ways to stop them from landing at the point was to cut down the jungle and thus prevent their surreptitious landings and plunderous invasions of the areas. Seven men began this hazardous undertaking in Malai-ba near the San Juan Spring under the leadership of Augustin Sumandi. In the year 1790, the sitio of Mala-iba changed its name into San Jose, not only to honor its patron saint but also to perpetuate the name of Augustin Sumandi's son, Jose. Government officials and church dignitaries arrived by boat to attend the ceremonies and were so much impressed by the marvelous view of that town from the sea that they added to the name the words "de Buenavista". In 1802, upon petition of the people, San Jose became the capital of the province of Antique and Augustin Sumandi was appointed as its first Gobernadorcillo.
To add to the very rich haunted history of San Jose he Old Capitol Building; Evelio B. Javier Memorabilia (New Capitol); ADF Handicrafts; Piedra's Restaurant; La Granja & Binirayan Hills; and the San Pedro Old Church. All of which are believed or spoken of as being very haunted. EBJ Freedom Park Located in front of the Antique Provincial Capitol building in San Jose, Antique has often been called the devil's playground. The Sangguiang Panlalawigan of Antique on behalf of the entire Antiqueño citizenry officially christens the place Evelio B. Javier Freedom Park. On the park found a marker which reads: a fitting tribute to a man who has done so much, not only for the people of Antique, but the entire Filipino nation, in pursuit of justice, freedom, dignity, democracy and peace. The marker also marks the spot where the late Gov. Evelio B. Javier was first shot by the forces of evil on February 11, 1986. Many say his ghost is sighted there very often.
Noted haunted hotspots!
Malandog Marker
(Hamtic). 7 km. south of San Jose, Antique; which marks the "Landing site of the first Malayan settlers 1200 A.D."
Old Watchtower
(Libertad). 143 km. north of San Jose. It served to warn natives of approaching pirates.
EBJ Freedom Park
In front of the Antique Provincial Capitol building in San Jose, Antique. In honor of the late Gov. Evelio B. Javier who was assassinated on February 11, 1986 while defending freedom and democracy from the forces of martial law.
Telegrafo Hill Boundary
Straddling the Iloilo-Antique boundary, it commands a view of San Jose, Antique. The hill was a Japanese stronghold during World War II. The place is ideal for hiking and horseback riding. Many ghosts and evil creatures are said to lurk in the shadows.
Marble Mountain
Marble deposit has different colors and expected to last a thousand years. Many ghost here of past workers.
Maanghit Cave
The cave is rich in guano deposited by bats; 7 km. from the town proper. And said to be the resting place of many Philippine creatures that suck blood also.
Estaca Hill
(Bugasong). 43 km. from San Jose, Antique; with an elevation of some 200 feet and a view of the sea and hills surrounding Bugasong. The hill was once the site of a watchtower to warn people of Muslim pirates.
Sta. Rita Catholic Church
Located at Sibalom town, 10 kilometers northeast of San Jose. The supine statue of Sta. Rita here was a gift from the Augustinian sisters in Casica, Italy, and the feast of Sta. Rita is celebrated on May 22.
San Jose celebrates it's religious fiesta every 1st of May to honor its Patron St. Joseph the Worker.

Source: http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/ghosthunting/phillipines.php

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