“A SHORT STUDY ON THE BELIEFS AND PRACTICES OF DUMAGUETE

CITY BASED ON THE HISTORICAL DATA PAPERSGE4: READINGS IN

PHILIPPINE HISTORY”

In partial fulfilment of the requirements of the course

GE 4: Readings in Philipine History

Section K

Submitted by:

Acabal, Nino Angelo Josh C. , BS Crim I

Codimas, Kacy Aliya , BS Crim I

Lalamonan, Mae G. , BS Crim I

Quimada, Jake , BS Crim I

Sarono, Vircel , BS Crim I

Tejano, Aravila , BS Crim I

Tubac, Harley Dave , BS Crim I

Submitted to:

Mr. Dion Christian T. Abella

Course Instructor
 A. Superstition,Scientific, or Sapiental

i. List 3 beleifs or practices that you can find in the source material that are purely
superstitious meaning whithout any practical wisdom or explanation.
Tejano, Aravila

Marriage

Belief

1.The couple should stay in the same place for three days after the

wedding to ensure a stable life. Hugkat p.68

Explanation:

All couples need their own private space. When it comes to you coming of age and
making grown up decisions, one of the biggest decisions is leaving the nest. Being
independent requires a lot and not all adults are ready. In my opinion when a couple
decides to marry, they should be prepared to leave the nest and accept responsibility.
(Personal Interpretation)

Belief

2. A bride should not try on a wedding dress before her wedding. It is bad luck.
Hugkat p.69

Explanation:

Traditionally it was considered bad luck for the marriage if the groom saw his bride in
her wedding gown before the ceremony. Another thing, It's supposed to be a surprise,
Like a 'first look’ at the wedding kind of thing. His reaction will be genuine if he
didn't see her in it before the wedding ceremony.(Personal Interpretation)

Belief

3. The girl who can catch the bouquet will be the next one to be married. Hugkat p.69

Explanation:

Originally the bride would throw her bouquet to bring good fortune to a lucky guest at
her wedding. That evolved into meaning that the receiver of the bouquet would get
married next. The man's version of the bouquet toss is the garter.(Personal
Interpretation)

iii. List 3 beliefs or practices that you can find in the source material that contain
some practical wisdom.

Sarono, Vircel

Beliefs

1.Pregnant women should not go near the dead —they will become sleepy during
labor. . Hugkat p.63

Explanation:

Our tradition believe that a pregnant woman should not go to a gathering specially
visiting a funeral activities specific when it’s late at night to avoid sleepy when She
deliver a baby’s birth. Our tradition most Filipinos believe that when a family member
of your relatives dead we should appeal our condolences and accompany them at
night. The practical wisdom to this belief our ancestors practice is that they prevent
the pregnant not to be unhealthy or not be stress rather.

2.Person to be married should avoid taking trips because they are liable to meet
accident. Hugkat p.68

Explanation:

According to Filipino tradition, couples are not supposed to meet before their
wedding because horrible things can happen. Before their wedding, it's said that if
they spend time with each other or go on trips together, it would bring them bad luck
and unfortunate things might happen that will make their wedding fail. Aside from
that, we all know that going to any trip can be very expensive. This belief is
practically telling us not to waste money for no special reason. Instead of taking the
risk of meeting each other, knowing this belief, it would be best to avoid such things
to happen.

3. Babies should be prevented from looking at their hands. It’s a sign of bad luck. .
Hugkat p.64

Explanation:

-Filipinos believes that if a baby see’s their own hands it may give them bad luck in
their life. Putting a gloves to a babies hands is the solution so that they will not see
their own hands to avoid bad luck. The real reason why babies hands are put in to
gloves is to simply avoid causing any scratches on the babies skin. Cause Babies skin
are very soft and it is very sensitive. Our great ancestors teach us a lot of practical act
but in a format of wisdom

List 5 beliefs or practices that can find in the source material that are no longer
practiced today:

Lalamonan, Mae G.

1. Pregnant women just deliver at home, they use "mananabang" to assist them. .
Hugkat p.62

Explanation:

Pregnant women trust mananabang during childbirth and home birth gives you more
control over your birth experience.Home birth was the de facto method of childbirth
until the advent of modern medicine. (Personal Interpretation)

2. A baby should be made to cry during baptism to insure a long life. Hugkat p.65

Explanation: If a baby cries at baptism, it means that the devil was on his guard. It
was also considered bad for babies not to cry, and some even pinched them to make
them cry. (Personal Interpretation)

3. God parents are well selected because their character would reflect on the baby. .
Hugkat p.66

Explanation:

The parents of the baby didn't want her children to be like them that's why they
choose a very well Godparents. Who can trust, love and talk to. (Personal
Interpretation)

4. The girl who can catch the bouquet will be the next one to be married. Hugkat p.69

Explanation: The girl who can catch the bouquet and or the boy can catch the garter
too. It doesn't necessarily mean that they are next to married but it is a game, it is a
fun idea of the people around you. (Personal Interpretation)

5. When a baby boy is born to a family, it is a sign of good luck. Hugkat p.101
Explanation: A baby boy is a sign of good luck because a boy or a man has a strength
to save his family. And also to take care his family. (Personal Interpretation)

List 5 beleifs or practices that you can find in the source material that continue to be
practices until today.

