Filipino Supersititons: Truth and Consequences
Jan Brunvand, author of The Study of American Folklore gave this definition of superstition: it involves beliefs, practices, and procedures based upon conscious and unconscious assumptions, usually concerned with the nature of the cause and effect. Superstitions are by no means exclusive to the Filipinos, but we have many of them and they greatly influence our thoughts and actions most of the time unconsciously. Personally, I regarded myself to be an objective person when it comes to superstition. I recognize it as a part of our culture. I hear it often enough from my own mother. I suspect they have some great wisdom as a premise and evolved from some wise old wives or elderly ladies. However, I was not a great believer of it. My motto however, it would not hurt to adhere to it. And so, I would wear the polka dots and fill my pockets with coins on New Year. I would absent-mindedly think a male visitor might come by since I accidentally dropped my fork on the floor.
One day, however, it might have gone too far. While pregnant with our first child, I announced to four of my aunts that I would not be able to join them for the annual Mother's Day luncheon because I would be attending my best friend's son's christening and I was to be godmother. They all simultaneously jumped at me (or at least it felt like it) and started to talk all at once as to why I could not do just that. It was some strange notion that our sons would be rivals one day or something to that effect. Coming from my aunts, I might not have taken it too seriously, but a few days later my dad gave me a call and told me the same thing. That settled that and I gave my friend a call and told her I could not be godmother to her son. With a week to go before the Baptism, that was the end of that and of our friendship. (Deep sigh!) It only goes to show either way, Filipino superstition should not be taken lightly.
A friend of ours ran into my ex-best friend a few weeks ago. As a result, we would be staging a reunion after 8 years and, hopefully, reconciliation. And I, ever the non-superstitious kind, will be attending the barbecue party which will serve as the backdrop for
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