The Manila School Possession Outbreak

In 2018, a Catholic girls’ school in the Manila area of the Philippines experienced a mass possession event. Dozens of students began screaming, convulsing, and speaking in strange voices simultaneously. The school was closed for days.

The Outbreak

During school hours, multiple girls began exhibiting unusual behavior. They screamed, collapsed, and appeared to be in trances. Some spoke in deep voices. Others claimed to see demonic figures. The behavior spread rapidly through the student body.

The Response

Teachers and administrators initially attempted to help the affected students. When the number of cases grew, parents were summoned. Priests from the local parish arrived to offer prayers and blessings.

The Pattern

Those affected reported similar experiences: a feeling of being watched, sudden cold, then loss of control. Many remembered nothing of their episodes. Medical examinations found nothing physically wrong with the students.

Explanations

Mass psychogenic illness was proposed by some medical professionals. Church officials and many families maintained that demonic activity was responsible. The truth likely lies in the intersection of psychological and spiritual factors.

Resolution

After several days of prayers and ceremonies, the incidents subsided. The school reopened with increased spiritual precautions. No clear explanation was ever officially determined.

Assessment

The Manila case demonstrates how possession beliefs remain powerful in many cultures and how such beliefs can manifest in dramatic group experiences.