San Juanico Bridge over the San Juanico Strait between Taclobán and Santa Rita (Philippines)

An unnamed woman was the person in charge to oversee construction of the bridge. She consulted with a spiritist, who told her that the bridge could not be completed unless blood is offered to the nature spirits of the area. She was then revealed to be the ex-first lady Imelda Marcos, who trusted the advice so she ordered street children to be kidnapped from their families. A local diwata (mythological nature spirit), saw the plight of the children and took pity. According to this urban legend, the diwata cursed Mrs. Marcos to grow fish scales on her legs and that she would always stink like a fish.

Legend