Food in the Philippines is more than just sustenance; it’s a vital expression of culture, belief, and identity. From the feasts of birthdays and holidays to porno gratis moments and spiritual rites, every dish carries layers of meaning. Filipino food traditions and superstitions reflect a deep intertwining of indigenous practices, colonial influence, Catholic faith, and folk spirituality.
In this article, we delve into the fascinating superstitions and traditions surrounding Filipino food—especially its roles during birthdays, New Year’s celebrations, before sex, after death, and other pivotal moments. We’ll explore how these beliefs connect to health, luck, fertility, prosperity, and even sexuality.
The Cultural Backbone of Filipino Food Beliefs
In Filipino culture, food is always present during major life events—births, deaths, weddings, and everything in between. It’s a tool for communication with the divine, an offering to ancestors, and a symbol of abundance and care. Superstitions, often passed down orally from grandparents to grandchildren, have remained alive in kitchens and dining tables across the archipelago.
Food, for many Filipinos, is a talisman—something that can ward off bad spirits, attract good luck, or influence the future. This belief system has roots in animism, Chinese feng shui, Catholic ritualism, and pre-colonial mysticism. Even today, many Filipinos follow these traditions not only out of respect for elders but also from a subconscious desire to maintain cosmic balance.
Birthday Food
Pancit for Longevity
No Filipino birthday is complete without pancit—a noodle dish that symbolizes long life. The tradition of serving pancit (like pancit canton or bihon) comes from Chinese influence. The key superstition? Never cut the noodles, as it’s believed to shorten the life of the birthday celebrant. Let the noodles remain long and unbroken, representing a full and prosperous life ahead.
Round Foods for Abundance
Celebratory foods like lechon (roast pig) and round fruits (e.g., grapes, oranges) are believed to attract wealth and good fortune. The round shape symbolizes coins and wealth, making them birthday table staples. Cakes, although more Western, have also been integrated into the Filipino birthday narrative as a symbol of sweetness in life.
New Year’s Eve Feasting
Filipino New Year’s traditions are steeped in magical thinking, and food plays a central role.
12 Round Fruits for Prosperity
One of the most well-known superstitions is the 12 round fruits, representing 12 months of prosperity. Each fruit is believed to attract luck and fortune for each month of the coming year. Some families go as far as making sure the fruits have no blemishes—imperfections might mean trouble or bad luck.
Sticky Rice and Sweetness
Biko (a sticky rice cake made with coconut milk and brown sugar) is often served to keep family ties strong and relationships “sticky” in the new year. The sweetness also symbolizes a harmonious life, free from bitterness.
Avoid Chicken and Fish
Interestingly, some Filipinos avoid serving chicken and fish on New Year’s Eve. Chicken is associated with “isang kahig, isang tuka” (a hand-to-mouth existence), implying poverty. Fish, unless abundant and well-prepared, can represent struggle and “slippery” wealth.
Pre-Sex Food Beliefs
While not often openly discussed due to the conservative nature of Filipino society, there are food superstitions related to sexuality and performance—particularly among older generations and in rural areas.
Balut: The Fertility Booster
Balut, a fertilized duck egg, is believed to enhance sexual stamina and fertility, especially for men. It’s commonly sold at night and whispered about as a “virility food.” Its warm, salty, and protein-rich nature has led many to believe it stimulates sexual energy and arousal.
Oysters and Seafoods
Like many cultures, certain shellfish such as oysters, mussels, and tahong are thought to have aphrodisiac properties. Their slippery, sensual texture and high zinc content support this belief, especially among couples preparing for intimacy.
Coconut Water for Cleansing
Some traditional healers recommend buko juice (coconut water) to “cool the body” after sexual activity, promoting spiritual and physical cleansing. In some rural beliefs, coconut water is also considered a neutralizer of “init” (body heat), restoring energy balance.
Funeral and Mourning Food Traditions
Filipino wakes and funerals are rich with food superstitions that stem from pre-colonial ancestor worship and Catholic mourning customs.
