Balancing religion and folklore

Examining the coexistence of folkloric beliefs and Christianity

The Philippines is known as the only dominantly Christian country in Asia—a distinction thanks to our strong Roman Catholic faith, a legacy of Spanish colonization. While religions are significant parts of our culture, many Filipinos stay rooted in the country’s early animistic practices through traditional folklore beliefs handed down through generations.

Sometimes, they mix the two. A person might identify as Catholic but follow traditional superstitions. One such belief is pagpag, where people avoid going home directly to their house from a wake. Similarly, a person desperate for a loved one’s recovery might consult medical professionals but also turn to quack doctors, all while praying fervently in church.

But do they clash against each other? 

Not for most Filipinos, says Dr. Nestor Castro, a cultural anthropologist from the University of the Philippines Diliman. He offered an intriguing perspective: Filipinos do not strictly rely on folkloric practices—they’re simply seguristas. It’s about taking every possible step to ensure success or safety. For many, there’s no issue in blending prayers, modern medicine, and age-old folkloric beliefs. Why choose just one when you can embrace them all? It’s this seamless mix of practicality and spirituality that defines the Filipino approach to life.

But do these beliefs resonate with everyone? What about those who choose to follow Christianity over folkloric practices or those who prefer both, depending on what benefits them? This raises a thought-provoking question: should one belief prevail?

Faith vs Folklore

You have probably seen it before—religious folks and everyday people arguing over which belief system matters more. Dr. Castro explained that believing in superstitions, folk healing, and fortune-telling is a form of faith. For believers, it’s about trust and surrender like in any other religion, hoping these practices will help them get what they want.

But from a Christian perspective, Ptra. Corazon Tabucal of Jesus Is Lord Worldwide explained that only one true faith must be followed: a relationship with Jesus, and nothing else. Biblically speaking, holding onto folkloric beliefs is considered abominable before God.

Can Christianity and Folkloric beliefs coexist?

On one end of the spectrum, superstitious beliefs hinder one’s path to a deeper tie with God. Ptra. Tabucal pointed out that the Philippines has struggled to become the prosperous nation God promised, partly because we remain enslaved by folkloric practices.

But from a social standpoint, it’s clear that these beliefs truly coexist today. Dr. Castro emphasized this, saying that folkloric beliefs continue to play a powerful role for many Filipinos, especially those in marginalized sectors. For example, believing in the Tallano gold during elections influenced many to vote for the Marcoses because they were in financial need, which became a key factor in shaping their political decisions.

Ultimately, whether Christianity and folkloric beliefs coexist depends on how we view them. But what we can take from this is simple: becoming a better person comes first before debating whichever belief to follow. After all, at the crossroads of these ideas, the best path is where someone can truly grow amidst every challenge. 

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