Thursday, November 21, 2024

What are some of the unique traditions and customs in the Philippines?

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Some of these traditions are very commonly associated with the Philippines, but may also be found in neighboring Southeast Asian nations.

This greeting gesture may not be exclusive to the Philippines but it is mostly confined to Maritime Southeast Asia. This gesture is most commonly associated with the Philippines though it is also practiced in neighboring Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.

  • Pagmamano (in Tagalog), also goes by Amin in Cebuano, Siklod in Kapampangan, Siyom in Maranao. This honoring gesture is done to elders in the family. In precolonial times, this gesture would’ve been done to datus and rajahs and the hands would’ve gone to the cheeks.

Pasalubong can be roughly translated to “giving gifts back home from another place.” In the Philippines, this has become a whole industry and a huge part of the tourist economy. Gift-giving is big in Asia and it's especially true in the Philippines.

The country that loves to give
Pasalubong is more than simply a souvenir or gift, with layers of meaning and ritual behind the word.
  • Local areas may have their own special pasalubong for travelers. Dried mangoes are one such popular item.

Bayanihan refers to “community spirit”. The culture in the Philippines is very collectivist, and this manifests in the Bayanihan concept.

  • This often manifests in the local barangay helping move another person's house from one place to another. This can also be seen in communities around maritime Southeast Asia.

There is even a specific cultural practice for courtship called Harana, where a suitor would sing outside the window or home of the person they are interested in.

  • While the most common form of harana is associated with the Spanish colonial period, the practice actually goes back to the pre-colonial era.
  • The Maguindanao people even have their own version called kapanirong.

The belief in spirits is huge in the Philippines. Saying “tabi-tabi po” by places that spirits are known to inhabit is a common practice as a sign of respect.

‘Tao po! Hindi aswang!’
Nobody seems to know why Filipinos declare “Tao po!” when they knock on a door or gate. It dates back to pre-Spanish times. Doors then had no peekholes as we have today, so before opening the door to let the “knocker” in, one had to make sure it was not a wild animal, which couldn’t speak and identify itself as “tao” (human).

In Catholic areas, pre-colonial traditions have merged with Catholic traditions. One of these is “pangangaluluwa”, or the tradition of souling during All Saints Day. Groups of people carol around houses in exchange for food, usually biko or suman.

The Disappearing Philippine Tradition of 'Souling' for Rice Cakes
Pangangaluluwa means singing, costumes, and treats.
  • Pangangaluluwa still practiced in rural Philippines.

Being a largely Catholic society, the Philippines has its own unique Christmas traditions.

  • There are a series of 9-day early morning masses called Simbang Gabi, a tradition that leads up to Christmas Eve where attendees visit the church before sunrise to attend mass.
  • Delicacies such as puto bumbong and bibingka were sold outside of the church.
  • Parol lanterns of the Philippines. They have been around for centuries in more simple shapes and took on their iconic star shape in the early 20th century. They are made of papel de japon as well as capiz shell. Parols are a common sight around Christmas in the Philippines.
  • Lubenas is a unique lantern tradition in Pampanga.

Indigenous customs are still practiced in many parts of the Philippines.

  • Punnuk is the annual harvest festival of the Ifugao people. There is a traditional tug-of-war game against the rival barangays. Local Ifugao people wear their traditional clothing, a red and black bahag and a headdress for the men, and the traditional skirt for the women.
  • Dream weaving is still practiced in many indigenous groups in Mindanao. The T’boli people are known for their t’nalak weaving, the designs come from dreams.
  • Tanyak-tanyak refers to the powdery makeup applied to the faces of the Yakan people in traditional wedding ceremonies. Its geometric designs are applied from the end of a bamboo stick and signify the moon and stars witnessing a union.
  • Buklog is a traditional thanksgiving ceremony of the Subanen people. There is an interesting practice where the participants dance on an elevated wooden structure called the ‘Buklog’ – a sacred and social space – which resonates with a sound believed to please the spirits.

Why do Filipinos have a lot of superstitions?

Profile photo for Jim Phipps
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The Philippines is a country with a long history of colonization, strongly influencing its culture and traditions. This impact extends well beyond language and food and into the many superstitions that locals take to heart. With an Animist, pre-colonial past (with likely Hindu-Buddhist influences), followed by a major conversion into Christianity, The Philippines claims ownership of a very interesting, diverse mix of beliefs.

The number of steps of staircases at home should not be divisible by three

Enter a Filipino household with a staircase and begin chanting “Oro (gold), plata (silver), mata (death)”, taking one step up with each word. Most likely, upon reaching the top step, the chant will end with either oro or plata. This is because many Filipinos will go to great lengths to avoid ending in mata which denotes bad luck. The two preceding words on the other hand, obviously denote good fortune.

