On January 18, 1982, the first Manila International Film Festival opened at the Manila Film Center, a 25-million-USD building erected in Pasay City by former first lady Imelda Marcos in hopes that Manila could rival Cannes as the world capital of cinema. The film festival itself that year was mostly considered a success, but legend has it that its venue is haunted by the vengeful spirits of those who tragically lost their lives during the building’s construction.
This episode’s companion photos: instagram.com/p/CWbSpn1BIIn
Episode researched and co-written by Kayla De Leon
References:
- http://edition.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/97/1017/feat2.html
- https://amyscrypt.com/manila-film-center-tragedy-haunted-philippines/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila_Film_Center
- https://filipiknow.net/interesting-facts-about-imelda-marcos/
- https://manilabulletinresearch.wordpress.com/2013/11/22/the-81-film-center-tragedy-when-mystery-turns-into-reality/
- https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/11/01/18/i-drove-home-in-my-underwear
- https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/85189/stars-take-stage-amid-phantoms-of-manila-film-center
- https://read.dukeupress.edu/social-text/article-pdf/31/4%20(117)/25/474775/04_ST314_Benedicto_FF.pdf
- https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/the-horrifying-mystery-of-manilas-haunted-cinema/
- https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/manila-film-center-haunted-a1729-20191107-lfrm2
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/publicaffairs/iwitness/25140/multo-ng-nakaraan-ghosts-of-the-past/story/
- https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-04-30-mn-101-story.html
- https://www.nytimes.com/1982/02/07/movies/manila-film-festival-proves-all-out-spectacular.html
- https://www.phillife.co/manila-film-center/
Music: “This House” and “Echoes of Time v2” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Photos above via philurbanlegends.blogspot.com, flashforwardflashback.com / Lawrence Sumulong
Stories After Dark 