Ded na si Lolo

Having seen the film Ded Na Si Lolo, a hilarious movie which shows the typical Filipinos with their tough superstitious beliefs and customs during wakes and funerals, I’ve comprehended that we Filipinos are very much notorious for having bunch of pamahiins (superstitious beliefs), which cannot be easily disposed. 

            Due to the death of the patriarch of the Family, they were all gathered together to mourn and share their grievances as they recall their treasured memories with their Itay.

The film in conclusion emphasizes the usual occurrence, families in the Philippines continuously shadows, nevertheless seeing these practices performed by our fellow Filipinos cause us laugh at our own traditions.

Here are few of the Filipino superstitious beliefs I’ve written and recall, and I also believed in for sometime after seeing the movie:

1.    Bawal ang sabaw sa may patay. (Soups are prohibited.)

2.    Pag naglagay ng pera sa patay ay swerte. (It is considered lucky upon putting money at the dead person.)

 3.   Ang suot na rosaryo ng patay ay dapat putulin upang wala ng trahedyang maganap sa pamilya.  (The rosary worn by the dead person should be cut in order to hinder any tragedy in the family.)

4.    Bawal mag pasalamat. (Expressing gratitude or saying thank you is prohibited.)

5.    Bawal ang pulang damit. (Red clothes are prohibited.)

6.    Gumamit ng pulang kumot upang di multuhin ng patay. (Use red blanket to protect yourself from ghost of the dead person.)

7.    Bawal maligo. (Taking a bath is prohibited)

Having these beliefs observed and somehow practiced, I could make an assumption that these superstitions exists because of the mentality that there’s nothing to lose if we will comply with these beliefs.

Moreover, for the past generations, we were thought of these beliefs even though literally it’s not scientifically proven, we consider and adopt it. It still exist because most of us are trying to avoid the negative consequences if we will not do it. Or for instance, it would just be coincidence so we decided to follow it until it became our custom.

Another reason would be, the statement, “sabi nila e” (that’s what all say); we got scared and just follow what they all say which leads to our mindset “follow the majority”. 

Whatever the reason is, these beliefs are one of 

the trademarks we

Filipinos are famous for which made our culture, history 

and customs

colorful and remarkable.