Inside abandoned places, Alden “Jhay” Fuentes uses devices that scan radio frequencies, measure electromagnetic fields and emit flashes of light, interpreting their outputs as possible signs of an unseen presence.
In the search for the paranormal, these gadgets become something of an electronic “third eye.” In Philippine folklore and popular belief, the third eye is regarded as a window into the unseen world, supposedly allowing a person to see and communicate with spirits and supernatural beings.
Fuentes, 37, a Filipino content creator and paranormal investigator popularly known as Jhayzkee, uses these devices to search for what he believes are signs of such presences. Their readings, however, do not establish paranormal activity.
In an interview via Zoom, Fuentes told PhilSTAR Tech how he uses a spirit box, an electromagnetic field (EMF) meter and a REM (Radiating Electromagnetism) Pod during his investigations.
He described the spirit box as similar to an analog radio, with a feature that rapidly scans radio frequencies at intervals of up to 150 milliseconds. This allows it to pick up brief fragments of radio broadcasts, which investigators may interpret as voices or responses from spirits.
“Minsan ’pag tatanungin ko yung pangalan o kung ano yung nangyari sa kanya, meron talaga siyang sumasagot [Sometimes, when I ask for their name or what happened to them, something actually responds],” Fuentes said.
The REM Pod, meanwhile, uses light indicators that Fuentes interprets as signs of different supernatural entities. He said he associates blue lights with spirits and red lights with beings such as engkanto.
“Sabi nila kapag blue, mga spirits daw ang nade-detect kasi malamig. Kapag red naman, iyon daw ang tinatawag nilang elements, mga engkanto at iba pa [They say that when the device lights up blue, it detects spirits because they are cold. When it lights up red, it indicates what they call elements or supernatural beings, such as engkanto],” he said.
EMF meters measure electromagnetic fields. Paranormal investigators may interpret unexplained fluctuations as a possible indication of paranormal activity if they cannot identify a source.
To reduce interference with their measurements, Fuentes said his team puts their devices on airplane mode and keeps the equipment away from sources of electricity.
According to a 2022 article by McGill University’s Office for Science and Society in Canada, EMF meters, spirit boxes and REM Pods measure physical phenomena such as electromagnetic fields and radio signals, but their readings do not establish paranormal activity.
A 2024 review by The New York Times’ Wirecutter said EMF meters, originally designed for electricians and engineers to detect electromagnetic fields, have been repurposed by paranormal investigators to search for alleged spirits.
REM Pods, which are marketed for ghost hunting, are said to be built around circuits from junior theremins, simplified electronic musical instruments that produce sound without physical contact.
The review also said spirit boxes are modified radios that scan amplitude modulation (AM) and frequency modulation (FM) bands for fragments believed by investigators to be messages from spirits.
During tests at a reportedly haunted site, the devices’ readings could be triggered by ordinary sources such as phones, radio signals and other electronic equipment.
Searching the unseen
Fuentes has gained thousands of followers on Facebook and YouTube for his videos exploring abandoned places across the country.
He started as a motorcycle vlogger but began producing paranormal content nearly five years ago, drawn by the concept and his desire to overcome his fear of supernatural beings.
“Ang sabi ko medyo unique yung (paranormal) concept, tapos takot din ako nung time na ’yun, kaya nag-proceed na ako mag-ghost hunting [I thought the paranormal concept was quite unique. I was also a bit afraid of it at the time, so I decided to pursue ghost hunting],” he said.
In his most-watched YouTube video, titled “Exploring the Mysterious House of Taal Lake,” Mr. Fuentes and his companions used all three devices to investigate an abandoned house near Taal Lake. Local fisherfolk reportedly heard eerie noises coming from the area.
In the video, the equipment picked up what sounded like “Annie” after the group asked the supposed entity for its name.
They speculated that the sound could have come from the spirit of a young girl or a duwende, a dwarf-like supernatural being in Filipino folklore. Posted in June 2025, the video has garnered 1.5 million views as of this writing.
Fuentes said his most chilling experience was an investigation at an abandoned site in Bicol, where he said the spirit box picked up a name reportedly associated with a spirit at the location.
His team also gathers accounts from residents about the abandoned sites and compares these with what they observe during investigations.
Responding to skepticism, Fuentes said viewers are free to question the authenticity of his videos.
“Sa akin, okay lang naman kung skeptic sila kasi freedom naman nila kung anong gusto nilang sabihin tungkol sa napanood nila, kung totoo ba o hindi [For me, it is fine if they are skeptical because they have the freedom to say whatever they want about what they have watched, whether they believe it is real or not],” he said.
He added that while science can explain many physical phenomena, he believes some things remain unexplained and could be considered paranormal.
Despite nearly five years of conducting investigations, Fuentes said he continues to receive warnings from people urging him to stop because of the potential dangers involved. He remains committed to the activity, saying it brings him happiness.
“So kung may mangyari man sa akin, problema ko na ’yun [If something happened to me, that’s my concern already],” he said.
For those who want to pursue paranormal investigations, Fuentes advised them to enjoy the experience and create content with integrity.
He also urged aspiring content creators to ask permission before entering sites and treat the places with respect, even if they have long been abandoned.
