1.

2 Science and Superstition

Round fruits are beliefs to bring good fortune

for the New Year. Everyone has probably done
it with their family. Where your parents would
buy 12 different round fruits as a symbol of
good luck and good fortune for the 12 months
throughout the year. Have you heard that if
you step on a crack on the floor you would
receive bad luck? Same with a black cat passing
right through you and breaking a mirror. If you
indeed have heard about all of this, it is what
you call Superstitions.

Superstitions
- A commonly but unjustified belief in supernatural causality leading to specific outcomes
of an action or situation, or a practice based on such a belief.
- Based on religious beliefs, opinions, old or popular practices.
- Usually occur to believing in luck, amulets, astrology, fortune telling, spirits, and certain
paranormal entities.

What created superstitions?

- Back in the old days, were science has not yet existed. People would look for answers
and explanations for all the unknown and phenomenon experiences that has happened.
Due to lack of facts and knowledge the elders created the “superstitions” for them to
have belief or their explanations for what has happened in the days. But due to the
upbringing of modernization and scientific explanations. Tons of people started to think
in a more objective and personal way.

Do people still believe in superstitions?

- Yes, some people do still believe in some superstitions. In fact, we Filipino have made
tons of superstitions regarding to wealth, birth, family, death, food, marriage, numbers,
colors and etc.
- Some people even prefer going to supernatural treatments who uses ailments and
witchcrafts. Instead of going to a real doctor. These people are what they call
“albularyo, mananawas, manghihilot”.
 AREA SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS

Eating  If you have to leave the table before finishing your meal. You should spin or turn
your plate around so you will be safe.

Good Luck  Encountering a yellow butterfly will bring you good luck.
&
Bad Luck  Adorning your dress with pearl means you will shed many tears.

Housing  The number of steps on a staircase should not be multiple by three. Count off the
steps as oro (gold), plata (silver), mata (death). The last step should not end in
mata.

 Going to bed with wet hair can lead to blindness and headache.
Sickness  If you get wounded on a Friday, the process of healing would take much longer
than usual.
 If you pass a hill or a big tree say your piece or ask permission to the “engkantos”
so that you won’t get sick.

Money  If you break an egg and found two yolks, you will be rich.
&  Presence of blank ants in the house means that the owner will be rich.
Wealth  If you sweep at night you will lose all your wealth.

Others  If three relatives will pose in a picture. The one in the middle will die.
 If you had a dream about your friend and she’s wearing white. She will get
married.

Herbal medicine
- Most traditions have no scientific value except for herbal medicines.
- Herbal medicine is the current thrust of department of health. They are promoting the
use of herbal medicine. Due to the high cost of pharmaceutical drugs for some illness
has prompted the use of indigenous plants like lagundi, banaba, tsaang-gubat and
others.
Bawang
Common names: Ajos(Bisaya); Garlic
 Fresh cloves, capsule for lowering blood cholesterol level; antiseptic
Tsaang-Gubat
Common names: Putputai (Bikol); Alangit(Bisaya); Forest tea, Wild tea.
 Pills, Leaf decoction for gastroenteritis; as gargle to prevent cavities.

Herba Buena
Common names: Herba Buena, menta; marsh mint, mint
leaves.
 Tablets, capsules, tea for pain e.g.
headache, toothache, arthritis; for cough, for gaseous distention;
pounded leaves, ointment for
insect bites, colds.

Sambong
Common names: Sambong (Tagalog); lakad-bulan (Bikol);
Ngai camphor (English)
 Diuretic in hypertension; dissolves kidney stones.