How to avoid misfortune in sports: The PUP way

The Philippines has different beliefs and practices essential to our daily lives. Filipinos grew up knowledgeable of superstitions or “pamahiin,” passed down through generations. 

These superstitions are often peculiar and sometimes logical based on our ancestors’ history and culture. Most of these beliefs are inclined with lifestyles—and some of them may concern sports.

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ (PUP) varsity athletes also have their fair share of superstitions in the field of competitive games.

Putting garlic inside your socks or shoes

Erick Albert Castañeda, a sepak takraw player and Bachelor in Physical Education student, said that when an elderly pats an athlete before a game, the athlete would feel weak and most likely perform poorly.

He was told that the pat may unconsciously put a curse on the athlete by doing so. To protect themselves from such misfortunes, he was instructed one time to tuck a piece of garlic in his socks or shoes.

Wearing the same pair of socks for every game

Jyn Ross Garrovillo, a futsal player and Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science student, believes that if their team wins the first game, they should wear the same pair of socks throughout an entire tournament to keep their winning momentum going.

Garrovillo further expounded that the pair of socks they wore must not be washed because it would remove all the luck and their team may lose their next game. She learned the superstition from her elementary coach and has practiced it ever since.

New haircut, better performance

People get a haircut for fashion, but for Josh Alberto, an athletics player from the College of Human Kinetics, it fuels better performance. 

It started during one of his high school runs, where he performed poorly because his shaggy hair was heavy and disturbing. Dejected, he blamed his loss on it. Since then, Josh would get a new haircut before competing in athletic events to prevent poor performance and ultimately, the win.

These superstitions of PUP athletes may sound odd, even unhygienic, and illogical, but are still similar to other cultural superstitions that are practiced to prevent bad luck and misfortune in their lives.

Nowadays, these beliefs are seen as an option by those knowledgeable due to their oddity and lack of scientific evidence. However, for our athletes, it is not about believing in superstitions—it is about pushing themselves to perform at their best with the methods they see fit in every competition.

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Layout by: Timothy Andrei Milambiling