INEXPLICATA 09

Magazine Overview

INEXPLICATA, The Journal of Hispanic Ufology, Issue #9, Fall 2001, is the official publication of the Institute of Hispanic Ufology. The institute is dedicated to increasing and promoting information and awareness on UFO and paranormal research in Spain, the Caribbean, Central and South America. The editor is Scott Corrales, with contributing editors Manuel Carballal (Spain), Willie Durand Urbina (Puerto Rico), Dr. Rafael Lara Palmeros (Mexico), and Lucy Guzmán de Plá (Puerto Rico).

The journal encourages readers to join its online chat group and visit its website.

Articles and Features

Europe's Inexplicable Icefalls

This article by Scott Corrales examines the phenomenon of large ice blocks falling from the sky, particularly focusing on events in Spain during January 2000. These icefalls, some weighing over a kilogram, occurred in various locations including Soria, Seville, L'Alcudia, Cádiz, Albalat de la Ribera, Huelva, and Albacete. One incident involved a 1250 kg chunk of ice falling on a terrace in Barcelona. The article touches upon Hans Hoerbiger's "Wel theory" of "The Eternal Ice," which postulated ice showers from disintegrating moons. While scientists initially suggested cometary origins or even aircraft residue, investigations by Spain's Instituto del Frío and the National Institute of Meteorology were inconclusive. The ice was found to be ordinary H2O with trace minerals, ammonia, and silica, and experts agreed it was unrelated to conventional atmospheric processes. Similar events were reported in Italy, with a 2 kg ice block falling in L'Aquila, and in Colombia, where a severe ice storm destroyed croplands near Bogotá. The article notes that while scientists struggled for explanations, ufologists like Eufemio Del Buono suggested extraterrestrial intelligence as a cause.

UFOs, Flying Saucers and Aliens

Manuel Carballal discusses the pervasive influence of the extraterrestrial myth in contemporary society. He argues that regardless of the scientific debate on alien existence, humanity has already been "invaded" by aliens through popular culture, citing the popularity of science fiction films and music. Carballal suggests that the extraterrestrial myth has become a cultural phenomenon, distinct from the scientific search for extraterrestrial life. He criticizes ufology for often getting bogged down in debates about whether UFOs are alien spacecraft, arguing that this focus distracts from the possibility that UFOs may be a cover for secret weapons, psychosocial experiments, or other hidden agendas. He references Noam Chomsky's concept of "the contention of the debate" to explain how the focus is limited to prevent the public from accessing sensitive information.

Chupacabras Encounters Monkey-Man

George Andrews explores the similarities between the Chupacabras phenomenon, which emerged in Puerto Rico in 1995 and later appeared in Chile, and the "Monkey Man" sightings in India in May 2001. Andrews notes that while the physical descriptions of the Chupacabras vary (kangaroo-dinosaur-like in Puerto Rico, ape-like humanoid in Chile), both are associated with leaving behind exsanguinated animal carcasses and possess paranormal abilities like leaping, flying, and dematerializing. He speculates that these creatures might be genetically engineered cyborg animals being tested by Grays (aliens) for interaction with the terrestrial environment. Descriptions of the Chilean Chupacabras, quoting Scott Corrales' work, include references to large eyes, long clawed arms, fangs, and sometimes wings. The Indian Monkey Man is described as hairy, black, with a long oval head, fangs, and goggling eyes. Unlike the Chupacabras, the Monkey Man attacks humans directly, often scratching them with a metallic instrument, though its motivation remains unclear. The article notes that while direct attacks on humans by Chupacabras are rare, the Monkey Man incidents caused panic and injuries.

MEXICO WATCH: Mexican Ufology in the Year 2001

This section, by Dr. Rafael A. Lara, provides an overview of the state of ufology in Mexico in 2001. It likely discusses recent sightings, research activities, and prominent figures or organizations within Mexican ufology.

EX LIBRIS: A Random Sampling of Hispanic Ufology in Print

This section offers a review of literature related to Hispanic ufology, providing readers with a curated list of books and publications on the subject.