Acabal, Nino Angelo Josh C.

1.when a pregnant woman is on the six month of her delivery she will go to the
mananbang. Hugkat p.62

Explanation: The mananbang will hilot the said pregnant woman to know if the baby
is on the right position, For a smooth delivery.(Personal Explanation)

2. Mother-to-be asks advice from old women and follows them to be sure of easy
delivery. Hugkat p.62

Explanation: Mothers tend to ask for advice to the elderly on what to do or avoid
during their pregnancy. Like when applying hampol they use a specific herb like tuba-
tuba it is applied on the belly of the pregnant woman.(Personal Explanation)

3. If a young man decides to marry, he tells his parents about it. Hugkat p.67

Explanation: So that the parents will plan and go to the brides house to speak with her
parents about the said marriage of their son and daughter.9Personal Explanation)

4. After complying with the requests of the girl's parents or they have given the
dowry, the boy's parents prepare for the wedding. Hugkat p.67

Explanation: The dowry is brought by the wife for their wedding, the dowry can be a
pig or a property of the bride, in most cases it is a pig that is brought by the bride.
(Personal Explanation)

5. when a person dies,relatives and friends are notified. They come to the house of the
deceased. Hugkat p.69Explanation: Relatives and friends go the house of the deceased
to offer their condolences and their limus and at nigt relatives and friends stay to do a
vigil wich is lead by the priest. (Personal Expalanation).
List 5 belief or practiced that you can find in the source material that have “updated”
or “evolved”, meaning they changed in some parts but the idea remains the same.

Contributer: Tubac, Harley Dave H.

1.Festivals. They make merry, offer entertainments to thier visitors and friends and as
social beings, their enjoyments during such occasions. Hugkat p.103

Explanation:

-Festivals. They have a good time, provide entertainment for their guests and friends,
and enjoy themselves since they are social people, and they very happy.(personal
interpretation)

2.Visiting. Hospitability shown in people of Dumaguete. It is the custom to offer

drinks or food to visitors. Welcoming them with warm greetings with all the smiles
and entertain them warmly Hugkat p.71

Explaination:

-Visiting. The friendliness exhibited by Dumaguete residents. It is customary to

provide visitors with refreshments or food. They should be greeted kindly, made to
smile, and given entertainment, and they deserve to be respected.(personal
interpretation)

3.Proposal. All the relatives of the boy & girl will group together to hear the proposal.
After arriving an an agreement they all eat, drink & be merry. Nowadays bringing
catered foods and taking some pictures to be uploaded on the FB for the proof of
evidence during proposal time Hugkat p.67

Explaination:

-Proposal. To hear the proposal, the boy and girl's families will assemble. They all
eat, drink, and have a good time after reaching an understanding. Bringing catered
cuisine and shooting photos to post on Facebook are now practices used throughout
proposal times as proof of evidence.(personal interpretation)

4.Marraige beliefs. After the marriage ceremony, a feast is held either a residence of a
boy or girl depending on what had been agreed upon. Today’s style is catering in
some restaurants or foodhouse Hugkat p.67

Explaination:
-views on marriage. Depending on what was agreed upon, a feast is hosted at either
the boy's or the girl's home following the marriage ceremony. Nowadays, some
restaurants or food establishments cater.(personal interpretation)

5.Death & burial. All work to be done are done by volunteers. Their labor is a sort of
help to the family. Nowadays “suhol style” is available if every member of family is
busy Hugkat p.118

Explaination:

-Funeral and burial Volunteers take care of every task. The family benefits in some
way from their labor. Nowadays, "suhol style" is an option for families with multiple
busy members.(personal interpretation)
.

Fifteen words and their meanings.

Quimada, Jake M.

