Apparently, I almost died during my last holiday in the Philippines and I didn’t even know it.
Let me back up a bit.
The Philippines is ripe with superstitions. But even though I grew up there it turns out I wasn’t familiar with a whole bunch of them.
One is said to be lethal.
During my last holiday, I decided to take my family to this beautiful island, Camiguin – popular for its sunken cemetery and amazing springs. It was a nice relaxing break and we really enjoyed it.
But it was the trip home that was the intriguing part.
I ended up sitting next to an old man in the van on the way home. He was nice and kind – fascinated by his trip to the big city. When I sat down, he placed his hand on my shoulder and asked really kindly if we were heading to the same city. I think he was apprehensive about traveling on his own.
I said yes and he sounded relieved, like he was assured he was in the right van.
Seconds after that short conversation, I got a text message from my younger sister who was sitting behind me.
“Make sure you pat him back before we leave. And make sure you have the last pat. I’ll explain later.”
I was going to nap during the two-hour drive back but the text really disturbed me. I turned around and gave her a look and she just said to ‘just do it’.
This is what I found later on when she was able to explain it to me. Apparently, people in certain secluded areas in the Philippines have this power to inflict death on out-of-towners – just because.
My sister, my mom, my uncle, my brother-in-law, the driver – they all said the same thing. Someone they know had been tapped – on the back, on the shoulder, on the arm – then moments later, like we’re talking within minutes of it happening – the victims fall to the ground and have a seizure of sorts.
A seizure – and then they die. Some stories include taking the victim to the hospital where tests would show that there was nothing wrong with them.
They still die. Always die.
Now, my rational, logical mind – the one that’s been living in a country with no superstitious beliefs – laugh at the idea of this ‘Pikpik’ (tapping tapping) thing being real.
But the other side of me, the one who loves life and who doesn’t like risks, who loves the ‘what ifs’, is afraid of the possibility that Pikpik might be true.
So what did I do?
When I got off the van, I waited for the old man and I gave him a tap on the shoulder and said goodbye.
I’m going to be honest here, I felt relieved. And you know what? I’m glad I did it. Turns out the cautious side of me won — hands down!
What about you? Would you leave it or tap back?
Leave a Reply