HALLOWEEN may have ended, but Filipinos’ curiosity and fascination with horror stories do not stop during the spookiest season of the year.
Growing up in the Philippines, perhaps one of Filipinos’ favorite narratives from their elders is the spine-tingling tales that keep them engaged no matter how scared they already are deep, deep down.
From famous urban legends about aswang, white lady, and other mythical creatures to true-to-life eerie experiences, Filipinos have heard them directly from their family and friends, read them in books, and even seen them on small and big screens time and time again.
But it seems that they never get tired of these creepy stories.
This is evident in the number of listeners allotting time for horror podcasts on the digital music service Spotify, making “Sitio Bangungot” emerge as one of the platform’s top podcasts in the Philippines last year.
Meet Chris Gamboa, creator of ‘Sitio Bangungot’
When Spotify dropped its anticipated 2024 Wrapped campaign, “Sitio Bangungot – Pinoy Horror Stories for Sleep Podcast” claimed the second spot in the Philippines’ list of Top Podcast of the Year, highlighting the growing interest of Filipinos in horror stories.
Like them, the brain behind “Sitio Bangungot” has a huge fascination with these tales, from Asian horror to slasher or any stories that can send chills down his spine.
He is Christian “Chris” Gamboa, who describes himself as a “legit horror lover” who hails from Pampanga and has been working as a web developer in Canada.
These spooky stories helped Chris cope while working as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW). Wanting to share his love for horror, he gave birth to “Kwentong Takipsilim Pinoy Tagalog Horror Stories Podcast,” Spotify Philippines’ Top 4 podcast for 2024, and “Sitio Pangil – Tagalog Aswang True Stories Podcast.”
In an exclusive interview with republicasia, Chris shared that “Sitio Bangungot” was born after his main channel, “Kwentong Takipsilim,” debuted on Spotify in 2020. Chris collaborated with Jupiter Torres, the broadcaster and voiceover artist who gives soul to the horror narratives.
“We decided to split our content: ‘KT [Kwentong Takipsilim]’ would focus on radio drama-style horror, while ‘Sitio Bangungot’ would cater to fans of creepy pasta-inspired audio podcasts,” he said.
Narrating true horror stories
“Sitio Bangungot,” which grew a fan base, debuted on Spotify in August 2023, with its first episode, “Sinapian ng Kaluluwa.”
Each episode has a different running time, with some stories told in less than 30 minutes while others exceed an hour.
Unlike “Kwentong Takipsilim,” “Sitio Bangungot” features single-voice driven storytelling, similar to creepypasta stories or those shared on the internet. The stories narrated in the podcast are based on real-life uncanny experiences of several individuals shared with the creator via email.
“We take time to read each story, and we found our own way to verify the validity of the story,” Chris said. “I mean it’s hard to tell though.”
“Sitio Bangungot” has now aired over 300 episodes, with the latest one called “Gwapong Koreanong Manliligaw Horror Story.”
But if Chris were to choose one “Sitio Bangungot” episode that creeps him the most, it would be the story about “Sundalong Inambush” told by the sibling of a Filipino soldier who was killed in an ambush in Cotmon, Camalig in Albay.
The sibling said their family began experiencing eerie scenarios as they grieved the death of their brother, with their uncle sharing how he could not sleep for days because he felt that someone had been accompanying him every night. Their uncle said the blanket in his bed appeared as though someone was underneath, but there wasn’t.
“‘Sundalong Inambush’ is very scary and also sad. It will give you a feeling of sadness from losing someone but also the sadness of someone that can’t pass over,” expressed Chris.
Resonating with horror tales
Many Filipinos love hearing and seeing horror stories, even though they give them goosebumps or make them watch on screen with one eye closed. Spotify even noted horror as one of the top genres on the platform, which has grown by 835 percent since 2020.
But why is horror popular among Filipinos?
“There’s an inherent human attraction to fear, especially in a controlled, safe environment. Horror stories allow Filipinos to experience the thrill of fear without real danger,” explained Chris.
“It activates the adrenaline in a way that’s thrilling but not harmful. It’s a cathartic experience where they confront their deepest fears in a controlled way, and then feel relief once the story ends,” he added.
Horror stories can be an escape from routine and stress in everyday life, just as how they helped Chris as he ventured abroad.
“The tension, mystery, and thrill allow people to forget their concerns for a while and immerse themselves in a world that’s both frightening and captivating,” Chris emphasized.
Chris believes that horror podcasts like “Sitio Bangungot” can help promote the local horror scene by further solidifying “a uniquely Filipino horror identity” in the global market.
“Filipino horror often stands apart from international genres because of its distinct cultural elements—such as belief in the supernatural, rituals, and family dynamics,” he said.
He went on, “By building upon Filipino folklore, “[Sitio Bangungot]” has the potential to set itself apart from Western horror traditions, which often focus on different kinds of fears or themes.”
Give horror stories a try
While many are fascinated with these horror stories, others cannot bring themselves to listen to such narratives, especially at night. But Chris encouraged them to try doing so, stressing that horror stories are more than just jump scares.
“Fear can be exciting, and Sitio Bangungot isn’t just about scaring you—it’s about pulling you into a world where mystery, culture, and imagination collide,” he said.
“Give it a try, and who knows? You might find yourself looking forward to the thrill of the unknown next time!” he continued.
Although stories from “Sitio Bangungot” are meant to help one relax and drift off to sleep, this does not mean they cannot listen to them during the day when they feel a sense of safety and with a friend.
“Sometimes, experiencing these stories together with others adds to the excitement and helps you feel braver,” he stressed.
“Sitio Bangungot” has a lot more to offer in 2025. Further details about its forthcoming episodes are still “a big secret,” but one thing is certain:
“We are not stopping—we will continue to upload Pinoy horror!” said Chris.
