MANILA, Philippines - Filipino netizens turned to the web last Halloween to know more about a woman named Carmen Winestead, who was said to be pushed down a sewer and killed by a gang of girls from her school.

Winstead, said to be 17 years old, beat out local and foreign celebrities and musicians in Google Philippines' top newsmakers list last week, the local unit of the search engine giant announced.

The story of Winstead, which turns out to be nothing more than an urban legend, has been circulating the Internet since 2006 through chain letters, which are usually more popular during the Halloween season.

Part of the chain letter read: "If you don't repost this saying 'She was pushed' or 'They pushed her down a sewer' then Carmen will get you either from a sewer, the toilet, the shower or when you go to sleep. You'll wake up in the sewer, then Carmen will come and kill you."

Another version of the chain letter replaced Winstead's name with Jessica Smith.

"In keeping with the Halloween vibe, Pinoys searched for the story of Carmen Winstead," Google Philippines said in a statement.

An urban legend is a story that is usually believed by others to be true, and carries some significance that motivates the community to spread it.

A chain letter, on the other hand, is a message that attempts to make the recipient to make a number of copies of it and send these to as many people as possible.

Other popular urban legends and chain letters include:

1. The Clown Statue: A midget clown is said to live in children's bedrooms and watch them as they sleep.
2. The Ghost Under Your Bed: A "ghost" depicted in an image is said to "collect" your soul if you do not send it to at least five people.
3. Humans Can Lick, Too: A girl was awoken by a constant dripping sound, only to find her dog hanging upside down with its neck cut. Written on the window on the inside of the cupboard was "Humans Can Lick, Too!"

Newsmakers

Other top newsmakers in the Philippines last week include local stars Shaina Magdayao, Charice and Julia Montes, and foreign celebrities Kim Kardashian and Angelina Jolie.

Below is the full list:

1. Carmen Winstead
2. Shaina Magdayao
3. Kim Kardashian
4. El Gamma Penumbra
5. Jason Mraz
6. Georgina Wilson
7. Charice
8. Angelina Jolie
9. Julia Montes
10. Lindsay Lohan

Meanwhile, here are the country's fastest rising topics from October 28 to November 3, according to Google Philippines:

1. PBB Unlimited
2. In Time
3. All Saints Day
4. Happy Halloween
5. Donaire vs Narvaez
6. Puss in Boots
7. Systemone
8. Insidious
9. Diablo 3
10. Hotel 626