CEBU CITY – Seeing spirits may be a hair-raising experience for others, but for this 66-year-old “mananabtan” (prayer leader) who has been living inside one of the biggest cemeteries here , it is just a normal occurrence.
MARIA Shirly Lausa prays in front of a grave inside the Carreta Cemetery in Cebu City which has been her home for several years now. (Contributed photo)
Through the years, Maria Shirly Lausa and her family have learned to co-exist with the dead. Lausa’s connection with the departed has even become her main source of living.
As a “mananabtan” or those who are asked to pray for specific occasions, Lausa would earn P200 per client.
But unlike other prayer leaders, Lausa would accept any amount that will be given to her, empathizing with people who would need their services but could not afford the minimum charge of P200.
“I don’t demand specific amount. Unlike others, any amount will do for me but most of the time, I get P200,” Lausa said.
A special occasion like “Undas” or All Saints’ Day is a boon for prayer leaders.
Lausa said on All Saints’ Day, she earned P2,500 by leading prayers for the departed.
She claimed that she is the most sought-after prayer leader at the Carreta Cemetery. Lausa guarantees that when is the one leading the prayer, the spirit surely listens.
But how does Lausa know that her prayers are being heard by the departed?
She said one would know that the spirits are listening to her prayers based on how fast the candles melt as she prays.
“If the spirit is not listening, the candle melts fast. But if the candle doesn’t melt quickly and the flame is not moving, even if winds are strong, it means the spirit is listening,” said Lausa.
Her ability to connect with the spirits makes her a favorite prayer leader, Lausa said.
“That’s why I have a lot of customers who really look for me because they know that if I’m the one praying, the spirits would really listen,” she said.
Lausa lamented that being a prayer leader is not as lucrative as in the past. She said people hiring prayer leaders to say prayers for the deceased has decreased significantly.
Her makeshift hut was built in between tombs at the back portion of Carreta Cemetery run by the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
As someone who has been making a living from the dead, the sight of spirits wandering before her eyes has become normal for Lausa.
“Every night, I can see spirits passing by my hut. They carry candles and would light it in front of their own grave,” she said.
Lausa’s dwelling is located in the area where the victims of a sea tragedy in Talisay City, Cebu were buried.
The tragedy happened on Aug. 16, 2023 in which 116 people died after MV St. Thomas Aquinas and Sulpicio Express 7 collided.
“Every night, I can see them. They would light candles. My dog can also see them, that’s why they bark a lot,” she said.
Seeing spirits has not frightened Lausa even once. She said she is even more afraid of living humans.
“I think they know me already since I’ve been living here for a long time already,” Lausa said.
Under overcast skies on All Souls' Day, reporters chanced upon Lausa moving from one tomb to another inside the Carreta Cemetery.
Talking to the dead, earning from the dead, it was just another day in the office for Lausa.