February 12, 2009
GHI: Clark Hospital
Clark Hospital in the Philippines used to be an Army Medical base used to treat soldiers injured during the Vietnam war. It was evacuated after a nearby volcano erupted, covering it in a deep layer of volcanic ash. It is, apparently, still maintained in some small way however — even though the buildings seem like mere shells they are still guarded by a small security detail of locals. One of those men served as guide to the Ghost Hunters International team and related a number of experiences, both his and those of others who have worked there, which had the employees a little rattled. Truth be told, he probably would have been fairly relieved if GHI had come back and told him the building wasn't haunted; but that's not how things played out.
The investigation began with Robb & Barry seeing lights they couldn't explain, similar to a flashlight but from an unknown origin point. They seemed to think it might have come through a crack in the ceiling from someone on the second floor, except they could find no such crack and knew of nobody who was on the floor above them
I like new toys and both investigations from the episode feature one: Robb wore headphones throughout the investigation, which are tied into a microphone and run through a normalization (compression) system that essentially raises the volume of difficult-to-hear sounds and lowers the volume of louder sounds, making all sounds come out at a "normal" volume. Interestingly, it was Barry who said he heard "a platoon" coming down the hall towards them. I found it curious that Robb didn't seem to be hearing the same things as Barry, despite his fancy hearing-rig.
Elsewhere, Joe Chin was investigating with Angela when he thought he heard a whisper and saw a face peering in through what seemed to be a corner of the room where an open window led outside (ground level). Later, Barry was investigating with Dustin and also reported seeing a face, and in addition he claimed something touched his ear. Unfortunately, no recording of any strange goings-on was captured during any of these events. Dustin even reported seeing a "white figure", which corresponded with something their host had personally experienced, but unfortunately the cameras didn't seem to be pointing in the right direction. Oh, and don't think I can't hear you saying "Headcam" under your breath while you pretend to cough. I hear you. I hear you loud and clear.
Still, there was some intertesting evidence captured. For one thing, a camera in the morgue area picked up what seemed to be screams from unknown origin. Now, I wouldn't be able to definitively say those sounds were human screams — they were in the middle of the Philippines and that means all sorts of exotic wildlife needs to be ruled out — but it did give me the beginnings of a few goosebumps, which is rare these days.
Also, that light Barry and Robb saw early on seemed to be captured on video, but there wasn't really much you could tell. From what I could see, it looked just like there was an extra flashlight being shined around the room. Robb & Barry seem to believe that wasn't the case, but maybe they're mistaken, or maybe one of their lights was reflecting off of something. The video is from too far away and too dark to be of much use in drawing conclusions.
There were two EVP's captured and I'll deal with the second one first because it was completely unimpressive. The team thought they captured someone saying, "Help" but to me there was not even the beginning of an inflection there, it just sounded like an electronic whoosh on the recording. Could it have been caused by a supernatural spirit interfering with the microphone? Maybe, but even were that the case, I don't see any reasonable person assigning an English word (or any word, really) to that sound.
More impressive was when they offered any spirits present a cigarette and there was almost certainly a male voice on the recording which seemed to be responding "I'll take it". Now, if we could be sure that's what the voice was saying, and that it wasn't just one of the production crew clearing their throats, I'd be more impressed. Unfortunately, we cannot. That didn't stop GHI from issuing the "Haunted" verdict though. Now, if Dustin really did see a figure in white then I can't say I blame him but Robb is the team leader and he knows they're all about the evidence. In this case I think the evidence was weak, but then again I suppose this isn't the first and won't be the last time I disagree with GHI's findings.
Filed under Ghost Hunters International, Posts by Logisti
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Comments on GHI: Clark Hospital »
Leslie @ 7:39 pm
Ghost Herpetology International?
(Are they REALLY not aware of the variety of sounds and noises that those little amphibians make!!?)
The Doctor @ 8:46 pm
I think it's really interesting that Barry hears all sorts of things that Robb and his magic headphones dosen't seem to pick up. With Robb, Barry hears a platoon moving towards him, then with Dustin he hears a "whole troop of people" moving towards them, yet we never get to hear this.
The big mystery here is just why this place needs a caretaker.
anonymous @ 4:32 am
This was one of those investigations that leaves me feeling sort of sad. That scream for help was pretty disturbing.
Wes @ 8:32 am
Doctor,
That was my exact same frustration – Barry's hearing what sounds like a "platoon" marching toward them and we hear crickets … speaking of which, an open, abandoned place full of bugs, rats, frogs, etc., etc., and they are impressed by some noises? Sorry, but GHI is becoming Most Haunted with fewer accents.
