#ManilaEncounters: the city in horror-filled tweets

By: Chelsey Brazal - 5 years ago

MANILA, Philippines –The internet is a vast arena of quirks and wonders that is fed and kept vibrant by the playful minds of netizens.

Recently, #ManilaEncounters has been trending on local Twitter and has keeping netizens awake with its thousands of short stories.

The hashtag is a collection of tweets that narrate fictitious ‘encounters’ on horror, fantasy and even slices of life.

Here are some of the spookiest tweets we have found:

he asked me what they’re shouting about, out there in the streets.

“honey, it’s just for taho, balut, and merienda—sometimes black magic, often turon.”

he laughs. “you’re crazy. why do i love you again?”, but endearingly.

i froze. is the gayuma wearing off? #ManilaEncounters

— 𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥 ❁ (@ryansericka) February 26, 2019

#ManilaEncounters

CubaoExpo is a melting pot of culture and timelines. If you look closely, you'll find time travelers selling their wares.

— Astrihd von Zarovich (@glittersnicket) February 26, 2019

FOR SALE: Olympus AZ-2000 film camera

PRICE: negotiable, I just wanna get rid of this thing tbh.

RFS: old, but quality is fine. I just don't like how every so often some people would come out headless in the photos and die a month later

#ManilaEncounters

— Joem's Buff Baby 💪 #42 Kabataan Partylist (@BlazerBeLiftin) February 26, 2019

An old priest is trying to navigate the Main Building. I ask what he‘s looking for. He quietly nods at me to lead the way.

“The Church is over there,” I tell him, pointing to Noval, and a soft breeze grazes my cheek.

“Kausap mo diyan?” asks the guard.#ManilaEncounters

— Justine Danielle (@perksofjustine) February 26, 2019

You went to your school's library to research for your 1972 PH Martial Law report.

You saw a student reading a book about your topic and asked if you could borrow it after.

He nodded and replied, "They forgot to include my name in the desaparecidos."#ManilaEncounters

— フクロウ (@editor_level21) February 27, 2019

The lady stands lost in the grocery aisles, her basket was empty save for numerous papaya soaps and exfoliating scrubs. She wants to know why society wants her to become a white lady.#ManilaEncounters

— Geri In (@in_geri) February 26, 2019

#ManilaEncounters walk into the libingan ng mga bayani and press an ear to his grave. listen to the simmering, angry silence of three thousand unjustly killed & to the terrified screams of a dictator finally getting his due.

— stella (@en_sam_malas) February 26, 2019

#ManilaEncounters Spend some time alone in Paco Park on days when Manila is silent. Let the quiet and the soft breeze of the wind envelope you. Soon, you will hear an opthalmologist's musings on his unwritten works. If you're lucky, you can hear him converse with three priests.

— 🏹 PALASO 🏹 ;; yunis (@koronelmagnet) February 26, 2019

#ManilaEncounters

I went to that clinic to take away my shame. The "Midwife" spoke to me with a soft, gentle voice as she administered the drugs. "No pain" she promised.

It must have been a really strong because as I was drifting off, I swear I saw her tongue growing longer.

— Christine Anyong (@vyastanya) February 26, 2019