⌛ A total scam

JP - my wife sets the table for every meal BUT SHE DOES use the "psssst"/ head nod thing. That is sooooo very funny.

KDF - the way I understand it, although I have never seen one, aswang are very tall, but their tongue is long enough to go through the window and reach the pregnant lady in bed asleep. So maybe the fish hooks are ok at that height. Hell, I don't know. All I know is that Mae said they are afraid of Bolo knives, bamboo spears will kill them and the "special oil" will keep them away. So we have all 3 things. All "blessed" (?) my our local faith healer.

 

Some things you cannot change

I am living since 2005 in China, mainly in Shanghai and if I would try to change just 1% of what is bothering me there I would desperate. I discovered Dumaguete this year while shooting for German TV a science piece and I love it here. it is no comparison to the money addicted Chinese and the screen saver thing, if it makes them happy and feel safe? So what, honestly, imagine how much money we Westerner spend for psychotherapy or religion motivated stuff, I guess 1900 Pesos are good invested if they feel better looking television (the program is by the way worst then that in China and this is the real bad thing to complain about)

Cheers

Joa Paul

 

I thought my wife's family was superstitious, but this stuff with the mirrors, fish hooks, and of course the tv screen protector is REALLY out there!

 

Among us locals, there is a saying:

" Don't believe it but it does not hurt to take precautions"

That is what the bamboo spears, the garlic and the bolos are for. That is part of the culture , the farther you are from the cities the more prevalent the practice.

This is not unique to the Philippines. A whole collection of books by Mexican writer, Carlos Castaneda , is about the "Brujos and the Brujas" Different version, same thing.

Have you heard of the enchanted " Balete Tree" . Every balete tree is supposed to be inhabited by enchanted beings. Locals are always wary of it. There is a lot of them in Balanan Lake. If one has to cut it down you need a shaman to act as go between to ask permission to cut them down. If you don't do that , then harm will come to the one who has the tree cut down.

Superstitious belief, sure. but as they say, what do you lose by doing the rituals.

For all its worth, it makes for an interesting topic.

 

Felisa Gil - all you do when you change countries is change superstitions, but we ALL have them in some fashion.
I never would ride a Harley in the US if it didn't have a "biker bell" on it.
Through 3 marriages, I have never taken off my wedding ring while married.
And my motor here was blessed by our Priest, and the same thing is done in the US.
As you said, it never hurts.......

 

You are all correct, true and so funny
Ron

 

It really is funny, considering that the stick on screens cost only about P100 per square meter.
You can buy a clip on at P.C. Express for P150 and they are only meant to block the sun glare on the screen.
Modern televisions and monitors however have already evolved from the slick, reflective screens to opaque, rough texture screens to battle the glare.
I'm sure you already knew this, but I had no problem making my stubborn wife understand it.
Maybe you can do the same with a little effort.