Although there is no single definition of superstition, it generally means a belief in

supernatural forces – such as fate – the desire to influence unpredictable factors and a
need to resolve uncertainty. In this way then, individual beliefs and experiences drive
superstitions, which explains why they are generally irrational and often defy current
scientific wisdom.

Psychologists who have investigated what role superstitions play, have found that they
derive from the assumption that a connection exists between co-occurring, non-related
events. For instance, the notion that charms promote good luck, or protect you from bad
luck.

For many people, engaging with superstitious behaviours provides a sense of control
and reduces anxiety – which is why levels of superstition increase at times of stress and
angst. ( n. dagnall/ k. drinkwater, 2018)

Evanron Barcelon will not leave the cemetery unless she has done ‘palina’ — a ritual,
borne out of superstition.
The ritual, practiced by many Catholics, involves getting immersed in smoke coming
from dried leaves, twigs and weeds found inside the cemetery that are burned .
The 31-year-old wife and mother has practiced palina for as long as she could
remember.
“Mao man na sa kinaraan. Gikan pa na sa katigulangan nga kailangan ka magpalina
human nimog visit sa mga menteryo (It started with my forefathers. You need to do
palina after a visit to the cemetery),” said Barcelon. shooting
Recommended by
“Palina” is based on the belief that it could ward off spirits that accompany the living
after visiting the dead.
Barcelon said that the ritual is necessary and it should be practiced even by her
children.
“Himoon na siya magpalina inig dayon gawas gikan sa menteryo aron dili manguyog
ang mga kalag
(It should be done before going out of the cemetery so the spirits will not go with
you),” she explained.
Practical reasons
Archdiocesan Shrine of San Roque in Mambaling parish priest Fr. Mhar Vincent
Balili, an expert on church liturgy, said that ‘palina’ traces its roots to the practice of
smoking fruit trees to produce early flowers kill pests, and eliminate acidity.
“Kun mobalik ta sa origin ana, kana bitawng ganahan ta magbunga atong mangga
paasuhan man? Ang reason ana aron ang acids mangatagak (If we go back to the
origin of ‘palina’, it comes from the practice of smoking the mango trees to eliminate
acid),” said Fr. Balili.
According to Balili, cemeteries were considered a dirty place and so, in the past,
people would use heat from the smoke to kill the germs.
Fr. Balili said that there is no truth to the belief that the ritual could ward off spirits
while he stressed the need to educate Catholics on the real reason behind the
centuries’ old practice.
“Karon pataka tag rason maong buhaton aron mahibilin ang kalag. Wala mana ang
mga kalag sa menteryo (It is a flawed belief. There are no souls in the cemetery),“ Fr.
Balili said.
While the practice might not be bad, Fr. Balili said that it could be done for practical
reasons.
“Dili man siguro bad. Ang ato lang for them to know the real reason nga dili na tuo-
tuo. Palina ta aron ang kalag mahibilin? Tuo-tuo naman na siya and that is
superstitious belief (I don’t think it’s entirely bad but people have to know the real
reason behind it and it’s not what they think it is.
Warding off spirits is a false belief and that is superstition), “ said Fr. Balili.
He added that if Catholics would choose to practice ‘palina’, it should be simply as a
way to ward off germs just like the hand sanitizers that are sold commercially.
Pagan practices
Aside from ‘palina’ Fr. Balili said that there are other practices by the Catholics
during All Saints’ and Souls’ Day that should be stopped such as offering food and
putting fruits on tombs purportedly to make the spirits happy.
“That’s a pagan practice,” said Fr. Balili.
The priest called on the Catholic faithful to pray for their departed ones instead.
“In order to make the soul happy, let’s not offer food but fervent prayer. That’s what
we ought to do,” said Fr. Balili.

(n. semilla, 2018)

PALINA” is a tradition that cemetery-goers practice during All Souls’ and All Saints’ Days.

Just before leaving, they allow themselves to be covered in smoke from a heap of burning weeds or
leaves.

Outside the Talisay City Catholic Cemetery in Barangay Poblacion, the “palina” is tended by Michael
Sabequil and a group of friends.

The 48-year-old Sabequil said he has been doing this since he was a teen.

According to him, majority of cemetery-goers won’t leave until they drench themselves in smoke from
the “palina.” They believe the practice cleanses them of the bad essences as a result of their proximity to
the dead, such as misfortune, disease or worst, death, he said.
Payment mode

Sabequil admitted that they gather outside the cemetery and create mounds of “palina” to earn an extra
buck.

He clarified that they don’t force those who drench themselves in their smoke to pay. It’s all up to them,
he said.

“Wala may pugsanay. Kung pila ang ilang ihatag, amo rasad dawaton (We accept whatever amount they
give),” Sabequil said.

Since a lot of people had complained about the smell the smoke left on their clothes, Sabequil said
they’ve added frankincense powder to the “palina” to make it more fragrant.

However, Sabequil said the number of people who undergo “palina” has dropped over the years.

“It all depends on whether they believe in the practice or not,” he said in Cebuano.

Cleansing ritual

Although the practice is often observed in various Catholic cemeteries, it is not part of Catholic doctrine,
said Msgr. Esteban Binghay, episcopal vicar of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

Binghay told Sun.Star Cebu that “palina” is a cleansing ritual similar to what other religious cultures in
various parts of the world practice.

“If the Jews and the Muslims have their own cleansing ritual, the Catholics, particularly the Filipinos,
have the ‘palina’,” Binghay said.

Binghay said that while the church tolerates the practice, it is not part of its doctrine.

He also said he frowns on the practice being used for commercial purpose. “Dili na sad na mao kung
pabayran nila ang palina (They should not charge),” he said.

For Maria Nita Alcoseba, the 49-year-old said she never leaves the cemetery without undergoing palina.

She told Sun.Star Cebu that she has passed the practice to her children and her grandchildren.

“Wala man say mawala nimo kung mutoo ka o dili (No harm will come to you if you believe or not),”
Alcoseba said. 

(j. vestil, 2016)

For instance, she believes that people may be accompanied by evil spirits after visiting
the dead. Passing through “smoke” from burning newly cut grass or having someone
throw ash at their feet before going back home gets rid of the bad spirits, she said.
“Mao na’y mga pagtuo sauna para dili lagi daw mokuyog sila ig sulod sa balay
(That’s an old tradition so that evil spirits don’t accompany you home),” she said.
Nang Inday also believes that unless you had ash thrown at your feet before entering
the house, you should never go near babies.
“Kay kung dili ka itsahan og abo unya muduol ka sa bata ig sulod sa balay, magsige
og hilak ang bata. Di na makatulog (Because if they don’t throw ash at you before
entering the house and you go near a baby, it will not stop crying and won’t go to
sleep),” she said.
Despite their cultural significance, these old practices are slowly being uprooted from
their place of belief as millennials, skeptics, realists, science-junkies, non-believers,
and what nots — take over the old ways.
(i. Pulgo , 2016)