Turn your plate when someone leaves in the middle of a meal

When sitting at the dining table for a meal and someone gets up to leave before the rest of the group finishes, everybody left at the table should turn their plates to ensure safe travels for the person leaving. Another meal superstition (though more loosely believed) is that the table should not start being cleared while people are still eating. If this is done, it is believed that the last person left dining will live a lonely life.

Geraldine Sy / © Culture Trip

Don’t go straight home after attending a wake

This superstition is called “pagpag” (the shaking off of dirt). In the context of a wake, it means going elsewhere after attending the wake before heading home to shake off the spirit of the deceased lest it follows you home. Superstitions surrounding wakes are among the most widely practiced by Filipinos still today. Another is that the family of the deceased should not drop off visitors at the door upon saying goodbye as it symbolizes dropping them off at their own deaths. And, as for serving food at wakes (be it heavy meals or light snacks) at Filipino wakes is customary, visitors should not make the mistake of taking any home with them (be it a small piece of candy), as it signifies inviting misfortune into your home.

Reassure your host that you’re human

A very common line used by Filipinos when knocking on someone’s door is “Tao(person) po!“. Many assume it refers to the knocker calling out to ask if there are any people inside, when actually, it is said to stem from the knocker reassuring the people inside that s/he is a person and not a possibly harmful supernatural creature.

Geraldine Sy / © Culture Trip

Siblings should not marry within the same year

This superstition is called “sukob” and advises against siblings marrying within the same year as it is said to divide the luck between the two marriages. Another type of sukob advises against marriages within the same year as the death of an immediate family member. Pushing to do so is considered bad luck.

Another wedding-related superstition is that the bride should never try on her dress before the big day. This is said to bring bad luck and cause the cancellation of the union.

Serve pancit (noodles) at celebrations, especially birthdays

This ever-present dish at Filipino gatherings is believed to represent long life. And while Filipinos today may joke and laugh about actually believing that this noodle dish is served for long life, it remains a staple at nearly every birthday feast.

Respect the elementals

Filipino folklore is rich with a variety of elementals, from giants smoking tobacco, to small, grumpy, old men living in anthills. Stories of these creatures fill the childhoods of many Filipino children, inciting both intrigue and fear. Many superstitions still surround the beliefs in such creatures today. Among the most practiced is the saying of “tabi tabi po” (excuse me) when passing through places where elementals are likely to dwell. These places are usually outdoors, such as anthills and Balete trees. Failure to do so and disturbing such creatures may lead to unexplained sickness that can only be cured by an albularyo (folk healer).

Geraldine Sy / © Culture Trip

Be careful when showing fondness over babies

It’s difficult to restrain from playing with cute babies or complimenting their parents on their adorable features, but doing so in the Philippines is believed by some, to be a potential cause of illness. Referred to as either “usog” or “bati”, this superstition says that when a person with strong energy greets a child, the child may soon after suffer from unexplainable discomfort. This is why, especially in the countryside, older people know to say “pwera usog” when showing fondness over children. This is meant to counter any usog that may have happened otherwise. If this isn’t said, and parents attribute certain maladies of their children to usog, they may ask the greeter to smear their saliva on the suffering child’s forehead as a cure.

Blame your missing things on elves

In the Philippines, there is an assumption that when items around the house go missing and reappear, this is caused by dwendes or playful elves. While mischievous, these little creatures are believed to be mostly harmless – aside from the type that take small children

Filipino Superstitions That Are Funny and Useless—Yet We Still Practice Them Anyway

1. Sweeping the floor at night will drive away incoming blessings.

One of the popular Filipino superstitions our lolo and lola tell us is not to sweep the floor at night—no matter how dugyot it is because it’s malas. Our ancestors may have forgotten that having allergies, cold, and dirty feet we can get from dirt and dust aren’t blessings.

2. Singing while cooking will make you single for the rest of your life. However, a few says you’d end up with a much older spouse.

To all single ladies and gents, DON’T YOU DARE sing while cooking, lest you’ll never find your fated love or you’d marry someone way older. At least, those are what our mapamahiing grandparents say. Come on, can we not associate singlehood with everything that happens within the household?

3. Groupfie of 3? The person in the middle will be the first to die.

This most common Filipino superstitions scared teenagers in the ‘90s. Aminin mo, once in your life you included an “extra friend” in the groupfie, so none among the three of you will die. “Apat dapat,” ika nga.

4. Combing your hair at night will bring bad luck.

‘Yung totoo, what’s wrong with being clean and hygienic at night? Is it still good luck when you wake up with your hair so tangled pwede nang pamugaran ng ibon? On a positive note, it lets you do almost nothing at night. Huwag nang maglinis o magsuklay, derechong tulog na. The dirt and the kuto can wait in the morning.

