Filipino Wedding Traditions and Superstitions

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, Something… SUKOB?!

We know you’ve thought of Kris Aquino’s gut-wrenching horror movie, Sukob. But what is it really?

Filipino wedding superstitions and traditions have continuously hound our brides up to this day so we have round-up 7 Filipino Wedding Traditions / Superstitions that couples follow at their own risk. *wink wink* These are a mix of our Spanish influences, catholicism background, indigenous folklore and myth.

Who else loves a story filled with fantasy and whim? We know we do!

We start off with the pre-wedding preparations such as the engagement period!

 

1. Pamamanhikan / Bulungan / Paninilbihan

Pamamanhikan comes from the root word “panik” which means to ascend a flight of stairs in which the groom symbolically enters the bride’s house to formally ask for her hand in marriage. Rapunzel-vibes, anyone? He is usually accompanied by his family.

The groom usually ask his side of the family to come and meet the bride’s and is usually set in the bride’s house or a spacious venue. This is what we’ve come to know as the Bulungan. This is where both families talk about the wedding dates, the budget and the guestlist. *cue Monsters in law

Our ancestors usually require the groom to render services for them first called the Paninilbihan. This may entail cleaning the house, fetching water, cooking or doing the laundry. Oh hey, what a surefire way to practice for married life!

 

2. Sukob

Now back to Tita Krissy’s box-office hit! Sukob in Tagalog literally means huddling or sharing cover together. Filipina brides love to follow this wedding superstition. It is believed to be bad luck to be wedded in the same year as your sibling or to be wedded in the same year when a family member dies as a dark cloud may envelope you with misfortunes.

 

3. Offering eggs to Sta. Clara

Couples prefer a fair weather on their special day. They believe that rain will cause hassle to their guests and will not prove a good start to the wedding. Though, some believe that a light drizzle means a good blessing to the marriage. More often than not, couple who entirely want a good weather on their special day offer eggs to the Sta. Clara Convent along Marcos Highway. “Claro” means unclouded in Spanish and thus mean a fair weather. Eggs are offered because the albumen or the egg white is transparent and will thus mean, a clear sky. *cue You Make my Dreams come true dance of Joseph Gordon-Levitt*

Now to the actual wedding…

 

4. Sabitan at Sayawan Money Dance

Now, the sabitan and sayawan is fairly popular in Philippine provinces wherein the distinguished guests, family members, ninongs and ninangs get called to the stage to pin some money on the couples ensemble. The emcee gets a load of fun announcing how much or how little a certain guest gave. No wonder soon-to-wed couples love to incorporate this in their program!

 

5. Never buy a set of kitchen knives for the couple.

As for wedding gifts, it is believed to be bad luck to give sharp objects like a new set of knives to the couple as it can mean a broken marriage. Nuh-uh.

 

6. The grooms don a veil too!

As part of the church ceremony, grooms and brides share one veil as a symbolism of unity and protection. Veil sponsors pin it on the head of the bride and on the shoulder of the groom.

 

7. No pearl jewelries for the bride!

Pearls are considered to be ‘tears of the oyster’. Filipina brides like to abide by this superstition to mask away any misfortunes. We’d personally like to start off this marriage on the right foot too!

What Filipino traditions / superstitions would you follow?

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References:

http://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/Philippines/sub5_6c/entry-3871.html#chapter-24

Filipino Wedding Traditions

https://stellaire.ph/blogs/superstitions-and-wedding-traditions-in-the-philippines/