In every culture, tribe, or nation, there are things that are passed from one generation to the next. It can be businesses or, practices, or even tangible things such as ownership of a plot of land, or a house. But there are also silly things passed down to us from our ancestors. I’m not talking about your looks, I’m talking about the silly superstitious beliefs passed down from one generation to the next. Who even believes that stuff?
Ingrained in the Filipino culture is a whole lot of pamahiins which mostly have no basis in them. Pamahiin or superstitious belief is the belief that if you do something, a supernatural force will either bless you or strike you with bad luck.
You might’ve heard a lot of these from your grandparents and you might’ve believed in it when you were younger. But now that you’re older it’s something funny altogether. Here are 8 of the silliest Filipino superstitions.
1. If somebody leaves the table during a meal, those who are left at the table should turn their plates to keep that person from getting in an accident.
Imagine if you’re at a long table and one of you leaves, the person just inconvenienced everyone else on the table.
2. Don’t go straight home after a wake! You must pagpag!
If you don’t do this, you might attract death or bad luck and there will be a death in your family when you get home. Death can make you sad, hang out somewhere! Pagpag ka muna sa Star City.
3. Encountered a black cat on the road? Turn around three times to ward off bad luck.
Well you just hurt the feelings of every black cat for miles. It’s not their fault they’re born that way! It’s also not their fault you’ll be looking like an idiot twirling in public. Also, did you know that looking at a picture of a black cat brings bad luck? YOU JUST LOOKED AT THE PICTURE! HA!
4. A spoon is dropped, you will have a female visitor. If a fork is dropped, you will have a male visitor.
And if your sibling accidentally drops the whole container of utensils, be ready for a truckload of distant relatives to socialize with.
5. If you ever find yourself lost on your way somewhere, wear your shirt inside out so you can find your way back.
You should try this at a supermarket if you get separated from your mother. I’m sure everybody will appreciate your little show.
6. Do not forget to ask anybody to give you a random number if you accidentally choke.
The number equates to a letter in the alphabet and anybody you know whose name starts with that letter is thinking of you. What about when you think about your crush all the time? Ever thought he might be choking to death somewhere because of you?
7. If a table is already being cleaned while someone is still eating, that person will never get married.
If you clean a table while somebody is still eating that is called being rude. Learn your manners!
8. Downpour on a sunny day only means one thing: may ikinakasal na tikbalang!
Or in modern days where KDrama is taking over the world, umiiyak si Gumiho at nalulungkot si Goblin. I can’t say that this one is not true because I’ve experienced it myself when somebody I knew got married. Uhm.
What do you think about all these superstitions? Share your thoughts!
