MABUHAY MADAYAW!
Many people wondered why there were so many skulls lying on the island in Eastern Samar.
Do they belong to residents or fishermen?
How to get there to discover the skulls?
People sometimes reported seeing a child walking
there—specifically, a small child entirely green. At first glance, the sight is
unsettling, with human skulls and bones scattered all around.
What is the true story behind these skulls?
Why do the residents leave them there instead of removing the human remains?
Does the island hold a deep, significant history?
Did a grim tragedy occur here?
Is this
a tradition that persists even in modern times?
To uncover the
full story behind the human skulls and bones found on the island, we decided to
visit the site with my team and discover the truth behind this mysterious scene.
The journey ahead was not easy. We knew our destination was very far away.
We started our journey heading toward Bicol, spending
nearly an hour on the road. As we traversed the long route, we witnessed a
variety of landscapes. After an hour of travel, we finally reached the
southernmost tip of Luzon: Matnog, Sorsogon. We continued our trip to Allen,
Samar. From there, we boarded a ferry for a two-hour crossing to Allen Port in
Northern Samar. Despite the fatigue and the long journey, our excitement never
waned with every kilometer we traveled. We were eager to uncover the truth
behind the skulls and bones that so many people had been talking about.
It was late afternoon when we arrived at Allen Port, Northern Samar—we had officially touched down in Samar. We decided to spend the night in Catbalogan, Samar, checking in the best hotel there.
The next day, we didn't waste any time; we set off early to reach the island's location. After a four-hour journey, we finally arrived in Barangay Abijao at Salcedo, Eastern Samar.
CATBALOGAN HOTEL SAMAR
NICE COZY ROOMS!
An old lady was the owner of the property. She
accompanied us to the island by boat. It was really quiet. No one lives there
at all, and it has really been abandoned. The island actually has six caves.
Noel, the son of an old lady, was the caretaker of the island.
I asked an old lady, “How old are the skulls inside
the cave on the island?
She answered, “It's about 200 years old. It’s been
there for decades; after all, it was already there before my parents were even around.
Upon entering the cave, I saw many skulls.
The owner
said that while we could touch them, we were not allowed to take them home. Other
parts, such as bones, are scattered beside the skulls. No authority has come
here to investigate. This type of skulls that belonged to tall people from
ancient times; it is, in a sense, a historical. My parents told me
that back then, when people were nearing the end of their lives, they were
brought to this cave to spend their final moments. It seems to have been a
ritual practiced by the indigenous people of that time.
It’s truly chilling to come face-to-face with skulls that
are so huge. If you notice, they seem to be guarding the path, as if they don't
want anyone entering. It’s as if they’re speaking—well, not literally, but
that’s my impression. They are right there on guard, lined up at the opening
itself. If you look closely at the path, there’s a step, then another step. It’s
so creepy. I don’t know how to feel standing right in front of the skulls.
An owner mentioned that skulls sometimes appear and sometimes don't. Sa madaling salita, nag-iiba ang puwesto ng mga bungo. Kahit inayos ni Noel ang bungo, biglang lilipat sa ibang puwesto. Noel saw a green child running, and it suddenly vanished from sight.
I tried to ask the owner again:
Do you remember when this was discovered?
When was it found out that there was a skull there?
She answered, “We don't know exactly when. It was something my parents passed down. We’re six siblings, and this particular plot fell to me. We have our own separate parcels of land, and this became my share. I already consulted this island to the tourism office in our locality but no responses from their office.
This island is a place of mystery, holding a secret story that many have yet to discover. Proper coordination with the owner and caretaker is needed before visiting this amazing skull island in Eastern Samar.
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