Folk Practices in Child-Rearing

We Filipinos have always valued children as our living treasures and as our hope for the coming generations. Here in Bayambang, Pangasinan, there are numerous traditional practices in child-rearing that are a reflection of the premium value residents place in the young.

• Pakan moy baoy baboy so amil ya ugaw ta pian umbaleg ya malabir.

The female pig's pudenda should be cooked and fed to a child for him/her to be able to speak early and be fluent (malabir) and not amil or inarticulate growing up.

•  Say kumapiton agew na ingkiyanak na ogaw so nepeg ya iselebra.

A child should celebrate his or her 7th birthday in a big way in thanksgiving for reaching the age of wisdom.

•  Iguragor so itnol na genggeng ed saliy ogaw pian untibay so sali to tan masakbay ya unakar.

Rubbing the eggs of spiders on the legs of children will strengthen their legs and other body parts and cause them to walk early.

•  Mangiyan na barang ed abay o silong na dukulan o anduyan na ogaw pian unarawi so agnanengneng ya kaibaan.

Placing a bolo beside or under the bed or hammock of a child will protect the child from bad spirits.

• Itdan ya barang tan asin ya walay belas so silong na katrey ugaw.

Another version advises to put not just a bolo but also some rice and salt under the bed of the baby to ward off evil spirits. This belief mirrors the Pangasinenses’ strong belief in the presence of supernatural creatures. 

• Say uloy ogaw so ilot-iloten piyan balibaliy limpek to.

The head of a baby should be gently pressed around to balance its shape or roundness.

• Pansulong mo na amay pulseras so ogaw piyan aga nabaltikan.

Babies should wear a pulseras or bracelet with black and white beads to ward off baltik (usog).

• Painom moy pespes na ulnos na bayawas so ogaw ya ansakit so eges to.

Juice from fresh guava shoots may be used as medicine for children with aching stomach.

• Nepeg ya unogip so ugaw na ngarem piyan maples ya ombaleg.

Children need to sleep every afternoon for them to strengthen their bone, grow fast, and be in a state of good health in general.

• Aga nayarin amesen so ogaw no agew ya Biyernes.

Don’t ever bathe the baby on Fridays, so the baby won't be sickly or prone to cough and fever.

• Aga nayarin angoban so dapan na sali ya ogaw.  

Don’t kiss the bare sole of the feet of the baby because the baby will not easily learn to walk on his/her own feet and stand up alone.

• Amay unaan ya puter na kuko ya ogaw tan unaan ya kinatlin buwek so isigpit ed libro.

Keep the child’s nail or hair strands that were cut off for the first time and place them between the pages of a book, so the child grows up intelligent or fond of reading.

• Amay pinanputeran na puseg ya ugaw et ikutkot ed abay na abong (o balkoten tan ibitin ed bintana).

The cut-off umbilical cord of the baby must be buried beside the house so the child will grow to be "abong" or homebody and not "paakar" (layas or always going out). 

• Mangiyan kay libro o dyaryo'd silong na danganan na ogaw.

Put a book or newspaper under the pillow of the child, so the child will grow up smart or wise.

• Itdan moy timbey so muling na ugaw no mansisinok.

Put a piece of wet balled thread on the forehead of the child if he or she has hiccups to get rid of hiccups. A popular joke goes that a child having hiccups must have stolen an egg (nantakew na itnol).

• Pakan moy dala so ugaw piyan naekal so tak-takot to ed insekto.

Feed the child blood, so the child will overcome his/her fear of insects. 

• Aga nayarin idagi ed takeb so ugaw.

Don't place the child or the baby on your shoulders, or the teeth of the baby might become "sungki-sungki" or crooked. 

REFERENCES: PROFILERS/MAPPERS: Mark Anthony C. Ambat, Reynante Mejia, Jim Carlo Seguin, Juvilyn G. Lanzuela, Jolina Marie Erguiza, Mystica Luna Casillan, Joy Ann Valendiano, Jedidiah Ravanzo, Laica Gloria, Rica-Mae Ranoco, Irish Agustin, Aljon Garcia, Erica Estioco, Suyen Ballesteros, Hercules De Guzman (Humss – Proverbs)

INFORMANTS: Leticia Estacio, Fely Valendiano, Modesta J. Trinidad, Rowena Mejia, Gemma Edema W. Seguin, Fely Ravanzo, Barbara G. Agustin, Lorna Vasquez, Marietta G. Basilan, Ronia Garcia, Jovita Aquino, Luisa C. Magtaan, Jesus Petonio, Cecilia P. Mabulay

ADVISER: Mr. Christopher Q. Gozum, Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Region, Bayambang National High School – Senior High School

DATE PROFILED: February 19, 2019