Accordingly superstitious belief refers to a belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge, in or of the ominous significance of a particular thing, circumstance, occurrence, proceeding, or the like (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/superstition).
Whether
we like it or not, it is already a part of our existence. Filipinos,
in general, rely mostly to this kind of belief despite the absence of
any scientific basis. As a matter of fact, in every start of the year,
we always believe that our fortune would be in our favor if we prepare
something and we do something based on our superstitious beliefs.
I,
for one, do practice these superstitious beliefs. Although, I am not a
believer, (I hope you would agree with me) but part of me would concede
to this.
When
I took the BAR exams last 2008, it was not only me who believed and
relied to some superstitious beliefs. In fact, I even commissioned my
wife to practice some rituals in my behalf while I took the rigorous
review in Manila.
My
wife brought a photo of mine to a well-known local quack doctor of
Cabadbaran City. This vice-doctor took my photo and performed a ritual
that resembled something like a pray-over. After that, as I was told by
my wife, the quack doctor told her to tell me that I should entertain
no doubts upon entering the portal of DLSU (the venue of the 2008 Bar
Exams).
My
wife also went to a convent located in Carmen, Surigao del Sur where
she wrote my name in a piece of paper and placed it inside the
envelope. She then dropped the envelope inside the "Petition Box" and
then she performed prayers consonant to her petition.
Almost
every Sunday Mass, my wife would request her friend priest in
Carrascal, Surigao del Sur to offer the mass for my incoming Bar Exams.
While
I was reviewing in Manila, I often went and touched the Black Nazarene
and say my prayers. My prayer was very simple. That the Lord would
fortify my FAITH. FAITH in HIM as my creator and FAITH in me that I
could do it.
Of
all the beliefs we practiced, this was the most bizarre I guess. On
the examination day, I required my wife to lit a PINK CANDLE in the
house from the start of the exam until it would end. Just imagine how
my wife scour every nook and corner of Carrascal, Surigao del Sur (they
stayed in their place while I was in Manila) inorder to find pink
candles. This was the catch, never put off the flame of the candle.
Once lighted, the flame shall go on until the end of the exam on the
day.
Considering
that there are four Sundays in the Bar Exams, so my wife prepared many
candles as possible inorder to be lighted for the whole duration of the
four-Sunday exams. Of course, without mentioning the effort she exerted
in seeing to it that the flame did continue and uninterrupted.
Luckily I passed the 2008 Bar Exams. I really do not if those beliefs we practiced contributed or really helped me hurdled the Bar. I guess of all the beliefs I or we performed, it the keeping of the FAITH in me that was very important.
Believing in yourself would spell confidence in you. That no matter what would happen and no matter what you would go through, if you would have just an ounce of FAITH, everything would just seem so easy.
