Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition By Eden K. Nasayao, PhD
At the time of a woman’s conception, she should avoid eating eggplant. The color of the eggpant might be the color of the baby’s skin. WenceslaoAgento, 70, Talisay, Camarines Norte.
An expectant mother should not have her picture taken or her child will die at birth. Veracion Padilla, 64, Labo, Camarines Norte; Nina Cruz, 72, Sorsogon City.
A very close relationship between the mother and the child starts with breastfeeding.myra breastfeeding.myra Lactao, 47, Buhi, Camarines Sur; Maria Botiquin, 64, Daet, Camarines Norte.
Children get kabag when they eat camote. Parents should avoid giving this to their children especially for supper. Irene Arcena, 68, TalisayCamarines Norte.
Babies are not to be given ice cream as they will have weak lungs. They are not to be given any cold food. IreneArcena, 68, TalisayCamarines Norte.
At thirteen, a child can take care of his siblings and can be entrusted with money. Victoria Aluzan, 70, Paracale, Paracale, Camarines Norte.
Children, especially teen-agers, are required to be home before sunset or before chickens start to perch on branches. Corazon Aben, 73, Talisay, Camarines Norte.
Children are taught to do household chores at seven or eight years old. They cook rice, wash dishes and sweep the floor. Aurora floor. Aurora Andal, 64, San Vicente. Camarines Norte. Norte.
At a very early age, the child is taught politeness with words especially when answering or greeting parents. The child learns that because of the age gap, he has to give his parents due respect. Yolanda Aquino, 43, Labo, Camarines Norte.
When a child does a misdemeanor in the presence of visitors, he is punished soon as the visitors leave. Punishment may be a smacking of his buttocks. Rolando Acerado, 76, Vinzons, Camarines Norte.
When the old and young walk together, the younger ones should walk a few steps behind the older people. Irene Arcena, 68, Talisay, Camarines Norte.
A young lady’s Sunday attire should be a skirt with a hemline below the knees. Her dress should be sleeved and not transparent. transparent. BenedictoAmores, BenedictoAmores, 73, Paracale, Camarines Norte.
A mosquito net as wedding gift brings bad luck. On the other hand, arinola will bring prosperity. Anita Arines, 50, San Vicente, Camarines Norte; L oudesMarilos, 60, San Fernando, Masbate.
If the coffin is custom-made, no relatives should help. Onay is not advisable because another death in the family will follow. ZanaidaDoremdes, 62, Sorsogon City. Blesilda Muñoz, 29, Daet, Camarines Norte; Fe Lomerio, 50, Daraga, Albay.
One should not ask for anything from a person who is about to leave or who has just arrive, because it will bring bad luck. Vicente Apelar, 60, Labo, Camarines Norte.
After a meal one should rest first. If he bathes right after eating, his belly will grow large. Cornelia Jacinto, 44, Panganiban, Camarines Norte.
Stairs, when facing east, keeps the members of the family healthy. Vivian Baltazar, 40, Daet, Camarines Norte.
A sick perso n will die soon if a relative buy him clothes. Dominador Cortes, 64, Paracale, Camarines Norte.
No one should try to clean the table while others are still eating. This willbad luck to those who still do. ErlindaBaltazar, 48, Talisay, Camarines Norte.
When one accidentally wears his clothes inside out, he is soon to receive money. Placido Perez, 52, Masbate City; Virginia Lafuente, 55, Camarines Norte; Dominica Ables, 47, Legaspi City.
Whether a husband comes home early or late does not matter much. What matters is that the husband comes home. Virginia de Leon, 58, Labo, Camarines Norte.
When one gets lost in the forest, he should take-off his clothes and wear it inside out so that the “playing” spirit will stop playing tricks. Brigida Roche, 62, Panganiban, Camarines Norte; Mari Beth Azagra, 38, Legaspi City.
Lending money or paying debts should never be done in the evening or on Mondays because his resources will start to drain. CelestinaAbando, 58, Paracale, Camarines Norte.
A woman should never mend her clothes while she is wearing it. She will find it hard to deliver her baby when time comes. Leticia Alto, 61, Daet,Camarines Norte; Beatriz Collado, 48, Goa, Camarines Sur.
A person who sees his friends headless in his dream should drape a black cloth over his friend the next day. LucreciaAgaton, 70, Labo, Camarines Norte
Spirits reveals themselves in dreams. They may tell you their names, intentions, or tell you about your coming fortune. Presentacion Luna, 58, Panganiban, Camarines Norte.
An ant is seen on a sick person is a sign that he is dying. Felipe Apo, 60, Talisay, Camarines Norte.
A person who breaks an egg and finds two yolks inside will become rich. Evelyn Sosimo, 50, Daet, Camarines Norte; Presentation Loveno, 43, Daraga, Albay.
Santelmo is believed to be a condemned soul. It usually appears after a rain, or during a bad weather. Lilibeth Antorjo, 49, Labo, Camarines Norte.
The ananaggal has bat-like wings. It is a beautiful woman at day, but a monster at night. Florencio Catajan, 70, Nabua, Camarines Sur; Cecilia Paraiso, 69, Labo, Camarines Norte.
An engkanto is any enchanted creature – and much like human beings, they vary in form, attitudes, and powers we can never understand nor fathom. They inhabit our world, can see us, but more often than not, we are unable to see and mingle with them unless they allow us to do so. Marina Nebres,63, Camalig, Albay; Eusebio Daopan, 59, Aroroy,Masbate; Nemesia Facundo, 55, Paracale, Camarines Norte; Ariston Pante, 66, Pandan, Catanduanes.
An engkanto is white and good looking. They vanish when they hear people curse or see people in bright-colored clothes. Gloria Isidro, 67, Talisay, Camarines Norte.
An kapre is making its presence felt when you smell tobacco, when you hear the rustling of the leaves even if there is no strong wind, when you hear a man’s laughter, when no one is there. Leo Carandang, 62, Bacon Sorsogon; Crispulo Ferrer, 66, Labo, Camarines Norte; Monica Casais, Lindong, Albay .
The patiyanak is an aborted baby’s spirit in limbo as it cannot enter heaven. It cries for prayers. Cecilia Paraiso, 69, Labo, Camarines Norte.
The patiyanak is an offspring of an aswang and the devil. It looks like an innocent happy baby but when a human being gets near it, it reverts to its original form and devours the human fast, and so viciously. Crispulo Ferrer, 69, Labo, Camarines Norte; Nenita Sayson, 41, Ligao, Albay.
The tikbalang is a horse-like man. This tall creature has long bony limbs that are disproportioned. When squatting, its knees are taller than its head. It has clawed feet and long hair, with large mouth, teeth and huge testicles. Corazon Tabora, 68, Tabaco Albay; Wenceslao Castor, 59, Bato, Catanduanes; Crispulo Ferrer, 66, Labo, Camarines Norte.
The tikbalang is a culprit behind people who get lost in the woods or in the forest. When tikbalang misleads people in the forest, they are, more often than not, not found again. Crispulo Ferrer, 66, Labo, Camarines Norte; Ronaldo de Leoz, 78, Pilar, Sorsogon. Source: Nasayao, Eden K., Bikol Beliefs and Folkways: A Showcase of Tradition, 2010, Hablong Dawani Publishing House.
