Kapuso stars on Ghost Month

Many Chinese families or those of Chinese descent observe the Festival of the Hungry Ghost, more popularly known as the Hungry Ghost Month by choosing to lie low. Holding loud parties, swimming or walking around after dark is forbidden, and construction projects are put on hold. Some even forego or lessen driving around to avoid collisions, although this is hard to imagine in perpetually traffic-choked Metro Manila. The annual festival is held during the seventh month of the Chinese calendar which is usually August in the more common Gregorian calendar. This year, the festival’s peak will be on   Aug. 28.

I polled several Kapuso stars and directors whether they or their families follow the Chinese belief of laying low at this time. Kapuso Primetime King and soon-to-be dad Dingdong Dantes is also a “don’t clip your nails at night” believer. “Hindi ako nag-gugupit ng kuko ko sa gabi. Di ko alam kung bakit, siguro nakasanayan. Hindi naman dahil sinabing may mga lalabas na multo or stuff, basta nakasanayan lang. Si Marian ang maraming superstition,” Dingdong said.

StarStruck winner Mark Herras is also aware of this pamahiin. “Medyo mapamahiin ako. Hindi ako nag-gugupit ng kuko sa gabi. Hindi ako nagpapalinis o nagpapawalis tapos ipapalabas yung dumi sa gabi dahil masama raw yun. Sa sapatos naman, dapat kapag binigyan mo yung isang tao, bibigyan mo siya ng piso tapos ’wag mong iwawala kundi mag-aaway kayo. Na-experience ko na yun sa ex ko kaya naniniwala ako.”

Beautiful Strangers leading man Rocco Nacino, on the other hand, is quite superstitious and believes it’s better to be safe than sorry. “Hindi ako masyadong naniniwala pero may mga practices na wala naman sigurong mawawala kung gagawin mo diba? For example, not going under the ladder because it is said to bring bad luck or opening an umbrella indoors. If I’m walking with someone like my girlfriend tapos may poste, ayokong mag-split kami kasi parang maghihiwalay kami.”

Kris Bernal said that while she respects the Chinese culture, she and her family aren’t very superstitious. “Wala kaming pina-practice masyado sa bahay. Siguro ang sinusunod lang namin, yung bawal kang dumiretso sa bahay kapag galing ka ng patay.”

Zoren Legaspi of the upcoming primetime program MariMar and Paolo Contis of Bubble Gang said they are aware of the Hungry Ghost Month but do not follow any Chinese beliefs. “Aware ako pero hindi ako naniniwala,” Zoren said. “I think it’s a waste of belief, a waste of energy, and a waste of money. Maraming naniniwala na hindi dapat mag-start ng negosyo kasi Ghost Month, pero Biblically speaking, wala namang ganun.”

 Paolo said he has “heard about it. I don’t practice it though.” His mother, however, sees no harm in covering all bases. “Ang mom ko, ang point niya is what’s wrong with observing it, bakit hindi?” Paolo said he believes “God has a plan for everything” but admitted being a little bit superstitious. “May mga simpleng pamahiin. Yung mga ’wag mag-nail cutter sa gabi, eh di mag-nail cutter ka sa umaga. No harm in following, but not because I’m scared of it.”

Director Mark Reyes of The Half Sisters said that he was aware of the beliefs surrounding the Chinese festival “but only in my late 30s, when I was building my first condominium.” Now, he tries to observe it “but since my clients don’t believe in it, I will go with my clients’ desire and choose to be professional more than superstitious.”

Meanwhile, MariMar director Dominic Zapata described himself and his family as “masyadong Catholic. We serve in Church and sing at Baclaran Church.”

He believes in starting projects on time even if August is traditionally a rainy month. “I will not allow the Hungry Ghost Month to deter me from beginning a project that’s supposed to be started.”

Talent manager and Startalk host Lolit Solis said she first heard about the Hungry Ghost Month from movie producer Mother Lily Monteverde. “Nalaman ko lang iyan kay Mother Lily, ayaw niyang mag-start ng project ’pag August. Ayaw niyang mag-travel noon. Natanim sa utak ko iyon sabi niya ‘kulo dugo’ daw August, madami ang mainit ang ulo. Wala naman mawawala kung susunod basta pray lang ’pag may nega.”

Eat, Bulaga! host and showbiz icon Joey de Leon has a more subdued view about the entire thing. “Walang ginawa ang Diyos na month na bad — katulad din ng animals o ng fruits,” he said. “Walang masamang buwan. Naniniwala ka ba sa influence number? Kung ano ang influence number mo, iyon ang sundin mo na lang. Walang masama. Pero yung tungkol sa August being a Ghost Month or a bad month, hindi ako masyadong sumusunod.”