by Edcer Escudero
TALK about the Filipino penchant for the supernatural and images of quaint practices and strange rituals freely come to mind.
The ever-enterprising Pinoy, whose mind is readily open and receptive to new options, can make the ordinary look extraordinary and the normal supernormal.
Driven by an intense desire to achieve the incredible, if not the impossible, he adds new dimension to anything that catches his fancy, and would give him a taste of the unusual.
Okay, you may argue that the Pinoy is very resourceful. But he is also very superstitious and, pardon the expression, a sucker for anything paranormal. The Pinoy has so much faith in the supernatural that he would not think twice about obtaining extra-ordinary powers to advance his own personal agenda, legal, moral, or otherwise. It sounds selfish, but then, that’s human nature.
It is not that he lacks faith in himself and in his own capabilities. He just happens to know his own physical and spiritual limitations. In fact, it has become his personal philosophy in life to seek outside help to enhance his ordinary powers and multiply a hundredfold his natural abilities.
The frantic quest for the ultra-dimensional surfaces during the Lenten season, more accurately on Good Friday, the day Jesus Christ died on the cross. The bible tells us that at the precise moment when Christ gave up the ghost, the earth shook and the sky darkened over Golgotha where Christ was crucified. This probably explains why these rituals take place after the hour of Christ’s death.
This month of April, in some parts of Mindanao several practices and strange rituals will occur once again on Good Friday. One, is the so-called “search for the patella” which is done in isolated cemeteries in the countryside. (Definitely not at those impeccable bourgeoisie memorial parks).
Fearless males with courageous hearts and nerves of steel will excavate graves and uncover tombs in the dead of the night, and pluck out the platella or kneecap from the leg of a dead man. (The platella is a flat triangular bone located at the front of the knee joint).
This disk-shaped piece of human bone is said to have supernatural elements. It is used by the brave finder as an amulet to conquer evil. The wearer shall have the power and strength of He-Man, Spider-man, Batman and Superman combined. (By golly, this amulet should be required equipment to be worn by personnel of the AFP, PNP and NBI!). With platella, who needs a gun?
Another eyebrow-raising Lenten practice involves the hunt or capture of a special plant called makahiya. The search is done by love-starved males who want to acquire the power to win the object of their affection. The plant, which has tiny sensitive leaves fold instantly when touched, is converted into powder—leaves, stems and roots – and presto! — it becomes a love potion with magical properties. Mix this with a drink and offer it to the object of your desire, and she will hopelessly fall under your spell. There is a catch, however—the plant, to be effective, must be uprooted from the ground without causing the leaves to fold.
Then there is this religious cult somewhere in Sitio Awa, Catalunan Grande, Davao City, headed by a Cebuano spiritist. The group conducts a special ceremony to establish contact with the spirit of national hero Jose Rizal. The cultists gather between 8:00 pm and midnight (this is the time when the so—called “death chime” has struck, and the spirits from beyond are ready to come down). Rizal allegedly speaks thru the cult leader (presumably via satellite). The message from Rizal provides direction for the members to have a more enlightened life.
There are other Lenten practices which take place in caves and secluded sites in some parts of the country. When properly performed, participants are reportedly rewarded with various powers of invincibility, invisibility, and even economic stability.
Excuse me. I have to go. I don’t want to be late for my appointment with a cult leader, hehehe. (Tell us all about it in your next column. Promise? – Editors)
