Find me here:
  The Paranormal Guide
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Atlas
  • Glossary

Manila Film Center

2/4/2013

Comments

 
Picture
The Manila Film Center in Pasay City, Philippines, was built to host the 1st Manila International Film Festival.

During construction on November 17, 1981, tragedy struck. Nearly two hundred workers fell into wet cement when scaffolding collapsed, causing many to drown and be encased as it dried.

A Not Too Uncommon Tale

PictureThe Manila Film Center at dusk.
A stranger walks past the abandoned Manila Film Center in the mid 1990's, when he is approached by a man who gives him a calling card. The man then tells this stranger to call his family, to tell them he is alright and that he will be free soon. The stranger follows the mans instructions.

You have probably guessed what happens next – the stranger calls the mans family and recieved the shocking news that her husband had died, at that location, about a decade earlier.

This is apparently not a too uncommon event in and about the Manila Film Center.

Unsafe Conditions

PictureImelda Marcos.
The Film Centers imposing structure was completed in 1982, to serve as the main theatre for the 1st Manila International Film Festival. The film festival was the brainchild of the then first lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos.

Marcos liked to live an extravagant lifestyle, and wanted that lifestyle expressed in her works, her legacy, and the look of her country. Some would say Marcos was a little too ambitious, with the project giving not enough time for the structure to be built in order to host the film festival, but plans went ahead anyways.

The look of the building was inspired by the Parthenon, and was built on reclaimed land by the ocean, on the edge of Pasay City. This 'new land' was not quite solid enough for such a massive structure, so more than 900 'piles' (essentially support structures of steel and concrete) were laid through the ground, to rest on the bedrock below.

Construction was going ahead as planned, but Marcos made changes to the plans and layouts, causing delays and some say bypassing safety regulations. However, with money in hand, miracles can happen, and soon more and more workers were brought to the site. A barracks was set up, a place where workers (and in rare cases their families) could stay, in order to be on the sight at all times.

At the height of constructions, in order to meet such a tight deadline, over 4000 workers were employed in three shifts, working 24 hours a day. Parts of the building that were expected to take six weeks to build were being finished in just three days. Surely, with that many people on the one worksite being pushed to work that fast, something would have to give?

And give it did.

Tragedy Unfolds

PictureScafolding collapsed.
At about 3am on November 17, 1981, a tragedy unfolded. A large portion of the scaffolding collapsed, and sent at least 169 (actual number is unknown, but this is often cited as the best estimate) workers tumbling into a large amount of quick drying cement that had been freshly laid.

Typically, the immediate reaction would be to set out and rescue those who had fallen, call ambulances, and save as many as possible. Unfortunately that was not to be, as Imelda Marcos and her administration put a security blackout on the area – noone was to enter, no rescuers, no ambulances, noone.

This imposed no entry zone stood for nine hours until finally people were allowed to enter, in order to rescue those still living. Some of the workers were completely encased in the concrete, others partially submerged. Many had died as a result of the initial fall, and more as a result of rescuers not being able to access the area.

PicturePlatforms workers stood on went to ruin.
There is a lot of discussion as to what was taking place over those hours, noone was to enter the scene. Some say it was an immediate and abrupt investigation into the cause of the collapse, Marcos feared it was sabotage, and the buildings contractor attested to this, saying thirteen of the scaffolding supports had been sawn through.

Other people tell how Marcos was afraid the building would not get finished in time, and that her 'Cannes of Asia' would have to be cancelled. Fearing this embarrassment, she ordered more concrete poured, in a attempt to hide evidence and prevent any ideas of further rescue taking place, that would further hold up construction – essentially, turning the building into a tomb. Even so, some of the bodies were still recovered, the ones who could be easily gotten too.

PictureRescue efforts were late coming.
As for the numbers of people who fell, or were otherwise injured or killed in the the tragedy – A lot of workers on site have stated that there were more than the estimated number involved. The scaffolding had fallen, and crushed the barracks, killing several other workers and some family members. These too may have been encased in the new concrete ordered to be poured over the site.

All of this is, of course hearsay, but you never know. It would not be the first time a government covered up the truth in regards to a tragedy involving loss of life, potentially at their hands...

Eliodoro Ponio, another contractor, was interviewed on a television show, and he did state that all the bodies were recovered, and that "not even a finger nail was left in there".. all the workers were given proper burials.

PictureBodies removed from the tragedy.
The number of fatalities is thought to have been between 12 and 15 – depending on sources. This story seems to be confirmed in a later television show that sought to find and account for all the workers. Their families all stated they had been returned.

The construction of the Manila Film Center was completed in time for the film festival. Movies such as 'Body Heat', 'Gallipoli' and Indias '36 Chowringhee Lane' were played – Indias movie won best picture.

The Haunting

PictureFestival goers wait to see competition entries.
After the festival, the center served as a sort of national film archive, until an earthquake hit in the 1990's. The center was so damaged that it was abandoned, and remained so for a decade, until it was used as a performance theatre for the all transgender 'Amazing Show' by the Amazing Philippines Theatre.

Many who visit the show are probably unaware of the buildings history, of the tragedy of loss of life, and the possibility that there maybe lost souls buried beneath their feet.

Strange encounters with the paranormal are not limited to just random people asking visitors to call their homes, to tell their families they are ok.

PictureThe film center today.
Moans and wails have been reported, coming from the concrete foundations of the structure, and apparitions seemingly partially sunk into the concrete have been witnessed. Late night rehearsals and cleaning is always reportedly a time of fear for those present, who feel a crushing sense of claustrophobia as they work.

Are there still bodies buried in the concrete of the Manila Film Center?
Are the hauntings perpetrated by those who had safety and trust taken from them?

Ashley Hall 2013

Please leave your thoughts, comments and further information in regards to this article below!

Comments
comments powered by Disqus

    The Paranormal Guide Articles

    Here you will find all of the articles written for The Paranormal Guide on all things paranormal, strange, dark, macabre, weird, strange and bizarre!

    All photos with the blog posts remain the property of their respectful owners. If one of your photos is featured here without attribution please leave a comment on the blog and full credit will be given.

    Categories

    All
    Bizarre Experiments
    Conspiracy
    Cryptozoology
    Cursed And Haunted Objects
    Curses Demons And Exorcisms
    Earth Mysteries
    Fakes Frauds And Hoaxes
    Ghosts And Hauntings
    Ghosts Ghouls And Demons
    Interesting And Inspiring People
    Investigations
    Miracles
    My Paranormal
    Paranormal Photos
    Paranormal Vocabulary
    Phobias And Philias
    Post Mortem Practices
    Psychics Predictions And Seers
    Questions And Discussions
    Reviews
    Spirituality And Miracles
    Spirituality And Miracles
    Strange And Macabre Places
    Strange And Tragic Deaths
    This Week In Dark History
    Tragedy
    True Crime And Punishment
    Ufos And Aliens
    Unsolved Mysteries
    Urban Legend Superstition And Folklore
    Weird Odd And Bizarre


    Ashley Hall -
    The Paranormal Guide

    Ashley Hall explores The Paranormal, True Crime, Strange Deaths, Dark History, The Weird, The Strange and The Bizarre! Fact or Fiction? You decide!

    Picture

    Contributors

    Picture
    Matty Sweeney
    Picture
    Peet Banks
    Picture
    Nic Hume

    Picture
    Check out The Paranormal Guide Podcast and join three paranormal investigators and researchers for honest and raw discussions on all things paranormal, strange, dark and macabre HERE!

    Archives

    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012

    Please note that dates are from when the article was originally made.
    The Paranormal Guide does have posts all the way up to the current date.


    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.