Eleven Strange Things that Filipinos Believe

If you asked a Filipino what they thought about these items, most would say, “What’s so strange about that?” But if you asked an American or European they may think that this list is very strange indeed. All countries and cultures have their own beliefs. Where they originated is often untraceable. Although some of the following may have some basis in fact, much of it seems to be based in superstition rather than reality.

My wife, being a Filipino, believes and lives by many of these rules (except maybe the one about the Mananagle). They were passed down to her from her grandmother as though they were basic facts of life that everyone should know and follow. Personally, I find almost all of these things to be quite humorous.

1.       After exercise, working, or walking one must rest for at least ten minutes before showering, to avoid getting varicose veins. The same hold true for washing your hands after working. If you don’t rest, it’s bad for your veins.

2.       If you’re going to sweat you had better wear a towel (or newspapers if you don’t have a towel) on your back to keep it dry. If your back gets wet, never let it dry in a breeze, fan, or draft. Doing so will cause you to catch a cold.

3.       Never put money on the dining table. It’s bad luck.

4.       Don’t cut your nails at night. Because people will think you want a family member to die.

5.       Taking a shower when you’re having your period will make you insane.

6.       Don’t eat sour or cold food when you’re having your period. It will stop the blood from coming out.

7.       Never carry an empty wallet. A wallet with money in it, even one bill, will bring you more money.

8.       Never take a bath on Friday or Tuesday. Spirits are alive on Tuesday, and everyone should be behave themselves and watch out for bad spirits on Friday.

9.       When sleeping with someone older than you, sleep lower in the bed. Young people who sleep at the same level as elders will get gray hair early in life.

10.   Never talk back to an elder, and follow whatever they tell you, no matter how wrong they are (within reason). It’s disrespectful to do otherwise.

11.   There are women called Mananangle who split in half from the waist up at night and fly around killing men. They can be killed by finding their bottom half and pouring salt on it.

I’m sure that we all have beliefs that would seem strange to people of other cultures, but the above article has a few beliefs that would top anybody’s list.

Randy Levine Asianwomeninfo.com