My connection with the Philippines has been ongoing for the past 25 years. My wife is a citizen of the Philippines and our son is a dual citizen of Philippines and the USA. We have lived in the Philippines the last two years.

One of the first things I learned about the Philippines is that many of the local people have superstitious beliefs. There are many superstitious beliefs that I have heard about over the years. Some of the superstitious beliefs are not even thought of as such but they are an everyday part of the culture for many. Some “rituals” are carried out automatically for many without even thinking about it.

The Philippines is basically divided into three regions, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Superstitions vary from the different regions but some are common in all three regions. There are also variations of superstitious beliefs in the different regions but many have similarities.

My degree is in Psychology and Parapsychology has always been one of my interests. I studied several Parapsychology courses in college and it is the study of paranormal activities, such as superstitions, out of the body experience, psychic abilities, near death experiences, the spirit world and after death reality.

When there is a death in the family, the body is most often taken to the family home in a mahogany glass-top encased coffin from the funeral home and a 5-10 day wakes ensues. The coffin is placed in position that faces the house main door and the feet of the corpse are facing the door. This will allow the spirit an easy journey. Shoes of the corpse are often removed for the same reason of making the journey easier to Heaven. Personal items are often packed in the coffin with the corpse, such as the person’s favorite things and family photos. If a rosary is packed, some believe it is best to cut it in pieces to avoid any near future deaths in the family.

The belief in the aswang in Philippines is very strong. Some have different ideas about what an aswang really is but the beliefs are similar. The belief in aswangs is stronger in the Visayan Region of the Philippines. Some say that an aswang is what those in the Western countries know as vampires. They suck the blood of their victims and also eat the fetuses of pregnant women. Others believe that an aswang can transform into an animal, such as a bat, a large bird or a reptile. Still others believe that awangs are demons on earth and they can possess people.

Many people who become ill in the Philippines first think of an aswang or a curse that has been put on them as the cause of the illness. There are many faith healers in the Philippines who claim to heal with their hands and many Filipinos often turn to a faith healer first before going to a medical doctor, especially in the rural areas.

In some areas of the Philippines, the aswang is also known as “tik-tik” because that is the sound they supposedly make when they are sucking blood, eating people or looking for victims. Filipino children are warned at an early age that if they ever hear the sound, “tik, tik,” they should run home or seek safety with others because this sound means an aswang is stalking them.

Crosses, garlic and salt are three things people view as preventing an aswang from harming them or coming their way. Many bulbs of garlic are connected together by vendors on one rattan or wicker holder and sold in the public markets. These are bought to hang up in the family homes with the belief that when an aswang sees all the garlic, they will go to another home or simply flee. Garlic cloves are often put into the pockets of infants and children and even adults often carry cloves of garlic in their pockets. Some people believe in sprinkling salt around the windows, doors and around the house to prevent an intrusion by an aswang. Some people dress their babies and children in red colored clothing while they sleep at night to help keep away an aswang.

In some areas of the Philippines, certain families are known to be a family of awangs and they have been for generations. In the area of Philippines where we live, Roxas City, Iloilo, Capiz and Antique are notorious for having many aswangs.

Some believe and warn that if you hear your name called and no one is visibly around, then don’t answer because it is death calling out to you.

There are so many superstitions in the Philippines and all are not about death or aswangs. I see centavo and peso coins, the currency in the Philippines, all the time on the floor and on the tables and dressers in our home in the Philippines. The belief is that a person will always have money and not just centavos with all these coins in full view.

Spaghetti or rice noodles are served at birthdays because this represent long life.

Some people believe that if someone whistles when the wind is blowing, this will cause the wind to blow stronger. Words are also regarded as power by many, so watch what you say or else it may come true.

Superstitions of Filipinos are interesting, some are humorous, some are intriguing and some will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.