Editorial Stance

The journal appears to adopt a broad and inclusive approach to paranormal research, particularly concerning UFOs and related phenomena. It highlights unexplained events like the icefalls, suggesting that conventional explanations may not always suffice. The articles on the extraterrestrial myth and the Chupacabras/Monkey Man phenomenon indicate an interest in the cultural impact and potential underlying realities of these subjects, often linking them to UFOs and extraterrestrial intelligence. The journal seems to encourage critical thinking while remaining open to unconventional theories and research from the Hispanic world.

This issue of INEXPLICATA delves into the mysterious 'monkey-man' phenomenon that plagued India, drawing parallels with historical figures and other cryptids, while also providing an extensive overview of the ufology landscape in Mexico.

The Monkey-Man Phenomenon in India

The issue opens with witness accounts of a creature described as a "strange kind of black shadow" or "animal no one has seen before," dubbed 'monkey-man.' Witnesses reported it touching people, being afraid of light, and having a metallic feel when touched. Policemen noted the impossibility of the same creature attacking in distant places simultaneously and suspected multiple entities due to the frequency of attacks.

Descriptions of the monkey-man included it being five and a half feet tall, black, and hairy, with glistening cat-like eyes and the ability to vanish into thin air. It was said to leap from terrace to terrace without touching the ground. These characteristics, such as glowing eyes and the ability to disappear, are shared with chupacabras. A historical precedent is drawn to Springheel Jack, who terrorized London in 1837 with metallic gloves and glowing eyes.

A puzzling aspect of the attacks was their concentration on poverty-stricken slum areas. The article suggests this selectivity might be a tactic to ensure minimal medical treatment and follow-up, leading the wealthy and scientific elite to dismiss the events as superstition and the ravings of the ignorant.

The response from authorities is detailed, with doctors at Swami Dayanand Hospital devising a method to reduce the influx of victims by charging 1,800 rupees for six doses of anti-rabies vaccine, which reportedly caused many to flee. An article in the Hindustan Times described a scratch victim laughing after being offered an anti-rabies shot, implying the victim couldn't afford it. The police, overwhelmed by calls, began arresting those reporting incidents, effectively quelling the reports.

One upper-class victim, a doctor's wife, described the attacker as dressed in white, covered in bandages like a mummy, with only large, frightening eyes visible, a description likened to a 'Gray' alien.

Newspaper articles from May 15 suggested the monkey-man might be an extra-terrestrial cyborg or robot, but this possibility was reportedly dropped from later reports, leading to speculation of higher-up orders. A special police commission attributed the phenomenon to "mass hysteria," a conclusion deemed as unbelievable as the U.S. Air Force's explanations for UFOs.

The husband of one victim insisted his wife saw the creature and that authorities were blaming victims and the media to cover their incompetence. He requested anonymity after being pressured to alter his testimony to remove paranormal aspects.

Notably, the article points out that Indian authorities seemed unaware of recent chupacabra attacks in Chile, which also demonstrated the ability to enter locked rooms. The wounds inflicted on two impoverished men who died were described as puncture wounds to the head, resembling those inflicted by chupacabras, with the thrust aimed at the brain or heart.

International Context and UFOs

The monkey-man epidemic in India is placed in an international context, occurring shortly after Dr. Steven Greer's Disclosure Project in Washington, D.C., which aimed to end UFO cover-ups. The article notes that while Greer believes in beneficial extraterrestrial activity, other researchers, including the author, find this view optimistic.

The author speculates if the phenomenon is reacting to the suppression of information by authorities, suggesting that repressing positively-oriented extraterrestrial initiatives might lead to the manifestation of negatively-oriented entities like chupacabras and monkey-man.

Review of Hispanic Ufology: Carlos Murciano

The magazine features an interview with Carlos Murciano, a poet and novelist who was assigned the UFO beat by the director of Spain's ABC newspaper in 1968. Murciano reflects on his year-long global quest to find evidence of UFOs.

