Even with science and expertise round, Filipino folklore continues to be handed on from technology to technology – together with tales of creatures and curses which have for a very long time appeared unattainable to elucidate scientifically.
Filipino folklore is an attention-grabbing subject to delve into for scientists because the Philippines’ library of analysis on such supernatural phenomena continues to develop. Discoveries in science and expertise have helped make clear some folklore beliefs that generations of Filipinos grew up believing in. Scientists and researchers from the College of the Philippines – Diliman Faculty of Science (UPD-CS), in addition to from different institutes, have analysis work that concentrate on well being situations linked to Filipino folklore, enriching our understanding of what we heretofore may solely consider as supernatural.
Tracing the Aswang’s true roots
One of the vital feared Filipino supernatural beings is the aswang, a shapeshifter that takes on human type in the course of the day however transforms right into a grotesque creature at night time that will feast on people. Aswangs are stated to dwell primarily on Panay Island, significantly within the province of Capiz. However in 1975, Filipino medical doctors found a neurodegenerative dysfunction there known as X-linked Dystonia Parkinsonism (XDP).
Folks recognized with XDP exhibit signs of dystonia, equivalent to cramping of the foot and involuntary pulling of the neck. The jerky, seemingly unnatural motion of XDP victims may simply lead one to assume that they’re being possessed by the satan. Then it progresses to Parkinsonism signs equivalent to tremors, muscle stiffness, gradual motion, and impaired stability and coordination which may typically result in falls.
“The [aswang] fantasy tried to elucidate the transformation when these individuals finally began to manifest the trait,” stated Nationwide Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB) Director Dr. Pia Bagamasbad, who lately revealed a study on how stress hormones have an effect on the expression of genes of XDP sufferers. “They [XDP patients] had been born regular, they grew as much as be regular, then they out of the blue reworked, exhibiting these involuntary contractions na parang nagtatransform. Ganoon ‘yung sinasabi na ‘aswang’. Kaya nagkaroon ng fantasy.”
Dr. Bagamasbad visited Capiz in 2019 for a very totally different purpose, however speaking to the residents piqued her curiosity in probing the hyperlink between stress and XDP. “‘Yung iba sinasabi na after a really aggravating state of affairs, like [typhoon] Yolanda, doon nagsimulang magmanifest ‘yung signs,” Dr. Bagamasbad stated.
XDP is because of a mutation in a gene discovered on the X-chromosome. Due to this fact, this illness extra generally impacts males. All people bothered by XDP can hint their roots to Panay Island. There may be nonetheless no remedy for XDP but, however based on a case study on XDP revealed within the Philippine Medical Affiliation Journal, it will be significant for this illness to be acknowledged.
“The sufferers who are suffering from X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism are individuals who want care and usually are not purported to be feared. Maybe, if the illness turns into widespread data, the worry will probably be become understanding, the stigma can be abolished, and the sufferers bothered with the illness will probably be given the suitable administration and be given hope,” the research stated.
Blindness resulting from a ‘curse’
In the meantime, based on ophthalmologist Dr. Ryan Collantes, it’s uncommon for younger individuals to undergo from glaucoma. So he was naturally intrigued when a 16-year-old approached him due to attainable glaucoma.
“The affected person additionally provided an attention-grabbing historical past. Each of his siblings had been blind in a single eye. His father was additionally blind. In his case, [glaucoma] was a familial illness. I assumed that there was a genetic part as a result of there was a robust penetrance of the illness,” stated Dr. Collantes in an interview.
Dr. Collantes flew to the affected person’s hometown to be taught extra in regards to the affected person’s household historical past and genetics, solely to fulfill greater than 50 relations who had juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG), a uncommon glaucoma situation.
After accumulating blood samples from the relations and analyzing its extracted DNA on the Philippine Genome Heart (PGC), Dr. Collantes found a brand new sort of mutation that causes glaucoma in affected relations.
His additional analysis on this illness allowed Dr. Collantes to develop into a analysis fellow on the Massachusetts Eye and Ear and the Harvard Medical College. He additionally obtained the worldwide Dr. David L. Epstein award for clinician-scientists pursuing analysis on glaucoma.
“These individuals [with JOAG] assume that they’re cursed. However, by this scientific discovery, we proved that they aren’t [cursed]. I wish to give sufferers hope. It means lots to them that we’re trying into their state of affairs. I wish to genuinely look out for them,” Dr. Collantes shared.
The thriller behind kulam
At any time when extreme opposed occasions occur, Filipinos usually surprise if it has one thing to do with kulam or sorcery. Normally, kulam entails critical illnesses that trigger ache, and makes use of kontra-kulam treatments as remedy.
Nevertheless, Division of Anthropology Professor Emeritus and former UPD Chancellor Dr. Michael Tan wrote an essay elaborating on how sure ailments could be regarded as attributable to kulam. Neuritis, a situation involving irritation of nerves, is one such illness. Sicknesses which can be visually disfiguring are additionally generally assumed to be an aftermath of kulam. Psoriasis is one other instance, the place patches of thick purple pores and skin and scaly patches seem on the pores and skin. And these ailments also can overlap with nervous ailments: nervousness could cause individuals to scratch their pores and skin and expertise delicate ache that would worsen over time.
Power illnesses equivalent to ascites, a situation during which fluid builds up within the stomach, are additionally generally related to kulam. Ascites could also be usually attributable to liver issues, however some individuals readily imagine {that a} mangkukulam positioned international objects into the sufferer’s physique.
Psychosis or paranoia, a psychological well being situation that entails irrational suspicions or distrust of others, is one other ailment generally related to kulam. Sufferers with paranoia usually imagine they’re being threatened regardless of having little or no proof.
Kulam, based on Dr. Tan, reveals Filipinos’ lack of well being literacy and the way widespread and harmful that may be.
Constructing on the supernatural
And but, trendy science doesn’t at all times essentially should debunk people beliefs.
In some methods, science can complement and even enrich our appreciation of folklore by enabling us to know what makes the seemingly unattainable, attainable. And it’s by this understanding that we’re in a position to make better-informed choices.
“Phrases like ‘mutation’ or ‘provider’ are quite common now, and there’s much less stigma among the many individuals bothered with this illness [XDP],” recounted Dr. Bagamasbad as she talked about her analysis on XDP. “Now, their health-seeking conduct has improved. A few of them even volunteered their autopsy mind to advance the understanding of what’s occurring on the tissue degree.”
By way of folklore, we’re in a position to glimpse our ancestors’ views on life, which may in flip domesticate our personal self-understanding. Folklore additionally factors the best way in the direction of the unknown, elevating to our consciousness the mysteries of our world, thereby setting the stage for our innate scientific curiosity to be taught extra about and perceive them.
Eunice Jean Patron is a graduate of Improvement Communication from the College of the Philippines Los Baños. She is a Senior Science Communicator on the UP Diliman Faculty of Science.
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