TOPIC: Superstition, a form of belief or practice which is not supported by

science or reason, but rather by fear or ignorance. Commonly found around

the world, some superstitions are based on fear while others are thought to
bring luck and success. These beliefs are often passed down through
generations, forming a part of a culture's heritage. Though superstitions lack
scientific proof, they remain popular in many cultures and can even provide
comfort or a sense of security. It is important to remember, however, that
superstitions should not be taken too seriously and should not be used to
harm or discriminate against others.

INTERNATIONAL

In Asia particularly in China,Japan, India, Thailand, Indonesia, they

have beliefs or practices that are frequently not based on reason and have no
scientific proof of truth. It is called superstition. However, the superstitions of
the elderly are able to influence behavior in different ways. Examples of
superstitions are black cats. It is believed that when a black cat crosses your
path, it is an omen of bad luck and misfortune. According to Broad (2015),
broken mirror superstition is an old belief that breaking a mirror brings bad
luck. According to superstition, when a mirror breaks it is thought to signify
seven years of bad luck according to Marcovsky (2021), Friday the 13th Long
considered a harbinger of bad luck, Friday the 13th has inspired a late
19th-century secret society, an early 20th-century novel, a horror film
franchise and not one but two unwieldy terms—paraskavedekatriaphobia and
friggatriskaidekaphobia—that describe fear of this supposedly unlucky DAY
according to the travel organization WorldStrides (2020), Trimming of nails at
night it cause Bad Luck Superstition: Cutting one’s fingernails at night brings
bad luck and sickness according to SAMLY (2018), THE EVIL EYE The evil
eye is said to harm someone or something. Minor misfortunes, as well as
more serious diseases, injuries, or even death, can result from supernatural
harm according to Miraç Tapan (2019). These superstitions are really true and
have been proven according to Stephen Mays (2017) and Andrew Mulvania.

NATIONAL

For many generations, superstitious beliefs have been passed down in

the Philippines, particularly in the provinces far from Manila. Broad's (2015)
article discussed the superstition about black cats, where some tribes believe
that if one crosses their path, they should return home and wait until another
day to do what they planned. Similarly, broken mirrors are said to bring bad
luck, as reported by Hernandez (2016). Another superstition connected to
misfortune is Friday the 13th, according to ABS-CBN (2016). Additionally,
SAMLY (2018) mentions that cutting your nails at night can cause bad luck,
which is a superstition that is still believed today. Lastly, Licauco (2015)
explains the evil eye or usog, which is thought to cause physical symptoms
without any medical explanation. Indigenous healers believe that people can
prevent the effects of usog by having the person who caused it apply their
saliva to the affected person's forehead.

LOCAL
 It is widely believed in rural Mindanao that superstitions such as black
cats, broken mirrors, trimming of nails at night, Friday the 13th, and the evil
eye (pamuyag in Bisaya) bring bad luck. According to a survey by Curaza
(2021), roughly 65% of elders still adhere to these superstitions and pamahiin,
making them a part of the culture. Elders warn that when a black cat passes
in front or beside you, it will bring a day of endless bad luck, and advise you to
stay at home for the rest of the day. Broken mirrors are believed to be a sign
of death for those who look at them, and elders say that burying the broken
glass will counter the curse. Trimming of nails is also thought to bring death.
While Friday the 13th originated in the Western world, it is still believed to
cause bad luck among families, although younger generations are not as
superstitious about it. The most common superstition in Mindanao, especially
in Davao del Norte, is pamuyag, which is thought to cause evil to those an evil
person intends to harm.