Ball of Fire

         People have already seen movies under the supernatural genre. Usually in these kinds of movies, characters who wield super powers are the big shots. Their super powers are coming from the water, air, earth, steel and especially fire. I think the coolest power projected from the movie is the ability to use fire and shoot fireballs at the enemy. But no matter how cool it may look like, it is still just a part of the special effects that would enhance the movie.

       The shooting of fireballs may only be possible in fictional movie but I know of a certain fireball that might actually exist in the real world. It is called as Santelmo. The Santelmo, one of the Philippine mythical creatures, is described as a floating fireball roaming in the forest.  The term santelmo is the shortened form of the original term –St. Elmo’s Fire.

       The usual color of the Santelmo is blue or bluish-white. Its flame is heatless and non-consuming, occasionally accompanied by a hissing sound.  Its size may vary since different people who claimed that they saw a santelmo described different sizes of it. It may be as big as that of a basketball or volleyball.

       According the old stories, a santelmo would follow humans wandering at the forest. They would especially follow women.  Old people have this kind of deduction since many testimonies of young women came out saying that they were followed by a mysterious fireball.  According to old people, a young woman who was followed by a santelmo may be alarming. This is because they believe that a santelmo could actually rape women.

     Knowing that a santelmo would rape women is quite disturbing. I asked my lola what would happen if a woman will be raped by a santelmo. She said that the woman would possibly be pregnant. The baby would still look like a normal human being. The only difference is that the baby will get a supernatural power, which is no other than to wield fire powers.   

    If you don’t want to be chased, or worse, raped by a santelmo then you can follow this short tip: If you would encounter an unusual fireball, then you must stay put and avoid running away. The wind behind you will make lead the santelmo to you. But if you really feel like running out of panic then run in a zigzag pattern. In this way the santelmo would be confused by the unusual pattern you are taking.

    If you’d ever have and adventure in the forest, then be wary of this creature for your own safety. They may not be the same as those flesh-eating creatures but they can pose threat to us humans. Remember the tip of avoiding a santelmo and you will be safe from being pursued by it.