Learjet @ 9:25 am
The "knocking" Angela and Brandy hear is the chirping of an Asian Gecko! I recognise that sound a mile away, since we have the little buggers in plague numbers here in the tropics.
Brenda Lee @ 3:58 pm
I think we can all agree that the standards on GHI would be improved by including local experts. They could bring in people who speak the language for their EVP work and experts on the local fauna. Especially when visiting sites that are open to the local night sounds. Let the local ecologist listen to the tape and say, hey that's a bird! Or that's a lizard. It could be one more level of tape review and would raise the level of their scientific method.
cmr @ 6:22 am
If GHI had head cams, the white figure that Dustin saw and the faces seen might have been captured on camera. When will they learn?
blinddog50 @ 8:24 am
cmr,
If Dustin or others wore headcams then we would have proof….that they didn't see a damn thing.
Chuck Neumann @ 11:26 am
I was an officer stationed at Clark Air Base in the 1970's. My daughter was born at Clark Hospital, and from the outside it looked much the same as it did years ago, except for the jungle growth. It is quite a shock to find a place you knew and where your daughter was born on Ghost Hunters International. I agree that the team seem to experience alot more stuff than they captured on tape. The "screams" could easily be the wind and animal noises. Geckos are everywhere, and the film showed many frogs. The EVP of "help" was interesting. The biggest mystery – as pointed out by others – was why in the world they need security guards at the shell of the hospital. The show showed at least four men listed as security guards. Knowing the area, anything of value has long been taken. A fun episode for me to watch.
CrowTRobot @ 9:25 am
I actually enjoyed this episode, although I did have an issue that I'll address later.
I'm with Logisti on the "Help!" scream: Even after they told us what it was suppose to say, all I heard was static. And although the sounds of the 'marching platoon' and 'voices' were eerie; like others have already stated, I'd have to chalk them up to animals or the wind. And Barry? I'm about to the point that I wouldn't believe him if he told me Sunday was the Sabbath.
About now you're probably wondering why I enjoyed it. Well, too many of these investigations (GHI & GH) just seem to follow a script – SOS. But this episode felt different. while the evidence was a bit weak (as usual), at least SOMETHING seemed to be happening. I could understand how this place could creep people out. The GHI team truly seemed to be in to this one. I'm not sure if it was emotionally or what, but it made MY viewing more enjoyable.
@ Chuck Neumann: Welcome. I'm glad you found us; especially since I did have a bit of an issue with this particular location. It's the same issue I had with the Sharon Tate episode. It's one thing to hunt ghosts of monks from 500 years ago. But to be alledgedly hunting 'ghosts' from the Vietnam War……I don't know. It seems too…..personal – too close to home. It's possible it's just my age: I didn't have to serve, but I had friends whose older brothers went. I just couldn't help being a bit uncomfortable with the thought of people sitting at home watching some tv show exploit the death of their fathers/brothers/etc and claim to hear the 'screams' of their spirits. Chuck, you were there. I'm I just being a bit over dramatic? I have to admit, I can be at times.
Chuck Neumann @ 11:38 am
@crowTRobot: Thanks for the welcome. I understand what you are saying, in fact I think Robb and some of the others felt like you do. They seemed a lot more emotional than they do when they "hear" a 500 year old spirit. I don't feel it was in bad taste for the team to be there, however. It is nice to remember the role the base played. Also, the hospital served the population of a large Air Base for many years after the War. If there are ghosts there, they might not all be from the War.
PatAttack @ 10:23 am
My father was a Door Gunner on a Huey helicopter in the Vietnam War. He was injured and stayed at that hospital for two months. I still have letters that he sent to my Mom from Clark AFB. This investigation did have a strong interest from me, considering that my father had stayed there. One thing I noticed that I don't think anyone has mentioned is when Barry said he felt something touch his ear. Looking at it on the DVR, it was a bug that flew past his ear. That I clearly saw. Can anyone else verify? The only EVP that was impressive was the "I'll take it". All of the other noises can probably be dismissed to outside interference. I'm with everyone else on the apparitions, no we did not see them and we all know why.
Liz M @ 8:20 pm
I agree about the bug and the ear. The hospital seemed so open, how could they not think of bugs as the first suspect when feeling they've been touched?
The "I'll take it" EVP was also very impressive. I could actually hear it. OK, maybe not crystal clear, but much better than the "help" sound. And as soon as I heard the screams in the hospital I wondered to myself what the normal nightlife sounds like in the surrounding area. Being that none of them are familiar with the local wildlife, I thought it was a stretch.
