Filipino Superstitions and Beliefs Tutorial

Summary

In this entertaining tutorial, Filipino creator Mikey Bustos explores various Filipino superstitions and beliefs, from wearing polka dots for prosperity to avoiding sugar on Good Friday for faster wound healing. He humorously challenges these beliefs, such as the idea that pointing at certain objects might anger spirits, and even shares personal anecdotes that bring a light-hearted touch to cultural myths. The video is a delightful dive into Filipino folklore, inviting viewers to share their own childhood superstitions and emphasizing the importance of critical thinking.

Takeaways

• 🎉 Filipinos have various New Year's superstitions, such as wearing polka dots and displaying 12 round fruits for prosperity, and jumping at midnight to grow taller.
• 🕊️ The speaker, Mikey Bustos, uses birds in his videos as a symbol of good luck, associating them with flying high and making noise.
• 🤕 Filipinos believe that getting a wound on Good Friday will take a long time to heal, which the speaker humorously questions.
• 👶 It's a Filipino belief that an itchy thumb signifies money coming one's way, which the speaker humorously connects to allergies.
• 👻 After a funeral, Filipinos practice 'bug-bug', avoiding going home directly to prevent a ghost from following them.
• 👎 In the Philippines, pointing at anything with an index finger is considered disrespectful and may anger spirits or 'twende'.
• 🌳 The speaker shares a personal anecdote about taking a selfie pointing at a tree, which his mother warned could anger 'duende', and subsequently getting sick.
• 💧 The speaker debunks the belief in 'duende' and explains the effectiveness of betadine for sore throats, killing viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
• 🤔 The speaker challenges superstitions by pointing at a tree and using betadine, proving nothing bad happened to him.
• 👵 The speaker's mother warns him about the consequences of not disposing of white hair properly, as birds using it could drive one mad.
• 📢 The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to share their own Filipino superstitions and beliefs in the comments section.

Q & A

What is the significance of wearing polka dots or circles and displaying 12 round fruits in a Filipino household at the beginning of the year?

Filipinos believe that wearing polka dots or circles and displaying 12 round fruits in the house at the start of the year leads to prosperity.

Why do Filipinos jump at the stroke of midnight on New Year's according to the script?

Filipinos believe that jumping at the stroke of midnight on New Year's will make them grow taller in the coming year.

What is the Filipino belief regarding getting a wound on Good Friday?

Filipinos believe that if you get a wound on Good Friday, it will take a long time to heal.

What does the speaker's mother tell him about an itchy thumb?

The speaker's mother tells him that an itchy thumb is a sign that money is coming his way.

What is the Filipino practice called 'bug-bug' after a funeral?

The practice of 'bug-bug' involves not going home right away after a funeral and instead eating somewhere or stopping by somewhere first, as it is believed that a ghost will follow you if you go home directly.

Why do Filipinos avoid pointing directly at objects or landmarks?

Filipinos believe that pointing at objects or landmarks might anger spirits, dwarves, or goblins known as 'twende' or 'duende'.

What did the speaker do to challenge the belief about pointing at a tree and the consequences?

The speaker took a selfie pointing at a big tree, and after his mother's advice, he bit his finger to avoid angering the 'duende'. He later got sick with a sore throat, which his mother attributed to the angered spirits.

What is the speaker's opinion about the belief in 'duende'?

The speaker is skeptical about the belief in 'duende', stating that there is no such thing as a 'duende'.

What does the speaker suggest for treating a sore throat?

The speaker suggests using betadine gargle to treat a sore throat, as it kills viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

What is the speaker's challenge to the belief about birds using white hair for nests?

The speaker plans to prove his mother wrong by pointing at a tree repeatedly and gargling with betadine to show that nothing will happen to him, challenging the belief that a bird using one's white hair for its nest will cause one to go crazy.

What is the final advice given by the speaker regarding the use of gargle for sore throats?

The speaker advises to only use betadine gargle for sore throats, emphasizing its effectiveness against various pathogens.