Strange Ilonggo Beliefs About Birth, Are They Still Being Adhered to?

Manila (PNA) — Located in Central Philippines, particularly in Western Visayas or Region VI, the province of Iloilo, founded in 1566, is rich in tradition and culture reminiscent of old world architecture of Spanish baroque style.

According to a 2010 census, Iloilo has a total population of 1,805,576 with a density of 360 per square kilometer or 920 per square mile, excluding its capital Iloilo City.

Its spoken languages or dialects are Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, Capiznon, Tagalog and English.

Full of historical and beautiful churches and buildings, with its progressive investment climate and gentle-speaking people, Iloilo has been continually attracting migrants from Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

Steep as it is with tradition, Iloilo’s modernization has gone a long way from the Spanish era with a growing mixture of population who have carried along with them beliefs and customs that are still being practiced although not as intensely as of the past century.

Are these practices still applicable?

Dr. James Piad, who hails from one of the prominent Ilonggo families, said: “Modernization and technology may have overtaken us but there is no harm in believing something that could not be explained by science.”

Dr. Piad, now medical worker and a successful immigrant in Canada, said customs and traditions have never completely died in Iloilo and even in other countries where the Ilonggos are scattered. According to an old book, “Filipino Customs and Traditions” compiled by native Ilonggo Rene Alba, the birth of a child is replete with precaution such as giving in to all the wishes of a pregnant wife so that she will not be induced to premature labor.

Likewise, an expectant mother must never make fun or intensely look at persons with physical handicap because her unborn child may carry the same defect when it comes out.

To an Ilocano, this is meant “panag-uyuyaw or “panag-nginaw” of a mother-to-be.

A pregnant woman should avoid eating dark-colored food or fruits because her child would likely be dark-skinned.

The placenta must be buried with a music, arithmetic and reading books so that the child would be well-versed in these subjects.

To curb the child’s adventurous spirit and sure of returning to his birthplace when he is old, Alba said the placenta should be placed inside an earthen jar and buried on the ground.

If delivered with roaring thunder and powerful lightning flashing around, the child is believed to grow up intelligent, courageous and brave.

When a child comes off his or her mother’s womb at daybreak, he/she will be slow to anger, patient and hardworking. Unfortunately, he will be of weak spirit and bound towards cowardice.

A newcomer born between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. will be brave with a tendency to become domineering in his lifetime.

The newborn should be baptized after the first week or not later than the third month.

The Catholics believe that if the child dies without being baptized, his/her soul will go to purgatory because of absence of sin. Baptismal parties are held to ensure the child’s success and good fortune throughout his adult life. (PNA) SCS/LOR