DON HONORIO VENTURA TECHNOLOGICAL STATE UNIVERSITY

BACOLOR, PAMPANGA

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY II

USOG IN THE 21ST CENTURY

SUBMITED TO:

PROFESSOR. USMAN
INSTRUCTOR, RESEARCH METHODOLGY II

SUBMITTED BY:

JERMARGOUEL A. DIZON
DEFINITION

Usog or balis is a topic in psycho-medicine in Filipino Psychology (but considered just as a

Filipino superstition in Western Psychology) where an affliction or psychological disorder is
attributed to a greeting by a stranger, or an evil eye hex. It usually affects an unsuspecting
child, usually an infant or toddler, who has been greeted by a visitor or a stranger.

Usog” is a Filipino belief that we all grew up with. It is believed to be a discomfort brought
about by a stranger or visitor thought to have an evil eye (masamang mata) or who brings an
evil wind (masamang hangin) or a hex. A simple greeting or praise like "wow! Such a cute
baby!" is said to be enough to cause the hex or usog. To counter the usog, the stranger would
usually say "pwera usog!" then lick his or her thumb and apply saliva while tracing a cross on
the baby's forehead or abdomen.

The afflicted are usually infants and toddlers who may have a bloated tummy, followed by
incessant crying and later, farting, very much similar to the symptoms of colic. The child may
also experience fever or nausea and vomiting, supposedly as signs of usog. Sometimes an
unton, a tiny red pillow containing “kontra-usog” materials like tree bark or other “anting-
anting”, is kept pinned on baby’s clothing in order to prevent usog.

FINDINGS

These beliefs started long before our great grandparents were born, and the treatments have
been passed on from generation to generation. With the help of modern medicine, we are now
well-informed of the disease processes, how we get them, how we can avoid them, how to
treat them. Even in the Philippine Pediatric Society and American Academy of Pediatrics, there
are no guidelines for the use of unproven forms of treatment.
 
It is always best to take caution, to be wary and careful. While it’s true that there might be
nothing to lose if you believe in folklore, weighing the risks before jumping in and subjecting
your child to the various "treatments” that are not recommended by modern medicine is
advisable. Follow your maternal instinct; if you feel the need to have your baby checked, you
are probably right. Bring your baby to your pedia for your peace of mind.
ASSIGNMENT: INTERVIEW A PERSON ABOUT THEIR IDEAS OR BELIEFS ABOUT BALIS OR
USOG.

INTERVIEWEE:

CHARLENE B. SICAT

DEL ROSARIO CSFP

29 YEARS OLD

MARRIED

TEACHER AT SAN ISIDRO INTEGRATED SCHOOL

GUIDED QUESTIONS ABOUT USOG

1. Naniniwala kaba sa usog? Oo at Hindi at Bakit

Answer: Hindi, kasi hindi pa ako na usog

2. Saan kaya nangaling ang usog?

Answer: Sa masamang panahon, klima

3. Nakaranas naba ng usog ang pamilya o kamag-anak mo?

Answer: Oo sabi ng mga kamag-anak

4. Ano-ano ang mga na naranasan nila nung sila ay na usog?

Answer: Nagsusuka, nahihilo, nanlalambot

5. May lunas ba sa usog/paano ito mapapagaling?

Answer: Medical lang sgro hindi kasi talga ako naniniwala sa usog usog more on gamot
lang para maiwasan.
DOCUMENTATION
 OBSERVATION IN RIDING ON A PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
DATE AND TIME:
APRIL 9, 2018 7:43 PM
WHAT I SEE
 People talking about
issues in life
 Using gadgets like
mobile phone to
lessen the boredom in
transporting
 Some are sleeping
 Different personality
of a person
 Money
 Couples
 Barya lang po sa
umaga
 Basta sexy libre
 Beautiful lady in front
of me
 People staring at me
WHAT I HEAR WHAT I THINK
 Different stories  If I am safe with the
regarding the life of jeepney driver where
the passengers I rode
 Gossips  Thinking of things
 Problems encountered that I will do where I
 Music inside the jeep am going
 Crying baby  Sometimes thinking of
 Muffler of the jeep things that bothered
 Engine and horn of me
the jeep  If that beautiful lady
 Para po sa tabi has a boyfriend LOL
 Manong bayad po  Thinking of unfinished
 Saan to business
 Ilan sa singkwenta  Thinking of other
 Kuya paabot things
 Bayad daw po  Thinking of the lives
 Boss sukli ku of the people inside
 Ken ng lele the jeep
 Dusog kong bagya
banta mamako tana
 Ay Sorry po