5. To keep skin acne-free, girls should wash their face with the discharge from their very FIRST MENSTRUAL PERIOD.

Do you still remember when your family rejoiced after you told them you had your first period? “Yes, may dalaga na kami!” It may be appalling, too, to hear your lola say, “O siya, ipahid mo na ‘yan sa mukha mo para hindi ka tigyawatin!” Thank you, but no thank you po.

6. Don’t sleep with your hair wet; otherwise, you’ll lose your mind.

We’ve been discussing pamahiin for a long time. Minsan, kahit nilalamon na tayo ng antok, we stay up late just to dry our hair. In fact sleeping with your hair wet is bad—for it is in its weakest state. Therefore, when you neglect to dry your hair before going to bed, it can lead to hair damage and breakage. ‘Wag pag-isipan ng iba ‘yan, bes, baka matuluyan kang mabuwang.

7. When you bite your tongue, someone is thinking of you.

Nakagat mo ba dila moSige, ask someone to give a number. Tapos, ‘yung number na ‘yun i-convert mo saalphabet. Kung sino ‘yung taong naisip mo sa alphabet na ‘yun, iniisip ka n’ya ngayon.
Come on! What’s fun with this Filipino superstition is naming the corresponding letter and the chance to fantasize that maybe (just maybe) your crush thinks of you, too.

8. A couple shouldn’t eat from the same plate or soon they’ll fall apart.

Although absurd, this one makes sense: Go get a partner who’s as matakaw as you are but don’t dare share food in a single plate. Siguradong mag-aaway kayo because neither of you didn’t share the last piece/bite with the other. Charot!

9. Don’t trim your fingernails and toenails at night because it will bring you bad luck.

Our ancestors may have issues with cleaning at night. It could be, too, they’re just like us who make such a pamahiin to skip doing household chores and go straight to bed. Sleep the pain, my friend. Your ingrown toenail can wait ‘til the morning.

10. Avoid getting a wound or injury on Good Friday because it will never heal.

Why so? Our grandparents tell us not to get hurt on Biyernes Santo because that’s the day Jesus Christ died. Walang gagamot sa sugat o injuries mo. Bet you used to overthink about this myth when you were a child—and had wounds.

Walang masamang maniwala, but always remember your luck and fate don’t revolve around household or body stuff. You draw your fate with on the choices you make in the present, so chill lang. As long as you make the right decisions, you’ll be fine. You’re miles away from malas. 🙂

If it’s not pamahiin, it’s New Year Resolutions that we can struggle to believe and do. How many of these absurd Filipino superstitions do you used to believe? Share your thoughts in the comment box! Don’t forget to share this blog to your mapamahiing friends and family.

i can’t explain them. They sound silly to me. 

What are uniquely Filipino superstitions?

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As seen in this thread, there are many Filipino “superstitions” but I hesitate to say they are unique to Filipino culture because I am not familiar with all cultures in the world. Upon further study, I’m sure there are other cultures who also practice these things. Nonetheless, below are some Filipino “superstitions” that I have personally experienced or encountered in my life.

Funeral:

  1. When it was time to transfer my grandmother’s coffin from the room where her wake was into the funeral car/hearse in order to transport her to the cemetery, 4 people/pall bearers carried and raised her coffin to around above waist height and we, her family and relatives, had to pass underneath the coffin and never look back on it as we go to the respective transportation that will also bring us to the cemetery. I was told that this is to ensure that my grandmother’s soul will be able to pass peacefully into the spirit world and not linger and haunt this plane because she would know that by not looking back, we were ready to let her go.

Wedding:

  1. Once the wedding ceremony ends and the couple are about to walk down the aisle as husband and wife and leave the church, brides were told to discreetly step on their husband’s foot to ensure that your husband will be obedient to the bride’s wishes during their marriage.

Babies and childhood

  1. In my family, babies are given a coral bracelet once they come home from the hospital or after they are baptized. It is believed that the color of the coral indicates the health of the baby. If the coral become pale in color, then the baby is sick or there’s something wrong with them. A strong red color on the coral indicates good health of the baby.

These are just some of things I can recall at the top of my head.

Caveat: Since the Philippines is not homogenous, each ethnolinguistic group in the country have their own specific beliefs and “superstitions”. You might want to specify what region or ethnolinguistic group you are interested in studying because these beliefs change.

The ones I indicated above are my family’s “superstitions.” I belong to the Cebuano ethnolinguistic group so the ones above are what many BUT NOT ALL Cebuanos also believe in.