Murciano criticizes the trend in ufology towards reducing the phenomenon to statistics, thereby stripping it of its humanity. He recalls his assignment, traveling extensively and interviewing witnesses and experts, which led him to write the book "Something Floats Over the World." This book, a collection of his writings, is described as a classic in UFO literature.

He discusses the cyclical nature of UFO sightings and public interest, noting a recent lull. Murciano believes the UFO enigma cannot be studied in the abstract and that the human aspect is essential. He laments the lack of substantial development in the field and the reduction in sightings.

Murciano also touches upon the split within ufology between 'purists' who focus on numbers and those who prioritize witness testimony. He believes the former contributed to the phenomenon's deflation.

He recounts interviewing researchers like Manuel Osuna and Antonio Ribera, but also notes a division within the community. Murciano refused to write a second book for Planeta, feeling that the 'skeptical ufology' sector, which he calls the 'critical or scientific sector,' could not be studied abstractly.

An example of the clash between ufological factions is the case of IBERIA pilot Jaime Ordovs, who witnessed a giant triangular artifact. While some ufologists classified it as Venus, Murciano emphasizes the need for a more humanized approach to the enigma.

Murciano believes that the interest in UFOs has become factionalized, leading to a decline in social debate. He suggests that a new wave of sightings might be needed to re-ignite interest.

He is convinced that UFOs exist and that other worlds are inhabitable, having interviewed a wide range of people, including diplomats, scientists, and military personnel.

He shares an anecdote about a nine-year-old girl in Sanlucar de Barrameda who saw a hovering object, which impressed him due to her credibility.

Mexico Watch: Mexican Ufology in 2001

Dr. Rafael A. Lara provides an overview of the Mexican UFO scene in 2001. He states that Mexican ufology has historically been plagued by crankery, pseudo-research, yellow journalism, and a focus on money. While acknowledging the "Eclipse UFO" event in 1991 and the subsequent claims of impending alien contact, he notes that not all research is disreputable, with some groups conducting serious work.

Publications like "Insólito" and "Contacto OVNI" are mentioned, the latter mixing UFO research with prophecies and millenialism. The article notes that "Contacto OVNI" reached its 100th issue, prompting a reminder that "alien contact is at hand."

Carlos Díaz, a well-known contactee, has seen his support and influence decline, allegedly due to financial disputes. He has been replaced in prominence by a contactee named "Sarita," who claims to receive ecological messages from an extraterrestrial entity named "Alaniso."

Pascal Lopresti, a businessman and agent for contactee Giorgio Bongiovanni, is involved in organizing UFO conventions that mix contactees with mystics and healers.

Luis Ramírez Reyes is described as a proponent of conspiracy theories, emulating John Lear and William Cooper, with his work featuring themes of humanoid insects, alien rape, and reptilian hybrids.

Rubén Manrique is presented as a follower of the late Luis Andrés Jaspersen, whose articles blend contacteeism, millenialism, and re-examinations of old cases.

Jaime Maussán and Mario Torres are mentioned for promoting alleged photographs of aliens on the Moon.

Lara expresses skepticism about video evidence being the sole weapon for serious UFO studies, emphasizing the need for solvent, serious, and reliable research.

Ex Libris: A Random Sampling of Hispanic Ufology in Print

This section reviews two books:

• Los OVNIS en Canarias by José Gregorio González Gutierrez: This book explores UFO and paranormal phenomena in the Canary Islands over 30 years, including sea-based objects, a CE3K event involving army intervention, cattle mutilations, sightings of Bigfoot-like creatures, and fairy-like entities. The book is noted for its documentation and being published by a state-run publisher.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently highlights the challenges in UFO research, including the tendency towards sensationalism, the suppression of information by authorities, and the division within the ufological community. There's a recurring theme of drawing parallels between different unexplained phenomena (monkey-man, chupacabras, Springheel Jack, UFOs) and questioning the official narratives or dismissals of these events. The editorial stance appears to favor serious investigation while acknowledging the difficulties and the need to consider the human element in witness accounts, as exemplified by the critique of purely statistical approaches to ufology.