Federico Stories

On January 13, 2001, an earthquake hit Santa Tecla badly. The following days were full of terror. The strong aftershocks that followed the first earthquake led thousands of families to sleep with clothes, and shoes very close to the exit of their homes. No one knew what could happen next. The fear was so massive since hundreds of people had died because of a landslide in the Las Colinas neighborhood. This situation brought new rumors to the Salvadoran minds. They discovered that just hours after the first earthquake, a horrendous boy was born in Zacatecoluca. Plus, he had predicted a new tragedy was coming on February 13. The newborn had scared the entire medical staff because of his ugliness. Some believed it was the same Antichrist because he had horns and a tail. One of the nurses was so shocked that she exclaimed, "What an ugly child!" Figure 1. The ugly baby. Immediately after the nurse’s words, a frightening voice coming from the newborn answered: "The ugliest even...

In the 1990s, an elegant and imponent hotel was constructed on one of the best beaches of El Salvador, Costa del Sol. A place recognized for its golden sand. The hotel was called Puerto Ventura and the locals called its location Las Isletas. The hotel was relatively hidden and mainly visited by wealthy visitors. Its hidden nature allowed them to escape from their daily routines and enjoy a peaceful stay outside the public eye. The magnificent beaches, proximity to the Lempa River, some small forests, and the powerful Pacific Ocean were the ideal combination for a short or long-deserved vacation. Everyone who visited this hotel enjoyed their experience and shared it with their close ones. However, everything changed drastically in 1998 when the tail of Hurricane Mitch hit El Salvador. Its fierce winds and storms were an extremely destructive force that caused billions of dollars of destruction all over Central America and the Caribbean, just in El Salvador perished 240 people and the d...

In 1908, a few people found some human bones that belonged to a two meters tall woman. In those days, the location of the bones was called San José, but today is known as the Giant Hill. However, from these bones, nothing is known. People assure some scientists took the bones to be examined in another country, but the results were never known. The mayor in those days, Santiago Mata, commissioned Naftalí to elaborate it and sculpted the face in wood and painted it. Then he formed the body so that a person could get under it and make it turn so that it would seem that it danced. The finding caused a stir among the inhabitants and led to the creation of a popular myth that ended up becoming the legend of “the giantess of Jocoro” (figure 1). Figure 1. The g iantess of Jocoro. A story that over the years has given way to the development of an extraordinary doll that is accompanied by a court of masked men. It goes out to dance through the streets of the municipality every Febru...

Long ago, on a farm owned by Mr. Ceferino Mancía in El Congo, some of his workers found a massive rock, and for unknown reasons, decided to move it. They were ecstatic because when they moved it, they noticed an old clay jar underneath it that was full of gold and silver coins! (Figure 1) Figure 1. The jar of El Congo.  ¹ One of the workers saw Mr. Ceferino walking around, ran to him, and told him the great news! The farmer without thinking ran rapidly to collect this treasure and went to his house back. Everyone thought, Mr. Ceferino as the owner was very lucky, and the treasure seemed like a blessing at first glance, and perhaps, he would share a bit with them. Nevertheless, in the following days, the farmer became mysteriously ill and died without any sign. No doctor could comprehend what had happened, and everyone agreed he died of natural death. Hours later, the workers heard the news and decided to bury this cursed treasure one more time, where they found it; th...