Built during the late President Ferdinand Marcos' administration, the San Juanico Bridge is also dubbed as the Marcos Bridge. The bridge stretches from Samar to Leyte across the narrowest strait in the Philippines, the San Juanico Strait. It was a gift of love given to her First lady at that time who is now the Ilocos Norte Representative, Imelda Marcos, a native of the Leyte province.
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On November 2013, the strongest typhoon of that year, typhoon Yolanda devastated portions of Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines. Amidst being near the bridge on the most damaged province, Tacloban City, Leyte, San Juanico Bridge only experience mild damage that soon repaired and reopened in just a month. In 2002, a PHP 25 million damage was recorded after a barge rammed into a concrete foundation of the bridge. But these occurrences will never be enough to bring down the 51-year-old bridge. Because of the unbelievably strong attribute of the bridge, it arouses rumors that soon become the urban legends of the region.
Here are the three most famous stories that explain the sturdy nature of the bridge:
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Image: Attractour |
"Padugo" or blood-spilling is a tradition performed since the peak of deities and 'anitos' beliefs. It is a belief performed that the blood spilled on the site will strengthen the foundation of the structure being built. Usually, the blood of animals was used for this tradition. But others believed that human blood will be more effective in larger construction projects such as bridges and skyscrapers.
The woman and the river fairy. Last but not the least, but the most controversial urban legend ever told that is connected to San Juanico Bridge is the story of a woman and the river fairy. This legend starts when a high lady-official was told by a fortune-teller that the bridge will nit stand for a long period of time it is not poured by blood. But the required blood is never ordinary. Instead of animal blood, it must come from children and babies.
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Image: Amino Apps |
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