Cebu isn’t just known as the Queen of the South—it’s also a home to some of the creepiest you’ll hear from the fellow Cebuanos. Most things you hear are true, and most you hear are hard to believe. The thought of hearing stories of unusual forces lurking in the night could send chills down to your spines.
As we delve into these accounts, we invite you to step into the unknown and uncover the spine-tingling narratives that make Cebu a hotspot for horror.
Ghost in the Tunnel
The South Road Properties Tunnel is believed to be haunted, especially at night. Motorists claim to experience supernatural encounters in the tunnel. The most chilling accounts involve sightings of a ghostly child. Motorcyclists report seeing a child riding on the back of other bikes or feeling unexplained taps on the shoulders or backs, and hearing voices calling out to them. Some even nearly had accidents after glimpsing the child in their mirrors.
The story became a national phenomenon when GMA’s Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho shared this story to her show.
The Red Lady
The Cebu Pension Plaza along Escario Street is associated with a chilling urban legend involving a “Red Lady”. She is called “red” because she is said to be covered in blood. According to the story, this woman was allegedly a victim of a political “salvage” operation during the 1980s or 1990s.
Her restless spirit is believed to haunt a particular floor of the building, running around and knocking on doors. The most terrifying part of the tale is that if you see her, it is considered a bad omen, and death may soon follow as she is said to “take” those who encounter her.
Similar to the grim reaper; when you see him, it’s over.
Business Killer
Vibo Place, also known as Axis Entertainment, located along Escario Street, is rumored to be a “cursed place”. It is said that businesses in the area do not last a year. The person sharing the story believes this because they have observed, starting from their college years, that almost every year a business would close down on the spot.
The Party Ghost
The parking lot near Harold’s Hotel is tied to a haunting urban legend. It is said that the area was once the site of a famous bar that tragically caught fire, similar to the Ozone Disco fire in Manila. During the incident, people inside were reportedly trapped and unable to escape, leading to their deaths.
Years later, a new bar opened on the same site, but strange occurrences followed. There are stories of “lost” partygoers appearing—described as wearing outdated clothing—blending in with the crowd. These ghostly figures are said to mingle with patrons, only to vanish mysteriously.
Sunfish
A large sunfish was reportedly found on one of Cebu’s beaches, and its appearance sparked widespread fear among locals. People began to believe that the sunfish was a sign of the upcoming Armageddon or the Rapture—a time when the world would come to an end, and the faithful would be taken to heaven.
In response to this, many people started placing the phrase “Higugma-a ang Ginoo, Kahadloki ang Ginoo” on their door mantles. This phrase translates to “Love the Lord, Fear the Lord,” and it reflects the sense of urgency and fear about impending judgment day. The sunfish was seen as an omen or divine warning, and people turned to religion for protection and reassurance.
Sigbin
The Sigbin is a mythical creature said to emerge during Holy Week. Often described as a hornless goat with big ears that flop around when it’s excited or angry, other accounts liken it to a kangaroo in appearance. Sigbins are known to feast on charcoal, which emits a foul stench.
In the absence of charcoal, they reportedly prey on children with fresh, clean blood. Rather than attacking the children directly, they target their shadows, drinking their blood through this eerie connection.
To protect young family members during Holy Week, households often leave sacks of charcoal outside their doors as a deterrent to keep the Sigbin away.
Lily
Lily is the most spine-tingling urban legend in Tuburan, Cebu. She is depicted as a murderous monster who seeks out at night to catch prey. She was said to be cursed by her grandfather. This strikes fear to people, especially children, to be home before 6PM. Nobody knows her whereabouts ever since their failed attempt to capture her. She always disappears before they had the chance.
Did these stories give you goosebumps? We hope so! We want these stories to give you nightmares tonight. In Cebu, the line between the living and the supernatural is not so easily drawn, and perhaps, the greatest terror lies in the unknown that lingers just beyond our understanding.
No matter who the readers are—local or visitor, these strange events will continue to haunt the imaginations of all.
