In 2008 I was visiting friends in Roxas City, Capiz. Upon learning about my interest in the creatures of Philippine Mythology, an acquaintance suggested I visit the mummy of Maria Basañes in Pilar, a few districts over. So off we went. After stopping at city hall and hiring a guide, we arrived at a humble cement block home. After being charged a small fee, we entered the property and then the front door of the house. One of my companions immediately grasped the door frame and nearly fell. To our left was the mummified body, dressed as a nun, with eyes seeming to follow us as we moved. Unsettling does not quite describe the feeling.
The Story of Maria Basañes
According to the family, Maria Basañes was a very religious woman. The official literature states that she died of a heart attack at 47 years old on March 12, 1929 (a family member told me that she had been murdered, but this is not confirmed and has been denied by all other reliable sources). Later, the family was required to move the grave and found that her body was preserved. They now keep her in the living room of their home. Rumours say she wanders the region at night and, according to the family, they often find grass on her feet in the mornings. Some believe this to be a divine will, others believe she should be deemed a saint.
We were told by the family and guide that the process for canonization was started with a local bishop, but the case has not passed the second stage of examination by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. There are 4 stages to canonization – Servant of God | Venerable/Heroic in Virtue | Beatification | and finally Canonization. Upon further investigation, her name is not found on the list of Filipino Saints, Blesseds, Venerables, and Servants of God recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. Her name is also not found on the Vatican’s list of candidates awaiting approval. Even though Sainthood may not be in the future for Maria Basañes, the love from her community in the barrio of Casanayan is clear.
My Thoughts on the Mummy
Mummification can occur when the natural process of decay is blocked – lack of moisture and /or oxygen. Granted the Philippine climate is not a likely candidate for this to occur, but it has happened in other regions and around the world without divine intervention. An embalming process was done on Maria when she passed away and, in normal circumstances, should only have lasted 3 days. The family keeps Maria in a non temperature controlled room, washing it with a moist cloth and doing amateur repairs. Dr. Noel Martinez, a medico-legal officer of the Western Visayas Crime Laboratory, admits it is the first time he has seen such a well-preserved cadaver and speculates that cooler ground temperature may have delayed the cadaver’s natural decaying process.
What finally clinched my disbelief was when Doctor Erwin P. Erfe, director of Public Attorney’s Office Forensic Laboratory says stitches on the cadaver’s neck indicated an embalming process may have been done on Maria when she passed away. He agrees it is an unusual case, but is not something that can’t be explained through science.
I have heard it said that miracles are not for the believers but for the non-believers. Believers already know the power of God, miracles are meant to gain the attention of the non-believer.
I personally felt the display of this corpse was a sad reflection on society as a whole. Our need to find miracles has trumped Maria Basañes right to rest – as her, and her family’s faith, would demand.
***UPDATE Sept. 11, 2016 – When I first shared my personal thoughts about touting this as a “tourist attraction” – as it has been advertised as on the choosephilippines.com website and the official government website for Pilar, Capiz – I was met with quite a few nasty messages – usually calling me “stupid” for not recognizing that science can’t explain it, and the Vatican is interested in canonization. As I have explained above, science can explain it, and the Vatican is not interested. I don’t hold any resentment for that name calling, just pity for those who take advantage of people who live their lives so desperate for miracles that even the simplest of deceptions can provide them.
According to the townsfolk and the Basañes family, there is no fee or admission for viewing. The family demanded to see a receipt for our entrance fee. I visited there over 8 years ago and we were not issued a receipt for the very small fee we were charged before entering the property. It could be that we were scammed into paying a few pesos- it was such a small amount, it is of no consequence to me. So I will re-iterate that there is no entrance fee to see the mummy.
When we exited the home, there was a small donation box to our left. As was mentioned to me recently by the Basañes family, when you visit you may make a donation of your choosing – but it is not required.***
Jordan Clark is a Canadian born descendant of Scottish immigrants living on the homelands of the Lekwungen speaking peoples. His interest in Philippine myth and folklore began in 2004. Finding it difficult to track down resources on the topic, he founded The Aswang Project in 2006. Shortly after, he embarked on a 5 year journey, along with producing partner Cheryl Anne del Rosario, to make the 2011 feature length documentary THE ASWANG PHENOMENON – an exploration of the aswang myth and its effects on Philippine society. In 2015 he directed “The Creatures of Philippine Mythology” web-series, which features 3 folkloric beings from the Philippines – the TIKBALANG, KAPRE and BAKUNAWA. Episodes are available to watch on YouTube. Jordan recently oversaw the editing for the English language release of Ferdinand Blumentritt’s DICCIONARIO MITOLÓGICO DE FILIPINAS (Dictionary of Philippine Mythology) and is working on two more releases with fellow creators scheduled for release later this year. When his nose isn’t in a book, he spends time with his amazing Filipina wife of 20 years and their smart and wonderful teenaged daughter.
