Vol. 2 – The White Lady of the Philippines: Kumakatawan sa Babaeng Nakaputi
As Halloween approaches, what better way to set the mood than scary folklores. Stories steeped in history, fear and mystery. In this second entry of our spooky folklore series, we explore one of the Philippines’s most dangerous modern urban legends: the White Lady of the Philippines or Kumakatawan sa Babaeng Nakaputi.
The Legend
In the heart of the Philippines, where myths walk hand-in-hand with history, tales abound of a ghostly woman in white. Known simply as the White Lady, this spirit is said to haunt lonely roads, old houses, and even bustling city streets, always appearing in her signature white dress, with long black hair covering a face twisted by sorrow or rage.
Her most famous haunt? Balete Drive, a quiet street in Quezon City, shaded by thick trees and steeped in stories of death and vengeance. Legend tells of a young woman, often described as beautiful and kind, who met a violent end, murdered and buried near the road. Her restless spirit is said to appear to unsuspecting drivers, especially those traveling alone late at night.
Sometimes, she is seen standing silently by the roadside. Other times, she suddenly appears in the back seat of a moving car, glimpsed only in the rearview mirror.
Origins & Historical Context
A young woman was allegedly sexually assaulted and killed by a taxi driver in the 1950s or 1960s. Her body was dumped near or under a balete tree, a tree traditionally believed to be a gateway to the spirit world. Her spirit began to appear to drivers, especially men driving alone, as a pale woman in white, sometimes in the rearview mirror, or standing by the roadside.
This legend became so widespread that:
Locals avoided the road at night.
Some taxi drivers put garlic or holy objects in their cars.
Rumors spread that the road was cursed.
Colonial Influence (Spanish Era, 1521–1898)
The origin of the White Lady figure in the Philippines can be traced in part to Spanish colonization, which introduced:
Catholic beliefs about purgatory, spirits, and “souls in unrest”
European ghost stories, particularly the image of pale, tragic female spirits dressed in white, which was popular in Gothic literature
These beliefs merged with pre-colonial animist traditions, where the dead were deeply respected and feared. Spirits of the wronged or violently killed were believed to linger in the world of the living.
A Modern Encounter
Journal Entry: September 18th, 2022 – 2:47 AM
I was driving home after a late shift. The roads were empty, except for the fog creeping along the pavement like spilled smoke. My Uber app had crashed, so I decided to take a shortcut, Balete Drive.
The moment I turned in, the temperature dropped. My radio crackled and died.
I told myself not to look in the mirror, but I did.
She was there.
A woman, soaked in white, her face pale and cracked like porcelain. Her eyes were bottomless. Her mouth moved — not speaking, but mouthing something… over and over.
“Saan ang hustisya?”“Where is justice?”
I swerved. The car spun out, hit a tree. When I came to, the passenger door was open.
But I was alone.
Halloween Connection
The White Lady of the Philippines connects to Halloween through her ghostly nature, tragic backstory, and strong ties to local beliefs about the dead. Though Halloween in the Philippines is influenced by Western traditions, it overlaps with Undas (All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days), when spirits are believed to return. The White Lady, as a restless soul seeking justice, fits the season’s eerie themes and is often featured in horror stories, costumes, and haunted attractions. Her legend blends folklore and fear, making her a haunting symbol of Filipino Halloween.
Stay Tuned for Vol.3
Next time, we’ll head to Mexico to encounter the mourning mother La Llorona — A Mexican Folklore that will move you to tears.
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Lady