Filipinas and Superstitions

[greenteam]

Greetings everyone.  Total newbie on these posts but have followed some posts for quite some time.  It's truly a beautiful thing you guys have going here.  You have helped so many through so much.  Nice JOB! 

I was all convinced that the Philippine culture was for me.  I researched, read many posts here, talked to some natives and it seemed everything was pointing to those beauties on those steamy little islands.  I was even planning to visit this summer.  Then I came across a website that really dashed my hopes.  The site was strictly focused on the Philippines.  It contained an immense amount of detailed info on relationships between American/Euro men and Filipinas.  The site talked about how Filipinas are very superstitious.  It stated that it is as common as hotdogs and hamburgers in the USA; "densely woven into the fabric of the Philippines".  They're talkin' much, much more intense then black cats and number 13 obsessions.  It's a daily preoccupation.  I know that this would drive me bananas.  It would be very distracting, and annoying for me.  It would be cute for a while then get old in a hurry.  A definite deal breaker; brown beauty or not.

I ask you all, in your in infinite wisdom and experience; is this true?

[william3rd]

Same in Russia and Ukraine as far as superstition goes. If you are set on the PI, superstition should not be your deciding factor on determining the country.

[Bear]

Welcome to the board,

I have been married to a Filipina for over 7 years and she does come up with some of the stupidest phobias and beliefs but when I discuss it with her I can see she really doesn't believe it only that she heard it a lot.  I know hundreds of Filipinas now and I can't say I have never seen nor heard them practising or intentionally changing their efforts because of some superstition. 

I have heard of one area of the R.P. that believed in witches and such but all the girls I know from that area seem like fine women to me and haven't done or said anything that would lead me to believe that anything I heard is anything more than hearsay.

Post the website link.

The Bear Family

[Jeff S]

My wife, like many Asian women is a big believer in a type of Feng Sui where directions are important and has a lot of rules about what is good luck and what is bad. Once you get used to it, it doesn't create any problems. Just know you're going to have to discuss certain things before doing them - not a bad thing for married people anyway.

[Dave H]

Hi greenteam,

Welcome to P-L!

I have read that before myself. But after being married to my Filipina wife for almost 7 years, I would have to say that she isn't any more superstitious than me. As a child she heard the superstitions and tales of ghosts and monsters like we all have, but doesn't believe them any more than I do. It depends on the individual, but I really don't know any overly superstitious Filipinas. They do have some different customs.

Dave H.

[Ray]

Based on my experience, I would estimate that your chances of finding a Filipina who is really serious about this stuff is maybe 5% at most.

It simply isn't a problem except in very rare cases with the less-educated types.

Now how about naming this Website of which you speak...

[Dave H]

Based on my experience, I would estimate that your chances of finding a Filipina who is really serious about this stuff is maybe 5% at most.

It simply isn't a problem except in very rare cases with the less-educated types.

Now how about naming this Website of which you speak...

Hey Ray,

That is what I was thinking...then, maybe from a remote bundok. I would think it is probably more common with the older generations...like my wife's grandmothers and my Irish-German grandmother in the US. 

Perhaps this is where he read it: http://www.filipinawives.com/Superstitions.htm

Dave H.

[xcited]

greenteam,
     Let's not forget about all the silly superstitions we have here too.  Santa Clause, the tooth fairy, black cats, broken mirrors, and spilled salt.  They may have different ones there, but if they treat them the same as we do it shouldn't be a problem.  I have been talking with a Filipina for a while and haven't heard any serious superstition issues.  I think you should believe the married guys here more than some web site of dubious insight.  Don't give up on the Philippines.



Xcited

[greenteam]

I am feelin' so warm and fuzzy right now.  You guys are awesome!  As I was hoping, it sounds like I am way off base here and making to much out of nothing regarding the superstition issue.  And as I have read so many times here; take it one step at a time and focus on the individual is the lesson of the day.  Its just reassuring to hear it from people who are living the life.  Having your opinions reinforce my hopes has definitely taking a weight off my shoulders and left me more optimistic then ever.  I would put a hell of lot more weight in your experienced opinions then this website:  http://www.filipinawives.com/Superstitions.htm (you were right on David H)

Bear, Jeff S, David H and the rest, thanks again.  I sense I'll be back on these pages soon enough.  Probably with more questions then answers.
Until then.....

[Dave H]

Hi greenteam,

Come back soon! We like questions. Good Luck!   

Dave H.

[Ray]

I was thinking about some of the common Filipino superstitions that I have heard over the years and some are pretty funny or weird.

I remember that my first Filipina wife had a few that she took seriously. These were harmless and it was never a problem with us, but I used to have some fun with her over this stuff.

1. Never have money on the table while eating. I think the implication was that you will end up broke and not able to buy food or something like that (?)

2. Don’t go to bed with wet hair or you may just wake up blind, crazy, or both. This was one of my favorites.

3. If someone you love gives you a gift of shoes, slippers, or anything for your feet, you will end up walking out on that loved one some day. To break the jinx, the recipient of the gift must “pay for” the item by offering a small amount in return, such as a peso, a dime or a dollar. That way it isn’t technically a gift anymore. My daughters still have fun with this one at Christmas time or on birthdays.

This stuff was always in fun even though she sometimes seemed to actually accept it as true. If I think of any more I’ll be sure to post.

Note: My current wife doesn’t have any superstitions that she believes in that I know of. Most of these she hasn’t even heard of so they must be more regional in origin.

Ray