Behind Filipino Folk Customs

PART OF UNDAS: A HALLOWEEN AND CHALLENGING HORROR AND MYTHS SERIES

Photo: Pinterest

Author: Ken Klark L. Flores

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect of any religious organization and denomination. This article is for Religious and Educational Purposes only.

Reader Advisory

This Article contains sensitive topics that are not suitable for some audiences. Reader Discretion is Advised and Parental Guidance is recommended.

Introduction

Many filipinos have it's own custom beliefs that didn't officially teach by Catholic Church or any Christian Denominations. What's behind the beliefs of filipinos behind it?

Atang

"Atang" is a traditional Filipino ritual of food offering for the deceased, most notably among the Ilocano people, though similar practices exist in other regions. The ritual is a way to remember and honor departed loved ones, as well as to appease spirits and provide them with sustenance in the afterlife. Offerings can include specific local delicacies like suman and patupat, and are often placed on altars or near graves during special occasions like death anniversaries or Undas (All Saints' Day) (Philippines, 2021). Similar practices exist in other parts of the Philippines, where they are known by different names, such as alay in the Tagalog region and halad among Cebuanos (Hugot Seminarista, 2025)

Padugo

In Filipino tradition, "padugo" (or "paraya" in Kapampangan) most commonly refers to a ritual involving the spilling of animal blood (typically a chicken or pig) to bless new structures, property, or ventures. The practice stems from ancient animistic and pagan beliefs and is intended to appease spirits, ward off misfortune, drive away bad spirits, and ensure good fortune, protection, and longevity for the house, building, new vehicle, or project (mgs-ronel, 2021). 

Tab-tabi po

it is a Filipino phrase used to respectfully ask permission from unseen spirits when passing through their territory, roughly translating to "excuse me" or "please step aside". It is a way of showing deference to supernatural beings, or engkanto, believed to inhabit natural places like forests, mountains, and rivers. Saying this is meant to avoid offending these entities and to prevent any negative repercussions. It is traditionally spoken when walking through areas believed to be inhabited by spirits, such as grasslands, near large trees like the Balete tree, or in cemeteries.

Criticism

Like in previous article, Most denominations, including the Catholic Church, discourages superstition as gravely contrary to the virtue of religion and a violation of the First Commandment.

Reference

Philippines, N. M. of the. (2021, November 2). Undas 2021 (Atang). National Museum. https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/2021/11/02/undas/

mgs-ronel. (2021, October 21). MGS Insurance Agency | Traditions in Building your Home. MGS Insurance. https://mgsinsurance.ph/blogs/traditions-in-building-your-home/

Social Media Reference

Hugot Seminarista (2025, October 29; 7:30 PM): https://www.facebook.com/HugotSem/posts/pfbid02Kd69oF9ciwxKgsXmy9w8SJLEgZR9fgGDpN9tQEonk1B89YnaFb8xfJ4hFzu6QCHcl

Jayco Corpus (2025, June 23; 6:22 PM): https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Bo5LUsvVs/

See also:

OCCULTISM AND SUPERSTITION

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