No Spaghetti or Sweet Foods
Families often avoid sweet foods like spaghetti or cake during mourning. Sweets are symbolic of joy, and it’s considered disrespectful or inauspicious to eat them while grieving. Instead, plain rice, boiled eggs, or soup dishes are served—simple and subdued.
Pancit Again—but With a Twist
Unlike birthdays, pancit at funerals doesn’t symbolize longevity. Instead, it serves as comfort food for mourners and visitors. However, some families avoid serving it entirely to prevent confusing symbols between life and death.
“Pagpag”: The Protective Ritual After Wakes
Perhaps the most fascinating post-funeral tradition is pagpag—the practice of stopping by another place (usually a fast-food restaurant or a friend’s house) before going home after a wake. The belief is that going straight home could lead the spirits of the dead to follow you, bringing misfortune. Eating something during pagpag, like burgers or fries, serves as a symbolic act of disconnection from the spiritual realm.
Love and Courtship
Food is also used in romantic and courtship rituals across various provinces in the Philippines.
Harana and Kakanin
During traditional harana (serenading), suitors often bring kakanin (rice cakes) to the woman’s family. Offering sticky rice symbolizes a wish for the relationship to “stick.” Variants like suman, puto, and bibingka are common, signifying respect, sweetness, and intent.
Cooking as Commitment
A young woman preparing a dish for her suitor—or vice versa—is often seen as a sign of serious affection. Elders still believe that the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. Successfully cooking the man’s favorite dish is seen as a green light for engagement.
Pregnancy and Food
Pregnancy in the Philippines is riddled with food-related superstitions meant to protect the mother and unborn child.
Cravings Must Be Satisfied
There’s a strong belief that when a pregnant woman’s cravings aren’t fulfilled, the baby will be born with a birthmark resembling the food she longed for. For example, if she wants mangoes and doesn’t get them, the baby might have a yellow patch on its skin.
Avoiding Dark and Twin-Producing Foods
Pregnant women are advised against eating twin bananas, lest they give birth to twins. They’re also warned not to eat black-colored food (e.g., blood stew or dark soy sauce dishes), which is said to cause dark skin in babies—a belief tied to colonial colorism.
Spiritual Beliefs
“Alay”: Feeding the Spirits
In Filipino spirituality, particularly in provinces with strong animist traditions, food is offered as alay (offering) to spirits, ancestors, or nature deities. Cooked rice, native chicken, and kakanin are commonly used. These offerings are laid on banana leaves near trees, graves, or house corners to ensure peace and protection.
Holy Food and Blessings
Some families still place food in front of a religious altar for blessing before a big feast. Others sprinkle holy water over the banquet to ensure safety and abundance.
In remote areas, spiritual leaders or shamans may “speak to the food” before it’s eaten during special rituals, asking it to “reveal its energy” or ensure good fortune.
Modernization and Changing Beliefs
As the Philippines modernizes, some of these superstitions have become diluted or blended with new ideas. Urban families may laugh off some of these food beliefs as old-fashioned, yet still follow them “just in case.” In the provinces, they remain strong, binding families and communities with a sense of shared cultural identity.
Western holidays like Halloween and Valentine’s Day are now celebrated with Filipino flair, combining imported foods with local superstitions. Even fast-food chains offer special menus during important cultural dates, subtly nodding to traditional beliefs.
Conclusion:
In the Philippines, food is never just food. It is a form of language—symbolic, emotional, and deeply spiritual. Whether it’s the sticky rice on New Year’s Eve, the pancit on birthdays, or the oysters shared before a passionate night, every bite carries intention.
Filipino food superstitions and traditions remain vibrant, not only because they add color to everyday life, but because they reflect an enduring respect for ancestors, spiritual realms, and the unseen forces that shape human experience.
As you enjoy your next Filipino meal, remember: you’re not just feeding your body—you’re participating in centuries of culture, belief, and love.