The Philippine BPO industry employs 1.82 million workers as of 2024, generating billions in annual revenue. Behind the customer service excellence exists a documented phenomenon that major media networks and companies themselves have captured: ghost stories from night shift agents experiencing supernatural encounters in their workplace.

These aren’t workplace urban legends. From GMA Network’s extensively documented Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho episodes to Select VoiceCom’s 2025 horror series, Filipino call center ghost stories represent a cultural intersection of workplace stress, historical tragedy, and unexplained phenomena.

With Filipino call center agents averaging only 5.8 hours of sleep daily, these documented experiences occur within an industry characterized by extreme fatigue and night shift operations.

1. Junjun: The Most Documented BPO Paranormal Case

The Junjun episode represents the most extensively documented call center paranormal case in Philippine television history. Mark Ababao, a 25-year-old call center agent, encountered a young boy in white shirt and black shorts running through the production area. When he asked his supervisor about the child, his colleagues fled to the lobby.

Documented Evidence:

  • Headcount Anomaly: Training registered 26 people when 25 trainees were present
  • Audio Recording: Client voice captured saying, “Sounds like you got your little one on the other end”
  • Physical Contact: Multiple agents reported being touched by cold hands in sleeping quarters

According to documented accounts, Junjun’s mother was a call center agent who brought him to an office event. The child allegedly entered an elevator where he got trapped, leading to his death. The story inspired the 2019 MMFF film Sunod.

2. SVC Night Shift Files: Corporate-Produced Ghost Stories

Select VoiceCom, a Cebu-based BPO company, released short films based on real encounters from actual employees. This represents one of the first instances of a Philippine BPO company officially acknowledging supernatural workplace phenomena through branded content.

3. The Sleeping Quarters: Where Ghost Stories Come to Life

Sleeping quarters appear prominently in documented BPO horror stories. These designated rest areas—where exhausted agents sleep between shifts—consistently generate supernatural encounter reports.

Apple’s Story described sleeping quarters as “palaging madilim” (always dark) and feeling like “maraming naninirahan sa dilim” (dwellers in the darkness). Drew’s Story reported encounters on the fourth floor, directly below an unused fifth floor that was formerly a cafeteria. Jem’s Account featured the tagline “Hindi ako naniniwala noon hanggang sa akin na nagpakita” (I didn’t believe until it showed itself to me).

4. Think Talk Tea: 2025 Documentary Coverage

The documentary “CONFESSIONS of a CALL CENTER Professional” represents one of the most comprehensive recent examinations of BPO life, featuring Don Gee, a call center professional whose TikTok content about BPO horror stories has reached thousands of viewers.

5. HILAKBOT TV: Crowdsourced Documentation

HILAKBOT TV has built an extensive archive of BPO horror documentation featuring real names and firsthand accounts from workers across the Philippines. Notable episodes include “Call Center/BPO Horror Stories” (December 2021) and “Haunted Call Center Office sa Butuan” (June 2024).

Industry Recognition

The Philippine BPO industry’s acknowledgment of supernatural workplace experiences occurs primarily through informal channels and employee-driven platforms rather than official corporate communications. Companies frequently acknowledge these stories in social media and internal discussions, reflecting the cultural significance of these experiences within the workforce.

In 2019, KMJS Gabi ng Lagim VI recorded an overnight people audience rating of 14.4 percent, becoming the most-watched program during its airing. The episode was the most-talked about topic on social media, peaking at #3 worldwide on Twitter, demonstrating massive cultural impact.

Additional Ghost Stories Documentation Platforms

  • ScreamPh (August 2020): Features Clarkie’s experiences with the Junjun legend
  • Sitio Bangungot Podcast (2023-2024): Multiple call center horror episodes including specific documentation of sleeping quarter experiences
  • Kuya Ken Takutan (September 2025): Animated horror stories from BPO workers

Frequently Asked Questions About Call Center Ghost Stories

What evidence exists supporting the Junjun case?

Reddit testimonies and informal media sources reference the Junjun legend, including accounts of audio recordings, headcount anomalies, and corroborated experiences from multiple employees. While widely discussed across BPO communities, these accounts remain primarily anecdotal rather than formally documented.

Why are sleeping quarters frequently associated with paranormal activity?

These rest areas are typically isolated, kept dark for sleeping agents, and used during night shifts when supernatural activity traditionally peaks. Combined with extreme sleep deprivation affecting night shift workers, the conditions may contribute to increased reports.

Where can these BPO horror stories be accessed?

Multiple platforms document these stories: KMJS on YouTube, HILAKBOT TV, Think Talk Tea, and Sitio Bangungot on Spotify.

Has any BPO company officially acknowledged these reports?

While BPO horror stories are widely discussed in employee circles and on social media platforms, there is no evidence of formal corporate acknowledgment through official company releases or statements.

Whether attributed to documented sleep deprivation or unexplained paranormal activity, these experiences have become an established element of Philippine call center culture. For the 1.82 million Filipinos working night shifts in customer service roles, supernatural workplace encounters remain part of documented reality.

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