WATCH: Kris Aquino shares how she wards off evil spirits

MANILA, Philippines — As a “Chinoy” or a Filipino with Chinese blood, multimedia star Kris Aquino believes in the Chinese tradition that nine is an auspicious number.

According to Chinese culture, “jiu,” the Chinese word for nine, sounds like the Chinese words for “eternity” and “long lasting,” which is why Chinese emperors usually prefer this number.

As for Kris, every ninth of the month, she makes it a point to have a chicken killed, then spread its blood outside her house’s gate.

“Before eight o’clock the night before the ninth day of every month,” she said. “It has to be before sunset but before 8 p.m.”

She knows that the house cleaning practice, also called “padugo” among Filipinos, is a superstition “but wala namang mawawala,” she said.

“Padugo” or animal blood-letting is often done before building a house to protect construction workers from accidents. Filipinos, especially from the provinces, believe that this drives away evil spirits from one’s home.

For those who want to follow such practice, Kris stressed an important reminder:  “And you’re not allowed to eat the chicken, tapon na lang ‘yung manok!”  — Video by Kat Leandicho