Historical Background of Superstitious Beliefs of Ancient Filipinos

Filipinos, before Spanish Colonial Rule in the 16th Century, was a diverse melting pot of culture
and customs. Apart from the already colorful tradition that a majority of Filipinos had during the day, a
number of different ethnicities contributed to the eventual hodge podge we see today (Dy, 2012).

Early Filipinos were animists who believed in the existence of a supreme being whom the
Tagalogs referred to as Bathala. The Ilocanos call him Kabunyan and he is called Laon or Aba by the
Bisayas. This animism was further strengthened by the early migrants from Southeast Asian Islands who
were themselves animists. Like them, our ancestors worshipped the sun (the source of life and energy),
the birds, the trees, the mountains and the hills, and the rivers, brooks, and lakes (Alarcon, 2004).

The early religious worship included the veneration of the spirits and the ancestors. The early
Filipinos believed in the cult of the dead and, in addition, the cult of the spirits. They also believed in the
offering of sacrifices to appease their gods. In the absence of temples, sacrifices and the accompanying
rituals took place in their own homes, at sea or the rivers or sometimes in the mountains and open fields
(Alarcon, 2004).

The Spanish Rule

When the Spaniards came, another form of ideology in the form of Christianity was also
introduced, thus diversifying the country even more. As the Spaniards tried to impose their will on the
natives, their tradition and beliefs are deeply rooted to be completely forgotten through Colonialism.
The Spanish’s effort to weed out these beliefs from the minds of their subjects proved to be futile (Dy,
2012).

Instead of just simply accepting all these foreign suggestions, the Filipinos chose instead to
adapt and integrate them into their already existent culture.

A tradition that can be traced back to having Spanish roots is the belief of Oro, Plata, Mata
(Gold, Silver, Death). This belief suggests that when building steps in one’s house, the first step
represents Oro, the second Plata, the third Mata, and so on. The last step essentially has to end with
Oro or Plata and never Mata for it is said to bring evil spirits and bad luck (Dy, 2012).

Superstitious belief that had a strong hold on women, especially during the Spanish era include
mothers reminding their grownup daughters not to sing while cooking meals, otherwise they won’t be
able to marry (Escalona, 2018).

These beliefs persisted even with the introduction of Christianity, which was coupled with new
expressions and things associated with the new faith. Folk Christianity was born out of the weaving of
Christianity and traditional folk beliefs (Alarcon, 2004).

Progress and the Modern Day