“The Devil is biting me! Look at my hands.”

Read Time:13 Minute, 42 Second

By William Van Zyl

Published in May 2025

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A well-documented true Story (1953):

“OOuuuuccchhh! It is biting me again! Help me! Pull me away!”

Clarita contorts like an injured rattlesnake. Her ragged prison uniform is stained with sweat and dirt; the black-and-white pattern on the fabric looks like a snake that has shed its skin. Her once beautiful brown eyes rolled in her head like a heavily drugged addict. She pulls her hands away and tries to push them under the filthy, ripped mattress. She is lying on her tummy on the bed; she desperately tries to hide her hands by forcing them into the holes in the mattress.

The sour stench of sweat, rusted iron, and decay clings to the air in the Manila City Jail. Rats scurry beneath her creaking bed. Next to Cell No. 7, anxious, wide-eyed prisoners mutter in fear.

But this morning, all eyes are fixed on Clarita’s cell. Several bite marks are visible on her hands. Then, another semi-circular shape appears on her hands. The large horseshoe shape is not a sign of luck but a significant sign of a painful, pink-red devilish retaliation. Someone or something with large incisors and molars is sinking them into the soft flesh on her trembling hands. The invisible attackers are upset.

Unbelievably, as the onlooking Filipino doctors and nurses are inspecting her arms and hands, more bite marks appear on her hands.

“Uoch, ouch! Ito ay masakit. Tingnan mo, ito ay nakakagat sa akin. Tingnan mo!” (Translated: “Uoch, ouch! It is painful. Look, it is biting me. See!”), shouts Clarita.

There is a commotion. Anxious voices are ringing out:

“Tingnan mo, kinakagat siya nito!” (“Look, It is biting her!”).

She pushes her hands into the mattress.

In the jail cell, the doctors and nurses are terrified. They take a step back.

“Hakbang pabalik. Ingat kayo! Inaatake siya ng mga totoong demonyo.” (“Step back. Watch out! Real demons are attacking her”)

Pandemonium breaks loose in the Manila prison.

—0—

It is 1953 in Manila, the Philippines. Eighteen-year-old Clarita Villanueva trembles in terror inside her cell, her eyes wide with fear. Moments ago, sharp, searing pain ripped through her hands. The guards, doctors, and nurses rush in—again. They watch in horror as fresh bite marks appear on her skin. No one is touching her. However, they can sense an eerie presence in the cell: Evil.

Doctors and nurses, sceptics by nature, now stand helpless, their medical training unable to explain what they are witnessing. Invisible forces are tormenting this young woman—and everyone knows it. The atmosphere is thick with wickedness.

Spine-tingling fear grips everyone around Clarita. The prisoners in the adjacent cells are chanting.

“Get her out. Get the devil out of here!”

—-0—-

Into this darkness walks Dr. Lester Sumrall, a young American missionary and preacher, with his two assistants. His face is calm, but his voice carries divine authority. He ushers in divine light.

He sees the bite marks appear on Clarita’s hands. Dr Sumerall shows no fear.

“We have to cast the demons out!” he declares sternly.

The officials, now desperate and out of options, step back.

What follows will become one of the most extraordinary and well-documented cases of spiritual warfare in modern history.

Table of Contents

“Satan, I command you to leave her in Jesus’ Name. In the Name of Jesus Christ, I command you to leave her body. You have no right to her. I take control of her body. Demons leave her now! I command it in Jesus’ Name!”

He waved his hands over her head, chest, and tummy. At first, nothing happened, and he continued to pray out loud. Then he laid his hands on her head. The two assistants also lay their hands on Clarita.

After a few hours, Dr. Sumrall returns to his apartment and continues to pray. He knows these demons are not ordinary; they are powerful and fierce.

The next day, he is back. He wrestles with the demons. It is day two.

The fear and anxiety reach catastrophic proportions. The inmates are chanting:

“Paalisin mo siya dito! Gusto mo bang mamatay tayong lahat? Papatayin tayo ng Diyablo!” (“Get her out of here! Do you want us all to die? The Devil will kill us!”)

“Go in the Name of Jesus!” commands Dr Sumrall.

Photo of Clarita Villanueva (1953). Source Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KapamilyaTFC/photos/the-exorcism-of-clarita-villanuevain-1953-18-year-old-clarita-villanueva-of-baco/2382537388471308/?locale=ms_MY

—-0—-

It is day three. The prison is boiling over with fear and trepidation. Reporters and presenters are just outside the cell, witnessing the events. Several cameras are flashing, lighting up the dark dungeon.

Dr. Sumrall is exhausted because he has been praying and fasting, and every day, he and his two assistants come back with a vengeance. Why? To destroy the works of the Devil.

“Jesus will defeat the enemy. The power of God will cast the demons out of her,” is his resolve.

Then it happens.

