Somewhere beneath the Nabontogan River in Catamlangan, Pilar, Sorsogon, a bell is said to be waiting. Local stories describe an enormous church bell—sometimes said to be made of gold—that was submerged generations ago and never recovered. People have reportedly searched for it, tried to lower the river, and even caught a glimpse of what they believed was part of the bell. But every attempt failed. And according to some versions, something in the river simply refuses to let it go. But was the Nabontogan Bell ever really there? In this episode of LilWeird, we follow the story beyond the legend: through Spanish colonial records, an elusive old church, maritime raids in Bicol, oral histories, tawong lipod, ritual negotiations, and other Philippine stories of bells that disappeared. The investigation also leads to my hometown and the home of the 1595 Sancta Maria Bell. A bell once heard to have been lost. But what was missing was part of its history. One town has the bell, but pieces of its story are missing. Another has the story, but no bell anyone can find. So what exactly survives when history disappears: the object, the memory, or the story we keep telling about it? 🔔 The Lost Bell of Nabontogan A LilWeird Cold Case. Find more stories, research notes, and everything else from the show through the LilWeird Universe.  If this episode sparked your curiosity, made you feel a little more enchanted, or reminded you of the stories hiding in plain sight—I’d love for you to stay connected with the LilWeird Universe. You can support the podcast, explore more curious content, and help keep this little world growing, glowing, and wonderfully weird. A gentle note: This episode of LilWeird Podcast is a blend of researched facts, folklore, personal reflection, and creative storytelling. While efforts were made to ensure accuracy, this episode is intended for curious exploration, not as a scientific or academic resource. Listener discretion is encouraged when interpreting historical or cultural content.