Back in the Day: Very Superstitious

This is the first in a series of posts dedicated to what we term in the hood, back in the day (btw, i still love that song). In the context of my pending fatherhood-ness, back in the day means to dissect the trials and tribulations of my own childhood, and the various child rearing techniques that I may/may not choose to use on my little girl. Without further ado, I give you: Very Superstitious!

The Philippines is abound in superstitions/old-wives tales, and being born there, I was subject from birth, to all of them.  Let's explore further, shall we?


Superstition #1: Being Too Cute Will Get You Sick
I've been told by several reputable resources (read: my parents), that I was an exorbitantly cute baby (see below). In fact, legend has it that I was so cute, that it impeded my learning to walk because everyone wanted to carry me. Now apparently, the energy others imparted on me due to my cuteness constantly got me sick - you know, fevers and the like. The closest parallel I can think of for this situation would be being cursed by the evil eye.  My Mom, with no explanation from modern western medicine, decided to consult the local hilot which promptly prescribed the use of a talisman to deflect the envious energy.  Voila!  Baby cured!  Hmmm - for some strange reason, I don't seem to get this same cuteness sickness in my adult life, perhaps that means I'm cured? =\  Queue the sad horns - womp womp womp .....

Unhand me Filipino Bee-Gees!

Superstition #2: Animal Sacrifice Will Cure All Ills
The two barnyard stars of this anecdote: Wilbur the piglet and Cocky the rooster.  First, let's talk about Wilbur.  In anticipation of celebrating my first birthday, my lola (grandma) & lolo (grandpa) decided to buy two piglets right when I was born with the intention that within a year, they'd be nice and plump to feed more people for the party.  Once again, super-cuteness (me) got quite sick a few months later (mommy must've forgot to attach that pesky talisman), but this time I had a sick buddy - my porcine friend Wilbur.  So with the reasoning that giving Wilbur the axe would also axe my sickness, Wilbur came to a deliciously roasted and crispy end :0(  ......  outcome: baby cured!

Now, on to Cocky.  Typically when a baby starts crying, a pacifier or rattle usually does the trick.  My pacification, however, was a bit more "country".  Apparently, the only thing that would calm this wailing child would be for my Lolo & Lola to call Mr. Cocky where I would then be thoroughly entertained by watching him peck at his feed (eat it baby einstein!).  Eventually my Dad enlisted in the U.S. Navy and my Mom and I followed him to his station in Japan.  My Lolo & Lola, overcome with grief from missing me, would cry every time they would feed Mr. Cocky.  Unable to bear the constant reminder of me that Cocky represented, Cocky promptly transformed into a very sad, but yummy, Adobo.  This particular anecdote wasn't very superstitious per se, but I thought I'd include it anyway ....

Lessons Learned
1 - Don't have a good looking kid - not possible! :0)
2 - Don't sacrifice our animal friends - check!
3 - Eat Filipino food tomorrow - check!
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P.S. - today marks a pretty awesome milestone in Rachel's pregnancy. She experienced quickening for the first time the other day after eating our good friend Ann's lemon pull cake. Whooopee!