Clarita twists and turns, foaming at the mouth. Her eyes roll like lightning. She contorts like a giant anaconda trapped in a small bamboo cage. She shrieks and shouts. The rusty bed creaks, and then suddenly, the bed moves a couple of inches. She does a death roll, exposing her soft, vulnerable “underbelly.” The dirty grey-coloured blanket is tightly wrapped around her head and shoulders. Her face protrudes through a large hole in the blanket.

“Aarrgghh!!! AAARrrgghh!!! Don’t kill me, don’t kill me!” she muffles.

Then, there is a calm. Her body relaxes, and her eyes stop rolling. Dr Sumerall carefully unwinds and unwraps the blanket. He can now see her head, face, and shoulders again. Everyone around her is holding their breath.

A long silence follows. All eyes are scanning. She sits up on her bed.

“Nauuhaw ako.” (“I am thirsty.”). She whispers.

END OF THE INTRODUCTION. HERE ARE THE FACTS

—0—

The exorcism of Clarita Villanueva. To this day, many people believe her story holds more supernatural evidence than any other demonic possession case in history. Credit black and white images: Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DE7lRolosp9/ sosupernaturalpod

Clarita was delivered entirely from demonic possession and was no longer attacked. Her demeanour and health changed dramatically—she became calm, peaceful, and joyful. She went on to live a normal life after her release from prison.

THE MOVIE: What really happened to Filipina Clarita Villanueva? “She said that it’s the devil that’s attacking her. I myself did not believe the Captain [of the prison] when he told me about it this morning. However, I have seen it. Last night, this girl was attacked by something we couldn’t see. It’s not hysteria. I’ve examined the wounds myself; they are deep marks embedded in her skin. ” Find out her real-life horror story in #ClaritaMovie. Coming to select US cinemas from July 26 to August 1 only. Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2517531771632839&id=338937422825629&set=a.380406822012022

“THE THING”

In 1953, Clarita Villanueva, a taxi dancer (a paid dance partner in a ballroom dance) from Bacolod, was booked and thrown into Bilibid for vagrancy (the state or action of one who has no established home and drifts from place to place without visible or lawful means of support). While in confinement, Villanueva was attacked by an unseen being that the press called “The Thing.” This made national and international headlines.

Manila Mayor Arsenio Lacson, who witnessed an attack, requested the UST Rector and the Archbishop of Manila for an exorcism. This photo shows neuropsychiatrist Lt. Col Jose Zaguierre testing Villanueva’s reflexes under the watchful eyes of a crowd of “uziseros.”

“My Inquirer,” (an article from two years ago) gives details on this intriguing story.

https://opinion.inquirer.net/143757/the-thing Credit image: Ambeth R. Ocampo’s Post. https://www.facebook.com/TheAmbethOcampo/posts/the-thing-in-1953-clarita-villanueva-a-taxi-dancer-from-bacolod-was-booked-and-t/886037629551437/

Dr. Lester Sumrall (1913–1996), world-renowned pastor and evangelist, ministered for over fifty-five years in more than 110 countries, including Soviet Siberia, Russia, Tibet, and China. He established Feed the Hungry in 1987. In addition, he wrote over 130 books. His evangelistic association, LeSEA, headquartered in South Bend, Indiana, is still actively spreading God’s Word. Dr. Sumrall’s goal was to win 1,000,000 souls for the kingdom of God, and the ministry continues this vision. LeSEA ministry includes such outreaches as the World Harvest Bible College, a teaching tape ministry, and numerous publications. Sumrall also founded LeSEA Broadcasting, a multi-faceted ministry which includes television and satellite broadcasting, international shortwave radio, Bible distribution, and the 24-hour World Harvest Prayerline. Credit: Whitaker House. https://www.whitakerhouse.com/book-authors/lester-sumrall/?srsltid=AfmBOoq8Rb2g3rLml4txyboCrQ4YBUUKv5DgC2Ble0xAqfvDjF1mc2Em

QUOTE BY DR SUMRALL:

“You cannot talk the devil out of a person, you CAST him out…” Lester Sumrall.

Lester Sumrall documented this in his book Bitten by Demons, which recounts the 1953 case of a young Filipino woman named Clarita Villanueva.

Summary of the True Story: Clarita Villanueva – Bitten by Demons

Here is another account.

In 1953, in Manila, Philippines, Clarita Villanueva, an 18-year-old former spiritist and fortune teller, was arrested for vagrancy and imprisoned. Shortly after being taken into custody, she began experiencing horrifying attacks that could not be explained by medical science.

Clarita claimed that invisible beings, which she described as demonic entities, were physically attacking her, leaving visible bite marks on her body. These attacks occurred in the presence of doctors, nurses, and prison guards. Despite being under constant observation, the bite marks would suddenly appear, even though no one was touching her.

