Superstitions have always been a part of the Filipino culture. Generally, they are defined as early man’s efforts to explain his own existence and his surroundings. According to Stephen C. Pepper, an American philosopher, “a superstition is nothing other than a supposed natural correlation that is supported solely by convention and is unverified by controlled observations” (Pepper, S. 1960, p. 55). People have tried to validate that the present happenings are the result of actions done in the past, which, more often than not, are coincidental. In short, superstitions are justifications on the occurring phenomena which man cannot fully elucidate.


In the Philippines, many superstitious beliefs started out with pagan values before Roman Catholicism was introduced by the Spaniards. Early Filipinos used to believe in “usog”- the greeting of a child by a stranger will make the child get sick, and other supernatural entities like aswang (vampire), mangkukulam (witch), and tiyanak (demon child). In effect, they developed beliefs to ward off the evil. These already established superstitions were enriched by the arrival of foreigners in our country. Hindus, who stayed in the Philippines during the sixteenth century, were great contributors to the Filipino superstitions. Their culture was spiced with beliefs which they brought to our country and in turn, Filipinos have assimilated these. Examples of these superstitions are: a maiden singing while cooking will marry a widower; eating twin bananas while pregnant will give the woman twin children; and when one dreams of losing a tooth, it will mean death of a loved one. Aside from the Hindus, the Chinese also had their share of traditional convictions. Some popular ones include shooting firecrackers during New Year’s Eve which will send out the old year and welcome the new, sweeping the dust and dirt out of the house will entail sweeping away good fortune, and clipping nails at night is bad luck.


Upon arrival, the Spaniards tried to get rid of these superstitions as they initiated the spread of Christianity. The beliefs, however, were replaced by their own superstitious ideas which were created not as source of truth but as the way for the ruling political and social elite of the Philippines to execute social control on the already oppressed masses.


Since the superstitions began to spread, the Filipinos have accumulated a vast range of beliefs which have added richness and humor to the culture. Classic examples are: when a fork falls down while eating, it means a male visitor is coming; when you bite your tongue or lip, it means you are the subject of a conversation; and when a bride tries on her gown, the wedding will not take place. Other superstitious beliefs are rather daunting, for example, going home immediately after visiting a wake is not good, because the spirit of the dead person will follow. Another is when a picture of three is taken; the one in the middle will die. Breaking a mirror or when a black cat passes in front of you will mean bad luck. In contrast to these beliefs, there are also some which are purely humorous, even unhygienic. One case, for example; a girl is not advised to take a bath during the first day of her menstruation because doing so will cause insanity, and clipping nails at night suggests a fight with parents.


Superstitions have survived alongside civilization yet their importance has changed over time. Less people nowadays adhere to these traditions as they become more equipped with scientific knowledge and skepticism. People tend to stick to these, I believe, because superstitions have always been a part of our existence. We might still be carrying out practices even without us noticing. Some people, including those I know, still follow superstitions since, according to them, nothing is lost in going along with this custom.


In some ways, superstitions are compared with religion. Both are beliefs, and both are abstract in nature. Or, in other words, there exists unseen forces that work in our world. That maybe a reason why a person devoted to a certain religious group sees another as a superstition. A distinction can be made, nevertheless. Religion is a system of beliefs accepted in the society to maintain discipline and “develop” faith. It focuses more on the nature and purpose of the universe, and moral codes ruling the conduct of human affairs.


Personally, I do not believe in superstitions because they do not hold any scientific basis or validity. However, I am not sure if I fully live up to that conviction, because superstitions have run in our family through generations. People’s beliefs vary and all we can do is respect whatever stand they take. I may suggest, though, that following superstitions is okay so long as it does not affect one’s decisions and progress.



References:
www.philstar.com/article.aspx?articleld=334242
www.masmasika.hubpages.com/hub/10-Filipino-Superstitious-Beliefs-that-Has-Great-Influence-in-their-Life
www.newfoundationsbloglocus.blogspot.com/2011/03/what-is-superstition-why-does-it-matter.html
Own background knowledge

Scratch all those creative writing...today it's just me and my own personal drama.. I'm pissed off... I shouldn't be, yet, I'm hurt.. inside mostly.. you ever felt like betrayed? or lost a friend? Something like your intincts tell that you did.. there's no confirmation but the feeling is strong.. and the worse part is, that person doesn't give a damn.. and it makes it really, really annoying.. Is that hard? to tell somebody if you don't like him/her to be a friend, or, by any way unrelated?It's driving me crrrrraaaazzzzy! And i hate it.. i hate that i have to feel this stinging pain of being unwanted by some creature who shouldn't be making me feel this way.. it ruins everything...