Get spooked in the Philippines

For an unforgettable combination of intriguing local history, urban mythology and an unexpected take on the present, pay a visit to the Manila Film Center. A large building located near Manila Bay, it was built by former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos (husband of Imelda) in 1982, and it’s said to be haunted by some unfortunate spirits.

As the story goes, the structure was being rushed to completion when a scaffolding accident led to a number of workers drowning in a floor of quick-drying cement. To save time, the dead workers were supposedly left in place and their bodies simply entombed in more cement. Since then, there have been reports of ghost sightings in the building. The site was abandoned after the Marcos dictatorship ended and it has since been condemned, as the structure is no longer safe. Today the locals still won’t go near it, but ironically a partially renovated portion of it is now being used to stage cabaret shows for Korean tourists.
Lester Ledesma

Get There

From UAE: Fly Emirates (www.emirates.com) direct to Manila. Prices start from Dhs1,445 return, including taxes Once there, take a taxi to the site (CCP Complex, Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Reclamation Area, Manila). Visitors can explore the grounds without restriction, although the main entrance is often locked. Alternatively, check out Manila native Carlos Celdran’s walking tours of the CCP complex. Email celdrantours@hotmail.com for more information.