The case gained national attention and baffled local officials. Medical professionals confirmed that the bite marks were real but could not identify the source. The phenomenon caused fear and confusion in the prison.

At this point, Lester Sumrall, a young American missionary evangelist, was invited to help. After obtaining government permission, Sumrall visited Clarita in her cell. Over three days, he prayed with her and commanded the demons to leave her in the name of Jesus Christ.

Eventually, Clarita was delivered entirely from demonic possession and was no longer attacked. Her demeanour and health changed dramatically—she became calm, peaceful, and joyful. She went on to live a normal life after her release from prison.

Significance

The story is considered one of the most well-documented cases of demonic possession and spiritual deliverance in the 20th century.
It profoundly impacted Lester Sumrall’s ministry and served as a vivid example of spiritual warfare.
The case emphasised the power of prayer and the authority of Jesus Christ over demonic forces, in line with Mark 16:17 (KJV):

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils…

I also include the account as described by THE FILIPINO CHANNEL (June 28, 2019)

TFC The Filipino Channel

June 28, 2019

The Exorcism of Clarita Villanueva

In 1953, 18-year-old Clarita Villanueva of Bacolod City hit the headlines both here and abroad. But unlike movie stars, the probinsyana became famous for what would turn out to be one of the most ‘legit’ cases of demonic possession in recorded history.

Villanueva came to Manila after her parents died. She first worked as a maid before eloping with her lover. When she discovered her partner was already married, she immediately broke off with him and worked as a dancer. One night, while she was on her way home after watching a late-night movie, Clarita was picked up by the police who suspected her of being a vagrant or homeless. That became her ticket to the Bilibid Prison.

After a few days, her stay in the prison turned from mundane to hellish. The young girl claimed she began seeing strange creatures that would bite her several times in different body parts. She described ‘The Thing’ as two terrifying creatures, with the bigger one characterised by curly hair, two fangs, and large eyes.

A DEMON. “Could the demons have looked like this?” AI-generated image 1: A demon with large eyes, curly hair, and fangs. Prompt: “Create a demon with curly hair and fangs.” Credit: Canva AI (May 2025).

To get some idea of what the demons could look like. AI-generated image 2: A demon with large eyes, curly hair, and fangs. Prompt: “Create a demon with large eyes, curly hair and fangs.” Credit: Canva AI (May 2025).

IMAGE 3: “Could a demon look like this?” AI-generated. Credit: Canva. May 2025.

IMAGE 4: “Maybe a demon could look like this?” AI-generated. Credit: Canva. May 2025.

During the attacks, Clarita would often scream, become hysterical, and lose consciousness. But it was the bite marks that sent chills down the spines of those who had personally witnessed how the young girl struggled with what others described as “an invisible vampire.”

No less than tough guy Mayor Arsenio Lacson, who visited the demon-possessed Clarita in the city’s “morgue”, claimed that he saw bite marks appear out of nowhere on the victim’s hands. Mariano Lara, the medical examiner, was scared out of his wits when he saw firsthand the demonic attacks. He also described the bite marks as otherworldly because they’re too large and round (human bite is elliptical) and seem made by molars.

Medical experts struggled to come up with a concrete explanation. While others suspected Clarita to be suffering from insanity or a mental disorder known as ‘hysterical fugue,’ more people were convinced that it was a phenomenon that defies scientific explanation. In the end, hopelessness urged them to finally resort to exorcism to drive demons out of Clarita’s body.

Rev. Lester Sumrall heeded the call. Assisted by two other Protestant ministers, Sumrall used the power of prayer to overcome the invisible devils. The following is an eyewitness account of Clarita’s exorcism:

““…Clarita’s countenance changed. She became wild-eyed and screamed at the minister before her, telling him to go away…At intervals, Clarita was meek as a lamb and, at the prodding of the minister, said that she liked Jesus Christ. The very next moment, however, she grew violent and cursed God and told the minister to go away…After about an hour, Clarita’s face seemed to soften…At this state, the minister recited the Lord’s Prayer and Clarita followed him. ..She indicated that ‘The Thing’ went out of the window. And the three ministers sang a joyous ‘Hallelujah’”

Thanks to Clarita Villanueva’s sensational story, as many as 150,000 people who were moved by her deliverance reportedly accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

Read full story: The story of Clarita Villanueva

Dear reader, I include a prayer:

Heavenly Father,
I come to You in the name of Jesus. Surround me with Your holy angels and cover me with the precious blood of Christ. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Drive out all darkness and fill my heart with Your peace and strength. I trust in Your power to protect and deliver me and my family.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” — Psalm 27:1 (KJV)

I pray that in Jesus’ Name.

Amen.

———————–

MOVIE: *Watch the real-life horror story of Clarita Villanueva in the film Clarita, starring Jodi Sta. “Maria” will be in the US, the Middle East, and Europe in July 2019.