1"Limos"-"Alms"

Alms are money, food, or other material goods donated to people living in poverty.
Providing alms is often considered an act of virtue or charity. The act of providing
alms is called almsgiving, and it is a widespread practice in a number of different
religions and cultures.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alms

2.Hampol- is a healing treatment that has been practiced by hundreds of generations

in the Northern

part of the Philippines. This treatment is based on the belief that all plants are created
by nature for healing. It uses a warm compress with different local herbs like letlet,
kayumanis, and tanglad followed by a Hilot-inspired massage. This combination of
herbs also improves blood circulation, relieves headaches, insomnia, arthritis,
dysmenorrheal and water retention.

Reference:https://www.thefarmatsanbenito.com/treatment/hampol-warm-herbal-
therapy/

3."Helper"-"Mananabang"

A person that helps or gives assistance, support, etc.

Reference:Base on my own understanding

4."Palina"

Or Incense smoking is the act of burning leaves and roots of various plants to drive
away evil spirits and to help the mother and child during the labor process. The
incense may also help the mother to relax and to ease her pain.

Reference:Interview with my Lola (March 2/2023)

5."Umbilical cord"

The cord that connects the developing fetus with the placenta while the fetus

is in the uterus. The umbilical arteries and vein

run within this cord. The umbilical cord is clamped and cut at birth, and its residual
tip forms the

bellybutton.

Reference:https://www.medicinenet.com/umbilical_cord/definition.htm

6."Calagongcong"

It is a branch of trees and they make it herbal for stomach ache.

Reference:Interview with my lolo March(2/2023)

7."Cadlum or Patchoul"

Genus of Asiatic shrubs or trees whose leaves yield fragrant oil.

Reference:https://findwords.info/crossword/3280844

8." "Abgao"

It's a good herbal and it looks like ginger.

Reference: Interview my Lola

March 2/2023

9."Pusod or Navel"

The navel (also known as belly button or umbilicus) is a scar on the abdomen, which
marks the spot where the umbilical cord was attached to a newborn baby's belly. It is
usually located in the center of the abdomen, a few inches above the pubic bone.

Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navel#:~:text=The%20navel
%20%28clinically%20known%20as%20the%20umbilicus%2C
%20commonly,although%20it%20is%20generally%20more%20conspicuous%20in
%20humans.
10."Tulog tulog"

It is placed under a child's pillow to help a child sleep soundly.

Reference:Interview with my lola (2/2023)

11."Meconium"

Is the earliest stool of a newborn baby. It is a thick, greenish-black substance that is

composed of amniotic fluid, shed skin cells, and other waste products that have been
ingested by the developing fetus while in the uterus. Meconium is usually passed by
the baby within the first few days after birth.

Reference:https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=meconium-
aspiration-90-P02384

12."Unggo"

Your immense ambition makes you want to be the best. A competitive type who
usually gives everything they have in order to win.

Strong self confidence about your abilities makes this possible. Such qualities help
Unggo tackle all difficulties and solve problems in a leading forward thinking
manner.

Reference:http://www.meaningslike.com/name-stands-for/unggo

13."Tighapon"

The day before the wedding-the tradition the day before the wedding is to have a
rehearsal of the ceremony and after a rehearsal dinner. The day before a wedding is
often called “the rehearsal day,” “the wedding eve,” or simply “the day before the
wedding."

Reference:Base on my own understanding

14."Bulag bulag"

A traditional filipino culture that the couple will begin to call each other's parents
"nanay" and "tatay".

Reference:Base on my understanding

15."Mangnao"

It is a tree called mangnao and they use the leaf as a herbal tea.

Reference: Interview my Lolo.

List 3 beliefs or practices that you can find in the source material that are purely
superstitious without any practical wisdom or logical explanation.

Contributor:

Codimos, Kacy A.

1. Cancel your work or what you will do when you meet a black cat because it's bad
luck. (Quora-page 39)

Explanation:

Among superstitions, one of the oldest and most enduring is that crossing paths with a
black cat will bring on bad luck. The dark-coloured felines have also been folded into
modern Halloween symbols, giving them the (unearned) reputation of being spooky.
Oct 13, 2021(https.//www.history.com).

2. A black butterfly flitting inside the house will bring death in the household. (by IJ
MacRae-page 19).

Explanation:

A black butterfly is often seen as a sign of bad luck, death, or misfortune. In some
cultures like the Philippines, it is believed that black butterflies are the souls of the
dead. In other cultures, they're seen as omens of forthcoming disasters.

(https.//www.basaltnapa.com).

3. A baby greeted and kissed by a stranger will get sick. (By McElhinny-page 59).

Explanation:

One of the most serious risks that come from kissing babies is the transfer of fever
blisters, also known as cold sores. HSV 1 causes fever blisters to form around the
baby's mouth and can spread to other areas of the body, even their brain.

May 20, 2020 (https.//www.peadsest.com).