Good day, mga KaToto! It’s Kwento time!
Some scary stories are easy to forget once they are over. Others stay with us for years, especially when they involve experiences we cannot easily explain.
For many Filipinos, one name has long been associated with stories of the mysterious and the unexplained: Kabayan Noli de Castro.
His familiar voice and presence became closely associated with Halloween storytelling through Magandang Gabi, Bayan, which brought accounts of alleged paranormal encounters and unusual experiences into Filipino homes. For viewers who grew up watching the program, his return to this kind of storytelling brings back memories of nights when even the slightest sound in the house could make you look over your shoulder.
This Halloween, Kabayan returns as host of ABS-CBN News’ annual special, Kababalaghan 8: Pagkagat ng Dilim, featuring three families in Metro Manila who claim to have experienced frightening incidents inside their homes.
For me, these stories carry a more personal connection. During my college days, I once experienced what I perceived as paranormal activity. The experience left me with questions and a better understanding of why people remember and share encounters they cannot readily explain.
There are moments when you try to find a logical explanation for what happened. You may question your own perceptions or simply move on. Yet the memory can remain, especially when you cannot confidently explain what you experienced.
That is part of the enduring appeal of stories about the paranormal. Whether people approach them with curiosity, skepticism or a belief in the supernatural, the unexplained continues to capture the imagination.
Three families, three unsettling stories
Now on its eighth installment, Kababalaghan continues its Halloween tradition of presenting accounts of alleged paranormal encounters, including incidents reportedly captured on camera.In “Bulong,” Kabayan visits an old house in the southern part of Metro Manila, where a family has lived for generations. The family says its members have experienced strange occurrences inside the home, including mysterious whispers and sightings of bloodied figures.
Imagine living in a house that has sheltered generations of your family, only to encounter things that leave you questioning what is happening around you. Would you stay, or would you start looking for another place to live?
The second story, “Upuan,” features the Ditablan family in Taguig City. Their CCTV camera reportedly captured a chair that appeared to float before being thrown to one side. The family suspects that an old tree near their house may be connected to the unexplained incidents.
A moving chair might sound like something straight out of a horror movie. But when a family points to footage recorded inside its own home, questions naturally follow. What caused the chair to move? Is there a possible explanation for what the camera captured? Viewers will have to watch the special to learn more.
The third story, “Bahay ni Tiya,” follows Mich and her family after they move into an old house belonging to a relative in the northern part of Metro Manila.
v Their stay on the ground floor was initially uneventful. Strange incidents reportedly began after they converted an upstairs room into a bedroom. Mich later shared videos of their experiences on social media, prompting reactions from netizens.
Three families, three unsettling accounts and one question connecting them all: What happens when the place you call home no longer feels familiar?
Why stories of the unexplained continue to fascinate us
Stories about ghosts, mysterious figures and unexplained events have long been part of Filipino Halloween and Undas traditions. They are not simply about fear. They also involve personal experiences, family stories and the questions people carry after encountering something they cannot explain.Kabayan Noli de Castro's return adds a familiar presence to that tradition. For viewers who grew up watching Magandang Gabi, Bayan, his participation brings back memories of listening to frightening accounts that could make ordinary nighttime sounds seem suspicious.
For younger audiences, Kababalaghan offers another opportunity to explore the country's fascination with the mysterious through the accounts of people who say they experienced these incidents firsthand.
Of course, reports of paranormal activity are not necessarily proof of supernatural causes. Personal testimony and video footage can raise questions, but they do not always establish what happened or explain why. Approaching these stories with curiosity while keeping an open but critical mind allows viewers to consider the accounts without automatically accepting every claim as fact.
My own experience during college reminds me why some unexplained moments can stay with a person long after they happen. Even when answers remain elusive, the experience can leave a lasting impression.
This Halloween, Kabayan is back to bring another round of alleged paranormal encounters into Filipino homes. The question is whether viewers are ready to listen, especially when the lights go out.
When and where to watch ‘Kababalaghan 8’
Kababalaghan 8: Pagkagat ng Dilim premieres on Saturday, October 31, at 6:45 p.m. on the ABS-CBN News YouTube channel. The television broadcast follows at 10:30 p.m. on ALLTV2, A2Z, Kapamilya Channel and Kapamilya Online Live.A replay is scheduled for November 1 at 6 p.m. on ALLTV2, A2Z, Kapamilya Channel and Kapamilya Online Live, as well as the ABS-CBN News Facebook page. The special will also be available on demand on iWant.
For updates, follow @ABSCBNPR on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok, or visit the ABS-CBN Newsroom website.
So, mga KaToto, are you ready for another night of chilling stories with Kabayan Noli de Castro? Just remember: when something makes a strange noise in the middle of the night, you might want to check what it is before letting your imagination take over.
See you on our next Kwento!
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