Mel G @ 12:52 pm
I am a BIG fan of Ghost Hunters/GHI and I must say that I just rewatched this episode and I can agree on some issues such as the extra light possibly being a reflection off their flashlight and the other noises they heard throughout the night. I have noticed that Rob tends to judge things too quickly. Jason would have dismissed the light issue as a bug I'm sure right?? Why is it that Rob is so quick to label a place as haunted when Jason on the other hand has a hard time labeling anything with the "H" word??! I think if Jason & Grant were to overlook some of GHI's evidence they may dismiss a lot of it. Still, there are bits of evidence in other cases that left me guessing!
Shaw @ 1:01 pm
Maybe not the best episode evidence wise to be labeling the place haunted but like someone mentioned, I felt the hospital part of this episode seemed to hit the team in some way. I felt amerced while watching it, sensing how disturbed they felt by being there. It didn't feel like the 'same old' sorta 'scripted' episodes that lack emotion from the team members.
Snoop @ 8:39 pm
Chuck writes:
==================================
The biggest mystery – as pointed out by others – was why in the world they need security guards at the shell of the hospital. The show showed at least four men listed as security guards. Knowing the area, anything of value has long been taken.
==================================
Why is this such a big mystery? It is very common for security guards to be posted in or around buildings that due to their desolate nature, could cause injuries etc to people. I would assume that a lot of people (probably the youth) would be visiting that site. Just like we did when we were kids. Always gathering around the local cemetery etc. Notice all the graffiti in the videos?
Snoop @ 8:45 pm
Brenda Lee writes:
======================================
I think we can all agree that the standards on GHI would be improved by including local experts. They could bring in people who speak the language for their EVP work and experts on the local fauna. Especially when visiting sites that are open to the local night sounds. Let the local ecologist listen to the tape and say, hey that's a bird! Or that's a lizard. It could be one more level of tape review and would raise the level of their scientific method.
======================================
Just like this episode, you would expect the person receiving the "reveal" information, would be well educated in not only the language, but the "sounds" of the area.
Don't you think the caretaker would have recognised local animal sounds? I mean after all, he works and lives in the area.
Genesis Montero @ 10:06 am
hello, Mr. Neimann. How are you?
This is in regard to your question, "why do they (Clark Administrators) need security guards for the property when it's already valueless…". I hope I got the question correctly. Well, they just recently assigned guards to stand by the area because a lot of people, especially, the youth, go to the place for ghost hunting. and many of them were hurt or killed by the ghosts. i, for one, know a person who went there and tragically died when a ghost allegedly followed them into their car. their vehicles crahed into a tree..
but most importantly, that place was a popular hideout for gangs and other outlaws… whenever i drive by near the place, a patrol car starts to track me down to see if i'm one of those who seek thrill out of ghost hunting..
Jaeh @ 4:03 am
On why there are guards:
in addition to what Genesis Montero said, the place does not really look that safe, that's why the Clark Admin. generally don't want people snooping around in there. Also, squatters and yes, outlaws and gangs might be inclined to hang around there.
the "beware of ghosts" sign is obviously made by a trespasser, and that's one of the things they are also trying to avoid – trespassers who would vandalize and anyone who could be hurt in general.
@learjet – yep, that was an Asian Gecko alright. me and my friends used to catch them for fun when we were younger.
@snoop – I don't think they handed that over to the caretaker. I'm sure he would have recognized which sounds the local fauna made.
General Comment:
the "help" EVP was mostly static, but the voice did kind of sound like it was calling for help – and I thought it sounded like a woman. The "I'll take it" one was impressive – it sounded like a deep-voiced man.
I would've loved to be there – I could've identified most of the sounds and the language. well, mostly. I probably won't be the best candidate though…
In my opinion they should've brought in another local who could talk to the guard and translate better for him. I'm sure he would have a lot more stories he could relate better in his language. the guard could have helped distinguishing between the animal sounds and possible EVPs with the translator.
there have been so many stories about that place here in the Philippines. I'm not usually a believer, but that place has been featured not only by GHI, but also by local ghost hunters.
Carl @ 6:03 am
I have lived, worked and been stationed in the Philippines since the early 80's. I live in Angeles City and never have heard of anybody killed on the old base. I have heard the hospital is haunted and the kids dare each other to go there. There are many squatters who live up in the old housing areas and around the hospital. The Filipino people are very superstitious and hearing something familiar to them during the day turns into something different especially after dark. Myself and a couple of friends here are beginning our own little ghost hunting thing and were looking to start at this same hospital and some other places in Manila. As we live there we will probably go more than a few times so if there is something there we would probably be able to get something a little more interesting than a gecko making sounds !!