The Thieves’ Market Possession

In 1953, a woman browsing antiques at Manila’s famous Quinta Market reportedly became possessed after handling an old idol. The incident caused panic in the crowded marketplace and required intervention by a local priest.

The Incident

Maria Santos was examining a small wooden figure when she suddenly went rigid. Witnesses described her eyes rolling back as she began speaking in a deep, masculine voice. The language was not Tagalog or any dialect bystanders recognized.

The Manifestation

Maria reportedly displayed superhuman strength, requiring several men to restrain her. She cursed in the unknown language and seemed to know secrets about bystanders she could not have learned. The antique seller fled, abandoning his stall.

The Exorcism

A Catholic priest from a nearby parish was brought to the scene. He performed emergency exorcism rites in the middle of the market. After an hour of struggle, Maria collapsed unconscious. When she awoke, she remembered nothing.

The Artifact

The wooden figure was never recovered. Some said it was an ancient anito, a pre-colonial spirit figure. Others claimed it had been stolen from a grave. The antique seller was never seen at the market again.

Assessment

The Thieves’ Market incident reflects the Philippines’ unique blend of Catholic and indigenous beliefs. Whether genuine possession or culturally influenced psychosomatic response, the case terrified witnesses who reported it for decades afterward.