Balete Drive in Quezon City, Philippines, has a resident ghost which any local can tell you about.
Their famous ‘White Lady’ ghost haunts motorists in the midnight hours, and all have learned not to pick-up hitchhikers, or stare into their rear-view mirrors when on that road.
Their famous ‘White Lady’ ghost haunts motorists in the midnight hours, and all have learned not to pick-up hitchhikers, or stare into their rear-view mirrors when on that road.
A Tree That Invites Ghosts
The definition of a 'white lady' ghost is generally that of a ‘harbinger of death’, a ‘revenge ghost’ or a ghost that wants the living to feel the fear and terror she felt before she died. That is not to say that all female apparitions who appear wearing white are wanting to cause harm, but rather a certain type.
In many places around the world you will hear of 'white lady' ghosts, generally found in rural areas, along roadsides. These ghosts are normally those of women who died from a sadistic form of murder, with the body left to die after being tortured or raped.
In many places around the world you will hear of 'white lady' ghosts, generally found in rural areas, along roadsides. These ghosts are normally those of women who died from a sadistic form of murder, with the body left to die after being tortured or raped.
A Balete Tree. Balete Drive is named for the massive Balete tree that used to stand in the middle of the street. Although the tree is no longer there, the road is flanked still by other Balete trees, and many century old Spanish Houses.
Many of these houses are said to be haunted by the previous occupants, their souls perhaps caught by the rituals and sorcery that have been known to be held within the trees natural chambers. Also, local folk suggest that the Balete Tree is not used for ornamental purposes, as they invite ghosts.
Many of these houses are said to be haunted by the previous occupants, their souls perhaps caught by the rituals and sorcery that have been known to be held within the trees natural chambers. Also, local folk suggest that the Balete Tree is not used for ornamental purposes, as they invite ghosts.
The White Lady
A female ghost has been seen many times along this road. Balete Drive, is also the location of one of the more famous white lady ghosts that one can read about. The road passes through the New Manila District in Quezon City, Philippines. Since the 1950's stories of a woman in white appearing and disappearing along the road, and in peoples cars, have been reported and heavily publicised in the local press.
Experiences with this white lady generally follow one of three separate types:
A- She is seen as a beautiful lady walking down the road. The driver (typically male) is not able to take his attention off of her until she disappears before their eyes.
B- A driver will see a beautiful woman in white standing at the side of the road, looking for a lift. They will pick her up but after a while of talking they will look in the rear vision mirror to see her face is bruised and bloody. She will then blink out of existence.
C- A driver will be driving along the road, but when they check their rear-vision mirror, they will see a woman’s face staring back out at them. Understandably panicked the driver will stop and exit their vehicle. However, looking in the backseat there will be no trace of the woman.
No one knows the name of the woman in white, but two stories are told on who she could be. The first concerns a young woman who died in a car accident after crashing into a roadside Balete Tree. The trees mystical properties have caused her spirit to linger in the area.
The other contender seems to be more popular, as it provides a possible reason for why taxi drivers seem to be the ones targeted most by the white ladies sudden appearances and disappearances.
A young woman had hailed a cab and was travelling home when the taxi driver stopped his vehicle and raped his passenger. Battered and bruised from the resistance she put up, the taxi driver pulled her out of the car and dumped her on the side of the road.
She died that night under the boughs of a Balete Tree.
Experiences with this white lady generally follow one of three separate types:
A- She is seen as a beautiful lady walking down the road. The driver (typically male) is not able to take his attention off of her until she disappears before their eyes.
B- A driver will see a beautiful woman in white standing at the side of the road, looking for a lift. They will pick her up but after a while of talking they will look in the rear vision mirror to see her face is bruised and bloody. She will then blink out of existence.
C- A driver will be driving along the road, but when they check their rear-vision mirror, they will see a woman’s face staring back out at them. Understandably panicked the driver will stop and exit their vehicle. However, looking in the backseat there will be no trace of the woman.
No one knows the name of the woman in white, but two stories are told on who she could be. The first concerns a young woman who died in a car accident after crashing into a roadside Balete Tree. The trees mystical properties have caused her spirit to linger in the area.
The other contender seems to be more popular, as it provides a possible reason for why taxi drivers seem to be the ones targeted most by the white ladies sudden appearances and disappearances.
A young woman had hailed a cab and was travelling home when the taxi driver stopped his vehicle and raped his passenger. Battered and bruised from the resistance she put up, the taxi driver pulled her out of the car and dumped her on the side of the road.
She died that night under the boughs of a Balete Tree.
And For Those That Meet Her?
Regardless of the type of experience someone has with the white lady, and who she was, she tends to be spotted between 12am and 3am between Mabolo and Bougainvilla Streets.
Several taxi drivers have been said to crash in the area, some from the shock of seeing her, other times the crash was unexplainable. Some say this fact makes her a vengeance ghost, she is enacting revenge on people similar to the one responsible for her death - a taxi driver.
The area had been quite popular with thrill seekers and 'ghost hunters' until the city’s Mayor called for regular police patrols, due to the residents being disturbed by the screams of those who have met the infamous ghost.
Several arrests of pranksters donning white sheets were made, and soon the crowds of people lessened until a nice, peaceful silence once again came over the neighbourhood.
Still the stories persist and every local motorist knows not to stop to pick up a woman or look in the rear view mirror as they make their way down Balete Drive.
Several taxi drivers have been said to crash in the area, some from the shock of seeing her, other times the crash was unexplainable. Some say this fact makes her a vengeance ghost, she is enacting revenge on people similar to the one responsible for her death - a taxi driver.
The area had been quite popular with thrill seekers and 'ghost hunters' until the city’s Mayor called for regular police patrols, due to the residents being disturbed by the screams of those who have met the infamous ghost.
Several arrests of pranksters donning white sheets were made, and soon the crowds of people lessened until a nice, peaceful silence once again came over the neighbourhood.
Still the stories persist and every local motorist knows not to stop to pick up a woman or look in the rear view mirror as they make their way down Balete Drive.
Ashley Hall 2012
Questions For You...
Now that you know this story, if you ever happen to drive down this road would you stop for a female hitchhiker?
Do you know of any ghost stories similar to this, local to your region?
Leave your comments, thoughts and answers in the Disqus box below!
Do you know of any ghost stories similar to this, local to your region?
Leave your comments, thoughts and answers in the Disqus box below!
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