READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

CHAPTER 2: CONTENT AND CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF SELECTED PRIMARY SOURCES

Name: JOHN ROBERT Z. SANJE Course, Year. & Block: BS BIOLOGY 1A

Direction: Give at least 5 Filipino Superstitions you believed when you were a kid that
until now some locals still embrace this practice and beliefs.
1. Exercise caution when expressing affection for babies 
 According to this belief, when a youngster is greeted by a person who exudes a
lot of energy, the child will have unexplained discomfort shortly afterward. As a
result, older people, particularly those living in rural areas, are familiar with the
phrase "pwera usog" when expressing affection for youngsters. This is intended
to counteract any usog that may have occurred in the absence of this. If this isn't
stated, and parents believe that certain ailments in their children are caused by
usog, they may request that the greeter spread their saliva on the sick child's
forehead as a means of treatment.

2. Make pancit (noodles) available for occasions, especially birthdays - 

 This dish, which is always on the table at Filipino parties, is thought to symbolise
long life. While Filipinos today may jest and laugh about the belief that this
noodle dish is served to ensure long life, it is nevertheless a staple of nearly
every birthday celebration in the country.

3. Children should jump up and down on New Year's Eve to become taller.

 One of the peculiar New Year traditions in the Philippines is encouraging
youngsters to jump up and down at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve -
as high as they can - in the idea that doing so will increase their height.

4. Siblings should not marry in the same year 

 This superstition is referred to as "sukob," and it recommends against siblings
marrying in the same year since it is believed to divide good fortune between the
two marriages. Another sort of sukob recommends against weddings occurring
within the same calendar year as the death of a close relative or close friend. It is
considered bad luck to press oneself to do so. Another superstition associated
with weddings is that the bride should never try on her outfit before the big day
 itself. They believe this will result in ill fortune for them and the dissolution of their
marriage.

5. Do not return home immediately after attending a wake 

 This superstition is referred to as "pagpag" (the shaking off of dirt). Specifically, it
refers to travelling somewhere else after attending a wake before returning home
in order to shake off the spirit of the departed in order to avoid having it follow
you home. Wake superstitions are among the most frequently observed among
Filipinos today, and are among the most widespread in the world. An additional
rule is that the family of the deceased should not drop off visitors at the door after
saying farewell because doing so represents the family dropping them off at their
own deaths. And, while giving food during wakes (whether substantial meals or
light snacks) is typical in the Philippines, guests should avoid making the mistake
of taking any (even a small piece of candy) home with them, as this is considered
to be an invitation to bad luck into your home.