Do's and don'ts during 'Ghost Month'

MANILA -- What are the things that we should avoid during the "Ghost Month"?

The Chinese traditionally consider August as the "Ghost Month," during which they give offerings to the souls of the departed who have not yet moved on to the other realm.

In an interview on radio DZMM, Dr. Anthony Fugoso, a dentist and feng shui practitioner, explained that the Chinese Ghost Month is similar to the Filipino's All Souls Day and All Saints Day.

"Binibigyan ng tribute ang mga yumao. 'Yung mga yumaong hindi nabigyan ng proper burial, o kaya walang preparation para makatawid sa kabilang realm," Fugoso said.

This is also the time when souls are allowed to come back to "eat" or "drink."

"Traditionally, pinapayagan silang lumabas sa kanilang lugar na pinanggalingan, 'yung realm nila. At 'yung mga ghost na 'yan, kaya hungry ghost, hindi sila preparadong pumasok sa lugar nila. 'Yung nag-o-offer nga tayo para meron silang makain," Fugoso added.

According to Fugoso, the Chinese usually burn paper money, paper cars and paper houses in front of their houses, or in an offering table, as offering to the ghosts.

In Southeast Asia, offering to the souls is commonly practiced in Malaysia and Singapore.

The "Ghost Month" is also usually associated with bad luck, and historically, a lot of calamities and tragedies happen in August.

"Umiiwas kami sa Ghost Month. Kapag may humihingi ng advice, sinasabi naming bawal magpakasal kapag Ghost Month. Mas marami ngang trahedya kapag August," Fugoso said.

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Do's and don'ts during 'Ghost Month'